"I'm afraid not," she says, referencing the narthecium, though she looks at the device with wonder. "I look forward to the day when Aurans know much about such wonders, but for now, the traditions hold. It is only the implements of the hunt."
She looks disappointed that the Marines won't be taking their rest within the fortress, but nods. She insists on leading them back down the road to the Aspirance, even though the way is easy enough to find, remembering where Heth broke off from the group during the first ascent earlier. It is nearly nightfall when you reach the barracks, Aurum's bloody sky streaked with red gashes. Alkedre departs, promising to return at dawn with some midasaur armor cut to fit for the Hunt tomorrow.
***
The Aspirance is a native building, though what it's function was before becoming a Guard barracks is hard to tell. Upon entering, you see that the soldiers are billeted down here on the main floor, half a dozen bunks lining the walls on either side. Drab green footlockers blazoned with aquilas sit at the foot of each bed.
Six soldiers leap to attention, abandoning card games and the cleaning of broken down lasguns as the Astartes enter. They wear the white and pale green fatigues of a Valhallan regiment, though they have a much darker pallor than the typically pale denizens of that world. Clearly, in a typically brilliant maneuver by the Departmento Munitorum, a detachment of ice worlders were assigned to a world of desert mesas and jungled canyons.
The soldiers say nothing, standing rigidly at attention. A door at the back cracks open and Heth steps into the room, followed by a spindly, balding man in priestly robes. Heth snaps to attention, the priest bows.
"My Lords," Heth says. "Welcome to the Aspirance. What can I do for you?"
She looks disappointed that the Marines won't be taking their rest within the fortress, but nods. She insists on leading them back down the road to the Aspirance, even though the way is easy enough to find, remembering where Heth broke off from the group during the first ascent earlier. It is nearly nightfall when you reach the barracks, Aurum's bloody sky streaked with red gashes. Alkedre departs, promising to return at dawn with some midasaur armor cut to fit for the Hunt tomorrow.
***
The Aspirance is a native building, though what it's function was before becoming a Guard barracks is hard to tell. Upon entering, you see that the soldiers are billeted down here on the main floor, half a dozen bunks lining the walls on either side. Drab green footlockers blazoned with aquilas sit at the foot of each bed.
Six soldiers leap to attention, abandoning card games and the cleaning of broken down lasguns as the Astartes enter. They wear the white and pale green fatigues of a Valhallan regiment, though they have a much darker pallor than the typically pale denizens of that world. Clearly, in a typically brilliant maneuver by the Departmento Munitorum, a detachment of ice worlders were assigned to a world of desert mesas and jungled canyons.
The soldiers say nothing, standing rigidly at attention. A door at the back cracks open and Heth steps into the room, followed by a spindly, balding man in priestly robes. Heth snaps to attention, the priest bows.
"My Lords," Heth says. "Welcome to the Aspirance. What can I do for you?"
