Hervig slapped the mosquito off his cheek and nearly fell off his horse. Bloody flies. It’s not even swampy around here! He double checked his stirrups and gave them a good pull with his foot. Even with this on, I’m still not good at horse-riding.

“You sure they stopped following you?” An eager Klaus questioned the scout.

“Yes milord! They seemed to turn away when we got near to New Altdorf.”

“How peculiar… What are those beasts called again?”

“They’re called carnosaurs signore. They tend to be feral and vicious especially when you get near them or they’re just hungry. The fact that it went after you is not a good sign. It means they’re hungry.”

Hervig listened to the tilean merchant with rapt attention. At the very least he’s proving himself useful. I had to bribe him to act as our ‘guide’ when it came to the local wildlife.

“Only more reasons to hunt it down. I can’t have it roaming near the colony.” Klaus paused and signalled Hervig to come over to him. “I’m curious… Why’s a blacksmith joining us?” He pointed towards the enormous man.

“Oh. His name is Erick Schmidt. Like you said he’s a blacksmith that’s been giving me headaches, by petitioning endlessly about the lack of iron.”

Lord Stanhelm immediately frowned and interjected. “So, you sent him with us hoping that he would die?”

Hervig flinched and nearly reared back his horse. “My lord. Please. I think your prejudice towards Marienburg’s elite has clouded your judgement. We’re not all like that and you can ask my wife about it. No,” He sighed and signalled Erick over towards them. “We were on the same ship and quickly became friends. If what he says is true then he’s a good huntsman. Survived in the Drakwald for most of his life and formed a militia. When he volunteered to be part of the hunt, I couldn’t refuse. We need every good hunters to kill that thing.”

“He’s right milord. I can use this bow and kill anythin’ within me sight!” Erick said.

“Well it’s nice meeting you Herr Schmidt. It’s very impressive to survive that long inside there!”

“Thank ye milord!”

Klaus dismissed him and turned towards his Treasurer with regret colouring his face. “I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have assumed something so dark.”

“Apology accepted my lord. The reputation of the burghers in Marienburg does precede me.” They both lightly chuckled at that. “So… What’s the plan?”

“We sent a group of horsemen to lure it towards the halberdiers and pepper it with lead and crossbow bolt. So, how much did you pay Giovanni?”

“I bribed him with a house and a warehouse. That man is a wizard when it comes to coin. I must admit, he would make a better treasurer than me and he seems to be deeply knowledgeable with the area around here.” Showing humility is always the right answer. Making me to further ingratiate myself to Lord Stanhelm. I must bite down my pride for the sake of Emma and my future children.

“A bit expensive don’t you think?” Klaus said whilst quirking an eyebrow.

“He also has several contacts with the New World Colonies. I think that’s why the delegations I sent there were so successful. At least, we won’t be starving anytime soon and suffer a shortage of tools.”

“Good.”

A rustle in the trees alerted the scouts up ahead.

Blood-gurgling screams and high pitch neighing rang across the plains.

A pistolier astride on horseback galloped towards them. “My lords! The big lizard has been spotted across the hill. The scouts ahead report that it’s trampling any trees along its way and coming straight towards us. Orders my lord?” He quickly shot a snide glance towards Hervig.

One of Raymund’s henchman perhaps? Or just one of those upright and conservative nobles that believe that peasants should stay down in the bottom of the ladder. He responded by calmy nodding towards him. Much better than those cutthroats back home!

“Order the halberdiers to position themselves four dozen feet away from the slope of the hill. Position the crossbowmen behind them and the handgunners towards the back. Tell the handgunners to shoot the carnosaur as soon as it reaches the top of the hill. Then the crossbows can fire. They must hit it! It’s vital to slow the beast’s charge.” Klaus took a deep breath and tried to calm down. According to Giovanni, the carnosaur would be at least thirteen feet high! If it charges down… The halberdiers would be in huge trouble.

The shuffling of men eventually carried the leader’s orders, and all were ready.

The carnosaur was eventually blocking the sunlight as it rose at the top of the hill. Scouts hurriedly galloped away from it and tried to lead it towards the ranks of halberdiers.

Entire rows of handgunners belched out fire and smoke and propelling dozens of lead bullets. Some struck the beast and managed to damage its skin. But many missed and struck the ground underneath it.

“Prepare for a second volley and have the crossbowmen start shooting!” The company sergeants yelled.

