Leman and the Chocolate Manufactorum

Nova, and in fact all the tutoriums in the Imperium, was a buzz with excitement. The galactic rumor was that the owner of the most popular sweets manufactorum was going to be giving a tour to six lucky children along with one parent or family member.
The lucky children were being selected by finding a wax seal, reminiscent of the seals used by Space Marines for their oaths of moment. The Primarchs were doggedly going through the sweets to find one. They were all of the opinion that something was off with the situation.
This sense was fueled in part by the Emperor referring to the manufactorum owner, a known recluse, as "Wonka". Magnus had done the rest with some help from Roboute. They had determined that they would do everything they could to ensure one of them got a seal.
The Emperor agreed with the decision, and was helping them go through the sweets. He was tempted to have a group of servitors go through more, but felt that was a bit too like one of the families in the original story. The Primarchs had agreed that whoever found the seal would be the one to go, accompanied by Malcador. He wanted to go as the manufactorum was overdue for a sanitation inspection. It was also felt that Malcador would cause less of a disruption.
Leman was the one who ended up finding the seal. The Primarchs had gathered after Nova with a bowl in between them. This was the usual arrangement, as even they weren't eating all of the sweets they opened. Fulgrim was using the collected sweets to experiment with decorative confections.
"I've got one!" Leman called out that day, tossing the sweet in the bowl. The others froze, Jaghatai and Angron putting the ones they just grabbed back in the pile of unopened sweets next to the bowl. Magnus tried to not look disappointed that he wasn't getting a solo trip off world with Malcador.
"What are going to do with the rest of these?" Corvus asked, looking at the pile.
"I can use them for my projects," Fulgrim said. "Accent pieces."
"That's a great plan," Sanguinius said. He enjoyed Fulgrim's food art.
"You promise to behave for Malcador, Leman?" the Emperor asked, looking to his sixth son.
"Of course, Allfather," Leman said. "I'll leave Freki and Geri here."
"That's for the best," the Emperor agreed.
Leman was clearly eager to go, and the Emperor was pleased that he also wanted to make the trip easier for Malcador. It was his main concern with having the two of them go off world alone together. However, the Emperor knew better than to tell Leman he couldn't go.
"When will we leave, Allfather?" Leman asked, breaking the Emperor from his thoughts.
"In the morning."

****************

"No Freki and Geri?" Malcador asked as the Executor headed for the Mandeville point. 

"Not this time," Leman said. "We don't know anything about the other people who got seals. What if they are afraid of wolves?"

"A good point," Malcador chuckled. "Are you excited?"

"Actually, I'm more concerned," Leman answered seriously. "If this really is like Willy Wonka, people could easily be hurt, or possibly killed."

"Agreed," Malcador said. He had done his own research regarding the story when the Primarchs started hunting for a seal. No one doubted that something decidedly wrong was going on with the situation. 

Leman wandered out of the strategium as they began to prepare for the transition to warp. He was happy that the travel time was predicted to be short and the trip smooth. The Executor wasn't as large, or fun, as the Imperator Somnium, and he wasn't sure what to with himself. 

They reached the Andrecia system and found five other ships broadcasting the signal that had been inscribed upon the seals. The signal told the orbital systems of Neo Cacao that these ships were guests. The orbital authority seemed surprised at the presence of the Executor, quickly arranging a special berth for them. This amused both Leman and Malcador, Leman had the mental image of some officers running around in a panic. 

Malcador snorted a laugh, telling the young Primarch that he had caught the thought. Leman looked at Malcador sheepishly, he had ignored the fact that thinking hear Malcador was the same as saying the thought out loud.

"You're not in trouble," Malcador said, catching that thought too. "There was once a saying for that, 'running like a chicken with it's head cut off'."

"But a chicken without it's head would be dead," Leman objected. "It wouldn't be able to run."

"We'll have to ask your father about that saying when we get home," Malcador said. He also found the saying confusing. 

*******************

The Stormbird ride to the surface of Neo Cacao was quiet. Leman watched the other drop-ships out the view port. Theirs was the largest by far, but a sleek craft identifying itself as being from the Folnian rouge trader family came close in grandness. It wasn't the one that caught Leman's eye though. That was a beat-up looking shuttle that looked like it had been made during Old Night.

"Will that be able to lift off again?" Leman asked, turning towards Malcador.

He didn't get an answer. The Sigillite was clearly deep in thought, possibly scanning the planet for anything unusual. Leman chose to stay quiet, leaving Malcador alone to do whatever he was doing.

They touched down on the vast landing apron, staying a bit away from the other craft. Malcador didn't rise when the embarkation ramp lowered, so Leman waved a hand in front of him to get his attention.

"Leman to Malcador," Leman said with a smile. "We've landed."

Malcador shook himself and focused on Leman, setting aside his growing feeling of unease. They went down the ramp together, Malador's staff tapping lightly as they went.

The other winners were also exiting their craft. From the rogue trader ship, it was a blonde girl who looked like she was used to be the most important child in the room, a chaperone followed behind, looking a bit intimidated by his charge.

A brown-haired girl, and her mother came from one ship. A boy with hair the color of dried mud looked around eagerly, his father keeping a close eye on him. Another boy, this one heavy-set, made his way to the platform. He and his father were both eating something. The last pair was another boy and his grandfather, they came from the beat-up ship Leman had noticed earlier. The boy clung to his grandfather, clearly nervous. 

"Well, I hope this is worth the effort," the rogue trader girl whined to her chaperone. "The company isn't impressive. There are two grandfathers here."

Leman tensed at that, he found it an insult to Malcador. He felt a hand on his shoulder, as the blood ran from the face of the chaperone. Clearly, he recognized who Malcador was.

"Lady--" the chaperone started hesitantly. She spun around and glared at him.

"Father told you to only keep an eye on me," the girl said. "You don't get to tell me what to do."

