A/N – Second chapter as I feel in the mood to write the story and I like the plot that grew in my mind.
o-0-o
Wolf Guards were veterans of the chapter, chosen for their skills in combat and abilities as commanders. They were the best the chapter had and were used to Wolf Lords or the Great Wolf having tantrums and tearing a new one some reckless commanders, but even they winced as the Great Wolf raged. They at least had a comfort of not being the target of that rage and could focus on reciting prayers and litanies to the Allfather. The poor Grey Hunter that stood in front of what now was remains of a massive desk that was shattered in the first outburst of fury of their liege didn't have any such comfort and knew that the next strike instead of splitting stones into smaller pieces could cave in his head.
"What did she said?" Logan asked as he finally calmed and the Grey Hunter let out a breath of relief.
"That she is sending a messenger carrying further data for you," the Grey Hunter recited from his mind.
"No, before that," Logan said.
"That the Wolf Lord will be bringing a gift, one that caused the Inquisition to threaten him," the Grey Hunter dutifully said.
"You're dismissed," Logan said and the Hunter darted out of the room as quickly as he could.
"What could be so dangerous or important that the Inquisition is willing to risk angering the Navis Nobilite, whoever Navis can bribe and us?" Logan wondered and looked at his guards. "Fetch me any Rune Priest you can find and Ulrik the Slayer."
One of the Wolf Guards nodded and walked away to get people his jarl required, while letting Logan gather his thoughts and organize them into something that made sense to him. Even after centuries of living and fighting for the Imperium he couldn't see what could be a thing that Navigators could gift Ragnar that Inquisition would have a strong desire to see Ragnar's head on a spike. He bared his fangs for a brief second and then his them as he managed to calm down. The fact that the Navigators were sending a messenger of all things, one that was most likely guarded by few Wolfblades said even more.
Things were moving and maybe for the first time in the ten millenia that had passed since the Heresy some change would happen. He knew that the game that was played by the Celestarch was a risky one, but it was not that anything else could be played in the current times. With the Inquisition sniffing out plots and schemes even in place where any weren't one needed to move fast and strike before they could find that something was amiss.
Doors opened and through them walked in the Wolf Guard followed by Ulrik the Slayer and Njal Stormcaller. Both of them were ancient warriors of the chapter, their hair as white as snow, yet around them was seen an aura that made even Logan hesitant to challenge them.
"What is it that you require from us?" Njal asked, a raven sitting on his shoulder and looking around. "The Guard that found us was in haste."
"I need advice of someone that can predict the future," Logan said and at those words his eyes focused on Njal before moving to Ulrik. "And someone that oversees training of our new brothers."
"What is the thing that require our advice?" Ulrik asked.
"A message came from Terra," Logan said and they focused on him. "Blackmane received some gift from the Celestarch of Belisarius and the Inquisition is deeply unhappy about the events that happened. The message was very vague, but the fastest ship our allies could find is traveling here and should be weeks ahead of Ragnar."
"And any Inquisition dogs that will most likely follow him," Ulrik added.
"Quite," Logan agreed and let out a low growl. "They need to learn how to bow when they're in the wrong." Then he paused for a second and looked at Ulrik. "I've gave you access to the notes and information kept by the Great Wolves of the past in regards of training of Aspirants and did you find anything of use."
"I did," Ulrik said and paused. "It also greatly disturbs me, in the past until some M33 we didn't teach them about any faith into the Allfather, instead focusing more on discipline and training."
"So the Bjorn was right," Logan muttered and they looked at him. "That's of no importance," he quickly said and looked at Ulrik. "Could you try to recreate the same training they used?"
"I could."
At this Logan smiled, his long canines flashing. "Perfect," he said and they looked at him, unsure if they heard him right. "If I'm right Ragnar is bringing a new Aspirant and I want you to use the training on him, to test if it works."
They looked between each other and Njal finally nodded. "If that's the case, I will need to personally test him and modify the trials we usually use on our recruits. While Ranek certainly will educate that Aspirant about the culture and customs of Fenris, what we know and believe in won't affect him that much."
"If the Inquisition was so keen on getting their hands on him there's more to it," Ulrik said and Logan nodded.
"A psyker?"
