Chapter 19 Part 5

Chapter 19: Kronus: Consequences

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Part 5

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Court of the Young King

Craftworld Biel-Tan

Taldeer stood in a daze, scarcely believing what was happening. She was in the middle of a glade in one of Biel-Tan's seldom used gardens, which was the current meeting place of the Court. The ancient trees, soft grass, and quietly bubbling water did nothing to soothe her mind. She listened to the Exarchs and Autarchs arguing over her actions on Kronus. That was bad enough but expected.

The sudden and odd turn the debate took, was anything but like he expected it to go.

"This debacle is yet another proof that the Farseers let their Sight blind them for simple facts." A Fire Dragon Exarch spoke with rarely heard passion. "The use of basic tactics and strategy could have won the day, avoiding this disaster! Mark my words. The Yungir are using the Mon-Keigh, and we will rue the day we let such abominable 'alliance' stand!"

"That's an overly harsh assessment." Autarch Galanta countered calmly, giving Taldeer a hint of hope, she immediately dashed. "It is no surprise that the Yungir managed to deceive a young and inexperienced Farseer. They did it to much more powerful and experienced ones during the war. Nevertheless, Taldeer's failings as a leader of a warhost are obvious and inexcusable. I'm against giving a command to Farseers who haven't both proved their mettle in combat, and capability as strategists and tacticians."

That sentiment met universal approval. At that moment, Taldeer felt alone and abandoned. There wasn't a single Biel-Tan Farseer backing her. They were too busy divining the future and deciding her fate at a meeting of their own to attend this judgment. Ether that or deployed all over the galaxy, along with the other members of the Court of the Young King.

"We're agreed then." Autarch Mauryon sneered. He was the newest Exarch to earn the title and a living example of how Biel-Tan differed from other Craftworlds. Due to the size of their military and constant deployment, they needed multiple active supreme commanders to oversee operations all across the galaxy.

Of course, the existence and importance of this very council were another difference. It was a direct consequence of the great importance of the military.

"It might be for the best if," Mauryon pointedly paused before uttering her tittle, "Farseer Taldeer spends some time receiving orders. She must learn when and why they're issued before she dares even think about being in command again. She needs to prove her competence in tactics and strategy. However, her failures are less important than their consequences. We need to neutralize this 'alliance' before the old enemy could bury us in Mon-Keigh and then strike while we're dealing with those pests!"

Exarch Kyre clapped once at the sentiment.

"We need actionable intelligence. What of Ulthwe's involvement? What is Eldrad plotting this time? It is no secret he is no friend of our goals even if he often finds our military useful in his schemes." The Exarch thankfully shifted the topic away from Taldeer.

"You've seen the message from Ulthwe. That is either another of his plots, or one of them failed spectacularly enough for She-Who-Thirsts to retaliate." Mauryon let out a quiet chuckle before sobering up. "I find it telling. They didn't just request assistance to protect their Craftworld, but require that we deal with rising threats Ulthwe is no longer in position to counter."

"The portents of more Necrons rising in the same general region of space as Kronus." Autarch Galanta pointed out. "That is no coincidence. We can't allow the Yungir to grow any stronger. We should be moving in to neutralize the threat once and for all. However, it will be cycles before we could shuffle enough troops from other critical theaters for such a blow. It's not just the infestation on Kronus, but the source of the reinforcements that arrived just before the last of our warriors left."

"The course of action is clear. We need to place Kronus under observation, investigate and find all active Tomb Worlds before striking swiftly." Kyre declared as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

"We will do so. In the meantime, we need to pursue a containment and neutralization strategy. We have to investigate all portents of more Yungir slaves stirring up and put them down everywhere we find them." Mauryon suggested. "At the same time, we have to track the Mon-Keigh subverted by the old enemy. We must kill them before they could bring even more of their rotten Imperium under the sway of those ancient terrors. As much as I dislike the prospect, we'll have to aid the primates in combating such subversion." Distaste dripped from the Autarch's aura.

"I agree." Autarch Galanta nodded sharply. "This is also a learning opportunity." She looked at Taldeer. "Young Farseer, I suggest in front of this council that you join one of the strike forces we dispatch to search and destroy Yungir Tombs. You will be there in strictly support capacity, using your gifts to aid the warhost and learn from its commanders."

"Who knows, she might turn out into something useful. Besides, this way, if she dies, it might be in a productive way." Mauryon shrugged in indifference.

The sentiments of the other council members were similar, if often equally biting.

"I humbly accept." Taldeer finally found her words and bit off.

"Good. Then you can leave. We'll inform you when and where you'll have to report for duty." Galanta dismissed her with a wave of a hand and Taldeer hurried to leave.

She didn't run away even if it was close. Taldeer saw all her failures dissected, evaluated, and used against her fellow Farseers. That hurt almost as much as failing those under her command. Taldeer had to make up for her disaster, and no matter the source, she was grateful for the opportunity to do so. As much as possible anyway.

The empty streets and vacant homes she walked past didn't help her mood. A large part of Biel-Tan was in a similar state. It was empty, felt lonely, and longing for a better future. However, that could come only once they finally won their wars and could enjoy the fruits of victory. Until then, Biel-Tan and her inhabitants would have to endure.

There was no other way. For the sake of all Aeldari, they had to bring the Empire back and put their people where they belonged – on the helm of the whole galaxy.

What else was there?

Taldeer kept walking and braced herself. She was yet to meet the Farseer Council and their judgment.