Anything else she may have said was cut off when the gateway to the manufactorum opened, and the owner came out. He was a human merchant and appeared quite excited about his guests.

"Welcome!" the man called out. "I am Darryn Geld, owner of Myrmedian Sweets! Please introduce yourselves."

"I'm Nymphora, and this is Pelad," the rogue trader girl said, pointing to her chaperone, who nodded. "I'm from the Folnin Clan of rogue traders. And I'm not happy that there are two grandfathers here. Besides, that other one probably doesn't even speak Gothic."

Leman felt Malcador's irritation at the repeated use of the grandfather title being applied to him. Then, he got an idea, and winked at the Sigillite over his shoulder. He gestured for someone else to go next.

"I'm Teylynn," said the other girl hesitantly. "My mother's name is Swalynn."

"Aeloth," said the jittery boy. His father had a hand on his arm. "My dad's Lewince."

"'M Barrin," said the stout boy. "Cyad's my dad." 

"My name is Pellinor," said the other older man. He gestured to the boy at his side, who had finally come out from behind his grandfather. "This is my grandson, Rynkin."

With that, it was just Leman and Malcador left. Leman took a breath, setting himself up in the most formal bearing that he could muster. He glanced to Malcador, who had caught on to what he was doing, and nodded.

"I am Leman Russ, Primarch of the Sixth Legiones Astartes, called the Space Wolves by the Remembrancers," Leman announced. "I am accompanied by Malcador the Sigillite, First Lord of Terra, and my uncle."

"I do believe that resolves the question of if he speaks Gothic," Malcador stated dryly once Leman was done.

"Excellent!" Geld said, after an awkward pause. "Let's start the tour!"

As they filed into the manufactorum there were two psychic conversations that occurred. One between Malcador and Leman, which was light-hearted. The other was between Geld and his "partner". This was a more serious conversation.

+Is this going to turn into a musical?+ Leman asked Malcador.

+We'll find out+ Malcador replied. +Though I am happy that it hasn't been one so far.+

+We shouldn't use this group+ Geld sent, trying not to be obviously nervous.

+Why not?+ Th'Saur replied. Geld noted a maliciousness to the Eldar's voice.

+One of the children is a Primarch+ he answered, hoping he wasn't sweating. +The Sigillite himself is here! He might figure out what's going on!+

+You are such a coward, Mon-keigh+ Th'Saur sighed. +We have a chance to bring to heel one of the most influential people in your petty Imperium.+

+The risk is too great+ Geld insisted.

+We will continue as planned+ Th'Saur stated firmly. 

Geld signaled his consent, his concentration changed back to the children and he gestured at the room they found themselves in.

"This is the Atrium," he said. "It's important that we remember the world of nature, and that is part of the purpose of this entryway."

"What's this stuff on the ground?" Aeloth asked, proving that he was a hiver.

"It's called grass," Nymphora said in a tone that implied Aeloth should have known that. She turned her head to make eye contact with Leman before adding, "I thought everyone knew what grass is."

"Not everyone has been off-world," Leman answered. "It's not his fault. No one can change his wyrd."

"Wyrd?" Aeloth asked curious.

"The Fenrisian word for fate," Leman said. There was more to the concept, but he wanted to keep it simple for now. It kept things on track.

"This way, children!" Geld called from the other side of the Atrium. This door lead to the main production floor of the manufactorum. Geld took them around to the various stations to watch the sweets being made. They tried to stay out of the way as much as possible.

"Does anybody do taste testing?" Barrin asked. He had been eyeing the sweets intently.

"Of course!" Geld said, happy that one of the children had brought up the idea. "It's our next stop actually. We have something special set up there for you."

"Oh?" Teylynn asked. Rynkin had been relaxing a bit more, and turned questioning eyes to Geld as well.

"It's a surprise," Geld said. "But I know you will all enjoy it."

With that, they moved off the production floor, and into a branching hallway. A female worker was waiting for them there. She looked at Geld and received a nod before turning her attention to the children.

"If you will come with me children," she said, indicating the hall to the left. "We have a special room set up for you to be junior taste testers."

"Cool!" Barrin and Aeloth said in unison.

Rynkin looked to Pellinor before staying with the other children. Malcador fixed Geld with a look.

"Have no concern, we have an observation room this way," Geld said, indicating the hall to the right, which did appear to run parallel to the left-hand hall. "This is the surprise I mentioned earlier."

Malcador nodded, but discretely reached out to Leman.

+Be careful+

+Always+ Leman said easily. Then added +You be careful too+

+Always+ Malcador said with a hint of a smile. The two groups parted ways, most of the adults waving to their children.

Rynkin tried to lag behind, but Leman dropped back to make sure everyone stayed together. It didn't take him long to realize that something felt off as they continued down the hallway. They emerged into a room with three doors, and no windows. This raised all sort of alarms for Leman.

"Wait here," the woman said. "One of our senior taste testers will be here soon to teach you what to do. The sweets are over there." 

Silence descended over the children once the woman had left by the second door. Leman started checking out the room. He quickly discovered that the room was psychically screened, highly screened. The only other wards he had seen of that level had been at the Somnus Citadel. They had turned Magnus a pale pink. He thought it was funny then, but distrusted the wards presence here. 

"Guys," Leman said, preparing to tell them that something was very wrong. He turned to look at the others, and saw Barrin with a sweet almost to his mouth. "Don't eat that!"

His warning came too late as Barrin tossed the sweet into his mouth, and instantly began to balloon rapidly in size. He became almost ball-like in mere seconds. Teylynn screamed, while Rynkin started crying, hugging himself and backing away. A pair of muscular workers came in from the third door, which was much larger than the other two, and rolled Barrin out. He also looked like he wanted to cry, but wasn't getting enough air to do anything. The third door closed loudly, leaving the rest of the children behind.

"We've got to get out of here," Aeloth said in a panic, he began running around in circles, repeating the need to escape.

