****
Knight meets Wolf
****

“cargo loaded Lord Stormclaw, Serfs report all secured for transit to both plasma and warp drive” Nodding to the serf the wolf lord left the bridge to meet the knights delegation who has been supervising the loading of there much vaunted knight titans.

In the large trophy lines chamber alien skulls, skins and anatomically hung skeleton’s leered down from high above and large banners proclaimed the lords sigil and status as a Wolf Lord, he sat upon a stone throne with large arms carved into snarling figures of wolves and tanned skin of agreat blackmaned wolf was draped over the dark carved stone. All spoke of a Barbarian war lord yet it was in itself a trick, each was designed to gauge and reveal a entremets responses.

Amanda Valorn walked down the long room, her footsteps ringing on the rough stone floor, flanking the throne where four wolf guard as she had read they liked to be called as the skulls above watched her with their long dead eyes, al likely claimed by the Wolf Lord himself. All this spoke of a feudal hall yet her trained eyes noticed the small hint that she was on a starship.

“Greetings Wolf Lord Ulfric Stormclaw of the Space Wolves. My name is Amanda Valorn chosen representative of the knights of house Valorn on this crusade” The room dwarfed a human, everything was scaled up to a grand size, every factor designed to reinforce the authority of its Lord yet she knew shee could show no fear, such situations required to respectful strength of will in order to succeed.

The Wolf Lord sat silently for a minute or so watching her until he spoke with a open tone “Not a mouse I see, nore afraid of a marine” Laughing and changing to a welcoming voice, “Your Knight are welcome in my halls and have a place at my feasts. Welcome aboard our warship on this crusade.” Her 3 other fellow Knight Scions joined her in the hall, each with matching flaming red hair and formal dress colours both a famed symbol of their house. “My fellow Knights, Moria, sera and Cassius Valorn as the two female Knight Scions and lastly the male nodded their heads as names where called out.

“Honour dictates I name my own, Lords, present rank, priests, guard, forward. “ “my wolf priest Vioarr” The grim looking figure in the back armour of chaplain adorned with many skulls, badges and honour marks earned in battle, a great black bear pelt hung off off his shoulders, fur as rough as wire wool and impervious to even a auto gun round. “Njord, my rune priest and master of the warp” This one exuded a sense of otherness, his armour adorned with hundreds of carved runes, symbols and small totems. A Gently glowing force axe hung at his hip and held a knnarled, carved wooden staff covered in same runes that betrayed its strength.

“My Iron priest, lord of machines and metal, Volund” Stepping forward with the sound of various advanced servo’s and machines moving, the marine was mostly machine now and showed this fact in the way the thunder hammer a heavy weapon was held like it weighed nothing, as a servo harness gently moved and whined behind almost with a life of its own.

“Lastly my Wolf guard, Conan my second in command and senior wold guard who can make decisions in my place if need, Floki, my infiltration specialist and deceiver, Bjorn, my bulwark who can hold back the mountains and finally in fire support Farnir. One who prefers ranged combat but deadly as any other among them” Four power armoured Wolf guard stood, each nodding curtly as named by the wolf lord, Conan bearing a sheathed power sword and storm shield, a pistol and combat blade holstered at the marines hip. Next nodded Floki, smaller slightly than Conan with a pair of savage powered lighting claws and a look of a master of tricks who could out fox even a Eldar.

Taller than the rest of the wolf guard stood the human mountain that was Bjorn, clad in heavy MK3 plate and bearing a massive thunder hammer and tower shield with the effort a human would a las gun, a standing a full head or more taller than the others. Lastly was Farnir, Bearing a strange plasma weapon that looked a cross with a pistol and plasma gun, its coils glowing a gentle blue and and a power sword and bolt pistol hung at his hip, conventional is not for the massive size vs a human weapon.

