As large numbers of Astra Militarum troops, including the Cadian Assault Force, joined the Golden Expedition Fleet, and the fleet prepared to split into four groups to spread out around the Eye of Terror, another member of the Golden Crusade finally arrived late.
The Eldar had taken the stage.
Those Eldar had appeared suddenly on the Fortress World Cadia.
Just as they had suddenly emerged during the Thirteenth Black Crusade to help humanity resist the invasion.
The first to emerge from the Webway were the Harlequins. Ynnead's prophet Yvraine and her mentor Thousand Faces led most of the Harlequins into view, and naturally, the Usulan Prophet was there as well.
Yet the Harlequins were not the only ones who wished to join the Golden Crusade.
When Qin Mo and the four Primarchs arrived before the Webway exit on the Fortress World to welcome their allies, they saw a group of Eldar in theatrical costumes pouring out behind the Harlequins.
They were the Harlequin Troupe, believers in the Laughing God.
And when the leader commanding those Harlequins walked down the path everyone had made for her and came before Guilliman, he realized that she was Sylandri, the Veil Walker who had once lent him a hand in the Maelstrom.
"We meet again, Regent of humanity."
Sylandri offered a breezy greeting.
Among the human leadership present, the Tyran Sector commanded by Qin Mo was not a direct ally of the Eldar factions. Lion and Chagatai both deeply disliked Eldar xenos, while Sanguinius, who had specifically crawled into a Living Metal container to travel here with them, merely believed that he should not be absent on such an occasion.
That left only Guilliman to communicate with the arriving allies.
"Welcome to the expeditionary force."
"I thought you would be late."
Guilliman stepped