Under the blazing sun, Guk and his retainers cut a dazzling figure. Their armor had been polished to a mirror sheen and adorned with all manner of tokens earned through the cruel trials of war—silver reliefs gleamed brightly upon their gray pauldrons, while each bore his own war banner from the metal frame on his back.
They wore symbol-covered plates on their breastplates, splendid cloaks of metal rings, and their belts carried their most valuable trophies—shattered skulls, or stark white finger bones hacked from the corpses of worthy foes they had defeated in single combat.
Guk's armor was even more magnificent, clearly unlike the habitually crude style of the Orks.
Silver trim lined his pauldrons, battle scenes covered the curved plates, and his helmet resembled a crown of fangs.
His chestplate and belt, forged of hardened steel, were laden with trophies won in countless battles.
The King of the Orks gripped a heavy warhammer tightly in his iron hand. Its handle was wrapped in cured leather, and the casing of the energy weapon's generator was engraved with symbols of victory and death.
Guk strode sternly through the ranks of his guards toward the fortress entrance.
Two warriors quickened their pace behind him, their eyes watchfully fixed on the massive gates.
"They're late."
Mangul muttered his complaint. The guard captain was a cold-blooded Butcher even in the most peaceful times—he preferred the battlefield to his own tent as a home.
Four iron rings pierced Mangul's chin, while his copper-wire Squig braids had been woven into two thick plaits that hung over his breastplate.
He had an axe-blade nose, scarred cheeks as if carved by knives, and sharp eyes gleaming deep within sockets beneath his rough brow. A scar also crossed his left eye socket.
Then a growl built deep in the