The Law of Faith
The sweat from training had been washed away, but a faint, bracing ache still lingered deep in his muscles.
Lorgar had changed into formal dark robes and was about to return to his chambers to resume his struggle with the endless sea of paperwork when an attendant's report reached him over an encrypted channel.
"My lord, the Third Legion's flagship, the Radiance of the Emperor of the Emperor's Children, is approaching our fleet formation. They have transmitted identification codes and a formal request to dock."
Lorgar's steps faltered slightly in the empty corridor.
"The Emperor's Children?"
He repeated the name instinctively.
Then the star chart and Great Crusade deployment map swiftly surfaced in his mind, and he compared them.
Several sectors should have separated Fulgrim's expedition route from the star cluster where his Word Bearers Legion currently operated.
Unless Fulgrim had changed his planned Shipping Routes, or had set out with a specific destination in mind.
Had he come expressly to see me?
The thought brought no change to the expression on his bronze face, though a swift flicker of calculation passed deep within his eyes.
His interactions with Fulgrim had largely been limited to a few words during holographic conferences and descriptions of victories in battle reports so magnificent they bordered on art.
This would be their first private meeting.
Whatever his intentions, the proper courtesies were indispensable when receiving another Primarch.
"Inform Chapter Master Rockefeller and Hercules. Prepare an honour guard. Clear the main docking corridor to the standard required for a Primarch's visit. I will prepare to receive him."
He gave the brief orders in an even voice, betraying no trace of his recent strenuous training, then turned and headed toward the bridge.
The Law of Faith, main docking hall.
The two