Series IV - Revelations
Episode VIII - Chapter Master
Gyrus now knows the terrible truth behind the events of Grimfist's rise to Chapter Master: on the planet Husal, the inexperienced Master Kandras led the White Knights to what he believed would be a last stand. His reckless leadership, predicted by Dominicus Nero, led the Inquisition to reject the Knights' final plea for help. This stunning rebuke of their legitimacy and honour has been hidden from the Chapter's members ever since.
"We did not deserve saving," Grimfist said, flatly.
Gyrus stared at him. He still could not believe what he had witnessed.
Along with Farus, they were now standing in what looked like the training centre aboard the Glory of Russala. Pairs of Marines sparred back and forth all around them, oblivious to their presence. The empty darkness of space was visible behind the arched windows.
"The Deathwatch refused your request for aid," Gyrus muttered to himself. "It seems beyond implausible. They are honour bound to us. Our traditions and theirs are intertwined. Think of all the occasions throughout our history when they have gladly fought by our side – the liberation of Cyprides, the raid on Kar Duniash, the . . ."
"Sanctus is well aware of our close ties with the Deathwatch," Farus said, coldly.
"Let him make his point," Grimfist ordered, but Gyrus wasn't going to let the sarcasm go.
He turned to Farus.
"I am sorry," he said, "But I find that a little rich. Obviously I'm aware of what Master Grimfist knows. Forgive me if reminding him that his idol Nero brought unspeakable shame upon our Chapter is too much for you."
"It is too much for me, yes," Farus snapped. "You are in no fit state to judge us. Yes, I believe the future holds great things for you, but you will never realise them if you do not fully understand the true meaning of leadership. It involves doing what is right, not what is correct."
"Was Nero right to choose Kandras as Chapter Master?" Gyrus demanded.
"Neither option was desirable," Grimfist said, before Farus could provide a barbed comeback. "Both of us lacked Deathwatch service. Whatever happened, he would be taking a risk. He knew as much. Perhaps he chose Kandras in the hope that someday a snub from the Deathwatch would lead to his downfall rather than mine."
"What a comforting thought that is," Gyrus snarled. "Nero's political manoeuvring got the better of the two Astartes killed. It couldn't had a happier ending."
"And what would you have done?" Grimfist said, sharply.
Gyrus opened his mouth to reply, but no words came to his mind. Suddenly the tables had been turned on him. He found himself with no answer.
"Dominicus Nero faced an impossible choice," Farus said, diplomatically. "He did what was best in the circumstances. Not only that, but in doing so he made Sanctus aware of the issues that the Chapter would go on to face. And after Master Kandras' death, an opportunity arose to deal with them."
As he spoke, the doors to the training centre hissed open and Sergeant Jarfur strode through. His golden teeth flashed in the glow from the strip-lights hanging from the ceiling.
"Sanctus!" he roared. "Where are you?"
A group of Marines quickly formed around him, all keen to see what was happening.
First Company Captain Sanctus Grimfist shouldered his way through the crowd. He stopped in front of Jarfur and folded his arms.
"Sergeant," he said.
"This has gone on for long enough, Sanctus," Jarfur growled. "It's time to finish it."
"I have quite forgotten what we're fighting about," Captain Grimfist told him.
Jarfur laughed.
"Well," he said, "Why don't you explain it to our audience? Ia m sure they'd be happy to ridicule your behaviour along with me. We have no Chapter Master! Ever since Kandras fell on Husal this place has been a shambles, and you know it. How long are we to go on like this? Kandras would never have wanted the Knights to fall from grace."
"How would you know what Kandras would have wanted?" the younger Farus said, pushing through the assembled Marines. "He never cared for you, Jarfur. Never."
"If only you knew," Jarfur said. "If he cared so little, then why did he name me as his successor before he died?"
Whispers ran through the crowd.
"Lies!" Grimfist cried.
"I speak only the truth," Jarfur retorted, reaching into a pocket in his tunic. "See for yourself."
He took out an old, tattered copy of the Lexicon. As was customary, a few pages of Epistles had been left blank for the owner to fill with their own exploits. They were covered in cursive handwriting in Kandras' hand. Jarfur cleared his throat grandly and read aloud.
"Let it be known," he said, "That I, Chapter Master Kandras of the White Knights, do name Sergeant Jarfur of the First Company as my sole successor in the event of my death. I do this with a heavy heart, for I understand that my predecessor would have made a different choice. But he also chose to entrust his Chapter to me, and with that power comes the duty to wield it. I will not be bound by his decisions any more than he can be bound by mine."
"Give that here," the young Farus said.
Jarfur held it out.
Farus wrenched it from his grip, cracked its spine and examined it closely.
"Sanctus," he said, "Much as it pains me to admit it, this seems genuine."
"Of course it is genuine," Jarfur said. "You've both been blinded by your own ambition. I am the rightful leader of this Chapter, and now I can prove it."
"It makes no sense," Captain Grimfist admitted. "Why would Kandras choose you over me?"
"Is it not it obvious?" Jarfur sneered. "You have no standing, Sanctus Grimfist."
Gyrus took a breath as the meaning of Jarfur's insult sank in. All along he had been seeing the situation as a contest for power, but now he realised it was truly concerned with class. Grimfist's inexperience wasn't the only reason Kandras had been chosen; it was also because he was highborn. Every single Chapter Master in recorded history had met three requirements: they had all served somewhere in the First Company, completed a term with the Deathwatch and been born to one of Russala's Five Houses. Kandras had met two of those criteria. Grimfist had only met one, at least in the eyes of his peers. What Gyrus now knew was that he had been born a member of House Aquilinus, most prestigious of all, but that honour had been stripped from him. It was a tragic turn of events, and one that Nero had been very sensitive to.