The carnosaur ran downhill and sped up but was thankfully slowed down by a rain of arrows and another barrage from the handgunners. The beast huffed and dug its huge feet on the ground ready to charge again. It managed to reach the ranks of halberdiers and managed to go through four ranks.

The huge weight and the numbers of the halberdiers slowed the beast down and frantically started to cut the tendons in its feet.

It roared and kicked and occasionally tossed men up in the air and bit them down. A shower of blood rained across the state troops. Terror and fear within their eyes.

“Men of the Empire! This is a good time to show your might and strength! Take the beast down so we can parade its head around New Altdorf! Tonight, we feast on that thing!” Klaus’ brother, Johanne, swung his sword and pointed it towards the enormous lizard.

A lucky bullet managed to lodge itself right into the lizard’s left eye and it screamed. The scream managed to shake the ground beneath them and rustled the leaves on the trees.

The soldiers, emboldened by their captain’s speech and the dying shriek of the beast, surged forward and started to heft their halberds to cut bits and pieces of the beast’s legs.

On its desperate last moments, the beast swung its tail which caught several men; making them fly away. The beast tried to run but was eventually cut down by a combination of arrows and bullets.

“It’s a successful hunt!” Klaus cheered which opened the dam of elation within the soldiers. Roars of laughter and relief rang out. “I want the head cut up and loaded into one of the wagons! The rest can be cut up by the brave men who cut and shot it down but don’t take the teeth!”

Immediately, several scores of men scramble towards the felled monster and crowded its claws. Dozens of eager colonists sheathed their knife and started hacking away. The carcass’ claws, nails and knuckles were quickly removed.

Hervig saw Erick carrying a handgun. “Wait… Erick, you have a handgun? I always thought you would’ve had a bow.”

The giant pointed to his splintered bow and chuckled. “Broke it! It nay matter can always make me self a new one. The damn thing broke when I was busy shootin’ the damn thing, so I asked one of the handgunners to lend me their gun.”

“Hmm. He let you keep it?”

“Hey! Don’t be lookin’ at me like that! I ain’t no thief! The man was impressed how I managed to shoot that fat lizard right into its eye, so he gave me it. He says there’s more in the stockpile. So, it nay matter!”

You were the one that shot it! Best need to tell Klaus that! Knowing him, he’ll probably reward him.

Hervig gave a slight nervous glance towards a group of pistoliers. Now that Raymund is away, this will be a good opportunity to build up my powerbase. I think I already won over most of the clerks. I didn’t really overwork them and gave them a bigger slice of the pie if they worked hard. That’s not enough… Maybe…

“Say? … Erick you’ve done Lord Stanhelm a good service. Blinding the carnosaur may have saved dozens of lives. I think that merits a reward.”

Erick’s eyes beamed and thoughtfully scratched his sideburns and beard. Too excited to say anything he paused and let Hervig continue.

“The question needs to be asked Erick. What do you want as a reward? I’ll gladly pass this along to lord Stanhelm.”

He hesitated and started to fidget his beard by twirling it around his fingers. You need to stop doing that, old man. The soot and tar from your beard are actually staining your fingers! Disgusting!

“I was gonna say to get a better bow. Maybe one of those hundred-twenty pound longbow that they use in Albion!”

Hervig sighed in relief. Thank the gods he didn’t ask for a bad reward! Come on! Let’s prod him a little. “You seem to have taken a leadership with the five dozen blacksmiths currently in New Altdorf. You’ve even represented them in the court of pleas and petitioned in their behalf.”

“Aye I did! I’m used to takin’ the leadership position anyways. May as well be the leader of those hopeless boys. It seems the ‘blacksmiths’ that signed up for the expedition were newly promoted to it. About half of ‘em were journeyman apprentice just a month ago!”

I hope he’s getting hooked… “You seem to be doing a good job. Well, woe on me because you’ve caused me a dozen splitting headaches.”

Herr Schmidt laughed and slapped Hervig’s thigh. “Why don’t ye come down from yer horse. I’m not used to looking up, you see. And because of me shoutin’ at ye, we don’t have a lack of tools. Steel tools.”

“Of course. Your height is way higher than most. But it does need to be said, I neglected our iron supplies in favour of food and making this colony more sustainable in the future. If it weren’t for you then the houses won’t get finished in time.” He clumsily went down and rubbed his sore bottom and groin. “I need a few stretches! Sitting on that saddle for a few hours is unbearable.”

“Yer a young lad! You should be fine. Now about the reward. I guess I want a sack of gold? But that’s too borin’. If I wanted gold, I would’ve stayed at Reikland.”

