The Monk in the Snow

### The discovery of Veretal Dharma, Primarch of the VIth Legion

**For a city it was small. It barely qualified as a village in Necalli’s opinion. The streets of the city were just single lane dirt roads. A people of tanned skin and bearing robes walked about their business or led carts pulled by beasts of labor. The streets were lined with stone huts with curving roofs of amber yellow stone shingles. Most buildings were single story and simple. The city’s name in the local dialect was Lhasam. It had its own quaint beauty though and seemed peaceful enough. It lay at the base of a large snow capped mountain range, the cool mountain breeze giving the air a crisp, winter taste. The mountain range however was dominated by one large mountain, the rest only reaching half way up its base, its peak penetrating the white cotton-like clouds. It loomed directly behind the city, the mountain taking up more of the view than the sky as Necalli gazed upon it. Dark green trees were littered about its base, climbing up the slopes in wild abandon; but about a third of the way up, they became so sparse that you could only see a handful sprouting defiantly from its grey and craggy surface. As his gaze neared the peak, the face became dominated by such pristine white snow that seemed like it had never had to endure the touch of man. Several glaciers glistened in the sun, sparkling like some of the brightest jewels Necalli had ever seen.**

**Necalli turned his attention back to the town, he looked down at Icnoli trodding next to him and returned to the task at hand. She moved her head back and forth, alert for potential threats, her nose sniffed the air and ears twitching. The buzz of Necalli’s armor was a constant noise that seemed to disturb the tranquility of the city. However, Necalli was starting to feel that armor might not have been necessary; not only did the planet’s population not seem hostile, they didn’t even seem to care about the presence of the armored giant and the large hunting cat at his side.**

**Initial scans of the world showed very small population centers despite the large land masses covering the globe. Necalli’s ships found there was very little in the way of technological advancement and thus no way to communicate with the inhabitants outside the old fashion way of personal interaction. A delegation had been sent to the surface prior to his arrival, yet they had returned in short order, unsure of who they were to inform. There did not seem to be an overly active form of government, and as far as military presence, there seemed to be none to speak of. Despite his sons objections, Necalli only brought a single stormbird bearing himself and his loyal beast, Icnol to the surface. The large black, cat-like creature trotted next to her master, yet even this hunter started to calm, her worry melting away, as if this was just a light stroll and there was not a threat to be had.**

**The people of this small city walked past, their daily lives apparently unaffected by the arrival of a giant in armor who bore brutal weapons of war. Some smiled towards Necalli and Icnoli, others bowed as they passed not saying a word. It was becoming apparent that his like had been seen before. Some children even offered food to Icnoli, not intimidated by the cat’s fearsome nature and size, who greedily partook of the offerings.**

**Necalli kept his hands upon his twin-headed glaive. The galaxy had shown him that not all was as it seemed and an enemy could strike at anytime, but it was hard not to feel at ease here. As the armored warrior moved further down the dirt road, they came to what was likely the city center. It was a large and open space filled with small shops and vendors. People strolled about and bartered with one another for goods; laughter suffused the square and children played by a fountain in the center. Atop this fountain was a sculpture of a stylized white lion trimmed with green, rearing up on its hind paws and about its feet lay a golden serpent. Several streets led into the city square and at each entrance was a marble sculpture of a dragon, their serpent-like bodies undulating like waves. Each one rose up in a similar manner to the lion, with two long whiskers extending from each side of the dragons’ mouths and beard like scales extending from their chins. And once more, in similarity to the lion, each dragon had a golden serpent coiled around their feet. Water spouted from their mouths and followed small canals that led to the fountain in the center. Necalli admired the craftsmanship as it far exceeded anything else he had seen upon this world thus far.**

**Necalli moved towards the center of the square and stood next to the fountain. He had learned the dialect in a matter of hours prior to descending to the surface. It was a sing-song like language, one that focused on tones to display different meanings to its words. Looking across the square, he raised his hands and spoke, his voice booming out of his helmet’s vox grilles.**

**“People of the city of Lhasam! I am Necalli, the Cutter of Men, Primarch of the III Legiones Astartes and son of the Emperor of Mankind! We come from the stars on the Great Crusade to unify man across the breadth of the galaxy! Who can speak for this world? Who leads you? I wish to bring the Emperor’s light to this world!”**

**All in the square stopped for a moment to stare at the giant in his war plate, all eyes gazing at the warrior before returning to their day. No one spoke, no one gave more than a pause to the words spoken. Necalli was about to speak again, irritated by the blatant disrespect, but before he could voice his irritation, a small boy approached.**

