"We drove the crowds from the city and a.s.sembled them on the plain outside. We searched for traces of the brood among them, but there were none. The Stealer taint seemed to have been destroyed in our vengeance war.
"I walked through the factories and past the toppled chimneys. Then we took our flamers and burned the city to the ground. We divided the people up into six new tribes and said our good-byes to each other, for we knew we wouldlikely never meet again. Then we led our descendants away from the still-blazing city.
"Lame Bear took his folk to the mountains. I brought my people to my old village, and we rebuilt it. I do not know what became of the others.
"I have told these people that I was sent by the Emperor to lead them back to the old ways. I have taught them how to hunt and fish and shoot in the old manner. We do battle with the other tribes. One day they will again be worthy of becoming Sky Warriors."
Cloud Runner fell silent He could see the Battle Brothers had been moved by his tale. Broken Knife turned to the Librarian. Cloud Runner felt the pressure of mind-to-mind contact.
"Brother Ezekiel speaks the truth, Brother Captain Gabriel." said the Librarian. Broken Knife looked up at the old Marine.
"Forgive me, brother. I have misjudged you. It seems the Chapter and the Plain"s People owe you and your warriors a great debt."
"Semper Fideles," said Cloud Runner. "You must take back the suits. They belong to the Chapter." Broken Knife nodded.
"Perhaps a favour. In honour of our dead, leave the suits the colour of Deathwing. The deeds of our brothers should be remembered."
"It will be so," replied Broken Knife. "Deathwing will be remembered."
The Marines turned and filed out past the dreadnought. The mighty being stood there, watching Cloud Runner with inhuman eyes.
The Terminator"s departure left Cloud Runner suddenly tired. He felt the weight of his years heavily.
He sensed the dreadnought gazing at him and looked up.
"Yes, honoured ancestor?" he asked in the tongue of the Plains People.
"You could go back with us. You are worthy of becoming a Living Dreadnought," it said.
He wished he could return and spend his last years with his Chapter, but he knew that he could not. His duty was to his people now. He must return them to the Emperor"s way. He shook his head.
"I thought not. You are a worthy chieftain of the People. Cloud Runner." "Any Sky Warrior would be, Ancestor. Few are given the chance. Before you depart, there is something I must know.
When first we met, you told me I should not become a Sky Warrior if there was anyone I would regret leaving behind.
Did you have any regrets about becoming a Marine?"
The dreadnought stared at him. "Sometimes I still do. It is a sad thing to leave people you care about behind, knowing they will be lost to you forever.
"Goodbye, Cloud Runner. We will not meet again."
The dreadnought turned and departed, leaving Cloud Runner among his people, his hands toying with a braid of ancient hair.
Names of the Deathwing and their translations: Akkad (Stone Heart) Ezekiel (Razor Wing) Azrael (Weasel Fierce) Sergio (Lame Bear) Aradiel (Two Tongues) Conrad (b.l.o.o.d.y Moon) Lionus (Long Spear) Gabriel (Fire Walker) Gdeon (Hawk Talon) Marcus (Lonely Hunter) Lucius (Stalking Death) Matthias (Red Fox) Raphael (Grey Mane) Nathaniel (Wind Runner) Pluvius (Blood Blade) Octavius (Swift Wing) Antonius (Flying Eagle) Caliban (Iron Fist) Claudius (Red Crow) Adonai (Stone Hand) Uriel (Great Bear) Sammael (Doom Walker) Vicconius (Laughing Sun) Saphon (Pale Crow) Malloc (Rain Bringer) Amael (Spirit Runner) Bethor (Snarling Bear) ***************