A Mutual Problem
Somewhere inside the Black Library…
When Orion Jesk first heard that the Legion had established contact—and, in some ways, an alliance—with the Aeldari, he was uncertain how to process the news. His most recent encounter with Karqel and his Kabal had ended in a bitter defeat, leaving the Knight-Warden less than eager to work with any Eldar, let alone venture into one of their strongholds.
However, Oriacarius clarified the distinction between the different factions of the Eldar. Orion faced the Drukhari, the Dark Eldar, in contrast to the Craftworld Eldar, who were their more disciplined and less malevolent kin. While this explanation didn't fully convince him of the wisdom or validity of the alliance, Orion chose not to challenge the decision.
When the First Captain requested that he and his companions, Estrith and Makima, assist Maticus and a task force under his command, Orion was at least glad to return to the routine of aiding his brothers after two decades away.
Upon arrival, Orion discovered that the strategic groundwork had already been laid out by Corvus Corax and his Raven Guard. It was surreal to encounter another Primarch unexpectedly in such a place, but even more so to learn that the Lord of Ravens wasn't the only Primarch to have graced the Black Library.
Roboute Guilliman and his Ultramarines had also entered into an alliance, although not to the extent of Magnus the Red or Corvus Corax—at least, not yet. This realization made Orion ponder if the Eldar extended a similar offer to the White Scars; the Khan might seriously entertain the idea.
When Orion learned that Magnus the Red and the 15th were already allied, he wasn't surprised. He had long been briefed on the attempted burning of Prospero by a so-called "rogue" element of the Black Brigades, citing illegal psychic research and harboring Eldar as justification.
Three legions and their Primarchs—four if you counted Kesar and the Eternal Wardens—were now part of an unsanctioned alliance. If the Emperor ever found out, his wrath would be unimaginable. Even the Celestial Dominion viewed the Eldar as adversaries to their ambitions.
Orion couldn't shake the feeling that this was a perilous path for the legion. Aliens, after all, were fundamentally other. Their understanding of human intentions and designs could never go beyond a superficial grasp. There would always be a risk of misunderstanding in their interactions.
Still, Orion remained eager to assist in eliminating the Chaos-corrupted Aeldari that had entrenched themselves on the massive structure. One less group of abominations in the galaxy was always a victory. Despite his lingering reservations, his experience battling the Eldar made his participation in this mission seem tactically sound.
For now, though, he and his fellow Wardens awaited deployment orders. As a captain, Orion had been given access to some of the 'guest quarters' within the Black Library, a fascinating and unnerving place. Wandering through its halls, he noticed humans and various minor alien species mingling in certain areas, an unusual sight for an Astartes.
After his experiences with the Celestial Dominion, Orion found himself less uncomfortable with this odd diversity than he might have expected—though he doubted many of his brothers felt the same. Even so, he steered clear of these gatherings, seeking solitude to think and meditate on what lay ahead.
Eventually, he discovered an empty vantage point overlooking a sprawling garden of vivid blue and red flora, the view one might expect in a noble's private estate. It struck him as strange that such a breathtaking sight was left unattended, devoid of any onlookers. As he gazed upon the surreal landscape, he couldn't help but wish his family could be there to share the moment. However, Estrith was occupied with preparations, and Makima had staunchly refused to enter any place frequented by Aeldari.
"I suppose the Eldar know how to appreciate beauty, at least," Orion muttered as he took in the view. Yet, despite its striking scenery, this place felt strange to him. The skyline was unnaturally perfect, the air too clean, as though the entire environment had been crafted rather than naturally formed. Wraithbone, which made up so much of the Eldar's architecture, might have been organic to them, but to him, it felt artificial.
He allowed himself a rare moment of peace, sitting on a wraithbone bench and closing his eyes. His thoughts drifted to Aelred. The boy was safe for now, but Orion couldn't shake the worry that he'd soon receive news of some reckless adventure—or worse, that Aelred had gotten himself entangled in a more personal complication. He could easily imagine a letter with the dreaded news that Aelred had gotten someone pregnant or something similarly life-altering.
Orion's thoughts then turned to his friends among the White Scars. He wondered when they would truly shine, reaching the heights of greatness that he and the Khan had glimpsed during the Grand Naadam or their battles against the Unholy Trinity. It was odd to realize that he had forged stronger bonds with members of another legion than with his own. His brothers had noticed, too.
An Astartes who had taken on a wife, a mistress, and a son—that was practically unheard of. To his fellow Wardens, it made him seem alien, perhaps even untrustworthy. Sometimes, he questioned whether he had allowed his compassion and desires to interfere with his duty and honor—or even with simple common sense. But then, Orion would think of his family. They were happy.
He was happy. Didn't that count for something?
These questions shouldn't have been difficult to answer, yet they weighed heavily on Orion. Perhaps it was because he had no one to confide in about such matters. How does an Astartes even begin to discuss family, love, or relationships? Talking to serfs or ordinary humans would be out of the question—too embarrassing, too exposing.
