To the far left on his side of the river was a unit of night runners prepared to rush across the ford. Behind them a block of his clanrats waited to follow across. A Skryre warlock engineer, Freeket’Chu, accompanied the unit along with one of his ratling guns. A swarm of rats scurried about the clanrats near the river. Near to the left of the bridge waited another clanrat unit. This one was led by the mighty chieftain, G’rrrth, who bears clan Skreek’s army standard. Directly in front of the bridge, a unit of despicable slaves waited to cross. Gnashik and his bodyguard of elite Stormvermin warriors waited directly behind the cannon fodder. Across the bridge, almost directly in front of it was where a unit of gutter runner tunnellers should surface. If all went according to the Skaven warlord’s master plan. To the right of the bridge, partially concealed in a copse of trees was another unit of clanrats. This one was led by Gnashik’s favored warlock engineer, Feerfik Scorchpaw, and his ratling gun. Awaiting their chance to cross the ford on the right flank was another worthless unit of slaves as well as another quick moving group of night runners.
Gnashik’s Skaven horde must take this bridge. They had been forced above ground after the tricky Dwarf-things collapsed the tunnels leading to their clan’s fortress. Once before, Gnashik had assaulted clan Kingsolver’s halls and was driven off. “Not-not this time,” swore the warlord. First, however, he must reach the dirty Dwarf-things’ walls and to do that he must capture, hold, and cross this bridge. The blasted river was far to deep to cross on foot except at the two narrow fords and the mighty dwarf-built bridge. “This river will run red-red with the blood of those dirty Kingsolver Dwarf-things!” vowed the vengeful warlord.
With a signal from their breeder-queen, the stunty little Dwarf-things began marching forward. Gnashik scoffed at how slowly their stubby little legs moved them. With a deafening blast, the cannon fired towards the cluster of night runners and clanrats. Gnashik cursed himself for having the units deploy so near to each other. Luckily, the cannonball landed short of the skirmishers and skipped through them, knocking the life out of one Eshin apprentice before clipping a straggling clanrat who collapsed in a lifeless heap. On the far right the unit of slaves was peppered by stinging bolts from the Dwarf-things crossbows. The slaves were unperturbed by the loss of but a few of their doomed ilk.
“Forward, go-go!” shouted Gnashik. All along the Skaven battle line, rat-men surged forward as quickly as possible. Feerfik pointed his warp-blades at the organ gun and a blast of green lightning arced out only to ground itself well in front of the war machine. On the other flank, Freeket’Chu amped up his warp condenser and aimed his warp-blades at the thunderers. With a deafening crack he unleashed an unstoppable bolt. The warp-lightning tore into the unit crisping many of the Dwarf-things and leaving the beards of those that remained standing on end. Gasping in astonishment at his power, Freeket’Chu began readjusting the power settings on his equipment to get even more energy.
As the Dwarf-things prepared to move further, Gnashik signaled G’rrrth who squeaked a word of command. The army’s standard began twisting in a magical wind. Storm clouds began coalescing above the battlefield. Green warp-lightning leaped amongst the black clouds. A howling wind ripped across the land and driving sheets of rain and soaking all of the warriors on each side. Dauntless, Merga ordered the crazed Slayer-things onto the bridge. Fenri moved over to the thunderers and joined them while the remainder of the army stood motionless, huddling in the freezing rain. The magical storm unleashed by the Storm Banner of clan Skreek had soaked the powder of the Dwarf-things mighty cannon and it fizzled when the crew tried to fire it once more. Dwarf-things stumbled about reloading the war machine and preparing it to fire again. The thunderers’ weapons had been thoroughly drenched as well and non of the shots fired at the dark forms scurrying across the river found their mark. The rain and wind drove the crew of the organ gun to cover so it would not fire when the breeder-queen commanded. The gyrocopter was grounded behind the hill, its pilot trying to hunker down into the limited shelter of the flying contraption. However, the night runners on the right flank began falling as crossbow bolts miraculously found their mark through the sorcerous gale. Enough of the junior Eshin died to cause the rest to question the intelligence of crossing the ford in face of such lucky opponents and began high-tailing it away from the determined Dwarf-things.
