As I headed to my new assignment I cursed Coach Thunden. I cursed his ridiculous intolerance to whiskey. I cursed his decision to leave the Titans and more than anything I cursed his decision to come here of all places…. The landscape was reminiscent of the Norths most rancid scenes as they passed a rotten looking public house called the Shades of Redcar. So here I was in the most modest of coaches heading to XXXXX to continue my watching brief on Coach Thunden – thanks boss.

Stories continue to circulate from my sources back in the Orc2 of Coach Thunden being assaulted quite viciously by well known Power Hour player Makers Mark in the wee hours of Wednesday night.

For now, I steeled myself for my first foray into the plaguelands of Nurgle. For some demented reason, Coach Thunden had ditched the Titans after 6 seasons and agreed a coaching contract with rookie team the Weeping Widowmakers– now hey it was no picnic at the Orc2 but it wasn’t this!

We were ushered through the shambling monoliths that made up the corporate end of this surprising Bloodbowl stadium, refuse and grime everywhere and a heavy smog in the air. The dreaded moment came soon enough when the coach halted outside a pustulent door. Deciding that toughing it out and owning this was the way to go, I cavalierly stepped out of the coach and bounded to the door, just as I was about to knock the door swung open and I vomited instantaneously onto the hideous apparition in front of me.

I thought the Orcs looked bad before a game, dear Lord Sigmar they have nothing on the vile monstrosity that strolled past me. Surely one of the players but I couldn’t tell you what he looked like as I couldn’t bring myself to look at him again. I felt an arm around my shoulders and looked up to see Coach Thunden, he looked a little worse for wear. “’Ello me old mucker!!! Nice to see you round here! Come on in and we’ll sort you out a room for your stay.” He said as he ambled off down the murky corridor. I followed simply for fear of being left alone.

After passing your standard cobweb infested hallways and mould addled stone walling we arrived at a large oaken door with a hastily cobbled together sign hanging from it at a jaunty angle, “Head Coach”. Coach Thunden beckoned me in… the first thing I noticed was that he hastily grabbed a picture frame and placed it face down on the desk. I noted that he seemed… much more relaxed, the smile came easier to him and he wasn’t as testy as he had been on previous occasions most notable when levelling me with a crowbar ‘for my own good’.

As he made himself comfortable in a battered lounger I thought I’d take advantage of his good mood, “So Coach Thunden… do you miss the Titans?”

“Next question. I brought you here to talk about the future. Not the past.”

“OK then Coach T, in the future do you see yourself taking the helm of the Titans again?”

“You’re testing my patience…”, he warned.

“Very well, maybe we can get on to that later… why the Widowmakers?”

“It was an easy choice. I have recently become involved in a select little club. You may have heard of it… if not… you will do. Does the phrase Four Horsemen mean anything to you?”, Coach Thunden leaned forward intently.

“Can’t say I have the foggiest what you’re on about.”, I said.

“It’s all coming back to me why I needed that crowbar now… the Four Horsemen are an elite group of Bloodbowl Coaches who have been commissioned by some less then hygienic priests to bring the glory of Nurgle to the MML. Gold appears to be no limit, we have ad campaigns, we’ve recruited veteran news anchor Ron Burgundy to work on our promotional material. Let’s just say this is a gig and a half!!! The team are beginning to take shape… a pustulent, irritant shape, but one that may in time make us a competitive team. We’re going to bring something new to the MML…. And we hope everyone catches it!”

“Four horsemen eh? Who are these other mysterious coaches who are in this with you?” I queried.

“Let me just call them by the names you will become accustomed to… Famine, War and Pestilence.”

“But… that makes you….”

“Yes dear boy. Anything else or would you like to see your room?”

Not liking where this conversation was headed I opted to accept Coach Thundens offer. My head was spinning, he hadn’t said he would never take the helm of the Titans again, but obviously he has been swayed by the gold of the priests of Nurgle. Who were the other three mysterious horsemen? Was I in danger here… I’d heard of sacrifices to Nurgle before… MUM!!!!