Homecoming
Malefic watched the pattern of lights in the holoscope. It was a familiar pattern from along the edge of known space. No one had ventured beyond those limits in thousands of years. For Malefic, travel beyond known space only occurred in myth and legend. But, then again, so did many of the gods and demi-gods his troop of harlequins, the Dream Weaver masque, portrayed when performing on the scattered craftworlds and exodite worlds. Being a Solitaire, Malefic had been left alone with the holoscope and communications monitor. "The Watch Room," as it was called, was located near the center of the Dream Weaver's headquarters in the webway and continually monitored the presence of ships and communications in both real space and the webway. It was manned by a lone harlequin, usually a Solitaire, to avoid noise created by chatter. Too much talk at this particular holoscope and one might miss something coming in through the communications monitor or the approach of a new hive fleet from a neighboring sector.
His mind beginning to wander to those ancient legends about life before the fall, Malefic almost missed the faint glimmer that slowly moved into range of the holoscope. For a moment he thought he was dreaming, then a low crackling started on the communications monitor. The message was coming in through the webway using a frequency and dialect the Eldar hadn't used in thousands of years. Malefic tightened the frequency of the holoscope to get a better look at the entity that had just entered known space. He had to be sure that it wasn't another raider's ship before sending a team to check it out.
As the view tightened on this new vessel, Malefic began to notice something familiar about it. "Computer, identify the vessel in Mor Cel sector."
"The vessel is of unknown origin," replied the light, airy voice of the computer.
"Compare to known designs and speculate on an origin."
"Checking against most recent records." After a moment the computer stated, "No matches in recent files. Checking historical records." Several minutes later came the unexpected reply; "The new planetoid could be of Eldar make. The design is similar to that of the earliest craftworlds on record."
"Computer, seek out any historical reference to craftworlds which have traveled beyond known space. Compare them to the design of the craftworld in the Mor Cel sector and list those of similar design and age, please." Malefic waited.
"There are 20 craftworlds listed as having traveled beyond known space. Fifteen of which have been destroyed. Two are of newer design. Three craftworlds listed in the historical records are of similar design and age; they are the craftworlds Armagh, Kincora, and Meath. Other craftworlds whose designs are unknown but of similar age include Corcomrua, Clontarf, Kill Dalua, and Domhain Dorcha. Approximate age of the approaching craftworld estimated to be over 11,000 years."
Malefic sat down in the closest chair with a thud. He had studied his history and knew that Armagh, Kincora, and Meath were built between 11,000 and 10,000 years ago. Corcomrua, Clontarf, Kill Dalua, and Domhain Dorcha were considered only to exist in legend. Now it seemed that those legends were coming to life. "Computer, replay message from the incoming craftworld. Clear up any interference, please."
"Greetings to anyone receiving this message. This is the Tuatha craftworld, Domhain Dorcha. If anyone is receiving this message, please respond."
Malefic immediately notified the Great Harlequin Connacht, leader of the Dream Weaver masque. Soon, Malefic left the room to allow remaining harlequins of the masque to check the information he had gathered and make the decision to contact this ancient craftworld. When he was allowed to return to the room, only Connacht and the Shadow Seer were left. He was informed that more communications had come in while he was gone, but no responses had yet been made. It appeared that these lost Eldar who called themselves the Tuatha worshipped the gods Dagda and Danu and claimed to hold great respect for Cegorach, the Laughing God of the Harlequins. It had been decided that Malefic would be allowed to observe the first contact made with the craftworld since he was the first to hear their greetings. He was informed that the greeting would be addressed to the Lady Zerr, Queen of Domhain Dorcha. The Shadow Seer would remain in the Watch Room to monitor the correspondence and to record the events that were to transpire.
Malefic watched as Connacht approached the communications array. "Computer, send the following visual response to Domhain Dorcha:
"Greetings to the esteemed Queen of Domhain Dorcha, Lady Zerr, and to the Tuatha under your care. We welcome you and your craftworld back to known space. Now that you have returned from the void we look forward to relating to you and your kin the way of the magnificent Cegorach, Master of Illusions. Follow, my kin, and soon you shall see the Light, and the Darkness. My friends, follow the Great Harlequin, my Master, the Keeper of Souls, and join the masque of the Dream Weavers…."
"Oh, but you do not know of the Fall! The Great Tragedy of the Eldar, the foolish followers of Kaela Mensha Khaine, the God of War and Murder. Of Isha's children there are none remaining. The Great Consumer devoured them all. You are fortunate. I shall summon the masque and you shall experience The Dance…"
Connacht, Great Harlequin of the Dream Weaver masque, Children of Cegorach."
"Message sent. Awaiting a reply," said the computer.
After several tense moments, the form of an Eldar maiden with long brown hair and clothed in a long flowing dress appeared on the communications screen. Distance did not allow a detailed view to be displayed. A moment after the visual appeared, the maiden began to speak in a soft, soothing voice.
"Greetings Connacht, Great Harlequin of the Dream Weaver masque. We are delighted to find that our kin still inhabit this sector of space. You are the first Tuatha we have encountered in many years. We look forward to seeing your performances, yet you have not yet met those Harlequins who followed us into the unknown all those years ago. They have many varied tales to tell, and new dances to share with you. There were those among us who worshipped the other gods, but Dagda and Danu were the ones who led us away from those who had fallen into decadence. Although they desired our worship, they knew of the need to remember through stories, music, and dance. Allow us to introduce you to the worlds we have encountered in our journeys."
Malefic paid great attention to her words and watched carefully as Connacht responsed.
"My dear Lady, I would be most pleased to meet my long forgotten kin. Although the Webway is vast and endless, I am sure Cegorach, my Master, is aware of the return of our lost brothers and sisters. Your return is more vital than you know. The tides of fate have not worked in favor of the Tuatha of late. Evil and foul followers of the Four Brothers are gathering strength, and the pathetic humans can do nothing to prevent the disease of Chaos from spreading throughout their Empire, as it once did in that of the Eldar, which you call Tuatha."
"The fate of humanity is sealed, and it is not a thing to await with joy. Being weaker than we, Humanity will fare even worse if their Emperor is eventually devoured by the Foul Ones. With the assistance of a few exceptional members of the Ordo Malleus he may have the strength to prevent the coming cataclysm, a disaster worse than the Fall."
"Even Cegorach will need help to re-establish the balance of good and evil in the Warp. The presence of Dagda and Danu is welcome here. Indeed, they must be adept and powerful to have hidden their presence from the Evil Four."
"But I shall not welcome you with prophecies of damnation, for your presence brings hope for us all."
Within moments, the Harlequins saw the maiden tip her head forward slightly, acknowledging their message.
"We accept your welcome, and hope our return will be a beacon of hope for your worlds. We have both flourished and met with woe in our journeys, but as a people, we are strong. May our craftworld, and the worlds united behind us, bring strength to our brothers who have fallen. We shall maintain our present position and await your arrival. May all our remaining gods bless our efforts."
Bowing her head once again, the maiden appeared to smile, then vanished from the screen. Malefic sat down heavily in the nearest chair. Once the significance of what he had just witnessed sank in, he lept to his feet and looked to the Great Harlequin Connacht who nodded at him.
Turning to the Shadow Seer, Connacht ordered, "Make ready a troupe to go and investigate the Domhain. See if they have any hidden agendas. Perform to the best of your abilities and report your findings back to me. Be ready to leave within the hour."
The Shadow Seer nodded, then left the room. Smiling with pride, Malefic made a great sweeping bow, then ran to his room to prepare for the journey.