A calm voice sounded:
"Our new brother couldn't even unite the world he landed on?"
The speaker was undoubtedly a giant, with a face as if carved from stone. His short gray hair perfectly matched the impenetrable expression with which he spoke, almost making one forget his beauty.
"Listen, Rogal, even I took fifty years to unite Chemos."
Another giant spoke at the long table, frowning slightly. Long silver hair falling to his shoulders seemed to glow – this unnatural sight, however, hardly bothered anyone.
He was so beautiful that his beauty overshadowed both the precious strands and the luxurious silk robe of white and purple fabric.
Against his backdrop, these two treasures seemed like mere modest additions.
"You must understand, Rogal," the beautiful giant continued, "father said he is only a year and a half old. How can a year-and-a-half-old child unite the world he found himself in? He's probably just getting used to it!"
"That means nothing."
The giant named Rogal replied sternly, "He doesn't yet realize the responsibility that will fall on him, but we do. Age is no excuse. You must understand this, Fulgrim, you learned about our duty before I did."
"But he's only a year and a half old!"
Fulgrim pursed his lips. He was displeased, but not because of the argument with his brother.
"And also! Call me Fulgrim at least, or should I call you Dorn?"
"I don't mind," Rogal, or Dorn, replied slowly.
He looked straight ahead, but not at Fulgrim.
Their conversation made a third giant at the table smile. Compared to his brothers, his appearance was much more unusual. His skin was golden, and thousands of golden symbols covering it created this amazing spectacle.
He smiled, nodding gently. He wore a long robe, his hands resting neatly on the table, and next to them lay a thick tome.
"You don't mind again."
The beautiful Fulgrim crossed his arms over his chest and made a face, but his voice remained soft.
"However, I completely agree with your words about responsibility."
He turned and asked the other brother affectionately, "And you, Lorgar?"
"I'll abstain, I think," the golden giant named Lorgar shrugged. "I don't want to express my opinion until Ferrus arrives."
"And you're back to your old ways?" Rogal Dorn said coldly.
"Father always does this," Lorgar replied with a smile. "Father always speaks last, after we've all said our piece, doesn't he?"
He said it with such sincerity that the imperturbable Rogal Dorn found nothing to answer. He just frowned and turned to Fulgrim again.
"Why is Ferrus late again?"
"Why are you asking me?"
"You are best friends," Rogal Dorn said.
He said it without the slightest hesitation, as if stating a fact.
Fulgrim's eyes widened, clearly surprised by his words: "Rogal, my brother, I love you all…"
"…but Ferrus especially," Rogal Dorn finished emotionlessly. "Don't misunderstand me, I'm just stating a fact."
Fulgrim looked helplessly at Lorgar.
"Ahem."
The golden giant coughed quietly and said, "The thing is, Fulgrim… that nickname you gave Ferrus, we probably shouldn't use it, or he'll be very unhappy."
He smiled slowly: "I'm sure of it."
"So, today's meeting is against me?" Fulgrim said displeased. "And I thought we were gathered to talk about our new brother."
"We will certainly talk about him, but not in the absence of Ferrus Manus."
Rogal Dorn stood up. Unlike his brothers, he was not dressed in comfortable robes, but in a gray-blue shirt with long sleeves, modestly but tastefully trimmed with gold thread.
In a way, this clothing reflected part of his character.
"Where are you going?" Fulgrim asked.
"Not for him, that's your privilege. I just stood up to stretch," Rogal Dorn replied. "By the way, Fulg…"
"Fulgrim."
"Fulgrim, do you really not know why Ferrus has been missing meetings so often lately?"
"Meetings where father isn't present," Fulgrim corrected. "Strictly speaking, it's just our conversation."
Lorgar's laughter echoed in the room.
"Your favoritism is too obvious, brother!"
"What's wrong with you all today?"
The giant in the silk robe rose irritably and was at the door in a few steps.
"Why are you all joking with me? Fine, I'll call him myself!"
He opened the door and quickly left. Silence reigned in the room for a moment, but Lorgar broke it, not letting it linger.
"Rogal."
"Mm?"
