Nareth did not reply immediately. He looked at Grand Matriarch Violette and recalled the details about the Visscher family.
Though the Visscher were ancient and wealthy beyond measure, their palaces on Terra counted among the greatest works of architecture ever built, they never wasted themselves on Terra's political squabbles.
They devoted themselves to collecting knowledge, especially the most up-to-date astronomical data.
Placing their Navigators on ships far from the borders of the Imperium, the Visscher served Rogue Trader dynasties and distant exploratory fleets.
With that thought, Nareth could already guess Violette's intent.
"What does Visscher want?"
"The star maps of the Eleventh Legion." Violette's eyes shone as she spoke the request of her elders.
The Legion's rapid expansion had caught Visscher's attention. They wanted access to these priceless charts.
But since Navigators already bound to fleets could not simply be reassigned to the Eleventh Legion's vessels, the Visscher normally relied on infiltration, sending agents into Imperial fleets, Rogue Trader armadas, Navy battlegroups, and explorer ships.
Yet no matter how many times they tried, they could not bypass the keen senses of the Shadows of Order. Instead, they lost more than a dozen of their elite operatives.
Realizing it was impossible to steal what they wanted, the elders of Visscher chose another path: send the Matriarch herself to negotiate an alliance.
"Visscher's foundation lies in using star maps to determine which regions are profitable, then funding Rogue Traders and expeditions?" Nareth asked.
"My lord sees clearly, it is exactly so." Violette looked at him in surprise.
Their ways were hidden from nearly all but other Navigator houses. Yet Nareth knew them thoroughly.
"I can share star maps with Visscher," Nareth said. "And I can order Rogue Traders who hold my trade warrants to prioritize your investments."
Bringing in Visscher Navigators and resources could only accelerate the development of his Rogue Traders. So long as they obeyed the Legion's administration, Nareth had no objection to them profiting, nor to Visscher taking their share.
"I suppose you must want something of Visscher in return?" Violette asked thoughtfully.
Nareth nodded slightly. "My demands are simple. First, Visscher will permanently provide Navigators for the Shadows of Order. Second, your family must share all star maps with the Eleventh Legion. In return, each Navigator will be protected by one of my Shadows."
Horus's plotting and the Visscher's sudden appearance had given Nareth a new idea. He would take a page from Leman Russ's future pact with the Navigator House Belisarius.
Navigator Alexander Belisarius had aided Russ in many campaigns, and on the day of the Great Company's founding, the Space Wolves sealed an eternal accord with the Belisarius: permanent Navigators for permanent protection.
The Wolves stationed a company, called the Wolfblades, as House Belisarius's eternal guards. Thus, the Space Wolves became the only Astartes to permanently garrison Terra itself.
Though the Imperial Fists bore the duty of Terra's defense, they did not dwell on the surface, but aboard the Phalanx.
Navigator houses often clashed violently over commerce, but the Wolves' involvement gave House Belisarius an unmatched advantage.
The Wolfblades served many roles: bodyguards, trainers of household troops, and agents in secret tasks. Though called "exiles," Russ often assigned Wolves with strong leadership potential, knowing their time at the Imperium's heart would teach them politics and the ways of power.
As guards, they inevitably mingled with nobles, officials, and Imperial dignitaries, building networks of influence that in turn strengthened the Wolves.
Nareth considered this Russ's greatest political act. Even if Russ himself had not foreseen its impact, it benefited his Legion for millennia, producing leaders like Ragnar Blackmane.
Ragnar, once a Wolfblade, had gained wisdom, learned diplomacy, and became the youngest Wolf Lord in their history.
Now Nareth resolved to imitate this example, earlier, broader, and deeper. He would bind his Legion to chosen noble families across the Imperium.
Though he and Russ clashed irreconcilably on psychic arts, Nareth did not hesitate to learn from the Wolves where wisdom lay.
Compared to House Belisarius, Visscher cared less for Terra's power struggles. They had fewer members on Terra, but they excelled in commerce and intrigue.
For politics, Nareth would choose another house.
'Expanding political influence on Terra will help counter Horus in the short term, and in the long run, train leaders of the Shadows to understand the Empire's inner powers.'
"You ask nothing else?" Violette frowned slightly. As a skilled diplomat and merchant, she found it puzzling.
A Primarch demanded less than expected, yet offered more.
"Nothing more." Nareth's reply was firm.
"Praise your generosity," Violette said with a graceful smile. "Give me time, and I will bring you our answer soon."
Nareth nodded. He knew she must consult the elders.
"Arsena Dunn will represent me in discussing the details."
After she left, Nareth explained his plan to his attendant.
The Reasoning Acolyte thought briefly, then said, "My lord, this will benefit the Legion for ages."
"Contact Barton Drake," Nareth ordered. "I will send a unit of Shadows to his house as well. The Shadows assigned to Visscher and to Drake shall be known as the Shadow Guard."
In his memory, House Drake's power grew greater still in the future, lasting even into the Age of the Great Rift.
Generation after generation, the Drakes held high commands in the Imperial Navy, often rising to Lord High Admiral itself.
Their grasp on power owed not only to education and martial training, but also to their mastery of politics and diplomacy.
By placing Shadows within House Drake, Nareth would both learn the Navy's inner workings and give his Legion crucial experience at the Imperium's political heart.
The next day, Barton Drake, having just returned to Terra, received the message and hurried to Nareth's villa to express his gratitude.
"My lord, your Vostroyan warriors once saved my life in the Battle of Magonna. And now you send your Shadows to guard my family. I am honored beyond words."
He knelt on one knee, hand to chest, in the Vostroyan way.
"House Drake shall forever serve you, and you alone!"
"Then I accept your oath," Nareth said, lifting the grateful veteran to his feet.
Three hours later, Barton returned home and declared:
"From this day forth, House Drake shall honor Primarch Nareth as our lord. Our sigil shall bear the emblem of the Shadows of Order alongside our own."
The elders of Visscher, upon hearing Violette's report, eagerly accepted Nareth's generous terms.
Three days later, Arsena Dunn, representing Nareth, sealed the pact with the Visscher.
From his honor guard, Nareth selected fifty-four Shadows who had shown strong leadership potential. They became the first Shadow Guard, divided between House Visscher and House Drake.
.....
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