AWARHAMMER40,000NOVEL

GHOSTMAKER

Gaunt’sGhosts-02

(TheFounding-02)

DanAbnett

(AnUndeadScanv1.1)

ForCraig,whowastherewithNova,longago.

Itisthe41stmillennium.FormorethanahundredcenturiestheEmperorhassatimmobileontheGoldenThroneofEarth.Heisthemasterofmankindbythewillofthegods,andmasterofamillionworldsbythemightofhisinexhaustiblearmies.HeisarottingcarcasswrithinginvisiblywithpowerfromtheDarkAgeofTechnology.HeistheCarrionLordoftheImperiumforwhomathousandsoulsaresacrificedeverydaysothathemaynevertrulydie.

Yeteveninhisdeathlessstate,theEmperorcontinueshiseternalvigilance.Mightybattlefleets

crossthedaemon-infestedmiasmaofthewarp,theonlyroutebetweendistantstars,theirwaylitbytheAstronomican the psychicmanifestation of theEmperor’swill Vast armies give battle in hisname on uncounted worlds. Greatest amongst his soldiers are the Adeptus Astartes the SpaceMarines, bio-engineered super-warriors.Their comrades in arms are legion: the ImperialGuardand countless planetary defence forces, the ever-vigilant Inquisition and the tech-priests of theAdeptusMechanicustonameonlyafew.Butforalltheirmultitudes,theyarebarelyenoughtoholdofftheever-presentthreatfromaliens,heretics,mutants—andworse.

Tobeamaninsuchtimesistobeoneamongstuntoldbillions.Itistoliveinthecruellestand

mostbloodyregimeimaginable.Thesearethetalesofthosetimes.Forgetthepoweroftechnologyandscience,forsomuchhasbeenforgotten,nevertoberelearned.Forgetthepromiseofprogressandunderstanding, for in thegrimdark future there isonlywar.There isnopeaceamongst thestars,onlyaneternityofcarnageandslaughter,andthelaughterofthirstinggods.

Inheriting command of the Sabbat Worlds Crusade force from the late and lauded WarmasterSlaydo,WarmasterMacarothrenewedtheImperialoffensivetoliberatetheSabbatWorlds,aclusterofnearlyonehundredinhabitedsystemsalongtheedgeoftheSegmentumPacificus.

“Manylegendaryactionsdistinguishedthattwentyyearcampaign,andmanylegendsweremade:the last stand of the Latarii Gundogs at Lamicia, the Iron Snakes’ victories at Presarius, AmboldElevenandFornaxAleph,andthedoggedprosecutionoftheenemybytheso-calledGhostsofTanithonCanemara,SpurtisElipse,MenezoidEpsilonandMonthax.Ofthese,perhapsMonthaxpresentsthemostintriguingquestionforImperialhistorians.Ostensiblyahead-onconfrontationwiththeforcesofChaos, this action is clouded in mystery and the details are still sequestered in the archives ofImperialHighCommand.Onlyspeculationremainsastowhattrulyoccurredonthetangledshoresofthathideousbattlesite.”

—fromAHistoryoftheLaterImperialCrusadesItwassummerhere,apparently.IntermittentbutheavyrainsluicedtheImperiumlinesfromaskywrinkledwithgreycloudcover.

Barbed, twisted root-plantswith florid,heavy leavesgroped theirwayoutof every inchofmuddylandandpokedfromtheshimmeringwaterbedstoo.Aslandwent,mostofithadgone.Lagoonsandlongpoolsofsheenedwaterforkedthroughthegrovesofundergrowth,hometobillowingmicro-fliesandunseen,chirrupinginsects.

There was a smell in the air, a smell like rank sweat. The smell didn’t surprise Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt.What did surprise him was that it wasn’t coming from his men. It wasexudingfromthewater,theplants,themud.Monthaxreekedofcorruptionandrot.

Therewas no digging-in onMonthax.Trencheswere raised abutments of imported flak-boardandlocallycuttimber.Leveesandsand-baggedwallshadbeendugoutandraisedbytheGhosts.Forthree days, since the drop-ships landed them, there had been no other sound except the squelch ofentrenchingtoolsasworkpartiesfilledplasticsacks.Noothersoundexceptthechirrupofabillioninsects.

Seepingsweatintohisfreshly-donnedtunicfromthemomenthehaditon,Gauntemergedfromhiscommandshed,athreechambermodularhabitatstakedupongirderpolesoutofthesoupywater.Heputhiscommissar ’scapsquarelyonhishead,knowingfullwellthatitwouldmakesweatrunintohiseyes.Heworehighboots,breechesandatunicshirt,carryinghisweatherproofovercoatoverhisshoulders.Itwastoohottowearit,toowettogowithout.

IbramGaunt stepped down off the shed steps and his feet settled in satin-skinnedwater twentycentimetresdeep.Hepaused.Theoilyripplesebbedawayandhelookeddownathimself.AreflectedGaunt layhorizontal in therankwaterathisfeet.Tall, lean,withasculpted,high-cheekedface thatironicallymockedhisname.

Helookedaway,up,throughthefleshyleavesofthethicketsandthecoiledlowcoveroftheplantgrowth. On the horizon, partly screened by sweating mist, firepower roared back and forth asImperialgunneryduelledwiththeheavyartilleryofChaos.

Hestrodeforwardthroughtheslushywater,upthroughthedrylandofanisletthickwithtendrils

andoverhangingflowers,andalongaduck-boardwalkwaytowardsthelines.Behindalong,meandering,S-shapedembankmentleveethreekilometreslong,theTanithFirst-

and-Only stood ready. They had raised this dyke themselves, armouring it with rapidly decayingplanksofflak-board.Artificialmoundshadbeendugbehindthedefencetokeepammopilesoutofthewater.Hismenstoodreadyinfire-teams,fifteenhundredstrong,dressedintheblackcapesanddullbody-armouruniformthatwastheirsignature.Somestoodateyeholesinthedyke,gunsfixed.Othersmannedheavyweaponnests.Othersstoodandsmokedandchattedandspeculated.Allstoodinatleastfifteencentimetresofmurkyslime.

Thebivouacs,alsoraisedongirderlegsoutoftheswamp,weresetbackfromthedykelinebyaboutthirtymetres.Littlesanctuariesofdrynessliftedoutoftheooze.

Gauntwanderedalongthedyketothefirstgroupofmen,whowerediggingupafootstepbythedykewallfrommudspadedoutofthewaterline.

Whooping birds swung overhead, large-winged and stark-whitewith folded, gangly pink legs.Theinsectschirruped.

Sweatmadehalfmoonsintheunderarmsofhistunicinlessthanadozenpaces.Fliesstunghim.Allthoughtsoffutureglory,ofthebitteractiontocome,leftIbramGaunt’smind.Instead,theechoescame.Thememories.

Gauntcursedquietly,wipedhisbrow.Itwasdayslikethis, in theslow,loadedhourswhile theywaitedforcombat,thatthememoriesfloodedbackattheirmostintense.Ofthepast,oflostcomradesandmissedfriends,ofgloriesanddefeatslonggone,ofends.

Andofbeginnings…

ONE

GHOSTMAKER

Fire,likeaflower.Blossoming.Pale,greenishfire,scuttlinglikeitwasalive.Eatingtheworld,the

wholeworld…Openinghiseyes,IbramGaunt,ImperialCommissar,gazedintohisownlean,paleface.Trees,as

darkgreenasanoceanatnight,rushedpastbehindhiseyes.“We’remakingthefinalapproachnow,sir.”Gauntlookedround,awayfromhisreflectioninthesmall,thickportoftheorbitalcutter,andsaw

hisadjutant,Sym.Symwasanefficientmanofmiddleyears,hisslightlypuffyfleshmarkedacrossthethroatandcheekbyalivid,ancientburn.

“Isaid,we’remakingthefinalapproach,”Symrepeated.“Iheardyou,”Gauntnoddedgently.“Remindmeagainoftheschedule.”SymsatbackinhispaddedleatherG-chairandperusedadata-slate.“Officialgreetingceremony.

FormalintroductionstotheElectorofTanithandthegovernmentassembly.ReviewoftheFoundingregiments.Andaformaldinnertonight.”

Gaunt’sgazedriftedbacktothevastforeststhatflewbyunderthewindow.Hehatedthetrappingsofpompandprotocol,andSymknewit.

“Tomorrow, sir, the transfer shifts begin. We’ll have all the regiments aboard and ready toembarkbeforetheendoftheweek,”themansaid,tryingtoputamorepositivespinonthings.

Gaunt didn’t look round but said, “See if you can get the transfers to begin directly after thereview.Whywastetherestoftodayandtonight?”

Symnodded,thoughtful.“Thatshouldbepossible.”A soft chime signalled imminent landfall, and they both felt the sudden pull of deceleration g-

forces.Theotherpassengersinthecraft’slongcabin:anastropath,silentinhisrobes,andofficialsoftheAdeptusMinistorumandtheDepartmentoMunitorium,begantobuckletheirharnessesandsettleback for landing. Sym found himself looking out of the port,watching the endless forests that sointriguedGaunt.

“Strange place this, this Tanith. So they say.”He rubbed his chin. “They say the forestsmove.Change.Thetreesapparently…uhm…shift.Accordingtothepilot,youcangetlostinthewoodsinamatterofminutes.”

Sym’svoicedroppedtoawhisper.“Theysayit’satouchofChaos!Canyoubelievethat?TheysayTanithhasatouchofChaos,beingthisclosetotheEdge,yousee.”

Gauntdidnotreply.ThespiresandtowersofTanithMagnarosetomeetthesmallbarbedshapeofthecutter.Thecity,

set here amid the endless oceans of evergreen trees, looked from the air like a complex circle ofstanding stones, darkgrey slabs raised in a clearing indefianceof the forest around.Banners andbraziersmokeflutteredfromthehigherfortresswalls,andoutsidethecityperimeter,Gauntcouldseeavastplaincutfromtheforest.Rowuponrowoftentsstoodthere,thousandsofthem,eachwithitsowncookfire.TheFoundingFields.

Beyond the tent-town, the huge black shadows of the bulk transports, whale-mouths and bellyrampsopen,squattinginfire-blackenedcratersofearth,readytoeatupthemenandthemachinesofthenewregimentsofTanith.Hisregiments,heremindedhimself,thefirstImperialGuardregimentstobefoundedonthisenigmatic,sparselypopulatedfrontierworld.

Foreightyears,GaunthadservedaspoliticalofficerwiththeHyrkan8th,abraveregimentthathehadbeenwithfromitsfoundingonthewindyhillsofHyrkantotheferociousvictoryofBalhaut.Butsomanyhadfallen,andanotherfoundingwouldfillfamiliaruniformswithunfamiliarfaces.Itwastimetomoveon,andGaunthadfeltgratefultobereassigned.Hisseniority,hisexperience…hisverynotorietymadehimanidealchoicetowhipthevirginunitsofTanithintoshape.Partofhim,ayoung,eagerbutsmallpartdeepinside,relishedtheprospectofbuildingafreshnamefortheGuard’srollofhonour.Buttherestofhimwasdull,setrigid,empty.Morethananything,hefelthewassimplygoingthroughthemotions.

He had felt that way since Slaydo’s death. The old commander would have wanted him here,wantedhimtocarryontoglory…afterall,wasn’tthatwhyhe’dmadehisgift?Promotinghimthere,onthefirefieldsofBalhaut,tocolonel-commissar…makinghimoneofthefewpoliticalofficersintheGuardcapableofcommandingaregiment.Suchtrust,suchfaith.ButGauntwassotired.Itdidn’tseemmuchlikearewardnow.

Thecutterdipped.Greatbrassshuttersatoponeof thecity’s largest towershingedopenlikeanorchid’spetalstoreceiveit.

On theFoundingFields, themen lookedupas the approachingcutterpurredoverhead,banked

againsttheslowcloudandsettledlikeabeetleoverthecitywalltowardsthelandingtower.“Someoneimportant,”notedLarkin,squintingupatthesky.Hespatonthewireclothinhishand

andresumedpolishinghiswebbingbuckles.“Justmoretraffic.Morepompousoff-worlders.”Rawnelaybackandturnedhisfacetothesun.Corbec,stoodbyhistent,shieldedhiseyesagainsttheglareandnodded.“IthinkLarkin’sright.

Someone important.TherewasabigGuardcreston the flankof that flier.Someonecome for theFoundingReview.Maybethiscolonel-commissarhimself.”

He dropped his gaze and looked about. On either side of him, the rows of three-man tentsstretched away in ordered files, and guardsmen in brand new uniforms sat around, cleaning kit,stripping guns, eating, dicing, smoking, sleeping. Six thousand men, all told, mostly infantry butsomeartilleryandarmouredcrews,threewholeregimentsandmenofTanithall.

Corbec sat down by his own cook stove and rubbed his hands. His new, black-cloth uniformchafedat theedgesofhisbigframe.Itwouldbe theverydevil towear in.Helookedacrossathistent-mates,LarkinandRawne.Larkinwasaslender,whipcordmanwithadaggerface.Likeall theTanith, hewas pale skinned and black haired. Larkin had dangerous eyes like blue fire, a left earstuddedwiththreesilverhoops,andabluespiral-wyrmtattooonhisrightcheek.Corbechadknownhimforagoodwhile:theyhadservedtogetherinthesameunitoftheTanithMagnamilitiabeforetheFounding.HeknewLarkin’sstrengths—amarksman’seyesandabraveheart—andhisweaknesses—anunstablecharacter,easilyrattled.

Rawnehedidnotknowaswell.Rawnewasahandsomedevil,hisclean,sleekfeaturesdecoratedbyatattoostarburstoveroneeye.HehadbeenajuniorofficerinthemilitiaofTanithAttica,oroneof theother southerncities,buthedidn’t talkabout itmuch.Corbechadabad feeling therewasamurderous,ruthlessstreakunderRawne’soilycharm.

Bragg—huge,hulking,genialBragg—shuffledoverfromhistent,aflaskofhotsacrainhis

hands.“Needwarmingup?”heaskedandCorbecnoddedasmiletothegiantman.Braggpouredfourcups,andpassedonetoLarkin,whobarely lookedupbutmutteredthanks,andonetoRawne,whosaidnothingasheknockeditback.

“Youreckonthatwasourcommissar,then?”Braggsaidatlast,askingthequestionCorbecknewhehadbeendyingtogetoutsinceoverhearingCorbec’sremark.

Corbecsippedandnodded.“Gaunt?Yeah,mostlike.”“I heard stuff, from theMunitorium blokes at the transports. They say he’s hard as nails. Got

medalstoo.Arealkiller,theysay.”Rawne sniffed. “Why can’t we be led by our own, is what I want to know. A good militia

commander ’sallweneed.”“Icouldoffer,”Corbecjokedsoftly.“Hesaidagoodone,dog!”Larkinsnapped,returningtohisobsessivepolishing.CorbecwinkedacrossatBraggandtheysippedsomemore.“Itseemsfunnytobegoingthough,dunnit?”Braggsaidafteraspell.“Imean,forgood.Might

neverbecomingback.”“Mostlike,”Corbecsaid.“That’sthejob.ToservetheEmperorinhiswars,overthestarsandfar

away.Bestgetusedtotheidea.”“Eyesup!”Forgalcalledfromatentnearby.“HerecomesbigGarthwithafaceon!”Theylookedaround.MajorGarth,theirunitcommander,wasthumpingdownthetentlineissuing

quick orders left and right.Garthwas a barrel-chested buttress of aman,whose sloping bulk andheavy,linedfeaturesseemedtosuggest thatgravitypulledonhimharderthanmost.Hedrewuptothem.

“Packitup,boys.Timetoship,”hesaid.Corbecraisedaneyebrow.“Ithoughtthatwastomorrow?”hebegan.“Sodid I, sodidColonelForth, sodid theDepartmentoMunitorium,but it looks likeournew

colonel-commissarisanimpatientman,sohewantsustostartliftingtothetroop-shipsrightaftertheReview.”

Garthpassedon,shoutingmoreinstructions.“Well,”ColmCorbecsaidtonooneinparticular,“Iguessthisiswhereitallstarts.”Gaunt’sheadached.Hewasn’tsureif itwastheinterminableintroductionstoTanithdignitaries

andpoliticos, theendlesssmall talk, theachinglyslowreviewof the troopsouton themarshallingyardinfrontoftheTanithAssembly,orsimplythebloodypipemusicthatseemedtobeplayingineverydamnchamber,streetandcourtyardofthecitythathewalkedinto.

And the troops hadn’t been that impressive either. Pale, dark-haired, undernourished-lookingsomehow,haggardinplainblackfatigues,eachwithapiebaldcamo-cloaksweptover theshoulderopposite theone towhich their lasgunwasslung.Not tomention thedamnearstudsandhoops, thefacial tattoos, the unkempt hair, the lilting, sing-song accents. The “glorious 1st, 2nd and 3rd ofTanith”,thenewregiments;ascrawny,scruffymobofsoft-voicedwoodsmenindeed,andnothingtowritehomeabout.

TheElectorofTanith, the localplanetary lord,himself sportinga cheek tattooof a snake,hadassuredGauntofthefightingmettleoftheTanithmilitia.

“Theyareresoluteandcunning,”theElectorhadsaidastheystoodontheterraceoverlookingthemassed ranks. “Tanith breeds indefatigablemen. And our particular strengths are in scouting andstealth.Asyoumightexpectonaworldwhosemovingforestsblurthetopographywithbewildering

speed,theTanithhaveanunerringsenseofplaceanddirection.Theydonotgetlost.Theyperceivewhatothersmiss.”

“Inthemain,Ineedfighters,notguides,”Gaunthadsaid,tryingnottosoundtoosnide.TheElectorhadmerelysmiled.“Oh,wefighttoo.Andnowforthefirsttimewearehonouredto

beaddingour fightingspirit to thatof the Imperium.TheregimentsofTanithwill serveyouwell,colonel-commissar.”

Gaunthadnoddedpolitely.NowGauntsatinprivateinananteroomoftheAssembly.He’dslunghisgreatcoatandhiscapon

ahardwoodchestnearbyandSymhadlaidouthisdressjacketforthedinnerthatwouldcommenceinthirtyminutes.Ifonlyhecouldridhimselfofhisheadacheandofthebadtasteinhisthroatthathehadlandedaweakcommand.

Andthemusic!Thedamnpipemusic,invadinghisheadevenhereintheprivaterooms!Hegottohisfeetandstrodetotheslopingwindows.OutbeyondthecityscapeandtheFounding

Fields,orangefirethumpedintothetwilightastheheavytransportsdepartedandreturned,ferryingtheregimentalcomponentstothevasttroopcarriersinhighorbit.

Thatmusicstill!Gauntwalkedtoasetofdarkgreenvelvetdrapesandsweptthemaside.Themusicstopped.The

boywiththesmallsetofpipeslookedathisragingeyesinastonishment.“Whatareyoudoing?”Gauntasked,asthreateningasadrawnknife.“Playing, sir,” theboysaid.Hewasabout seventeen,notyetaman,but tall andwell-made.His

face,abluefishtattoooverthelefteye,wasstrongandhandsome.Hisbe-ringedfingersclutchedaTanithpipe,aspideryclutchofreedsattachedtoasmallbellowsbagthatwasrhythmicallysqueezedunderthearm.

“Wasthisyouridea?”Gauntasked.Theboyshookhishead.“It’stradition.Foreveryvisitor,thepipesofTanithwillplay,wherever

theygo,toleadthembackthroughtheforestsafely.”“I’m not in the forest, so shut up!” Gaunt paused. He turned back to the boy. “I respect the

traditionsandcustomsoftheTanith,butI…Ihaveaheadache.”“I’llstopthen,”theboysaid.“I—I’llwaitoutside.TheElectortoldmetoattendonyouandpipe

youwhileyouwerehere.I’llbeoutsideifyouneedme.”Gauntnodded.Onhiswayoutofthedoor,theboycollidedwithSym,whowasonthewayin.“Iknow,Iknow…”Gauntbegan.“IfIdon’thurry,I’llbelateforthedinnerand—What?Sym?

Whatisit?”ThelookonSym’sfaceimmediatelytoldGauntthatsomethingwasvery,verywrong.Gaunt gathered his senior staff in a small, wood-panelled lobby off themain banqueting hall.

Mostwere dressed for the formal function, stiff in gilt collars and cuffs. JuniorMunitorium staffwatchedthedoors,politelybarringtheentryofanyTanithdignitaries.

“I don’t understand!” said a senior DepartmentoMunitorium staffer. “The nearest edge of thewarzoneismeanttobeeightydaysfromhere!Howcanthisbe?”

Gauntwaspacing,reviewingadata-slatewithfierceintensity.“WebrokethematBalhaut,buttheysplintered.Deepintelligenceandthescoutsquadronssuggestedtheywererunningscared,butitwasalways possible that some of their larger components would scatter inwards, looping towards us,ratherthanrunningforthebackendoftheSabbatWorldsandaway.”

Gauntwheeledonthemandcursedoutloud.“InthenameofSolan!Onhisdamndeathbed,Slaydo

wasquitepreciseabout this!Picketfleetsweremeant toguardall thewarpgates towards territorieslikeTanith,particularlywhenwe’re still at foundingandvulnerable like this!WhatdoesMacaroththinkhe’splayingat?”

Sym looked up from a flatplan-chart he had unfurled on a desk. “The lord high militantcommanderhasdeployedmostoftheCrusadeForcesintheliberationpush.Itisclearheisintentonpressingtheadvantagewonbyhispredecessor.”

“Balhautwasasignificantwin…”beganoneoftheEcclesiarchy.“Itwillonlystayavictoryifwepolicethewonterritoriescorrectly.Macarothhasbrokenthenew

frontby racing topursue the foe.And that’s let the foe through, inbehindourmainarmy. It’s textbookstupidity!Theenemymayevenhavelureduson!”

“Itleavesuswideopen,”anotherEcclesiarchagreedflatly.Gaunt nodded. “An hour ago, our ships in orbit detected amassive enemy armada coming in-

system.ItisnoexaggerationtosaythatTanithhasjusthoursoflifelefttoit.”“Wecouldfight—”someoneventuredbravely.“Wehavejustthreeregiments.Untried,unproven.Wehavenodefensivepositionandnoprepared

emplacements.Halfofourforceisalreadystowedinthetroopcarriersupstairsandtheotherhalfispennedintransit.Wecouldn’tturnthemaroundandgetthemunlimberedanddugininundertwofulldays.Eitherway,theyarecannonfodder.”

“Whatdowedo?”Symasked.Someoftheothersnoddedasifurgingthesamequestion.“Ourastropathsmustsendwordimmediatelytothemaincrusadecommand,toMacaroth,andtell

himoftheinsurgency.Ifnothingelse,theyneedtoturnandguardtheirflankandback.Therestofyou:thecarriershipswillleaveorbitinonehouroratthepointofattack,whichevercomesfirst.Getas much of the remaining disembarked men and equipment aboard as you can before then.Whatever ’sleftgetsleftbehind.”

“We’reabandoningTanith?”aMunitoriumaidesaid,disbeliefinhisthinvoice.“Tanithisalreadydead.Wecandiewithit,orwecansalvageasmanyfightingmenaswecanand

re-deploythemsomewheretheywillactuallydosomegood.IntheEmperor ’sname.”Theyalllookedathim,incredulous,theenormityofhisdecisionsinkingin.“DOIT!”hebawled.Thenight skyaboveTanithMagnacaught fireand fellon theworld.Theorbitalbombardment

blew white-hot holes out of the ancient forests, melted the high walls, splintered the towers, andshatteredthepavedyards.

Dark shapes moved through the smoke-choked corridors of the Assembly, dark shapes thatgibberedandhissed,clutchingchattering,whiningimplementsofdeathintheirstinkingpaws.

Withabrutalcry,Gauntkickedhiswaythroughaburningsetofdoorsandfiredhisboltpistol.Hewasatall,powerfulshapeintheswirlingsmoke,astridingfigurewithalongcoatsweepinglikeacloakfromhisbroadshoulders.Hisbrighteyestightenedinhislean,grimfaceandhewheeledandfired again into the gloom. In the smoke-shadows nearby, red-eyed shapes shrieked and burst,sprayingfluidacrossthestonework.

Las firecut theairnearhim.He turnedand fired,and then took the staircaseat a run,vaultingover the bodies of the fallen. There was a struggling group up ahead, on themain landing. TwobloodiedfightingmenoftheTanithmilitia,wrestlingwithSymatthedoorstothelaunchsilos.

“Letusthrough,youbastard!”Gauntcouldhearoneofthemcrying,“You’dleaveusheretodie!Letusthrough!”

Gauntsawtheautopistolinthehandoftheothertoolate.Itfiredthemomentbeforeheploughedintothem.

Raging,hebrokeone’sjawwiththebuttofhisbolter,knockingthemanbackwardstotheheadofthestairs.Hepickeduptheotherandthrewhimoverthestairrailintothesmokebelow.

Symlayinapoolofblood.“I—I’vesignalled…thecarrierfleet,asyouordered…forthefinalwithdrawal…Leavemeand

getaboardthecutteror—”Symbegan.“Shut up!”Gaunt snapped, trying to lift him, his hand slickwith theman’s blood. “We’re both

going!”“T-there’s no time, not forme… just for you!Go, sir!”Sym rasped, his voice highwith pain.

Fromthebaybeyond,Gauntheardthescreamofthecutter ’sthrustersrisingtotake-offreadiness.“Damnit,Sym!”Gauntsaid.Theaideseemedtoreachforhim,clawingathistunic.Forasecond,

GauntthoughSymwastryingtopullhimselfupsothatGauntcouldcarryhim.ThenSym’storsoexplodedinaredmistandGauntwasthrownbackoffhisfeet.Attheheadofthestairs,thegrotesqueshocktroopsofChaosbayedandadvanced.Symhadseen

themoverGaunt’sshoulder,hadpulledhimselfupandroundtoshieldGauntwithhisownbody.Gauntgottohisfeet.Hisfirstshotburstthehornedskullofthenearestbeast.Hissecondandthird

toreapartthebodyofanother.Hisfourth,fifthandsixthguttedtwomoreandsentthemspinningbackintotheircomradesbehindonthesteps.

Hisseventhwasadullclackofdrymetal.Hurlingthespentbolteraside,Gauntbackedawaytowardsthesilobaydoors.Hecouldsmellthe

rancidscentsofChaosoverthesmokenow,andhearthebuzzofthemaggot-flies.Inasecondtheywouldbeonhim.

Autocannonfireblastedintotheheathennightmares,sustainedheavyfirefromananglenearby.Gauntturned,andsawtheboy,thepiperwiththefishtattoo.Hewaslayingdownanarcofcoveringfire from the portico of the silo bay with a sentry’s autocannon that he had rested across thestonework.“Getin!Thelastcutter ’swaitingforyou!”criedtheboy.

Gaunt threw himself through the bay doors into the fierce whirlwind of the cutter ’s enginebackwash.Thesidehatchwasjustclosingandhescrambledthrough,losingthetailsofhiscoattothebitinghinge.

Enemyweaponsfireresoundedoffthehull.Gauntwasfacedownonthecabinfloor,drenchedinblood,lookingupattheterrifiedfacesofthe

Munitoriumofficialswhomadeupthislastevacuationflighttothefleet.“Openthedooragain!”heyelled.“Openitagain!”Noneofthemmovedtodoso.Gaunthauledhimselfupandheavedonthehatchlever.Thedoor

thumpedopenandtheboyscrambledinside.Gauntdraggedhimclearofthehatchandyankeditshut.“Now!”hebelloweddownthecabinto

thepilot’sbay.“Gonowifyou’regoing!”Thecutterrosefromthetowerbayhardandfast,lifterjetsscreamingastheywerejammedinto

overdrive. Aerial laser fire exploded the brass orchid-shutters around them and clipped a landingstanchion.Hovering,thecutterwobbled.Belowit,TanithMagnawasablazinginferno.

Forgettingfueltolerances,flightdiscipline,evenhisownmother ’sname,thepilothammeredthemainthrusterstomaximumandthecutterfireditselfupthroughtheblacksmokelikeabullet.

Lefttodie,theforestsburned.Gauntfellagainstabulkheadandclawedhiswaytoaporthole.Justlikeinhisdreams—fire,like

a flower. Blossoming. Pale, greenish fire, scuttling like it was alive. Eating the world, the wholeworld.

IbramGaunt gazed into his reflection, his own lean, pale, bloody face. Trees, blazing like theheartofastar,rushedpastbehindhiseyes.

Highover thecold,mauve,marbledworldofNameth,Gaunt’sshipshung likecreaturesof the

deep marine places. Three great troop carriers, their ash-grey, crenellated hulls vaulted likemonstrouscathedrals,andthelong,muscularescortfrigateNavarre,spinedandblisteredwithlanceweaponsandturrets,hookedandangularlikeawoodwasp,twokilometreslong.

Inhis stateroomon theNavarre,Gaunt reviewed the latest survey intelligence.Tanithwas lost,partofaconqueredwedgeofsixplanetsystemsthatfelltotheChaosarmadapincerwhichMacarothhadallowedtoslipbehindhisover-eagerwar-front.NowCrusadeforcesweredoublingbackandre-engaging the surprise enemy. Sporadic reports had come in of a thirty-six hour deep-spaceengagement of capital ships near the Circudus. The Imperial Crusaders now faced a war on twofronts.

Gaunt’sruthlessretreathadsalvagedthreeandahalfthousandfightingmen,justoverhalfoftheTanithregiments,andmostoftheirequipment.Thecruellest,mostcynicalviewcouldcallitavictoryofsorts.

Gauntslidadata-slateoutfromunderapileofotherdocumentsonhisdeskandeyedit.Itwasthetranscript of the communiqué fromMacarothhimself, applaudingGaunt’s survival instinct andhisgreat feat in salvaging for the crusade a significant force of men. Macaroth had not seen fit tomention the loss of a planet and its population.He spoke of “Colonel-CommissarGaunt’s correctchoice, and frank evaluationof an impossible situation”, andorderedhim to a holdingposition atNamethtoawaitdeployment.

ItmadeGauntqueasy.Hetossedtheslateaside.The shutter opened and Kreff entered. Kreff was the frigate’s executive officer, a hard-faced,

shaven-headedmanintheemerald,tailoreduniformoftheSegmentumPacificusFleet.Hesaluted,apointlessover-formalitygiventhathehadbeencoveringasGaunt’sadjutantinSym’splace,andhadbeeninandoutoftheroomtentimesanhoursinceGauntcameaboard.

“Anything?”Gauntasked.“The astropaths tell us that something may be coming soon. Perhaps our orders. There is a

current,afeeling.Andalso,uhm…”Kreffwasobviouslyuncomfortable.Hedidn’tknowGauntandviceversa.IthadtakenSymfouryearstogetusedtothecommissar.

Sym…“Whatisit?”Gauntasked.“Iwonderedifyouwouldcaretodiscussourmoreimmediateconcern?Themoraleofthemen.”Gauntgotup.“Okay,Kreff.Speakyourmind.”Kreffhesitated.“Ididn’tmeanwithme.Thereisadeputationfromthetroop-ships—”Gauntturnedhardatthis.“Awhat?”“AdeputationofTanith.Theywanttospeaktoyou.Theycameaboardthirtyminutesago.”Gaunttookhisboltpistoloutoftheholsterslungoverhischairbackandcheckedthemagazine.

“Isthisyourdiscreetwayofannouncingamutiny,Kreff?”Kreffshookhisheadandlaughedhumourlessly.HeseemedrelievedwhenGauntreholsteredhis

weapon.“Howmany?”

“Fifteen.Mostlyenlistedmen.Fewoftheofficerscameoutalive.”“Sendthreeofthemin.Justthree.Theycanchoosewho.”Gauntsatdownbehindhisdeskagain.Hethoughtaboutputtinghiscapon,hisjacket.Helooked

acrossthecabinandsawhisownreflectioninthevastbayport.Twometrestwentyofsolidboneandsinew,thenarrow,dangerousfacethatsowellmatchedhisname,thecroppedblondhair.Heworehishigh-waisted dress breeches with their leather braces, a sleeveless undershirt and jack boots. Hisjacketandcapgavehimcommandandauthority.Bare-armed,hegavehimselfphysicalpower.

The shutter clankedand threemenentered.Gauntviewed themwithout comment.Onewas tall,tallerandolder thanGauntandbuiltheavily, ifa littlepaunchy.Hisarmswere likehamsandweredecoratedwithbluespirals.Hisbeardwasshaggy,andhiseyesmightoncehavetwinkled.Thesecondwas slimanddark,with sinister good looks thatwere almost reptilian.Hehadablue star tattooedacrosshisrighteye.Thethirdwastheboy,thepiper.

“Let’sknowyou,”Gauntsaidsimply.“I’mCorbec,”saidthebigman.“ThisisRawne.”Thesnakenodded.“Andyouknowtheboy.”Corbecsaid.“Nothisname.”“Milo,”theboysaidclearly.“BrinMilo.”“Iimagineyou’reheretotellmethatthemenofTanithwantmedead,”saidGauntsimply.“Perfectlytrue,”Rawnesaid.Gauntwasimpressed.Noneofthemevenbotheredtoacknowledge

hisrankandseniority.Nota“sir”,nota“commissar”.“DoyouknowwhyIdidwhatIdid?”Gauntasked.“DoyouknowwhyIorderedtheregimentsoff

Tanithandleftittodie?DoyouknowwhyIrefusedallyourpleastoletyouturnandfight?”“Itwasourright—”Rawnebegan.“Ourworld died, Colonel-Commissar Gaunt,” Corbec said, the title bringingGaunt’s head up

sharp.“Wesaw it flameout from thewindowsofour transports.Youshouldhave letus standandfight.WewouldhavediedforTanith.”

“Youstillcan, justsomewhereelse.”Gauntgottohisfeet.“You’renotmenofTanithanymore.Youweren’twhenyouwerecampedoutontheFoundingFields.You’reImperialGuard,servantsoftheEmperorfirstandnothingelsesecond.”

Heturnedtofacethewindowport,hisbacktothem.“Imournthelossofanyworld,anylife.IdidnotwanttoseeTanithdie,nordidIwanttoabandonit.ButmydutyistotheEmperor,andtheSabbatWorldsCrusademustbe fought andwon for thegoodof theentire Imperium.Theonly thingyoucouldhavedoneifIhadleftyouonTanithwasdie.If that’swhatyouwant,Icanprovideyouwithmanyopportunities.WhatIneedissoldiers,notcorpses.”

Gauntgazedoutintospace.“Useyourloss,don’tbecrippledbyit.Putthepainintoyourfightingspirit.Thinkhard!MostmenwhojointheGuardneverseetheirhomesagain.Youarenodifferent.”

“Butmosthaveahometoreturnto!”Corbecspat.“Mostcanlookforwardtolivingthroughacampaignandmusteringtosettleonsomeworldtheir

leaderhasconqueredandwon.SlaydomademeagiftafterBalhaut.HegavemethemilitaryrankofcolonelandgrantedmesettlementrightstothefirstplanetIwin.Helpmebydoingyourjob,andI’llhelpyoubysharingthatwithyou.”

“Isthatabribe?”Rawneasked.Gauntshookhishead.“Justapromise.Weneedeachother.Ineedanable,motivatedarmy,you

needsomethingtotakethepainaway,somethingtofightfor,somethingtolookforwardto.”

Gaunt sawsomething in the reflectionon theglass.Hedidn’t turnhishead. “Is that a laspistol,Rawne?Wouldyouhavecomehereandmurderedme?”

Rawne,grinned.“Whatmakesyouputthatinthepasttense,commissar?”Gauntturned.“WhatdoIhaveherethen?Aregimentoramutiny?”Corbec met his gaze. “The men will need convincing. You’ve made ghosts of them, hollow

echoes.We’ll takeword back to the troop-ships ofwhy you didwhat you did andwhat the futuremighthold.Thenit’suptothem.”

“Theyneedtorallyaroundtheirofficers.”Rawnelaughed.“Therearenone!OurcommandstaffwereallontheFoundingFieldstryingto

embarkthemenwhenthebombardmentstarted.NoneofthemmadeitoffTanithalive.”Gauntnodded.“Butthemenelectedyoutoleadthedeputation?You’releaders.”“Orsimplyboldanddumbenoughtobetheonestofrontyou,”Corbecsaid.“It’s the same thing,” Gaunt said. “Colonel Corbec.Major Rawne. You can appoint your own

juniorsandunitchiefsandreportbacktomeinsixhourswithanassessmentofmorale.Ishouldhaveourdeploymentbythen.”

Theyglancedateachother,takenaback.“Dismissed,”promptedGaunt.Thetrioturnedawayconfused.“Milo?Wait,please,”Gauntsaid.Theboystoppedastheshutterclosedafterthetwomen.“Iowe

you,”Gaunttoldhimbaldly.“Andyoupaidmeback.I’mnotmilitiaorGuard.IonlygotoffTanithalivebecauseyoubrought

me.”“Becauseofyourservicetome.”Milopaused.“TheElectorhimselforderedmetostaywithyou,toseetoyourneeds.Iwasjust

doingmyduty.”“Those twobrought you alongbecause they thought the sight of youmightmollifyme, didn’t

they?”“They’renotstupid,”notedMilo.Gaunt sat back at his desk. “Neither are you. I have need of an adjutant, a personal aide. It’s

dogsbody,gopherworkmostly,andtheharderstuffyoucanlearn.ItwouldhelpmetohaveaTanithinthepostifmyworkingrelationshipwiththemisgoingtocontinue.”

BeforeMilocouldanswer,theshutterslammedopenagainandKreffentered,aslateinhishand.Hesalutedagain.“We’vegotourorders,sir,”hesaid.

Distant, rumbling explosions seemed a constant feature of the deadzone on Blackshard. The

persistent crumpofheavygunnerydrummed the low, leaden skyover the ridgeline.Anearthworkhad been built up along the ridge’s spine and, under hardened bunkers, a detachment of ImperialGuard—sixunitsofthe10thRoyalSloka—werereadyingtomobilise.

ColonelThorenwalked the line.Themen looked likeworld-killers in their ornate battledress:crested, enamelled scarlet and silverwarsuits built by the artisansofSloka to inspire terror in theenemy.

But perhapsnot this enemy.GeneralHadrak’s orders hadbeenprecise, butThoren’s heartwasheavy.Hehadnorelishfortheapproachingpush.Hehadnodoubtatallitwouldcosthimdearly.Topushblind,unsupported,intotreacherousunknownterritoryinthehopeoffindingawormholeintotheenemypositionsthatmightnotevenbethere.Theprospectmadehimfeelsick.

Thoren’ssubalterndrewhisattentionsuddenlytothedoublefileofsixtymenmovingdownthecovered transit trench towards them.Scrawny ruffians, dressed in black, camo-cloaks draped overthem,plasteredtotheirbodiesbytherain.

“WhointhenameofBalor ’sblood…?”Thornebegan.Haltinghiscolumn,theleader,ahugeblackguardwithamessoftangledbeardandatattoo—a

tattoo!—marcheduptoThorenandsaluted.“Colonel Corbec, 1st Tanith. First-and-Only. General Hadrak has ordered us forward to assist

you.”“Tanith?Wherethehellisthat?”askedThoren.“Itisn’t,”repliedthebigmangenially.“Thegeneralsaidyouweresettoadvanceontheenemy

positionsoverthedeadzone.Suggestedyoumightneedacovertscoutingforceseeingashowyourboys’scarletarmourstandsoutlikeababoon’sarse.”

Thorenfelthisfaceflush.“Nowlistentome,youpiece—”Ashadowfellacrossthem.“ColonelThoren,Ipresume?”Gaunt dropped down into the dugout from the trench boarding. “My regiment arrived here on

Blackshard yesterday night, with orders to reinforce General Hadrak’s efforts to seize the Chaosstronghold.Thatpresupposesco-operativeeffortsbetweenourunits.”

Thorennodded.ThiswasGaunt,theupstartcolonel-commissar,ithadtobe.He’dheardstories.“Appraiseme,please,”saidGaunt.Thorenwavedup an aidewho flippedup amap-projector, anddisplayed a fuzzy imageof the

deadzone. “The foe are dug in deep in the old citadel ruins. The citadel had a sizeable standingdefence force, so they’re well equipped. Chaos cultists, mostly, about seventeen thousand ablefightingmen.Wealso…”hepaused.

Gauntraisedaquestioningeyebrow.“Webelievetheremaybeotherabominationsinthere.Chaosspawn.”Thorenbreathedheavily.“Mostofthemainfightingiscontainedinthisareahere,whileartillery

duelsblighttheotherfronts.”Gauntnodded. “Mostofmystrength isdeployedalong the front line.ButGeneralHadrakalso

directedustothissecondfront.”Thorenindicatedthemapagain.“Thefoeareuptomorethansimplyholdingusout.Theyknow

sooner or later we’ll break through, so they must be up to something — trying to completesomething,perhaps.Reconshowedthatthisflankofthecitymightbevulnerabletoasmallerforce.Therearechannelsandductsleadinginundertheoldwalls,arat-maze,really.”

“Myboysspecialiseinrat-mazes,”Gauntsaid.“Youwanttogoinfirst?”Thorenasked.“It’s mud and tunnels. The Tanith are light infantry, you’re armoured and heavy. Let us lead

through and then follow us in support when we’ve secured a beachhead. Bring up some supportweapons.”

Thorennodded.“Verywell,colonel-commissar.”GauntandCorbecwithdrewtotheirmen.“Thiswillbethefirstbloodingforthisregiment,fortheTanithFirst-and-Only,”beganGaunt.“ForGaunt’sGhosts,”someonemurmured.MadLarkin,Corbecwassure.Gauntsmiled.“Gaunt’sGhosts.Don’tdisappointme.”Theyneedednoother instructions.AtCorbec’sgesture, theyhurried forward inpairs, slipping

theircamo-cloaksdownasshroudsaroundthem,lasgunsheldlooseandready.Thehybridweaveof

the hooded cloaks blurred tomatch the dark greymud of the ridgeway, and eachman stooped tosmearhischeeksandbrowwithwetmudbeforeslippingovertheearthwork.

Thoren watched the last one disappear and then span the trench macro-periscope around. Helookedout,butofthesixtyplusmenwhohadjustpassedhisposition,therewasnosign.

“WhereinthenameofSolandidtheygo?”hebreathed.Gauntwasamazed.He’dseenthempractiseandtraininthebellyholdsofthebigcarrierships,

butnowhere,inthewildofarealdeadzone,theirskillsstartledhim.Theywereallbutinvisibleinthestinking mire, just tiny blurs of movement edging between stacks of debris and over mounds ofwreckagetowardstheslumpedbutmassivecurtainwallsofthecitadel.

HepulledhisownTanith camo-cloakaroundhim. It hadbeenpartofhisdealwithCorbec:heinsistedonleadingthemintoassureloyalty,theyinsistedhedidn’tgivetheirpositionaway.

Themicro-beadinhiseartickled.ItwasCorbec.“Firstunitsatthetunnelsnow.Moveupcloseinpairs.”

Gaunttouchedhisthroatmike.“Hostiles?”heasked.“Alittlelightknifework,”crackledthereply.Afewmoment laterhewasenteringthedripping,darkmouthof therubbletunnel.FiveChaos-

bredwarriors in theorange robesof their cult laydead.Beforehim, theTanithwere formingup.Corbecwaswipingbloodfromthebladeofhislong,silverknife.

“Let’sgo,”saidGaunt.TheElectorofTanith,mayhissoulrest,hadnotliedaboutanything,Gauntdecided.TheGhosts

hadprovedtheircunningstealthcrossingtheopenwasteof thedeadzone,andhehadnoclueas tohowtheythreadedtheirwaythroughthecrazylightlesswarrenofthetunnelssosurely.“Theydonotgetlost,”theElectorhadboasted,anditwastrue.Gauntsuspectedthatthefoehadassumednothingbiggerthanacockroachwouldeverfinditswaythroughthosehalf-collapsed,deathtraptunnels.

But Corbec’s men had, effortlessly, in scant minutes. Rising from the tunnels’ ends inside thecurtain wall of the city, and taking long, silver Tanith knives to pallid, blotchy throats, they hadburnedtheirwayinthroughtheenemy’shindquarters.NowtheTanithFirst-and-Onlywereprovingtheycouldfight.JustliketheElectorhadsaid.

From behind a shattered pillar, Gaunt blasted with his bolter, blowing two cultists apart anddestroying adoorway.Aroundhim, the advancingTanith lacerated the airwithprecise shots fromfivedozenlasguns.

Near to Gaunt, a sharp-faced, older Tanith Gaunt had heard the men call Larkin was snipingcultistsoffthetopofthenearestbalconies.Hiseyewastremendous.Alittlefurtheron,ahugeman,agentlegiantcalledBragg,wasshoulderingtheheavybolterandtakingdownwallsandcolumns.Thebigweaponhadoriginally beenpintle-mountedon a sled, butBragghad torn it off itsmount andslungituplikearifle.Gaunthadneverseenaheavyboltercarriedbyanunarmouredmanbefore.TheTanithcalledBragg“TryAgain”Bragg.Hewasaterribleshot,admittedly,butwithfirepowerlikethathecouldaffordtobesloppy.

Justahead,asixmanfire-teamledbyCorbecgainedtheentrancetoatemplebuildingcomplex,grenadedthedoorwayandwentinwithlasguns,pairedofftogiveboundingcover.

“Heavyfireinmysection!”CorbecradioedtoGaunt.“Somekindofchurchortemple.Couldbeaprimarytarget.”Gauntacknowledged.Hewouldmovemoreteamsup.

Creepingdowntheaisleofthemassivetemple,Corbecedgedthroughrubbleandheavycrossfire.Henoddedapairpasthim—RawneandSuth—andthenthenext.Hisowncoverpartner,Forgal,belliedupcloseinthemicadustofthetemplefloorandunslunghislasgun.

“Downthere,”hehissed,hiseyesassharpasever.“There’salowerstoreydownbehindthealtar.They’vegotalotofdefencearoundthatdoorway.Thebigarchunderthestained-glass.”

Itwastrue.“Yousmellthat?”Rawneaskedovertheradio.Corbecdid.Decay,stalesweat,deadblood.Rankandharsh,oozingfromthecrypt.Forgalbegantocrawlforward.Aluckyshotvaporisedthetopofhishead.“SacredFeth!”Corbechowledandopenedup in rage,bringing theentirestainedglasswindow

downinasheetontothealtar.RawneandSuthtookadvantageoftheconfusiontograbafewmoreyards.Rawneunwrappeda

tube-chargeandhurleditover-armintothearchway.Theblastwasdeafening.GauntheardCorbec’scallinhisear-piece.“Getinhere!”Hescrambledintothesmokyinteriorof

the temple. At the door, he paused. “Larkin! Bragg!Orcha!Varl!Withme!You three, cordon thedoor!Cluggan,taketwoteamsdowntheflankofthebuildingandscout!”

Gauntenteredthechapel,mashingbrokenglassunderfoot.Hecouldsmellthestink.CorbecandRawnewerewaiting forhim, theirothermen stoodaround,watchingwith lasguns

ready.“Something downhere,”Rawne said and ledGaunt on down the littered steps.Gaunt slammed

freshroundshomeintohisboltgun,thenholstereditandpickedupForgal’sfallenlas-gun.Beneath the chapel was an undercroft. Dead cultists were strewn like rag dolls around the

smoulderingfloor.Inthecentreofthechamberstoodarusty,metallicbox,twometressquare,itslidetchedwithtwistedsigilsofChaos.

Gauntreachedout.Themetalwaswarm.Itpulsed.Hesnatchedhishandback.“Whatisit?”askedCorbec.“Idon’tthinkanyofuswanttoknow,”Gauntsaid.“Somerelicoftheenemy,someunholyobject,

an icon…Whatever, it’s somethingvaluable to thesemonsters, something they’redefending to thelast.”

“That Sloka colonelwas sure therewas a reason theywere holding on,”Corbec said. “Maybethey’rehopingsupportwillarriveintimetosavethis.”

“Let’sspoilthosechances.Iwantasystematicwithdrawalfromthispoint,backoutunderthewall.Eachmanistoleavehistube-chargeshere.Rawne,collectthemandrigthem—youseemtobegoodwithexplosives.”

Withinminutes,theGhostshadwithdrawn.Rawnecrouchedandconnectedthefiringpinsofthesmallbutpotentanti-personnelcharges.Gauntwatchedhimandthedoor.

“Pick itup,Rawne.Wehaven’tmuch time.Theenemyaren’tgoing to leave thisareaopen forlong.”

“Nearlydone,”Rawnesaid.“Checkthedooragain,sir.IthoughtIheardsomething.”The“sir”shouldhavewarnedhim.AsGauntturned,Rawneroseandclubbedhimaroundtheback

oftheheadwithhisfist.Gauntdropped,stunned,andRawnerolledhimovernexttothecharges.“Afittingplaceforscumlikeyoutodie,ghostmaker!”hemurmured.“Downhereamongstthe

verminandthefilth.It’ssotragicthatthebravecommissardidn’tmakeitout,butthecultistswerealloverus.”RawnedrewhislaspistolandloweredittowardsGaunt’shead.

GauntkickedoutandbroughtRawnedown.Herolledandslammedintohim,punchinghimonce,twice.BloodmarkedRawne’smouth.

HetriedtohitagainbutGauntwassomuchbigger.HestruckRawnesohardhewasafraidhe’dbrokenhisneck.TheTanithlolledinthedust.

Gauntgotup,andeyedthetimersetting.Itwasjustdroppingundertwominutes.Timetoleave.Gauntturned.Butinthedoorwayoftheroom,thewarriorsofChaosmovedtowardshim.TheblastsentacolumnofdirtandfireupintotheskythatcouldbeseenfromtheGuardtrenches

acrossthedeadzone.Sixminuteslater,thedefenders’biggunsstoppedandfellsilent.Thenallfiringceasedcompletelyfromtheenemylines.

Guardunitsmovedin,cautiouslyatfirst.Theyfoundthecultistsdeadattheirpositions.Eachonehad,inunison,takenhisownlife,asifinresponsetosomegreatloss.IntheconclusionofhisreportonthevictoryatBlackshard,GeneralHadraksurmisedthatthedestructionoftheChaosrelic,whichhadgivenmeaningtothecultdefence,robbedthemofthewillorneedtocontinue.HadrakalsonotedthesignificantroleinthevictoryplayedbythenewlyfoundedTanith1st,whichhadsupplementedhisownforces.ThoughasC-in-CoftheBlackshardaction,hetookoverallcreditforthevictory,hewasmagnanimousinacknowledgingtheworkof“Gaunt’sGhosts”,andparticularlyrecommendedtheirstealthandscoutingabilities.

Colonel-Commissar Gaunt, wounded in the stomach and shoulder, emerged alive from thedeadzone twentyminutes after the blast and was treated bymedical teams before returning to hisfrigate.Hemighthavemadehiswayoutoftheenemylinesfaster,hadhenotcarriedtheunconsciousbodyofoneofhisofficers,aMajorRawne,backtosafety.

Stiffwithdrug-dulledpain,Gauntwalkeddownthecompanionwayofthetroopcarrierandinto

the holding bay.Nearly nine hundred of theTanithwere billeted here. They looked up from theirweaponsdrillsandGauntfeltthesilenceonhim.

“First blood to you,” he said to them. “First blood to Tanith. The first wound of vengeance.Savourit.”

Byhisside,Corbecbegantoclap.Themenpickeditup,moreandmore,untiltheholdshookwithapplause.

Gaunteyedthecrowd.Maybetherewasafuturehere,afterall.Aregimentworththeleading,aprizeworthchasingallthewaytoglory.

HiseyesfoundMajorRawneinthecrowd.Theireyesfixed.Rawnewasnotapplauding.ThatmadeGauntlaugh.HeturnedtoMiloandgesturedtotheTanithpipescradledinhisaide’s

hands.“Nowyoucanplaysomething,”hetoldhim.Gauntwalkedthelinethroughtheearlymorning,thestinkoftheMonthaxjungleswardsfilling

and sickening his senses. Tanith, working stripped to the waists, digging the wet ooze withentrenchingtoolstofillsacking,pausedtonodathisgreetings,exchangeafewwordswithhim,oraskcautiousquestionsaboutthefighttocome.

Gauntansweredasbesthecould.Asacommissar, apoliticalofficer, chargedwithmoraleandpropaganda,hecould turnagood,pompousphrase.Butasacolonel,he felt adutyof truth tohis

men.Andthetruthwas,heknewlittleofwhattoexpect.Itwouldbebitter,heknewthatmuch,thoughthecommissarpartofhimsparedthementhatthought.Gauntspokeofcourageandgloryingeneral,upliftingterms,talkingsoftlyandfirmlyashismentor,Commissar-GeneralOktar,hadtaughthimallthoseyearsagowhenhewasjustarawcadetwiththeHyrkans.“Savetheyellingandscreamingforbattle,Ibram.Beforethatcomes,buildtheirmoralewithgentleencouragement.Makeitlooklikeyouhaven’tacareintheworld.”

Gauntpridedhimselfonknowingnotonlythenamesofallhismen,butalittleabouteachofthemtoo.Aprivatejokehere,acommoninterestthere.Oktar ’sway,triedandtested,Emperorresthissoultheselongyears.Gaunttriedtomemoriseeachmuddy,smilingfaceashepassedalong.Heknewhissoulwouldbedamned thedayhewas toldTrooperso-and-sohad fallenandhecouldn’tbring theman’s face tomind. “The deadwill always haunt you,”Oktar had told him, “somake certain theghostsarefriendly.”IfonlyOktarhadknowntheliteraltruthofthatadvice.

Gauntpausedattheedgeofadispersalgullyandsmiledtohimselfatthememory.Beyond,sometrooperswere kicking a balled sack ofmud around in an impromptu off-watch game. The “ball”camehisway,andhehoisteditbacktothemonthepointofhisboot.Letthemhavetheirfunwhileitlasts.Howmanywouldbealivetoplaythegameagaintomorrow?

Howmanyindeed?Therewere lossesandlosses.Someworthy,somedreadful,andsomeplainunnecessary.Still thememoriesdoggedhismind in thesecrawlinghoursofwaiting.Praisebe theEmperorthatGaunt’slossesofbrave,commontrooperswouldneverbeasgreat,aswholesaleorassenselessasthatdayonVoltemand,ayearbefore…

TWO

ABLOODING

Theywereagood twohours into thedark,black-trunked forestsof theVoltemandMirewoods,

tracks churning the filthyoozeand the roarof their engines resonating from the sickly canopyofleavesabove,whenColonelOrtizsawdeath.

Itworered,andstoodinthetreestotherightofthetrack,inplainsight,unmoving,watchinghiscolumnofBasilisksastheypassedalongthetrackway.ItwasthelackofmovementthatchilledOrtiz.Hedidadoubletake,firstseeingthefigureastheypasseditbeforerealisingwhatitwas.

Almost twiceaman’sheight, frighteninglybroad,armourthecolourofrustyblood,crestedbyrecurvebrassantlers.Thefacewasagravendeath’shead.Daemon.ChaosWarrior.WorldEater.

Ortizsnappedhisgazebacktoitandfelthisblooddrainaway.Hefumbledforhisradiolink.“Alarm!Alarm!Ambush to the right!” he yelled into the set. Gears slammed andwhined, and

hundredsoftonsofmechanisedsteelshuddered,founderedandslitheredonthemuddytrack,penned,trapped,toocumbersometoreactquickly.

