This is Part 2 of the tale of my Bretonnian army and how they became corrupted Warriors of Nurgle.
Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3
The heralds of Castle Valais blew their trumpets. Baron Thibault looked up from his papers. He was not expecting visitors at court today. He quickly dressed and went down to the throne room where his knights and courtiers were already gathered. As he sat, he leaned over to his closest advisor, the court alchemist and astrologer Estienne, and asked “Who is it this time? Another envoy from the Duke?”
“My lord,” said Estienne, “has no one told you? Your son Evrard has returned.”
Baron Thibault was too shocked to reply. Evrard had left more than two years ago. It was not unusual for a Grail quest to take many more years than that, but the Baron had secretly questioned whether Evrard’s visions were legitimate from the beginning. And with no news since word came to him that Evrard’s party had passed into Norsca in the dead of winter, the old Baron had begun to fear that his son was dead.
Had he truly found the Grail? Or had he given up on his quest and decided to come home? That would be more in character for his son. Thibault smiled to himself. He would need to be stern. The court would need to see him lecturing his son about honor and the shame of swearing vows which you don’t intend to keep. But in his heart of hearts, he was glad his prodigal son was returning. Things could go back to normal.
The herald blew his trumpet once more and stepped forward to announce, “Sir Evrard d’Valais, Grail Knight! And his companions Sirs Roland and Guiscard.”
Once more, shock stole the words from the Baron’s mouth. All he could do was gape. As the doors to the hall swung open, he slowly stood to his feet, eager to catch a glimpse of his son. How would he have been changed by the Lady of the Lake’s touch? But he was confused when three hooded figures entered the hall. They walked down the aisle and knelt before the throne.
“Father, my Baron, our quest is fulfilled and we return to your service.”
The voice sounded like his son’s. But something was wrong. “Why does a knight of the Grail come to us cloaked and hidden? Stand and show yourself if you truly are my son.”
The three figures stood and dropped their hoods, allowing their cloaks to fall to the floor. A murmur rippled through the hall as the courtiers recoiled at the sight, and smell, of the three knights. The Baron fell back into his seat. The knight standing before him was his son, but instead of the glorified and idealized vision of chivalry that he expected from one touched by the Lady, his son exuded an aura of miasma, a suffocating dread. Instead of the golden radiant eyes of the Grail Knight, his eyes were bloodshot and sunken. His armor and heraldry were barely recognizable under the layers of rust and filth.
“My son, what has happened to you?” gasped Thibault.
Evrard stepped forward. “Father, I have been elevated and enlightened by our beloved Lady of the Lake. The Green Knight Himself appeared before me on a lake deep in the wilds and he anointed me. I drank from the Grail and now I return to you, glorified. Together, we will make our lands great once more, so that all may partake in a portion of the glory which the Lady has bestowed upon me.”
Estienne, the court alchemist, grabbed the Baron by the arm and turned him away. “My lord! I have seen this before. We are all in terrible danger. That…creature is no longer your son. He has been touched by the dark gods of the Northmen. By their god of plagues whose name I will not speak. My lord, your son is dead. That creature must be destroyed. Immediately!”
As much as it pained him, Thibault knew he was right. He did not need any convincing. “Guards, kill them!”
“No! Not like that!” cried Estienne, grasping at his lord’s cape, “That would kill us all. There are ways, my lord. The taint must not be allowed to take hold here. Take them far from the castle.”
Thibault knew nothing of these unnatural matters, but he trusted his court alchemist, so he said, “Guards, seize them.” Evrard and his companions did not resist as they were led from the hall.
Kitbash Chaos 
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