Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

"Angrath fall back!" commanded the Skulltaker.

The gigantic winged daemon flexed, knocking Brass Talons aside as the Bloodthirster fell back towards his master and the last of the Bloodletters. A gap suddenly formed between the two sides. The Skulltaker somersaulted through the air switching his grip on his great axe for two huge mega patterned bolt pistols sitting in their holsters upon his bronze belt. He landed with a hard thump in front of Angrath aiming the pair of pistols side by side towards the enemy. Eerie blue lights played out through the dark void between the two forces as the laser sights dripped across the armor of the Brass Talons. The Skulltaker slowly squeezed both triggers simultaneouly. The multi barrels of both pistols barked as their daemon headed muzzles spit out raw death. Tiny rockets shot out spiralling tightly into the first rank of rogue Marines. The Skulltaker fanned both pistols laying down every shot dead center. Blasting through the front rank the payload erupted out from their backs ripping through the next in line. The Librarian jumped aside at the last moment possible watching silently as the salvo continued on it's course of death tearing through rank after rank of Marines. Finally the miniature rockets came to a steep bend in the tight hallway sweeping around in an arc to continue on. The Librarian looked around astonished to see that all of his command had been laid to waste. Not one Brass Talon besides the rogue Librarian was left standing.

"Those shells were vortex rounds!" shouted the Skulltaker as he shoved the pistols back into their holsters.

Angrath held down the rogue Librarian while the Skulltaker lifted his great axe. "Another skull for the Skull God!" shouted the armored daemon swiftly bringing down the axe. The Librarian's head hit the floor hard and bounced off. Angrath released the spasming body letting it crash down beside the head. The Skulltaker set his axe down beside the storm shield and pulled out his flaying knife lifting up the severed head. Carefully cutting off first the nose then the ears the daemon carved off the flesh then finally plucked out the dead blue eyes and yanked the bit of vertebrae attached to the base of the skull. The last of the Bloodletters all watched intently as the Skulltaker wiped the gore and ligaments from the smooth bone with a square piece of coarse sandpaper. A ring of bronze was then carefully inserted into the top of the skull and the Skulltaker clipped it onto his belt beside the ruined skull of the replicant Marine Argozz.

"I am sure there are still some of the Brass Talons left so keep an ear out for them. We must now move inwards to the dark heart of this ruined craftworld and explode the core reactors before we can depart." said the chief daemon.

Angrath howled then slowly began to shrink taking on once more the shape of a Bloodletter. There were only a few Bloodletters left and they set about reloading their long barreled plasma rifles.

The Bloodletters crawled through the inner service tunnel keeping their heads tucked low so as not to scrape against the hot blow tubes. The Skulltaker lead the small party forward on into the heart of the darkness. Each daemon had to press their arms and legs out stiff against the circular walls to keep from falling. Residual heat from the core reactor flashed like lightning deep down below. The Skulltaker continued to move down suddenly feeling avery sticky ichor dripping out from small fissures cracked through the wall. Looking ahead for a moment the chief daemon saw a mass of many limbed bodies pressed up against the alien service tunnel. Sniffing the humid air he took note of a sickly spore drifting about like a damp blanket. "Genestealers ahead!" whispered the Skulltaker as he lifted his clawed hand from the filthy goo to slowly pull loose one of his mega patterned bolt pistols.

Chattering and the sounds of sharp mandibles clicking began to fill the tight space. The genestealers began to crawl up easily gliding across the rotted surface of the inner service tunnel. Bracing both magnetized soles of his armored boots against conjoining blow tubes the Skulltaker howled at the xenos killers then fired into them. Genestealer limbs and pieces of their dark purples torsos exploded in a mist of ichor falling down the tunnel back towards the core reactors. The Skulltaker continued to shoot squeezing the trigger with a quick repeated pulse so that a steady fire of mega bolter rounds rained up into the genestealers. More of the aliens pushed through the dead ones continuing on ahead. Click click went the pistol as it was finally drained of it's last rounds of ammuntion. Quickly the Skulltaker switched grips with the second bolt pistol and started to fire again. More of the genestealers were pulverized as the huge bolter rounds exploded into them but the forward press continued. The Skulltaker now was firing at almost point blank range as the xenos horde kept moving up the service tunnel. They were face to face as the chief daemon drained his last shots screaming with cold fury. Long barrels poked out as the Bloodletters began to rapid fire their plasma rifles. The Skulltaker grabbed a hold of the closest blow tubes and started to kick with a frenzy crashing his boots into the skulls of the genestealers. Their sharp long clawed talons shot out stabbing back at the Skulltaker. Suddenly the daemon let go barreling into the maddening horde. His fierce charge broke them loose from the walls as they started to fall down the shaft. The Bloodletters watched as their leader and the xenos tumbled away.