By then theChaos SpaceMarine had begun tomove. So had its six comrades, each emergingfromthewoodsaroundthem.

PanicseizedOrtiz’sconvoycluster:theten-vehicleforwardportionofaheavycolumnofeightyflame-and-featherpaintedBasilisktanksofthe“Serpents”,theKetzok17thArmouredRegiment,sentintosupportthefrontalpushoftheRoyalVolpone50th,theso-called“Bluebloods”.TheKetzokhadthefirepowertoflattenacity,butcaughtonastrangledtrackway,inathickwoodland,withnoroomtoturnortraverse,andwithmonstrousenemiesatclosequarters,fartooclosetobringthemaingunstobear,theywereallbuthelpless.Panicalarmsspreadbackwardsdownthestraggledcolumn,fromconvoyportion to portion.Ortiz heard tree trunks shatter as some commanders tried to haul theirmachinesoffthetrack.

TheWorldEatersstartedbayingastheyadvanced,wrenchingoutoftheiraugmentedthroatsdeep,inhuman calls thatwhooped across the trackway and shivered themetal of the tank armour. Theyhowledthenameofthebloodyabominationtheyworshipped.

“Small arms!” Ortiz ordered. “Use the pintle mounts!” As he spoke, he cranked round theautocannonmountedonhisvehicle’srearandangleditatthenearestmonster.

Thekilling started.The raspingbelchof flamers reachedhis ears andheheard the screamsofmencookinginsidetheirsuperheatedtankhulls.TheChaosMarinehehadfirstspottedreachedtheBasiliskaheadofhisandbegantochopitsshelllikefirewoodwithachain-axe.Sparksblewupfrompuncturedmetal.Sparks,flames,metalshards,meat.

Screaming,OrtiztrainedhismountedgunontheWorldEaterandfired.Heshotlongatfirst,butcorrectedbeforethemonstercouldturn.Thecreaturedidn’tseemtofeelthefirsthits.Ortizclenchedthe trigger and streamed the heavy tracer fire at the red spectre. At last the figure shuddered,convulsedandthenblewapart.

Ortizcursed.TheWorldEaterssoakedupthesortofpunishmentthatwouldkillaLemanRuss.Herealisedhisammodrumwasalmostempty.Hewassnappingitfreeandshoutingtohisbombardierforafreshonewhentheshadowfellonhim.

Ortizturned.AnotherChaosMarinestoodontherearoftheBasiliskbehindhim,agiantblockingoutthepale

sunlight.Itstooped,andhowleditsvictoryshoutintohisface,assaultinghimwithconcussivesonicforceandwretchedodour.Ortizrecoiledasifhehadbeenhitbyamacroshell.Hecouldnotmove.TheWorld Eater chuckled, a macabre, deep growl from behind the visor, a seismic rumble. Thechainswordinitsfistwhinedandswungup…

The blow didn’t fall. The monster rocked, two or three times, swayed for a moment. Andexploded.

Smearedwithgreaseandichor,Ortizscrambledupoutofhishatch.Hewassuddenlyawareofawholenewlayerofgunfire—sustainedlasgunblasts,thechatterofsupportweapons,thecrumpofgrenades. Another force was moving out of the woods, crushing the ChaosMarine ambush hardagainstthesteelflanksofhisartillerymachines.

AsOrtizwatched,theremainingWorldEatersdied.Onewaspunctureddozensoftimesbylasgunfireandfellfacedownintothemire.AnotherwasflamedrepeatedlyasherippedapartthewreckofaBasilisk with his steel hands. The flames touched off the tank’s magazine and the marine wasincineratedwithhisvictims.Hishideousroarlingeredlongafterthewhite-hotflameshadconsumedhim.

Thecolumn’ssavioursemergedfromtheforestaroundthem.ImperialGuards:tall,dark-haired,pale-skinnedmeninblackfatigues,ascruffy,straggle-hairedmobalmostinvisibleintheirpatternedcamo-cloaks.Ortizheardstrange,disturbingpipemusicstrikeupabansheewailinthecloseforest,andavictoryyelperuptedfromthemen.Itwasmetbycheersandwhoopsfromhisowncrews.

Ortiz leapt down into the mud and approached the Imperial Guardsmen through the driftingsmoke.

“I’mColonelOrtiz.Youboyshavemyearnestthanks,”hesaid.“Whoareyou?”The nearestman, a giantwith unruly black hair, a tangled, braided beard and thick, bare arms

decorated with blue spiral tattoos, smiled jauntily and saluted, bringing up his lasgun. “ColonelCorbec,TanithFirst-and-Only.Ourpleasure,I’msure.”

Ortiznoddedback.Hefoundhewasstillshaking.HecouldbarelybringhimselftolookdownatthedeadChaosMarine, sprawled in themudnearby.“Takesdiscipline toambushanambush.Yourmencertainlyknowstealth.Whyis—”

Hegotnofurther.Thebeardedgiant,Corbec,suddenlyfroze,alookofdismayonhisface.Thenhewasleapingforwardwithacry,tacklingOrtizdownintotheblue-blackmud.

The“dead”WorldEaterliftedhishornedskulloutofthemuckandhalf-raisedhisbolter.Butthatwasall.Thenashriekingchainsworddecapitatedhim.

Theheavy,deadpartsfloppedbackintothemud.Oneofthemrolled.IbramGauntbrandishedwithhiskeeningchainswordlikeaduellistandthenthumbeditto“idle”.

HeturnedtoCorbecandOrtizastheygotup,cakedinblackfilth.Ortizstaredat thetall,powerfulmaninthelongdarkcoatandcapofanImperialCommissar.Hisfacewasbladethin,hiseyesasdarkasspace.Helookedlikehecouldripaworldasunderwithhishands.

“Meet the boss,” Corbec chuckled at Ortiz’s side. “Colonel-Commissar Gaunt.” Ortiz nodded,wipinghisface.“So,you’reGaunt’sGhosts.”

MajorGilbearpouredhimselfabrandyfromthedecanterontheteakstand.“Justwhothehellare

theseawfulbarbarianscum?”heasked,sippingfromthehugecrystalballoon.Athisdesk,GeneralNochesSturmputdownhispenandsatback.“Oh,please,helpyourselfto

mybrandy,Gilbear,”hemuttered,thoughthesarcasmwaslostonhismassiveaide.Gilbearreclinedonachaisebesidetheflickeringamberdisplaysofthemessage-caster,andgazed

athiscommander.“Ghosts?That’swhattheycallthem,isn’tit?”Sturm nodded, observing his senior adjutant. Gilbear — Gizhaum Danver De Banzi Haight

Gilbear,togivehimhisfullname—wasthesecondsonoftheHaightGilbearsofSolenhofen,theroyalhouseofVolpone.Hewasnearlytwoandhalfmetrestallandarrogantlypowerful,withthebig,blunt, bland features and languid, hooded eyes of the aristocracy.Gilbearwore the grey and golduniform of theRoyalVolpone 50th, the so-calledBluebloods,who believed theywere the noblestregimentintheImperialGuard.

Sturm sat back in his chair. “They are indeed calledGhosts.Gaunt’sGhosts.And they’re herebecauseIrequestedthem.”

Gilbearcockedadisdainfuleyebrow.“Yourequestedthem?”“We’vehadnighonsixweeks,andwecan’t shake theenemyfromVoltisCity.Theycommand

everythingwest of theBokoreValley.WarmasterMacaroth is not pleased.All thewhile they holdVoltemand,theyhavearoadintotheheartoftheSabbatWorlds.SoyouseeIneedalever.Ineedtointroduceanewelementtobreakourdeadlock.”

“That rabble?” Gilbear sneered. “I watched them as theymustered after the drop-ships landedthem.Hairy,illiterateprimitives,withtattoosandnoserings.”

Sturm lifted a data-slate from his desktop and shook it atGilbear. “Have you read the reportsGeneral Hadrak filed after the Sloka took Blackshard? He credits Gaunt’s mob with the decisiveincursion.Itseemstheyexcelatstealthraids.”

Sturmgot tohis feetandadjusted the sitofhis resplendentBluebloodstaffuniform.Thestudywasbathedinyellowsunlightthatstreamedinthroughtheconservatorydoorsattheend,softenedbynetdrapes.HerestedhishandontheantiqueglobeofVoltemandinitsmahoganystandbythedeskandspanitidly,gazingoutacrossthegroundsofVortimorHouse.ThisplacehadbeenthecountryseatofoneofVoltemand’smosthonourednoble families, avast, greymanse, fringedwithmauveclimbingplants,situatedinornamentalparklandthirtykilometressouthofVoltisCity.IthadbeenanideallocationtoestablishhisSupremeHeadquarters.

Outside,on the lawn, a squadofBluebloodelite in fullbattledresswereexecutingaprecisionsynchroniseddrillwithchainswords.Metalflashedandwhirled,perfectandpoised.Beyondthem,agardenof trellisesandarbours leddown toaboating lake,calmandsmoky in theafternoon light.Navigationlightsflashedslowlyonthebarbedmastsofthecommunicationsarrayintheherbarium.Somewhereinthestableblock,struttinggaudcockswhoopedandcalled.

Youwouldn’tthinktherewasawaron,musedSturm.Hewonderedwherethepreviousownersofthe manse were now. Did they make it off world before the first assault? Are they huddled andstarvinginthebellyholdofarefugeeship,reducedovernighttoalevelwiththeirformervassals?Oraretheybone-ashintheruinsofKosdorf,orontheburningMetisRoad?OrdidtheydiescreamingandmeltingattheorbitalportwhenthelegionsofChaosfirstfellontheirworld,vaporisedwiththeveryshipstheystruggledtoescapein?

Whocares?thoughtSturm.Thewarisall thatmatters.Theglory, thecrusade, theEmperor.HewouldonlycareforthefallenwhenthebloodyheadofChanthar,demagogueoftheChaosarmythatheldVoltisCitadel,wasserveduptohimonacarvingdish.Andeventhen,hewouldn’tcaremuch.

Gilbearwasonhisfeet,refillinghisglass.“ThisGaunt,he’squiteafellow,isn’the?Wasn’thewiththeHyrkan8th?”

Sturmclearedhisthroat,“LedthemtovictoryatBalhaut.OneofoldSlaydo’schosenfavourites.

Made him a colonel— commissar, no less. It was decided he had the prestige to hammer a newregimentortwointoshape,sotheysenthimtotheplanetTanithtosupervisetheroundingthere.AChaosspacefleethittheworldthatverynight,andhegotoutwithjustafewthousandmen.”

Gilbearnodded.“That’swhatIheard.Skinofhisteeth.Butthat’shiscareerintatters,stuckwithanunder-strengthrabbit-likethat.Macarothwon’ttransferhim,willhe?”

Sturmmanagedasmallsmile.“Ourbelovedoverlorddoesnotlookkindlyonthefavouritesofhispredecessor.EspeciallyasSlaydograntedGauntandahandfulofothersthesettlementrightsofthefirstworldtheyconquered.HeandhisTanithrabbleareanembarrassmenttothenewregime.Butthat serves uswell.Theywill fight hard because they have everything to prove, and everything towin.”

“I say,” saidGilbear suddenly, lowering his glass. “What if they dowin? Imean, if they’re asusefulasyousay?”

“Theywill facilitate our victory,” Sturm said, pouring himself a drink. “Theywill not achieveanythingelse.WewillserveLordMacarothtwofold,bytakingthisworldforhim,andriddinghimofGauntandhisdamnGhosts.”

“Youwereexpectingus?”Gauntasked,ridingonthetopofOrtiz’sBasiliskastheconvoymoved

on.ColonelOrtiznodded,leaningbackagainsttheraisedtop-hatchcover.“Wewereorderedupthe

linelastnighttodiginatthenorthendoftheBokoreValleyandpoundtheenemyfortificationsonthewesternside.Softenthemup,Isuppose.Enroute,Igotcodedorderssent,tellingustomeetyourregimentatPavisCrossroadsandtransportyouasweadvanced.”

Gaunt removed his cap and ran a hand through his short fair hair. “We were ordered acrosscountrytothecrossroads,allright,”heresponded.“Toldtomeettransportthereforthenextleg.ButmyscoutspickeduptheWorldEaters’stench,sowedoubledbackandmetyouearly.”

Ortizshuddered.“Goodthingforus.”Gaunt gazed along the line of the convoy as theymovedon, taking in themassive bulk of the

Basilisks as they ground up the snaking mud-track through the sickly, dim forest. His men wereridingontheflanksofthegreatwarmachines,adozenormorepervehicle,jokingwiththeSerpentcrews,exchangingdrinksandsmokes,somecleaningweaponsorevensnoozingasthelurchofthemetalbeastsallowed.

“SoSturm’ssendingyouin?”Ortizaskedpresently.“Rightdowntheriver ’sfloodplaintothegatesofVoltis.Hethinkswecantakethecitywherefifty

thousandofhisBluebloodshavefailed.”“Canyou?”“We’llsee,”Gauntsaid,withouttheflickerofasmile.“TheGhostsarenew,unprovenbutfora

skirmishonBlackshard.Buttheyhavecertain…strengths.”Hefellsilent,andseemedtobeadmiringthegoldandturquoiselinesofthefeatherserpentdesignpaintedonthebarreloftheBasilisk’smainweapon.Itsopenbeakwasthemuzzle.AlltheKetzokmachineswererichwithsimilardecorations.

Ortizwhistledlowtohimself.“DowntheBokoreValleyintothemouthofhell.Idon’tenvyyou.”NowGauntsmiled.“Justyoukeeppoundingthewesternhillsandkeepthembusy.Infact,blow

themallawaytokingdomcomebeforewegetthere.”“Deal,”laughedOrtiz.“Anddon’tdropyourdamnaim!”Gauntaddedwithathreateningchuckle.“Rememberyouhave

friendsinthevalley!”

Two vehicles back, Corbec nodded his thanks as he took the dark thin cigar his Basilisk

commanderoffered.“Doranz,”theSerpentsaid,introducinghimself.“Charmed,”Corbecsaid.Thecigartastedoflicorice,buthesmokeditanyway.Lowerdown thehullof the tank,byCorbec’ssprawled feet, theboyMilowascleaningout the

chanters of his Tanith pipe. Itwheezed and squealed hoarsely.Doranz blanched. “I’ll tell you this:whenIheard thatboy’spiping today, thathell-note, italmostscaredmemore than thedamnbloodcriesoftheenemy.”

Corbec chuckled. “Thepipehas its uses. It ralliesus, it spooks the foe.Backhome, the forestsmoveandchange.Thepipeswereawaytofollowandnotgetlost.”

“Whereishome?”Doranzasked.“Nowherenow,”Corbecsaidandreturnedtohissmoke.OnthebackarmourofanotherBasilisk,hulkingBragg,thebiggestoftheGhosts,andsmall,wiry

Larkin,weredicingwithtwoofthetank’sguncrew.Larkinhadalreadywonagoldsignetringsetwithaturquoiseskull.Bragghadlostallhissmokes,andtwobottlesofsacra.Everynowandthen,the lurch of the tank beneath them would flip the dice, or slide them under an exhaust baffle,promptinggroansandaccusationsoffixingandcheating.

Up by the top hatch with the vehicle’s commander, Major Rawne watched the game withoutamusement.TheBasiliskcommander feltuneasyabouthispassenger.Rawnewasslender,darkandsomehowdangerous.Astarbursttattoocoveredoneeye.Hewasnot…likeableoropenliketheotherGhostsseemedtobe.

“So,major…what’syourcommissarlike?”thecommanderbegan,bywayofeasingthesilence.“Gaunt?”Rawneasked,turningslowlytofacetheSerpent.“He’sadespicablebastardwholeftmy

worldtodieandonedayIwillslayhimwithmyownhands.”“Oh,”saidthecommanderandfoundsomethingrathermoreimportanttododownbelow.Ortiz passed Gaunt his flask. The afternoon was going and they were losing the light. Ortiz

consultedamap-slate,anglingittoshowGaunt.“NavigationputsusabouttwokilometresorsoshortofPavisCrossroads.We’vemadegood time.We’llbeon itbeforedark. I’mglad, Ididn’twant tohavetoturnonthefloodsandrunninglightstocontinue.”

“WhatdoweknowaboutPavis?”Gauntasked.“Last reports were it was held by a battalion of Bluebloods. That was at oh-five-hundred this

morning.”“Wouldn’t hurt to check,” Gauntmused. “There are worse things than rolling into an ambush

positionattwilight,butnotmany.Cluggan!”Hecalleddownthehulltoabig,grey-hairedGhostsatwithothersplayingcards.“Sir!”Cluggansaid,scramblingbackuptherockingBasilisk.“Sergeant,takesixmen,jumpdownandscoutaheadofthecolumn.We’retwokilometresshortof

thiscrossroads,”GauntshowedClugganthemap.“Shouldbeclear,butafterourtanglewiththedamnWorldEaterswe’dbestbesure.”

Cluggansalutedandslidbacktohismen.Inafewmoments theyhadgathereduptheirkitsandweaponsandswungdownofftheskirtarmourontothetrack.Amomentmoreandtheyhadvanishedlikesmokeintothewoods.

“Thatisimpressive,”Ortizsaid.At PavisCrossroads, the serpents spoke. Stretching their great painted beaks towards the night

sky,theybegantheirvastbarrage.BrinMilocoweredintheshadowofamedicalChimera,pressinghishandstohisears.He’dseen

twobattlesupclose:thefallofTanithMagnaandthestormingofthecitadelonBlackshard,butthiswasthefirsttimehehadeverencounteredthesheernumbingwrathofarmouredartillery.

TheKetzokBasiliskswereduginalongtheridgeinastraggledlineaboutamilelong.Theywerehull-downintothegreyearth,mainweaponsswunghigh,hurlingdeathatthewesternhillsacrossthevalley nine kilometres away. Theywere firing atwill, a sustained barrage that could, Corbec hadassuredhim,goonallnight.Everysecondatleastonegunwassounding,lightingthedarknesswithitsfiercemuzzleflash,shakingthegroundwithitsfiringandrecoil.

Pavis Crossroads was a stone obelisk marking the junction of theMetis Road that ran up thevalley from Voltis City, and the Mirewood track that carried on towards the east. The Serpents’armour had rolled in at nightfall, ousting the encamped Bluebloods who held the junction, anddeployingaround the ridge-line, lookingwest.As the first starsbegan toshine,Ortiz’smenbegantheironslaught.

Milo kept his eyes sharp for the commissar, andwhen he sawGaunt striding towards a tenteddugoutbesidetheorbitalcommunicationstack,accompaniedbyhisseniorofficers,Milorantojointhem.

“My scope!” requested Gaunt over the barrage. Milo pulled the commissar ’s brass-cappednightscopefromhispackandGauntsteppedupontotheparapet,scanningoutofthedugout.

Corbecleanedupclosebyhim,athinblacktubeprotrudingfromhisbeard.Gauntglancedround.“Whatisthatthing?”heasked.Corbec took itoutanddisplayed itproudly.“Cigar.Liquorice,no less.Wonaboxoffmygun-

crate’sCO.andIthinkI’mgettingatasteforthem.Seemuch?”headded.“IcanseethelightsofVoltis.Watchfiresandshrine-lightsmostly.Notsoinviting.”Gauntflippedhisscopeshutandjumpeddownfromtheparapet,handingthedevicebacktoMilo.

Theboyhadalreadysetupthefield-map,aglassplateinametalframemountedlikeaneaselonabrasstripod.Gauntcrankedtheknurledleveronthesideandtheglassslowlylitwithbluishlight.Hedroppedinaceramicslideengravedwiththelocalgeographyandthenangledthescreentoshowtheassembledmen:Corbec,Rawne,Cluggan,Orchaandtheotherofficers.

“BokoreValley,”Gauntsaid,tappingtheglassviewerwiththetipofhislong,silverTanithwar-knife. As if for emphasis, the nearest Basilisk outside fired and the dugout shook. The fieldmapwobbledandsoiltrickledinfromtheroof.

“Fourkilometreswide, twelve long, flanked to thewestby steephillswhere the enemy iswellestablished.At the far end,VoltisCity, the oldCapital ofVoltemand.Thirtymetre curtainwalls ofbasalt.Builtasafortressthreehundredyearsago,whentheyknewtheart.TheinvadingChaosHostfromoff-planetseizeditatdayoneastheirmainstronghold.TheVolpone50thhavespentsixweekstryingtocrackit,butthebastardswemettodayshowthekindofforcethey’vebeenupagainst.We’llhaveagotonight.”

Helookedup,oblivioustotheconstantthunderoutside.“MajorRawne?”Rawne stepped forward, almost reluctant to be anywhere near Gaunt. No one knew what had

passedbetweenthemwhentheyhadbeenalonetogetheronBlackshard,buteveryonehadseenGauntcarryRawnetosafetyonhisshoulder,despitehisowninjuries.Surelythatsortofactionbondedmen,

notdeepenedtheirenmity?Rawneadjustedadialonthefield-map’sedgesothattheplatedisplayedadifferentsectionofthe

chart-slide.“Theapproachisstraightforward.TheBokoreRiverrunsalongthewidevalleyfloor.Itisbroadandslow-moving,especiallyatthistimeofyear.Mostofthewayischokedwithbulrushesandwaterweed.Wecanmovedowntheriverchannelundetected.”

“You’vescoutedthis?”Gauntasked.“Mysquadreturnednothalfanhourago,”Rawnesaidsmoothly.“TheBluebloodshadtriedita

number of times, but they are semi-armoured and themudwas too great an impediment.We arelighter—andwearegood.”

Gauntnodded.“Corbec?”Thebigmansuckedonhiscigar.HisgenialeyestwinkledanditmadeMilosmile.“Wemoveby

dark,ofcourse. In thenexthalf-hour.Staggeredsquadsof thirtymentospreadoutour traces.”Hetapped themap-screen at another place. “Primary point of entry is the old cityWatergate.Heavilydefendedofcourse.SecondarysquadsunderSergeantClugganwillattempttostormthewallat thewesternsanitationoutfalls.Iwon’tpretendeitherwaywillbeapicnic.”

“Objective,”Gauntsaid,“getinsideandopenthecity.We’llmoveinsquads.Onemanineverytenwillbecarryingasmuchhighexplosiveashecan.Squadleadersshouldselectanymanwithdemolexperience.Weprovidecoverforthesedemolitionspecialiststoallowthemtosetchargesthatwilltakeoutsectionsofwallorgates.Anythingthatsplitsthecityopen.

“I’ve spoken to theBluebloodcolonel.Hehas seven thousandmen inmotorisedunits ready toadvanceandtakeadvantageofanyopeningwecanmake.Theywillbemonitoringonchanneleighty.Thesignalwillbe‘Thunderhead’.”

Therewassilence,silenceexceptfortherelentlesshammeringoftheBasiliskguns.“Formupandmoveout,”Gauntsaid.Outside,Ortizstoodtalkingtoseveralofhisseniorofficers,oneofthemDoranz.Theysawthe

Ghostofficersemergefromthedugoutandordersbeinggiven.Acrosstheemplacement,OrtizcaughtGaunt’seye.Itwastooloudforwords,soheclenchedhis

fistandrappedittwiceagainsthisheart,anoldgestureforluck.Gauntnodded.“Scarymen,”Doranzsaid.“Ialmostfeelsorryfortheenemy.”Ortizglancedroundathim.“I’mjoking,ofcourse,”Doranzadded,butOrtizwasn’tsurehewas.Midnight had seen themwaist deep in the stinking blackwater of theBokoreRiver reed beds,

assailedbycloudsofbitingflies.Threehours’hardtrudgethroughtheoilyshallowsoftheoldriver,andnowthesheerwallsofVoltisrosebeforethem,litbycressetsandbraziershighup.Behindthem,likeadistantargument,theBasilisksspatdeathupintotheheavens,adistant,rollingroarandaseriesoforangeflashesontheskyline.

Gaunt adjusted his nightscope and panned it round, seeing features in the darkness as a greennegative. The watergate was thirty metres across and forty tall, the mouth of a great chute andadjoiningsystemthatreturnedwatertotheBokoreonceithaddriventhemillsinsidethecity.Gauntknewthatsomewheresluicesmusthavebeenlowered,andtheflowstaunched,closingoffthechute’soperation. Sandbagged emplacements could be made out up in the shadows behind the gate’sbreastwork.

Headjustedhismicro-beadlink.“Corbec?”Colm Corbec heard his commander in the darkness and acknowledged. He waded forward

throughthereedstoBragg,whohadhunkereddownbehindarottingjetty.

“Whenyou’reready…”Corbecinvited.Bragggrinned,teethbrightinthestarlight.Hedraggedthecanvascoveroffoneofthetwohuge

weaponshehadluggedonhisshouldersfromPavisCrossroads.Thepolishedmetalof themissilelauncherhadbeendulleddownwithsmearsofMirewoodmud.

“TryAgain”Braggwas a spectacularly lousy shot.But thewatergatewas a big target, and themissilerackheldfourmelta-missiles.

Thenightexploded.Threemissileswentstraightupthethroatofthechute.Theforceoftheheat-blastsentstonedebris,metalshards,watervapourandbodypartsoutinaradiusoffiftyyards.Thefourth vaporised a chunk of wall, and brought down a small avalanche of basalt chunks. For amoment the heat was so intense that Gaunt’s nightscope read nothing but emerald glare. Then itshowedhimthechiselledmouthofthewatergatehadbecomeabubbling,blazingwoundinthehugewall,aragged,slumpingincisioninthesheerbasalt.Hecouldhearagonisedscreamingfromwithinthechute.Beyondthecitywall,alarmbellsandsirensroseinpandemonium.

TheGhostschargedthewatergate.Orchaledthefirstsquaduptheslopingdrain-awayunderthemoltenarchofrupturedstone.Heandthreeofhismenswungflamers inwidearcs,scorchingandscouringupuntothedarknessoftheechoingchute.Behindthem,Corbecbroughtinfireteamswithlasgunswhodarteddownintothesidepassagesandcisternsofthewatergate,butcheringthecultistswhohadlimpedorcrawledintocoverafterthefirstattack.

The thirdwavewent in, underMajorRawne. In the front rankwasBragg, his empty launcherdiscardedinfavouroftheheavybolterthathehadliberatedfromitsmountingbackonBlackshardandnowluggedaroundlikeasmallermanmightheftaheavyrifle.

Gauntleaptforwardtoo,boltpistolinonehand,chainswordintheother.Hebellowedafterhisattackingmen,allofthemracingsilhouettesbacklitagainsttheglitteringwaterbyfire.Milosprangup,fumblingwiththeTanithpipesunderhisarm.

“Nowwouldbeagoodtime,Brin,”Gauntsaid.Milofoundthemouthpiece,inflatedthebagandbegantokeenanoldbattlelamentofTanith,“TheDarkPathoftheForest”.

Upinthechute,Orchaandhissquadheardtheshrillwailofthepipesoutside.Dampdarknesswas

beforethem.“Closeup,”Orchasnappedintohismicro-bead.“Aye.”“Toyourleft,”Brithyelledsuddenly.An assault cannon raged out of the darkness of a side chute. Brith, Orcha and two others

disintegratedinstantlyintoredmistandfleshpulp.TroopersGadesandCaffranduckedbackbehindthebuttressworkofthehugevault.“Enemyfire!”Caffranyelledintohisbead.“Theyhavethechutecoveredinakillingsweep.”Corbeccursed.Hemighthaveexpectedthis.“Staydown!”heorderedtheyoungGhostoverthemikeashebeckonedhisfirsttwosquadsup

thelowerchute,blackwaterswillingaroundtheirknees.“Hellofafoulplaceforafirefight,”mournedMadLarkin,scopingwithhislasgun.“Stowit,Larks,”Corbecgrowled.Aheadtheyheardthenightmarechatterofthecannon,andthe

added rhythm of drums and guttural chants. Corbec knew Larkin was right. A tight, confined,unyieldingstonetunnelwasnoplaceforaseriousfight.Thiswasatwo-waymassacreinthemaking.

“They’rejusttryingtopsycheusout,”hetoldhisGhostssmoothlyastheyedgedforward.“Whatd’youknow?It’sworking!”Varlsaid.

Thedrumsandchantinggotlouder,butsuddenlythecannonshutoff.“It’sstopped,”Caffranreportedoverthelink.CorbeclookedroundintoLarkin’scrazedeyes.“Whatdoyouthink?Atricktolureusout?”Larkin sniffed the thick air. “Smell that? Burning ceramite. I’d wager they’ve got an overheat

jam.”Corbec didn’t answer.He cinched his bayonet onto his lasgun and charged up the slope of the

chute,screaminglouderandshrillerthanMilo’spipes.Inuproar,theGhostsquadsfollowedhim.Caffran andGades joined the charge, bellowing,weapons held low as they splashed out from

behindthebuttressintothemainvault.Corbec leapt clear a sandbag line damming one gully and disembowelled the two cultistswho

werestrugglingtounjamtheassaultcannon.Larkin dropped down on one knee in the brackish soup and popped the cover on his lasgun’s

darkscope.Carefullyselectinghisexpertlongshots,heblastedfourcultistsfurtherdownthechute.LasandboltfireslammedbackattheGhosts,droppingseveralofthem.ThechargingGuardsmen

met the cultist force head on in a tight, tall sub-chute, no wider than two men abreast. Bodiesexploded,blastedatcloserange.Bayonetsandbladesslicedandjabbed.Corbecwasinthethickofit.Alreadyachainswordhadgashedhislefthandandcosthimafinger,andbloodblurtedfromaslashtohisshoulder.Hespearedaman,butlosthisgunwhenthecorpse’sweightonthebayonettoreitoutof his hands. He ripped out his fallbackweapons, a laspistol and his Tanith knife of sheer silver.Aroundhiminthefrenzy,menkilledordiedinaconfinedpressthatwaspackedincloselikeabusyworktransit,crowdedatrushhour.Alreadythewaterlevelwasrisingbecauseofthedepthofbodiesandbodypartsinthegully.

Corbecshotacultistthroughtheheadashewascharged,andthenlashedsidewayswiththesilverblade,openingathroat.

“ForTanith!FirstandLastandOnly!”hescreamed.Advancingup the tunnel fiftypacesback,Gauntcouldhear the sheer tumultof thenightmarish

close-quartersfightinthechute.HelookeddownandsawthatthetrickleofBokoreRiverwaterthatrandownoverhisbootswasthickandred.

Tenyardsfurther,hefoundTrooperGades,partofOrcha’soriginalsquad.Theboyhadlosthislegstoachainswordandthewaterhadcarriedhistwitchingformbackdownthesmoothslopeofthechannel.

“Medic!Dorden!Tome!”Gauntbellow,cradlingthecoughing,gaggingGadesinhisarms.Gadeslookedupathiscommissar.“Arealclosefight,soitis,”hesaidwithremarkableclarity,

“packedinlikefishinacan.TheGhostswillmakeghoststonight.”Thenhecoughedagain.Bloodymattervomitedfromhismouthandhewasgone.Gauntstood.Milohadfaltered,lookingdownatGades’stricken,miserabledeath.“Play up!” urged Gaunt, and turned to shout down the chute to the Ghost main force in the

bulrushes.“Advance!Narrowfile!FortheEmperorandthegloryofTanith!”Withadeafeningbellow,Gaunt’sGhostschargedforwardenmasse,breakingdownintofilesof

three,surgingintothethrottlingentrancetohell.Upahead,inthedark,close,smokykillingzone,Rawneslumpedagainstabuttress,splashedin

gore,andpanted.Byhisside,Larkinsquattedandfiredshotaftershotintothedarkness.Corbec suddenly loomedoutof the smoke, a terribleapparitiondrenched inblood. “Back!”he

hissed.“Backdownthechute!Soundtheretreat!”“Whatisit?”Rawnesaid.“What’s that rumbling?” Larkin asked, distracted, pressing his ear to the stone work. “Whole

tunnelisvibrating!”“Water,”Corbecsaidgrimly.“They’veopenedthesluices.They’regoingtowashusout!”Thecultistswereeverywhere.Sergeant Cluggan’s secondary expedition force poured in through the stinking crypts of the

westernsanitationoutfalls,andtheenemyrosetomeetthemallaround.Itwashandtohand,eachstepofthewaywonbystrengthandkeenblades.Thedark,tightconfinesofthedrainagetunnelswerelitbytheflashesoflasfire,andshotsricochetedfromtheroofandwalls.

“Whatthehellisthatsmell?”Forbinwailed,blastingawaydownanairlesscavitywithhislasgun.“Whatdoyouthink?Thisisthemainsewagedrain,”Broddsnapped,aone-eyedmaninhisfifties

years.“Noticehowtheothersgetthenicecleanwatergate.”“Keepittogether!”Cluggansnarled,firinginawidesweepandcuttingdownatrioofattacking

cultists.“Forgetthesmell.It’salwaysbeenadirtyjob.”More,heavyfirecametheirway.Forbinlosthisleftarmandthenthesideofhishead.Cluggan,Broddandtheothersreturnedfireintheclosechannel.Clugganeyedthecultisttroops

theycutthrough:bloated,twistedmeninrobesthathadbeenwhitesilkbeforetheyhadbeendyedinvats of blood. They had come from off-world, part of the vast host of Chaos cultists that haddescended like locusts onto Voltemand and destroyed its people. The sigils and runes of theblasphemyKhornewerecutintothefleshoftheirbrowsandcheeks.Theywerewellequipped,withbolters and lasguns, and armoured. Cluggan hoped to the sweet, dead gods of Tanith that hiscommissarwasfaringbetter.

The Ghosts staggered and stumbled back from the spewing watergate, through the reed beds,

towardsthecomparativecoveroftheriverbank.Enemyfirefromthewallshighabovekilleddozens,their bodies joining the hundreds swept out, swirling and turning, by the torrent of brown waterroaringfromthewatergate.

Micro-bead traffic was frantic with cross-chatter and desperately confused calls. Despite theirdiscipline, themadness of the flight from thewater had brokenGaunt’smain force into a raggedjumble,scramblingfortheirlives.

Soaked through, furious, Gaunt found himself sheltering by somewillows in a scummy riverbendeightyyardsfromthewatergate.WithhimwereCaffran,Varl,acorporalcalledMerynandtwoothers.

Gauntcursed.Cultistshecouldfight…WorldEaters,daemons…anything.He’dsetsquarewithanybeastinthecosmos.Butseventymillionlitresofwaterpressureddownthroughastoneconduit…

“Mayhavelostasmanyasfortytotheflood,”Varlsaid.He’ddraggedCaffranbythetunicfromthewaterandtheyoungmancouldonlyretchandcough.

“Getaconfirmedfigurefromthesquadleaders!Idon’twantrumours!”Gauntsnarled,thenkeyedhis own radio link and spoke into his bead. “Squad leaders! Discipline the radio traffic. I wantregroupstatus!Corbec!Rawne!”

Thechannelscrackledandamoreorderedlitanyofunitsandcasualtiesreeledin.“Corbec?”Gauntasked.“I’mwestofyou,sir.Onthebanks.Gotaboutninetymenwithme.”Corbec’svoicehissedback.

“Assessment?”“Tactical?You can forget thewatergate, sir. Once they realised they couldn’t hold us out in a

straightfight,theyblewthesluices.Itcouldrunatfloodforhours.Bythenthey’llhavethechuteexitsonthecitysidesewnupwithemplacements,maybeevenmines.”

Gauntcursedagain.Hewipedawethandacrosshisface.They’dbeensocloseandnowitwasalllost.Voltiswouldnotbehis.

“Sir?”Meryncalledtohim.Thecorporalwaslisteningtootherfrequenciesonhisbead.“Channeleighty.Thewordhasjustbeengiven.”

Gauntcrossedtohim,adjustinghisownsetting.“What?”“Theword.‘Thunderhead’,”Merynsaid,confused.“Sourcethatsignal!”Gauntsnapped,“Ifsomeonethinksthat’sajoke,I’ll—”Hegotnofurther.Theblastwassoloud,italmostwentbeyondsound.TheShockwavemashedintothem,chopping

thewaterlikeawhitesquall.Akilometreaway,ahundredmetresectionofthecurtainwallblewout,rippingavastwoundinthecity’sflank,burning,raw,exposed.

Thechannelswentmadwithfrenziedcallsandwhoops.Gauntlookedonindisbelief.Corbec’svoicecutthrough,persontopersononthelink.“It’sCluggan,sir!Theoldbastardgothisboys into thesanitationoutfallsand theymanaged to

dumpalloftheirhigh-exintoatreatmentcisternunderthewalls.Blewthecrapoutofthecultists.”“SoIsaw,colonel,”Gauntsaidwryly.“Imean it literally, sir,”Corbeccrackled innocuously.“ItwasCluggansent thesignal.Wemay

havelostthefighttotakethewatergate,butClugganhaswonusthebattle!”Gauntslumpedbackagainstatreebole,uptohiswaistinthestinkingriver.Aroundhimthemen

werelaughingandcheering.Exhaustionsweptoverhim.Andthenhetoobegantolaugh.GeneralSturmtookbreakfastatnine.Thestewardsservedhimtoastedblackbread,sausageand

coffee.Hereadastackofdata-slatesasheate,andthemessage-casteronthesideboardbehindhimchatteredanddealtoutastreamoforbitaldeploymentupdates.

“Goodnews,”saidGilbear,enteringwithacoffeeandamessageslateinhand.“Thebest,infact.Seemsyourgamblepaidoff.TheseGhostfellowshavetakenVoltis.Brokenitwideout.Ourattackunitsfollowedtheminenmasse.ColonelMaglinsaysthecitywillbecleansedbynightfall.”

Sturm dabbed his mouth with a serviette. “Send transmissions of congratulation andencouragementtoMaglinandtoGaunt’smob.Wherearetheynow?”

Gilbeareyedhisslateandhelpedhimselftoasausagefromthedish.“Seemsthey’vepulledout,movingbacktoPavisCrossroadsalongtheeasternsideoftheBokoreValley.”

Sturmsetdownhissilvercutleryandstartedtotypeintohismemo-slate.“Thegreaterhalfofourworkhereisaccomplished,thankstoGaunt,”hetoldtheintriguedGilbear.“Nowwethankhim.Sendthese orders under extreme encryption to theCO. of theKetzokBasilisks at Pavis.Without delay,Gilbear.”

Gilbeartooktheslate.“Isay…”hebegan.Sturmfixedhimwithastare.“Therearedangerouscultistunitsfleeingalongtheeasternsideof

thevalley,aren’tthere,Gilbear?Why,you’vejustreadmetheintelligencereportsthatconfirmit.”Gilbearbegantogrin.“SoIdid,sir.”

ColonelOrtizsnatchedtheradiofromhiscom-officerandyelled.“ThisisOrtiz!Yes!Iknow,butIexpresslyquerythelastorderswereceived.Irealisethat,butIdon’tcare!No,I-Listentome!Oh,general!Yes,I…Isee.Isee,sir.No,sir.Notforamoment.OfcourseforthegloryoftheEmperor.Sir.Ortizout.”

HesankbackagainstthemetalflankofhisBasilisk.“Makethegunsready,”hetoldhisofficers.“InthenameoftheEmperor,makethemready.”

Thegunshadbeensilentfortenhours.Ortizhopedhewouldneverhearthemblazeagain.Dawn

frosted the horizon with light. Down in the valley, and in the Blueblood emplacements, victorycelebrationscontinuedwithabandon.

DorentzranovertoOrtizandshookhim.“Look,sir!”hebabbled.“Look!”MenwerecominguptheMetisRoadoutofthevalleytowardsthem,tiredmen,wearymen,filthy

men, walking slowly, carrying their dead and wounded. They were a straggled column thatdisappearedbackintothemorningmist.

“In the name of mercy…” Ortiz stammered. All around, shocked, silent Basilisk crew wereleaping down from theirmachines and going tomeet the batteredmen, supporting them, helpingthem,orsimplystaringinappalleddisbelief.

Ortizwalkedovertomeetthearrival.Hesawthetallfigureinthelongcoat,nowragged,stridingwearilyoutofthemist.IbramGauntwashalf-carryingayoungGhostwhoseheadwasabloodymessofbandages.

HestoppedinfrontofOrtizandletmedicstakethewoundedGhostfromhim.“Iwant—”Ortizbegan.Gaunt’sfistsilencedhim.“He’s here,” Gilbear said with an insouciant smirk. Sturm got to his feet and straightened his

jacket.“Bringhimin,”hesaid.Colonel-Commissar IbramGauntmarched into thestudy.Hestood,gloweringatSturmandhis

adjutant.“Gaunt!”Sturmsaid.“Youopened thewayfor theRoyalVolpone.Goodshow!IhearChanthar

turnedameltaonhimself.”Hepausedandabsentlytappedatadata-slateonhisdesk.“Butthenthisbusinesswithwhat’s-his-name…?”

“Ortega,sir,”Gilbearsaidhelpfully.“Ortiz,”Gauntcorrected.“TheKetzokfellow.Strikingafellowofficer.That’sashootingoffence,andyouknowit,Gaunt.

Won’thaveit,notinthisarmy.No,sir.”Gaunt breathed deeply. “Despite knowing our position, and line of retreat, the artillery unit

pounded the eastern flanks of theBokoreValley for six hours straight.They call the phenomenon‘friendlyfire’,butIcantellyouwhenyou’reinthetargetzonewithnothingbuttwigsanddustforcover, it’s nothing like friendly. Host nearly three hundred men, another two hundred injured.Amongst the deadwasSergeantCluggan,whohad led the secondprongofmy assault andwhoseactionshadactuallywonusthecity.”

“Badshowindeed,”Sturmadmitted,“butyoumustlearntoexpectthiskindofloss,Gaunt.Thisiswar.”He tossed thedata-slateaside.“Nowthishittingbusiness.Chainofcommandandall that.Myhandsaretied.It’stobeacourtmartial.”

Gauntwaslevelandunblinking.“Ifyou’regoingtoshootmeforit,getonwithit.IstruckOrtiz

intheheatofthemoment.Inhindsight,Irealisehewasprobablyfollowingorders.SomedamnfoolordersfromHQ.”

“Nowlook,youjumpedup—”Gilbearbegan,steppingforward.“WouldyoulikemetodemonstratewhatIdidtoOrtiz?”Gauntaskedthebiggermanacidly.“Silence,bothofyou!”snarledSturm.“CommissarGaunt…Colonel-commissar…Itakemyduty

seriously,andthatdutyistoenforcethedisciplineandruleofWarmasterMacaroth,andthroughhimthebelovedEmperorhimself,strictlyandabsolutely.TheImperialGuardisbaseduponthetoweringprinciplesofrespect,authority,unswervingloyaltyandtotalobedience.Anyaberration,evenfromaofficerofyourstature,istobe—Whatthehellisthatnoise?”

He crossed to the window. What he saw made him gawp speechlessly. The Basilisk tankthundering up the drivewas dragging part of themain gate after it and scattering gaudcocks anddrillingBluebloodsindiscriminatelyinitspath.Itslewedtoahaltonthefrontlawn,demolishinganornamentalfountaininasprayofwaterandstone.

ApowerfulmanintheuniformofaSerpentcolonelleaptdownandstrodeforthemainentranceto thehouse.His facewassetandmean, swollenwithbruisesdown the left side.Adoor slammed.Therewassomeshouting,somerunningfootsteps.Anotherslammingdoor.

Somemoments later,anaideedged into thestudy,holdingoutadata-slate forSturm.“ColonelOrtizhasjustfiledanincidentreport.Hesuggestedyousawitatonce,sir.”

Gilbearsnatcheditandreadithastily.“ItseemsthatMajorOrtizwishestomakeitclearhewasinjuredbyhisownweapon’srecoilduringtherecentbombardment.”GilbearlookedupatSturmwithanervouslaugh.“Thatmeans—”

“Iknowwhatitmeans!”Sturmsnapped.ThegeneralglaredatGaunt,andGauntglaredrightback,unblinking.

“I think you should know,” Gaunt said, low and deadly, “it seems that callous murder can becommittedouthereinthelawlesswarzones,andthefactofitcanbehiddenbytheconfusionofwar.Youshouldbearthatinmind,general,sir.”

Sturmwas lost forwords foramoment.By the timehehad remembered todismissGaunt, thecommissarhadalreadygone.

“Oh, for Feth’s sake, play something more cheerful,” Corbec said from his troop-ship bunk,

flexing his bandaged hand. He was haunted by the ghost of his missing finger. Appropriate, hethought.

Inthebunkbelowhim,Milosqueezedthebladderofhispipesandmadethemletoutamoan,ashrill,sadsigh. Itechoedaroundthevast troopbayof thehuge,ancientstarship,wherea thousandTanithGhostswerebilletedinbunks.Thedullrhythmofthewarpenginesseemedtobeatintimetothewailingpipes.

“Howabout…‘EuanFairlow’sMarch’?”Miloasked.Above him, Corbec smiled, remembering the old jig, and the nights he heard it played in the

tavernsofTanithMagna.“Thatwouldbeveryfine,”hesaid.The energetic skip of the jig began and quickly snaked out across the ironmesh of the deck,

betweentheaislesofbunks,aroundstacksofkitsandcamo-cloaks,throughthesmokygroupswheremenplayedcardsordrank,overbunkswhereotherssleptorsecretlygazedatportraitsofwomenandchildrenwhowereforeverlost,andtriedtohidetheirtears.

Enjoyingthetune,Corbeclookedupfromhisbunkwhenheheardfootstepsapproachdownthe

deck-plates.HejumpedupwhenhesawitwasGaunt.Thecommissarwasdressedashehadfirstmethim,fiftydaysbefore,inhigh-waisteddressbreecheswithleatherbraces,asleevelessundershirtandjackboots.

“Sir!” Corbec said, surprised. The tune faltered, but Gaunt smiled and wavedMilo on. “Keepplaying,lad.Itdoesusgoodtohearyourmerriertunes.”

GauntsatontheedgeofMilo’sbunkandlookedupatCorbec.“VoltemandiscreditedasavictoryfortheVolponeBluebloods,”hetoldhisnumbertwofrankly.

“Becausetheyseizedthecity.Sturmmentionsourparticipationwithcommendationsinhisreport.Butthisonewon’twinusourworld.”

“Fethtake’em!”spatCorbec.“Therewillbeotherbattles.Countonit.”“I’mafraidIdo,sir,”Corbecsmiled.Gaunt bent down andopened the kit-baghewas carrying.Heproduced a half dozenbottles of

sacra.“Inthenameofallthat’sgoodandholy!”Corbecsaid,jumpingdownfromhisbunk.“Where—”“I’manImperialcommissar,”Gauntsaid.“Ihavepull.Doyouhaveglasses?”Chuckling,Corbecpulledastackofoldshotglassesfromhiskit.“CallBraggover,Iknowhelikesthisstuff,”Gauntsaid.“AndVarlandMeryn.MadLarkin.Suth.

YoungCaffran…hell’s teeth,whynotMajorRawne too?Andone for the boy.There’s enough toshare. Enough for everyone.” He nodded down the companion way to the three bewildered navalofficerswhowereapproachingwithatrolleyladenwithwoodencrates.

“Whatdowedrinkto?”Corbecasked.“ToSergeantClugganandhisboys.Tovictory.Andtothevictoriesweareyettohave.”“Drinktorevenge,too,”Milosaidquietlyfromhisbunk,settingdownhispipes.Gauntgrinned.

“Yes,thattoo.”“Youknow, I’ve got just the treat to gowith this fine brew,”Corbec announced, searching his

pockets.“Cigars,liquoriceflavour…”He broke off.What he had pulled from his coat pocket had ceased to be cigars a goodwhile

before.Therewereamatted,frayed,waterloggedmess.Corbecshruggedandgrinned,hiseyestwinklingasGauntandtheotherslaughed.“Ah,well,”hesighedphilosophically,“Someyouwin…”Heavy,spoon-billedwadingbirdsflewwestacrossthelines,whiteagainsttheencroachingdark.

Inthethickets,thedaytimechirrupinginsectsgaveuptheirpitchestothenightbeetles,thenocturnalcrickets, thetick-flies,creaturesthatspiralledandswaminthelightof thestovefiresandfilledthelonghotdarknesswiththeirpercussion.Othercriesrolledinthesweatyair:thewhoopsandgurglesofunseenclimbersandgrazersintheswamp.Thedistantartilleryhadfallensilent.

Gauntreturnedtothecommandshedjustasthegrille-shadedwatchlightscameon,castingtheirgreenish glow downwards into the slush, bull’s-eye covers damping their out-flung light in anydirectionotherthandown.Nosenseinmakingalongrangetargetofthebase.Furry,wingedinsectsthe size of chubby hands flew in at once to bounce persistently off the lit grilles with a dull,intermittentthokthokthok.

Gaunttookonelastlookaroundthebasesite,nowdistinguishedonlybythepointsoflight:thecook-fires,stoves,watchlightsandmovingtorches.Hesighedandwentinside.

Thecommandcentrewaslongandlow,witharoofofgalvanisedcorrugateandwallsofdouble-

plyflak-board.Thefloorwasfresh-cut localwoodsawnintoplanksand treatedwithvile-smellinglacquer.Blastshuttersonthewindowsstoodhalf-openandthewirescreensinsidethemwerealreadythick with a fuzzy, quivering residue— the mangled bodies of moths and night-bugs which hadthrownthemselvesatthemesh.

Gaunt’s command equipment and his duffel bags of personal effectswere set off the floor onblocksofwood.They’dbeensatdirectlyonthefloorforthefirsttwodaysuntilitwasdiscoveredthatwheredampdidn’tseepup,burrowingwormsdid.

Hedrapedhiscoatonawirehangerandhungitfromanailontheoverheadrafter,thenpulledupacampchairandsatdownheavily.Beforehim,block-mounted,satacogitator,avox-uplinkandaflat-screenmimeograph.Atech-priesthadspentoveranhourdiligentlyintoningprayersoffunctionas he made the sacred machines ready. They were still propped in their half-open wrought-ironcasingstoprotectagainstthedamp,andthickpowerfeedssnakedofffromthemandranfromclipsupportsontherafters,outofasocket-shutterandofftothedistantgenerator.Lightsandlightimagesshimmered and flickered on glass plates glossed by condensation. Setting dials throbbed a dullorange.Thevox-linkmadealow-levelserpenthissasitroseandfellthroughfrequencies.

Gaunt leanedforwardandidlysurveyedthe latest informationandtacticaldatacomingthroughfromtheorbitalfleetandotherunits.Askeinofcodedrunescrossedandblinkedonthedarkglass.

Quietasnightfall,Miloenteredfromtheante-room.Heofferedapewterbeakertohiscommissar.Gaunttookitwithanod,delightingatthebeadedcoolnessofthemetal.

“The tech-priests got the cooling units working again just now,” Milo muttered by way ofexplanation.“Forafewminutes.It’sonlywater,butit’scold.”

Gaunt nodded his appreciation and sipped. The water was metallic and sharp, but it wasdeliciouslycool.

Therewasathumpontheoutsidestep,thenaquietknockatthedoor.Gauntsmiled.Thethumphadbeendeliberate,areassuringadvancewarningfromamanwhomadenosoundifhedidnotwishto.

“Comein,Mkoll,”Gauntsaid.Mkoll entered, his lined face a little quizzical as if surprised at being recognised in advance.

“Patrolreport,sir,”hesaid,standingstifflyinthedoorway.Gauntgesturedhimtoaseat.Mkoll’sbattledressandcloakweredrenchedinwetmud.Everything

includinghisfacewassplattered—everythingexcepthislasgun,miraculouslyclean.“Let’shaveit.”“Theirpositionsarestillfarback,”Mkollbegan,“beyondtheoffensivelinecodedalphapink.A

fewforwardpatrols.”“Trouble?”Thepowerful,wirymangrimacednoncommittally.“Nothingwecouldn’thandle.”“I’vealwaysadmiredyourmodesty,”Gauntsaid,“butIneedtoknow.”Mkollscreweduphismouthandnose.“Wetooksixoftheminthewesternswamps.Nolosseson

ourside.”Gauntnoddedapproval.HelikedMkoll,theTanith’sfinestscout.Eveninaregimentofstealthers

and covert warriors, Mkoll was exceptional. A woodsman back home on lost Tanith, he hadreconnaissance skills that had proved themselves time and again to the Ghosts. A ghost amongstghosts,andmodestwithit.Heneverbragged,anditwascertainhehadmoretobragaboutthanmost.

Gauntofferedhisbeakertotheman.“Thankyou,sir,no.”Mkolllookeddownathishands.

“It’scold,”Gauntassuredhim.“Icantell.Butno.I’drathergowithoutsomethingIcouldgetusedto.”Gauntshruggedandsippedagain.“Sothey’renotmoving?”“Not yet.We sighted a… I’mnot surewhat itwas, an old ruin of somekind.”Mkoll rose and

pointedtoapositiononthewallchart.“Aroundhere,farasIcantell.Couldbenothing,butI’dliketofollowitthroughwithasurveyinthemorning.”

“Anenemyposition?”“No,sir.Something…thatwasalreadyhere.”“You’reright:deservesalook.Inthemorningthen,”Gauntagreed.“Ifthat’llbeall,sir?”“Dismissed,Mkoll.”“I’llneverget themeasureofhim,”GauntsaidtoMiloafterMkollhadleft.“QuietestmanI’ve

everknown.”“That’swhathedoes,isn’tit,sir?”Milosaid.“What?”“Quiet.”

THREE

SOUNDANDFURY

Allaroundtherewasahushingsound,asifthewholeworldwantedtosilencehim.Mkollbellied in lowamidtheforestofferns, tryingtopickthroughtheoceanicrushingsound

theymadeasthewindstirredthem.TheferngrowthinthatpartofRamillies268-43,flourishingonthethin,ashysoilsofthelong-coldvolcanicslopes,wasfeatheryandfibrous,mottledstalksroughascanerisingthreeman-heightsintoswayingmulti-partfrondsaswhiteaswater-ice.

Theyremindedhimofthenal-woodforestsbackhome,whentherewasstillabackhome,thenal-woodsinwinter,whenhe’dgoneoutloggingandhunting.Frosthadcrustedtheevergreenneedlesonthesighingtreesthenuntiltheyhadtinkledlikewindchimes.

Here,now,therewasonlythesigh,themotionofthedryfernsandthecloggingdustthatgotintoevery pore and rasped the soft tissue at the back of the throat. The sunlightwas bright and harsh,stabbingdownthroughthepale,spareairoutofaskytranslucentblue.Itmadeastriatedweboutofthegroundcoverundertheferns—starksun-splashesandjaggedshadowsofblackness.

He crept forward twenty metres into a break of skeleton brush. His lower legs were alreadydouble-wrappedwithchain-clothtoprotectagainsttheshreddingthorns.Hehadhislasgunheldtohischestonatightlycinchedstraptokeepitclearofthedustbut,everytenminutesorso,hecheckeditsmovingpartsandclearedthedust,fern-fibres,twig-shredsandburrsthataccumulatedconstantly.

Severalcracksmadehimturnandfreeze,slidinghisgunintoafiringgripbetweensmooth,drypalms. Somethingwasmoving through the thicket to his left, cracking the occasional spent thornunderfoot.

