Training Day

Once a year the Emperor would take the Primarchs to the large training complex used by all of the Legions. They would have a small group of their legionaries, typically two to four, join them for a training day. It was also a time for them to learn about their Legion and what they were doing.
Zephyr glanced around nervously at the gathering of other Space Marines. He wasn't the only neophyte, but that didn't make him feel much better about his situation. Luther and Corswain were also there. The Lion would duel Corswain while Luther told him about what the Dark Angels were up to. Zephyr was there because the Lion had requested him. He tried to focus on the fact that he was going to be able to show his friend his impressive shooting.
Eidolon checked his sword, despite knowing that it was perfect. He had the honor of dueling Fulgrim. Lucius would deliver the logistics report. Fabius Bile was the third for the Emperor's Children. He looked decidedly like he wanted to be anywhere else in the galaxy.
Barabas Dantioch was admiring the architecture of the hall. Forrix was also with him, he would duel Perturabo. Dantioch was hopeful that Perturabo would appreciate the improvements the Iron Warriors had made during the last year. Their Primarch had expressed disappointment in his Legion and they had worked hard to rectify their weakness.
Qin Xa eyed the Space Wolves next to him. He turned and spoke to his companion, Yesugei, in Korchin.
"Those who call us barbarians have never seen the Wolves of Fenris."
"It is rare that we are seen close to them," Yesugei replied in kind. "It can be forgiven."
There were more Space Wolves than any other group of Space Marines. The Vlka Fenryka shifted restlessly. Bjorn paced around the edge of the group. Ogvai eyed him, but was the calmest of the group. Gunnar Gunnhilt, called Lord Gunn shook his pelt. Kva, a Rune Priest stood leaning on his staff, peering around the room.
Alexis Pollux glanced around. He tried to bury the distaste he felt for the two Iron Warriors he could see. Sigismund, Pollux felt, wasn't doing as good of a job. Pollux forced himself to focus; he was getting to see his gene-father today. That was a rare gift for the Imperial Fists.
Sevatar looked around the room. This served two purposes. The first was to find all of the hiding places in case Lord Curze got away from them. The second reason was it allowed him to not look at his companion. Gendor Skraivok was not Sevatar's first choice of traveling partner. The former lordling rubbed him wrong. Skraivok also wasn't Kyroptera like Sevatar.
Azkellon stood patiently near the dueling stone. Amit paced around it while Raldoron read over a data slate. Azkellon and Amit would participate in the Tempest of Angels. It was an ancient tradition from Baal that Sanguinius participated in. One would try to strike their lord and the other defended him.
Gabriel Santar assessed a combat servitor in the training cages. Shadrak Meduson's fingers twitched looking like he wanted to take one apart and put it back together. The only group they traded greetings with were the Emperor's Children.
Kharn stood apart from his brother. Delvarus was messing with a weightlifting machine. It was Angron's personal machine, the Primarch used it to test his strength progress. He had it set to a very high weight, that he couldn't fully lift. Delvarus adjusted it so he could use the machine.
Aeonid Thiel tried to rationalize the right theoretical that resulted in the practical of him being here. Titus Prayto was a more reasonable choice. The Librarian was checking out all of the other Space Marines.
Nathaniel Garro was also watching the other Space Marines. He had never seen representatives from all the Legions gathered together before. Calas Typhon stood at his side. They didn't speak to each other, it was safer as they didn't agree on much.
Azhek Ahriman reached for the lower Enumerations. He felt out of place and it made him anxious. Amon watched the neophyte carefully. Magnus had requested Azhek come, but he was the youngest one at the gathering. He barely qualified to come at all. He only just received the first set of implants. Amon had been trying to teach Ahzek control of his emotions.
Ezekyle Abbadon tried not to sneer at the other space Marines gathered in the hall. Garviel Loken nodded a greeting to Nathaniel Garro.
