Elizabeth sighed, her voice softening. "Because I want to protect you, even if you don’t realize you . You’re still too vulnerable—your Chapter, your brothers, even your fleet are at risk. If the enemies you face ever take notice of you, though the ces of that happening are slim, they could wipe out everything you’ve built ht. And it wouldn’t take much effort. Between the Eldar of Aitod roving bands of Chaos pirates, your position is precarious at best. Traveling with us offers prote, as well as access to critical intelligence you’ll o make the right choices."Her expnation carried a note of finality, but Kayvaan couldn’t suppress a bitter ugh. "And what if I’m not ied in your so-called prote?"

  "Then sider it a gift," Elizabeth replied with a shrug. "Mercy, even. All you have to do is accept it humbly. For me, it’s just another mission."

  Kayvaan's face flushed red, anger boiling just beh the surface. His fists ched, and his posture radiated a dangerous energy, like a predator poised to strike. For a moment, Elizabeth wondered if he would sh out. But the tension drained from his body as quickly as it had built, a out a weary sigh. "What an infuriating truth," he muttered. He stared at the floor for a long moment before raising his gaze. "Fine. When do we leave?"

  "The fleet departs in five days," she answered simply.

  "Uood." Kayvaan stood, signaling the end of the versation. "If that’s all, I’ll prepare for the journey."

  "I’ll board your ship shortly before departure," Elizabeth added.

  "We’ll be ready to wele you," he replied ftly, turning on his heel and striding out of the room.

  Kayvaan passed through a series of heavily secured corridors before stepping into the bustling streets of the Lion’s Gate Spaceport. This was the third sub-port, one of thirteen expansions built to aodate the Imperium’s ever-growing needs. The a spaceport, once a symbol of strength, now strained uhe weight of modern traffic.

  He paused by a massive observation window, where the silhouette of his ship loomed against the star-filled void. Its design was unlike anything else in the fleet—a ship that seemed to belong to another era entirely. It resembled a massive a sailing vessel, with a t mast and enormous bck sails adorned with the silver emblem of a rose. The symbol of his Chapter: the Bck Rose.

  The Bck Rose was the most prized asset of the Kayvaan family. It had been uhe trol of the family heads feions, a symbol of their power and legaamed after the family emblem, the Bck Rose was now Kayvaan's to and. pared to standard void-faring cruisers of the Imperium, the ship was retively small. However, as an exploration vessel, it surpassed warships in every critical area—speed, endurance, and operational efficy.

  Kayvaan navigated through the bustling port, passing multiple security checkpoints with ease. After quick ss and verification, he reached the designated dog bay. A guard a finely detailed carapaiform hurriedly saluted him, and Kayvaaurhe gesture with a casual nod before b the Bck Rose unimpeded.

  The ship’s interior was nothing short of breathtaking. It bore an air of old-world majesty, resembling the gilded halls of a ate more than the austere fines of a voidship. Plush crimson carpets lihe deck, and the walls were adorned with intricate tapestries and relics from fotten ages. As Kayvaan walked the corridors, the subtle rumble of the ship’s psma drives resonated like a heartbeat beh the hull. After taking a series of sharp turns, he arrived at the bridge.

  An elderly man with ly groomed curls of white hair stood waiting by the bulkhead door. He exuded the poise of a veteran void-servant, a figure who seemed born for service among noble lords. The old man offered a respectful bow.

  Kayvaan aowledged him with a nod and strode to the and throhe bridge's tral seat of authority. Made of rich sandalwood cquered to perfe and padded with fine furs, it left no doubt about its purpose: a thro for a leader of sequence. Without hesitation, Kayvaaled into it and asked, “How are the preparations for the Bck Rose?”

  The old steward, Williameus , stepped forward, pg a steaming cup of green tea on the orray beside the throne. “Everything is ready, Master. The cargo and supplies were secured yesterday. The ship is prepared to depart at your order.”

  Kayvaan picked up the teacup, blowily across its surface. He took a sip, the fragrant brew filling his senses. “This tea is excellent. Where is it sourced?”

  “It hails from the mountaies of my homeworld, Master,” Williameus replied with a faint smile. “Should it please you, I will e remains stocked.”

  “Good,” Kayvaan said, setting the cup aside. “Now, tell me about my holdings and the previous head of the family.”

  Williameus straightened, his voice carrying a note of quiet reverence. “In our homend, the previous head of the family is known as The Rose That Never Withers. Legends surround them—some cim they have lived for millennia, others whisper of eras beyond reing. Facts are scarce. My grandfather’s grandfather eheir service as a child, yet to this day, the tales persist.”

  Kayvaan arched an eyebrow. “Still alive? And doing what, exactly?”

  “The previous head has withdrawn to a great fortress-paone are permitted to enter, and no one has glimpsed them in living memory. Yet, instrus are delivered monthly, without fail, from a single high window.”

  “You have never been inside?”

  “No one has, Master,” Williameus replied solemnly. “Even I, as chief steward, have never looked upon their face.”

  Kayvaan rubbed his thoughtfully. The air of secrecy g like smoke. “Unusual... but let’s move on. What of my territory?”

  Williameus nodded arieved a data-ste from a nearby cogitator terminal. He flicked it on, sing its tents before speaking. “Master, your domain spans three star systems aees. All, in principle, bend to your will and owe you fealty.”

  “Spare me the ceremony. Just the key points.”

  “Yes, Master,” Williameus said, scrolling quickly. “You have one fe world, an agri-world, a hive world, a feudal world, two feral-css worlds, and twelve death worlds.”

  Kayvaan’s brow furrowed. “Death worlds? Expin.”

  “Of course. Within the Imperium, eaet is cssified based on human viability. Death worlds are those where survival is near impossible. They include ps dominated by predatory flora and fauna, ued with endless volic upheavals, psma storms, or atmospheres toxic to the unprotected. Some are frozen spheres locked far from their stars.”

  “And the fe world?”

  “A fe world is a factory-world dedicated to the Omnissiah’s sacred industry. The fe world in your system, designated Ferrum 3, orbits the Reach star. It is pact—closer in scale to a moon—but its manufas sustaiire regiments with arms and wargear.”

  “I see,” Kayvaan said, leaning bato the throne. “tinue.”