Chapter VI
The Eldar landings swiftly followed their victory over the Chapter Fleet.
Opening webway portals the Eldar dispatched their teams of Aspect Warriors to the surface, going from the wraithbone decks of their warships to solid ground in moments. The Invaders launched counter-attacks on the landing sites, hoping to bloody the enemy before the main battle was joined.
Several of these sorties were launched, coordinated by Lord Pladen and First Captain Incursa but the numbers the Alaitocii arrayed against the Invaders made any meaningful victory impossible to attain. After three days of fierce fighting the Invaders withdrew reluctantly to the Keep knowing they had not the strength to face the enemy in the open.
It was a hard pill to swallow for a Chapter that prided itself on their strength on the assault and advance. They were Astartes and they would defend with all their vigour if it was called for but the change in tactics chafed with many Battle-Brothers. Ithar in particular detested it and had petitioned Delain several times since the withdrawal to lead more counter-attacks.
Delain's refusals had been polite at first but soon the Captain's patience had worn thin and Ithar had found himself facing censure for questioning the decisions of Chapter Command. He had backed down at that point though his mood had only gotten worse and his squad experienced the brunt of it.
He pushed them hard in training and drills, to the limits of Astartes endurance. Ostensibly it was to ensure the combat efficiency of his warriors who were a mix of his own squad, the remnants of Squad Trelbain and newly raised novices but Zasz and Logoti both could tell the Sergeant was taking out his frustrations more than anything else.
The novices were treated harshly, still unused to their power armour they often were admonished for perceived failings and Zasz in particular felt a growing distaste for Ithar's methods. He said nothing though, keeping his silence lest dissent begin to swell within the Squad. Logoti was not so restrained though as always he addressed Ithar with the respect his rank deserved.
When the Eldar at last arrived on the Caevaris Peninsula the lands where the Keep had been built during the Invaders' founding Ithar's mood turned from bad to worse.
'They tread upon the ground where our Chapter was founded and Lord Pladen does nothing! The Eldar are laughing at us, laughing! They must us think craven cowards to hide behind our walls and wait for death. Each day we stand here is another dishonour heaped upon us!' Ithar had ranted once. It had been a gross disrespect to the Chapter Master, almost heretical and Logoti had been forced to grit his teeth and put it down to Ithar's shame over the defeat in the wilds.
But looking into his Sergeant's eyes he wasn't so sure that Ithar's rants were as uncontrolled as first thought as if he had spent much time on the subject.
Perhaps the attention of a Chaplain was needed to help him address the issues that played on his mind. Logoti had been preparing to discuss the matter with Zasz, both now sharing a bond deeper than that of ordinary battle-brothers, when the Keep's alarms had sounded and all Invaders were to ready themselves for imminent battle.
Ithar seemed overjoyed at the prospect and in truth so were they all, all Invaders feeling the shame of allowing xenos upon Ogrys' soil. Rushing to their position on the northern bastion Squad Ithar looked out over the peninsula and saw at last the size of the host the Alaitocii had brought to face them.
Aspect Warriors of many different temples were assembled beside masses of guardians. Squadrons of grav tanks and jet bikes glided over their heads while combat walker units assembled in the shadows of two Eldar Titans which had arrived from the webway mere seconds ago, their hulls shimmering with eldritch energies.
'By the Throne.' hissed Logoti between his teeth.
The Eldar must truly have been hounding for the Invaders' blood to send such a warhost.
The defences of the Keep were numerous and as befitting a fortress-monastery of an Astartes Chapter it could boast among the most powerful and devastating defences in the Imperium.
But two Phantom-class Titans was a tall order for any bastion to hold back.
At the fore a number of figures in myriad colours of armour along with those in blue and gold robes stood looking at the Keep. Logoti guessed they were the leaders of the warhost, Exarchs and Seers who were both feared and held in the highest regard respectively in Eldar society.
A sudden buzz stirred the air and static made hairs stand on end.
+Aurellin, Autarch of Alaitoc, Hero of Eiranash-Torhilim, Warrior of the Reaper, Scorpion, Avenger and Dragon, requests the presence of the Astartes Lord under a flag of parley. Know that not a blade shall be drawn or a shot fired lest grave dishonour be brought upon the aggressor and Bloody-Khaine strike them down.+
The intrusion upon their minds was not malicious or harmful in any way but it still caused outrage among the Invaders. Ithar looked at the Eldar and cursed under his breath, swearing they would pay for that act and the many other things they had done. It was ludicrous anyway for them to request the Chapter Lord's presence. He would never treat with xenos, to do such was blasphemy.
After several minutes the vox crackled into life, Chapter Command's channel overriding the network.
'Be aware, Lord Pladen will be departing shortly to parley with the Eldar. Be on the lookout for signs of treachery on their part and stand ready for immediate action.' Captain Incursa's words served only to enrage Ithar, truly believing now that Lord Pladen had lost his mind.
But saying nothing he merely gritted his teeth.
It would serve the old fool right if the Eldar turned on him.
Momentarily Ithar thought of the loathing for Chapter Command's recent decisions, feeling shame for it, but likewise feeling his outrage was good and correct. As the Chapter Master's Thunderhawk left the Keep, Ithar found himself hoping for some kind of attempt on Pladen's life. At least it would show the rest of the Chapter's officers that the only solution to the invasion of Ogrys was to fight.
The Thunderhawk was coloured the same green as the armour the Invaders wore and as the ramp lowered Aurellin felt the Seers and Warlocks summon their energies, preparing for any sign of betrayal from the humans.
