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.

right on this mission and I don’t want to lose anyone. In fact, pass the order, I want all personnel to

anger. It wasn't Alberton's fault. The mana was

mana, withdrawal became the next concern, wasting away just like a monster would. What the old

through the opening of the stiff canvas tent to find Braxis

That thing cracks and it's six months pay for a louse

would be a lot easier if

"Shut up and work!"

The moment it clicked into place, the entire array hummed to

Titus rumbled

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

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,

to be lied to, something the Empire of

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,

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

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

living stone I greet you,

salute, crashing his right fist into his chest plate, right over

Legion sends its

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

from his opposite's expression, the High Blade Balta sneered as he

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

answer immediately, he just stared, hard, at the Golgari.

Legionem Abyssi does not appreciate when information is

a raised

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

the mouth of this snake curdled Titus' gut, but he kept his face smooth, even as he allowed

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

"You would dare?!"

be

to grasp weapons that didn't truly exist here in this mind space. After a long,

don't believe it was the Empire that provided false information

spoke aloud his suspicions of the High Blade, Balta would