The Shadow-pattern Stormbird landed without a sound, and William Wood, lord of the 12th Chapter, stepped down from the deck.
Beside him stood a figure even more graceful and tall than an Aivene, a shining spear gripped in her right hand.
William gazed toward the horizon, at the rolling white torrent surging away.
Tens of thousands of Snow-Domain Shrikes flew toward Raven Nest No. 93. The Black Emperor had launched a swift offensive, drawing out the enemy forces of Phoenix Cliff in full strength as they tried to keep the god outside.
The corner of William's mouth lifted, and he looked up with faint mockery.
The Aivene's only city, like their Raven Nests, was embedded in the mountain stone.
Tower-like residences scaled down in proportion, workshops, and all kinds of facilities filled it densely, forming a complex maze together with the underground passages inside the peak.
Obsidian, the divination-type Psyker, had light flickering in his eyes. Even if Astartes launched an assault in such a complex environment, they would be met with layer upon layer of difficulty.
This elegant city of art would be reduced to ruins in street fighting.
But William had long since made his plans. He would fulfill the Black Emperor's divine decree and preserve the Aivene's Phoenix Royal Court.
The "Marionettist" turned sideways, activated his "Spirit Thread" vision, and looked toward the Farseer Puppet connected to him.
It was a puppet made from the most powerful farseer, with the Black Emperor's aid, aboard the Aeldari Craftworld Mag-Silas.
"Happy... to be... of service." The Farseer Puppet bowed and spoke in an accent that was not exactly fluent, yet carried the elegant cadence of the Aeldari.
After she straightened, she raised an elegant arm, extended her left hand, and aimed it at the mountain peak.
William gazed uneasily