A Guardsman's Purpose:

Epilogue

The Grand Commander kept well on his promises. Argus, Mara and Laeria were given complete safety with the Faceless Legion as they traveled towards the legions Homeworld. A new life ahead of them. The crew and all of the Commanders associates even ignored Laeria being a xeno. Every interaction that they had with respect and dignity given to her and her guardians. It was as if they didn't care that she wasn't human. Though Laeria knew full and well this was likely out of loyalty to their commander. Even if, after the first time that they had met the Grand Commander, they had not seen him since. The person whom they actually interacted the most with being his second in command, a man named William Camus. He arranged everything for them, generally without prior consent, and ensured that their every need was tended to.

From the infirmary they were moved to the officers' quarters of the flagship into a large and eloquently furnished room titled the 'guest quarters'. Enough beds and spare clothing for each of them. A functional shower, fresh drinking water and many other special reservations all provided with no stipulations. From such a limited living space to this was a massive jump, one Laeria or her guardians didn't take lightly. They were even provided meals every day, varied and expertly prepared by trained cooks. The three of them even allowed their privacy, though they were never far from the guard detail constantly posted nearby. Not that they were allowed to wonder very far from the room. Their interactions with the crew or anyone else fairly limited, save for the few crewmen assigned to cater to them. Most inquiries as to why they were treated so well or about the Grand Commander often ignored. William Camus rarely the one who answered questions when he checked on them every week. He would always be to the point with everything that he needed said, check to ensure they were enjoying their stay, and then leave. Not that it mattered why. They were safe, and allowed to remain together. That was good enough.

When Argus had woken up he was in shock at where he was and what had happened. Of all them, he didn't expect to be let off so easily. Even if he had sustained enough injuries to keep him on bed rest for a few weeks, not that he expressed any discontent. To his surprise, it seemed that he actually garnered some respect amongst the guardsmen of the Faceless Legion. Likely due to the Grand Commanders influence, given how William insisted he behave a proper example when around them, which wasn't often. Either way, Argus adapted to the drastic change in circumstances well, being content that they were all alive and well. As long as he was with Laeria and Mara, he wouldn't complain.

Mara on the other hand, found herself both relaxed and constantly paranoid by their circumstances. She only managed to keep herself calm and her desire for answers stemmed for Argus and Laeria's sake. But, their accommodations suggested that they weren't in immediate danger at the very least. That and she was still with her two dear companions, so she could not entirely complain. That she was also allowed to simply have a shower was a major relief. Rather than continue to focus on an uncertain future, she ultimately decided to take things as they came. She continued to give lessons to Laeria, and Argus who listened in, every day. When she asked about acquiring books, to her surprise she was quickly provided with whatever she asked. Well from whatever was available on the ship, though she assumed some were kept from them. Regardless, she took it on herself to teach the both of her companions how to understand and read high gothic, as they would need it to be nobles. Her promise with Argus popping up at the back of her mind some nights, sleeping beside him. She found herself become more lax, and perhaps even more sensual than she ever though she would be. One day she even held onto his hand simply to do so. Seeing that he took great interest in writing High Gothic, something he only had a basic understanding of, she took it upon herself to teach him as well. A bonding experience of sorts, one that she enjoyed. Every day she occupied herself with her companions, and at times she even forgot their peculiar circumstances. She could not imagine life without this family she found for herself, standing beside someone she could call her equal in Argus, and watching Laeria be so healthy and with hope. It brought warmth to her heart.

Laeria, however, did not tell either of them of the deal she made with the Grand Commander. She only said that neither he nor his Faceless Legion meant them any harm, not that she knew why. Both of them were appropriately apprehensive of her explanation, especially seeing as she struggled to justify it. No matter how many times they asked her about the truth, she avoided the question and stayed adamant about not telling them. While Mara tried intensively to get it out of her, Argus eventually convinced her to let Laeria tell them when she was ready. That they were together was simply enough. Not that Laeria's two guardians didn't remain cautious and careful around their hosts. They had all the reason to be after all, even if she knew they weren't in any danger. She could just feel it, with absolute certainty. Ever since she she had woken up, after her talk with the Grand Commander, she felt different. She was different. Well, just like he said she would be. The psychic itch she had grown accustomed to, just gone. She felt a relief she had never felt before. To the point that it felt surreal now that it wasn't around, having been so accustomed to it constant presence. It felt as if the warp simply did not affect her at all, that she was disconnected. That her body no longer felt its strain, nor the strain of her own powers which also faded away.