Aurellin sincerely hoped it would not be necessary, in his centuries of warfare he had found some Astartes to have a notion of honour even if they still were barbarians like the rest of their race. They were killing machines fuelled by hatred and anger but sometimes with honour and faith, all of which Aurellin understood.
To be a warrior of the Aspect Shrines one needed to feel anger and hatred, it was what drew one to the Path. Eldar knew what it was to serve and do one's duty but rarely was the Path of the Warrior a choice made by an individual without some darkness within them. After all without negative emotions it was hard to find the War Mask which allowed them to fight and retain their sanity and balance afterward.
Ten warriors in armour of green and silver descended the ramp weapons at the ready though not aimed at anyone in particular. They were followed by a hulking figure in Terminator armour, his hands sheathed by a pair of massive claws. His features were firm and possessed of a certain nobility but were marred by scars that told of centuries of battle and a wealth of experience. Once golden hair had long started to turn silver though his mane was still long and framed his face while cold grey eyes looked out upon the Eldar warhost with disdain.
Aurellin took a step forward his hands close to his weapons though not enough to be perceived as a threat.
'Lord Pladen?' he said in Imperial Gothic.
'I am.' replied the warrior.
'I am Autarch Aurellin of Alaitoc.' he introduced himself graciously.
Pladen seemed unimpressed by the greeting. 'I had already assumed that.'
Aurellin could feel the hostility in Pladen's voice. He had only come here reluctantly.
'You know why we have come.' he said plainly.
Pladen nodded. 'Vengeance.' was all he said.
'Indeed. Alaitoc calls for vengeance against those who slew Idharae and those who called her home.'
'A good motive.' said Pladen.
The honesty of the human took Aurellin aback.
'You do not attempt to plead your case? To defend your actions?'
Pladen grinned. 'I need not plead my case to an alien, Autarch. What my Chapter did was in the name of the Emperor, which exonerates me of any crime you may perceive.'
'The Craftworld had only recently weathered an attack by the Great Devourer. They were of no threat to you or your Emperor.' Aurellin exclaimed. 'Your act was one of fell barbarism.'
'Careful Autarch,' warned Pladen in the Eldar tongue. 'I will not take an insult lightly.'
Aurellin felt his anger rise. 'I have called you here to answer for your crimes, and though no harm will come to you now, know that upon your return to your fortress the judgement of Alaitoc will be delivered swiftly and without mercy.'
'Is this why you called for me? To boast and posture of the impending doom you intend to visit upon us? Such is to be expected of Eldar. Arrogance and overabundant pride.'
'I had hoped that you would see the gravity of your crimes mon-keigh. That perhaps you would show some remorse. I see now however that such was folly and the course of action I've chosen is correct.'
Pladen took a step forward though his claws were still held unpowered by his sides.
'Remorse? We destroyed a nest of xenos whose aggression against the Imperium was well documented. Worlds attacked, ships and convoys destroyed, innocent Imperial subjects slain. Idharae had committed many crimes across the millennia. You talk of vengeance and justice for those fallen? Well that was our judgement upon the crimes of Idharae. Execution!'
Before Aurellin could reply he felt the air displacement and saw the flash of teleportation pack beside him.
'You dare insult the memory of Idharae you human savage! You dare to call your slaughter rightful!' screamed Maene. The Exarch had been left out of Aurellin's entourage, the Autarch fearing such an outburst from her.
The Space Marines raised their weapons and the claws of Lord Pladen flared into life, energy coruscating across the blades. In turn he Seers and Exarchs behind him levelled their weapons and were poised ready for battle.
Aurellin turned to Maene. 'Silence! Your presence was not desired here.'
'They insult my Craftworld. I will not stand idly by while such occurs!' the Exarch growled.
'Keep your dogs, or in this case spiders on a leash Autarch.' said Pladen. 'I long suspected that some Eldar had fled Idharae's destruction. I see now I was right.'
'We did not flee. A warrior never flees!' Maene replied.
'And yet you are here and your comrades lie dead defending their home.' said Pladen his intent to goad Maene clear.
The Exarch raised her death spinners.
'I will kill you where you stand mon-keigh!'
'Maene! You would dishonour us with this act!' Aurellin roared.
An Exarch was a warrior, trapped on the Path of Khaine, doomed to spend the rest of their lives fighting. In truth an Exarch was many Eldar, each successive warrior to don the armour of the Exarch being subsumed into the whole. Maene was merely the first in a long line to don that suit and found her own shrine as Exarch and the body within Maene's armour was not that of the Exarch herself, merely another to become lost on the path and join with the other souls in the suit.
Exarchs were fierce and fuelled by Khaine's rage and wrath, when their anger was up woe betide any in their path for it was the anger of many souls, each one lost to the Path rather than of a mere single Eldar.
Yet even she could not simply ignore Aurellin's words.
Lowering her deathspinners slowly Maene's entire posture told of simmering hatred for the Space Marine in front of her.
'I will be your death, human.' she hissed, venom in every word.
Pladen grinned. 'You can try Eldar.'
Maene looked at Aurellin, her helm's red lenses concealing eyes that were surely filled with ire. Moments later she was gone, teleporting away in another flash of light.
'She is consumed with revenge.' Aurellin said plainly.
'I believe we are done here.' Pladen replied. Turning to leave.
'You will not escape, Astartes. I promise you that fortress will be your tomb.'
Pladen turned to look back at Aurellin, his grey eyes boring deep into the Autarch.
'And I promise you Eldar that you will be sharing it with me.'
