Chapter 2.4 The Discourse of Demi-Gods

The collective of supporters of the Librarius project worked feverishly through the night. Sections were drafted, written, redrafted, rewritten, dismissed and redrafted again over and over. Hundreds of pages were discarded in an effort to establish the perfect words for the purpose.

Magnus desperately tried to grab as much ambiguity and flexibility within the Statutes as possible, whilst Sanguinius tempered his attempts to push more extreme ideas into the document. There were moments when Magnus burst out in rage at Sanguinius at the limitations being put down, but the Great Angel kept his calm and reasoned Magnus down from every disagreement.

As the chronometers in the small space converted into a room of conference chimed the early hours of the day, Sanguinius and Magnus put their signatures at the bottom of the document, signing at last the final version of the Statute of Librarius Limitations.

In turn, a supplementary document was signed by all the Librarians present, swearing to uphold the text of the Statute, and to enforce its laws throughout the legions. If the Statute was adopted, all Astartes psykers would be required to sign it, but having a consensus of all those gathered on Nikaea was a strong symbol of unity and acceptance for those present.

As the morning drew on, all of Librarius supporters were summoned, along with the opposition, to the central dias of the Great Arena on Nikaea. Above, imposing like some grand Judge or Arbiter, sat the Regent of Terra, Malcador. Beside him sat many other notable figures that made up this Council of Nikaea.

The Emperor himself sat upon the peak of the dias, looking down upon all who gathered for the Council. His eyes glanced from Magnus to Sanguinius, to Mortarion and Russ, with not a word spoken. The gold of his armour glinted off the lights of the Arena, and he appeared as a divine being giving judgement on lowly mortals.

Surrounding the arena were units of Spaces Wolves, Sisters of Silence and Custodes, all providing security for the events to take place, and all unsubtly focusing their attention Magnus. Sanguinius had protested at their presence initially, stating since no one was on trial there was no need to enforce security this tight. The presence of Custodes and Sisters of Silence were clearly a weapon meant for restraining the greatest Primarch Psyker in the legions, though no one spoke the truth that all knew. Despite his protestations however, Malcador said the matter was not up for negotiation, and with that Sanguinius was forced to relent.

Malcador called the trial to order and began with opening statements. The first to speak was Mortarion, the Pale King. He excoriated the very concept of psykers and the warp, giving brutally open accounts of his time on Barbarus and the hostile xenos menace that utilized sorcery to suppress the human population. He spoke at length of how he overcame the powers of the warp to restore the humans rights prior to the Emperor's arrival. He also repeated the dangers that had given rise to the Old Night, and that psykers had almost destroyed the human species in its entirety.

From there Mortarion turned on Magnus, and despite several interjections by both Sanguinius and even Malcador, Mortarion lambasted the Wizard King and his legion, claiming that he walked a path of sorcery he had seen before. Despite claims he spoke only out of brotherly love, his words enraged Sanguinius to where the Angel began to demand action taken from the Council. At last Malcador ordered Mortarion's final statements be denied, and the Fourteenth Primarch was to withdraw and remain in silence, lest he be held in contempt. Mortarion complied, but it was clear if given the chance he would speak his mind regardless of the consequences. Furthermore, his statements had been spoken, and despite the Sigillite's command the words could not go unsaid.

Sanguinius gave opening statements on the defence. He listed the works of good accomplished by both those of the Librarius, and also Magnus himself. He expounded long on the need to accept the traditions of a Legion where they did not fall into barbarism, citing traditions of Legions which did not even make full use of the Librarius and how they were permitted. He held up the first draft of the Statute of Librarius Limitations, stating that as the trial proceeded a full reading of the completed document would be made by those who wrote it to assuage any fears held but those in opposition.

As Sanguinius withdrew, Malcador ordered a recess before continuing the days events. Many witnesses were to be called forward, falsehoods needed to be established to protect the anonymity of those present. Prior to their testimony however came a surprising event.

Ohthere Wyrdmake, a Rune Priest of the Space Wolf Legion, gave a testimony which cast veiled accusations at Magnus and the Thousands sons. Whilst the Great Wolf's son did not directly give names of individuals or Legions, he made it clear he had encountered individuals using vile and forbidden sorcery. He denounced these anonymous individuals as warlocks and deceivers, and proclaimed any who made use of such powers should be restricted by all means.

Although this was missed by Sanguinius, Magnus saw the sadness on the face of his son Ahzek Ahriman. Although the anonymity Sanguinius had demanded was upheld, it was clear to anyone able to grasp the slightest of subtleties that the wolf was speaking of the Thousands Son. Sanguinius sat stone faced as the testimony was given, glancing occasionally over at Russ who ignored the Angel's gaze.

Up next came several testimonies of non-Astartes sources. Representatives of Mars and the Mechanicum gave their views, insisting that psykers were an anomaly, against the divine workings of the Machine God's Universe. They insisted that all psykers be banned, save for those necessary for warp travel due to practical purposes, with some of the more extreme representatives demanding that all psykers not used in this duty should be lobotomized and used for Servitors.

