Editing Roman Albrecht (section)

===Youth===

Fate decreed that the primarch's incubation capsule landed upon the world of [[Centauri Primus]], a planet of nobility and honor. Unlike many of his brothers, Roman Albrecht spent many years alone in isolation in the vast wilds of his homeworld, surviving by wit of his native strength and cunning.  The primarch's isolation only ended when Olivaw Albrecht happened upon the feral child while out hunting.  Olivaw was a nobleman of solitary nature, the last scion of a proud house who had made peace with being the end of his line.  Yet on that day, the nobility of Roman's bearing and the intelligence in his eyes struck Olivaw as something extraordinary.  The aristocrat at once felt it was his duty to bring such a fine specimen of manhood from beast-like squalor into the embrace of civilisation.  But in the instant it took for that decision to be made, the primarch fled.

[[File:1365284685013.png|thumb|180px|left|Portrait of Olivaw Albrecht, attired for travel.]]
Undeterred, Olivaw patiently tracked his quarry and slowly won the wild primarch's trust over a series of weeks.  Some days he found the child waiting in the same place they had last met, while on others he spent from dawn until dusk searching in vain.  Finally, the child took Olivaw's hand and returned with him to the aristocrat's estate.  For want of another name, Olivaw dubbed his adopted son "Roman", for their long days spent roaming the wilds.  Once brought into the realm of men, Roman learnt language and the other skills of a nobleman in a few short months.  Astonished by his adopted son's prodigy, Olivaw took it upon himself to show Roman all of the world that he could, so that the youth might learn from experience what his father could not teach.  It soon became the pattern that Olivaw would walk with Roman about a new place in the morning, and let his tireless son explore on his own initiative in the afternoon.  Such a scheme suited the two well in the tranquil lands about the Albrecht estate, but it was ill-suited to the intrigues of the city of '''Nessus'''.  After lunch, an eager Roman happened upon the manor of Valrious Talon, a rival of Olivaw Albrecht's eager to 'entertain' a kinsman of his foe.

Valrious politely trapped Roman, insisting that the youth view his gardens, gallery, enjoy the fruits of his kitchen, and then sample the best of his cellar.  The entertainment went late into the night.  Olivaw Albrecht began to search for his son as day turned to night and his enquiries led him to the Talon estate.  Although he knew that Valrious would take the visit as an opportunity for an honour duel - and that such a contest would greatly favour the younger, fitter Talon - Olivaw could not resist the bait and willingly walked into Valrious' trap.  Centauran gentility masked the deadly consequences for a few minutes.  Valrious received his guest with honour and conveyed Olivaw to his son.  After giving Roman time to gleefully embrace Olivaw and tell him of the the day's activities, Valrious politely interrupted and reminded his rival that there was business to be settled.

As the blades were brought forth and inspected, Olivaw explained the situation to Roman.  The youth's question about the end of the duel brought a silence from his adoptive father, into which Valrious casually interjected, ''"The duel is to the death, of course."''  Though he was still a boy in many ways, the primarch already possessed a fine eye for martial prowess and knew that Olivaw didn't stand a chance.  When the formalities of the pre-duel concluded Roman snatched up his father's blade and declared that he would answer the challenge to his house's honour.  Olivaw saw the look of determination in his son's eyes and agreed, though his heart shrank in his chest at the thought of Roman being killed.  Valrious readied himself with a sardonic smile and paid backhanded compliment to the "half-tame" youngster.  The primarch's speed and strength quickly wiped the smile from Valrious' face, and seconds later took the head from his neck.

[[File:An afternoon in the city by silberius-d5wmrmt.jpg|thumb|200px|The streets of Nessus]]

Shocked, Olivaw approached the boy, explaining what this meant. Since it was the House Albrecht that killed Valrious, House Talon would come under the fold of Albrecht, along with their vast network of wealth and power. Brimming with pride at not only protecting his adoptive father, Roman Albrecht had earned his last name and doubled his fathers holdings. It would not be the last time he would defend the honor of House Albrecht. He was quickly inducted into the Couro Prido as a full member, and his ascension was guaranteed.

As the young Albrecht rose to power, gaining fame and dominion over the competing houses, his rivals acted quickly to move against him. Disregarding the ancient Couro Prido, the rival Houses declared Roman a 'barbaric usurper', gathering their forces within their own cities. With outright rebellion not only against Roman, but the Couro Prido, the rival Houses gambled that Roman would step down from his title of 'Master Duelist' and give in to their demands. Much to their surprise, and to the astonishment of the people, Roman declared them renegades and enemies of the Couro Prido, and announced that he would break down their walls and bring them to justice. With great haste the young Primarch gathered his loyal men at arms, utilizing what little armored support they had, and set off to war.  The campaigns of the Couro Prido still echo down through the ages to the sons of Centauri today, but suffice it to say that the Primarch's men where almost uniformly victorious.  Those of their foes that surrendered honourably were treated with grace and mercy, while those who remained perfidious and defiant were given warrior's deaths.

Victory in the wars of Centauri brought Roman great respect and an unwelcome crown.  He was not overly pleased to reign, but he saw rulership as one more duty and strove to perform it well.  Unfortunately, Albrecht was not the best judge of character and he often had to call his men to war to put down a rebellion that might not have occurred under the watch of a more insightful monarch.  Still, he remained popular and in his five years as King of Centauri he began to learn the arts of statecraft.