The Master of Assassins

The preparations for departure were just about complete and soon the Chalice of Fire would depart from Terra and make for the first step on the Pilgrimage. The first stop was arguably the most dangerous as it brought the Pilgrimage fleet near the Great Rift, but it had to be done. Fenris was the first stop and the first step in the resettlement of Fenris. Since Magnus' latest attempt at an invasion, the population of Fenris had been significantly reduced by the Ordo Malleus in order to reduce the possibility of Warp taint. Thanks to some persuasive words from Vulkan, Dorn, and Jek, the Council had eventually agreed to meet with the Fenrisian Ambassador to talk about resettlement.

Those that were chosen were among the disenfranchised of Terra. Those who wanted a new life away from the megaslums and wanted to see the Galaxy. Speaks With Two Voices, the Fenrisian Ambassador, did warn the Primarchs that resettlement, however necessary, would not sit well with what remained of the native population.

"The tribes of Fenris may seem primitive to you, but we are a proud people with a heritage that stretches back millennia before the coming of the Russ. By allowing outsiders to mingle with our population, we risk losing what we had. What are we to do? Teach them our ways? Force them to live like us? Allow them to build your Hive Cities on our beautiful lands?"

"You were the one who suggested this, Ambassador," Dorn noted.

"And the Wolf King has agreed to it because we are both of the mind that what must be done has to be done. But we cannot speak for the people. They will honor the Wolf King's command, but they will not like it."

"Once the population is relocated, I will trust Russ' ability to govern. In some ways, the worship that has been instilled of us is beneficial. The people of Fenris are strong. They will adapt. It is humanity's greatest strength," Vulkan said.

Once honors and respects were paid, they would rendezvous with the Iron Hands fleet on their way to Chogoris to pay respect to their Chapter Master and the Iron Council. This was due to their homeworld of Medusa being so near to the Great Rift that travel to it would be too great a risk.

Chogoris would be the next stop for a feast with Jaghatai. N'Bella wanted to go for a ride on Jaghatai's bike, though Vulkan had been against it. "They are too dangerous, N'Bella. You could fall off in the middle of the ride and kill yourself."

"What if I promise to be careful! I'll wear a helmet and everything! I'll have Fan'drall with me! And Aleya! She won't let me get hurt!"

Vulkan smiled at her and knelt as close as he could. "I don't want to take that risk."

"Pleeeeeeeeeeease, Papa?" Her eyes seemed to widen as she stared and her bottom lip seemed to quiver. Something triggered in Vulkan. Something... subservient.

"If... If I can have Jaghatai swear to me that you will be safe... then I will see to it."

That made her smile and it brought peace to Vulkan.

Then a message would be sent through the rift to the Blood Angels. A reassurance that they were not forgotten. He knew they would prefer him to make the journey himself, and he himself would gladly do it, but he'd been told that was not an option. They could not risk his life, even if he did come back to life all the time.

And then it would be on to the 500 Worlds of Ultramar to see Guilliman. He'd been promised a fine feast and a tour of Macragge for N'Bella. N'Bella was excited to see her Uncle Rob. She hadn't seen him in three years since his last visit and she wanted to see where he'd come from. He himself was looking forward to seeing Roboute again. He'd always liked Ultramar. Even after the recent conflicts with Mortarion, it was still a gem of civilization.

Nocturne would be the last after heading to Deliverance to see Corax. It was his homeworld and he had to see it again. He had to see his sons and he had to see his father's grave. He had to let N'Bella know about her heritage. He stopped himself there. Her heritage was on the planet she'd been born on. How could it be hers when she knew nothing about it. He would have to tell Fan'drall to teach her the Promethean Creed. It was her right.

As he entered his quarters, he was greeted by his elite Guard, the Brothers of the Blue Flame. Seven Salamanders from the seven companies, all the best of the best. Instead of the normal orange flames that decorated the green armor, they wore flames of bright blue and white helms. They carried bolters, meltaguns, flamers, and a magnificent power sword forged by Vulkan himself for Captain Fan'drall of First Company. They had been handpicked by Vulkan for a specific task that was more important to him than anything.

"I am changing your duties as my personal guard until we return to Terra. You are to act as my daughter's personal guard. You will protect her with your lives and you will die for her. If anything happens to her, I will hold you responsible. Do you understand me?"

Seven fists slammed on their chests. "We swear, Lord Vulkan." Fan'drall spoke for all of them. They had all spent time with N'Bella before today and even Fan'drall had admitted to having affection for the child. "Princess N'Bella is as much our sister as any of our brothers, Father."

It felt good to hear those words from his sons. It made him feel good that what he'd taught them had endured over the millennia. "Prepare yourselves, my sons. We leave soon."

There were just a few things left to do, including making sure that Thrandell's family was on one of the ships sent to Fenris and seeing to the Custodian delegate that had been assigned as his guardian. He'd heard promising things about this one. This... Valerian seemed like one that he could trust with his life.

As he moved down the hall, nodding to menials and bondservants, Vulkan's vox crackled to life. "Lord Vulkan? Are you there?" It was Anna-Murza Jek. "Lord Vulkan?"

Vulkan smiled. He'd been waiting for this call for days. "Go ahead, Chancellor."

"Your appointment has been confirmed and shall take place in your quarters."

"When?"

"Immediately."

He stopped walking. "Extend my sincere regrets to Valerian for missing our meeting." He then keyed a lift to rendezvous with him to take him to his quarters.

As soon as he arrived, he noticed that the lumens had been turned off. His hand moved to the hilt of his sword, Azureflame, as he looked around the room. Vulkan's eyes could see in the dark and he could see that no one was there. "Where are you, Fadix?"

