Chrysalis

Titus hated dressing up. But the Golgari High Blades were notorious sticklers for protocol and tradition, so his hands were tied. He'd be damned if he'd put on his full dress uniform though, absolutely no chance. The jumped up pile of rocks would have to be satisfied with him giving his armour a solid polish. So it was that in the final hours of the bridge relay being assembled, Titus took off his elaborate Legion Runic Armour, sat in front of the command tent and attended to the buckles, plates and stone whilst directing his Legion.

His hands worked the leather straps, polished the buckles and cleaned the stone almost automatically, not really having to look at what he was doing, his eyes instead roving over the camp. There wasn't a single Legionary with five years of experience who couldn't clean their armour in their sleep, and Titus had far more than that.

When the job was done, he put the suit back on, almost feeling a sense of relief when the final plate snapped into place, sealing him in.

"Feeling more comfortable commander?" Alberton asked from his seat nearby.

Titus shrugged his shoulders, feeling the heavy suit fall into place on his frame.

"It doesn't feel right being in the field without being armoured up," Titus said.

He performed a few rapid checks with hands, pulling on a plate here, shoving with his palms there, testing the joints and straps. The Loremaster frowned.

"Be careful of the mana …" he began.

"I know," Titus cut him off and continued his meticulous checks.

Alberton was silent for a moment before he continued quietly.

"I worry sometimes, old friend. Just be careful."

Titus didn't look up from his inspection and after a long moment Alberton sighed and rose from his seat, checking every strap and seal on the back of the suit.

"Flawless as always commander," he said, slapping him on the pauldron with one wrinkled hand.

"Are you going to suit up?"

The Loremaster snorted.

"What for? My Skills are in research and documents, not swords and sorcery."

Titus turned and looked his friend in the eye.

want to lose anyone. In fact, pass the order, I

down his anger. It wasn't Alberton's fault. The mana was rising and the armour

common of these. Once adapted to a certain level of mana, withdrawal became

to find Braxis fussing over a core as it was lowered into

six

lot easier if you'd stop shouting

"Shut up and work!"

it clicked into place, the entire

ready?" Titus rumbled from

roll. Give it a second to charge and I'll engage the

strode around the tent to stand in front of the device. This was far from the first time he'd used a Bridge Relay. As he waited for the mage to finish his work, the younger Legionary watching attentively over his shoulder, Titus thought about the current campaign. The more he thought, the higher his

not to be lied to, something the Empire of Stone appeared to

Braxis' voice sounded distant and eyes seemed to be open but saw nothing. Titus knew he was reaching through the array with his mind, seeking out the connection to the Golgari camp.

to be carried out of his own body. There was a feeling of being dragged, and a rush of distance, then he stood before the High

cold, the Golgari drew his blade, lay it across his palms and

I greet you,

with a Legionary salute, crashing his right fist into his chest

sends its greetings, High Blade," Titus

settled on their heels and weighed each other. Titus was familiar with the Golgari, they were a martial people, numerous within the Legion, he knew exactly

opposite's expression, the High Blade

calling so soon, commander. Has the Legion run into difficulty already? Are the insects too difficult and you

hard, at the Golgari. To his credit, Balta appeared unruffled, his demeanour condescending

Legionem Abyssi does not

got a raised

claim you make,

kept

misled us, then I will petition the Consul for a punitive expedition to be dispatched immediately," Titus spoke evenly, "perhaps after we put a

"You would dare?!"

wouldn't be

exist here in this mind space. After a long, tense moment, Titus crossed

the Empire that provided false information

spoke aloud his suspicions of the High Blade, Balta would be