Tobefair,theyweremovingwithextremeandtrainedstealth,butstilltheirprogresssoundedlikeacarelessmarchtoMkoll’sacutehearing.

Mkolldrewhisknife, its long silverbladedeliberatelydulledwithash.Hebacked intoa thornstalkandmouldedhisbodytothekinkingplant.Twosteps,one.

Heswungout,onlypullingbackhisbladeatthelastmoment.TrooperDewrcriedoutandfellbackwards,splinteringdrystalksashedropped.Mkollwason

topofhiminasecond,pinninghisarmsandpushingthebladeagainsthisneck.“SacredFeth!Youcould’vekilledme!”Dewrbarkedagitatedly.“Yes,Icould,”saidMkoll,awhisper.Herelaxedhisgrip,rolledoffandletthemanrise.“Socouldanythingelseouthere,noiseyouweremaking.”“I…”Dewrdroppedhisvoicesuddenly.“Arewealone?”Mkolldidn’tanswer.Chanceswere,ifanythingelsewasouthere,itwouldhaveheardDewr’sfall

too.“Ididn’tmeananything,”Dewrbeganhoarsely,wincingashepluckedoutthethornshehadfallen

on.Mkollwasscanningaround,hisgunready.“What thefethdid they teachyouduringbasic?”he

whispered.“You’remeanttobeascout!”Dewrdidn’treply.AllthescoutsknewMkoll’sexactingstandards,andknewjustaswellhowthey

allfailedtomeetthem.Dewrfeltangry,infact.Duringbasictraining,beforethatasahunterinthesoutherngamelandofTanithAttica,he’dbeen reckonedas agood tracker.Thatwaswhy theyhadselectedhimforthescoutunitwhentheregimentmustered,forfeth’ssake!Andthisoldbastardmadehimfeellikeafool,aclumsyfool!

Wordlessly, ignoring the stare he knew Dewr was boring into the back of his head, Mkollsignalledanadvance,headingdowntheslopeintothefern-chokedvale.

TheTanithhadarrivedonRamilliestwoweeksbefore,justintimetomissthemainaction.TheAdeptusAstarteshadcleanedoutandsecuredthefourenemystrongholds,banishingChaosfromtheworld.TheGhostshadassembledonthelowplainsnearoneburningfortress,seeingSpaceMarines,threateningbulks in the smokydistance like thegiants ofmyth, piling the ragged corpses of slaincultistsontopyres.Theairhadbeenthickwithfilthychar.

Itseemedsomesmallcomponentsoftheenemyhadfledthedefeat,makingintothefernforestsinthe north, too small and insignificant for the glorious Space Marines to waste time upon. Thecommissarwaschargedwithasearchanddestroydetail.TheGhostshadadvancedintothelowhillsandthedenseforestation,tosmokeoutthelastofthefoe.

Therewereafewearlysuccesses:enclavesofcultists,somewell-armed,dugintobolt-holesandlodges,makinga laststand.Then,afteraweek,as theyreached thecolder,higherplateauxand therealthicknessofthefern-cover,aworkingpatterndeveloped.Mkollwouldplanreconsweepseachday,deployingacoupleofdozenscoutsinawidefanintothethickets.Theywouldquartereachareaandreportback,signallinginthemainGhostforcesifcontactwasmade.

Perhapstheyhadbecomelazy,complacent.MajorRawneaverredthattheyhadsilencedthelastofthe enemyandwerenowwasting their timeandpatience cuttingdeeper anddeeper into the lonelyterritoriesofthehinterland.Thecommissarhimselfseemeddevotedtodischargingthetaskproperly,butevenhehaddoubledthereachandrangeofthescoutsweeps.Anotherfewdaysandtheywouldquit,hehadtoldMkoll.

Thisday,thishighcoldwindyday,withtheeverpresentwhisperoftheferns,thescoutshadgonedeeperandwiderintothehills.Therehadbeennocontactwithanythingfortwowholesweeps.MkollsensedthatlessdedicatedtrooperslikeDewrweregettingslackwiththeroutine.

Buthehimselfhadseenthingsthatkepthimsharpandmadehimdeterminedtopresson.Thingshe had reported toGaunt to convince him towork the forests a little longer: broken paths in thevegetation; trampled areas; torn, apparently random trails in theunderbrush.Therewas somethingstillouthere.

Theycrossedthevalleyfloorandcameuptheshadedside,wherethefernslistedrestlessly,likeshadow-fans.Everydozenorsosteps,Dewr’sfeetcrackedathornoraseedcase,orchinkedarock,nomatterhowdelicatelyhewalked.Hecursedeverysound.HewasdeterminedtoprovehisabilitytoMkoll.AndhehadnocluehowMkollmovedsosilently,likehewasfloating.

Thefernshissedinthewind.Mkoll stopped to check his compact chart and referred his eyes to sun and compass.Within a

quarter of an hour their circuit should bring them into contactwithRafel andWaed, on amirrorsweeptowardsthem.

Mkoll suddenlyheldup ahand andDewr stopped sharp.The scout sergeant fannedhis fingerstwice to indicateDewr should cover, and the other slid in low beside a thick fern stem, knelt andraisedhislasgun.Therewasdustontheexchangerandhewipeditoff.Dustinhiseyestoo,andhewipedthem.Hebracedandthentookaim,rollingitleftandrightasMkolladvanced.

Mkolldroppeddownanotherfewmetresandfoundanothertorntrailinthefem.Aswideasthree

menwalking abreast, ferns uprooted or snapped and trampled.Mkoll gingerly touched one sappy,brokentwistofstalk.Itwasasthickashisthigh,andthebarkwastoughasiron.Hecouldnothaveseveredit thiscleanevenwithawoodaxe.Hecheckedtheground.Tramplemarks,deepandwide,like giant footsteps. The trail snaked away both ahead and behind as far as he could see, uneven,weaving.Mkollraisedthreefingersandcircledthem.Dewradvancedtojoinhim.

Theyoungermanlookedatthetrail,questionsinhismouth,butthelookinMkoll’seyestoldhimnottoaskthem.Nottosayanything.Therewasnosoundatallexceptthehissingofthefronds.Dewrkneltand lookedat the trail forhimself.Something…someone…big,movingblindly.His fingerstouchedsomethingburiedintheashysoilandhepluckeditout.Achunkofblackenedmetal,partofthe rim of something, large as a cupped hand. He held it out toMkoll. The sergeant took it withgenuineinterest,studiedit,andtuckeditintohisthighpouch.HenoddedafirmacknowledgementtoDewrforhissharpeyes.DewrfeltgreaterprideinthatfleetingmomentThanhehadeverdoneinhislifebefore.Orwouldagain.

They moved on, down the trail line, following the bent-forward fronds which indicated thedirectionofmotion.Aftersixtymetres,thetrailveereduphill.Mkollstoppedandwipedhisweaponagain.

Ascreamcuttheair,asbrightandsharpasaTanithblade.Theybothstarted.Itshutoffabruptly,butwhile it lasted it hadbeenunmistakablyhuman.Mkollwasmoving in an instant, following thesourceofthesound.Dewrwentafterhim,tryingtokeephishurriedstepssilent.Theymovedoffthetrail into the thickets.Ahead, thefoliagechanged.Under thecrestof theslope, thicker,spinedcactigrewinclusters;fibrous,gourd-likegrowthslinedwithlongneedleswerearrayeddowneachseamof theplant sac.Therewerehundredsof theplants, somekneehigh, somehigherand fatter thanaman,aforestofneedle-studdedbulbs.

Another,weakerscreamcame,asfromamanwakingfromanightmareandabruptlydyingawayashe realised itwas but a dream.And another sound, close on the heels of the scream.Ahollow,plosive,spittingsound,likesomeoneretchingfruitpitsfromhisthroat.

They foundRafel crumpled amid thegourd-bulbs.A trail of blood, bright spatters on the ashyground,showedwherehehaddroppedandhowhehadcrawled.Overadozenneedles,somemorethanafootlong,impaledhim.Onewentthroughhiseyeintohisbrain.Dewr,inhorror,wasabouttospeak,butMkollwhirledandclampedhishandovertheyoungerman’smouth.Mkollpointedtothenearestofthelargecactusgrowths,indicatingwherealineofspineswereabsent,leavingonlyalineofsap-droolingorifices.

“I say again, Trooper Rafel!What is your position?” The voice crackled out of the corpse’sintercom.Mkolldrovehimself intoDewr,knockinghimaside,away fromRafelas the threebulbsnearest thebodyshudderedandspatspines.Asalvoof thosehollowspittingcoughsagain.NeedlesstabbedintoRafel’scorpselikearrowsandbouncedoffthegroundaroundthem.

One went through Dewr’s shin. He wanted to scream but managed tomaster it. The pain wassharp, then dull. His leg went cold.Mkoll rolled off him. Dewr pointed feebly at his leg, but thesergeant seemed to ignore it. He made a quick adjustment to the intercom at his collar and thenreacheddowntoDewr’s,switchingitoff.

Onlythendidheturntothewound.HetookouthisknifeandcuttheclothawayfromDewr’sshin,slicingthestrapsholdingthechain-clothbandagesinplace.Theneedlehadpassedrightthroughthechain,directlythroughtheeyeofsomelinksandseveringothers.MkollturnedthekniferoundandforcedthehiltintoDewr’smouth.Instinctively,DewrbitdownandMkollyankedtheneedlefree.

Therewasverylittleblood.Thatwasbad.Thebloodwasclottingandturningyellowfastandthe

sticky residue on the spine suggested venom. But the needle had only punctured flesh, whichwasgood.Theforceofitcouldhaveshatteredtheshinbone.

Dewrbithardonthehiltawhilelonger.Asthepainebbed,heslackenedhismouthandtheknifeslidoutdownhischeekontotheground.Mkollrose.HewouldgetRafel’sfielddressingsandbindthewound. Rafel wouldn’t need them now. He turned. His foot cracked a thorn on the ground. Amomentofcarelessness,triggeredbyhisconcernforDewr.Abulbshudderedatthecrackandspataneedle.ItpassedthroughthestockofMkoll’slasgunandthepointstoppedaninchfromhisbelly.

Heunfrozeandbreathed, thenpulled itout.Mkollcrossed toRafelandfreedhis fielddressingpouch,pinned tohiswaistbyanotherneedle through thestrap.Hereturned toDewrandbound thewound.

Dewr’sheadbegantospin.Itwasaneasy,fluidfeeling,likehiscareswereebbingaway.Therewasagnawingfeelinginhislegandhip,butitwassomehowpleasant.

MkollsawthevacantglazecomingoverDewr’seyes.Unceremoniously,hetookanotherlengthofgauzedressingandjammeditintoDewr’smouth,tapingthegagtightlyinplace.Adeliriousmanmaynotrealisethesoundheismaking.

Hewasabout to liftDewrontohisshoulderwhenanothersoundcame.Arippingandcrashing,distantatfirst,accompaniedbytherelentlessretchingspitofthebulbsasthetearingsoundsetthemoff.Somethingwascoming,somethingdrawnbyRafel’slastscream.Somethinggigantic.

Asitburstintotheclearing,allofthecactiaroundthemspontaneouslyshedtheirneedlesinablitzofvenomousbarbs.Thefusilladerattledoffthemetalcarapaceandlegs.MkollthrewhimselfoverDewrandtheylaythere,silentandstillunderthestormofdarts.

TheChaosdreadnoughtcametoahaltonitsgreathydraulicfeet,sighingandhissing.TherewasastenchofheatandathrobofelectromagneticpowerthatprickledthehairsonMkoll’sneck.Itwasfourmetrestall,widerthanthreemen,blackenedandscorchedasif ithadwalkedthroughhellandback. All signs of paint or insignia had been burnt off, to bare metal in some places. A malignpresenceoozedfromit,fillingtheatmosphere.Suchagreatmachinewasterrifyingenoughinitself,but the malevolent feeling of it…Mkoll felt his gorge rise and clamped his jaws. Dewr seemedunconscious.

The dreadnought took a step forward, almost tentative and dainty though the great steel hoofshooktheearthasitfellandtriggeredanothervolleyofspines.Itsbodyrotatedasifscanning,andittookanotherstep.Anotherplank-plankofreboundingspines.

Itwasblind.Mkollcouldseethatataglance.ThewoundsoftheAdeptusAstartesweredeepandfearfulacrossitsvisor.Itsopticalunitshadbeenblownawayinsomegreatact.Mkollknewthesemi-circle of burnt metal Dewr had found was from the recess socket of one of its eyes. It had beenblunderingaroundthefernforestsfordays,huntingbysoundalone.

Anotherstep.Anotherhissofpistonsandagrowlofmotivator.Another thumpof footfall,andotherrainofdarts.Itwasonlythreemetresfromthemnow,stillcrankingitsbodyaround,listening.

Dewrstartedandwokeup.Hesaw thedreadnought—andhis filmy,poisonedeyesmadeevengreaternightmaresoutof theexistingone.Heconvulsedandscreamed.Despite thegauzegag, thescreamwasfierceandhighpitched,strangulatedandhorriblethroughthechoke.

Mkollknewhehadaninstanttoreact,evenasDewrstirred.Hedivedaside.Thedreadnoughtswungandtargetedthesourceofthescreamasrapidlyastheplantsaroundthem

did. Poison needles spat into a body that had, mere microseconds before, been incinerated by abelchingplasmagun.

Needlesrattledoffthedreadnoughtagain.

Mkollmovedlow,slidingroundthebulkofthebulbs,tryingtokeepthelisteningdeathmachineinsight.Hisheartwasthumping.Hecurseditforbeingsoloud.

Behindthenextbreakofgrowth,heslidinlowandcheckedhisweapon.Therewerefernfrondscaughtinthetrigger.Hethoughtatoncetopullthemfreeandthenstopped.Itwouldmakeasound,andwhatwastheuse?Whatgoodwouldalasgunbeagainstthat?

Hemovedagain,hisfootskitteringastone.Needlesspatineffectually.Thedreadnoughtbegantomove,followingthesound,walkingthroughrainsofneedlesthatconvulsedandflewateachfootfall.

Mkoll thought torun.Itwasblind, theplantswereblind.Ifhecouldonlystaysilent—andthatwashisgift—hecouldslipawayandtaketheinformationtoGaunt.Butwouldtheyfinditagain?Outhere, in such a wilderness? It could take weeks to relocate the dreadnought, the lives ofmany toneutraliseit.Ifhecouldonly…

No.Madness.Suicide.Thenheheardthevoice.Distant.ItwasWaed,callingforRafel.Hewasbeyondtheneedlebulbs,

searching,queryingwhyRafelhadstoppedtransmitting.Inmoments,surely,hewouldbetriggeringneedles.

Orsummoningthedreadnought.Already,theblindbeasthadturnedandbeguntostridethroughthethicket,crushingthespittingcactustoochremash.

Mkollhadsecondstothink.Hewouldnotloseanotherofhisscoutcadre,notlikethis.Hetookoutagrenade,primeditandthrewitleft.Thecrumptookoutaclusterofbulbsinaspray

offireandmattedfibres,andcausedaflurryofspinestoshoot.Mkoll thenheadeddirectlyfortheblastsite.Heslidinwithhisbacktooneofthebulbsthathadtriggeredatthesoundoftheexplosion.Itsneedleapertureswerespent.Hecoulduseitascoversafelynowitwasunarmed.

The dreadnought was thumping his way, drawn by the sound of the grenade.Waed had fallensilent.

Mkolladjustedhisgunandsetitontheground.Thenhespoke.“Overhere,youbastard!”It sounded impossibly loud.A final taunt to follow thegrenade.Bulbspoppedaroundhim.But

nonehadspinesleftonthesidesfacinghim.Thedreadnoughtcrunchedintotheclearing.Itsleftfootclinkedagainstsomethinginthedust.It

benttoretrieveit.Mkoll’slasgun.Thedreadnoughtraised it in itsbionicclaws,holding thegunup to itsalreadyrupturedfrontal

armourasiftosniffortasteit.Mkollstartedtorun.Byhisestimation,therewerefivesecondsbeforethelasgunmagazineoverloadedashehadsetit.

Hethrewhimselfflatasitwentoff.Hundredsofcactiloosedneedlesattheroar.Thensilence.WithWaed,silently,Mkollre-enteredthethicket.Theyfoundthedreadnoughtbrokenopeninthe

blackenedclearing.Theoverloadhadnotkilledit,butithadsplititsarmourasthetoweringmachinehadstrodeforward.Poisondartshaddonetherest,puncturingandkillingthenow-vulnerableonce-maninside.MkollcouldseewherethemaddenedChaosbeast-machinehadstrodearrogantlyonforafewheavystepsafterthepunylaserblast.Thenithadtoppled,poisoned,dead.

Theyheadedbackontothetrail.“You’reafethinghero!”Waedsaidfinally.“Howisthat?”

“Afethingdreadnought,Mkoll!Youkilledadreadnought!”MkollturnedandfacedWaedwithalookthatbrookednodenial.

“We’ll tell thecommissar that thearea iscleared.Understood?Idon’twantanystupidglory. Isthatclear?”

Waednoddedandfollowedhissergeant.“Butyoukilledit…”heventuredsoftly.“No,Ididn’t.Ilistenedandwaitedandwassilent…andwhenImadetheopening,Ramilliesdid

therest.”

FOUR

THEHOLLOWSOFHELL

Colm Corbec was sat outside his habitat unit. As regimental second officer, he was given a

bivouaclikeGaunt’s,butthecommissarknewthathepreferredtosleepintheopen.AsGaunt approached, he saw that Corbecwaswhittling a piece of barkwith his Tanith knife.

Gaunt slowed andwatched the thick-setman. If he himself died,Gauntmused, couldCorbec holdthemtogether?CouldheleadtheGhostswithGauntgone?

Corbecwouldsay“no”,Gauntknew,buthewasconfidentofCorbec’sabilities.Eventhoughhehadchosenhissecondincommandonadecisionthatwasassimpleasaflickofacoin.

“Quietnight,”CorbecsaidasGauntcrouchednexttohimandhisfire.“Sofar,”Gaunt replied.Hewatched thebigman’shandsplay thebladeover thepalewood.He

knewCorbechated theroleofcommand,woulddoalmostanything todistracthimself.GauntalsoknewthatCorbechatedorderingmentotheirdeathsorglories.Buthediditwell.Andhetookchargewhenitwasneeded.Nevermoreso,thanonCaligula…

Hewouldbesick.Verysoon,veryviolently.Ofthissolefact,BrinMilowasabsolutelysure.Hisstomachsomersaultedas the troop-shipplungedoutof thesky,andeverybone inhisbody

shookastheimpossiblysteepdescentvibratedthesixty-tonnevessellikeachild’srattle.Count… …think happy thoughts… …distract yourself… …counselled a part of his mind in

desperation. It won’t look good if the commissar ’s aide, the regimental piper, wonderboy and allroundluckybloodycharmhurlshisreconstitutedfreeze-driedready-pulpedfoodrationsalloverthedeck.

Andwhateveryoudo,don’tthinkabouthowpulpyandslimythosefoodrationswere…advisedanother,urgentpartofhisbrain.

Deck?Whatdeck?wailedanother.Chucknowandit’llwobbleoutinfreefalland—Shutup!BrinMiloorderedhisseethingimagination.

Foramoment,hewascalm,Hebreatheddeeplytoloosenandrelax,tocentrehimself,asTrooperLarkinhadtaughthimduringmarksmantraining.

Thenatinylittleblack-heartedvoiceinhisheadpipedup:Don’tworryaboutpuking.You’llbeincineratedinahypervelocitycrash-landinganysecondnow.

Like pepper falling fromamill, thoughtExecutiveOfficerKreff, gazing downout of the vast

observationblisterbelowtheprowoftheescortfrigate,Navarre.Behind him, on the raised bridge, therewas amurmur as the systems operators and servitors

softlyrelayeddatabackandforth.Controlsystemshummed.Theairwascool.Occasionally,thelow,reverentialvoicesoftheseniorhelmofficerswouldannounceanotherorderfromtheship’scaptain,wholurkedalone,inscrutable,inhisprivatestrategium,anarmoureddomeattheheartofthebridge.

Thefrigate’sbridgewasKreff’sfavouriteplaceintheuniverse.Itwashushedlikeachapelandalwaysserene,eventhoughitcontrolledastarshipcapableofcrossingparsecsinablink,astarshipwiththefirepowertoroastcities.

HereturnedtohisstudyofthevastbrightbulkofCaligulabelowhim,plumpandpuffylikeanorange,speckledwithwhite-greenblotchesofmould.

Imperial starships hung in the blackness between it and him: some vast, grey and vaulted likecathedralstwentykilometreslong,somebloatedlikeoceanictitans;otherslong,leanandangularlikehisown frigate.They floated in the seaof space and tinyblackdots, thousandsupon thousandsofdots,tumbledoutofthem,flutteringdowntowardstheripeplanet.

Kreffknewthedotsweretroop-ships:eachspeckwasatwo-hundredtonnedropcraftloadedwithcombat-readytroops.Buttheylookedjustlikepeppergroundfromamill.AsiftheImperialfleethadcomebytopolitelyseasonCaligula.

Kreffwonderedwhich of the pepper grains containedCommissarGaunt. Things had certainlylivenedupsinceGaunthadarrived:IbramGaunt,thenotorious,decoratedwarhero,andtherag-tagregimentknownastheGhoststhathehadsalvagedfromthemurderedplanetTanith.

KreffsmoothedtheemeraldtrimofhisSegmentumPacificusFleetuniformandsighed.WhenhehadfirstheardtheNavarrehadbeenassignedtoGaunt’smob,hehadbeendismayed.Buttruetohistrackrecord,Gaunthadshapedtheso-calledGhostsupandtakenthemthroughseveralcourageousactions.

Ithadbeenaneducationhavinghimaboard.Asexecutiveofficer,theofficialrepresentativeofthecaptaininallshipboardorganisationalmatters,he’dhadtomixwiththeGhostsmorethanotherNavypersonnel.He’dgot toknow them:aswellasanyonecouldknowabandofblack-haired, raucous,tattooedsoldiers,thelastsurvivorsfromaplanetthatChaoshaddestroyed.He’dbeenalmostafraidof them at first, alarmed by their fierce physicality. Kreff knew war as a silent, detached, long-distance discipline, a chess-gamemeasured in thousands of kilometres and degrees of orbit. Theyknewwarasabloody,wearying,frenzied,close-upblur.

He’d been invited to several dinners in theGuardmess, and spent one strange, only partially-rememberedeveninginthecompanyofCorbec,theregiment’scolonel,ahirsutegiantofamanwhohad,oncloserinspection,anoblesoul.Orsoithadseemedafterseveralbottlesandhoursofloose,earnesttalk.Theyhaddebatedthetacticsofwar,comparingtheirownschoolsandmethods.Kreffhadbeen dismissive of Corbec’s brutal, primitive ethos, boasting of the high art that was Navy fleetwarfare.

Corbechadnotbeeninsulted.He’dgrinnedandpromisedKreffwouldgettofightarealwaroneday.

ThethoughtmadeKreffsmile.Hiseyeswentbacktothedotsfallingtowardstheplanetandthesmilefaded.

NowhedoubtedhewouldseeeitherGauntorCorbecagain.Faraway,below,hecouldseethescorchingflashesofanti-orbitguns,barkingupatthefluttering

peppergrains.Thatwasadog’slife,goingdownthereintothemouthofhell.Allthatnoiseanddeathandmayhem.

Kreff sighedagain, and felt suddenlygrateful for the tranquilbridgearoundhim.Thiswas theonlywaytofightwars,hedecided.

Miloopenedhiseyes,butithadn’tgoneaway.Theworldwasstillconvulsing.Heglancedabout,

downtheholdofthetroopshipwhereanothertwenty-fiveGuardsmensatrigid,clampedinplacebytheyellow-stripedrestraintrigs,theirequipmentshudderinginmeshpacksundereveryseat.Theairwas sweetwith incense, and the shipwas shaking so hard that he could not read the inspirationalinscriptionsetchedon thecabinwalls.Miloheard the roaringof theouterhull,white-hot fromthe

steep dive.What he couldn’t hear was the booming cough of the anti-orbit batteries down below,welcomingthem.

Heglancedaroundforafriendlyface.HulkingBraggwasgrippinghisrestraintstight,hiseyesclosed.YoungTrooperCaffran,onlythreeyearsolderthanMilo,wasgazingattheroof,mutteringacharmorprayer.Acrossfromhim,MilofoundthehardeyesofMajorRawne.

Rawnesmiledandnoddedhisheadencouragingly.Milo took a breath. Being encouraged byMajor Rawne in these circumstanceswas like being

pattedonthebackbytheDevilatthegatesofHell.Miloshuthiseyesagain.In the rear of the slender cockpit, strapped in his G-chair, Commissar Gaunt craned his neck

roundtoseepastthepilotsandtheastropathandlookthroughthenarrowfrontports.Chartdisplaysflickered across the thick glass and the ship was bucking wildly, but Gaunt could see the targetcoming up: the hive city called Nero, poking up out of the ochre soil through a caldera ninetykilometreswide,likeanencrustedlumpofcoalsetinaplumpnavel.

“Sixtysecondsto landfall,” thepilotsaidcalmly.Hisvoicewaselectronically tonalas it raspedviatheintercom.

Gauntpulledouthisboltpistolandcockedit.Hestartedcountingdown.HighabovethesunkencityofNero,thetroop-shipscamedownlikebullets,scorchinginoutof

thecloudbanks.Anti-airbatteriesthumpedthesky.Then the cotton-white clouds began to singe. The fluffy corners scorched and wilted. A dark

purplestainleachedintothesky,billowingthroughthecumuluslikebloodthroughwater.Lightningfizzedandlashed.

Leaguesabove,Kreffpausedandstared.Somethingwasdiscolouringtheatmospherefarbelow.

“Whatthe—”hebegan.“Weatherformation!”theco-pilotyelped,franticallymakingadjustments.“We’rehittinghailand

lightning.”Gauntwasabouttoqueryfurtherbuttheshakinghadincreased.Heglancedroundattheastropath,

suddenlyawarethatthemanwasutteringalow,monotonegrowl.Hewasjustintimetoseetheastropath’sheadexplode.Bloodandtissuepaintedthepilot,co-pilot,

Gauntandtheentirecabininterior.Thepilotwasscreamingaquestion.It was a psychic storm,Gauntwas horribly sure. Far below them, something of unimaginable

daemonicpowerwastryingtokeepthemout,tryingtowardofftheassaultwithaboilingtempestofChaos.

TheshipwasshakingsohardnowGauntcouldnolongerfocus.Multiplewarningninesflashedupinseriesacrossthemaincontroldisplay,blurringintoscarletstreaksbeforehisrattlingeyes.

Something,somewhereexploded.Thevibrationandtheshriekingdidn’tstop,buttheychanged.Milosuddenlyknewthattheywere

nolongercrashdivingintoattack.Theyweresimplycrash-diving.He wasn’t feeling sick anymore. But the wicked incincerated-in-a-hypervelocity-crashlanding-

voicestartedtocrow:Itoldyouso.Therewasimpact……sohuge,itfeltlikeeveryoneofhisjointshaddislocated.Therewassliding……sudden,shuddering,terrifying.Andfinally……therewasroaringfire.And,asifasanafterthought……completeexcruciatingblackness.Hundreds of Imperial troop-ships were already well below the cloudbank when the psychic

typhoonexplodedintolife,andsoescapedtheworstofitseffects, levellingout, theydescendedonthemassivecitadelofNeroHivelikeaplagueoflocusts.Theairwasthickwiththem,ringingwiththe roar of their thrusters as they banked in and settled on thewasteland outskirts of the toweringblackcity-hive.Traceriesoflaserandplasmafiredividedtheskyinathousandplaces,makingitlookfor all the world like some insanely complex set of blueprints. Some struck landing ships whichflared, flutteredanddied.Flakshells sent loud,black flowersup into theair.Marauderair-supportshriekedinatintervals,movinginclose,lowformationslikemeteoriteshuntingasapack,strafingthegroundwithstitchingfirestorms.

Aboveitall,thepurpleskyboiledandthrashedandspatelectricribbons.Atgroundlevel,ColonelColmCorbecoftheTanithFirst-and-Onlyledhissquaddowntheramp

of the troop-shipand into the firezone.Toeither side,hecouldsee linesof shipsdisgorging theirtroopsintothefield,atideofmententhousandstrong.

Theyreachedthefirstlineofcover—apuncturedlengthofpipelinerunningalongrustedpylons—anddroppeddown.

Corbectookalookeachwayandkeyedinhismicro-beadcommlink.“Corbectosquad.Soundoff.”

Voiceschattedbackalongthelink,responding.By Corbec’s side, Trooper Larkin was cradling his lasgun and looking up at the sky with

tremblingfear.“Oh,thisisbad,”hemurmured.“Psykermadness,verybad.WemaythinkwehadithardatVoltis

WatergateorBlacksharddeadzone,butthey’llseemlikeastrollroundthegardennexttothis…”“Larks!”Corbechissed.“ForFeth’ssake,shutup!Haven’tyouneverheardofmorale?”Larkinturnedhisbony,weaselfacetohisseniorofficerandoldfriendingenuinesurprise.“It’s

okay,colonel!”heinsisted.“Ididn’thavemecommlinkturnedon!Nobodyheard!”Corbecgrimaced.“Iheard,andyou’rescaringthecrapoutofme.”They all duckeddownas a swatheof autocannon fire chewed across the lines.Someone a few

hundredmetres away started screaming.They couldhear thepiercing shrieksover the roar of thestormandthelandingtroop-shipsandthebombardment.

Just.“Where’sthecommissar?”Corbecgrowled.“Heinsistedhewasgoingtoleadusin.”“Ifheain’tlanded,heain’tcoming,”Larkinsaid,lookingupatthesky.“Wewerethelastfewto

makeitthroughbeforethathappened.”Next to Larkin, Trooper Raglon, the squad’s communications officer, looked up from the

powerful voxcaster set. “No contact from the commissar ’s dropcraft, sir. I’ve been scanning theorbitaltrafficandtheNavyband,colonel.Thisfilthypsykerstormtookoutawholeheapoftroop-ships.They’restillcountingthecrashfires.Wewasluckywegotdownbeforeitreallystarted.”

Corbecshivered.Hedidn’tfeellucky.Raglonwenton:“Ourpsykersupstairsaretryingtobreakthestorm,but…”“Butwhat?”“Itlooksprettycertainthecommissar ’stroop-shipwasoneofthosevaporisedinthestorm.”Corbecgrowledsomethingindistinct.Hefeltcold,andcouldseethelookonthefacesofhismen

asthewordspreaddowntheline.Corbecliftedhislasgunandkeyeduphismicro-bead.Hehadtorallythemfast,getthemmoving.

“Whatareyouwaitingfor?”hebawled.“Diamondformationfire-teamspread!Doubletime!Fireatwill!Advance!ForthememoryofTanith!Advance!”

BrinMilowokeup.Hewasupsidedown,blind,suspendedpainfullyfromhisrestraintrig,hisribsbruisedblueanda

tasteofbloodinhismouth.But—unlesssomeonewasabouttoplayareallynastytrickonhim—hewasalive.Hecouldhear…verylittle.Thetrickleandpatteroffallingwater.Acreaking.Someonemoaning

softly.Therewasa loudbangand light flared intohisdark-accustomedeyes.Hesmelled thermiteand

realised someonehad just ejected the emergencyhull-plates using the explosive bolts.Daylight—thin,green,wetdaylight—streamedin.

Bragg’shugefaceswamupinfrontofMilo’s,upsidedown.“Hang on, Brinny-boy,” Bragg said softly. “Soon have you down.” He started rattling the

restraintsandslammingthelockhandlebackandforth.TherestraintsabruptlystoppedrestrainingandMiloutteredalittleyelpashedroppedtwoanda

halfmetresontotheslopingroofofthetroop-ship.“Sorry,”Braggsaid,helpinghimup.“Youhurt,lad?”Miloshookhishead.“Wherearewe?”heasked.Braggpausedasifhewasthinkingaboutthiscarefully,Then,withdeliberation,hesaid“We’re

earlobedeepindoo-doo.”Thetroop-ship,nowjustacrumpledsleeveofmetal,hadimpactedatasteepangleonitsroof.Miloclimbeddownandgazedbackupatthemangledwreck.Whatamazedhimonlyslightlyless

than the fact he was still alive, was that they had come down in what appeared to be a jungle.Enormouspinkishtreesthatlookedlikeswollen,magnifiedrootvegetables,formedadenseforestofflaccid trunks around them. The huge growths were strung with thick ropey vines, creepers andfloweringtendrils,andthornyfernandhorsetailcoveredthemoist,steamingground.Everythingwasgreen,asalllight—exceptforasingleclearshaftwhichslanteddownthroughthetreeswherethetroop-shiphadburstthrough—wasfilteredbythedensecanopyoffoliageabovetheirheads.Itwashumid, and sticky, and sappy water dripped from the trees. There was a sweet stink of fungoidflowers.

Braggclambereddownfromthewreck,andjoinedtheboy.AdozenotherGhostshadclamberedoutandweresatdownorleaningagainsttrees,waitingforspinningheadsandringingearstoclear.All hadminor cuts and scrapes, except Trooper Obel who lay on amakeshift stretcher, his chest

bloody and torn. Corporal Meryn had taken charge. He and Caffran were trying to open otheremergencyhatchestolookformoresurvivors.

MilosawRawnehadsurvived.Themajorstoodtoonesidewithatall,paleGhostcalledI’eygor,whoservedashisaide.

“Ididn’tknowtherewereanyjunglesonthisworld,”Milosaid.“Meneither,”Bragganswered.HewascatchingandpilingequipmentpacksMerynwas tossing

downfromthesideofthewreck.“Actually,Ididn’tevenknowwhatthisworldwascalled.”MilofoundRawnebyhisside.“We’re in a forest hollow,” Rawne said. “The surface of Caligula is barren pumice, but it’s

puncturedinmanyplacesbydeepriftbasins,manyofthemoldcratersorvolcanicsinks.Thecitiesarebuiltdownintothelargestofthem,butotherssustainmicroclimateswetenoughfortheseforests.Ithinksomeofthemwereactuallyfarmed…beforethefethingenemycamein.”

“So…wherearewe?”I’eygorasked.Rawnerubbedhisthroat,thoughtful.“We’vecomedownagoodwayofftarget.Ithinktherewere

someforestcalderasnorthofNero.Onthewrongsideofthelines.”I’eygorswore.“Ithinkthemajoriscorrect,”saidavoice.Gauntappeared,slidingdownfromasideventinthepuncturedhull.Hewastatteredandbruised,

withbloodsoakingtheshoulderandsideofhis tunicunderhiscoat.Merynhurriedovertohimtoassist.

“Notme,”Gauntsaid,wavinghimoff.“Theco-pilot’saliveandheneedstobecutfree.”“It’samiracleanyonegotoutofthatfrontend,”Merynsaidwithawhistle.GauntcrossedtoMilo,Rawneandtheothers.“Report,major,”hesaid.“Unlesswefindanyoneelsealiveinthere,we’vegottwelveable-bodiedmen,plusyourself,the

boyMiloandtheco-pilot.Minorinjuriesallround,thoughTrooperGroganhasabrokenarm.Buthecanwalk.Obelhaschestinjuries.Prettybad.Brennanisinside.He’sarealmessandpinned,buthe’salive.Therestarepulp.”

Rawnelookedupatthewreck.“Luckyshotgotus,Iguess.Missile—”“Psykers!”Gauntgrowled.“Theythrewsomefreakshowstormup.Smashedusoutofthesky.”Everyonefellsilentatthethought.Fearprickledthem.Somelookedaway,uneasyandshaken.Gauntcrossed to thepileofequipmentpacksBraggandCaffranwereoffloadingandopeneda

compactcarry-box.Outofthisheslidatopolabefromitscushionedslotandhelditupbytheknurledhandgrip. The small brass machine whirred and the concentric dials span and clicked as thegravimetricgyrosturnedintheglassbubbleofinertgas.

Afteramoment,themachinechimedandpublishedareadoutonaback-litbluedisplay.“We’reinaforestcalderacalledK7-75,aboutfortykilometresnorthnortheastoftheNerocity

perimeter.Yourassessmentwasgood,major.We’reonthewrongsideofthelinesandinprettydamninhospitable country. There’s dense forest for at least eight kilometres in any direction, and thissinkhole’saboutakilometredeep.We’dbettergetreadytomove.”

“Move?”Feygorasked.“Commissar…wecangetthecrashbeaconupandrunning…”“Nowecan’t,”Merynsaid.Heshowedthemthemoltenresidueofthebeaconunit.“Andevenifwecould,Feygor?”Gauntshookhisheadsadly.“Aboutfiftykilometressouthofus,

theImperialGuardisengagedinamassiveassault.Thousandsaredying.Everyship,andcraftandman is committed to the attack. Therewill be nothing to spare to come looking— across enemy

lines,markyou—forafewlostsoulslikeus.They’llhavealreadywrittenusoff.Besides,there’sapsyker-bredstormragingupthere,remember?Noonecouldgettouseveniftheywantedto.”

Rawnespatandcursed.“Sowhatdowedo?”Gauntgrinned,butwithouthumour.“Weseehowfarwecanget.Betterthatthanjustwaitheretodie.”

Infifteenminutes,thesurvivorswereassembledandinjuriestended.Salvageableequipmentand

weaponsweredividedup.BothMiloand thedazedco-pilotweregivena laspistolanda fewsparepowercells.Obelandthenow-freedBrennanlayunconsciousonstretcherpallets.

Rawne looked grimly at Gaunt. He nodded his head at the two injuredmen. “We should… bemerciful.”

Gauntfrowned.“We’retakingthemwithus.”Rawneshookhishead.“Withrespect,they’llprobablybothbedeadinanhour.Takingthemwill

tieupfourable-bodiedsoldiersasstretcherbearers.”“We’retakingthem,”Gauntrepeated.“Ifyoulashed’embothtoaframe,”Braggputinthoughtfully,“Icoulddrag’emalong.Betterme

thanfourotherboys.”MerynandFeygor raised the twostretchercasesontoanA-frameofwoodandBragg took the

weightof thepointonhisshoulder.CaffranhadusedhissilverTanithknife tocut lengthsofwaxycreeperandboundthemonforagrip.

“Iwon’tbefast,mind,”Braggnoted.Butwiththepartyclearingtheway,hecouldpullthemalongonthesling-bedefficientlyenough.

Thecommissarcheckedthetopolabeagain,scanningforcloserdetail.“Interesting,”hemurmured.“Aboutfourkilometreseastthere’ssomekindofstructure.Maybean

oldfarmingcomplexorsomething.Mightprovideuswithsomeshelter.Let’ssee.”Gaunthadarmedhimselfwithalasgunfromoneofthedead.HehandedhischainswordtoRawne.“Takepointplease,major,”hesaid.

Rawnemovedtotheheadofthecolumnandstartedtoslicehiswaythroughthedense,wetforest.The Tanith Ghosts advanced through the outer complexes of the hive city, surging down an

embankmentandacrosstheblastedferrocreteofasix-lanearterialhighway.Brokenvehicleslitteredthelanes,andgreatpoolsofmotoroilblazedupcurtainsoffire.Corbec

urgedtheGhostsforward,undertrafficcontrolboardsthatstillflashedandwinkedspeedlimitsanddirectionpointers.Gunsblazing, theybegantoassaultavastblockofworkerresidencesonthefarside.

Asthebattlegroupsweptintotheshatteredhallwaysoftheoldworkerresidences,wherepeelingplacardsexhortedthecitizenworkerstomeetproductiontargetsandpraisetheEmperoratalltimes,fightingbecameaclose-quarterbusinesswith theenemyforces,nowseenface to facefor thefirsttime.Humans,corruptedbyChaos,cultworshipperswhosephysicalformshadbecometwistedandwarped.Mostworetheblack,vulcanisedworksuitsofthehiveworkforce,daubednowwithChaospatterns, their heads protected with tight grey hoods and industrial glare visors. They were wellarmedtoo.

Bodieslitteredtheconcoursesandgalleriesoftheresidences,shatteredglassandtwistedplasticcoveredtheground.Intensefiresblazedthroughsomeareas,andtheairwasfullofdriftingcinders,likeincandescentsnow.

Andflies:dark,fat-bodiedflies.

Blastingasheadvanced,Corbecfiredtoleftandright,throughdoorwaysandthinplastic-boardwalls,cuttingdownorexplodingthefoeallaround.

Flanked in a fire-team, Larkin, Suth, Varl, Mallor, Durcan and Billad worked in immediatesupport.Larkinsnatchedoff theoccasionalshot,hisaimasfineasusual, thoughCorbecknewthatthankstothestorm,hewasclosertosnappingthanever.Suthhadthesquad’smelta,andsearedthemapath.

Boltfireandlas-shotcuttheirway.Billadjerkedashewashitrepeatedly,sprawlingbackagainstawallandslidingdown.

Corbecsentasteadystreamofshotintothesmokehaze.Thefliesbuzzed.Radiochatterwasalmostasdeafeningasthefirefight.Guardforceshadbeguntopincerthecity.

AcombinedforceofRoyalVolpone50thandRaymian13thand16thhaddrivenasteelfistintotheore-smelterheartlandofthehive,meetingtheenemy’smainmotorisedunitsinanarmouredbattleinthe vast, echoingbarns of the starship yards anddry-docks.Rumourswere a battalionofLakkariiGundogsandsomeRavenGuardSpaceMarineshadpunchedthroughintotheupperlevels,intotheAdministratumtoweritself.

Butanoverallvictoryseemedsofaraway,especiallygiventhepsychicstorm,whicheffectivelyshutoffanyfurtherreinforcements.Oranythingelse.

“Anyjoywiththeair-cover?”Corbecaskedoverthecrackleoflaserfire.Trooper Raglon answered on the bead-link. “Marauder flights are all out of action, sir. Fleet

Commandrecalledthembecauseofthestorm.TheChaoseffectsarescrewingtheirguidance.”Corbecglancedupatthecorrosivepurpleturbulencethatpassedforsky.Forgettheaircraft,that

nightmarewasscrewingwithhisguidance.Thisclose toamanifestationofChaos,hissenseswerewhirling. His balance was shot and he felt nauseous, with a throbbing pain in his temple. Terrordimpledhisskinandachedinhismarrow.Hedarednotthinkaboutwhatwasoutthere,waitingforhim.

Andheknewhismenwerethesame.Therehadbeenadozenspontaneousnosebleedsalready,andseveralmenhadconvulsed,vomiting.

Still, they were making headway, clawing through the grim habitat towers and the workforceresidence blocks where things came down to knife and pistol, room to room, in the old, dirtytenementswherethelowestlevelofworkerhaddwelt.

Thecommissarwouldhavebeenproud,Corbecthought.TheGhostshaddonethejob.Hespatouta fly and listened carefully to the flow of radio traffic again for amoment. The Fleet Commandchannel repeated its overriding directive: unless the enemy psykers could be neutralised, the Fleetcouldn’t land anymore reinforcements, anymore of the fivemillion Imperial Guard troops stillwaiting in troop-ships in orbit. Or deploy air-cover. The fate of the entire battle teetered in thebalance.

Corbecbrushedoffanotherfly.Theairwasthickwiththemnow,chokedwithfliesandcindersandash.Thesmellwasunbearable.ColmCorbectookadeep,shudderingbreath.Heknewthesigns:theywereclosetosomething,somethingbad.SomethingofChaos.

“Watchyourselves!”hewarnedhisgroupover the link. “We’regetting into a realnestofHellhere!”

Throughtheswarmingcloudsofbuzzingflies,thefire-teamedgedalongacorridorlitteredwithclear plastic shards and torn paper. Out in the concourse below, a fierce hand-to-hand battle wasendinginscreamsandsporadicpistolfire.Somethingblewupakilometreorsoaway,shakingthe

ground.Corbecreachedtheturninthehallandwavedhismenback.Justintime,hisfire-teamshelteredindoorwaysasheavystubgunfirerakedupanddowntheold

back-stairway,disintegratingthestepsandtearingdownthestainedwalltiles.Corbec looked round at Larkin, who was murmuring some Imperial Prayer under his breath,

wavingoff theflies.ItwasprobablytheoathofallegiancetotheEmperorthey’dallbeentaughtatschoolbackhomeonTanith.

Home…Thishadoncebeensomeone’shome,thoughtCorbec,snappingbacktothehardfactsofrealtime.

Adingyoldhallwayinadingyoldhighrise,wherehumble,hardworkingpeoplecamebackfromtheshift-workatthefabricationplantsinthehiveandcookedmeagremealsfortheirtiredchildren.

“Larks!”Hegesturedupthestairwell.“AlittleMadMagiconthatstubbed.”Larkin wiped his mouth and shook out his neck like a pianist about to play. He took out his

nightscope, a littleheat-sensitive spotterhe’dusedbackhomepoaching lariselout in thewoodsatnight.Hetraineditupthehall,foundahubofheatemanatingfromthewall.

Mostwouldhaveaimedforthat,thinkingitthebodyheatofthegunner.Larkinknewbetter.Thesourcewasthemuzzleheatofthebigcannon.Thatputthegunneraboutsixtycentimetresbehindit,totheleft.

“Abottleofsacrasays it’saheadshot,”whisperedCorbecashesawLarkinsnuggledownandaimhislasgun.

“Done,”Varlsaid.Larkinpunchedasingleshotupthestairwellandthroughthewall.Theymovedforward,cautiousatfirst,buttherewasnofurtherfiring.Coveringeachother,theymovedupthesmashedstaircase,pastthelandingwherethecultsoldier

laydeadacrosshisstubgun,headhalfgone.CorbecsmiledandVarlsighed.Thentheyenteredafurtherlandingandfannedout.Therewasasmellofburningfleshhere,and

theflieswerethickerthanever.Larkinedgedalongonewall,lookingatthetrashandbrokenpossessionsthathadbeendropped

intherubble.Alongthewall,underaseriesofChaosmarkingsrenderedindarkpaint,someonehadnailedupaseriesofdollsandotherchildrens’toys.SomethinginLarkin’sheartbrokeashegazedonthecrucifieddolls,rememberingaworldoffamilyandfriendsandchildrenforeverlosttohim.

Thenherealisedthatnotallofthedollsweredolls.Larkinfelltohisknees,retching.Onthefarsideofthegallery,Corbec,DurcanandSuthburst intoalongconcretechamberthat

hadoncebeenacentralmeetinghallforthetenementblock.Itwasdarkinside.Severalthousandeyesblinkedintheirdirection.

Theyallbelongedtothesame…thing.Something immeasurablyvastbegan tocoilupoutof thedarkness,extending the flaccid,blue-

white mass of its bloated body, toxic spittle drooling from its befanged mouths. Jellied thingsquiveredinthedarkspacesofitstranslucentskinandfliesbillowedarounditlikeacloak.

Corbec’snosespurtedbloodandsoakedhisbeardashebackedaway,hismindseizedinhorror.Suth dropped themelta with a clatter and started to retch, sliding down the wall, unable to stand.Durcanseemedunabletomove.Hebegantocry,wailingashefumbledtoraisehislasgun.Limpid,greasycoilslashedoutofthedarkchamberandencircledhim,embracedhim,andthencrushedhimsohardandsosuddenlyheburstlikeatomato.

MallorandVarlturnedandsawthehorrorslitheringupfromthechamber,sawSuthhelplessandCorbecfrozen,sawthepulpyredslickthathadbeenDurcan.

“Daemon!Daemon!”Varlscreameddownthecommlink.“DALMON!”Gauntheldupahandandannouncedatenminuterest.Thegroupeasedbackandtooktheweight

offtheirfeet,leaningontreetrunks,hunkeringdown.Meryntookthemedi-packbacktoBraggandhelpedhimlowerthestretcher-bed.“Oh,feth!”Miloheardhimsay.MilocrossedoverasGaunthimselfapproached.Meryn looked up, treating the ugly wounds of the two unconscious men. “It’s this place,” he

explained,“hot,wet…sporesintheair…insects.Theirwoundsgelre-infectedasfastasIcleanthem.Obel’sfadingfast.Somekindoffungusnecrotizingtherawflesh.Maggotstoo.”Heshookhisheadandcontinuedwithhiswork.

Milomovedaway.Thesmellrisingfromthewoundedmenwasnotpleasant.Nearbystood theco-pilot.He’dpulledhis flighthelmetoff, andwas staringnervously into the

green darkness around them, clutching his laspistol.Milo thought he looked young, no older thanhim.Theflesharoundhiscranialimplantslookedrawandfresh.Heprobablyfeelsjustlikeme,Milodecided.Inoverhishead.

Hehad justconsideredapproaching thenavycadetandspeaking tohimwhen the lowwhineofgunfiresangthroughthetrees.Everyoneduckedforcover,andtherewasastaccatoseriesofsafetylocksdisengagingandpower-cellshummingtolife.

NeartoMilo,Gauntcrawledforward,tappinghismicro-bead.“Rawne?Answer!”hehissed.Themajor,withFeygor,Caffrananda troopercalledKalen,had

scoutedaheadtowardsthemysteriousstructure.“F’irefight!”cameRawne’sresponse,Milopickingitupviahisowncomm-bead.“We’repinned!

Daagh!ThroneofEarth!There’s—”Thelinkwentdead.“Damn!”Gaunthissed.Tieclamberedtohisfeet.“Meryn!Bragg!Guardthewounded!You,Navy

boy!Staywiththem!Therestwithme,fire-teamspread!”TheGhostsmovedforwardandMilomovedwith them,checkinghispistolwascleared tofire.

Despite the fear,he feltpride.Thecommissarhadneededall themenhecouldmuster.HehadnotthoughttwiceaboutincludingMilo.

Corbecwassure:hislifewasoverwhenLarkinstartedshooting.Drivenovertheedgebywhathe

had seen nailed along the wall, Larkin just went crazy; mindless, oblivious to the otherwisetransfixingimageofChaosinthatoldtenement.Larkinsimplyopenedfireandkeptfiring.“Larkin!Larkin!”Corbechissed.

Thelittleman’showlwasdryingawayintoahoarsewhisper.Arepetitiveclickingcamefromthelasguninhishands,thepowercellexhausted.

Thelashingtentaclesofthevastthinginthehallwayhadbeendrivenbackbythehammerblowofrelentlesslaserfire.

Theyhadamomentofgrace,timetoretreat.Corbecledhisscramblingfire-teambackdownthetenementhall,half-carryingLarkin.“Ohfeth!Ohfeth!Ohfeth!”Larkinrepeated,overandover.“Shutup,Larks!”warnedCorbec.“ContactFleetCommand!”heyelledtoRaglonoverhisbead.

“Tellthemwhatwe’vefound!”In the cover of a slumped tree-stump, Trooper Caffran sighted his lasgun to his shoulder and

loosed aburst of laser shot that sliced explosively through the foliage ahead.Bolter fire returned,smackingintothewoodaroundhim,blastingspraysofsplintersandgoutsofsap.

“MajorRawne?”Caffranyelled.“Commlink’sdead!”“Iknow!”spatRawne,droppeddownagainstatreenearbyasmetalshotexplodedthebarkbehind

him.HethrewdownGaunt’schainswordandswunghisownlasgunuptofire.Feygortookupaproneposition,blastingwithhisownweapon,Kalentohisside.ThefourGhost

lasgunsblastedanarcoffireintothedensetrees,thedimgroveflickeringwiththemuzzleflashes.Rawnespan,hisgunlowered,butdroppedhisaimwithacurseashesawGauntmovinginbehind

them,themeninfire-teamline.“Report!”hissedGaunt.“Wejustwalkedintoheavybolterfire.Enemypositionsahead,unseen.Feelslikeanambush,but

whoknewwewerecoming?”“Commlink?”“Dead…jammed.”“Would help if we could seewhatwewere shooting at,”Gaunt remarked.Hewaved a “come

here”toTrooperBrostin,whohurriedover,cradlingthesingleflamerthey’dpulledintactfromthetroop-ship.

“Positions!”Gauntyelled,andfannedhismenoutsothatallcouldtakeaclearshotoncethetargetwasrevealed.“Brostin?”

The trooper triggered the flame cannon and a volcanic spear of liquid fire spat into the denseundergrowth.Maintainingthespurt,likeahorizontalfountainoffire,Brostinsweptitleftandright.

Thetrees,horsetailsandgiantfernsaheadflaredandblazed,someofthemignitingasiftheirsapwas petrol, some wilting and withering like dust. In twenty seconds, a wall of jungle had beenscorchedasideandtheyhadaclearviewsixtymetresintoanartificiallyclearedarea.

Silence.Noteventhebolterfirewhichhadgotthemducking.“Scope!”calledGaunt,andtooktheinstrumentasMilooffereditup.“Lookslikewehave…”Gauntpausedastheself-focusdialsonhisscopewhirredandspun.“An

Imperialinstallation.Threearmoured,modularcabins,twolargerhardenedshelters…they’veallhadtheinsigniaspray-paintedout.Communicator-arrayandup-linkmastforavoxcaster,that’sprobablywhat’sjammingus…perimeterdefencenet…slavedservitorsmountedintoautoloaderboltcannons.Youmust have tripped a sensor as you came in,major. Triggered them off. I thinkwe’ve fried acoupleofthem.”

“Whatisthisplace?”Caffranmurmured.“Awayout…achanceweneverthoughtwehad.Ifwecangetintherealive,thatis.”Gauntfell

silent.“Butwhat’s it doing out here in themiddle of this jungle?”Milo found himself asking.Gaunt

lookedroundathim.“Goodquestion.”Thewordwasn’tgood.Allgroundforceswerestretchedtobreakingpointmaintainingthegains

theyhadmade.TherewasnoonetomoveintosupporttheGhosts.“Howcanwefightthatkindofstuff?”stammeredSuth.Corbecshookhishead.He’dpulledtheentirebattlegroupbacktotheembankmentoverlooking

thehighwayandthetenementsbeyond.Tenementsthatheldthemostabominablethinghe’deverseen.“Butithastodie!”Larkinwhispered.“Don’tyousee?It’scausingthestorm.Unlessitdies,we’re

allstuckhere!”“Youcan’tknowthat,larks!”Varlsneered.Corbecwasn’tsosure.Larkin’sgutinstinctshadalwaysbeengoodbets.“Emperorsaveusall!”

Corbec said, exasperated.He thought hard.There had to be something…something…whatwouldGaunthavedone?Somethingarrogant,nodoubt.Pulledrank,brokentherules, thrownthestrategybooksoutofthewindowandusedtheresourcesheknewhecouldcounton…

“Hey,Raglon!Overhere,lad!”heyelledtohiscomm-officer.“PatchmealinktotheNavarre!”ExecutiveOfficerKreffclearedhisthroat,tookadeepbreathandsteppedintotheStrategium,the

captain’sarmouredinnersanctumatthecentreoftheNavarre’sbridge.CaptainWysmarksatindark,contemplative silence on a reclined throne, quietly assessing the flickering overlays of runic andschematicdatathatflowedacrossthesmoothlycurvedwallsandroofoftheroom.

Heturnedinhischairslightly.“Kreff?”“Ihave,um,thisisunorthodox,sir,but—”“Outwithit,man.”“I’ve just spokenwithColonelCorbec, the acting chief of theTanith First.His battle group is

assaultingthewesternedgeoftheNeroHive.Herequestswe…activatethemainbatteriesandpresentonatargethehasacquired.”

