Hervig tossed a copper mark towards the paperboy and quickly received a piece of paper. No parchment… Damn. The supplies are being hit hard by those pirates! He calmed down and went back to his carriage and read the news herald. He fumbled the crunched-up paper, trying not to further crease and damage it. I probably should talk to Ernst about getting a new source of parchment. Maybe the cattle population in Nahrstadt have grown to a commercial level.

‘After four years of settling this new land, the worshippers of Sigmar can now attend a weekly sermon where they can be purified of their ill and corruptible thoughts and trained into a warrior just like Sigmar was, back when he was human! Let the local militias attend this sermon. For it is Sigmar’s will, to use our strength, courage and bravery to destroy any enemies of the Empire. Let the Ruinous powers, people dealing with corrupt magic and Lizardmen quake in fear!’

Opening a window, he stared out and gave a satisfied smile as he saw the Temple of Sigmar. The first Sigmarite building that has graced the New World. Not even the imperials of the New World Colonies bothered with building a temple dedicated to the Empire’s main deity. They built pitiful shines but not as grand as this.

Pride overwhelmed him as he looked at the towering spire of the temple. It seemed to eclipse the ruined Lizardmen temple and was adorned with the Empire’s crest right at the middle. The red imperial cross containing a skull in the middle with the famous warhammer called Ghal Maraz at the top. Its rectangular exterior containing numerous coloured glass panes depicting the life of Sigmar and his legendary victory at Black Fire Pass. I helped build this! Well… I found the money to construct it and encouraged Ernst to go back in the construction business. But I helped!

A painful but brief jab at his side caused him to turn back and glare at his wife.

“Hervig… Can you carry Reinhard for a second? I have to read that herald.” Emma was cradling brown haired baby with deep blue eyes and passed him over to her husband. She was confused when Hervig gave Reinhard back to her. “What are you doing? I’m trying to read!”

“You said a second. I held him for approximately twenty-four seconds…”

“I was so tempted to slap you again, but Reinhard is starting to wake up. Damn oaf! Make sure to let him see that temple. He’s been obsessed about it for the past three years.” Emma rolled her eyes and focused back on the herald.

“Hey there little Rein! The temple is now finished, and I promised you that we’ll go see it together! You excited?” He paused and goofily smiled at his son and was pleased when he was grunting in enthusiasm. Hervig lifted him to his knee and slightly leaned him towards the window.

“Careful. You may drop him.”

“Looks like your mamma has no faith in me.” He pretended to cry and was discouraged when Reinhard ignored him and kept on staring at the spire that stretched towards the sky.

“Very tall! And big!” Reinhard flailed his toddler arms and squealed in excitement. “Pappa, how do they make towers tall like that?”

Hervig smiled to disguise his growing discomfort and squirming. He really is very curious. Sometimes, I feel like he’s smarter than me! I don’t even know how to answer the question. I should’ve brought Ernst with me. He should know. “They’ve dug out the foundations and filled it with wooden pikes? And stacked stone upon it so it’s less likely to topple…”

“Forget it Reinhard. Your pappa doesn’t know. I don’t know why he even tries.” Emma gently laughed with her palm covering her face.

“Don’t listen to you mother. Rein just focus on me.” He waited till he gotten his son’s attention. “They connected the stone pieces with mortar. That’s how buildings were built back in Marienburg and especially the swampy lands of the Westerland.”

Reinhard listened and kept on fidgeting. Does he not get what I’m saying? Hervig mentally punched himself and realised that his son was just four years old! “Is Marienburg better than New Altdorf? You and mamma always like to compare it to that city?” Reinhard asked with genuine confusion.

“We’ve enjoyed our time back there. That’s where me and your mother met and were engaged. I think we were both engaged when we were just eight years old. Our parents decided it for us, we didn’t have a choice and that’s why we didn’t get along at first. But eventually our love blossomed for each other – Argh!” Emma elbowed his side to stop whatever he was going to say next. Hervig glared back at her. “Will you stop?”

They argued and fought and completely missed out Reinhard’s expression of shock when Hervig casually mentioned how they were forced to marry each other.

Finally, they stopped fighting, and both misinterpreted their son’s look of shock and blamed each other. “Mamma and pappa please stop!” Their son called out to them and was rubbing his sore bottom. “Your fighting makes horsey box more bumpy!” He pouted and crossed his chubby arms.

