Like a noble
Lady Novator Cassia Orselio had been listening intently to the conversation.
Tales of legendary heroes were a recurring topic in her favorite books, and none of them were as prominent as the tales of the Adeptus Astartes. In fact, one could argue that Space Marines were the only characters of note in a universe supposedly full of life. Still, Cassia was not so naive to believe every third-hand rumors. Especially now that there was a reputable source of information at the table.
"Master van Calox, you mentioned before that the Adeptus Astartes are not united."
"That is correct, Lady Orselio. Most Astartes belong to monastic orders known as Chapters."
Ah. So that was what the Interrogator meant when he had used that term. But was he aware of the etymology of it? As far as the common folk knew, those who could read, at least, the word 'chapter' was only about literature. But Cassia knew that this particular term had a far more ancient origin, and was also related to architecture. Chapters were columns, not arbitrary sections of a book. And so Space Marines were the pillars that supported the architrave of the Imperium.
How many among those present were aware of this adjacency, Cassia wondered? Not many, she suspected, but it would have been unfair to cast blame. Appreciating the finer points of High Gothic had always been a concern reserved for the nobility.
"How pronounced are the differences between these Chapters?"
"I would go as far as saying that, outside of the most superficial level, no two Chapters are alike."
But a partial answer was hardly going to satisfy the curiosity of the Lady Novator. Given her recent self-appointment to her new position, she could have easily demanded him to elaborate on the subject. The Interrogator was aware of this imbalance of power, and so he decided to anticipate her inevitable questions.
"Keep in mind, Lady Orselio, that an Astarte Chapter is a self contained political entity. It keeps track of its own lineage. It proudly display its banners. It can demand tribute. It can offer its support or withdraw it, if not worse, if its Chapter Master feels his house is not given the proper reverence."
Lineages. Insignias. Traditions. Cassia was well-acquainted with the sort of men who valued these virtues.
"Are we to understand that a Chapter is roughly equivalent to a noble house, then?"
"In a manner of speaking."
"Somehow, I suspect that they are just as fickle." a most impertinent woman commented.
Jae Heydari. A rogue who lived by the sword, with all the insolence that comes from these characters. Cassia's books painted unflattering pictures about such rabble, to put it mildly, but lately the Lady Novator had started to question the accuracy of those stories.
This woman possessed a cunning that went beyond what would be expected from a common thief. Instead of wasting her (stolen) coin on frivolities, she had invested it to build an undercover network with other characters of ill-repute, and over time these friendships had started to pay dividends. Then the smuggler had gone even further, and gained the patronage of a Rogue Trader. No doubt she intended to purchase her way into the high society. Still, one should not speak of their betters in such a disrespectful manner.
"I believe you may be underestimating the nobility of their charge, Miss Heydari." Cassia chastised.
"Ah, but Master van Calox just praised the Astartes' frugality, and then immediately contradicted himself, Lady Orselio. If these anointed warriors were truly above earthly matters, why would they have need for such trappings?"
A fair point, Cassia had to admit. Being a lowborn had not stopped that opportunist from turning into a shrewd advisor. And a rude servant.
"The Astartes' accomplishments speak for themselves, but I suppose pride is not what would normally be expected from warrior monks." she conceded. Then a thought struck her. "Master Van Calox, what about the man who named himself Aurora? Was he too a noble?"
The Interrogator recoiled as if the Lady Novator had just slapped him in the face. With an iron glove.
"Most definitively not, Lady Orselio. Oath breakers such as him came from the dust beneath our boots and, Emperor willing, will return there. Right where they belong."
Henrix's outburst should have ended that line of thought there and then. But Cassia's manifest confusion told him that he had just managed to achieve the opposite effect.
"Oath breaker? Are you saying that man once pledged his life to the Master of Mankind?"
"All souls are at His service, but unfortunately not every soul is up to His expectations. Suffice to say, such failure needs to be rectified. By fire, by Bolter, by sword...the means matter not, only the result." The Interrogator had replied coolly to her question, but Cassia could tell that the emotions inside him were a kettle of boiling water. Still on the surface, while turbulent at the bottom.
Henrix was in no mood to spill either tea or secrets, and so he hastily changed the subject to contain the damage.
"Despite some...disagreements in the past, the Astartes we are about to meet are among the few who have surpassed His expectations." If only because, when it came to the Space Wolves, the expectations of the Inquisition were not particularly high to begin with.
"They call themselves the Space Wolves. I am certain their presence will be a great boon in the battles to come." Henrix concluded, and the Lady Novator seemed satisfied with his explanation. The conversation moved forward.
"Shereen, the commander of these Space Wolves...what was his name again?"
"He introduced himself as Captain Thorbald Ironhide, Jae." the Rogue Trader answered "He claimed to hail from a world called Fenris."
"Huh. Never heard of it."
"A mere captain?" Cassia remarked. Just a few days ago, she had visited palaces on Dargonus that required multiple officials to oversee a single wing of these mansions, let alone command an army. Surely these Astartes could have spared someone better?
"Why would their strike force be led by such a lowly officer?"
"Their ranks are not comparable to ours, Lady Orselio." the Interrogator clarified "Captain Thorbald's combat record, which I assure you is going to be very extensive, could very well place him at the side of a planetary governor as an advisor. Although, given the Chapter he hails from, rather than reading a formal transcript, you are more likely to hear either an epic saga or a crass song."
"I must say, I am genuinely impressed by your wealth of knowledge, Master van Calox." the Rogue Trader commented "Care to illustrate us the customs of our soon-to-be guests in deeper detail?"
The Rogue Trader asks, and the Rogue Trader gets. Even though the Interrogator had already been speaking for quite some time. Perhaps offering to share critical information had been a mistake. In any case, right now, Henrix van Calox had just enough leeway to get some liquid for his parched throat.
"...I wouldn't mind something to drink first, before I start with their traditions." he bargained.
"By all means, go ahead."
Henrix grabbed his goblet and poured himself a cup of aromatic wine. Mindful that he was being impolite, he then asked if anyone else, but mainly Sister Argenta, Lady Orselio or the Rogue Trader himself, wished to partake. Jae Heydari immediately took up to his offer. Because of course she would.
He poured the smuggler her wine, ignored the woman's latest attempt at flirting, savored his own drink, and then resumed with his explanation.
"The Space Wolves have often maintained a policy of ambivalence. That is to say, they might be just as dangerous to their allies, as they are to their enemies..."
"I really need to stretch my legs." Idira Tlass said.
Henrix's droning had mostly gone over her head, but he had made it abundantly clear that these most noble guests were to be treated with the utmost deference and respect. Just as usual, then. It was probably time to draw some conclusions too, since the rest of the retinue seemed just as tired as she was. Aside from Pasqal. Curse him. He could stand still all night without even the mildest discomfort in the morning.
"Lord Captain, now that all this has been said and done, where does it leave us?"
"You know, Idira, I believe I might just have an idea..."