7 Horus
Baldur sat across Jendi in her room, looking at his adoptive mother with a rare softness in his eyes. The woman looked at her son who had aged so fast and felt both relief and fear in her heart. She was glad he had grown up so well but was scared about the information she was about to give him tearing their relationship apart.
"How have you been lately? You barely come to see me," Jendi puffed her cheeks, faking a pout
Baldur let his lips slightly curl up when he saw his mother and reached out to rub the top of her head ass if he was comforting a child, just as she had done when they first spoke.
"Apologies, Mother. I've been training and also training my Sorcerers. I must be careful with them as there is the chance that they may lose themselves to their power," Baldur apologized to his mother sincerely, also wishing to spend more time with her
Jendi knocked his hand away playfully and looked at her son's warm eyes before looking at the rest of his face and she smiled as she noticed how handsome he was.
"Such a handsome boy. When are you planning on getting married?" Jendi asked with a hand under her chin
"Please, Mother," Baldur shook his head with a wry smile. "I'm only 3. I'm far too young to get married."
"Tsk. Don't use that excuse with me, you little bastard! You go off to fight, you drink, and you sleep around but you can't get married?" she complained to her son
Baldur cursed under his breath, not willing to get caught up in that trap. He planned to make an escape which Jendi caught. She grabbed his arm to stop him from getting up and got down to business.
"Fine, fine. That's not why I called you here anyway," Jendi gave up on setting her son up, at least for that day. "What do you think of your father and Edward?"
Baldur could immediately see where she was going so he didn't beat around the bush with her since she wanted an answer.
"They are both kind but they are bad kings. Neither is able to handle to true duties that a king must perform with the current kingdom only being held up by the Kingswards, myself, and you," Baldur expressed himself as clearly as he could with a calm voice, void of emotions. It was not like he disliked his brother and father but neither were fit to be kings.
"He has allowed that viper not only inside the castle but to also give birth to Cedric. If not for my arrival, they would have surely seized the throne with that assassination attempt all those years ago," Baldur continued
Jendi nodded in agreement. She understood better than anyone that the woman was truly too vicious and cunning for the good of the kingdom. If she had it her way, they would go to war with the nearby Knight Worlds in order to try and take their Imperial Knights.
"That is why I want you to pass the Trials of Truth. That way, you can be appointed crown prince before Edward is officially crowned as the true crown prince next year," Jendi told him of her plot
The Trials of Truth was an ancient method used to test Knight Households in case the king and the rest of the royal family had been killed in some sort of attack or from disease. It was also used when a member of the royal family felt that someone who was set to inherit the throne was unworthy and they wanted to usurp their position peacefully.
Jendi wanted to use this as a chance to put Baldur on the throne without having a civil war for the position, which Alice would surely cause due to Edward's weak personality. As long as Baldur was the crown prince, she would be unable to gather any supporters due to his skills and personality.
"I see. Will there be any problems due to me outlawing the persecution of Witches?" Baldur questioned the edict that he had created before. Although he didn't regret it, he knew that many nobles may have found an issue with his position on the matter.
Jendi shook her head, having already thought of that possibility.
"At first, I was worried that may have been true as well but thanks to your efforts and the assistance that your sorcerers have provided when dealing with the bandits and thugs, the general opinion of witches has greatly changed."
"Good. How about I take the test in half a year then?" Baldur wanted to gain more achievements using the sorcerers under him in order to ensure that their position in the minds of the nobles was positive
"That is perfect," Jendi was glad that her son was so smart. He could see the bigger picture and plan accordingly
Jendi's smile slowly fell as dark thoughts began to take over her mind
"Yo-you don't resent me for doing this? You don't think that I had just adopted you to replace Edward?"
Baldur didn't answer at first but stood up and walked around the table before he bent down and gave his mother a hug.
"Not at all. I know my mother better than anyone. All the care and love you have given me has been genuine. This is your way of not only protecting Feluc but also myself. We both know that Alice will not let me live if I don't take the throne for myself."
Baldur had no issues with his mother wanting him to take the throne. She wasn't being selfish about it at all and just wanted what was best for the greater good. She was simply a kind woman who was trying to do what was best in his eyes.
