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Lorgar spoke in front of a crowd, hands folded and voice carried across the wide speaking chamber. His voice bounced from the arches, the room crafted to carry even the smallest voice. He needed to put in little effort to be heard even by the farthest listeners.
He couldn’t help but walk as he spoke, hands moving around. He told the tale of Terra, of the Emperor’s grace and scientific improvements, of the generosity of the Imperium. He spoke of unity under his light, not as a god, but as a loving father and strong leader.
According to Kalyani, he had improved greatly in her eyes. She still loved him and by her grace, he continued to preach. She helped to edit his words, to change them into something better fitting of the Imperium’s ideals.
At the edge of his makeshift stage, a robed serf appeared, a small scroll in hand. She was one of Kalyani’s companions, Amarsin to be precise. She was practically vibrating, smiling brightly as she bit her lip.
He motioned for one of his chaplains to step forward and take his place, finding a suitable place to pass along the speech. He motioned her to a partially shadowed section, pulling the prying eyes. “What do you have from me?”
She smiled brightly, eyes dazzling in his presence. She held it up. “A message from Kalyani.”
He tilted his head. Something from his goddess? She was helping her sister serve others if he recalled correctly. She must be caught up in her work if she’d sent him a message, but she was always welcome to interrupt his speeches.
He popped the seal with the blunt edge of his nail, smoothing it open in his hands. He blinked at the three simple words, frowning slightly. She teased him often enough, but she’d never been so outwardly rude to him. Had she intended to write something else?
He looked at Amarsin, putting on a gentle smile for her. “Is she still with the people?”
She nodded, swaying side to side slowly. “Mhm!”
He stood, tucking the parchment in his robe. “Thank you. Pardon me, I believe I need to find my wife.”
She giggled, wiggling her fingers as she began bouncing away. “Have a good talk, my lord.”
He smiled fondly at her. She was a darling. Now, he needed to find his wife.
Kalyani laughed as she danced with the children, hands holding theirs. They bounced in an erratic circle, singing a song she didn’t yet know. Her curls bounced freely, decorated with small pearls of Colchis.
The children stopped, murmurs rippling through them as they looked past her with wide eyes. She looked up, giggling softly at the sight of Lorgar mere feet behind her. She could recognize the mild agitation in his eyes, the annoyance in the set of his lips.
She let go, motioning to them to flee. They did without second thought, fleeing from the primarch. She smiled, lacing her fingers behind her back as she turned to face him.
She tilted her head. “Did you get my letter?”
He nodded, looking down at the paper in his hands. “I don’t… I fear I must have misunderstood? Or, you wrote something you didn’t intend?” It has happened in the past, especially when she was tired or distracted.
She hummed and reached out, taking the paper from him. Her eyes brightened and she smiled widely, laughing. He frowned deeper at her laughter. An insult wasn’t a laughing matter. If she weren’t his wife, he’d have seen her punished for such an act, but she was his wife and he would hear her out just this once.
She giggled, reaching out to squeeze his hand. “Oh, I was just being silly, Lolo. You know I don’t see you as an idiot.”
His cheeks warmed, flushing hot with blood. He looked down at the paper, gently taking it from her. He looked over it again, pressing his hand to the lower half of his face. “Oh… It seems I was the distracted one this time.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re so silly.”
He huffed, pouting lightly as he looked away from her. “Well, I cannot toss away your words. I will have to keep this for myself.”
She patted his hand. “Of course you will. And, later, we can make it up?”
He blinked, focusing on her. He smiled easily, lifting her hand to his lips as he bowed low. “I love you, my goddess.”
She squeezed his fingers. “And, I love you, my beautiful, silly man. Go back to your proselytizing. I’m in charge of keeping the children distracted.”
He sighed happily, tilting his head. “I long to give you a child.”
She flushed, warmth making her cheeks glow. “How about we practice making one later?”
His eyes glittered and he pressed his lips to the back of her hand. “Eagerly.”