Erebus and Kor Phaeron were glaring at all of the others. Erebus was using it to hide his distaste for Kor Phaeron. He tolerated Kor Phaeron because they ultimately desired the same thing, power.
Artellus Numeon and T'Kell were trying to hold to proper decorum. T'Kell wanted to mingle with the other Space Marines. That would be for later. First, they would train their lord, and that was why Numeon was excited. It was always an honor to work with Lord Vulkan.
Agapito and Branne Nev looked uncomfortable. Like the Nostramans they were checking the shadows. Both knew that Lord Corax had no need for them, but liked them. They fidgeted a bit, making others wonder if they wanted to make for the shadows themselves.
Ingo Pech and Thias Herzog stood at rigid attention. Branne had a small wager going as to whether there were Astartes in the armor at all. The Legionnaires hadn't moved at all and had arrived first.
Agapito was about to reach out and touch one of the Alpha Legionnaires when the door leading to the landing apron opened and the Primarchs filed in. All of the Space Marines went to attention as their gene-sires approached.
The Emperor came in behind his sons, flanked by a pair of Custodians. The Primarchs would stay at the training hall all day and was typically an extra busy day for the Emperor. More people felt entitled to his time when the Primarchs weren't obviously around him. He always saw them to their Legions, then would arrive at the end of the day to retrieve his sons.
"My favorite little brothers," the Lion said as he approached the Dark Angels. Corswain felt a surge of pride, and noted Luther trying to hide a smile. The Lion was pretending to not notice it.
Eidolon and the other's Emperor's Children knelt as Fulgrim came before them. He basked a moment in their deference before letting them up with a gesture. Lucius looked forward to giving Fulgrim pointers in his duel against Eidolon.
Forrix and Dantioch saluted Perturabo as he approached, then knelt in unison. Perturabo looked them over with a stern expression, then smiled slightly. Like Fulgrim, he signaled for the Iron Warriors to rise with a gesture.
Jaghatai greeted Qin Xa and Yesugei with a traditional Chogorian greeting. They both returned it with a bow. Yesugei smiled, approving of Jaghatai's grasp of Korchin. It was a difficult language to learn as a second language. He had the same issue with Low Gothic.
Leman had brought Freki and Geri, as was tradition. Freki lunged towards the Vlka Fenryka and howled. The howl was returned by the Wolves who viewed Freki and Geri as Leman's true wolves. This made them somewhere between his heralds and his shadows.
Rogal stood before the kneeling Sigismund and Pollux. The two were still as stone, waiting for the signal from Rogal to stand. They would stay that way, ready to move, until they received it.
Konrad looked over Sevatar and Skraivok. Sevatar always came, but the other Night Lord was chosen by lottery. Skraivok had won this year.
Sanguinius greeted his sons warmly. He was also excited to be able to duel once the Tempest of Angels was over. He wanted to go against Amit, who had the name Flesh Tearer among the Legion.
Ferrus approached Santar and Meduson. They knelt and made the sign of the aquila. He returned the gesture and signaled for them to stand.
Delvarus had just made it over in time to not be caught on the machine. He hadn't reset it, but wasn't aware that it was Angron's machine. He and Kharn knelt before Angron, who snarled at them to rise.
Roboute waved for his Ultramarines to get up. He hated when they knelt before him, but they did it anyway. It was understandable, and a good way to show deference, but he hated it all the same.
Mortarion took in the Death Guard a moment before signalling them to rise. Typhon had a manreaper axe with which to duel Mortarion. Garro took a sword named Libertas into battle.
Magnus let Ahzek calm himself before having the two Thousand Sons stand again. As there were only the two, Magnus would duel Ahzek while Amon taught them both. Magnus felt this was a great way to check how Ahzek was doing with the Legion.
"Ezekyle, Garviel," Horus said in greeting. The two Luna Wolves rose at his gesture. Abaddon focused his attention on his Primarch. This made Loken relax as he was concerned the sneering would start a fight.
