ORDO VERITAS: The Confession of Rogal Dorn

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**ironKing**

Excerpt from an ancient document revealing the truth behind the events on Horus' BattleBarge "Vindictive Spirit", the Betrayal of Apollo-Lucius (Primarch of the Sun Falcons):

The Confession of Rogal Dorn

The Year 198 of the 30th Age. Here follows the true account of the events which took place on the 13th of Secundus of the year 14 of the 30th Age, the Horus Heresy, and the assault on the Vindictive Spirit, Battle Barge of the Traitor Warmaster, Horus. Though it may be seen as heresy I record these words from the very mouth of Rogal Dorn, Primarch of the Imperial Fists, Supreme Commander of the Imperium, Loyal Servant of the Emperor. Veritas Numquam Perit!

“Where do I begin, so much death and betrayal. The truth, the truth burns within my soul with a merciless flame. I still recall those final moments in the Imperial Palace. All hope seemed lost, but then for a small chance the shields on the Vindictive spirit failed or were dropped. The Emperor called upon us, his loyal sons to join him in an assault on the very heart of the enemy. Sanguinius, Apollo-Lucius and I roused the remnants of our legions and prepared to teleport.

The traitor heretic used his dark powers to disrupt the teleportation and we were separated. It felt as if a life age had passed, in the heart of darkness we fought all manner of foul creature. Then I felt it - the death cry of my Lord Emperor... the whole vessel shook and filled with the cries of the fallen, warp energies racked the hull, great distortions threw us to the ground...

When I arrived on the bridge my heart was rent in two, my anguish so great. I bellowed my rage and despair. Apollo-Lucius, cradling the broken body of Sanguinius, turned to me... blood tears streamed down his face, his heart - broken.

‘Horus slew Sanguinius,’ he whispered, ‘and the Emperor slew Horus’. A great cry escaped him, most beloved of Sanguinius. I stood stunned, a pillar of stone, but the Emperor stirred. I ran to him, lifted his head gently, he spoke, ‘I cannot die, I shall live!’

All hope was not lost, the Emperor would live, I would give my very life for his. But Apollo, kneeling at the Emperors side, took his broken hand and spoke ‘Yes my Lord you shall live again, your faithful servants will continue the great crusade until you return, we shall find you.’ What was he saying, he would let the Emperor die here. Great anger grew in me, the Emperor would not die. Apollo, his reason clouded by despair and grief lashed out at me and so I slew him. Loyal brother should not kill loyal brother, but he would have let the Emperor die, he would have condemned all humanity.

The Golden Throne completed I laid bare my error to High Inquisitor [help name]. In his wisdom he reasoned that the error was not mine alone, and that it would harm the Imperium should my leadership and honour fall into question. They covered over my error, denouncing Apollo-Lucius as a heretic and consort to Horus. The Sun Falcons, loyal battle brothers were disbanded and betrayed.

I pray that one day this truth will be revealed and the honor of Apollos-Lucius and the Sun Falcons will be restored.”