“Two dozen rat ogres and some more just for clearing some tunnels? Quite excessive.” Said a huge skaven with multiple arms in a disgustingly deep and throaty voice. Mimicking one of those human noble’s strange accents and similarly wearing a human noble’s garment fitted for its size. Even to the point of wearing their strange fake white hairs which made him look absolutely ridiculous. Hearing no answer from the leader of this expedition, the huge skaven turns around.

“I must say, Master Trink, I am an admirer of your work.” The skaven moves towards Trink, using a staff in one hand to support his weight.

“That’s lord Trink for you.” Trink glares at the bigger skaven, Esqretch the Loneweaver from Clan Moulder.

“I saw no undercity under your leadership. Yet.” Esqretch adds the last word when he sees Trink’s hand on his weapon.

Trink seriously considers killing the clan Moulder’s representative here and there. He never liked any skaven that can in any way try to speak equally to him. But doing so will draw the ire of clan Moulder. Which is one of his biggest buyers and the clan no skaven insane enough to fight openly. This makes Trink hate him even more. When the news of Trink selling his entire human stocks, Esqretch instantly answers even to the point of giving him a discount so that his human farm can still continue. Not in charity but to also get his hands on whatever has stopped Trink’s progress. Anything that demands dozens of rat ogres to clear must be something powerful enough and potential material to advance his own creations. With reluctance, Trink let go of his weapons and Esqretch shows his disgustingly wide smile.

“Is everything ready?” Trink asks. Not to confirm but to control the conversation and shut Esqretch’s incessant noise.

“Of course. Everything is according to your specification. I even added some extra. For all the human subjects you have provided for me.” Esqretch then said with a throaty laugh.

“That is not what I asked.”

“Don’t worry. Call it, weapon testing. And I have personal investment for your success. I cannot have your human farm end.”

“And what is that?” To this Esqretch grins again

“Think about it. These humans live longer than the average skavens. But they are so… stupid. Instead of continuing to make better weapons, breed and train stronger spawns, they make something useless. Like these.” Esqretch spread his arms wide showcasing his human tailored clothing and various other adornments made to fit his bulk.

“And yet, all our effort is to bring down these-these creatures, who keep making useless things!” His speech began more animate and even slipped out the skaven’s usual repeating tick.

“Will we do the same when we win against them!?”

“It won’t happen.” Trink answered instantly. “There’s so much more-

“I KNOW!” Esqretch grabs Trink’s shoulder with his many arms and screams. His expression is manic and deranged. “I KNOW! Every skaven said the same!”

“But when we won against the elves!? The lizards!? Everything else!? What then?” Esqretch continues his manic speech while Trink Wrestle the bigger skaven’s many arms on his shoulder away.

Then all eyes will aim towards the seat of the Council of Thirteen. Though Trink is wise enough to not voice his thoughts. Again Trink considered killing Esqretch. It's one thing having something that can challenge his authority, it's another when the thing itself is insane.

“That’s where you farms come in.” Esqretch said again, this time calmer. Eyes glinting dangerously as he schemes.

“What if… we don’t need to run out of enemies? Every so often, we let loose those from your farms. Give them weapons, leave them alone for some time. Observe, how they use our weapons and if they come up with something of their own. Kill them all. Then repeat again and again.”

Trink once again put his hand on his sword. Again he wants to kill him. More than ever before. Not because of how insane he sounds but because Esqretch is making sense. And he wants the idea to be his own and no other skaven. Esqretch is within striking distance. While he is still buried in his schemes. All he needs is one quick slash.

But then a loud roar erupts from the last rat ogre cage to be moved beyond the fortification. Breaking the reverie and returning the two skaven leaders to their senses. Trink removed his hand from his sword but not quick enough for Esqretch to not see. Esqretch grins again while Trink for the first time in a long time also smiles in their own skaven way. It is so nice to have another skaven who understands and values the ambition of the other skaven. Now all that is left is to see who is still alive when this is over. But even then, if the surviving one will continue the work regardless, does it matter who won in the end.

—

I counted thirty cages moved beyond the skaven’s fortification. Then I also saw a huge multi armed skaven in a noble outfit. The ridiculous kind like in Shrek with the frills and what not. Is that the leader of this Skaven expedition? Looks like from Clan Moulder from the extra limbs grafted on him. He does something to calm the rat ogre in one of the last cages though I cannot listen to what as it would seem like the warpstones braziers also can disrupt my magic mirror. I need to find out what exactly the skaven have done to their warpstones. Regardless, we have made our own preparations with the shadow divers. All that is left is to see how goes.