Hervig smiled to hide his growing frown. He didn’t like where Erick was going. It’s admirable that he doesn’t like gold. But… If he’s going to say what I think he’s going to say, then I’m in trouble. Well… He’s more in trouble because he may risk his life, but I need him alive.

“I want a fine steed like this one!” He pointed at Hervig’s horse. “I want to use it to ride across this jungle and explore every nook and cranny in this land! Let Erick… -”

“Schmidt.” Hervig helpfully said.

“Let Erick Schmidt be the first person to explore this mysterious land!”

Hervig bit his lip. Yup. The old man is planning to die. But… I need him alive. He’s much better off living as a blacksmith rather than being posthumously declared by future historians as the best explorer. He unintentionally gulped down and did his signature grin. Maybe, I can appeal to his sense of duty.

“As a good friend of yours, I have to say this. It’s a bad idea. You may die out there and be eaten by that monster!” He pointed his nose towards the carcass. “Or die by being bitten by mosquitos and die by diseases! You could die before you could share your map to anyone.” He paused and supressed a panic when he saw a fuming giant. “I-I’m just going to say this. Friend to friend. A-A friendly advice. A friendly question?” Hervig’s cheeks reddened. Calm down! I’m being so pathetic! “What made you take the blacksmiths under your wing?”

Fortunately, Erick’s stony glare softened. “Cus they looked like chickens without a head.”

“Why though? You could easily come to me and petition me to lead an exploration group. I would’ve agreed because I owe it to you.”

“Owe ye what? By beating you bloody and blue on that ship? I was quite disappointed. For a man that killed hundreds of ratbeasts, yer quite mediocre with the sword.”

Hervig was about to retort but thankfully managed to hold it in. Calm down. We’re planning to win him over and make him an ally. And he’s bloody legendary with a sword! “Because of your tutelage, I’m now even better. But you haven’t answered my question. Why?”

“Cus it needs to be done! When I see them, I see the people in those villages cowerin’ in fear. Cowerin’ in fear because they don’t know when ungors and other beastmen abominations are going to knock on their doors. Inexperienced young’uns shivering in fear because they don’t know what’s demanded from them. Hundreds of people asking for their tools to be repaired. They may be good at repairin’ and forging but not when hundreds of people are asking at the same time.”

“Then you’re going to leave them.”

“I never said I was going to leave them!”

Hervig pouted in confusion. Didn’t you say you were going out to explore? “Then why are you asking for a horse?”

The giant paused and hummed. “I’m not going to be hitting hot metal all day and all week. I may need time by me self. Ye know… Riding out to the jungle and killin’ anything that moves.”

“No going out by yourself and exploring?”

“None of that. I’ll try to be near New Altdorf.”

Hervig’s smile turned brighter at that. “Then you can have a horse, I promise I’ll relay this to our lord. But that may not be enough. I noticed how you organised the blacksmiths. Pickaxes, shovels and wheelbarrows are being produced at a rapid rate. This is all thanks to you.”

Erick scoffed. “Yer underestimating those boys! It’s all thanks to ‘em! I just provided the guidance is all.”

“Even so, Erick, you’ve done an amazing job and that needs to be rewarded. I’m planning to make a blacksmiths guild here in New Altdorf. How would you like to be the head of that guild?” Please say yes! I need someone that I trust!

“That seems to be a position that has a lot of responsibilities!”

“It has to be. You’re going to be the overseer of dozens of smiths. You’re already doing this and I’m simply formalising your position. You also get paid more and be prioritised with a stone house. Sleeping on that soot filled forge may not be healthy for someone as… Advanced in age as you.”

“You’re right. I’m coughin' more and more now. So, nothin’ is going to change?”

“No. Not really. But you may be called up to Klaus’ office, first floor of the townhall, to report and you can directly ask him for help instead of petitioning to me.”

“Fine. I’ll be the head of this guild! But I better have a house and a bed too! My back is killing me. I rather sleep on a hammock instead of the hard ground.”

Mission accomplish!

A half a dozen men carried the decapitated head of the carnosaur and threw it to a wagon, along with pieces of its butchered meat.

“We’re going to be eating like kings boys!” Klaus cheerfully shouted.

Hervig’s stomach lurched causing him to look frantically around. He scanned the bushes and the trees but didn’t see anything. Must be my imagination.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A large reptilian, lined with blue scales, bristled with anger. He hissed and shook his spiky head violently, side to side. He bared his teeth as he saw those… Insolent lesser beings. He tolerated them settling the Scorpions coast. He tolerated them defiling the Temple of Tlencan and building their hovels near the ruins of Chotec. But this… He couldn’t ignore nor tolerate.