She discovered this was the case when she tried to use her powers on purpose, only for nothing to occur. Her emotions too, were incredibly dulled compared to what they once were. Now, they weren't so quick to change or be so intense they drove her mad. Ultimately, she found that she was only slightly above a human level as far as emotions went. In a way it even made understanding and communicating both easier and harder at the same time. It was odd… to say the least. Though, she didn't have to suppress herself anymore, and that allowed her to feel so much more.

Not that she didn't have some abilities, though none she expressly remembered having before. It was a very… frightening experience at first, one she didn't quite understand how to take. Since she kept it secret from Mara and Argus she was alone in figuring it out. Taking time while they slept to test her limits. What at first she thought were voices from some entity clawing at her mind, she realized were actually voices from those around her. She could see into people's thoughts now, hear what they said to themselves, if she tried hard enough. Admittedly, this was something that she could have done before with her connection to the warp, but this felt different. This was almost a passive glance, not a forceful glimpse. It wasn't using anything else to do it, she simply could. It was hard for her to put into words really. She just knew it wasn't the same. It was all too eerie, and it deeply discomforted her. So, she decided to ignore it and whatever else she gained from her pact with whatever the Grand Commander actually was. As long as she didn't actively try to use her newfound abilities, they didn't occur and they didn't strain her in any way. All that mattered to her was that she had secured her family a chance to live a good life. That was good enough. Especially now that the time she spent with Argus and Mara was freer than before.

Not that she didn't keep in mind she had to keep her side of the deal. Though every time she expected instructions for what she was actually supposed to do, she never got them. She had hoped that the Grand Commander would speak with her, or that at least his subordinates would. But they did not, and she was simply left uncertain. Yet, she refused to let that affect her peace and so she enjoyed herself while she could.

Except, there was one other thing she did. When William came to check on them, she had asked to see the two captured Eldar, held within heavy confinement on the ship. He denied her request several times, and not wanting to let Argus or Mara know, she backed off every time. Then one day he simply accepted and had a guard escort her to their containment, where she was allowed a single hour to talk with them. She knew that the two of them had tried to kill Argus and Mara. That they would have without remorse. Yet, she could not help but feel sympathy for them. She remembered how Aloi betrayed them, and the emotions of helplessness and emptiness that they bled as he explained it to them.

But to her dismay, what she found in the cells were two quiet and solemn bodies who at first refused to even acknowledge her. They acted lifeless as they laid about and barely did anything to keep their health. To the point that they were forced to wear bracers that periodically injected them with enough nutrients to survive. When she tried to talk to them and convince them to join her, to do anything that wasn't waste away, they rebuked her. That her emotions were dulled, she found she even struggled to simply understand their actions or their intense feelings. Not wanting to use her powers to intrude upon their minds, she tried her best to just converse. To be as calm and sympathetic as she could but they wouldn't have it. The male only spit at her as he called her a worthless traitor. Despite her pleas against it, the guards sent with her beat him until he apologized, and he only gave in very near death. That incident made her not want to return, but she remained adamant and every day since she was allowed went to see them for the entire hour. She stayed calm, and made herself as dignified as she could just as Mara's lessons of noble-hood prepared her. Tried to be as strong and confident around them as she could muster, hopeful they would open up to her if she pushed hard enough.

After her twentieth time trying to speak with them, she managed to break through their stubborn self-pity. The female finally told her name, Valra. Then, she asked her why she sided with the 'monkeigh'. Why Laeria, their 'chosen', seemed so happy given where she was, and how she could so easily forgo her craftworld, her duty and her destiny. Laeria would not have it. Their foolish talk of destiny which brought them to this cell, which they desperately wanted to dictate things for them. No, she would tell them what she had come to learn. She simply told them it was her choice to be where she was. That she was not a slave to some destiny decided for her. That she made the decision to make her own path, and they had the chance to make their own. When she finished they didn't respond, and only stared at her till she had to leave. That was the last time she was allowed to see them, and she found herself often wonder at their wellbeing.

