by Henry Zou
Khorsabad Maw lowered himself unsteadily, touching his forehead to the soil. 'My benevolent creator.'
'There is no need for that,' replied Gammadin, Ascendant Champion of the Blood Gorgons. When he spoke, the rich voice that oozed out of his amplifiers reverberated among the ancient gum-saps. Flocks of tiny, dark birds were startled from epiphytic perches. Unseen amongst the broadleafs and tangled roots a panthera roared, as if recognising the power behind that voice.
The Traitor Marine stood before Khorsabad, as large in physical presence as the totemic pillars that surrounded them. Gammadin stepped forward, caped in the severed wings of a giant bat. Stooping slightly, the Ascendant Champion guided Khorsabad up by the elbow. 'We are allies, equals. An enemy of my enemy is to be treasured,' Gammadin said gently. Khorsabad nodded. 'Fighting is all I know. It's all I've ever done. If you will give me the arms and the purpose, we will fight for you.'
'There will be plenty of opportunity to fight,' Gammadin said. 'The Imperium is vast and the Eastern Fringes uncharted. Harass them. Plunder and worry their shipping lanes, cut them where they are weakest. Fight and flee and fight some more. Can you do that?'
Although Khorsabad's iron mask could express no emotion, his shoulders lifted visibly. 'It will be the only thing we do.'
'You have my patronage in this pursuit. Arms and ships I can give you, but your men will need you to lead them.'
'I can do that.'
Gammadin drew his scimitar, an immensely old weapon. The length of its two-metre blade was pitted and notched, beaten and scarred. He brandished the weapon horizontally towards Khorsabad Maw. In reply, Maw struck the back-edge of the blade with his own lacquered falchion. He did this thrice, gouging teeth marks into Gammadin's thickly rimmed blade.
'That is all?' Khorsabad asked. 'No blood oath? No pledge?'
Gammadin shook his head, the recurved horns on his crown rattling against his armour. 'We are not the barbarians the Imperium thinks we are. I don't need your blood when I already have your word as a commander of men.'
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