"Will you shut up?" Nymphora snapped. "You're getting on my nerves."

"So you want to stay?" Aeloth asked, clearly not understanding what had been said. 

"Well of course not," Nymphora said, she was trying to hide the fact that she was shaking. Teylynn was almost as much of a mess as Rynkin was. Aeloth started to argue with Nymphora and it was getting quite loud in the room.

Leman inflated his multilung, and then howled. He held the ululating note as long as he was able, getting everyone's attention.

"I understand that you are all scared," Leman said after taking a breath. "But we have to work together to get out of here."

"Isn't the Si-si... the person you're with, like a powerful psyker?" Aeloth asked. "Can't you just reach out to him?"

"Malcador is a powerful psyker," Leman said. "But I am not, and this room is psy-screened. I can't reach out that way. Though he may have heard my howl. I'm not sure how thick the walls are here."

"So, what do we do?" Nymphora asked. 

"We haven't actually tried the doors," Teylynn pointed out. Leman wasn't sure if she was putting on a brave face, or was actually recovering her control already.

Leman nodded, and Teylynn headed towards the door they came in from. It remained steadfastly closed, even when the others joined her. Rynkin whimpered at the sight. They moved to the second door. Nymphora took the lead for this door. It also remained shut. This left them approaching the third, larger door. It opened at their approach. Reluctantly, Leman led them through. He was certain they were being herded, and didn't like it.

*******************

"This is not an observation area," Malcador noted dryly. "And I am not able to reach the Lord Russ."

That wasn't exactly the truth, Malcador could reach him if the need arose, but it would not be subtle. He preferred to keep that to himself for now, as he didn't want to tip his hand. It was always better to be underestimated.

A faint echo of sound reached the group. It also weakly brushed against Malcador's other senses. Leman had howled, their pre-arranged signal if they split up and something bad happened. Geld shivered, but it was unclear if he was reacting to the sound, or Malcador's glare. The Sigillite's anger caused the psyflames on this staff to flicker.

"What is the meaning of this?" Cyad asked, turning his burly form towards Geld.

"Where are the children?" Pelad asked nervously. Malcador could feels the man's agitation rolling off him in waves.

"I... I can explain," Geld stammered.

"We're waiting," Swalynn said. 

"They are... excited by the sweets!" Geld said, like he had come to a decision partway through his answer. 

"The truth is preferable to a lie," Malcador said. "That was most certainly not Leman's excited howl."

"That was the Lord Russ?" Pellinor asked, startled.

"We've never lost him in the Palace," Malcador answered. Pellinor chuckled slightly before turning his attention back to Geld. The merchant hung his head.

There was a long silence before Geld started to chuckle. It grew into a roaring laughter. Swalynn gave him a look of utter disgust, Lewince joined her. 

"I don't see anything funny about this," Pelad said sharply.

"They belong to us now," Geld said darkly.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Cyad asked. Pelad groaned, and Pellinor paled. Lewince began to sweat, while Swalynn's expression turned to horror.

Malcador was preparing to enter Geld's mind and get the truth of the situation when Cyad rushed Geld. The two fell to the floor in a tangle of limbs, a metallic flash preceded a gush of blood from Geld. A knife protruded from his chest for a brief moment before Cyad pulled it back out. This caused a fountain of blood to spatter over Swalynn and Pelad. 

"That was foolish," Lewince said. "We needed him to get information."

Cyad looked numbly at Geld's body. Finally he turned towards the others. 

"He's put my boy in danger," Cyad said woodenly. Malcador could read in his aura that he was aware that he hadn't helped the situation, but probably made it worse.

"All of the children are in danger," Malcador said, asserting control of the situation.

"What are we going to do?" Swalynn asked. 

Malcador thought a moment. He knew Leman would try to get the other children to the adults. The separation was a concern because neither knew where they other was. A thought came to mind and he tried to reach the Executor. 

Pelad cursed, telling Malcador that he was trying the vox too. Both found it to be jammed. "The vox is jammed," Pelad explained to the room.

"And you can't reach the Lord Russ?" Lewince asked. 

"I can't," Malcador said. He could sense another psyker in the manufactorum and didn't want them to know the true extent of his powers. Swalynn gave him a sideways glance that said she didn't quite believe him, but didn't say anything.

"You haven't answered the question, my lord," she said instead.

"Leman will try to back track if possible, his goal is to get back to me bringing the other children with him," Malcador said. "We should try to go back to the intersection and meet them."

"A manufactorum can be quite the maze," Pellinor said. "But you are sure the other children will stay with Lord Russ?"

"Nymphora might not," Pelad said quietly. "She's quite willful."

"Leman will keep her in line," Malcador assured him. "He's quite good with willful people."

"Not like her," Pelad insisted.

"You've never met a Space Wolf," Malcador said. "There is almost no way that she's worse than one of them."

"He's also a Primarch," Swalynn pointed out. 

"Where do we back track to?" Lewince asked.

"Screw this," Cyad said, breaking his silence. "I'm going to find my boy." 

He stomped away from the group, and towards the door they entered by. The others followed behind, keeping a discreet distance. The door remained closed. Lewince found the second door a moment later, this one opened at their approach.

"We're being herded," Malcador muttered as they filed out. "And I have a bad feeling about this."

******************

"Shouldn't we keep moving?" Aeloth asked nervously. He was looking around the intersection they were standing in. Leman was making a rune mark on the wall. The Vlka Fenryka referred to the rune system as fultharc and used it for way marking. The runes were also visible to those with warp-sight, and Leman hoped it would get past the psy-screens to Malcador so he could find them.

"In a moment," Leman said firmly. "These marks I make will help us if we get lost."

"That makes sense," Teylynn said. She had been very helpful to Leman by keeping everyone together. This was especially important because Rynkin was distressed and just wanted his grandfather.

"How?" Nymphora asked.

