Jaghatai was somewhat moved. Looking into Perturabo's eyes, he said, "I'll be watching you. If you cross the line... there will be no brotherhood left between us."
"Then do you want to take it for a ride?" Perturabo pressed a button, and the metal warhorse activated. Jaghatai swung himself onto its back. The wonderful memories of riding across Chogoris returned to his body all at once. He nodded to Perturabo, expressing his satisfaction with the precious gift, then rode the warhorse forward the next second.
The room was large enough for Jaghatai to gallop through. Perturabo estimated that Jaghatai would finish a lap in two minutes. It would not be a truly satisfying ride, but it was enough to give him a preliminary taste.
Perturabo watched Jaghatai, a barely noticeable smile appearing on his face. Fooling Jaghatai was a little more complicated than swindling a siege cannon out of Lion El'Jonson, but it was not particularly difficult.
Still, their exchange left Perturabo slightly displeased. During the Horus Heresy, he had indeed observed his brothers from a relatively objective perspective, but that perspective had been far more arduous and miserable.
Ever since Leman Russ stabbed Horus with the Dionysian Spear, Horus had seemed a little senile. Lorgar and Mortarion began conserving their strength, preparing to seize military command. Fulgrim held orgies all day long, and his Legion was utterly fractured, incapable of achieving any strategic objective. Angron became even more insane, slaughtering everyone indiscriminately. Perturabo had exhausted himself just containing Angron. Magnus's soul was shattered, and he babbled nonsense like a madman. Konrad Curze felt that every extra second he lived was torment. The Alpha Legion defected and switched sides on both fronts; no one knew whether they were loyal or traitorous.
Thinking about it made Perturabo grind his teeth in