As the Mechanicus representatives withdrew even Malcador was seen shaking his head at the extremity of some of the testimonies. The Tech Priests of Mars had never entirely been comfortable with the idea that they were dependent on Terra for the soul method of rapid inter-system travel. The fact that there were elements of the warp that did not respond to mathematic or logical reasoning put many of the Cult Mechanicus in a state of uneasiness.

The day concluded with a few concealed testimonies given under falsehoods to hide their identities. It was clear their testimony had originally meant to be directed at Magnus and the Thousand Sons directly, but had hastily been reconstructed to comply with the Council's directive to avoid direct accusation. Much of the heat and bluster of the arguments was dampened by the indirect nature of any events or individuals in the testimony.

In the end Malcador brought an end to the witnesses for the day after it became painfully clear even with the falsehoods very little was being gained through it. All the attendants retired for the days, many weary, others fired up with righteous passion. In the end, Sanguinius' and Mortarions powerful oratory, coupled with many vague and incomplete testimonies had taken the fire out accusations, and the initial days arguments had only slightly landed in favour of the accusers.

The following days would prove to be far more eventful. It began with Russ' testimony. It followed a very similar line of Ohthere Wyrdmake's but also expounded on elements previously touched upon by Mortarion. It produced a very comprehensive reasoning as to the dangers of Astartes psykers. Many were surprised by the eloquence of the Great Wolf's speech. Whilst it contained a few rustic words and terms from Fenris it was very well structured and reasoned, recited with no small skill by Russ.

Few remember that whilst all of the Emperor's sons have individual talents, all draw from the same baseline of the Emperor's stock. Even the weakest fighter of the Primarchs could kill a thousand men without issue, even the weakest strategist could plan a campaign to devastate all but the most prepared of foes, even the poorest leader could rally an army to his banner with but a word, and even the weakest orator could still pen a speech to convince all but the most stout of heart.

Russ proved himself that day as a skilled wordsmith despite the reputation he had gathered as a barbarian, or the Emperor's loyal hound. Of course, Leman would not be the only one speaking that day, and whilst the Great Wolf was certainly beyond human in his skills, the realm of words was far closer to Magnus' domain.

Following the Great Wolf came several more testimonies under falsehoods. Again, their oblique natures meant little was gained in comparison to Leman Russ' testimony, but it did establish more events that had led to the concerns which drove the Council of Nikaea in the first place. Once again, Malcador called a recess. Once more, upon resuming testimonies were taken. However, now came time for the rebuttal of the Great Wolf. Now came the chance for Magnus to say his piece.

Magnus' speech was so full of passion and fire that would have impressed even Lorgar himself. Magnus' arguments were grounded in logic and reason, explaining as best was possible by any mortal the workings and knowledge of the warp and the powers he dealt with. His pleas for understanding were heartfelt and true, with him finally giving ground and stating if it would take the Statute of Librarius Limitations to ensure he and his legion could continue their practices with the approval of the Imperium he would accept those limitations, and comply with them completely.

More than a few were moved by Magnus' words, and despite the testimony of Russ it was clear that the tide was turning. The lack of direct accusations and reasonable nature of the pro-Librarius faction in presenting the Statute of Limitations had swayed more than a few neutral parties of mild agreeable acceptance. The quiet satisfaction on the face of Magnus and Sanguinius as Magnus withdrew from his testimony was in stark contrast to the mild rage on Mortarion's face and resigned exhaustion of Russ.

None could follow the testimony of The Crimson King, and so Malcador called an end to the days proceedings, with the remaining testimony left to be heard follow before a judgement would be rendered.

That last day would be crucial for defenders of the Librarius project. Whilst the morning was once again filled with accusations of sorcery and monstrous behaviour that had little teeth, the afternoon was spent by the explanation and review of the Statute of Librarius Limitations by the Librarians of the Astartes that had helped draft the document.

Stormseer Targutai Yesugei led the review, ably supported by Promus and a number of other high ranking Librarians as to their abilities and usage both in battle and in support of their legion in general. They made clear the exact limitations the Statute would put on them, the safeguards that would ensure the Librarius could serve the Imperium without fear, the same as the Astropaths and Navigators of the Imperium's warships. The calm and moderate arguments served as the perfect counter to days of fearmongering and counter testimony.

As the day drew to a close, few could deny that the defenders of the Librarius had argued their case well. As all stood to get a final nights rest, Magnus clapped Sanguinius on the back with a massive smile of both confidence and relief. Mortarion continued to give dirty looks at the brothers he considered wayward, and Russ simply looked up at the Emperor sat high atop the dias and sighed, shaking his head.

Almost all in the room assumed that the Council would either accept the Statute of Librarius Limitations in its entirety, or would modify a small number of provisions before adopting an amended version. The Statute satisfied all but the most ardent members of the Council, which if taken to a vote would have more than met a majority of voices. The decision would be proclaimed on the following day, a result which would end all ambiguity of how the Imperium would proceed.

Magnus and Sanguinius retired for the night after a small, perhaps somewhat premature, celebration of how the events of the past few days had transpired.

Mortarion and Russ, however, had a long conversation about how bad the situation was with concerns for what the next day would bring.