"Ferrus seems to be busy sketching some weapon lately, that's why he's late."
The golden giant smiled.
"I saw them on his desk when I visited last time. Emperor Almighty, what a mess he has there."
"A weapon?"
Rogal Dorn reacted in his usual manner – he frowned, very deeply.
"A weapon?" he repeated. "He's creating a weapon on the 'Emperor Somnium'?"
Lorgar blinked, realizing that his brother's reaction was completely different from what he expected. He hurried to explain: "Rogal…"
"Right under the Emperor's nose?"
The wrinkles on Rogal Dorn's forehead deepened. He leaned forward, resting his hands on the table, and looked at Lorgar in silence for a few moments.
The latter blinked and placed his right hand on the thick tome.
Half a minute later, Rogal Dorn said, "Alright, I think I have an idea who this weapon is intended for."
"Huh?" Lorgar exhaled in astonishment.
But his brother didn't answer, just shook his head and fell silent. Five minutes later, the footsteps of two people were heard in the corridor outside the door.
Fulgrim smiled and threw the door open: "I brought him!"
Behind him, a giant with silver hands entered the room.
He had short black hair, and his appearance was not as perfect as Fulgrim's – however, it would be almost impossible for him to match him in beauty.
But this did not make him ugly. On the contrary, he looked like a hand-forged steel armor. His beauty was of a completely different kind.
than Fulgrim's.
"Forgive me," the giant said. His voice was deep, but not detached. "I've been a bit busy lately."
"Father didn't give you any assignments, Ferrus."
"And you call me Ferrus? Why don't you call me Fulgrim?"
Fulgrim raised an eyebrow, interjecting, but then laughed, not letting Rogal Dorn reply. He seated Ferrus at the table. Rogal Dorn, seeing this, was silent for a moment and then sat down too.
"Anyway, let's talk about our new brother," he said. "Konrad Curze, that's what Father named him."
"Did one of Father's guards tell you?" Fulgrim asked.
"No, I asked him myself."
Lorgar widened his eyes: "But he hasn't spoken to us in three days!"
"I asked three days ago."
"I see," the golden giant nodded with annoyance, and Fulgrim patted him encouragingly on the shoulder.
"And what is there to discuss?" Ferrus said, his hands silver. "A year-and-a-half-old child, it's natural he hasn't united his world."
"But he is one of our brothers."
Rogal Dorn said this with all seriousness: "And therefore, we must treat him more strictly and not make allowances for his age."
"Ahem, Rogal, allow me to say," Fulgrim made a gesture with his hand, and his face also became serious, "if you'll permit."
"You don't need my permission," Rogal Dorn replied. "You are Fulgrim."
"Call me Fulgrim, thank you."
"Fulgrim."
"Good. So, I still believe it's unfair to discuss his achievements without considering his age."
Fulgrim waved his hand seriously to give his words more weight.
"It took me fifty years to peacefully unite Chemos, and that's despite its inhabitants being quite friendly. If you want more proof, you yourself are the best example. Rogal, what were you doing at a year and a half old?"
"Learning," Rogal Dorn replied reluctantly.
He couldn't help but answer, otherwise it would be hypocrisy.
"Exactly. Even Rogal Dorn – one of our most outstanding brothers – needed training, let alone Konrad Curze, right?"
Fulgrim sighed and shook his head: "Besides, I really don't understand why Father gave him that name…"
"It has an ominous meaning, I studied some ancient Terran languages."
Lorgar nodded thoughtfully, picking up the conversation.
"But, in the end, it is Father's will."
"When we see him, then we'll understand what kind of person he is," Ferrus Manus said slowly. "By the way… Lorgar."
"Mm?"
"Fulgrim said you wanted to express your opinion after I arrived."
"Ah!"
Lorgar, as if waking up, nodded.
"Regarding that… I believe we shouldn't be too strict with him in any case. After all, it was Father who brought us to him, wasn't it? All this time the ships traveled by his will, not by the navigators' calculations."
"And what of it?"
"That no matter what he is like, I will love him just as Father loves us."
The golden giant smiled.
***
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