"It tells us where we've been," Leman said. "And it may alert Malcador to where we've gone."

"Really?" Rynkin squeaked. Leman nodded.

"All done," he added. "Let's go." 

With that, the children headed down the hallway Leman had marked. After awhile, Leman slowed the group. Everyone quieted down, and they realized they could hear the heavy breathing of a frightened person. They approached an open door, where the sound seemed to be coming from. A voice called out from inside.

"Please, help me," came Barrin's voice in a whimper. "I promise to work on my weight."

"Barrin?" Leman asked quietly. He wanted to make sure it wasn't a trap of some kind. This was felt to him like a cross between Extinction Park, and the labyrinth from Magna Crete.

"L-l-lord Ru-russ? Barrin stammered in reply.

Leman signaled for the others to wait, and leaned around to peer into the room. Barrin was held up by a harness system that put Leman in mind of Dreadnought maintenance harnesses. The other boy was still ball-shaped, bloated to an unnatural weight. His limbs were just barely sticking out from the rolls of fat on his body, clearly unable to support him. Barrin's face perked up a bit at the sight of Leman's face.

Knowing he couldn't leave the other boy behind, Leman began searching the room for anything usable to move Barrin at the size he was. The biggest issue was that the group needed to keep moving, and Barrin might slow them down. There was also the fact that if Leman couldn't find anything, he was the only one who could move the boy.

Just then he spotted an antigravitic chair. It was a Mechanicum device typically used by people from low-grav worlds on higher grav-worlds. They had small grav drives similar to a jetbike's engine. Webbing next to the chair could be attached to hold Barrin in place. He turned to the others in the hall. 

"Aeloth, Nymphora, watch the hall," he stated. "Teylynn, Rynkin, come with me."

"What are we doing?" Rynkin squeaked as they followed Leman into the room.

"You're getting that chair," Leman said, indicating the antigravitic chair. "Teylynn's grabbing that webbing, and I'm moving Barrin into the chair."

"Right," Teylynn said. They maneuvered into the middle of the room. Leman apologized to Barrin as he rolled the other boy to the chair, then rotated him so he was oriented correctly. Teylynn had to climb on top of the chair in order to attach the webbing securely. Rynkin helped on the bottom.

"I think I can breathe a bit easier," Barrin said once he was secured. 

"Possibly," Leman replied. "The webbing should have some antigrav effects as well."

"How do I control this?"

"There are pressure sensors in the seat," Leman answered. "You just have to lean in the direction you want to go, sit straight to stop."

"Cool!" Barrin said and started testing out the control system.

"How did you know about that?" Teylynn asked.

"The Mechanicum likes to show us stuff," Leman said in a slightly off-hand manner. "And Ferrus designed the control system of this model."

"That's even cooler," Barrin said. 

They headed back out to the hallway and continued searching for the way out.

***********************

"Clever Leman," Malcador said as he found the first fultharc rune. "Very clever."

"What is it?" Cyad asked sharply. He was quite angry that they hadn't found the children yet.

"Fultharc," Malcador replied, indicating the rune. "He's trying to leave me bread crumbs."

"You can read that?" Pelad asked.

"To an extent," Malcador replied. "The Space Wolves are rather secretive about the system."

"But they do tell us where they've been," Pellinor pointed out. Pelad nodded.

"But do they tell us if anyone is hurt?" Cyad demanded.

"No," Malcador conceded. "The system isn't designed for that. It's meant for path marking, warnings and often times the marking of important targets."

Cyad grunted in response. They turned down the hall where the mark was. The next intersection had two marks, one at each branch. Malcador quickly glanced at the two, and chose the one on the right. 

"Are you sure this is the right way?" Lewince asked.

"The other mark was an indicator of what they call malificarum," Malcador explained. "It says there's danger that way, Leman must have sensed something that way that he didn't like."

"What would make a Primarch leave a warning?" Pelad asked.

"He intends the marks for me," Malcador answered. "It also tells me that they didn't go that way, he wouldn't have led the other children into danger."

"That makes sense," Swalynn said.

"Lord Russ seems reasonable that way," Pellinor agreed.

"Are you able to reach Lord Russ now?" Lewince asked. Malcador shook his head. Still sullen, Cyad lead the way down the hallway until they found the open door to a room. Swalynn and Lewince peeked inside to see if there was any sign of the children. 

"Something's missing from this room," Swalynn announced, causing the adults to stop and investigate further. 

"It seems to have been decently large," Pelad said after a moment. "Some kind of cart or wagon?"

"But why would they want a cart?" Cyad asked.

"There was some type of webbing here," Swalynn said, ignoring Cyad's question.

She's good, Malcador thought. He was always looking for observant people to be part of his various plans. It sometimes felt like they were a rarity in the universe.

"That just makes my question more relevant," Cyad said, bringing Malcador back to the matter at hand. Once again, Swalynn ignored the question, and made an observation.

"There's trails of dust here," she said. "That doesn't make sense if it was a servitor, they would have done the whole floor."

"Anti-gravitic chair," Malcador mused. "Possibly someone is injured or otherwise incapacitated."

"Geld had a partner didn't he?" Cyad asked suddenly, trying to get an answer from someone.

"Yes," Malcador said, fixing the other man with a look. "And he will face the Emperor's justice."

"Right," Cyad said in a tone that spoke of distrust. Malcador sighed, but chose not to argue.

"We should keep going," Pellinor said after an awkward silence. "They may be close."

"It's possible," Malcador admitted. He could sense another mark nearby that made him hope the psy-warding was coming to an end. It would make things easier if he could reach make easy contact with Leman again.

Swalynn fell in beside him as they left the room. She risked a glance at him before asking the question he already knew was coming.

"Why haven't you reached out to Lord Russ?" She asked quietly. Her circumspection elevated her more in Malcador's opinion. That was often even harder to find than observance.

