awooo

His cheek twitched as he considered the other man’s words. In truth, he had not thought about what might happen after the battle, so caught up was he in ensuring that they both got out of danger that he hadn’t thought about the implications of his actions. 

Still, he owed Zalman his life. And life debt or not, the man was still his friend. He couldn’t sit by in silence while his brothers discussed who should be the one to pull the trigger. Recognizing the hypocrisy in his thoughts, he shoved them away quickly. He would pay for them later, he knew, but that was a problem for future Ranulfr. 

“I’ll take responsibility for my actions,” he said softly. 

Arild eyed Ranulfr flatly for a moment, then just sighed and shook his head. “You really didn’t think this through, did you, pup?” he replied just as softly. He rubbed at his chin for a long moment, his brow furrowed in thought, then let out a huff as he came to a decision. “Well then. It looks like we have ourselves a prisoner of war here - he may prove useful in helping us locate his primarch and the rest of his kin. Then perhaps Russ will be merciful. In the meantime, however, our prisoner here will need a guard.” Arild pinned Ranulfr with a piercing gaze. “Ranulfr, that is your responsibility. You are to remain with him at all times.”

He didn’t give Ranulfr a chance to respond though, instead turning back to the apothecary still crouched beside Zalman. “How is our prisoner looking, Birgit?” 

Birgit didn’t reply immediately, more focused on his work. Finally he finished up and rocked back on his heels, absently wiping some blood off his narthecium. “Hrrn. He is as stable as I can get him down here. I can’t say much more than that though,” he replied gruffly. 

“Good enough. We’ve wasted enough time here.” Arild gestured to both Birgit and Ranulfr. “Get him into the Rhino, it will do for a holding cell until we get back shipside.” The Rhino rumbled to a halt nearby, its back ramp lowering with a dull thud against the rubble. “Ranulfr, your guard duty starts now. Stay with him.” 

i still check Discord and Telegram quite frequently though, so if you want, hit me up there. 

“You’re seeing me now.” He grinned slyly, nudging his nose up into hers to brush it gently. The gesture was a tender one, though the fire in his eyes betrayed its softness. “We can take a quick break, don’t you think?”

Ranulfr winced slightly as the Chaplain shot at one of them, and a cry came out of it before it died. “Aye.” His upper lip curled in disgust. “They are animals, at the end of the day.”

They continued moving through the tunnels, and the walls slowly pressed in, causing them to have to crouch down to fit. Ranulfr’s head brushed the top of the makeshift ceiling, and it rumbled ominously above them.

Ahead, the glow of artificial light grew stronger, and soon a makeshift barrier comprised of debris came into view. The flurry of multiple lasguns lifting to a ready position echoed along the tunnel, and a ragged voice called out. “Who’s there! Name yourselves!”

The Chaplain didn’t give much of an acknowledge to the Space Wolf’s retort about the Tyranids being animals, as they were more than just that. They were sentient, they could think and adjust to circumstances, Hive Mind or not, they were more than just simple beasts. He even had the thought to make a retort of his own, to say not to underestimate what their enemies were even though he didn’t know too much about them himself. A lifetime full of lessons and hardships was something he had experienced all too much, he wouldn’t be the teacher of the younger Astartes if he first didn’t allow him to be more reckless so that he may learn from what they’re doing.

Following him down the path of the many collapsed hallways, he checked the vox a few times to gather intel from his men. Their voices were murmurs to him over the transmission channels, there was fire in the background, he could hear it burning, but there was no gunfire. He suspected that they were investigating further into the city, looking more for survivors as well, yet they had the same luck as them, finding none so far. Though when they had to crouch down, the bulk of his armour scrapped the sides of the debris, and he looked up more when lasers were upon their plate, Ranulfr calling out to them.

Keirr snarled, eyes narrowing at the mention of the false Emperor. “He has done nothing for me!”

He flourished his axe in the air, pointing it accusitorily at the Wolf. “When I was abandoned and alone, it was Lord Blackheart who gave me salvation. He saved me when my pack, my brothers had all failed me.”

“So tell me… brother - who was the one who was betrayed?”

“You failed yourself when you refused to die!” the Wolf snarled. “You failed yourself when you did not slay these traitors on sight! There will be no place for you at the table in the afterlife.”

As Karzo threw the Wolf at his feet, Keirr’s face broke into a feral grin, his fangs bared with excitement. His power axe thrummed in his hands, and he could feel the blood coursing in his fingers as he gripped it tight, Karzo’s command echoing in his ears.

Ranulfr shrugged, and followed Zalman. “So how long have you had her?”

Ranulfr clenched his fists, holding back the urge to punch him. “Then do what you can.” He tried to calm down, reign his temper in. “Please.”

Birgit didn’t bother responding, already well-occupied with treating Zalman’s wounds as best he was able. 

Still, he owed Zalman his life. And life debt or not, the man was still his friend. He couldn’t sit by in silence while his brothers discussed who should be the one to pull the trigger. Recognizing the hypocrisy in his thoughts, he shoved them away quickly. He would pay for them later, he knew, but that was a problem for future Ranulfr. 

As Hathor’s hand came to rest on his arm, he hummed low in his throat, pressing closer. “You’re awake.” Ranulfr said. “Good morning.”

It had taken them a better part of an hour to meander through the various traps set there, but they got through with few injuries. The surrounding temperature had risen such that every bare faced Wolf had a sheen of sweat on their skin, but that did nothing to hamper them. 

The two men left to guard the system surrendered easily, and Ranulfr left one of his men to watch them - restrained, of course - for possible later questioning. Lotara’s name had not been among the list of deaths. That gave him some hope, but he knew that there was likely not much time left until they got to her. They were so close, he knew.

After some searching, the scent of mortals led Hati toward one of the outermost boxes. The path was confirmed at the sight of armed traitors, dragging a prisoner between them, opened fire on the approaching Astartes. It was a futile effort, but a mercifully short encounter. The prisoner they had been dragging, covered in the viscera of his captors, sputtered his thanks and greetings. He was drenched in sweat, trembling in the heat.

“… P-please, lords- they’re going to die of the heat…” He rasped, gesturing from whence he came, and where Hati had been leading them. “The Captain and them aren’t doing so good-!”

“Please.” She grinned. While Dagmar had more than enjoyed the feast, she was full and wanted nothing more than to have a breather. Her hand clasped with Ran’s under the table and with an exaggerated motion she escaped the chair and under the table. Popping back out a moment later, standing next to her new husband. “Shall we?”

As for Mephiston…well, he would be a very pretty chair decoration for the next few hours.

Ranulfr blinked as she scrambled under the table deftly, only to reemerge a few seconds later beside him. “Yes.” Placing a hand on the small of her back, he kissed her soundly on the cheek, and wrapped a hand around hers, pulling her along with him. 

.::There was much talk about cookies (that I started) tonight in the Discord server to the point that many parties got involved!

Ranulfr leaned up to meet her, then grumbled when she moved away at the last minute. He shook his head even after she straightened his hair, mussing up even her best efforts. 

“Just taking a break. A welcome interruption, for sure.” He grinned. “What brings you around to this neck of the woods?”