‘I am sure that they did, and I am deeply sorrowful for your loss,’ said Selvador, placing one large hand on Hendrick’s shoulder. It wasn’t often the sergeant found himself at eye height with someone, but the regent militant was tall enough to look at him square. He did so now, compassion and faith brimming in his gaze. ‘You have lost much, I see it in you, and you desperately wish for your brother’s death to have a deeper meaning. And perhaps it does. Perhaps it did. Rest assured I shall pray to Sigmar for guidance and contemplate the matter at length. But young man, the pain I see in you tells me that your brother meant enough without his needing to be the sainted saviour of this proud city.’

Hendrick felt a whirl of confused emotion at the old man’s words, an intense rush of frustration and sorrow and gratitude and anger so intense that it tightened his jaw and clenched his fists. He saw the aelven guards tense as they watched him, and took slow, deep breaths to calm himself.

By the time the rushing sound had left Hendrick’s ears and the band of iron had relaxed around his chest, the matter was as good as done.

‘…but my lord, surely if Sigmar himself has sent us messengers–’

‘Captain Morthan, that is enough.’ The regent militant’s voice held a note of steel that Hendrick hadn’t heard before. ‘It is not for us to presume the will of the God-King. Draconium has faced trial and tribulation many times and prevailed every time. We overcame the orruk invasions of the Bloody Season, did we not? We weathered the pyrothaumic storms and all they wrought. By Sigmar’s grace we even overcame the summoning of daemons within the very walls of this city! I know what you want of me, but I will not send to Hammerhal for Stormcast aid. Sigmar’s holy warriors have wars enough to fight, and we have weapons enough to look to our own defence. This warning,’ he stressed the word ‘is every bit as vague as everything else you have brought to me these last days. If there are a great many crimes just now, I suggest you stop allowing the distractions of doubt and fear to rule you, and instead strike out to solve them with faith in your heart. And if your faith is wavering then you might consider following our friend here’s example, and swap your blade for a hammer.’

Captain Morthan looked like she wanted to say more, but instead she clenched her teeth and bowed.

‘Yes, my lord,’ she said.