I've decided to post some of my stories that were written to link some games together that I was playing with my regular opponent. We were both using fairly new armies of Angels Encarmine (Blood Angels successor) and Iron Warriors.
In the first game, I got an absolute kicking from the Iron Warriors. Although my Captain Elysius Aldo (Tycho stand-in) and his bodyguard managed to bring down a Daemon Prince, only a lone scout sergeant survived the entire battle (the rest were burned alive by a Heldrake).
The following story continues from the aftermath of the first battle, I have tried to remain true to the small amount of lore we have on the Angels Encarmine. (That their Chapter Master is Castellan Zargo and that they are the most active chapter in the Imperium, barely resting to re-cooperate their strength).
This is the first of the micro-stories that linked the campaign.
VENGEANCE OF THE LONG WAR: PART ONE
The hall echoed as the crimson clad warrior limped slowly across the marble floor. The pained expression upon his face was not caused by weakness, his kind did not feel such a thing, instead it was caused by the warrior's unease at being so unready. His status remained as unfit for duty, and that very idea caused him more pain than his injuries.
"Brother Sergeant Anzolo," echoed a voice from across the chamber.
The wounded warrior pulled back the hood on his robe, revealing a hairless head and craggy face scarred with horrendous heat burns . He kneeled slowly, grimacing as his aching muscles worked to support his weight.
"You are the first survivor of our ground forces to be revived from the deep sleep."
Anzolo looked up, towards the orrator. Stood before him was a towering warrior armoured in alabaster plate, trimmed with gold and bloody crimson. The armour was a work of great craftsmanship, rendered imperfect by superficial battle damage. Stylised ebon wings stretched out from behind the giant. In one hand he held a mask, the other clasped the haft of a great scythe.
"Tell me of what happened at Thandar, Anzolo" he asked.
Anzolo spoke of what he had seen, recounting the battle fought at the gates of the city of Thandor. He described the destruction that the archenemy had inflicted upon the outmatched defence forces.
"We arrived just in time to hold the gates, my lord," spoke Anzolo.
He continued his account, recounting every detail with perfect clarity. "The cursed daemon was defeated, but with great loss to our company. Those taken by the rage were all slain in an effort to bring the beast low. Captain Aldo and the firstborn contingent all sacrificed themselves to ensure it's demise. I saw all this before my position was compromised."
"Elysius Aldo still lives, Brother Sergeant. But it will pain you to know that so does our enemy."
"By the blood of the angel..." swore Anzolo.
The white clad giant raised his mask to his face, revealing a visage that could stare into the very soul of those who gazed upon it. The mask added a coldness to his voice as he spoke.
"We head now for the Numenthax system, to finish what was begun on Thandor. Whilst the blood encarmine flows through us, we shall never rest yet never tire"
"As his Angels, we shall never rest yet never tire" responded Anzolo, his heart filled with vengeance. At that moment, the chamber began to shake, a rumbling sound building as unseen motors powered up. The wall behind the masked warrior began to open, flooding the chamber with light and the sound of klaxons. As the door opened, it revealed a launch pad on which stood an honour guard of more alabaster clad warriors. In the centre, a Thunderhawk Gunship roared as it's thrusters came alive.
"Then make ready, Brother-Sergeant Anzolo" spoke Chapter Master Castellan Zargo, swinging his scythe up onto his shoulder as he marched out into the howling winds that whipped across the launch bay.
I'll post the next one tomorrow, feel free to comment and criticise!
