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TheHorusHeresy.GalaxyInFlames

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DRAMATISPERSONAE

ThePrimarchsTHEWARMASTERHORUSCommanderoftheSonsofHornsLegionANGRONPrimarchoftheWorldEatersFULGRIMPrimarchoftheEmperor'sChildrenMORTARIONPrimarchoftheDeathGuardTheSonsofHorusEZEKYLEABADDONFirstCaptainoftheSonsofHorusTARIKTORGADDONCaptain,2ndCompany,SonsofHorusIACTONQRUZE,'THEHALF-HEARD'Captain,3rdCompany,SonsofHorusHORUSAXIMAND,'LITTLEHORUS'Captain,5thCompany,SonsofHorusSERGHARTARGOSTCaptain,7thCompany,SonsofHorus,lodgemasterGARVIELLOKENCaptain,10thCompany,SonsofHorusLucSEDIRAECaptain,13thCompany,SonsofHorusTYBALTMARR,'THEEITHER'Captain,18thCompany,SonsofHorusKALUSEKADDON,CAPTAINCatulanReaverSquad,SonsofHorusFALKUSKIBRE,'WIDOWMAKER'Captain,JustaerinTerminatorSquad,SonsofHorusNEROVIPUSSergeant,LocastaTacticalSquad,SonsofHorusMALOGHURST'THETWISTED'EquerrytotheWarmasterOtherSpaceMarinesEREBUSFirstChaplainoftheWordBearersKHARNCaptain,8thAssaultCompanyoftheWorldEatersNATHANIALGARROCaptainoftheDeathGuardLuciusEmperor'sChildrenswordsmanSAULTARVITZFirstCaptainoftheEmperor'sChildrenEIDOLONLordCommanderoftheEmperor'sChildrenFABIUSBILEEmperor'sChildrenApothecaryTheLegioMortisPRINCEPSESAUTURNETCommanderoftheDiesIrae,anImperator-classTitanMODERATIPRIMUSCASSAROneoftheseniorcrewoftheDiesIraeMODERATIPRIMUSARUKENAnotheroftheDiesIrae'screwNon-AstartesImperialsMECHANICUM ADEPT REGULUS Mechanicum representative to Horus, he commands the

Legion'srobotsandmaintainsitsfightingmachinesINGМАЕSINGMistressofAstropathsKYRILSINDERMANNPrimaryiteratorMERSADIEOLITONOfficialremembrancer,documentaristEUPHRATIKEELEROfficialremembrancer,imagistPEETEREGONMOMUSArchitectDesignateMAGGARDMaloghurst'scivilianenforcer

PARTONE.LONGKNIVES

ONE

TheEmperorprotectsLongnightThemusicofthespheres'IWASTHERE,'saidTitusCassar,hiswaveringvoicebarelyreachingthebackofthechamber.

'IwastherethedaythatHorusturnedhisfacefromtheEmperor,’HiswordsbroughtacollectivesighfromtheLec-titioDivinitatuscongregationandasonethey

loweredtheirheadsatsuchaterriblethought.Fromthebackofthechamber,anabandonedmunitionshold deep in the under-decks of theWarmaster's flagship, the Vengeful Spirit, Kyril SindermannwatchedandwincedatCassar'sawkwarddelivery.Themanwasnoiterator,thatwasforsure,buthis words carried the sure and certain faith of someonewho truly believed in the things hewassaying.

Sindermannenviedhimthatcertainty.Ithadbeenmanymonthssincehehadfeltanythingapproachingcertainty.AsthePrimaryIteratorofthe63rdExpedition,itwasKyrilSindermann'sjobtopromulgatethe

ImperialTruthoftheGreatCrusade,illuminatingthoseworldsbroughtintocomplianceoftheruleofthe Emperor and the glory of the Imperium. Bringing the light of reason and secular truth to thefurthestflungreachesoftheever-expandinghumanempirehadbeenanobleundertaking.

Butsomewherealongtheway,thingshadgonewrong.Sindermannwasn'tsurewhenithadhappened.OnXenobia?OnDavin?OnAureus?Oronany

oneofadozenotherworldsbroughtintocompliance?Oncehehadbeenknownasthearchprophetofseculartruth,buttimeshadchangedandhefound

himselfrememberinghisSahlonum,theSumatu-ranphilosopherwhohadwonderedwhythelightofnewscienceseemednottoilluminateasfarastheoldsorcerieshad.

TitusCassarcontinuedhisdroningsermon,andSindermannreturnedhisattentiontotheman.Tallandangular,Cassarworetheuniformofamoderatiprimus,oneoftheseniorcommandersoftheDiesIrae, an Imperator-class Battle Titan. Sindermann suspected it was this rank, combined with hisearlier friendshipwithEuphratiKeeler, that had granted his statuswithin theLectitioDivinitatus;statusthathewasclearlyoutofhisdepthinhandling.

EuphratiKeeler:imagist,evangelist......Saint.HerememberedmeetingEuphrati,afeisty,supremelyself-confidentwoman,ontheembarkation

deckbeforetheyhadleftforthesurfaceofSixty-ThreeNineteen,unawareofthehorrortheywouldwitnessinthedepthsoftheWhisperheadMountains.

Togetherwith Captain Loken, they had seen thewarp-spawnedmonstrosityXayver Jubal hadbeenwrought into.Sindermannhadstruggledtorationalisewhathehadseenbyburyinghimself inhisbooksandlearningtobetterunderstandwhathadoccurred.EuphratihadnosuchsanctuaryandhadturnedtothegrowingLectitioDivinitatuscultforsolace.

Venerating the Emperor as a divine being, the cult had grown from humble beginnings to amovementthatwasspreadingthroughouttheExpeditionfleetsofthegalaxy-muchtothefuryoftheWar-master.Wherebeforetheculthadlackedafocus,inEuphratiKeeler,ithadfounditsfirstmartyrandsaint.

Sindermann remembered the day when he had witnessed Euphrati Keeler stand before anightmarehorrorfrombeyondthegatesoftheEmpyreanandhurlitbackfromwhenceithadcome.Hehadseenherbathedinkillingfireandwalkawayunscathed,ablindinglightstreamingfromtheoutstretchedhandinwhichshehadheldasilverImperialeagle.Othershadseenittoo,IngMaeSing,Mistress of the Fleet's astropaths and a dozen of the ship's armsmen.Word had spread fast andEuphratihad

become, overnight, a saint in the eyes of the faithful and an icon to cling to on the frontier ofspace.

Hewasunsurewhyhehadevencometothismeeting-notameeting,hecorrectedhimself,butaservice,areligioussermon-fortherewasaveryrealdangerofrecognition.MembershipoftheLec-titioDivinitatuswasforbiddenand ifhewerediscovered, itwouldbe theendofhiscareerasaniterator.

'Nowwe shall contemplate thewordof theEmperor,’ continuedCassar, reading froma smallleather chapbook. Sindermannwas reminded of theBondsmanNumber 7 books inwhich the lateIgnaceKarkasyhadwrittenhisscandalouspoetry.Poetry thathad, ifMersadieOliton's suspicionswerecorrect,causedhismurder.

SindermanthoughtthatthewritingsoftheLecti-tioDivinitatuswerescarcelylessdangerous.Wehavesomenewfaithfulamongus,'saidCassar,andSindermannfelteveryeyeinthechamber

turnuponhim.Usedtofacingentirecontinents'worthofaudience,Sindermannwassuddenlyacutelyembarrassedbytheirscrutiny.

WhenpeoplearefirstdrawntoadorationoftheEmperor,itisonlynaturalthattheyshouldhavequestions,’saidCassar.TheyknowtheEmperormustbeagod,forhehasgod-likepowersoverallhumanspecies,butasidefromthis,theyareinthedark.'

This,atleast,Sindermannagreedwith.'Mostimportantly,theyask,"IftheEmperortrulyisagod,thenwhatdoeshedowithhisdivinepower?"WedonotseeHishandreachingdownfromthesky,andpreciousfewofusareblessed

withvisionsgrantedbyHim.SodoeshenotcareforthemajorityofHissubjects?"Theydonotseethefalsehoodofsuchabelief.Hishandliesuponallofus,andeveryoneofus

oweshimourdevotion.Inthedepthsofthewarp,theEmperor'smightysouldoesbattlewiththedarkthings thatwouldbreak through and consumeus all.OnTerra, he createswonders thatwill bringpeace,enlightenmentandthefruitionofallourdreamstothegalaxy.TheEmperorguidesus,teachesus,andexhortsustobecomemorethanweare,butmostofall,theEmperorprotects,’

TheEmperorprotects,’saidthecongregationinunison.The faith of the Lectitio Divinitatus, the DivineWord of the Emperor, is not an easy path to

follow. Where the Imperial Truth is comforting in its rigorous rejection of the unseen and theunknown,theDivineWordrequiresthestrengthtobelieveinthatwhichwecannotsee.Thelongerwelookuponthisdarkgalaxyandlivethroughthefiresofitsconquest,themorewerealisethattheEmperor'sdivinityistheonlytruththatcanexist.WedonotseekouttheDivineWord;instead,wehearit,andarecompelledtofollowit.Faithisnotaflagofallegianceoratheoryfordebate;itissomethingdeepwithinus,completeandinevitable.TheLectitioDivinitatusistheexpressionofthatfaith,andonlybyacknowledgingtheDivineWordcanwe

understandthepaththeEmperorhaslaidbeforemankind.'Finewords, thoughtSindermann: finewords,poorlydelivered,butheartfelt.Hecouldsee that

they had touched something deep inside thosewho heard it.An orator of skill could sway entireworldswithsuchwordsandforceofbelief.

Before Cassar could continue, Sindermann heard sudden shouts coming from the maze ofcorridorsthatledintothechamber.Heturnedasapanickedwomanhurledthedoorbehindhimopenwithadullclangofmetal.Inherwake,Sindermanncouldhearthehardbangsofbolterrounds.

Thecongregationstartedinconfusion,lookingtoCassarforanexplanation,butthemanwasasnonplussedastheywere.

'They'vefoundyou,’yelledSindermann,realisingwhatwashappening.'Everyone,getout,'shoutedCassar.'Scatter!'Sindermannpushedhiswaythroughthepanickingcrowdtothefrontofthechamberandtowards

Cassar. Somemembers of the congregation were producing guns, and from their martial bearing,Sindermann guessed they were Imperial Army troopers. Some were clearly ship's crewmen, andSindermannknewenoughofreligiontoknowthattheywoulddefendtheirfaithwithviolenceiftheyhadto.

'Come on, iterator. It's time we got out of here,’ said Cassar, dragging the venerable iteratortowardsoneofthemanyaccesscorridorsthatradiatedfromthechamber.

Seeingtheworryonhisface,Cassarsaid,'Don'tworry,Kyril,theEmperorprotects,’'Icertainlyhopeso,’repliedSindermannbreathlessly.Shots echoed from the ceiling and bright muzzle flashes strobed from the walls. Sindermann

threwaglanceoverhisshoulderandsawthebulky,armouredformofAstartesenteringthechamber.Hisheartskippedabeatatthethoughtofbeingtheenemyofsuchwarriors.

SindermannhurriedlyfollowedCassarintotheaccesscorridorandthroughasetofblastdoors,theirpathtwistingthroughthedepthsoftheship.TheVengefulSpiritwasanimmensevesselandhehadnoideaofthelayoutofthisarea,itswallsgrimandindustrialcomparedtothemagnificenceoftheupperdecks.

'Doyouknowwhereyouaregoing?'wheezedSindermann,hisbreath coming inhot, agonisedspikesandhisancientlimbsalreadytiringfromexertionhewasscarcelyusedto.

'Engineering,’saidCassar. 'It'slikeamazedownthereandwehavefriendsintheenginecrew.Damn,whycan'ttheyjustletusbe?'

'Becausetheyarescaredofyou,’saidSindermann,'justlikeIwas,’'AND YOU ARE certain of this?' asked Horus, Pri-march of the Sons of Horus Legion and

WarmasteroftheImperium,hisvoiceechoingaroundthecavernousstrategiumoftheVengefulSpirit.'Ascertainas I canbe,’ said IngMaeSing, the63rdExpedition'sMistressofAstropaths.Her

facewaslinedanddrawnandherblindeyesweresunkenwithinravagedeyesockets.Thedemandsofsendinghundredsoftelepathiccommunicationsacrossthegalaxyweighedheavilyonherskeletalframe. Astropathic acolytes gathered about her, robed in the same ghostly white as she andwordlesslywhisperingmuttereddoggereloftheghastlyimagesintheirheads.

'Howlongdowehave?'askedHorus.Aswithallthingsconnectedwiththewarp,itisdifficulttobeprecise,’repliedIngMaeSing.'MistressSing,’ saidHorus coldly, 'precision is exactlywhat I need fromyou, nowmore than

ever.ThedirectionoftheCrusadewillchangedramaticallyatthisnews,andifyouarewrongitwillchangefortheworse,’

'My lord, I cannotgiveyouanexact answer,but Ibelieve thatwithindays thegatheringwarpstorms will obscure the Astronomican from us,’ replied Ing Mae Sing, ignoring theWarmaster'simplicit threat.Thoughshecouldnotseethem,shecouldfeelthehostilepresenceoftheJus-taerinwarriors, theSonsofHorusFirstCompanyTerminators, lurkingin theshadowsof thestrate-gium.'Withindaysweshallhardlyseeit.OurmindscanbarelyreachacrossthevoidandtheNavigators

claim that they will soon be unable to guide us true. The galaxy will be a place of night anddarkness,’

Horuspoundedahandintohisfist. 'Doyouunderstandwhatyousay?NothingmoredangerouscouldhappentotheCrusade,’

'ImerelystatewhatIsee,Warmaster,’'Ifyouarewrong.Thethreatwasnotidle-nothreattheWarmasterutteredeverwas.Therehadbeenatimewhen

theWarmaster'sangerwouldneverhaveledtosuchanovertthreat,buttheviolenceinHorus'stonesuggestedthatsuchatimehadlongpassed.

'Ifwearewrong,wesuffer.Ithasneverbeenanydifferent,’Andmybrotherprimarchs?Whatnewsfromthem?'askedHorus.'WehavebeenunabletoconfirmcontactwiththeblessedSanguinius,’repliedIngMaeSing,'and

LemanRusshassentnowordofhiscampaignagainsttheThousandSons,’Horuslaughed,aharshCthonicbark,andsaid,Thatdoesn'tsurpriseme.TheWolfhashishead

andhe'llnoteasilybedistractedfromteachingMagnusalesson.Andtheothers?'Vulkan and Dorn are returning to Terra. The other primarchs are pursuing their current

campaigns,’That is good at least,’ said Horus, brow furrowing in thought, 'and what of the Fabricator

General?''Forgiveme,Warmaster,butwehavereceivednothingfromMars.Weshallendeavourtomake

contactbymechanicalmeans,butthiswilltakemanymonths,’'Youhavefailedinthis,Sing.Co-ordinationwithMarsisessential.'IngMaeSinghadtelepathicallybroadcastamultitudeofencodedmessagesbetweentheVengeful

SpiritandFabricatorGeneralKelbor-HaloftheMechanicuminthelastfewweeks.Althoughtheirsubstance was unknown to her, the emotions contained in them were all too clear.Whatever theWarmasterwasplanning,theMechanicumwasakeypartofit.

Horus spoke again, distractingher fromher thoughts.Theother primarchs, have they receivedtheirorders?'

Theyhave,mylord,'saidIngMaeSing,unabletokeeptheuneasefromhervoice.ThereplyfromLordGuillimanoftheUltramarineswascleanandstrong.Theyareapproaching

themusteratCalthandreportallforcesarereadytodepart.''AndLorgar?'askedHorus.IngMaeSingpaused,asifunsurehowtophrasehernextwords.'Hismessagehad residualsymbolsof...prideandobedience;verystrong,almost fanatical.He

acknowledgesyourattackorderandismakinggoodspeedtoCalth,’IngMaeSingpridedherselfonherimmenseself-control,asbefittedonewhoseemotionshadto

bekeptinchecklesttheybechangedbytheinfluenceofthewarp,butevenshecouldnotkeepsomeemotionfromsurfacing.

'SomethingbothersyouMistressSing?'askedHorus,asthoughreadinghermind.'Mylord?'Youseemtroubledbymyorders,’'Itisnotmyplacetobetroubledorotherwise,mylord,’saidIngMaeSingneutrally.'Correct,’agreedHorus.'Itisnot,yetyoudoubtthewisdomofmycourse,’'No!'criedIngMaeSing.'Itisjustthatitishardnottofeelthenatureofyourcommunication,the

weight of blood anddeath that eachmessage iswreathed in. It is like breathing fiery smokewith

everymessagewesend,’Youmust trustme,MistressSing,’ saidHorus.Trust thateverythingIdo is for thegoodof the

Imperium.Doyouunderstand?''It isnotmyplacetounderstand,’whisperedtheastropath. 'MyroleintheCrusadeistodothe

willofmyWarmaster,’Thatistrue,butbeforeIdismissyou,MistressSing,tellmesomething,’Yes,mylord?'TellmeofEuphratiKeeler,’saidHorus.Tellmeoftheonetheyarecallingthesaint,’LOKEN STILL TOOKMersadie Oliton's breath away. The Astartes were astonishing enough

whenarrayed forwar in theirburnishedplate,but that sighthadbeennothingcompared towhataSpaceMarine-specifically,Loken-lookedlikewithouthisarmour.

Stripped to thewaist andwearing only pale fatigues and combat boots, Loken glistenedwithsweatasheduckedandwovebetweenthecombatappendagesofatrainingservitor.AlthoughfewoftheremembrancershadbeenprivilegedenoughtowitnessanAstartesfightinbattle,itwassaidthatthey could kill with their bare hands as effectively as they could with a bolter and chainsword.WatchingLokendemolishingtheservitorlimbbylimb,Mersadiecouldwellbelieveit.Shesawsuchpower in his broad, over-muscled torso and such intense focus in his sharp grey eyes that shewonderedthatshewasnotrepelledbyLoken.Hewasakillingmachine,createdandtrainedtodealdeath,butshecouldn'tstopwatchingandblink-clickingimagesofhisheroicphysique.

Kyril Sindermann sat next to her and leaned over, saying, 'Don't you have plenty of picts ofGarvielalready?'

Lokentoretheheadfromthetrainingservitorandturnedtofacethemboth,andMersadiefeltathrillofanticipation.IthadbeentoolongsincetheconclusionofthewaragainsttheTechnocracyandshehadspenttoofewhourswiththecaptainoftheTenthCompany.Ashisdocumentarist,sheknewthatshehadapaucityofmaterialfollowingthatcampaign,butLokenhadkepthimselftohimselfinthepastfewmonths.

'Kyril,Mersadie,’saidLoken,marchingpastthemtowardshisarmingchamber.'Itisgoodtoseeyouboth,’

'I am glad to be here, Garviel,’ said Sindermann. The primary iterator was an old man, andMersadiewassurehehadagedagreatdealintheyearsincethefirethathadnearlykilledhimintheArchiveHallsoftheVengefulSpirit.Veryglad.Mersadiewaskindenoughtobringme.Ihavehadaspellofexertionrecently,andIamnotasfitasonceIwas.Time'swingedchariotdrawsnear,’Aquote?'askedLoken.Afragment,’repliedSindermann.'Ihaven'tseenmuchofeitherofyourecently,’observedLoken,smilingdownather.'HaveIbeenreplacedbyamoreinterestingsubject?'

'Notatall,’ she replied, 'but it isbecomingmoreandmoredifficult forus tomovearound theship.TheedictfromMaloghurst,youmusthaveheardofit,’

'I have,’ agreed Loken, lifting a piece of armour and opening a tin of his ubiquitous lappingpowder,'thoughIhaven'tstudiedtheparticulars,’

ThesmellofthepowderremindedMersadieofhappiertimesinthisroom,recordingthetalesofgreattriumphsandwondroussights,butshecastoffsuchthoughtsofnostalgia.

'WearerestrictedtoourownquartersandtheRetreat.Weneedpermissiontobeanywhereelse,’'Permissionfromwhom?'askedLoken.Sheshrugged.'I'mnotsure.TheedictspeaksofsubmittingrequeststotheOfficeoftheLupercal's

Court,butnoone'sbeenabletogetanykindofresponsefromwhateverthatis,’Thatmustbe frustrating,'observedLokenandMer-sadie feltheranger riseat suchanobvious

statement.'Wellofcourseitis!Wecan'trecordtheGreatCrusadeifwecan'tinteractwithitswarriors.We

canbarelyevenseethem,letalonetalktothem.''Youmadeithere,’Lokenpointedout.'Well, yes. Following you around has taughtme how to keep a low profile,CaptainLoken. It

helpsthatyoutrainonyourownnow.'MersadiecaughtthehurtlookinLoken'seyeandinstantlyregrettedherwords.Inprevioustimes,

Lokencouldoftenbe foundsparringwith fellowofficers, the smirkingSedirae,whose flintydeadeyes reminded Mersadie of an ocean predator, Nero Vipus or his Mournival brother, TarikTorgaddon,butLokenfoughtalonenow.Bychoiceorbydesign,shedidnotknow.

'Anyway,’continuedMersadie, 'it'sgettingbadforus.Noone'sspeaking tous.Wedon'tknowwhat'sgoingonanymore,’

'We'reonawarfooting,’saidLoken,puttingdownhisarmourandlookingherstraightintheeye.'Thefleetisheadingforarendezvous.We'rejoiningupwithAstartesfromtheotherLegions.It'llbeacomplexcampaign.PerhapstheWarmas-terisjusttakingprecautions,’

'No,Garviel,’saidSindermann,'it'smorethanjustthat,andIknowyouwellenoughtoknowthatyoudon'tbelievethateither,’

'Really?'snarledLoken.Тойthinkyouknowmethatwell?''Wellenough,Garviel,’noddedSindermann,'wellenough.They'recrackingdownonus,cracking

downhard.Notsoeveryonecanseeit,butit'shappening.Youknowittoo,’'DoI?''IgnaceKarkasy,’saidMersadie.Loken'sfacecrumpledandhelookedaway,unabletohidethe

grief he felt for the dead Karkasy, the irascible poet who had been under his protection. IgnaceKarkasyhadbeennothingbuttroubleandinconvenience,buthehadalsobeenamanwhohaddaredtospeakoutandtelltheunpalatabletruthsthatneededtobetold.

Theysayhekilledhimself,’continuedSindermann,unwilling to letLoken'sgriefdissuadehimfromhiscourse,butI'veneverknownamanmoreconvincedthatthegalaxyneededtohearwhathehad to sayHewas angry at themassacreon the embarkationdeck andhewrote about it.Hewasangrywithalotofthings,andhewasn'tafraidtospeakofthem.Nowheisdead,andhe'snottheonlyone,’'Nottheonlyone?'askedLoken.'Whoelse?''PetronellaVivar,thatinsufferabledocumentaristwoman.TheysayshegotclosertotheWarmasterthananyone,andnowshe'sgonetoo,andIdon'tthinkitwasbacktoTerra,’

'Irememberher,butyouareonthinice,Kynl.Youneedtobeveryclearwhatyouaresuggesting,’SindermanndidnotflinchfromLoken'sgazeandsaid,'IbelievethatthosewhoopposethewilloftheWarmasterarebeingkilled,’Theiteratorwasafrailman,butMersadiehadneverbeenmoreproudtoknowhimashestood

unbendingbeforeawarrioroftheAstartesandtoldhimsomethinghedidn'twanttohear.Sindermannpaused,givingLokenample time to refutehis claimsand remind themall that the

Emperor had chosen Horus as the Warmaster because he alone could be trusted to uphold theImperialTruth.HomswasthemantowhomeverySonofHornshadpledgedhislifeahundredtimesover.

ButLokensaidnothingandMersadie'sheartsank.'I have read of it more times than I can remember,’ continued Sindermann. 'The Uranan

Chronicles,forexample.Thefirstthingthosetyrantsdidwastomurderthosewhospokeoutagainst

theirtyranny.TheOverlordsoftheYndonesicDarkAgedidthesamething.Markmywords,theAgeofStrifewasmadepossiblewhenthedoubtingvoicesfellsilent,andnowitishappeninghere,’

'You have always taught temperance, Kyril,’ said Loken, 'weighing up arguments and neverleapingpastthemintoguesswork.We'reatwarandwehaveplentyofenemiesalreadywithoutyouseekingtofindnewones.Itwillbeverydangerousforyouandyoumaynotlikewhatyoufind.Idonotwishtoseeyoucometoanyharm,eitherofyou,’

'Ha!Nowyoulectureme,Garviel,’sighedSindermann.'Somuchhaschanged.You'renotjustawarrioranymore,areyou?'

'Andyouarenotjustaniterator?''No,Isupposenot,’noddedSindermann.AniteratorpromulgatestheImperialTruth,doeshenot?

Hedoesnotpickholesinitandspreadrumours.ButKarkasyisdead,andthereare...otherthings,’'Whatthings?'askedLoken.YoumeanKeeler?''Perhaps,’saidSindermann,shakinghishead.'Idon'tknow,butIfeelsheispartofit,’'Partofwhat?''YouheardwhathappenedintheArchiveChamber?'WithEuphrati?Yes,therewasafireandshewasbadlyhurt.Sheendedupinacoma,’'Iwasthere,’saidSindermann.'Kyril,’saidMersadie,anoteofwarninginhervoice.'Please,Mersadie,’saidSindermann.'IknowwhatIsaw,’'Whatdidyousee?'askedLoken.'Lies,’repliedSindermann,hisvoicehushed.'Liesmadereal:a

creature, something from the warp. Somehow Keeler and I brought it through the gates of theEmpyreanwiththeBookofLorgar.Myowndamnfault,too.Itwas...itwassorcery,theonethingthatalltheseyearsI'vebeenpreachingisalie,butitwasrealandstandingbeforemeassurelyasIstandbeforeyounow.Itshouldhavekilledus,butEuphratistoodagainstitandlived,’

'How?'askedLoken.That'sthepartwhereIrunoutofrationalexplanations,Garviel,’shruggedSindermann.'Well,whatdoyouthinkhappened?'SindermannexchangedaglancewithMersadieandshewilledhimnottosayanythingmore,but

thevenerableiteratorcontinued.'WhenyoudestroyedpoorJubal,itwaswithyourguns,butEuphratiwasunarmed.Allshehadwasherfaith:herfaithintheEmperor.I... I thinkitwasthelightoftheEmperorthatcastthehorrorbacktothewarp,’

HearingKyrilSindermanntalkoffaithandthelightoftheEmperorwastoomuchforMersadie.'ButKyril,' she said, 'theremust be another explanation. Evenwhat happened to Jubalwasn't

beyondphysicalpossibilities.TheWarmasterhimself toldLoken that the thing that tookJubalwassomekind of xeno creature from thewarp. I've listened to you teach about howminds have beentwistedbymagicandsuperstitionandallthethingsthatblindustoreality.That'swhattheImperialTruth is. I can't believe that the Iterator Kyril Sindermann doesn't believe the Imperial Truth anymore.'

'Believe,mydear?'saidSindermann,smilingbleaklyandshakinghishead.'Maybebeliefisthebiggestlie.Inagespast,theearliestphilosopherstriedtoexplainthestarsintheskyandtheworldaround them.One of them conceived of the notion that the universewasmounted on giant crystalspheres controlled by a giant machine, which explained the movements of the heavens. He waslaughedatandtoldthatsuchamachinewouldbe

sohugeandnoisythateveryonewouldhearit.Hesimplyrepliedthatwearebornwiththatnoiseallaroundus,andthatwearesousedtohearingitthatwecannothearitatall,’

Mersadiesatbesidetheoldmanandwrappedherarmsaroundhim,surprisedtofindthathewasshiveringandhiseyeswerewetwithtears.

'I'mstartingtohearit,Garviel,’saidSindermann,hisvoicequavering.'Icanhearthemusicofthespheres,’

MersadiewatchedLoken'sfaceashestaredatSindermann,seeingthequalityofintelligenceandintegritySindermannhadrecognised inhim.TheAstarteshadbeen taught thatsuperstitionwas thedeathoftheEmpireandonlytheImperialTruthwasarealityworthfightingfor.

Now,beforeherveryeyes,thatwasunravelling.Yarvaruswaskilled,’saidLokenatlast,'deliberately,byoneofourbolts,’'HektorVarvarus?TheArmycommander?'askedMersadie.'IthoughtthatwastheAuretians?''No,’saidLoken,'itwasoneofours,’'Why?'sheasked.'Hewantedus...Idon'tknow...hauledbeforeacourtmartial,broughttotaskforthe...killingson

theembarkationdeck.Maloghurstwouldn'tagree.Varvaruswouldn'tbackdownandnowheisdead,’'Thenit'strue,’sighedSindermann.'Thenaysayersarebeingsilenced,’'Therearestillafewofusleft,’saidLoken,quietsteelinhisvoice.Then we do something about it, Garviel,’ said Sindermann. 'Wemust find out what has been

broughtintotheLegionandstopit.Wecanfightit,Loken.Wehaveyou,wehavethetruthandthereisnoreasonwhywecannot-'

The sound that cut off Sindermann's voice was the door to the practice deck slamming open,followed by heavy metal-on-metal footsteps. Mersadie knew it was an Astartes even before theimpossiblyhugeshadowfelloverher.SheturnedtoseethecursiveformofMaloghurstbehindher,robedinacreamtunicedgedinseagreentrim.TheWarmas-ter'sequerry,Maloghurstwasknownas'theTwisted',asmuchforhislabyrinthinemindasthehorribleinjuriesthathadbrokenhisbodyandlefthimgrotesquelymalformed.

Hisfacewasthunderandangerseemedtobleedfromhim.'Loken,'hesaid,'thesearecivilians.''KyrilSindermannandMersadieOlitonareofficialrememberersoftheGreatCrusadeandIcan

vouchforthem,'saidLoken,standingtofaceMaloghurstasanequal.MaloghurstspokewithHorus'sauthorityandMersadiemarvelledatwhatitmusttaketostandup

tosuchaman.'Perhaps you are unaware of the Warmaster's edict, captain,’ said Maloghurst, the pleasant

neutrality of his tone completely at oddswith the tension that crackled between the twoAstartes.'Theseclerksandnotarieshavecausedenough

trouble;youofallpeopleshouldunderstandthat.Therearetobenodistractions,Loken,andnoexceptions,’

Loken stood face-to-facewithMaloghurst and for one sickeningmoment,Mersadie thought hewasabouttostriketheequerry.

'WearealldoingtheworkoftheGreatCrusade,Mai,’saidLokentightly.'Withoutthesemenandwomen,itcannotbecompleted,’

'Civiliansdonotfight,captain,theyonlyquestionandcomplain.TheycanrecordeverythingtheydesireoncethewarhasbeenwonandtheycanspreadtheImperialTruthoncewehaveconqueredapopulationthatneedstohearit.Untilthen,theyarenotapartofthisCrusade,’

'No,Maloghurst,’saidLoken.You'rewrongandyouknowit.TheEmperordidnotcreatethepri-marchsandtheLegionssotheycouldfightoninignorance.Hedidnotsetouttoconquerthegalaxy

justforittobecomeanotherdictatorship,’TheEmperor,’saidMaloghurst,gesturingtowardsthedoor,'isalongwayfromhere,’A dozen soldiers marched into the training halls and Mersadie recognised uniforms of the

ImperialArmy,butsawthattheirbadgesofunitandrankhadbeenremoved.Withastart,shealsorecognisedoneface-theicy,golden-eyedfeaturesofPetronellaVivar'sbodyguard.SherecalledthathisnamewasMaggard,andwasamazedatthesheersizeoftheman,hisphysiquebulkyandmuscledbeyondthatofthearmysoldierswhoaccompanied

him.Theexposedfleshofhismusclesborefreshlyhealingscarsandhisfacedisplayedanascentgigantismsimilar toLoken's.Hestoodoutamongst theuniformedArmysoldiers,andhispresenceonlylentcredencetoSindermann'swildtheorythatPetronellaVivar'sdisappearancehadnothingtodowithherreturningtoTerra.

'Taketheiteratorandtheremembrancerbacktotheirquarters,’saidMaloghurst.'Postguardsandensurethattherearenomorebreaches.'

Maggard nodded and stepped forwards. Mersadie tried to avoid him, but he was quick andstrong,grabbingherbythescruffofherneckandhaulinghertowardsthedoor.Sindermannstoodofhisownaccordandallowedhimselftobeledawaybytheothersoldiers.

MaloghurststoodbetweenLokenandthedoor.IfLokenwantedtostopMaggardandhismen,hewouldhavetogothroughMaloghurst.

'Captain Loken,’ called Sindermann as hewasmarched off the practice deck, 'if youwish tounderstandmore,readtheChroniclesofUrshagain.Thereyouwillfindillumination,’

Mersadietriedtolookback.ShecouldseeLokenbeyondMaloghurst'srobedform,lookinglikeacagedanimalreadytoattack.

Thedoor slammed shut, andMersadie stopped struggling asMaggard ledher andSindermannbacktowardstheirquarters.

TWO

PerfectionIteratorWhatwedobestPERFECTION.THEDEADgreenskinswere a testament to it.DeepOrbitalDS191 had been

conquered in amatchless display of combat, fields of fire overlapping like dancers' fans, squadschargingin toslaughter theorks that thegunscouldnotfinish.Squadbysquad,roombyroom, theEmperor's Children had killed their way through the xenos holding the space stationwith all thehandsomeperfectionofcombatthatFulgrimhadtaughthisLegion.

Asthewarriorsofhiscompanydespatchedanysurvivinggreenskins,SaulTarvitzremovedhishelmetandimmediatelyrecoiledatthestench.Thegreenskinshadinhabitedtheorbitalforsometimeanditshowed.Fungalgrowthspulsedonthedarkmetalstrutsofthemaincontrolcentreandcrude

shrines ofweapons, armour and tribal fetisheswere piled against the command posts.Abovehim,thetransparentdomeofthecontrolcentrelookedontothevoidofspace.

The Callinedes system, a collection of Imperial worlds under attack by the greenskins wasvisible amid the froth of stars.Capturing the orbital back from the orkswas the first stage in theImperial relief ofCallinedes, and theEmperor'sChildren and IronHandsLegionswould soonbestormingintotheenemystrongholdsonCallinedesIV.

"What a stink,’ said a voice behind Tarvitz, and he turned to see Captain Lucius, the finestswordsmanoftheEmperor'sChildren.Hiscompatriot'sarmourwasspatteredblackandhiselegantswordstillcrackledwiththebloodsizzlingonitsblue-hotblade.'Damnedanimals,theydon'thavethesensetorolloveranddiewhenyoukillthem.'

Lucius'sfacehadoncebeenperfectlyflawless,anechoofFulgrim'sLegionitself,butnow,afteronetoomanyjibesabouthowhelookedmorelikeapamperedboythanawarriorandtheinfluenceofSerenad'Angelus,Luciushadstartedtoacquirescars,eachoneuniformandstraightinaperfectgridacrosshisface.Noenemybladehadetchedthemintohisface,forLuciuswasfartoosublimeawarriortoallowamereenemytomarkhisfeatures.

They'retough,I'llgivethemthat,’agreedTarvitz.Theymay be tough, but there's no elegance to their fighting,’ said Lucius. There's no sport in

killingthem,’Yousounddisappointed,’'WellofcourseIam.Aren'tyou?'askedLucius,jabbinghisswordthroughadeadgreenskinand

carving a curved pattern on its back. 'How can we achieve ultimate perfection with such poorspecimenstobetterourselvesagainst?'

'Don'tunderestimatethegreenskins,’saidTarvitz.Theseanimalsinvadedacompliantworldandslaughtered all the troops we left to defend it. They have spaceships and weapons we don'tunderstand,andtheyattackasifwarissomekindofreligiontothem,’

Heturnedovertheclosestcorpse-amassivebrutewithskinastoughasgnarledbark,itsviolentredeyesopenanditsundershotmawstillgrimacingwithrage.Onlythespreadofentrailsbeneathsuggested it was dead at all. Tarvitz could almost feel the jarring of his broadsword as he hadplungeditthroughthecreature'smidriffanditstremendousstrengthasithadtriedtoforcehimontohisknees.

You talk about them as if we need to understand them before we can kill them. They're justanimals,’saidLuciuswithasardoniclaugh.Youthinkaboutthingstoomuch.That'salwaysbeenyourproblem,Saul,andit'swhyyou'llneverreachthedizzyingheightsIwillachieve.Comeon,justrevelinthekill,’

Tarvitz opened hismouth to respond, but he kept his thoughts to himself as LordCommanderEidolonstrodeintothecontrolcentre

'Finework,Emperor'sChildren!'shoutedEidolon.AsoneofFulgrim'schosen,Eidolonhad thehonourofbeingwithin the tightcircleofofficers

whosurroundedtheprimarchandrepresentedtheLegion'sfinestartistryofwar.AlthoughitwasnotbredintohimtodislikeafellowAstartes,TarvitzhadlittlerespectforEidolon.HisarrogancedidnotbefitawarrioroftheEmperor'sChildrenandtheantagonismbetweenthemhadonlygrownonthefieldsofMurderinthewaragainstthemegarach-nids.

Despite Tarvitz's reservations, Eidolon carried a powerful natural authority about him,accentuatedbymagnificentarmourwithsuchanoverabundanceofgildingthatthepurplecoloursoftheLegionwerebarelyvisible.'Thevermindidn'tknowwhathitthem!'

TheEmperor'sChildrencheeredinresponse.IthadbeenaclassicvictoryfortheLegion:hard,fastandperfect.

Thegreenskinshadbeendoomedfromthestart.'Makeready,’shoutedEidolon,'toreceiveyourprimarch.'THECARGODECKS of the deep orbitalwere rapidly cleared of the greenskin dead by the

Legion'smenialsforaportionoftheCallinedesbattleforcetoassemble.Tarvitzfelthispulseraceatthethoughtofsettingeyesonhisbelovedprimarchoncemore.IthadbeentoolongsincetheLegionhadfoughtalongsidetheirleader.Hundredsof

Emperor'sChildren inperfectlydressed ranks stood to attention, amagnificent army inpurpleandgold.

Asmagnificentastheywere,theywerebutapoorimitationoftheincrediblewarriorwhowasfathertothemall.

TheprimarchoftheEmperor'sChildrenwasawe-inspiring,hisfacepaleandsculpted,framedbya flowingmane of albino-white hair.His very presencewas intoxicating andTarvitz felt a fiercepride fill him at the sight of this incredible, wondrous warrior. Created to echo a facet of war,Fulgrim'sartwasthepursuitofperfectionthroughbattleandhesoughtitasdiligentlyasanimagiststrove for perfection through his picts. One shoulder of his golden armour was worked into asweeping eagle's wing, the symbol of the Emperor's Children, and the symbolism was a clearstatementofLegionpride.

TheeaglewastheEmperor'spersonalsymbol,andhehadgrantedtheEmperor'sChildrenalonetherighttobearthatsameheraldry,symbolicallyproclaimingFulgrim'swarriorsashismostadoredLegion.Fulgrimworeagolden-hiltedswordathiship,saidtohavebeenagiftfromtheWarmasterhimself,aclearsignofthebondofbrotherhoodbetweenthem.

Theofficersoftheprimarch'sinnercircleflankedhim-LordCommanderEidolon,ApothecaryFabius,ChaplainCharmosianandthemassivedreadnoughtbodyofAncientRylanor.Eventhese

heroesoftheLegionweredwarfedbyFulgrim'sphysicalsizeandhissheercharisma.Alineofheralds,chosenfromamongtheyounginitiateswhoweresoontocompletetheirtraining

as Emperor's Children, fanned out in front of Ful-grim, playing a blaring fanfare on their goldentrumpets to announce the arrival of the most perfect warrior in the galaxy. A thunderous roar ofapplauseswelledfromtheassembledEmperor'sChildrenastheywelcomedtheirprimarchbackto

hisLegion.Fulgrimwaitedgraciouslyfortheapplausetodiedown.Morethananything,Tarvitzaspiredto

bethatawesomegoldenfigureinfrontofthem,thoughheknewhehadalreadybeendesignatedasalineofficerandnothingmore.ButFulgrim'sverypresencefilledhimwiththepromisethathecouldbesomuchbetterifhewasonlygiventhechance.HisprideinhisLegion'sprowesscaughtlightasFulgrimlookedovertheassembledwarriors,andtheprimarch'sdarkeyesshoneasheacknowledgedeachandeveryoneofthem.

'Mybrothers,’calledFulgrim,hisvoiceliltingandgolden,'thisdayyouhaveshowntheaccursedgreenskinwhatitmeanstostandagainsttheChildrenoftheEmperor!'

Moreapplauserolledaroundthecargodecks,butFulgrimspokeoverit,hisvoiceeasilycuttingthroughtheclamourofhiswarriors.

'CommanderEidolonhaswroughtyouintoaweaponagainstwhichthegreenskinhadnodefence.Perfection,strength,resolve:thesequalitiesarethecuttingedgeofthisLegionandyou

haveshownthemallhere today.Thisorbital is in Imperialhandsoncemore,asare theothers thegreenskinshadoccupiedinthefutilehopeoffendingoffourinvasion.

The timehascome topresshome thisattackagainst thegreenskinsand liberate theCallinedessystem.Mybrotherprimarch,FerrusManusoftheIronHandsandIshallseetoit thatnotasinglealienstandsuponlandclaimedinthenameoftheCrusade.'

Expectationwasheavy in theairas theLegionwaited for theorder thatwouldsend them intobattlewiththeirprimarch.

'But most of you, my brothers, will not be there,’ said Fulgrim. The crushing disappointmentTarvitzfeltwaspalpable,fortheLegionhadbeensenttotheCallinedessystemwiththeassumptionthatitwouldlenditsfullstrengthtothedestructionoftheinvadingxenos.

'TheLegionwillbedivided,’continuedFulgrim,raisinghishandstostemthecriesofwoeandlamentation that hiswordsprovoked. 'Iwill lead a small force to joinFerrusManus andhis IronHands at Callinedes IV. The rest of the Legion will rendezvous with the Warmaster's 63 rdExpeditionattheIsstvansystem.ThesearetheordersoftheWarmasterandofyourprimarch.LordCommanderEidolonwill leadyoutoIsstvan,andhewillactinmysteaduntilIcanjoinyouoncemore,’

TarvitzglancedatLucius,unabletoreadtheexpressionontheswordsman'sfaceatthenewsoftheirneworders.ConflictingemotionswarredwithinTarvitz:achinglosstobepartedfromhispri-marchoncemore, andexcited anticipation at the thoughtof fighting alongsidehis comrades in theSonsofHorus.

'Commander,ifyouplease,’saidFulgrim,gesturingEidolontostepforwards.Eidolon nodded and said, 'TheWarmaster has called upon us to aid hisLegion in battle once

more.Herecognisesourskillsandwewelcomethischancetoproveoursuperiority.Wearetohaltarebellion in the Isstvan system, but we are not to fight alone. As well as his own Legion, theWarmasterhasseenfittodeploytheDeathGuardandWorldEaters,’

AmutteredgaspspreadaroundthecargobayatthementionofsuchbrutalLegions.Eidolonchuckled. 'I seesomeofyourememberfightingalongsideourbrotherAstartes.Weall

knowwhatagrimandartlessbusinesswarbecomes in thehandsofsuchmen,so I say this is theperfectopportunitytoshowtheWarmasterhowtheEmperor'schosenfight,’

TheLegioncheeredoncemore,andTarvitzknew thatwhenever theEmperor'sChildrenhadachance to prove their skill and artistry, especially to the other Legions, they took it. Fulgrim hadturnedpride intoavirtue,and itdroveeachwarriorofhisLegion toheightsofexcellence thatno

othercouldmatch.TorgaddonhadcalleditarroganceandonthesurfaceofMurderTarvitzhadtriedtodissuadehim

ofthatnotion,buthearingtheboastfulcriesoftheEmperor'sChildrenaroundhim,hewasn'tsurethathisfriendhadbeenwrongafterall.

'TheWarmasterhasrequestedourpresenceimmediately,’shoutedEidolonthroughthecheering.'AlthoughIsstvanisnotfardistant,theconditionsinthewarphavebecomemoredifficult,sowemustmakeallhaste.ThestrikecruiserAndroniuswillleaveforIsstvaninfourhours.Whenwearrive,itwill be as ambassadors for our Legion, and when the battle is done the Warmaster will havewitnessedwaratitsmostmagnificent,’

EidolonsalutedandFulgrimledtheapplausebeforeturningandtakinghisleave.Tarvitzwasstunned.TocommitsuchaforceofAstarteswasrareandheknewthatwhateverfoe

they would face on Isstvan must be mighty indeed. Even the thrill of excitement he felt at thisopportunitytoprovethemselvesbeforetheWarmasterwastemperedbyasudden,naggingsenseofunease.

'FourLegions?'askedLucius,echoinghisownthoughtsasthesquadsfellouttomakereadyforthejourneytojointhe63rdExpedition.'Foronesystem?That'sabsurd!'

'CarefulLucius,youveerclosetoarrogance,’Tarvitzpointedout.'AreyouquestioningtheWar-master'sdecision?'

'Questioning, no,’ said Lucius defensively, 'but come on, even you have to admit it's asledgehammertocrackanut,’

'Possibly,’concededTarvitz, 'butfortheIsstvansystemtorebel,itmusthavebeencompliantatonestage,’

'What'syourpoint?''Mypoint,Lucius,isthattheCrusadewassupposedtobepushingeveroutwards,conqueringthe

galaxyinthenameoftheEmperor.Insteaditisturningbackonitselftopatchupthecracks.Icanonlyassume that theWarmaster wants tomake some kind of grand gesture so show his enemieswhatrebellionmeans,’

'Ungratefulbastards,’spatLucius.'Oncewe'redonewithIsstvanthey'llbegustotakethemback!''WithfourLegionssentagainst them,’repliedTarvitz, 'Idon't thinkthere'llbemanyIsstvanians

leftforustotakeback,’'Come,Saul,’ saidLuciuswalkingaheadofhim, 'didyou loseyour taste forbattle against the

green-skins?'Atasteforbattle?Tarvitzhadneverconsideredsuchanidea.Hehadalwaysfoughtbecausehe

wantedtobecomemorethanhewas,tostriveforperfectioninallthings.ForlongerthanhecouldrememberhehaddevotedhimselftothetaskofemulatingthewarriorsoftheLegionwhoweremoregiftedandmoreworthythanhe.HeknewhisstationwithintheLegion,butknowingone'sstationwasthefirststeptobetteringit.

WatchingLucius'sarrogantswagger,Tarvitzwasremindedofhowmuchhisfellowcaptainlovedbattle. Lucius loved it without shame or apology, seeing it as the best way to express himself,weavingbetweenhisenemiesandcuttingapathofbloodyruinthroughthemwithhisflashingsword.'Itjustconcernsme,’saidTarvitz.'Whatdoes?'askedLucius,turningbacktofacehim.Tarvitzcouldseethehastilymaskedexasperationontheswordsman'sface.HehadseenthatexpressionmoreandmoreonLucius'sscarredfeaturesrecently,anditsaddenedhimtoknowthattheswordsman'segoandrampantambition to risewithin the ranksof theEmperor'sChildrenwouldbe theundoingof theirfriendship.

'ThattheCrusadehastorepairitselfatall.Complianceusedtobetheendofit.Notnow,’'Don'tworry,’smiledLucius.'Onceafewoftheserebelworldsgetadecentkillingthiswillall

beoverandtheCrusadewillgoon,’Rebelworlds...Whoeverthoughttohearsuchaphrase?TarvitzsaidnothingasheconsideredthesheernumbersofAstartesthatwouldbeconvergingon

the Isstvan system. Hundreds of Astartes had fought on Deep Orbital DS191, but more than tenthousandEmperor'sChildrenmadeuptheLegion,mostofwhomwouldbejourneyingtoIsstvanIII.That in itselfwasenoughforseveralwarzones.ThethoughtoffourLegionsarrayedinbattlesentshiversupTarvitz'sspine.

Whatwould be left of Isstvanwhen fourLegions hadmarched through the system?Could anydepthsofrebellionreallyjustifythat?

'Ijustwantvictory,’saidTarvitz,thewordssoundinghollow,eventohim.Luciuslaughed,butTarvitzcouldn'ttellifitwasinagreementormockery.BEING CONFINED TO his quarters was the most exquisite torture for Kyril Sindermann.

WithoutthelibraryofbookshewasusedtoconsultinginArchiveChamberThreehefeltquiteadrift.Hisownlibrary,thoughextensivebyanynormalstandards,wasapaltrythingnexttothearcanathathadbeendestroyedinthefire.

Howmanypriceless, irreplaceable tomeshadbeen lost in thewakeof thewarpbeast he andEuphratihadconjuredfromthepagesoftheBookofLorgar?

Itdidnotbearthinkingaboutandhewonderedhowmuchthefuturewouldcondemnthemfortheknowledgethathadbeenlostthere.Hehadalreadyfilledthousandsofpageswiththosefragmentshecould remember from the books he had consulted.Most of itwas fragmentary and disjointed.Heknewthatthetaskofrecallingeverythinghehadreadwasdoomedtofailure,buthecouldnomoreconceiveofgivingupthanhecouldstophisheartfrombeating.

HisgiftandthegiftoftheCrusadetotheagesyettocomewastheaccumulatedwisdomofthegalaxy's greatest thinkers andwarriors.With the broad shoulders of such knowledge to stand

upon,whoknewwhatdizzyingheightsofenlightenmenttheImperiummightreach?Hispenscratchedacross thepage, recalling thephilosophiesof theHellenicwritersand their

early debates on the nature of divinity. No doubt many would think it pointless to transcribe thewritingsofthoselongdead,butSindermannknewthattoignorethepastwastodoomthefuturetorepeatit.

The text he wrote spoke of the ineffable inscrutability of false gods, and he knew that suchmysterieswerecloser tothesurfacethanhecaredtoadmit.ThethingshehadseenandreadsinceSixty-ThreeNineteenhad stretchedhis scepticism to the pointwhere he couldno longer deny thetruthofwhatwasplainlybeforehimandwhichEuphratiKeelerhadbeentryingtotellthemall.

Godsexistedand,inthecaseoftheEmperor,movedamongstthem...He paused for a moment as the full weight of that thought wrapped itself around him like a

comfortingblanket.Thewarmthandeasesuchsimpleacceptancegavehimwaslikeapanaceaforalltheillsthathadtroubledhimthislastyear,andhesmiledashispenidlyscratchedacrossthepagebeforehimwithouthisconsciousthought.

Sindermannstartedasherealisedthatthepenwasmovingacrossthepageofitsownvolition.Helookeddowntoseewhatwasbeingwritten.

Sheneedsyou.Coldfeargrippedhim,butevenasitrose,itwassoothedandacomfortingstateofloveandtrust

filledhim.Imagesfilledhisheadunbidden:theWarmasterstrongandpowerfulinhisnewlyforged

suitofblackplatearmour,theambereyeglowinglikeacoalfromthefurnace.ClawsslidfromtheWarmaster'sgauntletsandanevilredglowbuiltfromhisgorget,illuminatinghisfacewithaghastlydaemoniclight.

'No...'breathedSindermann,feelingagreatandunspeakablehorrorfillhimatthisterriblevision,butno soonerhad this image filledhishead than itwas replacedbyoneofEuphratiKeeler lyingsupineonhermedicaebed.TerrifiedthoughtswerebanishedatthesightofherandSindermannfelthisloveforthisbeautifulwomanfillhimasapureandwondrouslight.

Evenashesmiledinrapture,thevisiondarkenedandyellowedtalonsslidintoview,tearingattheimageofEuphrati.

Sindermannscreamedinsuddenpremonition.Onceagainhelookedatthewordsonthepage,marvellingattheirdesperatesimplicity.Sheneedsyou.Someonewassendinghimamessage.Thesaintwasindanger.COORDINATING A LEGION'S assets - its Astartes, its spacecraft, staff and accompanying

ImperialArmyunits-wasatrulyHerculeantask.ManagingtocoordinatethearrivaloffourLegionsin

the same place at the same time was an impossible task: impossible for anyone but theWarmaster.

The Vengeful Spirit, its long flat prow like the tip of a spear, slid from the warp in akaleidoscopicdisplayofpyrotechnics,lightningrakingalongitssidesasthepowerfulwarp-integrityfieldstookthefullforceofre-entry.Intheinterstellardistance,thecloseststaroftheIsstvansystemglinted,coldandhardagainsttheblackness.TheEyeofHorusglaredfromthetopoftheship'sprow,theentirevesselhavingbeenrefittedfollowingthevictoryagainsttheTechnocracy,thebone-whiteoftheLunaWolvesreplacedbythemetallicgrey-greenoftheSonsofHorus.

Within moments, another ship broke through, tearing its way into real space with the brutalfunctionalityof itsLegion.Where theVengefulSpirit had adeadlygrace to it, thenewcomerwasbrutishandugly,itshulladrabgunmetal-grey,itsonlydecoration,asinglebrazenskullonitsprow.Thevesselwas theEndurance,capitalshipof theDeathGuardfleetaccompanying theWarmaster,and a flotilla of smaller cruisers and escorts flew in itswake.AHwere the same unembellishedgunmetal,fornothinginMortarion'sLegionboreanymoreadornmentthanwasnecessary.

Several hours later the powerful, stabbing form of the Conqueror broke through to join theWarmaster. Shimmeringwith thewhite and blue colours of theWorld Eaters, the ConquerorwasAngron'sflagship,

anditsbluntmuscularformechoedthelegendaryferocityoftheWorldEaters'primarch.Finally, theAndronius,at theheadof theEmperor'sChildrenfleet, joined thegrowingIsst-van

strikeforce.Thevessel itselfwasresplendent inpurpleandgold,morelikeaflyingpalacethanashipofwar.Itsappearancewasdeceptivehowever,forthegundecksbristledwithweaponsmannedbywell-drilledmenialswho lived and died to serveFulgrim'sLegion.TheAndronius, for all itsdecorativefolly,wasacompact,lethalweaponofwar.

TheGreatCrusadehadrarelyseenafleetofsuchpowerassembledinoneplace.Untilnow,onlytheEmperorhadcommandedsuchaforce,buthisplacewasondistantTerra,and

theseLegionsansweredonlytotheWarmaster.SoitwasthatfourLegionsgatheredandturnedtheireyestowardstheIsstvansystem.THEKLAXONSANNOUNCING theVengefulSpirit's translationback to real spacewere the

spurtoactionthatKyrilSindermannhadbeenwaitingfor.Moppinghisbrowwithanalreadymoisthandkerchief,hepushedhimselftohisfeetandmadehiswaytotheshutterofhisquarters.

Hetookadeep,calmingbreathastheshutterroseandhewasconfrontedbythehostilestaresoftwoarmysoldiers,theirstarcheduniformsinsigniafreeandanonymous.

'CanIhelpyou,sir?'askedatallmanwithacold,unhelpfulexpression.'Yes,’saidSindermann,hisvoiceperfectlymodulatedtoconveyhisnon-threateningaffability.'I

need to travel to the medicae deck.' You don't look sick,’ said the second guard. Sindermannchuckled,reachingouttotouchtheman'sarmlikeakindlygrandfather.'No,it'snotme,myboy,it'safriendofmine.She'sratherillandIpromisedthatIwouldlookinonher,’

'Sorry,’saidthefirstguard,inatonethatsuggestedhewasanythingbut.'We'vegotordersfromtheAstartesnottoletanyoneoffthisdeck,’

'Isee,Isee,’sighedSindermann,lettingateartricklefromthecornerofhiseye.'Idon'twanttobeaninconvenience,myboys,butmyfriend,well,she'slikeadaughtertome,yousee.Sheisverydeartomeandyouwouldbedoinganoldmanaveryrealfavourifyoucouldjustletmeseeher,’

'Idon'tthinkso,sir,’saidtheguard,butSindermanncouldalreadydetectasofteninginhistoneandpushedalittleharder.

'Shehas... shehas...not long left toher,and Iwas toldbyMaloghursthimself that Iwouldbeallowedtoseeherbefore...beforetheend,’

UsingMaloghurst'snamewasagamble,butitwasacalculatedgamble.Thesemenwereunlikelyto have any formal channel to contact theWarmas-ter's equerry,, but if they decided to check, hewouldbeunmasked.

Sindermannkepthisvoicelowandsoftasheplayedthegrandfatherlyrole,utilisingeverytrickhehadlearnedasaniterator-theprecisetimbreof

hisvoice,thefrailtyofhisposture,keepingeyecontactandempathywithhisaudience.'Doyouhavechildren,myboy?'askedSinder-mann,reachingoutclasptheguard'sarm.'Yes,sir,Ido.'Then you understand why I have to see her,' pressed Sindermann, risking the more direct

approachandhopingthathehadjudgedthesemencorrectly.'You'rejustgoingtothemedicaedeck?'askedtheguard.'Nofurther,’promisedSindermann.'Ijustneedsometimetosaymygoodbyestoher.That'sall.

Please?'TheguardsexchangedglancesandSindermannfoughttokeepthesmilefromhisfaceasheknew

hehadthem.Thefirstsoldiernoddedandtheymovedasidetolethimpast.'Just the medicae deck, old man,’ said the guard, scrawling on a chit that would allow him

passagethroughtheshiptothemedicaedeckandback.'Ifyou'renotbackinyourquartersinacoupleofhours,I'llbedraggingyoubackheremyself,’

Sindermannnodded,takingtheprofferedchitandshakingbothmenwarmlybythehand.'You'regood soldiers,boys,’he said,hisvoicedrippingwithgratitude. 'Goodsoldiers. I'll be

suretotellMaloghurstofyourcompassionforanoldman,’Heturnedquicklysothattheydidn'tseethereliefonhisfaceandhurriedawaydownthecorridortowardstheMedicaedeck.Thecompanionwaysechoedwiththeiremptinessashemadehisway

through the twistingmaze of the ship, an idiot smile plastered across his puffing features. Entireworldshadfallenunderthespellofhisoratoryandherehewassmilingaboutdupingtwosimple-mindedguardstolethimoutofhisroom.Howthemightyhadfallen.

'IsTHEREANYmorenewsonVarvarus?'askedLokenasheandTorgaddonwalkedthroughthe

MuseumofConquestontheirwaytotheLupercal'sCourt.Torgaddonshookhishead.Theshellsweretoofragmented.ApothecaryVaddonwouldn'tbeable

tomakeamatchevenifwefoundtheweaponthatfiredtheshot.Itwasoneofours,butthat'sallweknow,’

Themuseumwas brimmingwith artefactswon from theLegion'smany victories, for theLunaWolveshadbroughtascoreofworldsintocompliance.Agrandstatuedominatingonewallrecalledthedayswhen theEmperor andHorushad fought sideby side in the first campaignsof theGreatCrusade.TheEmperor,swordinhand,foughtoffslender,maskedalienswhileHorus,backtobackwithhisfather,blazedawaywithaboltgun.

Beyondthestatue,Lokenrecognisedadisplayofbladedinsectoidlimbs,ablendofmetallicandbiological fleshwrested fromthemegarachnidsonMurder.Onlya fewof these trophieshadbeenwonafterHorus'sinvestitureasWarmaster,themajorityhavingbeentakenbeforetheLunaWolveshad

beenrenamedtheSonsofHorusinhonouroftheWarmaster'saccomplishments.The remembrancers are next,’ saidLoken. 'They are asking toomanyquestions.Someof them

mayalreadyhavebeenmurdered.''Who?''IgnaceandPetronellaVivar,’'Karkasy,'saidTorgaddon.'Damn,I'dheardhekilledhimself,butIshouldhaveknownthey'dfind

awaytodoit.Thewarriorlodgewastalkingaboutsilencinghim,Abaddoninparticular.Theydidn'tcallitmurder,althoughAbaddonseemedtothinkitwasthesameaskillinganenemyinwar.That'swhenIbrokewiththelodge,’

'Didtheysayhowitwastobedone?'Torgaddonshookhishead.'No,justthatitneededtobedone,’'Itwon't be long before all this is out in the open,’ promisedLoken. 'The lodge doesn'tmove

underaveilofsecrecyanymoreandsoontherewillbeareckoning,’'Thenwhatdowedo?'Lokenlookedawayfromhisfriend,atthehigharchthatledfromthemuseumandintotheLuper-

cal'sCourt.'Idon'tknow,’hesaid,wavingTorgaddontosilenceashecaughtsightofafiguremovingbehind

oneofthefurthestcabinets.'What'sup?'askedTorgaddon.'I'mnotsure,’saidLoken,movingbetweendisplaycabinetsofgleamingswordscapturedfromanancient feudalkingdomandstrangealienweapons takenfromthemanyspecies theLegionhad

destroyed. The figure he had seenwas anotherAstartes, andLoken recognised the colours of theWorldEatersuponhisarmour.

Loken and Torgaddon rounded the corner of a tall, walnut-framed cabinet, seeing a scarredAstarteswarriorpeeringintentlyatanimmensebattle-glaivethathadbeenwrestedfromthehandsofaxenospraetorianbytheWarmasterhimself.

'WelcometotheVengefulSpirit,'saidLoken.TheWorld Eater looked up from the weapon and turned to face them. His face was deeply

bronzed,longandnoble,contrastingwiththebonewhiteandblueofhisLegion'scolours.'Greetings,’hesaid,bringinghisforearmacrosshisarmouredchestinamartialsalute.'Kharn,EighthAssaultCompanyoftheWorldEaters,’'LokenoftheTenth,’repliedLoken.TorgaddonoftheSecond,’noddedTorgaddon. 'Impressive,

this,’saidKharn,lookingaroundhim.Thankyou,’saidLoken.TheWarmasteralwaysbelievedweshouldrememberourenemies.Ifwe

forgetthem,weshallneverlearn,’He pointed at the weapon Kharn had been admiring. %fe have the preserved corpse of the

creaturethatcarriedthisweaponsomewherearoundhere.It'sthesizeofatank,’'Angron has his share of trophies too,’ said Kharn, 'but only from foes that deserve to be

remembered.''Shouldwenotrememberthemall?''No,' saidKharnfirmly.There isnothing togainfromknowingyourenemy.Theonly thing that

mattersisthattheyaretobedestroyed.Everythingelseisjustadistraction.''SpokenlikeatrueWorldEater,’saidTorgaddon.Kharn looked up from the weapon with an amused sneer. 'You seek to provoke me, Captain

Torgaddon,butIalreadyknowwhatotherLegionsthinkoftheWorldEaters,’'WewereonAureus,’saidLoken.'Youarebutchers,’Kharnsmiled. 'Hah!Honesty is rare thesedays,CaptainLoken.Yes,weareandweareproud

becausewearegoodatit.Myprimarchisnotashamedofwhathedoesbest,soneitheramI,’'Itrustyou'reherefortheconclave?'askedLoken,wishingtochangethesubject.Yes.Iserveasmyprimarch'sequerry,’Torgaddonraisedaneyebrow.Toughjob,’'Sometimes,’admittedKharn.'Angroncareslittlefordiplomacy,’'TheWarmasterbelievesitisimportant,’'SoIsee,butallLegionsdothingsdifferently,’ laughedKharn,clappingLokenonhisshoulder

guard.Asonehonestmantoanother,yourownLegionhasasmanydetractorsasadmirers.Toodamnsuperior,thelotofyou,’

TheWarmasterhashighstandards,’saidLoken.'SodoesAngron,Iassureyou,’saidKharn,andLokenwassurprisedtohearanoteofweariness

inKharn's voice. TheEmperor knew that sometimes the best course of action is to let theWorldEatersdowhatwedobest.TheWarmasterknowsittoo;otherwisewewouldnotbehere.Itmaybedistastefultoyou,captain,butif itwerenotforwarriorslikemine,theGreatCrusadewouldhavefounderedlongago,’Therewemustagreetodisagree,’saidLoken.'Icouldnotdowhatyoudo,’

Kharnshookhishead.You'reawarriorof theAstartes,captain. Ifyouhad tokillevery livingthinginacitytoensurevictory,youwoulddoit.Wemustalwaysbepreparedtogofurtherthanourenemy.AlltheLegionsknowit;theWorldEatersjustpreachitopenly,’'Letushopeitnevercomestothat,’'Donotpintoomuchonthathope.IheartellthatIsstvanIIIwillbedifficulttobreak,’'Whatdoyouknowofit?'askedTorgaddon.Kharnshrugged.'Nothingspecific,justrumoursreally;somethingreligious,theysay,witchesandwarlocks,skiesturningredandmonstersfromthewarp,alltheusualhyperbole.NotthattheSonsofHoruswouldbelievesuchthings,’

Thegalaxyisacomplicatedplace,'repliedLokencarefully.'Wedon'tknowthehalfofwhatgoesoninit,’

'I'mbeginningtowondermyself,’agreedKharn.'It'schanging,’continuedLoken,'thegalaxy,andtheCrusadewithit,’

'Yes,’saidKharnwithrelish.'Itis,’LokenwasabouttoaskKharnwhathemeantwhenthedoorstotheLupercal'sCourtswungopen.'EvidentlytheWarmaster'sconclavewillbeginsoon,’saidKharn,bowingbeforethemboth.'Itis

timeformetorejoinmyprimarch,’

'AndwemustjointheWarmaster,’saidLoken.'PerhapswewillseeyouonIsstvanIII?''Perhaps,’noddedKharn,walkingoffbetweenthespoilsofahundredwars. 'If there'sanything

leftofIsstvanHIwhentheWorldEatersfinishwithit,’

THREE

HorusenthronedThesaintisindangerIsstvanIIILUPERCAL'SCOURTWASanewadditiontotheVengefulSpirit.PreviouslytheWarmasterhad

held briefings and planning sessions on the strategium, but it had been decided that he neededsomewheregrandertoholdcourt.DesignedbyPeeterEgonMomus,ithadbeenartfullyconstructedtoplacetheWarmasterinasettingmoresuitedtohispositionastheleaderoftheGreatCrusadeandpresenthimasthefirstamongequalstohisfellowcommanders.

