From the Journal of one Wigmar Heck, pt 73 (The sea wolves' lair)

 

Kaldzeit 22, 2500

Dietershafen, Nordland

I've toured my realm and come to my final stop: Dietershafen, where the Emperor has commanded Baron Ludof Köhler to build him a mighty Second Fleet of twelve Great Ships. Already, three are being built and will be fitted with Salzenmund cannon once the forges are up to speed. It's a worthy endeavor, but unless we get the canal built, I cannot see this working in the long run. Without the canal, we will be at the mercy of Marienburg and her allies once the realize what we're up to. So we must confuse and obfuscate and placate until we are ready.

The Baron showed me the Nordland wolfships, I ordered some built for my own fleet, and we agreed to split coastal defense between us. I've also reinforced the Baron garrison and given orders to build additional fortifications around the undefended Imperial port. I've invited the Baron to Salzenmund Reformstile Mondstille, the Winter Solstice, where we will greet Soll together and speak of many things.

To be continued...

From the Journal of one Wigmar Heck, pt 72 (Autumn is here)

 

Brauzeit 13, 2500

Salzenmund, Nordland

Autumn is well and truly over us - that was readily apparent as well drove back to Salzenmund. I really must get that road fixed; I grow weary of the mud and the bumps.

There is much to do before winter sets in. I shall tour the coastal parts of my realm, especially the port city of Dietershafen. We shall make ready for winter and continue to prepare for the future.

Ulli Jenk has finished the lesser tasks assigned to him and is now pursuing the canal project with all his vigor. He seems... obsessed with the task. This will be his mangus opus - it will make him a legend or kill him. I hope for the former... the latter will kill my treasury as well.

I think perhaps Katarina is with a child. She has not said anything, and it would be impolite to inquire, but a husband knows such things. Also, I have magic.

I dream more often now. Of Ghal Maraz, the Lost Hammer of Sigmar. And of Thesalva, lost in the unforgiving north.

The hammer is always in a cave, hidden somewhere far from here. I know not where, and the cave is never exactly the same twice. There is something in that cave, something dark, hidden beyond the hammer, waiting, calling...

Bringing Alaric the Mad was a wise move, I think. Or a lucky hunch. He reads my rune sword better than any dwarf before him. The caveat is that no one really understands Elvish written with dwarven proto-runes. It's a made-up language of magic used only for a brief time, then forgotten. But Alaric will delve into it, and soon, I think, we shall have its secrets.