"Behind you, my Lord."

Vulkan turned to see an elderly man standing in the doorway. The Grand Master of Assassins and a key member of the High Lords of Terra... Fadix. "Lord Vulkan, it is an honor."

"Lord Fadix. I assume you know why I asked Chancellor Jek to contact you?"

"You wish to know why three assassins have been sent to kill you?"

"You oversee all assassination orders. All of them go through you before approval. You are always in the loop. Why are members of the High Council of Terra trying to have me killed?"

"Member, My Lord Regent. Singular. As in me."

"Now tell me why I should not kill you here and now?"

"Because I needed to test you, Lord Vulkan. My Lord, the last time a Primarch returned, a coup d'etat was attempted by key and former members of the Council of Terra."

"Which included you."

"As an inside man with Captain General Trajann Valoris and Roboute Guilliman. Lord Vulkan, do you know your history? As in what has been suppressed? For example, Draken Vangorich?"

"I have heard of him."

"Then you know what Vangorich did. How he overthrew the Terran Government during the War of the Beast and became a dictator. He was one of the key reasons why the Officio Assassinorum is the way it is now. The Assassinorum does not just exist to eliminate the Imperium's enemies, but to watch the Council of Terra. Including myself. If I were ever compromised, I would be eliminated by someone far more skilled than I." He gave a sardonic grin. "I am an old man after all."

"And the reason for your tests?"

"I wanted to see if you could handle the politics of Terra. This is Terra, Lord Regent. It is a cesspool of murder, corruption, and deceit. If a Primarch cannot survive, then what chance do the rest of us have?"

"And Rogal? Have you tested him as well?"

"In my own way. Yes. Lord Dorn will be fine here. My job is to evaluate in my own way. And you passed. I will admit that these past few years have surprised me, Lord Vulkan. You have not only made promises to the people of Terra, but have gone out of your way to make them happen. I have spoken with members of the Council. Many of them fear or hate you. Or both. Your outreach program to the sick and needy of the Underhives has irritated many in the Adeptus Administratum because things are actually getting done. Your Atmospheric Filtration Complex with Lord Dorn has intrigued others, especially the Mechanicum. For all intents and purposes, you two are running the Imperium better than the Council has for centuries. It is like the Emperor has returned in the two of you. At least that is what some in the Ministorum are saying."

"I am not my father."

"Indeed you are not. Lord Vulkan, I am loyal. I am loyal to the Imperium and any who threaten it are my target. And even though you are changing things, I see you as a valuable asset to making sure the wheels keep spinning. I foresee great things, Lord Regent."

"Just see that these tests do not continue, Grand Master. I am tired of killing needlessly. Despite my aptitude for violence, I am not my brother Angron. I do not enjoy killing for its own sake."

Fadix bowed. "As you wish, my Lord."

As the Grand Master turned to leave, Vulkan raised his hand. "One moment, Grand Master." Fadix stopped in place. "If your assassins threaten any member of my family again, I will kill you. Know that to be true."

"I do, Lord Regent. I do."

The lumen globes suddenly flashed to life, temporarily blinding Vulkan. When he opened his eyes, Fadix was gone.

Later that night, Vulkan saw to N'Bella's bedtime with a story about a Gorladon and a warrior that became friends. She liked that one the best. As he finished it, he stroked her dark hair out of her eyes. "Are we going to Nocturne, Papa?"

"Eventually, my dear. First we are going to see your uncles. First, we will be visiting Uncle Leman."

N'Bella smiled at that. "I wanna ride a wolf! And I wanna fight a Kraken!"

Vulkan chuckled. "I will see about the wolf, but you will be going nowhere near a Kraken as long as we are on the planet."

N'Bella pouted and began to quiver her bottom lip. "That will not work twice, N'Bella. I promise you that." He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. "Sleep well, my daughter."

In his quarters, Vulkan meditated. The Lord of Drakes pondered the coming morning. It would be the beginning of a new journey for him. One he'd wanted for a long time. In truth, Vulkan wanted to be away from the Emperor. Every night, it was like he felt the Emperor encroaching on his mind. It was as if the Emperor wanted to speak, but Vulkan was in no mood to hear him. "I did what you asked of me during the Heresy. I stood my ground. I fought my brothers. I died for you and your mistakes. Leave me in peace."

As he breathed in and out, he heard a voice in his mind. It was kind and... feminine. "My son... return home as soon as you can. Terra will need its sons to stand against the coming terror."

Vulkan's eyes shot open as he stood up so fast that his feet left imprints in the floor. With Azureflame drawn, its blade bathed in bright blue flames he scanned the room. "Who are you?! Fadix?! Show yourself!"

For a few minutes, there was nothing. Then he heard the voice again. "Protect the Dreamer. When the time comes, it will be needed."

As the voice faded, Vulkan resumed his meditation. He did not know who the Dreamer was, but he would let fate play its course. For now, he had a journey to prepare for.

Author's Note:

Consider this the prologue to the Pilgrimage and the answer to the question as to why Vulkan was targeted. When it comes to the Assassinorum, I find that absolute grey is the best way to portray men like Fadix. When I read about him in The Regent's Shadow, I got the impression of a true pessimist that cannot believe things will get better. With guys like Vulkan and Dorn, that pessimism has been tested. I would say that he still hasn't abandoned his world view, but perhaps that is starting to change. Perhaps. Maybe... Probably. I dunno with these guys.

But yeah, the voice has returned and the first hint of the Dreamer has been made. Though, I have made it obvious at this point who that is, but I will not say what the role is. And the first appearance of the Brothers of the Blue Flame, the new Elite Guard of the Salamanders.

First stop: Fenris!