Vastbannershungfromthesidesof theroom,mostbelongingto theLegion'sbattlecompanies,thoughtherewereafewthatLokendidn'trecognise.Hesawonewithathroneofskullssetagainstatowerofbrassrisingfromablood-redseaandanotherwithaneight-pointedblackstarshiningin

awhitesky.ThemeaningofsuchobscuresymbolsconfoundedLoken,butheassumedthattheyrepresentedthewarriorlodgethathadbecomeintegraltotheLegion.

Greaterthanallthemajestydesignedbythearchitectdesignate,wasthePrimarchoftheSonsofHornshimself,enthronedbeforethemonagreatbasaltthrone.AbaddonandAximandstoodtooneside.Bothwarriorswerearmoured,Abaddon in theglossyblackof the Justaerin,Aximand inhispalegreenplate.

ThetwoofficersglaredatLokenandTorgaddon-theenmitythathadgrownbetweenthemduringtheAuretiancampaigntoogreattohideanymore.AshemetAbaddon'sflintygaze,Lokenfeltgreatsadness as the realised that theglorious idealof theMournivalwas finally and irrevocablydead.NoneofthemspokeasLokenandTorgaddontooktheirplacesontheothersideoftheWarmaster.

Lokenhad stoodwith thesewarriors and sworn anoath by the light of a reflectedmoonon aplanettheinhabitantscalledTerra,tocounseltheWar-masterandpreservethesouloftheLegion.

Thatfeltlikeaverylongtimeago.'Loken,Torgaddon,’saidHorus,andevenafterallthathadhappened,Lokenfelthonouredtobe

soaddressed.'YourrolehereissimplytoobserveandremindourLegionbrothersofthesolidityofourcause.Doyouunderstand?'

Yes,myWarmaster,’saidTorgaddon.'Loken?'askedtheWarmaster.Lokennoddedandtookhisallottedposition.Yes,Warmaster,’\\e felt theWarmaster's penetrating eyes boring into him, but kept his gaze fixed firmly on the

archesthatledintotheLupercal'sCourtasthedoorsbeneathoneofthemslidopen.Thetrampoffeetsoundedandablood-redangelofdeathemergedfromtheshadows.

Lokenhadseen theprimarchof theWorldEatersbefore,butwasstillawedbyhismonstrous,physicalpresence.Angronwashuge,easilyastallastheWarmaster,butalsomassivelybroad,withwidehulkingshoulderslikesomeenormousbeastofburden.Hisfacewasscarredandviolent,hiseyes buried deep in folds of angry red scar tissue. Ugly cortical implants jutted from his scalp,connected to the collar of his armour by ribbed cables. The primarch's armour was ancient andbronze,likethatofaferalworldgod,withheavymetalplatesovermailandtwinchainaxesstrappedtohisback.LokenhadheardthatAngronhadoncebeenaslavebeforetheEmperorhadfoundhim,andthathismastershadforcedtheimplantsonhimtoturnhimintoapsychotickillerfortheirfighting

pits.LookingatAngron,Lokencouldwellbelieveit.Angron'sequerry,Kharn,flankedtheterrifyingprimarch,hisexpressionneutralwherehismaster'swasthunder.

'Horus!'saidAngron,hisvoiceroughandbrutal.'IseetheWarmasterwelcomeshisbrotherlikeaking.AmIyoursubjectnow?'

Angron,’repliedHornsunperturbed,'itisgoodthatyoucouldjoinus.''Andmissallthisprettiness?Notfortheworld,'saidAngron,hisvoiceloadedwiththethreatof

asmoulderingvolcano.Aseconddelegationarrivedthroughanotherofthearches,arrayedinthepurpleandgoldofthe

Emperor's Children. Led by Eidolon in all his magnificence, a squad of Astartes with glitteringswordsmarchedalongsidethelordcommander,theirbattlegearasornateastheirleader's.

'Warmaster,theLordFulgrimsendshisregards,’statedEidolonformallyandwithgreathumility.LokensawthatEidolonhadlearnedthewaysofapracticeddiplomatsincehehadlastspokentotheWarmaster.'Heassuresyouthathistaskiswellunderwayandthathewilljoinussoon.IspeakforhimandcommandtheLegioninhisstead.'

Loken's eyes darted from Angron to Eidolon, seeing the obvious antipathy between the twoLegions. The Emperor's Children and theWorld Eaters were as different as could be - Angron'sLegionfoughtandwonthroughrawaggression,whiletheEmperor'sChildrenhadperfectedtheartofpickinganenemyforceapartanddestroyingitapieceatatime.

'LordAngron,'saidEidolonwithabow,'itisanhonour.'Angrondidnot deign to reply andLoken sawEidolon stiffen at this insult, but any immediate

confrontationwasavertedasthefinaldelegationtotheWarmasterenteredtheLupercal'sCourt.Mortarion,PrimarchoftheDeathGuardwasbackedbyaunitofwarriorsarmouredinthedull

gleamofunpaintedTerminatorplate.Mortarion'sarmourwasalsobare,withthebrassskulloftheDeathGuardononeshoulderguard.Hispallidfaceandscalpwerehairlessandpocked,hismouthandthroathiddenbyaheavycollarthathissedspurtsofgreysteamashebreathed.

ADeathGuard captainmarchedbeside theprimarch, andLoken recognisedhimwith a smile.CaptainNathanialGarro had fought alongside the Sons ofHorns in the dayswhen they had beenknownas theLunaWolves.TheTerran-borncaptainhadwonmanyfriendswithin theWarmaster'sLegionforhisunshakeablecodeofhonourandhisstraightforward,honestmanner.

TheDeathGuardwarriorcaughtLoken'sgazeandgaveaperfunctorynodofgreeting.'WithourbrotherMortarion,’saidHorus,'wearecomplete,’TheWarmaster stood anddescended from the elevated throne to the centre of the court as the

lightsdimmedandaglowingglobeappearedabovehim,hoveringjustbelowtheceiling.This,’ said Horus, 'is Isstvan III, courtesy of servitor-manned stellar cartography drones.

Rememberitwell,forhistorywillbemadehere,’JONAH ARUKEN PAUSED in his labours and slipped a small hip flask from beneath his

uniformjacketashecheckedforanyonewatching.Thehangarbaywasbustlingwithactivity,asitalwaysseemedtobethesedays,butnoonewaspayinghimany

attention.ThedayswhenanImperatorTitanbeingmadereadyforwarwouldpauseeventhemostjadedwarmakerinhistrackswerelongpast,fortherewerefewherewhohadnotseenthemightyformoftheDiesIraebeingfurnishedforbattlescoresoftimesalready.

Hetookahitfromtheflaskandlookedupattheoldgirl.TheTitan'shullwasscoredanddentedwithwoundstheMechanicumservitorshadnotyethad

timetopatchandJonahpattedthethickplatesofherlegarmouraffectionately."Well,oldgirl,’hesaid."You'vecertainlyseensomeaction,butIstillloveyou,’

Hesmiledatthethoughtofamanbeinginlovewithamachine,buthe'dloveanythingthathadsavedhis lifeasoftenas theDiesIraehad.Throughthefiresofuncountedbattles, theyhadfoughttogetherandasmuchasTitusCassardeniedit,Jonahknewthattherewasamightyheartandsoulatthecoreofthisgloriouswarmachine.

Jonah tookanotherdrink fromhis flask ashis expression turned sour thinkingofTitus andhisdamnedsermons.TitussaidhefeltthelightoftheEmperorwithinhim,butJonahdidn'tfeelmuchofanythinganymore.

Asmuch as he wanted to believe in what Titus was preaching, he just couldn't let go of thescepticalcoreatthecentreofhisbeing.Tobelievein

thingsthatweren'tthere,thatcouldn'tbeseenorfelt?Tituscalleditfaith,butJonahwasamanwhoneededtobelieveinwhatwasreal,whatcouldbetouchedandexperienced.

PrincepsTurnetwoulddischargehimfromthecrewoftheDiesIraeifheknewhehadattendedprayermeetings back onDavin, and the thought of spending the rest of the Crusade as amenial,deniedforeverthethrillofcommandingthefinestwarmachineevertocomefromtheforgesofMarssentacoldshiverdownhisspine.

Everyfewdays,Tituswouldaskhimtocometoanotherprayermeetingandthetimeshesaidyes,theywouldfurtivelymaketheirwaytosomeforsakenpartoftheshiptolistentopassagesreadfromtheLectitioDivinitatus.Each timehewould sweat the journeyback for fear of discovery and thecourtmartialthatwouldnodoubtfollow.

JonahhadbeenacareerTitancrewmansincethedayhehadfirstsetfootaboardhis inauguralposting,aWarhoundTitancalledtheVenator,andheknewthatifitcamedowntoachoice,hewouldchoosetheDiesIraeovertheLectitioDivinitatuseverytime.

Butstill,thethoughtthatTitusmightberightcontinuedtonagathim.HeleanedbackagainsttheTitan'sleg,slidingdownuntilhewassittingonhishauncheswithhis

kneesdrawnuptohischest.'Faith,’hewhispered,'youcan'tearnitandyoucan'tbuyit.WherethendoIfindit?''Well,’saidavoicebehindandabovehim, 'youcanstartbyputtingthatflaskawayandcoming

withme.'Jonah looked up and saw Titus Cassar, resplendent as always in his parade-ready uniform,

standinginthearchedentrancetotheTitan'slegbastions.'Titus,’saidJonah,hurriedlystuffingthehipflaskbackintohisjacket.'What'sup?''Wehavetogo,’saidTitusurgently.'Thesaintisindanger,’MAGGARDSTALKEDALONGtheshadowedcompan-ionwaysoftheVengefulSpiritatabrisk

pace,marchingatdouble timewith thevigourofamanonhisway toawelcomerendezvous.Hishulkingformhadbeensteadilygrowingover the last fewmonths,as thoughhewereafflictedwithsomehideousformofrapidgigantism.

ButtheprocedurestheWarmaster'sapothecarieswereperformingonhisframewereanythingbuthideous.His bodywas changinggrowing and transformingbeyond anything the crude surgeries ofHouseCarpinushadevermanaged.Alreadyhecouldfeeltheneworganswithinhimreshapinghisflesh and bone into something greater than he could ever have imagined, and this was just thebeginning..HisKirlianbladewasunsheathed,shimmeringwithastrangeglowinthedimlightofthecorridor. Hewore freshwhite robes, his enlarging physique already toomassive for his armour.Legionartificers

stoodreadytoreshapeitoncehisfleshhadsettledintoitsnewform,andhemisseditsreassuringsolidityenclosinghim.

Likehim,hisarmourwouldbebornanew,forgedintosomethingworthyoftheWarmasterandhischosenwarriors.Maggardknewhewasnotyetreadyforsuchinclusion,buthehadalreadycarvedhimselfanichewithintheSonsofHorus.HewalkedwheretheAstartescouldnot,actedwheretheycouldnotbeseentoactandspilledbloodwheretheyneededtobeseenaspeacemakers.

Itrequiredaspecialkindofmantodosuchwork,efficientlyandconscience-free,andMaggardwas perfectly suited to his new role. He had killed hundreds of people at the behest of HouseCarpinus andmanymore than that beforehehadbeen capturedby them,but thesehadbeenpoor,messykillingscomparedtothedeathhenowcarried.

He remembered the senseofmagnificentbeginningswhenMaloghurst had taskedhimwith thedeathofIgnaceKarkasy

Maggard had jammed the barrel of his pistol beneath the poet's quivering jaw and blown hisbrainsoutovertheroofofhiscrampedroombeforelettingthegenerouslyfleshedbodycrashtothefloorinaflurryofbloodypapers.

WhyMaloghursthadrequiredKarkasy'sdeathdidnotconcernMaggard.TheequerryspokewiththevoiceofHorusandMaggardhadpledgedhisundyingloyaltytotheWarmasteronthebattlefieldofDavinwhenhehadofferedhimhissword.

Later,whetherinrewardoraspartofhisongoingdesigns,theWarmasterhadkilledhisformermistress,PetronellaVivar,andforthat,Maggardwasforeverinhisdebt.

WhatevertheWarmasterdesired,Maggardwouldmoveheavenorhelltoseeitdone.Nowhehadbeenorderedtodosomethingwondrous.Nowhewasgoingtokillasaint.SINDERMANNBEATHISmiddlefingeragainsthischininanervoustattooashetriedtolook

as ifhebelonged in thispartof the ship.Deckcrew inorange jumpsuitsandordnanceofficers inyellowjacketsthreadedpasthimasheawaitedhisaccomplicesinthisendeavour.Heclutchedthechittheguardhadgivenhimtightly,asthoughitweresomekindoftalismanthatwouldprotecthimifsomeonechallengedhim.

'Comeon,comeon,’hewhispered.Whereareyou?'Ithadbeena riskcontactingTitusCassar,buthehadnooneelse to turn to.Mersadiedidnot

believeintheLectitioDivinitatus,andintruthhewasn'tsurehedidyet,butheknewthatwhateverorwhoeverhadsenthimthevisionofEuphratiKeelerhadmeanthimtoactuponit.Likewise,GarvielLokenwasoutofthequestion,foritwascertainthathismovementswouldnotescapenotice.

'Iterator,’hissedavoicefrombesidehimandSindermannalmostcriedaloudinsurprise.TitusCassarstoodbesidehim,anearnestexpressioncreasinghis

slender face. Another man stood behind him, similarly uniformed in the dark blue of a Titancrewman.Titus,’breathedSindermanninrelief.'Iwasn'tsureyou'dbeabletocome,’

'We won't have long before Princeps Turnet notices we are not at our posts, but yourcommunicationsaidthesaintwasindanger,’ 'Sheis,’confirmedSindermann, 'gravedanger,’ 'Howdoyouknow?'askedthesecondman.Cassar'sbrowtwistedinannoyance.Tmsorry,Kyril, this isJonahAruken,myfellowModerationtheDiesIrae.Heisoneofus,’

'Ijustknow,’saidSindermann.'Isaw...Idon'tknow...avisionofherlyingonherbedandIjustknewthatsomeoneintendedherharm,’

'Avision,’breathedCassar.'TrulyyouareoneofthechosenoftheEmperor,’'No,no,’hissedSindermann.'I'mreallynot.Nowcomeon,wedon'thavetimeforthis,wehave

togonow,’'Where?'askedJonahAruken.Themedicaedeck,’saidSindermann,holdinguphischit.Wehavetogettothemedicaedeck,’

THE SURFACE OF the shimmering globe above Horus resolved into continents and oceans,overlaidwiththetraceriesofgeophysicalfeatures:plains,forests,seas,mountainrangesandcities.

Horushelduphisarms,as ifsupportingtheglobefrombelowlikesometitanfromtheancientmythsofoldEarth.

'ThisisIsstvanIII,’herepeated,'aworldbroughtintocompliancethirteenyearsagobythe27thexpeditionaryforceofourbrotherCorax,’

'Andhewasn'tuptothejob?'snortedAngron.HorusshotAngronadangerouslook.Therewassomeresistance,yes,butthelastelementsofthe

aggressivefactionweredestroyedbytheRavenGuardattheRedarthValley,’Thebattle site flared redon theglobe, nestled amongamountain rangeononeof Isstvan Ill's

northerncontinents.TheremembrancerorderwasnotyetfoisteduponusbytheCouncilofTerra,butasubstantialciviliancontingentwasleftbehindtobeginintegrationwiththeImperialTruth,’

'ArewetoassumethattheTruthdidn'ttake?'askedEidolon.'Mortarion?'promptedHorus,gesturingtohisbrotherprimarch.'FourmonthsagotheDeathGuardreceivedadistresssignalfromIsstvanIII,’saidMortarion.'It

wasweakandold.WeonlyreceiveditbecauseoneofoursupplyshipsjoiningthefleetatArcturandropped out of thewarp for repairs.Given the age of the signal and the time it took for it to berelayedtomycommand,itislikelythatitwassentatleasttwoyearsago,’

Whatdiditsay?'askedAngron.In reply, theholographic imageof theglobeunfolded into a large flat pane, like a pict-screen

hoveringintheair,black,withjustahintofshadowymovement.AshapemovedonthescreenandLokenrealiseditwasaface-awoman's

face,orange-litbyacandleflamethatprovidedtheonlylight.Sheappearedtobeinasmall,stonewalled chamber. Even over the poor quality of the signal, Loken could tell that the woman wasterrified,hereyeswideandherbreathingrapidandshallow.Shegleamedwithsweat.

'Theinsigniaonhercollar,’saidTorgaddon,'isfromthe27thExpedition,’Thewomanadjusted thedevice shewasusing to record the imageand sound flooded into the

Lupercal'sCourt:cracklingflames,distantyellingandgunfire.'It's revolution,’ said thewoman,hervoicewarpedby static. 'Open revolt.Thesepeople, they

have...rejected...they'verejecteditall.Wetriedtointegratethem,wethoughttheWarsingerswerejust someprimitive... superstition,but itwasmuchmore, itwas real.Praalhasgonemadand theWarsingersarewithhim,’

Thewomansuddenlylookedaroundatsomethingoff-screen.'No!' she screamed desperately and opened fire with a weapon previously held out of view.

Violentmuzzleflasheslitherandsomethingindescribableflailedagainstthefarwallassheemptiedherweaponintoit.'They'recloser.Theyknowwe'rehereand...IthinkI'mthelastone,’

Thewomanturnedbacktothescreen.'It'smadness,completemadnessdownhere.Please,Idon'tthinkI'mgoingtogetthroughthis.Sendsomeone,anyone,just...makethisstop-'Ahideous,atonalkeeningsoundblaredfromthepictscreen.Thewomangrabbedherhead,her

screams drowned by the inhuman sound. The last frames jerked and fragmented, freeze framingthroughaseriesofgruesomeimages:bloodinthewoman'sfrenziedeye,aswirlingmassoffleshandshatteredstone,andamouthlockedopen,bloodonteeth.

Thenblackness.There have been no further communications from Isstvan III,’ concludedMortarion, filling the

silencethatfollowed.'Theplanet'sastropathshaveeitherbeencompromisedortheyaredead,’

The name "Praal" refers to Vardus Praal,’ said Horns, 'the governor left behind to commandIsstvan III in the name of the Imperium, ensure compliance and manage the dismantling of thetraditionalreligiousstructuresthatdefinedtheplanet'sautochthonoussociety.IfheiscomplicitintherebelliononIsstvanIII,asthisrecordingsuggests,thenheisoneofourobjectives,’

LokenfeltashivertraveldownhisspineatthethoughtofonceagainfacingapopulationwhoseImperialofficialhadturnedtraitor.HeglancedoveratTorgaddonandsawthatthesimilaritieswiththeDavincampaignwerenotlostonhiscomrade.

Theholoswelledandreturned to the imageof IsstvanIII.TheculturalandreligiouscapitalofIsstvanishere,’saidHorusastheimagezoomedinon

oneofthenortherncities,whichcommandedalargehinterlandatthefootofacolossalrangeofmountains.

'TheChoralCity. This is the source of the distress signal and the seat of Praal's command, abuilding known as the Precentor's Palace. Multiple speartips will seize a number of strategicobjectives,andwiththecityinourhands,Isstvanwillbeours.ThefirstassaultwillbeacombinedforcemadeupofAstartesfromallLegionswithbackupfromtheTitansoftheMechanicumandtheImperial Army. The rest of the planet will then be subjugated by whichever Imperial Armyreinforcementscanreachuswiththewarpinitscurrentstate,’

Whynotjustbombardthem?'askedEidolon.Thesuddensilencethatfollowedhisquestionwasdeafening.

LokenwaitedfortheWarmastertoreprimandEidolonfordaringtoquestiononeofhisdecisions,but Horus only nodded indulgently. 'Because these people are vermin, and when you stamp outverminfromafar,someinvariablysurvive.Ifwearetocutouttheproblem,wemustgetourhandsdirtyanddestroytheminonefellswoop.ItmaynotbeaselegantastheEmperor'sChildrenwouldwish,buteleganceisnotapriorityforme,onlyswiftvictory,’

'Ofcourse,’ saidEidolon, shakinghishead.To think that these fools shouldbe soblind to therealitiesofthegalaxy,’

'Havenofear,lordcommander,’saidAbaddon,descendingtostandbesidetheWarmaster, 'theywillbeilluminatedastotheerroroftheirways.'

Lokenriskedasidelongglanceatthefirstcaptain,surprisedattherespectheheardinhisvoice.All the previous dealings between the Sons of Horus and Eidolon had led him to believe thatAbaddonheldthearrogantlordcommanderincontempt.

Whathadchanged?'Mortarion,' continued Horus. 'Your objective will be to engage themain force of the Choral

City's army. If they are anything like theywerewhen the RavenGuard fought them, theywill beprofessionalsoldiersandwillnotbreakeasily,evenwhenconfrontedwithAstartes,’

Theholozoomedintoshowamapof theChoralCity,ahandsomeconurbationwithmanyandvariedbuildingsthatrangedfromexquisitemansionsandbasilicatomassivesprawlsofhousingandtangles of industrial complexes. Artfully formed boulevards and thoroughfares threaded a multi-levelled city ofmillions,most ofwhom appeared to be housed in sprawling residential districts,workshopsandfactories.

Thewesternedgeofthecitywashighlighted,focusingonthescar-likewebofdefensivetrenchesandbunkersalongthecity'soutskirts.TheoppositesideoftheChoralCitybuttedupagainstthesheercliffsofamountainrange-thenaturaldefencesefficientlyshieldingthecityfromaconventionallandattack.

Unfortunately for the Choral City, theWarmaster clearly wasn't planning a conventional land

attack. 'Itappearsthatasizeablearmedforceismanningthesedefences,'saidHorus. 'Itlooksasiftheyhaveexcellentfortificationsandartillery.Manyofthesedefenceswereaddedaftercomplianceto protect the seat of Imperial governance on Isstvan,whichmeans they're ours, and theywill bestrong. It will be uglywork engaging and destroying this force, and there is stillmuch about theChoralCity'smilitarywedonotknow,’

'Iwelcomethischallenge,Warmaster,’saidMortarion.ThisismyLegion'snaturalbattlefield,’Another location lurched into focus, a spectacular conglomeration of arches and spires, with

dozens of labyrinth-like wings and additions surrounding a magnificent central dome faced inpolished stoneThe city's crowning glory, the structure looked like a jewelled brooch set into thetwistedmassoftheChoralCity.

ThePrecentor'sPalace,’saidEidolonappreciatively.'AndyourLegionwilltakeit,’saidHorus,'alongwiththeWorldEaters,’Again, Loken caught Eidolon's glance at Angron, the lord commander unable to conceal the

distastehefeltat thethoughtoffightingalongsidesuchabarbaricLegion.IfAngronwasawareofEidolon'sscornfulglancehegavenosignofit.

ThepalaceisoneofPraal'smostlikelylocations,’saidHorus. 'Therefore,thepalaceisoneofour

mostimportantobjectives.Thepalacemustbetaken,theChoralCity'sleadershipdestroyed,andPraalkilled.Heisatraitor,soIdonotexpectorwishhimtobetakenalive.'

Finally, the holo zoomed in on a curiousmass of stonework someway east of thePrecentor'sPalace. To Loken's untutored eye, it looked like a collection of church spires or temples, sacredbuildingsheapedoneontopofoneanotheroverthecenturies.

'ThisistheSirenholdandmySonsofHoruswillleadtheattackonit,'saidHorus.'ChoralCity'srevolt appears to be religious in nature and the Sirenhold was the spiritual heart of the city.AccordingtoCorax'sreports,thiswastheseatoftheoldpaganreligionthatwassupposedtohavebeendismantled.Itispresumedthatitstillexistsandthattheleadershipofthatreligionwillbefoundhere. This is another likely location for Vardus Praal, so again I do not require prisoners, onlydestruction.'Forthefirsttime,Lokensawthebattlefieldhewouldsoonbefightingon.TheSirenholdlooked like difficult ground to take: massive, complicated structures creating a confusing multi-levelledwarrenwithplentyofplacestohide.Dangerousground.

ThatwaswhytheWarmasterhadsenthisownLegiontotakeit.Heknewtheycoulddoit.Theholozoomedoutagaintoaviewoftheplanetitself.'PreliminaryoperationswillinvolvethedestructionofthemonitoringstationsontheseventhplanetofIsstvanExtremis,’saidHorus.'WhentherebelsareblindtheinvasionofIsstvanIIIwill

commence. The units chosen to lead the firstwavewill deploy by drop-pod and gunship,with asecondwavereadyinreserve.ItrustyouallunderstandwhatisrequiredofyourLegions,’

'Ionlyhaveonequestion,Warmaster,’saidAngron.'Speak,’saidHorus.Whydoweplanthisattackwithsuchprecisionwhenasingle,massivestrikewilldothejobjust

aswell?'Youobjecttomyplans,Angron?'Horusaskedcarefully.'OfcourseIobject,’spatAngron.WehavefourLegions,Titansandstarshipsatourdisposal,and

thisisjustonecity.Weshouldhititwitheverythingwehaveandslaughtertheminthestreets.Thenwewillseehowmanyonthisplanethavethestomachtorebel.Butno,youwouldhaveuskillthemonebyoneandpickoff their leadersas ifwearehere topreserve thisworld.Rebellion is in the

people,Horus.Killthepeopleandtherebellionends,’'LordAngron,’saidEidolonreasonably,'youspeakoutofturn-''Holdyourtongueinthepresenceofyourbetters,’snarledAngron.'IknowwhatyouEmperor's

Children think of us, but youmistake our directness for stupidity. Speak tome again withoutmyconsentandIwillkillyou,’

'Angron!'Horus'svoicecut through thebuilding tensionand theprimarchof theWorldEaters turnedhis

murderousattentionawayfromEidolon.'YouplacelittlevalueonthelivesofyourWorldEaters,’saidHorus,'andyoubelieveintheway

ofwaryouhavemadeyourown,butthatdoesnotplaceyoubeyondmyauthority.IamtheWarmas-ter,thecommanderofeveryoneandeverythingthatfallsundertheaegisoftheGreatCrusade.YourLegionwilldeployaccordingtotheordersIhavegivenyou.Isthatclear?'

AngronnoddedcurtlyasHorusturnedtoEidolon.'LordCommanderEidolon,youarenotamongequalshere,andyourpresenceinthiswarcouncilisdependentuponmygoodgraces,whichwillberapidlywornthinshouldyouconductyourselfasifFulgrimwasheretonursemaidyou.'

Eidolon rapidly recovered his composure. 'Of course,myWarmaster, Imeant no disrespect. Ishall ensure thatmyLegion is prepared for the assault on IsstvanExtremis and the capture of thePrecentor'sPalace.'

HorusswitchedhisgazetoAngron,whogruntedinassent.'TheWorldEaterswillbeready,Warmaster,’saidKharn.Thenthisconclaveisatanend,’saidHorus.'ReturntoyourLegionsandmakereadyforwar,’Thedelegationsfiledout,KharnspeakingquietlywithAngronandEidolonadoptingaswagger

asiftocompensateforhisdressingdown.LokenthoughthesawagleamofamusementinMortar-ion's

eyesasheleftwithGarroandhisTerminatorsintow.HorusturnedtoAbaddonandsaid, 'HaveastormbirdpreparedtoconveymetotheConqueror.

Angronmustbeilluminatedastotheproperconductofthisendeavour,’HorusturnedandmadehiswayfromtheLuper-cal'scourtwithAbaddonandAximandfollowing

behindhimwithoutsomuchasabackwardsglanceatLokenandTorgaddon.Thatwaseducational,’saidTorgaddonwhentheywerealone.Lokensmiledwearily.'IcouldfeelyouwillingAngrontostrikeEidolon,’Torgaddonlaughed,rememberingwhenheandEidolonhadalmostcometoblowswhentheyhad

firstmetonthesurfaceofMurder.'If onlywe could join theWarmaster on theConqueror! said Torgaddon. 'Now thatwould be

something worth seeing. Horus illuminating Angron.What would they talk about?'What indeed?'agreedLoken.TherewassomuchLokendidn'tknow,butasheponderedhisunhappyignorance,herememberedthelastthingKyrilSindermannhadshoutedtohimashewasledawaybyMaloghurst'ssoldiers.

Tarik,wehaveabattletopreparefor,soIwantyoutogeteveryoneready.It'sgoingtobeahardfightonIsstvanIII,’

'Iknow,' saidTorgaddon.TheSirenhold.Whatabloodyshambles.This iswhathappenswhenyougivepeopleagodtobelievein.'

'GetVipusuptospeedaswell.Ifwe'reattackingtheSirenhold,IwantLocastawithus.''Ofcourse,’noddedTorgaddon.'SometimesIthinkyouandNeroaretheonlypeopleIcantrust

anymore.Whatareyougoingtobedoing?'

'Ihavesomereadingtocatchupon,'saidLoken.

FOUR

SacrificeAsinglemomentKeephersafeWHEREVEREREBUSWALKED,shadowsfollowedinhiswake.Flickeringwhispererswere

hisconstantcompanions,invisiblecreaturesthatlurkedjustbeyondsightandghostedinhisshadow.ThewhisperersflittedfromErebusandgathered in theshadowedcornersof thechamber,astone-walledlodgebuiltintheimageofthetempleroomoftheDelphoswhereAkshubhadcuthisthroat.

Deep in the heart of the Vengeful Spirit, the lodge temple was low, close and hot, lit by acracklingfirethatburnedinapitinthemiddleoftheroom.Flamesthrewleapingshapesacrossthewalls.'MyWarmaster,'saidErebus.'Weareprepared.''Good,'repliedtheWarmaster.'Ithascostusagreatdeal to reach thispoint,Erebus.Forallour sakes ithadbetterbeworth it,butmostly foryours.'

'It will be,Warmaster,’ assured Erebus, paying no heed to the threat. 'Our allies are keen tofinallyspeaktoyoudirectly'

Erebusstoopedtostareintothefire,theflamesreflectingfromhisshaven,tattooedheadandinhisarmour,recentlypaintedinthedeepscarletcoloursnowadoptedbytheWordBearersLegion.Asconfident as he sounded, he allowed himself amoment of pause.Dealingwith creatures from thewarpwasneverstraightforward,andshouldhefailtomeettheWarmaster'sexpectationsthenhislifewouldbeforfeit.

TheWarmaster'spresencefilledthelodge,armouredashewasinamagnificentsuitofobsidianTerminator armourgifted tohimby theFabricatorGeneral himself.Sent fromMars to cement thealliance betweenHorns and theMechanicum ofMars, the armour echoed the colours of the eliteJustaerin,butitfarsurpassedtheminornamentationandpower.Theambereyeuponthebreastplatestared from the armour's torso and shoulder plates, and on one hand Horns sported a monstrousgauntletwithdeadlybladesforfingers.

Erebusliftedabookfrombesidethefireandrosetohisfeet,reverentlyturningtheancientpagesuntilhecametoacomplexillustrationofinterlockingsymbols.

"Weareready.Icanbeginoncethesacrificeismade.'Horusnoddedandsaid,'Adept,joinus,’Moments later, the bent and robed form of Adept Regulus entered the warrior lodge. The

representative of theMechanicumwas almost completelymechanised, aswas common among thehigherechelonsofhisorder.Beneathhisrobeshisbodywasfashionedfromgleamingbronze,steelandcables.Onlyhisfaceshowed,ifitcouldbecalledaface,withlargeaugmeticeyepiecesandavocabula-torunitthatallowedtheadepttocommunicate.

Regulus led the ghostly figure of IngMae Sing, her steps fearful and her hands flitting, as ifswattingataswarmofflies.

Thisisunorthodox,'saidRegulus,hisvoicelikesteelwireonthenerves.'Adept,’saidtheWarmaster. 'YouarehereastherepresentativeoftheMechanicum.Thepriests

ofMars are essential to theCrusade and theymust be a part of the neworder.Youhave alreadypledgedyourstrengthtomeandnowitistimeyouwitnessedthepriceofthatbargain,’

'Warmaster,’beganRegulus,'Iamyourstocommand,’

Horusnoddedandsaid, 'Erebus,continue,’ErebussteppedpasttheWarmasteranddirectedhisgazetowardsIngMaeSing.Thoughtheastropathwasblind,sherecoiledasshefelthiseyesroamingacrossherflesh.Shebackedagainstonewall,tryingtoshrinkawayfromhim,buthegraspedherarminacrushinggripanddraggedhertowardsthefire.'Sheispowerful,’saidErebus.'Icantasteher,’

'Sheismybest,’saidHorus.That is why it has to be her,’ said Erebus. The symbolism is as important as the power. A

sacrificeisnotasacrificeifitisnotvaluedbythegiver,’'No, please,’ cried IngMae Sing, twisting in his grip as she realised the import of theWord

Bearer'sstatement.Horussteppedforwardsandtenderlytookholdoftheastropath'schin,haltingherstrugglesand

tiltingherheadupwardssothatshewouldhavelookeduponhisfacehadshebuteyestosee.'Youbetrayedme,MistressSing,’saidHorus.IngMaeSingwhimpered,nonsensicalprotestsspillingfromherterrifiedlips.Shetriedtoshake

herhead,butHorusheldherfirmandsaid,Thereisnopointindenyingit.Ialreadyknoweverything.AfteryoutoldmeofEuphratiKeeler,yousentawarningtosomeone,didn'tyou?Tellmewhoitwasand Iwill letyou live.Try to resist andyourdeatbwillbemoreagonising thanyoucanpossiblyimagine,’

'No,’whisperedIngMaeSing.'Iamalreadydead.Iknowthis,sokillmeandhavedonewithit,’'YouwillnottellmewhatIwishtoknow?'Thereisnopoint,’gaspedIngMaeSing.YouwillkillmewhetherItellyouornot.Youmayhavethepowertoconcealyourlies,butyourserpentdoesnot.'ErebuswatchedasHorusnoddedslowlytohimself,asifreluctandyreachingadecision.

Thenwehavenomoretosaytooneanother,’saidHorussadly,drawingbackhisarm.Herammedhisclawedgauntletthroughherchest,thebladestearingthroughherheartandlungs

andrippingfromherbackinasprayofred.ErebusnoddedtowardsthefireandtheWarmas-terheldthecorpseabovethepit,lettingIngMaeSing'sblooddrizzleintotheflames.

The emotions of her death flooded the lodge as the blood hissed in the fire, hot, raw andpowerful:fear,painandthehorrorofbetrayal.

Erebuskneltandscratcheddesignson thefloor,copying themexactly fromthediagrams in thebook:a starwitheightpoints thatwasorbitedby threecircles, a stylised skull and thecuneiformrunes of Colchis. You have done this before,’ said Horus. 'Many times,’ said Erebus, noddingtowardsthefire.'Ispeakherewithmyprimarch'svoice,anditisavoiceouralliesrespect,’

Theyarenotalliesyet,’saidHorus,loweringhisarmandlettingthebodyofIngMaeSingslidefromtheclawsofhisgauntlet.

ErebusshruggedandbeganchantingwordsfromtheBookofLorgar,hisvoicedarkandgutturalashecalleduponthegodsofthewarptosendtheiremissary.

Despitethebrightnessofthefire,thelodgedarkenedandErebusfeltthetemperaturefall,achillwindgustingfromsomewhereunseenandunknown.Itcarried thedustofagespastand theruinofempiresinitseverybreath,andagelesseternitywasborneupontheunnaturalzephyr.

'Isthissupposedtohappen?'askedRegulus.Erebus smiled andnoddedwithout answering as the air grew icy, thewhisperers gibbering in

unreasoningfearas theyfelt thearrivalofsomethingancientandterrible.Shadowsgatheredin thecornersof the room, althoughno light shone to cast themanda racingwhipofmalicious laughterspiralledaroundthechamber.

Regulus spun on hissing bearings as he sought to identify the source of the sounds, his ocularimplantswhirring as they struggled to find focus in the darkness. Frost gathered on the struts and

pipeshighabovethem.Horus stoodunmovingas the shadowsof thechamberhissedandspat, a chorusofvoices that

camefromeverywhereandnowhere.'YouaretheoneyourkindcallsWarmaster?'ErebusnoddedasHoruslookedoverathim.'Iam,’saidHorus.'WarmasteroftheGreatCrusade.TowhomdoIspeak?''IamSarr'kell,'saidthevoice.'LordoftheShadows!'THETHREEOFthemmadetheirwayswiftlythroughthedecksoftheVengefulSpirit,heading

downtowards the tiledenvironmentof themedicaedeck.Sindermannkept thepaceasbriskashecould,hisbreathsharpandpainfulastheyhurriedtosavethesaintfromwhateverdarkfateawaitedher.

'Whatdoyouexpecttofindwhenwereachthesaint,iterator?'askedJonahAruken,hisnervoushandsfingeringthecatchonhispistolholster.

SindermannthoughtofthesmallmedicaecellwhereheandMersadieOlitonhadstoodvigiloverEuphratiandwonderedthatsamethought.

'Idon'tknowexactly,’hesaid.'Ijustknowwehavetohelp,’'Ijusthopeafrailoldmanandourpistolsareuptothejob,’Whatdoyoumean?'askedSindermann,astheydescendedawidescrewstairthatleddeeperinto

theship.'Well,Ijustwonderhowyouplantofightthekindofdangerthatcouldthreatenasaint.Imean,

whateveritismustbeprettydamndangerous,yes?'Sindermannpausedinhisdescent,asmuchtocatchhisbreathastoanswerAruken.'WhoeversentmethatwarningobviouslythinksthatIcanhelp,’hesaid.'Andthat'senoughforyou?'askedAruken.'Jonah,leavehimalone,’cautionedTitusCassar.'No,damnit,Iwon't,’saidAruken.Thisisseriousandwecouldgetinrealtrouble.Imean,this

Keelerwoman, she's supposed tobeall saintly,yes?Thenwhydoesn't thepowerof theEmperorsaveher?Whydoesheneedus?'

TheEmperorworks throughHis faithful servants, Jonah,’ explainedTitus. 'It is not enough tosimplybelieveandawaitdivineinterventiontosweepdownfromtheheavensandsettheworldtorights.TheEmperorhasshownusthepathanditisuptoustoseizethischancetodoHiswill.'

Sindermannwatched the exchange between the two crewmen, his anxiety growingwith everysecondthatpassed.

'Idon'tknowif Icando this,Titus,’saidAruken, 'notwithoutsomeproof thatwe'redoing therightthing,’

%Veare,Jonah,’pressedTitus.'YoumusttrustthattheEmperorhasaplanforyou,’'TheEmperormayormaynothaveaplanforme,butIsureashelldo,’snappedAruken.'Iwant

commandofaTitan,andthat'snotgoingtohappenifwegetcaughtdoingsomethingstupid,’'Please!'cutinSindermann,hischesthurtingwithworryforthesaint.'Wehavetogo!Something

terribleiscomingtoharmherandwehavetostopit.Icanthinkofnomorecompellinganargumentthanthat.I'msorry,butyou'lljusthavetotrustme,’

WhyshouldI?'askedAruken.You'vegivenmenoreasonto.Idon'tevenknowwhyI'mhere,’'Listentome,MisterAruken,’saidSindermannearnestly.Whenyouliveaslongandcomplexa

lifeasIhave,youlearnthatitalwayscomesdowntoasinglemoment-amomentinwhichamanfinds out, once and for all, who he really is. This is thatmoment,MisterAruken.Will this be a

momentyouareproudtolookbackonorwillitbeoneyouwillregretfortherestofyourlife?'ThetwoTitancrewmensharedaglanceandeventuallyArukensighedandsaid,'Ineedmyhead

lookedatforthis,butallright,let'sgosavetheday,’ApalpablesenseofrelieffloodedthroughSindermannandthepaininhischesteased.'Iamproudofyou,MrAruken,’hesaid,'andIthankyou,youraidismostwelcome,’Thankmewhenwesavethissaintofyours,’saidДшкеп,settingoffdownthestairs.They followed the stairsdown,passing severaldecksuntil the symbolof intertwined serpents

aroundawingedstaffindicatedtheyhadarrivedatthemedicaedeck.IthadbeensomeweekssincethelastcasualtieshadbeenbroughtaboardtheVengefulSpiritandthesterile,gleamingwildernessoftiledwallsandbrushedsteelcabinetsfeltempty,awarrenofsoullessglassroomsandlaboratories.

'Thisway,’saidSindermann,settingoffintotheconfusingmazeofcorridors,thewayfamiliartohimafterallthetimeshehadvisitedthecomatoseimagist.CassarandArukenfollowedhim,keepingawatchfuleyeoutforanyonewhomightchallengetheirpresence.Atlasttheyreachedanondescriptwhite door and Sindermann said, 'This is it,’ Aruken said, 'Better let us go first, old man,’Sindermannnoddedandbackedawayfromthedoor,pressinghishandsoverhisearsasthetwoTitancrewmenunholsteredtheirpistols.ArukencrouchedlowbesidethedoorandnoddedtoCassar,whopressedthereleasepanel.

ThedoorslidasideandArukenspunthroughitwithhispistolextended.Cassarwas a second behind him, his pistol tracking left and right for targets, and Sinderman

awaitedthedeafeningflurryofpistolshots.Whennonecamehedaredtoopenhiseyesanduncoverhisears.Hedidn'tknowwhethertobe

gladordeathlyafraidthattheyweretoolate.He turnedand looked through thedoor, seeing the familiarcleanandwellmaintainedmedicae

cellhehadvisitedmanytimes.Euphratilaylikeamannequinonthebed,herskinlikealabasterandher face pinched and sunken. A pair of drips fed her fluids and a small, bleepingmachine drewspikinglinesonagreendisplayunitbesideher.

Asidefromherimmobilityshelookedjustasshehadthelasttimehehadlaideyesonher.'Justaswellwerushed,’snappedAruken.'Lookslikewewerejustintime.''Ithinkyoumightberight,’saidSindermann,ashesawthegolden-eyedfigureofMaggardcome

intoviewatthefarendofthecorridorwithhisswordunsheathed.'YouAREKNOWNtous,Warmaster,'saidSarr'Kell,hisvoiceleapingaroundtheroomlikea

capriciouswhisper.'Itissaidthatyouaretheonewhocandeliverus.Isthattrue?''Perhaps,’ repliedHorus, apparently unperturbed by the strangeness of his unseen interlocutor.

'MybrotherLorgarassuresmethatyourmasterscangivemethepowertoachievevictory,’Victory,'whisperedSarr'kell. 'Analmostmeaninglesswordinthescaleofthecosmos,butyes,

wehavemuchpowertoofferyou.Noarmywillstandbeforeyou,nopowerofmortalmanwilllayyoulowandnoambitionwillhedeniedyouifyouswearyourselftous.'

'Justwords,’saidHorus.'Showmesomethingtan-gible,’'Power,' hissed Sarr'Kell, the sound rippling aroundHorus like a slithering snake. 'The warp

bringspower.Thereisnothingbeyondthereachofthegodsofthewarp!'Gods?' repliedHorus. 'Youwasteyour time throwingsuchwordsaround, theydonot impress

me.Ialreadyknowthatyour"gods"needmyhelp,sospeakplainlyorwearedonehere,’'YourEmperor,'repliedSarr'Kell,andforafleetingmoment,Erebusdetectedatraceofuneasein

thecreature'svoice.Suchentitieswereunusedtothedefianceofamortal,evenoneasmightyasapri-march. 'Hemeddles inmattershedoesnotunderstand.On theworldyoucallTerra,hisgrand

designscauseastorminthewarpthattearsitasunderfromwithin.Wecarenothingforyourrealm,youknowthis.Itisanathematous.Weofferpowerthatcanhelpyoutakehisplace,Warmaster.Ouraidwillseeyoudestroyyourfoesand takeyou to theverygatesof theEmperor'spalace.Wecandeliverthegalaxytoyou.Allwecareforisthathisworksceaseandthatyoutakehisplace.'

Theunseenvoicespokeinsibilanttones,slickandpersuasive,butErebuscouldseethatHoruswasunmoved.'Andwhatofthispower?Doyou

understandthemagnitudeofthistask?Thegalaxywillbedivided,brotherwillfightbrother.TheEmperorwillhavehisLegionsandtheImperialArmy,theCustodianGuard,theSistersofSilence.Canyoubetheequalofsuchafoe?'

'Thegodsofthewarparemastersoftheprimalforcesofallreality.AsyourEmperorcreates,thewarp decays and destroys. As he brings us to battle, we shall melt away, and as he gathers hisstrength,weshallstrikefromtheshadows.Thevictoryofthegodsisasinevitableasthepassingoftime and the mortality of flesh. Do the gods not rule an entire universe hidden from your eyes,Warmaster?Havetheynotmadethewarpdarkattheircommand?'

'Yourgodsdidthis?Why?YouhaveblindedmyLegions!''Necessity,Warmaster.ThedarknessblindstheEmperortoo,blindshimtoourplansandyours.

TheEmperorthinkshimselfthemasterofthewarpandhewouldseektoknowhisenemiesbyit,butsee how swiftly we can confound him?Youwill have passage through the warp as you need it,Warmaster,foraswebringdarkness,sowecanbringlight.'

'TheEmperorremainsignorantofallthathastranspired?''Completely,'sighedSarr'Kell,'andso,Warmaster,youseethepowerwecangiveyou.Allthat

remainsisforyourword,andthepactwillbemade!Horussaidnothing,asifweighingupthechoicesbeforehim,andErebuscouldsensethegrowing

impatienceofthewarpcreature.At last theWarmaster spokeagain. 'Soon I shall unleashmyLegions against theworldsof the

Isst-•vansystem.ThereIshallsetmyLegionsuponthepathofthenewCrusade.TherearemattersthatmustbedealtwithatIsstvan,andIwilldealwiththeminmyownway.'

HoruslookedoveratErebusandsaid,WhenIamdonewithIsstvan,Iwillpledgemyforceswiththoseofyourmasters,butnotuntilthen.MyLegionswillgothroughthefireofIsstvanalone,foronlythenwilltheybetemperedintomyshiningbladeaimedattheEmperor'sheart.'

Thesibilant,roilingchillofSarr'Kell'svoicehissedasifhetookmightybreaths.'Mymastersaccept,'hesaidatlast.'Youhavechosenwell,Warmaster!Thechillwind thathadcarried thewordsof thewarpentityblewagain,stronger this time, its

agelessmalevolencelikethemurderofinnocence.Its icy touchslid throughErebusandhedrewacoldbreathbefore thesensation fadedand the

unnaturaldarknessbegantorecede,thelightofthefireoncemoreilluminatingthelodgetemple.Thecreaturewasgoneandthevoidofitspresencewasanachefeltdeepinthesoul.'Wasitworthit,Warmaster?'askedErebus,releasingthepentupbreathhehadbeenholding.Yes,'saidHorus,glancingdownatIngMaeSing'sbody.'Itwasworthit.'TheWarmasterturnedtoRegulusandsaid,Adept,IwishtheFabricatorGeneraltobemadeawareof this. Icannotcontacthimdirectly, soyouwill takea fast shipandmakeforMars. If

whatthiscreaturesaysistrue,youwillmakegoodtime.Kel-bor-HalistopurgehisorderandmakereadyforitspartinmynewCrusade.TellhimthatIshallcontacthimwhenthetimecomesandthatIexpecttheMechanicumtobeunited.'

'Ofcourse,Warmaster.Yourwillbedone,’

'Wastenotime,adept.Go.'RegulusturnedtoleaveandErebussaid,'Wehavewaitedalongtimeforthisday,Lorgarwillbe

exultant,’'Lorgarhashisownbattlestofight,Erebus,’repliedHornssharply. 'ShouldhefailatCalth,all

thiswill be for nothing ifGuilliman's Legion is allowed to intervene. Save your celebrations forwhenIsituponthethroneofTerra,’

SINDERMANNFELTHISheartlurchinhischestatthesightofPetronella'sbodyguardcomingtowardsthem.Theman'severystepwaslikedeathapproachingandSindermanncursedhimselfforhavingtakensolongtogethere.Histardinesshadkilledthesaintandwouldprobablyseethemalldeadaswell.

JonahAruken'seyeswidenedashesaw themassive formof thesaint'skillerapproaching.Heturnedquicklyandsaid,Titus,grabher.Now!'

What?'askedCassar.'She'shookeduptoallthesemachines,wecan'tjust-''Don'targuewithme,’hissedAruken.'Justdoit,we'vegotcompany,badcompany,’ArukenturnedbacktoSindermannandhissed,Well,iterator?Isthisthatsinglemomentyouwere

talkingabout,wherewefindoutwhowereallyare?Ifitis,thenI'malreadyregrettinghelpingyou,’Sindermanncouldn'treply.HesawMaggardnoticethemoutsideEuphrati'sroomandfeltacold,

creepinghorrorasaslowsmilespreadacrosstheman'sfeatures.,’amgoingtokillyou,thesmilesaid,slowly.'Don'thurther,’hewhispered,thewordssoundingpatheticinhisears.'Please...'

Hewantedtorun,togetfarawayfromtheevilsmilethatpromisedasilent,agonisingdeath,buthis legs were leadweights, rooted to the spot by some immense power that prevented him frommovingsomuchasamuscle.

JonahArukenslid fromthemedicaecell,withTitusCassarbehindhim, therecumbent formofEuphrati in his arms. Dripping tubes dangled from her arms and Sindermann found his gazeunaccountablydrawntothedropletsastheyswelledattheendsoftheplastictubesbeforebreakingfreeandplummetingtothedecktosplashincrownsofsaline.

Arukenheldhispistoloutbeforehim,aimedatMaggard'shead.'Don'tcomeanycloser,’hewarned.MaggarddidnotevenslowdownandthatsamedeathlysmileshoneatJonahAruken.With Euphrati still in his arms, Titus Cassar backed away from the relentlessly approaching

killer.'Comeon,damnit,’hehissed.'Let'sgo!'ArukenshovedSindermannafterCassarandsuddenlythespellofimmobilitythathadheldhim

rootedtothespotwasbroken.MaggardwaslessthantenpacesfromthemandSindermannknewthattheycouldnothopetoescapewithoutbloodshed.

'Shoothim,’shoutedCassar.'What?'askedAruken,throwinghisfellowcrewmanadesperateglance.'Shoothim,’repeatedCassar.'Killhim,beforehekillsus,’Jonah Aruken tore his gaze back to the approachingMaggard and nodded, pulling the trigger

twiceinquicksuccession.Thenoisewasdeafeningandthecorridorwasfilledwithblindinglightand careening echoes. Tiles shattered and exploded as Aruken's bullets cratered the wall behindwhereMaggardhadbeenstanding.

Sindermanncriedoutatthenoise,backingawayafterTitusCassarasMaggardspunoutfromthesunkendoorwayinwhichhehadtakencovertheinstantbeforeArukenhadfired.Maggard'spistolleapttohishandandthebarrelblazedwithlightashefiredthreetimes.

Sindermanncriedout,throwinguphisarmsandawaitingtheawfulpainofbulletstearingintohisflesh,rippingthroughhisinternalorgansandblowingbloody-rimmedcratersinhisback.

NothinghappenedandSindermannheardacryofastonishmentfromJonahAruken,whohadlikewiseflinchedatthethunderousnoiseoflaggard'sgun.Heloweredhisarmsandhismouthfell

openinamazementatthesightbeforehim.Maggardstillstoodthere,hismuscledarmstillholdinghiswidebarrelledpistolaimedsquarely

atthem.A frozen bloom of light expanded at an infinites-imally slow pace from the muzzle and

Sindermanncouldseeapairofbulletsheldimmobileintheairbeforethem,onlytheglintoflightonmetalastheyspiralledgivinganysignthattheyweremovingatall.

Ashewatched,thepointednubofabrassbulletbegantoemergefromthebarrelofMaggard'sgunandSindermannturnedinbewildermenttoJonahAruken.

TheTitancrewmanwasasshockedashewas,hisarmshanginglimplyathisside.AVhatthehellisgoingon?'breathedAruken.'Id-don'tknow,’stammeredSindermann,unabletotearhisgazefromthefrozentableaustanding

infrontofthem.'Maybewe'realreadydead,’'No,iterator,’saidCassarfrombehindthem,'it'samiracle,’Sindermannturned,feelingasifhisentirebodywasnumb,onlyhishearthammeringfittobreak

his chest. Titus Cassar stood at the end of the corridor, the saint held tightly to his chest.WherebeforeEuphratihadlainsupine,hereyeswerenowwideinterror,hernghthandextendedandthesilvereaglethathadbeenburnedintoherfleshglowingwithasoft,innerlight.

'Euphrati!'criedSindermann,butnosoonerhadhegivenvoicetohernamethanhereyesrolledbackintheirsocketsandherhanddroppedtohersideHeriskedaglancebackatMaggard,buttheassassinwasstillfrozenbywhateverpowerhadsavedtheirlives.

Sindermann took adeepbreath andmadehiswayonunsteady legs to the endof the corridor.EuphratilaywithherheadagainstCassar'schest,asunmovingasshehadbeenforthelastyearandhewantedtoweeptoseehersoreduced.

HereachedupandranahandthroughEuphrateshair,herskinhottothetouch.'Shesavedus,’saidCassar,hisvoiceawedandhumbledbywhathehadseen.'Ithinkyoumightberight,mydearboy,'saidSindermann.'Ithinkyoumightberight.'JonahArukenjoinedhim,alternatingbetweencastingfearfullooksatMaggardandEuphrati.He

kepthispistoltrainedonMaggardandsaid,'Whatdowedoabouthim?'Sindermannlookedbackatthemonstrousassassinandsaid,'Leavehim.Iwillnothavehisdeath

onthesaint'shands.WhatkindofbeginningwoulditbefortheLectitioDivinitatusifthesaint'sfirstact is to kill. If we are to found a new church in the name of the Emperor it will be one offorgiveness,notbloodshed,’

'Areyousure?'askedAruken.'Hewillcomeafterheragain,’'Thenwewillkeephersafefromhim,’saidCassar.'TheLectitioDivinitatushasfriendsaboard

theVengefulSpiritandwecanhideheruntilsherecovers.Iterator,doyouagree?'Yes,that'swhattodo,’noddedSindermann,'hideher.Keephersafe,’

FIVE

DarkMillenniumWarsingerLOKENHADNOTset footon thestrategiumforsometime, theconstructionof theLupercal's

Courtrenderingitlargelywithoutfunction.Inanycase,anunspokenorderhadfiltereddownfromthelodgemembersthatTorgaddonandLokenwerenolongertostandalongsidetheWarmasterandactastheLegion'sconscience.

The isolated strategium platformwas suspended above the industrious hubbub of the vessel'sbridge,andLokenleanedovertherailtowatchtheseniorcrewoftheVengefulSpiritgoingaboutthebusinessofdestroyingIsstvanExtremis.

WarriorsoftheDeathGuardandEmperor'sChildrenwerealreadyinthetheatreofwarandtheenemiesoftheWarmasterwouldevennowbedying.Thethoughtofnotbeingtheretosharethe

danger galled Loken and he wished he could be on that barren rock with his battle-brothers,especiallysinceTorgaddonhadtoldhimthatSaulTarvitzwasdownthere.

ThelasttimetheSonsofHorusandtheEmperor'sChildrenhadmetwasduringthewaragainsttheTechnocracyandbondsofbrotherhoodhadbeenreestablishedbetweentheLegions,formallybytheprimarchs,andinformallybytheirwarriors.

Hemissedthetimeshehadstoodinthepresenceofhisfellowwarriorswhenthetalkhadbeenofcampaignspastandyettocome.Thesharedcamaraderieofbrotherhoodwasacomfortthatwasonlyrealisedonceitwasstrippedaway

Hesmiledwrylytohimself,whispering,'Ievenmissyourtalesof"betterdays",Iacton.'Loken turned away from thebridgebelowandunfolded thepieceof paper hehaddiscovered

insidethedustjacketoftheChroniclesofUrsh.OnceagainhereadthewordshurriedlywritteninKyrilSindermann'sdistinctivespideryscrawl

ontheraggedpageofanotebook.EventheWarmastermaynotdeserveyourtrust.Lookforthetemple.Itwillhesomewherethat

wasoncetheessenceoftheCrusade.RememberingSindermann'swordsashehadbeenforcedfromthetraininghallsbyMaloghurst,

Loken had sought out the book from the burnt out stacks ofArchiveChamberThree.Much of thearchivewasstillinruinsfromthefirethathad

gutted thechamberandputEuphratiKeeler inacoma.Servitorsandmenialshadattempted tosaveasmanybooksas theycould,andeven thoughLokenwasnoreader,hewassaddenedby thelossofsuchavaluablerepositoryofknowledge.

HehadlocatedTheChroniclesofUrshwiththebarestminimumofeffort,asifthebookhadbeenspecificallyplacedforhimtofind.Openingthecover,herealisedthatithadindeedbeenleftthereforhim,asSindermann'snoteslippedfromitspages.

Lokenwasn'tsureexactlywhathewaslookingfor,andtheideaofatempleaboardtheVengefulSpirit seemed laughable,butSindermannhadbeendeadlyseriouswhenhehad imploredLoken toseekoutthebookandhisnote.

ItwillbesomewherethatwasoncetheessenceoftheCrusade.Helookedupfromthenoteandcasthiseyesaroundthestrategium:theraisedplatformwherethe

Warmasterhaddeliveredhisbriefings,thenichesaroundtheedgewhereSonsofHorusstoodasan

honourguardandthevaulteddomeofdarksteel.Bannershungalongthecurvedwall,indistinctinthegloom,companybannersof theSonsofHorus.Hehammeredhis fist againsthisbreastplate ashefacedthebanneroftheTenth.

IfanywherewasoncetheessenceoftheCrusadeitwasthestrategium.Thestrategiumwasempty,anditwasanemptinessthatspokemoreofitsneglectanditsobsolescence than simply the absence of people It had been abandoned and the ideals once

hammeredoutherehadbeenabandonedtoo,replacedwithsomethingelse,somethingdark.Lokenstoodinthecentreofthestrategiumandfeltanacheinhischestthatwasnothingtodowith

anyphysicalsensation.It tookhimamoment torealise that therewassomethingoutofplacehere,somethingpresentthatshouldn'tbe:asmellthathedidn'trecognise,faintbutdefinitelyhangingintheair.

At last he recognised the smell as incense, cloying, and carrying the familiar scent of hot, drywindsthatbroughtsourfragrancesofbitterblossoms.Hisgenhancedsensescouldpickoutthesubtlearomasmixedintotheincense,itsscentstrongerashemadehiswaythroughthestrategiumhopingtopinpointitssource.Wherehadhesmeltthisbefore?

Hefollowedthebittersmell tothestandardof theSeventh,Targhost'scompany.Hadthelodgemasterflownthebannerinsomeritualceremonyofthewarriorlodge?

No,thescentwastoostrongforittobesimplyclingingtofabric.Thiswasthearomaofburningincense.LokenpulledthebanneroftheSeventhawayfromthewall,andhewasnotsurprisedtofindthat,insteadofthebrushedsteelofthestrategiumwall,therewasthedarknessofanopeningcutintooneofthemanyaccesspassagesthatthreadedtheVengefulSpirit.

HadthisbeenherewhentheMournivalhadgathered?Hedidn'tthinkso.Lookforthetemple,Sindermannhadsaid,soLokenduckedbeneaththebannerandthroughthe

doorway,lettingthebannerfallintoplacebehindhim.Thesmellofincensewasdefinitelyhere,andithadbeenburnedrecently,orwasstillburning.

LokensuddenlyrealisedwherehehadsmelledthisaromabeforeandhegrippedthehiltofhiscombatknifeasherememberedtheairofDavin,thescentsthatfilledtheyurtsandseemedtolingerintheair,eventhroughrebreathers.

The passageway beyond was dark, but Loken's augmented eyesight cut through the gloom toreveal a short passageway, recently constructed, that led to an archeddoorwaywith curved sigilsetched into the ironwork surrounding it.Although itwas simply a door, Loken felt an unutterabledreadofwhatlaybeyonditandforamomenthealmostconsideredturningback.

Heshookoffsuchacowardlynotionandmadehiswayforwards,feelinghisuneasegrowwithevery step he took. The door was closed, a stylised skull mounted at eyelevel and Loken feltuncomfortableevenacknowledging that itwas there letalone lookingat it.Somethingof itsbrutalformwhisperedtothekillerinhim,tellinghimofthejoyofspillingbloodandtherelishtobetakeninslaughter.

Lokentorehiseyesfromtheleeringskullanddrewhisknife,fightingtheurgetoplungeitintothefleshofanyonewaitingbehindthedoor.

Hepusheditopenandsteppedinside.Thespacewithinwaslarge,amaintenancechamberthathadbeenhadbeenclearedandrefitted

soastoresemblesomeundergroundstonechamber.Twinrowsofstonebenchesfacedthefarwall,wheremeaningless symbolsandwordshadbeenpainted.Blank-eyedskullshung from theceiling,staring and grinningwith bared teeth. They swayed gently as Loken passed them, thin tendrils ofsmokerisingfromtheireyesockets.

Alowwoodentablestoodagainstthefarwall.Ashallowbowlcarvedintoitssurfacecontainedflakydarkdetritusthathecouldsmellwasdriedblood.Athickbooklaybesidethedepression.

Wasthisatemple?HerememberedthebottlesandglassflasksthathadbeenscatteredaroundthewaterfanebeneaththeWhisperheads.

ThisplaceandthefaneonSixty-ThreeNineteenlookeddifferent,buttheyfeltthesame.He heard a sudden rustle on the air, like whispers in his ear, and he spun around, his knife

whippingoutinfrontofhim.Hewasalone,yetthesenseofsomeonewhisperinginhisearhadbeensorealthathewouldhave

swornonhislifethatanotherpersonhadbeenstandingrightbesidehim.Lokentookabreathanddida slow circuit of the room, his knife extended, on the defensive in case themysteriouswhispererrevealedhimself.

Bundlesoftornmateriallaybythebenches,andhemadehiswaytowardsthetable-thealtar,herealised-uponwhichlaythebookhehadnoticedearlier.