"Be quick now!" said Angrath as he began to climb back up the tunnel. The rest of the daemons followed behind.

The Skulltaker reached with both hands grabbing a pair of genestealers by their throats and squeezed hard. The genestealers' eyes began to bulge out and their long tongues shot out from their mouths swelling up like a pair up balloons. The daemon applied more pressure until their heads popped open with dark sticky green ichor shooting out from their necks. Releasing them the Skulltaker reached down and pulled two long pointed stilettos from his belt and started to thrash about cutting the closest xenos into bloody ribbons. The genestealers squealed in pain as the pointed knives jabbed into their carapaces landing the hidden organs underneath the hardened exoskeletons. The daemon roared then bit another genestealer in the neck ripping out it's throat with his sharp fangs.

The mass of bodies continued to fall faster and faster towards the core reactors until they finally reached terminal velocity. They bounced against the circular walls of the service tunnel as they careened down deeper into the very heart of the craftworld.

The Skulltaker landed with a hard thud on a flat deck encircling the primary core reactor. A large set of snaking cables sprouted up through the center of the deck covered in ancient greyed wraithbone. The cables hummed with a life of their own vibrating with a slow mesmerising off frequency. "These must tie into this craftworld's infinity matrix." thought the daemon as he began to grin behind his silver mask. "All their deads' spirits are tied into the matrix."

There was the sound of thunder and then the Avatar stepped out from a large dark shadow. His eyes burned like lava. "There is no hope for you now Kharathx. I will break every bone in your body after I peel off your armor. You are nothing."

"So you say, so you say eternal brother of mine." said the Skulltaker.

"I am not your brother. You are a base creature spat out from the cold abyss."

The Skulltaker snarled as he reached up to remove his silver mask. The daemon then reached for his pair of dueling knives. The blades were long and serrated. "I smell your kin closeby hidden. Their magicks will not help you." said the Skulltaker as he pointed the tip of one knife towards the huge brass studded collar fastened around his neck. "You will have to win this all by yourself." The Skulltaker took a step forward towards the Avatar as his stature grew. "You are a traitor to our Master. I will make swear back an oath of fealty before I sever off that huge mishapen growth you call a skull."

The Avatar shouted out a warcry unleashing the wailing doom. The Skulltaker leapt aside just as the blast hit the spot where he had been standing. The floor exploded as the tiles of wraithbone were vaporized. Leaping high into the air the daemon shot up above the Avatar bringing down both knives as he came down on top of the giant. The Avatar moved with blinding speed batting aside both blades with a thrust from his long spear. He knocked the Skulltaker aside like a doll then spun about thrusting out again with the spear. The tip lanced straight through the daemon's armor skewering his chest. Lifting up his spear with the Skulltaker impaled upon it the Avatar smashed the daemon against an ornate pillar. The shaft broke apart as the daemon twisted about trying to free himself from the spear. Tossing aside the spent handle the towering giant reached down and savagely gripped the Skulltaker bashing the daemon repeatedly against the floor. The Skulltaker stuck both of his blades into the Avatar's bowels twisting the knives about. Screaming in sudden pain the Avatar brought down both his fists fiercely club the Skulltaker's bare face. The bronzed skin smeared off revealing a metal skull within. The daemon rolled off the broken pillar dropping one knife to grasp at his ruined face. Bracing himself upon one boot the Skulltaker kicked out with his other hoofed brass boot kicking the Avatar aside. The Skulltaker dropped the other blade and grasped at the end of the broken spear pulling it loose from the deep wound in his chest. As the Avatar climbed back up he watched intently as the Skulltaker's face reformed knitting itself back together. The daemon snarled and spat out a black gout of burning acid.

"I am something! I am!" yelled the daemon as he plunged the broken spear into the chest of the Avatar. The spear punched through the wraithbone armor and flames shot out from the fresh wound.

