Warhammer: Story of Ashenhand

Chapter two

Until, one day when Ashenhand was sitting outside of a tavern, begging, overheard a rough looking man talking about a potential pay off, in the realm of Beasts. Ashenhand noticed that the rough looking man, was heavily built and equally armed. The other companion was slim, yet had an majestic awe about him. Knowing full well that this might just be his last option Ashenhand approaches the two men.

“Excuse me, sirs, but did I hear correct that your planning to visit the realm of Beasts? And if so can I accompany you” the two men turn to the 18 year old male, with a look of interest. The rough one, sneers, “why yes we are planning on going to the realm of Beasts, and I’m not sure you could survive in a place like that for as long as we’re intending to stay for.”

The majestic one smiles, and waves a hand at his companion, “why not let the kid join us. We could use a servant.” The other laughs, then stops looking Vandus up and down. “Well, welcome aboard... What is your name?”

“I’m Ashenhand Anvilstriker, sir.”
“Ok Ashenhand I’m Vendell Blackfist former blacksmith for one of the Lord’s in Barak-Zilfin. Ok, now come with me.”
Ashenhand followed Vendell through the busy market, getting supplies and other necessities. While, the his companion went wandering off somewhere down a dark alley way. While in the market Vendell bought a short-sword and shield for Ashenhand  as well as a backpack full of supplies.

“There you go! Now, time to find an inn to rest before leaving tomorrow at dusk.” So, Vendell lead Ashenhand though the market until he found a reasonable inn to stay at for the night. While, Vendell and Ashenhand we’re settling in the other companion entered the inn.

“Ashenhand you’ll be sleeping on the floor while Vendell and I will sleep on the two separate beds.”

“Yes, sir.” Ashenhand then pulled out a mat and thin blanket from under one of the beds and slept better than he had for the last couple of weeks travelling. Knowing full well that he departs tomorrow for the realm of the Beasts.

Ashenhand woke with a start, as Vendell kicked Ashenhand awake. “Rise and shine sleeping beauty.”

Vandus got up and packed all of his equipment and rolled the mat and thin sheet up, storing it in his bag. Vendell walked out of the door with Ashenhand hot on his heels. “Do you want breakfast?”

“Yes Vendell, sir.” Vendell strode into the bar and ordered two helpings of dried meat. When they arrived he gave one to Ashenhand and are the other himself.
“Mr. Vendell where is your other companion?” Vendell shrugged and gave Ashenhand a wild smile.

“Well Ashenhand, you see we have agreed on taking a group last night. So, Skryin is lookin’ for more troops.” He then finished his dried meat and lumbered off out of the bar.

Ashenhand followed Vendell out of the bar into the busy street. Vendell walked towards the massive realm gate that links to the realm of the Beasts. Just outside the realm gate was a office that you have to go in to get to the realm gate.

Going through the door there is a notice board, and on it was a notice on what cities and villages had been invaded by the chaos legions. One of them was his home village, his heart sank knowing full well that his parents are likely dead.

Ashenhand turned from the board, walking to Vendell’s side. There was a group of people near the front, at its head was Skryin. Vendell walked towards him. “Are we ready then?”

Skryin nodded, “yes all we have to do now is walk through that door there, and then have the guards check our transport papers. After that we go through the realm gate, where we arrive at the city of Hulgur.”

Once everyone is ready they all make their way towards the door. On the other side of it is an open field with guards half-way. “Hold it, hand out your papers.”

The guards check the papers that Skryin is holding. Once the papers were checked the guards nod and walk towards the realm gate. “Now, just walk through.”

The party walks through the realm gate, there is a feeling of moving yet not, that goes through Ashenhand. On the other side the sky is white with clouds, with blue skies behind them.

Walking through the mirror image of the city behind. “Ok, everyone now we’re not stopping here tonight, because we have permanent residence here. We’re going out there.” With that Vendell points the sky reaching mountain ranges in the distance.
One of the party members a slender lad, with hardly any armour speaks up, “I thought we were just coming here for trading.”

“Well my friend, your wrong we are here to find something, that is an artefact worth more than the most precious metal.”
Everyone nods allowing the two leaders into the unknown dangers ahead. They walked many miles until the sky starts to darken. “Ok, time to set up camp.”

Everyone shrugs off each of their packs and starts setting up a fire or unrolling their sleeping mat. Ashenhand unrolled his sleeping mat, and took out a strip of dried meat, ate it then took a sip of water. Knowing full well to save his rations.

Once, everyone was ready to sleep the  Vendell stands in front of everyone, “Ok we need two lookouts, and change every three hours, Ashenhand and Ulgu have fist watch, then wake who ever after you. Everyone else, get some rest.”

With that Vendell walks over to his sleeping mat and lays down, still fully armed. Ulgu sets up on one side of the camp while, Ashenhand sets up on the other side. Nothing happens while Ashenhand is on watch.

When it’s changing time, Ashenhand changes with a muscular fellow, with tattoos down his arms and chest. When Ashenhand lays down, it’s not long before he drifts off to sleep.

Ashenhand jumps with a start at the loud clashing sound and screams or both pain and rage. Jumping to his feet and grabbing his short sword and shield, he is just able to see in the dark. There are dark bulky figures.

Ashenhand takes this opportunity to get his backpack on, he doesn’t need to worry about his sleeping mat as it is from the inn, he still has his in his bag. While the others are busy fighting off the dark figures, Ashenhand runs off in another direction.
Ashenhand runs until he collapses.

Knowing full well that the others are either going to die or survive depending on their predicament. While Ashenhand is on the floor he hears footsteps, slow but heavy footsteps. Ashenhand looks around and sees a shadow in front of him.

It steps into his eye sight and he knows it’s a orruk. He gets to his feet in a heart beat short sword in his hand and shield in his other. Bang he is thrown 5 feet, and struggles to get up, but when he does the orruk is next to him.

It’s axe is swinging for his mid section, he just puts his shield in the way. But, the force behind the blow causes him to fly back around 25 feet.

His shield lays a few feet way, split in half. The shadow walks closer until he is standing above him. Ashenhand rolls, pain shoots through him, and jumps up, sword pointing towards the orruk's heart.

The point meets some resistance but ultimately pierces the orruk’s flesh and bone. Striking it’s heart, killing it instantly. Ashenhand collapses pain flares throughout his body. He painfully stands up and staggers onwards.

Ashenhand staggers until he finds a opening to a cave. Pausing he checks his bag and finds a fire starter, looking around he sees a half a metre bone. He rips a part of his shirt and raps it around the top of the bone.

Ashenhand lights his torch and walks into the cave, seeing that it is only small and is empty. Nothing has been in it for a long time he can tell. It’s walls a filled with scratch marks and is littered with bones. Shrugging if his bag Ashenhand collapses to the hard solid floor.