Itscoverwasleather,thesurfacecracked,oldandblackenedbyfire.Loken bent down to examine the book, flipping open the coverwith the tip of his knife. The

wordswrittentherewerecomposedofanangularscript,theletterswrittenverticallyonthepage.'Erebus,’ he said as he recognised the script as identical to that tattooed upon the skull of the

Word Bearer. Could this be the Book of Lorgar that Kyril Sindermann had been raving aboutfollowingthefireinthearchivechamber?Theiteratorhadclaimedthatthebookhadunleashedsomehorrorofthewarpandthathadbeenwhatcausedthefire,butLokensawonlywords.

Howcouldwordsbedangerous?Evenasheformed the thought,heblinked, thewordsblurringon thepage in frontofhim.The

symbolstwistedfromtheunknownlanguageoftheWordBearerstotheharshnumericallanguageofCthonia,beforespirallingintotheelegantscriptofImperialGothicandathousandotherlanguageshehadneverseenbefore.

Heblinkedtowardoffasudden,impossible,senseofdizziness.Whatareyoudoinghere,Loken?'afamiliarvoiceaskedinhisear.Lokenspuntofacethevoice,butonceagainhewasalone.Thetemplewasempty.'HowdareyoubreakthetrustoftheWarmaster?'thevoiceasked,thistimewithasenseofweight

behindit.Andthistimeherecognisedthevoice.HeturnedslowlyandsawTorgaddonstandingbeforedie

altar.'DOWN!'YELLEDTARVTTZasgunfirestreakedabovehim,stitchingmonochromeexplosions

alongthebarrenrockofIsstvanExtremis.'SquadFulgerion,withme.Allsquadstopositionandwaitforthego!'

Tarvitz ran,knowing thatSergeantFulgerion'ssquadwouldbeonhisheelsashemadefor thecoveroftheclosestcrater.Awebofcriss-crossingtracerfirestreakedtheairbeforethemonitoringstation theIsstvanianshadsetuponIsstvanExtremis,a tall,organ-likestructureof towers,domesandantennae.Anchoredonthebarrenrocksurfacebymassivedockingclaws,thestationwasdustedinapowderyresidueoficecrystalsandparticulatematter.

The Isstvan system's sun was little more than a cold disc peeking above the horizon, liningeverythinginaharshbluelight.AutomaticgunportsspatfireattheadvancingEmperor'sChildren,more than twohundredAstartes converging in a classic assault pattern to storm themassiveblastdoorsofthestation'seasternentrance.

IsstvanExtremishadlittleatmospheretospeakofandwaslethallycold;onlythesealedarmour

oftheSpaceMarinesmadeagroundassaultpossible.Tarvitz slid into the crater, turret fire ripping up chunks of grey rock around him. Sergeant

Fulgerionandhiswarriors,shieldsheldhightoshelterthemfromthefire,hitthegroundtoeithersideofhim.Veteransonlytrulyathomeinthethickof

thehardestfighting,FulgerionandhissquadhadfoughttogetherforyearsandTarvitzknewthathehadsomeoftheLegion'sbestwarriorswithhim.

Theywerereadyforus,then?'askedFulgerion.Theymusthaveknown thatwewould return to restorecompliance,’ saidTarvitz. 'Whoknows

howlongtheyhavebeenwaitingforustocomeback,’Tarvitzglancedoverthelipofthecrater,spottingpurplearmouredformsfanningoutinfrontof

the gates to take up their allotted positions. That was how the Emperor's Children fought,manoeuvring intoposition toexecuteperfectlyco-ordinated strikes, squadsmovingacrossabattlezonelikepiecesonachessboard.

'CaptainGarrooftheDeathGuardreportsthatheisinposition,’saidEidolon'svoiceoverthevox-net.'Showthemwhatwarreallyis!'

TheDeathGuardhadbeenassigned the taskof taking thewesternapproach to thestation,andTarvitz smiled as he imagined his old friend Garro marching his men grimly towards the guns,winning through relentless determination rather than any finesse of tactics. Each to their own, hethoughtashedrewhisbroadsword.

Such blunt tacticswere not theway of theEmperor'sChildren, forwarwas not simply aboutkilling,itwasart.

TarvitzandFulgerioninposition,’hereported.'Allunitsready,’'Execute!'cametheorder.'YouheardLordEidolon,’heshouted.'ChildrenoftheEmperor!'ThewarriorsaroundhimcheeredasheandFul-gerionclamberedoverthecraterlipandgunfire

streakedoverheadfromthesupportsquads.Aperfectballetbeganwitheveryoneofhisunitsactingincompleteconcert,heavyweaponspoundingtheenemygunsasassaultunitsmovedintoattackandtacticalunitstookupcoveringpositions.

Splinteringexplosionsburstinthesub-zeroair,chunksofdebrisblastedfromthesurfaceoftheentrancedomeasturretgunsdetonatedandthrewchainsofburstingammunitionintotheair.

Amissile streakedpastTarvitz andburst against theblastdoors, leavinga flaming,blackenedcrater in themetal. Anothermissile followed the first, and then another, and the doors crumpledinwards. Tarvitz saw the golden armour of Eidolon flashing in the planet's hard light, the lordcommanderheftingamightyhammerwithbluearcsofenergycracklingarounditshead.

The hammer slammed into die remains of the doors, blue-white light bursting like a lightningstrikeastheyvanishedinathunderousexplosion.Eidolonchargedinsidethefacility,thehonourhisbyvirtueofhisnoblerank.

TarvitzfollowedEidolonin,duckingthroughthewreckedblastdoors.Inside, the station was in darkness, lit only by themuzzle flashes of bolter fire and sparking

cablestornfromtheirmountingsbythefuriouscombat.Tarvitz'senhancedvisiondispelledthedarkness,

warmairbillowingfromthestationthroughtheruptureddoorsandwhitevapoursurgedaroundhimashesawtheenemyforthefirsttime.

Theyworeblackarmourwithbulkypowerpacksandthickcablesthatattachedtoheavyrifles.Theplatesoftheirarmourweretracedwithsilverscrollwork,perhapsjustfordecoration,perhapsa

patternofcircuitry.Theirfaceswerehooded,eachwithasingleredlensoveroneeye.Ahundredofthempackedthe

dome, shelteringbehind slabsofbrokenmachinery and furniture.Thearmoured soldiers formedasolid defensive line, and no sooner had Eidolon and the Emperor's Children emerged from theentrancetunnelthantheyopenedfire.

Rapid firing bolts of ruby laser fire spat out from the Isstvanian troops, filling the domewithhorizontal red rain. Tarvitz took a trio of shots, one to his chest, one to his greaves and anothercrackingagainsthishelmet,fillinghissenseswithaburstofstatic.

Fulgerionwasaheadofhim,wadingthroughthelas-firethatbatteredhisshield.Eidolonsurgedforwards in thecentreof the lineandhishammerbludgeonedIsstvanians todeathwitheachlethalswing.Abodyflewthroughtheair,itstorsoacrushedruinanditslimbsshatteredbytheshockofdiehammer'simpact.TheweightofenemyfirefalteredandtheEmperor'sChildrencharged

forwards,’overlapping fields of bolter fire shredding the Isstvanians' cover as close combatspecialistscrashedthroughthegapstokillwithgorysweepsofchainswords.

Tarvitz's bolt pistol snapped shots at the darting black figures catching one in the throat andspinninghimaround.SquadFulgeriontookuppositionattheremainsofthebarricade,theirboltersfillingthedomewithcoveringgunfireforEidolonandhischosenwarriors.

Tarvitzkilledtheenemywithbrutallyefficientshotsandsweepsofhisbroadsword,fightinglikeawarriorofFulgrimshould.Hiseverystrikewasafaultlesskillingblow,andhiseverystepwasmeasuredandperfect.Gunfirericochetedfromhisgildedarmourandthelightofbattlereflectedfromhishelmetasiffromaheroofancientlegend.

'We have the entrance dome,' shouted Eidolon as the last of the Isstvanians were efficientlydespatchedbytheAstartesaroundhim.'DeathGuardunitsreportheavyresistanceinside.Blowtheinnerdoorsandwe'llfinishthisforthem.'

Warriorswithbreachingchargesrushedtodestroytheinnerdoors,andevenovertheflamesandshots,Tarvitzcouldhearmuffledexplosionsfromtheotherside.Heloweredhisswordandtookamomenttosurveyhissurroundingsnowthattherewasalullinthefighting.

Adeadbodylayathisfeet,theplatesoftheman'sblackarmourrupturedandaraggedtearrippedinthehoodcoveringhisface.Frozenbloodlay

scatteredaroundhimlikepreciousstonesandTarvitzknelttopullasidethetorncowl.Theman'sskinwascoveredinanelaborateswirlingblacktattoo,echoingthesilverdesignson

hisarmour.Afrozeneyelookedupathim,hollowanddarkened,andTarvitzwonderedwhatmannerofbeinghadthepowertoforcethismantorenouncehisoathsofloyaltytotheImperium.

Tarvitzwassparedthinkingofananswerbythedullthumpoftheinteriordoorsblowingopen.HeputthedeadmanfromhismindandsetoffafterEidolonasheheldhishammerhighandchargedintothecentraldome.Heranalongsidehisfellowwarriors,knowingthatwhatevertheIsstvanianscould throw at him, he was an Astartes and no weapon they had could match the will of theEmperor'sChildren.

Tarvitzandhismenmovedthroughthedustandsmokeofthedoor'sexplosion,theautosensesofhisarmourmomentarilyuseless.

ThentheywerethroughandintotheheartoftheIsstvanExtremisfacility.He pulled up short as he suddenly realised that the intelligence they had been given on this

facilitywasutterlywrong.Thiswasnotacommsstation,itwasatemple.TORGADDON'SFACEWASashenandleathery,puckeredandscarredaroundaburningyellow

eye.Sharpenedmetallicteethglintedinaliplessmouthandtwingashesweretorninthecentreofhisface.

A starwith eight pointswas gouged in his temple,mirroring its golden twin etched upon hisornate,blackarmour.

'No,’saidLoken,backingawayfromthisterribleapparition.'Youhavetrespassed,Loken,’hissedTorgaddon.'Youhavebetrayed,’A dry, deathly wind carried Torgaddon's words, gusting over him with the smell of burning

bodies. As he breathed the noxious wind, a vision of broken steppes spread out before Loken,expansesofdesolationandplainsofrustedmachinerylikeskeletonsofextinctmonsters.Ahivecityon the distant horizon split open like a flower, and from its broken, burning petals rose amightytowerofbrassthatpuncturedthepollution-heavyclouds.

The sky above was burning and the laughter of Dark Gods boomed from the heavens. Lokenwantedtoscream,thisvisionofdevastationworsethananythinghehadseenbefore

Thiswasn'treal.Itcouldn'tbe.Hedidnotbelieveinghostsandillusions.Thethoughtgavehimstrength.Hewrenchedhismindawayfromthedyingworld,andsuddenly

hewas soaring through the galaxy, tumbling between the stars. He saw them destroyed, bleedingglowing plumes of stellarmatter into the void.A balefulmass of red stars glowered above him,staringlikeagreatandterribleeyeofflame.Anendlesstideoftitanicmonstersandvastspacefleetsvomitedfromthateye,drowningtheuniverseinatideofblood.

Aseaofburningflamesspatandleaptfromtheblood,consumingallinitspath,leavingblack,barrenwastelandinitswake.

Wasthisavisionofsomelunatic'shell,adimensionofdestructionandchaoswheresinnerswentwhen they died? Loken forced himself to remember the lurid descriptions from theChronicles ofUrsh,theoutlandishscenesdescribedbyinventionsofdarkfaith.No,saidthevoiceofTorgaddon,thisisnomadman'sdelusion.Itisthefuture.

'You're not Torgaddon!' shouted Loken, shaking the whispering voice from his head. You areseeingthegalaxydie.LokensawtheSonsofHorusinthetideoffierymadnessthatpouredfromtheredeye,armouredinblackandsurroundedbyleaping,deformedcreatures.Abaddonwasthere,andHorushimself,animmenseobsidiangiantwhocrushedworldsinhisgauntlets.

Thiscouldnotbethefuture.Thiswasadiseaseddistortedvisionofthefuture.A galaxy in which mankind was led by the Emperor could never become such a terrible

maelstromofchaosanddeath.Youarewrong.ThegalaxyinflamesrecededandLokenscrabbledforsomesolidity,somethingtoreassurehim

thatthisterrifyingvisioncouldnevercometopass.Hewastumblingagain,hisvisionblurringuntilheopenedhiseyesandfoundhimselfinArchiveChamberThree,aplacehehadfeltsafe,surroundedbybooksthatrenderedtheuniversedown

topurelogicandkeptthemadnesslockedupincrudepaganepicswhereitbelonged.Butsomethingwaswrong, thebookswereburningaroundhim, thispurestofknowledgebeing

systematically destroyed to keep themasses ignorant of their truths. The shelves held nothing butflames and ash, the heat battering against Loken as he tried to save the dying books. His handsblisteredandblackenedashefoughttosavethewisdomofancienttimes,thefleshpeelingbackfromhisbones.

Themusicofthespheres.Themechanismsofreality,invisibleandallaround...Lokencouldseeitwheretheflamesburnedthrough,theendlesschurningmassofthewarpatthe

heart of everything and the eyes of dark forces seething with malevolence. Grotesque creatures

cavortedobscenelyamongheapsofcorpses,hornedheadsandbraying,goat-likefacestwistedbythemindless artifice of the warp. Bloated monsters, their bodies heaving with maggots and filth,devoureddeadstarsasabrass-cladgiantbellowedanendlesswarcryfromitsthroneofskullsandsoullessmagicianssacrificedbillionsinasilvercitybuiltoflies.

Lokenfoughttotearhissightfromthismadness.RememberingthewordshehadthrowninHorusAximand'sfaceattheDelphosGate,hescreamedthemaloudoncemore:

'Iwillnotbowtoanyfaneoracknowledgeanyspirit.IownonlytheempiricalclarityofImperialTruth!'

Inaninstant,thewallsofthedarktempleslammedbackintoplacearoundhim,theairthickwithincense, and he gasped for breath. Loken's heart pumpedwildly and his head spun, sickwith theeffortofcastingoutwhathehadseen.

Thiswasnotfear.Thiswasanger.Thosewhocame to this fanewere sellingout the entirehuman race todark forces that lurked

unseen in thedepthsof thewarp.Were these thesame forces thathad infectedXayver Jubal?ThesameforcesthathadnearlykilledSindermannintheship'sarchive?

Lokenfeltsickasherealisedthateverythingheknewaboutthewarpwaswrong.Hehadbeentoldthattherewerenosuchthingsasgods.Hehadbeentoldthattherewasnothinginthewarpbutinsensate,elementalpower.Hehadbeentoldthatthegalaxywastoosterileformelodrama.Everythinghehadbeentoldwasalie.Feeding on the strength his anger gave him,Loken lurched towards the altar and slammed the

ancient book closed, snapping the brass hasp over the lock. Even shut, he could feel the terriblepurpose lockedwithin itspages.The idea thatabookcouldhavesomesortofpowerwouldhavesoundedludicroustoLokenonlyafewmonthsago,buthecouldnotdoubttheevidenceofhisownsenses,despitetheincredible,terrifying,unimaginablethingshehadseenandheard.He

gatheredupthebookandclutchingitunderonearm,turnedandmadehiswayfromthefane.He closed the door and eased past the banner of the Seventh, emerging once more into the

secludeddarknessofthestrategium.Sindermannhadbeen right.Lokenwas hearing themusic of the spheres, and itwas a terrible

soundthatspokeofcorruption,bloodandthedeathoftheuniverse.Lokenknewwithuttercertaintythatitwasuptohimtosilenceit.THEINTERIOROFtheIsstvanExtremisfacilitywasdominatedbyawide,steppedpyramid,its

hugestoneblocksfashionedfromamaterialthatclearlyhadnoplaceonsuchaworld.Eachblockcamefromsomeotherbuildingmanyofthemstillbearingarchitecturalcarvings,sectionsoffriezes,gargoylesorevenstatuesjuttingcrazilyfromthestructure

Isstvaniansoldiersswarmedaroundthebaseofthepyramid,fightingindesperateclosequartersbattlewith the steel-armoured figuresof theDeathGuard.Thebattlehadno shape, theartofwarhavinggivenwaytothegrindingbrutalityofsimplekilling.

Tarvitz'sgazewasdrawnfromtheslaughtertotheverytopofthepyramid,whereabrightlightspunandtwistedaroundahalf-glimpsedfiguresurroundedbykeeningharmonics.

'Attack!' bellowedEidolon, charging forwards as the tip of the spear, assault units the killingedges

around him. Tarvitz forgot about the strange figure and followed the lord commander, drivingEidolonforwardsbycoveringhimandholdingoffenemieswhotriedtosurroundhim.

MoreEmperor'sChildrenstormedintothedomeandthebattleatthebaseofthepyramid.Tarvitz

sawLuciusbesideEidolon,theswordsman'sbladeshininglikeaharnessedstar.ItwastypicalthatLuciuswouldbeatthefront,demonstratingthathewouldriseswiftlythrough

theranksandtakehisplacealongsideEidolonastheLegion'sbest.Tarvitzslashedhisweaponleftand right, needing no skill to kill these foes, simply a strong sword arm and thewill towin.Heclamberedontothefirstlevelofthepyramid,fightinghiswayupitssidethroughrankafterrankofblackarmouredfoes.

He stole a glance towards the top of the pyramid, seeing the burnishedDeathGuardwarriorsclimbingaheadofhimtoreachthefigureatthesummit.

LeadingtheDeathGuardwasthefamiliar,brutalformofNathanialGarro,hisoldfriendforgingupwardswith powerful strides and his familiar grim determination. Even amid the furious battle,Tarvitzwasgladtobefightingalongsidehisswornhonourbrotheronceagain.Garroforcedhiswaytowards the topof thepyramid, aiminghischarge towards theglowing figure that commanded thebattlefield.

Longhairwhippedaroundit,andassheetsoflightningarcedupwards,Tarvitzsawthatitwasawoman,hersweepingsilkrobeslashinglikethetendrilsofsomeunderseacreature.Evenabovethechaosofbattle,hecouldhearhervoiceanditwassinging.Theforceofthemusicliftedherfromthepyramid,suspendingherabovethepinnacleonasong

ofpureforce.Hundredsofharmonieswoundimpossiblyoveroneanother,screechingnotessmashingtogetherastheyrippedfromherunnaturalthroat.Stonesflewfromthepyramid'ssummit,spirallingtowardsthedome'sceilingashersongbrokeapartthewarpandweftofreality.

AsTarvitzwatched,asinglediscordantnoterosetothesurfaceinatremendouscrescendo,andanexplosionblewoutahugechunkofthepyramid,massiveblocksofstonetumblinginthecurrentsoflight.ThepyramidshudderedandstonescrasheddownamongsttheEmperor'sChildren,crushingsomeandknockingmanymorefromitsside.

Tarvitzfoughttokeephisbalanceasportionsofthepyramidcollapsedinarumblinglandslideofsplinteredstoneandrubble.ThearmouredbodyofaDeathGuardslithereddowntheslopetowardsasheerdropintothefallingmasonryandTarvitzsawthatitwasthebloodiedformofGarro.

Hescrambledacrossthedisintegratingpyramidandleapttowardsthedrop,catchingholdofthewarrior'sarmouranddragginghimtowardsfirmerground.

TarvitzpulledGarroawayfromthefighting,seeingthathisfriendwasbadlywounded.Onelegwasseveredatmidthighandportionsofhischestand

upperarmwerecrushed.Frozen,coagulatedbloodswelledlikeblownglassaroundhisinjuriesandshardsofstonejuttedfromhisabdomen.

Tarvitz!'growledGarro,hisangergreaterthanhispain.'It'saWarsinger.Don'tlisten.''Holdon,brother,’saidTarvitz.'I'llbebackforyou,’'Justkillit,’spatGarro.Tarvitz lookedup, seeing theWarsinger closer as shedrifted towards theEmperor'sChildren.

Herfacewassereneandherarmswereopenasiftowelcomethem,hereyesclosedasshedrewtheterriblesongfromher.

YetmoreblocksofstonewereliftingfromthepyramidaroundtheEmperor'sChildren.Tarvitzsawonewarrior -CaptainOdovocar, theBearerof theLegionbanner-draggedfromhisfeetandintotheairbytheWarsinger'schorus.Hisarmourjerkedasiftornatbyinvisiblefingers,sparkingsheetsofceramitepeelingbackastheWarsinger'spowertookitapart.

Odovocarcameapartwith it,hishelmet ripping freeand trailingglittering streamersofbloodandboneasittookhisheadoff.

AsOdovocardied,Tarvitzwasstruckbythesavagebeautyofthesong,asonghefeltshewas

singingjustforhim.Beautyanddeathwerecapturedinitsdiscordantnotes,thewonderfulpeacethatwouldcomeifhejustgavehimselfuptoitandletthemusicofobliviontakehim.Warwouldendandviolencewouldn'tevenbeamemory.Don'tlistentoit.

TarvitzsnarledandhisboltpistolkickedinhishandashefiredattheWarsinger,thesoundoftheshotsdrownedby thecacophony.Shells impactedagainsta sheathof shimmering forcearound theWarsinger,bloomsofwhitelightexplodingaroundherastheydetonatedprematurely.Moreandmoreof theAstartes, Emperor'sChildren andDeathGuard both,were being pulled up into the air andsonicallydismembered,andTarvitzknewtheydidn'thavemuchtimebeforetheircausewaslost.

The surviving Isstvanian soldierswere regrouping, stormingup thepyramidafter theAstartes.TarvitzsawLuciusamongthem,swordslashingblack-armouredlimbsfrombodiesastheyfoughttosurroundhim.

LuciuscouldlookafterhimselfandTarvitzforcedhimselfonwards,strugglingtokeephisfootingamid the chaos of the Warsinger's wanton destruction. Gold gleamed ahead of him and he sawEidolon's armour shining like abeacon in theWarsinger's light.The lord commanderbellowed indefianceandpulledhimselfupthelastfewlevelsofthepyramidasTarvitzclimbedtojoinhim.

TheWarsinger drew a shining caul of light around her and Eidolon plunged into it, the glarebecomingopaquelikeashiningwhiteshell.Tarvitz'spistolwasempty,sohedroppedit,takingatwohandedgriponhisswordandfollowinghislordcommanderintothelight.

ThedeafeningshrieksoftheWarsingerfilledhisheadwithdeathlyunmusic,risingtoacrescendoashepenetratedtheveiloflight.

Eidolon was on his knees, his hammer lost and theWarsinger hovering over him. Her handsstretchedoutinfrontofherasshebatteredEidolonwithwavesofforcestrongenoughtodistorttheair.

Eidolon'sarmourwarpedaroundhim,hishelmetrippedfromhisheadinawashofblood,buthewasstillaliveandfighting.

Tarvitzcharged,screaming,'FortheEmperor!'TheWarsingersawhimandsmashedhimto thefloorwithadismissiveflickofherwrist.His

helmetcrackedwith theforceof the impactandforamomenthisworldwasfilledwith theawfulbeautyoftheWarsinger'ssong.HisvisionreturnedintimeforhimtoseeEidolonlungingforwards.HischargehadboughtEidolonamomentarydistraction,theharmonicsofhersongredirectedforthebriefestmoment.

ThebriefestmomentwasallawarrioroftheEmperor'sChildrenneeded.Eidolon'seyeswereablaze,hishatredandrevulsionatthisfoeclearashismouthopenedinacry

ofrage.Hismouthopenedstillwiderandheletloosehisownscreechinghowl.Tarvitzrolledontohisback,droppinghis swordandclutchinghishands tohis ears at thedreadful sound.Where theWarsinger's song had layered its death in beguiling beauty, there was no such grace in the sonicassaultlaunchedbyEidolon,itwassimplyagonising,deafeningvolume.

The crippling noise smashed into theWarsinger and suddenly her grace was torn away. Sheopened

hermouthtosingafreshsongofdeath,butEidolon'sscreamturnedhercriesintoagrimdirge.Sounds of mourning and pain layered over one another into a heavy funereal drone as the

Warsingerdropped toherknees.EidolonbentandpickedupTarvitz's fallenbroadsword,hisownterriblescreamnowsilenced.TheWarsingerwrithedinpain,arcingcoilsoflightwhippingfromherasshelostcontrolofhersong.

Eidolon waded through the light and noise. The broadsword licked out and Eidolon cut the

Warsinger'sheadfromhershoulderswithasinglesweepofsilver.FinallytheWarsingerwassilent.TarvitzclungtothecrumblingsummitofthepyramidandwatchedasEidolonraisedtheswordin

victorystilltryingtounderstandwhathehadseen.TheWarsinger'smonstrousharmoniesstillranginhishead,butheshookthemoffashestaredin

disbeliefatthelordcommander.EidolonturnedtoTarvitz,anddroppedthebroadswordbesidehim.i'Agoodblade,’hesaid.'Mythanksforyourintervention.''How...?' was all Tarvitz could muster, his senses still overcome with the deafening shriek

Eidolonhadunleashed.'Strengthofwill,Tarvitz,' saidEidolon.That'swhat itwas, strengthofwill.Thebitch's damn

magicwasnomatchforapairofwarriorslikeus,eh?''Isupposenot,’saidTarvitz,acceptingahandupfromEidolon.Thedomewassuddenly,eerily

silent.TheIsstvanianswhostilllivedwereslumpedwheretheyhadfallenattheWarsinger'sdeath,weepingandrockingbackandforthlikechildrenatthelossofaparent.

'Idon'tunderstand-'hebeganaswarriorsoftheDeathGuardstartedsecuringthedome.'Youdon'tneedtounderstand,Tarvitz,’saidEidolon.'Wewon,that'swhatmatters,’'Butwhatyoudid-''WhatIdidwaskillourenemies,’snappedEidolon.'Understood?''Understood,’noddedTarvitz,althoughhenomoreunderstoodEidolon'snewfoundabilitythanhe

didthecelestialmechanicsoftravellingthroughthewarp.Eidolon said, 'Kill any remaining enemy troops. Then destroy this place,’ before turning and

makinghiswaydowntheshatteredpyramidtothecheersofhiswarriors.Tarvitzretrievedhisfallenweaponsandwatchedtheaftermathofvictoryunfoldingbelowhim.

TheAstarteswere regroupingandhemadehiswaybackdown towherehehad left thewoundedGarro.

ThecaptainoftheDeathGuardwassittingproppedupagainstthesideofthepyramid,hischestheavingwiththeeffortofbreathingandTarvitzcouldseeithadtakenasupremeeffortofwillnottoletthepainbalmsofhisarmourrenderhimunconscious.

Tarvitz,you'realive,’saidGarroasheclimbeddownthelaststep.'Justabout,’hesaid.'Morethancanbesaidforyou,’This?'sneeredGarro.'I'vehadworsethanthis.Youmarkmywords,lad,I'llbeupandteaching

youafewnewtricksinthetrainingcagesagainbeforeyouknowit,’Despitethestrangenessofthebattleandthelivesthathadbeenlost,Tarvitzsmiled.'Itisgoodtoseeyouagain,Nathaniel,’saidTarvitz,leaningdownandtakingGarro'sproffered

hand.'Ithasbeentoolongsincewefoughttogether,’'It has that, my honour brother,’ nodded Garro, 'but I have a feeling we will have plenty of

opportunitiestofightasonebeforethiscampaignisover,’'Notifyoukeeplettingyourselfgetinjuredlikethis.Youneedanapothecary,’'Nonsense,boy,there'splentyworsethanmethatneedasawbonesfirst,’'Youneverdidlearntoacceptthatyou'dbeenhurtdidyou?'smiledTarvitz.'No,’agreedGarro.'It'snottheDeathGuardway,isit?''Iwouldn'tknow,’saidTarvitz,wavingoveranEmperor'sChildrenapothecarydespiteGarro's

protests.You'retoobarbarousaLegionformetoeverunderstand,’'Andyou'reabunchofprettyboys,moreconcernedwithlookinggoodthangettingthejob

done,’ saidGarro, rounding off the traditional insults that passed for greetings between them.Bothwarriorshadbeen through toomuch in their long friendshipandsavedeachother's lives toomanytimestoallowformalityandpettydifferencesbetweentheirLegionstomatter.

Garrojerkedhisthumbinthedirectionofthesummit.Youkilledher?''No,’saidTarvitz.'LordCommanderEidolondid,’'Eidolon,eh?'musedGarro.'Neverdidhavemuchtimeforhim.Still,ifhemanagedtobringher

down,he'sobviouslylearnedathingortwosinceIlastmethim,’'Ithinkyoumightberight,’saidTarvitz.

SIX

ThesouloftheLegionEverythingwillbedifferentAbominationLOKENFOUNDABADDONintheobservationdomethatblisteredfromthehullof theupper

decksof theVengefulSpirit, the transparentglass lookingoutonto thebarrenwastelandof IsstvanExtremis.Thedomewasquietanddark,aperfectplaceforreflectionandcalm,andAbaddonlookedoutofplace,hispowerandenergylikethatofacagedbeastpoisedtoattack.

'Loken,’saidAbaddonashewalkedintothechamber.'Yousummonedmehere?''Idid,’'Why?'demandedAbaddon.'Loyalty,’saidLokensimply.Abaddonsnorted.'Youdon'tknowthemeaningoftheword.Youhaveneverhadittested,’'LikeyoudidonDavin?'Ah,’sighedAbaddon,'sothatiswhatthisisabout.Don'tthinktolectureme,Loken.Youcouldn't

havetakenthestepswedidtosavetheWarmaster.''MaybeI'mtheonlyonewhotookastand.''Againstwhat?YouwouldhaveallowedtheWar-mastertodieratherthanacceptthattheremight

besomethinginthisuniverseyoudon'tunderstand?''Iamnothere todebatewhathappenedonDavin,’saidLoken,alreadyfeeling thathehad lost

controloftheconversation.Thenwhyareyouhere?Ihavewarriorstomakeready,andIwon'twastetimewithyouonidle

words.''IcalledyouherebecauseIneedanswers.Aboutthis,’saidLoken,castingthebookhehadtaken

fromthefanebehindthestrategiumontothemosaicflooroftheobservationdome.Abaddonstoopedtoretrievethebook.Inthehandsofthefirstcaptain,itlookedtiny,likeoneof

IgnaceKarkasy'spamphlets.'Soyou'reathiefnow,’saidAbaddon.'Donotdarespeaktomeofsuchthings,Ezekyle,notuntilyouhavegivenmeanswers.Iknow

thatErebusconspiredagainstus.Hestole theanathamefromthe interexandbrought it toDavin. Iknowitandyouknowit,’

'You know nothing, Loken,’ sneeredAbaddon. 'What happens in this Crusade happens for thegoodoftheImperium.TheWarmasterhasaplan.'

'Aplan?' saidLoken.And thisplan requires themurderof innocentpeople?HektorVarvarus?IgnaceKarkasy?PetronellaVivar?'

'The remembrancers?' laughedAbaddon. 'You really care about those people?They are lesserpeople,Loken,beneathus.TheCouncilofTerrawantstodrownusinthesepettybureaucratstostifleusandstrangleourambitionstoconquerthegalaxy.'

'Erebus,’saidLoken,tryingtokeephisangerincheck,'whywasheontheVengefulSpirit!'Abaddoncrossedthewidthoftheobservationdomeinasecond.'Noneofyourdamnbusiness,’'ThisismyLegion!'shoutedLoken.Thatmakesitmydamnbusiness,’'Notanymore,’

Lokenfelthischolerriseandclenchedhishandsintomurderousfists.Abaddonsawthetensioninhimandsaid,Thinkingofsettlingthislikeawarrior?''No,Ezekyle,’saidLokenthroughclenchedteeth.'Despiteallthathashappened,youarestillmy

MournivalbrotherandIwillnotfightyou,’TheMournival,’noddedAbaddon.Anobleideawhileitlasted,butIregreteverbringingyouin.

Inanycase,ifitcamedowntobloodsheddoyoureallythinkyoucouldbeatme?'Lokenignoredthetauntandsaid,'IsErebusstillhere?''ErebusisaguestontheWarmaster'sflagship,’saidAbaddon.'Youwoulddowelltorememberthat.Ifyouhadjoineduswhenyouhadthechanceinsteadofturningyourbackonus,youwould

haveallyouranswers,butthat'sthechoiceyoumade,Loken.Livewithit,’'The lodge has brought something evil into ourLegion, Ezekyle,maybe the otherLegions too,

somethingfromthewarp.It'swhatkilledJubalandit'swhattookTembaonDavin.Erebusislyingtoallofus!'

'Andwe're being used, is that right? Erebus ismanipulating us all towards a fateworse thandeath?'spatAbaddon.'Youknowsolittle.IfyouunderstoodthescaleoftheWarmaster'sdesignsthenyouwouldbegustotakeyouback,’

Thentellme,Ezekyle,andmaybeI'llbeg.Wewerebrothersonceandwecanbeagain,’'Doyoureallybelievethat,Loken?You'vemadeitplainenoughthatyou'reagainstus.Torgaddon

saidasmuch,’'FormyLegion,formyWarmaster,thereisalwaysawayback,’repliedLoken, 'aslongasyou

feelthesame,’'Butyou'llneversurrender,eh?''Never!NotwhenthesoulofmyLegionisatstake,’Abaddonshookhishead.Wetieourselvesinsuchknotsbecausemenlikeyouaretooproudto

makecompromises,’'Compromisewillbethedeathofus,Ezekyle,’'ForgetthisuntilafterIsstvan,Loken,’orderedAbaddon.'AfterIsstvan,thiswillend,’'Iwillnotforgetit,Ezekyle.Iwillhavemyanswers,’snarledLoken,turningandwalkingaway

fromhisbrother.'Ifyoufightus,you'lllose,’promisedAbaddon.'Maybe,’repliedLoken,'butotherswillstandagainstyou,’Thentheywilldietoo,’'THANKYOUALLforcoming,’saidSindermann,overwhelmedandalittleafraidatthenumber

ofpeoplegatheredbeforehim.'Iappreciatethatyouhavealltakenagreatrisktobehere,butthisistoomuch,’

Crammedintoadarkmaintenancespace,filthywithgreaseandhemmedinbylowhissingpipework,thefaithfulhadcomefromallovertheshiptohearthesaint'swords,mistakenlybelievingthatshe was awake. Amongst the crowd, Sindermann saw the uniforms of Titan crewmen, fleetmaintenanceworkers,medicalstaff,securitypersonnel,andevenafewImperialArmytroopers.Menwith guns guarded the entrances to the maintenance space and their presence served as a starkreminderofthedangertheywereinjustbybeinghere.

Sucha largegatheringwasdangerous, tooeasilynoticed,andSindermannknew thathehad todispersethemquicklybeforetheywerediscovered,anddoitinsuchawayasnottoinciteariot.

Youhaveescapednoticethusfarthankstothesizeofyourgatherings,butsomanycannotavoidnoticeforlong,’continuedSindermann.Youwillnodoubthaveheardmanystrangeandwonderful

thingsrecently,andIhopeyouwillforgivemeforputtingyouinharm'sway'ThenewsofKeeler'srescuehadspreadquickly?throughtheship.Ithadbeenwhisperedamong

the grime-covered ratings, it had been communicated through the remembrancer order with therapidityofanepidemicandithadreachedtheearsofeventhelowliestmemberoftheexpedition.Embellishmentsandwildrumourfollowedinthewakeofthenewsandtalesaboundedofthesaintandhermiraculouspowers,incrediblestoriesofbulletsturnedasideandofvisionsoftheEmperorspeakingdirecdytoherinordertoshowHispeopletheway

'Whatofthesaint?'askedavoicefromthecrowd.'Wewanttoseeher!'Sindermannheldupahandandsaid,'Thesaintisfortunatetobealive.Sheiswell,butshestill

sleeps.Someofyouhaveheardthatsheisawake,andthatshehasspoken,butregrettablythisisnotthecase.'

Adisappointedbuzzspreadthroughoutthecrowd,angryatSindermann'sdenialofwhatmanyofthem desperately wanted to believe. Sindermann was reminded of the speeches he had given onnewly-compliantworlds,wherehehadusedhisiterator'swilestoextolthevirtuesoftheImperialTruth.

Nowhehadtousethosesameskillstogivethesepeoplehope.'Thesaintstillsleeps,it'strue,butforonebrief,shiningmomentshearosefromherslumberstosavemylife.IsawhereyesopenandIknowthatwhenweneedher,shewillcomebacktous.

Untilthenwemustwalkwarily,fortherearethoseinthefleetwhowoulddestroyusforourbeliefs.TheveryfactthatwemustmeetinsecretandrelyonarmedguardstokeepussafeisareminderthatMal-oghurst himself regularly sends troops to break up the meetings of the Lectitio Divinitatus.PeoplehavebeenkilledandtheirbloodisonthehandsoftheAstartes.IgnaceKarkasy,Emperorresthis soul, knew the dangers of an unchecked Astartes before any of us realised their hands werearoundourthroats.

'Once,Icouldnotbelieveinsuchthingsassaints.Ihadtrainedmyselftoacceptonlylogicandscience,andtocastasidereligionassuperstition.Magicandmiracleswereimpossible,simplytheinventionofignorantpeoplestrugglingtounderstandtheirworld.IttookthesacrificeofthesainttoshowmehowarrogantIwas.IsawhowtheEmperorprotects,butshehasshownmethatthereissomuchmorethanthat,for,iftheEmperorprotectsHisfaithful,whoprotectstheEmperor?'Sindermannlet thequestionhang. 'Wemust,'saidTitusCassar,pushinghiswaytowardsthefrontof thecrowdandturningtoaddressthem.SindermannhadplacedCassarinthecrowdwithspecificinstructionsonwhentospeak-abasicployoftheiteratorstoreinforcetheirmessage.

WemustprotecttheEmperor,forthereisnooneelse,’saidCassar.ThemoderatilookedbackatSin-dermann.'Butwemuststayaliveinordertodoso.Isthatnotright,iterator?'

'Yes,’saidSindermann.'Thefaiththatthiscongregationhasdisplayedhascausedsuchfearinthehigherechelonsofthefleetthattheyaretryingtodestroyus.TheEmperorhasanenemyhere;ofthatIamsure.Wemustsurviveandwemuststandagainstthatenemywhenitfinallyrevealsitself,’

Worriedandangrymurmuringsspreadthroughthecrowdasthedeadlynatureofthethreatsankin.'Faithfulfriends,’saidSindermann,'thedangerswefacearegreat,butthesaintiswithusandsheneeds shelter. Shelterwe can best achieve alone, butwatch for the signs and be safe. Spread thewordofhersafety,’

Cassarmoved through the congregation, instructing them to return to their posts.ReassuredbySindermann's words, they gradually began to disperse. As he watched them go, Sindermannwonderedhowmanyofthemwouldlivethroughthecomingdays.

THEGALLERYOFSwordsranthelengthoftheAndro-niusliketheship'sgildedspine.Itsroof

wastransparentandthespacebeneathwaslitbythefireofdistantstars.Hundredsofstatueslinedthe gallery, heroes of the Emperor's Children with gem-stone eyes and stern expressions ofjudgement.The

worthofaherowassaidtobemeasuredbyhowlonghecouldmeettheirgazewhilewalkingthelengthoftheGalleryofSwordsbeneaththeirunforgivingeyes.

Tarvitzheldhisheadhighasheentered thegallery, thoughheknewhewasnohero, simplyawarriorwhodidhisbest.ChapterMastersandcommandersfromlongagoglaredathim,theirnamesandnoblecountenancesknownandreveredbyeverywarrioroftheEmperor'sChildren.EntirewingsoftheAndroniusweregivenovertothefallenbattle-brothersoftheLegion,butitwasherethateverywarriorhopedtoberemembered.

Tarvitzhadnoexpectationofhisvisageendinguphere,buthewouldstrivetoendhisdaysinamannerthatmightbeconsideredworthyofsuchanhonour.Evenifsuchaloftygoalwasimpossible,itwassomethingtoaspireto.

EidolonstoodbeforethegravenimageofLordCommanderTeliosa, theherooftheMadrivaneCampaign,andevenbeforeTarvitzdrewnearheturnedtofacehim.

'CaptainTarvitz,’saidEidolon.'Ihaverarelyseenyouhere,’'Itisnotmynaturalhabitat,commander,’repliedTarvitz.'IleavetheheroesofourLegiontotheir

rest,’Thenwhatbringsyouherenow?''Iwouldspeakwithyouifyouwouldpermitme,’'Surelyyour

timeisbetterspentattendingtoyourwarriors,Tarvitz.Thatiswhereyourtalentslie,’Youhonourmebysayingso,commander,butthereissomethingIneedtoaskyou.''About?'ThedeathoftheWarsinger.''Ah,’Eidolonlookedupatthestatuetoweringoverthem,theholloweyesregardingthemwitha

cold,unflinchinggaze.'Shewasquiteanadversary;absolutelycorrupt,butthatcorruptiongaveherstrength.'

'Ineedtoknowhowyoukilledher.''Captain?Youspeakasiftoanequal,’'I sawwhat youdid, commander,’Tarvitz pressed.That scream, itwas some... I don't know...

somepowerI'veneverheardofbefore,’Eidolonheldupahand. 'Icanunderstandwhyyouhavequestions,andIcananswer them,but

perhapsitwouldbebetterformetoshowyou.Followme,’TarvitzfollowedthelordcommanderastheywalkedfurtherdowntheGalleryofSwords,turning

into a side passage with sheets of parchment pinned along the length of its walls. Accounts ofglorious actions from the Legion's past were meticulously recorded on them and novices of theLegionwererequiredtomemorisethemanydifferentbattlesbeforetheirelevationtofullAstartes.

The Emperor's Children did more than just remember their triumphs; they proclaimed them,becausetheperfectionoftheLegion'swayofwardeservedcelebrating.

'DoyouknowwhyIfoughttheWarsinger?'askedEidolon.my?'Yes,captain,why,’'BecausethatishowtheEmperor'sChildrenfight,’'Explain,’'Ourheroesleadfromthefront.TherestoftheLegionisinspiredtofollowtheirexample.They

can do this because the Legion fights with such artistry that they are not rendered vulnerable by

fightingatthefore,’Eidolon smiled. 'Verygood, captain. I shouldhaveyou instruct thenovices.Andyouyourself,

wouldyouleadfromthefront?'SuddenhopeflaredinTarvitz'sbreast. 'Ofcourse!Giventhechance,Iwould.Ihadnotthought

youconsideredmeworthyofsucharole,’'Youarenot,Tarvitz.Youarea fileofficerandnothingmore,’ saidEidolon,crashinghis faint

hopethathehadbeenabouttobeofferedawayofprovinghismettleasaleaderandahero.'Isaythisnotasaninsult,’Eidoloncontinued,apparentlyoblivioustotheinsultitclearlywas.

'MenlikeyoufulfilanimportantroleinourLegion,butIamoneofFulgrim'schosen.Thepri-marchchosemeandelevatedmetothepositionInowhold.Helookeduponmeandsawinmethequalitiesneeded to lead the Emperor's Children. He looked upon you, and did not. Because of this, Iunderstandtheresponsibilitiesthatcomewith

beingFulgrim'schoseninawaythatyoucannot,CaptainTarvitz,’Eidolon ledhim toagrandstaircase that curveddownwards intoa largehall tiledwithwhite

marble.Tarvitz recognised it asoneof the entrances to the ship's apothecarion,where the injuredfromIsstvanExtremishadbeenbroughtonlyafewhoursbefore.

'Ithinkyouunderestimateme,lordcommander,’saidTarvitz,'butunderstandthatforthesakeofmymenImustknow-'

'For the sake of our men we all make sacrifices,’ snapped Eidolon. 'For the chosen, thosesacrificesaregreat.Foremostamongtheseisthatfactthateverythingissecondarytovictory,’

'Commander,Idon'tunderstand,’'Youwill,’saidEidolon,leadinghimthroughagildedarchwayandintothecentralapothecarion.'THEBOOK?'ASKEDTorgaddon.Thebook,’repeatedLoken.'It'sthekey.Erebusisontheship,Iknowit,’TheashendarknessofArchiveChamberThreewasoneof the fewplaces lefton theVengeful

SpiritwhereLokenfeltathome,rememberingmanyalivelydebatewithKyrilSindermanninsimplertimes.Lokenhadnotseentheiteratorforweeksandheferventlyhopedthat theoldmanwassafe,thathehadnotfallenfoulofMaloghurstorhisfacelesssoldiers.

'Abaddonandtheothersmustbekeepinghimsafe,’saidTorgaddon.Lokensighed.'Howdiditcometothis?IwouldhavegivenmylifeforAbaddon,Aximand,too,

andIknowtheywouldhavedonethesameforme,’'Wecan'tgiveuponthis,Garviel.Therewillbeawayoutofthis.WecanbringtheMoumival

backtogether,oratleastmakesuretheWarmasterseeswhatErebusisdoing,’Whateverthatis,’Yes,whateverthatis.Guestofthelodgeornot,he'snotwelcomeonmyship.He'sthekey.Ifwe

findhim,wecanexposewhat'sgoingontotheWarmasterandendthis,’'Youreallybelievethat?''Idon'tknow,butthatwon'tstopmetrying,’Torgaddonlookedaroundhim,stirringtheashesofthecharredbooksontheshelveswithafinger

andsaid,Whydidyouhavetomeetmehere?Itsmellslikeafuneralpyre,’'Becausenooneevercomeshere,’saidLoken.'Ican'timaginewhy,seeingashowpleasantitis,’'Don'tbeflippant,Tarik,notnow.TheGreatCrusadewasonceaboutbringingilluminationtothe

farcornersofthegalaxy,butnowitisafraidofknowledge.Themorewelearn,themorewequestionandthemorewequestionthemoreweseethroughtheliesperpetrateduponus.Tothosewhowantto

controlus,booksaredangerous,’'IteratorLoken,’laughedTorgaddon,'you'veenlightenedme,’'Ihadagoodteacher,’saidLoken,againthinkingofKyrilSindermann,andthefactthateverything

hehadbeen taught tobelievewasbeingshaken to itscore. 'And there'smoreatstakehere thana

split betweenAstartes. It's... It's philosophy, ideology, religion even... everything.Kyril taughtmethatthiskindofblindobedienceiswhatledtotheAgeofStrife.We'vecrossedthegalaxytobringpeaceandillumination,butthecauseofourdownfallcouldberighthereamongstus.'

Torgaddon leanedover andput ahandonhis friend's shoulder. 'Listen,we're about togo intobattle on Isstvan III and theword from theDeathGuard is that the enemy is led by somekind ofpsychicmonsters that can killwith a scream.They're not the enemy because they read thewrongbooksoranythinglikethat;they'retheenemybecausetheWarmastertellsustheyare.Forgetaboutallthisforawhile.Goandfight.That'llputsomeperspectiveonthings,’

'Doyouevenknowifwe'llbeheadeddownthere?''TheWarmaster's picked the squads for the speartip.We're in it, and it looks as ifwe'll be in

charge,too.''Really?Afterallthat'shappened?'Iknow,butIwon'tlookagifthorseinthemouth,’AtleastI'llhavetheTenthwithme,’Torgaddonshookhishead.'Notquite.TheWar-masterhasn'tchosenthespeartipbycompany.It's

squadbysquad,’'Why?''Becausehethinksthatconfusedlookonyourfaceisfunny,’'Please.Beserious,Tarik,’Torgaddonshrugged.TheWarmasterknowswhathe'sdoing.Itwon'tbeaneasybattle.We'llbe

droppingrightontopofthecity,’WhataboutLocasta?''You'llhavethem.Idon'tthinkyoucouldhaveheldVipusbackanyway.Youknowwhathe'slike,

he'dhavestowedawayonadrop-podifhe'dbeenleftout.He'slikeyou,heneedstoclearhisheadwithagooddoseoffighting.AfterIsstvanthingswillgetbacktonormal,’

'Good.I'llfeelalotbetterwithLocastabackingusup,’'Well,it'struethatyouneedthehelp,’smiledTorgaddon.Lokenchuckled,notbecauseTorgaddonwasactuallyfunny,butbecauseevenaftereverythinghe

wasstillthesame,apersonthathecouldtrustandafriendhecouldrelyon.You'reright,Tarik,’saidLoken.'AfterIsstvaneverythingwillbedifferent,’THE CENTRAL APOTHECARION gleamed with glass and steel, dozens of medical cells

branchingofffromthecircularhubofthemainlaboratory.TarvitzfeltachilltravelthelengthofhisspineashesawCaptainOdovocar'sruinedbodysuspendedinastasistank,waitingforitsgene-seedtobeharvested.

Eidolon marched through the hub and down a tiled corridor that led into a gilded vestibuledominated by a huge mosaic depicting Fulgrim's victory at Tarsus, where the primarch hadvanquished thedeceitfuleldardespitehismanygrievouswounds.Eidolonreachedupandpressedoneof theenamelledchipsthatformedFulgrim'sbelt,standingbackasthemosaicarcedupwards,revealing a glowing passageway and winding spiral staircase beyond. Eidolon strode down thepassageway,indicatingthatTarvitzshouldfollowhim.

ThelackofornamentationwasacontrasttotherestoftheAndroniusandTarvitzsawacoldblueglowemanatingfromwhateverlaybelowashemadehiswaydownthestairs.Astheyreachedtheendoftheirdescent,Eidolonturnedtohimandsaid,This,CaptainTarvitz,isyouranswer.'

Thebluelightshonefromadozenceiling-hightranslucentcylindersthatstoodagainstthesidesofthe room. Each was filled with liquid with indistinct shapes suspended in them - some roughlyhumanoid,somemorelikecollectionsoforgansorbodyparts.Therestoftheroomwastakenupbygleaming laboratorybenches covered in equipment, somewithpurposeshe couldn't evenbegin toguessat.

Hemovedfromtanktotank,repulsedashesawthatsomewerefullofmonstrouslybloatedfleshthatwasbarelycontainedbytheglass.

"Whatisthis?'askedTarvitzinhorroratsuchgrotesquesights.'Ifearmyexplanationswouldbeinsufficient,'saidEidolon,walkingtowardsanarchwayleading

into thenext room.Tarvitz followedhim,peeringmorecloselyat thecylindersashepassed.OnecontainedanAstartes-sizedbody,butnotacorpse,morelikesomethingthathadneverbeenborn,itsfeaturessunkenandhalf-formed.

Another cylinder contained only a head, but one which had large, multi-faceted eyes like aninsect.Ashelookedcloser,Tarvitzrealisedwithsickhorrormattheeyeshadnotbeengraftedon,forhesawnoscarsand theskullhadreshaped itself toaccommodate them.Theyhadbeengrownthere.Hemovedontothelastcylinder,seeingamassofbrainslinkedbyfleshycablesheldinliquidsuspension,eachonewithextralobesbulgingliketumours.

Tarvitzfeltaprofoundchillcomingfromthenextroom, itswalls linedwithrefrigeratedmetalcabinets. He briefly wondered what was in them, but decided he didn't want to know as hisimagination conjured all manner of deformities and mutations. A single operating slab filled thecentre of the room, easily large enough for an Astartes warrior to be restrained upon, with achirargeondevicemountedontheceilingabove.

Neatly cut sectionsofmuscle fibrewere spread across the slab.ApothecaryFabiusbent overthem,thehissingprobesandneedlesofhisnartheciumembeddedinadarkmassofglisteningmeat.

'Apothecary,’saidEidolon,'thecaptainwishestoknowofourenterprise,’Fabiuslookedupinsurprise,hislongintelligentfaceframedbyamaneoffineblondhair.Only

hiseyeswereoutofplace,smallanddark,setintohisskulllikeblackpearls.Heworeafloor-lengthmed-icaegown,bloodstreakingitspristinewhitenesswithrunnelsofcrimson.

'Really?'saidFabius.'IhadnotbeenmadeawarethatCaptainTarvitzwasamongouresteemedcompany,’

'Heisnot,’saidEidolon.'Notyetanyway,’'Thenwhyishehere?''Myownalterationshavecometolight,’'Ah,Isee,’noddedFabius.Whatisgoingonhere?'askedTarvitzsharply.'Whatisthisplace?'Fabiuscockedaneyebrow.'Soyouhaveseentheresultsofthecommander'saugmentations,have

you?''Isheapsyker?'demandedTarvitz.'No, no, no!' laughed Fabius. 'He is not. The lord commander's abilities are the result of a

tracheal implant combinedwithalteration in thegene-seed rhythms.He is somethingof a success.Hispowersaremetabolicandchemical,notpsychic,’

You have altered the geneseed?' breathedTarvitz in shock.The gene-seed is the blood of our

primarch...Whenhediscoverswhatyouaredoinghere...''Don'tbenaive,captain,’saidFabius.Whodoyouthinkorderedustoproceed?''No,’saidTarvitz.'Hewouldn't-'ThatiswhyIhadtoshowyouthis,captain,’saidEidolon.'You

remembertheCleansingofLaeran?''Ofcourse,’answeredTarvitz.'OurprimarchsawwhattheLaerhad achieved by chemical and geneticmanipulation of their biological structure in their drive forphysicalperfection.TheLordFulgrimhasgreatplansforourLegion,Tarvitz,theEmperor'sChildrencannotbecontent tositon their laurelswhileour fellowAstarteswin thesamedullvictories.Wemustcontinuetostrivetowardsperfection,butwearefastreachingthepointwhereevenanAstartescannotmatch thestandardsLordFulgrimand theWarmaster demand.Tomeet those standards,wemustchange.Wemustevolve,’

Tarvitzbackedawayfromtheoperatingslab.TheEmperorcreatedLordFulgrimtobetheperfectwarriorandtheLegion'swarriorsweremouldedinhisimage.Thatimageiswhatwestrivetowards.Holdingaxenosraceupasanexampleofperfectionisanabomination!'

'An abomination?' said Eidolon. 'Tarvitz, you are brave and disciplined, and your warriorsrespectyou,butyoudonothavetheimaginationtoseewherethisworkcanleadus.YoumustrealisethattheLegion'ssupremacyisofgreaterimportancethananymortalsqueamishness,’

Such a bold statement, its arrogance and conceit beyond anything he had heard Eidolon saybefore,stunnedTarvitztosilence.

'ButforyourunlikelypresenceatthedeathottheWarsinger,youwouldneverhavebeengrantedthischance,Tarvitz,’saidEidolon.'Understanditfortheopportunityitrepresents,’

Tarvitzlookedupatthelordcommandersharply.'Whatdoyoumean?''Nowyouknowwhatweareattempting,perhapsyouarereadytobecomeapartofthisLegion's

futureinsteadofsimplyoneofitslineofficers,’'Itisnotwithoutrisk,’Fabiuspointedout,'butIcouldworksuchwondersuponyourflesh.Ican

makeyoumorethanyouare,Icanbringyouclosertoperfection,’'Thinkofthealternative,’saidEidolon.Youwillfightanddieknowingthatyoucouldhavebeen

somuchmore,’Tarvitzlookedatthetwowarriorsbeforehim,bothFulgrim'schosenandbothexemplarsofthe

Legion'srelentlessdrivetowardsperfection.He saw then that he was very, very far from perfection as they understood it, but for once

welcomedsuchafailing,iffailingitwas.'No,’hesaid,backingaway.'Thisis...wrong.Canyounotfeelit?'Verywell,’saidEidolon.'Youhavemadeyourchoiceanditdoesnotsurpriseme.Sobeit.You

mustleavenow,butyouareorderednottospeakofwhatyouhaveseenhere.Returntoyourmen,Tarvitz.IsstvanIIIwillbeatoughfight,’

'Yes,commander,’saidTarvitz,relievedbeyondmeasuretobeleavingthischamberofhorrors.Tarvitzsalutedandallbutfledthelaboratory,feelingasthoughthespecimenssuspendedinthe

tankswerewatchinghimashewent.Asheemergedintothebrightnessoftheapothe-carion,hecouldnotshakethefeelingthathehad

justbeentested.Whetherhehadpassedorfailedwasanothermatterentirely.

SEVEN

TheGodMachineAfavourSubterfugeTHECOLD SENSATION snaking throughCassar'smindwas like an old friend, the touch of

somethingreassuring.ThemetalliccaressoftheDiesIraeasitscorticalinterfacesmeshedwithhisconsciousness would have been terrifying to most people, but it was one of the few constantsModeratiTitusCassarhadleftinthegalaxy.

ThatandtheLectitioDivinitatus.TheTitan'sbridgewasdim, litbyghostly readoutsand telltales that lined theornatebridge in

hardgreensandblues.TheMechanicumhadbeenbusy,sendingcloakedadeptsintotheTitan,andthebridgewaspackedwithequipmenthedidn'tyetknow thepurposeof.Thedeckcrewmanning theplasmareactorat thewarmachine'shearthadbeenreadyingtheTitanforbattlesincetheVengefulSpirit

arrivedintheIsstvansystem,andeveryindicationwasthattheDiesIrae'smajorsystemswereallfunctioningbetterthanever.

Cassar was glad of any advantage the warmachine could get, but somewhere deep down heresentedthethoughtofanyoneelsetouchingtheTitan.Theinterfacefilamentscoileddeeperintohisscalp, sendinganunexpectedchill throughhim.TheTitan's systems litupbehindCassar's eyesasthough theywereapartofhisownbody.Theplasma reactorwas tickingoverquietly, itspent-upenergyreadytoeruptintofullbattleorderathiscommand.

'Motivationsystemsarealittleloose,'hesaidtohimself,tighteningthepressureonthemassivehydraulicramsintheTitan'storsoandlegs.

Weaponshot,ammunitionloaded,’hesaid,knowingthatitwouldtakenomorethanathoughttounleashthem.

HehadcometoregardthepowerandmagnificenceoftheDiesIraeastheEmperorpersonified.Cassarhadresistedthethoughtatfirst,mockingJonahAruken'sinsistencethattheTitanhadasoul,butithadbecomemoreandmoreobviouswhyhehadbeenchosenbythesaint.

TheLectitioDivinitatuswasunderthreatandthefaithfulhadtobedefended.Healmostlaughedaloud as the thought formed, but what he had seen on the Medicae deck had only deepened thestrengthofhisconvictionthathehadchosentherightpath.

TheTitanwasasymbolofthatstrength,anavatarofdivinewrath,agod-machinethatbroughttheEmperor'sjudgementtothesinnersofIsstvan.

TheEmperorprotects,’whisperedCassar,hisvoicedriftingdownthroughthelayersofreadoutsinhismind,'andhedestroys.''Doeshenow?'

Cassarsnappedoutofhis thoughtsand theTitan'ssystemsretreatedbeneathhisconsciousness.Helookedupinsuddenpanic,butletoutarelievedbreathashesawModeratiArukenstandingoverhim.

Arukensnappedaswitchandthebridgelightsflickeredtolife.'Becarefulwhohearsyou,Titus,nowmorethanever,’

'Iwasrunningthroughpre-battlechecks,’saidCassar.'Ofcourseyouwere,Titus.IfPrincepsTurnethearsyousayingthingslikethatyou'llbeforit,’

'Mythoughtsaremyown,Jonah.Noteventheprincepscandenymethat,’'You reallybelieve that?Comeon,Titus.Youknow fullwell this cult stuff isn'twelcome.We

wereluckyontheMedicaedeck,butthisisbiggerthanyouandmeandit'sgettingtoodangerous,’*Wecan'tbackawayfromitnow,’saidCassar,'notafterwhatwesaw,’'I'mnotevensurewhatIsaw,’saidArukendefensively.'You'rejoking,surely?''No,’insistedAraken,'I'mnot.Look,I'mtellingyouthisbecauseyou'reagoodmanandtheDies

Iraewillsufferifyou'renothere.Sheneedsagoodcrewandyou'repartofit,’'Don'tchange thesubject,’ saidCassar. 'Webothknowthatwhatwesawon theMedicaedeck

wasamiracle.YouhavetoacceptthatbeforetheEmperorcanenteryourheart,’'Listen, I've been hearing some scuttlebutt on the deck, Titus,’ said Aruken, leaning closer.

Turner'sbeenaskingquestions:aboutus.He'saskingabouthowdeepthisruns,asthoughwe'repartofsomehiddenconspiracy.It'sasifhedoesn'ttrustusanymore,’

'Lethimcome,’'Youdon'tunderstand.Whenwe're inbattlewe'reagood team,and ifweget... Idon'tknow...

throwninacellorworse,thatteamgetsbrokenupandthereisn'tabettercrewfortheDiesIraethanus.Don'tletthissaintbusinessbreakthatup.TheCrusadewillsufferforit,’

'Myfaithwon'tallowmetomakecompromises,Jonah,’'Wellthat'sallitis,’snappedAruken.'Yourfaith,’'No,’s.aidTitus,shakinghishead.'It'syourfaithtoo,Jonah,youjustdon'tknowityet,’Arukendidn'tanswerandslumpedintohisowncommandchair,noddingatthereadoutsinfront

ofCassar.'How'sshelooking?''Good.ThereactoristickingoversmoothlyandthetargetingisreactingfasterthanI'veseenitin

awhile.TheMechanicumadeptshavebeentinkeringsothereareafewmorebellsandwhistlesto

playwith,’Yousaythatasifit'sabadthing,Titus.TheMechanicumknowwhatthey'redoing.Anyway,the

latestnewsisthatwe'vegottwelvehourstogobeforethedrop.We'regoinginwiththeDeathGuardonsupportduties.PrincepsTurnetwillbriefusinafewhours,butit'sbasicallypoundingthegroundandscaringtheshitoutoftheenemy.Soundgood?'

'Itsoundslikebattle,’'It'sallthesamethingfortheDiesIraewhenthebulletsareflying,’saidAruken.'THISREMINDSMEofwhyIwassoproud,’saidLoken,lookingatthespeartipassemblingon

theVengefulSpirit'sembarkationdeck.'JoiningtheMournival,andjusttobeapartofthis,’'Iamstillproud,’saidTorgaddon.'ThisismyLegion.Thathasn'tchanged,’Loken and Torgaddon, fully armoured and ready for the drop, stood at the head of a host of

Astartes.More thana thirdof theLegionwas there, thousandsofwarriorsarrayedforwar.Lokensawveteransalongsidenewlyinductednovices,assaultwarriorswithchainswordsandbulkyjumppacks,anddevastatorsheftingheavyboltersandlascan-nons.

SergeantLachostwasspeakingwithhiscommunicationssquad,makingsuretheyunderstoodtheimportanceofkeepingalinkwiththeVengefulSpiritoncetheyweredownintheChoralCity.ApothecaryVaddonwascheckingandre-checkinghismedicalgear,thenartheciumgauntletwith

itsclusterofprobesandthereductorthatwouldharvestgene-seedsfromthefallen.IactonQruze,whohadbeenacaptainforsolongthathewasasoldasanAstartescouldbeand

stillcounthimselfawarrior,waslecturingsomeofthemorerecentinducteesonthepastgloriesof

theLegionthattheyhadtoliveupto.'I'dbehappierwiththeTenth,’saidLoken,returninghisattentiontohisfriend.'AndIwith theSecond,' repliedTorgaddon, 'butwecan'talwayshavewhatwewant.' 'Garvi!'

calledafamiliarvoice.LokenturnedandsawNeroVipusapproachingthem,leavingtheveteransofLocasta tocontinue theirpreparationsfor thedrop. 'Nero,' saidLoken, 'good tohaveyouwithus.'VipusclappedLoken'sshoulderguardwiththeaugmetichandthathadreplacedtheorganiconehe'dlostonSixty-ThreeNineteen.'Iwouldn'thavemissedthis,’hesaid.

'Iknowwhatyoumean,’ repliedLoken. Ithadbeena long timesince theyhad linedupon theVengefulSpiritasbrothers,readytofighttheEmperor'sgoodfight.NeroVipusandLokenweretheoldestof friends,back from thebarely rememberedblurof training,and itwas reassuring tohaveanotherfamiliarfacealongsidehim.

