'And nor should he, remembrancer,’ said a deep voice at the entrance to the yurt.
Karkasy jumped, and Loken turned at the sound of the voice to see the First Captain of the Sons of Horus resplendent and huge in his plate armour.
'Ezekyle,’ said Loken. 'What are you doing here?'
'Looking for you,’ said Abaddon. 'You should be with your company. The Warmaster himself is to lead the speartip, and you waste time with scriveners who call into question the word of an honourable Astartes,’
'First Captain Abaddon,’ breathed Karkasy, lowering his head. 'I meant no disrespect. I was just apprising Captain Loken of my impressions of what I heard,’
'Be silent, worm,’ snapped Abaddon. 'I should kill you where you stand for the dishonour you do to Erebus,’
'Ignace was just doing what I asked him to do,’ Loken pointed out.
You put him up to this, Garviel?' asked Abaddon. 'I'm disappointed in you,’
'There's something not right about this, Ezekyle,’ said Loken. 'Erebus isn't telling us everything,’
Abaddon shook his head. 'You would take this fool's word over that of a brother Astartes? Your dalliance with petty wordsmiths has turned your head around, Loken. The commander shall hear of this,’
'I sincerely hope so,’ said Loken, his anger growing at Abaddon's easy dismissal of his concerns. 'I will be standing next to you when you tell him,’
The first captain turned on his heel and made to leave the yurt.
'First Captain Abaddon,’ said Karkasy. 'Might I ask you a question?'
'No, you may not,’ snarled Abaddon, but Karkasy asked anyway.
'What was the silver coin you gave Erebus when you met him?'
FOUR
Secrets and hidden things
Chaos
Spreading the word
Audience
Abbadon froze at Karkasy's words.
Loken recognised the signs and quickly moved to stand between the first captain and the remembrancer.
'Ignace, get out of here,’ he shouted, as Abaddon turned and lunged for Karkasy.
Abaddon roared in anger and Loken grabbed his arms, holding him at bay as Karkasy squealed in terror and bolted from the yurt. Abaddon pushed Loken back, the first captain's massive strength easily greater than his; Loken tumbled away, but he had achieved his objective in redirecting Abaddon's wrath.
'You would raise arms against a brother, Loken?' bellowed Abaddon.
'I just saved you from making a big mistake, Ezekyle,' replied Loken as he climbed to his feet. He could see that Abaddon's blood was up and knew that he must tread warily. Aximand had told him of Abaddon's berserk rages during the desperate extraction of
