LIONS OF SIGMAR "Why We Fight" by Ray Donaldson

On the eve of battle, poised against the forces of Chaos, a lone Liberator sat in contemplation and worry. The numbers they faced were outstanding. There was no chance that the Lions of Sigmar could stem this tide. Hope was lost to this newly forged soldier. From behind him a booming voice spoke. “Why do you not revel with your brothers-in-arms young Astinous?”

               “Lord Celestant Reimus, I was unaware you even knew who I was” the Liberator exclaimed.

               “I know every hero under my command. I know all of their epic exploits. I know all of their stories. What troubles you on this night?” the Lord Celestant asked.

               “Do I have permission to speak unhindered, sir?” Astinous asked as he met his commander’s eyes

               “Permission granted,” the Lord Celestant nodded.

               “I know it is our duty to fight Chaos wherever it dwells and wherever it breeds. However, I have doubts about this battle. They outnumber us 10 to 1. The Greater Daemons of more than 1 God are present. Tactically, what can we possibly do to win this fight,” Astinous said.

               I will tell you the story of Solace Eagle, after that, this will make sense.” The Lord Celestant replied.

The Lord Celestant began:

There once was a woman on a caravan. She was headed across the wastes. The caravan had gotten lost in a storm the likes have not been seen on this world in ages. The caravan could not move on, nor could turn back home.

Then she saw “him” riding though the sheering sand and wind. He took command of the whole caravan and saved the day. It was then that the woman realized that her destiny was not to continue on. She fell in love and found her soul’s mate in the settlement known as Solace Eagle.

She had been a farmer’s daughter, whose hand had never known violence. She was a misplaced beauty in this wasteland.” The Lord Celestant produced a small steal circle. “She loved the man who wore this badge. He was a marshal of renown throughout the region. Eventually the 2 were married and produced 1 child. However, in that day and age, much like this one, the times were hard. It was no surprise to her when on day word reached her that her husband had fallen along the roadside to a band of barbarians from the north, and would not return to Solace Eagle alive.

This forced a mental transformation in the woman. She was a faithful Sigmarite woman in a Chaos infested land. She learned how to speak in lounges that would help her survive; she even learned how to use sword, shield, spear and bow. However, when the night fell, there was a battle she lost regularly, loneliness. She watched her young son grow to a man. Some said he had an ‘angel’s heart and a daemon’s hand.’” Just like his father, he had become a constable to Solace Eagle.

One day, the rumors hit the settlement. The men responsible for the Marshall’s death were close by, and they sacked the neighboring village of Sherimarsh. The village prayed, for deliverance. The only place between them and “freedom” was Solace Eagle.

The shadows stretched across the land. Suddenly, thunder and lightning strikes began to rain down, hitting dangerously close to common folk, and buildings. There before the town, stood the shining warriors of the Stormcast, unmoving, unrelenting, and stoic. The young constable approached the line, turned to fight beside them. This was his home, at the end of the day, it would still be there.

The battle was over in moments. There was so much dust, and smoke in the air, it obscured the vision of the constable and any who were brave enough to assist. However, when it all cleared, the Marauders were all dead at the constable’s feet.

There are legends that tell to this very day. The constable was protected by one Stormcast in particular. No one knows who it was underneath the helmet, but if you ask anyone in Solace Eagle, there is no doubt in the minds of the settlement.

“Does that help, young Astinous?” Asked the Lord Celestant.

“Sir, sadly it does not.” Astinous replied confused.

The Lord Celestant stood, donned his helmet, and with a voice of thunder he proclaimed “We fight, not because we can win. We fight to give others a chance to survive. If we win, they survive. If we lose, the ones that can escape survive. It is that simple.”

“Now join your fellow immortals, hear their stories, and be inspired to do even more great things. There will be a time when death comes for you, but it is not tonight.”