Scarab
By Sam James
1000 words


Inferion ran his hand across the wall, brushing away the sand to reveal the glyphs and ancient inscriptions beneath. The meanings were lost on him, all except for one, his fingers traced its outline, a winged scarab raising a skull into the air.

The same image had haunted his dreams for months, sent him near delirious in his rituals, brought him across the Sour Sea to draw blades against the Blood Maiden, forced him to seek aide in the human town of Bétone, and at last, led him here to this necropolis.

Khorne has purpose for me here.

With him was Vorgax, a loyal Blood Warrior, and also a human from Bétone named El-Kanash. A wretched and pitiful creature but whose skills in alchemy and knowledge of these lands had been invaluable thus far. The alchemist was studying the hieroglyphs on the wall.

The sight angered Inferion, his thoughts darkened and filled with rage. He stepped forward and grabbed the man by the throat, lifting him off the ground.

'You can read these inscriptions?'

'No-no,' he spluttered, 'I have never seen the like-'

'Enough, my Priest,' said Vorgax, 'We may have need for him later.'

Inferion's anger quelled and he tossed the human aside, 'You are right. Pass me the bone dagger.'

Vorgax revealed an ivory blade and handed it to the Slaughterpriest. This was an ancient artefact of chaotic power.

Inferion returned to the wall and brought the ritual dagger to his palm. A stream of red ran river down his fingers which he poured over the hieroglyph of the scarab and skull. The blood channeled down inlaid canals that led unseen into the floor below.

'It is done,' Inferion said, 'my blood cannot be ignored. The necropolis will answer.'

A few moments passed before the wall trembled and began to sink into the ground, revealing the chamber beyond. Dust and cold air swirled out from the inky blackness.

The next chamber was shrouded in darkness save for a dais illuminated by a thin shaft of sunlight from above. A plinth in its centre held the scarab upright. It shimmered gold and held aloft a carved ruby skull. A thin bridge of sandstone led to the dais with unknowable depths plummeting either side.

This talisman is the scarab I seek.

A scuttling could be heard from the darkness and a moment later the shaft of sunlight caught the ridges of carapace as something climbed up onto the bridge and raced towards them.

'A Tomb Scorpion,' gasped El-Kanash as he backed away, ready to flee.

'Hold!' shouted Inferion, the power in his voice stopped the alchemist.

The Blood Warrior, Vorgax, charged the scorpion now entering the chamber and roared, 'Blood for the Blood God, Skulls for the Skull Throne!'

The Tomb Scorpion was a terrible construct of bone and metal. It reeked of Death-Magic. Vorgax came down upon it with his goreaxes in hand but like a viper the coiled tail lashed out and sunk its fang deep into his chest. The Blood Warrior managed one final swing of his axes, severing the end of the tail, before he collapsed onto the floor.

Rage flooded through Inferion. He moved in swinging his Wrath-hammer around his arm in long arcs before launching it at the Tomb Scorpion. The metal ball and chain punctured into the side of its carapace and caused it to stagger. He drew his Hackblade but the construct was lightening fast, it had already righted itself and was upon Inferion in a second. He parried the first strike of its pincers but the blade was cut cleanly in half as its vice-grip closed. The severed tail lashed out and bludgeoned his chest. He fell sprawling onto the flagstones, his vision pitching.

The Tomb Scorpion closed in once more but was stopped as the alchemist leapt onto its back and sunk deep a curved dagger. A screech sounded from the skull visage of the construct as it lost its balance. El-Kanash repeatedly stabbed his dagger into the carapace, screaming with terror, until the Tomb Scorpion ceased to move.

'You could be a servant of Khorne yet, alchemist,' said Inferion as he rose to his feet. 'Kindle the lantern and follow me.'

The scarab is mine.

The Slaughterpriest traversed the narrow stone bridge guided by the warm light of the lantern behind. As he ascended the first steps of the dais he wondered what plans his God might have for such a talisman. The Blood Maiden was a fool to question me.

He felt a sharp pain as a blade entered his back, he lashed out in fury but as the dagger twisted something dark and sickly took a hold of his muscles. Inferion fell onto the steps before feeling the blade puncture his back three more times. He turned and saw El-Kanash, his dagger dripping with blood. Inferion spat in anger, 'Khorne will not let this betrayal pass, human!'

The alchemist regarded him coldly, 'Your God does not care for your plight, Priest.'

He stepped over Inferion and for the first time beneath the cloying scents of sandalwood and other spices could be smelt something far darker. Inferion tried to lash out but his arms and legs were now wholly paralysed. He watched the dark-skinned man ascend the stairs and screamed in rage, 'My God led me here, fear his wrath, fool.'

'Believe it if you must,' said El-Kanash with a soft laugh, 'Now die quietly, you brute, my master requires your aid no more.'

Inferion's last few moments were those of agony. The poison coiled around his throat and lungs before strangling him in silence. His vision filled with blood as he watched the alchemist reach the dais and take the scarab from its plinth. He swaddled it in cloth before placing it in a satchel. A dark shadow flew over the Slaughterpriest and he saw a bird settle on the alchemist's shoulder.

A carrion bird of death...