"Geld's... partner... is a psyker," Malcador admitted quietly. "I'm acknowledging the psy-wards in this part of the manufactorum."

"Even if they aren't effective on you?"

"There's the risk that there are stronger wards that would," Malcador said. "It's what I would do if our positions were reversed."

"I see," Swalynn allowed. Lewince called out indicating that he had found a new mark. Malcador inspected the mark carefully, trying to see how fresh it was. The others fell quiet, listening hard, Malcador thought he heard something. A faint metallic whine. Checking the wards, he chose to take a risk.

+Leman?+

+Malcador!+ Leman responded. +Where are you?+

+On your trail+ Malcador answered. +The fultharc helped.+

+That's good+ Leman said. +Are the other adults with you?+

+Yes+ Malcador said. +How are the other children?+

+Most of us are alright+ Leman said carefully. +Barrin ate a piece of candy that made him swell up like the blueberry girl from the movie.+

Malcador groaned inwardly. That wasn't going to improve Cyad's mood in any way. Though it did explain the chair. Another question came back to Malcador.

+What was that warning for?+

+Smelled like wyrm+ Leman replied. +A big one if I'm not mistaken.+

+Ah+ Malcador said. Swalynn shifted her weight and it made him wonder if she had caught any of his reaction to the news. 

+How close are you?+ Leman asked.

+We just found another mark+ Malcador answered. +The first past the wards.+

+You're really close!+ Leman said happily. +If you stay put, I'll get my group turned around.+

"I have made contact with Leman," Malcador said aloud. "They are close, and headed back this way."

"Is everyone alright?" Pellinor asked. He and Pelad seemed relieved that the children had been found.

Malcador opened his mouth to reply, but they were all distracted by the sound of a small grav-engine. Barrin came around the corner, just ahead of the other children. They scattered to their respective adults, even Nymphora going to Pelad, looking happy to be reunited.

Cyad's expression ran a gambit of emotion at the sight of his son. Starting with relief, it ended with anger after hitting almost everything in between. He spun around to direct that anger at Malcador. Leman placed himself between Cyad and Malcador, preparing to defend the Sigillite if necessary.

"What happened, Leman?" Malcador asked, keeping eye contact with Cyad the whole time.

Leman told the adults everything that had happened after they separated for their "surprise" including smelling the wyrm, and ending with the recovery of Barrin. Cyad continued to glare at Malcador a moment before speaking.

"The Emperor's justice had best be swift," he growled before turning back to his son. Leman relaxed once Cyad's attention was not on Malcador.

"He smells like blood," Leman said quietly, turning to Malcador.

"That's because he killed Geld just after you howled."

"You did hear me then," Leman said, a ghost smile flickered on his face as Malcador nodded.

"Alright we're back together," Lewince said, looking about as jittery as Aeloth. "Can we get out of here?"

"We were being herded," Leman explained. "So we haven't tried going back the way we came because of it."

"Geld did say that the children 'belonged' to them now," Swalynn observed. Everyone else turned to look at Barrin. 

"I don't know anything," Barrin whimpered. "They took me to the room and left me there."

"But we can't confirm that," Lewince stated quickly, showing paranoia as well as agitation.

"I swear it!" Barrin wailed, he looked around wildly before focusing on the top of Malcador's staff. "I'll put my hand in the flames to prove it."

"That shouldn't be necessary," Leman protested. He felt somewhat responsible for Barrin's situation and didn't want more harm done to the boy.

"Indeed not," Malcador said. He stepped forward, placing himself in front of Barrin, and leaned forward. "If you will cooperate, I can check for any blocks in your memory, or other alterations to your mind."

"What do you mean by 'other alterations'?" Cyad barked.

"Their method of control could have been hidden in the sweet," Malcador said. "I may also be able to ease the effect we have seen."

"I'll cooperate," Barrin said quickly. "I don't want to stay like this."

Malcador gave Cyad a firm look, then signaled to Leman.

"Make sure we aren't interrupted," Malcador said, then turned his full attention to Barrin.

"What did he mean by that?" Cyad growled at Leman.

"That he doesn't want to be disturbed," Leman answered as he set the brake system on the chair. "Unless we're about to get caught, or the wyrm shows up."

Malcador and Barrin had both gone still. One of Malcador's thin hands was on Barrin's face, the other on his staff. Both had their eyes closed, but a little bit of light flickered around Malcador.

Leman prowled around the group, trying to check for dangers. Swalynn held up a hand as he passed, intending to thank him for keeping Teylynn safe while they were separated. The thought fled as Barrin began to visibly shrink in the chair. She pointed, dumbfounded.

"How is he doing that?" she whispered.

"Thought and will," Leman answered as he turned to look. "He's forcing Barrin's body to do what he wants it to do."

Teylynn looked like she was about to ask a question of her own, when Leman's nostrils flared and he spun about. Looking down the hallway, he began to sniff, heading back the way the adults had come from. After a moment he trotted over to Malcador, gently placing a hand on the Sigillite's arm.

"Malcador, the wyrm is coming," he announced, shaking Malcador slightly. "We need to move."

Blinking, Malcador pulled away from Barrin, who was much closer to his original size now. The boy hopped off the chair, looking quite relieved. That relief was short-lived as the sound of the wyrm became audible to mortal ears.

"Is that a snake?" Nymphora shrieked. 

"Yes," Leman said. "It's the one I smelled earlier."

"We can't fight that," Lewince said. "We don't have any weapons."

Leman glanced at Malcador, there were many ways to fight, but it would be easier if Malcador could help him. This was complicated by the fact that it was a snake.

"I'll stay in the back," Leman announced. "Lion's not the only one who can kill animals."

Malcador chuckled slightly even as he moved to the front of the group. He couldn't afford to have the snake's presence affect him like the last time, and wanted as much space as possible between them. Leman could handle the wyrm, Malcador was certain.