His brothers were no help either, though Orion couldn't fault them for that. None had been reckless enough to dive into such complexities without asking themselves if they were equipped to pursue such things. He had been fortunate that both Estrith and Makima were so understanding. The thought of being married to a civilian woman, someone unversed in the life he led, was almost painful to contemplate.
Durante and Vergil might have been the closest he had to confidants on the matter, but their relationship was an anomaly. Unique in ways that defied conventional labels, Orion wasn't even sure if they saw each other as romantic partners anymore. Then there was Auro and Shandra—a different case entirely. Estrith had described them as "work spouses," and she had been clear in her warning not to complicate their bond with personal questions.
It left Orion feeling isolated, navigating an unfamiliar terrain without a map. His choices, though unconventional, had brought him happiness, yet they had also placed him in a position where he couldn't easily share his thoughts or seek advice. Such a strange dilemma to have as an Astartes.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts that Orion almost missed the presence of another Astartes joining him on the terrace. The Knight-Warden turned to see a warrior clad in the crimson and gold heraldry of the Thousand Sons.
"Ah, good; my visions were accurate," the new arrival remarked warmly. He was strikingly handsome, with sandy blonde hair and jade green eyes, and he wore the insignia of a Praetor. "Captain Jesk," he greeted, his tone friendly. "I hope I'm not intruding on your moment of peace."
"No intrusion at all, Praetor," Orion replied, nodding respectfully to the senior officer of the 15th Legion. "I wasn't exactly relaxing—just lost in thought."
The Praetor returned the nod. "It's easy to get lost in thought here. The Black Library is both majestic and profoundly alien to those unaccustomed to it, if you'll pardon the expression."
Orion snorted. "That's putting it lightly. Xenos everywhere—it puts me on edge." He rose from the bench, turning his gaze back to the view. "At least they know to keep their distance."
"Stay long enough, and that might change. The Harlequins are always up to something," the Praetor said as he joined Orion at the railing. "I'm Kazar Loia of the Corvidae Cult."
Orion considered what he knew of the Thousand Sons and their many disciplines. "The same cult Ahzek Ahriman commands, correct?"
"That's right." Kazar nodded. "I was one of many apprentices under him, though I eventually drifted, as others did." Orion noticed Kazar's right arm was bionic, his mechanical hand gripping the wraithbone railing with practiced ease. "I earned my rank but not much else."
"Hmph." Orion nodded, understanding the sentiment. He had become captain after the battle at Blacksmoke, but it hadn't brought him the recognition or respect he had anticipated. "Yet some of my brothers still see me as a hero, and that... feels uncomfortable."
"You're well-regarded in certain circles," Kazar remarked. "The riders of Chogoris and the scholars of Prospero often share stories, and they speak highly of the Angel of Humility and his contributions to the Khan's campaign in the badlands."
Orion grimaced at the mention of that nickname. "A theatrical title, nothing more."
"Titles like that can spread tales of your deeds, even inspire future champions," Kazar said with a shrug. "We don't get to choose our names or the legends that form around us, but we can decide who understands the truth behind them."
"Someone close, yes," Orion agreed with a nod. "I understand that well enough."
Kazar gave a small, knowing smile before his expression became hesitant. "There's something I'd like to ask, but I'd prefer we speak as men, not as officers. Just two individuals, without the titles of Captain or Praetor. Would you humor me in that?"
It was an unusual request but one Orion found reasonable enough. "If that's what you wish, Kazar, I have no objections."
"Thank you." Kazar nodded appreciatively. "I'd rather not hide behind formalities for what is, admittedly, a personal question."
"Trying to avoid any unnecessary awkwardness?" Orion offered.
"Exactly," He admitted with a slight chuckle. "I've heard rumors, and I wanted to ask directly: Is it true that you're married?"
It was an unusual question but one Orion had anticipated at some point. He nodded. "Yes, it's true. I'm married and have the paperwork to prove it."
Kazar quickly waved off the need for proof. "Oh, I don't doubt you—just wanted to hear it from you. And is it also true that you have... a second partner?"
Orion nodded again, a bit more reserved this time. "Yes, that's true as well."
Bizarrely enough, Kazar appeared more embarrassed by the direction of the conversation than Orion was, "Good, that's... well, useful to me."
"It is?" Orion tried to grasp what Kazar was getting at. "Is there a point to these questions?"
"Yes, actually." Kazar cleared his throat, clearly uneasy. "I have two female lovers, and I was hoping for some advice on how to... well, I guess I just need advice on everything."
There were many strange things Orion expected to be asked, but this certainly wasn't one of them. "You have two female lovers? How long?"
"Almost twenty-five years now."
"Then you've got more experience than me," Orion pointed out. "Estrith and I have been married for less than ten, and Makima has only been in the picture for five."
"True, but my relationships have been a bit more... distant," Kazar admitted. "And certain barriers are coming into play."
"Such as?" Orion guessed they might be troopers, psykers, or civilians.
"My lovers are both Eldar."