'HaveyouheardthereportsfromIsstvanExtremis?'askedVipus,hiseyesalight.'Someofthem,’'They say the enemyhas got some kind of psychic leadership caste and that their soldiers are

fanatics.Mycholer'supjustthinkingaboutit,’'Don'tworry,’saidTorgaddon.'I'msureyou'llkillthemall,’'It'slikeDavinagain,’saidVipus,baringhisteethinagrimaceofanticipation.'It'snotlikeDavin,’saidLoken.'It'snothingatalllikeDavin,’'Whatdoyoumean?''It'snotabloodyswamp,forastart,’interjectedTorgaddon.'Itwouldbeanhonourifyou'dgointobattlewithLocasta,Garvi,’saidVipusexpectantly.'Ihave

aspaceinthedrop-pod,’Thehonourismine,’repliedLoken,takinghisfriend'shandasasuddenthoughtoccurredtohim.

'Countmein,’He nodded to his friends andmade hisway through the bustlingAstartes towards the solitary

figureofIactonQruze.TheHalf-heardwatchedthepreparationsforwarwithundisguisedenvyandLokenfeltastabofsympathyforthevenerablewarrior.QruzewasanexampleofjusthowlittleeventheLegion'sapothecariesknewofanAstartes'physiology.Hisfacewasasbatteredandgnarledasancientoak,buthisbodywasaswolf-tough,honedbyyearsoffightingandnotyetmadewearybyage.

me bore you with this before, but I feel in my bones that there's something big just over thehorizon that we can't see. If these people help keep us honest, then that's good enough for me.Consideritdone,CaptainLoken,’

'Thankyou,Iacton,'saidLoken.'Itmeansalottome.''Don'tmentionitboy,’grinnedQruze.'Nowgetoutofhereandkillfortheliving.''Iwill,’promisedLoken,takingQruze'swristinthewarrior'sgrip.'Speartipunitstoposts,’saidtheboomingvoiceofthedeckofficer.'GoodhuntingintheSirenhold,’saidQruze.'Lupercal!''Lupercal!'echoedLoken.AshejoggedtowardsLocasta'sdrop-pod,italmostfeltasiftheeventsofDavinwereforgotten

andLokenwasjustawarrioragain,fightingacrusadethathadtobewonandanenemythatdeservedtodie.

IttookwartomakehimfeellikeoneoftheSonsofHorasagain.'ToVICTORY!'SHOUTEDLucius.The Emperor's Children were so certain of the perfection of their way of war that it was

traditional to salute the victory before it was won. Tarvitz was not surprised that Lucius led thesalute;manyseniorofficersattended thepre-battlecelebrationandLuciuswaskeen tobenoticed.TheAstartes

AnAstarteswasfunctionallyimmortal,meaningthatonlyindeathdiddutyend,andthethoughtsentachilldownLoken'sspine.

'Loken,’acknowledgedQruzeashesawhimapproach.'You'renotcomingdowntoseethesightsoftheSirenholdwithus?'askedLoken.'Alas,no,’saidQruze. 'Iamtostayandawaitorders.Ihaven'tevengotaplaceintheorderof

battleforthepacificationforce,’'IftheWarmasterhasnoplansforyou,Iacton,thenIhavesomethingyoucoulddoforme,’said

Loken,'ifyouwoulddomethehonour?'Qruze'seyesnarrowed.'Whatsortofafavour?''Nothingtooarduous,Ipromiseyou.''Thenask,’'Therearesomeremembrancersaboard,youmayhaveheardofthem:MersadieOliton,Euphrati

KeelerandKyrilSindermann?'"Yes,Iknowofthem,’confirmedQruze.'Whatofthem?''Theyare...friendsofmineandIwouldconsideritanhonourifyouweretoseekthemoutand

askafterthem.Checkonthemandmakesurethattheyarewell,’'Whydothesemortalsmattertoyou,captain?''Theykeepmehonest,Iacton,’smiledLoken,'andtheyremindmeofeverythingweoughttobeas

Astartes,’'ThatIcanunderstand,Loken,’repliedQruze.'TheLegionischanging,boy.Iknowyou'veheardseatedatthelavishbanquetaroundhimjoinedhissalute,theircheersechoingfromthealabaster

wallsof thebanquetinghall.Capturedbanners,hon-ouredweaponsoncecarriedby theChosenofFulgrimandmuralsofheroesdespatchingalienfoeshungfromthewalls,gloriousremindersofpastvictories.

The primarch himself was not present, thus it fell to Eidolon to take his place at the feast,exhortinghisfellowAstartestocelebratethecomingvictory.Luciuswasequallyvocal,leadinghisfellowwarriorsintoastsfromgoldenchalicesoffinewine.

Tarvitzsetdownhisgobletandrosefromthetable.'Leavingalready,Tarvitz?'sneeredEidolon.'Yes!'chimedinLucius.'We'veonlyjustbeguntocelebrate!''I'msureyouwilldoenoughcelebratingforbothofus,Lucius,’saidTarvitz. 'Ihavemattersto

attendtobeforewemakethedrop,’'Nonsense!'saidLucius. 'Youneed tostaywithusandregaleuswithmemoriesofMurderand

howIhelpedyoudefeatthescourgeofthemegarachnids,’ThewarriorscheeredandcalledforTarvitztotellthestoryoncemore,buthehelduphishands

toquiettheirdemands.'Whydon'tyoutellit,Lucius?'askedTarvitz. 'Idon't thinkIbuildyourpartupenoughforyour

likinganyway,’'That'strue,’smiledLucius.'Verywell,I'lltellthetale,’'Lordcommander,’saidTarvitz,bowingtoEidolonandthenturningtomakehiswaythroughthegoldendoorofthebanquethall.Appealing

toLucius'svanitywasthesurestwayofdeflectinghisattention.Tarvitzwouldmissthecamaraderieofthecelebration,buthehadothermatterspressingonhisthoughts.

HeclosedthedoortothebanquetinghallasLuciusbeganthetaleoftheirill-fatedexpeditiontoMurder, though its horrifying beginnings had somehow become a great triumph, largely thanks toLucius,ifpastretellingswereanythingtogoby.

Themagnificent processional at the heart of theAndroniuswas quiet, the droning hum of thevessel reassuring in its constancy.The ship, likemany in theEmperor'sChildren fleet, resembledsomeancientpalaceofTerra,reflectingtheLegion'sdesiretoinfuseeverythingwithregalmajesty.

Tarvitzmadehiswaythroughtheship,passingwondrousspacesthatwouldmaketheshipwrightsof Jupiter weep with awe, until he reached the Hall of Rites, the circular chamber where theEmperor'sChildrenunderwenttheoathsandceremoniesthattiedthemtotheirLegion.Comparedtotherestoftheship,thehallwasdark,butitwasnolessmagnificent:marblecolumnssupportingadistantdomedceiling,andritualaltarsofmarbleglitteringinpoolsofshadowatitsedges.

Fulgrim's Chosen had pledged themselves to the primarch's personal charge here, and he hadacceptedhisappointmentascaptainbeforethe

Altar of Service. The Hall of Rites replaced opulence with gravity, and seemed designed tointimidatewiththepromiseofknowledgehiddenfromallbuttheLegion'smostexaltedofficers.

Tarvitz paused on the threshold, seeing the unmistakable shape of Ancient Rylanor, hisdreadnoughtbodystandingbeforetheAltarofDevotion.

'Enter,’saidRylanorinhisartificialvoice.Tarvitz cautiously approached theAncient, hisblockyoutline resolving into a tank-like square

sarcophagus supported on powerful piston legs. The dreadnought's wide shoulders mounted anassaultcannonononearmandahugehydraulicfistontheother.Rylanor'sbodyrotatedslowlyonitscentralaxistofaceTarvitz,turningfromtheBookofCeremoniesthatlayopenonthealtar.

'CaptainTarvitz,whyareyounotwithyourwarriors?'askedRylanor.ThevisionslitthathousedhisocularcircuitsregardedTarvitzwithoutemotion.

Theycancelebratewellenoughwithoutme,’saidTarvitz. 'Besides, Ihavesat throughone toomanyrenditionsofLucius'stalestothinkI'llmissmuch.'

'It isnot tomy tasteeither,’ saidRylanor, agratingbarkof electronicnoise sounding from thedreadnought'svox-unit.At firstTarvitz thought theAncienthaddevelopeda fault,untilhe realisedthatthesoundwasRylanor'slaughter.

Rylanor was the Legion's Ancient of Rites, and when not on the battlefield he oversaw theceremoniesthatmarkedthegradualascentofanAstartesfromnovicetoChosenofFulgrim.

Decadesbefore,RylanorhadbeenwoundedbeyondtheskilloftheLegion'sapothecarieswhilefighting the duplicitous eldar, and had been interred in a dreadnought war machine that hemightcontinuetoserve.AlongwithLuciusandTarvitz,RylanorwasoneoftheseniorofficersbeingsentdowntotaketheChoralCity'spalacecomplex.

'Iwishtospeakwithyou,reveredAncient,’saidTarvitz,'aboutthedrop,’Thedropisinafewhours,’repliedRylanor.Thereislittletime,’Yes,IhaveleftittoolateandforthatIapologise,butitconcernsCaptainOdovocar,’'CaptainOdovocarisdead,killedonIsstvanExtremis,’'And the Legion lost a great warrior that day,’ nodded Tarvitz. 'Not only that, but he was to

functionasEidolon'sseniorstaffofficeraboardtheAndro-nius,relayingthecommander'sorderstothesurface.Withhisdeaththereisnoonetofulfilthatrole,’

'EidolonisawareofOdovocar'sloss.Hewillhaveanalternativeinplace,’

'I request thehonourof fulfilling that role,’ saidTarvitz solemnly. 'I knewOdovocarwell andwouldconsideritafittingtributetofinishtheworkhebeganonthiscampaign,’

ThedreadnoughtleanedclosetoTarvitz, thecoldmetallicmachineunreadable,asthecrippledwarriorwithindecidedTarvitz'sfate.

'Youwouldrenouncethehonourofyourplaceinthespeartiptotakeoverhisduties?'Tarvitz looked intoRylanor'svisionslit, struggling tokeephisexpressionneutral.Rylanorhad

seeneverythingtheLegionhadgonethroughsincethebeginningoftheGreatCrusadeandwassaidtobeabletoperceivealietheinstantitwastold.

His request to remain aboard theAndroniuswas highly unusual andRylanorwould surely besuspicious of hismotives for not wanting to go into the fight. But when Tarvitz had learned thatEidolon was not leading the speartip personally, he knew there had to be a reason. The lordcommander never passed up the opportunity to flaunt hismartial prowess and for him to appointanotherinhissteadwasunheardof.

Notonlythat,butthedeploymentordersEidolonhadissuedmadenosense.Instead of the normal, rigorously regimented order of battle that was typical of an Emperor's

Childrenassault, theunitschosentomakethefirstattackappearedtohavebeenpickedatrandom.TheonlythingtheyhadincommonwasthatnonewerefromChaptersledbyEidolon'sfavouredlordcommanders. For Eidolon to sanction a dropwithout any of thewarriors belonging to those lordcommanderswasunheardofandgrosslyinsulting.

Somethingfeltverywrongabout thisdropandTarvitzcouldn'tshakethefeelingthat therewassomegrimpurposebehindtheselectionoftheseunits.Hehadtoknowwhatitwas.

Rylanorstraightenedandsaid,'Ishallseetoitthatyouarereplaced.Thisisagreatsacrificeyoumake,CaptainTarvitz.YoudothememoryofOdovocarmuchhonourwithit,’

Tarvitzfoughttohidehisrelief,knowingthathehadtakenanunthinkableriskinlyingtoRylanor.Henoddedandsaid,'Mythanks,Ancient,’

'Ishalljointhetroopsofthespeartip,’saidthedreadnought.TheirfeastingwillsoonbecompleteandImustensurethattheyarereadyforbattle,’

'BringperfectiontotheChoralCity,’saidTarvitz.'Guideuswell,’repliedRylanor,hisvoiceloadedwithunspokenmeaning.Tarvitzwassuddenly

certainthatthedreadnoughtwantedTarvitztoremainontheship.'DotheEmperor'swork,CaptainTarvitz,’orderedRylanor.Tarvitzsalutedandsaid,'Iwill,’asRylanorsetoffacrosstheHallofRitestowardsthebanquet,

hiseverystepheavyandpounding.Tarvitzwatchedhimgo,wonderingifhewouldeverseetheAncientagain.THEDORMITORIESTUCKEDinto the thickwalls running the lengthof thegantryweredark

and hot, and from the doorwayMersadie could see down into the engine compartmentwhere thecrewwereindistinguishable,sweatingfigureswhoworkedintheinfernalheatandruddyglowoftheplasmareactors.Theyhurriedacrossgangwaysthatstretchedbetweenthetitanicreactorsand

clamberedalongmassiveconduitsthathunglikespiderwebsinthehellishgloom.Shedabbedsweatfromherbrowattheheatandcloseconfinesoftheenginespace,unusedtothe

searingairthatstoleawayherbreathandleftherfaint.'Mersadie,’saidSindermanncomingtomeetheralongthegantry.Theiteratorhadlostweight,his

dirtyrobeshangingfromhisalreadyspareframe,buthisfacewasalightwiththereliefandjoyofseeingher.Thetwoembracedinaheartfelthug,bothgratefulbeyondwordstoseeeachother.Shefelttearsprickinghereyesatthesightoftheoldman,unawareuntil thismomentofhowmuchshe

hadmissedhim.'Kyril,it'ssogoodtoseeyouagain,’shesobbed.'Youjustvanished.Ithoughtthey'dgottoyou.I

didn'tknowwhathadhappenedtoyou.''Hush,Mersadie,'saidSindermann,'it'sallright.I'msosorryIcouldn'tsendwordtoyouatthe

time.YoumustunderstandthathadIachoice,IwouldhavedoneeverythingIcouldtokeepyououtofthis,butIdon'tknowwhattodoanymore.Wecan'tkeepherdownhereforever,’

Mersadielookedthroughthedoorwayofthedormitoryroomtheystoodoutside,wishingshehadthecouragetobelieveasKyrildid.'Don'tberidiculous,Kyril.I'mgladyoumadecontact,Ithought...IthoughtMaloghurstorMaggardhadkilledyou,’

'Maggardverynearlydid,’saidSindermann,'butthesaintsavedus,’'Shesavedyou?'askedMersadie.'How?''Idon'tknowexactly,butitwasjustlikeintheArchiveChamber.ThepoweroftheEmperorwas

inher.Isawit,Mersadie,justassureasyou'restandingherebeforeme.Iwishyoucouldhaveseenit,’

'Iwishthattoo,’shesaid,surprisedtofindthatshemeantit.SheenteredthedormitoryandstareddownatthestillformofEuphratiKeeleronthethincotbed,

lookingforalltheworldasifshewassimplysleeping.Thesmallroomwascrampedanddirty,withathinblanketspreadonthedeckbesidethebed.

Winkingstarlightstreamedinthroughasmallportholevisionblock,somethinggreatlyprizedthisdeepintheship,andwithoutasking,sheknewthatsomeonehadhappilyvolunteeredtogiveuptheirprizedroomfortheuseofthe'saint'andhercompanion.

Evendownhereinthedarkandthestink,faithflourished.'IwishIcouldbelieve,’saidMersadie,watchingtherhythmicriseandfallofEuphrati'schest.Sindermannsaid,'Youdon't?''Idon'tknow,’shesaid,shakingherhead. 'TellmewhyIshould?Whatdoesbelievingmeanto

you,Kyril?'Hesmiledandtookherhand.'Itgivesmesomethingtoholdonto.Therearepeopleonthisship

whowanttokillher,andsomehow...don'taskmehow,IjustknowthatIneedtokeephersafe,’'Areyou'renotafraid?'sheasked.'Afraid?'hesaid. 'I'veneverbeenmoreterrifiedinmylife,mydear,butIhavetohopethatthe

Emperoriswatchingoverme.Thatgivesmestrengthandthewilltofacethatfear.''Youarearemarkableman,Kyril,’'I'mnotremarkable,Mersadie,’saidSindermann,shakinghishead.'Iwaslucky.Isawwhatthe

saintdid,sofaithiseasyforme.It'shardestforyou,foryouhaveseennothing.YouhavetosimplyacceptthattheEmperorisworkingthroughEuphrati,butyoudon'tbelieve,doyou?'

MersadieturnedfromSindermannandpulledherhandfromhis,lookingthroughtheportholeatthevoidofspacebeyond.'No.Ican't.Notyet,’

Awhitestreakshotacrosstheportholelikeashootingstar.Anotherfollowedit,andthenanother.'What'smat?'sheasked.Sindermannleanedovertogetabetterlookthroughtheporthole.Eventhroughhisexhaustion,shecouldseethestrengthinhimthatshehadpreviouslytakenfor

grantedandsheblink-clickedtheimage,capturingthedefianceandbraveryshesawinhisfeatures.'Drop-pods,’hesaid,pointingatastaticgleamingobjectstarkagainsttheblacknessandcloserto

Isst-vanIII.Tinysparksbeganrainingfromitsundersidetowardstheplanetbelow.

'I think that's theAndronius,Fulgrim's flagship,’ saidSindermann. 'Looks like theattackwe'vebeen

hearingabouthasbegun.Imaginehowitwouldbeifwecouldwatchitunfolding,’EuphratigroanedandtheattackonIsstvanIIIwasforgottenastheyslidacrosstositbesideher.

Mersadie sawSindermann's love forher clearly ashemoppedherbrow,her skin soclean that itpracticallyshone.

Forthebriefestmoment,MersadiesawhowpeoplecouldbelieveEuphratiwasmiraculous;herbodysopaleandfragile,yetuntouchedbytheworldaroundher.MersadiehadknownKeelerasagutsywoman,neverafraidtospeakhermindorbendtherulestogetthemagnificentpictsforwhichshe was rightly famed, but now she was something else entirely. 'Is she coming round?' askedMersadie.'No,’saidSindermannsadly.'Shemakesnoises,butsheneveropenshereyes.It'ssuchawaste.SometimesIswearshe'sonthebrinkofwaking,butthenshesinksbackdownintowhateverhellshe'sgoingthroughinherhead,’Mersadiesighedandlookedbackoutintospace.ThepinpointsoflightstreakedintheirhundredstowardsIsstvanIII.

Asthespeartipwasdrivenhome,shewhispered,Token...'THECHORALCITYwasmagnificent.Its design was a masterpiece of architecture, light and space so wondrous that Peeter Egon

MomushadbeggedtheWarmasternottoassaultsobrutally. Older by millennia than the Imperium that had come to claim it in the name of the

Emperor,itsprecinctsandthoroughfaresweresoontobecomeblood-slickbattlefields.Whilethejuggernautofcompliancehadmadethegalaxyasterile,secularplace,theChoralCity

remainedacityofthegods.ThePrecentor'sPalace,adizzyingcreationofgleamingmarblebladesandarchesthatshonein

thesun,opened likeavast stoneorchid to theskyand thepolishedgraniteof thecity'swealthiestdistrictsclusteredarounditlikeworshippers.Momushaddescribedthepalaceasahymntopowerandglory,asymbolofthedivinerightbywhichIsstvanIIIwouldberuled.

FurtheroutfromthepalaceandbeyondthearchitecturalperfectionoftheChoralCity,vastmulti-layered residentialdistricts sprawled.Connectedbycountlesswalkwaysandbridgesofglass andsteel,theavenuesbetweenthemwerewidecanyonsoftree-linedboulevardsinwhichthecitizensoftheChoralCitylived.

Thecity'sindustrialheartlandroselikeclimbingskeletonsofsteelagainsttheeasternmountains,belchingsmokeastheychurnedoutweaponstoarmtheplanet'sarmies.WarwascomingandeveryIsstvanianhadtobereadytofight.

ButnosightintheChoralCitycomparedtotheSirenhold.NoteventhemagnificenceofthepalaceoutshonetheSirenhold,itstoweringwallsdefiningtheChoralCitywiththeirimmensity.Thebrutalbattlementsdiminishedeverythingaroundthem,and

thesacredfortressoftheSirenholdhumbledeventhesnow-cappedpeaksofthemountains.Withinitswalls,enormoustomb-spiresreachedfortheskies,theirwallsencrustedwithmonumentalsculpturesthattoldthelegendsofIsstvan'smythicalpast.

ThelegendstoldthatIsstvanhimselfhadsungtheworldintobeingwithmusicthatcouldstillbeheardbytheblessedWarsingers,andthathehadbornecountlesschildrenwithwhomhepopulatedthe first ages of the world. They became night and day, ocean andmountain, a thousand legendswhosebreathcouldbefeltineverymomentofeverydayintheChoralCity.

DarkercarvingstoldoftheLostChildren,thesonsanddaughterswhohadforsakentheirfatherand been banished to the blasted wasteland of the fifth planet, where they becamemonsters that

burnedwith jealousy and raised black fortresses fromwhich to brood upon their expulsion fromparadise.

War,treachery,revelationanddeath;allmarchedaroundtheSirenholdinendlesscyclesofmyth,theweightof theirmeaningpinning theChoralCity to thesoilof Isstvan IIIand infusing itseveryinhabitantwiththeirsacredpurpose.

ThegodsofIsstvanIIIweresaidtosleepintheSirenhold,whisperingtheirmurderousplotsinthenightmaresofchildrenandancients.

Foratime,themythsandlegendshadremainedasdistantastheyhadalwaysbeen,butnowtheywalkedamongthepeopleoftheChoralCity,andeverybreathofwindshriekedthattheLostChildrenhadreturned.

Without knowingwhy, the populace of Isstvan III had armed andunquestioningly followed theordersofVardusPraaltodefendtheircity.Anarmyofwell-equippedsoldiersawaitedtheinvasiontheyhadlongbeenpromisedwascominginthewesternmarchesof thecity,wheretheWarsingershadsungaformidableweboftrenchesintobeing.

Artillerypiecesparkedinthegleamingcanyonsofthecitypointedtheirbarrelswestwards,settopoundanyinvadersintothegroundbeforetheyreachedthetrenches.ThewarriorsoftheChoralCitywouldthenslaughteranythatsurvivedincarefullypreparedcrossfire.

Thedefenceshadbeenmeticulouslyplanned,protecting thecity fromattack from thewest, theonlydirectioninwhichaninvasioncouldbelaunched.

Orsothesoldiersmanningthedefenceshadbeentold.Thefirstomenwasafireintheskythatcamewiththedawn.A scattering of falling stars streaked through the blood-red dawn, burning through the sky like

fierytears.Thesentriesinthetrenchessawthemfallinginbrightspearsoffire,thefirstburningobjectsmashingintothetrenchesamidaplumeofmudandflame.At the speed of thought, the word raced around the Choral City that the Lost Children had

returned,thatthepropheciesofmythwerecomingtrue,They were proven right when the drop-pods burst open and the Astartes of the Death Guard

Legionemerged.Andthekillingbegan.

PARTTWO.THECHORALCITY

EIGHT

SoldiersfromhellButcheryBetrayalTHIRTYSECONDS!'YELLEDVipus,hisvoicebarelyaudibleover the screaming jets as the

drop-podsliced through Isstvan Ill'satmosphere.TheAstartesofLocastawerebathed in red lightandforamomentLokenimaginedwhattheywouldlookliketothepeopleoftheChoralCitywhentheassaultbegan-warriorsfromanotherworld,soldiersfromhell.

'What'sourlandingpointlookinglike?'shoutedLoken.Vipus glanced at the readout on a pict-screenmounted above his head. 'Drifting!We'll hit the

target,butoff-centre.Ihatethesethings.Givemeastormbirdanyday!'Lokendidn'tbotherreplying,barelyabletohearNeroastheatmospherethickenedbeneaththedrop-podandthejetsonitsundersidekickedin.Thedrop-podshudderedandbeganheatingup

astheenormousforcespushingagainstitturnedtofireandnoise.He sat through the last fewminuteswhile everything aroundhimwas noise, unable to see the

enemyhewasabouttofightandrelinquishingcontroloverhisfateuntilthedrop-podhit.Nerohadbeenrightwhenhesaidhehadpreferredanassaultdeliveredbystormbird,theprecise,

surgical nature of an airborne assault far preferable to a warrior than this hurtling descent fromabove.

But theWarmaster had decided that the speartipwould be deployed by drop-pod, reasoning -rightly, Loken admitted - that thousands of Astartes smashing into the defenders' midst withoutwarningwould bemore psychologically devastating. Loken ran through themoment the drop-podwouldhitinhismind,preparinghimselfforwhenthehatchchargeswouldblowopen.

He gripped his bolter tightly, and checked for the tenth time that his chainsword was in itsscabbardathisside.Lokenwasready.

'Tenseconds,Locasta,’shoutedVipus.Barelyasecondlater,thedrop-podimpactedwithsuchforcethatLoken'sheadsnappedbackand

suddenlythenoisewasgoneandeverythingwentblack.LuciusKILLEDHISfirstfoewithoutevenbreakingstride.Thedeadman'sarmourwaslikeglass,shimmeringandiridescent,andhishalberd'sbladewas

fashioned from thesamereflectivesubstance.Amaskof stainedglasscoveredhis face, themouthrepresentedbyleadingandfilledwithteethofgemliketriangles.

Luciusslidhisswordclear,bloodsmokingfromitsedge,asthesoldierslumpedtothefloor.Acurvedarchofmarbleshoneredinthedawn'searlylightabovehimandaswirlofdustanddebrisdriftedaroundthedrop-podhehadjustleaptfrom.

ThePrecentor'sPalacestoodbeforehim,vastandastonishing,astoneflowerwiththespireatitscentrelikeaspectaculartwistofoverlappinggranitepetals.

More drop-pods hammered into the ground behind him, the plaza around the palace's northentrancesthemainobjectiveoftheEmperor'sChildren.Anearbydrop-podblewopenandAncientRylanorsteppedfromitsred-litinterior,hisassaultcannonalreadycyclingandtrackingfortargets.'Nasicae!' yelled Lucius. To me!' Lucius saw a flash of coloured glass from inside the palace,movementbeyondthesweepingstonepanelsoftheentrancehall.

Morepalaceguardsreactedtothesudden,shockingassault,butcontrarytowhatLuciushadbeenexpecting,theyweren'tscreamingorbeggingfor

mercy.Theyweren'tevenfleeing,orstandingstockstill,numbwithshock.WithaterriblewarcrythepalaceguardchargedandLuciuslaughed,gladtobefacingafoewith

somebackbone.Helevelledhisswordandrantowardsthem,SquadNasicaefollowingbehindhim,weaponsattheready.

Ahundredpalaceguardians ranat them, resplendent in theirglassarmour.They formeda linebeforetheAstartes,levelledtheirhalberds,andopenedfire.

SearingneedlesofsilverfilledtheairaroundLucius,gougingthearmourofhisshoulderguardandleg.Luciusliftedhisswordarmtoshieldhisheadandtheneedlesspatfromtheglowingbladeofhissword.Wheretheyhitthestonearoundtheentranceitbubbledandhissedlikeacid.

OneofNasicaefellbesideLucius,onearmmoltenandhisabdomenbubbling.'Perfectionanddeath!'criedLucius,runningthroughthewhite-hotsilverneedles.TheEmperor's

Childrenand thePalaceGuardclashedwitha sound likeamillionwindowsbreaking the terriblescreamingofthehalberd-gunsgivingwaytotheclashofbladeagainstarmourandpoint-blankbolterfire

Lucius'sfirstswordblowhackedthroughahalberdshaftandtorethroughthethroatofthemanbeforehim.Sightlessglasseyesglaredbackathim,bloodpumpingfromtheguard's ruined throat,andLuciustorethehelmfromhisfoe'sheadtobettersavourthesensationofhisdeath.

Aplasmapistolspatatongueofliquidfirethatwreathedanenemysoldierfromheadtofoot,butthemankeptfighting,sweepinghishalberddowntocutdeepintooneofLucius'smenbeforeanotherAstartesrippedoffhisheadwithachainsword.

Lucius pivoted on one foot from a halberd strike and hammered the hilt of his sword into hisopponent'sface,feelingatightangerthatthefaceplateheld.TheguardstaggeredawayfromhimandLuciusreversedhisgripandthrustthebladethroughthegapbetweentheglassplatesattheguard'swaist,feelingtheblade'senergyfieldburningthroughabdomenandspine.

Theseguardswereslowing theEmperor'sChildrendown,buyingpreciousmomentswith theirlivesforsomethingdeeper in thepalace.AsmuchasLuciuswasrevelling in thesensationsof theslaughter,thesmelloftheblood,thesearingstinkoffleshastheheatofhisbladescorcheditandthepoundingofbloodinveins,heknewhecouldnotaffordtogivethedefenderssuchmoments.

Lucius ranonwards, slicinghisblade through limbsand throatsashe ran.Hefoughtas thoughfollowing the steps of an elaborate dance, a dancewhereheplayed thepart of thevictor and theenemy were there only to die. The Palace Guard were dying around him and his armour wasdrenchedwiththeirblood.Helaughedinsheerjoy.Warriorsstillfoughtbehindhim,butLuciushadtopressonbeforethepalaceguardwasabletostalltheiradvancewithmoremeninfrontofthem.

'SquadQuemondil!Rethaerin!Killtheseandthenfollowme!'FiresawedfromeverydirectionastheEmperor'sChildrenforcedtheirwaytowardsthejunction

Luciushadreached.Theswordsmandartedhisheadpastthecorner,seeingavastindoorseascape.Aplumeofwatercascadedthroughaholeinthecentreofacolossalgranitedome,andashaftofpinklightfellalongsidethewater,sendingbrilliantrainbowsofcolourbetweenthearchesformedbythepetalsofthedome'ssurface.

Islandsrosefromtheindoorseathattookupmostofthedome,eachtoppedbypicturesquefolliesofwhiteandgold.

Thousandsofpalaceguardsmassedinthedome,splashingtowardsthemthroughthewaist-deepseaand takinguppositionsamong the follies.Mostwore theglassyarmourof themen stilldying

behindLucius, butmanyotherswere clad in farmore elaborate suits of bright silver.Others stillwerewrappedinlongstreamersofsilkthatrippledbehindthemlikesmokeasthey

moved.Rylanor emerged into the dome behind Lucius, his assault cannon smoking and the chisel-like

gripsofhispowerfistthickwithblood.'They'remassing,'spatLucius.'WherearethedamnedWorldEaters?''We shall have to win the palace by ourselves,' replied Rylanor, his voice grating from deep

withinhissarcophagus.Luciusnodded,pleasedthat theywouldbeable toshametheWorldEaters. 'Ancient,coverus.

Emperor'sChildren,breakandcoverfire!Nasicae,keepupthistime!'AncientRylanorsteppedoutfromthejunctionandaspectacularwaveoffireshearedthroughthe

air around him, a storm of heavy calibre shell casings and oil-soaked fumes streaming from thecannonmountedonhisshoulder.

Hisexplosivefireshreddedthestoneoftheforemostisland'sfollies,brokenandbloodiedbodiestumblingfromtheshatteredwreckage.

'Go!'shoutedLucius,buttheEmperor'sChildrenwerealreadycharging,theirtrainingsothoroughthatever>'warrioralreadyknewhisplaceinthecomplexpatternofoverlappingfireandmovementthatsentthestrikeforcesweepingintothedome.

Savage joy lit upLucius's face as he charged, the thrill of battle and the sensations of killingstimulatinghisbodywithwondrousexcess.

Inaswirlingcacophonyofnoise,theperfectionofdeathhadcometotheChoralCity.ONTHESOUTHERNsideofthepalace,astrangeorganicallyformedbuildingclungtotheside

of thepalace likeaparasite, itsbulging, liquidshapemoreakin tosomething thathadbeengrownthansomethingbuilt.Itspalemarblewasthreadedwithdarkveinsandthemassesofitsbattlementshunglikeripenedfruit.Fromtheexpanseofmarblemonumentslabsmarkingthepassingofthecity'sfinest

andmostpowerfulcitizens,itwasclearthatthiswasasacredplace.KnownastheTempleoftheSong,itwasamemorialtothemusicthatFatherIsstvanhadsungto

bring all things into existence. It was also the objective of theWorld Eaters. The word that theinvasionhadbegunwasalreadyoutby the time the firstWorldEaters'drop-podscrashed into theplaza,shatteringgravestonesandthrowingslabsofmarbleintotheair.Strangemusickeenedthroughthemorningair,callingthepeopleoftheChoralCityfromtheirhomesanddemandingthattheytakeuparms.ThesoldiersfromthenearbycitybarracksgrabbedtheirgunsastheWarsingersappearedonthebattlementsoftheTempletosingthesongofdeathfortheinvaders.

Called by theWarsingers' laments, the people of the city gathered in the streets and streamedtowardsthebattle.

TheWorldEaters'strikeforcewasledbyCaptainEhrlen,andasheemergedfromhisdrop-pod,hewasexpecting the trainedsoldiers thatAngronhadbriefed themon,not thousandsofscreamingcitizensswarmingontotheplaza.Theycameinatide,armedwithanythingandeverythingtheyhadintheirhomes,butitwasnottheweaponstheycarriedbuttheirsheernumbersandtheterriblesongthatspokeofkillingandmurderthatmadethem

deadly.WorldEaters, tome!' yelledEhrlen, hefting his bolter and aiming it into themass of charging

peopleThewhite-armouredwarriorsoftheWorldEatersformedafiringlinearoundhim,turningtheir

boltersoutwards.'Fire!' shoutedEhrlenand the first ranksof theChoralCity's inhabitantswerecutdownby the

deadlyvolley,buttheoncomingmassroseuplikeaspringtideastheyclamberedoverthebodiesofthedead.

Asthegapbetweenthetwoforcesclosed,theWorldEatersputuptheirboltersanddrewtheirchainswords.

Ehrelnsawtheunreasoninghatredintheeyesofhisenemiesandknewthatthisbattlewassoontoturnintoamassacre.

IftherewasonethingatwhichtheWorldEatersexcelled,itwasmassacre.'DAMNIT,'SPATVipus.'Wemusthavehitsomethingonthewayin.'Lokenforcedhiseyesopen.Asliceoflightwherethedrop-podhadbrokenopenprovidedthe

onlyillumination,butitwasenoughforhimtocheckthathewasstillinoncepiece.Hewasbattered,butcouldfeelnoevidenceofanythingmorethanthat.'Locasta,soundoff!'orderedVipus.ThewarriorsofLocastashoutedtheirnames,andLokenwas

relieved tohear thatnoneappeared tohavebeen injured in the impact.Heundid thebuckleofhisgrav-harnessandrolledtohisfeet,thedrop-podcantedatanunnaturalangle.Hepulledhisbolter

fromtherackandpushedhiswaythroughthenarrowopeningbrokeninthesideofthedrop-pod.Asheemergedintothebrightsunshine,hesawthattheyhadstruckaprojectingpierofstoneon

oneofthetowers,therubbleofitsdestructionscatteredaroundtheruineddrop-pod.Hecircledthewreckage,seeingthattheywereatleasttwohundredmetresabovetheground,wedgedamongstthemassivebattlementsoftheSirenhold.

To his left he saw spectacular tomb-spires encrusted with statues, while to his right was theChoralCityitself,itsmagnificentstructuresbathedintherosyglowofthesunrise.FromthisvantagepointLokencouldsee thewholecity, theextraordinarystoneflowerof thepalaceandthewesterndefenceslikescarsacrossthelandscape.

Loken could hear gunfire from the direction of the palace and realised that the Emperor'sChildren andWorldEaterswere already fighting the enemy.Gunfire echoed frombelow, Sons ofHorusunits fighting in the tangleof shrines and statuary that filled the canyonsbetween the tomb-spires.

'Weneedawaydown,’saidLokenasLocastapulledthemselvesfromthewreckageofthedrop-pod.Vipusjoggedoverwithhisgunattheready.

'Bloodygroundsurveyorsmusthavemissedtheprojections,'hegrumbled.'That'swhatitlookslike,’agreedLoken,ashesawanotherdrop-podricochetfromthesideofa

tomb-spireandcareendownwardsinashowerofbrokenstatues.'Ourwarriorsaredying,’hesaidbitterly.'Someone'sgoingtopayforthis,’"We look spreadout,’ saidVipus,glancingdown into theSirenhold.Between the tomb-spires,

smallershrinesandtemplesbuttedagainstoneanotherinacomplexjigsaw.Plumesofblacksmokeandexplosionswerealreadyrisingfromthefighting.'Weneedaplacetoregroup,’saidLoken.HeflickedtoTorgaddon'svox-channel.Tarik?Loken

here,whereareyou?'Aburstofstaticwashisonlyreply.HelookedacrosstheSirenholdandsawonetomb-spireclosetothewall, itsmanylevelssupportedbycolumnswrought intotheshapesofmonstersanditstopshearedoffbytheimpactofadrop-pod.'Damn.Ifyoucanhearme,Tarik,makeforthespirebythewesternwall,theonewiththesmashedtop.Regroupthere.I'mheadingdowntoyou,’'Anything?'askedVipus.

'No.Thevoxisamess.Something'sinterruptingit.

Thespires?''Itwouldtakemorethanthat,’saidLoken.'Comeon.Let'sfindawayoffthisdamnwall,’Vipusnoddedandturnedtohismen.'Locasta,startlookingforawaydown,’LokenleanedoverthebattlementsasLocastafannedouttoobeytheirleader'scommand.Beneath

himhecould eethediminutivefiguresofAstartes fightingblack-armouredwarriors in streaming firefight.He turned away, desperate to

findawaydown.'Here!'shoutedBrotherCasto,Locasta'sflamerbearer.'Astairway''Goodwork,’saidLoken,makinghiswayovertoseewhatCastohadfound.Sureenough,hidden

behind a tall, eroded statue of an ancientwarriorwas a dark stairway cut into the sand-colouredstone.

Thepassagewaylookedroughandunfinished, thestonepittedandcrumblingwithage. 'Move,’said Vipus. 'Casto, lead the way,’ "Yes, captain,’ replied Casto, plunging into the gloom of thepassageway. Loken andVipus followed him, the entrance barelywide enough for their armouredbodies. The stairs descended for roughly ten metres before opening into a wide, low-ceilingedgallery.'Thewallmustberiddled,’saidVipus.'Catacombs,’saidLoken,pointingtonichescutintothewallsthatheldthemoulderingremainsofskeletons,somestillswaddledintatteredcloth.

Castoledthemalongthegallery,thebodiesbecomingmorenumerousthedeepertheywent,theskeletalremainspiledtwoorthreedeep.

Vipussnappedaroundsuddenly,bolterupandfingeronthetrigger.Vipus?''I thought I heard something,’ "We're clear behind,’ saidLoken. 'Keepmoving and focus.This

could.'Movement!'saidCasto,sendingablastoforange-yellowfirefromhisflamerintothedarknessaheadofhim.'Casto!'barkedVipus.'Report!Whatdoyousee?'Castopaused.'Idon'tknow.Whateveritwas,it'sgonenow,’Thenichesaheadgutteredwithflames,hungrilydevouringthebarebones.Lokencouldseethat

therewasnoenemyupahead,onlyIsstvaniandead.'There'snothingtherenow,’saidVipus.'Stayfocused,Locasta,andnojumpingatshadows!You

areSonsofHorns!'The squad picked up the pace, shaking thoughts of hidden enemies from their minds, as they

movedrapidlypasttheburninggrave-niches.Thegalleryopenedintoalargechamber,Lokenguessingthatitmusthavefilledthewidthofthe

wall.TheonlylightwasfromthedancingflameattheendofCasto'sflamer,theyellowlightpickingoutthemassivestoneblocksofatomb.

Lokensawasarcophagusofblackgranite, surroundedbystatuesofkneelingpeoplewith theirheads bowed and hands chained before them. Panels set into thewallswere covered in carvingswherehumanformsactedoutceremonialscenesofwar.

'Casto,moveup,’saidVipus.'Findusawaydown,’Lokenapproachedthesarcophagus,runninghishanddownitsvastlength.Itslidwascarvedto

representahumanfigure,butheknewthatitcouldnotbealiteralportraitofthebodyinside;itsfacehadnofeaturessaveforapairoftriangular

eyesfashionedfromchipsofcolouredglass.

LokencouldhearthesongfromtheSirenholdoutside,eventhroughthelayersofstone,asinglemournfultonethatroseandfell,windingitswayfromthetomb-spires.

'Warsinger,’saidLokenbitterly.They'refightingback.Weneedtogetdownthere,’THESILVER-ARMOUREDpalaceguardsstartedflying.Surroundedbyburningarcsofwhiteenergy,theyleaptovertheadvancingEmperor'sChildren,

gleaming,leafshapedbladesslicingdownwardsfromwrist-mountedweapons.Luciusrolledtoavoidahailofblades,thesilverguardswoopinglowtobeheadtwoofSquad

Que-mondil,thechargedbladescuttingthroughtheirarmourwithhorrificease.Heslidintothewater,findingthatitonlyreachedhiswaist.Abovehim,thehalberd-gunsofthe

palaceguardweresprayingsilverfireattheEmperor'sChildren,buttheAstartesweremovingandfiring with their customary discipline Even the bizarre sight of the palace's defenders did notdissuadethemfromtheirpatternsofmovementandcoveringfire.Abodyfellintothewaternexttohim,itsheadblastedawaybybolterfireandbloodpouringintothewaterinascarletbloom.

Luciussawthatthesilverguardsweretooquickandturnedtoonimblyforconventionalengagement.Hewouldjusthavetoengagethemunconventionally.One of the silver guards dived towards him andLucius could see the intricate filigree on the

man'sarmour,thetinygoldthreadslikeveinsonthebreastplateandgreavesandthescrollworkthatcoveredhisface.

Theguarddivedlikeaseabird,firingabrightbladefromhiswrist.Luciusturnedthemissileasidewithhisswordandleapttomeethisopponent.Theguardtwisted

intheair,tryingtoavoidLucius,buthewastooclose.Luciusswunghisswordandslicedtheguard'sarm from his body, his crackling sword searing through the armour. Blood sprayed from thesmoulderingwoundandtheguardfell,twistingbacktowardsthewater.

Lucius fell with the deadman, splashing back into the lake as the Emperor's Children finallyreachedtheirenemy.Volleysofbolterfirescouredtheislandsandhiswarriorsadvancedrelentlesslyonthesurvivors.Thepalaceguardswerebackingaway,formingatighterandtightercircle.Glass-armouredguardslaydeadinheapsandtheartificiallakewasmddypinkandchokedwithbodies.

Rylanor'sassaultcannonsentfiretearingthroughthesilk-cladguards,whosepreternaturalspeedcouldn'tsavethemasthecannonshellsturnedtheinteriorofthedomeintoakillingground.Anothersilverguardfell,bolterfirerippingthroughhisarmour.

SquadNasicaejoinedLuciusandhegrinnedwolfishlyatthem,elatedattheprospectoffightingmoreofthesilverguards.

They'rerunning,’saidLucius.'Keepthemonthebackfoot.Keeppressingon.''Squad Kaitheron's reporting from the plaza,’ said Brother Scetherin. The World Eaters are

fightingaroundthetempleonthenorthside,’'Still?''Soundslikethey'reholdingoffhalfthecity,’'Ha!Theycanhavethem.It'swhat theWorldEatersaregoodat,’ laughedLucius, relishingthe

certainknowledgeofhissuperiority.Nothinginthegalaxycouldmatchthatfeeling,butalreadyitwasfadingandheknewhewould

havetoprocureyetmoreopponentstosatisfyhishungerforbattle.'We press on to the throne room,’ he said. 'AncientRylanor, secure our rear. The rest of you,

we'regoingforPraal.Followme.Ifyoucan'tkeepup,goandjointheDeathGuard!'HiswarriorscheeredastheyfollowedLuciusintotheheartofthepalace.EveryoneofthemwantedtokillPraalandholdhisheadaloftonthepalacebattlementssothe

wholeoftheChoralCitycouldsee.OnlyLuciuswascertainthatPraal'sheadwouldbehis.THEANDRONIUSWASquietandtense,itspalatialroomsdarkanditslong,echoingcorridors

emptyofallbutmenials.The ship's enginespulseddimly in the stern,only the rumbleofdirectional

thrusters shuddering through the ship.Every stationwasmanned, everyblastdoorwas sealedandTarvitzknewabattlealertwhenhesawit.

WhatconfusedhimwasthefactthattheIsstvani-anshadnofleettofight.ThehullgroanedandTarvitzfeltadeeprumblingthroughthemetaldeck,sensingthemotionof

the ship before the artificial gravity compensated. Ever since the first wave of the speartip hadlaunched,thevesselhadbeenmoving,andTarvitzknewthathissuspicionsofsomethingamisswerewell-founded.

Accordingtothemissionbriefingshehadreadearlier,Fulgrim'sflagshiphadbeenassignedtheroleoflaunchingthesecondwaveoncethepalaceandtheSirenholdhadbeentaken.Therewasnoneedtomove.

Theonlyreasontomoveavesselafteralaunchwastomoveintoloworbitinpreparationforabombardment.Thoughhe toldhimself hewasbeingparanoid,Tarvitzknew that hehad to see forhimselfwhatwasgoingon.

Hemade hisway swiftly through theAndronius towards the gun decks, keeping clear of suchgrandchambersastheTarselianAmphitheatreandthecolumnedgrandeuroftheMonumentHall.Hekepttotheareasoftheshipwherehispresencewouldgounchallenged,andwherethosewhomightrecognisehimwereunlikelytoseehim.

HehadtoldRylanorthathewantedtorenouncehispositionofhonourinthespeartiptoreplaceCaptainOdovocarasEidolon'sseniorstaffofficer,relayingthecommander'sorderstothesurface,butitwouldonlybeamatteroftimebeforehissubterfugewasdiscovered.

Tarvitz descended into the lower reaches of the ship, far fromwhere the Emperor's ChildrendweltinthemostmagnificentpartsoftheAndronius.Therestoftheship,inhabitedbyservitorsandmenials,wasmorefunctionalandTarvitzknewhewouldpasswithoutchallengehere.

ThedarknessclosedaroundTarvitzandtheyawningchasmsoftheenginestructuresopenedoutmany hundreds ofmetres below the gantry onwhich he stood.Above the engine spaceswere thereekinggundecks,wheremightycannons,weaponsthatcouldlevelcities,werehousedinmassive,armouredrevetments.

'Standbyforordnance,’chimedanautomated,metallicvoice.Tarvitzfelttheshipshiftagain,andthistimehecouldhearthecreakofthehullastheplanet'supperatmosphereraisedthetemperatureoftheouterhull.

Tarvitzdescendedanironstaircaseattheendofthedarkgantryandthevastexpanseofthegundecksprawledbeforehim,atitanicvaultthatranthelengthofthevessel.Huge,hissingcranesfedtheguns, lifting tank-sized shells from the magazine decks through blast proof doors. Gunners andloaderssweatedwiththeirriggers,eachgun

servicedbyahundredmenwhohauledonthickchainsandleversinpreparationfortheirfiring.ServitorsdistributedwatertotheguncrewsandMechanicumadeptsmaintainedvigilontheweaponstoensuretheywereproperlycalibrated.

Tarvitzfelthisresolvehardenandhisangergrowatthesightofthegunsbeingmadeready.Whowere they planning to fire on?With thousands ofAstartes on the planet's surface, bombarding theChoralCitywasabsurd,yetherethegunswere,loadedandreadytounleashhell.

Hedoubted that themencrewing theseweaponsknewwhichplanet theywere inorbitoverorevenwhotheywouldbeshootingat.Entirecommunitiesflourishedbelowthedecksofastarshipanditwasperfectlypossiblethatthesemenhadnoideawhotheywereabouttodestroy.

Hereachedtheendofthestaircaseandsetfootonthedeck,itshighceilingsoaringabovehimlikeamightycathedraltodestructivepower.TarvitzheardfootstepsapproachingandturnedtoseearobedadeptintheliveryoftheMechanicum.

'Captain,’inquiredtheadept,'istheresomethingamiss?''No,’saidTarvitz.'Iamjustheretoensurethateverythingisproceedingnormally,’'Icanassureyou,lord,thatpreparationsforthebombardmentareproceedingexactlyasplanned.

Thewarheadswillbelaunchedpriortothedeploymentofthesecondwave,’Warheads?'askedTarvitz.'Yes,captain,’ said theadept. 'Allbombardmentcannonsare loadedwithairburstingwarheads

loadedwithvirusbombsasspecifiedinourorderofbattle,’Virusbombs,’saidTarvitz,fightingtoholdbackhisrevulsionatwhattheadeptwastellinghim.'Iseverythingallright,captain?'askedtheadept,noticingthechangeinhisexpression.'I'mfine,’Tarvitzlied,feelingasifhislegswouldgivewayanysecond.'Youcanreturntoyour

duties,’Theadeptnoddedandsetofftowardsoneoftheguns.Virusbombs...WeaponssoterribleandforbiddenthatonlytheWarmasterhimself,andtheEmperorbeforehim,

couldeversanctiontheiruse.Eachwarheadwouldunleashthelifeeatervirus,arampantorganismthatdestroyedlifeinallits

forms and wiped out every shred of organic matter on the surface of a planet within hours. Themagnitude of this new knowledge, and its implications, staggered Tarvitz and he felt his breathcoming in short, painful gasps as he attempted to reconcile what he knewwith what he had justlearned.

HisLegionwaspreparingtokilltheplanetbelowandheknewwithsuddenclaritythatitcouldnotbealoneinthis.Tosaturateaplanetwithenoughviruswarheadstodestroyalllifewouldtakemanyshipsandwithasickjoltofhorror,heknewthatsuchanordercouldonlyhavecomefromtheWarmaster.

ForreasonsTarvitzcouldnotevenbegintoguessattheWarmasterhadchosentobetrayfullyathirdofhiswarriors,exterminatingtheminonefellswoop.

'Ihavetowarnthem,’hehissed,turningandrunningfortheembarkationdeck.

NINE

ThepowerofagodRegroupingHonourbrothersTHESTRATEGIUMWASdark, litonlybybraziers thatburnedwitha flickeringgreen flame.

Whereonce thebannersof theLegion's battle companieshadhung from itswalls, theywerenowreplacedwiththoseofthewarriorlodge.Thecompanybannershadbeentakendownshortlyafterthespeartiphadbeendeployedandthemessagewasclear:thelodgenowhadprimacywithintheSonsofHorus.TheplatformfromwhichtheWarmasterhadaddressedtheofficersofhisfleetnowheldalecternuponwhichrestedtheBookofLorgar.

TheWarmastersaton thestrategiumthrone,watching reportscoming in fromIsstvanIIIon thebatteryofpict-screensbeforehim.

Theemeraldlightpickedouttheedgesofhisarmourandreflectedfromtheambergemstoneforming theeyeuponhisbreastplate.Reamsof combat statistics streamedpast andpict-relays

showed the unfolding battles in the Choral City. TheWorld Eaterswere in the centre of an epicstruggle.Thousandsofpeoplewereswarminginto theplazabefore thePrecentor'sPalace,andthestreetsflowedwithriversofbloodastheAstartesslaughteredwaveafterwaveofIsstvaniansthatchargedintotheirgunsandchainblades.

Thepalaceitselfwasintact,onlyafewpallsofsmokeindicatingthebattleragingthroughitastheEmperor'sChildrenfoughttheirwaythroughitsguards.

VardusPraalwouldbedeadsoon,thoughHoruscarednothingforthefateofIsstvanIll'sroguegovernor.His rebellionhadsimplygivenHorus thechance to ridhimselfof thoseheknewwouldneverfollowhimonhisgreatmarchtoTerra.

HoruslookedupasErebusapproached.'Firstchaplain,'saidHorussternly.'Mattersaredelicate.Donotdisturbmeneedlessly''ThereisnewsfromProspero,’saidErebus,unperturbed.Theshadowwhisperersclungtohim,

dartingaroundhisfeetandthecroziusheworeathiswaist.'Magnus?'askedHorus,suddenlyinterested.'Helivesyet,’saidErebus,'butnotforthelackofeffortonthepartoftheWolvesofFenris,’'Magnuslives,’snarledHorus.Thenhemayyetbeadanger,’'No,’assuredErebus.'ThespiresofProsperohavefallenandthewarpechoeswiththepowerful

sorceryMagnususedtosavehiswarriorsandescape,’'Alwayssorcery,’saidHorus.'Wheredidheescapeto?''Idonotknowyet,’saidErebus,'butwhereverhegoes,theEmperor'sdogswillhunthimdown,’'Andhewilleitherjoinusordiealoneinthewilderness,’saidHorus,thoughtfully.'Tothinkthat

somuchdependsonthepersonalitiesofsofew.Magnuswasnearlymydeadliestenemy,perhapsasdangerousastheEmperorhimself.Nowhehasnochoicebuttofollowusuntiltheveryend.IfFul-grimbringsFerrusMagnusintothefoldthenwehaveasgoodaswon,’

Horus waved dismissively at the viewscreens depicting the battle in the Choral City. 'TheIsstvaniansbelievethegodshavecometodestroythemandinawaytheyareright.Lifeanddeathareminetodispense.Whatisthatifnotthepowerofagod?'

'CAPTAIN LOKEN. SERGEANT Vipus. It is good to see you both,’ said Sergeant Lachost,

hunkereddownintheshatteredshellofashrinetooneofIsstvanIll'sancestors.We'vebeentryingtoraiseallthesquads.They'reallovertheplace.Thespeartip'sshattered,’

Thenwe'llre-forgeithere,’repliedLoken.Sporadicfirerattledthroughthevalley,sohetookcoverbesideLachost.Thesergeant'scommand

squadwasarrayedaroundtheshrineruin,bolterstrainedandoccasionallysnappingoffshotsattheshapesthatdartedthroughtheshadows.VipusandthesurvivorsofLocastahuddledintheruins

withthem.TheenemyworethearmourofancientIsstvan,tarnishedbandsofsilverandblack,andcarried

strangerelic-weapons,rapid-firingcrossbowsthathurledboltsofmoltensilver.Talesofheroismwereemergingfromthescoresofindividualbattlesamongthetomb-spiresas

SonsofHorusunitsfoughtoffthesoldiersoftheSirenhold.'We'vegotgoodcover,andapositionwecanhold,’saidVipus.Wecangatherthesquadshere

andlaunchathrustintotheenemy.'LokennoddedasTorgaddonducked intocoverbeside them, theSonsofHorushehadbrought

withhimjoiningLachost'smenatthewalls.HegrinnedatLokenandsaid,'Whatkeptyou,Garvi?'"Wehadtocomedownfromthetopofthewall,'saidLoken.'Whereareyourwarriors?''They're everywhere,’ saidTorgaddon. 'They'remaking theirway to this spire, but a lot of the

squadsarecutoff.TheSirenholdwasgarrisonedbysome...elites,Isuppose.Theyhadahellofanarmouryhere,ancientthings,lookslikeadvanced

tech,’LokennoddedasTorgaddoncontinued.'Well,thisspireisclearatleast.I'vegotVaddonandLachostsettingupacommandpostonthe

lowerlevelandwecanjustholdthispositionfornow.TherearethreemoreLegionsintheChoralCityandtherestoftheSonsofHorusinorbit.

There'snoneed-'The enemy has the field,’ replied Loken sharply. 'They can surround us. There are catacombs

beneathourfeettheycouldusetogetaroundus.No,ifwestayputtheywillfindawaytogettous.Thisis their territory.Westrikeassoonaswecan.This isaspeartipandit isuptoustodriveithome,’

'Where?'askedTorgaddon.'Thetomb-spires,’saidLoken.*Wehitthemonebyone.Stormthem,killwhateverwefindand

moveon.Wekeepgoingandforcethemontothebackfoot,’'Mostofourspeartipisonitsway,captain,’saidLachost.'Good,’repliedLoken,lookingupatthespiresaroundtheshrine.Theshrinewasinavalleyformedbythespiretheyhadcomedownandthenextspirealong,a

brutal cylinder of stonewith glowering faces carved into its surface.Dozens of arches around itsbaseofferedentranceandcover,theirdarknessoccasionallylitbyabriefflashofgunfire.

A tangleof shrines littered thegroundbetween the towers, statuesof theChoralCity'snotabledeadjuttingfrompilesofornatearchitectureortheruinsoftemples.

Lokenpointedtothetomb-spireacrossthevalley.Assoonaswehaveenoughwarriorsforafullthrust,that'swhatwehit.Lachost,startsecuringtheshrines

aroundus togiveus agood jumping-offpoint, andget somemenupon the first levelsof thisspiretoprovidecoveringfire.Heavyweaponsifyou'vegotthem.'

GunfireechoedfromtheeastandLokensawtheformsofAstartesmovingtowardsthem:SonsofHorns in the livery of Eskhalen Squad. More warriors were converging on their position, eachfightingtheirownrunningbattlesamongtheshrinesastheysoughttoregroup.

Thisismorethanaburialground,'saidLoken.'WhateverhappenedtoIsstvanIII,itstartedhere.Thisforceisreligiousandthisistheirchurch.'

'Nowonderthey'recrazy,’repliedTorgaddonscornfully'Madmenlovetheirgods.'THECONTROLSOFtheThunderhawkwereloose,theshiptryingtoflipawayfromTarvitzand

gotumblingthroughspace.HehadonlythemostrudimentarytrainingontheseneweradditionstotheAstartesarmoury,andmostofthathadbeeninatmosphere,skimminglowoverbattlefieldstodroptroopsoraddfiresupport.

TarvitzcouldseeIsstvanIIIthroughthearmouredglassoftheviewingbay,acrescentofsunlightcreepingacrossitssurface.Somewhereneartheedgeoftheshiningcrescentwasthecitywherehisbattle-brothers,and thoseof threeotherLegions,werefightingunaware that theyhadalreadybeenbetrayed.

Thunderhawk,identifyyourself,’saidavoicethroughthegunship'svox.HemusthaveenteredtheengagementenvelopeoftheAndroniusandthe

defence turrets had acquired him as a target. If hewas lucky, hewould have a fewmomentsbefore the turrets locked on, moments when he could put as much distance between his stolenThunderhawkandtheAndronius.

Thunderhawk,identifyyourself,’repeatedthevoiceandheknewthathehadtostallinordertogivehimselftimetogetclearofthedefenceturrets.

'CaptainSaulTarvitz,travellingtotheEnduranceonliaisonduty,’Waitforauthorisation,’Heknewhewouldn'tgetauthorisation,buteachsecondtookhimfurtherfromtheAndroniusand

closertotheplanet'ssurface.HepushedtheThunderhawkashardashedared,listeningtothehissofstaticcomingfromthe

vox,hopingagainsthopethatsomehowtheywouldbelievehimandallowhimtogoonhisway.'Standdown,Thunderhawk,’saidthevoice.'ReturntotheAndroniusimmediately,’'Negative,Andronius,'repliedTarvitz.Transmissionisbreakingup,’Itwasacheapploy,butonethatmightgivehimafewsecondsmore.'Irepeat,stand-''Gotohell,’repliedTarvitz.Tarvitzcheckedthenavigationalpictforsignsofpursuit,pleasedtoseethattherewerenoneyet,

andwenchedtheThunderhawkdowntowardsIsstvanIII.

***

'THE PRIDE OF the Emperor is in transit,’ announced Saeverin, senior deck officer of theAndronius.'Thoughthevessel'sNavigatorclaimstobeencounteringdifficulties.LordFulgrimwillnotbewithusanytimesoon.'

'Doeshesendanywordofhismission?'askedEidolon,standingathisshoulder.'Communicationsarestillverypoor,’saidSaeverinhesitantly,'butwhatwehavedoesnotsound

encouraging,’

Thenwewillhave tocompensatewith theexcellenceofourconductand theperfectionofourLegion,’ saidEidolon.TheotherLegionsmaybemore savageor resilient or stealthy but noneofthemapproachestheperfectionoftheEmperor'sChildren.Nomatterwhatliesahead,wemustneverletgoofthat,’

'Ofcourse,commander,’saidSaeverin,ashisconsolelitupwithaseriesofwarninglights.Hishandsdancedovertheconsoleandheturnedtoface

Eidolon.'Lordcommander,’hesaid.'Wemayhaveaproblem,’'Donotspeaktomeofproblems,’saidEidolon.'Defencecontrolhas just informedme that theyhavepickedupaThunderhawkheadingfor the

planet'ssurface,’'Oneofours?''Itappearsso,’confirmedSaeverin,bendingoverhisconsole;'Gettingconfirmationnow,’'Who'spilotingit?'demandedEidolon.'Nooneisauthorisedtotraveltothesurface,’ThelastcommunicationwiththeThunderhawkindicatesthatitisCaptainSaulTarvitz,’Tarvitz?'saidEidolon.'Damnhim,butheisathorninmyside,’'It'scertainlyhim,’saidCaptainSaeverin.'ItlookslikehetookoneoftheThunderhawksfromthe

planetsideembarkationdeck,’Whereisheheading?'askedEidolon,'exactly,’TheChoralCity,’repliedSaeverin.Eidolonsmiled.'He'stryingtowarnthem.Hethinkshecanmakeadifference.Ithoughtwecould

usehim,buthe'stoodamnstubbornandnowhe'sgotitintohisheadthathe'sahero.Saeverin,getsomefightersoutthereandshoothimdown.Wedon'tneedanycomplicationsnow,’

'Aye,sir,’noddedSaeverin.'Fighterslaunchingintwominutes,’MERSADIEWRANGOUT theclothanddraped itoverEuphrati's forehead.Euphratimoaned

andshook,herarmsthrashingasifshewasthrowingafit.Shelookedaspaleandthinasacorpse.'I'mhere,’saidMersadie,eventhoughshesuspectedthecomatoseimagistcouldn'thearher.She

didn'tunderstandwhatEuphratiwasgoingthrough,anditmadeherfeelsouseless.Forreasonsshedidn'tquiteunderstand,shehadstayedwithKyrilSindermannandEuphratias

theymovedaroundtheship.TheVengefulSpiritwasthesizeofacityandithadplentyofplacesinwhichtohide.

Word of their coming went ahead of them and wherever they went, grime-streaked enginecrewmenorboiler-suitedmaintenanceworkersweretheretoshowthemtosafety,supplythemwithfoodandwaterandcatchaglimpseofthesaint.Atpresent,theyshelteredinsideoneoftheenginehousings,amassivehollowtubethatwasnormallyfullofburningplasmaandgreatthrustingpistons.Nowtheenginewasdecommissionedformaintenanceanditmadeforagoodbolt-hole,hiddenandsecretdespiteitsvastdimensions.

Sindermann slept on a thin blanket beside Euphrati and the old man had never looked moreexhausted.Histhinlimbswerespottedandbony,hischeekssunkenandhollow.

One of the engine crew hurried up to the nookwhereKeeler lay on a bundle of blankets andclothes.Hewas stripped to thewaist and covered in grease, a huge andmuscularmanwhowasmovedtokneelmeeklyashortdistancefromthebedofhissaint.

'MissOliton,'hesaidreverentially.'Isthereanythingyouorthesaintneed?''Water,’saidMersadie.'Cleanwater,andKyrilaskedformorepaper,too.'Thecrewman'seyes litup. 'He'swritingsomething?'Mersadiewishedshehadn'tmentioned it.

'He'scollectinghis thoughts foraspeech,' shesaid. 'He'sstillan iterator,afterall. Ifyoucanfindsomemedicalsuppliesaswell,thatwouldbeuseful,she'sdehydrated.'

'TheEmperorwillpreserveher,’saidthecrewman,worryinhisvoice.'I'msurehewill,butwehavetogivehimall thehelpwecan,’repliedMersadie, tryingnot to

soundascondescendingasshefelt.TheeffectthecomatoseEuphratihadonthecrewwasextraordinary,amiracleinitself.Hervery

presence seemed to focus the doubts andwishes of somany people into an iron-strong faith in adistantEmperor.

We'll get what we can,’ said the crewman. We have people in the commissary and medicalsuites,’HereachedforwardtotouchEuphrati'sblanketandmurmuredaquietprayertohisEmperor.Asthecrewmanleftshewhisperedherownperfunctoryprayer.Afterall,theEmperorwasmorerealthananyoftheso-calledgodstheCrusadehadcomeacross.

