If the unearthliness of the Vengeful Spirit were not enough to convince the Wolves of maleficarum, the voices that Bjorn had heard upon their arrival grew stronger. Snatches of words - all alien, but unmistakably malevolent - became apparent, causing the packs to pause many times in case of enemy attack. In earlier days they might have checked their vox for malfunction. Now they knew the voices for evil magic. This diagnosis of the ship's ills was brought fully home to them when the corridors they trod ceased to ring under their feet, but became moist, giving flesh that shivered when touched, as if physical contact pained it. Maws gusting mephitic gases replaced vents. Wet orifices took the place of door panels. They were small, these areas of malignant growth, but increasingly widespread, and appeared to be growing towards one another, linking up like the sprouting seeds of cancer subverting the organs of its host body. The segments of the ship suffering this flesh disease were a nightmare given form, and when left behind, memory of them faded, as if they were not truly of this reality and could not be easily comprehended by mortal minds.

'We walk through the Underverse here,' said Bjorn.

The flesh-caverns disturbed the Rout, but the gothi accompanying Russ' band had it worse. They were shaken by things Bjorn could not himself see. They behaved in ways Bjorn could not imagine Kva or his companions would have. He understood more clearly than ever what a grievous wound the loss of the best Rune Priests was to the Legion. Kva's cool head was sorely missed.

'How can the Sons of Horus not be alarmed by what is happening around them?' said Grimnr. Russ had ceased to range so far ahead of the main body, and had come in closer to his guardians, so Grimnr fell back again for a time to walk by Bjorn's side. 'If I were to follow a king in good faith, believing his cause to be just, and then that king introduced the likes of this to my world, I would sink my sword into his spine.'

'The Sons of Horus have sold themselves to ancient powers. They have crossed the boundaries the gothi speak of,' said Bjorn. 'They have gone mad, brother.'

Grimnr growled, a wet jungle sound of warning. 'It would be better if they were mad,' he said. 'I fear they are not.'

Shortly after, the Sons of Horus showed themselves, and Grimnr and Bjorn were able to form a more informed opinion as to their sanity.