Wysmarksneered,theglowofthereadoutsflickeringacrosshisfaceinthegloom.“Doesn’t this idiot know anything aboutNaval tactics?” he chuckled. “Fleetweaponswill only

engage a surface target from orbit before troop deployment. Once the ground forces are in, air-strikesaretheresponsibilityoftheattacksquadrons.”

Kreff nodded. “Which are grounded due to the psychic storm, sir. The colonel is aware it iscounter tousual tactics, asorbitalbombardment isnotknown for its…um…finesse.However,heclaimsthisisacriticalsituation…andhecansupplyuswithpinpointco-ordinates.”

Wysmark frowned, thoughtful. “Your assessment, Kreff? You’ve spent more time with thesefootsloggerssincethey’vebeenaboardthananyone.Isthismanmad,orshouldIgranthisrequest?”

Kreffdaredalittlesmile.“Yes…andyes,sir.”Wysmark grinned back, very slightly. He rotated his chair to face Kreff. “Let’s see those co-

ordinates.”Kreffjumpedforwardandhandedhimthedata-slate.Wysmarkkeyedhismicro-beadintercom.“Communications:patchmetoFleetCommand.Iwish

toadvisethemofournextaction.Firecontrol,energisethemainbatteries…Ihaveafiringsolutionhere.Allstations,thisisthecaptain…rigformainweaponfiring.”

Allsoveryneatandcivil,Kreffsmiled.Thisreallywastheonlywaytofightawar.Therewas a blink of light, an astonishing shockwave that knocked them all down, and then a

deafeningroarthathammeredacrossthem.Corbecrose,coughingdustandpickedRaglonup.“Rightonthebutton,”heremarkedjoviallytohisastonishedmen.Theyscrambleduptothetopoftheslopeandlookedoverthebalustrade.Belowthem,theruinous

expanse of a ten-lane highway stretched into the dark industrial high rises of the hive.Across thehighway,avastblazingcraterstoodwherethetenementshadbeen.

“HolyThroneofEarth!”Varlstammered.“Friendsinhighplaces,”sniggeredCorbec.Heglanceddowntheslopeatthehundredsofwaiting

troopsbelow,troopswhocouldalreadysensethechangeintheair.Therewassmoke,andfumesandcordite—but the stink ofChaoswas retreating.The stormwas blowing itself out. “Let’s go!” heyelledintohisbead.

ThecommsofficersalutedKreffashecrossedthepolisheddeckoftheserenebridge.“Signalfromthesurface,sir.”Kreffnodded.“StandardGuardvoxcasterencryption,dataand timeasnow,orbit lagadjusted.Messagereads:

‘Ghostly gratitude to theNavarre. Kreff, you bastard, we knew you had it in you.’Message ends.Sorryaboutthevulgarity,sir.”

Thecommsofficerlookedupfromtheslate.“I’lltakethat,”Kreffsaid,tryingtohidehisgrinashesaunteredaway.Gauntmoved in close to the cabins, bolt pistol inhand.BehindhimcameFeygor andCaffran,

edgingslowly.Therewasalowwhirrandoneoftheservitorsnearbydetectedthemovementandswungaround,

bringingitsautomatedweapontobear.Gauntblasteditapartwiththreequickshots.Divingforward,heslammedinthroughthedoorway,

rollingupintheblue,cold,artificiallightoftheinterior,huntingforatarget.Therewasnothingbutdarkness.Anddeadstillness.Gauntmovedintothelowhabitat,mindfulof

thegloom.Ahead,adullphosphorescenceshone.Therewasadarkbunkroomfullofover-thrownfurnitureandscatteredpapers.Gaunttookalookatoneleafandknewhewouldhavetohavethemallburnt.

RawneandFeygorslidinbehindhim.“Whatisthis?”Rawneasked.“We’llsee…”murmuredGaunt.Theymoved through thehabitat intoagreenhousewhere theairwashumid.Therewere things

growinginthehydroponicsvatsthatGauntdidn’twanttolookat.Fibrous,swollen,bulgingthings,pulsingwithhideouslife.

“Whatisthisplace?”askedFeygor,horrified.“Thestartofit…thebeginningofCaligula’sfall,”Gauntsaid.“Oneoftheindustrialistsofthis

world, hot-housing something he could not understand. The competition for better crops is fiercehere.Thispoorfooldidn’trealisewhathewasgrowing.”

Or at least, Gaunt thought, I hope he didn’t. If this had been done with foreknowledge,deliberately…Heshooktheideaaway.

“Burnit.Burnitall,”hetoldhismen.“Notall,”Kalensaid,enteringbehindthem.“Iscoutedaroundtheperimeter.Whoeverownedthis

placehasashuttlebeddedinasilooutback.”Gauntsmiled.TheEmperorwillalwaysprovide.“Sohedidn’tdie?”musedCorbec, satonhisbunk in the troopbay.Braggshookhisheadand

swiggedfromthebottleofsacra.“Don’tthinknothing’sgonnakilloldGaunt.Hesaidhewasgonnagetusallout,andhedid.EvenObelandBrennan.”

Corbecthoughtaboutthis.“Actually,”hesaidfinally,“ImeantRawne.”TheybothlookedacrossthequietbaytowhereRawneandFeygorsatinquietconversation.“Oh,him.No,worseluck.”BraggpassedthebottlebacktoCorbec.“So,Ihearyouhadsomefun

ofyourown?”A forward post, looking out into thewater-choked thickness of theMonthax jungles. The flies

werethickouthere,likesparklingdustintheair.Amphibiansgurgledandchuggedinthemudbanks.Thesappershadraisedthespit-postoutbeyondthebroadleveesofthemainembankment,oneof

sixthatallowedtheTanithsnipersgreaterreachintothefrontline.Theywerelong,zaggedandlinedwithfrag-sackingandadoublelayerofoverlappedflak-boards.

Gaunt edged along the spit, keeping low, passing the sentries at the heavy-bolter post at thehalfwaypoint.Themud,unmovingandstagnantinthedug-awaybed,stanklikeliquescentdeath.Thesaggingcableofa land-linevoxcaster randownthe lengthof thesacking,heldabove thewaterbyiron loop-pins.Gauntknewitendedatavox-setat thesniperpost. In theeventofattack,hewouldwanttheearliestwarningfromhiskeen-eyedforwards,andonethatcouldbeconveyedbygoodold,reliable,un-scrambleablecable.

Larkinwashisusualedgyself.Attheloopholeattheendofthespit-post,hewassatonanestofsacking,meticulouslypolishinghisweapon.

A compulsive,Gaunt thought. The commissar stepped up to him. Larkin looked around, tense.“Youalwayslooklikeyou’reafraidofme,”Gauntsaid.“Ohno,sir.Notyou,sir.”

“I’dhatetothinkso.Icountonmenlikeyou,Larkin.Menwithparticularskills.”“I’mgratified,commissar.”Larkin’sweaponwassparkling,yetstill themanworkedthecloth to it.“Carryon,”saidGaunt.

Butforhowmuchlonger,hewondered?

FIVE

THEANGELOFBUCEPHALON

Larkin thought about death.He thought hemightwell havebegged for it long ago, hadhenot

been so scared of it. He had never figured out, though he had spent whole nights wondering it,whetherhewasmoreafraidofdeathitselforthefearofdeath.Worse,therehadbeensomanytimeswhen he had expected to find out. Somanymoments caught inDeath’s frosty gaze, snapped at byDeath’ssteelincisors.Thequestionhadbeennearlyansweredsomanytimes.

Nowperhaps,hewouldfindout.Here.Death,orthefearofdeath.IftheAngelknew,shewassayingnothing.Hersternfacewasturneddown,demure,eyesclosed

asifsleeping,prayinghandsclaspedatherbreast.Outside, below them, the war to take Bucephalon raged. The stained glass in the huge lancet

window,whatremainedofit,shookandtwinkledwithreflectionsoftracersprays,salvosofblazingrockets,brightair-bursts.

Larkin sat back against the cold stone pillar and rubbed a dirty hand around his lean jaw.Hisbreathingwasslowingnowat last,hispulsedropping, theanxietyattack thathadseenhimwailingandgasping fiveminutes agowaspassing like a cyclone.Ormaybehewas just in the eyeof thatstorm.

Thegroundshook.Hefeltitthroughthepillar.Hispulseleaptforamoment.Heforcedhimselftobreathedeeplythroughhismouth,slow,deepinhalationsofthesortheusedtosteadyhimselfbeforetakingashot.

“Youweretellingmehowyoucametobehere.”LarkinlookedroundattheAngel.Thoughherheadwasstillangleddown,nowshewasgazingat

him,smilinggrimly.Larkinlickedhislipsandgesturedidlyaroundwithonedirt-cakedhand.“War.Fighting.Fate.”“Imeantspecifically,”saidtheAngel.“Orders.ThewilloftheEmperor.”The Angel seemed to shrug her robed shoulders slightly. “You are very defensive. You hide

yourselfandthetruthbehindwords.”Larkinblinked.Foramoment, sickle-shapedmoonsofbrightwhite lightandfuzzyoblongsof

redblackness lurchedacrosshisvision.A tinymomentofnausea.Heknew the signs.He’dknownthem since childhood. The visual disturbances, the nausea, the taste of tin in hismouth. Then, theanxiety,thetunnelvision.Afterthat,ifhewaslucky,awhitehotmigrainepainthatwouldburstinsidehisskullandleavehimdazedandhelplessforhours.Ifhewasunlucky:fits,spasms,blackoutsandanawakeninghourslater,bruisedandbloodiedfromthethrashingseizures;empty,miserable,destroyedinside.

“What’sthematter?”askedtheAngel.Larkintappedhisforeheadgentlywithhisindexfinger.“I’m…notright.Neverhavebeen,notin

allmylife.Thefitsusedtoscaremymother,butnothalfasmuchastheydidme.Theycomeonmefromtimetotime.”

“Timeslikenow?Underpressure?Inthepresenceofdanger?”

“Thatdoesn’thelp.Butit’sjustanothertrigger.Youknowwhataploinis?”“No.”“Roundfruit.Soft,green-skinned,juicy.Lotsofblackpipsinpinkflesh.Theyusedtogrowinmy

uncle’sorchardonTanith.Divinethings,buteventhesmellofthemwouldtriggeranattack.”“Istherenomedicineyoucantake?”“Ihadtablets.ButIforgettotakethem.”Hetookalittlewoodenpill-boxfromhisjacket,opened

thelidandshowedheritwasempty.“OrIforgetwhenIrunout.”“Whatdotheycallyou?”askedtheAngel.“TheycallmeMadLarkin.”“Thatiscruel.”“Buttrue.I’mnotrightinmymind.Mad.”“Whydoyouthinkyouaremad?”“I’mtalkingtoastatueoftheImperium,aren’tI?”Shelaughedandsmoothedthefoldsofthewhiterobesoverherkneelinglegs.Therewasalow

andperfectradiancetoher.Larkinblinkedandsawglowingmoonsandoblongsinafterimageagain.Outside,ahailofgunfirelittheeveningandarippleofexplosionscrackledtheair.Larkingotto

his feet andcrossed to thenearestwindow.He lookedout through interlockingpiecesofcolouredglassat thecitybelow.Steepled, tall,risingwithinacurtainofwallseightymetreshigh, thecapitalcity-stateofBucephalonclungtotheridgeofthemountains.Smokeobscuredthesky,las-firefilledtheairlikebrightsleet.Twoormorekilometresaway,hesawthepairofenormousstormingrampsthatthesappersoftheImperialGuardhadraisedagainstthewalls.Hugeembankmentsofpiledearthand concrete rubble almost a kilometre long, rising high and broad enough to deliver armouredvehiclestothetopofthewall.Heavyfightingwithinbloomsofflamelittheramps.

Below,nearer, themenon theground looked like insectdots.Thousands,churning in trenches,spillingoutacrossthechewedandcrateredmessofthebattlefronttoassaulttheforbiddingwalls.

Larkin’s vantage point was high and good. This shelled, ruined fortress was part of a stonecomplexwhichstraddledandguardedthemainaqueductintothecity,ahugestructurethathaddefiedthemostearnestattemptsoftheenemytofellwithmines.Thoughheavilydefended,ithadseemedtoCommissarGauntagoodwayinforastealthteam.Notthefirsttimethecommissarhadbeenwrong.

Gaunthadtoldthemthat,beforetheclutchofChaosfelluponit,thecity-statehadbeenruledbythirty-twonoble families, thedescendantsofmerchantdynasties that had established the settlement.Theirbrilliantbanners,theheraldicdisplaysofthirty-tworoyalhouses,weredisplayedonthewalls,tatters of rich cloth draped from massive timber awnings. Those mighty awnings were nowadditionallydecoratedwiththecrucifiedbodiesoftheleadersofthosenoblefamilies.

IthadbeenNokad’sfirstact.NokadtheBlighted,NokadtheSmiling,thecharismaticcultleaderwhose malign forces had risen to conquer Bucephalon from within, and win one of the mosthonourableoftheSabbatWorlds.Inhisgreatliberationaddressatthestartofthecrusade,WarmasterSlaydohimselfhadlistedproudBucephalonasoneoftheworldshewasmosteagertosave.

Shellsburstoutside thewindowsandLarkinduckedback intocover.Glasspatteredand tinkledonto thestone floor.The flashesbehindhiseyesweregettingworseandhecould taste the tangofmetal in his saliva. There was a moaning, too, a dull aching groan in his inner ear. That was aparticularly bad sign. He had only got that a time or two before, just prior to the very worstmadnesses.Hisvisionwasnotentirelystable.Everythinginthechapelaroundhimseemedelongatedand stretched, like in themirror tent at theAttica carnival. In places his vision belled andwarped,objectsshimmeringinandoutoffocus,driftingnearandthenawayagain.

Heshuddered,deepinhisbones.The Angel was lighting tapers at the wrought iron offertory. Her movements were slow and

lovely,puregrace.Sheasked,“Whydon’tyoubelieveinangels?”“Oh,Ido.”Larkinsighed.“Notjustnow,before.Afriendofmine,Cluggan,asergeant,hewasa

bit of amilitary historian.He said that at theBattle of Sarolo, angels appeared over the lines justbeforedawnandinspiredtheImperialforcestovictory.”

“Weretheyvisions,doyouthink?Masshallucinationsbroughtonbyfatigueandfear?”“Whoam I to say?”Larkin replied, as theAngel finishedher taper-lighting andblew the long

flame-reedout.“I’mmad.Visionsandphantomsappeartomeonadailybasis,mostofthemconjuredbythemalfunctionsofmymind.I’mnotinapositiontosaywhatisrealandwhatisnot.”

“Youropinionisnolessvalidthananyother.DidtheyseeangelsatSarolo?”“I…”“Saywhatyouthink.”“Ithinkso.”“Andwhatwerethoseangels?”“ManifestationsoftheEmperor ’swill,cometovitalisehisloyalforces.”“Isthatwhatyouthink?”“It’swhatI’dliketothink.”“Andthealternative?”“Hnh!Groupmadness!Themeddlingofpsykers!Liesconstructedbyrelievedmenafterthefact!

Whatyousaid…masshallucinations.”“Andifitwasanyorallofthosethings,doesthatmakeitanylessimportant?Whatevertheysaw

orthoughttheysaw,itinspiredthemtovictoryatSarolo.Ifanangelisn’treallyanangelbuthastheinspirationaleffectofone,doesthatmakeitworthless?”

Larkinshookhisheadandsmiled.“WhyshouldIevenlistentoyou?Ahallucinationaskingmeabouthallucinations!”She took his hands in hers. The feeling shocked him and he started, but there was something

infinitelycalmandsoothinginhertouch.Warmthwriggledintohisfingers,palms,forearms,heart.Hesighedagain,moredeeplyandlookedupintohershadowyface.

“AmIreal,HlaineLarkin?”“I’dsayso.Butthen…I’mmad.”They laughed together, hands clasped, his dirty, ragged fingers wrapped in her smooth white

palms.Facetofacetheylaughed,hiswheezingrattletyingitselfintohersoft,musicalhumours.“Whydidyouabandonyourmen?”sheasked.Heshiveredandpulledhishandsoutofhergrip,

strugglingawayfromher.“Don’tsaythat!”“Larkin…whydidyoudoit?”“Don’taskme!Don’t!”“Doyoudenyit?”Hebumpedagainstapillaracrossthedebris-litteredaisleandturnedbacktoherwithferocious

eyes.Hisvisionwaspulsingnow,lightsandalterationsdancingandflexingacrosshislineofsight.Sheseemedfaraway,thenhugeanduponhim.Hisgutschurnedbiliously.

“Deny?I…Ineverleftthem…I…”TheAngelstoodandturnedawayfromhim.Hecouldseethewayhersilver-goldtressesfellto

waist lengthbetween thepowerful furledwingswhichemergedfromslits inhersamitegown.Her

headwasbowed.Shespokeagainafteralongpause.“Commissar Gaunt sent his fire-team into the aqueduct, on an insurgency mission to enter

Bucephalon.TheprimarytargetwasNokadhimself.Whywasthat?”“K-killtheheadandthebodydies!Gauntsaidwe’dnevertakethisplaceinayearunlessNokad’s

charismatic leadership was broken! The whole city-state has become his Doctrinopolis, thewellspringofhiscult,toseedandspreadthedeceitfulcharmofhissensibilitiestotheothercity-statesonthisworldandbeyond!”

“Andwhatdidyoudo?”“W-weentered theaqueductchannels.Rawne’scompany led theway todrawfireandbreak the

defence.Corbec’sslidinbehindtoleapfrogthefightingasRawnemetitandenterthecitythroughthecanaltrenches.”

“Wouldn’tyoudrown?”“Thecanalshavebeendryforsixmonths.Theywereminedandwiredbutwehadsweepers.”“YouwerewithCorbec’scompany?”“Yes.Ididn’twanttogo…Feth!Ihatedtheideaoftakingasuiciderunlikethat,butI’mCorbec’s

sniper…andhisfriend.Heinsisted.”“Why?”“BecauseI’mCorbec’ssniperandhisfriend!”“Why?”“Idon’tknow!”“Mightithavebeenbecauseyouarethebestshotintheentireregiment?Thatifanyonecouldget

ashotatNokad, itwasyou?MightCorbec,your friend,havebeenreluctant to takeyou?Mighthehavebeenafraidyoucouldsnapifthegoinggottoohard?”

“Idon’tknow!”“Thinkaboutit!Mighthehavedecidedtotakeyouintheendbecause,nomatterwhattheriskand

nomatterhowfragileyourmind,youarestillthebestshotintheregiment?Mighthehavevaluedthatinyou?Mighthehaveneededthatassetdespitetherisk?”

“Shutup!”“Mightyouhavelethimdown?”Larkinscreamedandpressedhisface into thestonefloor.Hiswirybodybeganto twitchas the

stormofmadness,thetidalwaveofanxiety,roseandcrestedinhisthunderingmind.Hesawnothingbutcoloursnow:hisvisionwasaneonkaleidoscopeblur.

“Andwhatdidyoudo?That firefight in thecanal.Closequarters.Lopradead,headblownoff;Castin disembowelled;Hech,Grosd, the others, the screaming, themisty smokeof burningblood.Corbecbellowingforreinforcements,daggersoflightcuttingtheair.Andwhatdidyoudo?”

“Nothing!”“Notnothing.Youran.Youranaway.Youscrambledandranandranandranandendeduphere.

Sobbing,vomiting,soilingyourself.”“No…”Larkinbreathed, spread facedownon the cold floor.He felt hewas in avacuumnow.

Therewasnosound,novision,nopain.Justhervoice.“Youdesertedthem.Thatmakesyouadeserter.”Larkinlookedupsharply.TheAngelstoodbythereliquary, liftingthestuddedwoodenlid.She

tooksomethingoutandplacedituponherhead,smoothinghersilver-goldhairunderthebrim.Itwasacap.Acommissar ’sregimentalcap.Gaunt’scap.

Shereachedintotheholyboxandliftedoutsomethingelse,wrappedindusty,moulderingcloth.

Herperfecthandsunwoundit.Aboltpistol.Withincongruoussureness,herslenderhandsslammedasickle-patternmagazineintotheslot,rackedtheslideandthumbedoffthesafety.Sheturned.

Herface,belowthecommissar ’scap,wasleanandangular.Larkinhadn’trealisedhowchiselledand thinhercheeksandchinwerebefore.Cutoutof stone, firmand fierce, like IbramGaunt.SheraisedtheboltpistolinherrighthandandpointeditatLarkin.Herwingsopenedandspread,twentymetreswide,avastarchofperfectwhiteeaglefeathers.

“Doyouknowwhatwedotodeserters,Larkin?”shesaidgrimly.“Yes.”“Wearecreatedtoinspireanduplift,tocarrythespiritofbattleforward,tomaintainthesenseof

gloryintheheartsoftheImperialwarrior.Butifthatspiritfalters,wearealsoheretopunish.”“Y-yousoundlikeGaunt…”“IbramGauntandIhavemuchincommon.Acommonpurpose,acommonfunction.Inspiration

andpunishment.”Itseemedasiftheworldoutsidethechapelhadfallensilent.Asifthewarhadstopped.“Didyoudesert,Larkin?”Hestaredather,atthegun,attheterriblewingspan.Slowly,hegottohiskneesandthenhisfeet.

“No.”“Proveit.”Everyjointinhisbodyached,everynervesang.Hisheadwasclearandyetracingandstrange.He

walkedwithmeasuredcareovertohisfallenpack.“Proveit,Larkin!TheEmperorneedsyouwithhimatthishour!Musteryourstrength!”Helookedbackather.Thegunandthegazehadnotfaltered.“Howdidyouknowmyname?”“Youtoldme.”“Myforename.Hlaine.Idon’tusethatanymore.Howdidyouknow?”“Iknoweverything.”Helaughed.Loudandhard,his thinchestshakingashestrippedopenhispack.“Feth takeyou!

I’mnodeserter!”“Tellmewhy.”“Seethis?”Larkinslidhissniperriflefromtheslingacrossthebackofhispack.Hehelditupand

freedthefiringmechanismwithadefttwistofhishand.“Agun.”“Alasgun.WorkhorseoftheGuard.Solid,dependable,tough.Youcanknockit,dropit,clubwith

it,submergeitanditjustkeepsongoing.”TheAngel took a step forward, looking at thegunheheldout toher. “It’s not standard.Not a

standardM-Gpattern.Where’stheintegraloptics,thecharge-settingslide?Thatbarrel:it’stoolong,toothin.Andthatflashsuppressed.”

Larkingrinnedandreachedintohispack.“It’sthesnipervariant.Samebody,butstrippeddown.Ididsomeoftheworkmyself.ItookouttheintegralopticsbecauseIusethis.”Heheldupabulkytubetoshowherforamoment,thenslotteditintoabracketonthesideoftheguncase.Heflippedcoversoffbothendsofthetubeandthedevicespreadafaintredglowaheadofthegun.

“Nightspotter.Myown.Itooledthebrackettofit.Iusedtouseittospotforlariselinthewoodsbackhome.”

“Larisel?”“Smallrodentswithafinepelt.Madeagoodincomehuntingthembeforethefounding.”

Heslidhishandsdownthegunandtappedthebarrel.“XC52/3strengthenedbarrel.Longer,andthinnerthanthestandard.Goodforabouttwentyshots.”Hekickedthepackathisfeet,whichclinked.“Ialwayscarrytwoorthreespares.Theytwistandpullout.Youcanswitchtheminaboutaminuteifyouknowwhatyou’redoing.”

“Whythestrengthenedbarrel?”“Increased range for a start, tighter accuracy, and because I use these…” Larkin pulled a

powerpack fromhis kit and slammed it intoplace. “Wecall them ‘hotshots’.Overpowered energyclips,liquidmetalbatteriesjuicedtothelimit.Biggerhitsbutfewer.Perfectformarksmanwork.Andthat’swhythere’snochargesettingslideronmypiece.Onesizefitsall.”

“Thestockismadeofwood.”“Nalwood,Tanithgrown.HikewhatIknow.”“Andthatlongflashsuppressed.”“I’masniper,Angel.Idon’twanttobeseen.”“Are you a sniper,HlaineLarkin? Iwas sure youwere a deserter.”The gloomyvoice echoed

aroundthechapel.Larkinturnedawayfromher,expectingaboltroundinthebackofthehead.Hisownheadwas

clear,clearerthanithadbeeninmonths.“Thinkwhatyoulike.I’lltellyouwhatIknow.”Hecrossedtothearcheddoorwayofthechapelandsettleddowninacrouch,thelasgunresting

onafinialofstonework.Itaffordedhimawideviewdownontothehalf-ruinedcanalontheupperlevelofthegreataqueduct.

Larkinsettledhimself,shookouthisneck,flexedhisarms.Hetookasightthroughtheeyepieceofhisscope.

“Mycompany’sprimarymissionwastotakeNokad.He’sacharismatic.Heleadsbypersonalityandthatmeanshestaysatthefore.ThisaqueducthasbeenrecognisedbybothsidesastheprimaryweaknessofBucephalon.We’veattackedit.Hard.

“Nokadwillwanttodefenditjustashard.Andthatmeansinspiringhistroopsalongthelengthofit.Andthat,inturn,meanshe’llbehereinperson.”

“Andifhe’snot?”askedtheAngel.“ThenI’mjustanothernamelesswoodenmarkerinthecemetery.”Hewasnolongerlookingat

her,nolongercaringaboutherterriblepresence.Shecouldbeholdingthatboltguntohistempleforallhecared.

“Youtrustthatscopetomaketheshot?”shewhispered.“Icalibrateditmyself.Andyes,Itrustthescope.Funnything,butwhatevergoesonaroundme,

whatever madness…”—and at that Larkin dared a glance round at the hovering presence at hisshoulder—“Ialwaysseethetruththroughmyscope.Itshowsmetheworldasitreallyis.Truth,notwhatmyfethedupmindtellsmeisthere.”

Alongpause.“MaybeIshouldlookthroughthescopeatyousometime?”heventured.“Haven’tyougotajobtodo,Hlaine?”“Yes.Myjob.”Heturnedbacktothescopeandshuthiseyes.“Youreyesareclosed.Whatareyoudoing?”“Shhh!Totakeashot,yourbreathingmustbecontrolled.Morethanthat,yourweaponmustbe

pointingnaturallyatthetarget.”Heopenedhiseyesagainandfiddledwiththelasgunasitlayinthelipofstone.

“What’sthematter?”“Ineedtobafflethebarrelagainstthestone.Ineedclothtowraparoundit.”Hebegantopullat

hiscloak,tryingtotearastripoffit.Therewasashreddingnoisebehindhim.Aperfecthandpassedhimalongstripofglowingwhitecloth,lightandwarmtothetouch.

“Usethis,Hlaine.”Larkinsmiled.Hewrappedthesilkymaterialaroundthemuzzleofhisrifleandthennesteditback

into thestonyoverhang. It restedbetternow,bandagedwithangelicsatin,neatlysnuggled into theturnofthehardbuttress.

“Thanks,”hesaid,resuminghisposition.“Whatareyoudoingnow?”Larkin flexed, as if fidgeting. “I must have a stable firing position. If the gun wobbles even

slightly,theshotscangowild.Ineedafirmgrip,butnottootight.Iwantittopointnaturallyatthetarget.IfIhavetoapplypressuretokeepitaimed,thenit’sgoingtomiss.See,here’sthetrick…”Heclosedhiseyes.

“Takeaimandthencloseyoureyes.Openthemagain.Chancesareyouraimwillhavewandered.Realignyourbodyandrepeat.”

“Howmanytimes?”“Asmanyasisnecessary.”Larkinclosedhiseyesagain,openedthem,shuffled,closedhiseyes.“Eventually,whenyouopenyoureyes,thegunwillbepointingprecisely,naturally,exactlywhere

yourbodyfallsanddirectsit.”“You’rebreathingslowly,”saidtheAngel,awhisperinhisear.“Why?”Larkin smiled, but ever so slightly as to not disrupt the perfect pattern of his firing position.

“Onceyou’reinposition,breatheslow,aregularrhythm.Keepitgoing,niceandrelaxed.Whenyougettheshot,takeacoupleofdeepbreaths,pause,breatheoutjustatad,andthenhold.Thenfire.Thenbreatheoutfully.”

“Howlongwillthistake?”theAngelaskedbehindhim.“Aslongasittakestogetatarget.”NokadtheSmilingsangtohisbrethrenastheyadvanceddowntheuppercanaloftheaqueduct.An

echelonof things thathadbeenmen,nowtrailing longtatteredrobessewnfromthehidesof thosethey had defeated. They brandishedweapons, slapping them in dull time to the chant. They passedover the butchered and exploded remains of the foe who had assaulted their one weak link thatafternoon.

Nokad theSmilingwaswell over twometres tall, his frameheavy set andpowerful. Piercingsstuddedhis naked torso and arms: loops, rings, chains and spikes armouringhis sheened skin andglitteringasbrightlyashisperfectteeth.

“Make trophiesof them!”Nokadgrinnedashepassed thecorpses. ImperialGuard,weak,punythings,drapedindullfatiguesandanonymouscloaks.Therewasfightingahead,thebarkingreturnsoflasgunsatcloserange.

CorbecwasinthecanalgullywiththreeremainingmenandRawneyellingthroughtheintercom.“It’snogood!They’vegotitsealedtight!Wehavetowithdraw!”“Fethyou,Rawne!Thisistheonlyway!Wemovein!Bringyourmenforward!”“It’ssuicide,Corbec,youfool!We’llallbedeadinamoment!”“Areyoudesertingme,major?Isthatwhatyou’redoing?There’sapriceforthat!”“Fethyou,youinsanemoron!You’dhavetobeutterlymadtogointhere!”

Nokad advanced. Hismen loved him. They sang together, jubilant as they forced the invaders

back.On the canal lip,Nokad howled his inspirational verses to hismen, arms uplifted, chainsword

whirring.Therewasacrack,astaboflight—andNokad’sheadvanishedinafilmofblood.Larkinfellbackinthedoorway,frothingandconvulsing,spasmssnappinghisbodyasthebrain

fevertookholdoncemore.“Larks?Larks?”Corbec’svoicewassoft.Larkinlayinafoetalball,messedbyhisownfluids,inthedoorwayoftheshatteredchapel.Ashe

camearoundhefelthismindwasclear,violentlyclear,likeithadbeenpurgedwithlight.“Colm…”“Yousonofabitch,Larks!”Corbecpulledhimupright,unsteadyonhislegs.Larkin’slasgunlay

onthefloor,itsbarrelbroken,burntandspent.“Yougothim!Yougothim,youoldbastard!Yousmokedhimgood!”“Idid?”“Listen to that!” Corbec crowed, pulling Larkin around towards the doorway. There was a

cheering and chanting noise rising from below the aqueduct. “They’ve surrendered!We’ve takenBucephalon!Nokadisfried!”

“Shit…”Larkinsanktohisknees.“AndIthoughtyou’drunonus!Honestly!Ithoughtyou’dfethingdeserted!”“Me?”Larkinsaid,lookingup.“Ishouldn’thavedoubtedyou,shouldI?”Corbecasked,bear-huggingthewirylittlesniper.“Where’stheangelgone?”Larkinsaidquietly.“Angel?There’sno angelhere excepther!”Corbecpointed to thedamaged statueof the angel

above the chapel font, a beautifulwingedwomanknelt in the attitude of prayer.Her perfect handswere clasped.Herheadwasboweddemurely.The inscriptionon theplinth rejoiced that shewas asymboloftheGod-Emperor,apersonificationoftheGoldenThronewhohadcometotheeldersofBucephaloninthefirstdaysofthecolonyandwatchedoverthemastheyconqueredtheland.

Anoldmyth.Ahunkofstone.“But—”LarkinstartedasCorbecdraggedhimtohisfeet.“Butnothing!”Corbeclaughed.Larkinbegantolaughtoo.Heconvulsedandgaggedwiththeforceoflaughterinsidehim.Corbecdraggedhimfromthechapel,bothlaughingstill.TheverylastthingLarkinsawbeforeCorbecwrenchedhimawaywashisfallenlasgun,withthe

peerless,scorchedwhiteclothstillwrappedaroundthebarrel.Asuddenbarrageofenemyguns,distant,impatient,cameonjustbeforethemiddleofthenight

overMonthax,andstippledthebellyofthelowbrownskywithreflectedflashesoffireandlight.Wet,hollow rumbles barked and growled through the swamps and ground mist like starving hounds.Leaguesaway,somebrutalnight-combatwasunderway.

Gauntwokeinstinctivelyatthesoundofthegunsandtookawalkoutofthecommandshed.Thesoundwascomingfromtheeastandhehadasergeantcirclearoundtocheckonthesentrylines.Theartillerysoundedlikesomeoneflappingandcrackingalarge,sweat-dampsheetinthehot,heavyair.

He crossed a gurgling creek via a duck-board bridge andmade it into the tree line just as thehumiditybrokeandcolddroolingrainbegantofallthroughairsuddenlystirredbychillbreezes.Itwasalmostarelief,buttherainwasstickyandsappyandstunghiseyes.

Gaunt found himself on the embanked approach to one of the main sentry towers and pulledhimselfuptheladder.Thetowers,setathundredmetreintervalsalongthemaindefile,rosesometenmetresoutofthesurfacefilth.Theywerefashionedfromgroupsoftree-trunks,shoredtogetherandstoutbuttressedwithrivetedbeams,andsupportedlargeflak-boardgun-nestsmountedonthetop.

Upinthedarknest,TrooperBraggtendedacradle-mountedpairoftwinnedheavybolters,drumsofshellspiledaroundhishugefeet.Aflak-boardcoverkepttherainoffandthenestwasshroudedbynetting.

“Sir!” Bragg saluted, his big face cracking into a broad, embarrassed grin. He was makingfortifiedcaffeineovera littleburner,hishugepawsdwarfing thepotandcup.He tried tohide theflaskofsacrabehindthestove,butthescentoftheliquorwaspungentinthecloseairofthenest.

Gauntnoddedthesalute.“I’llhaveonemyself,”hesaid.“Astiffone.”Braggseemedtorelax.Hesloshedagenerousmeasureofsacra intoasecondbatteredcupand

fussedovertheboilingpot.Gauntwasamused,asalways,bythecombinationofbrutalstrengthandtimidity in this giant of aman.Bragg’s handswere big and strong enough to crush skulls, but hemovedalmostmeekly,as ifafraidofhisownstrength—orafraidofwhatothersmight thinkhimcapableof.

HehandedthecommissarahotcupandGauntsatonapileofshell-drums,gesturingoutacrossthe jungle to theeast.Thenest’s raisedvantagepointaffordedabetterviewof thedistant fighting.Flares and tracers showed above the trees, and as the rain dissipated the mist, there were ruddygroundfirestobeseenamidthetrunks.

“Someone’shavingfun,”heremarked.Braggnodded,sippinghisowncup.“Imakefourormaybefiveenemypositions,infantrysupport

teams.They’veadvancedanddugin,becausethefire-patternsarestatic,butthey’vefoundsomethingtoshootat.”

“Iftheymovethisway,we’llneedtotakeaction.”Braggpattedhisheavyweapons.“Let’emcome.”Gauntgrinned.Braggwasagoodheavyweaponstechnician,buthisaimhadscarcelyimproved

since theFounding.Still,withgunswith that sortof cycle rateand thatmuchammo,he shouldhitsomething.

“Oh,whileIremember,”Gauntsaid,“thewesternembankmentsarecollapsingagain.ItoldMajorRawnethatyou’dhelpthedetailre-digtomorrow.Theyneedsomeheavylifting.”

Braggnoddedwithoutquestion.Hisgreatphysicalstrengthwasanasset to theGhosts,andwasmatchedbyhisgenialityandwillingnesstohelp.HeremindedGauntofsomegreatbluntweapon,likeaclub:deadlywhendeliveredproperly,butdifficulttowieldoraim.

Braggbattedamothawayfromhisface.“Preciouslittleplacewe’vefoundhere,”heremarked.“Monthaxis…shortoncharm,”Gauntadmitted,studyingthehulkingtrooperquizzically.Bragg

wasastrangeman.Gaunthaddecidedthatlongago.He’dnevermetahumansophysicallypowerful,yetmentallyrestrained,asifhewassomehowafraidoftheterriblepowerhecouldunleash.OtherstookitforstupidityandregardedbigoldBraggasdumb.Butthemanpatentlywasn’tstupid.Inhisown, quiet, mountainous way, he was the most formidable and dangerous Ghost of all. Sopreoccupiedbyhisphysicalpower,othersalwaysunderestimatedthemindbehindit.

Andthemind,Gauntknew,wasthestrongestthingofall.

SIX

THATHIDEOUSSTRENGTH

Caligula,aftertheImperialliberation.Nightsasbrightasday,litbytheburninghivecities;days

asdarkasnight,chokedbythepetrochemicalsmoke.Soot,likefat,blacksnowflakes,fluttereddowneverywhere.Evenouthere,inthedeadlands.

Steepledcanyonsofcoral-brightrock.Wispsoffluorescentdustlickingthehighplacesandtherimsofthecalderas.Cracked,drybasinsofhard,russetcake-earth.Wide,slumpingridgesofglass-sand.Anddeath,bleachedandbakedwhite,likebonesthathadbeenoutinthesunforyears.

Eighteencargotransports,thirty-wheelmonsters,coughingblueexhaustfromtheirverticalpipe-stacks, ground down the red-rock pass in low gear. The tractor units at the front of each payloadwagonweremonsters,armouredcabsofscorchedmetalrattlingontopofahugeengineunit,glaringforward through multiple fog-lamp eyes and grinning fly-flecked smiles of fender bars, radiatorgrilles and spiked running boards, flanking the massive transports were the outriders, rushingthroughthedustontrack-bikesandinarmouredcars.

PalaprTuvant,transportdriver,Caligulabornandbred,wrestledwiththehalf-moonwheeloftheconvoy’sleadfreighterandglancedaroundathisco-driver.HewnMilloomwaslookingoutofthecabwindow,occasionallyregardinghischronometer.

Theywerebothwringingwithsweat,entombedbytheheatfromtheroaringengineundertheirfeet.Milloom had dropped the window armour panels and opened themetal vents in the hope ofwashing themwithcoolbreeze fromoutside.But the surface temperatureout in thedeadlandswaspushingfortydegrees,andtheybaked.Occasionally,spraysofhotengineoilspurtedbackfromtheleakyheadgasketandspatteredinatthemthroughtheforwardgrille-screen.

Milloomsatbackinhisrippedleatherseatandlookedupatthecab’sceilinghatch.“He’sstillupthere?”

Tuvantnodded,wrenching thewheel.Bothof themwere all tooused to the juddering, shakingmotionofthevehicle.“Probablystickinghisheadoutoftheturretlikeadog,enjoyingtherushofair.”

Milloomchuckled.“Kec,buthe’sadumb-ass,right?Neverstoodinlineforbrains.”Tuvantnodded.“TypicalGuard,allmuscleandnohead.Wherethekecweretheywhenthehives

fell?Huh?Answermethat?”“Inatroop-shipintransit,”TrooperBraggansweredplainly,hishugebulkclamberingdownthe

rungs fromthe tophatch to join them.Hestoodat thebackof thecab,holdingontoa roll-bar forsupportasthetractorlurchedoverunevenground.“Colonel-CommissarGauntsaidwegothereasfastaswecould.”Hesmiledsheepishlyatthetwo-mandrivingteam.

“I’msurehedid,”Tuvantmurmured.Braggedgedforward,usinghandholdstostophimselffromfalling.“We’remakinggoodtime,

aren’twe?”“Brilliant time,” Milloom replied, turning away from the big Ghost. “Calphernia Station will

rejoicewhenwearrive.”“I’msureitwill,”Braggsmiled,sinkingintothebenchseatbehindthedriver ’sposition.“That’ll

begood.Whenthecolonel-commissarorderedmetocommandthisconvoydetail,IsaidtohimIwillgetitthroughontime,trustme,colonel-commissar.Iwill.Andweare,aren’twe?”

“Yes,weare.Rightontime,”Tuvantsaid.“Good.That’sgood.Thecolonel-commissarwillbepleased.”Milloommutteredsomethingunflatteringaboutthehighandmightycolonel-commissar.“Whatdidyousay?”Braggaskedsharply.Milloom stiffened. He looked across at Tuvant. They’d been in the company of this huge

guardsmanformaybethreehoursalltold,andhadsofarreckonedhimtobedim-wittedandslow.Ofcourse,hissheerbulkwas impressive,but theyhadfeltconfidentabout laughingathimbehindhisback.NowMilloomtensed, feelingperhapshe’dgone too far, feeling thegiantbehind themmightsuddenlyunleashhisundoubtedphysicalpowerinamindlesstantrum.

“I…Ididn’tsayanything.”“Youdid.Yousaidsomethingaboutmycolonel-commissar.Somethingbad.”MilloomturnedslowlytofacethehugeTanith.“Ididn’tmeananything.Iwasjustjoking.”“Soitwasabadthing.Aninsult.”“Yes,butjustajoke.”Milloomtensed,expectingtheworst,reachinghislefthanddownbesidehis

seatfortheaxle-barhekeptstowedthere.“That’sokay,”Braggsaidlightly,turningtolookoutofawindow.“Everyoneisentitledtotheir

opinion.Thecolonel-commissartoldusthat.”Milloom sat back and exchanged knowing grins with the driver. A total dummy, they agreed

wordlessly.“So,”Tuvantasked, teasing, lookingatBragg in the rear-viewmirror, “youdoeverything this

colonel-commissartellsyou?”“Of course!” the giant replied brightly. “He’s the colonel.And the commissar.We’re hismen.

We’reImperialGuard.TanithFirst-and-Only.We’reloyaltotheEmperorandwedoeverythingthecolonel-commissartellsus.”

“Whatifhetoldyoutojumpoffacliff?”Milloomlaughed,conspiratoriallysharingthebaitingwithTuvant.

“Thenwe’djumpoffthecliff.Wasthatatrickquestion?”Theconvoyrolledonintothedeadlands.Ithadassembledthatmorningonastainedcurtainroad

outsidethehalf-burnedruinoftheAurelianHiveCity,whereasecondfrontofImperialGuardhadseizedcontrolafterthemainassaultonNeroHive.ThemammothImperiumvictorywasinnodoubt,butstillpocketsofenemysoldiersheldout,fightingalingeringwarofwastageandattritiontowearoutthelinesofsupply.

TheImperialGuardclosedinenmassetorootoutanderadicateallremnantsofresistance,andthe work to rebuild Caligula began. What resources were available — and despite everythingAurelianHivewasrichinstorehouses—hadtoberedistributed.Theconvoymarkedthefirstattemptto convey relief supplies to the stricken Hive Calphernia. That meant a two hundred kilometrecrossingofthebattlewasterecentlydubbed“thedeadlands”.

Six convoys had departed Aurelian Hive that dawn. Four were headed to Nero Hive, one toTiberiusandonetoCalphernia.Gaunt’sGhosts,theTanithFirst,weregiventheprotectionduty.ItwasagreedthattheruntoCalpherniawasthemostdangerous,asitcrossedtheterritoriesofbandits—ex-hiveworkerswhohadfled thewarandset themselvesupasfeudalwarlords in thewaste.Notasinglereliefvehiclehadmadeitthroughinthelastsixweeksandtherumourstoldofthousandsof

rebels,stockpilingweapons.SomeevenwhisperedthatChaospowerswereinvolved.Everyone, including Bragg himself, was amazed when Gaunt chose Bragg to command the

defenceof theCalpherniaconvoy.Gaunthad ignoredall theprotestsand taken thebemusedBraggintohiscommandbunkertobriefhim.

Caober,Rawne,Larkinand theotherGhostsdecided thatGaunt’s choice simply representedanacceptance that the Calphernia convoy wouldn’t get through. It was a write-off and Gaunt wasn’tgoingtowasteanydecentcommandertosuchlongodds.

“Andsoourcaringcommissarshowshistruecolours!”Rawnehadhissed,playingwiththehiltofhissilverTanithdagger.Others fidgettednervously,unhappywithwhatseemed tobegoingonbutunwillingtoquestionGaunt’sauthoritydirectly.

Braggsimplygrinnedat thehonourbestoweduponhim.Itseemedhemissedtheirony.Hewasoblivioustothefactthathewasalreadygivenupasdead.Rawnespatinthedust.

Atthebehestofthemen,CorbechadapproachedGauntfiercely,demandingtoknowwhyGaunthadbeensocallousastodeemBraggexpendable.“Sir,withmeorHaskerorLerodatthehelm,wemightgetachancetodrivethatconvoythrough.Don’tthrowitaway,don’twasteBragg—”

“Iknowwhat I’mdoing,”Gaunthad repliedcurtly, sending theproudBraggandseventyotherGhostsoffonthedetailfromwhicheveryonewassurenoonewouldcomeback.

Theconvoyrumbleddownawide-bottomedcrevasseandbegantocrossacracked,reddust-plain

ofbakedearth.Heatshimmeredup,distortingthehorizons.Outrideroneroaredaheadoftheconvoy,atrack-bikedrivenbyCorporalMerynwithTrooperCaffranmanningthepintle-mountedtwinauto-cannonsintherear.Bothhadtheirstealthcloakswrappeduparoundtheirmouthsagainsttheheatanddust,andworefilmed,heat-crazedgoggles.

Merynheavedthecycletoahaltonarise,theconvoyakilometrebehindthem,andpulleddownhisswaddlingdust-veilstospitandcough.

“Youfeelthat?”hecalledbacktoCaffran.“Eyeswatchingusfromallaround?”“Justyour imagination,”Caffran returned, cranking theguns roundall the same.Caffran felt a

pulse inhis temple thatwasn’t simply theheat.He’dseen theexpressiononColonelCorbec’s facewhenGaunthadgiventheconvoycommandtoBragg.Theyweredeadouthere,asgoodaswrittenoff. The hundred burnt and crucified bodies they had passed on the roadside an hour before hadnothingtodowithimagination.Caffranshuddered.

Otheroutriderswhirredforwardinhazesofdust.TrooperKelvedroveonecyclewithMerrt,one

ofCorbec’sfavouredsharpshooters,intherearcradle.Merrthadhissnipergunwrappedinoil-clothinthefootwellbelowhim,readytoswitchtoitwhentheautocannonrigrandry.Kelvepulledthemuptoarevvinghaltonasand-rise.

Totheirleft,engineidling,wasOchrinandhisgunnerHellat.Totheirright,fivehundredmetresdistant,MkendrickandhisgunnerBeris.Asignal,wavedfrombiketobike,thentheyallflewforwardintothedustybasinbeyond,racingparalleltothetrackleftbyMerynandCaffran.Thehugeconvoythundered in after them. Tailing it, and flanking the rear, came three more outriders: Fulke withLogris gunning, Mktea with Laymon at the weapons, and Tanhak with Grummed manning thecannons.Behind them,an ImperialGuardhalf-trackdrivenbyWheln,withAbatandBrostinat theweapons stations, and another with long, double-tracks driven by Mkteeg with Rahan and Nehncrewingamissilelauncherplatform.

Bragg clambered up into the gun-turret over the cab of his tractor, half-hearing thewhispered

slangingoftheCaligulandrivers,MilloomandTuvant.Heatanddustassaultedhisbigface.Thesunwasatorrentialheat.Hisnostrilsimmediatelycloggedwithash-dustandhehadtohawkandspittoclearhishead.Asanafterthought,hewrappedhisstealthcloakaroundhismouthandnose,pullingoutthegoggleshehadbeenissuedandalsorememberingtowipezincpasteoverhisexposedskin.Thepaste,clagginganddampinasmallcirculartin,smelledbad,butthecolonel-commissarhadtoldthemalltouseit.Braggliftedhismicro-beadcomms-setandslidtheplugintohisear.

“BraggtoallGhosts,remembertouseyoursun-paint.Thezincstuff.Tikethecolonel-commissartoldus.Over.”

Overthevox-linkcamearoundofcursesandprotests.“Imean it,”Bragg said. “Wipe it on,Tanith.There’s burning and there’s burning, the colonel-

commissarsaid,andourfairskinswon’tlastaminuteoutinthis.”Slidinghisbiketoahalt,Ochrinpulledouthistinandgrudginglyappliedpastetohisbrowand

nose.Heheldthetinout,straightarmed,toHellatintheback.Therewassoft,distantping,ahollow,emptysound.Hellat took the tin fromOchrin’s outstretchedhand just as he realisedOchrin no longer had a

face.Ochrin’scorpsefloppedstifflybackoffthesaddle.Hellatcriedoutinalarm,grippingtheyokesofhispintleweaponandrainingmetalfuryonthe

distantdunes.“Ochrin’sdown!Weareattacked!”hescreamedashefired.A second later amissile lifted his cycle into the air and blewHellat andOchrin’s corpses into

piecesofcookedmeateachnolargerthanaclenchedfist.Vox-trafficsuddenlytumbledinconfusionoverthestatic.Murmuringthelitanyofprotectionthe

EcclesiarchhadtaughthimbackonTanith,atthePrimerEducatory,Mkteegdrewhishalf-trackhull-downbehindasaltyduneandhisweaponcrewspatarackofmissilesintothecliffedges.

Meryndrovehiscyclearound inawidearc,pulling to rejoin,puffingupawide skimofdust.CaffranrattledroundthegunmountandflickeredoffacurvingrowoftracershellsintothepositionmarkedbyHellat’slastassault.OchrinandHellat’svehiclelayinaburningheaponacrispedsand-rise.

Themainconvoyslowedas theattackmade itselfknown.Theenemy firewhickered into themfromtherighthandsidelikerain—afewshotsatfirst,thenfasterandmorefurious.

Mkendrick raced his bouncing bike in, screaming a Tanith warcry, and only when his gunnerdidn’t begin firing did he turn to findBeris hanging dead over the pintlemount, sunlight shiningthroughavastholeinhistorso.Mkendrickbraked,leaptoutofthedriver ’spositionandtossedBeris’corpseaside,maniacallytrainingandfiringthegunsfromastationaryposition.

Ashiscycleracedintothefirefight,Merrtknewhehadagoodangle,pumpingroundafterroundfromthebigcalibreguns into thedistantdustdunes.Hescreamed tohisdriver togofasterand tooverrun the enemy.Kelvewas about to reply, orwas half-way through saying something,when asalvoofstubroundstorethevehicletopiecesandoverturnedthem.

MerrtpulledhimselfoutofthedustandlookedroundtoseeKelvetrappedunderthewreckage,shriekinginpain.Thecontrolcolumnhadimpaledhim,rippinghimopenandpinninghimintothesandunderthreetonnesoftwisted,smoulderingmetal.

Merrt ran to him, trying to raise thewreck, trying to tip it over.Kelvebayed at him, begging,pleading.

WhenMerrt realisedhowheavy thewreckwasandhowgrievousKelve’swound,hedidashisdriverinstructedhim.HetookouthislaspistolandshotKelvethroughthehead,pointblank.Kelve’s

bodyspasmedanddied,gratefully.Merrt dived flat as further fire foundhis position.He locatedhis swaddled sniper gun, thrown

clearoutfromthewreck.Therewasnotimetocheckfordamage.Hepulledoffthecloth,laylow,and sighted, snuggling a freshpower cell into the receiver.His long sight brought the enemy intoview, magnified, hazy, distant figures milling around trying to reload a khaki-painted missilelauncher.

Hemadehisfirstshot.Itwentlong.Headjustedhisscope,asLarkinhadtaughthim,breathedout,andmadethesecondshotacleankill.Theenemywereturninginconfusionwhenhemadethenextthreeshotsincalm,coldseries.

Threecleanhits.SniperMasterLarkinwouldbeproud.Atopthemaintractor,Braggyelledintohismicrobead,orderingtheconvoytoformadefensive

circle. Various counter-demands whipped into his ears over the link and he shouted them down,grippingthegun-yokeswithbothofhishugehandsandsendingtightburstsofhammer-fireintothestarboardhills.

Theconvoyvehiclesreluctantlyobliged,followingBragg’sorders,circlingroundandformingadefensive position that the remaining outriders circled. Vehicles two and four in the convoy tookheavy hits, and vehicle six exploded outright as a rocket torched into its tractor unit. The side-panelling of the cargo-unit rippled off as internal explosions blistered out through themetal skin,shredding it. Scraps of metal hull span away from the boiling black-smoked fireball, puffinghundredsofindividualripplesintheashysandallaround.

RelievedattheturretgunsbyTrooperCavo,BraggdroppeddownintothecabtofindMilloomandTuvantshelteringunderwindowlevel,thegrid-shieldsandhatchespulledup.

“Thisismadness,youstupidkec!”Tuvantbellowed.“They’llpinusdownandmurderusall!”“Idon’tthinkthesebanditsarereallysotough,”Braggbegan.Tuvantturnedonhim.“Youkec-head!They’realloverus!God-Emperor,buttherearethousands

ofbanditsouthere,morethanenoughtokillusall!Weshouldhavekeptmoving!Stoppinglikethis,we’llgivethemallachancetocongregateforthekill!”

Braggshambledacross to theCaligulandrivers.Therewasadull lookinhiseyeTuvantdidn’tlike.Withonemeaty,hairy-knuckledpaw,BraggliftedTuvantoffthecabindeckbyhisthroat.

“I’m inchargehere,”hegrowled,hisvoiceasdeepandsolidashisbuild, reverberative. “Thecolonel-commissarsaidso.IfwehavetofightourwaythroughtoCalpherniaamicronatatime,wewill.Andwewillallfight.Clear?”

“C-clear!”gaspedTuvant,goingblue.“Now,canyoumakeyourselfuseful?”“How?” snarledMilloom acidly from behind. Bragg dropped Tuvant,who sprawled, retching,

andturnedtofacetheotherdriver.Milloomhadhisgreasyaxle-bar inhishands.“Youdon’tscareme,Ghost.”

“Then you must be very stupid,” Bragg muttered, turning aside without interest. Milloomlaunched forward to crush thebigman’s skullwith fivekilosof cold-stampedmetal.Braggbrokestridelightly,impossiblylightlyitseemedforsuchagreatbulk.Hecaughtthedescendingbarinonepalm.Therewasanaudibleslap.Milloomgaspedasthebarwaspulledoutofhishands.Braggtosseditaside.

“Youcanstartbynotattackingme.Youfethingnon-combatantsreallywindmeup.Wherethefethwouldyoubeifwehadn’tcometopullyourarsesoutoftheChaospit?”

“Safe and sound in Aurelian Hive, probably!” Milloom jeered. “Not out in the deadlands,surroundedbyterroristinfantry!”

Braggshrugged.“Probably.Withtheothercowards.Areyouacoward,DriverMilloom?”“Kecyou!”“Justasking.Thecolonel-commissartoldmetowatchoutforcowards.Toldmetoshootthemon

sight,astheyweretreasonousdogswhodidn’tdeservethesalvationoftheGoldenThrone.Iwouldn’tshootthem,notme.”

Therewasapause.Braggsmiled.“I’djusthitthem.Hasasimilarresult.Doyouwantmetohityou,Milloom?”“N…no.”“Thendon’tassaultmeagain.Youcanhelpevenifyoudon’tknowthebusinessendofaweapon

fromyourownarse.Geton thevoxcaster.Recite theEcclesiarchy’sOathofObedience.Youknowthat?”