He hissed again. That carnosaur was being raised to something great. Many brave skinks sacrificed themselves to raise it! It’s one of the many ways to fulfil the Great Plan and they’re butchering it! I must tell the Slann of Tlaxtlan of this travesty!

Chicahua lurched down when he noticed a human was staring where he was. I hope he didn’t see me.

He readjusted his armour and ran. The blue lizard ran south towards the City of the Moon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A large group awaited them at the outskirts of New Altdorf. Many waved exotic flowers towards them and many had their mouths gaping wide when seeing the monster’s head. Rows of teeth, as big as a hand, lined its mouth. Chants praising Sigmar and Lord Stanhelm were heard loud and clear.

Hervig scanned the crowd to look for his wife and eventually saw a light brown hair sticking out of the crowd. He willed his horse towards her and dismounted as gracefully as he can.

“Even with a baby bulging inside of me I can dismount much better than that!”

“Oh, shut up! I’m trying to learn alright! In fact, I’m much better than Erick at horse riding!” He boasted trying to salvage his ego.

“It’s because he hasn’t ridden a horse ever – “

“Yes, he did. He just rid this fine destrier just now. He failed.”

“Well of course he did, you dunce! A horse in a dense forest like the Drakwald is unnecessary.” Emma rushed to him, as he was busy stretching, and hugged him. “I’m glad that you’re alive,” Emma with foresight put a finger into her husband’s lips to silence a retort. “I know it was just one monster against a hundred state troops, but I can’t help but worrying. That may have been a trap devised by those lizardmen. Before you say anything daft, I know they’re real and you should too. Too many witnesses confirm it with their dying breath.”

He just stared at her and mentally dismissed what she said last. However, a growing and disturbing sense at the back of his head agreed with her. He knew he seen something back there but couldn’t figure what it was. Whether it was real or a figment of his imagination. Focus! You need to stop worrying about fictional reptiles and focus. Grow your powerbase and ensure your family strives and prosper in this land!

Emma rolled her eyes and didn’t appreciate her husband giving her that look. “I know you didn’t listen, but I’ll forgive you for now. Now hug me back but be careful of the baby.”

Hervig complied and smiled. “Guess what we’re having for tonight?”

“What?”

He pointed at the head. “That.”

“Wow… That’s a bit exotic for me but I’ll force my self to eat just a tiny bite. The meat may be harmful to him.” She rubbed her belly.

Hervig laughed and nudged her wife with his elbow. “Now, now. Don’t make excuses. This is a fine game and must be eaten. We’re probably one of the first people to actually eat one. Giovanni mentioned how this ‘carnosaur’ is an apex predator and quite deadly. You should have seen his eyes bulging out when Klaus said he wanted to eat it!” He laughed again before his mind did a double back. “Wait… ‘Him.’” Hervig tried to look around for someone. He was suspicious. Was it him that told her? His mind zeroed unto the jade wizard and he frowned.

“Just a motherly intuition. I think it’s a boy.”

“No magic was used?” A distraught Hervig said.

“Of course not. Hmm… Are you thinking of Sig’? If you are, the ‘Winds of Ghyran’ doesn’t allow him to do that and why are you suddenly suspicious of magic?”

He cleared his throat and coughed. “Noth-It’s nothing. Just curious is all.

“I advised Klaus to make today a celebration. To celebrate our first month here and killing this thing. It should make everybody happy and we don’t have enough drinks stockpiled to make everyone dead by tomorrow. Hopefully, this feast won’t affect productivity tomorrow.”

“Makes no difference to me. I was just reading and reading inside our home. Trying not to be sick and making ‘him’ calm down.”

“You should get out more to see the progress of New Altdorf- “

“I’m seeing it now.” Emma tried to steer the conversation away.

“– and maybe dumping your own waste and vomit into the latrines.”

“No. Your doing that. You should know that I’m very sick at mornings.”

“Maybe you can do it later on the day when you’re buying food in the marketplace.” Hervig said in desperation.

“And stink up the house! You lazy fool. I’m not doing that.” Emma said with grave finality. “But back to the colony. I must say I’m impressed. More people are living in houses and the marketplace is no longer a muddy mess. I should thank you that my boots are no longer covered with shit by the time I get to the house.”

“I’m glad you appreciate what I’m doing.” Hervig pulled her into an empty alleyway. “What do other people think? Are they mad? Joyous? Apathetic?”