Turning the corner, he encountered another problem. Th'Saur stood in the middle of the hallway, a wicked looking blade in his hands. Everyone froze, the children moving to the middle of the group. Leman literally backed into Pellinor as the wyrm closed in from behind. 

The addition of the second threat complicated matters as there was only one Leman. He knew Malcador wasn't defenseless, but there were several unknowns and it made Leman uncomfortable. There was also the fact that it was just the two of them, so he was fully responsible for Malcador's safety. As it was, he knew he had to deal with the wyrm, and leave Malcador to handle the xenos alone.

The wyrm finally came into view, and Leman's hopes fell. It was several times larger than Rot's snake, and looked far more dangerous. Like a cross between a Fenrisian wyrm and a Nocturnian drake. Moving forward, the wyrm opened its mouth wide to reveal fangs the length of his arm, dripping with venom. This wasn't something he could take on without a weapon. 

Th'Saur rushed Malcador, who sent him flying backwards with a gesture. Aeloth let out a frightened cry as the xenos bounced back and charged again. Then it was Nymphora's turn to scream as the wyrm lept forward at Leman.

Jumping aside, Leman hit it behind the head, trying to keep its attention. He wanted to keep anyone else from being hit by the venom, trusting his body to be able to handle it. A metallic clang told Leman that Malcador had ended up in close combat with the xenos. He experienced a moment of regret at not bringing Freki and Geri, as they would have been very helpful just then.

**********************

Amon Tauromachian hurried towards the sounds of conflict. He had snuck aboard the Executor at Lord Valdor's command. The infiltration was deemed necessary so as not to violate the terms of the contest by having a third member to their party. 

He had managed to slip down after the vox became jammed via the teleportarium, going to the Stormbird to avoid detection by the manufactorum's defense system. Valdor had chosen Amon for his dedication, and skills in stealth. Malcador hadn't actually been informed of his extra companion, this was to keep Amon's presence a last resort. 

There had been a delay as he worked on actually getting into the manufactorum without being seen by the security. It made Amon's investigative senses twinge, as there was far too much security for a sweets manufactorum. Something else was happening here. 

Rounding a corner, he saw the back end of a gigantic wyrm. Frowning, Amon pulled out his sentinel blade. He had opted for the sword instead of the more typical guardian spear for ease of movement. Noting the wyrm took up the hallway, Amon backed away, intending to find a different path. 

A high-pitched scream, undercut by Malcador calling out to Leman, caused him to abandon that plan. Leaping on the back of the wyrm Amon crouched and ran forwards. He swung his sword at the creature as he ran, unsure what had happened, but wanting to distract the creature. The wyrm writhed, nearly taking him off his feet. He continued forward, going slower as the wyrm continued on.

Spotting a flare of etheric energy, he found a fresh burst of speed. Malcador was the only psyker Amon was aware of, so he had to be getting close. Finally, he arrived at the head of the wyrm.

Glancing around, he found the hall had widened, becoming something like a chamber. Leman was on the ground, a jagged cut on his arm from one of the wyrm's teeth. Malcador was in combat with a xenos on the other end of the area. A group of standard humans, including several children, were in the middle. The wyrm, now unopposed, moved towards the group.

Amon noted one of the adults was holding a blooding knife, but didn't seem sure what to do with it. Lunging forwards, Amon announced his presence by killing the wyrm. This was accompanied by more screams from the children. 

Malcador took advantage of the distraction Amon created to take down Th'Saur with a sweep of his staff. The two switched places, with Amon taking control of the prisoner. Swalynn beat Malcador to Leman's side, looking over the Primarch. She glanced up as Malcador set his staff aside before joining her. Leman reacted by groaning, he was shaking slightly, but shifted towards Malcador.

"Ma-a-mal...." Leman stammered weakly. 

"Hush," Malcador said quietly. "I'm here."

Leman shivered, and tried to speak again, but no sound came out. 

"Shh," Malcador repeated. "You'll be alright. Amon Talamachian is here. Though I'll admit I don't know how."

"Lord Valdor requested I treat this assignment as a Blood Game," Amon answered the unspoken question. Malcador nodded, then indicated for Amon to bring the prisoner forwards. He stood with a grunt and took up his staff again. Swalynn hesitated, then herded the others a bit away from the injured Primarch.

"Tell me about this venom," Malcador demanded. 

"A particularly powerful neurotoxin," Th'Saur said silkily. "A little mix I came up with myself. I may have a small amount of anti-venom in my lab, but it's too far away to make it back in time."

"Amon?" Malcador asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Let's go, xenos," Amon said, jerking Th'Saur back. Teylynn shied away from them as she approached with a medikit. She looked to her mother, who motioned her towards Malcador. The Sigillite was knelt on the floor again next to Leman, who tried to reach out.

"Will he be alright?" Teylynn asked as she approached. She looked terrified.

"Of course," Malcador said, accepting the medikit from the girl. Teylynn retreated back to her mother's side.

"You won't find anything for him in there," Th'Saur chuckled darkly. Amon jerked the xenos around.

"Silence," he snarled.

Malcador ignored the exchange, gathering Leman and keeping his focus there. A small flicker of light could be seen coming from his fingers, wrapping around the Primarch. Leman's shaking began to subside, and his breathing evened out.

"No!" Th'Saur cried, realizing what was happening. a bolt of energy struck the wall just behind Malcador, Amon's intervention the only thing keeping from striking true. The wall itself vanished in a flash. He rendered the xenos unconscious with a strike.

Silence descended on the group, broken by an ominous groan as cracks spread across the ceiling.

"That doesn't sound good," Lewince said, looking nervously up at the ceiling.

"That was a load-bearing wall," Cyad replied, grabbing Barrin. "We need to move."

"The exit is that way," Amon said, slinging Th'Saur over his shoulder, and gesturing towards the corpse of the wyrm. Swalynn encouraged Teylynn to go with Pellinor while she joined Amon next to Malcador.

