Alone in his quarters, the Lion thought about what he had seen on the Chorale. He faced signs without referents. The origin point of the cultists was important, but he did not know why. He did not like the idea of approaching Tuchulcha without having some knowledge beforehand. He believed in the utility of the artefact and was willing to use it to travel, trusting it only one jump at a time. What he did not wish was to rely on it for information. He would not have what he believed to be true shaped by something inhuman.

By the time the Dark Angels fleet anchored in orbit over Thrinos, he was no further along. He could imagine Guilliman remarking about his singular lack of data, that he had absolutely nothing concrete to go on. And that was without Roboute knowing about Tuchulcha.

In the end, though, he entered Tuchulcha’s chamber again. The meat puppet was facing the door as if it had been waiting for his appearance.

The Lion had thought through his questions before coming. He was not going to commit the fleet to a jump based on a deliberate half-truth this time. The creature would answer him, and it would answer him well.

‘Davin,’ the Lion said.

‘Are you asking me something? That is a name and not a sentence.’

What did you expect? the Lion wondered, irritated with himself. A guilty start? A refusal to meet your gaze? Laughable. Every expression that crossed the servitor’s face was a deliberately constructed imitation of the human. ‘Can you take us to Davin?’ the Lion asked.

‘No,’ said Tuchulcha.

That was interesting. The being had never answered in the negative before. ‘Why not?’

‘There are obstacles. Ones that even I cannot breach.’

‘Can they be crossed in some other way?’

The servitor cocked its head. The Lion was becoming used to reading this as a signal of amusement from Tuchulcha. ‘Shouldn’t that be my question for you?’

The Lion ignored the jab and took another approach. ‘Can you take us part of the way?’

‘Yes.’

‘As far as the nearest barrier?’

‘Yes.’

‘And if we succeed in crossing it, can you take us further?’

‘I can.’

‘As far as the next barrier.’

‘That is correct.’

‘Let us be clear. If we wish to reach Terra, we must reach Davin, is that correct?’

‘It is.’

‘Why?’

‘The current flows that way,’ Tuchulcha said.

The answer was enigmatic again after the plain speaking. The Lion knew he would not learn anything more.

When he left the chamber, Holguin was outside the doors. His face was respectful. His presence was concerned.

‘Speak your mind, voted lieutenant.’

‘Have you learned something, lord?’ Holguin asked.

‘I am told that Davin is the key to Terra.’

‘Do you believe what it tells you?’