“OfcourseIknowthat!Thenwhat?”“Thenreciteitagain.Makeitclearandproud.Reciteitagain,thenagainandthenagain.Ifyouget

bored,inserttheEmperor ’sDailyPrayerforvariation.MaybetheImperialLitanyofDeliveranceforgoodmeasure.Fillthevox-channelswithsoothing,inspiringwords.Canyoudothat?”

Milloomnoddedandcrossedtothevox-casterbuiltintothetractor ’sdash.“Goodman,”Braggsaid.Milloomstartedtospeakintothecasterhorn,rememberingtheverses

hehadlearnedasachild.Outside, laser and stub firewhined into the circled convoy.The outriderswere laying in hard.

MeryndrewhisbikeinsothatCaffrancoulddorealdamagetotheslowlyencirclingbandits.Fulke,Mktea andTanhak ran the line. From the back of Fulke’smachine, Logris excelled and

scoredfourkills.Mktea’sgunnerLaymonmadeoneofhisownbeforetheupperpartofhisheadwasscythed off by a las shot at themouth. Tanhak andGrummedmade six, maybe seven, good killsbeforeashort-rangemissileendedtheirlivesandtheirglory.Debrisandbodypartsflewoutfromasearingtyphoonofignitedbikefuel.

“Bragg!Bragg!Wehavetoretreat!”Whelnyelledfromthehalf-track,AbatdeadbehindhimandBrostinblazingwithhisflamer.

In the cab of his freighter,Braggwas calmly unwrapping his autocannons from a felt shroud.Behind him,Milloomwas steadily reciting into the vox-horn.Bragg paused, fingering hismicro-beadtoopenthevox-line.

“No,Wheln.Noretreat.Noretreat,”hesaidsimply.Rubbinghissorethroat,Tuvantscrambledupfromthefloor,abouttoarguewiththehugeGhost,

but he stopped dead as he saw the weapon that the Tanith hulk was preparing. Not one but twoautocannons,thelikeofwhichwereusuallyfixedtotripodorpintlemounts.Bragghadthemlashedtogether,withamakeshifttriggerarraymadeoutofabentration-packforksohecouldfirethemasapair.Longbeltloopsofammunitionplayedoutfromthegun-slots,leadingbacktoaparcelofround-boxes.

Braggpunchedouttheperspexwindowsectionfromtherearofthecabandlaidhistwinmuzzlesacrossthesill.HelookedbackatTuvant.

“Youwantedsomething?”“No,”Tuvant replied,duckingsuddenlyasstub-fireperforated thecabandshowered themwith

metalshardsandsoot.“IcanfirethisonmyownifIhaveto,butitwouldbeeasierifIhadsomeonetofeed.”

Tuvantblinked.Thenhescrambledforwardandgrabbedtheammo-belts,easingthemaroundsotheywouldpullunobstructedfromtheboxes.

“Thanks,” smiled Bragg quickly, then turned to hunch and squint out of the window port. Hesqueezedthetriggerassembly.Thetwingunsbarkeddeafeninglyintheconfinesofthecab.Milloompaused in his recitation, and covered his earswith a grimace.Tuvant shuddered, but keptworkingdutifullytoplaytheammo-beltsoutclearandclean.Shellcasesbillowedthroughtheairlikechaff.

Bragg’s first devastating salvo had gone wide, passing over the top of the nearby cliffs. Hegrinnedathimselfandadjustedhisaim.

“Tryagain…”hemurmured.“What?”askedTuvant.“Nothing.”Bragg opened fire again, the barking chatter of the paired guns filling the cab again.Nowhis

shotswerestitchingalongthevalleywallandcrossingthefardunes.Somethinghetouchedexplodedinaviolentplumeofredfire.Braggplayedhisgunsaroundthatareaagainforaminuteorso.

Outon thedunes,with the convoycircledbehindhim,Merrt crawled forward, re-adjustinghisaim.HecouldheartheanxiousbutdeterminedvoicerecitingtheEmperor ’sPrayeroverhisear-pluganditfilledhimwithasenseofrightanddignity.Heblinkeddustoutofhiseyes.He’dditchedhissand-gogglesthemomenthe’dhittheground.Larkinhadtoldhimthatnothingshouldgetbetweenasniper ’sscopeandhisnakedeye.Youonlysawthetruthoftheworldwhenyoureyewasclearandyouwere looking down your scope, Larkin had said in training.Merrt smiled at thememory.Heremembered howLarkinwould often carry his scope around in his thigh-pouch and take it out tolookatpeoplethroughit.“Totellifthey’relying,”healwayssaid.

Merit’sscopewasn’tlyingnow.Hecouldseeoverthreedozenbanditsadvancingoverthedunesunder cover of the foggy dust kicked up by the firefight. They were running low, heads down,huggingthecontoursoftheground.Merrttookaimatthenearestone.Hesighedandfired,timinghisfingertothemomentofrespiratoryemptinesssonothinginhistorsowouldjerktheaim.Thelaserburst punched through the top of the bandit’s bowl-helmet, presented as it was by his head-downapproach.Theshotprobablypasseddownthroughhisskull,hisneckandhistorso,followingthelineofhisspinalcolumn,Merrtthought,asthefiguredroppedstonedeadinacrumpledpile.

Headjustedhisaimandtookanotherbandit in thefacewhenhe lookedupto takeabearing.Aslightswingtotheleft,andanothercameintohissight,scurryingforwardtogainnewcover.Asigh.Asqueeze.Aslightrecoil.Thefigureflippedbackandfellstill.

Merrtreadjustedandwasabouttotargetasmallgroupofinfantrywhentheirpositiondissolvedinahazeofheatandoutflungdebris.Missilehit,hethought.

Rahan and Nehn were keeping the aim of the missile turret low, sliding off single shots thathuggedthegroundcoverandburiedthemselvesinthefoe.Mkteegedgedthehalf-trackalongThelipofthefoldeddunes,skirtingtheenemyasbesthecould.Hisweaponcrewhadalmostexpendedtheirmissiles,sohesetthedriveinidleandclamberedbackintotheturretbedtosetupthestub-gunfoldedawayinadeck-locker.

He had it up and lashed in to the armoured side panel of the track asRahan volleyed off fivemissileshighintotheair.Theylookedlikeburningjavelinsastheyarchedoverthedesertandflewdownontounseentargetsbelowthedune.

MkteafiredtheautocannonmountLaymonhadbeenmanninguntilthefeederbeltjammedandthegun glowed red.With a curse, he snatched up his lasrifle and dived over the side. Enemy las-firereachedhisvehicleamoment laterandblewitup inashowerofmetaldebris thatpatteredaroundhimashecrawledthroughthesand.Mkteafeltasharpandpainfulimpactinhisankle.Lookingback,proneonhisbelly,herealisedhiscombattrousersweresmoulderingfromthewashofcindersanda

thickpieceofmetaldebrishadpiercedhisfoot.He beat down the fire then rolled over to yank the debris from his ankle. It was the shattered

handleofhisvehicle’sauto-gunreturn,herealised.Thepainwasimmense.Hepulledatitandpassedoutmomentarily.Comingto,herealisedthattheshrapnelwasn’tgoingtocomefreefromthebonesof his foot without a surgeon. He chewed down a handful of painkillers, and as the heady highsmackedintohisbrain,herolledoverandbeganfiringhislasgunintothedunecrestbehindhim.

Whelnblastedaway fromhisvehicle’s turretnext toBrostin,whohadditchedhis flamer foralasrifle.Banditswererunningatthemfromascoopoflow-lyingdesert,andtheyshoteverythingthatmoved.

Mkendrikrealisedhisgunswereoutasthelastofthebelt-feedwhickeredthroughtheslotandtheweaponscougheddry.Bandit troopswerealloverhim,charginguptotakehismachine.Hepulledouthislaspistolandshotthefirstonethroughthehead,guttingthesecondandblowingakneeoffthethird.Thenhetookaglancingwoundintheleftshoulderthatturnedhimsidewaysandknockedhimtothedeck.Therewasaroaringsound.

Meryn’sbikecameover therise inapuffofdust, landinghard,Caffranhammering theenemywithhisguns.MerynslewedtotheleftasCaffranplayedthecannonsaround,explodingmostoftheenemywhowereineye-shot.Theothersscrambledforcover.

“Comeaboard!”MerynshoutedovertheroarofhisengineandMkendrikleaptontotheflat-bednexttoCaffran.Meryngunnedtheengineandtheyhammeredstraightattheenemylines.

Tiringfromthebackofhisvehicle,Logris,oneofMkoll’selitescoutbrigade,realisedhisdriverwaslosingit.Fulkewascryingout,screaming,resistingthehammerofweaponsfire.Heslewedthebikearound,awayfromtheaction.

“Pullusbackaround!Thewar ’soverthere!”LogrisbellowedFulkesaidsomethingabsurdandgunnedthemotoroftheoutridertowardsthecomparativesafetyoftheconvoycircle.Logrisclimbedforward over the ammo boxes and feeder-cables strewn across the back-platform of the bike. HecameuponthewhimperingFulkefrombehindandslammedhisheadsidewaysintothearmourpanelofthepilot’sdoor.ThebikeshudderedtoasidelonghaltasFulkewentlimp.

Logris spat on the driver. “Coward,” he said, then turned back. Enemy troops were scurryingacrossthecrackeddust-landtowardshim.Hetookouthislasgunandarmedit.

“Let’sgo,”hesaidtothem,thoughtheycouldn’thear.Bragg pulled back from thewindow and released his finger on the trigger assembly. “What?”

Tuvantasked.“Getout,”Braggsaidsuddenly.“YouandMilloom,getoutofthecabandbackontothetrailer.”“Why?”“Tire-patterns…”“What?”Bragg turned and cursed at the Caligulan driver. “Tire-patterns! Tire-patterns! They’re

concentratingtheirfireonthetractorunits.It’sthefreighttheywant!Ifyouwanttobesafe,getintothesectionstheydon’tdareshootat!”

TuvantandMilloomhurriedbackthroughthecommunicatingdoorintothefreightsection.Braggwipedhisbrow.Hishandwasrichwithsweatandsoot.Overthevox-link,heorderedallhiscrewstodothesame.Thebanditswantthiscargo…andso,Thronehelpme,they’llbelesssureofshootingatuswhenwe’repartofit.

Heyankedhisautocannonsoffthesillanddraggedthemandtheammoboxesoutontothetopof

thefreightunit.“We’regonnadiehere!”Tuvantsaid,lookingoutfromthetopofthefreightunitatthehundreds

ofbandittrooperswhowereadvancingontheircircleofmachines.“No,we’renot,”Braggtoldhim.“You’remad!”spatTuvant.“We’resurroundedbythem!Thousandsofthem!They’llpickusoff,

everylastman!”Braggsighedandclosedhiseyes.TheMauraderbombers came lowover the ridge, annihilating theenemywith theirbelly-slung

payloads.“There are bandits… hiding out there in the deadlands, impossible to target.” Bragg smiled,

repeatingwhat Gaunt had told him. “Unless there is something to draw them out and unify them.Somethinglike…thisconvoy.”

Tuvantlookedatthehugeghostindisbelief.“Wewerebait?”“Yes.”“Kecyouforusingus!”“I’msorry.Itwasthecolonel-commissar ’sidea.”Tuvantsaggeddownontothefreighter-topwalkway.Bragg hunkered next to him. Around them, sheets of incendiary bombs and phosphor fire

scorchedthehills.TheImperialfighter-bombersshatteredtheairastheywentsupersonicandcrossedthelowhillstopullaroundforanothermassacrerun.

“Tuvant?”Tuvantlookedroundatthegiant.“Wewerebait,butwestillhaveapurpose.We’llgetthisconvoythrough.Calpherniawillrejoice,

justlikeIsaid.It’sjustthecolonel-commissar—”Tuvantturned,eyesred.“I’mgettingkectiredofhearingthattitle!”“Hisname’sGaunt.Agoodman.GeneralThothorderedhimtosupervisethereliefworkhereon

yourworld.Heknewthatcouldn’thappenallthewhiletheterroristsandbandit-clanswereouthere.Sohesetalure.Alureoffat,tastyfreighttrucksboundforCalphernia.”

“Great.”“Wegot themall inoneplacesothat theNavyair-wingcoulddisposeof them.Behappy,man!

We’vewonagreatvictoryhere!”Tuvantlookedupathim.Hisfacewaspale.“AllIknowisI’vebeenusedasbaitbyyourcolonel-

commissar.Youknewthatallalong.”Bragg sat backagainst theguard rail, smelling the acid-rich reekof theburningnapalm. “Yes.

Thebanditsaren’tworkingblind,youknow.HiveworkersinAurelianaretippingthemoffastothemovementofsupplyconvoys.Whyelsedoyouthinkthecolonel-commissarputmeinchargeofthisrun?”

Tuvantblinkedathim,uncertain.Braggpattedhisvastchestwithhugehands.“I’mbig…Imustbestupid.Nobrain.Thesortof—

whatwas it again?—‘kec’whowoulddrive the convoy into trouble and then circle it in a defensepositionforeasypickings.Thesortofidiotwhowaslikelytodelivertheconvoyrightintothehandsofthebandits.”

“Areyoutellingmeyouwerepartoftheluretoo?”“Thesweetpart,theparttheycouldn’tresist.Theparttheworkersontheinsidewouldvoxtotheir

banditfriendsabout.Convoy’scoming,boysandthere’sanidiotincharge.Right,Milloom?”Milloomglaredbackatthemfromhisplaceagainsttherail.“Kecyou!”

Braggshookhisgreathead.Heheldupadata-slate.“Friendofmine,TrooperRaglon…Comms-OfficerRaglon,wasmonitoringyourciphertraffic.I’vegotyouhere,tippingoffyourbanditfriendsastothetime,schedule,make-upandstrengthofthisconvoy.Colonel-CommissarGaunttoldmetodoit.”

“Milloom?”Tuvantstammered.Acompactauto-pistolwassuddenlyinMilloom’shandasheleaptup.“Kecyou,Guardfilth!”Braggwasupinaninstant,shieldingTuvantandswingingamassivefistatMilloom.Thegunwentoff.Therewasasickeninggristle-crackofimpact.Theshotwentwild.Hisfacemashedbeyondrecognition,HewnMilloomtumbledoffthewalkwayofthefreightunit

andwasdeadbeforehisbodysnappedonthehard-packeddeserttwentymetresbelow.BraggturnedbacktoTuvantandhelpedhimup.Therewasbloodonhisbulkyknuckles.Behind

them,theskywaswashedwithheat-washandcinder-smogfromthebombingruns.“Hewasatraitor.Andacoward,”BraggexplainedtoTuvant.“Colonel-CommmissarGaunttoldyouthat,right?”“No,Iworkedthatoutallbymyself.Now,IbelievewehaveadatewithCalpherniaHive.”ArustydawnsplittheskyoverMonthax.TheairremindedGauntofthetallwindowsattheSchola

Progenium back on Ignatius Cardinal where he had been reared and trained years ago, after hisfather ’sdeath.Smoky, likeglass, fading throughscatteredpanelsof redsandochres to thefrostiertonesofmauveandpurplehighabovewherethestarsstilltwinkled.Allitlackedwasthelead-edgedfigureofsomechampionoftheImperium,someholysaintfrozeninanattitudeofvictoryoverthepiledheadsoftheslain.

Foramoment,hethoughtheheardtheplainsongoftheScholachoir,singingthedawncelebrantasthestarIgnatiusrose.Butheshookhimself.Hewasmistaken.Acrossthelongdaybreakshadowsthat laced the stinking, muddy trench lines, he heard men singing a rougher, more brutal Guardanthemastheysettheircookingfiresandmadebreakfast.Milowasamongstthem,edgingthethroatymusicofthemen’shusky,dreamyvoiceswithsilverynotesfromaslenderreed-pipe.

Just asmuch an offering, just as celebrational for the providence of a newday, safe-deliveredfromnight,Emperorbethanked.Beyondthelines,theunyieldingjunglessteamedastheheatoftherising sunboiled thedampoutof them.Mist coated thedark trees. In that darknessof foliage andwaterandmudandflies,whatmiseriesawaitedtheImperialGuard?

Near tohim,onemanwasn’tsinging.MajorRawnesatbackonafoldedbedrollsetby thefirebeforehistent.Hewasshaving,usingabowlofhotwater,abrokenmirroredtileandtherazoredgeofhissilverTanithknife.HehadlatheredwithatinyhunkofsoapandGauntcouldhearthescratchofthebladeagainstthebristlesofhischeekandthroat.

Thecommissar foundhimselfalmosthypnotisedby thepractised,meticulousmotions; thewayRawne held the skin of his cheek taut with his free hand as he looked sidelong into the proppedmirror,drewtheknifeinashortscrapeandthenrattleditcleanintheshallowbowl.

Aknifeagainstaknife,Gaunt thought.HealwayssawRawne’s faceasa thindagger,sleekandhandsome.Adagger…orasnake,perhaps.

Bothwouldbeappropriate.GauntadmiredRawne’sabilities,andindeedevenhisruthlessness.Buttherewas no love lost.Hewondered howmany throats had been opened by the knifeRawne nowstrokeddelicatelyacrosshisownvulnerableflesh.Watchinghimshave,withoutsomuchasanick,itemphasised the dangerous control of the tall, slender man. Precise, perfect, the tiny differencebetweenacleanshaveandkillingstroke.

Andwiththatknifeinparticular…Rawne lookedupandcaughtGaunt’seye.Hemadenoother signof recognitionandcontinued

withhiswork.ButGauntknewhowdearlyRawnewouldlovetorattlethatbladecleanofsoap-foamandbristles,andplungeitintohisheart.

Orturnintoaserpentandbitehim.Gauntturnedaway.HewouldalwayshavetowatchhisbackagainstRawne.Always,forever.Itwas

the way of things. Ibram Gaunt had a billion enemies out there, but the bitterest was at his side,amongsthisown,waitingforthemomenttocomewherehecouldmakeaghostofGaunt.

SEVEN

PERMAFROST

There isavalleyonTyphonEightwherefrozenscreamssawat theair,dayandnight, through

eternity.Thevalleyisaglacialcleft,itssheersidesninekilometresdeep.Wherethestarlightcatchesthetopflanks,theancienticeissowhite,theeyecanonlytakeitbriefly.Deeper,asitplunges,theicebecomestranslucentblue,mauve,thencrimson.Algaeforms,frozenbillionsofyearsbeforeintotherock-ice,stainitwiththeirdyesandfluids.

Itisthewindthatscreams,shreddedandslicedbytherazor-edgedoutcropsoficealongthevalleycrest,twistedandamplifiedbythegorge.TyphonEightisanicemoon,itssurfaceacrustoffrozenwatersometimesahundredkilometresdeep.Belowthat,boilingoceansofhydrocarbonspulsewiththetidalrhythmsoftheplanetoid’slivingcore.

The screaming loud in his ears, Rawne rolled and slipped down a slope of scarlet ice at thebottomofthevalley.Thepiercingwindrakedathim,tryingtostealhiscamo-cloak.Despitethecloakandhisglovesandtheinsulationofhiscold-weatherfatigues,hewasnumbandleaden.Thefeeling—orthelackoffeeling—replacedtherawnessofanhourbeforeandwasnomorewelcome.Helaystill,fumblingwithhislasgun.

Icecrystalsformedonthemetaloftheweapon.Hecouldbarelyholdit.Moreshotscamehisway.Rawnehadbecomeusedtothepeculiarsoundtheimpactsmadeinthis

place:awetpoppingandasizzleassuperheatedroundspunchedintoicewhichmeltedaroundthemandrefroze.Blackenedwounds,perfectcircles,dottedtheredicesheetaroundhim.Heslitheredintoadeeperdepressionintheicescapeandheldhimselflow.Moreshots,lowanddesperate,onebuzzingahand’sbreadthoverhishead.

Thensilence,orasclose tosilenceas theperpetualscreamingwouldallow.Herolledontohisbackand,withhischinonhischest,lookedbackalongthevalleythewayhehadcome.Therewasnosignofanyoneoranything,exceptacrumpledblackshapeonehundredmetresbehindhim thatheknewwasTrooperNylat.

Dead.Theywerealldead,andhewasthelast.Hewriggledupandtookasight.Thelensofthelasgunspotterwascrackedandfilmedwithice,

ice which had formed from themoisture of his own eye. He pulled back, cursing. A day before,TrooperMalhoonhadfrozenhiseyeball tohissightwhilespottingfor targetson the icefloes.Hecouldstillheartheman’sscreamsastheyhadseparatedhimfromhisweapon.

Hefiredatriplesalvoblind,wayward,intothedarkofthegorge.Inanswer,adozengunsopeneduponhim,andblewupanartificialblizzardintheice-dust.

Caves:low,arched,steepleddefilesintheice-cliffwallcarvedbytheslowshiftofthecrust.Short

ofbreathandwithashrapnelwoundstinginghisthigh,Rawnehalf-fellintothenearestandlayonhisfaceuntilthecoldacheoftheicemadehimrollover.Itabruptlyseemedbreathlesslyhotinthecave.Rawnerealised that itwasbecausehewassuddenlyshieldedfromtheslicingwind.Thoughonlyafewdegreesabovezerointheicecave,outofthewinditfeltalmosttropicalinthere.Hepulledoffhiscloakandhisglovesand,afteramoment,hisinsulatedvesttoo.Heshuddered,dampandtoohot,

sweatbuiltupunderhisinsulatinggarmentstricklinglikesaunamoistureoffhisback.Hecheckedhisleg.Therewasaholeinhisfatiguesatmid-thighanditlookedlikehehadbeen

burnt by amelta.Thenhe realised thebloodhadnot clottedon the fleshwound. It had frozen.Hesnappedtheblackiceoffhisfleshand,wincingastheactionpinched,lookedattheoozingwetgashinhisleg.

Notfor thefirst timeinhismilitarycareerandcertainlynotfor thelast,hecursedthenameofIbramGaunt.

Rawnereachedforhismedi-pouchandpulleditopen.Hetookthefleshclampsoutandworkedwith them as themedic,Dorden, had instructed them all duringFoundationTraining.But thewireclampswerefrozenandhisnumbfingersmanagedlittlemorethantopingthemoffacrossthefloorinsteadofopeningthem.

It took him an age to extract a needle from the sterile paper packets.He dropped four or fivebeforehegraspedone,andthensetitbetweenhisteethashetriedtofindthelooseendofthesurgicalthread.

Finally,itwaspinchedbetweenunfeelingfingers.Hetooktheneedleandtriedtothreadit.He’dhave hadmore chancemaking a bull’s-eye on a target ten kilometres awaywith a wrong-sightedlasgun.Aftertwentyattempts,heputtheneedlebackbetweenhisteethandtriedtotwisttogetherthenowfrayedendsofthethread.

Somethinghithimhardfrombehind,smashinghimheadfirstintothesnowfloor.Helayonhisface,fazed,slowlybecomingawareof thesnortingandsnifflingbehindhim.His

tonguehurtandhismouthwasfullofbloodwhichdrooledoutandfrosteddownintotheice.Abigshapewasmovingbehindhim.

Heturnedhisheadslowlyanddaredtotakealook.Circumspect,sidelong,asonemightdointoamirrorwhilstshaving.

The orkwas nearly threemetres tall and almost aswide. Impossibly largemuscles corded itsshouldersandarmsandstinkingfursswaddleditsbulk.Itsheadwashuge,twicethesizeofahuman’s,thrust forwardandseatedon thevast lower jaw.Blackened teeth stuck likechiselbladesoutof therottengums.He couldn’t see the eyes.He could smell the reekingbreath, the corrosive saliva thatspatteredanddrippedfromthehalf-openmouth.

Playingdead,hewatchedasittoyedwithhismedi-pouch,rootingthroughthecontentswithhandsbigenoughtobreakahumanthroat likeatwig.It tookoutarollofgauzeandbit itmunchingandthenspittingout.

It’shungry,thoughtRawne,andhisgutsicedandtightenedattheidea.Suddenly, it moved to him, pulling him up by the hair and jerking him back like a puppet,

rummaginginhisclothingwiththeotherhandforfoodpouches,rations,munitions.BloodspilledoutofRawne’s jerked-openmouth, spatteringdownhischest.He tried to remain

limp,buthis lefthandcreptdowntowards theknifesheathedathiswaist.Thehugeork jerkedandtwistedhimlikeasackofbones,sniffingandgurglingbehindhisear,hotbreathonRawne’sneck,rancidsmellinhisnose.

Rawnefoundhisknifeandsliditout.Hemusthavetenseddoingsobecausetheorkfrozeandthenmutteredsomethinginitsarcanetongue.Rawnemovedtoswinghisknife,buttheork’shugepawwassuddenlyaroundhisblade-hand,crushingitandslammingitintotheicywallbesidethem.TwoslamsandRawne’shandgaveup.TheTanithdaggerwhippedaway.

Theork roared, agutturalbellow thatdeafenedRawneand shookhisdiaphragm.Holdinghimfrom behind, it bear-hugged, pulling its arms apart, determined to rip his torso in two. Rawne

screamed,fightingfutilelyat thegreaterstrength, tearinghisarmsfree.Hewasdead,heknewthat.Deathwasamomentaway.

Painmadehimreachintohismouth,topullatwhateverthrobbedinhistongue.Hefoundtheendofthesurgicalneedle,protrudingfromthefleshofhistongue.Heyankeditout.Ashockinglylongspurtofbloodfollowedit.Thenhestabbedbackbehindhisheadwiththelittlesliverofmetal.

Theorkscreamedanddroppedhim.Rawnelanded,spittingandcoughingbloodfromhispulsingtongue.Theorkwas flailingaround thecavewildly,holdingoneeye thatdribbledwithclear fluidandstainedichor.Thenoiseofitsragewasdeafeningintheice-hole.

Rawnescrambledforaweapon,buttheorkturnedandsenthimflyingacrossthecavewithaflatbackhand.Rawnehittheicewallhardwithhisshoulders,upsidedownandhorizontal.Hisshoulderbladecrackedandhedroppedtothefloor.

Theorkchargedhim,oneeyehalf-closedandoozingaroundthestub-eyeofthesurgicalneedleimpalingit.Rawnerolled.

Hislasgunwasonthefarsideofthecave,buthisknifewasinreach.Hisknife.Howmanyfightshadhewonwiththat?Howmanythroatshadhecut,howmanyhearts

hadheburst,howmanystomachshadheopened?Hereachedit,graspedit,turnedinalowcrouchtomeettheattacker,agleefullookonhisface.Theorkfacedhim,itsbacktothecavemouth,ahuge,crudebolt-pistolinitsichor-spatteredfist.Theorkspoke,slow,rumbling,alien.Rawnedidn’tknowwhatitsaid,butheknewwhatitmeant.Therewasablindingflashandtheroarofaweaponloosedintheconfinesofthecave.Rawnehadalwayswonderedwhatitwouldfeelliketotakethekillinghit.Tobeshotmortally.To

die.Buttherewasnofeeling.Nosense.Intheblinkofaneye,hesawtheorkexplode,itsmid-sectiondisintegratinginaburstoflight.Itfell,almostintwoparts.Itsbodyfluidsfrozeasitfloppedtotheground.Therewasatallfigureinthecareentrance,blockingthelight.“MajorRawne?”IbramGauntenteredthecaveandholsteredhisbolt-pistol.Itseemedthatthecommissarhadfarednobetterthanhim.Theorkwarbandhaddecidedtotake

advantageofthechaosofthecrusade’spushtoseizeTyphonaspartofitsattempttobuildaraidingfootholdintotheSabbatWorlds.Chargedwithdestroyingthemenace,theGhostshaddeployedintothelonggorgesandice-floesofthemoonandcomeundone.AsRawne’splatoonhadbeencutdownalongtheeasternedgeofthescreamingvalley,soGaunt’shadtothewest.Inretreat,thegreenskinshadprovedthemoredeterminedadversaries.

Thecommissarandthemajorcroucheddownintheicecavetogether.Rawnehadmadenosignofgratitude.Inmanywaysheknewhewouldratherbedeadthanremainbeholdentotheoff-worlder.

“How’syourtongue?”Gauntasked,gettingafirelitwithchemicalblocks.“Why?”“You’renotsayingmuch.”Rawnespat.“It’sfine.Acleanwoundwithasharpinstrument.”Truthwas,hisswollentonguefelt

likeabedrollinhismouth,buthewouldnotletthecommissarhavethesatisfactionofknowinghisdiscomfort.Buthecouldnotdisguisethepainhisleggavehim.

“Letmeseetothat,”Gauntsaid.Rawneshookhishead.“Thatwasanorder,”Gauntsighed.Hemovedover,pullinghisownmedi-pouchopen.Hisclipswerefrozentoo,buthewarmedthem

overthechemicalflameandthenpinchedthelipsofRawne’sthighwoundshut.Hesprayedthearea

withantisepticfromtheone-useflask.Rawnefelthislimbgodead.ThenGauntwarmedhisnumbfingersandthreadedsurgicalcordintoafreshneedle.Hehanded

Rawnehisdagger.“Bitethehilt.”RawnedidsoandstayedsilentasGauntsewedthetornfleshtogether.Gauntbitoffthecordandtiedit,wrappingadressingoverthewound.Rawnespatthedaggerout.Gauntpackedthekitawayandthensettledakettlepanovertheflames,droppingascoopofice

intoit.“SeemstomeTyphonhaslevelledus,major,”hesaidafterawhile.“Howso?”“The high-born commissar, with all his airs and graces and rank, his schola training and his

expertise; the low-life Tanith gangsterwith hiswiles and tricks and diversions— it’s put us on alevel.Equals.Bothfightingthesamehostilitywiththesamechances.”

Rawnedidn’tmanagehisretort.Histonguewastooswollenandsore.Hemanagedtospitagain.Gauntsmiledandwatchedtheice-waterboilinthepan.“Good.Maybenot.Ifyoucanstillspitatmeandholdmeincontempt,we’renotequal.Icanlower

myselfdowntowardsyourleveltohelpyou…Feth,saveyou.Butthedaywe’rebothonalevel,yourlevel,I’llkillmyself.”

“Isthatapromise?”Rawneasked.Gauntlaughed.Hedroppedsomedehydratedfoodcubesintothebubblingpanandstirredthem.

Dry-powderedbeansouppuffedandformed.Hewasstilllaughingashepouredthesoupintotwotincups.

The wind rose as night fell. It howled outside the mouth of the cave, raising the volume and

intensityofthescreamingTheysattogetherinthedark,watchingthefire.Therewereonlyfourfuel-blockslefttofeedtheblazeandGauntwasbeingcareful.

“Youwanttoknowsomeotherdifferencesbetweenus,Rawne?”Rawnewanted to say “No”, but his tonguewas now too swollen and useless.He spat atGaunt

againinstead.Gauntsmiledandnoddeddownatthespittlefreezingontheice.“There’sone:thisplacemightbeaballoffrozenmoisture,butyouwon’tseemegoingaround

losingbodymoisture like that.Thewindwill freezeyoudry in a fewhours.Conserveyour bodywater.Stopspittingatmeandyoumightlive.”

HeheldoutabowloftepidwatertoRawneandafteramoment,themajortookitanddrank.“Here’sanother.It’swarminhere.Warmerthanoutside.Butit’sstillclosetozero.You’rehalf-

strippedandyou’reshivering.”Gauntwasstilldressedinhisfulluniformandhiscloakwaspulledaroundhim.Rawnerealised

hownumbhehadbecomeandbegantopullhisvestandcloakaroundhimagain.“Why?”themajoraskedthickly.“Why?BecauseIknow…I’vefoughtthroughcoldzonesbefore.”“Notthat…why?Whywouldyouwanttokeepmealive?”Gauntwassilentforawhile.“Goodquestion…”hesaidatlast.“Giventhatyou’dlikenothingbetterthantoseemedead.But

I’macommissaroftheImperialGuard,chargedbytheEmperortokeephisfightinglegionsableandintactinthefaceofbattle.Iwon’tletyoudie.That’smyjob.That’swhyIsavedyouhere,that’swhyIsavedtheTanithfromthedestructionoftheirworld.”

Therewasalongsilence,brokenonlybythecracklingchemicalbricksofthefire.

“YouknowI’llneverseeit thatway,”Rawnesaid,hisvoicecoldandsmall.“YouleftTanithtodie.Youdidn’tletusstandandfight.Iwillneverforgiveyouthat.”

Gauntnodded.“Iknow.”Then,afteramoment,“Iwishitwasn’tso.”Rawnerolledhimselfupintoacleftoftheicecaveandpulledthecloakaroundhim.Hefeltonly

onething.Hate.Somehow,somewhen,dawnhadcomeup.Thin,fraillightpokedintothecave.Gauntwasasleep,huddleddownunderhiscloak,coveredinfrost.Rawneslowlygottohisfeet,

fightingtheacheinhisbonesandthealmightycold.Thefirehadlongsincegoneout.Heedgedaroundthecave,staringdownatGaunt.Painebbedthroughhissewnleg,hisshoulders,

hismouth.Thepainclearedthefuzzinessofhisheadandmadehimsharp.HepickeduphisTanithknife,wipedthefrostfromit,andknelttoplaceitsbladeagainstGaunt’sthroat.

Noonewouldknow.Noonewouldeverfindthebody.Andeveniftheydid…Gauntshudderedinhissleep.HespokethenameofTanithtwiceashiseyelidsrolledandflicked.

Thenhespoke,curlinguponhimself:“Won’t let themdie!No,notallof them!In thenameof theEmperor,Sym!”

Thenhisvoicediedawayintomumbling.Rawne’shandtensedontheknife.Hehesitated.Gaunt spoke again, his dreaming voice a low monotone. “No, no, no, no… it’s burning…

burning…Iwouldnever…Iwouldnever….”“Neverwhat?”Rawnehissed,abouttopullthedaggerupinaquickkillingslice.“Tanith…InthenameoftheEmperor…”Rawnetwistedwherehecrouched.Hepulledthedaggerup,notinakillingslicebutinanarcthat

threw it across at themouthof the caveand impaled the throatof theork creeping inside towardsthem.

Asitfellback,gurgling,Rawneheardraucousbayingfromoutside.HekickedGauntintheribstorousehimandswunguphislasgun,firingwildlyatthecavemouth.

“They’reonus,Gaunt,youbastard!”hescreamed.“They’reonus!”Eightfierce,wordlessminutes,weaponsspittingandcrackingintheirhands.Gauntrousedfrom

deep,troubledsleeptocombatreadinesswiththespeedoflongexperience.Sixorkshadcomerightuptothemouthofthecave,andwithoutcovercoulddolittlebutshootanddie.Caughtinthemouthofthecave,thetwoImperialsoldiershadbettercoverandtheadvantageoftheslope.Hugecarcassesfellandslid,smokingdownthecrimsonice.

RawnedroppedthelastofthemandturnedtofindGauntscanningthevalleyfloorwithhisscope.“Wecan’tstayhere,”thecommissarsaid.Thatexchangewillbringthemfromallaround.“Wehavecoverhere,”Rawneargued.Gauntkickedtheiceatthecavemouth.“Allwehaveisatomb.Getenoughofthemaroundtopen

usinandthey’llbringtheice-cliffdownandburyus.Wehavetomove.Andfast.”They ditched bed rolls and anything else it would take too long to repack. Gaunt prioritised

ammo, food,Rawne’s small satchel of tube-charges, their coldweather gear. In less than aminutetheywerefleeingdowntheslopeoutside,cloaksflying,intothedawnchill.

Twelvekilometresaway,thesteepanglesoftherisingsunlit thefarwallofthevalley,buttheywereintwilighthere,afrostydarknessinwhichthescarleticearoundthemglowedandshonelikemarble.Ormeat inabutcher ’s shop.Distantly, thecrumpofweapons fire.Theyhugged thevalleywall,usingicerocksascoverasthewindwailedandagonisedaroundthem.

Akilometreorsofromthecave,theyrested,sweatingintheirinsulatedfabrics,croucheddowninthecoverofablocksplinterfallenfromhighabove.

Rawnewipedtheorkbloodoffhisknifeandcutahankofclothfromtheedgeofhisstealthcape.He’d lost a glove somewhere, andhis handwas aching and rawwith the cold.Hebound the clotharoundhishand,tyingittightlikeamitten.

Gaunttouchedhisshoulderandpointedbackthewaytheyhadcome.Lights,biggleaminglamps,bobbed and bounced along the valley floor: vehicles. Thewindwas too loud tomake out enginenotes.

“Comeon,”saidGaunt.From shelter, a scoop cut in the ice floor, theywatched the vehicles pass five hundredmetres

away.Lour big orkmachines, black and pumping blacker smoke from crude combustion engines.Thick-treadedtyreswithchainsgavethefrontendofthemachinestraction,andtherearsectionswerecarriedonsledrunnersortracks.Eachvehiclecarriedatleasttwootherwarriorsbesidethedriver,andheftyweaponsonpintleorturretmounts.Theyhowledpast,sprayingupsheetsoficeparticles,closeenoughforthementoseethetribalmarkingsonthebatteredflanksofthemachinesandsmellthestinkoftheirburningoil.

Oncetheyhadpassed,Gauntmadetocontinue,butRawnepulledhimback.“Theyknowhowfastwecanrun,”hesaid.Sureenough,aroarreachedthemoverthehowling

windaminuteor so later and thevehicles spedbackpast theyway theyhadcome, searchingbackoverthegroundtoseewhattheyhadmissed.Onepulledawaywestandtwomoreracedonwards.Thefourthcurvedaroundinasprayoficeandmovedtowardsthemtosearchalongthewallofthevalley.

Theywere trapped.They could not run because therewas nowhere to run towithout exposingthemselvestotheorksiftheyrosefromthescoop.Huddledlow,theywatched.

The ork half-sled slowed and one of the burly warriors jumped down, running alongside thevehicle,firingintocavesalongthevalleywall.Theotherwarriortraversedtheheavyweaponofthetrundlingvehiclefromsidetoside.Closer…

Gaunt turned toRawneandnodded tohis lasgun. “More range,better sight.Take theweapon’soperator.”

“Notthedriver?”“If his gunner ’s dead, all he can do is drive. If he dies, the gunner can still fire. Target the

gunner…andwhenyou’vegothim,re-aimonthefootsoldier.”Rawnenoddedandbreathedhardonhissighttowarmthelens.Heclickedinafreshenergyclip

asquietlyashecould.Thoughthewindwasscreaming,thehardmetalclackwouldcarrylikeashot.HesawGauntcarefullydoingthesamewiththesickle-patternmagazineofhisbolt-pistol.Themotorsled turned theirway, itsharsh lightscatching the lipof their icescoop,making the

scarlet ice translucent and all themore like freshmeat. Rawne took his aim. He knew hewas nomarksmanlikeLarkinorElgith,buthewaspassable.Evenso,heletthesledslipcloserinbeforehefeltconfidentofashot.Hisonlytarget,thesilhouetteofthevehiclebehindthelights.Closer…almostonthem.Rawnefired.

Hisblazingshothittheblackshapebehindthelights.Therewasadoubleflashandthenaseriesofloud,fierceexplosions,likegunshots.Thesledveeredsideways,bumpingtoahalt.Rawnerealisedtheyhadbeengunshots.Hehadhitthegunnersquarely,buthisshothadpassedthroughtheweaponmountontheway,explodingtheheavybolterandignitingtheammodrum.Thegunner ’ssmokingcorpsehungfromtheburningweaponand,evenastheywatched,strayroundssuper-heatedandwent

off like fireworks.The driverwas also dead, the back of his skull and neck riddledwith shrapnelfromtheexplodingammo.

GauntandRawneleapedupoutofthescoopandrantowardsthemotorisedsled.Theorkleftonfootwasrunningtheirway,firingfromthehip.Boltroundswhizzedandsangaroundthem,fizzlingintotheice.Yellingashechargedtheadvancingork,Rawnefiredonfullauto,hislasgunbuckingashecarried it lowagainsthisside.Twolasershotsspunthemonstrousorkoffhisfeetanddroppedhimontheice,wherehelaytwitching.

Gauntreachedthesled,screwinguphisnoseatthesmellofburningflesh.Thegunandthegunnerwerestillburning,butfirehadnotspreadtotherestofthemachine.Hesteppedforward,butdartedbackasanotherroundwentup.Thenitwasquiet.

Heleapedupontothetail-boardsandputapoint-blankroundthroughthegunner ’sback,thoughhewassuretheorkwasdead.Hehadheardtoomanytalesofthegreenskinresiliencetoinjury.Gauntpitched the cadaver off the platform onto the ice, then grabbed hold of the smouldering, ruinedweapon.Therewasahandlereleasetofreethegunanditsdrumsfromthemount.Heheavedonit,hishandsslippinginthickgrease.Nohumanstrengthhadtightenedthislatch.Heputhisweightbehindit,cursingandgrunting,expectinganotherroundtoexplodeinhisfaceatanymoment.

Thelatchgave.Withagasp,andaneffortthattoreligamentsinhisbackandarms,heheftedtheentiregunandammocarriageoffthemetalbarsofthemountframeandtippeditoveroffthevehicle.Asitlanded,threemoreroundswentoff,onescuddingacrossthesurfaceoftheiceinslitheringjagslikeaphosphorescentsprite.

Gaunt’s gloves had caught fire from the red-hotmetal and he jerked them off, throwing themaside.Heclamberedforwardontothedriver ’spositionandtriedtopullthedriver ’sbodyoutofthecockpit.Nearlyfourhundredkilosofdeadweightrefusedtobudge.

HelookedbackatRawne,intimetoseehimfinishingthefallenfootsoldierwithhisblade.Gauntyelledhimover,hisvoicelostinthekeeningwind.

Together theypried thedriver ’scorpse freeand flopped it into the ice. Ithadalreadybegun tofreezeandfelllikeasackofrocks.Gauntgotintothecockpit,feltthespaceroomyandtoobigforahumanoperator.Itstankofsweatandbloodintheenclosedcabin.Hetestedthehandlebargripsandfoundthefootpedals.Hisfirsttriesatcontrolrevvedtheenginetoascreamandthenbrakedthesledin a jolt that threw the cursingRawneontohis back in the troopbaybehindhim.Thenhehad themeasureofit.Itwasacrudeversionofthelandcarshehaddrivenwithhisfatherbackhome,yearsago.Therewas a foot throttle and also a foot brake, though that did little but dig amassive spikedownfromtheundersideintotheicetoretardmotion.Theanchorwouldonlyworkinconjunctionwithde-throttling.Withtheengineracing,thespikewouldshatterandpullthegutsoutfromunderthemotor sled. The gears, three of them, were set by a twist on the left handlebar grip. There weregaugesonthecrudedashcalibratedingreenskinscriptwhichhecouldn’treadorunderstand,buthebegantomeasurethewaythejudderingneedlesspikedanddipped.

“Holdon,major!”hewarnedandracedthemofftowardsthedistantendofthevalley.Rawne,intheback,clungontight,thewindwhippinghisfaceandneck.

Gaunt focussed all his will into control. The massive machine bucked and jinked on everyirregularity in the ice, butGaunt quickly came to judge theway ahead, and knewwhat conditionswouldskid themround,orslide them,ormake themspin treads.Therewasnopowerassist to thesteering,andhefoughtit.Itwasbeyondhisstrengthtokeepthesteeringtrueandherealisedthathewouldneverbeabletodrivethemachineasfastasthestrongerorkscould.Itfoughttoomuchandhisstrengthwashuman,notinhuman.

Theyrockedandbumpedandjolted.Morethanonce,theyspunoutashefailedtokeepthedrivewheels true and the back end came around in a flurry of ice shards.After the last such lapse, theragingenginestalledandrefusedtorestart.Therewasastarterswitchunderthesteeringcolumn,butitfloppedslackly.

Gauntpeereddownandfoundthekickstartstirruptotheleftofthebrake.Hebentandfloppeditdown,tryingitwithhisboot.

“Gaunt!”He lookedup.Rawnewas standingon the flatbed, pointingback.Akilometre away, three dark

shapeswerekickingupice-smokeastheyracedafterthem.Theorks,withtheirsuperiorstrengthandexperienceofthesnowmachines,weremakingbetterspeedintheirpursuit.

Gauntkickedviciouslyat the starterbar timeandagainuntil theengineyowledalive, and thenhastilyadjustedtheprotestingthrottle.

Theyspunagain,fishtailed,thenchuggedaway.Gauntpushedthemachineasfastashethoughthecouldcontrol it.Anothermisreadflawintheice,anotherspinout,anotherstall,andtheywouldbeoverrun.Oroverturned,neckssnappedundertherollingtonnageofthemotorsled.

Theycameoutofthenightshadowsofthevalleyontothewideexpanseoftheicefloe.Sunlight

seared them and Gaunt and Rawne were blind for a moment, even after they pulled their glaregogglesdown.

Aheadwastheicesea.White,scarlet,purple,greeninpatches, theicewasscallopedandcurledlike foam.Thousands of kilometres of open, frozen sea, spread out to a horizonwhere itmet theblacknessofspace.Thesunlightwasahostilewhitemenace.

Theseaandallitswaveshadfrozenasifinmid-ebb,andnowthesledbouncedandflew,roseandfell,acrossthedimpledpeaksofbreakersthathadfrozenamillenniumbefore.Themotorsledover-revved each time it left the ground and kicked ice chunks each time it landed.Gaunt could barelycontrol themachine as the drive wheels and slithering skids kissed ice again. Rawne had thoughtabout firing back at the orkmachines closing on them, but the bumpy ride had thrownhim to thegreasydeckanditwasallhecoulddotoclingonandlieflat.Facetothemetaldeck-boarding,hesawthepuncturesforthefirsttime.Shrapnelholes,fromtheexplodingbolterdrums.Therewasastinkofoilrisingfromthem.Hecrawled,handoverhand,tothetailgateasthesledjumpedandcrashed,andsawastaininglineofbrownmarkingtheirwake.

Heturnedandyelled.“We’rebleedingfuel!Thetankispunctured!”Gaunt cursed.Now he understoodwhat one of the gauges— the onewith the rapidly dipping

needle—reallymeant.The ork pursuitwas closing.Heavy bolter rounds and other explosivemunitions rained down

aroundthem,blowinggeysersoficeandsteamupfromthefrozensea.Gaunt realised his naked, glove-less handswere beginning to freeze solid around the steering

grips.Thepainbroughttearstohiseyes,tearswhichfrozebehindhisgogglesandblurredhisvision,bitinghischeeks.

Twoover-shotprojectilesfromtheorksbroughtbiggerexplosionstotheleftofthem.Spraysofglutinous, boiling liquid erupted far into the air from their impacts. Gaunt saw that the rushinglandscapeaheadofthemwasdullerblue,morelikefrostedglass,crackedandcrazed.

Theymadethenextrise.Thentheenginecoughed,spluttered,died.Theyslidsidewaysinalong,widedeceleration, icegougedupbyGaunt’sdesperateuseoftheanchor.Hekickedthestarter.Theengineflaredonce,thendiedforeverinacoughofstinkingoilsmoke.Dryrotorsandcylindersburst

andground.The ork machines were a hundred metres behind them. They could hear them whooping in

victory.Forthefirsttime,Rawnerealisedthatthewindwasnolongerscreamingnowtheywereoutofthevalley.

Gauntclamberedoutofthecockpit.“Tube-charges,Rawne!”hebawled.“What?”Gauntpointedtowhereotherwideshotsfromtheirpursuersdugsteamingventsfromtheglassy

ice.“Theiceisthinhere.We’reridingoverathinskin.Thelivingoceanisrightbelowus.”AnothershotwhinnieddownandexplodedthesteeringsectionofthesledwhereGaunthadjust

beensitting.“Now!”Rawneunderstoodthecommissar ’sideajustassuddenlyasherecognisedtheinsanityofit.But

theorkswereonlyfiftypacesaway.Rawnerealisedthedesperationtoo.Hehad twelve stickmines in his satchel and he pulled them all out, handing half toGaunt.He

kickedtheglassoffoneofthevehicle’slampsandusedthewhite-hotfilamenttolightthefuses.Thetwohumanstookthreeineachhandandhurledthemasfarandashardastheycould,scatteringthemwide.

Twelve huge explosions, each big enough to kill a tank. They split theworld apart. Butmoreparticularly,theyburstandshatteredtheice.Thesteaminghydrocarbonsea,soclosebeneath,rusheduptoplumeandboilandfrothintheair.

One orkmachine cartwheeled, an explosion taking it over It tore itself and its occupants intofragmentsas it landedon ice thatwasbeginning toseparateandfracture inhugebobbingsections.Anotherdodgedtherainofblastsandflewstraightofftheedgeofanicechunkintothesea,whereitvaporisedandburned.Thelaststoppedshort,theridersbellowing,justmissingagapintheice.Thentheicechunkitsatoncollapsedandtheyalldroppedshriekingintothefrothing,flamingliquid.

The icewas coming apart, fracturing into chunks that burned and steamed as the rising ocean,lockedinforsomanythousandsofyears,welledupandconqueredthesurface.Onthebackoftheirdeadmachine,GauntandRawneleaptandyelledintriumphuntil theyrealisedtheicecollapsewasspreadingtheirwayfast.

Theoceanfizzedandthrasheduparoundtheirsledrunnersandthemotor-sleddippedsuddenly.Gauntjumpedclearontoanearbyiceberg,newlyformedandsizzlinginthehideousliquid.

Heheldout his hand.Rawne jumped after him,grabbingGaunt’s hand, allowinghimself to bepulledclearastheirruinedmachineslidbackwardsintotheliquidandexploded.

“Wecan’tstayhere,”Gauntbegan.Itwastrue.Theiricebergwasrockinganddissolvinglikeanicecubeinhotwater.Theyleaptoffittothenext,andthenthenext,hopingthatthefracturedsectionsoficewouldremainintactlongenoughforthemtoreachsomekindofshore.Vapoursgaspedandbillowedaroundthem.

Onthefourth,RawneslippedandGauntcaughthimjustcentimetresfromthefrothingwater.TheymadethenextfloeandRawnemovedahead.Heheardacrybehindhimandturnedtoseethe

iceplateupendingandGauntslidingbackwardsonhisbelly,clawingthesurfaceasheslippeddowntowardstheseethingoceanofhydrocarbons.

Hecould lethimdie.Rawneknew that.Noonewouldknow.Noonewouldever find thebody.Andeveniftheydid…Besides,hecouldn’treachhim.

Rawne pulled out his knife and hurled it. It stuck fast, blade down, in the tilting ice just aboveGaunt’shandandgavethecommissaragrip.Gauntpulledhimselfuponthedaggerandthengothis

foot braced on it until he could reach up and take Rawne’s hand. Themajor hauled him up highenoughforthepairtomakeasafejumptothenextberg.Thiswaslarger,moresolid.Theyclungtoit,sidebyside,pantingandoutofstrength.

Theicechunkbehindthemfellbackintotheocean,takingRawne’ssilverdaggerwithit.They sat together on top of the iceberg for six hours.Around them, the ocean refroze and its

seethinghissdiedaway.Buttheycouldgonowhere.Thereformingiceskinwasbutafewcentimetresthick— thick enough to enclose the lethal liquid but not so hard as to bear weight. The distressbeaconfromGaunt’spackblinkedandsighedbehindthemonthetopoftheicechunk.

“Ioweyou,”Gauntsaidatlast.Rawneshookhishead.“Idon’twantthat.”“Youpulledmeupthere.Savedme.Ioweyouforthat.Andfrankly,I’msurprised.Iknowyou’d

liketoseemedeadandthiswasanopportunitythatsparedyourhandsfromblood.”Rawne turned to lookatGaunt,his facehalf-lit by thedwindling starlight.His cheeksandchin

seemedtocatchthelightmorelikeadaggernowthaneverbefore.Andhiseyeswerehoodedlikeasnake’s.

“One day, I will kill you, Gaunt,” he said simply. “I owe it to Tanith. To myself. But I’m nomurdererandIrespecthonour.YousavedmefromthatgreenskininthecaveandsoIowedyou.”

“Iwoulddoasmuchforanymaninmycommand.”“Precisely.YoumaythinkI’mamalcontent,butIstayloyaltotheEmperorandtheGuardalways.

Iowedyouand,thoughIhatemyselfforit,Irepaid.Nowwe’reeven.”“Even,”Gauntmurmured,measuringthewordsoftlyinhismouth.“Orlevel,perhaps.”Rawnesmiled.Thedaywillcome,IbramGaunt.Butitwillbeonequalterms.Levelterms,asyou

putit.Iwillkillyou,andIwillrejoiceinit.Butnowisnotthetime.”“Thankyouforbeingsoforthright,Rawne.”GauntpulledouthisTanithknife,theknifegivento

himbyCorbecwhentheyfirstmusteredforwar.Rawnetensed,jerkingback.ButGaunthelditouttohim,hiltfirst.“Youlostyours.IknowanyTanithwouldbeincompletewithoutalongbladeathiship.”Rawnetooktheknife.Mehelditinhishandsforasecond,spunitwithdeftfingers,andthenslidit

intohisemptybeltsheath.“Dowithitasyouseefit,”Gauntsaid,turninghisbackonRawne.“Iwill…oneofthesedays,”repliedMajorElimRawne.TheInfirmarylaywellbackfromthemainembankmentdefencehereonMonthax.LikeGaunt’s

modularhut, itwasraisedoutof thesoupygroundonstacks.Long,swoop-roofed, theInfirmary’swall planking was washed an arsenic green, while the roof was black with bitumen. Grey blast-curtainsprotectedthedoorsandwindowhatches,andbunchesofpipesandcablescarriedinairfromthescrubbersandpowerfromthechatteringturbinebehindtheplace.SymbolsoftheImperium,andof the medical corps, were stencilled on the walls, for all that Chaos would notice them if theystormed over the bulwark. Gaunt climbed up a metal ladder next to the rush-ramp for stretcherparties,andpushedinsidethroughthescreensandheavycurtaining.

Insidehefoundaparadiseandasurprise.Itwasbyfarthecoolestandmostfragrantplaceinthecamp,probablythecoolest,mostfragrantplaceonMonthaxitself.Sweetodoursofsaprosefromthefreshtimberofthefloorandthecleanrushmatting.Therewasascentofantisepticfluids,rubbingalcoholandsomepurifyingincensethatburnedinabowlnexttothesmallshrinesetnearthewestern

end.Thefortybedsweremadeupandempty.Pale,artificiallightshonefromgauze-hoodedlamps.Gauntwanderedthe lengthof thewardandlethimself throughascreendoorat theend.There,

access ledoff into storerooms, latrines, a smalloperating theatre, and theChiefMedicalOfficer ’squarters.Dordenwasn’tinhislittle,tidyoffice,butGauntsawhisdistinctivehandiworkinthecarefularrangement of medical texts, chart folders, and the labels-front regimentation of the flasks andbottlesinthelockeddispensarycabinet.

Themedicwasintheoperatingtheatre,polishingthestainless-steelsurfaceandblooddrainsofthetheatretable.Gleamingsurgicaltools,anautoclaveandaressussitrexunitsatincorners.

