The Lone Lamenter
Part Two
The planet had two moons, like Baal, but seemed to be made of barren rock. One was orbiting the planet a little further away. The sky itself was blue with a slight green tinge. The sun of the planet was yellow. White streaks of cloud floated from one end of the horizon to the other. The air felt fresh and slightly fragrant.
It took Alcor a while to realize that he was lying on his back while staring at the sky. He immediately sat up and looked about. The first thing he noticed was that he was on a plain of green grass. Here and there were shrubs with blue leaves growing in between. There was some sort of forest in the distance. Alcor's eye had stopped hurting but it had not regained sight. He had a feeling that he would never regain it. He got up and started to make for the forest.
He tripped over a mound and almost fell. It took him a moment to accept the fact that he could do something so mundane. He hadn't noticed the mound because his depth perception was lacking. He would have to learn to adjust his movements in consideration.
The forest had no fruit bearing trees, which was a disappointment since Alcor was beginning to feel the effects of fighting the Drukhari. Nourishment and sustenance would help the healing process along. He was also feeling hungry. Alcor tried not to show it to the rest of his brothers but he had a fondness for fruits and other sweet foods. His chapter serf used to get him some sweet foods in between training with his brothers.
He noticed some bushes with some berries on them. Fortunately, no birds or animals seemed to be interested in eating them even though he could hear them. He sat down and picked one. The berry was bitter but he could tell that it had some nourishment in it. He soon had picked the bush clean. Then he moved on to the next bush. Before long, all the bushes were free of their produce. Alcor got up and silently thanked the Emperor. He turned around and saw the little girl Etro standing behind some trees.
"What are you doing there, child?" Alcor asked. He noticed that she wasn't looking at him. She was looking at the bushes. Alcor felt a stab of guilt. In his gluttony, he had neglected his ward. He had truly failed to follow in the footsteps of his father. He should find sustenance for her. He stood up and gazed around. In a short while, he located another bush at some distance. He beckoned to Etro. The girl lurked behind the trees for a while but after a while, walked up to him. He led her to the berry bush.
"Eat your fill, child." Alcor said. Etro looked at him, her eyes still blank. Alcor smiled, hoping to encourage her. After a while, she broke a berry off the bush and put it in her mouth. She chewed it a few times before swallowing.
"There you go. Eat some more. You'll need-" Alcor said but whatever he intended to say was interrupted by Etro collapsing to the ground. She began to foam from the mouth and twitch. Alcor was concerned before he realized what happened. How could have forgotten that his Astarte biology allowed him to digest poisons with no ill effects? He scooped her up in her arms and began running. He didn't care where he ran. He broke out of the forest and stared around. He saw a train of wagons, pulled by quadruped beasts, in the distance. Alcor made his way to it. He knew that there was a chance that they were xenos but he didn't care. Alcor needed to save the little girl, who thrashed in his arms.
The wagon was manned by humans, thank the Emperor. A few of them pulled out swords and axes. Alcor didn't blame them. He probably looked more monstrous than a typical Asuryani.
"She needs help." Alcor said, showing them the twitching form of Etro. Perhaps he should have been more stoic or regal. But Alcor couldn't help it.
The men looked at each other, hesitant to approach the one-eyed giant. The stalemate was broken by an old woman running out of her wagon and taking Etro from Alcor. He gratefully let himself be relieved of responsibility but followed the woman to her wagon. A man tried to step in the way but Alcor frowned at him with such ferocity that he meekly stepped away.
The woman put Etro in her wagon and forced a wooden spoon between her teeth. It took some time since the young girl's jaws seemed to have locked up. Alcor wanted to aid the woman but he knew that his lack of knowledge would be a hindrance. After opening Etro's jaws, the woman stuck her fingers down her throat. She made Etro face the ground as she did so. Alcor wondered why she did that. A moment later, Etro vomited and Alcor understood. The woman had made Etro vomit to clear her stomach of the poisonous berry. Etro vomited fluids and blood for a while. After sometime, she stopped vomiting and thrashing. The woman lay the young girl down.
"I have done what I can. Only the God-Emperor can save her now." she said. She then turned to face Alcor and gave him a scowl worthy of a chapter-master. "Are you a lackwit? Why didn't you stop her from eating poison-berries?"
"I didn't know they were poisonous." Alcor answered.
"You didn't know that they were poisonous?" the woman asked, incredulity on her face. "How could you not know something so common?"
"It is because I am not from your world, madam." Alcor said. He didn't mind being reprimanded. It was the least he deserved for negligent behaviour.
"What?" the woman said, now looking perplexed. Considering the technology of this world, her bewilderment was justified. Alcor wondered whether these people even knew about Astartes, let alone other worlds. Should he reveal the existence of such things? He was uncertain on whether or not he should. Considering a Lamenter's luck, any attempt to explain something with such vast implications would certainly miscarry his intentions. The citizenry of this world might panic and be tempted towards Chaos. As such, he refrained from saying so.
"I am a," Alcor began to speak, trying desperately to concoct a believable story. "A pit-fighter. And this is a slave I helped save when I escaped. We have never been outside the city."
