Chapter 32: Four Old Bastards

Chapter 32 4. The Old Bastard

After eating his fill in the dining area, Dakus returned to the spire where he had previously resided.

Opening the door revealed a spiral staircase lined with mirrors along the edges, allowing one to see directly into the top of the spire from the entrance. He closed the door, drew his noble scimitar, held it horizontally across his chest, pulled out his flintlock pistol, disengaged the safety, and ascended.

The top room was spacious, furnished with a unique and singular style. There was only one window with bars, which could only be opened from within the tower.

A glance at the dustless tabletop indicated that servants cleaned it regularly.

Dakus inspected the room to ensure it was secure before entering the washroom to run water for a bath.

"I suppose I've passed this stage, but since I didn't run into the family's Law Enforcement Champion, Karsley, or the Young Lord, Nucel, I don't have to worry about the Matriarch. The old lady is probably up at the very top of the tower researching dark magic."

Lying in the bathtub, Dakus let out a long sigh.

"I'll stay for a few days and look for a chance to bolt. That cousin of mine is the same as ever; he should be twenty-five this year. He was supposed to complete his trials and return to join the Black Ark raid, but the trials somehow delayed him for half a year. He only returned after the Black Ark had already departed. Everyone thought he had been left for dead outside, and it wasn't until Matriarch Annasara performed several sacrificial divinations that she discovered he was fine."

"What happened to the promised 'filial piety between father and son' or 'brotherly strife and turning against each other'? Then again, the Scourge of Hell family has stood unshaken in Drukhari society for five thousand years; they must have their advantages. Ever since Nucel's uncle suffered defeat and death, there has been no more internal strife in the family—it has been a picture of harmony and family bliss. After all, the family's Law Enforcement Champion is no joke."

Five thousand years ago, the head of the family was Matriarch Annasara's husband. He led his troops to a warrior's death in Tal-Anklet, Nagarythe. Subsequently, his brother took advantage of the situation to seize power, only to be killed by Annasara in league with Morass. Since then, the Scourge of Hell family, much like Kalond Kar's House of the Fallen Heart, has been one of the few blood-bound Naggaroth families.

"Bedtime!"

The next day, the weather was clear, and the sun was a deep red, looking like a glowing tomato.

Dakus was still sleeping in bed when a voice came from the crystal ball on the bedside cabinet.

"Good morning, Young Master. Young Lord Nucel has notified you to attend dining."

The voice of Butler Dia came from the crystal ball. The moment he heard the name Nucel, Dakus's sleepiness vanished instantly.

"Holy shit! Nucel! What's the situation? Why is that old bastard looking for me?"

Dakus bolted upright, washed up, and headed downstairs. Butler Dia walked a sword's length ahead of him, guiding him toward the study.

As he led the way, Butler Dia whispered, "Young Lord Nucel learned of your return just now and wishes to see you."

A cold sweat broke out on Dakus's forehead, and his legs began to tremble—not from an adrenaline rush, but from pure terror. As he walked, he thought to himself: *Elven lifespans in Warhammer Fantasy are only about a thousand years; I don't have the skill to deal with a Drukhari who has lived for five thousand. Usually, this guy would be avoiding me like the plague.*

Before long, they reached the study door. Butler Dia knocked softly, and a voice from within said, "Enter."

Butler Dia gave a nod of instruction. Dakus took a deep breath, pushed the door open, stepped inside, closed it, took a small step forward with his right foot, touched the floor with the tip of his left toe, held his hands out level, and bowed his head in salute.

"Good morning, Young Lord!"

Upon Dakus's entry, Nucel stopped eating and looked up at him. Seeing his formal salute, he said, "Don't be nervous. Come, sit, and eat something."

Dakus lowered his hands, walked slowly to the dining table, sat down, and looked directly at Nucel. Nucel appeared to be a middle-aged man; Dakus sensed an air of majesty and composure in him, along with a faint, almost imperceptible trace of aging.

Nucel said deliberately, "Do not be nervous. Eat."

Dakus lowered his head and began to eat using the utensils, his hands trembling slightly. Nucel observed all of this. After a few bites, Dakus's mind felt foggy; he didn't even know what he was eating.

"I heard you successfully raided an Athel village?"

"Yes. It was luck. Rain of the Talcaea family lured the village's main forces out."

"Heh, luck? Very few Drukhari would target their own kin during the Trial Voyage of Haksiye. The nobles in the city were quite frenzied last night. It has been nearly five hundred years since a war broke out; Krakalond hasn't seen this many cousins in a long time."

Nucel stopped eating, elegantly wiped his mouth with the napkin around his neck, then leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he scrutinized Dakus.

Dakus also stopped eating and rested his hands on the table, looking at Nucel without responding. He didn't know how to reply.

"Have you become a Chosen of the 'Fateweaver' Morayg Heg?"