**Gazing down, the Primarch regarded the small boy; he was dressed in scarlet and amber robes, reminiscent of what a monk might have worn on Ancient Terra. His head was shaved and his deep chestnut eyes glared up at the Cutter of Men, with a very perturbed expression. Though his expression was hidden behind his warhelm, Necalli couldn’t help keeping a confused expression from contorting his face. The boy looked at Necalli’s glaive and Icnoli as she began to pace around the boy, slow threatening steps, her head low. The boy watched with bit of curiosity before looking back at Necalli, unconcerned of the imminent threat of death.**

**“You are interrupting morning market. Declarations or requests to the city are only made on the seventh day, when the sun is at the center of the sky. You’re not only four days early but it is also still morning.”**

**Necalli smirked and removed his helm to stare at the boy amused. “Does the arrival of the servants of the Emperor who have traveled across the void to come here not warrant a small break in tradition? We have come a long way to negotiate with the one who can speak for your people.”**

**The boys expression did not change. “No,” the boy said flatly.**

**Necalli kept his smile on the boy, as he understood tradition and would respect such a thing. He would expect the same of someone visiting his world. “Very well boy, I will wait here, for four days and four nights and watch till the sun reaches the center of the sky. Will there be someone who can speak for your home?”**

**“No one man can speak for all men. All men are free of spirit and mind. But there is one who we go to seek wisdom from. He may be able to speak to you. He is Meraki, the Voice of Truth, but it is rude of you to disturb him. He meditates and fasts till the seventh day.”**

**“Where can I find this man, boy? I can wait until the seventh day,” Necalli said, amused at the brash but bold child.**

**The Child grunted, and rolled his eyes. “All roads lead to those who seek enlightenment.”**

**“I don’t understand, those are not directions,” Necalli growled slightly confused, “Where, specifically?”**

**Once again the boy rolled his eyes at the mighty Primarch. And pointed to a road behind Necalli, he turned and followed the boys finger. He pointed to a road that seemed to head towards the mountain. “All roads in the city lead in some way to the mountain-top temple. If you follow them, you should arrive at your destination without difficulty.” Then the boy sighed, “However it would be against his teachings not to give aid to those who are lost, to turn aside those in need of guidance. You may follow me.”**

**The boy let out a slow controlled breath. Nodded and indicated to the warrior to follow. Necalli mag-locked his helmet to his hip before he and Icnoli followed the boy as he made his way along the dusty road towards the trail winding up the mountain. The trek up the mountain side took the better half of the day, being late in the afternoon when the odd trio finally reached the snow on the mountain. The boy said nothing through the entirety of the hike. He hummed to himself but never spoke a word until the road came to a path cut through an obscuring glacial shard that continued to lead up. The boy pointed up the trail as he sat in the snow, legs crossed.**

**“I will wait here until your return or Meraki calls.” With that, the boy closed his eyes and resumed humming to himself.**

**Odd child, Necalli thought to himself. He grunted to the boy and continued to walk the path through the glacier. It glinted like diamonds in the setting sun. The glacial ice gave off a harsh chill that kissed Necalli’s bare face. It was deathly silent here and he enjoyed it, not even the sound of birds penetrated the tranquility, only his and Icnoli’s feet crunching on the snow. Only a few minutes passed before he reached an opening leading to a vast clearing that appeared to be a frozen lake.The icey walls of the glacier rose up above the lake, completely encasing the lake like a fortress. In the middle of the lake, about 200 meters away, was a small snow-covered island with a single vibrant green pine tree. On this island, beneath the tree’s branches, sat a man in the same robes as the boy. He sat with his back to Necalli, legs crossed in meditation. He was bald as well but even from this distance Necalli could tell he was large in stature, more so than a normal man. He had the appearance of a monk. As Necalli hesitantly entered the clearing and heard the man speak.**

**“You don’t have to worry about the ice, it is quite thick and should hold your weight, even one as heavy as you.”**

**“Should?” responded Necalli.**

**“Should,” the monk repeated.**

**This gave Necalli very little reassurance but he slowly ventured onto the ice. Icnoli did not follow, instead curling up in the snow at the edge of the lake and watching her master curiously. Necalli slowly walked towards the monk.**

**“I am Necalli, Cutter of Men, Primarch of the III Legiones Astartes and I bring the Imperial Truth. Are you able to speak on behalf of the people of this world?”**

**“Well you did not have to say that for me to know your not from around here. Your accent gave it away, and your strange attire. I am but one man, how can I speak for all men who are free of mind and spirit.”**

**“Clearly,” Necalli said slowly growing irritated. “Well there must be someone on this planet that can negotiate for a peaceful transition into the Imperium of Man?”**