"Lastly, meet my Auxiliary Comandor Yarl Agmar, one whom I believe you will often come to work with closely” He alone spoke in a heavily accented low gothic, similar to the language of the knights but like on many planets a local variation. “Yarl Agmar of the tribe of the Night Bear” Clad in heavy furs and leather that did little to hide the thick carpace plates below and the man’s massive build, standing 6’6 and built, built in a manner that was not quite human. Yet despite the massive bulk and intimidating build his face expressed welcome and respect behind a dark beard and longer hair than most military would ever allow.

“I comand the Auxiliary forces on behalf of the Wolf lord, and am one of the main members of the senior lords you are going to working with, if you excuse me I must see to the barracks arrangement of your houses retainers aboard ship” Leaving with a slight bow and respectful nod, he headed to a partly hidden side door and left.

In a metallic voice that sounded lacking of any humanity the Iron Priest Volund spoke, “I will oversee the loading and that the Knight war suits are correctly secured for transit in cargo bay eight. You have your own trained in there rites?”

Cassius Valorn confirmed In a steady voice, “We have our own repair complement I can confirm, when we boarded your warship we have brought all the required teams”

****
The Training Hall
****

As Amanda Valorn and her fellow knights came to learn the ship was a maze of decks, doors, bulkheads and all manner of passageways. Without room to safey train using the knight suits in the cargo bay they sparred in one of the ships well equipped training halls with windows that opened up the view of the void and starlight and walls clad in what she realised to be the normal runes, symbols and pelts of great beasts. The training was mostly routine drills and regular routines,each aimed at maintaining the Knights at peak combat and physical status.

In a corner she noticed a tall figure with dark beard, slightly shaggy hair watching what was going on quietly, only one human she had seen was that tall, Yarl Agmar.

He approached clad in a plain black body suit and fur cloak thrown over for warmth, the Ferasians seemed to like there ships cooler than normal. The cloak did little to hide the fact this man did not seem quite human, she had seen big men, trained and beat them in duels and training matches but something about him was not quite right.

“Yarl Agmar come to lose a sparring match?” she added with a confident flourish standing alongside her fellow knights as Cassius and Moria Valorn fought a point to point duel as a training routine.

Laughing and replying with confidence “was that a challenge knight Scion Valorn, if it was bring it on, if you dare” “oh I dare Yarl, and I shall win” she added with a firm voice, a Knight of house Valorn never backed down from a challenge no matter what the odds. Selecting a long bladed sword and short axe from the weapons rack, spinning the blade one handed to test for balance, satisfied Yarl Agmar took his place. Amanda Valorn walked up to her set of well stocked and good quality training weapons; each one was of good construction and design. She selected a small but solid shield forged from solid metal and a heavier design gladius short sword with a strong blade.

“ladies first” taunted Yarl Agmar as he waited for her to take the first step and begin the first round,as she stepped forward her mind raced and planned multiple moves in advance, bigger, stronger and taller by a good margin he had the advantage of range, the short axe was a danger but victory would be found closer in where he could use his size less to control the fight.

Deflecting the first blow and side stepping to the flank away from the short axe she staggered slightly from the blow, the impact was powerful but the kept her balance and regained her momentum “not so fast now wolf” as she forced him to turn and limiting his ability to counter attack. However he was not so easily tricked and used the axe head to catch the shield rim and pull her off balance and regained control a spit second later to deflect the sword blow, a trained Knight was hard to beat in just one round.

As the two fighters backed off “not so bad the move with the axe was unexpected but easily evaded” She spoke readying for a second round “Da, not bad for a off worlder, 4 rounds to go” he added with a tone of assured victory and total confidence.

“Time, 5 round. Yarl Agmar nil, Knight Scion Amanda Valorn nil, honour is satisfied, fair draw with no concedes” Cassuis Valorn called out acting as umpire for the match to keep score and ensure fair combat.

