THE DEFENDERS OF HEFFENGEN

Heffengen marked the first major battle in the newly-unleashed Chaos invasion. 

The Empire army was not a desperate garrison, but a fully-armed and ordered army, commanded by the Emperor himself. 

If confidence could have won battles, Heffengen would have been ended before the first trumpet was sounded.

THE EMPEROR KARL FRANZ

The Emperor could have left the Battle of Heffengen to another's command, but he decided from the first that the responsibility was his. 

Already too many folk looked to Valten for leadership, and not to the House of Luitpold. 

Karl Franz knew that such a case of affairs threatened division at a time when the Empire needed unity more than ever, and there was no better way to reaffirm his rank than to win triumph in battle.

THE REIKSMARSHAL, KURT HELBORG

Kurt Helborg expected to die at Heffengen. 

For weeks, the Reiksmarshal had been bedevilled by dreams in which a vast plague daemon came forth to snuff out his soul, and he knew that such a creature marched in the enemy ranks. 

No one would have known this fear from the Reiksmarshal's bearing, for he was as intolerant of cowards and glory-hounds as ever. 

As dawn rose on Heffengen, Helborg made a silent oath to Sigmar, pledged himself anew the Emperor's service, and rode to meet his destiny in battle.