"You are the Warmaster. The Emperor appointed you. Everyone should accept that." First Company Captain Ezekyle Abaddon's topknot stood high.
"Lord Nimrod is no exception."
"Nimrod has already made his position clear," said the Primarch's Attendant, Maloghurst.
"He supports your appointment as Warmaster, but he will not carry out your orders unconditionally."
"He refused to deploy the six Chapters you ordered, and instead sent only four Chapters into battle. That was him making his point through action."
The Twisted analyzed the situation, deliberately ignoring Abaddon's furrowed brow.
"He wants to tell you that he will only accept orders he deems reasonable."
Abaddon gave a cold snort. "The Wolf-Herder God's orders are reasonable. The Warmaster's orders are not to be defied."
Maloghurst shook his head. Among the Luna Wolves, only a handful dared openly argue with the peerless First Company Captain, and The Twisted was one of them.
He had never been well liked within the Legion. Even by Astartes standards, he was too aloof.
He had never tried to befriend anyone, and was loyal only to Horus himself.
"Nimrod will not think that way."
"Do not forget, he once refused the Emperor's orders as well..."
Horus and Abaddon knew what Maloghurst meant. Nimrod had once refused the Emperor's order to erase that vanished Legion and the Primarch who was forbidden to be mentioned.
Horus rubbed the ring on the little finger of his left hand.
I will use Nimrod and Corax in the Akum-Sothos Cluster to establish my authority.
Before long, all my Primarch brothers will understand that I am the archer who commands them, the Warmaster appointed by Father.
In his mind, his father's warning suddenly flashed past.
"What I need to remind you is that your Primarch brothers all possess powerful wills, minds, and agency."
"Do not try