“Da your reputation is well deserved and true, no one has held me to a nil nil draw in years. Your quite the warrior” he finished in a respectful tone. “it was a fair and well matched fight, no points conceded so your still the hall champion, for now” she finished with a laugh, “il take your place soon enough Yarl Agmar”

“you presume much Knight, many would be offended but not us! Far from the old and tradition bound lords we had beeen expecting when I was first told that we were linking up with your forces for the coming crusade. You will fit in well long as you’re not allergic to furs! “ suddenly her expression and voice changed to a far more serious tone, the loss of her house elders and veterans had hurt them deeply and the loss was still raw despite all the training and mental discipline she possessed. “my kin the house elders, veteran lords and high lord where all slain in battle, the only ones left where the old Barrons, Old Knights who guard the home world and the sons and daughters still in training. When the call to war came we were the only ones ready to answer. The sons and daughters of the lost. “ it hurt, the loss always hurt yet she was driven to avenge and live up the name of those who had died and honour their memories on the battlefield and avenge them.

The Yarl was surprised, loss of kin was something humans across the galaxy could relate to, deep human nature despite the light years shared some things. “My apologies at the loss of your kin, elders, and lords, it is indeed a hard blow to take, and still march to war without question. And yes the question you probably want to ask. I was son of a Chief of the tribe of the Night Bear, it was a raid during the time of trials and land was scarce, life was worth far less than a food store, steel or supplies in which to build a long ship. Short answer the fight was brutal, the fighting was bloody, and I was chosen to join the sky gods, Space wolves as I know now. Training, selections and hunts I passed yet some of the enhancements took hold, others did not so I was without a use, yet unlike others I did not die, or worse. So they trained me a serf, a shame to waste such then trained as one of the auxiliary, winning, fighting and serving the chapter. In the end I achieved what thousands did not, I was named Yarl.

That is why, that is my Saga”

Amanda Valorn was surprised, a failed space marine was a rare thing indeed, well that explained the larger size and strength, faster than a human of his size could achieve with such bulk, she had dualed them and they relied on brute strength over skill, easy prey for one trained such as her. But not this one, far more dangerous. “Not so human, I have only begun to crusade but you’re not one to easily hide your nature” “No, hiding, lesser men have tried to kill me for my rank, for there honour and ego, none yet succeeded. Knights live up to your reputation but I certainly gave you a run for your credits, if you excuse me I have a meeting to attend, a Yarls duty is too often bound to a desk or meeting chamber “ He replie, giving a small bow of respect and grabbing the cloak from the bench. “I shall see you the the training hall again, a worthy opponent is hard to find” “Likewise Knight, we shall”

With that he left the hall via a one of the many side doors Amanda had yet to learn where they went aboard the maze like warship. This one certainly intrigued her, one worthy of her curiosity. Her fellow knights started joking as he left the hall, “Da, you like that one, come on Amanda, were family, we know you too well” Moria valorn jested with her. “you can talk we all know and the son of that Lord Gregor, Greggory, was it? anyway its not like those old disney holotypes we watched as kids” Amanda Valorn replied to her sister.

“Don’t be so hard on her, Duty and off duty, long as one does not interfere with the other, no one has any issues, Gregor you mean, the old Lord of the Northern lands, his son Arkado” Cassius Valorn intervened. “Always the umpire, always the family voice of reason. We never forgot you when you were younger, the hot head who charged off into the forest with but a knife and came home with damned bear!” Sera Valorn added.

****
Messages
****

TO NEW CRUSADE HQ. RESPOND OVER> RESPOND REQUIRED

FROM SPACE WOLF GREAT 9TH COMPANY OF ULFRIC STORMCLAW.

This is Wolf Lord Ulfric Stormclaw, full great company plus auxiliaries supported by Knights of House Valorn. Send updated tactical, planetary and indigence reports…

we come to aid the sector command.

Stormclaw out.

