At the same moment Marika boarded the black Aquila Lander, bound for Vostroya, Petronella Vivar let out an excited gasp.
"Lord Nareth is going to see me."
She danced a courtly step, her voice lilting.
"Babes, help me choose a gown."
After trying on one sumptuous gown after another, she finally settled on an elegant and dignified ensemble, an ivory dress with a figure-hugging ivory inner layer.
She also forsook the heavy makeup of the Terran court, using only antimony powder to subtly enhance her eyeliner.
A rose-gold necklace, like a net, adorned her forehead, with sapphires and pearls falling like raindrops.
A reserved smile on her face, she arrived at the door to the Primarch's office and said to her bodyguard, "Maggard, wait outside."
Petronella knew Maggard held the Astartes in the highest regard, almost worshipping the Primarchs. He would be desperate to catch a glimpse of Lord Nareth but today, she would not share Lord Nareth's attention with anyone.
Maggard, disappointed but scrupulously obeying his mistress, took in the two figures by the door.
One was a Shadows of Order from the Honour Guard, his size similar to the other warriors she had seen on this vessel.
The other was not an Astartes. But he was the tallest and strongest man she had ever seen, outside of the Astartes and the Custodes, and he bore a great spear.
Even more striking to Maggard was the unsettling, cold aura he radiated, reminiscent of the Sisters of Silence she had seen in the Imperial Palace.
'Maggard.' Nareth looked up at the door.
He remembered the name. After Maggard had joined Petronella Vivar, he had been awed by Horus's power and charisma.
He was a formidable warrior Horus had admired. His Kirlian Blade, an ancient weapon from House Carpinus's vault, could sever the bond between body and soul.
He had used the Kirlian Blade to slay many Nurgle-corrupted creatures on Davin, his tally surpassing even that of most Luna Wolves.
Horus had granted Maggard power, and he, in turn, had slain the remembrancer Ignace Karkas for his idolized Warmaster.
Nareth averted his gaze, rising to welcome Petronella Vivar as she entered the office.
Her attire was understated, not like the preening peacocks of the Terran court. Her light makeup accentuated her natural beauty and figure.
'She certainly dressed with care.'
Petronella's gaze swept the office. The absence of anyone else to distract Lord Nareth filled her with secret delight.
Her eyes fell upon the massive chainsword and the frost-rimed waraxe, and she gasped inwardly.
She recognized them as weapons of Primarch Leman Russ: the Krakenmaw and the Helwinter.
Her intelligence also told her they were trophies from the Wolf King's two defeats at Nareth's hands.
Like Lord Nareth's black armor, they stood as proof of his martial supremacy among the Primarchs.
The masterwork armor, crafted by Ferrus Manus, was another testament. In their duel, Lord Nareth had emerged victorious.
Petronella gazed at the approaching black-armored giant. His perfect physique was even more imposing than in photographs or the statues she had admired.
His obsidian eyes, deep as the legendary Nile, made her feel, as he looked at her, that she was the focus of the entire galaxy at that moment.
His palpable charisma left her breathless. She struggled to focus, using all the mental discipline she had honed at court.
"Lord Nareth," Petronella murmured, bowing in an elaborate, elegant curtsy, offering her smooth hand for a kiss.
"Miss Vivar of House Carpinus."
Nareth ignored her hand, speaking directly, a breach of court etiquette. But she quickly regained her composure.
"I am Petronella Vivar of House Carpinus."
"Miss Vivar, you wish to be my chronicler?"
Though phrased as a question, Nareth's tone was confident.
Petronella had never expected her intentions to be hidden from a Primarch, least of all Lord Nareth, known for his keen insight and perception.
She answered frankly: "If you would grant me that honor."
"Miss Vivar, I have many remembrancers in my fleet. Why should I grant this honor to you?"
Petronella raised her chin, her gaze meeting his burning stare with pride.
"Those remembrancers are simply a mob of inferior talent. No one among them could replace me."
"I will craft for you an immortal image!"
"If your eyes are as wise as legend says, you will see this for yourself." Her tone, her gaze, were defiant as she faced the giant.
Silence. Petronella's heart pounded wildly.
The words Bloody Monarch and Terra's bloody history flashed through her mind.
She fought the urge to bite her lip, waiting for Lord Nareth's response.
Nareth was taken aback. Though he had tempered his innate, supernal "Majesty," granted by the "Mentor of Disorder" path, Petronella's boldness was unexpected.
'It's you, all right.'
'You challenged Horus directly, after he had become Warmaster, and he praised your 'ferocity.''
"Miss Vivar, please sit," he said, and with a thought, the leather sofa slid to be parallel with his desk.
Petronella breathed a soft sigh of relief. She gathered her skirts, settling gracefully onto the sofa, and then, across the black desk, looked at Nareth, who had returned to his throne.
"Miss Vivar, you said you could bring me something unique."
"Yes," Petronella said with confidence.
"The glory I will write for you will make the Terran nobility adore you."
"I know better than anyone how to shape the image of a ruler worthy of their respect."
"Kyril Sindermann's arguments are tiresome. Dion Fulsras's works are mere flashes in the pan. Ignace Karkas's poetry is passable, but his accounts of the Great Crusade's grand deeds are utterly inadequate."