"Erebus, thank you for bringing Kor Phaeron," Lorgar said. He looked Kor Phaeron in the eye the whole time. Kor Phaeron frowned at Lorgar, but kept quiet.
"Agapito, Branne," Corvus greeted cheerfully. "Don't worry, we won't be here for very long."
Alpharius simply nodded to his two Legionnaires who rose at the acknowledgement. With the greetings taken care of, the Primarchs took their legionaries and scattered. Several of them went to the area around the training cages where they could put on the powered armature that let them match their legionaries in height and reach. Corvus took the Nev brothers off to an area for stealth tactics.
Zephyr was trying to maintain the proper decorum. Perturabo and his Iron Warriors had taken the shooting range first. The Lion was also eagerly setting up to duel Corswain. He paused in his preparations and looked to Zephyr.
"We'll take the shooting range next," the Lion said. Luther had told him about Zephyr's shooting skills already. "This shouldn't take long."
"Oh?" Zephyr said questioningly. Corswain was the best swordsman in the Dark Angels. He also didn't think that Perturabo would be done on the shooting range quickly.  All of the Primarchs got a chance at the firing range, but it was determined by whoever got there first.
"Well... probably not long?" the Lion said, looking to Corswain.
"We can go as fast as you would like, my lord," Corswain said. "Or maybe two rounds with shooting in between?"
"I like that plan, Cor,"  the Lion said, nodding in approval.
"You can go, Fabius," Fulgrim said with a sigh. "We'll find you when we're done."
"Thank you, my lord," Fabius said and quickly departed, a look of relief on his face. He didn't like people.
Sanguinius stepped onto the dueling stone, Amit and Azkellon circling around to their starting positions for the Tempest of Angels. Raldoron stood to the side, watching patiently. Amit made to strike at Sanguinius, starting the Tempest, without any signal or warning. Sanguinius had to will himself not to move as Azkellon rushed in to block. The standing still was the hardest part of the ritual for Sanguinius. He had to fight his own instinct for self-preservation.
Kharn stepped out of the main training hall, telling Angron he was receiving a report. Angron acknowledged this and headed for the weightlifting machine. He sat, and found he was able to lift the weight all the way up. He knew he shouldn't be that strong at this point. Getting off, he checked the setting, and realized it had been changed. The access code on the machine was a World Eater.
"DELVARUS!" Angron shouted. The World Eater turned at the sound of his name, just in time to receive a punch from his Primarch. None of the Space Marines were wearing their power armor, the dueling weapons were blunted. This just meant that Angron didn't really hurt himself when he swung. Surprised, Delvarus stumbled and tripped over a piece of equipment. Angron was on him in an instant.
Kharn stepped rushed back into the hall, having heard the commotion. He went over and bodily lifted Angron from Delvarus. The other World Eater looked shaken by the ferocity of his Primarch.
"PUT ME DOWN, KHARN!!!!" Angron screamed, struggling against the Space Marine.
"No, Lord Angron," Kharn said gently.
"DON'T CALL ME LORD!"
"I will not put you down, Angron," Kharn said almost wearily. Angron continued to fight against Kharn, who had a solid grip on his Primarch. Delvarus cautiously moved to the side.
"Thank you, brother," Delvarus said.
"Don't thank me," Kharn said. "What happened?"
"HE MESSED WITH MY MACHINE, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED!" Angron yelled, a small bit of spit flying from him as he continued to rage.
"Is this true?" Kharn asked, looking to Delvarus.
"I used a weight machine, but I didn't know it was our lord's," Delvarus said quietly. He pointed to the machine after a look from Kharn.
"DON'T CALL ME LORD!" Angron yelled again. He despised being called lord. That was how people addressed his father.
"I'll deal with your punishment later," Kharn said to Delvarus. "Angron, you can duel him until you beat him."
Angron stewed a minute. "Will you put me down if I agree?"
"Yes," Kharn said.
"Then put me down," Angron said. Kharn nodded and set his Primarch down.