A combined stench of chemicals and organic fluids struck Praed as he entered the apothecary’s lab. The room was dimly lit, worsened by the putrid vapour that drifted throughout. The chaos lord felt the skin on his face prickle and itch in the sickly miasma. “Vermak!” he called. The former apothecary of the Astral Claws didn’t respond. Praed ventured further into the dusky chamber. The tables in the room were lined with bottles, beakers and vials containing a nauseating variety of substances, and tools that would be more at home in a torture chamber than a surgery. His attention was drawn by the sound of heavy breathing to a cage in the corner.
The occupant of the cage was a huge ape-like creature, hunched in posture and roughly three metres in height. Its hide was gnarled like the bark of a tree, and a white, treacly substance resembling molten wax seeped through pockmarks across its skin. The beast’s sinuous arms ended in disproportionately large hands that were too heavy for the wretch to lift above knee height. Most disturbing of all were its eyes, which had partially liquefied to a translucent gel. The mutant’s scent stood out even in the fug of chemicals, although it was closer to the smell of damp moss than the odour of an animal. Despite the obvious agony that the abomination was in the only sound to escape its distended jaw was the steady rasp of its breath.
“Admiring my handiwork, I see.” Praed spun around to see Vermak emerge from the gloom like a parasite pushing its way through the skin of its host. The chirurgeon was smaller in stature than his lord, but his size was intimidating to most men nonetheless, and the childlike glee in the silvery pools of his eyes was a disconcerting contrast to his pale, withered features. “Do you know what this creature was before I sculpted it to the magnificent form you see now?”
“I couldn’t care less about your side-projects, Kraft.”
“It was an ogryn,” the apothecary said with twisted pride. “Abhumans are always such a joy to work with.”
“I said I don’t care,” the chaos lord spat, his patience growing thin. “I haven’t come to indulge your whimsy. We’re approaching the imperial planet Crion.”
“I wish you a pleasant hunt, my lord,” Vermak replied indifferently.
“I don’t think you understand, Kraft. Crion was once the home world of the Adeptus Astartes chapter known as the Blood Dragons.” The apothecary’s face lifted at this news.
“Then I take you intend to use this planet to further our goal?”
“Indeed. If we are able to capture Astartes facilities your skills will be put to good use.”
“And you came down here yourself to request my services? I’m flattered, my boy, I really am…”
Praed lashed out suddenly, striking his subordinate with the back of a power armoured hand and knocking him off his feet. “Don’t think for a moment that you are irreplaceable. There are hundreds with skills such as yours, and very few who would tolerate a maggot like you such as I do. Make no mistake, Kraft, it is you who are nothing without me, not the other way around.”
Vermak scowled vehemently at the chaos lord as he left the lab. “Conceited upstart,” he muttered, turning his head to face the thing in the cage, its gelatinous eyes staring blankly at the apothecary on the floor. “And you needn’t look at me like that.”

Captain Choret breathed, and listened to the sound in the dark. Each breath must be the same length as the last, the same distance apart. Same depth, and with the same purpose. They must be, or it would be wrong.
So focused he had become on the rhythm, that he did not initially notice the pinpoint of light forming in the blackness nearby.
Until he did, and he watched, pleased that the small surprise had not broken his pacing.

Child, you have called me. It is not yet time. The voice was fluting, but like a silk banner hiding a blade, it was given form, edge.
"We grow restless." Choret hummed, his own voice lilting back, no reverberations afforded in the chamber.
You seek glory.
"We seek purpose. Idleness serves nothing. Weakens us." he hissed back softly.
Then I shall give you purpose. Entertainment. Be aware of your surroundings, and I shall provide.
The light winked out, not even an after image to indicate it had ever been.
Choret inhaled, and allowed a small smile as he counted, he had not lost the rhythm.

*

Stepping from the chamber, he padded on bare feet back down the metal length of the corridor. The floor was cold, but he could feel the purr of the engines perfectly. Cutting off that sense by covering his extremities vexed the Astartes deeply. He hated having to wear full armor. At the moment he wore only his thin silk robes and insignia, moving like a cat through the vessel. Many of his brothers did similarly apart from Levvet. He allowed himself a small smile. Levvet was odd even amongst his brothers. The child of the Emperor had been struck in the face by a Xenos blade during the great crusade. Even before the chapter's fall, it had bothered him. Now, well...

Choret paused in his stride, his timing thrown into disarray. He furrowed his brow, and headed toward the loading bay of the ship. Something was wrong.