The parents quickly reconciled and were united at the sight of their son’s cuteness.

“Anyways… Rein, how would you like a new brother or sister?” Hervig spontaneously asked and caused his wife to blush. Why are you blushing? He probably doesn’t even know how babies are made. Yet… Wait…

“I can get more brothers and sisters? How? Are you planning to get me more stuffed bears?”

Emma and Hervig chuckled with relief at that and looked at each other. “No… Not that. But we can give you more of those on your day of birth… But mamma is going to have another baby. Just like you.”

The toddler was confused but smiled in the end. “I get to be a big brother then. Do I need anything to be a big brother?” He received an admiring gaze and a ruffle in his head from his parents.

“You just need to be you Reinhard. Make sure to look after them the same way we look after you.” Emma instructed her eldest and leaned down and pinched his cheeks. “I’m sure you’ll be a good brother.”

The wholesome conversation continued until they arrived at the temple. “Lord and Lady Hanoschaft. We have arrived at the Temple of Sigmar.”

They quickly got off and restrained their overly excited son. “Thanks for that Hubert. Make sure to come and collect us at six in the afternoon in the townhall.” Their servant respectfully nodded and willed their private carriage back towards their manor.

At the entrance was the High Priest Dunbar wearing a beautiful white robe and was armoured with a shiny steel chestplate with pauldron and a circular iron band surrounding his head. He looks a lot more formal and cleaner with those on. Four years ago, he was wearing nothing, but rags and we’ve mistaken him as a flagellant. The book of Sigmar that he was holding confirmed his identity as a high priest. To our shock. I was lucky that neither I nor Emma were rude to him.

The family struggled to step their way through the large number of people that crowded the opening ceremony and Hervig was forced to call for a group of state troops to clear a path for them. A group of greatswords came towards them and Hervig was pleased to see a familiar face. “Thank you for responding to us Bruno. Where’s Harald?”

“Ah my lord. He’s busy training the new recruits. The barracks have recently been expanded by Lord Johanne who asked Harald to train them.” Bruno then shouted at the top of his lungs, telling the crowd to part away. “The Councillors of the Governor need to pass! Step aside!”

Hervig thought hard of what Bruno just said. I didn’t approve of money to expand the barracks… Where did Johanne get his money from?

“Oh, peasant. Long time no see. Looks like you now have a son.”

He turned his head to the side and noticed Klaus who was busy rolling his eyes and he was standing next to him. “Lord Raymund, it’s been such a long time. How was your stay back in Bregonne? I hope it was full of good tidings.” He assumed a fake smile and hoped that it would slightly appease him.

“Raymund Schwarfen please refrain from using that language against an esteemed member of my council.” Klaus butted in and chided his brother in law.

“But Klaus! He’s a peasant – “

“He’s no longer a commoner. He’s now part of my council and therefore is automatically a lord.”

“But he’s landless!”

“Aren’t we all. Technically, I have no land. I just have a colonial mandate appointing me as a governor for fifteen years. Looks like I have eleven more years left. And you.” He firmly stared at him and poked him in his chest. “You also don’t have land. You are the fourth son of the Schwarfen family, are you not?”

Raymund immediately backed down and hid an apoplectic retort. He wisely nodded and agreed to everything he said but Klaus wasn’t finished.

“You could have land though. Soon the Emperor has given me permission to give out land grants to knights who distinguished themselves, and those who did a spectacular job serving the colony.”

Both Emma and Hervig perked at that and Reinhard was suspiciously silent and not fidgeting. The pregnant pause was interrupted when the High Priest coughed for everyone’s attention.

“This is a good day to all of you! Heirs of Sigmar! For which we now consecrate this land to be part of the Church of Sigmar. Let this temple serve as the beacon to eliminate Chaos, dark elves, lizardmen and the other enemies of the Empire! Let this be the symbol of the Empire’s prosperity and growth in uncharted lands. Let us rejoice!”

Cries of joy and chants praising the Emperor, Dunbar and the Empire in general, were roared across the Temple’s courtyard.

“Ave Sigmar!”

“The Empire endures!”

“Down with the lizardmen!”

Hervig noticed his son’s face crunching at that and asked what was wrong.