“CommissarGaunt!”Dordenlookedupinsurprise.“CanIhelpyou?”“Asyouwere,justaroutinewalkabout.Anythingtoreport,anyproblems?”Dordenstoodupstraight,ballingthepolishingclothinhishandsanddroppingitintoaceramic

bowlofdisinfectant.“Notone,sir.Cometoinspecttheplace?”“Certainlyanimprovementonthelastfewfacilitiesyou’vehadtoworkwith.”Dordensmiled.Hewasasmall,elderlymanwithatrimmedgreybeardandgenialeyesthathad

seenmorepainthantheydeserved.“It’semptyyet.”“I admit that surprised me when I came in. So used to seeing your places overflowing with

wounded,Emperorspareus.”“Give it time,”Dorden said, ominously. “It unnervesme, I have to say.Seeing all those empty

beds.IpraisetheGoldenThroneI’midle,butidlenessdoesn’tsuitme.Must’vepolishedandswepttheplaceadozentimesalready.”

“Ifthat’stheworstworkyouhavehereonMonthax,wemayallgivethanks.”“Mayweallindeed.CanIofferacupofcaffeine?Iwasabouttolightthestove.”“Perhaps later,when I comeback thisway. Ihave to inspect themagazines.Thereare stirrings

beyondus.”“SoIheardlastnight.Laterthen,sir.”Gauntnoddedand left.Hedoubtedhe’dhave time to stopby later, andhedoubted too that this

littleparadisewouldremainunsulliedmuchlonger.Dordenwatchedthecommissarleave,andstoodforawhilelongersurveyingthecleanwardwith

itsemptycots.LikeGaunt,hehadnoillusionsastothehorror-holethisplacewouldbecome.Itwasinevitable.

Heclosedhiseyes,andforamomenthecouldseethefloormattingdrenchedinblackblood;thesoiledsheets;themoaning,screamingfaces.Andthesilentones.

Hisnostrilsseemedtodetectbloodandburnedfleshforasecond,butitwasjusttheincense.Justtheincense.

EIGHT

BLOODOATH

Thefallenmen,scatteredon theroadwayandacross the low,muddyfieldsofNacedon, looked

liketheywerewearingblackmailarmour.Buttheyweren’t.Themeat-flieswerebusy.Theycoveredthe flesh like seething black links of armour.They glittered furiously,moving like a single thing.“Medic!”

TolinDordenlookedawayfromtheflies.Theafternoonskylaywideandmistyoverthelow,flatfens.Trackwaysandfieldboundariesweremarkedwithdykesandhedgeways,allofthemruinedandoverrun with razor-posts, concertina wire and churned tank paths. The mist smelled of thermitepowder.

“Medic!”Thecallagain.Sharpandinsistent,fromdowntheroadway.Slowly,Dordenturnedandtrudged from the gutter of the road where, for a hundred metres, more corpses lay twisted andcrumpledandcoatedinflies.

Headvancedtowardsthebuildings,feth,buthe’dseenenoughofthiswarnow,nomatterwhattheworld.Hewas tiredandhewas spent.Sixtyyearsold,olderby twentyyears thananyof theotherGhosts.Hewasweary:wearyof thedeath, thefighting,wearyof theyoungbodieshehad topatchbacktogether.Weary,too,ofbeingregardedasafatherbysomanymenwhohadlosttheirownatthefallofTanith.

Smoke clogged the late afternoon sky across the low fields. He approached the old red-brickbuildingswiththeirblown-outwindowsandcrumpledwalls.Ithadbeenafarmcomplexonce,beforetheinvasion.Afeudalestatewithamainhouse,outbuildingsandbarns.Agriculturalmachinerylayrustingandbrokeninwaterloggedswinepens.Awidetrenchgullyandadoublefenceofsearedflak-boardstoppedwithmorespoolsofwireenclosedthecomplexinahorseshoe,withthenorthernside,the one that faced away from the frontline, open. Ghosts stood point all around, weapons ready.TrooperBrostinnoddedhiminside.

Dordenpassedasandbaggedgunnerypostfromwhichtheweaponhadbeenhastilyremovedandentered the firstof thebuildings, themainhouse, throughadoorway thathadbeen shotoutof thebrickby sustained las-fire.More flies, billowing in clouds in the afternoon sunlight.The smell ofdeathhewasso,sousedto.Andothersmells:antiseptic,blood,waste.

Dordensteppedacrossatiledfloor.Halfthetileswerebroken,litteredwithglassandpoolsofoilthatshimmeredrainbowcolours.Corbecloomedoutoftheshadowsnearby,shakinghiswearyhead.“Doc,”heacknowledged.

“Colonel.”“Field hospital…” Corbec said, gesturing around himself. Dorden already knew as much.

“Anyonealive?”“That’swhyIcalledforyou.”Corbecledhimthroughtoavaultedhallway.Thevariousstencheswerestrongerinhere.Perhaps

fivedozenmenlayonpalletbedsinthechamber,half-litbypallidyellowsunlightthatstreakeddownthroughshatteredlightsintheslopingroof.Dordenwalkedthelengthoftheroomandthenback.

“Whyhavetheybeenlefthere?”heasked.

Corbecshothimaquestioninglook.“Whydoyouthink?We’reallretreating.Toomuchtocarry.Canyou…sortthem?”

Dordencursedquietly.“Thesemenarewhat?”“Bluebloods.Volpone50th.Youremember thosedevils fromVoltemand?Theircommandunits

pulledoutthismorning,asPerorders.”“Andtheyleftthewoundedhere?”Corbecshrugged.“Seemsso,Doc.”“Whatkindofanimalleaveshissickandwoundedbehindtodie?”Dordenspat,movingtochange

thedressingsonthenearestman.“Thehumankind?”Corbecasked.Dorden looked roundsharply.“This isn’t funny.Corbec. It’snotevenwhimsical.Mostof these

menwilllivewiththeproperattention.We’renotleavingthem.”Corbecgroanedsoftly.Herubbedthetopofhisscalp,foldingthethickblackhairbetweenhisbig,

swarthyfingers.“Wecan’tstayhere,Doc.Commissar ’sorders…”Dordenturnedandlookedatthecolonelwithfierce,oldeyes.“I’mnotleavingthem,”hestated

plainly.Corbecseemedtostarttosaysomething,thenhesitatedanddecidedbetterofit.“Seewhatyoucandoforthem,”hesaid,andleftDordentohiswork.

Dordenwastreatingalegwoundwhenheheardthecrunchofgravelontheroadwayoutsideand

the rumble of a troop carrier. He looked up to locate the source of the sound only after he hadfinishedwhathewasdoing.

“Thankyou,sir,”saidtheyoungmanwhoseleghehadtreated.Theboywaspaleandsallow,tooweaktorisefromhispalletbed.

“What’syourname?”Dordenasked.“Culcis, sir.Trooper,Blueblood.”Dordenwas sure thatCulciswouldhavewanted topunctuate

thatstatementwithanexclamationmark,buthewastooweaktomanageit.“I’mDorden.Medic.Tanith.Youneedme,TrooperCulcis,youcallmyname.”Theboynodded.Dordenwentoutside,approachingtheChimeraparkedbelowtheleaningwalls.

Corbecwasspeakingtothetallfigureperchedontop.Thefiguremoved,droppeddowntothesoil,begantomarchtowardshim:Gaunt,hiscapon,his

faceashadow,hislongcoatflying.“Sir!”Dordensaid.“Dorden—Corbecsaysyouwon’tmove.”“Sixty-eightwoundedhere,sir.Can’tleavethem;won’tleavethem.”Gaunt tookDorden’s arm and led him across themuddy yard to the sidewall that looked out

acrosstrampledfarmlandandvacantswinepenstowardsthesettingsunsbeyond.“Youmust,Dorden.Enemyforcesarehalfadaybehindus.GeneralMullerhascalledusall to

retreat.Wecan’tcarrythemwithus.I’msorry.”Dordenshookoffthecommissar ’sgrip.“SoamI,”hesaid.Gaunt turned away. For a moment, Dorden thought the commissar might round on him and

disciplinehimwithafist.Buthedidn’t.Instead,themansighed.Onreflection,Dordenknewviolencewasn’tGaunt’sfirstorchosenwayofcommand.TheendlesswarandhisexperienceofotherofficercadresinthefieldhadsouredDorden’sexpectation,somethinghewasn’tproudof.

Gauntlookedbackatthemedic.“Corbectoldmeyou’dsayasmuch.Took,thecounter-pushforNacedon is scheduled for tomorrownight.Then, andonly then,Emperorwilling,we’ll retake thislandanddrivetheenemyback.”

“Fewofthemwilllastthenightanddayunattended.AndnoneiftheyarefoundandattendedbytheChaosfilth!”

Gaunttookoffhiscapandsmoothedhiscroppedblondhair.Thedyingsuns-lightsilhouettedhisangularprofile,butkepthisinternalthoughtsinshadow.“Youhavemyrespect,medic.You’vealwayshadit,sincetheFoundingFieldseven.TheonlyGhostwhorefusestobeararms,theonlymanwhocankeepusalive.TheGhostsoweyou,manyofthemoweyoutheirlives.Ioweyouforthat.I’dhatetohavetogiveyouanorder.”

“Thendon’t,commissar.YouknowI’llrefuseit.I’mamedicfirstandaGhostsecond.BackonTanith,asacommunitypractitioner,Iworkedforthirtyyearsministeringtothesick,theinfirm,thenew-bornandtheweakintheBeldaneDistrictandCountyPryze.IdiditbecauseItookanoathattheMedical College in Tanith Magna. You understand allegiances and oaths, commissar. Understandmine.”

“Iunderstandtheweightofthemedicaloathwellenough.”“And you’ve honoured it!Never askedme to breakmy vow on confidentiality overmenwith

private problems…drink, pox,mind-troubles…you’ve always letmedo asmyoath bids.Letmenow.”

Gauntreplacedhiscap.“Ican’tleaveyouheretodie.”“Butyou’dleavethesementodie?”“They’renottheGhosts’chiefmedic!”Gauntspattheanswerandthenfellsilent.“Adoctorisvowedtoserveanyinjured.Oh,IsworetotheEmperor,ontheFoundingFields,to

servehimandyouandtheImperialGuard.ButI’dalreadysworntotheEmperortoupholdlife.Don’tmakemebreakthatvow.”

Gaunt tried logic. “Our illustrious forceswere routedon thedelta atLohenich.Weare fleeingbefore a massed Chaos army that thunders at our heels, barely half a day away. You’re a non-combatant.Howcouldyouholdthisplace?”

“Withwords,ifIhaveto.Withvolunteers,ifanywillstayandyou’llallowit.Afterall,it’sonlyuntiltomorrownight.Untilyourcounter-pushretakesthisplace.Orwasthatalie?Propaganda?”

Gauntsaidnothingforawhile,tiltinghistallbulkintotheeveningsuns,adjustinghismuddycoat.Thenheturnedbacktotheoldmedic.

“Nolie.Wewillretakethisland,andbeyond.Wewilldrivethembackastheycometous.Buttoleaveyououthere,evenforanight…”

“Don’tthinkofme.ThinkoftheVolponewoundedinthere.”Gauntdid.Itdidn’tchangehismindmuch.“Theywouldhavehadusbutchered—”“Don’t go to that place!” Dorden warned. “Hate has no place between allies. These are men,

Troopers, valuable soldiers. They could live to fight again, to turn another conflict for the better.Leavemetocareforthem,withwhoeveryoucanspare.Leaveme,andcomebackforusall.”

Gauntcursed.“I’llgiveyouasquad.Icansparenomore.Tenmen,volunteers.Ifitdoesn’tcometoten,tough.Mullerwillhavemyheadforleavinganyinthefieldasitis.”

“I’lltakewhateverIcanget,”Dordensaid.“Thankyou.”Gauntstrodeawayabruptly,thenturned,camebackandtookDorden’shandtightlyinhisown.“You’reabraveman.Don’tletthemtakeyoualive…anddon’tmakemeregretallowingyouto

betoobrave.”GauntandtheretreatinglinesofGhostspassedonandthentheywerealone.Dordenwasworking

inthelonghall,andonlynoticedthepassingoftimeasthesunshinethroughtheskylightsfadedto

blueandduskfell.Helitlampsoncratesplacedbetweenthewoundedandwentoutsideintotheyard.Overhead,alienstarswerecomingoutinthemauvesky.

He saw three Ghosts at first: Lesp, Chayker and Toskin, who acted as his orderlies and wereskilledfieldmedics.TheyweresortingthroughthemedicalsuppliesGaunthadleftforthem.Dordenhadhalf-expected them tovolunteer and stay, hoped for it, but to seehis three staffersworkingasusualwasrefreshinganduplifting.Hecrossedtothem,meaningtocarryonasnormalandaskaboutthe supply level, but all he found in his throat was thanks. Each one smiled, took his hand as heofferedit,gruntedanacknowledgementofduty.Dordenwasproudofthem.

Hestartedtogivethemdispersalinstructions,andbegantorunthroughtheneedsofthesickinpriority order, when other Ghosts stepped into view:Mkoll, the chief scout and Dorden’s closestfriendintheunit,accompaniedbyTroopersBrostin,Claig,CaffranandGutes.Theyhadjustfinishedapatrolsweepofthehorseshoeboundaryandwerepreparingtodiginforthenight.

DordengreetedMkoll.“Youneedn’thavestayed.”“Andleaveyoualonehere?”Mkoll laughed.“I’llnothave therecordssay‘MedicDordendied

and where was his friend, the warrior Mkoll?’ The commissar asked for volunteers and so wevolunteered.”

“I’llnotforgetthis,howevershortmylife,”Dordenreplied.“Wehavetheflankguardedwell,”MkolltoldDorden,indicatingthedoublefence.“Alltenofus.”

“Ten?”“That’swhat the colonel-commissar allowed.Us five, your three, and the other two.All of the

Ghostswerearguingoverwhocouldstay,didyouknow?Everyonevolunteeredfortheduty.”“Everyone?NotMajorRawne,I’dbet!”Mkoll grinned ruefully, “All right, not everyone. But there was a scramble for places. Gaunt

finallydecidedon first come, first served.Soyougot your three,me,Brostin,Claig,Caffran andGutes.PlusTremard,onwatchatthegates.And…”

“And?”Dordenwhippedround,sensingsomeonewassuddenlybehindhim.Helookedupintothesmiling

beardedfaceofColmCorbec.“Andme.So,Doc,you’reincharge.Howdoweplaythis?”Night fell.Theaircleared.Distantly,carrion-dogshowled.Threeormoremoons roseandset,

duellingwitheachothers’orbits.Thedarknesswasclearandcoldandsmelledofdeath.Faraway,onthesouthernhorizon,ambercloudsthumpedandboiled,astormapproaching.Amightylandarmywasmoving towards them.That, and a real storm.Lightning shuddered the sky in hazes ofwhite-flash.Theairbecameheavyandsweet.

Insidethefarmhouse,oneoftheBluebloodsspasmedanddied.Dordenwasfightingforthatlife,hisapron-smockslickwithspurtingblood.TherewasnothingheorLespcoulddo.

DordensteppedbackfromthecoolingcorpseandhandedbloodiedinstrumentstoLesp.“Recordtimeandmannerofdeath,andthenameandnumberfromthetags,”hesaiddarkly“Emperorwilling,wecanpassittotheVolponeadjutant’sofficeandtheycanadjusttheirrecords.”

Lespsnorted.“TheBluebloodshavedoubtlessmarkedalltheseasdeadalready.”Lespwasatall, thinmanfromTanithLongshore,withcoldblueeyesandanAdam’sapplethat

lookedlikeakneeinhisslenderneck.He’dbeenafishermanbackontheLostPlace,partofasea-fishingfamilywhichpliedtheoceancurrentsbeyondthearchipelago.Heownedafierceskillwithasailclothandnetneedle,andanalmostsurgicalknackwithabladelearnedfromguttingfishbackin

thosedays.Dordenhadputthoseskillstouseinthenameofhealingwhenhehadco-optedLespasanorderly.Lesphadtakentoitwell,andenjoyedhisworkalongsidethechiefmedic.

Dordentookallthewilling,ablehelphecouldget.MostofthetrainedmedicswhohadfoundedwiththeGhostsonTanithhadnevermadeitoff-world.Originally,theonlyfullyqualifiedmedicshadbeenDorden,Gherran andMtane,with twenty other troopers trained as fieldmedics.Dorden hadinterviewedandstudiedallofthesurvivingmentorecruitforthebadlyneededmedicalstaff.Withoutdevoted, constantly learning amateurs like Lesp, Foskin and Chayker, the health of the regimentwouldhavefailedlongago.

Mtane and Gherran had moved on with Gaunt’s main force, though both had wanted to stay.LosingallthreetrainedmedicsinonerashactwasmorethanGauntwouldtolerate.

Dordensteppedoutintothemuddyyardand,asifoncue,theheavensopenedandsheetingrainhammereddownonhim,washinganother ’sbloodoutofhis tunic.Hestoodthere,dripping,as thedownpoureasedalittle.

“You’llgetwetoutthere,”cameavoicefromnearby.DordenswungroundtofaceCorbec,whowassmokingacigarinthecoveroftheslumpingside-

roof.AllDordencouldseewastheshapeandtheredcoalofthelight.Dordencrossed tohim.Corbecofferedupawaxyboxof smokes. “Liquorice.Got the tasteof

themonVoltemandandit’stakenmeanagetogetsomeontheblackmarket.Takeonefornowandoneforlater.”

Dorden took two, slidonebehindhis earunlit and lit up theother fromCorbec’shalf-smokedstick.

Theylookedoutintothenight.“It’sgoingtoberough,”remarkedCorbecsoftly.Hewaslookingattheflashandhowlofthestorm,butDordenknewwhathemeant.“Yetyoustayed.”Corbectookadeepdragandwhitesmokeplumedoutofhishairyshadow.“I’masuckerforgood

deeds.”“Orlostcauses.”“TheEmperorwillprovide.Andaren’twealljustonebiglostcause?TheFirstandlastandLost?

Youdon’tseemegivinguponthat.”Dordensmiled.Thecigarwasstrongandtheflavourhellish,buthewasenjoyingit.Ithadbeen

twentyyearssincehe’dsmoked.Hiswifehadneverapproved,saiditdidn’tsetagoodexampletothepatientsDordentendedto.Thenthekidscamealong,MikalandClara,andhe’dkickedthehabit,so—

Dorden shut off the thoughts.Tanithhad takenhiswifewith it, andClara andher husband andtheir baby too. All he had was Mikal, Trooper Mikal Dorden, vox-caster operator in SergeantHasker ’splatoon.

“You’rethinkingabouthome,”Corbecmuttered.Dordenbrokehissadreverie.“What?”“Iknowthatlook.”“It’sdark,colonel!”“Iknowthat…feeling,then.Thesetofaman’sshoulders.Comesonusall,timetotime.”“I’dguessthecommissarhastoldyoutostampitoutwhereeveryouseeit?Badformorale.”“Notinmybook.Tanithstillliveswhileweallcarryithere…”Corbectappedhisforehead.“And

wedon’tknowwherewe’regoingifwedon’tknowwherewecamefrom.”“Wherearewegoing,doyousuppose?”

Corbecflickedhisbuttontothemudandletitsputterdead.“Onabadday,tohell.Onagoodday,I’dsaywewereboundfor that trophyworldGaunt’spromisedus.Slaydo’sgift: thefirstworldwetrulywinwecantakeandclaimandsettleasourown.”

Dordengazedatthestorm.“NewTanith,huh?Tikethementalkofwhenthey’redrunkordying?Doyoubelievethat?Mightweevertakeaworldourselves,getthecreditcleanandtrue?We’relessthan two thousand, livery theatrewe enter, we do so alongside other regiments, and thatmuddiesvictoryclaimsandcredit.I’mnotapessimist,colonel,butIdoubtanyofuswilleverfindthatNewTanith,exceptindrinkordeath.”

Corbecsmiled,hiswhiteteethshininginthegloom.“Thenluckyme.Onewayoranother,I’llseemoreofitthanmost.”

Adoorbangedtotheirleft.Chayker,shroudedinhiscape,emergedfromthehospitalandcarriedatindrumovertothewell.Afewmoments’cranking,andhestruggledwithitbacktothebuildings.Dorden and Corbec could already smell the broth Chayker and Foskin were brewing for all thecompany.

“Somethingsmellsgood,”Corbecsaid.“Toskinfoundtubersandgraininafieldbeyondtheditchwalls,andweturnedupdriedpulses

andsaltmeatinanoldpantry.Shouldbethebestsupperanyofushavehadinawhile.Butfirstrationsgotoanyofthepatientswhocantakeit.”

“Ofcourse.Theyneeditmorethanus.I’vegotaflaskofsacraandaboxofthesesmokes.Shouldkeepmegoingawhile.”

“Come in when you’re ready for proper nourishment,” Dorden instructed, as if issuing aprescription.“Thanksforthecigars.”Heheadedbacktotheward.

Acircuitofthewoundedtookanotherhourandahalf.Tespandtheotherorderlieshaddonewell,

and many had eaten or at least taken fluid. There were twelve who were too far gone to remainconscious,andDordencarefullyrationedouthissupplyofdrugstoprioritisethem.Theboy,Culcis,alongwitha fewothers,werenowsittingup,chatting,grateful.Allof them,Volponearisto-blood,weredisdainfulof theTanith,but civilnevertheless.Beingcut adriftby their regiment, and sparedfromdeathonlybyabarbarianunit,wouldseemtohavealteredmanyoftheirdeeperprejudicesandsnobberies.Forthatatleast,Dordenfeltpleased.

HesawTrooperCaffran,cominginsoakedfromapatrolcircuit,takinghisbowlofbrothtositwithCulcis.Theywereaboutthesameage,Dordenreckoned.ThesameageasMikal.Heheardthemshareajoke.

Lesptookhisarm.Oneof thecriticalcaseswasshowingsignsoffading.WithChayker ’shelp,theycarriedthemanoutintowhathadoncebeenthehouseholdkitchen,andnowservedasasurgicaltheatre.Arefectorytablesatthere,longenoughforaman,andtheyheavedhimontoit.

TheBlueblood,aCorporalRegarabyhistags,hadlostalegbelowthekneeandtakenshrapnelinthechest.Hisbloodwasfarfromblue.Therefectorytablebecameslickandblooddrooledoffontotheflagstones.ChaykeralmostslippedandDordenorderedhimtofetchamopandmorewadding.

“Therearenomops,”Chaykershrugged.“Thenfindsomethinglikeamop.”DordenhadtotakeoffmoreoftheruinedlegfromtheshriekingRegarawithhishandsawbefore

hecouldstaunchandtiethehaemorrhage.HedirectedTesp’ssurefingersintosuturethebreachwithfine,sail-maker ’sstitches.By then,Chaykerhadreturned.Dordenfoundhewasmopping thefloorwith shredded strips fromhiscape tied toanold rakehandle.ForaGhost to tearuphis treasured

stealthcloaktomopblood…Dorden’sadmirationforhisvolunteers’devotiontodutygrew.TheycarriedthesoftlymoaningRegarabacktohisbed.Withluck,andafever-breakingshotof

mascetamine,hemightyetlive.ButDordenwascalledawayalmostatoncetoaseizurethatToskincouldn’t cope with, and then to a man who had woken from near-coma, only to begin violentlyretchingblood.

Thewardfellquiet towardsmidnight,asotherdramascameandpassed.Dordenwasscrubbinghischromerib-spreadersinabucketofscaldingwaterwhenMkollcamein,shakingthewaterfromhiscape.Thestormwasstillboomingoutsideandthunderrattledthecasementsandroofing.Everynowandthen,looseglassinawindowsomewherefellin,ortilesslippedoffandshattered.Thestormhadcontinuedallthatevening,butuntilthen,Dordenhadblankeditout.

HewatchedMkollsitandcleanhisgun,thefirstthinghealwaysdidbeforeseeingtootherdutieslikefoodorwarmth.Dordentookhimabowlofbroth.

“Anythingoutthere?”Mkollshookhishead.“Ifwe’relucky,thestormisslowingtheiradvance.”“Andifwe’renot?”“Theyconjuredthestorm.”Mkoll looked up at the rafters and the high roof. “Thismust have been quite a place.A good

homestead,worththeworking.Thesoilishealthyandtheyhadplentyoflivestock.”“Afamilyhome,”Dordenpondered,whohadn’tthoughtaboutitbefore.Thethoughtofanother

homeandfamilylosttothewarnowbitathim.Hefeltwearyagain.Old.Mkoll spooned his broth quietly. “There’s an old chapel at the rear of the house.Blown in, of

course,butyoucanstillseethepaintedreredoscommemoratingtheEmperor.TheVolponeuseditasaprivy.Whoever livedhereweredevout servantsof the Imperium,working the land, raising theirkin.”

“Untilthis.”Dorden fell silent. Chaos had taken this world, Nacedon, two months gone, as part of their

counter-punchtothwartMacaroth’scrusade.Ithadn’tbeenoccupied,orevencorruptedfromwithin.Nacedon,anagriculturalworldwiththreemillionImperialcolonists,hadbeenviolatedandinvadedinthespaceofthreenights.

Whatkindofuniversewas it,Dordenwondered,wherehumans could struggle andbreak theirbacksandlovetheirfamiliesandworshiptheEmperorandbuildforyears,onlytoloseitallinafewhours?Hisuniverse,heconcluded,thesameonethathadtakenTanithaway.

Alatemoonwasup,alonelysentryinaskysuddenlyclearofstorm.Therainhadstoppedand

silvercloudsscuddedacrossthepurpleopennessoftheheaven.Counterparttothemoon,alonesentrystoodatthegateofthestation.TrooperTremard,sitting

his second shift at the gate in the sandbag emplacement, watched the tree lines, black fuzzes ofdarkness edging the flats of the equallyblack fields and fens.Hewas tired, andhewished that thefethingVolponehadlefttheirheavygunintheemplacement.

Mistroseacrossthefenland,driftingsidewayslikesmoke.Somethingtwinkledinthedark.Tremard started up, grabbing his scope from the sandbags. He fumbled with the focus ring,

pullingthegreen-on-greennightvisionviewintotrue.Mist—andotherthingsinit.Thetwinklehehadseen.Moonlightflashingbackfromthestaringreflectiveretinaofhuntingeyes.

Hetriggeredhismicro-beadlink.“GatetoGhosts!Canyouhearme,colonel?Toarms!Toarms!Movementtothesouth!”

Corbec roseabruptly fromhiscot, likeadeadman lifting fromagrave,makingDordenstart.

Thecolonelhadbeencatchingfortywinksonasparebedinthewardasthemedicsortedpillsintopapertwists.“Whatisit?”

Corbecwasonhisfeet.“Threeguesses,Doc.”Dordenwasuptoo.Helookedaroundatthefragilehall,thevulnerable,half-deadmen,asCorbec

readiedhislasgunandvoxed-inwiththeothertroopers.Dordenfeltsuddenlystupid.Heknewwhatafull-onassaultofChaoswaslike.They’dallbeshatteredlikeanegg-shell.He’dbeenstupidtoinsistonstaying.Nowhehadthemalldead—theBluebloods,theGhosts…valuable,peerlessGhostslikeCorbecandMkoll.He’dwastedthemall,oversomefoolishprideinanoldoath.Anoldmedicaloath,taken in safer times, in a nice community practice where the worst injury was a laceration at thesawmill.

Fethmeforafool!Fethmeformypride!“We’ll front themas longaswecan.Theboysknowsome tricks,”Corbec toldhim.“I’llneed

ChaykerandFoskin…Lespcanstaywithyou.Ifwelosethefirstattack,youneedtobereadytogetasmanyofthewoundedoutintothebackrooms.They’reruinsIknow,butit’llputmorewallsbetweenyouandthefighting.”

Dordenswallowed,thinkingoftheworkitwouldtakehimandLesptocarrysixty-sevenmenoutintotherearofthedwellingonstretchers.Heheardthedistantwailoflas-fireandrealiseditwouldn’tbehalftheeffortCorbecandhissoldierswereabouttomake.Sohesimplynodded,beckoningLesptohim.

“Emperorbewithyouandwatchoveryou,ColmCorbec,”hesaid.“Andyou,Doc.”Tremard held the gate. Dark shapes moved across the fields and through the dim hedgerows

towards him, crackling out green pulses of laser fire and white-hot bolt rounds. The treacherousmoonshowedmovementandtheoccasionalglintofarmour,andhepickedhistargetswell,barkingorangeslicesoflaserintotheopenfenlandbeyondthefarm.

Duckingtheincomingspraysoffire,afiguredroppedintothepositionbesidehim.ItwasColonelCorbec.Corbecgrinned atTremard,made someobscene remark as to thematernal originsof theenemy thathadTremardcacklingat itsvulgarity,and leanedupover thebags to looseavolleyofshotsfromhislasgundownthelaneintothefens.

Alongtheditchwalls, theotherGhostsopenedup.Eight lasgunsagainst theencroachingdark,eight lasguns picking their targets through scope and skill, matching the hundreds of fire-pointsblastingbackatthemfromthefens.

“Where’sBrostin?”Corbecbarked intohismicro-bead,over thehowlofgunplay, sustainingaregularfire-pattern.

Asecondlater,hisquerywaslostinawitheringassaultwhichblasteddownthelaneandontohisposition. A hundred or more warriors of Chaos were forcing their approach at the main gate,charging them,weaponsblazing.CorbecandTremardcould seenothingbut the light-blurof theirguns.

Corbecduckedunder the intensevolley.Hedidn’tevencurse. Itwasover,heknew.TheendofColmCorbec.Byhisside,Tremard,asecondtoolateinducking,flewbackwards,hisleftarmgonein a shreddedwaste of fleshbelow the shoulder,He fell onhis back, screaming andwrithing.Hislasgun,withhislefthandstillholdingthegrip,satmiraculouslyontheparapetwherehehadrestedit.

Corbecscrambledtohim,underthehideousrainofboltandlas-fire,grabbingthestrugglingman

andholdinghimclose.Hehadtocalmhimandmakehimstillbeforehecouldtieupthatawfulstump.Ifhelivedthatlong.

Tremardscreamedandscreamed,fightinglikeascaldedcat,drenchingCorbecandhimselfwiththe pumping arterial spray of his stump.Corbec glancedup to see black forms in quilted armour,facescoveredbygas-hoods, scramblingover the lipof the sandbags towardshim.Hecould smelltheir rank animal scent, and the badges of theDarkGods blazoned on their armour burned in hismindevenataglimpseandturnedhisstomach.

Therewas a double click, dry and solid, and then awhooshof heat as thenight lit up.Corbecwinced.TrooperBrostinstoodoverhim,rakingthetopsofthesandbagsandthelanebeyondwithhisflamer.Thehurricaneforceoftheflamegoutcuttheenemyawaylikedrygrass.

“Iwaswonderingwhereyou’dgot to,”Corbecsaid toBrostin.Thenhe tappedhismicro-bead.“Medic!Medic!”

DordenandLespwerehalfwaythroughtransportingtheinjuredintotherearofthehousewhen

the call came through. Stray shots were punching through the ward hall, exploding rafters andshatteringwall-plasterandbrick.

Dorden fumbled with his micro-bead, trying to steady the stretcher he was sharing with thebackingTesp.

“Dorden!What?”“Tremard’sdownbad.Getouthere!”AnymoreofCorbec’smessagewaslostincracklingstatic,

drownedbythegunfire.“Setitdown!I’lldragit,”TespcriedtoDordenasalas-roundpunchedaholeintheplasternear

hishead.DordendidsoandLesphauledthestretcherthroughthearchway,itswoodenhandlesscreeching

onthefloor,“Justlikeafishboxbackhome!”Lespyelledovertheonslaughtashedisappeared.Dordengrabbedhiskit.“Corbec!I’mcomingout,butyouneedtosendsomeoneintohelpLesp

movethewounded!”“Feththat!We’reallengagedouthere!Can’tspareaman!”“Don’tgivemethat!”Dordenreturned,scuttlingunderthepuncturelevelofthelas-rangeasthe

hallfellapartaroundhim.“Lespneedshelp!Thesemenneedhelp!”Ahandtookhisshoulder.Helookedround.ItwastheBluebloodCulcis.Severalmoreoftheless

seriously injuredVolponewerewithhim.“Ican’tmanageastretcherwithmy leg,but Icanmanafire-point,doctor.I’lltakeanylasgunfreeifitmeansablebodiescanhelpyouhere!”

Dordensmiledattheyoungman’sbravery.PainwasslashedintotheBlueblood’sthinface.Henoddedthemforwardtothedoorandtheylookedintotherainoffire.“Caffran!” Dorden called on the link. “I’m sending a Blueblood over to you. Give him your

weaponandthenreturn!”Hedidn’twaitforananswer.UsingChayker ’smopasacrutch,Culcisscurriedoutintotheyardandmadetheinnerwall,where

Caffran was blasting through a fire-slot. A nod, and Caffran gave up his gun and position to theBlueblood.Culcissettledin,leaningagainsttheflak-boards,andresumedblasting.CaffranranbacktothefarmhousedoorwhereDordenwaswaiting.

“HelpLesp!Go!Go!”Inthreeminutes,DordenhadsubstitutedthreemoreVolponesonthedefenceline,menwithleg

woundsorheadwounds,butable-bodied.Inreturn,hegotClaig,GutesandFoskin.

Dorden told Foskin the drill, and Foskin supervised the five able-bodied Ghosts into a slickpatternofremovingthewoundedintotherearsectionsofthehouse.

ShakenbytheonslaughtwhichlitupthefeeblenightDordenreachedthegatepost,runninginastoop.BrostinandCorbecwereblastingaway.BrostinwasnowusingTremard’slasgun,switchingtothebigflamereverytimetheassaultbecametoogreat.

Dorden knelt by Tremard, assessed his injury and set to work. “I need a stretcher for him!”DordenyelledatCorbec.

“Help him, Brostin,” Corbec snapped. As Dorden and Brostin carried Tremard back to thefarmhouse,Corbecheld thegate.Dorden’s lastviewofhimwasclear: thehugeTanithwarriorhishair loose and flowing in the night wind as the storm came down again, crackling and flashing,flamerinonehand,lasgunintheother,dealingdeathtoanythingthatmoved.

The enemy assault had pivoted to the western side of the horseshoe, and heavy fire slammedagainst the flak-boarding, throwingsomesheetsupoutof themuckandshattering themMkoll feltmorethansawthechangeinemphasisandrushedfromhispositionattheeastendtosupportChaykerandaBluebloodcalledVengowhohadsubstitutedforGutes.Chaossoldierswerepushingthroughtheholesintheouterflak-boardwallandthethreeGuardsmen,firingsingle,aimedshotstopreservepoweronCorbec’sorders,droppeddozens into theslimepitof theditch.Soonbodiesblocked thefenceholesaswellasthemissingboardshaddone.

Well enough when they come at us with boltguns and las-weapons, Mkoll thought to himselfdarkly.Butwhatdowedowhentheybringupflamers,meltas,grenades…orworse?

Thecacophonyof theassaultwasear-splittingandadoubleecho rolledback to themfrom thewidefenslikethunder,almostasloudastherealthing.Thestormorthestormingshooktheearth,andMkollwasn’tsurewhich.

Vengo,bandagedupwithagutwound,foundhisstrengthfailingandhisvisionswimming.Themajestyandfuryoftheopenassault,thedesperationandthefranticeffort,hadquitenumbedhimtothedullpainofhisinjuries,buttheyweretellingonhimnonetheless.Drenchedbythedownpour,hetriedtorepositionhimself,changingspentclipforfreshwithcold,wethands.Thefreshpowerclipslippedawayanddroppedintothemudunderhisfeet.Hestooped.

A soldier of Chaos, cut down and presumed dead in the ditch, had crawled forward, and nowloomed over the inner fence above the scrabbling Volpone. His chest had been blasted open, andbloodandtissuedribbledfromexposedribs.Hisgas-hoodwasalsogone,revealingthefangedsnoutandgreyhideofhiscorruptedface.Heswunguparustyentrenchingtool.Chayker,dazzledbythevolleysoflas-lightandthestrobeeffectofthelightning,sawhisassailantinaflashofwhite,frozenmid-swing. He wrenched his lasgun out of the fire-slot and blasted down the gully, blowing theattackeroutoverthefence.Risingwiththerecoveredclip,deafenedbythesensoryoverloadofthestormandfighting,Vengohadnoideahowhehadbeensparedorhowclosehehadbeentodeath.

Boltroundsdrummedintotheflak-boardsaroundMkoll’sslot,andnailedwoodensplintersintohischeekandneck.Hecriedoutanddroppedbackforasecond.Rubbingatthebloodygrazesinhisface,hemovedbacktotheslot,re-aiming.Otherdarkshapeswerestirringinthefilthatthebottomoftheditch.Vengo’sclosecallhadbeenawarning.Evenkillingshotsdidn’tseemtofinishalloftheseabominations.Manyofthosethattheyhadcutdownwerefarfromdead,andnowwerecrawlingandclamberinguptoattacktheinnerfence.

“Brace!”heyelledoverthecomm-linktoChaykerandVengo.Hehadafewtube-chargesleft,andheheftedthreeovertheinnerfenceintotheditchwithitshalf-seenstirrings.

The triple blast rocked them and pelted the inner flak-boards with liquid mud and liquefied

organics.“Keepcheckingtheditch!”Mkollvoxed.“Theydon’tdieeasy.”Vengocaught thehintatonce,and loweredhisaim topickoff twomoreof thesupposeddead

whowerewrithingthroughthemiretowardshim.Othersclusteredaroundthebreachesintheouterfence,cutdownbythetrapasfastastheygatheredandpressedin.

Howmanyofthemarethereoutthere?Chaykerwondered.Theforceoftheassaultseemedtobeincreasingwitheverymoment.

Ontheeasternturnofthehorseshoe,CulcisheldthelinewithhisothertwoVolponesubstitutes,DradoandSpeers.BrostinhadreturnedfromhisstretcherruntothehouseandfellinbesideCulcis,heftingamisfiringVolponeheavystubberhe’dfoundleaningagainstthewallinthelonghall.Ithadadrumofsixtyroundsleftinit,andhe’dresolvedtousethemallbeforeswitchingtohislaspistol.HisflamerwasinCorbec’smeatyhandsatthegate.Alltheycouldhearorseefromthegatearea,atthesouthern point of the horseshoe, were belches of flame and las-chatter and Corbec’s increasinglycolourfulexclamationsoverthevox-link.

Brostinsettledin,gettingtoknowtheunfamiliarstubber.Itscyclicratewaspooranditjammedfrequently,butwhenitfired,thethumpandblastwassatisfying.Meshreddedhalfadozenshapesthatloomedbeyond theouter fence.At theeasternside, the tree-lineandwoodswerecloser thanat thewest,whichlookedoutoverfenlandinterruptedonlybyhedgesanddykes.Here,theenemywasonthemwithlittlewarning,rushingoutofthetreestoassaultthedoublefenceandtheditch.

BrostinfoundhimselfadmiringtheshootingskillsoftheBluebloodCulcis.Arrogantly,againstCorbec’sorders,hehadadjusted thepowersetting tofullandwasfiringoffsearingorangeblasts.Buteachonecounted.

Hiseye’sasgoodasMadLarkin’s,thoughttheheavy-setGhost,andthat’sarealcompliment.DradoandSpeersweredoing theirpart too,butDrado’saimwasoff.Thoughable-bodied, the

manhadaheadwoundandoneeyebandaged.Thelackofbinocularrange-findingwasruininghisshot.Brostinhunkereddownandmovedalongthefencetohim.

“Aimleft!”heyelledoverthebarrageandthethunder.“You’reshootingwide!”Drado turned on him, his noble, half-bandaged face curled into a haughty sneer. “No low-life

gutter-dogtellsaVolponehowtofight!”BrostinsmackedhimhardwiththesideofhisfistandslammedtheBluebloodintothemud.“Getup!”Brostinsaidfiercely,fistraised.“ThisisalaststandoftheTanithFirst-and-Only.We’re

onlyherebecauseofyouandyourkinsmen!TightlikeaGhostorstandasideandletsomeoneelsedoit!”

DradohauledhimselfupandspatatBrostin.“You’llpay…”hebegan.Firinghisstubberoutattheenemy,Brostinlaughed.“Pay?OfcourseI’llpay!Butnottoyou!If

we live through this,myBlueblood friend, you canhammerme tohell, andget youroh-so-noblebrotherstohelp!Seemecare!Ifwedon’tdiehere,tonight,guardingthelinetoprotectyourpreciouswounded,thenI’llgolaughingintoanyretributionyoucaretodishout!Whatcouldbeworsethanthis?”

Drado didn’t answer. He set to firing again, and Brostin noted with approval that he wascompensatingnowandfavouringtheleftside.Hemadehits.

“Muchbetter,youfeth-wit,”hemuttered.Insiderutmanorhouse,Dordencheckedthestateofthewoundedtheyhadmoved.Withthehelp

ofTesp,Gutes,Caffran,ToskinandClaig,hehadtransferredthepatientsback,oneatatime,through

totherearchambersandthendowninthelongundercroft.Thislow,vaultedcellarspacewasmadeofthickstone.Thebestprotectiontheycouldafford.Theymightsurvivetheattackhere—orbeburiedlikerats.

With Foskin’s help, he treated Tremard’s wound and got him stable. Then he ordered all theGhosts back out to the defence, all except Tesp,whomhe needed.Another comatoseVolpone hadwokenduringtheroughrelocationandwasconvulsing.

Caffran, Toskin, Gutes and Claig made their way up the cellar steps, taking their pick of thebrokenVolponeweaponsstackedinthestable-blockontheirwaytorejointhedefence.

The convulsing Volpone died. Though he showed no outward signs of injuring except severebruising,Dordenknewhisinnardshadbeenturnedtojellybyartilleryconcussion.Lesphelpedhimhaulthecorpsebackuptheundercroftstairsanddumpitinthehall.

Theywentbackdown.Theundercroftwasdampandpungent,litbyhissingchemicallampstheGhosts had set up hurriedly.The injuredmoaned and sighed.Some slept like theywere dead.Theeartharoundthemallshookandtricklesof liquidmudspurteddownfromtheroofeverynowandthenastheonslaughtrattledthefoundationsofthehouse.

“We’reallgoingtodiehere,aren’twe,sir?”Lespasked,hisvoiceclearandcertain.Dordenstammeredforamoment,lostforwords.Hethought,desperately,whatGauntmightsay

in suchcircumstances.Whatwoulda trainedpoliticalofficerdohere, trying to raise the spiritsofmenlookingdeathinheface?Hecouldn’tdoit.Itwasn’tinhim.Hecouldn’tcomposeanydeftlineabout “the greater good of the ImperialGuard” or the “lifeblood of theEmperor”. Instead, all hecouldmanagewassomethingentirelypersonal.

“I’m not,” he told Lesp. “When I die, my wife and daughter and granddaughter die too, theirmemorieslostwithme.Forthem,I’llnotdiehere,Tesp.”

Tespnodded,hisbigAdam’sapplegulpinginhisnarrowthroat,Hethoughtofthememorieshecarried:mother,father,brothers,crewmatesonthearchipelagotrawler.

“NeitherwillI,then,”hemanaged.Dordenturnedtowardsthestairs.“Whereareyougoing?”Tespasked.“Youmanage thingshere. I’mgoing to takea lookup top.Fromthesoundof things, theymay

needamedic.”Tesppulledouthislaspistolandofferedit,butt-first,tothechiefmedic.Dordenshookhishead.“Ican’tstartthatnow,”hesaid.Upstairs,theoldruinwasquiet.Itseemedasifthestormandtheassaulthadabatedtogetherfor

themoment.Dordenedgedinto thevacated longhallandtriedhismicro-beadbut itwasdead.Theceilinglampsswungandloosedebrisfluttereddown.Treeofbodies,thestinkingcotslookedpitifulandsadlyspoiled.Dordensteppedoverpoolsofbloodandshredsofdiscardedclothing.

Hestrodeintotheouterkitchen,lookingonceatthestainedtablewherehehadexcisedapartofRegara’sleg.Hesawtheoldfireplaceforthefirsttime.Blackiron,justliketheonehehadsatbeforeathomeonTanith.Heandhiswife,attheendofalongnight,withabookandaglassofsomethingwarming,beforethegrate-light.

Alongthemantle,smallblocksofwhatlookedlikechalksatinarow.Hemovedoverandtookone inhishand.A tusk.Thesmall, shed tuskofapig.The inhabitantsof thismanor,whoever theywere, had raised swine, cared for them enough to treasure the trophies of their growth anddevelopment.Pigteeth,eachmarkedinadelicatehandwithaname…Emperor,Sire,Hislordship…

anddates.This touch of frugal humanity, the day-to-day chronicle of a farmstead, affected himdeeply. It

wasn’tmawkish,itmatteredsomehow.Whypigs?Whohadlivedhere,raisedtheswine,toiledinthefens,broughtupafamily?

Asoundfromthelonghallbroughthimuptothesurfaceofhisthoughts.Hemovedbacktomeeta gaggle of men as they limped and blundered in through the hall doors from the outside. TheVolponesubstitutesandtheGhosts,allexceptCorbec.Theywereshell-shockedanddazed,wearyontheirfeet.

DordenfoundMkollattherearofthegroup.“They’vefallenback,”Mkollsaid.“It’sdeadquietoutthere.Thatcanmeanonlyonething…”“I’mamedic,notasoldier,Mkoll!Whatdoesitmean?”MkollsighedasDordenattendedtothesplinterwoundsinhisface.They’vefailedwithaphysical

assault.“They’redrawingbacksotheycanbringupartillery.”Dordennodded.“Getbelow,intotheundercroft,allofyou.Foskin—Lespwillhelpyoucookup

somefoodforall.Doit!Artilleryornot,Iwanteveryonesustained.”Themenfiledawaytowardsthestepsintothecellar.Dordenwasaloneagaininthehall.Corbecentered,coveredinbloodandfire-soot.HedroppedBrostin’semptyflamerontoonecot

andthrewTamard’sspentlasguntheotherway.“Time’s trickling away, Doc,” he said. “We held them— feth but we held them!—but they’re

gonnahammerusnow.Iscopedmovementoverthefens,biggunsbeingwheeledintoplace.Anhour,ifwe’relucky,andthenthey’lllevelusfromadistance.”

“Colm…Ithankyouforallyouandthemenhavedonetonight.Ihopeitwasworthit.”“It’salwaysworthit,Doc.”“Sowhatdowedonow?Buryourselvesinthecellar?”Corbecshrugged.“Thatwon’tsaveusfromtheirshells.Don’tknowaboutyou,butI’mgoingto

dotheonlythingIcanthinkofatatimelikethis?”“Whichis?”“PraytotheEmperor.Mkollsaidtherewasanoldshrineoutbackofthisplace.Prayersareallwe

haveleft.”Together,CorbecandDordenpulled theirwaythrougha litterofrubbleanddebrisandbroken

furnitureintothelittleroomatthebackofthefarmhouse.Ithadlostitsroofandthestarstwinkledabovethem.

Corbechadbroughtalamp.Heplayeditslightovertherearwalls,pickinguptheflakingpaintedimageon theornamental screenMkollhadmentioned. It showed theDivineEmperor subduing theHeretics,andsmallerfiguresofaman,awoman,andthreesmallchildren,showninobeisancetothecentralfigureoftheGod-emperorofMan.

“There’s an inscription here,”Dorden said, scraping the dirt away from thewallwith his cuffpulledupovertheballofhishand.

“Apig!Whatisthis?”Corbecraisedthelampandreadofftheinscription.“Here’sironyforyou,Doc:thiswasatrophy

world.ANewTanith.ThemasterofthishallwasaParensCloker,oftheImperialGuard,HogskullRegiment.TheHogskullswon thisworldduring the first advance into theSabbatonehundredandninetyyearsagoWinningit,theywereawardedsettlementrights.ClokerwasacorporalintheGuard,andhetookhisrightsgladly.Settledhere,madeafamily,raisedswineinhonourofthemascotbeast

ofhisoldregiment.Hiskinhavehonouredthateversince.”Corbec faltered, something like sadness in his eyes. “Feth! To get there, to win it, to take the

trophyworld…andstillitcomesdowntothis?”“Notforall.Howmanytrophyworldsarethereout therewherethesoldiersof theGuardhave

retiredandlivedouttheirdays?”“Idon’tknow.Thisisalltooreal.Tofightforyourlifetime,gettheprizeyouwanted,andthen

this?”CorbecandDordensankdowntogetherinthedebris-strewnchapel.“YouaskedmewhyIstayedwithyou,Doc.I’lltellyounowaswe’redeadandwehavenothingto

livefor.”Withthatlastremark,Corbecflunghishandtowardsthereredos’inscription.“Well?”“YouwerethedoctorforPryzeCountyfortwentyyears.”“Twenty-seven.AndBeldane.”Corbecnodded.“Iwasraised inPryze.Myfamilywerewoodworkers there. Iwasbornoutof

wedlockandsoItookmyfather ’sname,whenIknewhim.Mymothernow…Iwasadifficultbirth.”Dordenstiffened,knowingsomehowwhatmustcomenext.“She’dhavediedinlabour,haditnotbeenfortheyoungmedicwhochargedoutinthenightand

sawtoher.LandaMeroc.Rememberher?”“ShewouldhavediedifIhadn’t—”“Thankyou,DoctorDorden.”DordenlookedroundatCorbecinwonder.“Ideliveredyou?Feth!Fethingfeth!AmIthatold?!”Theylaughedtogetheruntiltheywerechoking.Anduntilthethumpofartillerybegan,blastingthe

quietofthenightaway.TheImperialGuarddrovetheenemybackwiththeirshellingandGauntwasontheforemosthalf-

trackastheyploughedbackintothefenlandsintheearlylightofdawn.Theycaughttheenemyalmostunawares, andwereblasting theChaos artillery and infantry evenas the enemywheeled their ownblasphemousgunsaroundintopositioninthedark.

Thefarmhouse,anditsshattereddefenceofhorseshoefences,wasalmostunrecognisable.Mud,burntflak-boardandshatteredcorpseslaypiledamidstthedevastatedruins.Heorderedthevehicletostop,anditspunwheelsonthefenlandmuckasitslidtoahalt.

Trooper Lesp was on duty at the gateway. He saluted the colonel-commissar as he passed in.DordenandCorbecwerewaitingforhiminthelitteredyard.

“Medicalevaciscoming,”Gaunttoldthem.“We’llgettheVolponewoundedoutofhere.”“Andourowntoo?”Dordenasked,thinkingofTremard,andMkoll’slaceratedface.“Allofthewounded.So,you’vehadanadventureouthere,itseems?”“Nothingtospeakof,sir,”Corbecsaid.Gauntnoddedandmovedoffintothemanorhouseruin.Corbec turned toDordenand showedhim thepig’s toothhehadclutched inhishand. “Iwon’t

forgetthis,”hesaid.“ItmaynothaveworkedhereonNacedonforthisguardsman,butbythistooth,I’lltrustitwillworkforusGhosts.Atrophyworld,brighterandbetterthanyoucanimagine.”

Dorden’shandheldapig-toothtoo,marked“TheEmperor”.“Itrustyoutodothat,Colm.Doit.Doctor ’sorders.”Swing,address,stab,return…swing,address,stab,return…

IntheshadeofthecycadsattheedgeoftheTanithencampmentonMonthax,TrooperCaffranwaspractising bayonet discipline. Stripped to the waist, his powerful young shoulders glistening withsweat,hewhirledhislasgunintimetohisrhythmicchant,snappingitround,clutchingithorizontally,lungingforwardandkillingtheboleofoneofthetreesoverandagain.Aftereachstrike,hetuggeditfreewitheffort,andrepeatedthedrill.Thetrunkwasslashedandpuckered,oozingorangesapfromthewoundsleftbyhisnimblework.

“Good skill,” Gaunt said from behind him. Caffran snapped around, realising he was beingwatched.Heshooksweatfromhisbrowandbeganasalute.

“Atease,”Gauntsaid.“I’mjustwalkingthelines.Everythingalrightwithyou?Themeninyourplatoon?”

Caffranfelttongue-tied,ashealwaysdidwhenGauntaddressedhimdirectly.Hestill,afterallthistime,hadmixedfeelingsaboutthecommissarwhohadbothsavedthemandmadethemGhostsinthesameaction.

“We’reallwaitingfortheword,”hesaidatlast.“Itchingforaction.Thiswaiting…”“It’s theworst part, I know.”Gaunt sat downon a nearby log. “Until the killing starts andyou

realisethewaitingwasn’tallthatbadafterall.”CaffrancaughtthesmileinGaunt’seyesandgrinnedaswell,unabletostophimself.Gauntwaspleased.HewasveryawareofthestiffnessCaffranalwaysmanifestedaroundhim.A

goodsoldier,oneoftheyoungest,butsoverynearlyoneofRawne’smalcontents.“Goagain,”Gauntsuggested.Self-consciously,Caffran turned and repeated his drill. Swing, address, stab, return… It took a

momenttopullhisbladefreefromthethickbark.“Slideit,”Gauntsaid.“It’llcomeouteasierifyouslideitlaterallybeforepulling.”Caffrandidso.Itwastrue.Gauntgotup,movingonwithhiscircuit.“Notlongnow,Caffran,”Gauntsaidashemovedaway.Caffransighed.No,notlong.Notlongbeforethefrenzyandthemadnesswouldstart.Swing,address,stab,slide,return…Swing,address,stab,slide,return…

NINE

ASIMPLEPLAN

Enginesscreaming,theimperialtroopcarriersfellupontheoceanworld,Sapiencia.Likeswarmsoffat,blackbeetlesshrillinginovertheedgesofapond,theyassaultedtheBayof

Belano. Their combined down-draughts boiled the choppy surface water into foam mist, anembankment of steam three kilometres long and two hundred metres high that stormed forwardacrossthebeachrocksandblindedtheisland’souterdefences.

Itentirelyhidthemercilesswallofsolidwaterdrivenupunderthespraybytheconcussiveforce,and this tidal wave exploded across the western sea-fall emplacements of Oskray Island twentysecondsafterthesteamcloudchokedthem.Rockandmetalandfleshwerepulverised,blastedintotheair, then sucked back into the basin of the bay as pressures equalised and hydraulic action righteditself.Aspumehazehungovertheisland,cloggingthebeachesandmaskingthefinal,slowapproachofthegargantuantroop-ships.

TheheavyemplacementshigheronthecliffsofOskrayspatfiercesalvosdownintothemist,orup into the striated clouds where further formations of troop-ships were beginning their finalapproachestotheislandshore.Thefirefromthebatteries,blueandflickering,dancedlikeluminousdamselfliesamongstthebeetle-likeships.Somecraftburstastheyweretouched,andburned;somedropped,bleedingsmokeandtrailinglinesofdebris.

ThetwentykilometresofOskrayIslandwasonlypartlyrock.Itwas,inpointoffact,aclusterofislets,linkedasonebythemassiveindustrialfortificationbuiltupupontheshouldersofsubmarinemountains. Behind ocean-blocking walls of stone a hundred metres thick, pump structures, drilltowers, flame-belchingwaste stacks and pylons rose against the sky.The primary target, the greatrefineryhiveofOskrayIslandOne.

