Heir's of Eld

[Rindaris]

Aesir was not the beginning.

 

* * *

 

The ancient Roland had been awakened to join the Ka-tet council. Only rarely was this done for not even the most skilled techmarines among the Ka-tet were sure how to maintain his dreadnought armour, as unique as it was. However inducting a new member to the council required his presence.

Brother Mordain had previously held the position of Master of the Hunt. His Ka-tet wing had been on a quest to purge a small habitable moon that had suggestions of beamwake. Mordain’s wing encountered the remnants of a force of traitor Astartes. It was unknown why the traitors were there, but their mere presence could damage the beam. The Ka-tet engaged the traitors and were able to wipe them out to a man.

Near the end of the engagement the lord of the traitors knew his fate would come to pass soon and swore to take Mordain with him. Sinking his glimmering lightning claws into Mordain as he struck down with his own power sword they died in the embrace of mortal combat.

When Mordain was slain his captain, Severus, took command and led the Ka-tet wing to finish off the traitors. Once the traitors were dealt with the Seekers within the wing sought out the signs of the beamwake, while the remainder of the wing disposed of the traitor remains. With the information gathered by the Seekers Severus ordered the wing to return to the vessel Asgaror.

Once the council had learned the fate of Mordain they began their meeting. Such meetings are never ended until a replacement for the fallen council member has been selected and inducted.

Severus was the logical replacement. He had served as Mordain’s captain for as long as Mordain himself had commanded his own wing. The Ka-tet of the wing knew him and he knew them.

The council called Severus before them. He had never entered the council chamber before, and was quite shocked to see the ancient Roland at the far end of the table. He had never seen him awake, only having seen him asleep in the hall of the ancients.

Severus bowed before the masters of the Ka-tet.

‘Rise,’ spoke Brother Volund, Master of the Fleet. He obeyed the command and took a moment to look each of the masters in the eye as he scanned the room.

‘Sit’, spoke Volund again, indicating a chair in front of ancient Roland.

Once more Severus obeyed and moved to the seat. Slowing sitting down he was no longer quite sure what was going on.

The ancient stood utterly silent behind him.

‘You know why we’ve summoned you,’ Volund spoke.

Severus nodded, though in truth he wasn’t quite sure anymore.

‘Mordain fell honorably and his wing will become yours. You are from this day forth counted among the Masters of the Ka-tet.’

This is to simple he thought, and this thought must have appeared on his face as well.

‘There is one small matter we must attend to before you can take on your duties,’ as Volund was speaking the Chief Apothecary Dorrian rose and walked over to the ancient. Severus could hear some vacuum sealed container opening but he did not turn to see what it was. A click then the container sounded as if it sealed once more.

‘Lean your head back,’ spoke Dorrian.

Severus looked over to Volund and he just nodded. He leaned his head back and then a moment later felt a needle enter his neck. His eyes lit up in surprise and then just as quickly closed.

 

* * *

 

The young babe lay by the water on the soft shore. Water still glistening off his body. Had he just been bathed? No… there was no one around him. There was something in the water.

It was metallic, for it reflected the light through the water. Oval in shape but no defining marks otherwise.

A branch snaps and she is there. A young woman in a red coat. Straight brown hair down to her shoulders and black, piercing eyes. Her form short and petite. In one arm she carried a blanket.

She went to the babe and picked him up, wrapping him in the blanket. Turning from the scene she walked back into the woods.

 

* * *

 

A boy of no more then 12 cycles walked alongside an older man. Both carried long rifles and wore clothes obviously designed to blend in to the woods. Each step careful and calculated, their presence as noticeable as the wind itself.

They came upon a deer drinking from a small pond. If it had heard their approach it gave no indication.

The boy looked up to the older man and in return he nodded. The boy raised his rifle and took aim. The rifle firing cracked the air but the deer had no time to react and a moment later its slain form fell to the ground.

 

* * *

 

The same boy but now older. 20 cycles mayhaps. He wore a uniform of ebony material. No insignia or mark of rank present. A sword slung on his back and a rifle in his hands. Was it the same rifle?

Surrounding the boy were other young men dressed much like him. All armed and many appearing very nervous. They stood at a wall running along the boundary of a village. The boy looked back and saw a woman standing in the center of town. The woman in a red coat. He recognized her but knew not her name. On the tip of his tongue but then the signal came. The riders approached.

