Ragnar looked over at Gabriella, who turned her head to look away. Had she been looking at him?
Ragnar realised that Gabriella had seemed quiet and reserved since her rescue, especially around him.
'Gabriella, is something bothering you?' Ragnar whispered, although he knew that Haegr and Torin could both hear.
Gabriella met Ragnar's eyes. 'Yes, I had a vision on Hyades.'
'What was it?' he asked.
'I'm not exactly sure. It was many things, colours, shapes and images. It's hard to know what was real and what was delusion,' she whispered, 'but I think I saw a great spear, perhaps the Spear of Russ.'
'What?' asked Ragnar. His hearts nearly burst from his body. 'Tell me. I have to know'
'I don't know much, Ragnar. I think that I saw the Thousand Sons with the Spear of Russ, but there were so many other images that I can't be certain. It happened when I was in the bunker in the Chaos temple. I don't know whether it was a real vision, it may just have been a hallucination. Perhaps it was a scene from the past, but I felt like the Thousand Sons had retrieved the Spear from the warp. As I said, I'm not sure, but 1 know how you feel about it. I just thought I should mention it. I'll speak to the Great Wolf and the Rune Priests and see if they think it's real.' Gabriella turned away.
'I have to find it. We have to have the chance to bring it back. That's my chance,' said Ragnar.
The shuttle suddenly angled, making its final descent into the hangar of the Fang. The shadow of the mountain fell over the craft, darkening the viewports.
'Ho! Enough talk,' said Haegr. The shuttle decelerated and Ragnar saw the mighty sculpted wolves that stood guard over the hangar. A large emblem of the Great Wolf marked the side of the hangar. This was Logan Grimnar's territory. The shuttle soared into the hangar and then he heard the crunch of landing gear on ice.
We've landed. We are home, brothers,' said Haegr.
As the four walked out onto the icy surface of Fen-ris, Torin took Ragnar's arm and pulled him aside. 'Brother, listen to me and listen well. Both Haegr and I overhead what Gabriella said to you, our ears are too sharp for small quarters. Let Gabriella speak to Logan Grimnar. Don't speak of the Spear of Russ yourself. Trust the Great Wolf.'
Ragnar swallowed. His friend was probably right. Torin understood politics. If there was any justice in the galaxy, Ragnar would get his chance, and if any leader was just, it was Logan Grimnar.
Ragnar felt chills as he walked out of the hangar into the halls of the Fang with his Wolfblade brothers, following Gabriella. The imposing majesty and strength in the rock gave this hallowed ground an indescribable feeling. Other Space Wolves walked all around, along with the human warriors who dedicated their lives to serving the Chapter. It had been a long time since he had seen so many of his fellows. The Fang was where his life as a Space Wolf had started and it was his home.
Ranek, the ancient Wolf Priest, stood in the centre of the great passage, awaiting them. 'Wolfblade Ragnar, let me see you,' he said.
Ragnar immediately came to attention.
Clad in black power armour, the Wolf Priest wore a cape made from the pelt of a massive Fenrisian wolf. Like all Space Wolves, he wore teeth and wolf tails along with runes and wolf skulls as per his station. He was a large man, grey and dominating, old and strong like the mountain of the Fang itself. His fangs protruded like tusks and his beard was so grey and fine that it evoked comparisons to the colour of snow at twilight.
Ranek's glacial blue and piercing eyes studied Ragnar, assessing him. He felt as if the Wolf Priest knew everything that had transpired in his life since he had joined the Wolfblade.
'Lady Gabriella, may I have a moment with this member of your Wolfblade?' asked Ranek.
'As you wish, Wolf Priest Ranek,' she answered. Ragnar thought that he saw a hint of a smile in her eyes. Gabriella, Haegr and Torin continued into the Fang, leaving Ragnar behind.
Fhe old Wolf Priest sized up Ragnar, pacing around him with a stern eye. Ragnar stood to attention, feeling as nervous as he ever did under the watchful eye of the Wolf Priest. How long ago it seemed that Ranek had taken him to be reborn as a Space Wolf. Indeed, to Ragnar, it seemed long ago that Ranek had seen him, before the judgement that led to his exile. 'You look good, laddie. Your time in the Wolfblade has helped you. Do you still feel like just a bodyguard?'