“I thought we would leave everything behind, including our scheming and plotting.”

“Old habits die hard and seeing your face, you agree.”

Emma conceded and reported everything she listened to for the past month. “Thank Sigmar, no one is mad. Some are happy but most are content and apathetic to some extent.” She laid her hands to Hervig’s cheeks and gently fiddled with his growing hair. “What’s going on Hervig? What’s with this sudden bout of paranoia.”

“Raymund is what happened.”

“Didn’t you send him away. To that brettonian town.” She spat. Her dislike of brettonians leaking out.

“His ‘supporters’. Especially from the pistoliers. They’re quite blatant about it. With them frowning and glaring whenever I’m near Klaus. I think I may have kindled a fire underneath me when I sent him away. That was a poor choice for me. I should’ve let Lord Stanhelm order him to go away. Instead I…”

“Instead you prioritised on antagonising him to make yourself feel better. You should know by now that imperial nobles have a huge stick stuck up their arse. So arrogant and mighty. It seems the Emperor is the only exception.”

“I admit… It was pretty satisfying watching him squirm as he was being ordered by a ‘peasant’. But now I realise it’s a mistake.”

Emma raised his husbands head at eye level. “Now you need me, a pregnant woman, to clean up after your mess.” She chuckled and carried on. “Fine. It’ll just be like the old days then. You deal with the higherups and I’ll shore your support down the ladder. I’ll make sure to be friends with the merchants, the future harbourmasters and other peasant professions.”

Both smiled at each other and promptly kissed each other in the lips.

“I still remember when we were betrothed. We were just eight. We both hated each other. I would always beat you in sword fighting and you would throw sticks at me.” Hervig cheerfully said.

The married couple started to walk to the centre square of New Altdorf, occasionally avoiding large pebbles on the gravel streets. A large number of overjoyed labourers was setting up the cooking pyre and laid hundreds of tables. Women and children displayed bright red and yellow buntings and connected them to each other’s house. A festive mood descended across the colony.

“Now we’re the exact opposite. Now I could beat you in sword fighting and you would throw sticks at me!”

“Shut up! Erick may be a cruel and unforgiving teacher, but he knows how to teach. It won’t surprise me if I can win against you in the first minute of the duel!”

“I’ll take you on that. Once I give birth. If I hold up for a minute, you’ll do whatever I say.” Emma snaked her finger up Hervig’s chest to taunt him.

“Umm…”

“You getting cold feet? Afraid of losing?”

“Fine! Only, if I win, you’ll do whatever I say!” She won’t stand a chance anyways. She should be ready to give birth a month from now according to Priestess Marlene. One month for me to train whenever me and Erick are free. He snickered and grinned which awarded him a stinging slap from Emma.

“Don’t get cocky. In fact, I’ll add another condition. We’ll have a duel two months after I give birth. To make it fairer for me.”

Hervig acquiesced. I still have an extra month.

“Looks like they’re already roasting the arms. My gods, they look… Big. But small if you compare it with the beast’s body!” Emma said in surprise. She was astonished on how an apex predator can have such pathetic arms. “I hope they removed the claws and nails. I don’t really want to eat it.”

Hervig boisterously laughed. “Look around you!” He pointed towards the people with strange looking necklaces. “Those are probably the lizard’s nails and claws. There was a chaotic frenzy when we felled the beast. Most were trying to get a souvenir.”

Emma couldn’t stop her herself being jealous. Having a nail from an apex predator; a famed beast that devoured entire estalian expeditions. She clicked her tongue. “Why didn’t you get me a piece?”

Hervig gulped and shuffled his arms. “I was busy…”

“What was more urgent than taking a souvenir from a famed beast!?”

“Famed beast?”

“I read it in a book called, ‘I Mostri della Lustria’. ‘Monsters of Lustria’ in reikspiel. I payed someone to translate it from tilean to reikspiel. It mentioned a carnosaur like that one! And you haven’t answered my question!”

“I tried to get an ally. I was trying to convince Erick to be the head of the smith’s guild.” He whispered.

His wife rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time. “Of course. Knowing you and your silver tongue, you managed to convince him. He always looked like a person seeking death. An old man that has seen it all and wanted it all to end.”

“Anyways, I’m sorry for not getting you a piece of that monster. If we’re lucky we may get a piece of a bone or I could always buy it off.” Hervig pulled his wife towards the pyre and took a cut from the carnosaur. “Here you go. Now open wide!”