If Mizar was here, he would have burst his guts laughing. Chapter-master Phoros would shake his head in disappointment. And knowing his luck, the entire chapter would learn of it in a single Terran day. And the next day, some other chapters would learn of it. And within a century, it would be the default joke of every Astartes Chapter. What does a Lamenter do when he's pitted in a fight? Why, he's fighting in a pit! Yes, very droll, Battle-Brother.
"So you're from the Shining City." the woman nodded her head in understanding. "They are cruel people there. I am surprised you managed to escape the soldiery, considering what a lumbering lunk you are."
"Yes," Alcor said, thanking his father that his story had not been disbelieved. "I am a pit-fighter from the Shining City."
"I heard you the first time, boy." the woman said. "I am not deaf yet." She tucked a strand of her grey hair behind her ear. She gave him a hard stare. "Do you believe in the False Emperor?"
Alcor froze, every instinct compelling him to grab the woman's head and crush it to a bloody pulp. It took him all his willpower not to and that was only because he did not know how to save Etro. A part of him wondered if he was a mistake, compromising his ideals to save one young girl. If he was a true Astartes, he would kill every person in the wagon train, just in case.
"I don't understand." Alcor choked every single word out, teeth grinding as he felt compelled by his conditioning to kill everyone nearby.
"Of course you wouldn't. There is only one Emperor, boy. And he is the God-Emperor of Mankind." she said.
Alcor felt all the pressure on his mind evaporate, as if he had never felt compelled to kill at all. He silently thanked Sanguinius for the luck he had been bestowed. Clearly, there was some foul tyrant on this planet who pretended to be the Emperor. And yet there were enough of the Emperor's Faithful on this planet. And he had the good fortune to meet them. Perhaps this was his true redemption. He was meant to liberate this planet from the yoke of tyranny and help establish the true Imperial Truth.
"You speak truly," Alcor said. "It would make sense for it to be so." he added. Not the best way to affirm someone's faith but Alcor couldn't think of anything. Fortunately, any further deterioration of the conversation was delayed when Etro suddenly sat up.
"Lie down, girl. You have been badly poisoned." the old woman snapped at Etro. "Who washed your clothes? They look filthy."
Etro simply stared silently at the old woman and then at Alcor. She gave no indication as to whether she heard or understood anything. Instead of doing as she was told and lying down, Etro tried to get off the wagon.
"I think it is best to do as she asks, Etro." Alcor said. He didn't know how much poison could mortals endure but he did not wish to take any chances. Etro shook her head.
"Been through worse." She occurred to Alcor that this was the most she had spoken since she told him her name.
"I understand but you still need to rest. Your mor-" Alcor stopped before swapping it for another word. "-Your fragile body needs to rest for recuperation."
"Listen to your older brother, girl. He speaks sense for a pit-fighting lunk." the old woman said. Alcor nodded at Etro. He had seen how mortals would somehow nod at each other to imply trustworthiness. In a manner, he pitied these fragile mortals, so devoid of trust and camaraderie. He thanked the Emperor for giving him his battle-brothers on whom he could always rely. Etro stared at both of them before lying down once more.
"Well, that's that." the old woman said. "She is a tough girl. I've seen grown men struck blind seconds after tasting poison-berries." she frowned. "Surprisingly tough." She turned her attention to Alcor. "Alright, do you have a name?"
"Alcor Ge-" Alcor began but quickly truncated it. "Alcor. Just Alcor." No need to reveal his full name if there was a threat of heresy and treason on the planet.
"Well, Just Alcor, I am Helena. Where are you headed?" she asked.
Alcor considered her question carefully. She knew about the Emperor, which meant that this planet was or had been part of the Imperium. But she had also mentioned a False Emperor whom the people of this planet seemed to be resisting, if her words were anything to go by. Which meant that prudency was applicable. The fact that she felt confident enough to openly disparage the False-Emperor meant that the number of truly faithful was strong.
"I do not have a destination in mind." Alcor said. "I merely wish to take this young girl somewhere safe. After that, I do not know what I will do."
"Well, we could always use more strong men." Helena said.
"I see." Alcor said. Although he had already made his decision, Alcor felt a little apprehensive continuing on the path he had chosen. He was a Lamenter and he knew that as an Astarte of the Cursed Founding, he had been born into a life of trials and terror. But he could endure it. What he did not want was for anyone else to share his path. If he went with them, there was a good chance that he could bring tragedy to all these people. But on the other hand, he needed to support these men and women who so staunchly believed in the Emperor. To leave them would be equivalent to desertion.
"I shall accompany you then." Alcor said.
"Now aren't you a good lunk." Helena said. "All you have to do is make sure no one gets hurt on this wagon train."
"Including all these wagoneers who are pointing their firearms at me?" Alcor asked. Helena raised her eyebrows, looking more surprised than afraid.
"You have good ears, I see. You'll have to forgive them. These roads are unsafe. Bandits and Heathen soldiers roam through these lands and safety is not certain." Helena said.
"You have my word that you will be unharmed for the rest of your journey." Alcor promised.
