Chapter 2.2 Magnus Unchained
Magnus watched as the Imperial transport descended from the heavens above. As it gracefully touched down on the landing pad before him the first company of his legion, The Thousand Sons, took up guard positions around the vehicle and their Primark. No one would dare to threaten Magnus, even if this world was not yet fully in compliance, but it was yet another tradition that Magnus knew to observe.
It wasn't every day The Warmaster made a personal visit to inspect his operations after all.
As the hatch of the transport rolled down, a figure in gleaming gold descended, following by 2 glorious white angel wings. Magnus smiled and approached his brother as Sanguinius came forward to give greetings.
"Sanguinius! A pleasure to see you! Oh, forgive me. Warmaster. Forgive my indiscretion, I should address you formally now you have been appointed the head of the Great Crusade!"
Sanguinius flashed a quick smile, though his demeanor remained stern. It has been that way since he descended Magnus now realized. This is unusual for the Great Angel, whilst he had heard that Sanguinius had spent much time mourning Horus' death, this grim look suggested something troubling rather than sadness.
"No apologies necessary, Magnus. To you and the rest I shall always be Sanguinius. I am Warmaster above all things, but I am still your brother. You may always be informal with me, lest the situation call for otherwise. And I fear the situation may soon be so."
Magnus let his smile fall as he saw 4 other golden figures follow Sanguinius out of the transport. These figures were not Astartes, nor were they Primarks. They were Custodes, personal guard of the Emperor himself. They were stronger, more powerful than a mere Astartes and some of their best could even challenge a Primark. The fact they were here and not protecting his Father on Terra meant something was wrong. Deadly wrong.
"Sanguinius?"
Sanguinius looked back at the Custodes and said, "A moment with my brother. Please. Alone."
"Be quick about it, Warmaster," said the lead Custodes curtly, "You have a duty to perform, as do we. We are not here to make idle conversation."
"And whilst the Emperor is on Terra I am his proxy out here at the edges of the Imperium," snapped Sanguinius, "This man here is also a son of the Emperor and regardless of the accusations made of him he is innocent until judged otherwise and shall be treated as such."
"Accusations?" asked Magnus, "What accusations?"
Sanguinius pulled Magnus away from the figures in gold and extended his great wings like a shield to divide him and his brother from prying eyes. He leaned in close and began talking in hushed tones.
"Russ and Mortarion have made accusations of sorcery of your legion," he whispered, "It has to do with our Librarius project. They believe the Legions should not have access to psykers and all Astartes with psychic abilities should be restricted from their use."
Magnus' jaw dropped in surprise.
"Are they mad? This is an untapped resource granted to us by the universe! I wield the powers of the warp, you have visions granted to you through your innate psychic abilities, even Father has powers beyond our comprehension! It would be hypocrisy to deny them. What justification has Russ or Mortarion to say how we conduct our legions? The Librarius project is voluntary as of now, if they do not wish to participate then they may go about as they will. Why have members of the Custodes come half way across the galaxy to relay the words of a mad dog and dullard?"
"Magnus," said Sanguinius reproachfully, "Russ and Mortarion should not be spoken of in that way. I consider Russ to be a good man and as loyal a son as our Father could ask for, and Mortarion has good reason to be suspicious of psykers given the history of his home world. But I do fear they have overstepped their bounds some what. Russ came to me with his concerns some time ago, and whilst I counseled him to allow each legion to conduct their compliances as they see fit unless there is evidence of danger. I don't know if he then sought out Mortarion, or if this was their plan if I failed to admonish you, but they sent their pleas to Father and Malcador on Terra."
"Running with his tail between his legs to Father," muttered Magnus, "Typical of the Wolf when he doesn't get his way."
Sanguinius sighed. The rivalry between Russ and Magnus was well known by his brothers. It was strange because he had never had any significant issues with either. Much like Dorn and Perturabo some of his brothers just seemed incapable of getting along, no matter what the subject was. Horus and himself seemed to be the few that could bridge the gap between both sides.
"What is important is that the matter was taken seriously. Malcador has appointed the Arena at Nikaea as the place where the matter will be discussed in full. It is not a trial, you are not a criminal, but the matter of whether the Librarius project will be allowed to continue shall be given a critical analysis."
"But even Malcador is a psyker!" said Magnus in frustration, "How could he sanction such a hearing? I know you say I am not on trial, brother, but it does seem very much like a persecution of me directly."
"Do not fear brother," soothed Sanguinius, "I will be there personally and speak in the defense of the Librarius project. Unfortunately I don't believe Jaghatai will be present but he will be sending speakers in his stead. Plus we may have others support our claim. Fulgrim has always spoken warmly of the idea, as has Roboute. I know others could be persuaded if given a chance. I do not yet know who will be in attendance but we can be certain Russ and Mortarion will give a dissenting opinion."