"More pain!" shouted the daemon as he leapt on top of the Avatar sinking his long pointed fangs into it's neck. Molten ore spilled out from the fresh wound sizzling as it dripped upon the dark wraithbone armor. Gripping the daemon by it's armored collar the Avatar flung the Skulltaker aside. The daemon hit an outer wall of the reactor smashing off pieces from the xenos control panel. The Skulltaker felt a couple ribs break inside his chestplate as he crashed to ground. Quickly reaching out for one of his blades the huge daemon grabbed it by the hilt and deftly threw it at the Avatar. The knife spun tip over end as it sailed through the air piercing the Avatar through an eyehole in his helm. Screaming in mad fury the towering monstrosity gripped the knife and pried it loose from his skull. The Skulltaker came in hard ramming the Avatar with his left shoulder driving it into the wall. Big cracks split the wall on impact and the daemon punched one knurled gauntlet up fiercely decking the monster's jaw. The Skulltaker had gathered up his other short blade and drove it into the Avatar's midsection repeatedly stabbing through the suit of ancient wraithbone armor.

Feeling his life force slowly beginning to drain the Avatar blocked the next incoming blow blunting the sharp edge of the daemon's knife with his forearm. The daemon was much stronger than he had reckoned and the warp creature appeared to be able to quickly regenerate any wound he inflicted. The battle should have been over already but the Skulltaker had siezed the initiative fighting on with a flurry of blazing speed.

Again the Avatar reached out to grapple with the daemon but the Skulltaker stepped inside his outstretched arms and drove his knife with both hands into his throat twisting the serrated edges cruelly about. Focusing all his might into one swift blow the monster punched the Skulltaker hard in the chest cracking it's brass chestplate. The daemon stumbled dropping his weapon as his knees gave out for just a moment.

The Skulltaker saw black spots beginning to form before his eyes. He was utterly exhausted. Kneeling down the askulltaker placed the palms of both hands upon the floor to steady himself. He looked over to see that the Avatar was also taking a brief moment to rest. The daemon breathed in and out slowly trying to relax. His breath came short and he wheezed. His cracked ribs had not yet finished healing. The knife was a short distance from his left outstretched hand. He saw that his adversary was closely watching him, focusing intently upon his next move. The tip of the Avatar's lance lay beside the giant but it did not seem to realize the weapon was closeby.

"It's almost over now." said the Skulltaker through his gritted fangs. "I have scored your precious suit of armor in over a dozen places and wounded you deeply. It's a wonder that huge mishapen skull of yours has not toppled off yet."

The Avatar snarled as he stood up straight scooping up the broken lance in one fluid motion. "I am infinite in power. One so low and base as yourself could never hope to defeat me. It is time for you to die now." said the Avatar as he unleashed the wailing doom again blazing the daemon in a bath of super heated flame.

The Skulltaker bent down his head shielding himself as much as possible from the heat attack. The infernal energies of the wailing doom encircling him like a huge serpent crushing him in it's tight coils. The stinging heat from the blast soaked his bronzed armor until it began to glow red. Wisps of smoke poured off from the Skulltaker as the last of the blast finally withered away. The daemon stood back up with his arms outstretched to help dissipate the burning heat. "That hurt." said the Skulltaker, "But not as much as this will!" Snapping his wrist the daemon released his knife in a straight arc towards the Avatar. The tip of the blade sunk into the other eyehole of the giant's helmet instantly blinding him. The Avatar howled out dropping the broken lance to clutch desperately at the hilt of the deeply embedded knife. With a fierce rush the Skulltaker charged his eternal enemy knocking him off the edge of the platform sending into the bottomless depths below.

The Skulltaker sucks in a breath of hot air shifting his silver helm back into place upon his heavily bruised face. The cold metal fit snug against his skull. His ribs had finally healed and the tend in his chestplate had closed back neatly. Slowly the dark etheral fibers of the warp suttered shut all his gashes and wounds. He sat down upon the floor fiddling with his last knife. The great axe and storm shield he had lifted from a dead Salamander terminator had been lost in the long fall down through the service tunnel. The daemon sat still allowing himself a brief moment of respite while his warp energies coursed within replenishing his vast reserves of strength. While sitting he heard the high pitched laughter of a female hidden in the darkness veiling the the service ramp. He turned his head to and from casting out his daemonic visage in a futile search for the source of laughter. Next he sniffed again carefully drawing in the thin air masticating as the fragrant smell of the xenos filled his nostrils. If his enhanced sense of smell served him right then there was a group of lithe bodied jesters closeby ready to strike. Keeping his seat upon the floor he lifted his head looking towards the direction of the perfume. A hazy cluster of tall eldar were standing in the shadows checking their weapons one last time.