'Deliverus,Emperor,’shesaidquietly,'fromallofthis,’She looked down sadly and caught her breath as Euphrati stirred and opened her eyes, like

someoneawakeningfromadeepsleep.Mersadiereacheddownslowly,afraidthatifshemovedtooquickly she might shatter this brittle miracle, and took the imagists hand in hers. 'Euphrati,’ shewhisperedsoftly.'Canyouhearme?'EuphratiKeeler'smouthfellopenandshescreamedinterror.

'AREYOU SURE?' askedCaptainGarro of theDeathGuard, limping on his newly replacedaugmeticleg.

Thegyroshadnotyetmeshedwithhisnervoussystemand,muchtohisfury,hehadbeendeniedaplaceintheDeathGuardspeartip.ThebridgeoftheEisensteinwasopentotheworkingsoftheship,aswastypicalwiththeDeathGuardfleet,sinceMortariondespisedornamentationofanykind.

The bridge was a skeletal framework suspended among the ship's guts with massive coolantpipesloomingoverheadlikeknotsofmetallicentrails.Thebridgecrewbentoveraplatforminsetwithcogitatorbanks,theirfacesilluminatedinharshgreensandblues.

Verysure,captain,’repliedthecommunicationsofficer,readingfromthedata-slateinhishand.'AnEmperor'sChildrenThunderhawkispassingthroughourengagementzone.'

Garro took the data-slate from the officer and sure enough, therewas aThunderhawk gunshippassingclosetotheEisenstein,apackoffightersatitsheels.

'Smellsliketrouble,'saidGarro.'Putusonaninterceptcourse.''Yes,captain,’saidthedeckofficer,turningsmartlyandheadingforthehelm.Withinmomentstheenginesflaredintolife,vastpistonspumpingthroughtheoilyshadowsthat

surrounded thebridge.TheEisenstein tiltedas itbeganaponderous turn towards theapproachingThunderhawk.

***

THESCREAMHURLEDKyrilSindermannfromsleepwiththeforceofathunderboltandhefelthisheartthuddingagainsthisribsinfright.

'What?'hemanagedbeforeseeingEuphratisittingboltuprightinbedandscreamingfit toburstherlungs.HescrambledtohisfeetasMersadietriedtoputherarmsaroundthescreamingimagist.KeelerthrashedlikeamadwomanandSindermannrushedovertohelp,puttinghisarmsoutasiftoembracethemboth.

ThemomenthisfingerstouchedEuphratihefelttheheatradiatingfromher,wantingtorecoilinpain,butfeelingasthoughhishandswerelockedtoherflesh.HiseyesmetMersadie'sandheknew

fromtheterrorhesawtherethatshefeltthesamething.He whimpered as his vision blurred and darkened, as though he were having a heart attack.

Imagestumbledthroughhisbrain,darkandmonstrous,andhefoughttoholdontohissanityasvisionsofpureevilassailedhim.

Death, likeablackseethingmantle,hungovereverything.SindermansawMersadie'sdelicate,coaldarkfaceovercomewithit,herfeaturessinkingincorruption.

Tendrilsofdarknesswoundthroughtheair,destroyingwhatevertheytouched.HescreamedashesawthefleshsloughingfromMersadie'sbones,lookingdownathishandstoseethemrottingawaybeforehiseyes.Hisskinpeeledback,thebonesmaggot-white.

Thenitwasgone,theblack,rottingdeathliftedfromhimandSindermanncouldseetheirhidingplaceonceagain,unchangedsincehehadlaiddowntocatchafewfitfulhoursofsleep.Hestumbledaway from Euphrati and with one look saw that Mersadie had experienced the same thing -horrendous,concentrateddecay.

Sindermannputahandtohischest,feelinghisoldheartworkingovertime.'Oh,no...'Mersadiewasmoaning.'Please...whatis...?''Thisisbetrayal,'saidKeeler,hervoicesuddenlystrongassheturnedtowardsSindermann,'and

itishappeningnow.Youneedtotellthem.Tellthemall,Kyril!'Keeler'seyesclosedandsheslumpedagainstMersadie,whoheldherasshesobbed.TARVITZWRESTLEDWITHtheThunderhawkcontrols.Streaksofbrightcrimsonshearedpast

thecockpit-thefightercraftwereonhistail,sprayingruby-redlancesofgunfireathim.IsstvanHIwheeledinfrontofhimasthegunshipspunintheviewscreen.ImpactsthuddedintothebackoftheThunder-hawkandhefeltthecontrolslurchinhishands.He

answeredbyrippinghiscraftupwards,hearingtheenginesshriekincomplaintbeneathhimastheyflipped the gunship'smass out of the enemy lines of fire. Loud juddering noises from behind himspokeofsomethinggivingwayinoneofthe

engines.Redwarninglightsandcrisistelltaleslitupthecockpit.Theangryblipsofthefightersloomedlargeinthetacticaldisplay.Thevox-unitsparkedagainandhereachedtoturnitoff,notwantingtoheargloatingtauntsashe

wasdestroyedandanyhopeofwarningwaslost.Hishandpausedasheheardafamiliarvoicesay,ThunderhawkonaclosingcoursewiththeEisen-stein,identifyyourself,’

Tarvitzwantedtocryinreliefasherecognisedthevoiceofhishonourbrother.'Nathaniel?'hecried.'It'sSaul.It'sgoodtohearyourvoice,mybrother!''Saul?'askedGarro. 'WhatinthenameoftheEmperorisgoingon?Arethosefighterstryingto

shootyoudown?''Yes!'shoutedTarvitz,tearingtheThunderhawkaroundagain,IsstvanIIIspinningbelowhim.The

DeathGuard fleetwas a speckling of glittering streaks against the blackness, crisscrossed by redlaserblasts.

Tarvitzgunnedthestormbird'sremainingengineasGarrosaid,'Why?Andbequick,Saul.Theyalmosthaveyou!'

Thisistreachery?'shoutedTarvitz.Allofthis!Wearebetrayed.Thefleetisgoingtobombardtheplanet'ssurfacewithvirusbombs.'

What?'splutteredGarro,disbeliefplaininhisvoice,That'sinsane,’Trustme,'saidTarvitz,'Iknowhowitsounds,butasmyhonourbrotherIaskyoutotrustmelike

you

havenevertrustedmebefore.OnmylifeIswearIdonotlietoyou,Nathaniel.''Idon'tknow,Saul,’saidGarro.'Nathaniel!'screamedTarvitzinfrustration.'Shiptosurfacevoxhasbeenshutoff,sounlessIcan

getawarningdownthere,everyAstartesonIsstvanIIIisgoingtodie!'CAPTAINNATHANIELGARROcouldnottearhiseyesfromthehissingvox-unit,asifseeking

to discern the truth ofwhat Saul Tarvitzwas saying just by staring hard enough. Beside him, thetactical plot displayed theweavingblips that representedTarvitz'sThunderhawk and the pursuingfighters.Hisexperiencedeyetoldhimthathehadsecondsatbesttomakeadecisionandhiseveryinstinctscreamedthatwhathewashearingcouldnotpossiblybetrue.

YetSaulTarvitzwashisswornhonourbrother,anoathswornonthebloodyfieldsofthePreaixorCampaign,whentheyhadshedbloodandstoodshouldertoshoulderthroughtheentiretyofabloody,ill-fatedwarthathadseenmanyoftheirmostbelovedbrotherskilled.

Such a friendship and bond of honour forged in the hell of combatwas a powerful thing andGarroknewSaulTarvitzwell enough toknow that henever exaggerated andnever, ever lied.Toimaginethathishonourbrotherwaslyingtohimnowwasbeyondimagining,buttohearthatthefleetwassettobombardtheirbattle-brotherswasequallyunthinkable..

Histhoughtstumbledlikeawhirlwindinhisheadandhecursedhisindecision.HelookeddownattheeagleTarvitzhadcarvedintohisvam-bracesolongagoandknewwhathehadtodo.

TARVITZPULLEDTHEThunderhawkintoashallowdive,preparingtochopbackthethrottleanddeployhisairbrakes,hopingthathehaddescendedfarenoughtoallowtheatmosphereof theplanetbelowtoslowhimdownsufficientlyforwhatheplanned...

He glanced down at the tactical display, seeing the fighters moving to either side of him,preparingtobrackethimashisspeedbledoff.Judgingthemomentwascrucial.

Tarvitzhauledbackthethrottleandhittheairbrakes.Thegravseatharnesspulled tightonhischestashewashurledforwardsand thecockpitwas

suddenlylitbybrilliantflashesandaterrificjudderingseizedthegunship.HeheardimpactsonthehullandfelttheThunderhawktumbleawayfromhiscontrol.

HeyelledinangerasherealisedthatthosewhosoughttobetraytheAstarteshadwon,thathisdefiance of their treachery had been in vain. Blooms of fire surged past the cockpit and Tarvitzwaitedfortheinevitableexplosionofhisdeath.

Butitnevercame.Amazed,hetookholdofthegunship'scontrolsandwrestledwiththemashefoughttolevelout

hisflight. The tactical display was a mess of interference, electromagnetic hash and radioactive

debriscloggingitwithanimpenetrablefogofamassivedetonation.Hecouldn'tseethefighters,butwithsuchinterferencetheycouldstillbeoutthere,evennowdrawingabeadonhim.

Whathadjusthappened?'Saul,’saidavoice,heavywithsadnessandTarvitzknewthathishonourbrotherhadnotlethim

down.'Easedown,thefightersaregone.''Gone?How?'TheEisensteinshotthemdownonmyorders,’saidGarro.Tellme,Saul,wasIrighttodoso,for

ifyouspeakfalsely,thenIhavecondemnedmyselfalongsideyou,’Tarvitzwantedtolaughandwishedhisoldfriendwasstandingnexttohimsohecouldthrowhis

arms around him and thank him for his trust, knowing that Nathaniel Garro had made the mostmonumental decision in his life on nothing butwhat had passed between themmoments ago. The

depthoftrustandthehonourGarrohaddonehimwasimmeasurable.'Yes,’hesaid.'Youwererighttotrustme,myfriend,’Tellmewhy?'askedGarro.Tarvitztriedtothinkofsomethingreassuringtotellhisoldfriend,butknewthatnothinghecould

saywouldsoftentheblowofthistreachery.Instead,hesaid,'DoyourememberwhatyouoncetoldmeofTerra?'

Yes,myfriend,’sighedGarro.'Itoldyouitwasold,evenbackintheday,’YoutoldmeofwhattheEmperorbuiltthere,’saidTarvitz.'Awholeworld,wherebeforethere

had been nothing, just barbarians and death. You spoke of the scars of the Age of Strife, wholeglaciersburnedawayandmountainslevelled,’

Yes,’ agreed Garro. 'I remember. The Emperor took that blasted planet and he founded theImperium there. That's what I fight for, to stand against the darkness and build an empire for thehumanracetoinherit,’

That'swhat isbeingbetrayed,my friend,’ saidTarvitz. 'Iwillnot allow that tohappen,Saul,’'NorI,myfriend,’sworeTarvitz.Whatwillyoudonow?'

Garropaused,thequestionofwhattodo,nowthathehadchosenaside,uppermostinhismind.'I'lltelltheAndroniusthatIshotyoudown.Theflareoftheexplosionandthefactthatyou'reintheupperatmosphereshouldcoveryoulongenoughtogettothesurface,’'Andafterthat?'

'The other Legionsmust bewarned of what is going on. Only theWarmaster would have thedaring to conceive of such betrayal and hewould not have begun an endeavour of thismagnitudewithout swaying some of his brother primarchs to join him. RogalDorn orMagnuswould neverforsaketheEmperorandifIcangettheEisenstein

outoftheIsstvansystem,Icanbringthemhere:allofthem.''Canyoudoit?'askedTarvitz.'TheWarmasterwillsoonrealisewhatyouattempt.''Ihavesometimebeforetheywillsuspect,butthenthewholefleetwillbeafterme.Whyisitthat

menhavetodieeverytimeanyofustriestodowhatisright?''Becausethat'stheImperialTruth,’saidTarvitz.'CanyoukeepcontroloftheEisensteinoncethis

getsout?'Yes,’saidGarro.'Itwillbemessy,butenoughofthecrewarestaunchTerrans,andtheywillside

withme.Thosewhodonotwilldie,’TheportenginejudderedandTarvitzknewthathedidn'thavemuchtimebeforethegunshipgave

outbeneathhim.'Ihavetomakeforthesurface,Nathaniel,’saidTarvitz.'Idon'tknowhowmuchlongerthisship

willstayintheair,’'Thenthisiswherewepart,’saidGarro,anawfulnoteoffinalityinhisvoice.'Thenexttimeweseeoneanother,it'llbeonTerra,’saidTarvitz.'Ifwemeetagain,mybrother,’'Wewill,Nathaniel,’promisedTarvitz.'BytheEmperor,Iswearit,’'MaytheluckofTerrabewithyou,’saidGarroandthevoxwentdead.Momentsago,hehadbeenonthebrinkofdeath,butnowhehadhopethathemightsucceedinpreventingtheWarmaster'streacheryfromunfolding.ThatwaswhattheImperialTruthmeant,herealisedatlast.Itmeanthope:hopeforthegalaxy;hopeforhumanity.Tarvitz gunned theThunderhawk's engine, fixed its course towards the Precentor's Palace and

arrowedittowardstheheartoftheChoralCity.

TEN

ThemostprecioustruthPraalDeath'stombTHE SUB-DECK WAS packed with people come to hear the words of the saint's apostle.

Apostle: thatwaswhattheycalledhimnow,thoughtSindermann,anditgavehimcomfort toknowthatevenintheseturbulenttimes,hewasstillapersonthatotherslookedupto.Vanity,heknew,butstill...onetakeswhatonecanwhencircumstanceschangebeyondone'scontrol.

Word had spread quickly through the Vengeful Spirit that he was to speak and he glancednervouslyaroundtheedgesofthesub-deckforanysignthatwordhadreachedbeyondtheciviliansandremembrancers.Armedguardsprotectedtheapproachestothesub-deck,butheknewthatiftheAstartesorMaggardandhissoldierscameinforce,thennotall°fthemwouldescapealive.

Theyweretakingaterriblerisk,butEuphratihadmadeitveryclearthatheneededtospeaktothemasses,tospreadthewordoftheEmperorandtotelloftheimminenttreacherythatshe

hadseen.Thousands of people stared expectantly at him and he cleared his throat, glancing over his

shouldertowhereMersadieandEuphratiwatchedhimstandingatthelecternraisedonamakeshiftplatformofpackingcrates.Aportablevox-linkhadbeen riggedup tocarryhiswords to theveryback of the sub-deck, though he knew his iterator trained voice could be heard without anymechanical help. The vox-link was there to carry his words to those who could not attend thisgathering,faithfulamongthetechnicalstaffoftheshiphavingsplicedtheportableunitintotheship'sprincipalvox-casternetwork.

Sindermann'swordswouldbeheardthroughouttheExpeditionfleet.Hesmiledatthecrowdandtookasipofwaterfromtheglassbesidehim.Aseaofexpectantfacesstaredbackathim,desperatetohearhiswordsofwisdom.Whatwould

hetellthem,hewondered?Helookeddownatthescribblednoteshehadtakenoverthetimehehadbeensequestered in thebowelsof the ship.He lookedbackoverhis shoulderatEuphratiandhersmileliftedhisheart.

Heturnedbacktohisnotes,thewordsseemingtriteandcontrived.Hescrewedthepaperintoaballanddroppeditbyhisside,feelingEuphrati'sapprovallikea

tonicinhisveins.'Myfriends,'hebegan.We live instrange timesand thereareevents inmotion thatwill shock

manyofyouas theyhave shockedme.Youhavecome tohear thewordsof the saint, but shehasaskedmetospeaktoyou,thatImaytellyouofwhatshehasseenandwhatallmenandwomenoffaithmustdo,’

Hisiterator'svoicecarriedthepreciseamountofgravitasmixedwithatonethatspoketothemofhisregretattheterriblewordsofdoomhewasabouttoimpart.

TheWarmaster has betrayed the Emperor,’ he said, pausing to allow the inevitable howls ofdenialandoutragetofillthechamber.ShoutedvoicesroseandfelllikewavesontheseaandSin-dermannletthemwashoverhim,knowingtheexactmomentwhenheshouldspeak.

'Iknow,Iknow,’hesaid.Youthinkthatsuchathingisunthinkableandonlyashorttimeago,Iwouldhaveagreed,butitistrue.Ihaveseenitwithmyowneyes.Thesaintshowedmehervision

anditchilledmyverysoul toseeit:war-tilledfieldsof thedead,windsthatcarryacrueldustofbone and the sky-turned eyes of men who saw wonders and only dreamed of their children andfriendship.Itastedtheairanditwasheavywithblood,myfriends,itsstinkreekingonthebodiesofmenwehavelearnedtocalltheenemy.Andforwhat?That

theydecidedtheydidnotwanttobepartofourwarmongeringImperium?Perhapstheysawmorethanwe?Perhapsittakesthefresheyesofanoutsidertoseewhatwehavebecomeblindto.'

Thecrowdquietened,buthecouldseethatmostpeoplestillthoughthimmad.Manyherewereofthe Faithful, but many others were not.While almost all of them could embrace the Emperor asdivine,fewofthemcouldcountenancetheWar-masterbetrayingsuchawondrousbeing.

AVhenweembarkedonthisso-called"GreatCrusade"itwastobringenlightenmentandreasontothegalaxy,andforatimethatwaswhatwedid.Butlookatusnow,myfriends,whenwasthelasttimewe approached aworldwith anything butmurder in our hearts?Webring somany forms ofwarfarewithus,thetensionofsiegesandthebattlefieldoftrenchessoakedinmudandmiserywhilethe sky is rippedwith gunfire.And themenwho lead us are no better!What dowe expect fromcultureswhoaremetbymennamed"Warmaster","Widowmaker"and"theTwisted"?TheyseetheAstartes, clad in their insect carapaces of plate armour, marching to the grim sounds of cockingboltersandroaringchainswords.Whatculturewouldnottrytoresistus?'

Sindermanncouldfeelthemoodofthecrowdshiftingandknewhehadstokedtheirinterest.Nowhehadtohooktheiremotions.

'Looktowhatweleavebehindus!Somanymemorialstoourslaughters!LooktotheLupercal'sCourt, where we house the bloodyweapons of war in bright halls andwonder at their cruel

beautyastheyhangwaitingfortheirtimetocomeagain.Welookattheseweaponsascurios,butweforget the actuality of the lives these savage instruments took. The dead cannot speak to us, theycannot pleadwith us to seek peacewhile the remembrance of them fades and they are forgotten.Despite the ranks of graves, the triumphal arches and eternal flames,we forget them, forwe areafraidtolookatwhattheydidlestweseeitinourselves.'

Sindermann felt awondrousenergy fillinghimashe spoke, thewords flowing fromhim inanunstoppable torrent,eachwordseeming tospringfromhis lipsof itsownvolition,as thougheachonecame fromsomewhereelse, somewheremoreeloquent thanhispoor,mortal talentcouldeverreach.

Wehavemadewarinthestarsfor twocenturies,yet therearesomanylessonswehaveneverlearned.Thedeadshouldbeourteachers,fortheyarethetruewitnesses.Onlytheyknowthehorrorand the ever repeating failure that is war; the sickness we return to generation after generationbecausewefailtohearthetestamentofthosewhoweresacrificedtomartialpride,greedortwistedideology.'

ThunderousapplausespreadfromthepeopledirectlyinfrontofSindermann,spreadingrapidlythroughthechamberandhewonderedifsuchsceneswerebeingrepeatedonanyoftheothershipsofthefleetthatcouldhearhiswords.

Tearssprangtohiseyesashespoke,hishandsgrippingthelecterntightlyashisvoicetrembledwith emotion. 'Let the battlefield dead take our hands in theirs and illuminate us with the mostprecioustruthwecaneverlearn,thattheremustbepeaceinsteadofwar!'

Lucius SKIDDED то the floor ofwhat appeared to be some kind of throne room. Inlaidwithimpossibly intricatemosaic designs, the floorwas covered in scrollwork so tightlywound that itseemedtoripplewithmovement.Bolterfirestitchedthroughtheroom,showeringhimwithbrokenpiecesofmosaicasherolledintothecoverofanenormousharpsichord.

Musicfromthedawnofcreationboomedaroundhim,fillingthecentralspireofthePrecentor'sPalace.Crystalchandeliershungfromthepetalsatthecentreofthegreatgraniteflower,shimmeringandvibratingintimewiththecacophonyofbattlefarbelow.Instrumentsfilledtheroom,eachoneplayedbyaservitorrefitted toplay theholymusicof theWarsingers.Hugeorganswithpipes thatreachedupthroughtheshaftsofmilkymorninglightstoodnexttobanksofgildedbellsandrankuponrankofbronzecagesheldshaven-headedchoristerswhosangwithblindadulation.

Harpstringssnappedandtwangedintimewiththegunfireanddiscordantnotesboomedasboltershotsrippedthroughthesideoftheorgan.Stormsofweapons'fireflew,fillingtheairwithhotmetal

anddeath,thebattleandthemusiccompetingtomaketheloudestdin.Lucius felthis limbsbecomeenergised just listening to thecrashingvolumeof thenoise, each

blaringnoteandboomingshotfillinghissenseswiththedesiretodoviolence.Heglanced round the sideof theharpsichord, exhaustedandelated tohave reached so far, so

quickly. They had fought theirway through the palace, killing thousands of the black- and silver-armouredguards,beforefinallyreachingthethroneroom.

Fromhis position of cover,Lucius saw that hewas in the second ring of instruments, beyondwhichlaythePrecentor'sDais.Amightythronewithitsbacktohimsatuponthedais,aconfectionofgoldandemeraldsetinaringoflecternsthateachheldamassivevolumeofmusicalnotations.

Gunfireblewonebookapartandablizzardofsheetmusicflutteredaroundthethrone.Thepalaceguardmassedontheoppositesideofthethroneroom,surroundingatallfigureingold

armourwithacollectionof tubesandwhat looked like loudspeakers fanningout fromhisback.Astorm of silver fire flew andLucius saw yetmore guards charging in from the other entrances, aferociousstruggleeruptingasthesenewarrivalschargedtheEmperor'sChildren.

Theyhavecourage,I'llgivethemthat,’hemutteredtohimself.Chainblades and bolt pistols rang from armour and storms of silver fire ripped between the

patches of cover offered by the gilded instruments.Each volley tore up the hardwood frames andsawedthroughservitorsastheysatattheornatekeyboardsorpluckedatstringswithmetalfingers.

Andstillthemusicplayed.Luciusglancedbehindhim.OneofNasicaefellasherantojoinLucius,silverfilamentspunched

throughhisskull.ThebodyclatteredtothefloorbesideLucius.OnlythreeofNasicaeremained,andtheywerecutofffromtheirleader.

'AncientRylanor,engage!'yelledLuciusintothevox. 'Getmecover!Tacticalsquads,convergeonthethroneanddrawthepalaceguardin!Purityanddeath!'

'PurityandDeath!'echoedtheEmperor'sChildren,andwithexemplaryco-ordinationtheysurgedforward.Asilver-armouredguardwasshreddedbybolter fireandflopped,broken, to theground.Glass-armouredbodies lay shattered andbloodyover bullet-scarred instruments.Servitorsmovedjerkily,stilltryingtoplayeventhoughtheirhandsweresmokingruinsofboneandwire.

TheEmperor'sChildrenmovedsquadbysquad,volleybyvolley,advancingthroughthefireasonlythemostperfectofLegionscould.

Luciusbrokecoverandranintothewhirlwindoffire.Silvershardsshatteredagainsthim.Behindhim,Rylanor'sdreadnoughtbodysmashedthroughatitanicbankofdrumsandbells,thenoiseofitsdestructionappallingasRylanoropenedfireontheenemy.Acrobaticguards,clad

inarmourwoundwithlongstreamersofsilk,dartedandleaptawayfromchainbladesandboltslikedancers,slashinglimbswithmonofilamentwire-blades.

Glass-armouredguardschargedforwardinsolidranks,stabbingwiththeirhalberds,yetnoneofthe foes was a match for the disciplined countercharges of the Emperor's Children. The slick

perfectionof theirpattern-perfectwarfarekept its edgeevenamid the stormof fireanddeath thatfilledthethroneroom.

Lucius ducked andwove through the fire towards the gold armoured figure, shrapnel flashingagainsttheenergisededgeofhisswordblade.

Theman'sarmourwasancient,yetgloriouslyornate,theequalinfineryofalordcommanderoftheEmperor'sChildren.Hecarriedalongspear,itsshaftterminatedatbothendsbyahowlingrippleof lethal harmonies.Lucius duckedunder a swipeof theweapon, steppingnimbly to the side andbringinghissworduptowardshisopponent'smidriff.

Fasterthanhewouldhavebelievedpossible,thespearreversedandatremendousblastofnoisebatteredhisswordawaybeforeitstruck.Luciusdancedbackasakillingwaveofsoundblaredfromthe tubesandspeakersmountedon thegoldenwarrior'sback,awhole sectionof themosaic floorploughedinatorngougebythesound.

OneofthepalaceguardsfellatLucius'sfeet,hischestblownopenbyRylanor'sfire,andanothertoppledasoneofNasicaeslicedoffhisleg.

TheEmperor'sChildrensurgedforwardstohelphim,buthewavedthemback-thiswastobehiskill.Heleaptontothethronepedestal,thegoldenwarriorsilhouettedinthelightstreamingfromthedistantceiling.

The screaming spearcamedownandLuciusducked toavoid it, pushinghimself forwards.Hestabbedwithhissword,butapitchperfectnotesenthisswordplungingtowardsthefloorofthedaisinsteadofitsintendedtarget.Luciushauledhisswordclearasthespearstabbedforhimagain,themusical edge shearing past him and blistering the purple and gilt of his armour. The battle ragedferociouslyaroundhim,butitwasanirrelevance,forLuciusknewthathemustsurelybefightingtheleaderofthisrebellion.

OnlyVardusPraalwouldsurroundhimselfwithsuchfearsomebodyguards.Luciuspivotedawayfromanotherstrike,spinningaroundbehindPraalandshearinghissword

throughthespeakertubesandloudspeakersuponhisback.Hefeltaglorioussurgeofsatisfactionastheglowingedgecutthroughthemetalwithease.Aterrific,boomingnoiseblaredfromtheseveredpipesandLuciuswashurledfromthedaisbytheforceoftheblast.

Hisarmourcrackedwiththeforce,andthemusicleaptinclarityashefeltitspowersurgearoundhisbodyinagloriouswashofpure,unadulterated

sensation.Themusicsanginhisblood,promisingyetmoreglories,andtheunfetteredexcessofmusic,lightandhedonisticindulgence.

Luciusfeltthemusicinhissoulandknewthathewantedit,wanteditmorethanhehadwantedanythinginhislife.

He lookedupas thegoldenwarrior leapt lightly from the throne, seeing themusicas swirlinglinesofpowerandpromisethatflowedlikewaterintheair.

'Nowyoudie,’saidLuciusasthesongofdeathtookholdofhim.INLATERMOMENTStheywouldnameitDeath'sTomb,andLokenhadneverfeltsuchdisgust

atthesightshesawwithinit.EvenDavin'smoon,wheretheswampshadvomitedupthelivingdeadtoattacktheSonsofHorus,hadnotbeenthisbad.

Thesoundofbattlewasahellishmusicofscreaming,risinginterriblecrescendos,andthesightwashorrendous.Death'sTombwasbrimmingwithcorpses,festeringincharnelheapsandbubblingwithcorruption.

Thetomb-spireLokenandtheSonsofHorusfoughtwithinwaslargerinsidethanout,thefloorsunkenintoapitwherethedeadhadbeenthrown.ThetombwasthatofDeathitself.Amausoleumof

bloodstainedblackironcarvedintoswirlsandscrollworkdominatedthepit,toppedwithasculptureofFatherIsstvanhimself,amassivebeardedsky-godwhotookawaythesoulsofthefaithfuland

casttherestintotheskytolanguishwithhisLostChildren.AWarsingerperchedonFatherIsstvan'sblackshoulder,screamingasongofdeaththatjarredat

Loken'snervesandsentjanglingpainalonghislimbs.HundredsofIsstvaniansoldierssurroundedthepit,firingfromthehipastheyrantowardstheAstartes,drivenforwardbytheshriekingdeath

song.At them!'yelledLoken,andbeforehecoulddrawbreathagain theenemywasupon them.The

Astartes of the spearhead streamed through the many archways leading into the tomb-spire, gunsblazing as soon as they saw the enemy swarming towards them. Loken fired a fusillade of shotsbeforethetwosidesclashed.

More than two thousand Sons of Horus charged into battle and Death's Tomb became a vastamphitheatreforagreatandterribleslaughter,likethearenasoftheancientRomanii.

'Stay close! Back to back, and advance!' cried Loken, but he could only hope that his fellowwarriorscouldhearhimoverthevox.Thescreamingwasdeafening,everyIsstvaniansoldier'smouthjammedopenandhowlingintheshriekingcadencesoftheWarsinger'smusic.

Lokencutagorycrescentthroughthebodiespressinginonhim,Vipusmatchinghimstrokeforstrokewithhislongchainsword.Strategyandweaponsmeantnothingnow.Thebattlewassimplyabrutalclosequartersfighttothedeath.

Suchacontestcouldhaveonlyoneoutcome.LoathingfilledLoken.Notat thebloodanddeatharoundhim,hehadseenmuchworsebefore,butatthesheerwasteofthiswar.Thepeoplehewaskilling... their livescouldhavemeantsomething.Theycouldhaveaccepted the ImperialTruthandhelpedforgeagalaxywherethehumanracewasunitedandthewisdomoftheEmperorusheredthemtowardsafuturefilledwithwonders.Insteadtheyhadbeenbetrayedandturnedintofanaticalkillersbyacorruptleader,destinedtodieforacausethatwasalie.

Goodliveswasted.NothingcouldbefurtherfromthepurposeoftheImperium.Torgaddon!Bringthelineforwards.Forcethembackandgivethegunssomeroom,’'Easiersaidthandone,Garvi!'repliedTorgaddon,hisvoicepunctuatedwiththesharpcrackof

breakingbones.Lokenglancedaround,sawoneofLachost'ssquaddraggeddownbythemassofenemywarriors

and tried to bring his bolter to bear. Bloodied,mined hands forced his aim down and the battle-brotherwas lost.Hedroppedhisshoulderandbargedforwards,bodiesbreakingbeneathhim,butotherswereontopofhim,bladesandbulletsbeatingathisarmour.

With a roar of anger, Loken ripped his chainsword through an armoured warrior before him,forcingtheenemybackforthesplitsecondheneededtoopenupwithhisbolter.Afull-throated

volley sent a magazine's worth of shells into the mass, blasting them apart in a red ruin ofshatteredfacesandbrokenarmour.

HerapidlyswappedinanewboltermagazineandfiredamongthewarriorstryingtoswamphisfellowSonsofHorus.TheAstartesusedtheopeningstoforgeonwardsoropenupspacestobringtheirownweaponsup.Otherslenttheirgunfiretothebattle-brothersfightingbehindthem.

Thetoneof theWarsinger'sscreamingchangedandLokenfeltas thoughrustynailswerebeingtornuphisspine.Hestaggeredandtheenemywereuponhim.

'Torgaddon!'heshoutedoverthedin.'GettheWarsinger!''MYAPOLOGIES,WARMASTER,’beganMaloghurst, nervousat interrupting theWarmaster's

concentrationonthebattlebelow.'Therehasbeenadevelopment.''Inthecity?'askedHoruswithout

lookingup.'Ontheship,’repliedMaloghurst.Horuslookedupinirritation.'Explainyourself.' 'ThePrime Iterator, Kyril Sindermann...' 'Old Kyril?' said Horus. "What of him.' 'It appears we havemisjudgedtheman'scharacter,mylord,’

'Inwhatway,Mai?'askedHorus.'He'sjustanoldman,’'Thatheis,buthemaybeagreaterthreatthananythingwehaveyetfaced,mylord,’saidMaloghurst.'Heisaleadernow,anapostletheycallhim-He-''Aleader?'interruptedHorus,'of

whom?' 'Of thepeopleof the fleet, civilians, ships' crew,and theLectitioDivinitatus.Hehas justfinishedaspeechtothefleetcallingonthemtoresisttheLegion,sayingthatwearewarmongersandseektobetraytheEmperor.Wearetryingtotracewherethesignalcamefrom,butitislikelyhewillbelonggonebeforewefindhim,’

'Isee,’saidHorus.'ThisproblemshouldhavebeendealtwithbeforeIsstvan,’'Andwe have failed you in this,’ saidMaloghurst. The iteratormixed calls for peacewith a

potentbrewofreligionandfaith,’This should not surprise us,’ said Horus. 'Sindermann was selected for duty with my fleet

precisely because he could convince even themost fractious rabble to do anything.Mix that skillwithreligiousfervourandheisindeedadangerousman,’-TheybelievetheEmperorisdivine,’saidMaloghurst,'andthatwecommitblasphemy,’

'It must be an intoxicating faith,’ mused Horus, 'and faith can be a very powerful weapon. Itappears,Maloghurst,thatwehaveunderestimatedthepotentialthatevenacivilianpossessessolongashehasgenuinefaithinsomething,’'Whatwouldyouhavemedo,mylord?''Wedidnotdealwiththis threat properly,’ said Horus. 'It should have ceased to exist when Var-yarus and thosetroublesomeremembrancerswere

illuminated. Now it takes my attention when our plan is at its most sensitive stage. Thebombardmentisimminent.'

Maloghurstbowedhishead.'Warmaster,Sinder-mannandhiskindwillbedestroyed,’ThenextIhearofthiswillbethattheyarealldead,’orderedHorus.'Itwillbedone,’promisedMaloghurst.'FOOL!'SPATPRAAL,hisvoiceadisgustedrasp.'Haveyounotseenthisworld?Thewonders

youwoulddestroy?Thisisacityofthegods!'Lucius rolled to his feet, still stunned from the sonicShockwave that hadhurledhim from the

thronedais,butknowingthatthesongofdeathwasbeingsungforhimandhimalone.Helunged,butPraalbattedasidehisattack,bringinghisspearupinaneatguard.

Thisisthecityofmyenemies,’laughedLucius.'Thatisallthatmatterstome,’'Youaredeaftothemusicofthegalaxy.Ihaveheardfarmorethanyou,’saidPraal.'Perhapsyou

aretobepitied,forIhavelistenedtothesoundofthegods.Ihaveheardtheirsongandtheydamnthisgalaxyintheirwisdom!'

LuciuslaughedinPraal'sface.'YouthinkIcare?AllIwanttodoiskillyou,’The gods have sung what your Imperial Truth will bring to the galaxy,’ shrieked Praal, his

musicalvoiceheavywithdisdain.'Itisafutureoffearandhatred.Iwasdeaftothemusicbeforetheyopened

metotheirsongofoblivion.ItismydutytoendyourCrusade!''Youcantry,’saidLucius,'butevenifyoukillusall,morewillcome:ahundredthousandmore,a

million,untilthisplanetisdust.Yourlittlerebellionisover;youjustdon'tknowityet,’'No,Astartes,' repliedPraal. 'Ihavefulfilledmydutyandbroughtyouhere, to thiscauldronof

fates.Myworkisdone!AllthatremainsistobloodmyselfinthenameofFatherIsstvan,’

LuciusdancedawayasPraalattackedoncemorewiththerazor-sharpfeintsofamasterwarrior,but the swordsman had faced better opponents than this and prevailed. The song of death rippledbehindhiseyesandhecouldseeeverymovePraalmadebeforehemadeit,thesongspeakingtohimona levelhedidn'tunderstand,but instinctivelyknewwaspowerbeyondanythinghehad touchedbefore.

He launched a flurry of blows atPraal, drivinghimbackwith each attack andnomatter howskilfullyPraalparriedhisstrikes,eachonecamethatlittlebitclosertowoundinghim.

TheflickeroffearhesawinPraal'seyesfilledhimwithbrutaltriumph.Theshrieking,musicalspearblaredonelastatonalscreambeforeitfinallyshatteredunder theenergisededgeofLucius'ssword.

The swordsman pivoted smoothly on his heel and drove his blade, two-handed, into Praal'sgoldenchest,theswordburningthroughhisarmour,ribsandinternalorgans.

Praal dropped to his knees, still alive, hismouthworking dumbly as blood sprayed from themassivewound.Luciustwistedtheblade,relishingthecracksasPraal'sribssnapped.

HeputafootonPraal'sbodyandpulledtheswordclear,standingtriumphantoverthebodyofhisfallenenemy.

Aroundhim,theEmperor'sChildrenslewtheremainingpalaceguards,butwithPraaldead,thesong in his blooddiminished andhis interest in the fight faded.Lucius turned to the throne itself,alreadyachingforthemusictosurgethroughhisbodyonceagain.

Thethrone'sbackwastohimandhecouldn'tseewhowasseatedthere.Acontrolpanelworkedfuriouslybeforeit,likeamonstrouslycomplicatedclockworkkeyboard.

Luciussteppedaroundthethroneandlookedintotheglassyeyesofaservitor.Itsheadwasmountedonaskinnybodyofmetalarmatures,thecomplexinnardsstrippedoutand

replacedwithbrassclockwork.Chatteringmetaltinesreachedfromthechestcavitytoreadthemusicprintedin thebooksmountedaroundthe throneandtheservitor'shands,elaborate, twenty-fingeredconstructionsofmetalandwire,flickeredoverthecontrolpanel.

WithoutPraal, themusicwasoutof tuneand time, its syncopated rhythmsfallingapart,LuciusknewthatthiswasapoorsubstituteforwhathadfuelledhisbattlewithPraal.

Suddenlyangrybeyondwords,Luciusbroughthisbladedowninaglitteringarc,shatteringthecontrol panel in a shower of orange sparks. The hideousmusic transformed into a howling deathshriek, shaking the stone petals of the palacewith its terrible deafeningwail before fading like aforgottendream.

ThemusicofcreationendedandallacrossIsst-vanthevoicesofthegodsweresilenced.дVOLLEYOFgunfirecaughtLoken'sattentionashedesperatelyfoughtthedozensofguardswho

stabbedathimwiththeirgleaminghalberds.Behindhim,Torgaddonbrought thespeartipupintoafiringline,andbolterfirebatteredagainsttheblackironofDeath'smausoleum.TheWarsingerwasbrokenlikeadyingbirdagainstthestatueofFatherIsstvan.

TheWarsingerfell,herfinalscreamtailingoffashershatteredformcrackedagainsttheornatecarvingsofDeath'smausoleum.

'She'sdown!'saidTorgaddon'svoiceoverthevox,soundingsurprisedattheeasewithwhichshehadbeenkilled.

'Who have we lost?' asked Loken, as. the enemy soldiers fell back at theWarsinger's death,suspectingthattherewasmoretothiswithdrawalthansimplyherdeath.SomethingfundamentalhadchangedonIsstvan,buthedidn'tyetknowwhat.

'MostofSquadChaggrat,’repliedTorgaddon,andplentyofothers.Wewon'tknowuntilweget

°utofhere,butthere'ssomethingelse...''What?'askedLoken.''Lachost says we've lost contact with orbit,’ said Torgaddon. 'There's no signal. It's as if the

VengefulSpiritisn'tevenupthere,’That'simpossible,’saidLoken,lookingaroundforthefamiliarsightofSergeantLachost.He saw him at the edge of the charnel pit and marched over to him. Torgaddon and Vipus

followedhimandTorgaddonsaid,'Impossibleornot,it'swhathetellsme,’'Whatabouttherestofthestrikeforce?'askedLoken,crouchingbesideLachost.'Whataboutthe

palace?''We'rehavingmoreluckwiththem,’repliedLachost.'ImanagedtogetthroughtoCaptainEhrlen

oftheWorldEaters.Itsoundslikethey'reoutsidethepalace.It'sanabsolutemassacreoverthere-,thousandsofciviliansdead,’

'InthenameofTerra!'saidLoken,imaginingtheWorldEaters'predilectionformassacreandtheriversofbloodthatwouldbeflowingthroughthestreetsoftheChoralCity.'Havetheymanagedtocontactanyoneinorbit?'

They've got their hands full, captain,’ replied Lachost. 'Even if they've managed to raise theConqueror,they'reinnopositiontorelayanythingfromus.IcouldbarelygetanythingoutofEhrlenotherthanthathewaskillingthemwithhisbarehands,’'Andthepalace?'

'Nothing,Ican'tgetthroughtoCaptainLuciusoftheEmperor'sChildren.Thepalacehasbeenplayinghellwith communicationsever since theywent in.Therewas somekindofmusic,but

nothingelse,’ThentrytheDeathGuard.They'vegottheDiesIraewiththem,wecanuseittorelayforus,’'I'll

try,sir,butit'snotlookinghopeful,’Thiswassupposedtobeoverbynow,’spatLoken.'TheChoralCityisn'tjustgoingtocollapsewiththeirleadersdead.MaybetheWorldEatershavetherightidea.We'regoingtohavetokillthemall.Weneedthesecondwavedownherenowandifwecan'tevenspeaktotheWarmasterthisisgoingtobeaverylongcampaign,’'I'llkeeptrying,’saidLachost.Weneedtolinkupwiththerestofthestrikeforce,’saidLoken.'We'recutoffhere.Weneedtomakeforthe palace and find theWorldEaters or theEmperor'sChildren.We're not doing any good sittinghere.Allwe'redoingisgivingtheIsstvaniansachancetosurroundus,’

'There'realotofsoldiersbetweenusandtherestofthestrikeforce,’Torgaddonpointedout.Thenweadvanceinforce.Wewon'ttakethiscitybywaitingtobeattacked,’'Agreed.Isawthemaingatesalongthewesternwalls.Wecangetintothecityproperthere,but

it'llbeatoughslog,’'Good,’saidLoken.'IT'SATRAP,'saidMersadie.'Ithastobe,’'You'reprobablyright,’agreedSindermann.'OfcourseI'mright,’saidMersadie. 'MaloghursttriedtohaveEuphratikilled.Hispetmonster,

Mag-gard,almostkilledyoutoo,remember?''Irememberverywell,’saidSindermann, 'butthinkoftheopportunity.Therewillbethousands

thereandtheycouldn'tpossiblytryanythingwiththatmanypeoplearound.Theyprobablywon'tevennoticewe'rethere,’

MersadielookeddownhernoseatSindermann,unabletobelievethattheolditeratorwasbeingsodense.Hadhenot spoken tohundredsofpeopleonlyhoursbeforeof theWarmaster'sperfidy?Andnowhewantedtogatherinaroomwithhim?

Theyhadbeenwokenfromtheirslumbersbyoneoftheengineeringcrewwhopressedarolledleaflet into Sindermann's shaking hand. Sharing aworried glancewithMersadie, Sindermann hadreadit.ItwasadecreefromtheWarmasterauthorisingallremembrancerstogatherintheVengeful

Spirit'smainaudiencechambertobearwitnesstothefinaltriumphonIsstvanIII.Itspokeofthegulfthathad,muchtotheWarmaster'sgreatsorrow,openedbetweentheAstartesandtheremembrancers.With this one, grand gesture, the Warmaster hoped to allay any fears that such a gulf had beenengineereddeliberately

'Hemustthinkwearestupid,’saidMersadie.'Doeshereallythinkwewouldfallforthis?''Maloghurstisaverycunningman,’saidSindermann,rollinguptheleafletandplacingitonthe

bed.'You'dhardlytakehimforawarrioranymore.He'stryingtoflushthethreeofusout,hopingthatnoremembrancercouldresistsuchanoffer.IfI

werealessmoralmanImightadmirehim,’'Allthemorereasonnottofallintohistrap!'exclaimedMersadie.'Ah,butwhatifit'sgenuine,mydear?'askedSindermann.'Imaginewhatwe'dseeonthesurface

ofIsstvanIII!''Kyril, this isabigshipandwecanhideout fora long time.WhenLokencomesbackhecan

protectus,’'LikeheprotectedIgnace?'That's not fair, Kyril,’ saidMersadie. 'Loken can help us get off the ship once we leave the

Isstvansystem,’'No,’saidavoicebehindMersadieandtheybothturnedtoseeEuphratiKeeler.Shewasawake

again,andhervoicewasstrongerthanMersadiehadhearditforalongtime.Shelookedhealthierthanshehadbeensince the terror in thearchive.Toseeherstanding,walkingand talkingaftersolongwasstillanoveltyforMersadieandshesmiledtoseeherfriendonceagain.

'Wego,’shesaid.'Euphrati?'saidMersadie.'Doyoureally...'Yes,Mersadie,’shesaid.'Imeanit.Andyes,Iamsure,’'It'satrap,’'Idon'tneedavisionfromtheEmperortoseethat,’laughedEuphrati,andMersadiethoughtthere

wassomethingalittlesinisterandforcedtoit.'Butthey'llkillus.'Euphratismiled.'Yestheywill.Ifwestayhere,they'llhuntusdowneventually.Wehavefaithful

amongthecrew,butwehaveenemies,too.IwillnothavetheChurchoftheEmperordielikethat.Thiswillnotendinshadowsandmurder.'

'Now,MissKeeler,’ saidSindermannwitha forced lightnessof tone. 'You're starting to soundlikeme.'

'Maybe theywill finduseventually,Euphrati,' saidMersadie, 'but there'sno reason tomake iteasyforthem.WhylettheWarmasterhavehiswaywhenwecanlivealittlelonger?'

'Becauseyouhavetosee,’saidEuphrati.Youhavetoseeit.Thisfate,thistreachery,it'stoogreatforanyofustounderstandwithoutwitnessingit.HavefaiththatIamrightaboutthis,myfriends.'

'It'snotaquestionoffaithnow,isit?'saidSindermann.'It'sa-''Itistimeforustostopthinkinglikeremembrancers,’saidEuphrati,andMersadiesawalightin

hereyesthatseemedtogrowbrighterwitheverywordshespoke.'TheImperialTruthisdying.Wehavewatched itwither ever sinceSixty-ThreeNineteen.You either diewith it or you follow theEmperor.ThisgalaxyistoosimpleforustohideinitscomplexityanymoreandtheEmperorcannotworkHiswillthroughthosewhodonotknowiftheyevenbelieveatall,’

1willfollowyou,’saidSindermann,andMersadiefoundherselfnoddinginagreement.

ELEVEN

WarningDeathofaWorldTheLastCthonianSAULTARVITZ'S FIRST sight of the Choral City was the magnificent stone orchid of the

Precentor's Palace.He stepped from the batteredThunderhawkonto the roof of one of the palacewings,thespectaculardomesoaringabovehim.Smokecoiledintheairfromthebattleswithinthepalaceandtheterriblesoundofscreamingcamefromthesquaretothenorth,alongwiththepowerfulstenchoffreshly-spilledblood.

Tarvitztookitinataglance,thethoughthittinghimhardthatatanymomentitwouldallbegone.HesawAstartesmovingalongtherooftowardshim,Emperor'sChildren,andhisheartleapttoseeNasicaeSquadwithLuciusatitshead,hisswordsmokingfromthebattle.

Tarvitz!' called Lucius, and Tarvitz thought he detected even more of a swagger to dieswordsman'sstride.'Ithoughtyou'dnevermakeit!Jealousofthekills?'

'Lucius,what'sthesituation?'askedTarvitz.'ThepalaceisoursandPraalisdead,killedbyrnyownhand!NodoubtyoucansmelltheWorld

Eaters; they're justnotathomeunlesseverythingstinksofblood.The restof thecity'scutoff.Wecan'traiseanyone.'

Luciusindicatedthecity'sfarwest,wherethetoweringformoftheDieslraeblazedfireuponthehapless Isstvaniansoutof sightbelow. 'Though it looks like theDeathGuardwill soon runoutofthingstokill.'

We have to contact the rest of the strike force, now,’ saidTarvitz, 'the Sons ofHorus and theDeathGuard.Getasquadonit.Getsomeoneuptohigher

ground,’Why?'askedLucius.'Saul,what'shappening?'We'regoingtobehit.Somethingbig.Avimsstrike,’'TheIsstvanians?''No,’saidTarvitzsadly.Wearebetrayedbyourown,’Luciushesitated.TheWarmaster?Saul,whatareyou-'We'vebeensentdownheretodie,Lucius.Fulgrimchosethosewhowerenotpartoftheirgrand

plan,’'Saul,that'sinsane!'criedLucius.Whywouldourprimarchdosuchathing?''Idonotknow,buthewouldnothavedonethiswithouttheWarmaster'scommand,’saidTarvitz.

Thisisbutthefirststageinsomelargerplan.Idonotknowitspurpose,butwehavetotryandstopit-Luciusshookhishead,hisfeaturestwistedinpetulantbitterness. 'No.Theprimarchwouldn't

sendmetodie,notafterallthebattlesIfoughtforhim.LookatwhatI'vebecome.IwasoneofFul-grim'schosen!I'veneverfaltered,neverquestioned!IwouldhavefollowedFulgrimintohell!'

'ButIwouldn't,Lucius,’saidTarvitz,'andyouaremyfriend.I'msorry,butwedon'thavetimeforthis.Wehavetogetthewarningoutandthenfindshelter.I'lltakewordtotheWorldEaters,youraisetheSonsofHorusandDeathGuard.Don'tgointothedetails,justtellthemthatthereisavirusstrikeinboundandtofindwhateversheltertheycan,’

Tarvitz looked at the reassuring solidity of the Precentor's Palace and said, 'There must becatacombsordeepplacesbeneaththepalace.Ifwecanreachthemwemaysurvivethis.Thiscityisgoingtodie,Lucius,butI'llbedamnedifIamgoingtodiewithit,’

Tilgetavox-officeruphere,’saidLucius,asteelangerinhisvoice.'Good.Wedon'thavemuchtime,Lucius,thebombswillbelaunchedanymoment,’Thisisrebellion,’saidLucius.'Ves,’saidTarvitz,'itis,’Beneathhisritualisticscars,Luciuswasstilltheperfectsoldierhehadalwaysbeen,atalisman

whose confidence could infect themen around him, and Tarvitz knew he could rely on him. Theswordsman nodded and said, 'Go, find Captain Ehrlen. I'll raise the other Legions and get ourwarriorsintocover.Iwillspeakwithyouagain.'

'Untilthen,’saidTarvitz.Lucius turned to Nasicae, barked an order, and ran back towards the palace dome. Tarvitz

followed, looking down on the northern plaza and glimpsing the seething battle there, hearing thescreamsandthesoundofchainblades.

Helookedupatthelatemorningsky.Cloudsweregathering.Anymoment,fallingvirusbombswouldborethroughthoseclouds.ThebombswouldfallalloverIsstvanIIIandbillionsofpeoplewoulddie.AMONGTHETRENCHESandbunkers thatsprawledtothewestof theChoralCity,menand

Astartesdiedinstormsofmudandfire.TheDiesIraeshudderedwiththeweightoffireitlaiddown.ModeratiCas-sar felt itall,as though the immense,multi-barrelledVulcanbolterwere inhisownhand. The Titan had suffered many wounds, its legs scarred by missile detonations and furrowsscoredinitsmightytorsobybunker-mountedcannons.

Cassarfeltthemall,butamultitudeofwoundscouldnotslowdowntheDiesIraeorturnitfromits

course.DestructionwasitspurposeanddeathwasthepunishmentitbroughtdownontheheadsoftheEmperor'senemies.

Cassar'sheartswelled.HehadneverfeltsoclosetohisEmperor,atonewiththeGod-Machine,afragmentoftheEmperor'sownstrengthinstilledintheDiesIrae.

Aruken, pull to starboard!' ordered Princeps Tur-net from the command chair. Avoid thosebunkersorthey'llfoultheportleg.'

TheDiesIraeswungtotheside,itsimmensefoottakingtheroofsfromatangleofbunkersandshatteringartilleryemplacementsas itcrashedforwards.AscrumofIsstvaniansoldiersscrambledfromtheruins,settingupheavyweaponstopourfireintotheTitanasittoweredoverthem.

The Isstvanians were well-drilled and well-armed, and though the majority of their weaponsweren'ttheequalofalasgun,trencheswereagreatlevellerandamanwithariflewasamanwithariflewhenthegunfirestarted.

The Death Guard slaughtered thousands of them as they bludgeoned their way through thetrenches,but the Isstvaniansweremorenumerousand theyhadn't run. Instead theyhad fallenbacktrenchbytrench,rollingawayfromtherelentlessadvanceoftheDeathGuard.

The Isstvanians,with their drabgreen-greyhelmets andmud-spattered flak-suits,werehard topickoutagainstthemudandrabblewiththenakedeye,butthesensorsontheDiesIrae

projected a sharp-edged image onto Cassar's retina that picked them out in wondrously cleardetail.

Cassarfiredablastofmassive-calibreshells,watchingascolumnsofmudandbodiessprayed

into the air like splashes in water. The Isstvanians disappeared, destroyed by the hand of theEmperor.'Enemyforcesmassingtotheportforwardquadrant,'saidModeratiAruken.

ToCassarhisvoicefeltdistant,thoughhewasjustacrossthecommandbridgeoftheTitan.TheDeathGuardcanhandle them,’ repliedTur-net. 'Concentrateon theartillery.Thatcanhurt

us.'BelowCassar,thegunmetalformsoftheDeathGuardglintedaroundthebunkersastwosquadsof them threwgrenades through thegunports andkickeddown thedoors, spraying the Isstvanianswho still lived insidewith bolter fire or incinerating themwith sheets of fire from their flamers.FromtheheadoftheDiesIrae,theDeathGuardlookedlikeaswarmofbeetles,withthecarapacesoftheirpowerarmourscuttlingthroughthetrenches.

AfewDeathGuardlaywheretheyhadfallen,cutdownbyartilleryfireorthemassedgunsoftheIsst-vaniantroops,buttheywerefewcomparedtotheIsstvaniancorpsesstrewnateveryintersectionoftrenches.Metrebymetrethedefenderswerebeingdriventowardsthenorthernmostextentofthetrenches,andwhentheyreachedthewhitemarbleofatallBasilicawithaspireshapedlikeatrident,theywouldbetrappedandslaughtered.

CassarshiftedtheweaponarmoftheDiesIraetoaimataboomingartillerypositionsomefivehundredmetresaway,asitbelchedtonguesofflameandthrewexplosiveshellstowardstheDeathGuardlines.

'Princeps!'calledCassar.'Enemyartillerymovingupontheeasternquadrant.'Turnet didn't answer him, too intent on something being said to himon his personal command

channel.The princeps nodded atwhatever order he had just received and shouted, 'Halt!Aruken,ceasethestridepattern.Cassar,shutofftheammunitionfeed.'

Cassar instinctivelyswitchedoff thecyclingof theweapon that thunderedfromtheTitan'sarmandtheshockforcedhisconsciousnessbacktothecommandbridge.HenolongerlookedthroughtheeyesoftheDiesIrae,butwasbackwithhisfellowofficers.

'Princeps?'askedCassar,scanningthereadouts.'Isthereamalfunction?Ifthereis,I'mnotseeingit.Theprimarysystemsarereadingfine.'

'It's not a malfunction,’ replied Turnet sharply. Cassar looked up from information scrollingacrosshisvisioninunfocusedcolumns.

'ModeratiCassar,’barkedTurnet.'How'sourweapontemperature?''Acceptable,’saidCassar.'Iwasgoingtopushitonthatartillery,’'Closeupthecoolantductsandsealthemagazinefeedsassoonaspossible,’'Princeps?'saidCassarinconfusion.'Thatwillleaveusunarmed,’'Iknowthat,’repliedTurnet,asthoughtoasimpleton.'Doit.Aruken,Ineedussealed,’'Sealed,sir?'askedAruken,soundingasconfusedasCassarfelt.'Yes,sealed.Wehavetobeairtightfromtoptobottom,’saidTurnet,openingachanneltotherest

ofthemightywarmachine'screw.'Allcrew, this isPrincepsTurnet.Adoptemergencybiohazardposts, rightnow.Thebulkheads

arebeingsealed.Shutoffthereactorventsandbepreparedforpowerdown,’'Princeps,’saidArukenurgently.'Isitabiologicalweapon?Atomics?''TheIsstvanianshaveaweaponwedidn'tknowabout,’repliedTurnet,butCassarcouldtellhe

waslying.They'relaunchingitsoon.Wehavetolockdownorwe'llbecaughtinit,’Cassar looked down at the trenches through the Titan's eyes. The Death Guard were still

advancingthroughthetrenchesandbunkerruins.'Butprinceps,theAstartes-''Youhaveyourorders,ModeratiCassar,’shoutedTurnet,'andyouwillfollowthem.Sealusup,

everyvent,everyhatchorwedie,’

Cassar willed the Dies Irae to shut its hatches and seal all its entranceways, his reluctancemakingtheproceduressluggish.

Onthegroundbelow,hewatchedtheDeathGuardcontinuetogrindtheirwaythroughtheChoralCity'sdefences,apparentlyunconcernedthattheIsstvanianswereabouttolaunchThrone

knewwhatatthem,orunaware.Asthebattleragedon,theDiesIraefellsilent.THEМАШAUDIENCEchamberoftheVengefulSpiritwasacolossal,columnedchamberwith

wallsofmarbleandpilastersofsolidgold.ItsmagnificencewaslikenothingSindermannhadeverseen, and the thousands of remembrancerswho filled the chamberwore the expressions of awedchildren who had been shown some new, unheard of wonder. Seeing many familiar faces,Sindermann guessed that the fleet's entire complement of remembrancers was present for theWarmaster'sannouncement.

TheWarmasterandMaloghurststoodonaraisedpodiumatthefarendofthehall,toofarawayforeitherofthemtorecogniseSindermann,MersadieorEuphrati.

Oratleasthehopedso.WhoknewhowsharpanAstarteseyesightwas,letaloneaprimarch's?BothAstarteswerewrapped increamrobesedged ingoldandsilverandadetailofwarriors

stoodbesidethem.Anumberoflargepictscreensnadbeenhungfromthewalls.'Itlookslikeaniterators'rallyonacompliantworld,saidMersadie,echoinghisownthoughtsSo

similar was it that he began to wonder what message was to be imparted and how it would bereinforced.Helookedaroundforplantsinthe

audiencewhowouldclapandcheeratprecisepointstodirectthecrowdinthedesiredmanner.EachofthescreensdisplayedasliceofIsstvanЩ,setagainstablackbackdropscatteredwithbrightsilverspecksoftheWarmaster'sfleet.

'Euphrati,' said Mersadie as they made their way through the crowds of remembrancers.'RememberhowIsaidthatthiswasabadidea?'

'Yes?'saidEuphrati,herfacecreasedinawide,innocentsmile.'Well,nowIthinkthatthiswasareallybadidea.Imean,lookatthenumberofAstarteshere.'Sindermann followedMersadie'sgaze, already starting to sweat at the sightof somanyarmed

warriorssurroundingthem.Ifevenoneofthemrecognisedtheirfaces,itwasallover.'Wehavetosee,’saidEuphrati,turningandgrabbinghissleeve.'Youhavetosee.'Sindermannfelttheheatofhertouchandsawthefirebehindhereyes,likethunderbeforeastorm

and he realised with a start, that he was a litde afraid of Euphrati. The crowd milled in eagerimpatience and Sindermann kept his face turned from the Astartes staring into the middle of theaudiencechamber.

EuphratisqueezedMersadie'shandasthepictscreensleapttolifeandagaspwentupfromtheassembled remembrancers as they saw thebloody streetsof theChoralCity.Clearly shot fromanaircraft,theimagesfilledthegiantpictscreensandSindermannfelthisgorgeriseatthesightofsomuchbutchery.

He remembered the carnageof theWhisperheads and remindedhimself that thiswaswhat theAstarteshadbeencreatedtodo,butthesheervisceralnatureofthatrealitywassomethingheknewhewouldnevergetusedto.Bodiesfilledthestreetsandarterialgorecoveredalmosteverysurfaceasthoughtheheavenshadrainedblood.

'You remembrancers say you want to see war,’ said Horus, his voice easily carrying to thefurthestcornersofthehall.'Well,thisisit,’

Sindermannwatchedastheimageshiftedonthescreen,pullingbackandpanningupthroughtheskyandintothedark,star-spatteredheavensabove.

Burningspearsoflightfelltowardsthebattlebelow.Whatarethose?'askedMersadie.They'rebombs,’saidSindermanninhorrifieddisbelief.'Theplanetisbeingbombarded,’'Andsoitbegins,’saidEuphrati.THEPLAZAWASatrulyhorrendoussight,ankle-deepinbloodandstrewnwiththousandsupon

thousandsofbodies.Mostwereblownopenbybolterrounds,butmanyhadbeenhackeddownwithchainbladesorotherwisetornlimbfromlimb.

Tarvitz hurried towards the makeshift strongpoint at its centre, the battlements formed fromcarvedupbodiesheapedbetweenthebatteredformsoffallendrop-pods.

AWorldEaterwithblood-soakedarmourandascarredfacenoddedtohimasheclimbedthegruesomerampofbodies.Thewarrior'sarmourwassodrenchedinbloodthatTarvitzwondered

for amomentwhyhehadn't just paintedhimself red to beginwith. 'CaptainEhrlen,’ saidTarvitz.^Vhereishe?'Thewarriorwastednobreathonwordsandsimplyjerkedathumbinthedirectionofawarriorwithdozensofflutteringoathpapershangingfromhisbreastplate.Tarvitznoddedhisthanksandsetoffthroughthesttongpoint.HepassedwoundedAstarteswhoweretendedbyanapothecarywholookedasifhehadfoughtashardasanyofhispatients.BesidehimlaytwofallenWorldEaters,theirbodiesunceremoniouslydumpedoutoftheway.

Ehrlen looked up as Tarvitz approached. The captain's face had been badly burned in somepreviousbattleandhisaxewasclottedwithsomuchbloodthatitbetterresembledaclub.

'Looks like the Emperor's Children have sent us reinforcements!' shouted Ehrlen, to grunts oflaughterfromhisfellowWorldEaters.'Onewholewarrior!Weareblessed,theenemywillrunawayforsure.'

'Captain,’saidTarvitz, joiningEhrlenat thebarricadeofIsstvaniandead. 'MynameisCaptainSaulTarvitzandI'mheretowarnyouthatyouhavetogetyoursquadsintocover,’

'Intocover?Unacceptable,’saidEhrlen,noddingtowardsthefarsideoftheplaza.Shapesmovedin their windows and between the mansions. They're regrouping. If we move now they willoverwhelmus.'

'TheIsstvanianshaveabio-weapon,’saidTarvitz,knowingaliewastheonlywaytoconvincetheWorldEaters.'They'regoingtofireit.It'llkilleveryoneandeverythingintheChoralCity,’

They'regoingtodestroytheirowncapital?Ithoughtthisplacewassomekindofchurch?Holytothem?'

They'veshownhowmuchtheyvaluetheirown,’repliedTarvitzquickly,indicatingtheheapsofdeadinfrontofthem.They'llsacrificethiscitytokillus.Drivingusfromtheirplanetisworthmoretothemthanthiscity,’

'So youwould have us abandon this position?' demandedEhrlen, as if Tarvitz had personallyinsultedhishonour.'Howdoyouknowallthis?'

'Ijustgotherefromorbit.Theweaponhasalreadybeenunleashed.Ifyou'reabovegroundwhenthevirusstrikehitsyouwilldie.Ifyoubelievenothingelse,believethat,’Thenwheredoyousuggestwemoveto?''Justtothewestofthisposition,captain,’saidTarvitz,stealingaglanceatthesky.Theedgeofthetrenchsystemisthickwithbunkers,blastproofshelters.Ifyougetyourmenintothem,theyshouldbesafe,’

'Shouldbe?'snappedEhrlen.'That'sthebestyoucanofferme?'EhrlenstaredatTarvitzforamoment.'Ifyouarewrongthebloodofmywarriorswillbeonyour

handsandIwillkillyoufortheirdeaths,’'Iunderstandthat,captain,’urgedTarvitz,'butwedon'thavemuchtime.'

Verywell, Captain Tarvitz,' said Ehrlen. 'Sergeant Fleiste, left flank! SergeantWronde, right!WorldEaters,generaladvancetothewest,bladesout!'