The trip back to the Faceless Legions homeworld was, overall, a very quiet affair, and only lasted about sixty days' time. When they finally arrived, while they waited for the docking procedures to pass, they didn't know what to expect. However, William was quick to explain as they got close to the planets surface. Their new estate was ready and prepared for them, and they were to remain on world as a wing of the Imperial Knight House Valor. As usual, they were then rushed along without time for questions, escorted to a waiting vehicle prepared for them at the ramp they exited from. Ushered inside by their escorts, they were driven out of the massive space dock and into a bustling city which gave way into forest as they stopped at a secluded area in the middle of a forest.

Mara had seen most of these things before, though the architecture and the layout of the city was rather different than most worlds she had seen. This city only a single level, separated into various districts with its citizens able to move about freely and do their business. Other vehicles driven along the road, likely owned by the locals given their simple designs. Seemed the people of this world had more freedoms than many others she had seen. Though they all clearly showed signs of being within the Faceless Legion, likely all guardsmen, given they all wore uniforms of some sort even in this more casual setting. Families with children and groups of guards alike seen throughout the streets. Though the various crests that each citizen wore on their shoulders seemed to indicate that various families or factions existed amongst them, likely distinct units of the guard. The buildings they drove by stretching nowhere near as tall as those in a hive city, though it seemed the further towards the center one got the taller they became. A web of bridges and walkways connecting them, and signs of habitation spread throughout with small shops, eateries and other businesses open for the public. Plant-life grown all around the city in both massive and small gardens that brought an abundance of color. Domestic animals dotted around the city as they prowled about its streets with their masters. The forest that seemed to surround the entire outskirts of the city a very unusual feature. It was certainly an interesting place, one she would have to learn a lot about as she was to join its elite as a Noble of House Valor.

Given her two companions lack of travel, she explained all these things as they went. For Argus and Laeria, it was all new. Neither had seen anything like this world before, though given their secluded origins it wasn't unexpected. Mara rather amused at how excited they were, reminded of their relative nativity. The tall trees that made up the forest alien and completely fascinating to their eyes. The space port, the city, everything that they drove by an amazingly grand sight to behold. The imposing walls which surrounded the entire city and the land around it being one of the most imposing structures they had ever seen. Even for Mara, who wondered why it was necessary.

At the end of the path they took into the forest was a massive field of green grass, surrounded by verdant trees and mountain that bled into the walls that surrounded the city. A mansion, set homely in its center. Reminiscent of the country houses from Mara's original home world, she found herself nostalgic at the sight of it. A quaint structure, but one that was simple and humble. The structure four floors high and made in the gothic style that permeated Imperial design. High pillars that jutted along the wooden walls, arched rooftops and two towers that jutted out the top. One in the center and one on the far left. The entrance covered by a small overhang, highly decorated to resemble bristling vines, and supported by stone pillars with House Valors Insignia carved into them. A small lake beside the Mansion, and another set of buildings beside it. The servants and retainers quarters respectively. This, they discovered, was their new home. A permanent one.

When they arrived they were greeted with an entire staff of servants outside, nearly twenty different individuals. Made up from the members of important families of the city. Roland and Remora too were there, dressed the most proper that Mara had ever seen them. As it turned out, they were to become her retainers. While she was uncertain whether she would ever see them again, she certainly didn't expect to see them like this. Not that Roland hadn't, exactly, expected that this was where he would end up either. After being promised that he and Remora would be instated as nobles, he had expected some estate of his own with some servants, or at least a mansion to live in. Then again, this wasn't the worst place to end up, even if he would be working for a former crew member. Hey, he knew he was a useful guy to have around. Especially for someone like Mara. Remora too was rather happy with the outcome, seeing how she was given the opportunity to continue her teasing of Mara.

Much to Laeria's surprise, the two Eldar who were captured were also among them. After the last time she saw them, they had decided that no matter what they would follow Laeria, and became her personal retainers. As she was soon to be a proper noble herself, they were allowed this chance and they took it. Now they were dressed in suits and in much better health than she had seen them last. Really, she was happy to see they made the decision to live. Though, she wondered how they would handle things going forward. Valra, the more open and talkative one who seemed to accept her new circumstances well. The male however, continued to withhold his name and rarely spoke at all. But, he seemed willing to follow through on his decision at least. Either way she intended to help them both through to the future.

