Editing The Tales of the Emperasque: Part Eleven (section)

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“You’re stalling, Leman,” Roboute Guilliman said.<br>
“No, just taking my time, brother,” Russ said coolly. They were standing in one of the innumerable luxury apartments in the Palace where diplomats from far-flung portions of the Imperium would stay while waiting to make a case to the High Lords, where he had decided to stay until he could return to his Chapter.<br>
“To what end?” Guilliman asked. “You could go back to Fenris at any time you wanted. All the Astartes forces that Corax and I brought with us have left now, even Dante. Corax left this morning, I’m leaving tomorrow, Lion’s probably half way to The Rock, Jaghatai left last night. Are you even planning on leaving?”<br>
“Don’t get testy with me, Brother, it won’t end well for you,” Russ snarled. Guilliman stared Russ down, completely unafraid of his brother’s posturing.<br>
“It’s Bjorn, isn’t it?” he asked quietly.<br>
Russ kept glaring at Guilliman for a few more seconds before relenting. “…Yes. Fuck. Fuck! What if he was telling the truth? Is that what I want to see when I go home?”<br>
Guilliman nodded silently. “How do you want to handle it?”<br>
“I don’t even want to think about it. But…I should just contact them via astropath and let them know I’m coming. Harald and Grimnir will have told them I’m back, but I didn’t tell them when I would be heading back to Fenris.”<br>
“So go unannounced,” Guilliman said, smiling faintly. “Go without advance notice. See if things really are as they say.”
“Surprise my own battle brothers?” Russ asked in confusion.<br>
“Why not? If you’re afraid of what you’ll find, it’s best to see it unadorned and unornamented, isn’t it?” Guilliman asked reasonably.<br>
Russ inhaled deeply, and slowly let it out. “You’re right. Damn it. I should just get this over with.