Chapter 2.7 The Hound Disciplined
Russ walked down the darkened corridor of the Gloriana class warship. He was not surprised he had been summoned by the Warmaster. He had been expecting it. He did not know what the son of Baal would have to say, but it would not be a pleasant conversation. He half expected to see Mortarion here as well, but the Pale King was no where in sight. Whether this was because he was summoned before, or had yet to be summoned, or would even be summoned at all, Russ could not say.
The doors opened to the room Russ had been directed to. No guards stood watch outside, nor inside. Inside led a long carpet which ended at a small raised ridge, which had 4 short steps leading up it. On top sat a chair, almost a throne, had it not been the lack of The Emperor sitting upon it. But the figure sat in the chair was almost as imposing.
Sanguinius watched Russ approach. The room was dark, bar spotlights that shone upon the carpet, and one more that blazed down on Sanguinius himself. Resting in the crook of his left arm sat the Spear of Telesto, its imposing shape giving The Warmaster the appearance of a warrior king ready to fight for his kingdom.
"Why have you summoned me here, Baal-son," called the Great Wolf as he entered the room, "I am sorry about what transpired on Nikaea, but I hope we can drop the matter and resume our friendship as before."
"Leman Russ," called Sanguinius from the darkness at the edge of the room, "What purpose do Rune Priests serve within your legion?"
Russ stopped half way to the chair. He lowered his head in understanding. So this was how he was going to be punished, this was how The Great Angel was going to get his revenge. He should have know when he boarded the Vengeful Spirit, former flagship of Horus Lupercal, that the spirit of the ship was an echo of what was to come.
"Our Rune Priests are not like the sorceries of the Thousands Sons," began Russ, "Their power is drawn from Fenris thoug-"
"HYPOCRISY!" yelled Sanguinius, "Hypocrisy of the highest order. You dare come in here and tell me to my face that your Rune Priests are above the Librarians of my sons, above the Stormseers of Jaghatai, above the psykers of every other Legion! That there is a difference between what you conduct and what other do. I will not stand for it!"
"The Stormseers are closer kin to us," Russ admitted, "It is unfortunate Jaghatai did not join me in my arguments. I am not the closest brother of the War Hawk, but the bird and beast can reach an understanding."
"Jaghatai's Stormseers are no longer permitted to operate in his legion," accused Sanguinius, "As are my own sons, and that of every other legion. You shall be no exception Russ."
"I have said before, Baal-son, the Rune Priests are not-"
"YOU WILL ADDRESS ME BY MY TITLE," shouted Sanguinius rising from his chair, "I AM THE WARMASTER, CHOSEN FIRST OF THE EMPEROR'S SONS. I WILL ENFORCE THE EMPEROR'S WILL NO MATTER WHO THE GUILTY PARTY IS."
Russ lowered his head slightly, responding, "Of course, Warmaster."
"You are a hypocrite," said Sanguinius with barely contained rage, "A hypocrite and coward. You defied your Warmaster and went behind his back because you did not agree with his ruling. You accused others of sorcery whilst you own legion makes use of its own majicks. Yes Russ, I call you coward and craven."
The Great Wolf snarled at this insult. His hand reached for the sword hilt at his waist.
"Be careful, Baal-son. You insult my honour."
"I SAID, YOU WILL ADDRESS ME BY MY TITLE, WOLF," yelled Sanguinius as he grasped the Spear of Telesto. Flapping his great wings, the Great Angel arose into the air, hovering a few metres above Russ. The Great Wolf glared up at the Angel, like a cat considering whether to leap into the air to attempt to catch a passing bird. A few tense moments passed, The Great Angel looking down with his spear held firmly, The Great Wolf with his hand grasping the hilt of his blade. There was no sound but the creaking and whirring of machinery in the distance.
Finally, Russ let his hand fall, dropping to one knee in submission.
"As you command, my Warmaster."
Sanguinius landed gently, and returned to his chair. From his seated position he continued to relay his decree of sanction.
"Leman Russ, The Sixth Legion is no longer permitted to make use of Rune Priests or any other psyker tradition. To ensure compliance with the Edicts of Nikaea, Wardens of the Ninth Legion and Chaplains of the Seventeenth will be attached to your legion to confirm you are obeying our Father's will. They are to be given full access to all spaces of your legion, and have the authority to reprimand or detain members of your legion who are believed to be in defiance of the Edicts. Any member of your legion believed to be in defiance shall be brought before a jury comprising of seventeen Astartes, one from each of the other legions for a FAIR and JUST trial. If found guilty he will be put to death. If found innocent he shall be released back to your legion. Is this understood?"
Russ stood up and looked sadly over at Sanguinius, replying, "I take it Mortarion's punishment will be taking place after mine?"