The men took up positions along the wall with their rifles ready. Once the riders appeared over the hill he gave the order to open fire.

 

* * *

 

A few cycles later and the boy now stood in a workshop. He was working on something. It appeared to be his rifle, but now much more. Its rate of fire much increased and to feed its strength he had built ammo boxes onto it. He had used metal unlike any he knew before to reinforce the barrel and housing. A strange power cell at the rear made sure it would never fail.

He looked to another table and sitting upon it was an egg like object. It had been torn apart and salvaged for materials. What it once was he did not know, though it was obvious it once held something with care.

A feminine whisper in his ear, ‘Even with your strength you won’t be able to handle that weapon.’ He turned to face the voice but there was nothing there. He hadn’t thought about the recoil and the voice was right. Firing the weapon at full strength would tear his arm off. That would just not do.

 

* * *

 

He stood in the clearing. His finished weapon in his right hand, the bracing running up his shoulder and joining his body armor. With him stood many others, most faces the same as those from the wall. But now they all carried with them weapons similar to his, but lacking more of the metal he used they were made of more mundane material. Not quite as powerful as his, but each still quite a weapon worthy of any warrior.

Their armor black as night, though it seemed to hinder their movement not in the least.

These were his men. None would threaten their home. None had dared in a very long time.

They all saw the ship heading for the clearing long before it could be heard. They stood as statues waiting for it to land. A strange vessel, more advanced then anything their own world capable of producing.

As armor-clad warriors came forth from the vessel one of his own men walked forward. In his hands he held a banner in honor of their leader.

‘Lord Eld welcomes you to his land.’

 

* * *

 

Eld sat upon his bed. The woman to his right. She wore no coat this time, her clothes seeming more simple.

‘He offers a lot, but the taste of salt is on his every word,’ he says.

‘You know he lies, but what of his motives,’ she says.

‘What is peace bought at the price of innocence?’ he says.

‘Then you’ll deny him?’ she says.

 

* * *

 

This world would not be touched, except by Eld’s own order. That was his demand. The other worlds in the system were suitable for use but the people of Eld’s world would not be transformed into something new.

It was an odd request. None before had made it. But seeing the men who walked alongside Eld it was obvious they would make fine recruits as they were.

The request was granted.

‘He lies,’ she told him in her usual whisper.

‘He has learned to block me,’ he replied.

‘He lies. No world is safe,’ she told him.

‘The verse has moved on. If we deny him the result will be war,’ he said.

‘We’d win,’ she told him.

‘They have weapons they havn’t shown us yet. On the ground, yes, we’d win. In the end we’d lose,’ he said.

‘He’ll destroy all you’ve built,’ she told him.

 

* * *

 

He walked along the deck. Astartes at every station, every facet and detail of the ship at his beckon call. So much power at his command and yet it all felt wrong.

‘Lord Eld,’ one of the Astartes addressed him.

‘Speak.’

‘We’re approaching our destination. We’ll arrive in orbit within fifteen minutes.’

‘As scheduled. Send notification to the Third that their mission will commence shortly.’

I should be going with them he thought.

‘You’re needed here,’ she said.

This is not our destiny.

‘You’ve chosen this path. Do you dare step from it now?’

 

* * *

 

Anger brewed within Eld. His eyes flaring with emotion and all gave him plenty of room else risk being an unknowing casualty to his rage.

‘These reports must be wrong,’ Eld roared.

‘You know they’re not,’ she said.

‘My Lord Eld, we thought they were mistaken as well. We double checked,’ one of his command bridge spoke.

‘Who gave the order,’ Eld demanded.

‘You know who gave the order. You were betrayed,’ she said.

‘Only a few could have Lord. But we can’t be sure yet,’ the Astartes replied.

‘Recall the Third. Once they are aboard and secure we depart this system immediately,’ ordered Eld.

‘Our orders were specific my L..,’ the Astartes went to speak, but was cut off, ‘Who is your commander?’ demanded Eld.

All the bridge crew bowed to Eld. ‘You are Lord Eld,’ the one spoke.

 

* * *

 

As the fleet approached their home the truth could not be denied.

In orbit was another fleet.

‘Open communications with them,’ Eld ordered.

Astartes obeyed and within moments the comscreen was lit up with the image of an imperial general.

‘I demand an explanation for your presence,’ Eld demanded before allowing even the briefest moment for niceties.

‘I owe no explanation to an upstart,’ replied the general.