Argus though was at a loss. He was unaccustomed to being waited on by others, to the sudden status that he found himself hold, and being able to remain constantly worried. But with help from Mara and Laeria, he came to a mutual agreement with it. Mara ran the household, the servants and any political endeavors. Meanwhile, he turned to studying, reading books and attempting to write on his own as Mara taught him. He had spent so long simply surviving that he didn't know what to do at first. But he had time to think on what had happened, and then decided to learn as much as he could. Perhaps even share it if he managed. Laeria and Mara having to help him as he wrote much more advanced than he had ever needed to before, but it kept him busy. Above all, he just enjoyed his time with his family now that he didn't have to worry about some constant threat over his shoulders.

Laeria was overwhelmed with it all. She found she had trouble constantly being around people other than Argus or Mara, and found discomfort with the servants. But, as time went on she grew to accept their presence and even find some relief in some of them. Not that being constantly waited on and treated so, noble like, remained strange to her. Still, she managed it well enough taking Mara's example. Though, her relationship with her two Eldar retainers was… distant to say the least, and they rarely interacted with anyone but her. Thankfully all of the house servants and the other retainers did not mind, at least openly, that they, or herself, were Eldar. Remora becoming a friend to her of sorts, as she often talked with her. Particularly about Mara and their adventures together. After a time, she grew to like the lifestyle. Her training to be a full-fledged noble continuing in force since they had settled in. This sort of treatment and comfort, Mara explained to her, the usual for nobles of house Valor, and how she had grown up. Though Laeria's responsibilities would grow as she got older, for now she could take things a little easy. She even had her own room, completely furnished and with a large white, fluffy bed. Even if it was hard for her first few nights sleeping alone, as she had grown accustomed to sleeping with at least Argus and Mara nearby. Still, she knew it was best to give her guardians their own privacy as well. They had deserved it.

True to his promise, Argus became Mara's closest retainer and marriage partner. While she had originally intended to make him a regent of a territory, given they didn't have nearly as much land or reach as she expected, this was the better option. One that the both of them found they enjoyed much more. Within only a few weeks in their new home, Mara became pregnant. An experience very new for her, but a happy one all the same. Argus too was overjoyed at the concept, as he had never expected that he would ever have the chance to have children. Laeria doting on her soon to be sibling, as she imagined all the ways to teach them as they grew. Roland and Remora too soon to have their first child, Remora unwilling to let Mara best her.

Though the biggest surprise for all of them was that House Valor was still well and thriving elsewhere. Currently a steadfast ally of the Faceless Legion, they had claimed an entire world within the sector. When they learned that Mara was still alive, delegates were sent immediately. It was a very pleasant and happy revelation for House Valor, which had only just established their new homeworld on a nearby feudal world. The son of the previous High Lord, now High Lord himself, personally sent a letter expressing both his respect for her survival and his desire for her continued service as a proper delegate for the House. Mara officially made the new head and Lord of her father's household, established as the new progenitor of her family's legacy. Both she and Argus given their appropriate titles and recognition throughout House Valor. Laeria quickly accepted as their daughter, given Noble status and the right to pilot an Imperial knight of her own. A list of several addendums added that laid out expectations of their new household; including to propagate her family line with descendants, to maintain good relations with the Faceless Legion and to produce Imperial Knights capable of fighting whenever called upon. When informed that she had not the means to produce such suits, the order was given and nearly a dozen new Imperial Knights were ordered and shipped to her.

It happened so quickly she had to mandate the construction of a hanger and found herself suddenly beset with managing her estate. Argus helping where he could, though due to his lack of experience he mostly oversaw the construction and kept an eye on those called in to make the hanger. Laeria too getting her first taste of noble duties as she had to help manage other things, including the household staff which she found much more tenuous than expected. With both Remora and Roland around however, and Laeria's two retainers, they learned and managed well enough to support Mara. Soon enough everything was prepped and things returned to a calmer pace as the suits arrived and were safely secured.