"My lord," she called out, stopping just short of touching him. She wasn't sure if that would be allowed. Reaching a decision, she risked a quick glance at the Custodian before grabbing Malcador's arm. "We need to move."

Leman's eyes snapped open first. Swalynn released Malcador as Leman sat up and grabbed him instead. He looked at her, then Amon, and finally at the ceiling. As if on cue, part of the ceiling collapsed just behind them. Malcador had stood up in that time, grabbing his staff from the other wall.

"This way, my lord," Amon said, gesturing. Leman held his breath, realizing that they needed to walk on the wyrm to get out. Malcador's face was a mask, but Leman could see the disgust and distress there. He linked his arm through Malcador's as they started towards the way out.

"Well, it wasn't a musical," Leman said, trying to distract Malcador from what had to be done. "I don't know if that was a good thing though."

"Why would you think this a musical, Lord Russ?" Swalynn asked, genuinely curious. She was also suspicious that it was a distraction and wanted to help. 

"There was a story that had similarities to this one," Leman answered. "They made movie adaptations that were musicals."

"But this is the real world," she argued. "Musicals are just a story-telling tool."

"That's true for the most part," Leman said. "Magnus once turned the Palace into a musical set though."

"Really?" Swallyn asked, she found the idea to be a bit unbelievable. 

"That's what happened?" Amon asked on the heels of Swalynn's question. "No wonder the Sisters of Silence were so amused."

"I actually forgot that they wouldn't have been affected by that," Leman said with a chuckle. He looked to Malcador, who had actually closed his eyes, he was only moving forwards because of Leman pulling on him, and Amon's presence behind him. 

A loud crash announced a large chunk of the ceiling falling behind them. Glancing down, Leman noticed that the wyrm's body was narrowing. He guided Malcador off as soon as there was enough space for him.

"We're getting close to the end, uncle," Leman said quietly. "We'll be out of here soon."

"What about the xenos?" Malcador asked. He had peeked when he was off, but closed his eyes again upon seeing the snake. 

"Amon has him," Leman said, dropping off the snake himself. "He's not conscious right now."

"Ah," Malcador said.

"Are you alright, lord?" Swalynn asked, she had managed to get off the wyrm, with Amon right behind.

"Yes," Malcador answered. "I just find snakes distasteful."

"I understand," Swalynn said. 

"Momma!" Teylynn called out as they met up on the other side of the wyrm. 

"Can someone explain what is going here?" Nymphora asked. She didn't really want Pelad to know how scared she had been. Also, she knew her father would object to what had happened.

"A good question," Malcador said. "However, we aren't in the best place for answers."

"This way," Amon said, gesturing towards the right. "I saw a secure room we can ask our questions of the xenos there."

They followed the Custodian. Pelad fell in beside Malcador, leaning in close.

"I've tried to raise the Arbites, lord," he said quietly. "But the vox is still jammed."

"That's unfortunate," Malcador said. "I appreciate the update. We'll have to reach them later." Pelad nodded, and moved back to Nymphora.

Amon stopped before the door to the secure room, noting a genetic scanner. Holding Th'Saur up to open the door, the group entered a room that looked like a laboratory. Amon dumped Th'Saur into a chair. The xenos stirred, beginning to regain consciousness. Rynkin had noticed a length of rope on a counter, and handed it to Amon. Pellinor failed to hide a grin as he noticed the surprise from others.  Their family were help on a grox ranch. 

Pelad looked around the room, trying to check for threats. He knew that any sweep he did wouldn't be as thorough as if Amon did it. Mostly, he was looking for something to do, and this was better than nothing. Nymphora was standing in middle of the room with Swalynn, watching him. Her look was missing it's normal smugness, it was like she was trying to confirm he was there.

Finishing his circuit of the room, Pelad joined Lewince by the door. The other man fidgeted nervously. Cyad was Pelad's biggest concern, but he felt there was less direct risk to Nymphora. 

"Alright," Cyad said, still holding the knife he had used to kill Geld. "Time for answers."

"Indeed," Malcador said, looking intently at Th'Saur. "Let's start at the beginning. Why did you lure us here?"

"I'm not telling you anything, Mon-keigh," Th'Saur growled, trying to escape his bonds. Leman darted forwards, glaring at the xenos, an animal snarl on his lips. 

"Stay back, Lord Russ," Amon said. He didn't trust the xenos to not attempt harm to the Primarch.

"He insulted Malcador," Leman snapped, but stepped back. Malcador waited out the interruption patiently. He maintained eye contact with Th'Saur who had gone silent. 

"Very well," Malcador said, when it became clear that he wouldn't get any answers from the xenos. "We'll theorize. You brought us here because you need something, something the children can give you."

Th'Saur wouldn't be goaded. Leman added his own thoughts. 

"You wanted us," Leman said. "The sweet made it so Barrin couldn't move and would be filling for the wyrm."

More silence was all that answered them. Swalynn brought them to the crux of the issue.

"But what does that creature have to do with this?"

"Secret ingredient?" Barrin asked, shivering at the thought.

"They have always hinted that one exists," Aeloth stated. He had been researching the Myrmedian Sweets since before the contest. It wasn't something that his mother had approved of which is why Lewince was the one with him. 

"That is disgusting," Nymphora said, pulling a face like Fulgrim after a stink bomb. 

"Some of that depends on what part of the wyrm is used," Aeloth pointed out. "And we haven't actually confirmed it as the secret ingredient. It could be a pet, or part of building security."

"But we have the snake," Teylynn said. "Or at least its body."

"That doesn't eliminate the pet angle," Swalynn said. "Teylynn nodded, conceding the point. Everyone turned their attention to Th'Saur, who continued to silently glare. 

Cyad took his turn approaching the xenos, holding up the bloody knife in his hand. He took his turn leaning in close. 

