'Forgive the Great Wolf, he is of an ill humour today,' murmured Kva.

'I'll let my manner speak for me, Kva.' Russ seemed to swell in size. He took no more space physically, yet at the same time he became huge in the minds of the men in the deserted corridor. His presence hung like a weight over them all, an executioner's axe suspended at the apex of its swing an instant from descent, or the hot wet snuffle of a bear at the cave mouth. He was fear. He was death behind a smiling face. It took more than courage to hold firm against such terror.

Valdor at least had the grace to look uncomfortable. 'My lord, I cannot tell you. We have standing orders from the Emperor Himself not to speak of what we do. Your father is occupied. Surely I Malcador told you that.'

'Aye, and I thought I might get a straighter answer from you than I Malcador. At the best of times his tongue is split. Dorn won't tell I me either, and he does know.' Russ sniffed at Valdor. 'You've been I fighting. That much I can tell. All of you. I've not seen more than a I dozen Custodes in the Palace together at any time since I got back.

'Where is the battle? You are exhausted.'

'I cannot say, my lord,' said Valdor. 'I apologise.'

'Then at least let me know if you are winning.'

Valdor stared up at him in silence.

'Fine then.' Russ shrugged mightily. 'I do not care. We both go I where the Emperor wills.'

'And him, is he what the Emperor wills?' asked Valdor.

'Are you talking about Kva here?' said Russ.

'You know I am.' Valdor eyed Kva's fetish-draped armour.

'Are you calling me a hypocrite too, Valdor?' Russ loomed dangerously. 'I've had enough of that from Dorn.'

'I would not live if I did,' said Valdor. His stony face did not so I much as twitch. 'I am simply pointing out an inconsistency in your I application of the Nikaean Edict. You were one of its most vocal I supporters. Sorcery, I believe you called it. Can you not see that I arrogance brought Horus down, and hubris Magnus? You exhibit both, my lord.'

'Careful,' rumbled Russ.

Kva spoke up in his own defence.

'Captain-general. We are at war with the Emperor's favoured son.