Redhazardlightsflashedandhootersstartedtheirdeafeningcaterwaulasthejaw-hatchlocksoftroop-shipLambdadisengagedwithamassiveleadenthump.Dimlightbegantopourinfromoutsideas the jaw-sections hinged open.Caffran, tensed tight and ready, knew theywere assaulting a sea-boundtarget,andthatthewayinfortheinfantrywasupthebeachThatwastheplan.Butasthetroop-hatchopened,hebelievedforamomenttheyhadcomeintoolowanditwastranslucenttorrentsofwaterthatwerespurtingintothedispersaldeck.Hegulpedinhisbreath,heldit,butitwasonlysteamandpalelightthatrushedoverhim.

Theyellsofmen,ofbootsracingonmetaldecking,andofthehooters,wereoverwhelming.Withfifty others, lasguns raised, he charged out of the hatch mouth, for a second, on the ramp, thedispersaldecknoiseswereswampedbythegreatervolumeofthethunderingdrop-shipsallaround.Caffrancouldseenothingbeyondthemenclosesttohimandthesolidatmosphereofmistandsmoke.Hecouldsmellsaltandozone,oilandthermite.

Thennothing.Rushingsilence, roaringdullness,acoldnessalloverhim,envelopinghim,darkgreyblursinhiseyes.

He was underwater, floundering in the chilly, muffled dark of the sea, writhing black bodiesstrugglingandflailingaroundhim,eachonebejewelledwithtrappedbaublesofsilverair.

Thetroop-shiphadcomeupshortofthebeachslope,andallthemendroppingblindofftheramp

werefallingintothirtymetresofoceanwheretheislandshelvedsteeplyaway.Caffran couldn’t swim.He’d been born and raised in a forest a thousand kilometres from any

openwater.He’dneverseentheocean,anyocean,thoughhe’dheardothers,likethemedic-fishermanLesp,speakofit.Hewasgoingtodothelastthinghehadeverexpectedtodo:drown.

Momentarily,herealisedhehadnotyetreleasedthedeepbreathhehadinstinctivelysealedintohis lungs when he thought the dispersal deck was going to flood, and he almost laughed, almostreleasingtheair.

Instead, he held on to it, felt it burning and exhausting inside him as he rose slowly to whatseemedthesurface.Itsavedhislife,whereothershadgonescreamingandexhalingofftheramp.

Sinking,blundering,blackshapesthrashedaroundhim:Tanithcombatdress,darkasdryblood,facespale likephantomsorghouls.Abodysankbesidehim,arms frozen inclaws,mouthopen toemitadribbleofbubbles,eyesglazed.Caffrankickedupwardsagain.

Something struck him stunningly hard on the back of the neck and he lost his precious savedbreath in a blurt of silvery air pebbles.Menwere still comingoff the ramp-end above, falling onthoseGhostsnowcomingupfrombelow.Aboothadhithim.Themanitbelongedtowasinvertedinthewaterbehindhim,panicking,dying.Caffrankickedaway,tryingtoriseandnotbreatheintoeasehisemptied,screaminglungs.Hesawmenexplodeintothegrey,dreamyworldfromabove,fightingthewaterastheyhitandsank.Butthatatleasttoldhimthesurfacewasonlyafewmetresaway.

Themanwhohadkickedhimonhiswaydownhadbecomeentangledwithanotherbytheslingsof their lasguns.One of them fired his lasgun in desperation, twice, three times.Thewater boiledaroundeachslicingminnowoforangelight.Caffran’searsthrobbedastheyheardthefizzingreportoftheunderwatershots.Oneofthelas-roundspuncturedadriftingcorpsenearby;anotherpunchedthroughthelegofadesperateswimmernexttoCaffran.Bloodfoggedthewater.Caffranheardthedistantvoicesofhisancestorsinhisears,muffledbypressureandfluidanddistanceandtime.

Hesurfacedinagaspingexplosion,retching,treadingwater,bloodstreamingfromhisnose.HelookedaroundtoseeGhostssurfacingallaround,kickingtowardstheshoreorjustpanicking.Somewerefloatinginthesurge,lifeless,alreadylost.Noiserushedbacktohim,themomentousnoiseofcombat now unfiltered by the deadness of the sea. Screaming, thewhicker of lasguns, the roar oftroop-shipdownwash.Hecouldsmellblood,waterandsmoke,butwasthankful,becausethatmeanthe was breathing. Behind him, las-rounds punched up out of the water into the fog as otherunfortunateslosttheirgriponeverythingbuttheirtriggersastheydrowned.

Caffranpaddledforward,hackingupeachandeveryslopofsea-waterheaccidentallyswallowed.The pall of smoke and fog cut visibility at the surface to tenmetres. For amoment, he heard thevoicesofhisancestorsagain—thenrealisedthatwasn’twhathe’dheardatall.Itwashismicro-beadintercom, cracklingwith staccato traffic, screeching into his ear-plug.Underwater, it had been thetinnywhisperofghosts.

Caffranfeltgravelorsandunderhisboots,aslope.Hefeltweightandmomentumreturntohimashechurnedupthroughshallowerandstillshallowerwater,fallingtwiceandchoking.Boltroundsandlas-firewhippedandstitchedthebreakersaroundhim,cuttingdowntheGhostbeachingnexttohim.Theman fell face-down, his body lifted and pulled back, lifted and pulled back again by thechoppywaves.

Caffranfellagainasalas-roundscorchedacrossthetopofhisleftshoulder,droppinghimtohisknees.Hisshinsscrapedonthestonygravel,shreddinghisfatiguepantsfromthekneedown.Hefelthislasgungrowheavierandflopaway.Theshothadcuthisgun-strapacrosstheshoulder.

Handspulledhimupashegrabbedholdofhisweapon.

“Caffran!”ItwasDomor, thesquad’ssweeper.Hewas ladendownwith theheavybackpackof thesweeper

unitanditslonghandledsensor-broom.Domorhadlosthiseyes—andalmosthislife—inthatfinalpushonMenazoidEpsilonsixmonthsbefore.Theyhadbeentheretogetherforthatfataltime,inthethickof it as theywerehere.Domor’smetal-irisedartificial implants shutteredandwhinedas theyadjustedtolookdownatCaffran.Thesweeper ’scyberneticimplantslookedliketruncatedbinocularscopescrudelysuturedintothescartissueofhiseye-sockets.

“We can make the beach!” Domor yelled, pulling the young trooper to his feet. They ran,blunderingthroughthebreakers.Otherschargedorstaggeredinwiththem,araggedlineofGhostsmaking landfall on the fog-washed shore, some falling over submerged barricade crosses orentangling themselves on rolls of rusting razor-wire. The fire-storm fell amongst them and somedroppedsilently,orscreaming,orinmincedpieces.

Now,theflintyshingleslopeofthebeach.Theycrashedupit,pebblesflyingfromeachfootfall.Twentymetresup,theyduckedbelowthelichen-frondedlineofanoldwoodengroyne,blackastar.Las-fireslammedintoitsweightybulk.

“What’stheplan?Whathavewegot?”Caffranyelled.“Nothing!Visibility is low!Heavyresistancefromup there!”Domorpointedup into thespray-

fogatsomethingonlyhisaugmentedvisioncouldresolve,andthenonlybarely.Twomorebodiesflungthemselvesdownnext to them, thena third.TrooperMkendrikwithhis

flamer;TrooperChilam,missing an ear and yowling like a cat as he dabbed his salty hand at thebloodyhunkofcartilageonthesideofhishead.Andthen,SergeantVarl.

VarlwasapopularofficeramongsttheGhosts;young,field-promotedfromtherankoftrooper,awise-cracking, hard-nosed bastard refreshingly lacking all the airs and graces of the officer class.He’d lost his shoulder on Fortis Binary, and his black tunic bulged over the cybernetic joint themedics hadgivenhim. Itwas clear toCaffran that the sergeantwas in somepain.Varl cursed andstruggledwithhisartificialshoulder.

Sea-waterhad soaked into the shoulder joint, shortingout servos and fusing linkages.His armwasdeadanduseless,butstill therawneuralconnections transmittedflickersofshortingelectricalfailuretohisbrain.Domorhadbeenlucky.Hisocularunitshadbeensealedintohisskullenoughtopreventsuchdamage…thoughCaffranwonderedhowlongitwouldtaketheinsidioustouchofsea-watercorrosiontoblindtheman.

WithMkendrik’s help, Caffran stripped off Varl’s tunic and unscrewed the bolts on the smallinspectionplateinVarl’smetalshoulderblade.WiththepointofhisTanithdagger,Mkendrikprisedout the flat battery cells revealed there, cutting the electrical relaywhich governed the limb. Varlsighed as his armwent dead andCaffran strapped it up, tight against the sergeant’s body. Itwas adesperate gesture. Without the booster relay of the cells, not only all neural control, but all lifesupportwouldbecutfromtheorganicpartsofVarl’srepairedarm.Heneededproperhelp,orwithinanhourortwohisnow-lifelessarmwouldbegintodecayandperish.

For now, though, the sergeantwas grateful, he scrambled over, supporting himself on his onegoodhand,andtookalookoverthecover-line.Alongthebeach,underthedownpouroffire,menwerecomingashore.Mostweredying;someweremakingittocover.

“WhereinFeth’snameisthearmour?”Varlwailed.“Theyshouldhaveledtheassaultandopenedthisbeachup!”

Caffranscopedaround,andsawheavyBasilisktankshalf-submerged,strugglingupthebeachahundredmetresaway.Theywereintoodeep,drowninglikebeachedwhales,squirmingandcoughing

exhaustsmokeastheirenginesfloodedanddied.“Thetroop-shipsdroppedusshort,”hesaidtoVarl.Varl lookedwhereCaffranpointed.“They’vedrowned the frontendof this fethingassault!”he

bellowed.“Theywereblind…Thisspray—”Caffranbegan.“Feththemfornotdoingtheirjob!”Varlspat.Awhinnyingboltroundricochetedoffthetopofthegroyne’ssolidwoodworkandtookChilam

straightintheface,explodinghishead.Heflewbackontotheshingle,fulllength.“Wehavetoadvance!Wehaveto!”Varlyelled.Micro-beadchatter,discordantandcontradictory,

raspedintheirears.“There’snogoingforward,”Domorsaidquietly.Thespumeofthespray-mistwasreceding,andnowtheycouldseewhathesaw.Thevastwhite

curtainwallofOskrayIsland’ssea-defencesroseaheadofthem,almostakilometrehigh.Apartfromsomestray scorchmarks, itwasunblemished.TheBasiliskshadbeenmeant to flatten it andbreakthroughfortheinfantry.Butthewallstillstood,impassive,cold,likeadenialofanypossiblefuture.

Varlcursed.Caffranheardtheprotestingwailfirst.Helookedbackouttosea,thengrabbedDomorandVarl

andthrewthemflatintothepainfuljumbleoftheshingle.Mkendrikdiveddowntoo.A troop-ship, one of the great fat beetles, on fire from end to end, was coming in low, half-

sidelong,nosedown,spillingburningfuelandshredsoffuselage.Itwashuge,blockingoutthesky,sixhundredtonnesofdyingmetalkeeningintowardsthebeachovertheirheads.Itsjaw-hatcheswerestillclosed.

Menarecookinginthere,Caffranthought,wonderingwhichregiment,andthen,asitcamedownontopofhishead,histhoughtsgutteredoutlikeacandleflameinahurricane.

Mkendrikshookhimawake.Caffranstirred,andwokeupintotheroaroftheassault.“Howlong

haveIbeenout?”“Lessthanaminute,”Mkendriksaid.Caffran struggled up out of the shingle. It had felt like hours, like all his fatigue and pain had

overwhelmedhimandsenthimtosleep.“Whathappened?”hegasped.“I thoughtforFethweweredeadthen.”

Mkendrikpointed.Atfirsttherewaslittletosee.Thewhitesteamandmisthadbecomefouledwithblacksmoke,andtheashycurlsofit,thickwithglowingcinders,envelopedthebeach.Then,Caffranmadeoutmore.Thestricken troop-shiphadslammedover them,coming to restat theheadof thebeach where the last few seconds of its crash-flight had been broken by the fortified seawall ofOskrayIsland.Theimpacthadblownthewallin.Forsixhundredmetres,itsimmeasurablyoldandsolidstonewasfusedandfractured.Ablackenedchasmhadopenedintotheheartoftherefinery.Themenaboardthattroop-shiphadbroughtawayintothetargetwiththeirlivesassurelyasiftheyhadfoughttheirwayupthebeach.

Caffran gathered scattered itemswhich had split from his burst pack, and recovered his fallenlasgun.Mkendrikwaschanginglas-cells.Ashortwayoff,VarlandDomorweremakingready,andsmallgroupsofGhostsinfoxholesalongthebeachwerealsopreparingtomakeuseofthisnewwayin.

Enemyfirestillstrafeddownfromthewall,thoughitwasthinnernowsuchachunkofthewallhadgone.The incoming troop-ships, still roaringandsettlingover the tide-linebehind them,were

jockeyingintothisblindspottoavoidthetrackingfirefromthemainbatteriesonthecliffs.Caffranheardthunder,andturnedtoseefourBasiliskshovingupthebeach,properlydelivered,movingpasttheminto thebreachand tracking to fire.Theysizzledupwetstoneflecksas theyrolled,crankingtheirhuge,decoratedbulksupandoverthegroynes.Caffranrecognisedthemarkings.Ketzoks,the17thArmouredRegiment,theso-calledSerpentswhohadbeengulledintoslaughteringthembackonVoltemand.

WithVarl,Domor,Mkendrikandseveralothers,Caffranmovedin towards thebreach, runningoverstonelitterandsmoulderingfragmentsofblackenedmechanicals,thelastremnantsofthetroop-ship.Straylas-shotswingeddownatthemandstubberroundsrattledwithacuriousclack-clacksoundoffthestonefacingstotheirleft.

Entering the chasm in the wall, Caffran passed into deep shadow. Ahead, one hundred metresdown theV-shapedchannelblastedby the crash, adimness loomed.He felt a senseofpride.Theywouldbethefirst—theGhostswouldbethefirsttobreakthroughthestalwartdefencesofthetarget.

Hewasclosetothefarendnow,stumblingwiththeothersthroughtheshadow,pickinghiswayaroundmangled hull fragments.Ahead, the dimnesswas becoming a forest of steel and iron.Therefineryitself.

Gaunthadbeenpreciseinhisbriefing.ThefleetcouldhavevaporisedOskrayIslandfromorbit,butitwastoovaluable.ThatmeantalandassaulttoretakeitfromthelegionsofChaos.ThevilehostherecalledthemselvestheKith,somehive-fermentedsub-cultofKhorne…Caffranhadblankedonsomeofthebriefing’scomplexities,partlybecauseitwasaliengibberishtohim,andpartlybecausethegibberishmadehimfeelill.Hedidn’twanttolistentothedetailsconcerningthefilththeyweregoingupagainst.TheKith:thatwasallhefocussedon.TheKithwerethesub-humanverminhewashere toeradicate.Their leaderwasamonstercalledSholenSkara.Fragmentsof theChaosarmadastoppedatBalhauthadruntoSapienciaforshelter,andtheirleadershadconjoinedwithaChaoscultalready thriving in theunderclassof thevasthive tooverthrowImperial ruleandseize thefuel-oilandpromethiumwells.

Colonel-Commissar Gaunt had spoken long and passionately about the Kith in his briefing.Caffran knewGaunt had been part of the greatBalhaut victory, backwhen hewas still a politicalofficerwiththeHyrkanEighth.GauntloathedallChaos,butloathedespeciallythetendrilsofitwhichhadescapeddestructionatBalhautonlytotwistandpolluteotherworlds,thanks,ashesawit,tothetacticalmiscalculationsofWarmasterMacaroth.GaunthadspokenofSholenSkara,renegadeoftheBalhautmurder-camps,asifhehadknownhimpersonally.Thatwaswhythecolonel-commissarhadvolunteeredhisGhostsfortheOskrayassault.Hehadmadeitplaintothemall.

Andthat,musedCaffran,waswhytheyhadbeendrownedandblastedandtornapartontherazor-wire.

CaffranoftenthoughtaboutGaunt.IbramGaunt.Herolledthenameinhismind,anamehewouldneverdarevoicealoud.Thecolonel,thecommissar.Astrangeman,andCaffran’sfeelingsforhimwere strange too. He was the best, most caring, most charismatic leader Caffran could imagine.Caffran had seen, time and again, the way Gaunt looked after the Ghosts. Caffran had also seenenoughofother regimentsand theircommandersandpoliticos toknowhowrarea thing thatwas.Many, like belovedColonelCorbec, regardedGaunt as a saviour, a friend, a brother, andCaffrancouldnotdenyheadmiredGauntandwouldfollowhimtotheendsofanyearth.

ButCaffranknewFeygor,Rawneandtheothermalcontentswell,andinbittermomentshesharedtheircontemptforthecolonel-commissar.Forallhisfatherlylove,liketheirownprivateEmperor,Gaunt had left Tanith to die. Prom time to time, Caffran had been tempted to throw aside his

reservations about Gaunt and worship him as so many others did. But always, that creepingresentmentinhishearthadstoppedhimfromtotaldevotion.Gauntwasruthless,calculating,direct.Hewouldneverstintfromsendingmentotheirdeaths,forhisdutywastotheEmperorandtheruleofTerralongbeforeitwastothelostsoulsofTanith.

CaffransawtheboyMilo, theso-calledadjutant,asaconstantreminderofthelostyouthofhishomeworld.Milowasonlyayearor twoyounger thanCaffran,butagulfdivided them.Heneverspoke to the boy. Gaunt, in his oh-so generouswisdom, had savedMilo from the fires of TanithMagna.Savedone—butnooneelse.

Caffranthought,atsuchtimes,ofLaria.Howhehadlovedher.Howverymuch.AllCaffranknewforsurewasthatLariawasdeadnow.Howshehaddiedhehadnoidea,andfrankly,hewasthankfulforthat.ButLariahauntedhim.Lariaembodiedeverythinghehadlost.Tanithitself,hisfriends,hislife,hisfamily.ForLaria’ssake,CaffranknewhewouldalwaysremainoneofthoseGhostsinthemiddleway,onewhowouldfollowGaunttohelldevoutly,butwouldneverforgivehimwhentheyarrived.

Here,inthewallgullyofOskray,itwaseasytohateGaunt.Thestinkofdeathandfirefilledtheplace.Caffranslidinlowagainstafallentowerofstoneblocksasheapproachedtheopeningintotheislandproper.Varl,MkendrikandTrooperVulliamdroppedinbesidehim.

Behind them, down the crash-chasmat themouthof the breach,Caffran couldhear shouts andgrindingtracks.

HelookedatVarlquestioningly.“ThefethingBasilisks!”thesergeantsaid.“Theywanttostorminaheadoftheinfantry,butthey

can’tgettheirfatarsesintothegap.”“Thenwestillhavepoint,”Caffransmiled.“Feththearmour!”Varlchortled.“Feththemindeed.DidusnofavoursonVoltemand,doingusnofavoursnow.”Varl signalled the advance beyond the breach gap, and fifty-nine Ghosts rose from cover and

movedforward.Vulliam, twometresaheadofCaffran,wasoneof the first tobreak into theopen.Stubroundsbrokehimmessilyintofour.

Six more Ghosts died as they broke cover. Though hammered, the Kith had their side of thechasminthewallsoundlycovered.Caffranfellbackwiththeothersaslas-roundsandboltsandstubchargespepperedtheexitofthebreach.

Incover,theylaytremblingasthedeadlyraincontinuedtodrumtheopeningahead.“Blockedassurelyaswewerebefore,”Domorsaid,scratchingathiseye-sutures.“Youallright?”Mkendrikasked.“Vision’salittlefoggy.Gotwaterinthere.Hope…”Domorsaidnomore,butCaffranknewwhat

hewasthinking.TheseawaterhadruinedVarl’sarm,andnowitseemedtobestarlingitsslowworkonDomor’seyes.

“Mightaswellhaveleftthisfethingwallstandingforalltin-goodit’sgoingtodous!”TrooperCallunsaid.

Varlnodded,nursinghisstrappedarm.Hislaspistol,theonlyweaponhecouldhandlenow,layinhislap.

“Whataboutmissiles?Munitions?”Mkendrikwondered.“Wecouldblowthemoutand—”“Whatdoweaimat?”Varlaskedsourly.“Doyouevenseethem?”Mkendriksettledbackwithnoanswer.Aheadof themwasnothingbutaslicedmouthcut in the

wall.Beyond,thesteeplegirdersandscaffoldsoftherefinery,thirtystoreyshigh.Theenemygunnerscouldbeanywhere.

Silencefell.Sandfliesbillowedaroundthedead,andoceaniccarrionswoopedintopeckatthecindered flesh with hooked, pink beaks. The birds mobbed the chasm, squawking and shrilling.TrooperTokardrovethemoffwithascatterburstoflas-fire.

Therewasmovementandvoicesbehindthem.CaffranandtheothersturnedtoseeseveralKetzokgunnerytrooperscreepingtheirway,pausingtoexchangewordswitheachgroupofGhosts.

Onehurriedovertothem,bentdouble,andsalutedVarl’ssergeantpatchashecrouchednexttothem.

“CorporalFuega,Ketzok17thSerpents.”“Varl,sergeant,Ghost.Andyourpurposeis?”Fuegascratchedhisearforamoment,unmannedbyVarl’sattitude.“OurBasiliskscan’tmanage

thisbreach,sowe’regoingtosplititwiderwithshelling.Mycommanderasksyoutofallbackoutofthefire-zone.”

“Wishhe’dgivenussuchawarningonVoltemand,”Domorsaidicily.Fuegasteppedback.“Thatblackdayisforeverinourshame,Tanith.Ifwecouldgiveanything,

evenourlives,tochangeit,wewould.”“I’msureyouwould,”Varlsneered.HegotuptofacetheKetzokcorporal.“What’stheplan?”Fuegacoughed.“OrdersfromGeneralKline.Youpullout,weshell,thenweadvancewithheavy

infantry.”“Heavyinfantry?”“TheVolponehave just beached in legion strength.Theyhaveheavy armour andweapons.We

willclearthewayfortheiradvance.”Fuegaturnedaway.“Youhavefifteenminutestowithdraw.”TheGhostssatinastupefiedgaggle.“Allthis,allwelost,fornothing?”Domorsighed.Varlwasangry.“TeththoseVolpone,andtheKetzoktoo!Wedieinthewiretoopenthebeachand

thentheymarchinandfollowthetankstoglory!”“Idon’tknowaboutyou,sergeant,butIdon’twanttobesittingherestill,complainingaboutlife,

whenthoseBasilisksopenup.”Varlspatandsighed.“Meneither.Okay!Byplatoonteam,calltheretreat.”The Ghosts all around scrambled up and prepared to fall back. Domor, looking up, caught

Caffranbythearm.“What?”“Upthere—doyouseeit?”DomorpointedandCaffranlookedup.Thebrokenwallroselikeacliffabovethem,scabbedwith

slumpingmasonryandbroken reinforcementgirders.Fiftymetresup, just abovea severedendofpipework,Caffransawthedoor.“Teth,butyoureyesaresharp!”

“Thereweretunnelsinthewall,trooptunnelsburieddeep.Thisholehascutthroughoneofthemandexposedit.”

CaffrancalledVarlover,andagroupofGhostsgatheredtolookup.“Wecouldgetafire-teaminsidethewall…followthetunneltowhereeveritledus.”“Hell?”supposedTrooperHaven.“It’shighup…”Varlbegan.“Butthecliffisraggedandfullofgoodhandholds.Thefirstmanupcouldsecurealine.Sergeant,

it’saplan…”VarllookedroundatCaffran.“I’dnevermakeit,withonearmdead.Who’dlead?”“Icould,”saidSergeantGorleyoffiveplatoon.Hewasatall,barrel-chestedmanwithaboxer ’s

nose.“Yougetthewoundedbackontothebeach.I’lltakeasquadandseewhatwecando.”Varl nodded.Hebegan to roundup thewalkingwounded, and seconded several able bodies to

help himwith themore seriously injured.Gorley selected his commando squad:Caffran,Domor,Mkendrik,Haven,Tokar,Bude,Adare,Mkallun,Caill.

Mkendrik, raised in themountainsofTanithSteeple, ledoff,clamberingup thesplinteredwall,handoverhand.HelefthisflameranditstankswithGorley,toraisethemlateronaline.

By the time the ascent was made, and ropes secured, their leeway was almost up, and the tenGhostswerealoneinthechasm.Withinmoments,theBasilisksatthethroatofthebreachwouldstarttheirbombardment.

Themenwentupquickly,followingtheropes.Gorleywaslast,securingalinearoundtheflamerunitandotherheavysupplies.Theteamatthetop,crowdedintothesplintereddoorway,hauledthemup.

Gorleywashalfwayuptheascentwhenthebombardmentbegan.ThenineGhostsabovecoweredinto the shelter of the concrete passageway they had climbed into and covered their ears at theconcussion.

AshellhitthewallandvaporisedGorley,asifhehadneverbeenthere.Realising he was gone, Caffran urged the party to collect their equipment andmove inwards.

Soonthisentirewallsectionwouldbebroughtdown.TheGhostsquadcreptuptheunlitpassageway.Thoughgenerallyintact,thetunnelhadslumpeda

little following themassive shockwave from the troop-ship crash.The groundwas split in places,exposingcrumblingrock.Pipesandcablesdangledfromthecrackedroof;dusttrickleddownfromdeep fissures. Inplaces, theshock-impacthadsectioned thewall,cutting theoriginallystraightandhorizontaltunnelintoaseriesofcleanlysteppedslabs.TheTanithclamberedon,probingthedustydarknesswiththecoldgreenglareofassaultlamps.

Behindthem,thestoneworkofthegreatseawallbegantoshake.TheKetzokhadredoubledtheirfuriouswork.Caffranfoundhimselfleading,asif therehadbeenanunspokenvoteelectinghiminGorley’splace.Hepresumed itwasbecausehehad suggested this incursion in the first place.TheGhostspickeduptheirspeedandmoveddeeperintothetunnelsystemthatthreadedthemarrowofthewall.

Theyreachedaverticalcommunicationsshaft,downthecentreofwhichranagreatwrought-ironspiralstaircase.Theairwasdampandsmelledofwetbrickandthesea.Shockdamagewasevidentheretoo,andtheboltssecuringthemetalstairwayanditsadjoiningwalkwaystotheshaft-sideshadshearedofforsnapped.Theentiremetalstructure,hundredsoftonnesofitfillingtheshaft,creakeduneasilywitheachshudderingimpactfromthegunsofthedistantBasilisks.

TheGhostssteppedacrossthemetallandingofthestair-coiltowherethetunnelresumedbeyond.Itsquealedandyelpedwitheverystep,sometimesthreateningtotiltorfall.

Caill and Flaven were last across. A metal bolt-end the size of a man’s forearm rang off thegantry,justmissingCaill.Ithadcomeloosefarabove.

“Move!”yelledCaffran.Withaprotesting,non-vocalscream,thestaircasecollapsed,tearingitselfapartandrattlingaway

downintotheblackdepthsofthebottomlessshaft.Wherelargerpartsofthestructureremainedintact—afewturnsofstepslacedtogether,alongsectionofhandrail,aseriesofstanchionpoles—theyfellwithheavyfury,rakingsparksandhideousshrieksfromtheshaftwalls.

Empty,thestairsfallenaway,thebrickshaftseemedimmense,uncrossable.Domor looked back at the tunnel they had come along, out of reach now across the gulf. “No

goingbacknow…”hemuttered.

“Goodthingthat’snotthewaywe’regoing,”Caffranreplied,pointingintothedarknesstocomewiththebarrelofhislasgun.

Widecisternsopeneduparound them.Thecement floorswerepaintedwithglossygreenpaint

andthewallbricksmattwhite.Thewalls taperedupwardssothat theceilingwasnarrowerthanthefloor,andthewholetunnelturnedafewdegreestotheleft.Theentirepassagewaywasfollowingboththe lineand theprofileof thewall it ran through.Grilled lightingpanels,glowingphosphorescentwhite,hungatintervalsfromtheroof.Theylookedlikeagiantstreamoftracerrounds,arcingoffdownthelineofthetunnel,frozenintime.

Caffran’sGhosts—andindeednowtheywere“his”Ghosts,bondingtohimasleadernowthattheywerecutofffromoutsidewithoutaskingordeciding—hauntedthelongpassageways,huggingthewallsinthefiercewhiteglowofthelights.Everysixtymetres,tunnelsbisectedthemainrouteonthe inland side:deep,wide throatsofbrickandconcrete that slopeddownwards.Mkendrik thoughttheymightbedrainagechannels,butifthatwastrue,thesizealarmedCaffran.Theywerebigenoughtotakeamanwalkinguprightandjustasbroad.Ifthatkindofliquidquantityfloodedthesetunnelsfromtimetotime…

Domorbelievedthechannelstobeforpersonnelmovement,orforrunningcartsofammoandsuppliesuptotheemplacementsburiedinthesidesandalongthetopofthegreatseawall.Butthey’dseennoverticalcargoshaftsformunitionslifting,andCaffrandoubtedsheermanpowercouldrollenoughshellsuptheslopingchannelswithoutmechanicalassistance.

Andtheyhadmetnoone,notatraceoftheKithsoldiery,notevenacorpse.“They’reallfullyengaged,deployingonthedefences,”Caillsuggested.Caffran thought it a fair bet. “Wewanted to get inside, I figure wemight get further than we

expected.”Theyhadjustreachedthelatestofthemysteriousslopingshafts.Caffrannoddedtoit.“Itleadsintotheheartoftheislanditself.Let’stryit.”

“Andthenwhat?”Budeasked.“Then?”“Imean,what’syourplan,Caff?”Caffranpaused.Gettingin,thathadbeeneverything.Now…“We’reinside,”hebegan,“noone’s

gotthisfar.”Budeandothersnodded.“Butwhatthen?”Flavenasked.Again,Caffranwaslostforwords.“We…we…weseehowfarwecanget.Inside.”None demurred. Lighting in the sloped tunnel was built into the wall and hidden behind

transparent baffles.The concrete floor had ameshgrill set into it, providinggreater purchase forwalking.

Theymoved in formation. Half a kilometre, byDomor’s gyro-compass. A kilometre. The airbecame damp-cold. The tunnel began to level out. The distant thump and shudder of the sea-wallassaultdimmedbehindthem.

Theyheardthehummingbeforetheysawtheendofthetunnel.Alow,ululatingthrobthatbristledtheair.ItremindedCaffranoftheheavyfruit-waspsinthenal-forestsofTanith,crossinggladesoniridescentwingstoburytheirlongovipositorsintosoftbarkinsearchofnal-grubstouseaslivingkindergartens.

Adare,attheheadofthepackwithMkallun,calledout.Thetunnelwassealedfiftymetresaheadby a vastmetal hatchway.A thick ironwork seal surrounded aman-sized hatch closedwith lever-latchesandgreasedhydraulichinges.Thedooranditsframewerepaintedmattgreenwithrust-proof

paint, all except the clean steel inner rods of the extended hydraulics, which glittered with filmybrownoils.

Thethrobbingwascomingfromthefarsideofthehatch.Adarecheckedthehatchseals,buttheywerewoundtightlyshutandlocked,itseemed,fromthe

other side.Caffran shoulderedhisway forwardand reachedoutahand to themetalbarrier. Itwaswet-coldbutittingled,vibratinggentlywiththereverberationsbehindit.

“Howdowegetthrough?”Caffranmurmured.“Dowewanttogetthrough?”Budereturned.Domorkneltdownandstartedtoopentheclaspsofhissweeperpack.Caffrannoticedwithsome

concern thatDomorwas regularly pausing to fidget and scratch at his eyes now, as if irritated bypersistentflies.Domorpulledtheheadofthesweeperbroomoutofthepack,removedthesoftclothbagitwaswrappedin,andcarriedittothewallwithhissetunitandhisheadphones.Hepluggedtheheadphonesandthesweeperheadinto theunitandswitchediton, listeningpatiently to theclickingreturnsinhisear-piecesashemovedtheflatpadofthesweeperheadacrossthemetaldoorsurround.Threeorfourtimeshestopped,wentbacktocheck,andthenmarkedthegreenpaintedmetalwithagraphitecross,usingastickhekeptinhisbiceppocket.

Domor turnedback toCaffran, pullinghisheadphonesbackdownaroundhis neck. “Themaininternallockforthehatchisburiedinsidetheframe.Thosecrossesmarkthethreadsofthegears.”

Caffran letTokar do the honours.He put a point-blank las round through each of the crosses,leavingroundpunctureholeswithsharpmetaledges.

The latches and locks spun free easily now their mechanisms were ruined. Adare and HavenhauledthegreenhatchopenandtheGhostscreptforwardintoablue,gloomyrealmofsmoke.

Caffran knew theywere emerging on the land side of the great seawall, deep in the refinerycomplexofOskrayIsland.Theywereexitingontoalatticewalkwayofscrubbedironthatjuttedoutof the fastnesswall andcrossedagulfwhosedepthshehadnowayof judging.Above,belowandaround,everythingwassmoke.Thewalkwaywasfivemetreswide,withalowhandrail,andreachedacrossfortymetrestoatowerthatroseskeletallyoutofthehaze.

Theairsmelledofcorditeandsalt.Itwascoldandclammysuddenly.Caffranscannedaround.Behind them, theway theyhadcome,hewas justable tomakeout the

backofthevastseawallrisingup,lostinthefog.Thethrobbingandpulsingwasmuchloudernowand Caffran knew it must be coming from the fuel-mills, the promethium pumps and the otherworkingsystemsofthevastrefinery.

Domorwas next to him, prying into the smokewith his prosthetic eyes.The focus ringswerebuzzingnow,andhestrainedwiththem.Thick,discolouredtearstrickleddownhisstubbledcheeks.Thesaltwaterhadreallydoneitsdeviouswork.

“Thissmokeisbackwashfromtheenemygunsalongthewalltop,”Domorsaid.“Theseaairandthedowndraftofourshipsisblowingitbackoverthewallandit’spoolinghereintheinnerbasinoftherefinery.”

Allthebetterforthemtomoveunseen,thoughtCaffran,but…towhere?Adrenalinehadbroughtthemsofar.Wherewastheplan?

Theywere nearly at the tower, a vast red-painted skeletal needle of girders with dull flashinglamps at the corners. Other walkways stretched away from it into the soupy air. Caffran wasbeginningtomakesenseoftheplace,andpickedoutothercatwalksandwalkwaysabove,belowandparalleltotheonetheGhostsused,throughthebillowingsmoke.

Laser fire peppered down at them suddenly, rebounding from the iron walkway or punching

through it.Bude stumbledasa roundhithim in the topof the left shoulderandexited throughhisrighthip.Caffranknewhewasdead,buthetrieddesperatelytogettohimnevertheless.Budeleanedontherailforamoment,upright,thenpitchedoverandfellawayintothesmokebelowsilently.

Thereweredarkshapesonacatwalkfortymetresaboveandtotheleftofthem.Morezingingfirespatdownthroughtheclouds.TheGhostsopenedupinreturn,pastingshotsupintotheroofofthesmoke.Abodyfellpastthem.Mkendrikswivelledhisflamerandvomitedhugecurlsoffireupattheenemyposition.Thecatwalkabovethemcollapsedandspilledfourfire-streamingcometsdownintothechasm:burning,screaming,flailinghumanforms.

Caffranledthewaytothetoweratarunandenteredagrilled-offsectionthatfacedanopen-sidedelevatorcar.CaillandMkallunjoinedhimfirst, theotherscloseontheirheels.Asteepstairwellofopen-backedmeshstepsledbothdownandupthetoweralongsidetheopenelevatorshaft.

More las-fire, and stub rounds, started spankingoff the ironworkand tingingaround themetalcageofthetower.

“Whichway?”bellowedCaill.“Up!”Caffrandecided.“Where’sthesenseinthat?We’llbetrappedlikeratsatthetopofthetowerwithnowheretorun!”“No,”Caffrancountered,tryingdesperatelytothink.Hewas trying to bring back the briefing. The commissar had shown them aerial views of the

Oskrayfacility,concentratingontheseawallareatheyweremeanttoassault.Hetriedtopicturetheother,innerderrickareashehadglimpsed.Towers,dozensofthem,justliketheoneonwhichtheystood,bridgingtoeachotheratvarious levels, includingsomehigher thantheseawall. If thatwastrue—ifthememorywastrue—theycouldcrosstoothertowershigherupaswellaslowerdown.

“Trust me,” Caffran said and started up the stairs, blasting las rounds over the side at distantwalkwayswheremuzzlesflashedintheirdirection.

Theyascended.Caffranfoughtthepanicinhismind.Thewayin,thechancetosneakinside,hadseemedagood

plan,abraveplan,butnowtheywerehere,eightmenalone inacityof theenemy,hehadno ideawhattheyhadevenexpectedtobeabletoachieve.Therewasnoplan,noteventherawmaterialsforaplan.Hedreadedanyoftheothersaskinghimtoexplaintheirpurposehere.

Tirefrombelow;threeorfourstoreysdown,squadsofKithsoldieryweremovingupthetower,blastingupwards.Las-roundspoppedandthumpedthroughthemeshstepsaroundthem.Mkallunlostthefrontofhisfootandtoppled,screaminginpain.Adare,justafewstepsbelowhim,arrestedhisfallandhauledthewhimperingmanupwithhim.Theothersblasteddownwardsandanoddverticalfirefightbegan,lasersalvosspittingupanddownthetowerstructure.Mkendrik,lastoftheascendingGhosts, hosed the stairs below them with his flamer and belching clouds of fire drizzled downthroughtheopenmetaledificeandtorchedtheclosestofthepursuers.

Six more flights up, a bridging walkway opened to their left, crossing the smoky chasm toanother tower. There seemed to be no one on the other structure, and Caffran gestured the menacross, stopping tohelpAdarewithMkallun.AdaregrabbedCaffran’s shoulder andpointed to theswiftly ascending elevator in the tower they were leaving. It was packed with enemy troopers,climbingfarfasterthanthoseonthestairs.CaffransentAdarehobblingonwardswithMkallun,thenpulledapairoftube-chargesfromhispack.Hesetshortfusesandrolledthemalongthebridgeontothetowerdeck,thenrantojointheothers.

Theblasttorethroughthetowerassembly,blowingoutstanchionsandmain-supportsallaround.Withadeafeninghowl,thetowercrumpledandcollapsed,hundredsofmetresofsteeplesectionfrom

above sliding down with almost comical slowness, splintering the body of the tower below. Thepacked elevator car fell like a stone. Power servos tore out and exploded. Secondary explosionsrippledoutintothegloom.

Thecollapsetoreawaythebridgetheyhadjustcrossedby,andrippedthebridgesupportsoutoftheirsideofthecrossing,shearingmetalandgirdersaroundthem,shakingtheothertower.Heavierimpactsshookthemasbridgeshigheruptoreloosewiththedescendingtumultandcameslammingordraggingdownthelengthoftheirtower.

Frombelow,asthetowermasscrashedtotheground,otherexplosionsflutteredoutasfuelstoresandpumpsdetonatedundertheimpact.Plumesoffiregustedaroundthem.

“WhattheFethhaveyoudone?”bellowedFlaven.Caffranwasn’tsure.Indesperation,hehadn’treallythoughtthroughtheconsequencesofmining

thetower.Onesimplethingoccurredtohim.“I’veboughtussometime,”hewhispered.Nowtheymoveddownwards,partlybecausedownseemedtomakesense,andpartlybecausenone

ofthemtrustedthestabilityofthetowernowthatitsneighbourhadbeentornsobrutallyaway.Theydescendedintothicker,blackersmoke.Brightcindersfloatedonthewindandtherewasadeep,ranksmellofburningfuelandspiltpromethium.Evenfromhere,theyknewthecollapsingtowerhaddonevastdamagetotheplant.

Down,thoughtCaffran.Stillhehadnoplanhecouldspeakof,butdownseemedtobeinstinctivelyright.What could theydohereexceptperhaps somesmall, specific act?Like… takeout theKith’scommandcadre.

Helaughedtohimselfashethoughtthewords.Bold,ridiculouswords.AsiftheycouldevenfindSholenSkaraandhisseniorsinanisland-hivethissize.Butitwasanotionworthhangingonto.

Afewhundredmetresfromtheground,heinstructedhismentoworkstealthily, todowhat theGhostsdidbest.Theyblackenedtheirskinwithsootfromthehandrails,andpulleddowntheircamo-cloaks,meltingintothedarknessofthesmokeandtheblackenedtower-scaffold.

Belowthem,aroundthebaseof thetower, twisted,burningwreckagelayscatteredfivehundredmetres ineverydirectionFlames leapt fromsmall lakesofpetroleumandmineralgelsThedebrisfrom the fallen tower, someof it great chunksof tower-section intact and twistedon the concrete,crushed beneath it smaller buildings and storage blocks, cranes and other rig service vehicles.Charredbodies laycrumpledorbursthereand there.Theypassedat leastone sectionofwalkwaydanglingfromtheirtowerlikealooseflap,clankingasitswungbackandforthagainstthegirders.Reedyklaxonsbarkedthroughthesmokelikethesoundofyappingguarddogs.

Theystrodeoutfromthebaseofthetowerintothewreckageinfire-teamformation,CaffranandTokaratpoint.DomorsupportedthehoppingMkallun;Caffranwasn’tgoingtoleavehimbehind.

Spools of chain, frayed wire hawsers, splashes of oil and metal litter covered the concourse.Caffran skirted around a pair ofKith corpses,menwho had clung together as they fell and beenmangledintoonehideousruinbytheground.

SendingMkendrikaheadinhisplace,CaffrandroppedbacktocheckonDomorandMkallun.Ahefty shot of analgesic had left Mkallun vacant, lolling and useless. Domor was blind. The irisshutters on his bionic implants had finally failed and shut tight. Filmy fluid leaked around thefocussingringsandweptdownhisface.IthurtCaffrantoseehisfriendlikethis.ItwaslikeMenazoidEpsilonalloveragain,whenDomorhadlosthiseyesandstillfoughtonwithoutthem,playinghispartwithavalourandtenacityevenGaunthadbeenawedby.

“Leaveus,”Domor toldhim.Caffran shookhishead.Hewipedaway the sweat thatbeadedhisbrowandtrickleddownthebluedragontattooonhistemple.CaffranopenedMkallun’spackandtookout a one-shot plastic injector of adrenaline, stamping it intoMkallun’s bare forearm.The injuredtrooperroaredashecameoutofhisstupor.Caffranslappedhim.

“Domorwillbeyourlegs—youhavetobehiseyes.”Mkallungrowledandthenspatandnoddedasheunderstood.Theadrenalinerushwaskillingall

hispainandrefortifyinghislimbs.“Icandoit,Icandoit…”hesaid,clutchingholdofDomorhard.Theymovedon.Beyond the area of debris, the hive complexwas awarren of drum silos and

loading docks, red-washed girder towers marked with the Imperial eagle and then defaced withsickeningrunesofChaos.

Inoneopenconcourse therewasarowoffiftycargotrucks,flatbeds,smashedandburnedout.Alongonewideaccessramp,millionsofsectionsofbrokenpipeandhose,scatteredinsmallrandommounds.Insideonedamagedsilo,countlesspatheticbodieswerepiledandjumbled:amassgraveofthoseOskrayworkerswhowouldnotjoinSkara’scause.

SoFlavensuggested.“Perhapsnot,”Caffransaid,coveringhismouthandnosewiththeedgeofhiscloakashelookedin.“Enemyinsigniathere,andarmour.Thesearen’tlongdead.”

“Whenhavetheyfoundtimetogatherandpiletheirdead?There’sanassaultgoingon!”CaffranagreedwithFlaven’sincredulity,butthesignswerethere.Whatpurpose…whatpeculiar

intentlaybehindthischarnelheap?Theyheardshots,arippleoflas-firefrombeyondthesiloandswunginclose,movingwiththe

shadows. More shots, another almost simultaneous volley. Perhaps… a hundred guns, thoughtCaffran?HeorderedthemtostaydownandcreptforwardwithAdare.

Whattheysawbeyondthenextbunkershockedthem.There was wide concourse, almost a kilometre square, at the heart of this part of the island

complex. From the markings on the ground, this had been a landing pad for the cargo lighters.Acrossthecentre,athousandKithsoldiersstoodinranksofonehundred.Facingthemwasamessylitterofbodieswhichtractorswithforkshovelsanddozerbladeswereheapingintofreighttrucks.

CaffranandAdarewatched.Thefront rankof theKith took twentysteps forwardand turned toface the other rows. At a signal from a nearby officer, what was now the front rank raised theirweaponsandcutthefileofahundredmendowninanunevenburstofgunfire.Asthetractorspushedthebodiesaside,therankthathadfiredsteppedforwardandmarchedtowheretheirtargetshadbeen.Theyturned,waited.Anotherorder.Anotherrippleoffire.

Caffranwasn’tsurewhatsickenedhimmost: thescaleof themassfiringsquadsor thewilling,uncomplainingwayeachrankslewthelastandthensteppedforwardandwaitedtobecutdown.

“WhattheFetharetheydoing?”Adaregasped.Caffranthoughtforamoment,reachingintohismemorytorecoverthepartsofthebriefinghe

hadblanked.ThepartswhereGaunthadspokenaboutSholenSkara.It cameback tohim,outof thedarker reachesofhismind, recollections rising likemarsh-gas

bubbles out of the mire of forgetfulness. Suddenly, Gaunt’s voice was in his ear, Gaunt’s imagebeforehim.Thebriefingauditoriumofthemightytroop-shipPersistence,Gaunt, inhislongstormcoatandcap,stridingontothedaisunderthestonelintelofthestaging,glancingupatthegiltspread-eaglewithitsdoubleheadsonthevelvetdropbehindhim.Gaunt,removinghiscoatanddroppingiton theblack leatherchair, standing there inhisdress jacket, takingoffhis caponce to smoothhiscroppedhairasthemencametoorder.

Gaunt,speakingoftheabominationsandfilthyconceptsCaffranhadblankedfromhismind.“SholenSkaraisamonster.Heworshipsdeath.Hebelievesittobetheultimateexpressionofthe

Chaoticwill.OnBalhaut, beforewe came in, he ranmurder-camps.There, he ritually slaughterednearlyabillionBalhauteans.Hismethodswereinventiveand—”

Evennow,CaffrancouldnotbringhimselftothinkofGaunt’sdescriptions.Thenamesofthefoulspecies of Chaos that Sholen Skara had commanded, the symbolicmeaning of their crimes. Nowthough,heunderstoodwhyIbramGaunt,championofhumanlifeandsoldierofthedivineEmperor,wouldsopersonallyloathethelikesofthemonstercalledSkara.

“HekillstoserveChaos.Anydeathserveshim.Here,wecanbesure,hewillhavebutcheredanyImperially-loyalhiveworkersenmasse.Wecanalsobesurethatifhebelievesdefeatisclose,hewillbegin a systematic purge of any living things, including his own troops.Mass suicide, to honourChaos.TohonourtheblasphemytheycallKhorne.”

Gauntcoughedatthewordasifhisgorgewasrising,andamurmurofrevulsionpassedthroughtheassembledGhosts.

“That isawaywehaveofwinning.Wecandefeathim—andwecanconvincehimhewillbedefeated and thus save us the bother of killing them all. If he thinks he is losing, hewill begin toslaughterhisownasafinalhymnofdefianceandworship.”

Caffran’smindswamroundtothepresent.Adarewasspeaking,“—fethingmoreofthem,Caff!Look!”

Kithsoldiers,intheirhundreds,weremarchingoutontotheconcoursetofallinbehindtherowsalreadyslaughtered.

Notslaughtered,thoughtCaffran:harvested.ItremindedhimoftherowsofcornstooksbackonthemeadowsofTanith,asthemechanicalthresherscameinreapingrowafterrow.

Despitethesicknessinhisstomach,asicknessthatpinchedandvicedwitheachechoofgunfire,Caffransmiled.

“What?”Adareasked.“Nothing…”“Sowhatdowedonow?What’stheplan?”Caffran grinned again. He realised he did have a plan, after all. And he’d already executed it.

Whenhe’dbrought that towercrashingdown,he’dmadeSholenSkarabelieveasignificantenemyforcewasinsideOskrayHive.Madehimbelievethatdefeatloomed.

Asaresult,SkarawasorderingtheKithtokill themselves,onehundredatatime.Onehundredeverythirtyseconds.

Caffransatback.Hisachingbodythrobbed.Therewasalas-burnacrosshisthighhehadn’tevennoticedbefore.

“You’relaughing!”saidAdare,perplexed.Caffranrealisedhewas.“Here’stheplan,”hesaidatlast.“Wewait.”AfternoonsquallsfromtheoceanwereclearingthesmokefromOskrayHive,buteventhewind

and rain couldn’t pry the stink of death from the great refinery. Formations of Imperial gunshipsshriekedoverhead,pummellingtheraincloudswiththeirfire-wash.

Gaunt found Caffran asleep amongst several hundred other Ghosts under a tower piling. Theyoungtroopersnappedtoattentionassoonasherealisedwhohadwokenhim.

“Iwantyouwithme,”Gauntsaid.

They crossed the great concourse of the refinery city, passing squads ofGhosts, Volpone andAbberloyGuardsmendetailedatbuilding-to-buildingclearance.ShoutsandwhistlesrangcommandsthroughtheairastheImperialforcestookchargeoftheislandhiveandmarshalledranksofdead-eyedprisonersaway.

“Ineverthoughtyoutobeatacticalman,Caffran,”Gauntbeganastheywalkedtogether.Caffranshrugged.“IhavetosayImadeitupasIwentalong,sir.”Gaunt stoppedand turned to smile at theyoungGhost. “Don’t tellCorbec that, forFeth’s sake,

he’llgetideas.”Caffranlaughed.HefollowedGauntintoablockhouseofthickstonewhereoil-drumstackshad

beenpackedasidetoopenawidespace.Sodiumlampsburnedfromtheroof.AringofImperialGuardsmenedgedtheopenarea;Volponemostly,butthereweresomeGhosts,

includingRawneandotherofficers.In the centreof theopen area, a figurekneeled, shackled.Hewas a tall, shaven-headedman in

black, tight-fittingrobes.Powerful,Caffranpresumed,hadhebeenallowedtostand.Hiseyesweresunken and dark, and glittered out atGaunt andCaffran as they approached from the edge of theguardingcircle.

“The little juicymaggotof the Imperial—” the figurebegan, ina soft, sugar-sweet tone.Gauntsmackedhimtothegroundwiththebackofhisfisttosilencehim.

“SholenSkara,”Gauntsaid toCaffran,pointingdownat thesprawledfigurewhowas trying torise,despitehisfetters,bloodspurtingfromhissmashedmouth.

Caffran’seyesopenedwide.Hegazeddown.Gaunt pulled out his bolt pistol, checked it, cocked it and offered it toCaffran. “I thought you

mightlikethehonour.There’snocourthere.None’sneeded.Ithinkyoudeservetheduty.”Caffran took the proffered gun and looked down at Skara.Themonster had pulled himself up

ontohiskneesandgrinnedupatCaffran,histeethpinkwithblood.“Sir—”Caffranbegan.“Hedieshere,today.Now.BytheEmperor ’swill,”Gauntsaidcurtly.“AdutyIwoulddearlyliked

tohavesavedformyself.Butthisisyourglory,Caffran.Youwroughtthis.”“It’s…anhonour,commissar.”“Do it… Do it, little Ghost-boy…What are you waiting for?” Skara’s sick-sweet tones were

clammyandinsistent.Caffrantriednottolookdownintothesunken,glitteringeyes.Heraisedthegun.“Hewantsdeath,sir.”“Indeedhedoes!Itistheleastwecando!”Gauntsnapped.CaffranloweredthegunandlookedatGaunt,awarethateveryeyeinthechamberwasonhim.“No, sir, hewants death. Like you told us.Death is the ultimate victory for him.He craves it.

We’vewonhereonSapiencia.Iwon’tsoilthatvictorybyhandingtheenemywhathewants.”CaffranpassedthegunbacktoGaunt,gripfirst.

“Caffran?”“Youreallywanttopunishhim,commissar?Lethimlive.”Gauntthoughtforamoment.Hesmiled.“Takehimaway,”hesaidtothehonourguardasitclosedranksaroundSkara.“Imayhavetopromoteyousomeday,”GaunttoldCaffranasheledhimaway.Behindthem,Skarascreamedandbeggedandpleadedandshrieked.Andlivedtodoso,againand

again.

BrinMilo,Gaunt’syoungadjutant,broughtthecommissaratincupofcaffeinebrewandthedata-

slateshehadn’trequested—thoughhehadbeenaboutto.Gauntwassatonacampchaironthedeckoutside his command shelter, gazing out at the Tanith lines and the emerald glades of Monthaxbeyondthem.Milogavethedata-slatestothecommissarandthenpausedasheturnedaway,guiltyasherealisedwhathehaddone.

Gaunteyedtheslates,scrollingthechartsonthelitfasciaofthetopone.“Mkoll’ssurveysofthewesternswamps…andtheorbitalscansofMonthax.Thankyou.”

Theboytriedtocoverhismistake.“Ithoughtyou’dwanttolookthemover,”hebegan.“Whenyouattacktoday,you’ll—”

“WhosaidI’dattacktoday?”Milowassilent.Heshrugged.“Aguess.Afterlastnight’saction,soclose,Ithought…”Gauntgotupand looked theboysquarely in theeyes.“Enoughofyourguesses.Youknowthe

troubletheymightcause.Forme.Foryou.ForalltheGhosts.”Milo sighed and leaned against the rail of the command shed’s stoop where he attended the

commissar.Mid-morning light lit themarshygrovesbeyond, lighting the topsof the treecoveranimpossiblyvividgreen.Armouredvehiclesambled through themire somewhere,kilometresaway.Therewasthedistantthumpofguns.

“Istheresomecrime…”heventuredatlast,“inanticipation?Sir.Isn’tthatwhatagoodadjutantissupposedtodo?Anticipatehisofficer ’sneedsandrequirementsaheadoftime?Havetherightthingtohand?”

“Nocrimeinthat,Brin,”Gauntreplied,sittingbackdown.“That’swhatmakesagoodadjutant,andyou’remakingafinejobofbeingone.But…youanticipatetoowellsometimes.Sometimesitspooksme,andIknowyou.Othersmightviewitanotherway.Idon’tneedtotellyouthat.”

“No…”“Youknowwhathappenedinorbitlastweek.Thatwastooclose.”“Itwasaconspiracy.Iwassetup.”Gauntwipedthesweatfromhistemple.“Youwere.Butitwaseasytodo.You’dbeaneasyvictim

foradeterminedmanipulator.Andifitcametothatagain,I’mnotsureIcouldprotectyou.”“Aboutthat…Ihavearequest,sir.Youdoprotectme…youhavesinceTanith.”“Ioweyou.Butforyourintervention,Iwouldhavediedwithyourworld.”“AndfromthatyouknowIcanhandlemyselfinacombatsituation.Iwanttobeissuedwithagun.

