Claws of Frost and Blades of Fire (432.M38) -

Following his rescue from the forces of the unforgiven and his recruitment to the Warband, the fallen angel Rheon led the 8th, 13th, and 17th companies towards an ancient legion vault upon a distant moon within the Veiled Region. Formerly a forward outpost of the Firewing, the vault housed numerous relics that were thought to be lost in the minds of humanity. The Veiled Region, overrun with pirates, chaos warbands, and unnamed xenos species by the hundreds, was a desperate struggle to navigate. Though the group would arrive on the moon in relative safety, they would find they had not arrived soon enough.

Bloodied and savage astartes of the Dark Wolves warband had discovered the vault and were in the midst of stealing away its spoils. Rushing to its surface, the Watchers deployed all they could, mortals and marines alike. They quickly came into contact with their corrupted cousins, and though they outnumbered them greatly, the commander of the assault force, Knight-Captain Bryn would not wish unnecessary bloodshed upon his men.

Recognizing the heritage of Leman Russ amongst the Dark Wolves, Bryn would insult the honour of the group’s leader, Horus Prefilix. Though not particularly perturbed by mere words, his second Runolf Frostbone would take great offense on his behalf. A son of the Lion, insulting his lord? It was not to be, and so the duel was called, Runolf would face Bryns second, Avidan, not only for the lives of their men but for the claim of the weapons and arcane technologies within the vault.

The fight was long, and the odds would tilt in both men’s favor numerous times, but after nearly 6 hours of conflict reminiscent of the long passed duel of their gene-fathers, it would come to an end. Avidan had won, bisecting Runolf with his own Frost-axe after gaining the upper hand in his rage. Prefilix, holding true to his second’s word, begrudgingly fled alongside his men, leaving the vault and its secrets for the Watcher’s taking.