"And where is your surname?" Captain Grimfist said, angrily.
"If I had one, you would know it," Jarfur said. "And the whole Imperium would know it too. The Chapter cannot sink any further. Kandras lacked a surname, and so do I. But at least I could earn mine back as Chapter Master. At least it would mean something."
"You want a name that means something?" Grimfist said. "Fine. How about . . ."
"Sanctus," the younger Farus interrupted. "You cannot tell him."
"Tell me what?" Jarfur teased. "How much you learned during your life in squalor? Or is that why you want to be Master, so you can drag the Knights through the mud where you were born?"
Grimfist punched him in the face.
The force of the blow sent him reeling away, his nose broken.
He wiped the blood from his upper lip as his Larraman cells quickly closed the wound.
"So be it," he said. "We shall have a duel. Consider that a challenge."
"Where and when?" Grimfist asked.
Jarfur's bloody face set.
"Right here," he said. "Right now."
"Very well," Grimfist agreed. "But only seconds, no audience. You made this personal."
"I need no second," Jarfur boasted.
"Show the honour you claim to have," Grimfist said. "Allow me mine."
"That is fair," he admitted, and raised his voice. "Leave us, Astartes!"
The other Marines began filing out of the training centre, lining up to fit through the doors.
Grimfist stalked off with Farus behind him. They had left their weapons in the lockers nearby. There was little preparation needed; they would be duelling in tunics.
"You really intend to fight him," Farus said.
"Of course," Grimfist replied. "And I will win."
"The Chapter will come round, Sanctus," Farus advised. "We all know Nero truly wanted you to succeed Kandras."
"If that is true, then why did he put Kandras in charge?" Grimfist pointed out. "What he wanted was a contest, an opportunity for me to put into place some of the advice he gave me." He shook his head admiringly. "Even now, he is teaching me lessons."
"What do you mean?" Farus asked.
Gyrus could guess what was about to happen. He'd had his suspicions for a while, but his theory had seemed too outlandish. With every word he became surer that he was right.
"Remember what Nero told me," Grimfist said, quietly. "There is always another way, another choice. When the time comes, Sanctus, I hope you will do what is right, not what is correct."
Farus nodded slowly.
"Nero guessed Kandras would not choose you to succeed him," he realised. "And that the decision would be out of his hands."
"So instead," Grimfist said, maliciously, "He put it in mine."
He looked over to where Jarfur stood, cleaning the blade of his sword.
"You were not Kandras' protégé, Sanctus," he called, tauntingly, "And you will not be his successor. I will make sure of it."
"What are you going to do?" Farus asked, under his breath.
"What is right," Grimfist returned.
He stood and strode over to Jarfur.
"Knowledge and faith," he said, honourably.
"Knowledge and faith," Jarfur dutifully recited, and dropped into a fighting pose.
Grimfist did the same and the two of them circled each other warily. Finally, Grimfist darted forward with a downward slash.
Jarfur dodged to one side, parried the blow and jabbed under his defence.
Grimfist was too fast for him. He let the attack go wide then swung at Jarfur's legs.
The Sergeant jumped over the swipe and lashed out with his sword, drawing a thin but clear line of blood across Grimfist's chest.
Silence fell while they both caught their breath.
"Well fought," Grimfist panted, extending a hand.
"And you," Jarfur replied, as he shook it. "I suppose the matter is settled."
Grimfist shook his head.
"Not yet," he said. "You forget that I remain First Company Captain, and you remain under my command. Is that not that right?"
Jarfur's face paled.
"But I won the duel," he said.
"Did you?" Farus replied. He glanced at Grimfist. "I will let the record show that you were victorious, Chapter Master."
Jarfur couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"No!" he shouted, defiantly. "The victory was mine!"
"Where is the proof of that?" Farus challenged him. "No-one saw it."
"Then I shall write it," Jarfur announced. He gestured to Kandras' old copy of the Lexicon, which Farus still held in his hands. "I shall commit my deeds to the history books for all to see. The Epistles will tell of the day I bested Sanctus and took my rightful place as leader of the Chapter."
Farus calmly tore out the page where Kandras had written his note and screwed it up.
"They would," he said, "Only as Chief Librarian, I am responsible for reviewing their content, and that is not what happened."
"You are not Chief Libarian," Jarfur growled.
"I just received the promotion," Farus purred. "Is that not right, Sanctus?"
Grimfist nodded slowly.
"I see," Jarfur said, resignedly. "You are merely his puppet."
"All that matters," Grimfist replied, levelly, "Is that the Knights get the Master they deserve. Forget Kandras – we need someone worthy of assuming Nero's mantle and finishing the work he started. You know that it was always intended to be me. You had no right to demand the office."
"You . . ." Jarfur said.
"Sanctus has spoken," Farus cut in. "He will be the new Master."
"Just like that?" Jarfur said. "He promoted himself?"
"And I demoted you," Grimfist said. "I've had enough of your insolence, Jarfur. You will be my Third Company Captain. Now go and do whatever it is you do when there's no-one around to listen to your pathetic mewling."
Jarfur glared at him, and as he did so he realised there was absolutely nothing he could do. Without another word he turned on his heel and strode away.