TheWorldEatersdrewtheirchainaxesandswords.Thebloodstainedassaultunitshurriedtothefrontandsteppedoverthemakeshiftbarricadesofcorpses.

'Areyoucoming,Tarvitz?'askedEhrlen.Tarvitznodded,drawinghisbroadswordandfollowingtheWorldEatersintotheplaza.AlthoughtheywerefellowAstartes,heknewhewasastrangeramongthemastheyran,spitting

battlecursesandsplashingthroughthedeadtowardsthepotentialsafetyofthebunkers.Tarvitzglancedupatthegatheringcloudsandfelthischesttighten.Thefirstburningstreakswerefallingtowardsthecity.IT'SSTARTED,'SAIDLoken.Lachostlookedupfromthefieldvox.FirewasstreakingthroughtheskytowardstheChoralCity.

Lokentriedtojudgetheangleandspeedofthefallingdartsoffire-someofthemwouldcomedownbetween the spires of theSirenhold, just like theSons ofHorus's owndrop-pods had done hoursearlier,andtheywouldhitinamatterofminutes.

'DidLuciussayanythingelse?''No,’saidLachost.'Somebio-weapon.Thatwasall.Itsoundedlikeheranintoafirefight.'Tarik,’shoutedLoken.'Weneedtogetintocover,now.BeneaththeSirenhold,’'Willthatbeenough?''Iftheydugtheircatacombsdeepenough,thenmaybe,’'Andifnot?''FromwhatLuciussaid,we'lldie,’'Thenwe'dbettergetamoveon,’Loken turned to theSonsofHorns advancing aroundhim. 'Incoming!Get to theSirenhold and

headdown!Now!'TheclosestspireoftheSirenholdwasatoweringmonstrosityofgrotesquewrithingfiguresand

leeringgargoylefaces,avisiontakenfromsomeancienthellofIsstvan'smyths.TheSonsofHorasbroketheiradvanceformationandrantowardsit.

Loken heard the distinctive boom of an airborne detonation high above the city and pushedhimselfharderasheentered thedarknessof the tomb-spire. Inside, itwasdarkandugly, thefloorpavedwithtortured,half-humanfigureswhoreachedupwithstonehands,asifthroughthebarsofacage.

There's away down,’ said Torgaddon. Loken followed asAstartes ran towards the catacombentrance,ahugemonstrousstoneheadwithapassagewayleadingdownitsthroat.

Asthedarknessclosedaroundhim,LokenheardafamiliarsounddriftingfrombeyondthewallsoftheSirenhold.

Itwasscreaming.ItwasthesongoftheChoralCity'sdeath.THEFIRSTVIRUSbombsdetonatedhighabovetheChoralCity,thehugeexplosionsspreading

the deadly payloads far andwide into the atmosphere. Designed to kill every living thing on thesurface of a planet, the viral strains released on IsstvanЩwere themost efficient killers in theWarmaster'sarsenal.Thebombshadahighenoughyieldtomurdertheplanetahundredtimesoverandweresettoburstatnumerousdifferingaltitudesandlocationsacrossthesurfaceoftheplanet.

Thevirusleaptthroughforestsandplains,sweepingalongalgalbloomsandridingaircurrents

across the globe. It crossedmountains, forded rivers, burrowed through glaciers. The Imperium'sdeadliestweapons,theEmperorhimselfhadbeenloathtousethem.

ThebombsfellallacrossIsstvanIII,butmostofall,theyfellontheChoralCity.THE WORLD EATERS were the furthest from cover and suffered the worst of the initial

bombardment.Somehadreachedthesafetyofthebunkers,butmanymorehadnot.Warriorsfelltotheirkneesastheviruspenetratedtheirarmouredbodies,deadlycorrosiveagentslacedintotheviralstructure of theweapons dissolving exposed pipes and armour joints, or finding theirway insidethroughbattledamage.

Astartesscreamed.Thesoundwasallthemoreshockingforitsveryexistenceratherthanforthehorrorofitstone.Thevirusbrokedowncellularbondsatthemolecularlevelanditsvictimsliterallydissolvedintoasoupofrancidmeatwithinminutesofexposure,leavinglittlebutsloshingsuitsofrottedarmour.Evenmanyofthosewhoreachedthesafetyofthesealedbunkersdiedinagonyastheyshutthedoorsonlytofindtheyhadbroughtthelethalvirusinsidewiththem.

ThevirusspreadthroughthecivilianpopulaceofIsstvanIIIatthespeedofthought,leapingfromvictimtovictiminthetimeittooktobreatheinitsfoulcontagion.Peopledroppedwheretheystood,thefleshsloughingfromtheirskeletonsastheirnervoussystemscollapsedandtheirbonesturnedtotheconsistencyofjelly.

Bright explosions fed the viral feast, perpetuating the fatal reactions of corruption. The verylethalityoftheviruswasitsownworstenemy,forwithoutahostorganismtocarryitfromvictimtovictim,thevirusquicklyconsumeditself.

However, the bombardment from orbit was unrelenting, smothering the entire planet in apreciselytargetedarrayofoverlappingfireplansthatensuredthatnothingwouldescapethevirus.

Entirekingdomsandvassalstatesacrossthesurfacewereobliteratedinminutes.AncientculturesthathadsurvivedOldNightandenduredthehorrorofinvasionadozentimesoverfellwithoutevenknowingwhy,millionsdyinginscreamingagonyas

theirbodiesbetrayedthemandfellapart,reducingthemtorotted,decayingmatter.SINDERMANNWATCHEDTHEbloomofdarknessspreadacrossthesliceoftheplanetvisible

onthegiantpictscreens.Itspreadinawideblackring,eatingitswayacrossthesurfaceoftheplanetwithastonishingspeed,leavinggreydesolationbehindit.Anotherwaveofcorruptioncreptinfromanotherpartofthesurface,thetwodarkmassesmeetingandcontinuingtospreadlikethesymptomofa horrible disease. 'What... what is it?' whispered Mersadie. 'You have already seen it,’ saidEuphrati.'TheEmperorshowedyou,throughme.Itisdeath.'

Sindermann's stomach lurched as he remembered the hideous vision of decay, his fleshdisintegratingbeforehimandblackcorruptionconsumingeverythingaroundhim.ThatwaswhatwashappeningonIsstvanHI.Thiswasthebetrayal.

Sindermann felt as though thebloodhaddrained fromhim.Anentireworldwasbathed in theimmensityofdeath.Hefeltanechoof thefear itbrought tothepeopleofIsstvanIII,andthatfear,multipliedacrossallthosebillionsofpeoplewasbeyondhiscomprehension.

'Youareremembrancers,'saidKeeler,aquietsadnessinhervoice.'Bothofyou.Rememberthisandpassiton.Someonemustknow,’

Henoddeddumbly,toonumbedbywhathewasseeingtosayanything.'Come on,’ saidEuphrati. 'We have to go,’ 'Go?' sobbedMersadie, her eyes still fixed on the

deathofaworld.'Gowhere?''Away,’ smiled Euphrati, taking their hands and leading them through the immobile, horrified

throngofremembrancerstowardstheedgeofthechamber.

Atfirst,Sindermannletherleadhim,hislimbsunabletodomorethansimplyplaceonefootinfrontofanother,butashesawshewastakingthemtowardstheAstartesattheedgeofthechamber,hebegantopullbackinalarm.

'Euphrati!'hehissed.'Whatareyoudoing?IfthoseAstartesrecogniseus-'Trustme,Kyril,’shesaid. 'I'mcountingon that,’Euphrati led themtowardsahulkingwarriorwhostoodapart fromtheothers,andSindermannknewenoughofbodylanguagetoknowthatthismanwasashorrifiedastheywereatwhatwashappening.

TheAstartesturnedtofacethem,hisfacecraggyandancient,wornlikeoldleather.Euphratistoppedinfrontofhimandsaid,'lac-ton.Ineedyourhelp,’IactonQruze.SindermannhadheardLokenspeakofhim.The'half-heard'.Hewasawarrioroftheolddays,whosevoicecarriednoweightamongstthehigherechelonsof

command.Awarrioroftheolddays...Youneedmyhelp?'askedQruze.Whoareyou?''MynameisEuphratiKeelerandthisisMersadieOliton,’saidEuphrati,asifherintroductionsinthemidstofsuchcarnagewerethemostnormalthingintheworld,'andthisisKyrilSindermann,’Sindermanncouldsee therecognition inQruze's faceandheclosedhiseyesasheawaited the

inevitableshoutthatwouldseethemrevealed.'Lokenaskedmetolookoutforyou,’saidQruze.Token?'askedMersadie.'Haveyouheardfromhim?'Qruzeshookhishead,butsaid,'Heaskedmetokeepyousafewhilehewasgone.IthinkIknow

whathemeantnow.''Whatdoyoumean?'askedSindermann,notlikingthewayQruzekeptcastingwaryglancesatthe

armedwarriorsthatlinedthewallsofthechamber.'Nevermind,’saidQruze.'Iacton,’commandedEuphrati,hervoiceladenwithquietauthority.'Lookatme,’Thecraggy-featuredAstarteslookeddownattheslightformofEuphrati,andSindermanncould

feelthepoweranddeterminationthatflowedfromher.'Youarethehalf-heardnolonger,’saidEuphrati.'Nowyourvoicewillbeheardlouderthanany

otherinyourLegion.Youclingtotheoldwaysandwishthemtoreturnwiththefondnostalgiaofthevenerable. Those days are dying here, Iacton, butwith your helpwe can bring them back again,’'Whatareyoutalkingabout,woman?'snarled

Qruze.'IwantyoutorememberCthonia,’saidEuphrati,andSindermannrecoiledashefeltanelectric

surgeofenergysparkfromher,asifherveryskinwascharged.Whatdoyouknowoftheplanetofmybirth?''OnlywhatIseeinsideyou,Iacton,’saidEuphrati,a

softglowbuildingbehindhereyesandfillingherwordswithpromiseandseduction.ThehonourandthevalourfromwhichtheLunaWolveswereforged.Youaretheonlyonewhoremembers,Iacton.You'retheonlyoneleftthatstillembodieswhatitistobeanAstartes,’

Youknownothingofme,’hesaid, thoughSindermanncouldseeherwordswerereachinghim,breakingdownthebarrierstheAstarteserectedbetweenthemselvesandmortals.

Yourbrotherscalledyou theHalf-heard,butyoudonot take themto task for it. Iknow this isbecause a Cthonian warrior is honourable and cares not for petty insults. I also know that your

counselisnotheardbecauseyoursisthevoiceofapastage,whentheGreatCrusadewasanoblething,donenotforgain,butforthegoodofallhumankind,’

SindermannwatchedasQruze'sfacespokevolumesoftheconflictragingwithinhissoul.LoyaltytohisLegionviedwithloyaltytotheidealsthathadforgedit.Atlasthesmiledruefullyandsaid,'"Nothingtooarduous"hesaid,’HelookedovertowardstheWarmasterandMal-oghurst.'Come,’hesaid.'Followme,’Whereto?'askedSindermann.Tosafety,' repliedQruze. 'Lokenaskedme to lookout foryouand that'swhat I'mgoing todo.

Nowbesilentandfollowme.'Qruzeturnedonhisheelandmarchedtowardsoneofthemanydoorsthatledoutoftheaudience

chamber.EuphratifollowedthewarriorandSindermannandMersadietrottedalongafterher,unsureas to where they were going or why. Qruze reached the door, a large portal of polished bronzeguardedbytwowarriors,movingthemasidewithachoppingwaveofhishand.'I'mtakingtheseonesbelow,’hesaid.'Ourordersarethatnooneistoleave,'saidone

oftheguards.'AndIamissuingyouneworders,’saidQruze,asteelydetermination thatSindermannhadnot

noticedearlierunderpinninghiswords.'Moveaside,orareyoudisobeyingtheorderofasuperiorofficer?''No,sir,’saidthewarriors,bowingandhaulingopenthebronzedoor.Qruzenoddedtotheguardsandgesturedthatthefourofthemshouldpassthrough.Sindermann,Euphrati andMersadie left theaudiencechamber, thedoor slammingbehind them

withanawfulfinality.Withthesoundsofthedyingplanetandthegaspsofshocksuddenlycutoff,thesilencethatenvelopedthemwaspositivelyunnerving.

'Nowwhatdowedo?'askedMersadie.'IgetusasfarawayfromtheVengefulSpiritaspossible,’answeredQruze.'Offtheship?'askedSindermann.Yes,’saidQruze.'Itisnotsafeforyourkindnow.Notsafeatall,’

TWELVE

CleansingLetthegalaxyburnGodMachineTHE SCREAMING OF the Choral City's death throes came in tremendous waves, battering

against the Precentor's Palace like a tsunami. In the streets below and throughout the palace, thepeople of the Choral City were decaying where they stood, bodies coming apart in torrents ofdisintegratingflesh.

Thepeople throngedin thestreets todie,keeningtheirhatredandfearupat thesky, imploringtheirgodstodeliverthem.Millionsofpeoplescreamedatonceandtheresultwasaterribleblack-stainedgaleofdeath.AWarsingersoaredoverhead,tryingtoeasetheagonyandterroroftheirdeathswithhersongs,but thevirusfoundher too,andinsteadofsingingthepraisesofIsstvan'sgodsshecoughedoutblackplumesasthevirustorethroughher

insides.Shefelllikeashotbird,twirlingtowardsthedyingbelow.AbulkyshapeappearedontheroofofthePrecentor'sPalace.AncientRylanorstrodetotheedge

oftheroof,overlookingthescenesofhorrorbelow,theviralcarnageseethingbetweenthebuildings.Rylanor'sdreadnoughtbodywassealedagainst theworldoutside,sealedfarmoreeffectively thananyAstartesarmour,and thedeathlywindswirledharmlesslyaroundhimashewatched thecity'sdeathunfold.

Rylanorlookeduptowardsthesky,wherefarabove,theWarmaster'sfleetwasstillemptyingthelast of its deathly payload onto Isstvan III. The ancient dreadnought stood alone, the only note ofpeaceinthescreaminghorroroftheChoralCity'sdeath.

'GOODJOBWEbuiltthesebunkerstough,'saidCaptainEhrlen.Thedarknessofthesealedbunkerwasonlycompoundedbythesoundsofdeathfrombeyondits

thickwalls.PitifullyfewoftheWorldEatershadmadeitintothenetworkofbunkersthatfringedtheedgeofthetrenchnetworkandbarricadedthemselvesinside.Theywaitedinthedark,listeningtotheviruskillingoffthecity'spopulationmoreefficientlythaneventheirchainaxescould.

Tarvitzwaitedamongstthem,listeningtothedeathsofmillionsofpeopleinmutehorror.TheWorldEatersappearedtobeunmoved,thedeathsofciviliansmeaningnothingtothem.Thescreamingwasdyingdown,replacedbyadullmoaning.Painandfearmingledinadistant

roarofslowdeath.'Howmuchlongermustwehidelikeratsinthedark?'demandedEhrlen.The viruswill burn itself out quickly,' saidTarvitz. That'swhat it's designed to do: eat away

anything living and leave a battlefield for the enemy to take.' 'How do you know?' asked Ehrlen.Tarvitzlookedathim.HecouldtellEhrlenthetruth,andheknewthathedeservedit,butwhatgoodwoulditdo?TheWorldEatersmightkillhimforevensayingit.Afterall,theirownprimarchwaspartoftheWarmaster'sconspiracy.

'Ihaveseensuchweaponsemployedbefore,’saidTarvitz.You had better be right,’ snarled Ehrlen, sounding far from satisfied with Tarvitz's answer. 'I

won'tcowerhereformuchlonger!'TheWorld Eater looked over his warriors, their bloodstained armoured bodies packed close

together in thedarknessof thebunker.He raisedhis axe and called,Wrathe!Haveyou raised the

SonsofHorus?''Notyet,’ repliedWrathe.Tarvitzcouldseehewasaveteran,withnumerouscortical implants

blisteredacrosshisscalp.There'schatter,butnothingdirect,’'Sothey'restillalive?''Maybe,’Ehrlenshookhishead.Theygotus.Wethoughtwe'dtakenthiscityandtheygotus.''Noneofuscouldhaveknown,’saidTarvitz.'No.There are no excuses,’Ehrlen's facehardened. 'TheWorldEatersmust alwaysgo further

thantheenemy.Wheivtheyattack,wechargerightbackatthem.Whentheydigin,wedigthemout.Whentheykillourwarriors,wekilltheircities,butthistime,theenemywentfurtherthanwedid.Weattackedtheircity,andtheydestroyedittotakeuswiththem,’

"Wewereallcaughtout,captain,’saidTarvitz.TheEmperor'sChildren,too,’'No,Tarvitz,thiswasourfight.TheEmperor'sChildrenandtheSonsofHorusweretobehead

thebeast,butweweresenttocutitsheartout.Thiswasanenemythatcouldnotbescaredawayorthrownintoconfusion.TheIsstvanianshadtobekilled.WhethertheotherLegionsacknowledgeitornot, theWorldEaterswere the oneswho had towin this city, andwe take responsibility for ourfailures,’ 'It's not your responsibility,’ saidTarvitz. 'A lesser soldier pretends that his failures arethoseofhiscommanders,’saidEhrlen. 'AnAstartesrealises theyarehisalone,’ 'No,captain,saidTarvitz.Youdon'tunderstand.I

mean-''Gotsomething,’saidWrathefromthecornerofthebunker.TheSonsofHorus?'askedEhrlen.Wratheshookhishead.'DeathGuard.Theytookcoverinthebunkersfurtherwest,’'Whatdotheysay?'Thatthevirusisdyingdown,’Thenwecouldbeoutthereagainsoon,’saidEhrlenwithrelish.'IftheIsstvanianscometotake

theircityback,they'llfinduswaitingforthem,’'No,’saidTarvitz.There'sonemorestageoftheviralattackstilltocome,’What'sthat?'demandedEhrlen.Thefirestorm,’saidTarvitz.'YouSEENOW,'saidHorus to theassembledremembrancers.This iswar.This iscrueltyand

death.Thisiswhatwedoforyouandyetyouturnyourfacefromit,’Weepingmenandwomenclungtooneanotherinthewakeofsuchmonstrousgenocide,unableto

comprehendthescaleoftheslaughterthathadjustbeenenactedinthenameoftheImperium.YouhavecometomyshiptochronicletheGreatCmsadeandthereismuchtobesaidforwhat

youhaveachieved,butthingschangeandtimesmoveon,’continuedHorusastheAstarteswarriorsalongtheflanksofthechamberclosedthedoorsandstoodbeforethemwiththeirboltersheldacrosstheirchests.

TheGreatCrusadeisover,’saidHorus,hisvoiceboomingwithpowerandstrength.Theidealsitoncestoodforaredeadandallwehavefoughtforhasbeenalie.Untilnow.NowIwillbringthe

CrusadebacktoitsrightfulpathandrescuethegalaxyfromitsabandonmentatthehandsoftheEmperor.'

Astonished gasps andwails spread around the chamber atHorus'swords and he relished thefreedomhefeltinsayingthemoutloud.Theneedforsecrecyandmisdirectionwasnomore.Nowhecouldunveilthegrandeurofhisdesignsforthegalaxyandcastasidehisfalsefacadetorevealhistruepurpose.

'Youcryout,butmeremortals cannothope tocomprehend the scaleofmyplans,’ saidHorus,savouringthelooksofpanicthatbegantospreadaroundtheaudiencechamber.

Noiteratorcouldeverhavehadacrowdsocompletelyinthepalmofhishand.'Unfortunately,thismeansthatthereisnoplaceforthelikesofyouinthisnewcrusade.Iamto

embarkonthegreatestwareverunleashedonthegalaxy,andIcannotbeswayedfrommycoursebythosewhoharbourdisloyalty.'Horussmiled.

Thesmileofanangelicexecutioner.'Killthem,’hesaid.'Allofthem,’•BolterfirestabbedintothecrowdattheWarmas-ter'sorder.Fleshburstinwetexplosionsandahundredbodiesfellin thefirstfusillade.ThescreamingbeganasthecrowdsurgedawayfromtheAstarteswhomarchedintotheirmidst.Buttherewasnoescape.Gunsblazedandroaringchainswordsroseandfell.

TheslaughtertooklessthanaminuteandHorusturnedawayfromthekillingtowatchthefinaldeath throes of Isstvan III. Abaddon emerged from the shadows where he and Maloghurst hadwatchedtheslaughteroftheremembrancers.

'Mylord,’saidAbaddon,bowinglow.'Whatisit,myson?''Shipsurveyorsreportthatthevirushasmostlyburnedout,’Andthegaseouslevels?''Offthescale,mylord,’smiledAbaddon.Thegunnersawaityourorders,’Horuswatchedtheswirling,noxiouscloudsenvelopingtheplanetbelow.Allitwouldtakewasasinglespark.Heimaginedtheplanetasthefrayedendofafuse,afusethatwouldignitethegalaxyinasearing

conflagrationandwouldleadtoaninexorableconclusiononTerra.'Orderthegunstofire,’saidHorus,hisvoicecold.'Letthegalaxyburn!''EMPEROR PRESERVE US,' whispered Moderati Cassar, unable to hide his horror and not

caringwhoheardhim.Themiasmaofrancid,putridgassesstillhungthicklyaroundtheTitanandhecould only dimly see the trenches again, alongwith theDeathGuard emerging from the bunkers.ShortlyaftertheordertosealtheTitanhadbeengiven,theDeathGuardhadtakencover,clearlyinreceiptofthesameorderastheDiesIrae.

The Isstvanians had received no such order. The Death Guard's withdrawal had drawn theIsstvan-iansoldiersforwardsandtheyhadbornethefullbruntofthebio-weapon.

Massesofmucus-likefleshchokedthetrenches,half-formedhumancorpsesloomingfromthem,faces melted and rot-bloated bodies split open. Thousands upon thousands of Isstvanians lay inrottingheapsandthickstreamsofsluggishblackcorruptionranthelengthofthetrenches.

Beyond the battlefield, death had consumed the forests that lay just outside the Choral City'slimits, now resembling endless graveyards of blackened trunks, like scorched skeletal hands. Theearthbeneathwassaturatedwithbiologicaldeathandtheairwasthickwithfoulgassesreleasedbytheoceansofdecayingmatter.

'Report,’saidPrincepsTurnet,re-enteringthecockpitfromtheTitan'smaindorsalcavity.'We'resealed,’saidModeratiArukenontheothersideofthebridge.'Thecrew'sfineandIhavea

zeroreadingofcontaminants,’'Thevirushasburneditselfout,’saidTurnet.'Cas-sar,what'soutthere?'Cassartookamomenttogatherhisthoughts,stillstrugglingwiththehideousmagnitudeofdeath

thathecouldn'thaveevenimaginedhadhenotseenitthroughtheeyesoftheDiesIrae.'TheIsstvaniansare...gone,’hesaid.Hepeeredthroughtheswirlingcloudsofgasatthemassof

thecitytoonesideoftheTitan.'Allofthem,’

TheDeathGuard?'Cassarlookedcloser,seeingsegmentsofgun-metalarmourpartiallyburiedingorychokepoints,

markingwhereAstarteshadfallen.'Someofthemwerecaughtoutthere,’hesaid.'Alotofthemaredead,buttheordermusthavegot

tomostofthemintime,’Theorder?'Yes,princeps.Theordertotakecover,’TurnetpeeredthroughtheTitan'seyeonAruken'ssideofthebridge,seeingDeathGuardwarriors

through the greenish haze securing the trenches around their bunkers and treading through the foulremainsoftheIsstvanians.

'Damn,’saidTurnet.Weareblessed,’saidCassar.Theycouldsoeasilyhavebeen-'Watchyourmouth,Moderati!Thatreligiousfilthisacrimebytheorderof-'Tumet'svoicecutoffasmovementcaughthiseyes.Cassarfollowedhisgazeintimetoseethecloudsofgaslitupbyabrilliantbeamoflightasa

blazinglancestrikeslashedthroughthecloudsofnoxious,highlyflammablegasses.ALLITTOOKwasasinglespark.An entire planet's worth of decayingmatter wreathed the atmosphere of Isstvan III in a thick

shawlofcombustiblegasses.ThelancestrikefromtheVengefulSpiritburnedthroughtheupperatmosphereintothechokingmiasmaanditssearingbeamignitedthegaswithadullwhooshthat

seemedtosucktheoxygenfromtheair.Inasecond,theairitselfcaughtlight,rippingacrossthelandscapeinahowlingmaelstromoffire

and noise. Entire continents were laid bare, their landscapes seared to bare rock, their decayedpopulationsvaporised in secondsaswindsof fire swept across their surfaces in adeadlygaleofblazingdestruction.

Cities exploded as gas lines went up, blazing towers of fire whipping madly in the deadlyfirestorm. Nothing could survive and flesh, stone and metal were vitrified or melted in theunimaginable temperatures. Entire sprawls of buildings collapsed, the bodies of their formeroccupantsreducedtoashenwasteonthewind,palacesofmarbleandindustrialheartlandsdestroyedin giganticmushroom clouds as the storm of destruction swept around Isstvan III with relentless,mindlessdestructionuntilitseemedasthoughtheentireglobewasablaze.

ThoseAstarteswhohadsurvivedtheviralattackfoundthemselvesconsumedinflamesastheydesperatelysoughttofindcoveroncemore.

Butagainstthisfirestormtherecouldbenocoverforthosewhohaddaredtobravetheelements.BythetimetheechoesoftherecoilhadfadedontheWarmaster'sflagship,billionshaddiedon

IsstvanIII.*Ф*MODERATI CASSARHUNG on for dear life as the tempestuous firestorm raged around the

Dies Irae. The colossal Titan swayed like a reed in the wind, and he just hoped that the newstabilisinggyrostheMechanicumhadinstalledheldfirminthefaceoftheonslaught.

Across from him, Aruken gripped the rails surrounding his chair with white knuckled hands,staringinawedterrorattheblazingvorticesspinningbeyondthecommandbridge.

'Emperorsaveus.Emperorsaveus.Emperorsaveus,’hewhisperedoverandoverastheflamesbillowed and surged for what seemed like an eternity. The heat in the command bridge wasintolerablesincethecoolantunitshadbeenshutdownwhentheTitanwassealedofffromtheoutside

world.Likeagiganticpressurecooker,thetemperatureinsidetheTitanclimbedrapidlyuntilCassarfelt

asifhecouldnolongerdrawbreathwithoutsearingtheinteriorofhislungs.Heclosedhiseyesandsawtheghostlygreenscrollofdataflashthroughhisretinas.Sweatpouredfromhiminatorrentandheknewthatthiswasit,thiswashowhewoulddie:notinbattle,notsayingtheLectitioDivinitatus,butcookedtodeathinsidehisbelovedDiesIrae.

Hehadlosttrackofhowlongtheyhadbeenbathedinfirewhentheprofessionalcoreofhismindsaw that the temperature readings,whichhadbeen rising rapidly since the firestormhadhit,werebeginningtoflattenout.Cassaropenedhiseyesandsawthemadlychurningmassofflamethrough

the viewing bays of the Titan's head, but Пе also saw spots of sky, burned blue as the fireincineratedthelastofthecombustiblegassesreleasedbythedeadofIsstvan.

'Temperaturedropping,’hesaid,amazedthattheywerestillalive.Arukenlaughedashetoorealisedtheyweregoingtolive.PrincepsTurnetslidbackintohiscommandchairandbeganbringingtheTitan'ssystemsbackon

line.Cassarslidbackintohisownchair,theleathersoakingwetwherehissweathadcollected.Hesaw the readouts of the external surveyors come to life as the princeps once again opened theirsystemstotheoutsideworld. 'Systemscheck,’orderedTurnet.Arukennodded,moppinghissweat-streaked browwith his sleeve. "Weapons fine, thoughwe'll need towatch our rate of fire, sincethey'realreadyprettyhot,’

'Confirmed,’ saidCassar.Wewon't be able to fire the plasmaweapons any time soon either.We'llprobablyblowourarmoffifwetry,’

'Understood,’saidTurnet.'Initiateemergencycoolantprocedures.Iwantthosegunsreadytofireassoonaspossible,’

Cassarnodded,thoughhewasunsureastothecauseoftheprinceps'surgency.Surelytherecouldbenothingouttherethatwouldhavesurvivedthefirestorm?CertainlynothingthatcouldthreatenaTitan.

'Incoming!' called Aruken, and Cassar looked up to see a flock of black specks descendingrapidlythroughthecrystalsky,flyinglowtowardstheblackenedruinsoftheburnedcity.

'Aruken,trackthem,’snappedTurnet.'Gunships,’saidAruken.They'reheadingforthecentreofthecity,what'sleftofthepalace,’'Whosearethey?''Can'ttellyet,’CassarsatbackinthecockpitseatandletthefilamentsoftheTitan'scommandsystemscometo

theforeofhismindonceagain.HeengagedtheTitan'stargetingsystemsandhisvisionplungedintothetargetreticule,zoominginontheformationofgunshipsdisappearingamongthecrumbling,fire-blackenedruinsoftheChoralCity.Hesawbone-whitecolourstrimmedwithblueandthesymboloffangedjawsclosingoveraplanet.

'WorldEaters,’hesaidoutloud.They'retheWorldEaters.Itmustbethesecondwave,’Thereisnosecondwave,’saidTurnet,asiftohimself.Aruken,getthevox-mastupandconnect

metotheVengefulSpirit.''Fleetcommand?'askedAruken.'No,’saidTurnet,'theWarmaster,’IACTONQRUZELEDthemthroughthecorridorsoftheVengefulSpirit,pasttheTrainingHalls,

pasttheLupercal'sCourtanddownthroughtwistingpassagewaysnoneofthemhadtraversedbefore,even

whentheyhadbeenhidingfromMaggardandMal-oghurst.Sindermann'sheartbeatarapidtattooonhisribs,andhefeltacuriousmixofelationandsorrow

fillhimasherealisedwhatQruzehadsavedthemfrom.Therecouldbelittledoubtastowhatmusthave happened to those remembrancers in the Audience Chamber and the thought of so manywonderfulcreativepeoplesacrificedtoservetheinterestsofthosewithnounderstandingofartorthecreativeprocessgalledhimandsaddenedhiminequalmeasure.

HeglancedatEuphratiKeeler,whoappearedtohavebecomestrongersincetheirescapefromdeath.Herhairwasgoldenandhereyesbright,andthoughherskinwasstillpallid,itonlyservedtohighlightthepowerwithinher.

MersadieOliton,bycontrast,wasvisiblyweakening.'Theywillcomeafterussoon,’saidKeeler,'iftheyarenotalready,’'Canweescape?'Mersadieasked,hoarsely.Qruzeonlyshrugged.'Wewillorwewon't,’'Thenthisisit?'askedSindermann.Keelershothimanamusedglance.'No,youshouldknowbetterthanthat,Kyril.Itisnever"it",

notforabeliever.There'salwaysmore,somethingtolookforwardtowhenit'sallover,’Theypassedanumberofobservationdomesthatlookedoutintothecoldvoidofspace,thesight

onlyservingtoremindSindermannofjusthowtinytheywereinthecontextofthegalaxy.Eventhefaintestspeckoflightthathecouldseewas

actuallyastar,perhapssurroundedbyitsownworlds,itsownpeopleandentirecivilisations.'Howisitthatwefindourselvesatthecentreofsuchmomentouseventsandyetweneversaw

themcoming?'hewhispered.Afterawhile,Sindermannbegantorecognisehissurroundings,seeingfamiliarsignsscrapedinto

bulkheads,andinsigniaherecognised,tellinghimthattheywereapproachingtheembarkationdecks.Qruzeledthewayunerringly,hisstridesureandconfident,afarcryfromthewretchedsycophanthehadhearddescribed.

Theblastdoorstotheembarkationdeckwereclosed,thetatteredremnantsofthevotivepapersand offerings made to the Warmaster when his sons took him to the Delphos still fixed to thesurroundingstructure.

'Inhere,’saidQruze.'Ifwe'relucky,therewillbeagunshipwecantake,’Andgowhere?'demandedMersadie.'WherecanwegothattheWarmasterwon'tfindus?'KeelerreachedoutandplacedherhandonMer-sadie'sarm.'Don'tworry.Wehavemorefriends

thanyouknow,Sadie.TheEmperorwillshowmetheway,’ThedoorsrumbledopenandQruzemarchedconfidentlyontotheembarkationdeck.Sindermann

smiledinreliefwhenthewarriorsaid,'There.ThunderhawkNineDelta,’Butthesmilefellfromhisfaceashesawthegold-armouredformofMaggardstandingbeforethe

machine.SAULTARVITZWATCHEDthelookofutterdisbeliefonCaptainEhrlen'sfaceashetookinthe

scaleof thedestructionwroughtby thefirestorm.Nothingremainedof theChoralCityas theyhadknown it. Every scrap of living tissue was gone, burned to atoms by the flames that roared andhowledinthewakeofthevirusattack.

Everybuildingwasblack,burnedandcollapsedsothatIsstvanHIresembledavisionofhell,itstumbled buildings still ablaze as the last combustiblematerials burned away. Tall plumes of firepouredskywardindefianceofgravity,fuellinesandrefineriesthatwouldcontinuetoburnuntiltheirreserveswereexhausted.Thestenchofscorchedmetalandmeatwaspungentand thevistabeforethemwasunrecognisableasthatwhichtheyhadfoughtacrossonlyminutesbefore.

'Why?'wasallEhrlencouldask.'Idon'tknow,’saidTarvitz,wishinghehadmoretotelltheWorldEater.Thiswasn'ttheIsstvanians,wasit?'askedEhrlen.Tarvitzwantedtolie,butheknewthattheWorldEaterwouldseethroughhiminstantly.'No,’hesaid.'Itwasn't.'*Wearebetrayed?'Tarvitznodded.'Why?'repeatedEhrlen.'Ihavenoanswersforyou,brother,butif theyhopedtokillusall inonefellswoop,thenthey

havefailed,’'AndtheWorldEaterswillmakethempayforthatfailure,’sworeEhrlen,asanewsoundrose

overthecrackleofburningbuildingsandtumblingmasonry.Tarvitz heard it too and looked up in time to see a flock ofWorld Eaters' gunships streaking

towardstheirpositionfromtheoutskirtsofthecity.Gunfirecamedowninaburningspray,punchingthroughtheruinsaroundthem,boringholesintheblackmarbleoftheground.

'Hold!'shoutedEhrlen.Heavy fire thudded down among the World Eaters as the gunships roared overhead. Tarvitz

crouchedatasmashedwindowopeningbesideEhrlen,hearingoneoftheWorldEatersgruntinpainasashellfounditsmark.

Thegunshipspassedandsoaredupintothesky,loopingaroundabovetheshatteredpalacebeforeanglingdownforanotherrun.

'Heavyweapons!Getsomefireupthere!'yelledEhrlen.Gunfirestutteredupfromthegapsinpartiallycollapsedroofs,chatteringheavyboltersandthe

occasional ruby flare of a lascannon blast. Tarvitz ducked back from the window as return firethundereddown,stitchinglinesofexplosionsthroughtheWorldEaters.Moreofthemfell,blownofftheirfeetorblastedapart.

OneWorldEaterslumpeddownbesideTarvitz,thebackofhisheadapulsingredmass.Thegunshipsbanked,sprayingfiredownattheirposition.TarvitzcouldseetheWorldEaterszeroinginonthemastheyflewbacktowardstheirposition.

Return fire lanced upwards and one gunship fell, its engine spewing flames, to smash to piecesagainstaburningruin.

Tarvitzcouldseedozensofgunships,surelythewholeoftheWorldEaters'arsenal.TheleadThunderhawkdroppedthroughtheruins,hoveringafewmetresabovethegroundwith

itsassaultrampdownandbolterfiresparkingaroundtheopening.EhrlenturnedtowardsTarvitz.'Thisisn'tyourfight,’heyelledoverthegunfire.'Getoutofhere!''Emperor'sChildrenneverrun!'repliedTarvitz,drawinghissword.'Theydofromthis!'NoSpaceMarinecouldhave survived the stormof fire thatblazedawayat the interiorof the

gun-ship,butitwasnoordinarySpaceMarinethatwasbornewithinit.Witharoarlikeahuntinganimal,Angronleaptfromthegunshipandlandedwithaterriblecrash

inthemidstoftheruinedcity.He was a monster of legend, huge and terrible. The primarch's hideous face was twisted in

hatred,hishugechainaxesbatteredandstainedwithdecades of bloodshed. As the mighty primarch landed,World Eaters dropped from the other

gunships.ThousandsofWorldEatersloyaltotheWarmas-terfollowedtheirprimarchintotheChoralCity,

accompaniedbythewarcriesthatechoedAngron'sownbestialhowlashechargedintohisformerbrethren.

HORUSPUTHIS fist through thepict-screen that showed the transmission from theDies Irae.The image of the World Eaters' gunships splintered under the assault as his anger at Angron'sdefianceboiledover.Oneofhisallies-no,oneofhissubordinates-haddisobeyedhisdirectorder.

Aximand, Abaddon, Erebus and Maloghurst eyed him warily and Horus could imagine theirtrepidationatthenewsofAngron'simpetuousattackonthesurvivorsofthevirusbombing.

Thatthereweresurvivorsatallwasgalling,butAngron'sactionsputawholenewspinontheIsst-vancampaign.

'And yet,’ he said, choking back his rage, 'I am surprised at this,’Warmaster,’ saidAximand,'whatdoyou-'Angronisakiller!'snappedHorus,roundingonhisMournivalson.'Hesolveseveryproblemwithrawviolence.Heattacksfirstandthinkslater,ifhethinksatall.AndyetIneversawthis!WhatelsewouldhedowhenhesawthesurvivorsofhisLegionintheChoralCity?Wouldhesitbackand

watchtherestofthefleetbombardthemfromorbit?Never!AndyetIdidnothing!'Horusglanced at the smashed remainsof thepict-display. 'Iwill neverbe caughtout like this

again.TherewillbenotwistsoffateIdonotseecoming,’Thequestionsremains,’saidAximand.'WhatshallwedoaboutAngron?''Destroyhimwiththerestofthecity,’saidAbaddonwithoutapause.'Ifhecannotbetrustedto

obeyhisWarmasterthenheisaliability,’The World Eaters are an exceptionally effective weapon of terror,’ retorted Aximand. 'Why

destroythemwhentheycanwreaksomuchhavocamongthoseloyaltotheEmperor?'Therearealwaysmoresoldiers,’saidAbaddon.'ManywillbegtojointheWarmaster.Thereis

noroomforthosewhocan'tfolloworders,’'Angronisakiller,yes,butheispredictable,’put inErebus,andHorusbristledat theimplicit

insultinthefirstchaplain'swords. 'Hecanbekeptobedientbylettinghimofftheleasheverynowandagain,’

TheWordBearersmaylivebytreacheryandlies,’snarledAbaddon, 'but in theSonsofHorusyouareloyaloryouaredead!'

WhatdoyouknowofmyLegion?'askedErebus,risingtomeetthefirstcaptain'sire,hismaskofsmirkingcalmslipping.'Iknowsecretsthatwoulddestroyyourmind!Howdareyouspeaktomeofdeceit?This,thisreality,allyouknow,thisisthelie!'

'Erebus!'roaredHorus,endingtheconfrontationinstantly.'ThisisnottheplacetoevangeliseyourLegion.Ihavemademydecisionandthesearewastedwords,’

ThenAngronwillbedestroyedinthebombardment?'askedMaloghurst.'No,’repliedHorus.'Hewillnot,’'ButWarmaster,evenifAngronprevailshecouldbedownthereforweeks,’saidAximand.

'Andhewillnotfightalone.Doyouknow,mysons,whytheEmperorappointedmeWarmaster?''Becauseyouwerehisfavouredson,’repliedMaloghurst.'Youarethegreatestwarriorandtacticianof theGreat Crusade.Wholeworlds have fallen at themention of your name,’ 'I did not ask forflattery,’ snarled Horus. 'Because you never lose,’ said Abaddon levelly. 'I never lose,’ noddedHorus,glaringbetweenthefourAstartes, 'becauseIseeonlyvictory.Ihaveneverseenasituationthatcannotbeturnedintotriumph,nodisadvantagethatcannotbeturnedtoanadvantage.ThatiswhyIwasmadeWarmaster.OnDavinIfell,yetcamethroughthatordealstronger.AgainsttheAuretian

Technocracywe faceddissent fromwithin our own fleet, so I used the conflict to rid us of thosefomenting rebellion.There is no failing I cannot turn to a component inmy victories.Angron hasdecidedtoturnIsstvanIIIintoagroundassault-IcanconsiderthisafailureandlimititsimpactbybombingAngronandhisWorldEatersintodustalongwiththerestofthe

planet,orIcanforgeatriumphfromitthatwillsendechoesfarintothefuture,’Maloghurstbrokethesilencethatfollowed.'Whatwouldyouhaveusdo,Warmaster?''InformtheotherLegionsthattheyaretoprepareforafullassaultontheloyalistsintheChoral

City.Ezekyle,assembletheLegion.Havethemreadytolaunchtheattackintwohours,’'IshallbeproudtoleadmyLegion,’saidAbaddon.Youwillnotleadthem.ThathonourwillgotoSediraeandTarghost,’AngerflaredinAbaddon.'ButIamthefirstcaptain.Thisbattle,whereresolveandbrutalityare

qualitiesrequiredforvictory,istailor-madeforme!''Youareacaptainof theMournival,Ezekyle,’saidHorus. 'Ihaveanotherrole inmindforyou

andLittleHorusinthisfight.OneIfeelsureyouwillrelish,’Yes,Warmaster,’saidAbaddon,thefrustrationdisappearingfromhisface.Asforyou,Erebus...'ЛУагтаз1ег?''Stayoutofourway.Toyourduties,SonsofHorus,’

THIRTEEN

MaggardFactionsLunaWolvesPRINCEPS TURNET LISTENED intently as the orders came through, though Cassar couldn't

heartheorderspipedintotheprinceps'searandhedidn'twantto- itwasallhecoulddotokeepfrom vomiting. Every time he let his mind wander outside the systems of the Dies Irae, he sawnothingbutthetanglesofcharredruins.Hisconsciousnessretreatedwithinthemachine,pullinghisperceptionbackintothemassiveformoftheTitan.

TheDiesIraewascomingbacktolifearoundhim;hecouldsensethegod-machine'slimbsfloodwithpowerandcouldfeeltheweaponsreloading.Theplasmareactoratitsheartwasbeatingintimewithhisown,aballofnuclearflamethatburnedwiththeEmperor'sownrighteousstrength.

Evenhere,amongallthisdeathandhorror,theEmperorwaswithhim.Thegod-machinewastheinstrument of His will, standing firm among the destruction. That thought comforted Cassar andhelpedhimfocus.IftheEmperorwashere,thentheEmperorwouldprotect.

'OrdersinfromtheVengefulSpirit,'saidTurnetbriskly.'Moderati,openfire.''Openfire?'saidAruken.'Sir?TheIsstvaniansaregone.They'redead.'ToCassar,Aruken'svoicesoundeddistant,forhewassubsumedinthesystemsoftheTitan,but

heheardTumet'svoiceasclearlyasifhehadspokeninhisownear.'NotattheIsstvanians,’repliedTurnet,'attheDeathGuard.''Princeps?'saidAruken.'FireontheDeathGuard?''Iamnotinthehabitofrepeatingmyorders,moderati,’repliedTurnet,'andtheyaretofireonthe

DeathGuard.TheyhavedefiedtheWarmaster.'Cassarfroze.Asiftherewasn'tenoughdeathonIsstvanIII,nowtheDieslraewastofireonthe

DeathGuard,theveryforcetheyhadbeensenttosupport.'Sir,’hesaid.'Thisdoesn'tmakeanysense,’'Itdoesn'tneedto!'shoutedTurnet,hispatiencefinallyatanend.'JustdoasIorder,’LookingstraightintoTumet'seyes,thetruthhitTitusCassarasthoughtheEmperorhadreached

outfromTerraandfilledhimwiththelightoftruth.TheIsstvaniansdidn'tdothis,didthey?'heasked.TheWarmasterdid,’Turnet's facecreased ina slowsmileandCassar sawhishand reaching towardshisholstered

sidearm.Cassardidn'tgivehimthechancetogettherefirstandsnatchedforhisownautopistol.Bothmendrewtheirpistolsandfired.MAGGARD TOOK A step forwards, drawing his golden Kirlian blade and unholstering his

pistol. His bulk was even more massive than Sindermann remembered, grossly swollen toproportionsbeyondhumanandmorereminiscentofanAstartes.HadthatbeenMaggard'srewardforhisservicestotheWarmaster?

Withoutwastingwordsofpreamble,Qruzeraisedhisbolterandfired,butMaggard'sarmourwastheequalofAstartesplateandtheshotsimplysignalledthebeginningofaduel.

SindermannandMersadieduckedasMaggard'spistol spat fire, thenoiseappallingas the twowarriorsrantowardsoneanotherwiththeirgunsblazing.

Keelerwatched calmly asMaggard's gunfire blew chunks fromQruze's armour, but before hecouldfireanymore,Qruzewasuponhim.

QruzesmashedhisfistintoMaggard'smidriff,butthesilentkillerrodethepunchandswunghisswordfortheAstartes'shead.QruzeduckedbackfromthegreatslashofMaggard'ssword,theblade

slicingthoughthearmourattheAstarteswarrior'sstomach.Blood sprayed briefly from thewound andQruze dropped to his knees in sudden pain before

drawinghiscombatknife,thebladeaslongasamortalwarrior'ssword.MaggardleapttowardshimandhisswordhackedadeepgougeinQruze'sside.Yetmoreblood

spilled from the venerableAstartes's body.Another killing strike slashed towardsQruze, but thistime combat knife and Kirlian blade met in a shower of fiery sparks. Qruze recovered first andstabbedhisbladethroughthegapbetweenMaggard'sgreaves.TheassassinstumbledbackwardsandQruzeroseunsteadilytohisfeet.

Theassassinsteppedincloseandlungedwithhissword.MaggardwasalmosttheequalofQruzeinphysiqueandhadyouthonhisside,butevenSin-dermanncouldseehewasslower,asifhisnewformwasunfamiliar,notyetwornin.

Qruze sidestepped a huge arcing strike ofMaggard's sword and swung inside his opponent'sdefence,reachingaroundtolockhisheadinthecrookofhiselbow.

HisotherarmsnappedroundtoplungetheknifeintoMaggard'sthroat,butafistseizedQruze'shandinanirongrip,haltingthebladeinchesfromtheman'spulsingjugular.

Qruzefoughttoforcethebladeupwards,butMaggard'snewlyenhancedstrengthwasthegreaterandhebegantoforcethebladetooneside.Beads

ofsweatpoppedonQruze'sface,andSindermannknewthatthiswasastrugglehecouldnotwinalone.

HepushedhimselftohisfeetandrantowardsMaggard'sfallenpistol,itsmattblackfinishcoldandlethal-looking.Thoughdesignedforamortalgrip,thepistolstillfeltabsurdlyhugeinhishands.Sindermann held the heavy pistol outstretched and marched towards the struggling warriors. Hecouldn't risk a shot fromanykindof distance, hewasnomarksman andwas as likely tohit theirdelivererastheirkiller.

Hewalked up to the fight and placed themuzzle of the pistol directly on the bleedingwoundwhereQruzehadstabbedMaggard.Hepulledthetriggerandtherecoiloftheshotalmostshatteredhiswrist,buttheeffectofhisinterventionmorethanmadeupforthetrauma.

Maggard opened his mouth in a silent scream and his entire body flinched in sudden agony.Maggard'sgripontheknifeweakenedand,witharoarofanger,Qruzepuncheditintothebaseofhisopponent'sjawandthroughtheroofofhismouth.Maggardbuckledandfelltothesidewiththeforceofafallingtree.ThegoldenarmouredassassinandtheAstartesrolledandQruzewasontopofhisenemy,stillgrippingtheknife.

Facetofaceforamoment,MaggardspatamouthfulofbloodintoQruze'sface.QruzepushedtheknifedeeperintoMaggard'sjaw,plungingitintohisopponent'sbrain.

Maggardspasmed,hishugebulkthrashingbriefly,andwhenhestoppedQruzewaslookingintoapair of blank, dead eyes.Qruze pushed himself fromMaggard's body. 'Face to face,’ saidQruze,breathingheavilywiththeexertionofkillingMaggard.'Notwithtreachery,fromathousandmilesup.Facetoface.'

HelookedatSindermannandnoddedhisthanks.Thewarriorwaswoundedandexhausted,buttherewasacalmserenitytohim.

'Irememberhowitusedtobe,'hesaid.'WewerebrothersonCthonia.Notjustamongourselves,

butwithourenemies,too.ThatwaswhattheEmperorsawinuswhenhecametothehives.Weweregangs of killers as existed on a thousand otherworlds, butwe believed in a code thatwasmorepreciousthanlife.ThatwaswhathewroughtintotheLunaWolves.Ithoughtthatevenifnoneoftherestofusremembered,theWarmasterwould,becausehewastheonetheEmperorchosetoleadus.''No,’saidKeeler,'youarethelastone,’'AndwhenIrealisedthatIjust...toldthemwhattheywantedtohear.Itriedtobeoneofthem,andIsucceeded.Ialmostforgoteverything,until...untilnow,’

Themusicofthespheres,’saidSindermannquietly.Qruze'seyesfocusedagainonKeelerandhisfacehardened.'Ididnothing,Half-heard,’saidKeeler,answeringhisunaskedquestion. 'Yousaidsoyourself.

ThewaysofCthoniawerethereasontheEmperorchoseyouandyourbrothersfortheLunaWolves.

PerhapsitwastheEmperorwhoremindedyou,’'Isawthiscomingforsolong,butIletit,becauseIthoughtthatwasmycodenow,butnothing

changed,notreally.Theenemyjustmovedfromouttheretoamongstus,’'Look,asprofoundasthisallis,canwegetthehelloutofhere?'askedMersadie.QruzenoddedandbeckonedthemtowardstheThunderhawkgunship.'You'reright,MissOliton,

let'sgetoffthisship.Itisdeadtomenow,’We'rewithyou,captain,’saidSindermannashegingerlypickedhiswayoverMaggard'sbody

after Qruze. The years seemed to have dropped from him, as if the energy lost in the fight wasreturningwithinterest.Sindermannsawalightinhiseyeshehadn'tseenbefore.

Watching the light of understanding rekindled in IactonQruze reminded Sindermann that therewasstillhope.

Andtherewasnothingsodangerousinthegalaxyasalitdehope.TURNET'SSHOTWENThigh,andCassar'swentwide.JonahArukenduckedforcoverasthe

roundsricochetedonthecurvedceilingofthebridge.TurnetrolleddownbehindthecommandchairasCassarpulledhimselffromhisownchair,setdeepintothecockpitfloorandlevelwiththeTitan'seye.Cassarfiredagainandsparksshoweredastheautopistol

roundhittheelectronicsarrayedaroundTurner'schair.TurnetfiredbackandCassardroppedintothecoverofthedepressionformedbyhisownseat.

The connectors had torn free from his scalp as he moved and tears of blood streaked his face,metallicmonofilamentwiresclingingwetlytothebackofhisneck.

His mind throbbed with the suddenness of being ripped away from the god-machine. Titus!'yelledAruken. "What are you doing?' 'Moderati, surrender or youwill die here!' shouted Turnet.'Throwdownyourweaponandsurrender.'

This is treachery!' shouted Cassar. 'Jonah, you know I am right. TheWarmaster did this. Hebroughtdeathtothiscitytokillthebelievers!'

Turnet fired blindly from behind the elaboratemachinery of the command seat. 'Believe?YouwouldbetrayyourWarmasterbecauseofthisreligion?You'rediseased,doyouknowthat?Religionisasickness,andIshouldhaveputyoudownalongtimeago.'

Cassarthoughtrapidly.Therewasonlyonewayoutofthecockpit-thedoorwaythatledintotheTitan's dorsal cavity where the plasma generator was located along with the detail of engineercrewmenwhooperated it.Hecouldn't run, for fearofTurnet shootinghimdeadashebroke fromcover.ButthesamewastrueofTurnet.Theywerebothtrapped.

Youknew,’saidCassar,'aboutthebombardment.'

'OfcourseIknew.Howcanyoubesoignorant?Don'tyouevenknowwhat'shappeningonthisplanet?' The Emperor is being betrayed,’ said Cassar. There is no Emperor,’ shouted Turnet. 'Heabandoned us. He left the Imperium that men died to conquer for him. He doesn't care. But theWarmaster cares. He conquered this galaxy and it is his to rule, but there are fools who don'tunderstandthat.Theyare theoneswhohaveforcedtheWarmaster into thissothathecandowhatmustbedone,’

Cassar's mind reeled. Turnet had betrayed everything the Emperor had built, and the combatwithin the command bridge struck Cassar as representative of what was happening in the widerconflict.

Turnet rose and firedwildly as he ran for the door, both shots smacking into the bridgewallbehindCassar.

'Iwon'tletyoudothis!'yelledCassar,returningfire.Hisfirstshotwentwide,butnowPrincepsTurnetwas strugglingwith thewheel lock of the door.Cassar lined up his shot onTurnet's back.Titus!Don'tdoit!'shoutedAruken,wrenchingtheTitan'sprimarymotorcontrolsaround.TheTitanlurchedmadly,thewholebridgetippinglikethedeckofashipinastorm.Cassarwasthrownbackagainstthewall,theopportunitytotakehisshotgone.Turnethauledthedooropen,throwing

himselffromtheTitan'sbridgeandoutofCassar'sfiringline.CassarscrambledtohisfeetagainastheTitanrockedupright.Ashapemovedinfrontofhimand

healmostfiredbeforerealisingitwasJonahAruken.'Titus,comeon,'saidAruken.'Don'tdothis.''Idon'thaveachoice.Thisistreachery.''Youdon'thavetodie.'Cassar jerked his head towards the Titan's eye, through which they could still see the Death

Guardmovingthroughthedeath-slickedtrenches.'Neitherdothey.YouknowIamright,Aruken.YouknowtheWarmasterhasbetrayedtheImperium.IfwehavetheDiesIraethenwecandosomethingaboutit.'

ArukenlookedfromCassar'sfacetotheguninhishand.'It'sover,Cassar.Just...justgivethisup.''Withmeoragainstme,Jonah,’saidCassarlev-elly.'TheEmperor'sfaithfulorHisenemy?Your

choice.'ITHADOFTENbeensaidthataSpaceMarineknewnofear.Suchastatementwasnotliterallytrue,aSpaceMarinecouldknowfear,buthehadthetraining

and discipline to deal with it and not let it affect him in battle. Captain Saul Tarvitz was noexception, he had faced storms of gunfire and monstrous aliens and even glimpsed the insanepredatorsofthewarp,butwhenAngroncharged,heran.

Theprimarch smashed through the ruins like a juggernaut.Hebellowed insanely andwithonesweepofhischainaxecarvedtwoloyalWorldEatersintwo,bringinghisoff-handaxedowntobitethroughthetorsoofathird.HistraitorWorldEatersdivedovertherubble,blastingwithpistolsorstabbingwithchainblades.

'Die!' bellowed Captain Ehrlen as the loyalists counter-charged, throwing themselves into theenemyasone.Tarvitzwasused toAstarteswho fought in feints andcounter-charges,overlappingfieldsoffire,pickingtheenemyapartorsweepingthroughhisrankswithgraceandprecision.TheWorldEatersdidnotfightwiththeperfectionoftheEmperor'sChildren.Theyfoughtwithangerandhatred,withbrutalityandthelustfordestruction.

Andtheyfoughtwithmorehatredthaneverbeforeagainsttheirown,againstthebattle-brotherstheyhadwarredalongsideforyears.

Tarvitzscrambledbackfromthecarnage.WorldEatersshoulderedpasthimas theychargedatAngron, but the butchered bodies lying around showed what fate awaited them. Tarvitz put hisshoulderdownandhammeredthrougharuinedwall,sprawlingintoacourtyardwherestatuesstoodscarredandbeheadedbytheday'searlierbattles.

He glanced behind him. Thousands of World Eaters were locked in a terrible hurricane ofcarnage,scramblingtogetatoneanother.AtthecentreofthebloodyhurricanewasAngron,massiveandterribleashelaidabouthimwithhisaxes.

CaptainEhrlencrasheddownashortdistancefromhimandtheWorldEater'seyesflickeredoverTarvitzbeforeherolledontohisbackandpulledhimselftohisfeet.Ehrlen'sfacewastornopen,aredmaskofbloodwithhiseyestheonlyrecognisablefeature.ApackofWorldEatersdescendedonhim,pilinghimtothegroundandworkingathimasthoughtheywerecarvingupasideofmeat.

Volleysofboltershotsthuddedthroughthewallsandthebattlespilledintothecourtyard,WorldEaterswrestlingwithoneanotherandforcingboltersuptofirepointblankordisembowellingtheirbattle-brotherswithchainaxes.Tarvitzkickedhimselftohisfeetandranasawallcollapsedandadozentraitorssurgedforward.

He threw himself behind a pillar, bolt shells blasting chunks ofmarble from it in concussiveimpacts.ThesoundofbattlefollowedhimandTarvitzknewthathehadtotry'andfindtheEmperor'sChildren.Onlywithhisfellowwarriorsalongsidehimcouldheimposesomeformoforderonthischaoticfight.

Tarvitz ran, realising that gunfirewas directed at him fromall angles.He charged through theruinsofagranddininghallandintoacavernousstonewalledkitchen,

HekeptrunningandsmashedhiswaythroughtheruinsuntilhefoundhimselfinthestreetsoftheChoralCity.Aburninggunshipstreakedoverheadandcrashedintoabuildinginanorangeplumeof

flame as gunfire stuttered throughout the ruins he had just vacated and Angron's roaring cutthroughthedinofbattle.

The magnificent dome of the Precentor's Palace rose above the battle unfolding across theblackenedremainsofthecity.

As Tarvitz made his way through the carnage towards his beloved Emperor's Children, hepromisedthatifhewastomeethisdeathonthisblastedworld,thenhewouldmeetitamongsthisbattle-brothers,andindeathdefythehatredtheWarmasterhadsownamongstthem.

LOKENWATCHEDTHE Sons ofHorus landing on the far side of the Sirenhold.His SpaceMarines-hecouldn't thinkof themas 'SonsofHorus'anymore-werearrayedaroundtheclosesttomb-spireinaformidabledefensiveformation.

His heavy weapons commanded the valley of shrines through which attackers would have toadvance and the TacticalMarines held hard points of rainswhere theywould fight on their ownterms.

ButtheenemywasnottheIsstvanianarmy,theywerehisbrothers.'Ithoughtthey'dbombus,’saidTorgaddon.Theyshouldhavedone,’repliedLoken.'Somethingwentwrong,’'It'llbeAbaddon'saidTorgaddon.'Hemusthavebeenitchingforachancetotakeusonface-to-

faceHoruscouldn'thaveheldhimback,’'OrSedirae,’echoedLoken,distaste inhisvoice.Theafternoonsunhung inveilsbetween the

shadowscastbythewallsandthetomb-spires.'Ineverthoughtitwouldendlikethis,Tarik,’saidLoken.'Maybestormingsomealiencitadelor

defending...defendingTerra,likesomethingfromtheepicpoems,somethingromantic,somethingthe

remembrancers could get their teeth into. I never thought it could end defending a hole like thisagainstmyownbattle-brothers,’

'Yes,butthenyoualwayswereanidealist.'TheSonsofHornswerecomingdownon the far sideof the tomb-spire across thevalley, the

optimalpointtostrikefrom,andLokenknewthatthiswouldbethehardestbattlehewouldeverhavetofight.

'Wedon'thavetodiehere,’saidTorgaddon.Lokenlookedathim. 'Iknow,wecanwin.Wecanthroweverythingwehaveat them.I'll lead

theminfromthefrontandthenthere'sachancethat-''No,'saidTorgaddon.'Imeanwedon'thavetoholdthemhere.Weknowwecangetthroughthe

maingatesintothecity.IfwestrikeforthePrecentor'sPalacewecouldlinkupwiththeEmperor'sChildrenortheWorldEaters.LuciussaidthewarningcamefromSaulTarvitzsotheyknowwearebetrayed.'

'SaulTarvitzisonIsstvanIII?'askedLoken,suddenhopeflaringinhisheart.'Apparentlyso,’noddedTorgaddon.'Wecouldhelpthem.Fortifythepalace,’Lokenlookedbackacrossatthetangleofshrinesandtomb-spires.'Youwouldretreat?''Iwouldwhenthere'snochanceofvictoryandwecanfightonbettertermselsewhere,’'We'llneverhaveanotherchancetofacethemonourownterms,Tarik.TheChoralCityisgone,

thiswholedamnplanetisdead.It'saboutpunishingthemfortheirbetrayalandthebrotherswehavelost,’

We all lost brothers here,Garvi, but dying needlesslywon't bring them back. Iwill havemyvengeance,too,butI'mnotthrowingawaythefewwarriorsIhaveleftinakneejerkactofdefiance.Thinkaboutthis,Loken.Reallythink,aboutwhyyouwanttofightthemhere,’

Lokencouldhear thefirstburstsofgunfireandknewTorgaddonwasright.Theywerestill thebest trained,mostdisciplinedof theLegionsandheknewthat ifhewanted tofight thosewhohadbetrayedhim,hehadtofightwithhisheadandnothisheart.

'You're right,Tarik,’ saidLoken.We should link upwithTarvitz.Weneed to get organised tolaunchacounter-attack,’

Wecanreallymakethemsuffer,Garvi,wecanforcethemintoabattleanddelaythem.IfTarvitzgotthewarningouthere,who'stosaythattherearen'totherscarryingawarningtoTerra?MaybetheotherLegionsalreadyknowwhat'shappened.Someoneunderestimatedus,theythoughtthiswouldbeamassacre,butwe'llgoonebetter.We'llturnIsstvanIIIintoawar,’'Doyouthinkwecan?'

"We'retheLunaWolves,Garvi.Wecandoanything,’Loken tookhis friend'shand,accepting the truthofhiswords.He turned to thesquadsarrayed

behindhim,scanningthevalleythroughtheirgun-sights.'Astartes!'heshouted.'YouallknowwhathashappenedandIshareyourpainandoutrage,butI

needyoutofocusonwhatwemustnowdoandnot letpassionblindyouto thecoldfactsofwar.BondsofbrotherhoodhavebeenshatteredandwearenolongertheSonsofHorus,thatnamehasnomeaningforusnow.WeareonceagaintheLunaWolves,soldiersoftheEmperor!'

AdeafeningcheergreetedhiswordsasLokencontinued,*Wearegivingtheenemythispositionandwillbreakthroughthegatestostrikeforthepalace.CaptainTorgaddonandIwilltaketheassaultunitsandleadthespeartip.'

Within moments, the newly re-christened Luna Wolves were ready to move out, Torgaddonbarkingorderstoputtheassaultsquadsupfront.Lokengatheredabodyofwarriorstohim,formingapocketofresistanceintheshadowofthetomb-spire.

'Killforthelivingandkillforthedead,'saidTorgaddonastheypreparedtomoveout.'Killfortheliving,'repliedLokenasthespeartip,numberingperhapstwothousandLunaWolves,

movedoutacrossthetombscapeoftheSirenholdtowardsthemassivegates.Lokenturnedbacktothevalley,seeingtheshapesofSonsofHorusmovingtowardshim.Larger,

darkershapesloomedinthedistance,grindingthebattle-scarredshrinesandstatuestodustastheywent:RhinoAPCs,lumberingLandRaiders,andeventhebarrel-shapedsilhouetteofadreadnought.

Hefeltheshouldbefilledwithsadnessatthetragedyoffightinghisbrothers,buttherewasnosadness.

Therewasonlyhatred.ARUKEN'SEYESWEREhollowandhewassweating.Cassarwasshockedtoseehisnormal,

cockyarrogancereplacedbyfear.Despitethatfear,CassarknewthathecouldnotfullytrustJonahAruken.