At first, Mara was absolutely shaken by the entire revelation of House Valor being still alive. For such a long time, she had thought that House Valor was gone and that she was likely the only survivor. She sulked and lamented over it for years. Yet now, here they were giving her mandates and ushering her in as a proper Lord. When she had once desired to restart the House herself and reclaim its glory, now she was simply part of it again. It made her struggle feel… pointless. Almost. As she looked at what she had found in Argus and in Laeria, in her future children, she realized that it was not. In the end, it really wasn't about House Valor. It was about finding companionship, and the ability to make a choice for herself, one that wasn't dictated by responsibility put on her. No matter what, she would always continue to be an exceptional Lord of House Valor and proudly do so. She even watched with both worry, pride and excitement as Laeria was linked with her Knight Suit, a Knight Gallant, one of the most prestigious honors.

While she knew the risks, and made them absolutely clear to her, Laeria insisted that she would pilot one. Laeria had made the decision to follow through in her adoptive mother's shoes, as Mara could not pilot an Imperial knight anymore due to the injuries she had sustained throughout the years and her suit was long since destroyed. She felt it was her duty to do so, and in truth she wanted to give back as a noble of House Valor. Being an Eldar, she worried at first that it would go poorly, but it actually did the opposite. She found that connecting with Her Imperial Knight was a smooth and painless process as she took to it immediately. She named it Pathfinders Destiny. Given training by Mara and another pilot sent by House Valor, she quickly became quite good at piloting it as well. Argus helping to keep her in shape and train daily. Soon enough, she could even take initiates herself and really expand her family's assets.

This was the destiny she chose for herself, and she enjoyed every minute of it. She even tried to convince her two Eldar retainers to join her as Knight Pilots, but both of them declined. While they would follow her, they would not fight for the humans. Whom they would only stop calling Monkeigh after several years of asking would pass.

Instead, they settled to raise the Eldar children who began to appear one day, given to them by small convoys of Faceless Legion Guard that appeared out of the blue. When it first happened, Laeria was finally provided with something regarding the deal she had made with the Grand Commander. An entire 'orphanage' was built nearby the mansion, where the children would be housed. Where they came from, she did not know, only that she was responsible for their upbringing and to raise them as loyal members of her house. Why was not explained, but Laeria was good to remember her promises. So she raised them as Argus and Mara raised her. Her two retainers opting to live at the orphanage with the children and take care of them, bringing out the most happiness that she had seen from either of them. Though it wasn't very long before she noticed that all of the children were actually very similar to her. They seemed to be absent from the warp as she was, as if they had all made the same deal as she. While she knew they did not make such deals given their age, and that their previous memories were somehow erased, she did not question it. No, she did the best she could for them and put a lot of attention to the orphanage. She even allowed a small amount of human orphans to live there as well, hopeful to bring the two groups together and erode any biases that could still exist. While her retainers were uneased by the entire ordeal and pondered its intentions, Laeria found that she did not.

The children were her responsibility, and she fulfilled that task with care. Even if she didn't know what the plan was for them. That wasn't what the deal stated she needed to know, and as far as she could gather no harm was intended for them. No, it seemed more likely they were going to be important allies of sorts, raised beside humans and by Laeria. Though after a time, she did come to ponder that perhaps… she was the perfect person to raise them, precisely because she would raise them just as Argus and Mara had raised her. Perhaps, even, by design. But really, it mattered not.

Laeria smiled as she looked out the vehicle window at the children playing outside the orphanage. Human and Eldar mingled playfully and happily despite their differences. Her retainers watching over them from the side with smiles on their faces.

"Such a beautiful sight. To think this is where destiny would take me."

Her driver only smiled as he looked into his rear-view mirror at her.

"Destiny you say, lady Laeria?"

Laeria nodded.

"A destiny that I brought on myself. Nothing more beautiful than that."

Her driver looked over at the children.

"You really are happy looking after those children aren't you?"

Laeria smiled softly.

"I am. Makes me want to have my own one day."

She chuckled as she thought about it. She was nearing that age soon enough after all. But, in time as with all things. She simply wanted to enjoy the present as it was and then go into the future with hopeful eyes. With decisions made by herself and nobody else.

"Ok then, let's head home. Tonight my parents and I are going to have dinner celebrating the fulfilment of my training."

Her driver set the car into drive as they began to roll along. Happy that Laeria had continued to keep up her side of the deal. Laeria leaned back into her seat as she reminisced on everything, looking out the window at the trees as they passed by. Whatever the future held for them all, she would be sure to take it by her own hands. With a purpose she made for herself.