'You mentioned two components. What's the second?' Ragnar demanded.
Madox hesitated. 'Some kind of ancient relic, a weapon or a device. It was imperative that he have both of these components for the ritual. That much I am sure of.’ Cadmus answered.
Ragnar's mind raced back to the day when he had lost the sacred Spear. He saw himself wielding the most cherished of his Chapter's relics. In painstakingly vivid recollection, he witnessed himself throwing the Spear into the portal, striking the giant, one-eyed primarch of the Thousand Sons. Ragnar had forced the evil primarch back into the warp, saving his battle-brothers, but forever losing the Spear! Could Madox have found it? If so, then his failure was even greater than he had thought.
'What artifact is it, and does he have it?' Ragnar asked.
'I'm not sure if he actually has possession of the bauble. If not, I am fairly certain that he knows where to find it.’ Cadmus answered with a devious smile, enjoying the effect his words were having on Ragnar.
'So you started this conflict to give Madox access to tihe gene-seed for use with this unknown artefact for some sort of ritual. To what end?' Ragnar asked.
'A ritual that he is confident will bring about the destruction of the Sons of Russ.’ Cadmus explained.
'But why involve the Wolfblade?' Jeremiah asked.
Cadmus pointed at Ragnar. 'Oh, it's not the Wolf-blade he's after, It's Ragnar.’ Cadmus replied. 'I told you all I am prepared to. Now it's time for me to leave.'
Very well, Cadmus, you've kept your word and I in turn will keep mine.’ Ragnar said.
Ragnar crossed the room as if clearing the way for Cadmus's departure. Nathaniel and Jeremiah closed ranks, blocking his exit. Jeremiah looked anxiously towards Ragnar, longing to trust his oath. Cadmus stopped, looking puzzled, wondering why he was not being allowed to leave. He looked over his shoulder in Ragnar's direction. 'I've told you all I know. Anything else you will have to find out yourself. You gave me your word that I would be able to leave.’
'Ragnar, I cannot allow him to leave! He has unfinished business with the Dark Angels.’ Jeremiah said, controlling his tone, but not his intentions.
'Jeremiah, I gave him my word.’ said Ragnar stopping in front of one of the weapons racks on the opposite wall.
'You are not bound to keep your word when it is given to a traitor such as this.’ Nathaniel said, compelled to voice his opinion.
'If that were the case then you would be no different than those you call enemies.’ Cadmus said.
'Loyal servants of the Emperor cannot choose. They must honour their oaths and follow their masters regardless of the path. I know this better than anyone, and so do you, Son of the Lion.’ Cadmus said, sorrow and regret apparent in his words.
'Cadmus is correct, Jeremiah. I have given him my oath. I cannot break my word, just as I am bound to honour my oath to you.’ Ragnar said.
'They are in conflict Ragnar.’ said Jeremiah.
'Yes, Wolfblade, they would appear to be in conflict.’ Cadmus said, spitting the words out like poison.
'Actually, they are not in conflict at all. Jeremiah, I swore to you that Cadmus would be yours to deal with once we had rescued Gabriella.’ Ragnar said calmly.
Yes, and you gave me your word that if I helped you, I'd be free to go.’ said Cadmus, the words almost dancing from his lips. He was growing impatient.
'That's not entirely correct.’ Ragnar said, pulling a chainsword from the wall. 'I promised you that your life would be yours, and it is.’ Ragnar tossed the chainsword to the ground at Cadmus's feet. 'I suggest that you defend it.’ Ragnar crossed back across the room past Cadmus, and stopped next to Jeremiah, placing a hand on his shoulder.
'He is yours to do with as you see fit. I'm sure that you will do the right thing.’ Ragnar said, before turning and leaving the room.
Jeremiah turned his full attention to Cadmus, who was kneeling to retrieve the sword. For a moment there was fear in his eyes: the fear that someone feels when justice is finally served on them after a lifetime of betrayal. This caused a smile to cross Jeremiah's face. His original mission was to deliver the Fallen to the interrogator-chaplain, but Jeremiah knew that path was no longer possible. Cadmus had lured his battle-brothers, Dark Angel and Space Wolf alike, to
their deaths, sacrificing his men to further his own means. Redemption was not possible for the likes of Cadmus. Right or wrong, this was the path that Jeremiah was on.
Drawing his sword, leremiah swore to himself that he would see Cadmus dead whatever the consequences.
'So, this is how I will meet my end, killed by the Emperor's lapdogs, on this backwater world, left to rot in this forgotten dungeon.' Scorn dripped from Cad-mus's voice as he prepared himself for combat.
'Too good an end for the likes of you.’ Nathaniel declared, drawing his sword.