Dakus felt like he was suffocating, and cold sweat began to pour from his brow. He began to think rapidly: *Holy crap! How does he know? Did those three Talcaea siblings sell me out?*

Nucel stared into Dakus's eyes and smiled sinisterly. "Is it very hot in here? You are sweating." He paused, then continued, "Last night, Karsley paid a visit to those three siblings. They held out until the very last moment; they proved their loyalty to you. Afterward, Karsley gave them something to drink, and they told him everything." He paused again. "After all, they are your retinue. We cannot simply kill them, can we?"

What could Dakus say? Could he stand up and roar, demanding to know why Nucel had done this? Don't be ridiculous; he could only nod in agreement.

Nucel continued, "Those three Talcaea siblings are quite good. I like them; they are stronger than their ancestors. Perhaps the hope for their family's revival lies with them. Regarding last night, I hope you do not take offense. I was merely adding a layer of insurance for you and giving you a lesson. You must remember that you are a scion of the Scourge of Hell family; do not place your trust in these Drukhari."

Dakus nodded in affirmation.

"I have already arranged for a dwarf construction crew to help them renovate their ancestral home. This is my reward to them."

"Thank you, Young Lord."

Nucel continued, "Are you full?"

Dakus shook his head. "No." Having said that, he resumed eating.

Nucel was momentarily taken aback. He raised an eyebrow at the sight of Dakus bowing his head to eat and continued, "Rest assured, I will not ask why you became a Chosen of Morayg Heg. As long as you are a scion of the Scourge of Hell family, that is enough."

Dakus kept his head down, nearly finishing the food on the table.

"By the way, what is the matter with that lizard?"

Dakus knew there was no escaping this. He put down his utensils, swallowed the food in his mouth, looked Nucel in the eye, and said cautiously, "I possess a peculiar ability. I can communicate directly with that spirit lizard without any language barrier."

Nucel nodded. "That was unplanned, and it is your own business. Of course, you may make certain requests to the family, and the family will do its best to satisfy them. Furthermore, who else knows about this?"

Nucel's question caught Dakus off guard.

"The two Talcaea siblings, the beastmaster Kallen, Captain Dastan Cold-Eye... I am not certain if Flanes knows."

"It is fine. I will have Karsley handle it. As long as they do not speak of it externally, there will be no issue. Also, you must practice your martial skills. You actually couldn't defeat a monkey, even though you have only just reached adulthood."

The term "monkey" was a mark of the arrogance of the older generation of Drukhari. In their heyday, those humans were still in a primitive stage and were indeed no different from monkeys. This arrogance had persisted, though the nobles still had to learn the languages of these monkeys—after all, one could not expect these slaves to learn Eltharin. It would be useful during sea raids; in short, it was a jarring contradiction.

"Yes."

"What are your thoughts for your next move?"

"I wish to spend some time in the timberlands at the edge of the Black Ridge Mountains."

Nucel watched Dakus for a long time before smiling. "You are somewhat unexpected. I thought you would follow your brother to serve at the Ebony Claw, or go out exploring, eager to head to Lustria or somewhere similar. Fine. Since there is nothing to do right now, go if you wish."

"Oh, one more thing. Last night, the Patriarch of the Spikefamily requested that his youngest son, who has just returned from his trials, serve as your retinue."

Nucel paused, then added sinisterly, "You must promise me—promise me his safety! This is important! The nobles in the city have been disobedient again lately."

Dakus thought to himself: *What the hell? Is he my retinue or am I his? How has it been reversed? What is this? A political hostage?*

"Will someone attempt to assassinate him? Such as a Kahne assassin?"

"Likely, and likely not. He returned from his trials empty-handed this time, and he has a slight limp, but his father still loves him dearly. His five other brothers and one sister are quite dissatisfied with this."

Seeing that he could not decline, Dakus said repeatedly, "I understand. I promise! There is no place for the weak or the cowardly in Naggaroth, but a limp will not prevent him from becoming an excellent Cold One Knight."

"Good. Consider this a test for you. The *Soul's Claw* has returned. Do you plan to visit the market today?"

"Yes, to scavenge and see if I can find any treasures."

Nucel's expression relaxed, and he said with a soft laugh, "My apologies, I have talked quite a lot today. It has been a long time since I spoke with the younger generation of the family. In that case, I shall not keep you. If you need sovereigns, ask Dia. I wish you success!"

Dakus rose, pushed back his chair, bowed to Nucel, then stepped back slowly. He reached the door, opened it, and backed out, bowing once more before exiting.

Inside the room, Nucel's expression returned to one of majesty. He stood up and leaned against the window in thought.

A moment later, he saw Dakus walking briskly through the garden. He shook his head with a smile and turned to look at the map hanging in the study, gazing toward Nagarythe in the northwest of Ulthuan.

(End of Chapter)