**“You speak of peace but carry the title, Cutter of Men? You carry a twin-headed glaive and wear mighty armor. How could I take this as a call for a negotiation of peace? You have seen this world I presume?” the monk asked, his voice echoing against the glacial walls. “Do we look threatening enough to come here bearing such things? You do not bring a message of peace. You are like the Krodile. Your teeth sharp and jaws mighty with intent to kill. We are no more threat to you than the Kaya birds who clean his teeth. But the message you bring is of violence and death. How should I take this? I guide this world with my teachings but I can no more tell them to agree to such a proposition as the tree can stop an avalanche. You bring a message of war. Something that has not cursed this land for many setting suns.”**

**Necalli continued to approach, the monk’s back still turned. His head still forward. How he knew Necalli wore armor and carried a weapon without having once laid eyes on him was a bit concerning. The man must have had informants tell him of his coming prior to his arrival at the lake. However, the closer Necalli got to the monk, the larger the monk’s physicality became. He was far larger than any normal man, larger even than an astartes, he would be as tall as Necalli without his war-plate. Necalli kept his hands on the haft of his weapon, and looked back at Icnoli, who still laid in the snow, head up watching her master.**

**“You would say no before I spoke of what we bring to you? You do not know what I offer, yet you would not listen?” At this point Necalli was almost within arms reach of the monk but still standing on the ice.**

**“If you did not notice, we are already at peace. You are disrupting our way of life.” With that the man stood up and spun around in one swift movement, his robes twisting with his body. It was so sudden that only a Primarch could move so quickly. The man looked into Necalli’s eyes while Necalli looked at the man’s face. There was no rage, no violence just a total calm serenity. His face was perfectly sculpted, brown eyes that had flecks of gold in the irises. This man was a Primarch, a son of the Emperor, there could be no other answer. In his hands, the man held a metal staff. He presented it, holding it parallel to the ground and bowed. When Necalli did not return the gesture, there was a small wrinkle in his forehead. He then swung at Necalli’s feet like a snake striking at prey, the blow mind-numbingly fast, but Necalli saw it coming. Necalli blocked the staff with his right vambrace. The lake echoed with the ring of metal on metal. The monk’s expression did not change, focused yet tranquil. Necalli kicked out in one swift motion knocking the monk from his feet. The monk’s back slammed into the snow. His staff still gripped in his hand. Necalli crouched into a fighter’s stance, teeth bared. The man did not move from the snow. He did not stand, just stayed sprawled out where he lay. He began to laugh. It was a deep and warm thing to hear. It gave Necalli pause, he slightly lowered his guard, confused. He thought to himself, analyzing the situation. Despite the sudden attack, at no point during this encounter, did he feel threatened, or as if he was in any real danger. It almost felt as if the man was playing a game. The man just continued to laugh as if he had heard the funniest joke.**

**Finally the Primarch ceased his jovial expression and spoke in a calm and soothing voice. “I think we will be friends cat warrior. I have enjoyed our banter. Though I wish you had come in a different manner. Look to your pet. A ferocious beast, with paws that big it must have razor sharp claws, yet not once did they come from it’s paws. Like you I do not need to see your weapon to know you are capable of violence, I can sense that without words or action. But I also noticed you never used your glaive, you tripped me. You may present a violent nature, but I could tell the moment you approached you did not wish for it. You should have paid more attention to you pet, it knew there was no danger to be had. You are very contradictory, but I think I can trust you.” The man lifted his head and smiled at Necalli. A warm and open gesture.**

**Necalli lowered his weapon and smirked, a bit ashamed. “I wish for peace. I forget sometimes that not all the galaxy is violence and death. I strive for it and enjoy it more and more each time I must engage in war. Though you did not have to attempt to strike me either, if we must talk of contradictory nature. I believe, however, we are more than friends, I believe you to be one of my lost brothers, what is your name monk?”**

**“We are all brothers, all men, but I think you mean something more than that.”**

**Necalli chuckled deeply. It was a wet growl in his throat. He returned the smile of his new found brother. “There is much to discuss and much I have to tell you.”**

**“It would seem so, my friend. You may call me Veratal Dharma. Let me call the boy and we can go to the temple, it is a better place for a conversation.”**

**“The boy who led me here? He is an odd one,” snarled the Cutter of Men.**

**Veratal chuckled again, “Yes he is, but I do so enjoy his company. One more question before we go my friend. This will determine how close our bond is to be.”**

**“Ask brother”**

**“Do you like tea?”**

**Necalli smiled again, more at ease with each word Veratal spoke. “I do.”**

**“Good, then we shall have a strong bond indeed!”**

**With that Veratal stood up, wiped the snow from his robes and walked barefooted across the ice to find the boy with Necalli falling in beside his new brother.**