"Whoever wants the range next can have it," Perturabo announced as he entered the training hall.
The Lion shared a look with Corswain, who dropped almost dramatically to the floor of their practice cage at the Lion's next swing, allowing himself to be defeated. With that, the Dark Angels left for the practice range. Zephyr looking quite happy under his hood.
"To the left, Lord Fulgrim," Lucius said quietly. Fulgrim adjusted, looking for an opening in Eidolon's guard. Then, he fell for a feint and Eidolon struck him a glancing blow to the arm. There was the metallic sound of Eidolon's sword falling to the floor as he put his hands up to his mouth. Lucius barely kept a grip on his data slate as both Emperor's Children froze. Finally Eidolon managed to get himself into action.
"Lucius, go get Fabius, now," the Lord Commander said. Lucius ran off right away. "My lord, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Eidolon," Fulgrim said. He had one hand pressed up against the scratch on his arm. "I've taken harder hits. You don't need to bother Fabius."
"I insist," Eidolon said. "Someone should see to it and make sure everything is alright. Even a blunt sword can be dangerous."
"It's not even bleeding," Fulgrim said, taking his hand away. Lucius and Fabius Bile entered the room just then. Fabius shared just enough of the mentality of other Emperor's Children that he needed no prompting when he saw the injury done to his lord.
In another practice cage, Jaghatai made a glancing blow to Qin Xa. He froze, caught between a sense of triumph, and wanting to apologize for hurting his son. Qin Xa smiled, clearly excited by that.
"Do not stop, Khagan," he said in Korchin. "That was well done."
"Indeed, Khagan," Yesugei said. "Never give up the momentum of battle."
"Right," Jaghatai said. "Khagan" meant "Khan of khans" on Chogoris, and was what the White Scars called Jaghatai.
"A good move, Lord Russ," Kva said as Russ sat across the Hnefatal board from Ogvai. Bjorn and Lord Gunn were playing at a different board. The winner of that match would be Leman's next opponent. Freki and Geri were laying on the ground next to Leman. Geri looked to Bjorn who gave the pup a pat on the head.
Hnefatal was an old game from Fenris. Leman was working on different variants of the game. It was used to practice strategy and was commonly seen in the Aett. Only outsiders called the home of the Space Wolves the Fang. They were also waiting for a practice cage to become available. Perturabo had taken the one the Lion was using and was now dueling Forrix.
"I want to duel Amit," Sanguinius announced when Raldoron finished his report. Azkellon gave his lord a disapproving frown. Even Amit didn't look like he agreed with that.
"You don't want to to duel me," Amit said, exchanging a look with Azkellon.
"Lion gets to duel the best swordsman in his Legion," Sanguinius pointed out. "And Fulgrim almost got to duel the best in his. And that's saying something."
"They aren't me," Amit said.
"Angron's dueling Kharn," Sanguinius said. "You are the greatest test of my skill."
"Very well," Amit sighed, giving Azkellon an almost apologetic smile.
"Ha!" Lorgar called out in triumph. He had landed a hit on Kor Phaeron and the other had gone sprawling.
"A good hit, my lord," Erebus said. He gave Kor Phaeron a smirk.
"At least put some effort into it, Ezekyle," Horus said as Abbadon put on a weak display of a fight.
"Are you sure you want to goad him?" Loken asked. Horus just grinned at that comment.
Magnus and Ahzek were done dueling, and had moved on to working on controlling their powers. Mortarion was still dueling Typhon with his scythe. Garro was giving his Primarch subtle hints for winning.
Finally, the day came to an end and the Emperor returned for the Primarchs. Sevatar was happy that Konrad hadn't escaped from them. It happened almost every year. Gabriel Santar looked like he wasn't certain if he should be relieved or not that he was away from Ferrus. Delvarus was still careful around Angron, who had beaten quite soundly in their dueling.
The Primarchs waved goodbye to their Legionaries and turned to follow their father to the Thunderhawk, telling him the stories of their day.