By the time Sanguinius had finished relating his tale and his brothers had asked him their questions, it was late evening. High levels of atmospheric pollution rendered the sunsets of Terra gloriously colourful. The tower room where they talked was saturated in deep orange light.

Conversation turned inevitably to what should be done next. Dorn activated a hololith depicting the whole wheel of the galaxy. Sunlight streamed through it, staining the stars bloody. 'This is our disposition,' said Dorn. 'Here, at Terra, we now have four Legions. The Lion pursues his policy of vengeance. Guilliman harries the traitors as he advances upon Terra.'

'He should have come directly,' said Jaghatai. 'Swift movement wins battles.'

'He thought it better one Legion got through rather than none,' said Sanguinius. 'Between them, the Lion and Guilliman have split the traitors' forces. We will have fewer enemy to face when Horus' hammer blow falls. Lion El'Jonson bleeds his strength, Guilliman pushes him on towards us. Their diversions allowed me through. We are at last in a position to dictate the course of the war. We can win.'

'We are also split,' said the Khan. 'Six Legions could have been here.'

'They outnumber us greatly,' said Sanguinius. 'Dividing their forces was the wisest action. They cannot be allowed to bring their full might to bear here.'

Dorn nodded. 'Sanguinius is right. The Lion's campaign will buy us time, and Guilliman's activities give us the precious gift of choosing our own timing.'

'How much time?' said the Khan.

'It doesn't matter how much time we gain,' said Russ. 'It isn't enough. We have seen Sanguinius' ships, the Khan's.' Russ drank deeply of his wine. 'Mine. Our fleets are depleted. Mars is in open revolt. We do not have time, brothers. Horus still has two choices, he can attack us here, and smash what little remains of our strength, or wear us down by slow degree until there is nothing left. Either way, he wins.'

The Angel and the Wolf are more similar than they appear, thought Sanguinius. I am refined on the surface and savage within, Russ is the opposite. How many mirrorings like these did the Emperor engineer into His sons? And why? He thought of Curze, another, darker reflection of himself. 'That was true a few weeks ago,' said Dorn. 'His hand is forced. Thanks to the actions of our brothers the Ruinstorm is blowing out. Now we can muster our strength, he will attack directly. He will wish to lay siege to Terra before Guilliman can bring his warriors here from Ultramar. With the Lion laying waste to the traitor's domains, his own ability to reinforce will be compromised. There will be no attrition now. We are engaged in a race.'