Skyrax was the first to leave the meeting hall after Apothecary Serviel. As the master of medicine moved to intercept the Inquisitor, Skyrax strode off towards his company quarters with his brows furrowed in anger. His seneschal, Sergeant Gamriel, fell in behind him.

"Brother-Captain, may I ask what matter the Chapter Master wished to discuss? Are we to ready the company for battle?"

His voice barely above a whisper, Skyrax answered his subordinate without looking back. "[color=007236]No Gamriel, we are not to ready the company. The Chapter Master wishes us to... fall back. To flee from the foe.[/color]" As always, his voice was quiet and cordial but now ran through with an undercurrent of contempt.

"Surely not! The Warp Skulls do not run without meeting the foe! What enemy has forces the Chapter Master's hand so?" Unlike his commander, Gamriel's voice openly showed his disbelief and dissatisfaction.

"[color=007236]This enemy is not like our normal foes. Not a brutish ork, nor a bloodmad heretic.[/color]"

"What does it matter who are enemy is, brother-Captain? We are the Warp Skulls! It is the enemy who should flee before [i]us[/i]!"

"[color=007236]You are welcome to approach the Chapter Master with those words Gamriel, but I said as much in the meeting to no avail. It seems we must wait still longer to once more feel the joy of battle.[/color]"

"I... I would not presume to doubt the Chapter Master's word. I misspoke and will hold my tongue in future, brother-Captain."

Skyrax waived a hand dismissively "[color=007236]It is no matter, think nothing of it. Tell the Veterans of the council's decision, I intend to go and greet the ship that has just docked.[/color]"

Bringing one fist sharply up to his chest in a warrior's salute, Gamriel turned off down a corridor to carry out his Captain's orders. Skyrax continued to walk towards the docking hangars. True, the Chapter Master had ordered Serviel to greet the Inquisitor but he had not expressly commanded that Skyrax not do so as well. So Skyrax would go and see the one appointed to judge him. And his battlebrothers, of course. And should Serviel falter in doing what must be done, he would assist him...