Novice-Lhamaean Iadanna watched the unfolding drama in the shadow of her mistress K’shaic. They were standing in the main hall of Archon Murehk, Lord of the Bloodied Sword, master of his house for millennia. The ancient Archon was visibly enraged as he received the report from the Solarite messenger.

“Mistress, what concerns our lord so?” the younger of the two Shaimesh cultists asked of the elder; “Is it news from Dracon Tokath?"

The commander of Lord Murehk’s trueborn bodyguard, had taken the majority of the Kabal’s warriors on an extended realspace raid less than a week ago…without his master’s leave to do so.

“Of course it is about that damned upstart. He finds a sword and suddenly believes he is Khaine incarnate. On top of his association with those Wyches of the Cold Hand…”

“Succubus Shenestra? Rumour has it that they are lovers.”

“Lovers? Child, she is old enough to be his mother…though that would be a delicious twist”

“What could it be, has the raid failed?”

The Archon slumped into his throne as the Solarite walked towards the pair. Iadanna was able to truly appreciate the difference in height that the scourge’s modifications had provided. His hooked talons made a soft clatter on the stone floor with each footfall while his skeletal aetherwings were tucked behind the expensive ghostplate he wore. The mercenary warrior was an intimidating sight to say the least.

“Courtesan, you would do well to comfort your master” purred the scourge, a touch of disdain in his voice.

“What news did you bring to upset him so Harakht? Did your price rise again?” If the barb struck home, the helmeted scourge did not show it.

“The fleet has returned, with a great many new slaves and other playthings.”

“Then why…?” Iadanna was cut off by Harakht’s harsh laugh.

“Almost all of the Archon’s most….trusted…trueborn were killed. Unrecoverably so. Best not dawdle whore, your master is running out of friends.”

K’shaic gave a dismissive snort as she made her way towards Murehk. Before Iadanna could follow the Solarite’s taloned hand clasped around her forearm.

“Not you…one as young as yourself has so much potential. Stay with me for awhile”

Iadanna was unable to voice her protest before her life changed forever in one dramatic instant. Murehk was surrounded by his closest advisors when the doors to the hall burst open. Harakht turned, pulling the smaller novice behind his bulk, a low chuckle coming from under his helm. There was barely a moment to register the intrusion before the air screamed in protest. Multiple darklight weapons lashed out, tearing through Murehk’s advisors. Iadanna watched as her mistress fell, half her torso missing from a glancing hit, the shock on her face evident. Murehk barely had time to raise his personal field before a blast reduced his dais to slag.

The intruders wore the expressionless helms of the Kabal’s trueborn, though their armour was painted blood red instead of the traditional dark blue. The weapons in their hands cycled after their opening barrage. As the Archon’s own mercenary bodyguard moved to counter attack, birdlike Kroot known for their strength and agility, another surprise burst from the trueborn’s ranks.

Iadanna recognized Succubus Shenestra in an instant. Somersaulting above the armoured trueborn, she was a stark contrast in a skintight suit so favoured by the gladiatorial champions. Swinging her powered flail in one long arc, the Kroot fell before her. Barely a heartbeat after their entry, the hall fell silent. Murehk stood, drawing a vicious blade as his powershield flickered and died.

It was then that Tokath entered. He strode with the confidence of a practiced warrior. His immaculate ghostplate was marred only by the fact that the armour of his sword arm was torn away. The muscles of that arm strained as if wanting to escape, to tear themselves away from crystal blade he grasped. Enclosed in his warhelm his voice was distorted and metallic.

“Your time is over. This Kabal is weak. It was but a matter of time before it fell prey to those who desire its wealth. I have purged it of its weakness. Only one cancer remains.”

“You do not have what it takes to survive Commorragh, curl. And you will not find me such easy prey!”

Murehk lept forward and Tokath met him. Iadanna could hardly keep track as the two warriors dueled. The outcome was obvious even to her. Murehk was a master with the blade, but fresh from the slaughter Tokath was simply leagues above. His crystal blade moved with a life of its own, piercing the Archon’s defences before slamming through Murehk’s chest. The blade roared, the sound tore through Iadanna’s soul. Before her eyes Murehk was stripped of his spirit, sucked into the blade with the greed of a suckling food-beast. The desiccated corpse collapsed at Tokath’s feet.

“Well my young Lhamaean…I believe we have a new employer” chortled Harakht.

warwookie wrote:I absolutely love the Incubi idea. I kinda miss their old halberds.