Chapter 2.6 The Warmaster Challenges The Emperor
"Woe betide he who ignores my warning or breaks faith with me. He shall be my enemy, and I will visit such destruction upon him and all his followers that, until the end of all things, he shall rue the day he turned from my light."
Magnus and Sanguinius stood in shock as the Emperor rendered his final verdict from on high above on the dias. Both thought it impossible, both thought the arguments had been fair and just. The decision to dissolve the Librarius seemed entirely counter to the entire conversation and debate that had been taking place over the past several days. To place limitations on the Librarius seemed perfectly reasonable, but to fully end it all without any moderation in sentence seemed completely unexpected.
As the Emperor's proclamation continued, he ended with a final warning. His eyes bore deep into Magnus' own to hammer home the point as clearly as could be made.
"If you treat with the Warp, Magnus, I shall visit destruction upon you. And your Legion's name will be struck from the Imperial records for all time."
Magnus bowed his head low in sorrow, and bent the knee to his father in supplication. There was no more arguments, no more debate. This was the decision of the Emperor, and none would be able to counter it. Russ just looked on sadly whilst Mortarion smiled victoriously.
Sanguinius seethed with rage. This was unfair. This was unjust. What was the point of the Council if the Emperor was merely going to ride roughshod over them to render a higher judgement. This could not be left to stand, he had to know why. Why the Emperor made this decision. Why his Father would punish Magnus so harshly.
As the Council began to disperse, the Astartes returning to their legions with the joyous or grim news about the dissolving of the Librarius, Sanguinius marched up to the dias to speak with his Father. Malcador attempted to intervene but The Great Angel stormed passed the old man, ignoring him completely. Although the Regent of Terra could well have attempted to stop Sanguinius with his great powers, he knew this conflict could not be prevented and merely watched as The Warmaster went to challenge The Emperor.
Sanguinius reached the Master of Mankind and bent his knee before him, his head tilted low. In a voice loud enough to be heard by his Father, but not loud enough to carry much beyond it, the Great Angel made his plea.
"Father, I must protest as to this judgement. I do not understand why Magnus has been punished so."
The Emperor continued to walk down the dias, unphased by his earnest son's words, replying simply, "Judgement has been rendered, my son. I expect all to keep to my edict which I proclaim not through malice, but through necessity."
"But why, Father?" begged Sanguinius, rising to walk beside the Emperor as he continued to depart the arena, "You singled out Magnus in particular in your proclamation despite my wish this not become a trial for Magnus."
"He knows what he has done," replied the Emperor, "I had hoped he would cease in his activities and limit his explorations to safer shallows. He has not. I have no choice but to forbid his activities."
"But surely if there is danger in what he does, the answer is to teach him a safer path rather than to ban his actions completely?" responded Sanguinius in a desperate tone.
"I have spent many years teaching Magnus," said the Emperor, calmly, "If he has not learned now, then he never shall. I do not have the time to teach him any longer. He has an understanding of these things far beyond you, Sanguinius. He has spent years with me understanding the secrets of the warp. I warned him to avoid the depths and dangers that lurk there. He ignored me, and I must act before he bring peril to everything I have built."
"That may be so, I trust you know what is best in that matter, Father," said Sanguinius, desperately trying to keep up with the Emperor as he made his way towards the departure bay and his transport off of Nikaea, "But why punish all the legions for Magnus' lack of judgement, why must we all suffer because Magnus may be not heeded your wisdom?"
"You do not understand the danger, my son," said the Emperor, "I must ask you to trust in me, and trust in my vision. In time, all will become clear, but I cannot risk The Great Work I now undertake. If even a single legion were to disrupt my efforts, the whole of our species' future could be put at risk."
"Then at least explain to me," said Sanguinius in desperation, "Explain to me these dangers, explain to me why this is necessary. I beg you Father. Just explain to me a little of what you showed Magnus!"
"There is not time," said the Emperor, leaving Sanguinius behind at the bottom of the ramp of his golden transport, "I must return to Terra to complete the Great Work. Trust in me, Sanguinius. All will be revealed in time. This is done for the betterment of us all."
And with that, the ramp to the Emperor's vessel closed, departing from Nikaea once more. Sanguinius was left standing alone staring up at the shape the slowly disappeared from view. Around him more individuals came forth from the arena, finding their own ships to return from whence they came. A sad and broken Magnus, escorted by the sons of his legion made their way through the bay to their own transports. Mortarion and Russ did likewise, bringing an end to all that had transpired.
Sanguinius watched them all go, unable to let go of his confusing, his anger and his sadness. He fell to his knees watching all the tiny specs of space craft vanish into the distance. A single hand fell on his should in comfort.
"This is for the best," said Malcador, the Regent of Terra, reassuringly, "You did the best you could, my boy. No one will say that you did not defend Magnus' honour to the utmost. But the decision was not yours to make."
"But why did he make that decision," asked Sanguinius quietly, "I wish my Father would have explained."
"The decision I spoke of was not your Father's," said Malcador, "The choice was Magnus'. Ultimately your Father merely rendered the result of that decision to resolve the issue as best he could."
Sanguinius abruptly stood up, turning to face the Sigilite. He extended his wings to their widest and gazed down at the old man.
"What choice?! What decision?! You and Father have explained NOTHING to me! I do trust you, and I do trust Father but it seems like none of you TRUST ME! You do not trust me with the truth! If the truth is so dangerous why was it shared with Magnus?! I do not understand these decisions, and the decision to share information is yours and Fathers alone, not Magnus'!"
Malcador calmly stared down the Great Angel until at last, Sanguinius withdrew his wings and resumed a less energetic stance.
"Forgive me, Malcador. I just... do not understand."
"Trust is earned, Sanguinius. It is not wise to give it freely."
"Have I not earned that trust yet, Malcador?" asked Sanguinius, "I was trusted enough to be granted the title of Warmaster. I am asked to prosecute the Great Crusade in my Father's name, but if there are dangers to which I do not know, how am I to fight them?"
"You will find a way," replied Malcador, "That is why you are Warmaster. We trust you to find the answers yourself, and to keep your sons and your brothers safe. There will come a time when all is revealed and at that time you will understand why your Father and I had to keep it secret. Sanguinius, let this moment pass. Let your anger fade and resume your role as Warmaster. Be the glorious champion we need you to be. Lead the Great Crusade to its completion, and then we shall all know a peace beyond measure, and a safety where all secrets are spoken at last."
Sanguinius sighed and despondently nodded. Once again there was no arguing with the Regent of Terra. His wisdom was beyond question, and it was clear he would get no more answers on the matter.
"I must depart now, Sanguinius, and you must return to the Great Crusade. I promise that in time you will know everything. I still intend for you to speak with Sindermann, and I hope through your conversations you may find some more peace at heart. You have a noble spirit, Sanguinius, do not ever lose that."
With that, the Regent of Terra departed Nikaea. Sanguinius resigned himself to returning to his legion. At least he would have the Mournivals to discuss the events with. They had given him much comfort following Horus' passing, and now with this latest burden on his heart it would be good to speak with fine company again. Some would protest, some would remain sanguine, but all would allow him to process the events from various view points until he could accept his Father's decision. Because he would accept his Father's decision. The will of The Emperor would be the will of The Warmaster.