“Who are the lizardmen and why are they so hated?” His son asked which caused Emma to roll her eyes towards Hervig and pulled the toddler closer to her chest.

“We’ll talk about that later Reinhard. Right now, we got a ceremony to attend. A very important one too. You promise you’ll behave right?”

“Yes mamma.” He said with a subdued aura which made Hervig more confused. What’s wrong with him? Is it the loud shouting from the crowd that’s making him afraid? He was then nudged by his wife and she gave him a knowing look. She noticed too.

Dunbar then led a procession of soldiers with similar armour and the signature warhammer with the book of Sigmar. Hervig then realised that they were Warrior Priests. Have they finished training already? Or have they come from the Old World. He was frustrated at how many times he was surprised today and quickly knew what was going wrong, so he signalled the greatswords escorting them to step a few steps back. He stepped forward and leaned on his wife’s head and whispered, “Your spies are not working properly. Why are there new things happening that I’m not aware of?”

Emma then hid a look of concern as her son looked at him and she simply smiled. “My spies are merchants and the people that I made friends with. Using alcohol of course. Not one of them are professionals.” She twitched her eyebrows and defended her ability. “What new things? I told you about the parchment supplies being taken out. Positions of numerous pirate fleets and their hiding dens. Which you used to befriend Hofstein. What more do you want?”

The procession of heavily armoured Sigmarite priests continued around the outside of the Temple and started to spread Arabyan incense around. “May holy Sigmar designate this humble temple as his holy Sanctuary! May he bring strength, bravery and patriotism to those who enter its halls! May he give them resilience to fight to the bitter end against all those who would bare their fangs against us.” A golden hue started to surround the Temple and a mirage of Ghal Maraz appeared at the top of the temple’s spire. Many of the crowd saw the sight and started praying.

However, the married couple ignored it. Hervig gulped and regretted his earlier accusations. He shouldn’t have questioned his wife’s competence. “Listen Emma, I’m very sorry. I shouldn’t have- “

“I forgive you. Now tell me. What has gotten you anxious ever since we stepped out of the carriage. Was it Raymund?”

“It could be him. First the barracks have been expanded according to company captain Bruno. In fact, the expansion was large enough that it prompted Johanne to ask some of the Carroburg greatswords to act as sergeants and train the recruits into state troops.” He breathed and looked around and continued when he noticed that no one was paying attention to them. “Now there are professional warrior priests in here without me knowing. I don’t know how that happened because last time I talked to Dunbar, he talked about being ostracised by the Sigmarite cult back in the Empire. Maybe this was why he had a falling out with Volkmar the Grim. Starting to see the pattern now?”

Emma started to sway Reinhard in an effort to make him sleep but he refused to as he was busy staring at the holy mirage. “That’s why your blaming me… No! Don’t say sorry again. I already accepted it.” She breathed and calmed herself. “So, you think that this is Raymund’s plan to rapidly get allies by swaying them. By your insinuation, he managed to sway Dunbar and Johanne… Klaus and Johanne have an older sister that’s married to one of Raymund’s brothers, right?”

“Yea. Stepsister or is it half-sister? Anyways, I smell corruption. Not in a Ruinous way, but corruption as in grafting.”

“Your accusing Raymund of stealing the profits that we’re making on that pathetic brettonian town?” She said. “Now that’s smart. He must’ve spent the past four years stealing a little bit of the profits for himself. That’s why we haven’t noticed despite using the tilean double entry bookkeeping method. Now he’s got enough money to finance a few warrior priests to leave the Old World and settle here and expanding the barracks. Maybe, pay for the salaries of couple hundreds of state troops… That’s the worst-case scenario…” She blurted out as her skin started to pale.

“That’s why I had a little panic attack earlier. We just need proof and present this to Lord Klaus and maybe… Maybe we can send him to the New World Colonies? To Port Reaver?”

“Are you telling me to expand my spy operations to include experienced spies that have dubious loyalty to anyone. Their only loyalty is to gold and only gold and we face a rival that has gold…”

Hervig thought deeply and weighed the advantages and disadvantages at that. Maybe we could ask those spies to train some people. Wait… “Have you made the lists of people that have been orphaned due to the dark elf attack, three years ago?”

Emma glared daggers at him whilst hugging Reinhard a little tightly. “You… You. What are you trying to say?”

