{oOo}
There had been a deadly silence in the War Council's chamber, even the ever confident Fulgrim realizing that perhaps he had asked a question that should not have been asked. It was a moment that deserved to be immortalized in art somehow: Rogal Dorn's face set in calculation as he considered the matter placed before him, Horus turning from the congratulations he had been heaping upon Perturabo for the latter's siegecraft at Badcon to offer a silent plea to his brother for atypical diplomacy in his answer.
Could the defenses of the Imperial Palace withstand an assault by the Iron Warriors?
Dorn's Imperial Fists were renowned for their mastery of the siege. Any fortification of their design would be formidable. But Perturabo's Legion were possessed of an equally high reputation and their Primarch had just been declared by the Warmaster to be the greatest master of siege warfare in the Crusade.
Now one thoughtless - or not so thoughtless - question could splinter this moment of triumph shared between four of the most distinguished of the Emperor's Primarchs.
Could the defenses of the Imperial Palace withstand an assault by the Iron Warriors?
If Rogal Dorn had ever been less than totally honest it was not known to Imperial history. "If well manned, I regard those defenses as proof against any assault."
There was no sense of challenge to his words. There never was. Some truths, in the eyes of the Praetorian, were unquestionable.
Serenity was the Emperor's heir.
Horus was the only possible choice as the Warmaster of the Imperium.
The Imperial Palace was as impregnable as his more than mortal hands could make it.
Perturabo's great fists clenched and then relaxed. "That might be sufficient to guard our sister," he said at last and tension ebbed from the room as Horus slapped his taciturn brother on the back and even Rogal Dorn unbent enough to offer a toast to the Iron Warriors guardianship of the Imperium's worlds.
{oOo}
AN: In which Fulgrim opens mouth and inserts foot, however Perturabo takes things more calmly, could potentially fit in most continuities.