"Or one that has an incredible potential that needs to be awoken," Njal added. "If that's the case his training will be a challenge."
"We don't have really psychic active population," Ulrik said after a moment.
"Exactly and most has those genes awoken when they receive their implants," Njal finished. "Only Knights of Titan recruit psykers."
Logan nodded and cleared his throat, getting their attention. "You will get whatever resources you need, just ensure that the training and implantations go smoothly."
o-0-o
Ranek looked at Harry with some amusement visible on his hard and scarred features, he rarely saw so much joy and happiness in kids on Fenris. He could only see it among those that lived in the shadow of the Aett where they had access to some civilization and protection from the worst dangers. "Good, very good," he said, looking at Harry's form who almost toppled over after making several circles around the training yard. "You seem to be getting better with each day."
"Really?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Ranek said and threw towards him a bottle of water. "Catch breath and take a shower before joining me in my quarters. It is time for us to start on your more academic knowledge."
Ranek watched the kid run off and then turned to look at Ragnar who emerged from the shadows that hid him. "An impressive kid," Ragnar said and Ranek looked at him. "Reminds me a lot of me before joining the Wolves."
"He is different," Ranek said cautiously. "Different in a way, but both of you showed signs of greatness when being recruited. He also has mind that was trained in the ways of scheming and intrigues, traits so needed on Holy Terra to survive."
"It was you who told me that it is the biggest snake pit in the galaxy," Ragnar said and Ranek gave him a long look. "Before I was sent to the Wolfblades, to join them and protect the Celestarch."
"Officially I didn't say those words," Ranek said and then smiled. "But you are right, no matter how not wanted are them by the Ecclesiarchy or the Inquisition."
"So what are you going to teach the kid?" Ragnar asked, getting to what he wanted.
"Probably the basic outlines of the chapter's history and check how far his schooling in scheming went," Ranek said and paused for a moment. "If my feelings are right, he will be a rather unique Wolf."
"I plan to meddle as much as I can get away with," Ragnar said. "He's too good to waste his potential and I might claim him for my Wolf Guard the moment he finishes his training."
"Not a thing that didn't happen in the past," Ranek said and looked at Ragnar. "However there is a better opportunity for him if you want to steer his career, or at least his early steps."
"What?"
"Wolfblades," Ranek said and Ragnar looked at him as if he was insane. "You want him to groom him into an heir and he will learn more from his family on Terra and from protecting them than he will get from following you through the battlefields."
Ragnar was silent for a moment, his whole form not moving an inch. "You are right," he finally said. "Service with the Blades will be a better one for him. We already have too many brutes that know only combat. Having someone that's natural in the scheming ways of the nobility and the Inquisition wouldn't be bad, even if I hate the idea."
"Quite," Ranek said. "He will be a great asset and should be of use as a leader of one of the companies or one of the Wolf Guard. Also, will you mind if I borrow one of your Wolf Guard?"
"For what?"
"To show him how to use an axe and few other weapons he better gets intimate with. I can do that, but I prefer to have someone that he can bash and I can watch them and point out mistakes."
"I'll find one that's old enough not to get angry at being beaten and know his stuff," Ragnar said and Ranek nodded. "Now I think that your student is waiting for you."
Ranek bowed his head and walked towards his quarters, leaving the Wolf Lord to deal with the task given to him.
o-0-o
Grand Master Voldus reached for a deck of Imperial Tarot cards and shuffled them before carefully picking one from the top he placed it on the table in front of him and then flipped. It showed a person clad in a power armor, standing atop a pile of slaughtered orks. Around his body were dancing ethereal flames and on his helmet was visible a wreath of laurel.
"Space Marine," Voldus said. "A champion will rise, from the ranks of the Marines, one that will shatter the status quo."
He then reached for the second card and placed it on the table before flipping it. When he looked at it, he held his breath. A body browned with age and blackened from death on a throne. "God-Emperor," he said. "A discovery and hope." Then his eyes flicked over to the previous card. "A champion will be discovered, one that will bring hope."
He reached for the third card and pulled out one showing an eye with an arrow. "Eye of Horus," he said. "Encroaching darkness and enemies of the Imperium." He looked at the three cards and let out out a slow breath. "Good, strong omens, but that darkness is worrying."
