Aboard the Vengeful Spirit, in the Akum-Sothos Cluster, Segmentum Solar.
"Lord Nareth, this pathway we walk is the Hall of Glory and Mourning." Ezekyle Abaddon, tasked with welcoming Nareth on the Warmaster's behalf, puffed out his chest with pride.
This long, narrow space, leading to the antechamber of the strategy room, had a glass ceiling two hundred meters high.
Starlight fell upon the walls between the pillars, illuminating millions of handwritten names and designations, the fallen of the Imperium from all military actions participated in by the flagship: Expedition Fleets, Astartes, Auxiliaries, Titan Legions.
Pat, the Chaplain Master, surveyed the room. Two-thirds of the antechamber was filled with gilded words, each inscribed under the world or campaign of their death.
The Shadow's Sovereignty had no such record. It couldn't.
The numbers reported to the War Council for the Shadows of Order's major campaigns over the past century differed, more or less, from reality.
Should any visitor scrutinize them, they would find discrepancies.
Fabricating fallen warriors would also betray the purpose of honoring the fallen.
But the Fourt Chapter of the Shadows of Order had a similar death-cult practice: the lower decks of their vessels were consecrated as tombs for their fallen battle-brothers.
Abaddon stopped near a pillar by the door, his gaze sweeping over those behind Nareth: Ramsey, whose face mirrored the Primarch's; Howard Fender, Chapter Master of the First; and Bukayo Arshavin, of the Third.
He pointed to the marker at the pillar's top. "The Akum-Sothos Cluster, the origin of the Warmaster's glory."
"The Unsighted Kings has defiled every name on this pillar."
"The Warmaster will personally sever the head of their leader."
'That depends on whether Horus has the ability.' Nareth's eyes narrowed.
As he thought, Abaddon pushed open the tall wooden doors, painted gold and crimson.
Ten Luna Wolves in ceremonial armor lined a twenty-meter-long avenue, their raised power lances crossed. As the Primarch walked past, they parted like dominoes.
Nareth stepped onto the broad, semi-circular platform, his gaze falling upon Horus Lupercal's companions.
To his left stood Sanguinius, his pristine white wings spilling like a cloak. To his right stood Lorgar Aurelian, his shaven head covered in scripture.
'Not Perturabo and Russ. The former is close, the latter hostile. He chose more suitable brothers.'
As Nareth thought, Horus, beaming, strode forward.
"Nareth, your Fifth Chapter acted swiftly, reclaiming fifty-two worlds, even more than the Raven Guard, renowned for infiltration."
"Sanguinius and Lorgar have only just arrived. I didn't even have time to tell you they'd joined us."
'Do you think I'd believe that?' Nareth's gaze was calm. "Warmaster."
He exchanged nods with Sanguinius and Lorgar, then turned to Corvus Corax, clad in black armor, his pale skin stark.
Corax's black eyes met Nareth's obsidian gaze, searching for a flicker of concern, finding only silence.
Three members of the Mournival, Second Captain Tarik Torgaddon, Fourth Captain Hastur Sejanus, and Fifth Captain Horus Aximand, stood on a shadowed balcony behind the Warmaster.
"Little Horus" Aximand observed Lord Nareth and Ramsey, known as "Little Nareth."
Their faces were nearly identical: chiseled features, deep obsidian eyes, warm, jade-like skin.
But he could tell them apart at a glance. Beyond Lord Nareth's imposing stature, his transcendent authority, however subdued, remained compelling.
The other Mournival member, Abaddon, stood in the light, behind Horus, alongside Maloghurst.
Horus spoke: "Twisted, show us the target."
"Nareth, Corax, we have but one key objective left, the heart of the cluster: Merseyside."
With Horus's words, Maloghurst highlighted a planet.
Grey runes marked the vast forges covering its surface; blue runes marked the fifteen orbital starports surrounding it.
"But to set foot on Merseyside, we must open the gate, the Gate Forty-Two."
"Like the Port of Bliss and the Gate of Hades in the Sol System, it was built by the ancients of the Dark Age of Technology, though on a smaller scale."
"Of course, it is far inferior to the Kalium Gate, entrusted to Nareth by the Emperor."
Nareth glanced at the data scrolling beside the holographic image. The zone designated as Gate Forty-Two had a diameter of twelve hundred and ninety kilometers, far smaller than the Port of Bliss's three thousand.
But the gate was also surrounded by countless gun platforms and armed space stations.
Horus's eyes were fixed on Corax's black gaze.
"My plan is for the Raven Guard to assault Gate Forty-Two, while the Shadows of Order draws the enemy's main force. I will personally..."
Before he could finish, Corax's black hair flew back, his dark eyes filled with shock.
"My Legion specializes in stealth and precision strikes. Gate Forty-Two is heavily fortified."
"The Shadows of Order and the Blood Angels are better suited for siege warfare!"
"Corax, the Warmaster has decided. We should fulfill our duty," Lorgar immediately countered.
"Corax, this is an opportunity. The Raven Guard may face similar situations in the future. Circumstances may force your Legion to conduct siege operations." Sanguinius's tone was gentle, but his support for Horus was clear.
He now understood why Horus had invited only him aboard the Vengeful Spirit, without summoning the Blood Angels.
He had no opportunity to help Corax, even if he wanted to.
Sanguinius resolved to counsel Horus privately after the war council, urging him to moderate his demands.
Corax's black eyes, lacking irises, even if he had them, they would be as dark as his pupils, blazed with flame.
He knew that, as the only Primarch to have publicly criticized Horus, calling his methods too cruel, he would be targeted. But he hadn't expected it to come so soon, so harshly.
'I have no grounds to refuse. I'll have to send the Terrans...' Corax accepted the reality. He began to speak.
"I will deploy the Tenth Chapter to fight alongside the Raven Guard in the assault on Gate Forty-Two."
Corax turned, startled, to look at Nareth.
Horus and the others also turned, surprised that Nareth had volunteered.
Lorgar nodded approvingly, "So be it. The Shadows of Order and the Raven Guard will act together."
Nareth stared at Lorgar, who had made the suggestion, taken aback.
'Lorgar was just helping Horus pressure Corax. Now he's making a suggestion that benefits me.'
Lorgar's words, seemingly a simple change from separate operations to a combined assault, actually benefited both Legions. The Raven Guard could, after breaching the gate, return to their preferred harassing tactics, easing the pressure on the Shadows of Order.
'Isn't Lorgar supposed to be here to support the Warmaster? Why is he speaking up for me?'
Sanguinius quickly added, as if a weight had been lifted. "I agree with Lorgar's proposal."
Horus's gaze swept over the two beside him. 'I should have brought Dorn and Russ.'
He nodded slowly. "Very well."
"But the Raven Guard will be the primary assault force. The Shadows of Order will deploy four thousand warriors from their Tenth Chapter in support."
Nareth and Corax, seeing Horus's resolve, exchanged a glance.
"As you command."
Nareth was about to turn when he saw Lorgar, gripping his crozius, nod slightly to him before following Horus.
....
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