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.

to lose anyone. In fact, pass the

pausing to listen to the Loremaster’s spluttering protestations, Titus 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 rising and the armour drank it in, pouring it into his infused

of these. Once adapted to a certain level of mana, withdrawal became the next concern, wasting

the opening of the stiff canvas tent to find Braxis fussing over a core as it was

six

lot easier if you'd

"Shut up and work!"

precious core into its housing. The moment it clicked into place, the entire array hummed to life, accompanied

Titus rumbled

it a second to charge and I'll engage the

a Bridge Relay. As he waited for the mage to finish his

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

Titus knew he was reaching through the array with his mind, seeking out the connection

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

drew his blade, lay

greet you, Titus of

returned the gesture with a Legionary salute, crashing his right fist

Legion sends its greetings,

barest minimum of decorum addressed, the two men 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

contempt from his opposite's expression, the

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

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

not appreciate when

a

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

this snake curdled Titus' gut, but he kept his face smooth, even as he allowed a little heat to

petition the Consul for a punitive expedition to be dispatched immediately," Titus spoke evenly, "perhaps after we put a few cities to

"You would dare?!"

be

as they longed to grasp weapons that didn't truly exist here in this mind space. After a long, tense moment,

believe it was the

didn't bother clarifying his accusation. If he spoke aloud his suspicions of the High Blade, Balta would be