‘This planet is under my protection, and mine alone. That was the deal,’ Eld stated.

‘He broke the deal,’ she said.

‘I’m here on orders. If you object to the orders you’ll have to take that up with…,’ before he could finish his statement Eld shut down the communications.

‘Com stations broadcast to the fleet to ready weapon solutions. Send the general a vocal only comm giving him five minutes to leave orbit or face destruction. Ready the First and Second for boarding actions.’

‘This will mean war,’ she said.

‘Lord Eld,’ an Astartes began to speak up, ‘surely there is another solution.’

‘Listen to him,’ she said.

‘Tell the First I’ll be leading them personally,’ and with that he turned to leave the bridge. ‘Captain Nordel you are in charge of the fleet until I return.’

 

* * *

 

He stood above the figure in blue armor. Its protective nature torn as if paper before the strength of his armaments.

‘I’m sorry,’ he spoke softly. Around him his Astartes tore into more of the aggressors.

‘The lies are truly meaningless,’ she said.

‘Could we have prevented this,’ he asked.

‘Only if you think the story should end here,’ she said.

‘I would prefer it did then face all this meaningless death,’ he replied.

‘You were betrayed. The innocent people lost,’ she said.

‘The verse had moved on. They were lost to war or betrayal,’ he said.

‘And that was your choice. You had to choose which it would be,’ she said.

‘I was never given a choice,’ he exclaimed. If not for the roar of battle his Astartes would have turned to see what concerned their Lord so. But even his voice was but a mere shadow.

‘You always had a choice,’ she said.

 

* * *

 

‘Lord Eld, we’ve received word that the Fifth and Sixth have been wiped out,’ one of the Astartes of his command bridge relayed.

‘There are too many. They’ll hunt us all down now,’ Eld spoke, matter of factly.

‘You didn’t think you could defeat them all, did you,’ she asked.

I had hoped, he thought.

‘Then who is the greater fool?’ she said.

‘Comms, send a signal to the captains. Tell them simply to proceed as planned,’ Eld ordered.

‘Yes my Lord.’

‘So you won’t let the story end so easily,’ she said with a smile.

 

* * *

 

Severus would awake several days later. He was under the care of Dorrian, in a private room.

Upon seeing his ward awaken the Apothecary appeared to send a message but Severus was still recovering and could not understand what was said.

It would be hours before Severus truly had full grasp of his senses once more. He would ask Dorrian many questions, but to each the Apothecary would reply that he could not answer.

When that time came a quest arrived for him, Master Volund.

‘I assume you have questions,’ he said.

‘What was that,’ Severus asked.

‘A remnant of a story.’

‘A story?,’ Severus replied.

‘A truth, inspiration, a muse. You’ll experience more and come to a greater understanding. It’s a story that can’t be told but must be experienced.’

‘Who was Eld? I’ve never heard of an Astartes by that name.’

‘Eld was the first. The first to experience the visions and become a Seeker,’ Volund stated.

Severus bowed his head, finally understanding a bit of what he had experienced.

‘You are now an Heir of Eld. You carry within you his story and assure it will never end,’ Volund said.

‘Why not let all Ka-tet know,’ Severus asked.

‘Each must come to the truth in their own time. Not all can handle the full vision of what came before them. Nor do all need to know what came before to handle what comes ahead.’

‘One more question for now.’

‘Of course,’ Volund said.

‘Who was the woman with Eld,’ Severus asked.

Silence welcomed the question. Confusion took control of Volund’s features.

‘What woman…..’

[Gree]

This seems intresting. I am looking forward to more.

[Rindaris]

Heirs of Eld

Chapter Two

Signs of Trust

 

Hours passed relentlessly as Severus spared in the training room. Fellow Astartes as well as lonely servitors put down before him. His training garb was tore and stained with his own blood as well as that of his opponents. Insignificant wounds that his body would heal before he truly felt them.

The truth haunted him. His mind played out all the possibilities. Just who was Eld, and who was the woman with him? He had spoken with Volund and the other Masters and none had ever had a vision about this woman before.

His arm reached out and he heard a loud crack. Bringing his attention back to the fight he saw an Astartes on the ground, his shoulder shattered from his punch. Shaking his head he bent down and helped him up.

They passed a few words between each other as Severus led him to the apothecary.

Returning to his chambers he removed his tattered clothes and headed into the shower to wash the blood and sweat off him. Walking into the shower, turning the water on as hot as it could be he raised his head to take it straight on.

