Horus' princely face took on an ugly aspect. 'I thought you would spurn me. You are a dog. You come when our father whistles, the brave hound that will attack whatever his oppressor commands, too stupid to know his master's quarry will kill you. On Old Earth, in the ancient days, there were dogs like you, set loose in packs to hunt wild swine. They would attack without hesitation, though many died, for they were bred without fear. Their natural form perverted to suit the whims of their creators. Like you. Like all of us.' He swept his burning gaze over the hall. 'But here I see no pack of fearless dogs, only a confused cur and his pups. You are the one who has lost his senses, my brother. Even if you were to come against me with all our so-called loyal brothers, you would be outmatched. Alone you have no chance of victory. Within hours your Legion will be extinct and your tiresome, primitive culture will follow, for, my brother, I will see Fenris burn.'

If Horus' words were meant to provoke, they were unsuccessful. A look of calm certainty took hold of the Wolf King. Russ rose up from his fighting stance, and let the tip of the Emperor's Spear lower itself to the ground. He walked purposefully towards Horus, and the crowds of warriors parted to let him pass. 'You are not yourself, I can see that,' said Russ. 'You have been overtaken. Stop this madness. Come back with me. Let the Emperor heal you.'

Horus laughed. It was the throaty growl of a monster in a hidden cave that comes out at night to devour the young.

'He cannot heal when there is nothing to mend! Do you not see?' Horus held his arms wide, and moved down the steps. 'I am not wounded, I have been made whole. Before, I was but a pawn, now I am the master of my destiny. I will overthrow our father, and bring a new era of power to mankind.'

'An era of cruelty,' said Russ. 'Look at your warriors. They have become monsters, though not so much as their father.'

'Monsters?' roared Horus. 'I have seen the black future the Emperor will bring upon us. He cares nothing for humanity. The Great Crusade was a lie, Russ. He cares only for His own apotheosis. You and I, we are tools to be cast aside. He will let the souls of a trillion human beings burn to sate His eternal hunger. I know.'

'These things you say are not true. Listen to yourself!' pleaded Russ. 'There is still time. Stop.'