Closing his eyes he went through a series of calming exercises and then looked at the shelves stacked full with lore about daemons and how to combat them. He could feel a change happen and those cards confirmed it, he never saw this particular combination of them and it made him worried. There was also the game that the Inquisition tried to play and so far managed to fail, badly at it. That child they tried to get wasn't destined to end in their hands, he could tell that the boy was destined to become a Marine, but not a member of Inquisition.
He collected the deck and putting it on its proper place he walked between the shelves with lore and started to look for something that could shed more light onto this mess. Which with the Inquisition meddling was a dark and dangerous task.
o-0-o
"What do you know about the chapter and its organization from your education?" Ranek asked and Harry looked at him. "Positions, titles and so on."
"Not much," Harry admitted with a sheepish smile. "I was taught that it's Primarch is Leman Russ ans that its Chapter Master is known as the Great Wolf and it is divided into twelve Great Companies instead of the normal ten."
"You know more than quite a lot of people knows," Ranek said and paused for a moment before thinking what to say next. "The exact history you will learn once the training starts, but now I can tell you the basic lore that should help you organize the the knowledge you have. The chapter doesn't abide to the Codex and we have twelve companies that are much more autonomous than what you would find in a normal chapter. Also there's a unit you probably already met when living with your family."
Harry looked at Ranek and then his eyes widened. "Wolfblades," he said. "A unit that protects the Celestarch."
"Indeed, pup," Ranek said and Harry looked at him. "Pup is a youngling of a wolf and you are soon to be a wolf, at least in a way. Anyways, back onto the topic...
o-0-o
Torin Wayfarer stood behind Gabriela with arms behind his back as he watched the shuttle that carried them leave the ship and move towards the Aett. Behind he could feel presence of his two brothers, both fully focused on their charge, their senses sweeping the space and looking for any threats. They didn't want to admit it, but with the Inquisition playing its game they were tensed and would only relax when she was safely inside of the fortress.
He felt the hull shook as it docked with one of many docking ports of the Fang and he moved forward, to the front of Gabriela and waited for the Machine Spirits of the ship to verify that outside was breathable atmosphere and the ramp could be lowered. Once the ramp lowered he stepped out of the craft and looked around, just to see the Champion of the Great Wolf and a detachment of his Wolf Guard waiting for them. His eyes darted for a moment towards the higher hangar bays and a thin smile appeared on his lips when he saw Long Fangs with heavy weapons hidden there.
Arjac Rockfist, current Champion, stepped forward and bowed slightly to Torin and Gabriela who walked right behind him, before speaking. "The Great Wolf greets you at the Fang and will meet you in his throne room. If you could follow me, I will take you with me."
Torin nodded and once his two brothers slipped into positions to the side of their charge they followed Arjac. The walk was quick and soon they stood in front of stone doors emblazoned with images of wolves. There were also two Marines in front of them, in armor so ancient he had troubles recognizing it.
"What kind of armor is that?" Gabriela whispered.
Torin gave those Marines one look and glanced at their shoulders to see thick strips of decorative leather hang from there and no Crux Terminatus. "Cataphractii Terminator Armor," he said after a moment. "A very old pattern of the armor, usually kept for the best of the best. Only few Forge Worlds can make it and if I remember correctly there's a small stash of them in your family vaults."
She nodded and after a moment the doors groaned before being opened and revealing the throne room where Logan Grimnar sat on a massive stone throne, to his sides Wolf Lords present on Fenris and Priests of the chapter as well as the rest of his Wolf Guard. Torin followed Arjac to the spot directly in front of the throne and there bowed to his liege before stepping to the side and letting Gabriela step forward.
"I thank you for such a warm greeting," she smoothly said. "I wish this meeting was in better circumstances, alas situation is dire and we need to live with it and accept it. I'm here on behalf of the Lady Celestarch and its because of the events that transpired on the Holy Terra five weeks ago. Wolf Lord Ragnar Blackmane arrived to report that the mission he was asked to do was done and the Celestarch offered him anything in return. He chose to ask for an Aspirant for the chapter and when he traveled to the ship that took him to the orbit there was a confrontation with the Inquisition. My Lady asked me to tell you that she will use all the means available to her to support you in the incoming conflicts and asks in return for doubling the size of bodyguards provided by the chapter."