Thishas toend,Titus,’ saidAruken. 'Youdon'twant tobeamartyrdoyou?' 'Martyr?That'sastrangechoiceofwordsfor:someonewhoclaimsnottobelieve.'

AsmallsmileappearedonAruken'sface.'I'mnot:asstupidasyouthink,Titus.You'reagoodmanandadamngoodcrewman.Youbelieveinthings,whichismorethanmostpeoplecanmanageSo,I'dratheryoudidn'tdie.'Cassar didn't respond toAruken's forced levity. 'Please, I knowyou're just saying that for the

prin-ceps'sbenefit.I'venodoubthecanhearevery1word,’'Probably,yes,butheknows that as soonasheopens thatdooryou'll blowhisheadoff.So I

guessyouandIcanjustsaywhatwedamnwelllike,’Cassar'sgriponthegunrelaxed.'You'renotinhispocket?''Hey,we'vebeenthroughsomescaryshitrecently,haven'twe?'saidAruken.'Iknowwhatyou're

goingthrough.'Cassarshookhishead.'Noyoudon't,andIknowwhatyou'retryingtodo.Ican'tbackdown,I'm

makingastandinthenameofmyEmperor.Iwon'tjustsurrender,’'Look,Titus,ifyoubelievethenyoubelieve,butyoudon'thavetoprovethattoanyone,’'YouthinkI'mdoingthisforshow?'askedCassar,aiminghisgunatAruken'sthroat.Arukenheldouthishandsandwalkedcarefully around theprinceps's commandchair to stand

acrossthebridgefromhim.TheEmperor isn't just a figurehead to cling to,’ saidCassar. 'He is agod.Hehas a saint and

miraclesandIhaveseenthem.Andsohaveyou!Thinkofallyouhaveseenandyou'llrealiseyouhave tohelpme,Jonah!' 'I sawsomeodd things,Titus,but-' 'Don'tdeny them,’ interruptedCassar.'Theyhappened.AssureasyouandIarestandinginthiswarmachine.Jonah,thereisanEmperorandHeiswatchingoverus.Hejudgesusbythechoiceswemakewhenthosechoicesarehard.TheWarmaster has betrayedus and if I standback and let it happen then I ambetrayingmyEmperor.Thereareprinciplesthatmustbedefended,Aruken.Don'tyouevenseethatmuch?Ifnoneofustakeastand,

thentheWarmasterwillwinandtherewon'tevenbethememoryofthisbetrayal,’Arukenshookhisheadinfrustration.'Cassar,ifIcouldjustmakeyousee-''You'retryingtotellmeyouhaven'tseenanythingtobelievein?'askedCassar, turningawayin

disappointment.He looked through thescorchedpanesof theviewingbayat theassemblingDeathGuard.

Titus,Ihaven'tbelievedinanythingforalongtime,’saidAruken.'ForthatI'mtrulysorry,andI'msorryforthistoo,’

Cassar turned to see that JonahAruken had drawn his pistol and had it aimed squarely at hischest.

'Jonah?'saidCassar.Youwouldbetrayme?Afterallwehaveseen?'There'sonlyonethingIwant,Titus,andthat'scommandofmyownTitan.OnedayIwanttobe

PrincepsArukenandthat'snotgoingtohappenifIletyoudothis,’Cassarsaid,Toknowthatthiswholegalaxyisstarvedofbeliefandtothinkthatyoumightbethe

onlyonewhobelieves...andyettostillbelieveinspiteofallthat.Thatisfaith,Aruken.Iwishthatyoucouldunderstandthat,’

'It'stoolateforthat,Titus,’saidAruken.'I'msorry,’Aruken'sgunbarkedthreetimes,fillingthebridgewithburstsoflightandnoise.*6BФTARVITZ COULD SEE the battle from the shadow of an entrance arch leading into the

Precentor'sPalace.HehadescapedthecycloneofcarnagethatAngronhadslaughteredintolife,tolinkupwithhisownwarriorsinthepalace,butthesightoftheWorldEater'sprimarchwasstillavividredhorrorinhis

mind.Tarvitz glanced back into the palace, its vaulted hallways strewnwith the bodies of the dead

palaceguarddarkeningaslateafternoonturnedtheshadowslonganddim.Soonitwouldbenight.'Lucius,'voxedTarvitz,statichowling.'Lucius,comein.''Saul,whatdoyousee?''Gunshipsanddrop-podstoo,ourcolours,landingjustnorthofhere.' 'Hastheprimarchblessed

uswithhispresence?''LookslikeEidolon,’saidTarvitzwithrelish.Thevoxwasheavywithstaticand he knew that theWar-master's forces would be attempting to jam their vox-channels withoutblockingtheirown.

'Listen,Lucius,Angronisgoingtobreakthroughhere.TheloyalWorldEatersdowntherewon'tbeabletoholdhim.He'sgoingtoheadforthepalace,’

'Thentherewillbeabattle,’deadpannedLucius. 'IhopeAngronmakesitagoodfight.IthinkImighthavefoundadecentfencingopponentat

last,’'You'rewelcometohim.Weneedtomakethisstandcount.Startbarricadingthecentraldome.We'llmovetofortifyingthemaindomesandjunctionsifAngrongivesusthatlong,’'Sincewhendidyoubecometheleaderhere?'askedLuciuspetulantly.'Iwastheonewhokilled

VardusPraal,’Tarvitzfelthisangerriseathisfriend'schildishnessatsuchavolatiletime,butbitbackhisanger

tosay,'Getinthereandhelpmanthebarricades.Wedon'thavelongbeforewe'llbeinthethickofit,’

THETHUNDERHAWKSPEDawayfromtheVengefulSpirit,gatheringspeedasQruzekickedintheafterburners.Mersadiefeltunutterablylight-headedtobeofftheWarmaster'sshipatlast,butthecoldrealisationthattheyhadnowheretogosoberedherasshesawglintingspecksofthefleetallaroundthem.

'Nowwhat?'askedQruze.We'reaway,butwheretonext?''Itoldyouwewerenotwithoutfriends,didInot,Iacton?'saidEuphrati,sittingintheco-pilot's

chairbesidetheAstarteswarrior.Thewarriorgaveherabriefsidewayslook.'Bethatasitmay,remembrancer.Friendsdouslittle

goodifwedieouthere,’'Butwhatadeathitwouldbe,’saidKeeler,withthetraceofaghostlysmile.Sindermann shared a worried glance with her, no doubt wondering if they had overreached

themselvesintrustingthatEuphraticoulddeliverthemtosafetyoutinthedarkofspace.Theoldmanlookedtinyandfeebleandshetookhishandinhers.

Throughtheviewshield,Mersadiecouldseeafieldofglitteringlights:starshipsbelongingtotheSixty-ThirdExpedition,andeveryoneofthemhostile.

Asiftocontradicther,Euphratipointedupwardsthroughtheviewshieldtowardsthebellyofanugly vessel they would pass beneath if they continued on their current course. The weak sun ofIsstvanglintedfromitsunpaintedgunmetalhull.

'Headtowardsthatone,’commandedEuphratiandMersadiewassurprisedtoseeQruzeturnthecontrolswithoutawordofprotest.

Mersadie didn't know a great deal about spacecraft but she knew that the cruiser would bebristlingwith turrets that could pick off the Thun-derhawk as it shot past, and couldmaybe evendeployfighters.

У\Плуarewegettingcloser?'sheaskedhurriedly.'Surelywewanttoheadaway?'Trustme,Sadie,’saidEuphrati.Thisisthewayithastobe,’Atleastitwillbequick,shethought,asthevesselgrewlargerintheviewshield.'It'sDeathGuard,’saidQruze,MersadiebitherlipandglancedatSindermann.Theoldmanlookedcalmandsaid,'Quitetheadventure,eh?'Mersadiesmiledinspiteofherself.Whatarewegoing todo,Kyril?' askedMersadie, tears springing fromhereyes. 'Whatdowe

havelefttous?''This is still our fight,Mersadie,’ said Euphrati, turning from the viewshield. 'Sometimes that

fightmustbeopenwarfare,sometimesitmustbefoughtwithwordsandideas.Weallhaveourpartstoplay,’

Mersadie letoutabreath,unableandunwilling tobelieve that therewereallies in thecruiserloominginfrontofthem.'Wearenotalone,’smiledEuphrati.'Butthisfight...itfeelsalotbiggerthanme,’Youarewrong.Eachofushasasmuchright tohave theirsay in thefateof thegalaxyas theWar-master.Believingthatishowwewilldefeathim,’

Mersadienoddedandwatchedthecruiserabovethemdrawingevernearer,itslong,darkshapeedgedinstarlightanditsengineswreathedincloudsofcrystallinegasses.

Thunderhawkgunship,identifyyourself,’saidagruff,gravel-ladenvoicecracklingfromthevox-caster.

'Betruthful,’warnedEuphrati.'Alldependsonit,’Qruzenoddedandsaid,'MynameisIactonQruze,formerlyoftheSonsofHorus,’'Formerly?'camethereply.Yes,formerly,’saidQruze.'Explainyourself,’'IamnolongerpartoftheLegion,’saidQruze,andMersadiecouldhearthepainitcausedhimto

givevoicetothesewords.'IcannolongerbepartytowhattheWarmasterisdoing,’Aftera longpause, thevoicereturned. 'Thenyouarewelcomeonmyship,IactonQruze.' 'And

whoareyou?'askedQruze.'IamCaptainNathanielGarrooftheEisenstein.'

PARTTHREE.BROTHERS

FOURTEEN

Untilit'soverCharmoisanBetrayal'I'VELOSTCOUNTofthedays,’saidLoken,crouchingbyoneofthemakeshiftbattlementsthat

lookedoverthesmoulderingruinsoftheChoralCity.'Idon'tthinkIsstvanIIIhasdaysandnightsanymore,’repliedSaulTarvitz.Loken looked into the steel grey sky, amantle of cloud kicked up by the catastrophic climate

changeforcedonIsstvanIIIbythesuddenextinctionofalmostalllifeonitssurface.Athindrizzleofashrained,theremainsofthefirestormsweptupbydry,deadwindsacontinentaway.

'They'remassingforanotherattack,’saidTarvitz,indicatingthetangleoftwisted,ash-wreathedrubblethathadoncebeenavastmassoftenementblockstotheeastofthepalace.

Lokenfollowedhisgaze.Hecouldjustglimpseaflashofdirtywhitearmour.WorldEaters,’Whoelse?''Idon'tknowifAngronevenknowsanotherwaytofight,’Tarvitzshrugged.'Heprobablydoes.Hejustlikeshiswaybetter,’Tarvitz andLokenhad firstmetonMurder,where theSonsofHornshad fought alongside the

Emperor'sChildrenagainsthideousmegarachnidaliens.Tarvitzhadbeenafinewarrior,devoidofthegrandstandingofhisLegionthathadsoantagonisedTorgaddon.

Lokenbarelyrememberedthe journeyback throughtheSirenhold,scrambling throughshatteredtombsandburningruins.Herememberedfightingthroughmenhehadoncecalledbrothertowardsthegreat gates of the Sirenhold, and he had not stopped until he had his first proper sight of thePrecentor'sPalaceanditsmagnificentrose-granitepetals.

'They'llhitwithinthehour,’saidTarvitz.Tilmovemenovertothedefences,’'Itcouldbeafeint,’saidLoken,vividlyrememberingthefirstdaysofthebattleforthepalace.

'Angronhitsoneside,Eidoloncounter-attacks,’His first sight of Tarvitz's warriors in battle had resembled a great gamewith the Emperor's

Childrenaspiecesmasterfullyarrangedinfeintsandcounter-charges.AlessermanthanSaulTarvitzwouldhaveallowedhisforcetobepickedapartby

them,butthecaptainoftheEmperor'sChildrenhadsomehowmanagedtoweatherthreedaysofnon-stopattacks.

"We'llbereadyforit,’saidTarvitz,lookingdownintothedepthsofthepalace.LokenandTarvitzhadclimbedintothestructureofapartiallycollapseddome,oneofthemany

sectionsofthePrecentor'sPalacethathadbeenruinedduringthefirestormandfighting.Sheared sections of granite petals formed the cover behind which Loken and Tarvitz were

sheltering, while in the rubble-choked dome below, hundreds of the survivors were manning thedefences.LunaWolvesandEmperor'sChildrenmannedbarricadesmadeofpricelesssculpturesandotherartworksthathadfilledthechambersbeneaththedome.

NowthesemonumentalsculpturesofpastrulerslayontheirsideswithAstartescrouchedbehindthem.

'Howmuchlongerdoyouthinkwecanhold?'askedLoken.

'We'll stay until it's over,’ said Tarvitz. 'You said so yourself, every second we survive, thechancegrowsthattheEmperorhearsofthisandsendstheotherLegionstobringHorustojustice,’

'IfGarromakesit,’saidLoken.'Hecouldbedeadalready,orlostinthewarp,’'Perhaps,butIhavetohopethatNathanielmadeitout,’saidTarvitz.'Ourjobistoholdthemoff

foraslongaswecan,’That's what worries me. This probably all started when Angron slipped the leash, but the

WarmastercouldhavejustpulledhisLegionsoutandbombedthiscityintodust.Hewouldhavelostsomeofthem,butevenso...thisplanetshouldhavebeendeadalongtimeago,’

Tarvitzsmiled.'Fourprimarchs,Garviel.That'syouranswer.Fourwarriorsnotgiventobackingdown.Who would be the first to leave? Angron?Mortarion? If Eidolon's leading the Emperor'sChildrenthenhe'sgotalot toprovealongsidetheprimarchs,andIhaveneverknownHorusshowweakness,notwhenhisbrotherprimarchsmight

seeit,’'No,'agreedLoken.'TheWarmasterdoesnotbackdownfromabattleoncehe'scommitted,’Thenthey'llhavetokillusall,’saidTarvitz.'Yes,theywill,’saidLokengrimly.Thevox-beadsinboththeirhelmetschimedandTorgaddon'svoicesounded.'Garvi,Saul!' saidTorgaddon. 'I'vegot reports that theWorldEatersaremassing.Wecanhear

themchanting,sothey'llbecomingsoon.I'vereinforcedtheeasternbarricades,butweneedeverymandownhere,’

'I'llpullmymenbackfromthegallerydome,’voxedTarvitz.'I'llsendGarvieltojoinyou,’'Whereareyougoing?'askedLoken.'I'mgoingtomakesurethewestandnortharestillcoveredandtogetsomegunsonthechapel

too,’saidTarvitz,pointingthroughtheruinsofthedometothestrangeorganicshapeoftheWarsingers'Chapeladjoiningthepalacecomplex.Thesurvivorshadinstinctivelyavoidedthechapelandfewofthemhadevenseeninsideit.Its

verywallswereredolentofthecorruptionthathadconsumedthesouloftheChoralCity.'I'll take the chapel and Lucius can take the ground level,’ continued Tarvitz, turning back to

Loken.'IswearthatsometimesIthinkLuciusisactuallyenjoyingthis,’'Alittletoomuch,ifyouaskme,’repliedLoken.'Youneedtokeepaneyeonhim,’AfamiliardullexplosionsoundedandatowerofrubbleandsmokeburstfromtheChoralCity's

torturedcityscapetothenorthofthepalace.Amazing,’saidTarvitz,'thatthereareanyDeathGuardleftaliveoverthere,’'DeathGuardaretoughtokill,’repliedLoken,headingforthemakeshiftladderthatleddownto

theremainsofthegallerydome.Despitehiswords,heknewthat it reallywasamazing.Mortarion,neverone todo thingswith

finesse, had simply landed one of his fleet's largest orbital landers on the edge of the westerntrenchesandsaturatedthedefenceswithturretfirewhilehisDeathGuarddeployed.

ThathadbeenthelastanyonehadheardoftheDeathGuardintheChoralCity.Thoughfromthehaphazardlyaimedartilleryshellsthatlandeddailyinthetraitors'camps,itwasclearthatsomeloyalDeathGuardstillresistedMortarion'seffortstoexterminatethem.'Ionlyhopeweliveaslong,'saidTarvitz.We'rerunninglowonsuppliesandammunition.Soon

we'llstartrunninglowonAstartes,’'As longasone isalive,captain,we'll fight,'promisedLoken. 'Horuspickedsomeunfortunate

enemiesinyouandme.We'llmakehimregretevertakinguson.'

'Thenwe'llspeakagainafterAngron'sbeensentscurrying,’saidTarvitz.'Untilthen.'Lokendroppeddownintothedome,leavingTarvitzaloneforamomenttolookacrosstheblasted

city.HowlonghaditbeensincehehadbeensurroundedbyanythingotherthanthenightmarishplacetheChoralCityhadbecome?Twomonths?Three?

Ashenskiesandsmoulderingruinssurrounded thepalaceforas faras theeyecouldsee inalldirections,thecityresemblingthekindofhelltheIsstvaniansthemselvesmightoncehavebelievedin.

Tarvitzshookthethoughtfromhismind.'Therearenohells,nogods,noeternalrewardsorpunishments,’hetoldhimself.LuciusCOULDHEARthekilling.Hecouldreaddiesoundofitasthoughitwerewrittendown

before him like sheetmusic.Heknew the difference between thewar-cries of aWorldEater andthoseof

aSonofHorus,andthevariancebetweenthetonalqualityofavolleyofbolterfirelaunchedtosupportanattackortodefendanobstacle.

ThechapelSaulhadtaskedhimwididefendingwasastrangeplace tobe thesiteof theGreatCrusade's laststand.Notsolongagoithadbeenthenervecentreofanenemyregime,butnowitsmakeshiftdefencesweretheonlythingholdingoffthefarsuperiortraitorforces.

'Soundslikeanastyone,’saidBrotherSolathenofSquadNasicae,huncheddownbythesillofthechapelwindow.'Theymightbreakthrough,’

'OurfriendLokencanhandlefhem,’sneeredLucius.Angronwantstogetsomemorekills.That'sallhewants.Listen?Canyouhearthat?'

Solathencockedhisheadashe listened.Astarteshearing, likemostof theirsenses,wasfinelyhoned,butSolathendidn'tseemtorecogniseLucius'spoint.'Hearwhat,captain?'

'Chainaxes.But they'renot cutting into ceramiteorother chainblades; they're cutting into stoneandsteel.TheWorldEaterscan'tgettogripswiththeSonsofHorusoverthere,sothey'retryingtohackthroughthebarricades,’

Solathennoddedandsaid,'CaptainTarvitzknowswhathe'sdoing.TheWorldEatersonlyknowonewaytofight.Wecanusethattoouradvantage,’

LuciusfrownedatSolathen'spraiseofSaulTarvitz,aggrievedmathisowncontributionstothedefencesappearedtohavebeenoverlooked.Hadn't

hekilledVardusPraal?Hadn'themanagedtogethismentosafetywhenthevimsbombsandthefirestormhadhit?

Heturnedhisbitterexpressionawayandstaredthroughthechapelwindowacrosstheplazastillstaineddarkwithcharredruins.Amazinglythechapelwindowwasstillintact,althoughitspaneshadbeen distorted by the heat of the firestorm, bulging and discoloured with vein-like streaks thatremindedLuciusofanenormousinsectoideye.

Thechapelitselfwasmorebizarreinsidethanout,constructedfromcurvedblocksofgreenstonein loomingbiologicalshapes that lookedas thoughacloudofnoxious-lookingfumeshadsuddenlypetrifiedasitbillowedupwards.Thealtarwasagreatspreadingmembraneofpalerpurplestone,likeacomplexinternalorganopenedupandpinnedforstudyagainstthefarwall.

TheWorldEatersaren't theonesyoushouldbeworriedabout,brother,’continuedLucius idly.'It'sus.''Us,captain?'

'TheEmperor'sChildren,’saidLucius.'YouknowhowourLegionfights.They'rethedangerousones

outthere,’Mostof thesurvivingloyalistEmperor'sChildrenwereholdingthechapel.Tarvitzhadtakena

force to cover the nearest gate, but several squads were arrayed among the odd organ-likeprotrusionsonthefloorbelow.SquadNasicaehadonlyfourmembersleft,includingLuciushimself,andtheyheaded

theassaultelementofthesurvivors'forcealonewithSquadsQuemondilandRaetherin.TarvitzhaddeployedSergeantKaitheronontheroofofthechapelwithhissupportsquadaswell

as the majority of the Emperor's Children's remaining heavy weapons. Astartes from the tacticalsquads were at the chapel windows or in cover further inside. The rest of Lucius's troops werestationedincoveroutsidethechapel,amongthebarricadesoffallenstoneslabstheyhadsetupintheearlydaysofthesiege.

Two thousand Space Marines, enough for an entire battle zone of the Great Crusade, weredefendingasingleapproachtothepalacewiththeWarsingers'Chapelasthelynchpinoftheirline

Movement caughtLucius's eye andhepeered through thedistortedwindow into theblackenedbuildingsacrossfromhim.There!Aglimpseofgold.

Hesmiled,knowingfullwellhowtheEmperor'sChildrenfought.'Contact!'heannouncedtotherestofhisforce.Thirdblockwest,secondfloor,’'On it,’ replied Sergeant Kaitheron, a no-nonsense weapons officer who treated war as a

mathematicalproblemtobesolvedwithanglesandweightoffire.Luciusheardthesquadsmovingontheroof,trainingweaponsontheareahehadindicated.

'West front, make ready!' ordered Lucius. Several of the tactical squads hurried into firingpositionsalongLucius'ssideofthechapel.

Thetensionwasdelicious,andLuciusfeltasurgeofecstaticsensationcrawlingalonghisveinsasheheardthesongofdeathbuildinginhisblood.Araw,toe-to-toeconflictmeantopportunitiestoexercise perfection in war, but to make it truly memorable it needed these moments of feverishanticipationwhenthefullweightofpotentialdeathandglorysurgedaroundhisbody.

'Gotthem,’calledKaitheronfromthechapelroof.'Emperor'sChildren.Majorforceoverseveralfloors.Armour too.LandRaiders andPredators.Lascannon, to the fore!Heavybolters, cover theopengroundmid-rangeandoverlap!'

'Eidolon,’saidLucius.Luciuscouldseethemnow,hundredsofAstartesinthepurpleandgoldoftheLegionheidolised,

gatheringinthedeadeyesofruinedstructures.'They'llgetthesupportintopositionfirst,’saidLucius.'Thenthey'llusetheLandRaiderstobring

thetroopsin.Mid-toclose-rangetheinfantrywillmovein.Holdyourfireuntilthen,’TracksrumbledastheLandRaiders,resplendentwithgildedeagle'swingsandfrescoesofwar

ontheirarmour-platedsides,groundthroughtheshatteredruinsoftheChoralCity.EachwasfullofEmperor'sChildren,thegalaxy'selite,primedbyEidolonandFulgrimtotreatthementheyhadoncecalledbrothersasfoesworthyonlyofextermination.

ToEidolon,thesurvivorsofthefirstwavewereignorantandmindless,deservingonlydeath,butthey had reckoned without Lucius. He licked his lips at the thought of once again facing the

warriorsofhisLegion;warriorsworthyofthename.Enemieshecouldrespect.Orearntherespectof...

Lucius could practically see the enemy squads deployingwith such rapid confidence that theylookedmorelikeplayersinacomplexparade-groundmovethansoldiersatwar.

Hecouldtastethemomentwhenthebattlewouldreallybegin.

Hewanteditrightthereandthen,buthealsoknewhowmuchmoredeliciousthetasteofbattlewaswhenthetimingwasperfect.

Windowsshatteredasfirefromthetanksrippedthroughthechapel,kickingupshardsofmarbleandglass.

'Hold!'orderedLucius.Despiteeverything,hisAstarteswerestillEmperor'sChildrenandtheywouldnotbreakrankslikeundisciplinedWorldEaters.

HeriskedaglancethroughthesplinteredglasstoseetheLandRaiderschurningupthemarbleofthe plaza. Predator battle tanks followed them, . acting as mobile gun platforms that blew greatshudderingchunksfromthechapel'sbattlements.Lascannonfirestreakedbackandforth,Kaitheron'smenattempting tocripple theadvancingvehiclesand theLandRaiders'sponson-mountedweaponstryingtopickofftheAstartesontheroof.

A Predator tank slewed to a halt as its track was blown off and another vehicle burst intomulticoloured flames. Purple-armoured bodies tumbled past the window; corpses served as anappetisertothegreatfeastofdeath.

Luciusdrewhissword,feelingthemusicbuildinsidehimuntilhefelthecouldnolongercontainit.Thefamiliarhumofhissword'senergyfieldbecamepartoftherhythmandhefelthimselfslippingintotheduellist'sdance,theweavingstreamofsavageryhehadperfectedovercenturiesofkilling.Howmanymenwereintheassault?CertainlyalargechunkofEidolon'scommand.

Luciushadfewermen,butthisbattlewasallaboutwinninggloryandspectacle.Atankroundshot throughawindowandburstagainst theceiling,showeringtheminfragments

andsmoke.Luciussawstreaksofbolterfirefromthepalaceentrance-TarvitzwasdrawingEidoloninand

Eidolonhadnochoicebuttodancetohistune.HeheardamusicalclangandsawtheassaultrampsoftheLandRaidersslamopenandLuciusglimpsedtheclose-packedarmouredbodieswithin.

'Go!' he yelled and the jump packs of the assault units opened up behind him, catapulting thewarriorsintobattle.Luciusfollowedintheirwake,vaultingthroughthechapelwindow.SquadNasi-caecameafterhimandtherestofhiswarriorsfollowedinturn.

Battle:thedanceofwar.LuciusknewthatagainstanenemylikeEidolon,therewouldbenotimeforanythingbutthemostintenseapplicationsofhismartialperfection.Hisconsciousnessshiftedandeverythingwassnappedintowondrousfocus,everycolourbecomingbrightanddazzlingandeverysoundblaringanddiscordantalonghisnerves.

Theduellist'sdancetookhimintotheenemyasbattleeruptedinallitsperfectlymarshalledchaosaroundhim.HeavyfirestreakeddownfromtheroofandLandRaiderstwistedontheirtrackstobringtheirgunstobearontheEmperor'sChildrenchargingfromthechapel.

The Space Marines outside the chapel charged at the same instant, and Eidolon's force wasattackedfromtwosidesatonce.

Luciusduckedbladesandbolts,hisswordlashinglikeaserpent'stongue.Eidolon'sforcereeled.Squad Quelmondil battled ferociously with the enemy warriors emerging from the nearest LandRaider.Hedancedpastthem,savagejoykickinginhisheartandherolledunderasprayofbolterfiretocomeupandstabhisbladethroughtheabdomenofanenemysergeant.

Deathwasanendinitself,expressingLucius'ssuperioritythroughtheliveshetook,buthehadahigherpurpose.Heknewwhathehadtodo,andhisstrangelydistortedsensessoughtouttheglintofgoldortheflutterofabanner,anythingindicatingthepresenceofoneofFulgrim'schosen.

Thenhesawit;armourtrimmedinblackinsteadofgold,ahelmetworkedintoastern,grimacingskull:ChaplainCharmosian.

Theblack-armouredwarriorstoodproudofthetophatchofaLandRaider,directingthebattlewithsharpchopsofhiseagle-wingedcrozius.Luciusgrinnedmanically,settingoffthroughthebattletofaceCharmosianandslayhiminafightworthyoftheLegion'sepics.

'Charmosian!'heyelled,hisvoicesounding like themostvibrantmusic imaginable. 'KeeperoftheWill!IamLucius,onceyourbrother,nowyour

nemesis!'CharmosianturnedhisskullhelmettowardsLuciusandsaid,'Iknowwhoyouare!'The chaplain clambered from the hatch and stoodon top of theLandRaider, daringLucius to

approachhim.CharmosianwasabattlefieldleaderandtofulfilthatroleheneededtherespectoftheLegion,respectthatcouldonlybeearnedfightingfromthefront.

Hewouldbeaworthyfoe,butthatwasn'twhyLuciushadsoughthimout.LuciusleaptontotheLandRaider'strackmountingandchargedupitsglacisuntilhewasfaceto

facewithCharmosian.Bolterfireflewinalldirections,butitwasirrelevant.ThiswastheonlybattleinLucius'smind.'We taughtyou toomuchpride,’saidCharmosian,bringinghis lethalcroziusaround inastrike

designedtocrushLucius'schest.Hebroughthisbladeup todeflect thecrozius,and thedanceenteredanewandurgentphase.Charmosian

wasgood,oneoftheLegion'sbest,butLuciushadspentmanyyearstrainingforafightsuchasthis.The chaplain's croziuswas too heavy to block full-on, so the swordsman let it slide fromhis

bladeasCharmosianswungathimtimeandtimeagain,frustratinghimintoputtingmorestrengthintohisblows.Alittlelonger.Afewmoremoments,andLuciuswouldhavehischance.

HelovedthewayCharmosianhatedhim,feelingitassomethingbrightandrefreshing.Luciuscould read thepatternofCharmosian's attacksand laughedashe saw theclumsy intent

writtenovereveryblow.CharmosianwantedtokillLuciuswithonealmightystroke,buthiscroziusrosetoofar,heldtoolonginertasthechaplaingatheredhisstrength.

Luciuslunged,hisswordsweepingoutinahighcutthatslashedthroughthechaplain'supraisedarms.ThecroziustumbledtothegroundandCharmosianroaredinpainashisarmsfromtheelbowsdownfellwithit.

The battle raged around the scene and Lucius let the noise and spectacle of it fill his over-stimulatedsenses.Thebattlewasaroundhim,andhisvictorywasallthatmattered.

YouknowwhoIam,’saidLucius.'Yourlastthoughtisofdefeat,’Charmosiantried tospeakbutbefore thewordswereoutLuciusspunhisswordinawidearc

andCharmosian'sheadwasslicedneatlyfromhisshoulders.Crimson sprayed across the gold of the LandRaider's hull. Lucius caught the head as it spun

throughtheairandheldithighsothewholebattlefieldcouldseeit.Aroundhim,thousandsoftheEmperor'sChildrenfoughttothedeathasEidolon'sforce,hitfrom

two sides, reeled against the palace defences and fell back. Tarvitz led the counter-strike andEidolon'sattackwasmeltingaway.

HelaughedashesawEidolon'scommandtank,aLandRaiderfestoonedwithvictorybanners,riseupoveraknotofrubbleasitretteatedfromthefighting.

Theloyalistshadwonthisbattle,butLuciusfoundthathedidn'tcare.He had won his own battle, and pulling Charmosian's head from the skull faced helmet and

throwingitaside,heknewhehadwhatheneededtoensurethat thesongofdeathkeptplayingforhim.

THEWARSINGERS'CHAPELwas quiet.Hundreds of new bodies lay around it, purple andgoldarmourscorchedandsplit,runnelsofbloodgatheringbetweenthestainedmarbletiles.Insomeplaces they lay alongside the blackened armour of theWorld Eaters who had died in the initialassaultsontheChoralCity.

Thepalaceentrancewasheavilybarricadedandintheclosestdomeofthepalace,thefewapothecariesintheloyalistforcewerepatchinguptheirwounded.TarvitzsawLuciuscleaninghissword,alternatingbetweenwipingthebladeandusingitstipto

carvenewscarsonhis.face.Askull-facedhelmetsatbesidehim.'Isthatreallynecessary?'askedTarvitz.Luciuslookedupandsaid,'IwanttorememberkillingCharmosian.'Tarvitz knew he should discipline the swordsman, reprimand him for practices that might be

considered barbaric and tribal, but here, amid this betrayal and death, such concerns seemedridiculouslypetty.

He squattedon thegroundnext toLucius, his limbsachingandhis armour scarredanddentedfromthelatestbattleattheentrancetothepalace

'Fairenough,’hesaid,jerkinghisthumbinthedirectionoftheenemy.'Isawyoukillhim.Itwasafinestrike.'

'Fine?'saidLucius.'Itwasbetterthanfine.Itwasart.Youneverweremuchforfinesse,Saul,soI'mnotsurprisedyoudidn'tappreciateit,’

Luciussmiledashespoke,butTarvitzsawaveryrealflashofannoyancecrosstheswordsman'sfeatures,aglimpseofhurtpridethathedidnotlikethelookof.

Anymoremovement?'heasked,changingthesubject.'No,’saidLucius.'Eidolonwon'tcomebackbeforehe'sregrouped,’'Keepwatching,'orderedTarvitz.'Eidoloncouldcatchusunawareswhileourguard'sdown.''Hewon'tbreachus,'promisedLucius,'notwhileI'mhere.''He doesn't have to,' saidTarvitz,wanting tomake sureLucius understood the reality of their

position. 'Every time he attacks,we losemorewarriors. If he strikes fast and pulls out,we'll bewhittleddownuntilwecan'tholdeverywhereatonce.Theambushfromthetemplecosthimmorethanhe'dlike,buthestilltooktoomanyofusdown.'

'Wesawhimoffthough,’saidLucius.'Yes,'agreedTarvitz,'butitwasacloserunthing,soI'llsendasquadtohelpkeepthewatch,’'Soyoudon'ttrustmetokeepwatchnow,isthatit?'TarvitzwassurprisedatthevenominLucius'svoiceandsaid,'No,that'snotitatall.AllIwant

is tomake sure that you have enoughwarriors here to fend off another attack.Anyway, I need toattendtothewesterndefences,’

'Yes,offyougoandleadthebigfight,you'rethehero,’snappedLucius.'Wewillwinthis,’saidTarvitz,placinghishandontheswordsman'sshoulder.Yes,’saidLucius,'wewill.Onewayoranother,’LuciusWATCHEDTARVITZ go, feeling his anger at his assumption of command. Lucius had

beentheoneearmarkedforpromotionandgreatness,notTarvitz.Howcouldhisowngloriousaccomplishmentshavebeenovershadowedby theplodding leadershipofSaulTarvitz?All the

gloriesthathehadearnedinthecrucibleofcombatwereforgottenandhefelthisbitternessriseupinachokingwaveinhisgullet.

Hehad felt amoment's guilt as hehad formedhis plan, but rememberingTarvitz's patronisingcondescension,hefeltthatguiltvanishlikesnowinthesunshine.

ThetemplewasquietandLuciuscheckedtomakesurethathewasalone,movingtositononeoftheoutcroppingsofsmoothgrey-greenstoneandliftingCharmosian'shelmet.

Hepeeredintothebloodstainedhelmetuntilhesawtheglintofsilver,andthenreachedinandpulledoutthesmallmetallicscrapthatwasCharmosian'shelmetcommunicator.

Onceagainhecheckedtoseethathewasalonebeforespeakingintoit.'CommanderEidolon?'hesaid,hisfrustrationgrowingashereceivednoanswer.'Eidolon,thisisLucius,’hesaid.'Charmosianisdead,’Therewasabriefcrackleofstatic,andthen,'Lucius,’HesmiledasherecognisedEidolon'svoice.AsoneoftheseniorofficersamongtheEmperor's

Children,CharmosianhadbeenindirectcontactwithEidolon,and,asLuciushadhoped,thechannelhadstillbeenopenwhenthechaplainhaddied.

'Commander!'saidLucius,hisvoicefullamusement.'Itisgoodtohearyourvoice,’'Ihavenointerestinlisteningtoyourtaunts,Lucius,’snarledEidolon. 'Youmustknowwewill

killyoualleventually,’'Indeed you will,’ agreed Lucius, 'but it will take a very long time. A great many Emperor's

Childrenwilldiebefore thepalace falls.SonsofHorusandWorldEaters, too.AndTerraknowshowmanyofMortarion'sDeathGuardhavediedalready in the trenches.Youwill suffer for this,Eidolon.TheWar-master'swhole forcewill suffer.By the time theotherLegionsgetherehemayhavelosttoomanyonIsstvanIIItowinthrough,’

'Keeptellingyourselfthat,Lucius,ifitmakesiteasier,’'No,commander,’hesaid.*Youmisunderstandme.IamsayingthatIwishtomakeadealwith

you,’'Adeal?'askedEidolon.'Whatkindofdeal?'Lucius'sscarstightenedashesmiled.'IwillgiveyouTarvitzandthePrecentor'sPalace,’

FIFTEEN

NoshortageofwondersOldfriendsPerfectfailureTHESTRATEGIUMWASdimlylit,theonlyilluminationcomingfromtheflickeringpictscreens

gatheredlikesupplicantsaroundtheWarmaster'sthroneandahandfuloftorchesthatburnedlowwitha fragrant aroma of sandalwood. The back wall of the strategium had been removed during thefightingonIsstvanIII,revealingafullyfashionedtempleadjoiningtheVengefulSpirit'sbridge.

TheWarmastersatalone.Nonedareddisturbhisbitterreveriesashesatbroodingontheconflictragingbelow.Whatshouldhavebeenamassacrehadturnedintoawar-awarhecouldillaffordthetimetowage.

Despitehisbravewordstohisbrotherprimarchs,thebattleonIsstvanHIworriedhim.Notforanyfearthathiswarriorswouldlose,butforthefact

that they were engaged at all. The virus bombing should have killed every one of those hebelievedwouldnotsupporthiminhiscampaigntotoppletheEmperorfromtheGoldenThroneofTerra.

Instead,thefirstcrackshadappearedinwhatshouldhavebeenafaultlessplan.SaulTarvitzoftheEmperor'sChildrenhadtakenawarningtothesurface...AndtheEisenstein...He remembered Maloghurst's fear as he had come to tell him of the debacle with the

remembrancers,thefearthattheWarmaster'swrathwouldprovehisundoing.Maloghursthadlimpedtowardsthethronewithhishoodedheadcastdown.'WhatisitMaloghurst?'Horushaddemanded.'Theyaregone,'saidMaloghurst.'Sindermann,OlitonandKeeler.'Whatdoyoumean?''TheyarenotamongstthedeadintheAudienceChamber,’explainedMaloghurst.'Icheckedevery

corpsemyself"Yousay theyaregone?'asked theWarmasterat last. 'That impliesyouknowwhere theyhave

gone.Isthatthecase?''Ibelieveso,mylord,'noddedMaloghurst.'ItappearstheyboardedaThunderhawkandflewto

theEisenstein!They stole a Thunderhawk,’ repeated Horus. 'We are going to have to review our security

proceduresregardingthesenewcraft.FirstSaulTarvitzandnowtheseremembrancers;itseemsanyonecanstealoneofourshipswithimpunity,’Theydidnotstealitontheirown,’explainedMaloghurst.'Theyhadhelp,’'Help?Fromwhom?''IbelieveitwasIactonQruze.TherewasastruggleandMaggardwaskilled,’'IactonQruze?' laughedHorusmirthlessly. 'Wehave seenno shortageofwonders, but perhaps

thisisthegreatestofthem.TheHalf-heardgrowingaconscience,’'Ihavefailedinthis,Warmaster,’'Itisnotaquestionoffailure,Maloghurst!Mistakeslikethisshouldneveroccur.Moreandmore

ofmyeffortsaredistractedfromthisbattle.Tellme,whereistheEisensteinnow?''Itattemptedtobreakthroughourblockadetoreachthesystemjumppoint,’

'Yousay"attempted",'notedHorus.'Itdidnotsucceed?'Maloghurstpausedbeforeanswering.'SeveralofourshipsinterceptedtheEisensteinandheavily

damagedit,’'Buttheydidnotdestroyit?''No,mylord,beforetheycoulddoso,theEisen-stein'scommandermadeanemergencyjumpinto

the warp, but the ship was so badly damaged that we do not believe it could survive such atranslation,’

'Ifitdoes,thenthewholetimetableofmydesignswillbedisrupted,’'Thewarpisdark,Warmaster.Itisunlikelythat-''Donotbesosureofyourself,Maloghurst,’warnedHorus.TheIsstvanVphaseiscriticaltooursuccessandiftheEisensteincarrieswordofourplanstoTerra,thenallmaybelost.''Perhaps,Warmaster,ifweweretowithdrawfromtheChoralCityandblockadetheplanet,we

couldensurethattheIsstvanVphaseproceedsasplanned,’'IamtheWarmasterandIdonotbackdownfromabattle!'shoutedHorus.'Therearegoalstobe

wonintheChoralCitythatyoucannotcomprehend,’Horuswasshakenfromhismemoriesbythechimingofthecommunicationsarrayfittedintothe

armofhisthrone.ThisistheWarmaster,’Aholomatinstalledbeneaththefloorprojectedalargesquareplaneonwhichswirledanimage,

highabovetheWarmaster'stemple.TheimageresolvedintothefaceofLordCommanderEidolon,evidently inside his command Land Raider. The sound of distant explosions washed through thestatic.

Warmaster,’saidEidolon.'IbringnewsthatIfeelyoushouldhear,’'Tellme,’saidHorus,'andithadbetterbegoodnews,’'Oh,itis,mylord,’saidEidolon.'Well,

don'tdragthisout,Eidolon,’warnedHorus.'Tellme!'Wehaveanallyinsidethepalace,’'Anally?Who?''Lucius,’THEAFTERMATHOFabattlewastheworstpart.AnAstarteswarriorwasusedtothetensionofwaitingforanattacktocome,andeventhedin

andpainofbattleitself.ButLokenneverwishedforatimewithoutwarmorethanwhenhesawwhatwasleftafterthebattlehadfinished.Hedidn'texperiencefearordespairinthemannerofamortalman,buthefeltsorrowandguiltastheydid.

Angron'slatestattackhadbeenoneofthefiercestyet, theprimarchhimselfleadingit,chargingthroughtheruinsofthepalacedometowardsLoken'sdefences.ThousandsofbloodcoveredWorldEatershadfollowedhimandmanyofthosewarriorsstilllaywheretheyhadfallen.

Oncethisplacehadbeenpartofthepalace,ahandsomegardenwithsummer-houses,ornamentallakesandaroofthatopeneduptothesun.Nowitwasarubble-strewnruin,itsroofcollapsedandonlyanincongruousdecoratedpostorthesplinteredremainsofanornamentalbridgeremainingofitsfinery.

Thebodiesof theWorldEaterswere concentratedon the forwardbarricade, a lineofheapedrubbleandmetalspikesconstructedby theLunaWolves.Angronhadattacked it in forceandTor-gaddon had relinquished it, letting theWorldEaters die for it before hisAstartes fell back to thedefencesattheentranceofthepalace'scentral

dome.TherusehadworkedandtheWorldEatershadbeenstrungoutastheychargedatLoken'sposition.Many had died to the guns Tarvitz had stationed above the barricades, and by the time

Loken'sswordhadleftitssheathitwasonlymomentumthatkepttheWorldEatersfighting-victorywasbeyondthem.

LunaWolvesweremixedinwiththeWorldEaters'dead,warriorsLokenhadknownforyears.Although the sounds of battle had faded, Loken fancied he could still hear echoes of the fighting,chainbladesrippingthrougharmourandvolleysofbolterroundssplittingtheair.

'Itwasacloserunthing,Garviel,’saidavoicefrombehindLoken,'butwedidit,’LokenglancedroundtoseeSaulTarvitzemergingfromthecentraldome.Lokensmiledashesaw

hisfriendandbattle-brother,amanwhohadcomealongwayfromthelineofficerhehadbeenbackonMurdertocommandthesurvivorsofHorus'streachery.

'Angronwillbeback,’saidLoken.'Theirrusefailed,though,’saidTarvitz.Theydon'tneedtobreakin,Saul,’saidLoken. 'Horuswillwhittleusdownuntilthere'snoone

left.ThenEidolonandAngroncanjustrolloverus,’'NotforgettingtheWarmaster'sSonsofHorus,’saidTarvitz.Lokenshrugged.There'snoneedfor themtoget involvedyet.Eidolonwants thegloryand the

WorldEatersarehungryforblood.TheWarmasterwill happily let the other Legions wear us down before they strike,’ 'That's changed,’ said

Tarvitz.Whatdoyoumean?''I've just had word from Lucius,’ explained Tarvitz. 'He tells me that his communications

specialistshavebrokentheSonsofHoruscommuniques.SomeoldfriendsofyoursarecomingdownfromtheVengefulSpirittoleadtheLegion,’

Lokenturnedfromthebattlefield,suddenlyinterested.'Who?''Ezekyle Abaddon and Horus Aximand,’ said Tarvitz. 'Apparently they are to bring the

Warmaster's own wrath down upon the city. The Sons of Horus will be playing their hand soonenough,Ithink,’

AbaddonandAximand,thearch-traitors,menLokenhadadmiredforsolongandtheheartoftheMournival.BothwarriorsstoodatHorus'srighthandandpossibilitiesflashedthroughLoken'smind.Deprived of the last of itsMournival, a crucial part of the Legion would die and it would startunravellingwithoutsuchinspirationalfigureheads.'Saul,areyoucertain?'askedLokenurgently.'AssureasIcanbe,butLuciusseemedprettyexcitedbythenews,’

'Didthisinterceptsaywheretheywouldbelanding?'demandedLoken.'Itdid,’smiledLucius.TheMackaranBasilica, justbeyondthepalace.It'sabig templewitha

spireintheshapeofatrident,’'IhavetofindTank,’'HeiswithNeroVipus,helpingVaddonwiththewounded.''Thank you for bringing me this news, Saul,’ said Loken with a cruel smile. 'This changes

everything.'LuciusPEEREDPASTthebullet-riddledpillar,scanningthroughthedarknessofoneofthemany

battlefields scattered throughout the ruins of the palace. Bodies, bolters and chainaxes lay on theshatteredtileswheretheyhadbeendroppedandmanyofthebodieswerestill lockedintheirlast,fatalcombat.

It had not been difficult for Lucius to slip out of the palace. The biggest danger had been thesnipersofthereconsquadstheWarmaster'sforceshaddeployedamongtheruins.Luciushadspiedmovementintheruinedbuildingsseveraltimesandhadtakencoverinshellcratersorbehindheapsofcorpses.

Squirming through the filth and darkness like an animal - it had been humiliating, though thesights,soundsandsmellsofthesebattlefieldsstillfilledhissensesinanarousingway.Hesteppedwarily into the courtyard. The bodies that lay everywhere had been butchered, hacked apartwithchainbladesorbatteredtodeathwithfists.

Itwasanuglyspectacle,yetherelishedtheimageofhowintensetheirdeathsmusthavebeen.'Noartistry,’hesaidtohimselfasagoldandpurplearmouredfiguredetachedfromtheshadows.

AscoreofwarriorsfollowedhimandLuciussmiledasherecognisedLordCommanderEidolon.'Lordcommander,’saidLucius,'itisapleasuretostandbeforeyouoncemore,’'Damnyourblandishments!'spatEidolon.'Youareatraitortwiceover,’That'sasmaybe,’saidLucius,slouchingonafallenpillarofblackmarble,'butIamheretogive

youwhatyouwant,’'Ha!'scoffedEidolon.Whatcanyougiveus,traitor?'Victory,’saidLucius.Victory?'laughedEidolon.Youthinkweneedyourhelptogiveusthat?Wehaveyouinavice!

Onebyone,deathbydeath,victorywillbeours!''Andhowmanywarriorswillyoulosetoachieveit?'retortedLucius.'HowmanyofFul-grim's

chosenareyouwillingtothrowintoabattlethatshouldneverhavebeenfoughtatall?Youcanendthis right now, right here, and keep all yourAstartes alive for the real battle!When theEmperorsendshisreplytoHorus'streacheryyouwillneedeverysingleoneofyourbattle-brothersandyouknowit,’

'Andwhatwouldbeyourpriceforthisinvaluablehelp?'askedEidolon.'Simple,’saidLucius.'IwanttorejointheLegion,’EidolonlaughedinhisfaceandLuciusfeltthesongofdeathsurgepainfullythroughhisbody,but.heforceditskillingmusicbackdowninsidehim.Areyouserious,Lucius?'demandedEidolon.'Whatmakesyouthinkwewantyouback?''Youneedsomeone likeme,Eidolon. Iwant tobepartofaLegion that respectsmyskillsand

ambition.IamnotcontenttostayacaptainfortherestofmylifelikethatwretchTarvitz.IwillbeatFul-grim'ssidewhereIbelong.'

'Tarvitz,’spatEidolon.'Doeshestilllive?''Helives,'noddedLucius,'althoughIwillgladlykillhimforyou.Thegloryofthisbattleshould

bemine,yethelordsoverusallasifheisoneofthechosen.'Luciusfelthisbitternessriseandfoughttomaintainhiscomposure.'Hewasoncehappytotrudge

alongsidehiswarriorsandleavebettermentotheglory,buthehaschosenthisbatdetodiscoverhisambition.It'sthankstohimthatI'mdownhereatall.'

'Youaskforagreatdealoftrust,Lucius,’saidEidolon.'Ido,butthinkwhatIcangiveyou:thepalace,Tarvitz,’"Wewillhavethesethingsanyway,’*WeareaproudLegion,lordcommander,butweneversendourbrotherstotheirdeathstoprove

apoint,’'WefollowtheordersoftheWarmasterinallthings,’repliedEidolonguardedly.'Indeed,’notedLucius,'butwhatifIsaidIcangiveyouavictorysosuddenitwillbeyoursand

yoursalone.TheWorldEatersandtheSonsofHoruswillonlyflounderinyourwake,’

LuciuscouldseehehadcaughtEidolon'sinterestandsuppressedasmile.Nowallhehadtowasreelhimin.

'Speak,’commandedEidolon.'I'MCOMINGWITHyou,Garvi,’saidNeroVipus,walkingintotheonlydomeofthepalacenot

toberuinedbythesiege.Ithadoncebeenanauditoriumwithastageandrowsofgildedseats,wherethemusicofcreationhadonceplayedtotheChoralCity'selite,butnowitwasmoulderinganddark.

Loken rose fromhisbattlemeditation, seeingVipus standingbeforehimand said, 'I knewyouwouldwishtocome,butthisissomethingTarikandIhavetodoalone,’

'Alone?'saidVipus.That'smadness.EzekyleandLittleHorusarethebestsoldierstheLegionhaseverhad.Youcan'tgoupagainstthemalone,’

Lokenplacedhishandonhisfriend'sshoulderandsaid,'ThepalacewillfallsoonenoughwithorwithoutTarikandme.SaulTarvitzhasdoneunimaginablethingsinkeepingusallaliveaslongashehas,butultimatelythepalacewillfall,’

Then what's the point of throwing your life away hunting down Ezekyle and Little Horus?'demandedVipus.

WeonlyhaveonegoalonIsstvanIII,Nero,andthat'stohurttheWarmaster.IfwecankillthelastoftheMournivalthentheWarmaster'splanssuffer.Nothingelsematters,’

'You saidwewere supposed to be holding die traitors herewhile theEmperor sent the otherLegionstosaveus.Isthatnottrueanymore?Areweonourown?'

Lokenshookhisheadandretrievedhisswordfromwherehehadproppeditagainstthewall.'Idon'tknow,Nero.MaybetheEmperorhassenttheLegionstorescueus,maybehehasn't,butwehavetoassumethatwe'reonourown.I'mnotgoingtofightwithnothingbutblindhopetokeepmegoing.I'mgoingtomakeastand.'

'Andthat'swhatIwanttodo,’saidVipus,'atmyfriend'sside.''No,youneedtostayhere,’saidLoken. 'Yourstandmustbemadehere.Everyminuteyoukeep

thetraitorshereisanotherminutefortheEmperortobringtheWarmastertojustice.ThiskillingisMournivalbusiness,Nero.Doyouunderstand?'

'Frankly,no,’saidNero,'butIwilldoasyouaskandstayhere,’Lokensmiled.'Don'tmournmeyet,Nero.TarikandImayyetprevail,’You'dbetter,’saidVipus.'TheLunaWolvesneedyou,’LokenfelthumbledbyNero'swordsandembracedhisoldestfriend.Hedearlywishedhecould

tellhimthattherewasyethopeandthatheexpectedtoreturnalivefromthismission.'Garviel,’saidafamiliarvoicefromtheentrancetothedome.LokenandNeroreleasedeachotherfromtheirbrotherlyembraceandsawSaulTarvitz,framed

inthewanlightoftheauditorium'sentrance.'Saul,’saidLoken.'It'stime,’saidTarvitz.'We'rereadytocreatethediversionyourequested,’Loken nodded and smiled at the two brave warriors, men he had fought through hell for and

woulddosoahundredtimesmore.Thehonourtheydidhimjustbybeinghisfriendsmadehischestswellwithpride.'CaptainLoken,’saidTarvitzformally.'Itmaybethatthisisthelasttimewewillmeet,’

'Idonot think,’repliedLoken, 'there isany"maybe"about it,’ThenIwillwishyouallspeed,Garviel,’ 'All speed, Saul,’ said Loken, offering his hand to Tarvitz. 'For the Emperor,’ 'For theEmperor,’echoedTarvitz.Withhisfarewellssaid,Lokenmadehiswayfromtheauditorium,leavingTarvitzandVipustoorganisethedefencesforthenextattack.

SurvivingtacticalmapsindicatedthattheMackaranBasilicalaytothenorthoftheirpositionand

ashemadehiswaytowardsthepointhehadselectedasthebestplacetoleavethepalacehefoundTorgaddonwaitingforhim.YousawVipus?'askedTorgaddon.'Idid,’noddedLoken.'Hewantedtocomewithus,’Torgaddonshookhishead.'ThisisMournivalbusiness,’That'swhatItoldhim,’

Bothwarriorstookdeepbreathsastheenormityofwhattheywereabouttoattemptsweptoverthemonceagain.

'Ready?'askedLoken.'No,’saidTorgaddon.'You?''No.'Torgaddonchuckledasheturnedtothetunnelthatledfromthepalace.'Aren'tweapair?'hesaidandLokenfollowedhimintothedarkness.Forgoodorill,thefinalbattleforIsstvanIIIwasuponthem.'YouDARERETURNtome in failure?'bellowedHorus,and thebridgeof theVengefulSpirit

shookwith the furyofhisvoice.His face twisted inangerat thewondrous figure standingbeforehim,strugglingtocomprehendthescaleofthislatestsetback.

'DoyouevenunderstandwhatIamtryingtodohere?'ragedHorus.'WhatIhavestartedatIsstvanwillconsumethewholegalaxy,andifitisflawedfromtheoutsetthentheEmperorwillbreakus!'

Fulgrimappeareduncowedbyhisanger,hisbrother'sfeaturesbetrayinganinsouciancequiteoutofcharacterfor theprimarchof theEmperor'sChildren.Thoughhehadbutrecentlyarrivedonhisflagship,PrideoftheEmperor,Fulgrimlookedasmagnificentasever.

Hisexquisitearmourwasaworkofart inpurpleandgold,bearingmanynewembellishmentsand

finerywithaflowing,fur-linedcapeswathinghisbody.Morethanever,HorusthoughtFulgrimlookedlesslikeawarriorandmorelikearakeorlibertine.Hisbrother'slongwhitehairwaspulledbackinanelaboratepatternofplaitsandhispalecheekswerelightlymarkedwithwhatappearedtobethebeginningsoftattoos.

'FerrusManusisadullfoolwhowouldnotlistentoreason,’saidFulgrim.'EventhementionoftheMechanicum'spledgedidnot-'

Yousworetomethatyoucouldswayhim!TheIronHandswereessentialtomyplans.IplannedIsstvanIIIwithyourassurancethatFerrusManuswouldjoinus.NowIfindthatIhaveyetanotherenemytocontendwith.AgreatmanyofourAstarteswilldiebecauseofthis,Fulgrim,’

'Whatwouldyouhavehadmedo,Warmaster?'smiledFulgrim,andHoruswonderedwherethisnew,slymockingtonehadcomefrom.'HiswillwasstrongerthanIanticipated,’

'Oryousimplyhadaninflatedopinionofyourownabilities,’'Wouldyouhavemekillourbrother,Warmaster?'askedFulgrim.'Perhaps Iwill,’ repliedHorus unmoved. 'Itwould be better than leaving him to roam free to

destroyourplans.AsitishecouldreachtheEmperororoneoftheotherprimarchsandbringthemalldownonourheadsbeforeweareready,’

Thenifyouarequitefinishedwithme,IshallreturntomyLegion,’saidFulgrim,turningaway.HorusfelthischolerriseatFulgrim'sinfuriatingtoneandsaid,'No,youwillnot.Ihaveanother

task foryou. I amsendingyou to IsstvanV.Withall thathashappened, theEmperor's response islikely to arrive more quickly than anticipated and we must be prepared for it. Take a detail ofEmperor's Children to the alien fortresses there and prepare it for the final phase of the Isstvanoperation.'

Fulgrimrecoiledindisgust.'Youwouldconsignmetoarolelittlebetterthanacastellan,assomeprosaichousekeepermakingitreadyforyourgrandentrance?WhynotsendforPerturabo?Thiskind

ofthingismoretohisliking.''Perturabohashisownroletoplay,'saidHorus.'Evennowhepreparestolaywastetohishome

worldinmyname.Weshallbehearingmoreofourbitterbrotherverysoon.Havenofearofthat.''ThengivethistasktoMortarion.Hisgrimyfootsloggerswillrelishsuchanopportunitytomuddy

theirhandsforyou!'spatFulgrim. 'MyLegionwasthechosenoftheEmperorintheyearswhenhestill deserved our service. I am the most glorious of his heroes and the right hand of this newCrusade.Thisis...thisisabetrayaloftheveryprinciplesforwhichIchosetojoinyou,Horus!'

'Betrayal?'saidHorus,hisvoicelowanddangerous. 'Astrongword,Fulgrim.BetrayaliswhattheEmperorforceduponuswhenheabandonedthegalaxytopursuehisquestforgodhoodandgaveovertheconquestsofourCrusadetoscrivenersandbureaucrats.Isthatthechargeyouwouldlevel

atmenow,tomyface,hereonthebridgeofmyownship?'Fulgrim took a step back, his anger fading, but his eyes alight with the excitement of the

confrontation. 'PerhapsIdo,Horus.PerhapssomeoneneedstotellyouafewhometruthsnowthatyourpreciousMournivalisnomore.'

Thatsword,’saidHorus,indicatingthevenom-sheenedweaponthathunglowatFulgrim'swaist.'Igaveyouthatbladeasasymbolofmytrustinyou,Fulgrim.Wealoneknowthetruepowerthatlieswithin it.Thatweaponalmostkilledmeandyet Igave itaway.Doyou thinkIwouldgivesuchaweapontooneIdonottrust?'

'No,Warmaster,’saidFulgrim.'Exactly.TheIsstvanVphaseofmyplanisthemostcritical,'saidHorus,stokingthedangerous

embersofFulgrim'sego.'Evenmoresothanwhatishappeningbelowus.Icanentrustittonoother.YoumustgotoIsstvanV,mybrother.Alldependsonitssuccess,’

Foralong,frighteningmoment,violentpotentialcrackledbetweenHorusandtheprimarchoftheEmperor'sChildren.

Fulgrimlaughedandsaid,'Nowyouflatterme,hopingmyegowillcoercemeintoobeyingyourorders,’

'Isitworking?'askedHorusasthetensiondrainedaway.Yes,’admittedFulgrim.Verywell,theWarmas-ter'swillbedone.IwillgotoIsstvanV,’'Eidolonwill stay in commandof theEmperor'sChildrenuntilwe joinyou at IsstvanV,’ said

HorusandFulgrimnodded.'Hewillrelishthechancetoprovehimselffurther,’saidFulgrim.'Nowleaveme,Fulgrim,’saidHorus,'Youhaveworktodo,’

SIXTEEN

EnemywithinTheEightfoldPathHonourmustbesatisfiedAPOTHECARYVADDONFOUGHTtosaveCasto'slife.Theupperhalfofthewarrior'sarmour

hadbeenremovedandhisbare torsowasdisfiguredbyagorywound,flapsofskinandchunksofmuscleblownasidelikethepetalsofabloodyflowerbyanexplodingbolterround.

'Pressure!' saidVaddonasheflickedover thesettingsonhisnartheciumgauntlet.Scalpelsandsyringes cycled asBrotherMathridon, anEmperor'sChildrenAstarteswhohad lost ahand in theearlier fighting and served as Vaddon's assistant, kept pressure on the wound. Casto buckedunderneathhim,histeethgrittedagainst.painthatwouldkillanyonebutanAstartes.

VaddonselectedasyringeandpusheditintoCasto'sneck.Thevialmountedonthegauntletemptied, pumping Casto's system with stimulants to keep his heart forcing blood around his

rupturedorgans.Castoshook,nearlysnappingtheneedle.'Holdhimstill,'snappedVaddon.'Yes,'saidavoicebehindthem.'Holdhimstill.Itwillmakeiteasiertokillhim.'Vaddon'sheadsnappedupandhesawawarriorcladinthearmourofanEmperor'sChildrenlord

commander.Hecarriedanenormoushammer,purplearcsofenergyplayingarounditsmassivehead.Behindthewarrior,VaddoncouldseeascoreofEmperor'sChildreninpurpleandgoldfinery,theirarmoursheenedwithlappingpowderandoil.

Instantly,heknewthatthesewerenoloyalistsandfeltacoldhandclutchathischestashesawthattheywereundone.

'Whoareyou?'demandedVaddon,thoughheknewtheansweralready.'I amyourdeath, traitor!' saidEidolon, swinginghishammerandcrushingVaddon's skullwith

oneblow.HUNDREDSOFEMPEROR'SChildrenstreamedintothepalacefromtheeast,onatideoffire

andblood.Theyfelluponthewoundedfirst,EidolonhimselfbutcheringthosewholaywaitingforVaddon'sministrations, taking particular relish in killing the loyalist Emperor'sChildren he foundthere.ThewarriorsofhisChapterswarmedthroughthepalacearoundhim,thedefendersdiscoveringtotheirhorrorthattheirflankhadsomehowbeen

turnedandthatmoreandmoreofthetraitorswerepouringintothepalace.Withinmoments,thelastbattlehadbegun.Theloyaliststurnedfromtheirdefencesandfacedthe

Emperor'sChildren.AssaultMarines' jump packs gunned them across ruined domes to crash intoEidolon's assault units.Heavyweapons troopers and scout snipers amongst the ruinedbattlementsshotdownintotheenemy,swappingtremendousvolleysoffireacrosstheshattereddomes.

Itwasabattlewithout linesordirectionas thefightingspilledintotheheartof thePrecentor'sPalace.EachAstartesbecameanarmyofhisownasallorderbrokedownandeverywarriorfoughtalone against the enemies that surrounded him. Emperor's Children jetbikes screamed insanelythroughtheprecinctsofthepalaceandrippedcrazedcircuitsaroundthedomes,sprayingfireintotheAstartesbattlingbelowthem.

Dreadnoughts tore up chunks of fallenmasonry with their mighty fists and hurled them at theloyalists holding the barricades against which somany of their foes had died only a short while

before.Everything was swirling madness, horror and destruction, with Eidolon at the centre of it,

swinginghishammerandkillingallwhocamenearhimasheledhisperfectwarriorsdeeperintotheheartofthedefences.

LucSEDIRAE,WITHhisblondhairandsmirkinggrin,lookedcompletelyoutofplaceamongtherusting

industrial spires of the Choral City. Beside him, Serghar Targhost, Captain of the SeventhCompany,seemedfarmoreathome,hisolder,darkerskinandheavyfurcloakmoreinkeepingwithamurderedworld.

Sedirae stood on top of a rusting slab of fallenmachinery before thousands of Sons ofHorusarrayedforwar.Warpaintwasfreshontheirbreastplatesandnewbannersdedicatedtothewarriorlodgesflappedinthewind.

'SonsofHorus!'bellowedSedirae,hisvoicebrimmingwiththeconfidencethatcametohimsoeasily.'FortoolongwehavewaitedforourbrotherLegionstoopenthegateforussowecanputthedoubtersandthefeeble-mindedtothesword!Atlast,thehourhascome!LordCommanderEidolonhasbrokenthesiegeandthetimehascometoshowtheLegionshowtheSonsofHorusfight!'

Thewarriorscheeredandthelodgebannerswereraisedhigh,displayingthefacetsofthebeliefsunderpinningthelodgephilosophies.Abrazenclawreacheddownfromtheskytocrushaworldinitsfist,ablackstarshoneeightraysofdeathuponahordeofenemiesandagreatwingedbeastwithtwoheadsstoodresplendentonamountainofcorpses.

