short story, originally published 2005 in Inferno! issue 46

Given a choice between execution or volunteering for a suicide mission, a disreputable band of convicts is assigned to journey deep into enemy-held territory to retrieve an ancient relic that could change the course of the war. Original.

In the second book of the Black Hearts series, Reiner and his band of reprobates are given a new mission. All communications with a vital Imperial border fort has been lost, and they are sent to find out what's going on - has the commander gone rogue, or are more sinister forces at work?

On their third exciting mission, Reiner and the Blackhearts investigate strange goings-on in the city of Talabheim, where the forces of magic are running wild. Can the Blackhearts solve the mystery before the city becomes lost to Chaos forever?