The black clouds continued to blaze with warp-lightning and the howling winds did not recede as the night runners continued fleeing away from the battle line. With a shout of surprise, the ground disappeared beneath a Slayer in the rear rank and his throat was quickly slit as the gutter runners extracted themselves from their tunnel and began hacking at other tattooed Dwarf-things. The fleeing night runners continued their flight away from the deadly crossbow armed Dwarf-things. The night runners on the other flank had already crossed the ford and now rushed toward the cannon and its crew. However, the ground was sloppy from the downpour and the distance was greater than their impetus could carry them. The slaves on the bridge were “encouraged” by the warlord behind them to charge the orange-furred dwarf-things battling with the sneaky ninja rats. Tinkering with the gauges on his warp-power accumulator, Freeket’Chu began channeling energy to cast his warp-lightning spell. With a deafening ”ZZAPPP!” the warp-power fed back into the warlock’s accumulator shutting it down and causing magical static to interfere with the fickle winds of magic. Standing atop the bridge, Gnashik drew his converted warplock pistol and aimed at the breeder-queen’s unit. The shot fell short though, blasting a furrow in front of the breeder-queen’s feet. Meanwhile, the slaves, ninjas, and crazy Dwarf-things hacked at each other. Standing atop a pile of slave corpses, the blood-splattered, tattooed leader bellowed at the top of its lungs. The gutter runners looked at each other, the smelly Dwarf-things in front of them, and the small unit of warriors awaiting to engage their flanks. “Run-run!” shouted the leader and the ninja rats vanished into the raging storm.
With her army drenched and buffeted by the hurricane winds, the breeder-queen ordered her warriors to hold their ground all along the battle line. After revealing themselves to the cannon crew, it came as no surprise when the Dwarf-things turned the gun towards the approaching Skaven and began packing all manners of steel filings and shot into the barrel. The experienced crew sheltered the fuse from the gusting wind and stinging rain. With a tremendous explosion the grapeshot fired and half of the remaining night runners were torn apart. Unimpressed, the remaining junior ninjas advanced more cautiously. The swarm of chittering rats swarmed towards thunderers. “Fire!” bellowed Fenri. At his order the thunderers unleashed their inferior Dwarf-made firearms at the vast carpet of rats heading towards them. Numerous rats fell but the remaining rodents reformed over their dead and continued onwards. Meanwhile, on the right flank, the determined crossbow Dwarfs took aim at Feerfik’s clanrats and fired. This time the storm was too much for them and only a single bolt managed to fell a clanrat. On the bridge, the battle between the remaining slaves and the Slayer-things continued. To no surprise, the Dwarf-things continued to scythe through the emaciated Skaven slaves. With a cry of terror, the slaves broke away from the crazy Dwarf-things. With a bloodthirsty howl, the Slayers pursued the slaves. The fleet-footed rat-men fled past Gnashik’s Stormvermin who all watched impassively as they ran away. The Slayers drew up directly in front of the Stormvermin, sizing up this new enemy. Gnashik eyed the Dwarf-things with his one good eye and spat at the big, crazy Slayer with the huge rune encrusted axe.