Though Nareth remained impassive, he silently conceded Petronella's point. She was born a noble; she understood, better than Kyril Sindermann, what nobles wanted to see and believe.
Seeing Lord Nareth remain noncommittal, Petronella continued.
"Fear can protect your interests, but it cannot inspire men to follow."
"Oh?" Nareth chuckled.
"Curze would disagree."
"But you are not Curze," Petronella said with certainty.
"Fear comes from the unknown."
"You need a more complete image."
"The Terran nobles will be willing to follow such a ruler."
Having explained her thoughts, Petronella watched Lord Nareth's placid face with trepidation.
She saw the giant rise, and she, too, rose, gathering her skirts.
"Miss Vivar, congratulations. From this moment, you are my chronicler."
The Terran nobles possessed great power and wealth. If he could bring a portion of those houses, those alienated by fear, into his fold, it would be a significant asset.
At least, it was worth a try.
As for writing one's own biography while still alive... Nareth considered himself no longer bound by the definition of human, and he harbored no such reservations.
He was a perpetual, and he had partially acquired the Black Emperor's power of resurrection.
Petronella, seeing Nareth rise and extend a hand, smoother than marble, stared in surprise.
A flicker of joy shone in her eyes. She had gained his initial approval.
She extended her hand.
His hand covered hers, engulfing it.
Petronella's cheeks flushed.
"I will not disappoint you, my lord."
"Miss Vivar, I have a question."
"You could choose any Expedition Fleet. Why did you come to me? 'As everyone knows,' Horus's achievements are greater than mine."
"You are the most perfect Primarch!" Petronella withdrew her hand, a feeling of loss washing over her.
"Your martial prowess is unparalleled. Your victories are legendary. And you are a skilled administrator; your domain is a model for the Imperium."
Petronella left, her steps unsteady, as if walking in a dream.
It wasn't until she had passed the sturdy man standing opposite the Shadows of Order by the door, and felt the unsettling chill he radiated, that she realized her back was damp with cold sweat.
'Unbelievable. I defied Lord Nareth, and got what I wanted.'
After Petronella Vivar left, a faint, indistinct prayer reached Nareth's ears.
He rose, walked to his private quarters, and stepped into the Kingdom of Disorder.
He took his throne and extended his spirituality, touching a glowing orb that pulsed and contracted. He saw Chief Librarian Thomas kneeling before an altar, praying.
"My Lord, I have followed Your divine command. I have recorded the full vista of the Ark Reach Cluster, charted its true form, and mastered all the corresponding mystical knowledge."
Nareth moved his mind, and in the first layer, the Jokaero began to concoct the Sequence 5 "Constellations Master" potion, using ingredients including Siren Dust gathered from the Port of Bliss in the Sol System.
Within the altar of the Mancora Librarium, black mist swirled. A gate opened, and a vial of transparent potion appeared in Thomas's hand.
"Thanks be to my Lord for this gift."
Thomas, after offering his thanks to the Black Emperor, examined the vial.
Within the liquid, stars formed into the shapes of watchful eyes.
The "Scrolls Professor" drank, and his mind was flooded with visions of countless, ethereal, crystalline spheres, adorned with brilliance.
Countless constellations shone.
Thomas, through his mystical eyes, watched the swirling stars, mesmerized.
Suddenly, a voice of "Majesty" spoke.
"Gather your thoughts. Chart the star map of the Ark Reach Cluster."
Instinctively following the Black Emperor's command, Thomas worked, arranging the scattered stars into a coherent pattern.
Moments later, the newly advanced "Constellations Master ," Thomas, knelt again in prayer.
"Praise my Lord!"
"I thank my Lord for His guidance!"
"997. The Librarians will assemble at the Kalium Gate." As the majestic voice fell silent, a data crystal drifted down.
"By Your will!" Thomas replied, his voice devout.
In the fourth layer of the Kingdom of Disorder, Nareth extended his spirituality again, touching the orb of Sanchez, Chapter Master of the Seventh.
After confirming he was alone, he commanded Sanchez to perform a prayer ritual.
After bestowing the data crystal concerning the Khrave, he moved his mind and spoke.
"You will work with Thibault, Porti..." Nareth named fifteen "Conspirer" Captains.
"Based on the data crystal, devise a scheme to capture a Khrave Progenitor alive."
"Your plan must ensure you can reveal the entire design before his eyes."
He then addressed the Chapter Masters of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Tenth, and Twelfth Chapters, commanding them to assemble at the Kalium Gate in 997 with no Auxiliary forces accompanying.
He remembered the Khrave Progenitors could manipulate minds across thousands of light-years, inciting rebellion.
They had even controlled the crews of Reaver Titans to attack the Lion.
Though the Khrave were a powerful and dangerous ancient race, they were also a treasure trove.
They possessed unique interstellar navigation technology and numerous psychic weapons.
The Khrave's source domain met the advancement ritual requirements for the Door Pathway's Sequence 5 "Traveler."
The common Khrave were the only missing ingredient for the Visionary Pathway's Sequence 5 "Dreamwalker" potion, a formula Nareth had glimpsed on the Blasphemy Slate after fully digesting the "Mentor of Disorder" potion.
The Khrave Progenitor was the only missing ingredient for the "Earl of the Fallen" potion.
....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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