"What?" Orion was taken aback. "I can't even imagine how that works, nor am I about to ask. But you are out of luck because I doubt I can give you any meaningful advice."
"Nonsense." Kazar dismissed the notion with a wave of his hand. "Experience alone can provide a wealth of knowledge. Besides, much of what you know probably applies well enough."
"Are you really willing to take that risk—assuming what I know is approximate at best?"
Kazar remained undaunted. "The issue isn't about causing a faux pas—I've done that plenty—but more about how I can, well, take things to 'another level,' to use a turn of phrase."
"I'm still trying to wrap my head around how you ended up in a relationship with not one, but two Eldar." Given his reluctance regarding the alliance, Orion found this hard to reconcile.
"That's a long story," Kazar replied with a slight grin. "But if you must know, the Eldar aren't that alien once you understand them beyond a surface-level glance at their nature and society. Their women can be just as perplexing as our own."
Orion couldn't help but laugh at that. "Ah, do they also get upset when you don't do things exactly as they expect, even though they never actually tell you what they want?"
"Oh, it's the worst," Kazar agreed, looking sympathetic. "My Gen gives me an earful if I skip combat drills or leave my tomes scattered around our apartment in the Black Library because it's 'unattractive.'"
"Ha!" Orion chuckled. "Estrith, my wife, hates it when I critique every entertainment vid she brings home because I 'nitpick' every detail. And Makima can't stand it when I cook anything with meat because she claims the smell lingers for days. I'll admit, I do feel guilty about that."
"There's nothing worse than feeling like a fool in front of your woman," Kazar nodded. "Ricco once gave me an earful when I misinterpreted a few characters in a play she's been writing for decades. I think it was mostly because she felt I wasn't enjoying it."
Orion could recall a few moments when he had unintentionally made Estrith feel like he wasn't listening or didn't care. "It's a strange feeling," he admitted. "I've had to learn to be more careful with my words. I never realized how much impact they could have when I spoke without thinking."
"It's difficult, isn't it?" Kazar replied with a knowing look. "Especially as an Astartes. Gen and Ricco have also sacrificed so much for their people. Like us, Aspect Warriors and Harlequins give up a significant part of their lives because of their duty."
"I wouldn't know," Orion responded, unwilling to compare the sacrifices of becoming an Astartes to the practices of the Aeldari in service to their people or gods. "In some ways, Estrith and Makima haven't entirely given up their loyalty to their causes either. Neither have I. But I felt other duties needed a sense of legitimacy attached to them."
Kazar seemed to grasp what Orion meant, but his expression carried a hint of envy. "I can't marry either of them. The Harlequins forbid it, and Gen believes that if she were to leave the path she was on, she wouldn't be the same woman I cared for. 'Better to stay on this path until the bittersweet end.' So, yes... I'm jealous that you can call someone you love your wife."
Strangely, Orion snorted. "It's just a piece of paper that Estrith and I signed. We were husband and wife long before it was official. Marriage is just an institution used to formalize things. If you love either woman enough, and the feeling is mutual, nothing's stopping you from calling one of them your spouse. Besides, the other woman in my life calls herself my mistress by her choice."
Kazar nodded slowly, pondering the thought. "I suppose if you truly love someone, why should a document be the final say? But the idea of never being able to officially recognize someone I love... it feels insulting."
"Then do something about it," Orion replied almost offhandedly. "You're living in extraordinary circumstances. I've been through one or two myself. The galaxy doesn't make sense anymore. Today, you learned of an Astartes who married, and I learned of one who loves two xenos." The Knight-Warden gazed out at the alien horizon once more. "I wonder what we'll discover tomorrow."
Orion realized his previous comment might have sounded dismissive or rude. He turned to apologize but noticed that Kazar seemed deep in thought as if he were weighing something in his mind. "Did something I said intrigue you?" he asked.
"Yes," Kazar admitted, nodding slowly. "I think I will look into 'doing something,' as you said. You're right—these are extraordinary times. Perhaps it's best to recognize the opportunities that come our way, even if they seem unconventional."
Orion shrugged. "Well, just make sure whatever you do doesn't get you killed or corrupted." He didn't relish the thought of sending another Astartes to his death, even for the sake of love. "Unfortunately, there'll be plenty of chances soon enough."
Kazar's expression turned grim as he raised his bionic arm. "We're fighting the Ulwarth. I lost this arm to one of them." Orion's face hardened as he realized that if a single Chaos Eldar was strong enough to wound a Praetor of the 15th, they were indeed formidable foes.
"Mind sharing some details about them?" Orion asked, seeing an opportunity to steer the conversation toward a more practical topic. "I have a feeling this campaign won't be easy."
"No, it won't be," Kazar replied, his tone serious. "But yes, I'll tell you what I can. Once we finish that, I might trouble you with a few more relationship questions." The Praetor added with a faint smile, leaving the Knight-Warden to wonder what sort of friendship he had stumbled into.
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@Daemon Hunter Something that should have been done days ago but I wanted to finish now. If nothing else, this makes for a nice point of contact for Orion with a high ranking member of the Thousand Sons.