"You pariahs that you are. If you had even the slightest modicum of tactics you would joined your Avatar in the melée. You could have possibly turned the tides in his favor. I know though that you all tend to be a cowardly lot preferring others to do your work for you. I see you are ready now though and can wait no longer. The lust for my blood consumes you just as it did for the Avatar of Khaine. Khaine and My God are one in the same though I know you would deny that. It's okay by me though. Your pointed skulls with adorn my belt when this is all said and done. I have fought more than my fair share of pariahs such as yourself. It shall end as it always does and that is inevitable but I must commend you for having come here. Show yourselves and let's be done with this final battle."

The Harlequins bounded out from the shadow with such speed that the Skulltaker lost sight of them. Relying solely upon his heightened sense of smell and gut instincts he tracked their position as landed in a full circle totally enclosing him on all sides. The daemon stiffened as bristling barbs erupted from suit of armor spiking out like spines. The Harlequins immediately unleashed their kisses and the monomolecular whips wrapped around the spins unable to penetrate the brass armor below. Quickly spinning in place the Skulltaker lifted the troupe off their feet. "Haaa!" snorted the evil daemon as he used his single knife to cut each lash sending the Harlequins sailing out into the void. "That was almost too easy."

The Solitaire stepped out from the shadows stopping only a few steps away from the Skulltaker. The jester carried a pair of long barbed power blades built into the armor enclosing his arms. His long narrow face was fitted with a skull mask that had a pair of bright green eyes. "You are the destroyer of my race. I know why you are here. Collecting the collars of Khorne was but a small trifling task compared to your primary purpose. You are very close to completing your goal now. Only I stand between you and your task. Know that I alone can stop you. I can and you know this. I have watched in silence while you slaughtered our sacred Avatar and then cleverly outwitted my kin. You are evil incarnate. I reckon you will be raised to the rank of daemon prince if you can get past me. Your thirst for more power and reigning death boggles my mind. Aren't you powerful enough as it is? You have eventually killed all your most ancient and hated foes. My race is at it's final nadhir. Your actions are not necessary for the outcome will be the same regardless of you. Leave it be and I will sing of your fiendish exploits until the end of time."

"I have no choice in the matter." said the Skulltaker. "I am absolutely loyal to my God. I will do whatever he commands of me. I have an offer you you in turn. Turn away now and I will spare you. I am both immortal and invulnerable. You cannot stop what fate has in store for you and your fallen kin. If you leave here now you can live yet another day. That is all I have to offer for you."

- edited -

The Solitaire took a step back and lowered his power blades. "I also am bound by duty nor could I allow you to go on uncontested... So we must fight this last duel."

"I have killed your Avatar and kin with only a pair of knives. Now I only have one left." growled the daemon.

For those of you that have been following along any feedback at this point would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

G

The Skulltaker removed his mask to show his face. "I was born of fire pariah." His metallic skin turned to flesh and was pale. His eyes were dark green and sparkled In the glow from the reactor's heat. His ears were longated and pointed on top.

"Abraxas!" whispered the Solitare.

The daemon frowned. "All eldar must die." His hands shot out catching the Harlequin by the throat and he crushed the jester's neck throwing the dead body off the deck. "Now finally I can inject the T virus into the infinity matrix. Their doom is ensured. OH TEE WAH !!! "

Flash to a future time...

The Skulltaker sits upon a brass throne resting on top of hill of skulls.

"Abraxas you have done very well as my current incarnation of the Skulltaker." said Lord Khorne. "Who would know that you were once a proud eldar that took up the sword of Khaine upon my black altar on the forgotten crone world Arcana? Your hate is hard. Here you shall remain by my side for the next millenium. I shall elevate you to the sacred rank of daemon prince in honor of all the skulls you took in my name and all the blood you have split. Your deeds have not gone unnoticed and I have kept my promise in return to you for fulfilling our ancient bargain. Your throne of skulls in only less in height than mine." the Blood God spoke in a whisper.

Abraxas smiled for a brief moment then straightened his back against the high brass throne. The daemon looked upon all the skull he had smote and was pleased. "I am eternally in your debt Lord Khorne and I thank you for this high honor you have bestowed upon me."

The Skulltaker sat upon his throne staring at the eldar gemstones embedded into the back of the skulls mounted as hand rests. The gems would flash from time to time then extinguish again. His long nails were pointed and hard as diamonds as the daemon prince scratched his name into the bronze.

"Abraxas."

"Lord Khorne I have sat here by your side now for 1,000 years and a day. I yearn for more battle again and thirst for the enemies' blood." said the daemon prince.