'No, Nathaniel. Leave the room,' ordered Jeremiah. 'Trust me in this. If I fall, keep him from running like the coward that he is.'
Nathaniel wanted to protest but he knew better. He would honour Jeremiah's last order regardless of the price. He nodded, then left the room. He had served with Jeremiah for many years and had unwavering confidence in his skills.
'So, Jeremiah, you intend this to be a single combat: you and I to the death?' Cadmus inquired.
'Absolutely, you and I, single combat, to the death,' Jeremiah answered.
'You know you don't stand a chance. I walked the stars when the Lion himself commanded the legion. I was there when Caliban cracked. Even without my armour you are no match for me.' Cadmus said, gloating.
Той will not leave here victorious, Cadmus, but should I fall this day you will be able to leave here
unhindered. My brethren will honour my word in this,' Jeremiah commanded.
Jeremiah knew what he had to do, but Cadmus was right about one thing: he had centuries more experience. Jeremiah would not falter, he couldn't; this evil must be stopped. His faith and determination were all he had. He knew that would be enough.
Jeremiah and Cadmus circled each other in the centre of the chamber. The Dark Angel's heart filled with rage. All he had witnessed on Hyades, all the atrocities were the work of one man, but more than that it was the work of one of the Fallen. The Dark Angels had been paying for the betrayal of the Fallen since the Horus Heresy, and even though Jeremiah was responsible for bringing several members of the Fallen before the interrogator-chaplains, he had never witnessed the corruption of one of the Fallen so closely before.
'You can't beat me, young lion. You haven't got the skills or the experience,' Cadmus said.
Your arrogance astounds me, Cadmus. You have turned your back on everything you once stood for, on everything you once held dear. Your fate was sealed the moment you stepped foot on Hyades. Neither my skills nor experience will have much effect on the outcome. Your own actions have determined your fate. I am just an instrument of redemption.’ Jeremiah said, speaking from his heart.
Cadmus and Jeremiah slowly circled each other around the centre of the chamber. Both warriors were looking for an opening, a sign of weakness that they could exploit. Suddenly, Cadmus swung his sword in
an arcing downwards stroke. Jeremiah parried, and then countered. A quick exchange of attacks and parries were exchanged, each combatant measuring the other's skills.
'You speak of betrayal? You speak of things you know nothing about. Should I tell you of betrayal, should I speak to you of turning your back on your brothers,' Cadmus said, goading his opponent.
feremiah knew that Cadmus was trying unbalance him and force him to make a mistake. He knew that he must not listen, must not allow himself the luxury of an emotional response. He would not allow himself to be distracted by mere words.
Jeremiah lunged, striking low, trying to catch Cadmus off-guard. Cadmus easily parried the attack, and then turned his parry into an offensive strike at Jeremiah's midsection. He was barely able to parry the attack without putting himself off balance, a fact that Cadmus quickly exploited, as an armoured gauntlet struck Jeremiah squarely in the mouth, knocking him to the ground. Cadmus did not press his advantage, stopping his attack instead to allow Jeremiah to rise to his feet.
Blood trickled from Jeremiah's nose, which he quickly wiped away. 'Keep your lies to yourself Fallen. We are well aware of your treachery. We all bear the burden of your actions. We are the unforgiven, Cadmus, unforgiven for your cowardly actions and for the actions of the rest of the Fallen. It is a burden we will continue to bear until you and all those like you are redeemed.'
Cadmus leapt towards Jeremiah. Their swords clashed and locked at the hilt. The Fallen leaned in,
bringing himself face to face with Jeremiah. You spit out words like the programmed fool you are, regurgitating the propaganda that the real betrayers of Caliban concocted. We did not betray the Imperium. We did not allow the Emperor to perish,' Cadmus said, his voice full of rage.
Jeremiah had heard all he could take. 'You may not have thought you were a traitor then, Cadmus, but the seeds of treachery can take a long time to take root. You've given in to Chaos. You've abandoned everything, just as your newfound allies have abandoned you. We hunt the Fallen in an attempt to allow them a chance for redemption. You are no longer a Dark Angel. You're not even one of the Fallen any more. You are nothing more than a pawn that Chaos used to lure a disgraced Space Wolf into a trap. You are pathetic. You are beyond redemption and I will hear no more of your lies!'
Jeremiah pushed Cadmus away, allowing his rage to control his actions. He brought his sword around as he spun, an easy parry for the older warrior. However, Jeremiah attacked anew, with blinding speed and fury. Not allowing Cadmus a moment's respite, each attack came quicker and stronger than the last. The Fallen was giving ground, backing up, unable to ward off the flurry of attacks being thrown out by the young Son of the Lion.