Once she finished speaking there was a wave of grumbling and angry noises leave the Wolves as they digested data and showed their annoyance at the behavior of the Inquisition.
"You speak wisdom and your House was always an ally of our chapter," Logan said. "We are grateful for the support you offer during the conflict and we will provide you with the Wolfblades you ask for. However I would like to ask that in times of need we will be allowed to use any of our relics and artifacts that are in your vaults."
"My Lady said that you would ask for those things," Gabriela said and Wolves leaned towards her. "And she didn't have any issues with me agreeing to it and as a sign of a good will on board of my ship I carry fifty pieces of weaponry that were entrusted into our care."
"It's a very generous gift and we will happily accept it and they won't be gathering dust on the shelves of our armory," Logan said and looked at the people around them. "Perhaps we should move to a more private setting and finish negotiations between us while your retinue enjoys the feast."
Gabriela nodded and looked at Torin, who just bowed and looked at the rest of his chapter. All of them started to walk out of the room and he joined the stream of bodies that took him to the Great Hall where tables were full of various meals. While from the ceiling hanged shields with clan symbols of all the Space Wolves that were in the chapter, between them he could see pelts of various animals that were hunted by the Wolves during their trips into the nearby mountains.
o-0-o
Grandmaster looked out of the window of one of the many spires that made the bulk of the Headquarters of the Inquisition on Terra and tried not to growl and shout in anger. His agent was too late and that blasted child was taken in by the Space Wolves and the Envoy of the Navis Nobilite was the most unhappy with the fact that the Inquisition ventured into the Quarter, without a written invitation. On its own it wasn't dangerous as the High Lords always bickered ans quarreled with each other, but given time it could grow into something much more dangerous.
That was half the trouble he now faced, second was because the Celestarch of the House Belisarius started to meet various High Lords of the Imperium. He didn't need to be a person with few dozens years of hunting down treason to know when he saw one and this combined with the Space Wolves showing some disturbing ideas smelled like one. It was even more dangerous with a very disturbing silence of Titan and Great Masters of the Grey Knights that ignored most dispatches that were sent to them. As if they knew something and didn't think it was wise to interfere in the affairs of a fellow chapter and even if they were working with the Inquisition, they answered directly to the Emperor and there was no real and reliable way to force them to obey commands coming from the Inquisition.
o-0-o
A/N – Canon in the story, some parts of it will be outright vented through the airlock, starting with Primaris Marines and the eighth edition as it is too much crap and not enough diamonds to bother fixing what cannot be fixed. Primarchs are planned to come back, but Failbaddon suddenly discovering how to fight is a thing I won't believe, he bounced off the first line of defense twelve times and even Orks are better than him, so 13th Black Crusade is still brewing.
Different training – Logan is cunning, clever and is one of few leaders that can actually think inside of the Imperium and he will use every tool that can get him better warriors and more of them. Also he has big enough clout to do what he pretty much wants, he is an experienced leader that has several centuries of service, generally respected and known to be able to work with everybody. Celestial Lions were relatively new chapter when they got slaughtered on Armageddon, Wolves are the first founding and if the Inquisition moved against them most of other chapters would grumble very loudly and might even pay a visit to Terra. This is assuming that they can get a reliable data on what changes are sewn inside of that conditioning and training Harry will undergo, which is highly unlikely as only selected few know about normal training and about this know maybe five people. Also the Space Wolves aren't the biggest zealots inside of the Empire and never showed that much fervour when it comes to their faith. They might also tinker a bit with gene seed to get more stability, Harry is actually a godsend for them, they would hesitate to carry out those things on their relatives on Fenris, but they won't have too many hesitations with testing them on someone that's a very troublesome gift to deal with.
Reviews:
Warlord Fellhammer – Harry Potter is one of nicer universes to mix in with others and Warhammer has magic of some form so it is even nicer and better. Just cannot decide on which branch of psyker powers Harry should focus as there are so many cool ones to choose from.
ww1990ww – Throwing out manure from between the gears officially started now, in the future some minced bodies might be used to grease those gears to run smoother and better.