Homecoming.

[Sete]

Aernus stood at the edge of the precipice.

His eyes were close, and he took a deep breath, welcoming the cold sea air.
At a distance the shouts and screams were drowned by the roaring sound of the waves and wind hitting the cliffs.

 

"I see that your head is still on your shoulders! I would expect it to be adorning a Warboss pole by now!"

Aernus smirked, it was a while since he heard that voice.

"And I see you still have that terrible sense of humour" he answered.

Aernus turned to greet the new arrival, he was broad and tall, even for an astartes.
His mischievous blues eyes were highlighted by his dark skin, his genetic legacy from the southern jungles, from where his tribe originated.

"Arco, it has been a long time..."

"Yes it has Brother, yes it has!"

Arco extended his hand and clasped Aernus foreharm.

"Although you are late!"

 

"The return trough the underworld was slow, it's currents treacherous... Neto's light could barely be seen..."

Aernus turned back to the sea taking another deep breath.

"How many?" Aernus asked is gazed fixed in the distant horizon.

"2 from your tribe, 19 total."

"Not a bad Ascension."

" No, it's not, but the tribal wars were particularly... brutal...and the Triumvirate are worried about blood cults..."

Aernus gave no answer.
If corruption was found whole tribes would be purged, and the chapter recruitment would suffer.

"Worry not brother, The Great Maw influence runs long, it even reached us here at the edge of the galaxy... But
Winter will cool down the fires of war, and the chapter has supplied food and drink to the tribes to avoid raiding for the time being."

"An unusual decision..."

Arco laughted.

"Well it seems to me we are living in unusual times!
Come, the festivities are close to finished, and it's a long way to the "Hearth". I'm curious to know about your hunt I'm the eastern fringes, I even got you some firewater for the trip! To keep us warm!"

Aernus smiled and started moving towards the village.
" Well let's go then, best not keep Lord Endovel waiting."

" I hope you put a good word for me with Endovel" said Arco, accompanying him.

Now it was the time for Aernus to laugh.

"Yes brother Arco, I asked the Wolves for a skald just to sing your deeds to our Lord ."

Arco gave out a booming laugh and slapped Aernus on the shoulder.
" Ah I would like that! That and one of their axes!"

" I'm not surprised, you were always one for flamboyance." Said Aernus slyly.

Arco now laughed with tears on his eyes.
Not a common sight for a Space Marine, but Arco was anything but common.
He was still laughing when they passed by the village gate...

 

Aernus: Huntmaster and leader of the First Talon of the Grey Talons

Arco: Leader of the Second Talon 

Lord Endovel: The Grey Talon, Chapter Master of the Grey Talons.

Underworld: Warp

Neto: Emperor

Triumvirate: A council of the chapter Chaplains, Apothecaries and Librarians.

Great Maw: Cicatrix Maledictum

The Hearth (Herminius Mons): Chapter Monastery

Firewater:Strong Alcoholic beverage

[Shinros]

Really like the dialogue between the two characters, I hope to see more of this story!