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.

lose anyone. In fact, pass

turned and strode toward the communications tent. As he walked he managed to loosen his jaw and tamp down his anger. It wasn't Alberton's fault. The mana was

the human body had many implications. Mana sickness was just the most common of these. Once adapted to a certain level of mana, withdrawal became the

the stiff canvas tent to find Braxis fussing over a

thing cracks and it's six months pay

lot easier if you'd stop shouting at

"Shut up and work!"

clicked into place, the entire array hummed to life, accompanied by an inward whoosh of mana as the core began to drain

Titus rumbled from

Give it a second to charge and I'll engage the Bridge. Shouldn't take

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

The Legionem Abyssi were not to be lied to, something the Empire of Stone appeared

through, commander," 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

mind reach out to his own. Relaxing his will, he allowed himself to be carried out of his own body. There was a feeling of being dragged, and a rush of distance, then he

lay

living stone I greet you,

his right fist into his chest plate, right

its

other. Titus was familiar with the Golgari, they were a martial people, numerous

expression, the High Blade

difficulty already? Are the insects too difficult and you

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

does not appreciate when information is

got a raised

of withholding knowledge from you? This is a bold claim you make, commander. By your honour, I trust you have proof," his voice sharpened by

this snake curdled Titus' gut, but he kept his face smooth, even as he

for a punitive expedition to be dispatched immediately," Titus spoke evenly, "perhaps after we put a few cities to the torch your people will remember how

"You would dare?!"

be my

didn't truly exist here in this mind space. After a long, tense moment, Titus crossed his

the Empire that provided

accusation. If he spoke aloud his suspicions of the High Blade, Balta would be honour bound to defend