>>6282742After several days pass, your men have arrived, the state troops have been equipped with their halberds, and after organising them into a column you begin marching to Bechafen. The Flagellants nearly started marching on the city without you, but after persuading them that more “faithful” would let them take it quicker, they relented. You spend most of the march talking to the greatswords and knights, seasoned soldiers who have been all across the Empire, and, according to the Knights, far beyond its borders to the south, where they say there are entire kingdoms of undead that can never be killed. You scoff at their wild stories, disbelieving them. Ancient malignant skeletons that rise again and again? And they’re not even made of metal!
Eventually, after several days of regaling them with tales of your battles on other worlds, you see Bechafen in the distance. Or not quite Bechafen, but an ominous pillar of smoke that can only be from the city. Hastening your troops you arrive within sight of the walls in the later afternoon, and meet with a patrol from the Witch-Hunters. They are already making camp close by, and you march with your troops to meet them.
Reinhard and Siegfried are in conference with other officers, knights-commanders, and Witch-Hunters when you duck into their tent, and though their colleagues are initially shocked, they express their gratitude at your presence, and your efforts in recruiting more men. There is a veritable army making camp here, and they are confident that they will be able to retake the city, Sigmar be willing. After confirming the disposition of your gathered forces, which includes several units of Ostermark State Troops, several groups of Witch-Hunters, and a strong force of knights from chapterhouses and fortresses across the province. There are even, to your amusement, religious representatives here, Warrior-Priests of Sigmar, chaplains who apparently fight in battle. If you could only make Space Marines from these people, you are sure they would be the equals of the Imperial Fists or Dark Angels.