"I killed your partner with this knife," Cyad growled. "And if you don't start explaining why you hurt my boy, I'll figure out who knows the best way to use this knife to make you talk. I believe the Custodian would be a good choice."

"That may not work," Malcador said, continuing to examine the xenos. "There are some members of the species that revel in pain, typically to other, but will accept pain to themselves."

"Then we may need to get more creative," Cyad said. "Everyone has limits."

Leman glanced at Malcador, he knew the other could probably get the information from the xenos, but didn't have a reason for why that happened yet. 

"What about fire?" Rynkin asked. "We use it with stubborn grox when we're concerned that they'll be aggressive with the shock sticks."

Amon nodded appreciatively at the boy's insight and idea. Malcador looked thoughtful for a moment, then a mischievous light came to his eyes. A flash of power was followed by a scream from Th'Saur who began to struggle against his bonds again.

"It's the skin!" he cried. Malcador blinked, the look of disgust on his face rivaled the one on Nymphora's face. Everyone also had one as well.

"Well.... That changes things," Leman said. He was certain that Roboute wouldn't eat it again. It was a coin toss for Fulgrim, he'd find it weird, but it was a snake and Fulgrim was rather obsessed with them. Mortarion of course would be all over them now.

"We've been eating snake skin?" Nymphora cried at the end of Leman's sentence. Pelad moved next to her side, looking like he wasn't quite sure what she was going to do. She went over to him and held his hand.

"It seems to be part of the base ingredients," Malcador explained. "Ground up and mixed into the rest of the sweet paste."

"What of the xenos?" Amon asked, going back to the topic at hand.

"We'll take him back to the Executor," Malcador said after a moment. Amon nodded and hoisted the xenos, ready to leave. Leman's eyes widened with a sudden realization.

"What happened to Geld's body?" he asked Malcador.

"We left it," came the answer. Malcador also realizing what that meant.

"What about the people who work here?" Rynkin asked. They were always worried of losing their jobs and everything with that.

"We'll have to check them out, then send them to other manufactoria," Malcador answered after a moment. 

"This complicates matters," Leman said, indicating Amon and Th'Saur.

"Lord Malcador, we can gather the workers and go over events with them, while Lord Amon removes the xenos," Swalynn suggested.

"This is acceptable to me," Amon said. "I didn't enter with the rest of you, and kept my arrival a secret."

"Indeed," Malcador inclined his head to Swalynn, then Amon. "It will also make things less distressful for the workers."

"Unless someone's already found the body," Lewince pointed out. 

"I'll take responsibility for that," Cyad said. "even if they haven't found it yet."

Malcador nodded at that. Barrin looked at his feet, uncomfortable with the situation. It was just Cyad and him, so he didn't know what would become of him. Amon left, carrying Th'Saur over his shoulder. The rest remained a moment.

"Do we know how to get back to the production floor?" Pellinor asked after a moment. 

"Yes," Malcador said. "I got some other information from our host besides about the snake."

***********************

Malcador led them back to the production floor. The children found it very strange that production had continued as if they had no idea of recent events. They headed to a a platform used by the floor overseers. Indicating for the others to stay below, Malcador climbed the stairs. Rapping his staff sharply on the platform, he started explaining recent events. 

"Geld was killed by one of the other chaperones," Malcador admitted. "This was Geld's fate as he associated with a xenos."

Cyad looked up sharply at Malcador, who didn't react. He continued to tell the workers what would happen to them. Coming back down, Malcador nodded to Cyad. Leman figured it out first.

"Thank you, Master Cyad," Leman said, turning smartly and making the aquila. "You have removed the taint in this manufactorum by removing Geld."

"So I'm not in trouble?" Cyad asked. Leman smiled and shook his head.

"No, you did service to the Throne and Terra," Leman said.

"What of us?" Lewince asked. "What happens now?"

"We go home?" Teylynn asked hopefully. She was perfectly ready to leave the place behind. This was greeted with several chuckles.

"Fair enough," Lewince said. "But it seems like a a bit of a let down that we don't really get anything out of it but memories."

"Well, there are the business assets of Myrmedian to consider," Nymphora said. "The most popular sweets merchants must have had something stored away."

"True," Malcador said, thinking it over. 

"I vote any share we would get go somewhere else," Leman said. Coming to the conclusion that the easiest, fairest way, was to split it up between everyone. "We don't need more stuff or money."

"A noble suggestion," Malcador agreed. He already knew Leman wanted to offer it to Rynkin and Pellinor. The other boy figured it out as well.

"You would do that?" Rynkin asked. "Lord."

"Of course," Leman said. "I have no reason to want more, especially if you're in need."

"But we're only one family," Pellinor objected. 

"True, but you also know where your needs are," Leman said. "Sometimes it's better to give directly to people in need."

"Thank you," Pellinor said. Leman ignored the tears that were showing in the corners of the man's eyes.

"Now that's sorted, can we go?" Nymphora asked. She was in total agreement with Teylynn at this point. It was time to go home and be done with this whole debacle.

"Yes," Malcador said. "We can go now."

They headed out to the landing apron, and found a new twist: the dropship that Rynkin and Pellinor had arrived in was gone. 

"What happened to your dropship?" Aeloth asked Rynkin.

"They.... they must have left," Rynkin answered. 

"Probably when they couldn't raise us on the vox," Pellinor said. "We had to come by several different chartist ships. He sighed, wondering where to find the local chartists gathered. Rynkin shifted awkwardly. Everyone else seemed to have their own dropships, and they had nothing.

"We can take you," Nymphora said suddenly. "Right, Pelad?"

"Of course, Lady Nymphora," Pelad said. "I'll inform your father when we break orbit."

"Thank you," Pellinor said with a bow. She waved it away, like the offer was nothing. To her it felt like the least she could do, no one deserved to be stuck here. Everyone moved to their ships and headed back to orbit.