“Cheese Rat had kept his word. Some short months later a letter was left in the hands of a travelling band of skaven called Rats with Stick. The letter was delivered directly to Joseff. The rat, Flower Child, had stated that he was sent by Cheese Rat and even went into detail of their conversation so as to prove it was not a fabrication.

Elinia the Smite it seems was more aware than the skaven had believed. The letter admitted that she had dispatched a number of runners who got too close to her. Apparently she liked her traps and her floor in the 'Old Quail Inn', a well known, rather sinister establishment but in a reasonably affluent area, had been trapped thoroughly.

He handed it to Boris.

"Well it tells us a few things. This Smite seems more capable than the skaven estimated, she is definitely not a fool. She is vigilant in that she left less than a day after she came upon the runners. She is also well backed in that the Quail is rather expensive and to take a whole floor requires some serious coin. I'd wager she has stashes about Brymstone or other agents here to clean up after her. I'll send some of the Home Guard in to search the Old Quail for any clues but I wouldn't expect much. We could use this as an excuse the burn the place down and see if it shakes up a few things. The least it will do is alienate her from her contacts in or around the Quail. The only good thing is that they reckon she is on her way to Altdorf and guess who just had an invite to the XFL this morning by our shady Sir Bernie? Lastly we could hold this over the rats and threaten to send the Slayers in. Let's have them beg like...rats shall we?"

"You're starting to sound like a politician, Boris", Joseff mused.

"I've been in your company far too long. Shall i get the squad together to set off?"

"Yes and get our good friend Zug back on the pay list. Have you seen the team we're up against? Another uphill struggle".

"Will do. When have we ever not been struggling uphill?"


The first game took place in Brymstone against a well seasoned squad from the north, past Middenheim. Joseff had prior knowledge of this and held the game the very night of their arrival.

"They look pretty good to me we're gonna struggle", remarked Beltimar, as the team observed Abelejren practicising.

"Nonsense", Zug countered. "This is the 2nd time you guys have hired me now and I'm planning on retaining the undefeated streak."

"But we only drew last time"

"Yes and it's called undefeated", Zug grinned. "Besides I like it here. I've already bought a house. I won't let you down. You know that."


The game started with the Brymstone fans fearing the worst until Clash's first foul of the game, taking the highly skilled Doomby straight out but right in front of the ref. Clash realised and looked horiffied, Boris looked horrified, the whole team and crowd looked horrified but the ref simply walked away as if nothing had taken place. Clash needed no second opinion and continued fouling with wreckless abandon.

"Hmm. Shadey Bernie's doing do you think?", Boris shouted to Joseff.

"Seems so. Maybe he really wants us to get to Altdorf. Clash!!! Calm down you fool. Get your full wait into those boots. Come on you can do better than this".

"Woohooo. This is so cool", Clash screamed.

"What about the flank. They're going to score", Tyrell shouted to Joseff.

"Let them. Help Clash. It's the only way we're going to win this thing.

The 1st half had ended at 1 apiece with Brymstone receiving. The first half had worked, of a sorts, and Abelejren were undermanned for the 2nd.

"It seems Bernie's influence has run out", Lasha pointed out as he got ready to receive, observing the a new ref take to the pitch as the other was being led away by the XFL officials, who bowed the crowd as in someway to appologise for the removal of the ref. The Brymstonian and some of the more exhuberent Abelejren fans booed.

True to form the new ref was having none of it and promptly ejected both Clash and Den Lille Homo.

"Don't worry Joseff shouted to the other blitzers. Jacque, Beltimar and I will form a cordon for Lasha. Boris you hit whatever gets too close".

"What about Zug?"

"Don't worry about me. I can handle myself. I'll lend a hand to Brym. The good thing is those damn catchers are way down the other end. Just play it tight and we should protect a win."

"That timer is taking its sweet time", Lasha wondered as he deliberately made his way to the endzone. "Is it official? Look at the size of that divet in the pitch. I'm not tripping on that. Should I break now. By Sigmar this is killing me."

"Now!!!", yelled Joseff. Lasha needed no further encouragement and dashed to the endzone, smiling as he realised the defensive job his team-mates had done.

"We've done it.", roared Joseff to his men, as Lasha danced over the line to the adulation of the crowd. "We're going to Altdorf!!"

"Wait!!", shouted Zug. "Fill the field. That catcher could still push this to overtime".

The last drive of the game commenced and Joseff's heart sank as Tangobar blitzed into him, to create a corridor for Dulleaben. The 2 rookie liners, Ulfran and Q'ral were too slow even though Zug was marshalling them, resulting in Ulfran, the only cover to Dulleaben being hit to the ground by Den Store Homo. Joseff desperated tried to reach the catcher over Tangobar but was just out of reach. He shut his eyes as Abedronningen picked up the ball and threw.

The whistle blew and the Brymstone crowd roared their approval. Joseff smiled, opened his eyes and shook hands with his men and a beaming Zug.

The throw had bounced off the flailing arms of Zug and although it had been recovered it had hit the ground. They were going to Altdorf. ”