"Mortarion's Legion is not in conflict with the Edicts," spat Sanguinius, "Say what you want about our brother, he is not a hypocrite. It is the reason why you are here and he is not. If I ever find Fourteenth Legion in defiance of the Edicts, I shall visit on him the same punishment as I visit on you. Until that time, as disagreeable as he might be, Mortarion is free to conduct his affairs as he sees fit. YOU on the other hand are the one not in step with your own arguments. This punishment is a rod of your own making."
Russ bowed his head as if in grief and asked, "Will that be all, Warmaster?"
"Yes. You are dismissed. Ensure the enforcers of the Edict are treated well in your legion, Russ, or we shall speak again. I shall be hearing back from my sons, and the Word Bearers I send to you."
The Great Wolf turned to leave. His heavy footfalls took him to the door of the chamber where he turned and looked back at the Great Angel, still surrounded by darkness.
"I am sorry, brother," he said in a low voice, "But I do not think we can be friends any longer. This wound cuts me too deep. I am not sure I can forgive you for this."
"When Magnus forgives YOU for what YOU have done, THEN I shall consider begging for yours," growled Sanguinius.
Russ nodded sadly in understanding, then departed, the door sliding closed behind him.
Sanguinius stood, and many of the lights of the chamber blazed on again to reveal the subtle designs and mirrors that decorated the walls. The Great Angel walked up to a mirror hanging on one of the far walls, its ornately decorated frame glittering in the new light. Spear in hand, he stabbed the tip of the blade through his own reflection, shattering the mirror into a thousand pieces. He let out a roar of anguish and cast the blade aside, causing the spear to bump and clatter on the floor some distance away.
Looking down at his reflection in a shard of mirror, Sanguinius muttered, "I should never have been Warmaster. I am not right for this duty."
"Do not be so hard on yourself, My Lord. None could have done better, not even Horus."
Sanguinius turned to see the source of the voice, and smiled. From the corner of the room, a figure clad in white emerged, wearing a full suit of Terminator Armour. The armour creaked and hissed, and Sanguinius wondered how it had managed to approach without either he or the Great Wolf hearing it. None the less, its owner was a welcome sight to behold.
"How long have you been there, watching?" asked Sanguinius.
"Since the beginning," admitted Abaddon, "I hope you'll forgive the defiance of your orders My Lord. I refused to let you be alone here with 'The Great Wolf'. I am certain that blade for blade you would more than show yourself the superior warrior, but its not a risk I was willing to take."
"I suppose that if he had decided to strike me, you would have rushed from the shadows to my aid," chuckled Sanguinius.
"Well, sometimes it does take a Wolf to kill a Wolf, My Lord," said Abaddon with a smirk.
This made Sanguinius laugh, a high, hearty laugh that would bring joy to the ears of any who heard it. The First Captain of the Sons of Horus walked over to where the Spear of Telesto rested on the ground. He picked it up and carefully presented it back to his Lord.
"Thank you, Ezekyle."
"My life for The Warmaster," nodded Abaddon, "And its true, what I said. Had Horus have been here, I don't think he even would have intervened on Magnus' behalf. I won't pretend our legion ever had much stock with psykers and his indifference would have led to the same outcome. You at least tried to preserve some honour for Fifteenth, deserved or not. You are as good a brother as you are Warmaster, my Lord."
Sanguinius glanced over at the doorway where Russ had departed.
"I doubt he think so."
"Who cares what he thinks," snorted Abaddon, "He championed the very Edicts you censured him with. You aren't to blame for him or his actions, nor for enforcing the Emperor's law. If you were unjust, you would have punished Mortarion for defying you. You haven't. You have been equal in your application of Edicts. Magnus will not be allowed to continue his delving into esoteric forces. The Librarius is no more, for every legion. The 'other' wolves will be forced to hold the same standards as anyone else. Justice has been served to all, there is no bias or favouritism in your actions."
Sanguinius nodded, replying, "You are right Ezekyle. Best not to mention this discussion with Azkaellon. He gets upset enough when I leave the Ninth Legion to go serve as your commander, here in the Sixteenth. If he knew I had been left alone with The Great Wolf… And if he knew it was YOU waiting the shadows to act as my saviour, he might get a little jealous. Although he is not a First Captain I think he does see you somewhat of a rival, Ezekyle, for my attention."
"That is the purpose of the Mournival, my Lord," said Abaddon, "A council of equals. He's welcome to bring his grievances of me to light there."
"He would never say as such, he has been my stalwart guardian for many years. He has yet to get used to the fact that I am protected by more than just him," said Sanguinius.
"My life for The Warmaster," said Abaddon again, grinning.
