Chronicles of Hedda Bardinsdottir — Many Meetings

Lohner may not be any closer (so he says) to finding Hedda Bardinsdottir, but his search has turned up pages from her journal.

From the Rhunikron of Hedda Bardinsdottir

So much has happened that I’ve fallen quite behind on me journal. First off, if ya feel like yer missin’ a few details, let me assure you – ‘tis true! Indeed, this is a whole new journal as the old one was burnt up in a pretty fair explosion. Warpflame... nasty stuff. Here’s what ya missed.

After leavin’ me old ship, Grungni’s Whisper, I journeyed across the Vaults and along the Grey Mountains. Not too bad a trip, especially after falling in with a well-armoured dawi trade caravan. Tough as the roots of mountains they were. When I finally reached Karak Azgaraz, King Thuringar was mighty pleased to see me, and even more pleased to see his sacred oathcup – an heirloom I’d promised to track down and deliver.

‘Course my news was the only good kind. Trouble brewin’ everywhere – all the other news was of Raki – what men call Skaven – poppin’ up across the Ankor. Plots, newly gnawed undertunnels, backstabbin’ attacks in the dark, and that sort of thing. Seein’ how there was so much need, I didn’t spend as much time celebratin’ the return of the oathcup as I mighta, before I volunteered to join a war party. Soon we were headin’ out to scupper Raki plans at nearby Khazid Kro.

Ranger reports told us that the Skaven were plannin’ something, but they didnae gather all the details. We thought we’d crash the early stages of some nefarious scheme, but instead we walked right into the final preparations of a massive assault. Some fierce fightin’ singed me plaits, burnt me journal, and nearly did me in more’n once. In no time the entire dawi expedition, save for me alone, was gone. But I was taught to fight to the end. And there, amidst the ruins and bloodshed, who should come to my aid but one of them that taught me to never give up in the first place: me da, Bardin Goreksson, along with his mates, the Ubersreik Five.

I’ve heard so much ‘bout this lot, so it was a wonder to finally meet them. Feels like I have followed tales of their exploits for ages, but let me tell you, stories don’t come near the half of it. They are a handy lot to have by yer side in battle, that’s for true. In the midst of a ruckus yer cannae track ‘em all, could be four of ‘em, could be five, but they fight like a whole army. Here’s my thoughts on our meetin’:

Victor Saltzpyre. Stern, always suspicious, and singularly focused on avenging the evils of the world. Surely these are qualities any dawi can admire? A good man, but a hard one. Not one to celebrate with. ‘Tis a shame, as I can think of no one that would benefit more from a few long draughts of a good ale. Might loosen ‘em up a mite.

Markus de Mandelot, or Kruber, or whatever he’s calling himself. As fine an umgi soldier as I’ve met. As me da says, can be trusted to guard yer back, and on the battlefield there is no higher praise. I’ve heard enough of his backstory to shake me head tho’ – imagine a dawi not knowing his true ancestry?

Sienna Fuegonasus. No lover of spellcasters am I, but da says this one’s a good ‘un, and I believe ‘em. Fire is her medium, and she has honed her craft. Her temper? To be honest, reminds me a bit of me ma, Grelda – so maybe that’s why Bardin ‘tis so fond of her?

Kerillian. Here is one I already met previously, even before she met me da. I like to think it was our friendship that helped clear the way for her to later get along with Bardin. Or put up with, mayhap is a better way to phrase it? I made her swear an oath to never tell any of our travails, and I respect that she kept her word, even when she pieced together just who Bardin musta been to me. Her pointy-eared folk and mine don’t often see eye to eye, but I won’t hear a bad word about her, not after what we’ve been through. I know me da feels the same.

Bardin. Older. More battle-scarred. Still quick to judge, and always convinced he’s the right of everything. But still... family ‘tis stronger than steel, and it has been far too long. Others might’a missed that sparkle in his eye, but I saw it, and knew what it meant. If only I could reunite the whole family, and see he and Grelda back together like in me earliest days.

As for me – well, I did my best to show me da I listened when he taught me how to handle an axe. And I like to think I showed the rest of that lot enough to prove whose daughter I am! Nice to seize a victory over the hated ratmen, but with perils encroachin’ on every side, I think my path will soon cross with that of the Ubersreik Five again. Cannae be too soon!