The magical warp-storm continued to pelt the landscape with rain and lash at the combatants with powerful winds. Eyeing the massed Dwarf-thing warriors behind them, the gutter runners deemed it best to leave the battlefield and scout out the Dwarf-thing defenses closer to their keep. With that, the ninja rats vanished into the storm-lashed darkness. On the right flank, the fleeing night runners decided enough distance had been put between them and the dead-eye Dwarf-things to regroup and take stock of their situation. With the warlord’s Stormvermin firmly between them and the Slayer-things, the disheartened slaves rallied and turned around to watch the epic battle about to unfold. With a shout, Gnashik points at the Slayers before him on the bridge and urges his bodyguard on. “Kill-Kill!” the shout is taken up and whipped across the battlefield on the powerful warp-winds, encouraging the Skaven. Following the warlord’s lead, the remaining night runners facing the cannon charge full tilt towards the crew. The rats facing the thunderers suffered from more fire as they surged forwards. The fearless rodents swarmed over the Dwarf-things biting, scratching, and burrowing into beards, clothing and armor. The thunderers danced around, swatting at the scurrying rats but to no effect. The swarming rodents where to busy trying to harass the Dwarf-things to do any real damage. The warlock, Freeket’Chu once more adjusted dials and gauges on his arcane equipment, trying to maximize the effects of his spell. As he concentrated on the thunderers another magical surge wracked his body, interrupting his spell casting and leaving him breathless. On the other side of the field, Feerfik powered up his warp-blades and aimed at the organ gun. He adjusted the power gauge, red-lining the techno-magical devices. With a crack, the mighty blast of warp-lightning smashed into the war machine. The Dwarf-things cowered behind the device but had apparently forgot that metal conducts electricity. Ferrfik chuckled to himself as the corpses continued to twitch on the ground. To add insult to injury the molten metal from the war machine began dripping down on to the dead Dwarf-things. “Pity-pity,” thought Feerfik. “I so would have liked to have-have a working organ gun to take back with me-me. Oh well,” he squeaked. “This-this will have to do.” Seeing their fellows fried by the searing green blast, the brave crossbow Dwarfs turned their backs on the battle and fled as fast as their stubby legs could take them. In their haste, they nearly tripped over the grounded gyrocopter at the base of the hill. The pilot took little notice of them as he fortified himself from the “emergency rations” cask under his seat. Combatants began to engage across the battlefield. The decimated ranks of the night runners fared poorly against the resolute cannon crew. Noticing a throbbing rune on the cannon and an explosive device near it, the Eshin warriors wisely decided to put some distance between themselves and the artillery. Nearby, the relentless rats swarmed over the thunderers biting, scratching, and burrowing into beards, clothing and armor. The Dwarf-things danced around swatting and stomping at the scurrying rats. The swarming rodents where to busy trying to harass the Dwarf-things to do any real damage, many of their numbers were crushed under iron-shod Dwarf-thing boots. Atop the bridge, Gnashik and his Stormvermin clashed with the enraged Slayers. “You! The big one! I be Splatt and I challenge ye!” shouted the Dwarf-thing with the large dragon tattoo. Smirking, Gnashik faced off with the smaller warrior. The Dwarf-thing’s axe flashed wildly at the Skaven lord. Shocked by the speed with which the Slayer fought, Gnashik could do little but parry the blows. A backhanded swing from the axe swept below the warlord’s guard. Luckily, the blade glanced off of his warpstone armor. A blast of warp-lightning shot out from the armor with a crackle of pent up energy. Taken off guard, the Dwarf-thing staggered back as the magical attack blasted into his chest, searing and blackening his flesh. As the two leaders battled on, the Stormvermin managed to hold the other Slayer-things off, sending some of them to their much wanted final rest.
The Chieftain, G’rrrth gazed reverently at the Storm Banner and the magical energy emanating from it. Its power continued to fuel the sorcerous tempest. After putting a hill between themselves and the powerful Skaven wizard, the crossbow-dwarfs regrouped and prepared themselves in case the rat-men charged over the hill. As the warp-fueled storm raged overhead so too did the battle between the Stormvermin and Dwarf-thing Slayers. The black furred rat-men continued to hew their crazed enemies in droves. Now that Gnashik had an idea of what his opponent was capable of, he was able to not only counter the frenzied slashes of the Dragon Slayer but land crippling blows of his own. With a triumphant snarl, the massive rat-lord’s magical blade bit deep into Splatt’s side. With a look of surprise on his face, the Dragon Slayer crumpled to the ground. Seeing her kinsman fall to the Skaven warlord, Merga began to have serious doubts as to whether or not her clan could hold off these relentless invaders.