 

* * *

 

She stood there with one of his swords in her hands. Inspecting it as if she herself thought to use it. The blade shimmered blue energy along its length, a slight crackle could be heard in the air if one made themselves mute. The hilt was wrapped in the tanned skin of a dragonite.

‘It’s a fine weapon,’ she said.

‘One of my best, if I say so myself,’ Eld replied.

‘You intend this as more then just a weapon though,’ she said.

‘All weapons can be more then just the death they bring,’ he replied.

‘And you would give him the finest of these,’ she asked, nodding towards a stasis crate that held many more similar blades.

 

* * *

 

‘Severus, we can confirm the archivist did move his library to the city of Hibair,’ spoke Brother Randall, one among the Seekers of his wing.

He sat there at his worktable. Left hand wrapped around the right, held just inches from his head. ‘And word from the local magistrate?’

‘He seems to paid little heed to the authority of the Astartes. It was mentioned that this information could pertain to an Ordo investigation and he quickly took a defensive position and cut off communication,’ Randall spoke.

‘We much acquire those books,’ Severus replied.

‘Are we sure the archivist held books from Old Merica,’ the Seeker asked.

‘We can’t be sure until we gain entrance into the library. Though all records indicate he was in possession of several of the last remaining books of a Sai.’

‘Shall we continue communication with the magistrate and hope he sees reason,’ Randall asked.

‘He had his chance for reason. Prepare the wing,’ Severus spoke as he stood up and walked over to a bookshelf. Upon its shelves were many books written from the present and past. The Ka-tet had gathered a few of the Sai’s books, all held within the finest preservation sanctum on the vessel.

 

* * *

 

He stood there and watched the blast rip through the clouds and impact the ground. Standing there a moment ago were forces of the local magistrate. Innocent men and women who were simply following the orders of an ignorant man deeming himself more then what he was.

Even from here he could see Cervantes land in the midst of the clustered tanks of the opposing force. As the defenders turned their attention to the towering menace emerging from the drop pod Severus ordered his wing to advance swiftly.

Another drop pod was ripping through the cloudscape and would be landing to support Cervantes within moments, but he knew that even with the finest armor the Ka-tet could reinforce him with that Cervantes could only take so much before taking catastrophic damage.

Heavy weapons fire poured from the Ka-tet gunline, ripping through the tan tanks advancing towards them. Despite their armored support being systemically crippled forces on foot weaved around the tanks and made their way towards the Ka-tet forces.

Another bloom of dust and dirt exploded behind the opposing tank line as the second drop pod landed. The doors of the pod were barely descending when the bolter fire could be heard echoing into the opposing ground forces.

Advancing along with his wing Severus and his guard came upon the forward troops of the magistrate. Logan, champion of his Honor Guard, turned to him and waited for him to nod his approval. Once granted Logan charged into the oncoming unit, with two blades covered in blue energy drawn.

Their shots glanced off his armor as would rain and within just a few breathes they would draw no more themselves.

The battle was won, Severus could see that. It was just a matter of eliminating the last bit of resistance before entering the city.

 

* * *

 

His grip on the blade would crush one of lesser quality. He stared at her with the blade pointed towards her neck. She stood there unwavering, as if knowing he could never strike at her.

‘Why do you taunt me so,’ he demanded.

‘You’ve let yourself be deceived by sweetly spoken words.’

‘You knew this would happen,’ he said.

‘So did you,’ she replied.

His eyes flared in anger and despite her previous confidence he did intend lunge at her with the blade. Stepping to the side just as the blade pierced the air where she stood it sank into the wall behind. Easily ripping the blade from the wall he turned back to face her, shaking his head.

‘You’re right. I just ..’

‘.. hoped. You hoped words and truth were one.’

‘How will this end,’ he asked.

‘It will end with blood and pain, but ultimately,’ she paused, ‘I don’t know anymore then that,’ she said as she moved towards him slowly. Her hands met his and he let the sword clatter to the ground, the energy field surrounding the blade automatically deactivating as his grip failed. She leaned up towards him and kissed him softly. And in that kiss he knew one thing. She lied.

 

* * *

 

It had been easy to locate the library once the city was secured. A new magistrate would be placed in the stead of the old and few, saved the sundered families, would ever care that the Ka-tet were here.

Seekers poured through the books under the guidance of Wayland. The search could take hours, perhaps days, so Severus made himself busy assisting in establishing the new magistrate.

