The doors to the great hall opened and a messenger came in, running swiftly. He went over to Logan Grimnar and whispered something to the Great Wolf.
Ragnar had a sudden feeling of deja vu. At his last meeting with Logan Grimnar, a messenger had also interrupted to bring word of the death of Gabriella's father, the Great Wolfs old friend, Skander.
'Good news coupled with more grim tidings.’ announced the Great Wolf. 'Berek Thunderfist and his fleet have returned battle-worn from Hyades, but the astropaths have reported attacks on many worlds. The Thousand Sons have launched an offensive, unforeseen in recent centuries against planets protected by our Chapter. Our enemies have declared war, and boldly, but we will rise to the challenge. There will be a council of war. Lady Gabriella, you and the Wolf-blade may go. I will call upon you later.'
Gabriella knelt before the Chapter Master of the Space Wolves and departed with the Wolfblade following behind.
For the next several hours, Ragnar volunteered to spend his time guarding Lady Gabriella's chambers. He wanted the time to brood and think. Gabriella had wanted to sleep. Haegr had needed food, Torin looked as if he wished to explore so Ragnar decided to volunteer for the first shift of guard duty.
Ragnar wanted to recover the Spear of Russ. He knew that it should satisfy him if the Chapter found it, but he wanted to have a chance to restore his honour and he felt that it was his responsibility. He had lost it. He had been exiled and he wanted the chance to set things right.
After a several hours, Torin came up to him. 'Still on guard, brother?' he asked
Aye.’ said Ragnar, 'she still rests.’
'Well, Haegr will be eating a few more krakens before we see him again.’ Torin said, shaking his head. 'I hope that the Chapter's stores will recover.’
Ragnar just looked at him.
'Brother.’ said Torin, 'you have a great deal on your mind, but you can't change any of it. You look tense. I knew there was a problem when you didn't argue with Haegr or myself about guard duty and volunteered. Let me relieve you. Besides, someone important is in the observation chamber near the hangars, wanting to speak with you.'
Who?' asked Ragnar.
'I think it best that you find out yourself. You'll know soon enough.’ said Torin.
'Thank you, Torin. I'm on my way.’ Ragnar said, slapping his fellow Space Wolf's shoulder. He walked quickly, and then broke into a jog as he headed to the observation chamber.
Someone wanted to speak to him. Ragnar wondered who it could be. Ranek, perhaps, wanting to give him advice?
Ragnar opened the stone doors, marked with Logan Grimnar's dancing wolf crest. The chamber looked out over the hangars, and from its vantage point, an observer could watch the Thunderhawks and shuttles arriving and departing. The panoramic view of Fenris seen through floor to ceiling panels was impressive. He could see the lesser mountains under the shadow of the Fang with their icecaps and forests, and the dark shadows of deep valleys. Far off, he could even make out the stormy oceans
and a few of the distant islands as well as the mighty icebergs that floated on the cold seas.
Ragnar saw a Space Wolf standing by the viewing window. 'I've come as quickly as I could.’ he blurted out, before he even took a good look at whoever was waiting for him.
'Well, not bad for someone as slow as you.' Ragnar instantly recognised the voice of Sven, his long-time friend. He smiled at the sound of the voice. Sven had been with Ragnar since the beginning. They had been chosen at the same time from the battlefields of Fenris. It had been so many years ago that Ragnar had lost count. They had survived initiation together, both confronting their personal struggles with the wulfen. They had seen many battles and were made members of the same claw. Sven had been with him when the Spear was lost, fighting alongside him against the Thousand Sons and the Sorcerer, Madox. Sven had lost a hand that day and more. The hellblade that had wounded him had cut deep.
Sven's hair was now silvery grey and his face far more lined than it should be. He reached out to Ragnar. Sven was more than a friend. He was a battle-brother, and closer to Ragnar than anyone else in the galaxy.
'Ragnar.’ Sven said, grabbing him in a bear hug. 'It's good to see you. I had hoped to make planetfall on Hyades and find you.'
'Sven!' Ragnar returned the bear hug.
The two men broke their embrace and smiled at one another, but Ragnar knew that Sven could tell that something was wrong.
'Don't look so excited to see me.’ said Sven.