Images frombeyond,conjuredby thewordsofDavinitepriestswhocould look into thewarp,theydisplayedtheSonsofHorus'sallegiancetothepowerstheirWarmasterembraced.

Theenemyisindisarray,’shoutedSediraeoverthecheering.'Wewillfalluponthemandsweepthem away. You know your duties, Sons of Horus, and you all know that the paths you have

followedhaveledyoutowardsthisday.ForherewedestroythelastvestigesoftheoldCrusade,andmarchtowardsthefuture!'

Sedirae'sconfidencewasinfectiousandheknewtheywereready.Targhoststeppedforwardandraisedhishands.Heboretherankoflodgecaptainhimself,privy

tothesecretsoftheDavinitewaysandasmuchaholymanasacommander.Heopenedhismouthand unleashed a stream of brutal syllables, guttural and dark, the tongue ofDavinwrought into aprayerofvictoryandblood.

The Sons of Horus answered the prayer, their voices raised in a relentless chant that echoedaroundthedeadspiresoftheChoralCity.

Andwhentheprayersweredone,theSonsofHorusmarchedtowar.FIRE STORMEDAROUND Tarvitz. Emperor's Children Terminators raked the central dome

with fire and the sounds of bmtal hand-to-hand combat came from the shattered gallery. Tarvitzducked and ran as bolter fire kicked up fragments around him, sliding into cover beside BrotherSolathenofSquadNasicae

Solathen and about thirty loyalistEmperor'sChildrenwere pinneddownbehind a great fallencolumn,afewLunaWolvesamongthem.

'WhatintheEmperor'snamehappened?'shoutedTarvitz.'Howdidtheygetin?'1don'tknow,sir,’repliedSolathen.Theycamefromtheeast.'"Weshouldhavehadsomewarning,'saidTarvitz.That'sLucius'ssector.Haveyouseenhimat

all?''Lucius?'askedSolathen.'No,hemusthavefallen.'

Tarvitzshookhishead.'Notlikely.Ihavetofindhim.'"Wecan'tholdouthere,’saidSolathen.Wehavetopullbackandwewon'tbeabletowaitfor

you.'Tarvitznodded,butknew thathehad to try and findLucius, even if itwas just to recoverhis

body. He doubted Lucius could ever really die, but knew that, amid this carnage, anything waspossible.

"Verywell,’saidTarvitz. 'Go.Fallbackingoodordertotheinnerdomesandthetemple,therearebarricadesthere.Go!Anddon'twaitforme!'

He put his head briefly over the pillar and fired his bolter, kicking a burst of shots towardsEidolon's Emperor's Children swarming all over the far side of the dome. More covering firesprayedfromhiswarriors'gunsastheybeganfallingbackbysquads.

The dome between him and his goal was littered with bodies, some of them chewed intounrecognisablespraysof tornflesh.Hewaiteduntilhiswarriorshadputenoughdistancebetweenthemandtheenemyandbrokefromcover.

Boltershotstoreupthegroundbesidehimandherolledintothecoverofafallenpillar,crawlingasfastashecouldtoreachthepassagewaythatled

from the dome and curved around its columned circumference towards the east wing of thePrecentor'sPalace.

LuciuswassomewhereintheseruinsandTarvitzhadtofindhim.LOKENDUCKEDANDthrewhimselftothefloor,skiddingalongthefire-blackenedtilesofthe

plaza.Thepalaceloomedabovehim,whirlingasLokenspunonhisbackandfiredupattheclosestWorldEater.Oneshotcaughtthewarriorinthelegandhecollapsedinaroaringheap.Torgaddonleaptuponhim,plunginghisswordintothetraitor'sback.

Lokenclimbedtohisfeetasmorefirestutteredacrosstheplaza.Hetriedtogetabearingontheenemyamongtheheapsofthedeadandthejaggedslabsofmarblestickingupfromtheedgesofshellcraters,butitwasimpossible.

TheplazabetweenthechaosofthepalaceandthedarkmassofthecitywasinfestedwithWorldEaters,chargingforwardstoexploitthebreachmadebytheEmperor'sChildren.

There's awhole squadout here,’ saidTorgaddon,wrenchinghis sword from theWorldEater.We'rerightinthemiddleofthem,’

Thenwekeepgoing,’saidLoken.Backonhisfeet,hereloadedhisbolterastheyhurriedthroughthewreckageandcharnelheaps,

scanningthedarknessformovement.Torgaddonkeptclosebehindhim,sweepinghisbolterbetweenchunksoftilingorfallenmasonry.Fire

snappedaroundthemandthesoundsofbattlecomingfromthepalacebecameevermoreterrible,thewar-criesandexplosionstearingthroughtheviolentnight.

'Down!' yelled Torgaddon as a burst of plasma fire lanced from the darkness. Loken threwhimselftothegroundasthesearingboltflashedpasthimandboredaholeinaslaboffallenstonebehindhim.AdarkshapecameathimandLokensawtheflashofablade,bringinghisbolterupinaninstinctiveblock.Hefeltchainbladeteethgrindingagainstthemetalofhisgunandkickedoutathisattacker'sgroin.

TheWorldEaterpivotedawayfromthebloweasily, turningtosmashTorgaddontothegroundwiththebuttofhischainaxe.Torgaddon'sattackgaveLokenachancetoregainhisfeetandhethrewasidetheruinedboltertodrawhisownsword.

TorgaddonwrestledwithanotherWorldEaterontheground,buthisfriendwouldhavetofend

forhimselfasLokensaw thathisopponentwasacaptain,andnot justanycaptain,butoneof theWorldEaters'best.

'Kharn!'saidLokenasthewarriorattacked.Kharn paused in his attack and, for the briefestmoment, Loken saw the noblewarrior he had

spokenwith in theMuseumofConquest,before somethingelse swamped it again - something thattwistedKharn'sfacewithhatred.

That secondwas enough forLoken, allowinghim to dodgebackbehind a fan of broken stonejuttingfromtheedgeofcrater.Bulletsstillcarvedthrough

theairandsomewherebeyondhissight,Torgaddonwasfightinghisownbattle,butLokencouldnotworryaboutthatnow.

'Whathappened,Kharn?'criedLoken.'Whatdidtheyturnyouinto?'Kharn screamed an incoherent bellow of rage and leapt towards himwith his axe held high.

LokenbracedhisstanceandbroughthisbladeuptocatchKharn'saxeasitslashedtowardshimandthetwowarriorsclashedinadesperatebattleofstrength

'Kharn...'saidLokenthroughgrittedteethastheWorldEaterforcedthechainaxe'swhirlingteethtowardshisface.'ThisisnotthemanIknew!Whathaveyoubecome?'

Astheireyesmet,LokensawKharn'ssoulanddespaired.HesawthewarriorwhohadswornoathsofbrotherhoodandpledgedhimselftotheCrusadeashehimselfhaddone,thewarriorwhohadseentheterrorsandtragediesoftheCrusadeaswellasitsvictories.Andhesawthedarkmadnessthathadswampedthatinbloodshedandbetrayalsyettobeenacted.

'IamtheEightfoldPath,’snappedKharn,hiseverywordspunctuatedbyafrothofblood.'No!'shoutedLoken,pushingtheWorldEateraway.'Itdoesn'thavetobethisway''Itdoes,’saidKharn.'ThereisnowayoffthePath.Wemustalwaysgofurther,’ThehumanitydrainedfromKharn'sfaceandLokenknewthattheWorldEaterwastrulygoneand

thatonlyindeathwouldthisbattleend.Lokenbacked away, fendingoff a flurryof blows fromKharn's axe, until hewas forcedback

againstaslabofrubble.Hisfoe'saxeburieditselfinthestonebesidehimandLokenslammedthepommelofhisswordintoKharn'shead.KharnrodetheblowandsmashedhisforeheadintoLoken'sface,grabbinghisswordarmandwrestlinghimtotheground.

Theystruggledinthemudlikeanimals,KharntryingtogrindLoken'sfaceintotheshatteredstoneandLokentryingtothrowhimoff.LokenrolledontohisbackasheheardtherumbleofanenginelikeanearthquakeandtheglareoffloodlightsstabbedoutandthrewKharn'soutlineintosilhouette.

Knowing what was coming, Loken hammered his fist into Kharn's face over and over again,pushinghimuprightwithahandclaspedaroundhisneck.TheWorldEaterstruggledinLoken'sgripasthelightgrewstrongerandtheroaringformofaLandRaidercrestedtheridgeofrubblebehindthemlikeamonsterrisingfromthedeep.

LokenfeltthehugeimpactastheLandRaider'sdozerbladeslammedintoKharn,thesharpenedprongsatitsbasepunchingthroughtheWorldEater'schest.HereleasedKharn'sbodyandrolledtotheedgeofthecraterastheLandRaiderroseup,carryingthestrugglingKharnwithit.ThemightytankcrashedbackdownandLokenpressedhisbodyintothemudasitgroundoverhim,theroaringofitsenginepassinginchesabovehim.

Then it was over, the tank rumbled onwards, carrying the impaledWorld Eater before it likesomegory trophy.Tankswereallaroundhim, theEyeofHorusglaringfromtheirarmouredhulls,andLokenrecognisedtheliverytheywerepaintedin.TheSonsofHorus.

Foramoment,Lokenjuststaredat theforcesurgingtowardsthepalace.Gunfireflaredasthey

drovetowardstheirprize.AhandreacheddownandgrabbedLoken,dragginghim,batteredandbloody,intocoverfromthe

guns of the tanks.He looked up and sawTorgad-don, similarlymauled by the encounterwith theWorldEaters.

TorgaddonnoddedinthedirectionoftheLandRaider.'Wasthat-?''Kharn,’noddedLoken.'He'sgone,’'Dead?'

'Maybe,Idon'tknow,’Torgaddonlookedupat theSonsofHorusspeartipdrivingfor thepalace. 'I thinkevenTarvitz

mighthavetroubleholdingthepalacenow,’Thenwe'llhavetohurry,’'Yes. Stay low and let's keep out of anymore trouble,’ said Torgaddon, 'unlessAbaddon and

LittleHorusaren'tchallengingenoughontheirown,’'Saulwillmake thempay for every piece of rubble they capture,’ saidLoken, pulling himself

painfully tohis feet.Kharnhadhurthim,butnot somuch thathecouldn't fight. 'Forhis sake, let'smakethatcountforsomething,’

Thetwofriendsforgedthroughtherubbleonceagain,towardstheMackaranBasilica.WherelayonelastchanceofavictoryonIsstvanIII.THESOUNDSOFbattleechoedfromallaroundhimandTarvitzhuggedtheshadowsashemade

his careful way through the ruins of the east wing of the palace. Squads of Emperor's Childrenswarmed through the palace grounds, sweeping through the shattered domes and gunfire riddledroomsastheyplungedtheknifeoftheirattackintotheheartofthedefences.

Hereandtherehesawsquadmarkingsherecognisedandhadtofighttheingrainedurgetocallout to them. But these warriors were the enemy and there would be no brotherly embrace orcomradelywelcomeweretheytodiscoverhim.

The very obsessiveness of their attack was working in Tarvitz's favour as these warriorspossessed the same single mindedness as Eidolon, fixated on the prize of the palace rather thanproperbattlefieldawareness.Foronce,Eidolon'sflawswereworkinginhisfavour,thoughtTarvitz,asheghostedthroughthestrobelitwastelandofthepalace.

'You're going to need to tighten up discipline, Eidolon,’ hewhispered, 'or someone's going tomakeyoupay'

TheeasternsectorshehadassignedLuciusandhismentowatchoverwerebombedoutruins,thefrescoesburnedfromthewallsbythefirestorm,

and the mighty statue gardens pulverised by constant shelling and the battles that had ragedfuriouslyoverthepastmonths.TohaveheldoutthislongwasamiracleinitselfandTarvitzwasnotblindenoughtotryandfoolhimselfintothinkingthatitcouldlastmuchlonger.

Hesawdozensofbodiesandcheckedeveryoneforasignthattheswordsmanhadfallen.Eachbodywasawarriorheknew,awarriorwhohadfollowedhimintobattleatthepalaceandtrustedthathecouldleadthemtovictory.Eachsetofeyesaccusedhimoftheirdeath,butheknewthattherewasnothingmorehecouldhavedone.

The further eastward he went the less he encountered the invading Emperor's Children, theirattack pushing into the centre of the Precentor's Palace rather than spreading out to capture itsentirety.

TrustEidolontogoforthegloryratherthanstandardbattlefieldpractice.GivemeahundredSpaceMarinesandIwouldpunishyourarrogance,thoughtTarvitz.Even as the thought occurred to him, a slow smile spread across his face.He had a hundred

SpaceMarines.True,theywereengagedinbatde,butifanyforceofwarriorscoulddisengagefrom

battleingoodorderandhandovertoafriendlyforceinthemiddleofadesperatefirefight,itwastheEmperor'sChildren.

Hecrouched in the shadowof a fallen statueandopenedavox-channel. 'Solathen,’hehissed.'Canyouhearme?'

Staticwashedfromthevoxbeadinhisearandhecursedattheideaofhisplanbeingundonebysomethingastrivialasafailureofcommunications.'Ihearyou,captain,butwe'realittlebusyrightnow!'saidSolathen'svoice.'Understood,’saidTarvitz,'butIhavenewordersforyou.Disengagefromthefightandhandover

totheLunaWolves.Let themtakethebruntof thefightingandgatherasmanywarriorsasyoucanrallytoyou.Thenconvergeonmyposition,’'Sir?'

Taketheeasternpassagesalongtheservants'wing.Thatshouldbringyoutomewithouttoomuchtrouble.Wehaveanopportunity tohurt thesebastards,Solathen,soIneedyoutogetherewithallpossiblespeed!''Understood,sir,’saidSolathen,signingoff.Tarvitzfrozeasheheardavoicesay,'Itwon'tdoanygood,Saul.ThePrecentor'sPalaceisasgoodaslost.Evenyoushouldbeabletoseethat,’

HelookedupandsawLuciusstandinginthecen-tteofthedomeinfrontofhim,hisshimmeringswordinonehandandashardofbrokenglassintheother.Heraisedtheglasstohisfaceandsliceditsrazoredgealonghischeek,drawingalineofbloodfromhisskinthatdrippedtothedome'sfloor.

'Lucius,’saidTarvitz,risingtohisfeetandenteringthedometomeettheswordsman. 'Ithoughtyouweredead,’

Bright starlight filled the dome and Tarvitz saw it was filled with the corpses of Emperor'sChildren.

Not traitors,but loyalistsandhecouldsee thatnotonehadfallen toagunshotwound,buthadbeen carved up by a powerful edgedweapon. Thesewarriors had been cut apart, and a horriblesuspicionbegantoforminhismind.

'Dead?' laughed Lucius. 'Mel Remember what Loken said to me when I humbled him in thepracticecages?'

Warynow,Tarvitznodded.'Hesaidtherewassomeoneouttherewhocouldbeatyou,’'AnddoyourememberwhatItoldhim?''Yes,’ replied Tarvitz, sliding his hand to the hilt of his broadsword. 'You said, "Not in this

lifetime,"didn'tyou?''Youhaveagoodmemory,’saidLucius,droppingthebloodyshardofglasstothefloor.'Who'sthatlatestscarfor?'askedTarvitz.Luciussmiled,thoughtherewasnowarmthtoit.'It'sforyou,Saul,’THEGREATFORUMof theMackaranBasilicawas a desert of ashen bone, for as the virus

bombshaddropped,thousandsofIsstvanianshadgatheredthereinthehopethattheparliamenthouseat one end of the forum would receive them. They had thronged the place and died there, theirscorchedremainsresemblinganancientswampfromwhichrosethecolumnsthatboundedtheforumonthreesides.Onthefourthwastheparliamenthouseitself,befouledbyblacktendrilsofashthatreachedupfromtheforum.

ThebuildinghadbeentheseatoftheChoralCity'scivilianparliament,acounterparttothenobleswhohadruledfromthePrecentor'sPalace,buttheprominentcitizenswhohadtakenshelterinside

haddiedassurelyasthehordeofciviliansoutside.Lokenpushedthroughtheseaofblackbones,hisswordreadyinhishandasheforgedthroughthe

thicketofbone.Askullgrinnedupathim, itsburnedandemptyeyesocketsaccusing.Behindhim,Torgaddoncoveredtheforumbeyondthem.

'Wait,’saidLokenquietly.Torgaddonhaltedandlookedround.'Isitthem?''Idon'tknow,maybe,’saidLoken,lookingupattheparliamenthouse.Beyondithecouldjustsee

thelinesofaspacecraft,astormbirdinSonsofHoruscolours.'Someonelandedhere,that'sforsure,’Theycontinuedonwardstotheedgeoftheparliamentbuilding,climbingthesmoothmarblesteps.

Itsgreatdoorshadbeenthickstuddedoak,buttheyhadbeeneatenawaybythevirusandburnedtoashbythefirestorm.

'Shallwe?'askedTorgaddon.Lokennodded,suddenlywishingthattheyhadnotcomehere,asaterriblefeelingofdoomsettled

onhim.HelookedatTorgaddonandwishedhehadsomefittingwordstosaytohimbeforetheytooktheselast,fatefulsteps.

Torgaddonseemedtounderstandwhathewasthinkingandsaid,'Yes.Iknow,butwhatchoicedowehave?'

'None,’saidLoken,marchingthroughthearchwayandintotheparliamenthouse.Theinteriorofthebuildinghadbeenprotectedfromtheworstofthevirusbombingandfirestorm,

onlyafewtangledblackenedcorpseslyingsprawledamongthedarkwoodpanelsandfurnishings.ThewallsofthecircularbuildingwereadornedwithfadedfrescoesoftheChoralCity'smagnificentpast,tellingthetalesofitsgrowthandconquests.

The benches and voting-tables of the parliamentwere arranged around a central stagewith alecternfromwhichthedebateswereled.

Onthestage,infrontofthelectern,stoodEzekyleAbaddonandHorusAximand.'YouBETRAYEDus,' saidTarvitz, the hurt and disappointment almost toomuch to bear.You

killedyourownmenandletEidolonandhiswarriorsintothepalace.Didn'tyou?''Idid,’saidLucius,swinginghisswordinloopsaroundhisbodyasheloosenedhismusclesin

preparationforthefightTarvitzknewmustcomenext.AndI'ddoitagaininaheartbeat,’Tarvitzcircledtheedgeofthedome,hisstepsintimewiththoseoftheswordsman.Hehadno

illusions as to the outcome of this fight, Lucius was the pre-eminent blademaster of the Legion,perhapsalltheLegions.HeknewhecouldnotdefeatLucius,butthisbetrayaldemandedretribution.

Honourmustbesatisfied.'Why,Lucius?'askedTarvitz.'Howcanyouaskmethat,Saul?'demandedLucius,drawingthecirclecloserand,stepbystep,

thedistancebetweenthetwowarriorsshrank. 'Iamonlyherethankstomymisplacedacquaintancewith you. I knowwhat the lord commander and Fabius offered you.How could you turn such anopportunitydown?'

'Itwasanabomination,Lucius,’saidTarvitz,knowinghehadtokeepLuciustalkingforaslongashe could. 'To tamperwith the gene-seed?How can you possibly believe that the Emperorwouldcondonesuchathing?'

TheEmperor?' laughedLucius. 'Areyousosurehewoulddisapprove?Lookatwhathedid tocreate the primarchs? Aren't we the result of genetic manipulation? The experiments Fabius isconductingarethelogicalnextlinkinthatevolutionarychain.Weareasuperiorraceandwemustestablishthatsuperiorityoveranylesserbeingsthatstandinourway,’

'Even your fellow warriors?' spat Tarvitz, gesturing to the corpses around the dome'scircumferencewiththebladeofhissword.

Lucius shrugged. 'Even them. I am going to rejoinmyLegion and they tried to stopme.WhatchoicedidIhave?Justlikeyouaregoingtotryandstopme,’

'You'llkillmetoo?'askedTarvitz.'Afteralltheyearswe'vefoughttogether?''Don'ttryandappealtomysenseoffondreminiscences,Saul,’warnedLucius.'IambetterthanyouandIamgoingtoachievegreatthingsintheserviceofmyLegion.Neitheryouoranyfoolish

senseofmisplacedloyaltyaregoingtostopme.'Lucius lifted thebladeofhis swordanddropped intoa fightingcrouchasTarvitz approached

him.Thedomeseemedsuddenlysilentasthetwocombatantscircledoneanother,eachsearchingforaweaknessintheother'sdefences.Tarvitzdrewhiscombatknifeinhislefthandandreversedtheblade,knowinghewouldneedasmanybladesbetweenhimandLuciusashumanlypossible.

Tarvitzknewtherewerenomorewordstobespoken.Thiscouldonlyendinblood.Without warning, he leapt towards Lucius, thrusting with the smaller blade, but even as he

attackedhesawthatLuciushadbeenexpectingit.Luciusswayedasideandsweptthehiltofhissworddown,smashingtheknifefromhishand.The

swordsmanduckedasTarvitzturnedonhisheelandslashedhighwithhissword.Tarvitz'sbladecutonlyairandLuciushammeredhiselbowintohisside.Hedancedaway,expectingLuciustolandablow,buttheswordsmanmerelysmiledanddanced

aroundhimlightlyontheballsofhisfeet.Luciuswasplayingwithhim,andhefelthisangermountinthefaceofsuchmockery.

Lucius advanced towardsTarvitz, darting inwith the speedof a striking snake to thrust at hisstomach.Tarvitzblockedthethrust,rollinghiswristsoverLucius'sbladeandslashingforhisneck,but

theswordsmanhadanticipatedthemoveandnimblydodgedtheblow.Tarvitzattackedsuddenly,hisbladeaflashingblurofsteelthatforcedLuciusbackstepbystep.

Luciusparriedaviciousslashaimedathisgroin,spinningwithalaughtolaunchalightningriposteathisfoe.

Tarvitzsawthebladecuttheairtowardshim,knowinghewaspowerlesstopreventitlanding.Hehurledhimselfback,butfeltared-hotlineofagonyastheenergisededgebitdeepintohissideHeclampedahandtohissideasbloodspilleddownhisarmour,gaspinginpainbeforehisarmourdispensedstimulantsthatblockedit.

TarvitzbackedawayfromLuciusandtheswordsmanfollowedwithagrinofanticipation.'If that's thebestyou'vegot,Saul, thenyou'dbestgiveupnow,’smirkedLucius. 'Ipromise I'll

makeitquick.''Iwasjustabouttosaythesamething,Lucius,'gaspedTarvitz,liftinghisswordonceagain.The two warriors clashed once more, their swords shimmering streaks of silver and blue as

coruscatingsparksspatfromtheirblades.Tarvitzfoughtwitheveryounceofcourage,strengthandskill he couldmuster, butheknew itwashopeless.Luciusparriedhis everyattackwith ease andcasuallylandedcutaftercutonhisflesh,enoughtodrawbloodandhurt,butnotenoughtokill.

Bloodgatheredinthecornerofhismouthashestaggeredawayfromyetanotherwoundingblow.'Ahit,'sniggeredLucius.'Apalpablehit.'Tarvitz knewhewas fightingwith the last of his reserves and the fight could not go onmuch

longer.SoonLuciuswouldtireofhispoorsportandfinishhim,butperhapshehadheldhimhereforlongenough.

'Hadenough?'coughedTarvitz.'Youdon'thavetodiehere.'Luciuscockedhisheadtoonesideasheadvancedtowardshimandsaid,'You'reserious,aren't

you?Youactuallythinkyoucanbeatme.'Tarvitznoddedandspatblood.'Comeonandhaveagoifyouthinkyoucankillme,’LuciusleaptforwardstoattackandTarvitzdroppedhisswordandleapttomeethim.Surprised

bysuchanobviouslysuicidalmove,Luciuswasa fractionofasecond too late tododgeTarvitz'sattack.

The two warriors clashed in the air and Tarvitz smashed his fist into the swordsman's face.Luciusturnedhisheadtorobtheblowofitsforce,butTarvitzgavehimnochancetorighthimselfastheyfell to thefloor,andpistonedhis fist intohis formercomrade's face.Lucius'sswordskitteredawayandtheyfoughtwithfistsandelbows,kneesandfeet.

Atsuchclosequarters,skillwithabladewasirrelevantandTarvitzlethishateandangerspilloutineverythunderoushammerblowhelanded.Theyrolledandgrappledlikebrawlingstreetthugs,TarvitzpunchingLuciuswithpowerfulblowsthat

wouldhavekilled amortalmanadozen timesover, the swordsman struggling topushTarvitzclear.

'IalsorememberwhatLokentaughtyouthefirsttimehebroughtyoudown,’gaspedTarvitzashesawmovementattheedgeofthedome.'Understandyourfoeanddowhateverisnecessarytobringhimdown.'

HereleasedhisgriponLuciusandrolledclear,pushinghimselfasfarawayfromtheswordsmanas he could. Lucius sprang to his feet in an instant, scrambling across the floor to retrieve hisweapon.

'Now,Solathen!'shoutedTarvitz.'Killhim!Hebetrayedusall!'He watched as Lucius turned towards the dome's entrance, seeing the warriors Solathen had

rallied and brought to him. Solathen obeyed Tarvitz's command instantly, as a good Emperor'sChildrenshould,andthedomewassuddenlyfilledwiththebarkofgunfire.Luciusdivedoutoftheway,butevenhewasn'tquickenoughtoavoidavolleyofboltershells.

Lucius jerkedanddanced in the fusillade, sparks andblood flying fromhis armour.He rolledacrossthefloor,scrabblingforaholeinthewallblastedbythemonthsofbattleasthegunfireoftheloyalistEmperor'sChildrentoreintohim.

'Kill him!' yelledTarvitz, butLuciuswas faster thanhewouldhavebelievedpossible, divingfromthedomeasshellstoreupscorchedfrescoesaroundhim.

TarvitzpushedhimselftohisfeetandstaggeredovertowardswhereLuciushadescaped.Beyondthedome,theouterprecinctsofthepalacewereanightmarishlandscapeofcratersand

blackenedruins.Apallofsmokehungoverthebattlefieldthepalacehadbecomeandhesmashedhisfistintothewallinfrustrationashesawthattheswordsmanhadvanished.

'CaptainTarvitz?'saidSolathen.'Reportingasordered.'TarvitzturnedfromhissearchforLucius,pushinghisfrustrationsasideandfocusingonthemore

immediatematterofcounter-attackingEidolon'swarriors.'Mythanks,Solathen.Ioweyoumylife,’hesaid.ThewarriornoddedasTarvitzpickedupafallenbolterandcheckedthemagazinetomakesure

hehadafullload.'Nowcomeon,’hesaidgrimly.'Let'sshowthesebastardshowtherealEmperor'sChildrenfight!'

SEVENTEEN

WinningissurvivalDiesIraeTheend'BETRAYER,’SAIDLOKEN,steppingintotheparliamenthouse.Therewasnothingtobetray,'retortedAbaddon.EvenafterallmathadhappenedonIsstvanIII,thewordbetrayalhadthepowertoignitetheever-

presentangerinsidehim.'Ienvyyouthis,Loken,’continuedAbaddon.Toyouthegalaxymustseemsosimple.Solongas

there'ssomeoneyoucancallenemyyou'llfighttothedeathandthinkyouareright,’'IknowIamright,Ezekyle!'shoutedLoken.'Howcanthisbeanythingbutwrong?Thedeathof

thiscityandthemurderofyourbrothers?Whathashappenedtoyou,Abaddon,toturnyouintothis?'Abaddonsteppeddownoffthestage,leavingAximandtostandaloneatthelectern.InhisTerminator armour Abaddonwas far taller than Loken and he knew fromwitnessing the first

captaininbattlethathecouldstillfightasskilfullyasanyAstartesinpowerarmour.'Isstvan III was forced upon us by the inability of small minds to understand reality,’ said

Abaddon. 'Doyou think I havebeen a part of this, and that I amhere, because I enjoykillingmybrothers? I believe, Loken, as surely as you do. There are powers in this galaxy that even theEmperor does not understand. If he leaves humanity towither on the vine in his selfish quest forgodhoodthenthosepowerswillswampusandeverysinglehumanbeinginthisgalaxywilldie.Canyouunderstandtheenormityofthatconcept?Thewholehumanrace!TheWarmasterdoes,andthatiswhyhemusttaketheEmperor'splacetodealwiththesethreats.'

'Deal with them?' said Torgaddon, shaking his head. 'You are a fool, Ezekyle, we saw whatErebuswasdoing.Hehasliedtoyouall.Youhavemadeapactwithevilpowers.'

'Evil?'saidAximand.'TheysavedtheWarmaster'slife.IhaveseentheirpoweranditiswithintheWar-master'sabilitytocontrolthem.Youthinkwearefools,thatweareblind?Theforcesofthewarparethekeytothisgalaxy.ThatiswhattheEmperorcannotunderstand.TheWarmasterwillbelordofthewarpaswelloftheImperiumandthenwewillrulethestars.'

'No,’repliedLoken.'TheWarmasterhasbecomecorrupted.Ifhetakesthethroneitwillnotbehumanity that rules the galaxy, itwill be something else.You know that, LittleHorus, even if

Ezekyledoesn't.Hedoesn'tcareaboutthegalaxy;hejustwantstobeonthewinningside,’Abaddon smiled, slowly approaching Loken as Torgaddon circled towards Horus Aximand.

'Winningissurvival,Loken.Youdie,youlose,andnothingyoueverbelievedevermeantanything.Ilive,Iwin,andyoumightaswellhaveneverexisted.Victory,Loken.It'stheonlythinginthegalaxythatmeansanything.Youshouldhavespentmoretimebeingasoldier,maybethenyouwouldhaveendeduponthewinningside,’

Lokenhelduphissword,tryingtogaugeAbaddon'smovements.'Thereisalwaystimetodecidewhowins,’

HecouldseeAbaddontensingup,readytostrike,andknewthatthefirstcaptain'stauntingwasjustacover.

'Loken,youhavecomeso far,’ saidAbaddon, 'andyoustilldon'tunderstandwhatwe'redoinghere.We'renotsofarfromhumanthatwe'renotallowedafewmistakes,but tofightusinsteadof

realisingwhattheWarmasteristryingtoachieve...that'sunforgivable,’Thenwhat'syourmistake,Ezekyle?''Talking too much,’ replied Abaddon, launching himself towards Loken with his bladed fist

bathedinlethalenergies.S*STORGADDONWATCHEDASAbaddonchargedtowardsLoken,takingthatashiscuetoattack

LittleHorus.HisformercomradehadseentheintentinhiseyesandleapttomeethimasLokenandAbaddonsmashedapartthepewsalongthenave.

Theymetinaclatterofbattleplate,fightingwithallthestrengthandhatredthatonlythosewhowere once brothers, but are now bitter enemies, can muster. They grappled like wrestlers untilAximandflungTorgaddon'sarmswideandsmashedhiselbowintohisjaw.

Hefellback,blockedtherightcrossslashingforhisface,andclosedwithAximand,crackinganarmouredkneeintohisopponent'smidriff.

LittleHorusstumbledandTorgaddonknewthatitwouldtakemorethanakneeinthegutstohaltawarriorsuchasAximand.Hisformerbrotherwaspowerfullybuilt,hisstrength,poiseandskilltheequalofTorgaddon's.

Thetwowarriorsfacedoneanother,andTorgaddoncouldseealookofregretflashacrossLittleHorus'sface.

'Whyareyoudoingthis?'askedTorgaddon.'Yousaidyouwereagainstus,'repliedAximand.'Andweare.'Bothwarriorsloweredtheirguards;theywerebrothers,membersoftheMoumivalwhohadseen

somanybattlestogetherthattherewasnoneedforposturing.Theybothknewhowtheotherfought.Tarik,’saidAximand,'ifthiscouldhaveendedanotherway,wewouldhavetakenit.Noneofus

wouldhavechosenthisway,’'LittleHorus,whendidyourealisehowfaryouhadgone?WasitwhentheWarmastertoldyou

weweregoingtobebombed,orsometimebefore?'AximandglancedovertowhereLokenandAbaddonfought.'Youcanwalkawayfromthis,Tarik.

TheWarmasterwantsLokendead,buthesaidnothingaboutyou.'Torgaddon laughed. 'WecalledyouLittleHorusbecauseyou lookedso likehim,butwewere

wrong.Horusneverhadthatdoubtinhiseyes.You'renotsure,Aximand.Maybeyou'reonthewrongside.Maybethisisthelastchanceyou'vegottoendyourlifeasaSpaceMarineandnotasaslave,’

Aximandsmiledbleakly.'I'veseenit,Tarik,thewarp.Youcan'tstandagainstthat,’'AndyethereIam,’'Ifyouhadjusttakenthechancethelodgegaveyou,youwouldhaveseenittoo.Theycangiveus

suchpower.Ifyouonlyknew,Tarik,you'djoinusinasecond.Thewholefuturewouldbelaidoutbeforeyou,’

YouknowIcan'tbackdown.Nomorethanyoucan,’Thenthisisit?'Yes,itis.Asyousaid,noneofuswouldhavechosenthis,’Aximandreadiedhimself.'Justlikethepracticecages,Tarik,’'No,’saidTorgaddon,'nothinglike

that.'THEENERGISEDCLAWswungatLoken'shead,andheducked,toolateseeingitforthefeintit

was. Abaddon grabbed him by the edge of his shoulder guard and drove his knee into Loken'sstomach.CeramitebuckledandLokenfeltpainknifeintohimasbonesbroke.

Abaddon released him and punched him in the face. He was thrown against the wall of theparliament,scorchedplasterandbrickfallingaroundhim.

TheWarmasterwantedmetobringtheJustaerin,butItoldhimitwasaninsult,’Lokensawhisswordlyingonthefloorbesidehimandsliddownthewalltograbit.Hepushed

offthewall,pivotingpastAbaddon'sslashingfist,swingingthebladetowardsthefirstcaptain'sface.Abaddonblockedtheblowwithhisforearm,reachingouttopluckLokenfromhisfeetandhurl

himtowardstheparliamentbuilding'swall.Theworldspunawayfromhimandsuddenlytherewaspain.

Hisvisionblurredashesmackedintothegroundandshardsofstoneflewuparoundhim.Thepainwithinhimfeltstrange,asifitbelongedtosomeoneelse.Itfeltasifhisbackwasbrokenandatreacherousvoiceinhismindwhisperedthatthepainwouldgoawayifhejustgaveupandletitall

goawayinafogofoblivion.Hisgriptightenedonhisswordandhelethisangerfuelhisstrengthtofightagainstthevoiceinhisheadthattoldhimtogiveup.

Alongtimeago,Lokenhadswornanoath tohisEmperor,andthatoathwasnever togiveup,evenasthemomentofdeathapproached.Hisvisionswambackintofocus,andhelookeduptoseetheholeintheparliamenthouse'swallhisbodyhadsmashed.

LokenrolledontohisfrontasAbaddon'smassivearmouredformchargedtowardshim,smashingasidetheblackenedremainsofthebreach.

Hescrambledtohisfeetandbackedaway,lettingAbaddon'sfistswingpasthim.Hedartedin,stabbing with his sword, but the thick plates of his enemy's armour turned the blade aside. Hescrambledbackup the steps of the parliament house, hearingTorgaddon andLittleHorus fightingwithinandknowingthatheneededhisbrother'sstrengthtotriumph.

Той can't run forever!' roared Abaddon as he turned to follow him, his steps ponderous andheavy.

SAULTARVITZGRINNEDlikeahunterwhohadfinallyrunhispreytoground.ThewarriorsheandSola-thenledcutabloodyswathethroughEidolon'swarriors,killingthemwithoutmercyastheythemselveshadbeenkilledsorecently.Whathadoncebeenanattackthatthreatenedtooverwhelmthem

utterlywasnowindangerofbecomingaroutforthetraitors.Gunfire echoed fiercely through the palace as the loyalists unleashed volley after volley of

gunfire at anything that moved. Loyalist Space Marines surrounded Eidolon's assault force and,attackedontwofronts.Thelordcommander'sforcewasbuckling.

Tarvitz could see warriors with missing limbs or massive open wounds struggling in thedesperatefight,jostlingtogetapositionwheretheycouldkillthetraitorswhohadsonearlyoverrunthem.Hisownswordreapedabloodytallyashekilledwarriorshehadoncefoughtwithandbledalongside, each sword blow a cruel twist of fate that brought aching sadness as much as it didcatharticsatisfaction.

He sawEidolon in the centre of the battle, smashingwarriors to ruinwith each swing of hishammerandfoughthiswaythroughthebattletoreachthelordcommander.Hisownbodyachedfromthe duelwithLucius, but he knew that therewas no point in calling for an apothecary.Whateverwoundshewassufferingfromwouldneverhaveachancetoheal.Itwouldendhere,Tarvitzknew,butitwouldbeahellofafightandhehadneverfeltmoreproudtoleadthesebravewarriorsintobattle.

To have such noble fighters almost undone by a supposedly loyal comrade's betrayal was agalling,yet somehow fittingend to their struggle.Luciushadverynearly cost them thisbattle and

Tarvitzsworethatifhelivedthroughthishell,hewouldseethebastarddeadonceandforall.Thelordcommanderwasalmostwithinhisreach,butnosoonerhadEidolonseenhimthanthe

traitors began falling back in disciplined ranks.Tarvitzwanted to scream in frustration, but knewbetterthantosimplyhurlhimselfafterhisfoe.

'Firinglineacrossthenave!'shoutedTarvitzatthetopofhisvoiceandinstantly,acontingentofAstartesformedupandbeganfiringdisciplinedvolleysofbolterfireattheretreatingenemy

Heloweredhisswordandleanedagainst thebrokenwallasherealisedthat,againstallodds,theyhadheldoncemore.Beforehehadamomenttosavourtheunlikelinessoftheirlatestvictory,thevox-beadchimedinhisear.

'CaptainTarvitz,'saidavoiceherecognisedasoneoftheLunaWolves,'Tarvitzhere,'hesaid.'ThisisVipus,captain.Thepositionontheroofissoundbutwe'vegotcompany''Iknow,’repliedTarvitz.'TheSonsofHorus.''Worsethanthat,'saidVipus.'Tothewest,lookup.'Tarvitzpushedthroughtheremainsofthebattleandscannedtheskyabovethecrumbling,smoke

wreathedruins.Somethingmovedtowardsthepalace,somethingdistant,bututterlyhuge.'SweetTerra,’hesaid,'theDiesIrae.''I'llmaketheTitanourprioritytarget,’sworeVipus.'No,youcan'thurtit.JustkillenemySpaceMarines.'Yes,captain.''Enemyunits!'avoiceyelledfromnearthetempleentrance.'Armourandsupport!'Tarvitzpushedhimselffromthewall,drawingonhislastreservesofenergytoonceagainmuster

hiswarriorsforthedefenceofthepalace.'Assaultunitsbythedoors!AllotherAstartes,fireatwill!'Tarvitzcouldseeahugestrikeforceofenemyforces,boxyLandRaidersandRhinosmassingon

the outskirts of the Precentor's Palace.Beyond them, Sons ofHorus,WorldEaters andEmperor'sChildrensetupfieldsoffiretosurroundthetemple.

TheDiesIraewouldsoonbeinrangetoblastthemwithitsenormousweaponry.'They'llbecomingagain soon,' shoutedTarvitz, 'butwe'll see themoffagain,mybrothers!No

matterwhatoccurs,theywillnotforgetthefightwe'vegiventhemhere!'Lookingatthesizeofthearmyarrayedforthefinalassault,Tarvitzknewthattherewouldbeno

holdingagainstit.Thiswastheendgame.TERMINATORARMOURWAShuge.Itmadeamanintoawalkingtank,butwhat itaddedin

protection,itlostinspeed.AbaddonwasskilfulandcouldfightalmostasfastasanyotherAstarteswhilecladinitsthickplates.

But'almost'wasn'tgoodenoughwhenlifeordeathwasatstakeChunksofrubblespilledintotheparliamenthouseasAbaddonbatteredhiswaybackinside,the

brutalhigh-shoulderedshapeofhisTerminatorarmourwreathedinchalkyplasterdust.AsAbaddonsmashedhiswayback inside,hepassedbeneathasaggingportico thatsupportedavastswatheofsculptedmarblestatuaryabove.Lokenstruckoutatoneofthecrackedpillarssupportingtheportico,theflutedsupportsmashingapartunderthepoweroftheblow.

The parliament filled with dust as the huge slabs above came down on Abaddon, the entireweightof the statuary collapsingon topof the first captain.LokencouldhearAbaddon roaring inangerasthestoneworkthundereddowninaflurryofrubbleanddestruction.

Heturnedawayfromtheavalancheofdebrisandfoughthiswaythroughthebillowingcloudsofdusttowardsthecentreoftheparliamentbuilding.

HesawTorgaddonandHorusAximanduponthecentralstage.Torgaddonwasonhisknees,bloodrainingfromhisbodyandhislimbsshattered.Aximandheld

hisswordupraised,readytodeliverthedeathblow.Hesawwhatwouldhappennextevenashescreamedathisformerbrothertostayhishand.Even

overthecrashofrubblebeingdisplacedasAbaddonforcedhimselffreeofthecollapsedstatues,heheardAximand'swordswithaterribleclarity.

'I'msorry,’saidAximand.AndtheswordslasheddownagainstTorgaddon'sneck.THEPLASMABOLTwaslikeafingerofthesun,reachingdownfromthegunsoftheDiesIrae

andsmashingthroughthewalloftheWarsingers'Temple,theliquidfireboringdeepintotheground.Withasoundlikethecitydying,onewallofthetemplecollapsedasdustandfirefilledtheairandshardsofgreenstoneflewlikeknives.Warriorsmeltedintheheatblastordiedbeneaththeheapsofstonethatcollapsedaroundthem.

Tarvitzfelltohiskneesonthewindingstairwaythatclimbedtotheupperreachesofthetemple.Achokingmassofburningashbillowedaroundhimandhe foughthiswayupwards,knowing thathundreds of the last loyalist SpaceMarineswere dead. The soundwas appalling, the roar of thecollapsingtemplestarkagainstthesilenceofthetraitorsthatsurroundedthetempleonallsides.

Abodyfellpasthim,oneoftheLunaWolves,hisarmblownoffbyweaponsfirehammeringtheupperfloors.

'Totheroof!'orderedTarvitz,notknowingifanyonecouldhearhimover thecacophonyof theTitan'sguns.Abandonthenave!'

Tarvitz reached the gallery running the length of the temple, finding it crammed with SpaceMarines, theirLegioncoloursunrecognisablebeneath layersofgrimeandblood.Such distinctionswere

irrelevant,Tarvitzrealised,fortheywereonebandofbrothersfightingforthesamecause.Above this levelwas the roof,andTarvitzspottedSergeantRaetherin,asolid lineofficerand

veteranoftheMurdercampaign.'Sergeant!'heyelled.'Report!'Raetherinlookedupfromthewindowthroughwhichhewasaiminghisbolter.Hehadcaughta

glancingblowtothesideofhisheadandhisfacestreamedwithblood'Not good, captain!' he replied. 'We've held them this long, butwewon't hold another attack.

There'stoomanyofthemandthatTitanisgoingtoblowusawayanysecond,’Tarvitznoddedandriskedaglancethroughashatteredloopholetothegroundfarbelow,feeling

hishateforthesetraitors,warriorsforwhomnotionsofhonourandloyaltywerenon-existent,swellashesawthemultitudeofbodiessprawledaroundthepalace.Heknewthesedeadwarriors,havingledtheminbattletheselastfewmonthsandmorethananything,heknewwhattheyrepresented.

They were the galaxy's best soldiers, the saviours of the human race and the chosen of theEmperor.Theirlivesofheroicserviceandsacrificehadbeenendedbybrutetreacheryandhehadneverfeltsohelpless.

'No,’hesaid,asresolvefilledhim.'No,wewillnotfalter,’TarvitzmetRaetherin's eyes and said.TheTitan is going to hit the same corner of the temple

again,higherup,andthenthetraitorsaregoingtostormus.Get themenbackandmakereadyfor the

assault.'Heknewthetraitorswerejustwaitingforthetempletofallsotheycouldstorminandkillthe

loyalists at their leisure. This was not just a battle; it was the Warmaster demonstrating hissuperiority.

Massivecalibregunfire thunderedfromtheDiesIrae,anawesomestormoffireanddeath thatsmashedtheplazaoutsidethetemple,blastingapartloyalistsingreatcolumnsoffire.

Infernalheatbatteredagainstthetemple,andahotgaleblewthroughthegallery.'Isthatthebestyou'vegot?'heyelledinanger.'You'llneverkillusall!'Hiswarriorslookedathimwithsavagelightintheireyes.Thewordshadsoundedhollowinhis

ears,spokenoutofragerather thanbravado,buthesawtheeffect ithadandsmiled,rememberingthathehadadutytothesemen.

Hehadadutytomaketheirlastmomentsmeansomething.Suddenly, theair rippedapartas theTitan'splasmagun firedandwhiteheat filled thegallery,

throwingTarvitz tothefloor.Moltenfragmentsofstonesprayedhimandwarriorsfell,brokenandburningaroundhim.Blindedanddeafened,Tarvitzdraggedhimselfawayfromthedestruction.HotairboomedbackintothevacuumblastedbytheplasmaanditwaslikeaburningwindofdestructioncometoscourtheloyalistsfromthefaceofIsstvanIII.

Herolledontohisback,seeingthatthebolthadrippedrightthroughthetempleroof,leavingahugeglowing-edgedhole,likeamonstrousbitemark,throughonecornerofthetemple.Fullyathirdof the temple'smasshadcollapsed inagreat rockslideof liquefiedstone, floodingout likea longtongueofjade.

Tarvitztriedtoshaketheringingfromhisearsandforcedhiseyestofocus.Throughthemiasmaofheat,hecouldhearawar-cryarisefromtheenemywarriors.A similar clamour rose from the other side of the temple, where the World Eaters and the

Emperor'sChildrenwerearrayedamongtheruinsofthepalace.Theattackwascoming.LOKENDROPPED то his knees in horror at the sight of Torgaddon's head parting from his

shoulders.Thebloodfountainedslowly,thesilversheenoftheswordwreathedinasprayofred.He screamed his friend's name, watching as his body crashed to the floor of the stage and

smashedthewoodenlecterntosplintersasitfell.HiseyesmetthoseofHorusAximandandhesawasorrowthatmatchedhisownechoedinthisbrother'seyes.

Hischolersurged,hotandurgent,buthisangerwasnotdirectedatHorusAximand,butat thewarriorwhopulledhimself from the rubblebehindhim.He turnedand forcedhimself tohis feet,seeingAbaddonpullinghimselffromunderthecollapsed

portico.The first captainhadextricatedhimself frombeneath slabsofmarble thatwouldhavecrushedevenanarmouredAstartes,buthewasstilltrappedandimmobilefromthewaistdown.

LokengaveventtoananimalcryoflossandrageandrantowardsAbaddon.Heleapt,drivingaknee down onto Abaddon's arm and pinning it with all his weight and strength to the rubble.Abaddon'sfreehandreachedupandgrabbedLoken'swristasLokendrovehischainswordtowardsAbaddon'sface.

Thetwowarriorsfroze,lockedfacetofaceinabattlethatwoulddeterminewholivedandwhodied.LokengrittedhisteethandforcedhisarmdownagainstAbaddon'sgrip.

AbaddonlookedintoLoken'sfaceandsawthehatredandlossthere.'There'shopeforyouyet,Loken,’hesnarled.Lokenforcedtheroaringpointofthesworddownwithmorestrengththanhethoughtcouldever

inhabitonebody.ThebetrayaloftheAstartes-theirveryessence-flashedthroughLoken'smindandhefoundthetargetofhishatredembodiedinAbaddon'sviolentfeatures.

Thechainblade'steethwhirred.Abaddonforcedthepointdownanditrippedintohisbreastplate.Sparks sprayed as Loken pushed the point onwards, through thick layers of ceramite. The swordjuddered,butLokenkeptittrue.

Heknewwhereitwouldbreakthrough,straightthroughtheboneshieldthatprotectedAbaddon'schestcavityandthenintohisheart.

Evenashesavoured the ideaofAbaddon'sdeath, thefirstcaptainsmiledandpushedhishandupwards.Astartes battle plate enhanced awarrior's strength, but Terminator armour boosted it tolevelsbeyondbelief,andAbaddoncalleduponthatpowertodislodgeLoken.

Abaddonsurgedupwards from the rubblewitha roarof angerand slammedhisenergised fistinto Loken's chest. His armour cracked open and the bone shield protecting his own chest cavityshattered into fragments. He staggered away fromAbaddon,managing to keep his feet for a fewsecondsbeforehislegsgaveoutandhecollapsedtohisknees,blooddribblingfromhiscrackedlipsinbloodyropes.

AbaddontoweredoverhimandLokenwatchednumblyasHorusAximandjoinedhim.Abaddon'seyes were filled with triumph, Aximand's with regret. Abaddon took the bloody sword fromAximand'shandwithasmile.'ThiskilledTorgaddonanditseemsonlyfittingthatIuseittokillyou.'

Thefirstcaptainraisedtheswordandsaid,'Youhadyourchance,Loken.Thinkaboutthatwhileyoudie.'

LokenmetAbaddon'sunforgivinggaze,seeingthemadnessthatlurkedbehindhiseyeslikeamobofangrydaemons,andwaitedfordeath.

But before the blow landed, the parliament building exploded as somethingvast and colossal,likeaprimalgodofwarbestridingtheworldsmashedthroughthebackwall.Lokenhada

fleetingglimpseofamonstrousironfoot,easilythewidthofthebuildingitselfcrashingthroughthestoneworkanddemolishingthebuildingasitwent.

Helookedupintimetoseeamightyredgod,toweringandimmensestridingthroughtheremainsof theChoralCity, itsbattlementsbristlingwithweaponsand itsmightyhead twisted inasnarlofmercilessanger.

RubbleanddebriscascadedfromtheroofastheDiesIraesmashedtheparliamentbuildingintoasplinteredruinofcrushedrock,andLokensmiledasthebuildingcollapsedaroundhim.

Tremendousimpactssmashedthemarblefloorandthenoiseofthebuilding'sdestructionwaslikethesweetestmusichehadeverheard,ashefelttheworldgoblackaroundhim.

SAUL TARVITZ LOOKED around him at the hundred Space Marines crammed into the tinysquareofcoverthatwasallthatremainedoftheWarsingers'temple.Theyhadsatawaitingthefinalattackofthetraitorsforwhathadseemedlikeanage,buthadbeennomorethanthirtyminutes.

'Whydon'ttheyattack?'askedNeroVipus,oneofthefewLunaWolvesstillalive.'Idon'tknow,’saidTarvitz,butwhateverthereasonI'mthankfulforit,’Vipusnodded,his face linedwithasadness thathadnothing todowith the finalbattlesof the

Precentor'sPalace.'StillnowordfromGarvielorTarik?'askedTarvitz,alreadyknowingtheanswer.'No,’saidVipus,'nothing,’Tmsorry,myfriend,’Vipusshookhishead.'No,Iwon'tmournthem,notyet.Theymighthavesucceeded,’Tarvitzsaidnothing,leavingthewarriortohisdreamandturnedhisattentiononceagaintothe

terrifying scale of theWarmaster's army. Ten thousand traitors stood immobile in the ruins of theChoralCity.WorldEaters chantedalongsideEmperor'sChildrenwhile theSonsofHorns and theDeathGuardwaitedinlongfiringlines.

ThecolossalformoftheDiesIraehadthankfullystoppedfiring,themonstrousTitanmarchingtotowerovertheSirenholdlikeabrazenfortress.

'Theywanttomakesurewe'rebeaten,’saidTarvitz,'toplantaflagonourcorpses,’'Yes,’agreedVipus,'butwegavethemthefightoftheirlivesdidwenot?'Thatwedid,’saidTarvitz,'thatwedid,andevenoncewe'regone,GarrowilltelltheLegionsof

whatthey'vedonehere.TheEmperorwillsendanarmybiggerthananythingtheGreatCrusadehaseverseen,’

VipuslookedoutovertheWarmaster'sarmyandsaid,'He'llhaveto,’ABADDON SURVEYED THE ruins of the parliament house, its oncemagnificent structure a

heapedpileofshatteredstone.Hisfacebledfromadozencutsandhisskinwasanugly,bruisedpurple,buthewasalive.Beside him, Horus Aximand slumped against a ruined statue, his breathing laboured and his

shoulder twisted at an unnatural angle. Abaddon had pulled them both from the wreckage of thebuilding,butlookingatAximand'sdowncastface,heknewthattheyhadnotescapedwithoutscarsofadifferentkind.

Butitwasdone.LokenandTorgaddonweredead.Hehadthoughttofeelsavagejoyat theidea,butinsteadhefeltonlyemptiness,astrangevoid

thatyawnedinhissoullikeavesselthatcouldneverbefilled.Abaddondismissedthethoughtandspokeintothevox.'Warmaster,’hesaid,'itisover,’'Whathavewedone,Ezekyle?'whisperedAximand.Whatneededtobedone,’saidAbaddon.'TheWarmasterordereditandweobeyed,’'Theywereourbrothers,’saidAximandandAbaddonwasastonishedtofindtearsspillingdown

hisbrother'scheeks.'TheyweretraitorstotheWarmaster,letthatbeanendtoit,’Aximandnodded,butAbaddoncouldseetheseedofdoubttakerootinhisexpression.HeliftedAximandandsupportedhimastheymadetheirwaytowardsthewaitingstormbirdthat

wouldtakethemfromthiscursedplaceandbacktotheVengefulSpirit.ThetraitorswithintheMournivalweredead,buthehadnotforgottenthelookofregrethehad

seenonAximand'sface.HorusAximandwouldneedwatching,Abaddondecided.THEVIEWSCREENOFthestrategiumdisplayedtheblackened,barrenrockofIsstvanV.WhereIsstvanIIIhadoncebeenrichandverdant,IsstvanVhadalwaysbeenamassoftangled

igneousrockwherenolifethrived.Oncetherehadbeenlife,butthathadbeenaeonsago,anditsonlyremnantswerescatteredbasaltcitiesand fortifications.Thepeopleof theChoralCityhad thoughttheseruinswerehometotheevilgodsoftheirreligion,whowaitedthereplottingrevenge.

Perhaps they were right, mused Horus, thinking of Fulgrim and his complement of Emperor'sChildrenwhowerepreparingthewayforthenextphaseoftheplan.

IsstvanIIIhadbeentheprologue,butIsstvanVwouldbethemostdecisivebattlethegalaxyhadever seen. The thought made Horus smile as he looked up to see Maloghurst limping painfullytowardshisthrone.

Whatnews,Mai?'askedHorus.'Haveallsurfaceunitsreturnedtotheirposts?''IhavejustheardfromtheConqueror,'noddedMaloghurst.'Angronhasreturned.Heisthelast,’

HorusturnedbacktothegnarledglobeofIsstvanVandsaid,'Good.Itisnosurprisetomethatheshouldbethelasttoquitthebattlefield.Sowhatisthebutcher'sbill?'ЛҐеlostagreatmanyinthelandingsandmorethanafewinthepalace,’repliedMaloghurst.The

Emperor'sChildren and theDeathGuardwere similarlymauled.TheWorldEaters lost themost.Theyarebarelyabovehalfstrength.'

'Youdonotthinkthisbattlewaswise,’saidHorus.'Youcannothidethatfromme,Mai,’'Thebattlewascostly,’averredMaloghurst,'anditcouldhavebeenshortened.Ifeffortshadbeen

madetowithdrawtheLegionsbeforethesiegedevelopedthenlivesandtimecouldhavebeensaved.Wedonothavean infinitenumberofAstartesandwecertainlydonothave infinite time. Idonotbelievetherewasanygreatvictorytobewonhere,’

You see only the physical cost,Mai,’ saidHorus. 'Youdonot see the psychological gainswehavemade.Abaddonwasblooded, thereal threatsamong therebelshavebeeneliminatedand theWorldEatershavebeenbroughttoapointwheretheycannotturnback.IftherewaseveranydoubtastowhetherthisCrusadewouldsucceed,ithasbeenbanishedbywhatIhaveachievedonIsstvanIII,’

'Thenwhatareyourorders?'askedMaloghurst.Horus turnedback to theviewscreenandsaid, 'Wehave tarriedhere too longand it is time to

moveonwards.YouarerightthatIallowedmyselftobedrawnintoawarthatwedidnothavetimetofight,butIwillrectifythaterror,’

'Warmaster?''Bombthecity,'saidHorus.'Wipeitoffthefaceoftheplanet.'LOKENCOULDN'TMOVEhislegs.Everyheartbeatwasagonyinhislungsasthemusclesof

hischestgroundagainst splintersofbone.Hecoughedupclotsofbloodwitheverybreathandhewassurethateachonewouldbehislastasthewilltoliveseepedfromhisbody.

Throughacrackintherubblepinninghimtotheground,Lokencouldseethedarkgreysky.Hesawstreaksoffiredroppingthroughthecloudsandclosedhiseyesasherealisedthattheywerethefirstsalvoesofanorbitalbombardment.

Death was raining down on the Choral City for the second time, but this time it wouldn't beanything as exotic as a virus.High explosiveswouldbring the city down andput a final, terribleexclamationmarkattheendoftheBattleofIsstvanIII.

SuchadisplaywastypicaloftheWarmaster.Itwasafinalepitaphthatwouldleavenooneinanydoubtastowhohadwon.The first orange blooms of fire burst over the city. The ground shook. Buildings collapsed in

wavesoffireandthestreetsboiledwithflameoncemore.ThegroundshudderedasthoughinthegripofanearthquakeandLokenfelthisprisonofdebris

shift.Hardspikesofpainbuffetedhimasflamesburstacrosstheremainsoftheparliamentbuilding.Thendarknessfellatlast,andLokenfeltnothingelse.AHUNDREDOFTarvitz's loyalists remained.Theywere theonly survivorsof their glorious

last stand, and he had gathered them in the remains of theWarsingers' Temple - Sons of Horns,Emperor'sChildren, andevena few lost-lookingWorldEaters.Tarvitznoticed that therewerenoDeathGuardintheirnumbers,thinkingthatperhapsafewhadsurvivedMortarion'sscouringofthetrenches,butknowingthattheymightaswellhavebeenontheothersideofIsstvanIII.

Thiswastheend.Theyallknewit,butnoneofthemgavevoicetothatfact.Heknewalltheirnamesnow.Before,theyhadjustbeengrime-streakedfacesamongtheendless

daysandnightsofbattle,butnowtheywerebrothers,menhewoulddiewithinhonour.

Flashesofexplosionsbloomedinthecity'snorth.Shootingstarspunchedthroughthedarkcloudsoverhead,scorchingholesthroughwhichtheglimmeringstarscouldbeseen.ThestarsshonedownontheChoralCityintimetowatchthecitydie.

'Didwehurtthem,captain?askedSolathen.'Didthismeananything?'Tarvitzthoughtforamomentbeforereplying.'Yes,’hesaid,'wehurtthemhere.They'llrememberthis,’AbombslammedintothePrecentor'sPalace,finallyblastingwhatlittleremainedofitsgreatstoneflowerintoflameandshardsofgranite.Theloyalistsdidnotthrowthemselvesintocover

orranforshelter-therewaslittlepoint.TheWarmasterwasbombardingthecity,andhewasthorough.Hewouldnotletthemslipawayasecondtime.Towersofflamebloomedallacrossthepalace,closinginonthemwithfieryinevitability.ThebatdefortheChoralCitywasover.THE TEMPLE WAS nearly complete, its high, arched ceiling like a ribcage of black stone

beneathwhichtheofficersofthenewCrusadeweregathered.AngronstillfumedatthedecisiontoleaveIsstvanIIIbeforethedestructionoftheloyalistswascomplete,whileMortarionwassilentandsullen,hisDeathGuardlikeasteelbarrierbetweenhimandtherestofthegathering.

LordCommanderEidolon,stillsmartingfromthefailureshisLegionhadcommittedintheeyesoftheWarmaster,hadseveralsquadsofEmperor'sChildrenaccompanyinghim,buthispresencewasnotwelcomed,merelytolerated.

Maloghurst, Abaddon and Aximand represented the Sons of Horus, and beside them stoodErebus.TheWarmasterstoodbeforethetemple'saltar,itsfourfacesrepresentingwhatErebuscalledthefourfacesofthegods.Abovehim,ahugeholographicimageofIsstvanVdominatedthetemple.

AnareaknownastheUrgallDepressionwashighlighted,agiantcrateroverlookedbythefortressthatFulgrimhadpreparedfortheWarmas-ter'sforces.Blueblipsindicatedlikelylanding

sites,routesofattackandretreat.Horushadspentthelasthourexplainingthedetailsoftheoperationtohiscommandersandhewascomingtoanend.

'AtthisverymomentsevenLegionsarecomingtodestroyus.TheywillfindusatIsstvanVandthebattlewillbegreat.Butintruthitwillnotbeabattleatall,forwehaveachievedmuchsincelastwegathered.ChaplainErebus,enlightenusastomattersbeyondIsstvan.'

'AllgoeswellatSignum,mylord,’saidErebussteppingforward.Newtattooshadbeeninkedonhisscalp,echoingthesigilscarvedintothestonesofthetemple.

'Sanguinius and the Blood Angels will not trouble us, and Kor-Phaeron sends word that theUltramarinesmusteratCalth.Theysuspectnothingandwillnotbeinapositiontolendtheirstrengthtotheloyalistforce.Ouralliesoutnumberourenemies.'

'Thenitisdone,’saidHorus.'ThebacksoftheEmperor'sLegionswillbebrokenatIsstvanV.'Andwhatthen?'askedAximand.AstrangemelancholyhadsettleduponHorusAximandsincethebattlesoftheChoralCity,andhe

sawAbaddoncastawaryglanceinhisbrother'sdirection.'Whenour trapissprung?'demandedAximand. 'TheEmperorwillstill reignandtheImperium

willstillanswertohim.AfterIsstvanV,whatthen?''Then,LittleHorns?'saidtheWarmaster.'ThenwestrikeforTerra.'

TIMELINE

Millennia/Age/Notes1-15AgeofTerraHumanitydominatesEarth.Civilisations come andgo.TheSolar system is

colonised.MankindlivesonMarsandthemoonsofJupiter,SaturnandNeptune.15-18AgeofTechnologyMankindbeginstocolonisethestarsusingsub-lightspacecraft.Atfirst

only nearby systems can be reached and the colonies established on them must survive asindependentstatessincetheyareseparatedfromEarthbyuptotengenerationsoftravel.

18-22AgeofTechnologyInventionof thewarp-drive accelerates the colonisingof thegalaxy.Federationsandempiresarefounded.FirstaliensencounteredandfirstAlienWarsarefought.Firsthumanpsykersscientificallyprovedtoexist.Psykersbegintoappearthroughouthumanworlds.

22-25Age ofTechnologyFirstNavigatorsare born allowing human spaceships tomake evenlonger, quicker warp-jumps. Mankind enters a golden age of enlightenment as scientific andtechnologicalprogressaccelerates.Humanworldsuniteandnon-aggressionpactsaresecuredwithdozensofalienraces.

25-26 Age of Strife Terrible warp-storms interrupt interstellar travel. Sporadic at first, thestormseventuallypreventanywarp-jumpsbeingmade.The incidenceofhumanmutation increasesrapidly.Mankindentersadarkperiodofanarchyanddespair.

26-30 Age of Strife Human worlds ripped apart by civil wars, revolts, alien predation andinvasion.Humanpsykers andothermutantsdominate some .worlds and these rapidly fallprey towarp-creatures.Humanityisonthebrinkofdestruction.

30-presentAgeofImperiumEarthisconqueredbytheEmperorandentersanalliancewith theMechan-icumofMars.Finally thewarp-stormsabateand interstellar travel ispossibleagain.TheEmperorbuildstheAstro-nomicanandcreatestheSpaceMarineLegions.HumanworldsreunitedbytheEmperorinaGreatCrusadethatlastsfortwohundredyears.

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