The Astral Archive #953

Hardan, the Great Guard: "They always stood by the High Matriarch's side. It was their sworn duty to protect her flank in battle, and to Hardan, there could be no greater honour. They trained for this role their entire life, they defeated ten thousand other hopeful legionnaires in the contest for this post. Only the finest in the empire were allowed within a hundred steps of the Empress - and he stood by her side, close enough to reach out and touch. But of course, Hardan would never dare. That someone so common as them was even allowed to cast their gaze upon the Resolute Queen was unimaginable."