Ragnar shook his head. 'I'm sorry, it's just…'
Sven held up his hand. 'I know, my brother. The Thousand Sons are back, and last time, you jammed the Spear of Russ into the eye of their primarch and got made into a Wolfblade. You know how I feel, especially about Madox. When I see him again, I'm going to take my blade and thrust it straight up his…'
'I remember.’ said Ragnar, grinning. 'It is good to see you, Sven.' He gave Sven a hearty clasp.
'I can't believe that you have been living the soft life on Blessed Terra.’ said Sven.
'You'd be surprised at life on Terra. Besides, what happened after we left Hyades?' asked Ragnar.
It was Sven's turn to grow quiet. 'The Dark Angels showed up and helped us finish the battle. We drove the Chaos fleet back, but we had to abandon Hyades. We had too much damage to stay there, and the Dark Angels left little in the way of facilities in the system to repair our ships. I think the future of Hyades is no longer ours to determine.’
The two friends exchanged a meaningful look. Word of what had happened on Hyades would reach the Imperium… and the Inquisition.
'While you were on guard duty, we finished a major briefing. The Thousand Sons have attacked across the sector. Some of the Wolf Lords got hit hard. Even as we speak, battle rages on.’ said Sven. 'I suspect that you would have been invited if you weren't assigned to guard Lady Gabriella.’
'I see that the two of you are once again attempting to chart the future of the galaxy. Sven, you are needed with your company. Go.’ said a deep voice.
Ragnar and Sven both jumped, startled, and reached for their weapons, before they realised that it was Ranek. Despite their senses, neither Ragnar nor Sven had noticed the Wolf Priest enter the chamber. Ragnar wondered how long he had been there.
'Of course,' Sven said removing his hand from his bolter. 'Good to see you again, Ragnar. Hope Terra hasn't made you too soft.' Sven clapped Ragnar's shoulder and left the chamber.
Ragnar came to attention, as he always did under Ranek's eye.
The Wolf Priest waited until the door closed before he spoke. 'The Thousand Sons have attacked us on all sides. Even now, we are looking for help wherever we can find it. The Wolfblade will be needed. The alliance between the Space Wolves and House Belisarius works both ways.'
'Laddie, you look as if you lost Hyades to the Thousand Sons. I have some terrible news for you. We lost a city on Hyades, not the planet, and it wasn't just you, but our entire Chapter, and we may be on the verge of losing much more. Ready yourself for your duties in the fight, wherever they may take you.'
'Yes, of course,' Ragnar said, taking a deep breath. Whatever he did, he would help his Chapter.
A gleam shone in the old man's eyes. 'Besides, I hear that there's a wolf around who stuck the primarch of the Thousand Sons in the eye.’
Ragnar grinned and to his surprise, Ranek grinned back. 'Go back to your duties,' said the Wolf Priest.
Ragnar nodded and left, heading back to Torin. When he arrived, the older Wolfblade stood at
Gabriella's door, straightening his moustache. Ragnar had a strange feeling his friend knew everything that had transpired.
'So, everything went well, I take it?' asked Torin.
'Indeed.’ said Ragnar. Thank you. I'll take over guard duty again.’
'No need.’ said Torin. 'Get yourself some food. I'll call if I need you.’
Ragnar decided to take his friend's advice and get something to eat. As he walked through the halls, the impact of the Fang and of Fenris struck him again. He was glad to be home. He made his way through the ice and rock-hewn corridors to the great hall, where he had enjoyed several feasts as a Blood Claw.
When Ragnar entered the great hall, he was astounded to see Berek Thunderfist's company. They were his friends and battle-brothers, and he had fought alongside them against the Thousand Sons. Many of them had fresh scars. Others wore gleaming cybernetics, a sure sign of their newness. A few also carried Dark Angels helms, obvious trophies. Ragnar felt strange to see so many who knew him so well. They knew of the Spear of Russ, and they had been on Hyades.
Ragnar saw Haegr, sitting alone at the other end of the hall. He paused, wondering if the others would recognise him. Fie wondered if they hated him as a disgrace to the company, if any of them would even acknowledge him. He was who he was, and he couldn't change the past.