Hervig completely missed his wife’s sudden change in tone and posture and decided to speak about his plan. “Some of those kids may be ‘adults’ by now. Maybe you can persuade them to take training from an experience spy. Promise them gold if you have to. I imagine that they would be grateful enough that they would accept. We did give them gold so they can stand with their own two feet. They would’ve been beggars without our generosity.”

She bit her lips and unconsciously pressed her slightly bulging stomach. She sweetly smiled and turned her back towards him. “Let’s discuss this later. The ceremony is now moving indoors.” The Conciliator stopped herself trembling with rage as she hugged and cuddled Reinhard.

The three were given priority seats towards the front of the Temple, near the Sanctuary of Sigmar. They seated next to Admiral Hofstein and his newly wed wife who gave them a friendly greeting.

Hervig looked towards Raymund and saw him seething with rage. His nose pointing forward and his eyes furiously wandering between me and the Hofsteins. I got there first. Now what’s your next move? Should I berate him for not informing me when he was returning home. Technically, I’m his superior. He silently grunted in annoyance and stared forward towards the lectern where Dunbar was preaching. I probably shouldn’t. I don’t know why he’s doing this when he was quite eager to go to Bregonne just a few years ago.

Dunbar did a ‘V’ sign with his fingers and put it over his eye. A sign of guidance that a cultist of Sigmar does to seek for his guidance. It imitates the twin tailed comet that showed up when the imperial deity was born. “Remember the strictures! Always obey your commanding officer’s orders! For Sigmar has given them wisdom and knowledge to lead you to victory!

“Dutifully work to enhance the power and unity of the Empire! Go forth and establish hamlets in this brave new land! These new lands may be full of danger but Sigmar grants strength to those with indomitable will! To those who walk towards where no one has walked before despite its great peril! These brave adventure’s and settler’s blood, sweat, and tears will transform the Empire into a mighty fortress against all evil! The Empire is the only capable human nation that can withstand against the forces of Chaos, the hundred brayherds of beastman and millions of greenskin! If we can defeat these ‘undefeatable’ foes and stand victorious, why can’t we do the same towards the lizardmen! They’re no match against your faith, gunpowder and steel! So, go forth and spread the Empire’s influence under Sigmar’s name! Banish all cowardice and doubt within your heart as that will only taint you with Chaos!” Nearly all of the greatswords and most devout of the congregation started to glow with a golden hue. They zealously fixed their eyes towards Dunbar.

The High Priest looked around and noticed that many were unsettled with his preaching. Most of the gathered congregation were either merchants, clerks, government officials and wealthy peasants. “I realise that not all of Sigmar’s heirs are attuned to the matters of war. Some are the breadbaskets of the Empire. The farmers that keep the hundreds of thousands of our state troops fed. Some are traders or merchants who brave the seas; hostile domain of Mannan and Stromfel. So, I say this.” He paused and gave a respectful nod towards the congregation. “Do anything that’s within your responsibilities to empower other faithful citizens of the Empire! Even if it goes against your individual liberties! Hoe the land with vigour, carry goods and luxuries and provide sage guidance towards your people.” At the last bit he stared at the Governor’s Councillors and Hervig straightened up when he saw the full gaze of the High Priest. “Do anything that’s necessary that empowers the Empire. Make it more bountiful in food? Make it wealthier and prosperous? Make it stable due to your good governance? The answer lies on all of you.”

Dunbar continued to preach and gave several awe-inspiring speeches one after the other, that after the ceremony ended, many came out with renewed vigour. Most were encouraged to do the unthinkable and establish a rural community deep in the jungle. Desires to turn the fetid swamps to the north into a fertile farmland. Street urchins, with good hearing, came towards the gathering points of New Altdorf and acted as town criers, as the citizens threw them silver and copper imperial marks for their troubles. Quickly, word spread out across New Altdorf and from there towards the rest of the imperial held lands. The zealous scramble for land across Lustria has now started.

Hervig came out with his family in tow and was impressed with Dunbar’s oratory skills. He looked to his son and noticed his worried face. He looked to his wife, but she ignored him entirely and kept on walking towards the townhall. “Emma, wasn’t that an inspiring ceremony? What are you planning to do to strengthen the Empire?”

“Oh, Melinda. You’re just on time. Please continue doing a good job of taking care of Reinhard.” She said blandly.