As he entered the office of the magistrate, following the lead of the new, one thing caught his attention. A painting on the left wall. The painting itself was held in a stasis field. The age of the painting was readily apparent, as the colors had faded a bit over time. But it wasn’t the age of the painting that made Severus stop suddenly. It was the subject of the painting.

Carefully portrayed upon the canvass was the image of a young, beautiful woman. Her hair was a vibrant red that flowed down to her shoulders. Her piercing black eyes drew his own, causing him to feel as if the painting was more then it appeared to be.

‘Who is that,’ he demanded.

The newly appointed magistrate stood confused for a moment, looking around for someone who didn’t belong in the office. But he quickly realized that the Astartes was referring to the painting and not an actual person.

‘Oh, her,’ he laughed softly, ‘we really don’t know. It was painted many centuries ago and has always been considered a masterpiece. I never understood why people were so fascinated with it myself.’

Severus wondered for a moment. The similarity was amazing, but perhaps that’s all it was. Then the nagging came back to the front of his thoughts, feeling it was more then just a mere similarity.

‘Would you allow one of mine to investigate this painting. I can assure you that no harm will come to it.’ Severus asked, though they parties knew there was no question of permission being asked. The matter that brought them to this very spot made that quite clear.

‘Of course, I must insist on the strictest precautions and care to be taken.’ Severus merely nodded. He would send Wayland here once they were done with the library.

[Rindaris]

Heir’s of Eld

Chapter Three

Many Faces of One

 

‘There is nothing special about it Severus, I assure you,’ Wayland, Captain of the Seekers, spoke. He had been trying to explain this to Severus for some time now, but the master was positive the painting was more then it appeared.

He waited for a response, but when none came he continued, ‘We did find several books that showed signs of being works of a Sai. It will take some time to be sure but they are in our possession now and we have all the time we need.’

The master merely nodded at this.

‘However,’ Wayland said as he turned towards the door to the meeting room, punching in a code to lock and secure the room, ‘I did find out one thing about that painting.’

Severus stood up and glared at his captain. ‘First you say there is nothing now you say there is something. What do you play at Wayland?’

‘I mean the painting isn’t a work of a Sai, of that we are certain. There is no glamour about it at all,’ Wayland brought his hand to his head, rubbing his forehead showing his indecisiveness about what he knew. ‘The woman in the painting. No one knew who she was because they were forbidden to know long ago.’

‘Forbidden,’ he paused, ‘by who?’

‘When they were brought into compliance.’

‘Was she some beloved ruler displaced by compliance?’

‘No,’ he moved over to a chair and sat down, his elbows resting on the arms of the chair, his hands meeting in a clenched fist, ‘she was one of their gods. How the painting avoided being destroyed by the compliance force I don’t know. But they honestly don’t know who it is anymore, they just see it as a work of art, and that it is. So I see no harm in letting it remain.’

‘She was a god?’

Wayland nodded, ‘A god of truth and valor.’

‘What was her name?’

At this question Wayland merely shrugged, ‘I don’t know. I only found out about the origins of the painting by accident really.’

 

* * *

 

His blade ripped into the back of the distracted Astartes. The rippling energy carried along its length making parody of the protective power armor. The fool wore no helm and the lights should be seen to fade from his eyes.

Looking around he saw that his companions were having much the same success in their marks as he was. Scattered about the field were many slain Astartes wearing a vibrant and proud blue power armor. All stained red now with the blood of their owners. Former owners.

The captain bent down and picked up the helmet of his slain counterpart. He turned to the rest of his squad and nodded. They began stripping the armor from their victims, one to each of them.

No words were spoken, none risked. They knew their goal and what failure would mean. They would not fail.

 

* * *

 

Severus awoke in a sweat. He had grown accustomed to the visions but this one was different. Where was Eld? The one leading in the vision was not big enough to be him. None were.

And why were Ka-tet slaying fellow Astartes. Perhaps they were traitors but of what he saw in the dream there were no indications of that. No, they were loyalists. Worse yet, they were Ultramarines.

Turning to sit on the side of his bed he turned on his console. He began a search on all Ka-tet engagements, particularly any that might involve conflict with fellow Astartes.

The console returned precisely what he expected it to, nothing. If the Ka-tet did slaughter their brother Astartes they certainly wouldn’t keep a record of it for others to find so easily.

