Tails of The Blackhand Network – Hergig Faction, Skaven Civil War.

Dime a Dozen – Pawed by Vang Three Claws**:
**The line "Pawed by...” graciously on loan from Khilkhret Foe-slayer.

Vang Three Claws, Warlord of Clan Thunderpaw, Former Leader of The Blackhand Network, and Former Lord of Hergig, returned to Clawhome to find The Blackhand Network in disarray. A personal matter of much importance and much adventure had drawn Vang away from the politics of The Network, and indeed away from the UnderEmpire entirely the past Winter. His ordeal complete, Vang had returned with the Spring. The Warlord had call to celebrate, but his return home would allow anything but a celebration.

The situation that Vang returned to was disconcerting. In Vang’s absence many of the mercenaries that The Blackhand Network had relied so heavily upon had conspired to bite the very paws that fed them. The fools had underestimated the reach of The Network and had been discovered. Would they never learn, thought Vang shaking his muzzle in disbelief.

Vang felt a pang of sympathy for the many mercenaries that would no longer grace the tunnels of The Blackhand Network with their presence. Many of them Vang had considered friends. He had fought along side many of them in the Storm of Chaos and in the skirmishes that followed during The Animosity Campaign. Knowing that he could not afford the luxury of regret, the warlord allowed the feelings to pass quickly. The one thing that Vang understood about Mercenaries was that there were always more available if they were needed. Mercenaries were a dime a dozen. Besides, Vang had much to do in light of his return and in the wake of the disaster.

Vang Three Claws pawed through the piles of reports that buried his work space. The man-thing desk was covered in stacks of parchment, cured man-skin, scrolls, and other assorted bric-a-brac so that not a hint of wood could be seen. Vang had some catching up to do indeed. The Warlord pushed himself back from his desk and wondered.

“Runner,” cried The Warlord, “fetch-fetch Sclaw. I must know-know how fare our remaining hired bladesss. We mussst be sure-sure that the taint hasss not ssspread. We mussst be sure-sure that they are ssstill loyal. Go-go, quick-quick.”

Much to do indeed…