“Bye mamma, pappa!” Reinhard shouted as he was carried towards their manor.

“To my office.” Emma said brusquely.

Hervig wasn’t sure what he did wrong and was shocked at Emma’s dismissive attitude, yet he followed her towards the back of the court of pleas, towards her office.

Emma sat down at a finely crafted leather chair. “Now… Explain your plan again to me.”

What did I do wrong? He gulped. “To answer the problems of disloyalty regarding hiring of spies. Maybe we can make our own spies. Teach them to be loyal to us. Only us.” Hervig walked to her and reached out his arm only to be slapped away.

Emma stood up and controlled her furious tremors. She slowly closed all the windows and double checked if there was anyone behind the door. She slumped down again in her chair. “Are you hearing yourself right now?”

“W-What?”

“You know what I’m asking. So, stop dithering and answer the question.”

“Is this about the spies? I thought it was a good idea. You said it – “

“What did I say?” She spat.

Hervig paused for a few seconds and sat down in front of Emma. “Listen, Emma. What’s going on?”

Emma gently clenched her bulging stomach. “See what this is? It’s not a trick question, dear husband.”

“It-it’s our baby. Listen, what does this have to do- “

“Everything. Absolutely everything. After I had Reinhard, I couldn’t look at children the same way. I wanted them… Well to be children. Because I want our son to have a childhood too. Now here you are. Power hungry and desperate. Proposing to use children as our tools!” She slammed the table so hard that it toppled an inkwell on top of Hervig’s lap. The ink managed to splash on his beige breeches and black waistcoat. “You deserve that.”

“We’re not using them as tools! We’re actually helping them get a better life! They may be always in danger from another attack back in the countryside. If we bring them in and give them three meals a day and pay them more than what farmers get and ensure that they get good education maybe we can actually give them a better shot in life…” Hervig panted as he quickly said the last bit without any pause.

“Keep telling yourself that.”

“You know what I will! I’m doing this for our family! For Reinhard and our future children.” He stood up and pointed at her stomach. “We’re supposed to be partners in this! We promised to always help each other and now your getting cold feet about ‘politics’ that’s way more trivial to the ones we experienced back in Marienburg!”

“I started having children Hervig. You weren’t there when they started to queue up. Some of the poor things had one of their hands amputated by a Shallyan priest! Some were disgustingly injured! And now your planning to recruit them all!”

“Yes! Because of duty to our family and this colony is paramount!”

“Oh! I see! Adding reasons as you go. This can’t do Hervig. You know you lost. Just admit it. But I’ll entertain myself… Where does the colony fit in your mad pursuit of power?” She wiped a tear from her face.

“Just my gut and instincts…” He said more subdued and sat back down. Hervig lowered his head. “If Raymund has enough money to do the things that he has done and kept it hidden from sight… Then I fear…” The Treasurer then remembered the first council meeting a few years ago. “I fear he may have already paid some imperial rogues to start attacking the colony. I’m not being paranoid! A series of merchant and supply ships ‘mysteriously’ disappearing within a few months from each other! This is not a coincidence! Please trust me that I’m doing this for the colony’s sake!” He desperately pleaded with his wife. “Remember ten years ago when our parents died? We promised never to lie to each other.”

Emma jerked back. “I see that your being honest… But it was still too unbearable and disgusting using those traumatised kids as your pawns. Before you interrupt, no matter how much you disguise it and hide it within festag pies, they’ll still be your pawns and tools. That I can never tolerate.”

“Bu-But what are the alternatives?” He slumped down back in his chair and reflected what he just said. Desperation fuelled him to suggest something irreprehensible and towards the path of hypocrisy. He was about to do what he condemned back when he was a Burgomeister. “I was wrong by the way. Your right.”

“A good man loves his wife. A wise man listens to his wife. Your looking very wise right now.” She stretched out her arms and lifted his downcast head. “I’ll think of the alternatives. Expect them soon and don’t worry. I gave you my trust despite you being an arse now I expect that trust back. So, do you trust me?”

Hervig happily murmured his approval at that.

“Good. Now that we’ve settled our plotting and scheming lets continue to provide this colony with our ‘sage guidance’ to provide ‘good governance’ for our people. Ave Sigmar.”

“Ave Sigmar.”