'These here are the Wolf Guard of the Einherjar, the jarl's inner circle. They are here to honour you. All this is for your benefit,' Bror raised a hand and grinned at a fellow of his. The warrior was dressed in his power armour without his helm, and had his face covered by a leather mask like Bror's. He nodded in response.

'I am honoured,' said Loken.

'You should be,' said Bror.

Loken was sincere. He was honoured. Once he would have dismissed the force as savages, regarding his own Legion as far superior. That was before the Luna Wolves had become the Sons of Horus, and the Sons of Horus had become traitors. Russ' wolves, the true wolves, had proved the more faithful.

They passed through the throng of warriors, having to beg pardon so they could go between them. There was no sense of discipline to them at all, but Loken knew this concealed a terrifying prowess in war.

Braziers gave off a suffocating heat. Firebowls burned animal oils that furred the ceiling with fatty deposits. At the far end of the corridor huge, circular ivory doors barred the way. A serpent ran around the outside, framing in its circle of scales a tempestuous sea crammed with monsters and foundering wooden ships. The serpent's mouth was clamped firmly around its own tail. Loken recognised the ouroboros, the ancient symbol of eternity, but he had never seen a representation like this before.

'Bror Tyrfingr!' roared a bearded giant. He wore a leather suit like Bror's and smelled like the cave of a hibernating bear. He grappled Bror, a half-wrestle, half-embrace that had the pair of them staggering about the corridor. Loken was forced to step back to avoid their boisterous greeting. The men grunted as they pushed at each other, before collapsing into laughter and hugging fiercely,

'Ah, brother Loken,' said Bror, his arm hung around the shoulders of the warrior. 'This is Varagyr Kettril Modinsson, called Dourface, of the retinue of Hvarl Red-Blade, the Jarl of Sepp.'

Kettril gave Loken a massive, infectious smile 'The lone wolf,' he said. He held out his arm. Loken took it only to be pulled into an embrace he would rather have avoided. He got a mouthful of musty pelt before Kettril released him.

'It is a privilege to meet you, brother, wolf to wolf,' said Kettril.

'I have no brotherhood, not anymore,' said Loken, a statement that caused Kettril to pull him close again.

'Never say that again,' Kettril whispered. 'We are all wolves of the Emperor here. If you find yourself lacking in a good warrior to watch your back,' he nodded his head towards Bror in jest, 'you can call on me. This I swear by the fires of the world forge.'

'I thank you,' said Loken, unsure of what to say.