 

* * *

 

Severus entered his fellow Masters chamber and locked the door behind him, sealing the room entirely. Volund stood in his work area tinkering with his armaments, as Severus had expected he would be.

‘Visions becoming to much for you brother,’ Volund spoke.

‘How much do we really know for sure,’ he asked.

‘Nothing can be confirmed. We’ve sought out records in all manner of places. Used tactics to secure information that would make some of the most-feared inquisitors fear us. But in the end we always find the same thing, nothing.’

‘My latest vision truly worries me. I saw Ka-tet slaughtering Ultramarines.’

Volund didn’t pause or show any sign of surprise at this statement. ‘Wayland spoke to me about the painting. He is worried about you. Worried that some dark obsession has taken over.’

Severus leaned against the wall, lowering his head, ‘He can’t understand. He might be touched as a Seeker. But he can’t see what I’ve seen.’

‘That is true,’ Volund finally paused with his work and turned to face Severus, ‘That is why I’ve assured him you are of sound mind.’

‘When have we ever crossed blades with the Ultramarines,’ Severus asked, not letting Volund avoid the question.

‘I would not even wish to guess at that. No such event has taken place in my memory, and certainly if one ever did it would not be an event one would wish to remember nor record.’

‘There is one who would know,’ Severus dared to speak.

‘Roland is not to be awakened for such matters. Perhaps he knows but he hasn’t spoken of things past in many centuries. Truth be told I think he has moved on and only a remnant of him remains within that armor.’

‘But what if he knows the truth of all this,’ Severus demanded.

‘Don’t you think if he knew and could tell us he would have already.’

 

* * *

 

Several squads of Astartes in green armor left the craft and approached those waiting for them.

‘Good to have you back brother,’ spoke the one waiting. His decorated armor portrayed his rank of captain, quite similar to that of the armor worn by the individual leading the arrivals.

‘Good to be back brother,’ the other captain spoke. The greeting captain suddenly took on a look of surprise. The second then removed his helm and as he did the first reached for his bolter. The Astartes with the first saw this action and quickly went to follow suit.

One of the new arrivals rapidly stepped forward and suddenly a wave of calm washed over all present. Those greeting the new arrivals stopped in mid-action, some with their bolters already pointed towards the arrivals and ready to fire. The rest of the arrivals took off their helmets and the one ahead of the rest took a deep breath.

Bolters were put back at rest and brother took brother in welcoming embrace.

 

* * *

 

Severus sat in the library going through books much older then himself. To either side of him on the table sat books he had already gone through. None had provided any answers, nor did he expect the book before him to be any different.

Page after page turned and he barely registered what was written upon each. One more page glided through the air and made to settle when he caught a glimpse of something. His left hand stopping the page and setting it back to view he saw a depiction quite similar to that which he saw in the magistrates office.

Under the picture was a caption ‘Sifnar. Goddess of Excellence and Purity.’ He began to read the information provided. In lore this goddess always strove to perfect her arts and those that followed her would do the same. She was sought after by several other gods, but would succumb to none of them. Many other details were listed but the only other thing that caught Severus’ attention was this: That this goddess favored one mortal above all others and protected him from the ravages of the other gods. She granted him immortality and all the knowledge she knew. The mortals name was not given in this text, but the story involving them was mentioned by name, the Sanctus Unus.

 

* * *

 

Eld sat in his sparse chamber. She sat on the bed across from him waiting for whatever he had to say.

‘It is done. The captains have done well,’ Eld said.

‘You trained them well,’ she replied.

‘If he has his way then they will be all that remain.’

‘He is not to be denied.’

He reached over to the console and hit the intercom button, ‘Order the evacuation. Prepare the fleet for the Blaine Protocols in 10 minutes. May the sacred one watch over us all.’ Releasing the button he could not hear it, but he could feel it. The ships of his fleet were all in fluid action. His men would flee and his ships would engage opposing fleet after fleet until they were no more.

‘He gave you no other choice,’ she said.

He stood up and took up the few possessions he cared for, ‘So this is how the story was always written,’ he asked.

‘The pages unturned are not always so easily read.’

He walked towards the door and as he did she got up to follow him. As the door opened he said, ‘For once I wish you could just tell me the truth Sibyl, just once.’

[antique_nova]

not bad, but there were a few things that bugged me and i didn't understand an got confused. like at the start, giving you a full comment would take too long and i will give a briefer resposne and more detailed when i have more time in the future.

thanks

antique_nova