"That you have done and it is time to send you back out again to take more skulls in my name. The eldar have fallen like wheat to the scythe since you infected their infinity matrix with the T virus. There are but a few tribes left and it is time for to finish them. They have banded together on a Crone world hidden deep within the Eye. I will send you forth with a great legion of daemons to ensure their fall is complete. The mighty Bloodthirster Angrath will fight by your side and the most hardened Of the World Eaters will assist you. Remember that the eldar are quite cunning and know how to manipulate the strands of fate. You must the universe of this race once and for all." said the Blood God. "Here is my most prized suit of armor and the dark blade of Khaine for you to wield against them. It is said the sword bears a curse to whoever lifts it but you shall prove immune. Go forth and destroy the last of this barren race in my name."

The exodites are the survivalists of the eldar. They left the eldar homeworld prior to the great fall choosing to live upon backwater planets hidden within the corners of the galaxy. There was one tribe brave enough to journey into the great Eye long after the fall when they discovered it's legend. Here dwells the last tribe of eldar lead by their Everqueen Namora and championed by the warseer Diamocles. The two are part of three triplets born long ago before the great fall. No one speaks of the third member of the triplets and an empty throne sits besides those for Namora and Diamocles hidden in dark shadows.

The exodites live off the land and have dragons which they ride to hunt beasts upon their secret world. They have prospered while the rest of their fallen race disappeared from the universe.

There was the sound of metal scraping metal back within the depths of the chamber room. Namora turned to look upon the third throne. A large daemonic looking entity sat upon the hidden throne slumped back against the wall. The Everqueen remained silent while sending a psychic message to her brother Diamocles. Someone is here in the throne room with me. I did not hear them enter and it sits upon the third throne. The Everqueen slowly looked up to see that the mysterious stranger had vanished from the room. The sickening smell of burning sulphur filled the air as a thin red mist hovered over the empty throne. A pile of brazened skulls lay upon the floor, each one etched in bronze with Chaos runes. The skulls' jaws silently gnashed their teeth shuddering as they chomped down hard. Namora stood up and carefully made her way out from the chamber quietly slinking through the dark trail of black shadows that painted the floor. It's gone now. Namora told her brother as she came about to face the closest exit.

Namora lay in her bed covered in sweat. The fever was intense and she had experienced frequent bouts of vomitting. The Warseer sat beside her watching the Everqueen intently. Namora's skin was ghostly pale and deep dark circles ringed her eyes. Diamocles wiped her hot brow with a cold sponge and sat back.

"Namora the crystal city has been beseiged by a vast daemonic invasion for over a week now. World Eaters form up their vanguard. We need you. Concentrate. Focus your will and banish this fever."

Namora screamed out in pain as a fever chill ran up her spine. The Everqueen coughed up dark red blood that flecked her cheeks and ran down her chin. The hand maiden quickly wiped away the blood. Namora's body was soaking the sheets with sweat as tears of thin blood ran down from the corners of her eyes. Her skin was deathly pale and hard blue veins ran underneath. "I would rather die than spend another minute suffering from this adominal pain." she whispered to her maiden. "If only the pain would subside for just a moment."

A cool breeze came spilling out from the open doorway. The light wind caressed the Everqueen's naked body drying away her persperation. Namora sighed then fell into a deep slumber.

Namora sat at the head of the war table ready to address her council. Diamocles the Warseer sat to the right of her and the chair to her left was empty. The generals all sat still all eyes upon the Everqueen absorbing her dominant aura.

"Our Calvary must take the fight to Khorne and break their back with one decisive blow. We must make one rapid strike before the war engines of Khorne are deployed. Our dragonguard is our most elite force. We can end this quickly. Khorne is satisfied to fight upon the field of battle killing for the sake of blood shed. Our tactical prowess is greater and we must take the long view. As long as we can keep their war machines at bay Khorne cannot press our inner strength. Our high walls are safe."

Diamocles waited until the Everqueen was finished with her opening speech and then spoke. "Generals report our positions and plan of attack."

Runefest was eager and spoke in reply first "The dragons of the burning caverns are positioned above the valley of death and only await your order to to take flight. The rear of the Khornate forces are exposed and open. Speak the word and we shall commence."

Next spoke ancient Esmarlda "The dragon riders of the hidden sect are also ready and positioned to strike at your command our Everqueen. Say the word."

Finally the young general Nounce spoke up "The dragonguard of the ancient sun are also ready. We can hammer the forward vanguard of Khorne in a crushing pincer. Say the word."

Namora rose up from her seat looking down upon the council. "Engage!"

