The Children of the Warp, Skaven Civil War.

The Calm Before the Storm – Pawed by Vang Three Claws**:
**The line "Pawed by...” graciously on loan from Khilkhret Foe-slayer.


Deep within the fortified warrens of Clawhome Vang Three Claws paced behind his desk, careful not to fully break from the partial cover it provided him from the entry points to the room. Old habits, good habits, habits that kept a rat alive. Vang’s tail twitched in irritation as the Warlord paced back and forth, his right hand stroking the fur of his chin in thought.

The only other figure in the room was the black clan wiry form of Vang’s Head of Intelligence, the assassin, Sclaw. Minutes upon minutes of Vang’s silent pacing passed. It would have seemed an eternity to most Skaven, but Sclaw was far from the typical rat. A seasoned assassin, Sclaw was patient. He could wait a long time, days if necessary.

Finally Vang paused, turned to address his House Assassin, took a deep breath, and began, “I-I want inquiriesss made-made. You-you will find out who-who isss resssponsssible for this-this.” The fury in Vang’s eyes was a sharp contrast to the calm demeanor of the Warlord’s posture. The contrast would have sent most rats voiding the musk of fear. Even the hardiest of rats would be edgy in response to the Warlord’s body language.

Sclaw had seen it before, his Warlord was truly furious. It was the calm before the storm. Sclaw almost felt a twinge of pity for whoever had ordered the attempt on Vang’s life. They had made a serious mistake. It would be Sclaw’s job to see that they understood the depth of their error.

“You-you have done well-well, Sssclaw,” continued Vang. “You-your bodyguardsss performed adequately, yes-yes. See-see that the wounded and dead-dead onesss are replaced, quick-quick. I-I will reward thossse who-who sssurvived.”

Vang leaned forward, his claws digging into the high back of his padded chair. Menace oozed from the Warlord like pus from an infected wound. A snarl rippled across Vang’s muzzle as the Warlord hissed at the Assassin, “You-you know what to do-do.”

Sclaw nodded in response. Vang would expect nothing more and nothing less than success. Sclaw would not disappoint him.

Vang Three Claws took another deep breath and his posture relaxed. The Warlord lowered himself into his padded chair, but the feral light in his eyes never wavered.

“Now,” offered Vang, “tell me-me of Hergig. How fare thing-thingsss in the sssewersss?”

Sclaw nodded again to his Lord and rattled off a clipped and precise report of the recent events in and around the Sewers of Hergig. Sclaw kept to the facts, noting hearsay and analysis where appropriate. In a few short minutes, his report was done.

“Good-good. Thank you-you, Sssclaw,” hissed Vang, “A concissse report asss alwaysss. I-I concur with you-your analysssisss. Make sssure that-that the Clan and our contactsss know-know what-what isss going on. Make sssure that-that they-they are ready.”

With the wave of a paw, Vang dismissed his Head of Intelligence. “You-you may go, Sssclaw, and have Ssscampsssquee sent-sent in asss you-you leave. I would hear of our-our progresss on the twin citiesss and the defensssesss of Clawhome and-and Skar Pass.”

Sclaw hurried out of his Lord's presence. He had much to do…