"Thank you for your support brother," said Magnus, "I'm certain with the Warmaster's opinion clear on the matter we shall be able to deal with this matter swiftly. Now, I'm assuming the Custodes are here for me and to ensure I do not abscond before the trial?"
"I am afraid so," said Sanguinius, "I will personally escort you to Nikaea. When I heard what was transpiring I insisted I be allowed to do so. I have recently been elected Warmaster and I shall not have my authority undermined in this matter. You deserve the right to be treated as an equal among our brothers and not dragged before a hearing like a petty crook. We have not put Angron on trial for his brutality, nor Kurze for his cruelty despite my personal wish that we might. If we allow the most outrageous of us to conduct compliances with such a reckless manner then what right do we have to judge yours, Magnus. You are not a prisoner, and if anything is on trial it is the concept of the Librarius project and nothing else. I shall make it very clear to all those present you are above reproach."
"I am eternally grateful brother," said Magnus, placing a hand on Sanguinius' shoulder, "If that news had come by any other messenger I would be angered and concerned. But with you by my side I know justice will prevail."
"Enough talking!" called the Custodes behind them, "We must depart to Nikaea immediately!"
Sanguinius angrily folded his wings and turned to address the Custodes.
"My brother will have four hours to set his affairs in order, and only AFTER that we shall depart."
"Remember your place, Warmaster," growled the Custodes, approaching with his spear slightly lower than polite. Whilst not a direct threat, a few degrees more would lower the blade into a striking posture and the implication was clear, "You serve at the Emperor's command, and you will obey his orders to bring Fifteenth to Nikaea."
Sanguinius advanced fearlessly forward until he stood, eye to eye with the Custodes. Magnus watched cautiously. He had little fear that Sanguinius could win a fight against a single Custodes, but 4 would be a challenge even for the Great Angel. But Sanguinius was one, if not the, most proficient fighters amongst all of the brothers.
"Good Custodian, would you be as good to present to me the orders of my Father that I must arrive at Nikaea at a certain time, at a certain date?" challenged Sanguinius.
The Custodes glowered back, replying, "His orders were to bring the Fifteenth to Nikaea."
"And I will comply with those orders. I am the Warmaster, first amongst his sons so I know his will as much as anyone. We cannot simply abandon this region of the Great Crusade without instructions from its commander. I will ensure Magnus arrives on Nikaea will all due haste, but I will NOT have him treated as a criminal and I will NOT have you order me around like the Sigilite. You are the Emperor's protectors, not the Emperor himself. Remember YOUR place, Custodian."
For a moment The Great Angel and the Golden Guard stared at each other with mutual contempt until finally, the Custodes gave way.
"Very well, 'Warmaster'. He may have his four hours. But in precisely four hours if he is not here in this transport we shall retrieve him by any means necessary."
Sanguinius turned his back on the Custodes and rejoined Magnus, a dark cloud hanging over his features. Magnus had heard of the Angel's rage, but this was his first time seeing it up close. In a moment, the Angel had gone from a fair a pleasant face to one that would make a storm turn back or the ground quake in fear. It was a sight to behold.
"I have never seen anyone speak to a Custodes that way, let alone have one back down before."
Sanguinius turned to Magnus and for a moment the Angel's wrath was directed at Magnus. A deep part of his soul trembled at that gaze. But in an instant it was gone, and the fair Sanguinius was back with a polite smile on his face as if the rage had never been.
"Today is a day for firsts, brother. How often do the Custodes stray from Terra without their Master?"
"Not often," agreed Magnus, watching as a figure broke ranks from his stationary guard of Thousand Sons and approached the 2 Primarks.
"My Lord Warmaster, my Lord," said Ahzek Ahriman, "I assume the Custodes being here has some notable significance, my Lord."
"Gather the seniors of the legion Ahzek," said Magnus, "I will need to depart shortly and we must make arrangements to continue our work in my absence. With the aid of the Warmaster I hope for my departure to be brief."
"As you command, my Lord," said Ahriman, bowing to both Primarks before departing.
"I expect you've already left instructions for your own forces before you arrived, have you not?" asked Magnus.
"Indeed," replied Sanguinius, "My Mournivals have the situation well in hand."
Magnus raised an eyebrow.
"Mournivals?"
"An old tradition of Horus'," said Sanguinius, "Since I assumed control of the Sixteenth I have established it amongst my own sons as well. It is a very functional system, helps ensure various voices are heard and order is maintained without grudges."
"You will have to tell me more," said Magnus, starting to walk in the direction of the main encampment where various captains and commanders appeared to be gathering.
"I will tell you on our journey to Nikaea," said Sanguinius, "And also we should plan the defence of the Librarius project. With any luck Malcador and the Council of Nikaea will see sense and we can be done with this unnecessary business with haste."