The two continued to plan out the minor details for another few hours before Baldur returned to his room and slept through the rest of the night without any difficulties. The idea of taking the position of crown prince from his brother wasn't something he had felt bad about since his brother was inadequate in his eyes. It was only right for him to do it in order to ensure the peace and prosperity of Feluc.
As he entered his dreams, Baldur found himself before a throne made of gold. Sitting atop it was a man in golden armor. The same one that he remembered from the first time that they had seen each other.
Standing beside him was a familiar hooded figure who he had seen countless times. His astral body looked very stable and even had some clothing to it but it was still not as defined as Baldur's father who looked entirely human. As much as a man like him could at least.
Baldur looked down at his astral body and he noticed that it had grown more stable from his increased control of his Psyker abilities. The grey energy was much less rampant and resembled a glowing body with no identifying features.
Baldur turned to his side and saw that the younger brother he had seen so many times over the past few years wasn't present.
'Guess it is a different time on Prospero.'
Baldur turned back to his father and gave a small bow but refused to kneel before the powerful man.
"Father. Malcador," Baldur called out to both of them
"Baldur. It is good to see you," his father told him with a small smile
"Hmm," Baldur replied indifferently. "Why have you called for me?"
"Is it wrong for a parent to call for their child?" Malcador asked from the side
Baldur thought about it for a moment before answering
"I suppose not. But my father is no ordinary man. Few would send their sons into space because they reneged on a deal with gods," Baldur replied honestly like usual.
Unlike Magnus, his 15th brother who was the other Psyker of the Primarchs, he knew exactly who had taken them away and separated the brothers. The tomes of Feluc spoke their names and warned of their corruption. This was why Baldur was so careful with his sorcerers, afraid that they would unleash the forces of Chaos on Feluc or become corrupted.
"I apologize for that, Baldur. You know that was not my intention or hope," the Emperor spoke in a gentle tone with Baldur, knowing his 2nd son's temper
"The road to Chaos is paved with good intentions," Baldur shot back, not caring about his father's intentions. It was the results that mattered most to him. The result of the Emperor's actions was that the man sitting on the golden throne had no right to call himself his father.
"You have already gotten Horus and Alpharius. When shall you go after the rest of my brothers?" Baldur asked, curious about how the others were doing. They had done him no wrong and were his siblings. He was curious about their fates and wellbeing.
The Emperor shook his head. It was the same question that Baldur asked each time.
"It is too chaotic right now. Too many worlds and systems lie between them and myself. The Great Crusade must not be rushed, or we shall destroy all we hope to build."
"So you say," Baldur was frustrated with getting the same answer and wanted to end the conversation. "What do you want?"
Malcador was going to chide Baldur but the Emperor stopped him. He knew better than to try and use force with Baldur. If he did, he would most likely have to kill his child in the future.
"You said you are on Feluc, correct?" the Emperor asked, already knowing the answer
Baldur hummed in response
"There are several other Knight Worlds in that area. Bring them under your control. They are more likely to listen to you and submit to one of the princes of those worlds than to me. At least without a show of force," the Emperor put forward his order
"Fine. I need to rest now," Baldur gave his reply and let his consciousness slip away, his astral body fading from the room
The Emperor almost laughed at his child before the room around them started to crack and then shatter. The scene changed for Malcador and the Emperor who appeared inside of a large throne room with men in golden armor around them while a young man in white armor kneeled before the throne
"How was the conversation with Baldur?" Horus asked
"That boy is arrogant and disrespectful," Malcador commented, not the biggest fan of Baldur
"He is arrogant but no fool, Malcador. He knows his limits. Which makes it all the more difficult," the Emperor shook his head as he thought of Baldur's temper. "But to answer you Horus, he has agreed to do his part. We can focus our efforts in a different direction for now."
"Yes, Father. Then me and my Wolves can redirect our efforts," Horus was secretly glad he no longer had to go to the Knight Worlds. Their Imperial Knights were a great threat and could harm his Legion to the point that he would need to take years to recover it.
Another secret part of him was also glad that he would not have to share his father with any of his brothers for longer. He enjoyed being the only son around and would take full advantage of the time he had.
