In her second Black Library short story, The Serpent’s Bargain, Jamie Crisalli explores the consequences of making unwise alliances in the Mortal Realms. After her village is attacked by Slaaneshi raiders, Laila fears that the seekers aren’t done yet with Varna and will return to inflict even more damage. Against the wishes of the village elders, she sets out with just two companions to find the Valley of the Oracle’s Eye and petition the Fair Ones to come to their aid. Little does she realise, however, that the cost for their protection may be more than she’s willing to pay.
Crisalli takes Laila on a journey into the unknown, showing the dangers of Ghyran through human eyes and offering up a gore-soaked glimpse of a rarely-seen Age of Sigmar faction. It’s a (figuratively and literally) dark, fearful journey for Laila, who as a farmer rather than the usual warrior makes for an interesting protagonist, remarkably brave yet almost painfully naive. While the final outcome is never really in doubt, there’s plenty of entertainment to be had along the way, including the classic Warhammer-esque sense of grim satisfaction at vicariously experiencing a world in which there are simply no good options.
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Click this link to buy The Serpent’s Bargain as a standalone e-short.
Click this link to buy Inferno! Volume 4, which features this short story.