"I'll hold you to that promise then." Helena said as she sat on the wagon and took the reins. "You are quite well-spoken for a common pit-fighter."
"One learns when one needs." Alcor looked away after saying that. Mizar used to say that when he wished to avoid saying anything. Alcor wondered if mortals would pick up the meaning hidden beneath.
"If you didn't want to say it, you could have simply said so. Save the Riddles for the festivals." Helena said as she flicked the reins. The beasts started walking and the wagon began moving. The rest of the train began to follow. Alcor chose to walk alongside. It was easy for him to do so, considering his Astartes biology. He had to walk slowly, taking care not to outpace the wagon in which Etro was lying.
"It's getting late." Helena remarked. Alcor frowned and wished to say something but he noticed how far along the sun was. The planet rotated quickly, it seemed. Alcor did some simple calculations in his head and came to 18 hours for a single planetary rotation. This was a bit faster than expected considering that most planets inhabited by humans seemed to have planetary rotations upwards of 20 hours. This meant that days and nights were both short. Sunlight would be a precious resource, if that were the case.
"I didn't even notice." Alcor said. He had seen his chapter serfs say obvious things or obviously false things as a way of making conversation. Perhaps this manner of meaningless conversation would cause Helena to trust him more.
"That's because you're a simple lunk." Helena said. Perhaps Helena was different compared to other mortals. Her manner of speech hewed closer to an Astartes. "We are going to circle the wagons. Keep watch." Helena said. Alcor watched around as the wagon train circled around itself until the first wagon stood behind the last. It was a temporary defensive structure, well-suited for primitive forms of warfare. Alcor did not know if it would be sufficient but he did not know anything about the planet to begin with. The men and women of the wagon train had built a fire at the centre of the wagon circle and were cooking their meals over it.
"Alcor." Helena said. Alcor walked over to her. She offered him a bowl of gruel. Alcor accepted it and drained it in one swallow. The meals of these people were nothing compared to the meals and feasts the serfs of the Lamenters prepared. But this was what they could offer him. He had noticed that Helena had given him more than twice the share of the rest, despite the hard stares of the rest of the wagoneers. And for this he was grateful.
"You are a large boy," Helena said. "But that was a quick meal you had."
"I am grateful for it." Alcor said. Helena grunted and returned to the fire. Alcor went over to Helena's wagon and peered inside. Etro was still lying down but her eyes were open.
"Are you feeling well?" Alcor asked. Etro stared at him for a while before nodding slowly. Alcor nodded back. He then stepped outside the wagon circle and stared at the wilderness. The forests stared back, dark and silent. Occasionally, a breeze shook the trees. Alcor could imagine an entire squadron of soldiers hiding in there. It was a good place to hide for a while.
The sun set and stars twinkled in the sky. The wagon riders extinguished the fires. Most of them went to sleep but some of them stayed awake to stand watch. Alcor remained where he was. His initial guess was correct. There were soldiers in the forest, waiting for the wagon train to go to sleep. But they were few in number and quite undisciplined. Alcor had seen them moving between the trees. Perhaps they thought they would remain undetected because of the distance. But they wouldn't have done something like that if there was even a modicum of discipline within them. Still, they were mortals. He need not compare them to Astartes when it came to training and tactics.
After a while, they began to move. They ran, stooped over and dressed in dark clothes. They were quite hidden to the eyes of ordinary humans. But Alcor was far from so.
"Enemy approaching from the forest." He announced as loudly as he could. The effect was immediate. Almost everyone who had a weapon stepped out of their wagons. Torches were lit and the wagon train's people stood ready for a fight.
"In the name of the Emperor of Mankind," one of the watchmen, who held a torch in one hand and a sword in the other, called out. "Identify yourself."
The words in reply froze Alcor's heart.
"In the name of Emperor Sanguinius, stand down and receive your due!"
The men in dark clothes lit their own torches. Perhaps they felt that stealth was no longer needed now that they were discovered. The light of the torches showed the sigil of the Blood Angels, the Imperial Aquila in Black, on their clothes.
"By the Emperor." Alcor breathed.
He was in the remains of his Father's Imperium Secundus.
~O~O~
Blue leaves: Some real life plants, such as the B. pavonina, appear blue because they have tightly packed chloroplasts in their leaves which makes them reflect blue light. These plants are around 10% more efficient at photosynthesis but they only happen in areas with low light such as forest canopies.
Wagon Fort: A wagon fort, often referred to as circling the wagons, is a temporary fortification made of wagons arranged into a rectangle, circle, or other shape and possibly joined with each other to produce an improvised military camp.
Imperium Secundus: The Imperium Secundus was a Human empire on the Eastern Fringe of the Galaxy, formed in 009.M31 and abolished in 014.M31, during the Horus Heresy. The Imperium Secundus was formed due to the Astronomicon being thrown in disarray by warp storms, rendering navigation and communication impossible and effectively dividing the Imperium in half. The Imperium was the idea of Primarch Roboute Guilliman but the duty of ruling was entrusted to Primarch Sanguinius. The Imperium Secundus was abolished once the Emperor of Mankind was revealed to be alive.