Warhammer: Start with a dog.

Chapter 728 Locke's Observation
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Before the meeting began, the Warmaster had spent a lot of extra time trying to convince the Primarch of the Imperial Fists that it was safe and meaningful for him to be in the same space with the Primarch of the Iron Warriors.

This was not a difficult task, but the execution process obviously changed the Warmaster's mood - the godly commander, who was originally calm and composed, now seemed a little upset.

However, everyone who witnessed what happened felt that Lord Horus's loss of composure was completely understandable.

What is even more admirable is that he could treat a brother who had expressed dissatisfaction with his promotion to Warmaster with such understanding and patience. This open-mindedness must be one of the reasons why the Emperor chose him as Warmaster.

Because it is well known that among all the Primarchs, those like Lion and Leman Russ, who maintained a subtle neutral attitude of "having been notified long ago" at critical moments; or those like Fulgrim, Sanguinius, and Lorgar, who clearly showed great joy at the election of Horus, can be regarded as the faction that is easy to appease or accept deployment.

Primarchs like Dorn, Guilliman and even Ferrus, who were more devoted to their duties, fully agreed with the Emperor's decision. As long as Horus remained as the Imperial Warmaster, it would not be difficult to get them to provide assistance or cooperation through communication.

Only Primarchs like Angron, Curze, and Perturabo are the most troublesome.

Even those far away in the Spirit of Vengeance had heard about the anger, curses and jealousy of several Primarchs towards the new Warmaster and the newly formed Terra Council before the arrival of the chroniclers. Lord Horus, with the planning and assistance of his loyal squire and assistant Malohorst who miraculously survived, had always sent signals to everyone that the Warmaster and his legion were trying to repair relations with all the Primarchs, try their best to bridge doubts or anger, and ease emotions.

Only today did I realize how much Horus values ​​his brotherhood, and how Perturabo, this bold madman, wasted the Warmaster's painstaking efforts.

It seems that the War Marshal's urgent summoning and painstaking comforting the day before yesterday did not calm the Iron Lord's gloomy stubbornness and sensitive irritability.

The Warmaster had perhaps meant well by arranging for him to meet Dorn here.

After all, the Imperial Fists were about to withdraw from the Great Crusade and return to Terra to become the Terra Guard Garrison Legion at the order of the Emperor. He wanted to seize what might be the last chance in decades or even a century to make the two brothers shake hands and make peace, or at least maintain superficial peace and work together to gain more say for the War Council in the newly formed Mortal Terra Council.

Because the War Council, which was originally presided over by the Emperor himself, had its powers reduced after being handed over to the Warmaster, and theoretically became a military department under the Terra Council, this matter could not be accomplished without the unity of the Primarchs.

However, Rogal Dorn's rock-hard face was now full of weathered cracks, and his short gray hair made his noble face look even more serious and arrogant.

but……

Perhaps Lord Horus's persuasion was too effective... and the Iron Lord had no experience in conciliation, so he used too much force in the end? Gaviel Loken thought as he stood beside Tarik Torgaddon.

Because he had noticed that after Lord Dorn's reaction of retreating as if he had encountered a vicious beast, the Lord of Iron did not show any expression such as sneer or mockery on his face. On the contrary, the face of this Primarch who was known for his ruthlessness showed a very human expression of annoyance. Then, after a few whispered explanations from the Warmaster, he began to smile at Dorn awkwardly but politely. It was obvious that the Lord of Iron at least did not want to express an aggressive attitude.

——This actually made Loken feel a sense of familiarity that he shouldn't have, because this state was very similar to when he had just joined the Council of Four Kings under the moon of the 63-19 world, and he was at a loss because of all the new things and new relationships that he was told about one after another when he was still confused.

For example, today was actually only the third time since he became an Astartes that he had stepped on the floor of the bridge strategy room, and as a member of the Council of Four Kings, it was even his first time. He also learned the function of the stone platform from Torgarton after he came in.

His eyes swept over the edge of the stone platform and saw many small items left behind by the participants: embroidered gloves, most likely belonging to the astropath Ms. Inmexing; an ornate personal dagger, probably belonging to Fleet Commander Commenus; and a wooden baton with a gold head, held smoothly by fingers, belonging to Commander-in-Chief of the Byzantine Guard, Valvarus - this army was the elite of the Imperial Army's Solar Auxiliary Corps, specifically designed to cooperate with the Shadow Moon Wolves' Expedition Fleet No. 63, and would assist them in leaving enough men and planetary governors on the conquered worlds to consolidate the results of the conquest. This would be far from enough if they only relied on the number of Astartes, and would soon cause their troops to be insufficient.

Besides, the Luna Wolves Astartes are a sharp and proud blade, which will only be thrown in the direction of the enemies in the sight of the Emperor and the Warmaster, and cannot be slowed down by trivial matters such as staying in the conquered world to take inventory of food and population.

Then he saw an Astartes helmet on the edge of the stone platform, with a consul's mane crest and a small full moon mark above the right eyepiece. He knew that it was placed there by Chief Captain Abaddon, and it was obvious that Ezekiel also intended to retain his right to speak at the meeting.

There was also a mark of the same size above the right eye on Loken's own helmet, but his mark was a crescent moon, while Archimandre's was a crescent moon and Torgaddon's was a gibbous moon. This was the special mark of the members of the Council of Four Kings, but as a newcomer, he planned to walk over and put down his helmet on the stone platform before speaking.

This was one of the conventions Horus had instituted for the Vengeful Spirit Strategy Room: anyone who might intend to speak at a meeting would first leave a personal item on the circular stone platform.

And now, the Warmaster seemed to have finally appeased his two brothers again. Perturabo and Dorn were surrounded by their offspring and stood on both sides of the stone platform. He himself jumped lightly and stood high in the center of the stone platform. He regained his amiable and brilliant smile on his face, and his dragon-like and phoenix-like appearance was radiant and bright, like a rising morning star.

"Well, my dear comrades, friends and guests, it is time for us to gather together again to listen to the briefing of our new stage and decide the next step forward. Alas! Report meetings are always quite boring and dull, and I suffer from it, so I will not let you listen to my three opening remarks for sixty minutes."

There were friendly chuckles coming from the surrounding balconies and the crowd further away. Loken noticed that the Lord of Iron raised his thick black eyebrows high, as if he was a little surprised by the Warmaster's opening remarks, but his posture and expression still showed a unique sense of relaxation. In contrast, although Dorn's body language still seemed to be on guard, this time it was him who frowned and stared at the opposite side, obviously caring more about Perturabo than Horus.

...It's really fun to stand in the shadows and observe other people during a meeting, isn't it?
(End of this chapter)