'No, I… I've learnt quite a bit.’ Ragnar said, momentarily surprised at Ranek's observations, but then, he realised that he had changed and Wolf Priests were known for their abilities to look into the hearts of men.
Ranek raised a bushy eyebrow. 'I see judgement and wisdom in your eyes to go with that fire in your heart. You'll need it.’
'Need it? For what?' asked Ragnar.
'To defend the Imperium and Fenris, as you were chosen to do. Join your battle-brothers. I want to hear your report on Hyades as well. We'll speak more later.' Ranek clapped Ragnar's shoulder, held his eyes for a moment, and then strode off towards a group of bellowing Blood Claws.
Ragnar hurried to rejoin the Wolfblade. Torin was grinning and Haegr looked slightly annoyed as they paced respectfully behind Gabriella.
'He was not.’ said Haegr.
'Aye, that he was.’ retorted Torin.
What are you talking about?' asked Ragnar.
'We saw some new Blood Claws.’ answered Torin, 'and one of them was larger than Haegr, except perhaps in the belly.’ Torin chuckled.
'There is no Space Wolf larger than mighty Haegr. Don't you agree, Ragnar?' asked Haegr.
Ragnar laughed. The banter and kinship of his battle-brothers gave him relief. 'Well, not that I've seen.’
'See, Torin? That settles the matter.’ said Haegr. 'Later, I'll give you a good thrashing. Maybe it'll put some sense back into your head.'
As they approached the Hall of the Great Wolf, the members of the Wolfblade fell into silence.
Lady Gabriella led her champions into the hall of Logan Grimnar. Great stone-carved wolfs' heads looked down upon them. Ice coating parts of the walls of the cavernous hall made it seem like a deep cave, yet the banners and heraldry proclaimed that this was the hall of the greatest of lords. Advisors and warriors of the Chapter stood silently around the chamber, almost forming an honour guard, yet at the same time appearing as impassive as statues, as if they were part of the mountain itself.
The Great Wolf sat on the wolf throne, two Fenrisian wolves sitting quietly on either side. Even these massive beasts were humbled by the presence of their master. Logan Grimnar was the heart of the Fang, impassive and old beyond reckoning, yet as strong as the world. He rested a gauntleted hand on a double-headed frostaxe. He had a hardened face, craggy like the rocks and worn, yet strong, stronger than that of any man Ragnar had ever met. His beard framed his face like the ice on the sides of the Fang.
Ragnar took a deep breath and made sure to keep his eyes on the Great Wolf. He would not show fear or cowardice in front of his Chapter Master.
Gabriella knelt before the master of the Wolf Lords, as did the members of the Wolfblade in a proper show of respect.
'Lady Gabriella of House Belisarius, what tidings do you bring?' asked Logan Grimnar.
Gabriella rose to speak, and Ragnar, Torin and Haegr followed suit. Gabriella seemed like a thin dark shadow in the massive hall of the Wolf Lord.
'I bring ill tidings, Great Wolf. The capital of the planet Hyades was overrun by Chaos, and there was conflict as well with the Dark Angels. Our House was
betrayed from within and the forces of the Thousand Sons are responsible for the deaths of many of my people including many noble Space Wolves.'
He replied, 'Tell me everything.’
Ragnar listened as Gabriella recounted the events on Hyades. He noticed that she emphasised the heroics of the Wolfblade, although she told the truth. One did not lie to the Great Wolf.
Gabriella finished with her revelation, 'There is more as well. I had a vision on Hyades. I believe that in my vision, I saw the Spear of Russ in the possession of the Thousand Sons.'
Although Ragnar did not hear a noise, he felt a collective gasp come from the assembled advisors. Such news could cause even the unwavering to waver.
'I believe that it may be possible that the Thousand Sons will once again attempt to draw Magnus the Red from the warp back into Imperial space,' she concluded.
Logan Grimnar remained impassive. Silence filled the chamber. The quiet lasted an eternity for Ragnar. It took every ounce of his self-control not to shout an oath to Leman Russ and the Emperor before the Great Wolf himself, that he would find and return the Spear of Russ. Still, he kept his tongue, but at that moment, he looked into the eyes of the mighty Wolf Lord and made the oath in his heart.