Quoted By:
Valdor is already waiting for you when your thunderhawks land on the outskirts of Tizca City. Though the bombardment has stopped, the shield is still up, a cautious move on the part of the Thousand Sons. It glows brightly with unknown power, ozone crackling like a void shield, one that can withstand the firepower of an entire imperial fleet. Your landing zone is a crater on the southern edge of the city, beyond the mountains, its sides still glowing with molten glass which crunches underfoot as your men begin unloading their equipment. Even amidst all the noise, you can hear the glass shattering into dust beneath the bulk of Valdor and his personal guard, 15 other Custodes and a squad of the Silent Sisters.
You had not been able to fully appreciate him in Russ’s hall, sitting next to the primarch, but here he stands tall and proud, resplendent in his immaculate golden armour, emanating an aura of complete confidence, and for once in your life you feel a dim stirring of dread. This is a man who has fought by The Emperor’s side since the very beginning, slaughtering thousands upon thousands of His enemies, a man who might even be able to best a primarch if the rumours whispered among the Legion are to be believed. He could snap you in two before you even realised it. Russ may be a primarch, but he is a barbarian, dimwitted and arrogant. Constantin Valdor is different. You must watch yourself around this man.
“I count capacity for 900 men here. Where are the other 600?”
Of course. Highly observant too. Nothing escapes his eye. You’re glad that he suspects nothing so far, otherwise you may be in trouble.
>I am keeping them in reserve. Besides, infiltration works best in small numbers, so there’s less chance of being discovered. Especially when we are up against sorcerers.
Valdor frowns, but nods in acknowledgement. “Very well. Then let us scout out the terrain, Captain Ales, and see what Tizca has in store for us.”
You trek with him to one of the mountains overlooking the city, and observe the defenders activities. Unsurprisingly, there is only minor damage to the city from side effects of the bombardment, and the Prosperine Spireguard is on the move. Through your augur lens you can see them setting up barricades, manning defensive positions on the walls and doing their best with what little time they have to prepare the city for all out war. Their alertness will make infiltration slightly more difficult, but since they are mortals the effect will be minor. What does have you worried however is the complete lack of marines. Try as you might, you cannot sight a single member of the Thousand Sons, only their mortal servants rushing about. Turning to Valdor, you ask if his superior perceptiveness has seen anything you have not, but he only shakes his head in return.
“No, Captain Ales. I see nothing.”
