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

Alberton's fault. The mana was rising and the armour drank it in,

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

stiff canvas tent to find Braxis fussing over a

six months pay for a

a lot easier if you'd stop shouting

"Shut up and work!"

Donnelan, rolled his eyes as he placed the precious core into its housing. The moment it clicked into place, the entire array hummed to life, accompanied by

Titus rumbled

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

time he'd used a Bridge Relay. As he waited for the mage to finish his work, the younger Legionary watching

Abyssi were not to be lied

and eyes seemed to be open but saw nothing. Titus knew he was

himself 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 Blade Balta, surrounded by swirling darkness

blade, lay it across his palms and

living stone I greet you,

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

Legion sends its

other. Titus was familiar with

expression,

Legion run into difficulty already? Are the insects too difficult and you must

didn't answer immediately, he just stared, hard, at the Golgari. To his credit, Balta appeared unruffled, his demeanour

Abyssi does not

got a

you? This is a bold claim you make, commander. By your honour, I trust you

honour from the mouth of this snake curdled Titus' gut, but he kept his face smooth, even as he allowed a little heat to enter his

to be dispatched immediately," Titus spoke evenly, "perhaps after

"You would dare?!"

wouldn't be

at each other, hands twitching as they longed to grasp weapons that didn't truly exist here in this mind space. After

the Empire that provided false information

bother clarifying his accusation. If he spoke aloud his suspicions of the High Blade, Balta would be honour