The magical storm continued its onslaught and showed no sign of letting up. The ends of Gnashik’s battle line were turning toward the center of the field. With dawning horror, the breeder-queen knew her army would be crushed in the jaws of the Skaven pincers unless she could out think these flankers. As the units moved closer to the bridge, the warlocks attempted to blast their enemies with their warp-lightning. However, something was going wrong. The magical energies were no match for the stubborn Dwarf-thing resilience. Even Feerfik’s Storm Daemon fizzled out and could not be powered back up. “Something is not-not right here,” muttered Feerfik as he gazed at the powerful storm surging above him. Gnashik and his elite warrior-rats continued to scythe their way through the remaining Slayers. The stubborn Dwarf-things fell all about the Skaven but they refused to give an inch. With a violent stomp, Fenri crushed the last of the rats that had been pestering the thunderers. “Come on, boys! The real battle’s over there!” he shouted, pointing at the bridge and the warriors locked in deadly combat atop it.
With a final, violent explosion of thunder, the storm began to dissipate. With a sigh of relief, Merga thanked the gods for this turn of luck. She looked about her, noticing that Fenri and his gunners were wheeling to face the rear of the Skaven unit closing in on her left. She signaled her kinsman, Ahira, to hold his small unit where they were. Now if the rats engaged her warriors on that side, the smaller unit led by her banner bearer could flank them. The crossbow-dwarfs behind the hill began marching out of its shadow. From this position they could see the vile rat-men approaching their queen’s left flank. Storing his cask of ale back beneath his seat, the gyrocopter pilot powered up his machine and took off over the rain soaked landscape. Noticing, some scurrying, black shapes below him, he nudged his machine lower to get a better view. With a drunken laugh, the pilot swung low at the astonished rat-men. Pulling a lever, he unleashed the fury of his steam cannon at the black clad Skaven. The blast caught many of them by surprise and seared the flesh from their bones. Surely, he had killed them all. Then, to his surprise two of what he had believed to be corpses stood back up and flung off smoldering capes. “Oh, damn…”whispered the pilot as the ninjas leapt. With the storm having abated, the cannon crew noticed there were two rat-men lurking near the bridge with what looked liked a huge gun. Aiming at this threat, the Dwarf-things fired. Their shot hit the soft mud on the riverbank, slowing the bounce and missing the snickering weapon crew. The Stormvermin had slain so many of the Dwarf-things that they now began kicking the corpses over the edge of the bridge as they cut down even more Slayers. Gnashik swung wildly about him, taking off heads and cleaving Dwarf-things in half with every sweep of his blade. “Kill-kill them all!” he shouted at his bodyguards. “The bridge is-is ours!”
Sensing the Dwarf-things feeble attempt to trap them, the two warlock engineers left their clanrat guardians. Now the warriors could continue on and the engineers could still engage the threatening Dwarf-things with warp-lightning. Freeket’Chu, once more tried to duplicate the settings that had unleashed such a powerful spell at the beginning of the battle. After so many changes and adjustments his equipment was badly in need of recalibration. The resulting warp-lightning blast leapt only a short distance before grounding itself in the earth. Feerfik, on the other paw, had far more battle experience than his younger colleague and knew you had to make adjustments on the fly. With that, he cranked a dial and sighted in on the breeder-queen’s warriors. The bolt of warp-lightning blasted a number of Dwarf-things clean out of the unit. Cackling with glee, Feerfik watched the smoking corpses fall to the ground. With murder in their eyes, the two remaining night runners jumped on the gyrocopter. Their blades darted in and out, but the drunken pilot jigged this way and that, dodging them all. However, the ninja rats refused to let go, knowing full well they could take this thing out one way or another. With a deft twist of his blade, one night runner stabbed into the steam engine which slowly began to leak pressure. With a final onslaught of blows, the warlord and his Stormvermin killed the final Slayers on the bridge. With a look of approval and pride, Gnashik noted that his warriors had eliminated the crazy Dwarf-things without sustaining a single casualty. Glaring at the breeder-queen and with his army closing in on both sides, Gnashik shouted in fury, “Die you will!“ Seeing the sheer ferocity of this Skaven warlord, Merga ordered a withdrawal. Her flanks had been compromised and the rat-men were far too cunning to be outwitted by her attempt to flank them. “Fall back!” she ordered her warriors. “Back to the fortress! They will never take our home!” she vowed.
“We’ll see.” thought, Gnashik. Experience had taught him well. The halls of clan Kingsolver would be his.