Khorne sat at the head of his inner war council surrounded by his closest daemon princes and greater daemons. Angron sat to his left and a huge empty brass throne sat to his right. "We stand on the brink of a genocide. If the Skulltaker is successful the eldar will be completely eliminated. Their blood will flow like dark red wine!"

Angron scratched his square chin and sat straight up. "The Skulltaker was an elf. As long as he remains the race will continue."

Khorne suddenly brought down his fist swiftly striking the brass table. His fist boomed as it struck the table. "The Skulltaker is a son to me. Many and far are the origins of my council. My name is spoken in countless languages across this galaxy. What you suggest is blasphemy."

"You may not the sound of what I said but it is the truth. If you truly desire the total extinction of the elder race then all of them must die." said Angron.

Angrath the giant Bloodthirster sat at the back and frowned inwardly. "Angron you are jealous."

The primarch stood up and unslung his massive war axe. "What I say is simply the truth. Our lord seeks the utter demise of the eldar. To do so they all must die in the end."

Angrath stood up as well. "All humans must die as well. I am pure daemon as are most here. Your skull could be one more on the mountain of skulls taken in this aim. Your skull could rest rest right beside Kharn's."

Angron sneered. "I dare you to try!"

The giant Bloodthirster lifted up the bronze table smashing the end into Angron's face. The primarch stumbled back then lifted up his war axe ready to charge the greater daemon.

"Cease and desist right now!" commanded the god Khorne. "I have the final say on these matters and I see no reason to change anything already decreed. The Skulltaker's mound of skulls is lower only than mine. None here has taken as many skulls as he. He is my right hand.

"Angron I see the flames of green jealousy burning deep within your eyes. Yet you are my left hand. We all stand together. Put aside your hate for Abraxas and take a moment to respect his accomplishments. No one here is more committed to the taking of skulls than he. He has risen through the ranks based upon his acheivements. That is the way of Khorne!"

"But you gifted him with the sword of Khaine! I should wield the dark blade not Abraxas!" fumed Angron.

"Angron you shame us all. Do I have to resort to punishing you?" said Lord Khorne. "We are all brothers here. The Mark of Khorne is the most sacred mark. We only speak the truth." Lord Khorne cupped his claws together behind his back and pondered. "I will send you into the mortal realm again albeit the cost. Angrath will accompany you. I beseech you to give aid to Abraxas. Let us finally rid this universe of the eldar. All Chaos will give praise to this deed. I gift you and brother Angrath with my most potent collars of Khorne. The enemy shall have no defense against you. Reap their skulls in my name."

Namora looked in the mirror and smiled. The Everqueen looked into her own eyes and studied the dark red flames flashing in the back behind her dark round pupils. She sneered at herself then suddenly looked away from the mirror. Her hand maiden had entered her bedroom carrying a silver plate piled high with mounds of rare red cooked meat. "Leave it on the table and begone. I am busy and must prepare for the battle."

"The meal has been prepared exactly as you wish my queen. You have been quite carnivourous as of late."

"I need the cooked flesh to finish healing my bout with the fever. Begone!" Namora clapped her hands and grimaced at her hand maiden. "Now be quick and don't make me have to tell you again. I'll be down when I'm ready." She frowned then began to move towards the silver plate. The rare meat smelled divine.

The Everqueen slowly strode up on top of the Dias mounted upon the highest outer tower sitting perched to the castle wall. The Warseer stood beside surveying the field of battle. "Our northern scouts report a group of Bloodthirsters roosting on top of Mount Pyre. Below the mountain in the valley you can see the vast horde of Khornate lesser daemons. Bloodletters and packs of Flesh Hounds patrol the ground ready for the fight." said Diamocles.

"And where is their general the Skulltaker?" asked Namora.

"That we do not know as of yet. My best guess is the daemon prince is amongst the greater daemons ready to swoop down when he gives the order. One of the Bloodthirsters carries a large and I believe he will use it to sound off when the Skulltaker is ready to fight."

"I see the lesser daemons are moving up their warmachines in preparation to break our mighty siege walls." said Namora. "Our dragon knights are safely hidden and ready to plunge down upon the foe. They must break the warmachines quickly then return to fend off the large host of Bloodthirsters. They must not fail so I shall join them mounted on top of the ancient winged worymm Strider. You shall remain here as the captain of our seige works."

Diamocles spoke "Honestly I think it is too soon after your fever. The best course is to keep you safe here deep within our high walls."

"There is no time left to play it safe any longer. We must throw everything we have at the forces of Khaine the god of murder."