IwanttofightwiththeTanithinthenextpush.Idon’tcarewhatsquadyouputmein.”“You’ve seenyour shareof fighting,Brin,”Gaunt said, shakinghis head. “But Iwon’tmake a

soldieroutofyou.You’retooyoung.”“Iwaseighteenthreedaysago,”theboysaidflatly.Gauntfrowned.Hehadn’trealised.Heflappedawayapersistentflyandsippedhiscup.“NotalotI

cansaytocounterthat,”headmitted.Hesatbackdown.“Whatifwemakeadeal?”Milolookedbackathimwithbrighteyesandacautioussmile.“Likewhat?”“Igiveyouabrevetfieldrank,agun,andstickyounexttoCorbec.Inreturn,youstopanticipating

—completely.”“Completely?”“That’sright.Well,Idon’tmeanstopdoingyourjob.Juststopdoingthingsthatpeoplecouldtake

thewrongway.Whatdoyousay?”

“I’dlikethat.Thankyou.Adeal.”Gauntflashedhimararesmile.“NowgoandfindmeCorbecandMkoll.Ineedtorunthrough

somedetailswiththem.”Milo paused and Gaunt turned, looking down off the stoop to see the colonel and the scout

sergeantstandingsidebyside,lookingupathimexpectantly.“Milo suggested thatwe should stopby.Whenwehada chance,”Corbec said. “Isnowagood

time?”GauntturnedbacktofindMilobuttheboy,probablyontin-basisofanotherwiseanticipation,had

madehimselfscarce.

TEN

WITCHHUNT

VarlliftedtheTanithcamo-cloakoffthecenseronthefloorlikeamagicianabouttoperforma

conjuringtrick.Therewasahushedsilencearoundtheship’sholdastheveilcameaway.Thegamewassimpleandenticingandcompletelyfixed,andSergeantVarlandtheboymascot

madeagoodteam.Theyhadajaroffat,jumpinglicescoopedfromthetroop-ship’sgrainsilosandthatbeatenoldcenserborrowedfromtheEcclesiarchchapel.Thecenserwasahollowballofrustymetalwhosehemisphereshingedopensothatincensecouldbecrumbledintotheholderinsideandlit.Theball’ssurfacewasdottedwithstar-shapedholes.

“The game is simple,”Varl began, holding up the jar and jiggling it so all could see the halfdozen, thumb-sized bugs inside. He held it in his mechanical hand, and the servos hummed andwhirredasheagitatedtheglass.

“It’saguessinggame.Agameofchance.Notrickery,noguile.”Varlwas something of a showman, andMilo liked him verymuch.Hewas one ofwhatMilo

regardedastheinnercircleofGhosts,aclosefriendofCorbecandLarkin,oneofagaggleoftight-knitfriendsandcomradesmusteredtogetherfromthemilitiaofTanithMagnaatthefounding.Varl’ssharptongueandspeak-your-mindattitudehadretardedhispromotionchancesearlyon,butthenhehadlosthisarmonFortisBinaryduringtheheroicreconquestoftheforgeworldandbythetimeofthenow-legendaryactionsofMenazoidEpsilonhehadbeenmadeasquadsergeant.Manythoughtitwaswellpasttime.NexttotheruthlesscommandstylesofRawneandFeygor,andtheintensemilitarymindset of the likes ofMkoll and the commissar himself, Varl, like the belovedColonel Corbec,injected a note of humanity and genial compassion into theGhosts’ command structure. Themenlikedhim:hetoldjokesasoftenasCorbec,andtheywereforthemostpartfunnierandcruder;hisprostheticarmprovedhewasnotshyofclosefighting;andhecould,inhisown,informal,garrulousway,spinafine,inspiringspeechtorousehissquadiftheneedcalledforit.

Justnowthough,inoneofthetroop-ship’sechoingholdswithanaudienceofoff-dutyguardsmenrousedfromtheircotsandstovesallaround,hewasturninghischarismatictonguetosomethingfarmoreimportant.Thepitch.

“Here’sthedeal,myfriends,mybravefellowguardsmen,praisebetheGoldenThrone,here’sthedeal.”

He spoke clearly, slowly, so that his sing-songTanith accentwouldn’t confuse the other guardsoldiershere.ThreeotherregimentsweresharingthistransportwiththeGhosts:big,blond,square-jawed brutes from theRoyalVolpone 50th, the so-calledBluebloods; sallow-skinned, idle-lookingcompact men from the 5th Slamabadden; and tall, tanned, long-haired types from the 2nd RoaneDeepers.Worldsandaccents,separatedbyacommontongue.Varlworkedhiscrowdwithcareandprecision,makingsurenothinghesaidwaslostormisunderstood.

He handed the censer toMilo,who opened it. “See now, ametal ball, with surface holes. Thegrain-licegointheball…”HetippedacouplefromhisjaroutintothecenserasMilohelditready.“Andmyyoung friendherecloses itup.NoticehowI’ve scratchedanumbernext toall theholes.Thirty-threeholes,anumbernexttoeach.Notricks,noguile…youcanexaminetheballifyoulike.”

Varl took the rusty ball fromMilo and set it on the floorwhere all could see.A largewasherweldedtothecenser ’sbasestoppeditfromrolling.“Now,see,Isetsitdown.Thelicewantthelight,right?Sosoonerorlater,they’llhopout…throughoneoftheholes.There’sthegame.Wewageronthenumber.”

“Andweloseourmoney,”saidaDeepernearthefront,hisvoicetwangedwiththatodd,roundedRoaneaccent.

“We’ll allmake a bet, friend,”Varl said. “Iwill, youwill, anyone else. If you guess the rightnumberorgetclosest,youwinthepot.Notricks,noguile.”

Asifoncue,abugemergedfromoneofthestar-shapedholesandlitoffontothedeck,whereaBluebloodcruncheditsourlyunderfoot.

“Nomatter!”Varlcried.“Plentymorewherehecamefrom…andifyou’veseenthegrainsilos,you’llknowwhatImean!”

Thatbroughtgeneral laughterandkeensenseofsufferingcomradeship.Milosmiled.He lovedthewayVarlcouldplayacrowd.

“Whatifwedon’ttrustyou,Ghost?”askedaBlueblood,thebigoxwhohadmashedthebug.Heworehisgreyandgoldtwillbreechesandblackboots,butwasstrippeddowntohisundershirt.Hisbodywasamassofwell-nourishedmusclesandhestoodtwoheadstallerthanVarl.Arroganceoozedfromhim.

Milotensed.HeknewthatsomerivalryexistedbetweentheGhostsandtheBluebloods,eversinceVoltemand.Noonehadeversaid,buttherumourwasthattheBlueblood’sowncommanders,steeringthe invasionforce,hadorderedthebarrageontheVoltisriverbedwheresomanyGhostshaddied.The Bluebloods, so high and Emperor-damned mighty, seemed to despise the “common born”Ghosts,but then theydespisedeveryone.Thisaristocraticgiant,withhishoodedeyesandbullyingmanner,hadatleastsixfriendsinthecrowd,andallwereasbigashim.Whatthefethdotheyfeedthemonbackhometoraisesuchgiants?Milowondered.

Varl,unconcerned,gotdownoffthecrateshehadbeenusingasastageandapproachedthegiant.Heheldouthishand.Itwhirred.“CeglanVarl,Sergeant,TanithFirst-and-Only.Iadmireamanwhocanexpresshisdoubts…sergeant?”

“MajorGizhaumDanverDeBanziHaightGilbear,RoyalVolpone50th.”Thegiantdidn’toffertotaketheoutstretchedhand.

“Well,major, seems you’ve no reason to trust a low-life likeme, but it’s all a game, see?Notricks,noguile.Weallmakeabet,weallhavealaugh,weallpassthevoyagealittlequicker.”

MajorGilbeardidnotseemconvinced.“You’veriggedit.I’mnotinterestedifyouplaceabet.”HeswunghislookpastVarlandtookin

Milo.“Letyourboydoit.”“Oh.Now, that’s just silly!”Varl cried. “He’s just akid…heknowsnothing about the fine and

gracefulartofgamesmanship.Youwanttoplaythiswithgamblers!”“No,”Gilbearsaidsimply.Othersinthecrowdagreed,andnotjustBluebloods.Someseemedin

dangerofwalkingaway,disinterested.“Verywell,verywell!”Varlsaid,asifitwasbreakinghisheart.“Theboycanplayinmystead.”“Idon’twantto,sir!”Milosqueaked.Heprayedhisoutbursthadtherightmixofreluctanceand

concern,andthatitdidn’tsoundtoomuchoncue.“Nowthen, lad,”Varlsaid, turningtohimandputtingaheavybionicarmaroundhisshoulders

paternally.“Begoodnowandplayalongsothatthenicegentlemenherecanenjoyasimplegame.”Unseentoallotherspresent,hewinkedatMilo.Milofoughtthefiercestbattleofhislifenottolaugh.

“O-okay,”hesaid.“Theboywillplayinmyplace!”Varlsaid,turningbacktothecrowdandraisinghisarms.There

wascheersandapplauseinreply.They set to it. A larger crowd gathered. Paper markers were handed out and coin produced.

Gilbear decided to play, as did twoRoaneDeepers and three of the Slammabadden. In the crowd,secondarybetswerelaidonwinnersandlosers.Varlopenedthecenserandtookuphisjar.

Gilbear plucked it fromhis hand, opened it and dropped the lice out onto the deck, crunchingthemallunderfoot.Hehelditouttooneofhismen.“Raballe!Gofetchfreshlicefromthesilos!”

“Sir!”“Whatisthis?”Varlgasped,droppingtohiskneesandwipingawaywhatseemedtoMiloareal

tearashesurveyedhiscrushed insects.“Doyounoteven trustmy lice,MajorGilbear,Blueblood,sir?”

“Idon’ttrustanythingIcancrushwithmyboot,”Gilbearreplied,lookingdownandapparentlydangerouslyclosetostampingonVarltoo.Atidalchangesweptthroughthesecondarybetting,someofitinsympathywiththedamagedGhostandhiscrushedpets,somesensingtrickerywasroutedandheapingmoneyontheBluebloodmajor.

“Youcouldhavedruggedthem,overfedthem—theyseemeddocile.Youcouldplaceyourmoneyonthelowerholessothatthesluggishthingssimplyfellfromthebottomasgravitypulled.”Gilbearsmiledathisdeductionandhismengrowledapproval.SodidseveralofthewilySlammabadden,andMilowasafraidthemoodmightturnugly.

“I’ll tellyouwhat,”Varl said to themajorashegotup.TheBlueblood’ssecondwas returningwithajarpackedfullofagitatedliceandsemi-digestedmealwherehehadscoopeditfromthedanksilos.“We’lluseyourpickofthebugs…andyoucansetthecenserwhicheverwayupyoulike.”Varlpulledacargohookfromthecratesbehindhimtouseasamakeshiftbase.“Happy?”

Gilbearnodded.Theymadeready.Thegamblers,Miloincluded,preparedtomaketheirguessonthepaperslips

provided.Varlflexedhisgoodshoulder,asifeasingoutanoldhurt.Asignal,thenextguile.“I’llplaythistoo,”Caffransaid,pushingforwardthroughthehuddle.Heseemedtoswayandhe

stankofsacra.Manygavehimawideberth.“Cafy,no…you’renotuptoit…”Varlmurmured.Caffranwaspullingoutaweightofcoins,rollsofthick,high-issuedisks.“Givemethepaper…Hikeabet,”Caffranmumbled,slurring.“LetyourGhostplay,”GilbeargrowledwithasmirkasVarlbegantoprotest.ItlookedtoallpresentliketheTanithshowmanhadlostcontrolofhissimplegame,andifthere

hadbeenanytrickeryinit,anyguile,thenallofitwasruinednow.The first lice went in. Gilbear spun the censer and set it down. Markers were overturned. A

Slammabaddencameclosest,closesttoguessingtheexitbythreeholes.Milowasnowherenearandseemedtowhimper.Caffranragedashismoneywasscoopedaway.Heproducedmore.

ADeeperwonthenext, thewinnerof the last roundgiventhehonourofplacingthecenser.Hewasnocloserthanfiveholes,buttheothersweregroupedandverywrong.MilobeggedVarltolethimstopbutVarlshookhimoff,glancingsidelongatthegloweringGilbear.

Gilbearwonthenextbyguessingwithintwo.HecollectedamassivepileofcoinsandoneoftheDeepersdroppedoutindisgust.Thelevelofthebets—andoff-gamebets—hadrisenconsiderablyandnowrealmoneywasatstake.Cashwaschanginghandsallaround.TheBluebloodswerejubilantandsowereothers.Othersstillbemoanedtheirlosses.TwomoreSlammabaddenandanotherDeeper

steppeduptoplay,theirbetsbolsteredbywhip-roundsamongsttheirfriends.NoBlueblooddaredtoplayagainstGilbear.Flushedwithsuccess,Gilbearplacedhiswonpotagain,anddoubledit.Someofthe guardsmen present, especially the Deepers and the watching Ghosts, had never seen so muchreadycashintheirlivesCaffranmadeafussandswiggedfromabottleofsacra,imploringhisfriendBrostinforasubwhichwaseventually,reluctantly,given.

Thenextround.GilbearandaDeeper,eachthreeholesawayfromthewinningaperture,splitthenowconsiderablepot.

The next round. PlayingwasGilbear, three of the Slammabadden, twoDeepers, Caffran (nowsubbing fromaworried-lookingRaglon,Brostinhavingexited in a convincing rage) andMilo.Ahugepileofwagers.

Caffrancameouttwooffthemark,aSlammabaddenwasoneoff.Gilbearwasontheothersideofthecenser.Milowasspoton.

Howls,anger,jubilation,tumult.“Hewasjustlucky,”Varlsaid,collectingupthewinnings.“Arewedone?”“Theboygotafluke,”Gilbearsaid,orderinghissubalternstoemptytheirpockets.Anotherbig

wagerwasassembled.TheDeepershaddroppedout,andsohadCaffran, leavingthechamberwithRaglon.TheSlammabaddenmusteredtheirstrengthsintoonewager.

Miloturnedthecenserandsetitdown.Silence.Thebugtickedandbouncedagainsttheinsideofthemetalball.Itemerged.Milohaditagain,spoton.Pandemonium.Itseemedlikeariotwouldoverturnthetroopbay.Varlcollectedthewinningsand

thecenserandpulledMilooutofthechamberbythescruffofhistunic.Menwereshouting,millingaround,andafighthadbegunovertheoutcomeofoneoftheside-bets.

In the companionway that led back to the Tanith troop deck, Varl andMilo rejoined Caffran,RaglonandBrostin.Theywerealllaughing,andCaffranseemedsuddenlysober.Hewouldhavetowashhistunictogetthestinkofsacraoutofit,ofcourse.

Varlgrinnedatthemandheldupthebulkypouchcontainingtheirwinnings.“Spoilstobedivided,myfriends!”heannouncedtothem,slappingMiloacrossthebackwithhisbionicarm.HehadnevergotusedtoitsstrengthandMilonearlyfell.

Caffran uttered a warning. Dark shapes loomed down the companionway behind them. It wasGilbearandfourofhismen.

“You’llpayforthattrickery,whore’s-son,”GilbeartoldVarl.“Itwasafairgame,”beganVarl,butrealisedatoncethathissilvertonguewasuselessnow.Therewerefiveoneachside,buteachoftheBluebloodstoweredoverBrostin,thelargestofthe

Tanithpresent.Inaclose-quarterbrawl,theGhostsmightscore,drawevenperhaps,butitwouldbebloody.

“Isthereaproblem?”askedthesixthmemberoftheTanithscamteam.Braggpulledhisvastbulkintothelightbehindhiscomrades,squintinginarelaxedwaydownatthefiveBluebloods.Heseemedtofillthecorridor.

TheGhostspartedtoletBragglumberthrough.HeadoptedtheslowgaitVarlhadtrainedhimin,toemphasisehispower.“Goaway,littleBluebloods.Don’tmakemehurtyou,”hesaid,repeatingthecueVarlhadalsogivenhim.Itcameoutstiltedandfalse,buttheBluebloodsweretooamazedathissizetonotice.

Theyturned.Withafinalscowl,Gilbearfollowedthem.TheGhostsbegantolaughsohard,they

wept.Belowhim,Monthax,green,impenetrable.GauntgazeddownthroughthearchedviewportsofthehexathedralSanctity,studying thedistant

surface of the planet that, within a week, his forces would be assaulting, from time to time, hereferred toadata-slatemap inhishand,checkingoffgeographicaldetails.Thedense junglecoverwasthebiggestproblemtheyfaced.Theyhadnoideaofthehiddenenemy’sstrength.

AdvancereportssuggestedavastforceofChaosfilthhadretreatedfromarecentengagementatPiolitusanddug inhere.WarmasterMacarothwas takingnochances.Around thehugebulkof theorbiting hexathedral, a colossal towered platform designed as a mustering point for the invasionforces, great legions massed. Over a dozen huge troop-ships were already docked around thecrenellatedrimof thehexathedral’sskirtplatform, likefatswineat the teatsof theirobesemother,and tugs were easing another in now to join them. More were due. Further away, Imperialbattlecruisersandescortships,includingthefrigateNavarreonwhichGauntandtheGhostshadbeenstationedforawhile, satathighorbitanchor,occasionallybuzzingoutcloudsofattacksquadronsheadingoffforsurfacerunsorpatrolsweeps.

Gauntturnedfromthewindowsandsteppeddownashortflightintothecool,echoingvastnessofoneoftheSanctity’smaintacticalchapels,theOrrery.Avastcirculardialwassetflushinthecentreofthechamber ’sfloor,thirtymetresacrossandmadeofintricate,interlocking,movingpartsofbrassandgold, likeagiant timepiece.Asitwhirredandcycled, the threedimensionalglobeofcolouredlight itprojectedupwardsalteredandspun,advancingdata,chartrunes,barsof informationacrosstheluminoussurface.

Trim uniformedGuard officers, robedmembers of theEcclesiarch and theMunitorium,Navycommanders in their Segmentum Pacificus deck dress, and the hooded deaconal staff of thehexathedralitself,prowledtheedgesofthegreatfightOrrery,consultingthedataandconferringinsmallgroups.Skeletalservitors,emaciated,wiredintothemachinebanksviacablesfromtheireyes,spines,mouthsandhands,hunkered inbooth-cribs,murmuringandchattering.Around thesidesofthe great chamber, under cloistered roofing, great chart tables were arranged at intervals, eachshowing different sections of Monthax. Staff groups stood around every table, engaged in morespecific and detailed planning sessions. The air chimedwith announcements and updates, some oftheseoverlappingandchatteringwithdatanoise.TheOrrery turned,whirring,andnewdetailsanddeploymentsappeared.

Gauntwalked a circuit of the chamber, nodding to those fellow officers he knew, saluting hisseniors.Thewholeplacehadanexceptional,expectanthush,likeagreathuntinganimal,breathless,coiledtopounce.

The commissar decided it was time he took a walk down to the Ghosts’ troop-ship. Themenwouldbe restless,awaitingnewsofdebarkationanddeployment,andGauntknewwell that troublewas always likely to brew when guardsmen were cramped together in transportation, idle andnervous.

Andbored.Thatwastheworstofit.InanyGuardregiment,disciplinarymattersroseinnumberduringsuch times,andheand theothercommissars, thepoliticalenforcersof the ImperialGuard,wouldbebusy.Therewouldbebrawls,thefts,feuds,drunkenness,evenmurderinsomeofthemorebarbaricregiments,andsuchdisorderquicklyspreadwithoutthepropercontrol.

Acrossthechamber,GauntsawGeneralSturm,thecommanderoftheVolpone50thandsomeofhissenioraides.Sturmdidnotseemtoseehim,orchosenot toacknowledgeGaunt ifhedid,and

Gauntmadenoefforttosalute.ThecrimeofVoltemandwasstillrawinhismind,despitetheintervalofmonths.WhenhelearnedthattheVolponeBluebloodsandtheGhostswouldencountereachotheragain at Monthax, for the first time since Voltemand, he had been apprehensive. The action onMenazoidEpsilonhadshownhimpersonallywhatalong-standingfeudbetweenregimentscoulddo.Buttherewasnochanceofredeployment,andGauntcomfortedhimselfthatitwasonlySturmandhisseniorstaffhehadaproblemwith.TherankandfileoftheGhostsandtheBluebloodshadnoreasonforanimosity.Hewouldkeepacarefulwatch,buthewassure theycouldbillet sidebysidesafelyenoughuntiltheassaultsentthemtheirseparateways.

And, unlikeonVoltemand,Sturmwasn’t in chargehere.TheMonthaxoffensivewasunder thesupremecommandofLordMilitantGeneralBulledin.

GauntsawCommissarVolovoi,servingwiththeRoaneDeepers,andstoppedtotalkwithhim.Itwasmostly inconsequentialchat, thoughVolovoihadheardsomeword thatBulledinhadconsultedtheAstropathicus.Rumoursofpsykerwitcheryontheplanetbelowhadstartedtospread.TherewastalkthatauguriesandtheTarothadbeenconsultedtodeterminethetruthofthesituation.

“Lastthingweneed,”mutteredVolovoitoGaunt.“LastthingIneed.TheRoanearetheverydeviltokeepinline.Goodfighters,yes,whenthey’rerousedtoit,butdamnedidleforthemostpart.Afewweeksoftransportationconfinementlikethis,andI’llhavetokickeachandeveryoneoftheirarsestogetthemdownthedrop-shipramp.Languid,lazy—andthismakesitworse:they’resuperstitious,morethananybandofmenI’veeverknown.Therumoursofwitchcraftwillgetthemspookedandthatwillmakemyworktwiceashard.”

“Isympathise,”Gauntsaid.Hedid.Hisoldregiment,theHyrkans,weretoughasdeckplate,buttherehadbeentimeswhenthethoughtofpsykermadnesshadbalkedthemintheirtracks.

“Whatofyou,Gaunt?”Volovoiasked.“Ihearyou’retakenupwithalow-techrabblenow.Don’tyoumisstheHyrkandiscipline?”

Gauntshookhishead.“TheTanitharesound,quietlydisciplinedintheirway.”“Andyouhaveactualcommandofthemtoo,isthatright?Unusual.Foracommissar.”“AgiftofthelateSlaydo,maytheEmperorwatchhisrest.Iresenteditatfirst,butI’vegrownto

likeit.”“You’vedonewellwiththem,soIhear.IreadthereportsonthatcampaignintheMenazoidClasp

lastyear,andtheysayyourmenturnedthekeythatopenedthedooratBucephalontoo.”“We’vehadourmoments.”GauntrealisedVolovoiwasstudyingsomethingoverGaunt’sshoulder.“Don’t turn,Gaunt,”Volovoiwenton,withoutchanging the timbreofvolumeofhis talk. “Are

yourearsburning?Someone’stalkingaboutyou.”“Howso?”“TheBluebloodgeneral.Sturm,isit?Arrogantpieceofyakflop.Oneofhisofficersjustcameon

deckandisbendinghisear.Andthey’relookingthisway.”Gauntdidn’tturn.“Letmeguess:thenewcomerisabigoxwithhoodedeyes?”“Aren’ttheyall?”“Thisone’sapieceofworkevenbytheVolponestandardsofbreeding.Amajor.”“That’swhathisrankpinssay.Youknowhim?”“Notparticularly,thougheventhatismorethanI’dcarefor.Name’sGilbear.HeandIandSturm

hada…differenceofopiniononVoltemandeighteenmonthsago.”“Whatsortofdifference?”“Theycostmeseveralhundredmen.”

Volovoiwhistled.“You’dthinkitwouldbeyouwhisperingaboutthem!”Gauntsmiled,thoughitwasdark.“Weare,aren’twe,Volovoi?”Gauntmadetoleave.CrossingtheOrrerydeck,hewasaffordedabetterviewoftheVolponestaff.

Gilbearwasstoodalonenow,staringatGauntwithaburninglookthatdidnotflinch.Sturm,escortedbyhisaides,washeadingupthelongflightofstepstotheLordMilitantGeneral’sprivatechambersinthespireabove.

WalkingthetroopdeckswithGaunt,Corbecbroughthiscommanderuptospeed.“Quietreally.Therewasafightoversomerations,butitwasnothingandIbrokeitup.Costinand

twoofhispalsgotfallingdowntipsyinhalingpaintthinnersinthearmourshopsandCostinthenfelldownforreal,breakinghisshin.”

“I’vewarnedthearmouriestolockthatsortofmaterialup…”“Theydid,butCostinhasawaywithlocks,sir,ifyougetme.”“Puthimandtheothersonreportandpunishmentdetail.”“I’dsayCostin’spaidforhisill-gotten—”Corbecbegan.“Iwon’t stand for it.They’ve got rations of grog and sacra. I can’t usemenwith fume-ruined

heads.”Corbecscratchedhischin.“Point there,sir.But themengetbored.Andsomeof themuse their

sacrarationsupinthefirstfewdays.”Gaunt turned to his second, anger flickering in his eyes. “Let it be known,Colm: theEmperor

grantsthemrecreationalliquorandsmokes.Iftheyabusethatprivilege,I’lltakeitaway.Fromallofthem.Understand?”

Corbecnodded.They stopped at the rail and lookeddown into the vast troopbay.The airwaslaced with smoke and rank sweat. Below them, bench cots by the hundred in rows, men by thehundred,sleeping,dicing,chatting,praying,somejuststaringintonothing.Priestswalkedtherows,dispensingsolaceandbenedictionwhereitwasrequestedorsimplyneeded.

“Istheresomethingonyourmind,sir?”Corbecasked.“Ithinktrouble’sbrewing,”Gauntsaid.“I’mnotsurewhatyet,butIdon’tlikeit.”Therewassomeonemovingintheouterroom.Gaunt awoke. It was night cycle on the troop-ship and thewall lamps had been doused by the

automaticcontrol.Hehadfallenasleeponhiscotwithaweightofdatasheetsandslatesonhischest.Movementfromtheante-roombeyondhisbedquarterhadrousedhim.Gauntrosesilently,placingthedatasheetsonawallshelf.Hisboltgunandchainswordwereslung

overawoodenstatueintheouterroom,buthepulledacompactlaspistolfromhisfootlockerandsliditintothebackofhiswaistband.Hewasdressedinhisboots,trousers,bracesandanundershirt,Hethoughtforamomentaboutre-donninghisjacketandcap,butcasttheideaaside.

Thecot-roomdoorwasajar.The lightofa tight-beamflash lightstabbed thedarknessbeyond.Someonewasgoingthroughhisthings.

Hemoved in an instant, kickingopen thedoor andgrabbing the intruder frombehind, turninghim, twisting his arms, and slamming him face first into the round observation port of the outerroom.Theman—robed,struggling—protesteduntilthemomentofimpact.Hisnosebrokeagainsttheglassandhelolledunconscious.

The lights went on. Gaunt sensed there were two others behind him. He heard the whine ofcharginglas-packs.

Hespunandthrewhisunconsciouspreyatthenearest,whotumbledundertheweight.Theothertriedtotakeabeadwithhisgun,butGauntdropped,slidsideways,andbrokehis jawwithaheavyblow.Onlythen,afewsecondsafterthewholethinghadbegun,didheseethemanhehaddroppedwasasecuritytrooperdressedinthebrownarmourofthehexathedral.Hiscomrade,scramblingupfrom under the weight of the fallen robed man, lunged forward, and Gaunt turned, catching hisprobinghands,breakinganelbowwithadefttwistandthenflooringhimwithastraightpunchtothebridgeofthenose.

Gauntpulledouthiscompactandcoveredtheroom.Twohexathedraltroopersandamaninlongrobeslayathisfeet,twitchingandmoaning.

Thedooropened.“Manywouldlookwithdisfavouratsuchviolence,commissar,”thefigurewhoenteredtheroom

announcedsoftly.Gaunt kept the gun trained at the intruder ’s throat. “Many look on intrusion and burglary in a

similarway.Identifyyourself.”The figure moved into the light. She was tall, dressed in a simple uniform of black: boots,

breeches,jacket.Herash-fairhairwaspinnedtightuparoundherskull.Herfacewascalm,angular,lean,beautiful.

“IamLilith.InquisitorLilith.”Gaunt lowered thepistol and set it downon the side-table. “Youhavenot requestedmy sealof

office.Youbelievemethen?”“Iknowofyou.Pardon,ma’am;therearefewfemalesholdingyourrankandduty.”Lilith moved forward into the room and gently kicked one of the troopers. He moaned and

roused.“Getyourselfoutofhere.Thesetwoaswell.”Thebloodiedtrooperclamberedtohisfeetanddraggedtheothersout.“Iapologise,commissar,”Lilithsaid.“Ihadbeentoldyouwereinaplanningsession.Iwouldnot

havesentmymeninifIhadknownyouweresleepinghere.”“You’dhavehadmyroomssearchedhadIbeenabsent?”She turned to him and laughed. It was attractive, confident — and hard. “Of course! I’m an

inquisitor,commissar.That’swhatIdo.”“What,precisely,isityou’redoinghere?”“Theboy.”Shepulledoutachairandsatback,leaningagainstthebackrestwithrelaxedease.“I

needtoknowabouttheboy.Yourboy,commissar.”Gauntstayedwherehewasandfixedhisgazeonher.“Idon’tlikeyourtone,oryourmethods,”

hegrowled.“IfIcontinuenottolikethem,Icanassureyouthefactyouareawomanwon’t—”“Areyoureallythreateningme,commissar?”Gauntbreatheddeeply.“IbelieveIam.YousawwhatIdidtoyourlackeys.Iwon’tstandforthis

unlessyoushowmegoodreason.”Lilithsighedandsteepledherlong,palefingers.Thenshepointedthecompactlaspistolrightat

Gaunt.Hestarted,amazed.Shehadnotmoved,butnowsheheldagunwhichhadbeenlyingrightacross

theroomfromher.“HowgoodareasondoIneed?”sheasked,smiling.Gauntsteppedback.“Thatlittledemonstrationwouldseemgoodenough…”Lilithsmiledanddroppedthegunintoherlap.Sheclaspedherhandstogetheragainandsether

headback.

“Good.We’ll begin.By theproclamationof theMostHighEmperor, governedas I ambyHiswill,intotality,tilltheendofalldays,asaservantoftheInquisition,Irequireyoutofurnishwithmewithanswersofcompletetruthandveracitytoyourbestknowledge.Thepenaltiesfordeceptionaremanifoldandwithoutlimit.Doyouunderstand?”

“Getonwithit.”Shesmiledagain.“Ilikeyou,commissar.‘Theverydevil’,theysaid.Theywereright.”“Who’s‘they’?”Lilithdidn’tanswer.Sherose,holdingthepistollooseinherlefthand.ShecircledGaunt.Hewas

unnervedbyhermasculineheightandherunblinkingstare.“Skippingfurtherformalities,asyousuggest,whydon’tyoutellmeabouttheboy?”“Whatboy?”“Socoy.HisnameisBrinMilo,aTanithnative,partofyourcadrebutacivilian.”“Whatdoyouwanttoknow,inquisitor?”“Oh,everything,Ibram;everything.”Gauntclearedhisthroat.“Milois…herebychance.Theregimentalpiper,mascot…myaide.”“Why?”“He’s smart, sharp, eager. The men like him. He can do the jobs I ask of him quickly and

efficiently.”Lilithheldupafinger.“Startfromthebeginning.Whyishehere?”“WhenChaos fell onTanith, and consumed it, I elected towithdraw all the able bodiedmen I

couldfromtheworld.Myownexitwasbarredandtheboyintervened,clearingmyway.Ingratitude,Itookhimwithme.He’stooyoungforinfantry,soImadehimmyaide.”

“Becauseofhisskills?”“Yes.Andbecausetherewasnothingothertobedonewithhim.”LilithcameclosetoGauntandstaredintohiseyes.“Whatarehisskills?”“Efficiency,ability,keennessto—”“Really,commissar.Youcanadmitit.Takingalikingtoaclean-limbedyoungcabinmateand—”Theslapresoundedinthecloseairofthecabin.Lilithdidn’tflinch.Sheturnedaway,laughing.“Verygood.Verydirect.Sowecancutthecrap,canwe?Ihavenoticethattheboyisawitch.How

doyourespond?”“He is not.”Gaunt swallowed. “Thepoisonof thewarp turnsmyguts.You think Iwouldhave

truckwithitforasecond?”Hepaused.“Presentcompanyexcepted,naturally.”Lilithcircledhim.“Buthe’suseful.I’vedonemygroundwork,Gaunt.Hepredictsthings,guesses

thembefore theyhappen…attacks, incidents,what files thecommissarneeds.What thecommissarwantsforbreakfast—”

“That’snowitchcraft.He’ssmart.Heanticipates.”“Therewasagame…ascam…inthelowerdecks.Hewasakeypartofit.Heknewhowtowinit.

Hewasperfectinhisguesses.Whatdoyousaytothat?”“Isay:whoputyouuptothis?”“Doesitmatter?”“ItwasSturm,wasn’t it?Andhispetox,Gilbear.Theyhaveanagenda;howcanyoutrust their

word?”Shefacedhimandfixedhimwithhereyes.“Butofcourse.Theycannothideitfromme.Sturm

andGilbearhateyouanddespiseyourGhosts.TheytriedtoobliterateyouonVoltemandandfailed.Nowtheyseektobringyoudownbywhatevermeanstheyhave.”

Gauntwasalmostspeechless.“Youknowthisandstillyoucomehere?”“I’m an inquisitor, Ibram,” she repliedwith a smile. “Sturm and hismen are brutes. I have no

interest in their internecine hatred for you and yourmen. But LordMilitantGeneral Bulledin hasbroughtmehere toassessandsanction thedangersofwitchcraftduring the liberationofMonthax.Enemywitchcraft…andalsothatwhichlurkswithinlikeacancer.TheboyhasbeenbroughttomyattentionandIamdutyboundtoexaminetheevidence.Theysayhe’sawitch.Idon’tcarewhytheysayitorwhattheyhopetoearnfromsuchaccusations.Butifthey’reright…That’swhyI’mhere.IsMilo touched?Ishepsyker?Don’tprotecthim,Gaunt. Itwillbesomuchtheworseforyouifyoudo.”

“Heisn’t.Thisisallpoliticalnonsense.TheBluebloodshaveseenapotentialweaknesstheywishtoexploit.”

“We’llsec.IneedtospeakwiththisMilo.Now.”Tobesummonedbyhiscommissarduringnightcyclewasnot,InewexperienceforBrillMilo;

therewereoftenout-of-hourserrandstoberun.ButassoonashearrivedoutsideGaunt’squarters,herealisedsomethingwaswrong.Gauntwasinfulldressuniform,withjacketandcap,andhisfacewasgrim.Atallwomaninblackwithanoddlymalevolentairaboutherwaitedtotheside.

“ThisservantoftheEmperorhassomequestionsforyou,”Gauntexplained.Herefrainedfromusingtheloadedword‘inquisitor ’.“Answerherhonestlyanddirectly.”

Wordlessly,Lilithledthemdownthelongdeckhallandintothedockingring.Theycrossedoverinto the hexathedral itselfMilo was apprehensive. He had not set foot on the great docking craftbefore.Theairsmelleddifferent,sacredandcoolafterthestuffyhumidityofthetrooptransport,andthescaleofthechamberstheypassedthroughstartledhim.Theonlypeopletheymetweredeaconsinrobes,brown-armouredtroopersandsmallgroupsofrankingofficers.Itwasanotherworld.

Lilith led thewayona route that took twentyminutes towalkandpassed throughseveralmainchapels and chambers of the hexathedral, including the Orrery. Gaunt understood her tactics. Theroute was overlong and unnecessary, except it would disarm and over-awe the boy andmake hispsychologicalreserveweaker.Shewasclevertothepointofcruel.

Theyreachedan iris shutterat theendofa longcorridor flankedbywindowsofstainedglass.Lilithmadeaslightgesturewithherhandandthehatchspiralledopen.ShewavedtheboyinsideandturnedonthethresholdtospeakwithGaunt.

“Youmayattend,butmakenointerruption.Gaunt,you’reavaluableofficer,andifthisboyturnsouttobetainted,Icanmakeitsoyousuffernothingmorethanaslightreprimandforbeingunawareofhisstatus.”

“Ageneroussuggestion.Whataretheconditions?”Lilithsmiled.“Wearecomplementaryinstruments,commissar,youandI.Mydutyistowormout

corruption, yours is to punish it. If Milo is corrupt, you will exonerate yourself by performingsummaryexecutionyourself.Itwillreflectyouroutrageanddeterminationtocleanhouse.”

Gauntwassilent.Thepossibilityclawedathismind.“Therewouldbenootherwaytosalvageyourreputation,commandorcareer.Indeedyourvery

lifemaybeforfeitifitisthoughtyouconspiredtoprotectapawnoftheDarkness.Doyouhearme,Gaunt?”

“Ihearyourthreattomylifeanditsfuture.Idealwiththreatsasaprofession.”“ThenI’llbeblunter.Sturmhasinitiatedthisprocessbecauseheseesitasawayofbringingyou

and theGhostsdown. IfMilo is corrupt andyoudonotdistanceyourself fromhimandact like a

commissar,your lifewill beover—andSturmwillmake sure theGhosts aredismantled.HehasalreadyseededtheideainBulledin’smindthatifoneGhostisawitch,somightothersbe.TheTanithfirstwouldbetaken,toaman,bytheInquisitionandtheywouldallsufferextremeinvestigation.Mostwoulddie.TherestwouldbecastasideasnolongerfittoservetheImperialGuard.IamboundbydutytoinvestigateSturm’sclaim.IdonotwishtobepartytohisvendettaagainsttheTanith,butIwillbecomesoifyoudonotactaccommodatingly,willinglyandhonourably.”

“Isee.Thankyouforyourcandour.”“Chaosisthegreatestthreatmankindfaces,Gaunt.Wecannotallowpsychicpowertoexistwithin

anyuntrainedmind.Iftheboyistouched,hemustbedestroyed.”“NotevaluatedbytheBlackShips…asyouwere?”Shelookedathimwithasharpfrown.“Notthistime.Thepoliticalsituationistoodelicate.IfMilo

isawitch,hemustbeputtodeathtoappeaseallparties.”“Isee.”Shenodded and stepped inside.Gaunt paused and foundhimself lookingdownat his holstered

boltpistol.Couldhedoit?ThelifeofeveryGhostmightdependonthesacrificeofMilo,andtohavestruggledtobringthemsofar,tosavethemandgivethempurposewasnotsomethingGauntfelthecouldthrowaside.HeowedittotheTanithtodoallhecouldtosafeguardthem.ButtoexecuteBrin…theboywhohadselflesslysavedhislife,selflesslyserved…itwentsoagainsthispersonalhonourthethoughtcrushedhischest.

Yetiftheboyreallywastouched,reallywastaintedwiththeunbearablestainofChaos…Hisfacegrimandcold,heduckedinside,andtheirishatchwhisperedshutbehindhim.Theroomwaswideandhigh,lackingwindowsinitswallsbutsportingagreatcircularportinthe

roof.Starsgleameddownfromaboveandtheirlightwasalmostalltherewas,exceptforsmall,dimlampssetaroundtheedgesofthefloor.Therewasacarpetonthefloor,athick,colouredweavethatboretheImperialeaglecrest.Twoseats,facingeachother,satinthecentreofthecarpet—ahigh-backedwoodenthronewithknurledarmrests,andasmallerwoodenstool.LilithsatonthestoolandmotionedMilo to occupy the huge throne. Itswooden embrace seemed to swallow him up.Gauntstoodback,watchinguneasily.

“Yourname?”“BrinMilo.”“IamLilith.Iamaninquisitor.”Thatwordnow,finally,bitingtheairwithitsmenaceandthreat.

Milo’seyeswerewideandfearful.She asked him about Tanith, his past, his life there. He answered, halting at first, but as her

questionsflowed—innocent,innocuousquestionsabouthismemories—hespokemoreconfidently.She asked him to recount his firstmeetingwithGaunt, hismemories of the fall ofTanith, the

choicehehadmadetofightforGauntthere.“Why?Youwerenotasoldier.Youarenotasoldiernow.Whydidyoudefendthisoff-worlder

youhardlyknew?”MiloglancedatGauntbriefly.“TheElectorofTanith,whosehouseholdIservedasmusicianand

attendant,orderedme tostaywith thecommissarandsee tohisneeds.Hisneedsat thatpointweremortal.Hewasbeingattackedandhadlittlechanceofsurvival.IwasdoingasIhadbeenordered.”

She sat back, drummingher fingers on her knees. “It interestsme,Milo, that youhave not yetasked why this interrogation is happening. Most brought before me usually express outrage andprotest innocence, wondering why this should be happening to them. But you do not. In my

experience, the guilty always know why they’re here and seldom ask. Do you know why you’rehere?”

“Icanguess.”Gaunt froze.Wronganswer,Brin,wronganswer…“Guess out loud,” she invited. “I hear you’re

remarkablygoodatguessing.”Miloseemedtotremble.“Iamconsideredbymanytobeamisfit.SomeoftheTanithdon’tliketo

havemearound.Iamnotlikethem.”“Feth,Milo!Isaidanswerhonestly,butthere’shonestandthere’sthis!Gauntthoughtdarkly.His

heartraced.Whatdoyoumean?Howareyounotlikethem?”“I…I’mdifferent.Itmakesthemuneasy.”“How are you different?” she asked, almost eager. Here it comes, thought Gaunt. “I’m not a

soldier.”“You’re…what?”They’reall soldiers.“That’swhy they’rehere, that’swhy theysurvived the fallofTanith.They

wereallnew-foundedGuards,mustered to leaveTanithanyway,and thecommissaronlyevacuatedthembecauseoftheirworthtotheEmperor.ButI’mnot.I’macivilian.Ishouldn’tbehere.Ishouldn’thavesurvived.TheTanithseemeandtheythink‘Whydidthatboysurvive?Whyishehere?Ifhe’shere,whynotmybrother,mydaughter,myfather,mywife?’

“Irepresentapossibilityofsurvivaldeniedtothemall.”Shewassilentforamoment.ItwasallGauntcoulddotostophimselfsmiling.Milo’sanswerhadbeenperfect,ashadtheway

hehadallowed it to seemshewas leadinghim intoa trap. Itmadehis responseseemall themorehonest.

LilithgottoherfeetandcrossedtoGaunt’sside.Hecouldseethefierceannoyanceinherface.Shewhispered,“Haveyoubriefedtheboy?Coachedhimingoodanswersforjustsuchanevent?”

Gauntshookhishead.“No,andifIhad,don’tyousupposesuchanadmissionmightmakeitlookasifIknewMilohadsomethingtohide?”

Shehissedacurseandthoughtforamoment.“Whythischaradeofquestions?”Gauntasked.“Whynotjustprobehismind?Youhavethegift,

don’tyou?”Shelookedandhimandnodded.“YouknowIdo.Butagoodpsyker,adangerouspsyker,canhide

hispower.Thequestionsareaneffectivemethodofopeninguphisguardandwinklingoutthetruth.Andifhismindistheseethingfurnacewefear,Ihavenowishtotouchitdirectly.”

She turned back, pacing aroundMilo’s throne, from behind him, she said. “Tellme about thegame.”

“Game?”“ThegameyouandyourTanithfriendsplayinthetroopdecks.”She paced round in front of him and held out her right hand, palmdown, balled in a fist. She

turneditoverandopenedit.Agrain-lousesatinthepalm,twitchingandalive.“Thisgame.”“Oh,”Milosaid.“It’sabettinggame.Youbetonwhichholethebugwillcomeout.”She put the bug on his knee and itmade no effort to jump away.Milo looked down at itwith

fascination.Lilith crossed to the side of the roomand took something from awall cupboard.Theobjectwascoveredinavelvetcloth.Whensheunveiledit,itwaslikeamagicianabouttoperformaconjuringtrick.ButnothalfasmuchaswhenVarldidit.

ShegavetherustycenserballtoMilo.“Openit.Putthebuginside.”Heobeyed.“Now,Milo.Thisisn’tagame,isit?It’sascam.It’satricktheTanithusetowincashfromthe

otherGuards.Andifit’sascam,itneedsasting.ItneedsafoolproofmethodtomakeitasurethingtheTanithwillwin.You’re thesting,aren’tyou?Ondemand,youcanguess right…because that’swhatyoudo,isn’tit?Yourminddoesthetrickandmakesitacertainty.”

Miloshookhishead.“It’sjustagame…”“Ihave it ongood authority that it is not. If it’s a game,whydoyouplay itwithunsuspecting

troops fromother regiments?Bymyown investigation,youandyour friendshaveearneda smallfortune from othermen in these last few days.More than you would expect to win if it was justchance.”

“Lucky,Igu—Isuppose.”“Youcannotrunascamonsuchwideodds.Howdoyoureallyensurethebugemergesfromthe

righthole?”Brinliftedthecenser.Thebugtickedinside.“Okay…ifitmatterssomuch,I’llshowyou.Picka

hole.”“Sixteen,”shesaid,sittingdownonthestoolfacinghim,apparentlyeager.“Isaynine.”Hesetitdown.Thebugemergedfromholetwenty.“Youwin.Youwerecloser.”Sheshrugged.Heopenedthecenserandput thebugbackinside.“Thatwasroundone.You’remoreconfident

now.You’llplayagain.Pick.”“Seven.”“Twenty-five,” saidMilo. Theywaited, and then the bugwriggled out of hole six and hopped

acrossthecarpet.“Againyouwin.You’refeelinggoodnow,aren’tyou?Twowins.Onthetroopdeck,youmight

haveapileofcoinsnow,andyoumightwagerthelot.Youputthebugin.”ShedidsoandhandedthecenserbacktoMilo.“Pick?”hesaid.“Nineteen.Allmymoneyandall the cashmycomrades-in armshaveonnineteen.”He smiled.

“One,”hesaid.Thebugsquirmedoutofholeone.“AndsoItakemyhugewinnings,lookyouinyouropen-mouthedfaceandsaygoodnight.”Milo

satback.“Abeautiful demonstration…and one thatmay have just incriminated you.How could you do

that, toorder, at just the rightmoment,unlessyourmindknew inadvancewhichway thebugwasgoing?”

Milotappedhishead.“You’resosureit’smymind,aren’tyou,ma’am?Sosureit’s thetwistedworkingsI’vegotuphere…YouthinkI’mpsyker,don’tyou?”

Herexpressionwasicy.“Showmeanalternative.”Hetappedhisjacketpocket.“It’snotupthere,it’sdownhere.”“Explain.”“Atthestartofeachgame,wereachintoourpocketsforthenextwager.Letyouplacethebugand

soon,butI’mthelasttohandlethecenser.Thebugslovesugardust.There’ssomeintheseamofmypocket.IwipemyfingerinitasItakeoutmymoneyandthenwipethatfingeraroundtheholeIwantas I place the censer down.The dust’s invisible on that rusty surface of course.But the scam is, I

alwaysknowwhichholeit’sgoingtocomeoutof.Ichooseeverytime:thefirstfewroundstoletyouwin,andthenwhenyou’reconfidentyou’vegotmeontheropesandstartwageringeverything,Iplaytowin.”

Lilithgotupsmartly,crushing thebugunderfootwithadeliberateheel. It leftabrownstainononebeakoftheImperialcrest.SheturnedtoGaunt.

“Gethimoutofhere.IwillreporttoBulledinandSturm.Thismatterisclosed.”GauntnoddedandledMilotothedoorway.“Commissar!”shecalledoutafterthem.“Hemightnotbeawitch,butifIwereyouI’dthinktwice

abouthavingadeviousandunderhandlittlecheatlikehimanywherenearme.”“I’lltakethatunderadvisement,InquisitorLilith,”Gauntrepliedandtheyleft.Theywalkedbacktogetherthroughthehallwaysofthehexathedral.Nightcyclewascomingtoan

end,anddawnprayersandofferingswerebeingmadeintheechoingchapelsandchambersaround.Incenseandplainsongfilledtheair.

“Welldone.I’msorryyouhadtogothroughthat.”“Youthoughtshe’dgetme,didn’tyou?”Miloasked.“I’veneverdoubtedthegoodnessorhonestyinyou,Brin,butI’vealwaysbeenuneasyaboutyour

knackofanticipating thingsaheadof time. Ialwaysfeared thatsomeonewould takeexception to itandthatyouwouldlandusallintrouble.”

“You’dhaveshotmethough,right?”Gauntstoppedinhistracks.“Shotyou?”“IfI’dletyoudownandlandedtheGhostsintrouble.IfI’dbeen…whatshethoughtIwas.”“Oh.”Theywalkedon.“Yes,Iwould.Iwouldhavehadto.”Miloshrugged.“That’swhatIthoughtyou’dsay,”hemurmured.

ELEVEN

SOMEDARK&SECRETPURPOSE

Gauntwoke,andrememberedthathehadbeendreamingofTanith.Thatwasn’tunusualinitself;

thevisionsof thefallof thatworldstalkedhisdreamsregularly.But this time, for thefirst time, itseemedtohimthathehadbeendreamingabouttheworldasithadbeen:alive,flourishing,thriving.

Thedreamdisquietedhim,andhewouldhavedweltonit,hadtherebeentime.Butthenherealisedthatanurgentcommotionhadrousedhim.Outside,thepre-dawngloomofMonthaxwasrivenwithshoutsandalarmsandthedistant,eagersoundsofwarfare.Someonewashammeringonthedoorofthecommandcentre.GauntcouldhearMilo’sinsistentvoice.

Hepulledonhisbootsandwentoutside,thecoolmorningairstiffeningthenight-sweatsoakinghistightundershirtandbreeches.Heblinkedatthecoldglare,battingasideapersistentinsect,ashehalf-listenedtoMilo’shastyreports,half-readthevox-casterprint-outsanddata-slatestheboyhandedhim.Gaunt’seyeslookedwestward.Pinkandamberflashesunder-litthelownightcloudstothewest,likeafalsedawn,everynowandthenpuncturedbythebrief,trailingwhitestarofaflarecharge,orthebrighter,whiterflashesofsomepowerfulenergysupportweapon.

Gauntdidn’tneedMiloortheprintedcommuniquéstoknowthatthemajoroffensivehadbegunatlast.Theenemywasmoving,inforce.

Heorderedtheplatoonleaderstoreadytheirmen—thoughmosthadbeguntodosoalready—andsummonedtheseniorofficersforatacticalmeetinginthecommandcentre.HesentMiloawayinsearchofhiscapandjacket,andhisweapons.

In under tenminutes, Corbec brought Rawne, Lerod,Mkoll, Varl and the other seniors to thecentre,tofindGaunt,nowdressed,spreadingoutthecommuniquésonthecamptable.Therewerenopreliminaries.

“Orbital reconnaissance and forward scouting has shown amassed, singular column ofChaosmovingthroughtheterritorytothewest.”

“Objective?”Corbecasked.Gaunt shrugged. It was a disarming gesture from one usually so confident. “Unclear, colonel.

We’ve been expecting amajor attack for days, but this doesn’t seem to focus any strength on ourpositions at all. Early reports show the enemy have cm through— well, destroyed, in fact— abattalion-strengthforceofKaylenLancers.ButIhaveahunchthat’sonlybecausethelancerswereintheway.It’sasifourenemyhasanotherobjective,onethey’redeterminedtoachieve.Onewedon’tknowabout.”

Mkollwaseyeingthechartscarefully.He’dscoutedandmappedtheareainquestionthoroughlyduring thepreviousweek.Hissharp tacticalmindsawnoobviouspurpose to theassaulteither.Hesaidasmuch.

“Couldtheirintelligencebewrong?”Varlasked.“Maybethey’vemadetheirplayatpositionstheythinkwehold.”

“Idoubtthat,”Mkollanswered.“They’veseemedwellinformeduptonow.Still,it’sapossibility.They’vecommittedahugeportionoftheirstrengthtoamistakeifthat’strue.”

“Ifit’samistake,we’lluseit.Iftheyhavesomedarkandsecretpurpose,well,we’lldoourselves

nofavoursbywaitingtofindoutwhatitis.”Gauntpausedandscratchedhischinthoughtfully.“Besides,”hesaid,“ourordersareclear.GeneralThothissendingusin,assoonaswe’reready,

onordersfromLordMilitantGeneralBulledinhimself.TheTanithwillformonearmofacounterassault.Upwardsofsixtythousandmenfromvariousregimentsaretobedeployedagainsttheenemy.Becauseofthepeculiar,nottosayperplexingorientationoftheiradvance,we’llcatchthemsideon.TheGhostswill covera salient aboutninekilometres long.”Gaunt indicated their areaof thenewfrontonthechart,markinglittlerunicsymbolsontheglassplatewithhiswaxpencil.“Idon’twanttosoundover-confident,butifthey’vepresentedlaterallytousbymistake,orifthey’redrivingtowardssomethingelse,weshouldbeabletodoalotofdamagetotheirflank.Thothhasdemandedamainforceassault,what thebelovedanddevoutChapterhouses like tocallameat-grinder.Ripinto themalongtheflankandtry,ifnothingelse,tobreaktheircolumnandisolatepartsofit.”

“Beggingyourpardon,commissar,”Rawne’ssibilanttoneswhisperedthroughthecentre’sclosehumidity like a cold draught. “TheTanith aren’t heavy troops.Main force,without playing to ourstrengths?feth,that’llgetusallkilled.”

“Correct, major.” Gaunt fixed the man with a tight stare. “Thoth has given the regimentalcommanderssomediscretion.Let’s remember thedepthofgroundcoverand jungleout there.TheGhostscanstillusetheirstealthandcunningtogetclose,getinamongstthemifneedbe.I’llnotsendyou in en masse. The Ghosts will deploy in platoon sections, small scattered units designed toapproach the foe unseen through the glades. I think that waywewill give as good an account ofourselvesasanymassedchargedofarmouredinfantry.”

Thebriefingwasover,savetoagreeplatoonorderandposition.Theofficersfiledout.GauntstoppedMkoll.“Thisnotionthey’vemadeamistake:youdon’tholdwithit?”“Igavemyreasons,sir,”Mkollsaid.“It’strue,thesejunglesaredenseandconfusing,andwecan

usethat.ButIdon’tbelievethey’vemadeamistake,no,sir.Ithinkthey’reaftersomething.”“What?”“Iwouldn’t like to guess,”Mkoll said, but hegestureddownat the chart. Just off centre in the

middleoftheareamappedoutasthenewfront,Gauntsawwhathewaspointingto.AmarkonthemaprepresentingtheestimatedpositionoftheprehumanruinsMkollhadfoundwhilescoutingjustafewdaysbefore.

“Ineverdidgetalookatthat,firsthand.I…couldn’tfinditagain.”“What?Saythatagain?”Mkollshrugged.“Isawitfromadistanceonpatrol—that’swhenIreportedittoyou.Butsince

then,I’vebeenunabletorelocateit.ThementhinkI’mslipping.”“Butyouthink…”GauntletthesilenceandMkoll’sexpressionfinishthesentence.Gaunt began to strap on his holster belt. “When we get in there, prioritise getting a good

assessmentofthatruin.Finditagain,priority.Keepthisbetweenus.Reportitbacktomedirectly.”“Understood,colonel-commissar.Tobefrank,it’sanhonourthingnow.IknowIsawit.”“Ibelieveyou,”Gauntsaid.“Feth,Itrustyoursensesmorethanmyown.Let’smove.Let’sgoand

dowhattheysentusheretodo.”The stonewallswere limequartz, smooth,perfectly finished, lambent.Theyenclosed the Inner

Placelikewallsofwater,likeasectioncutthroughthedeepestocean.Asifsomesublimepowerhadcut thewatersopenandsetasideadry,darkplaceforhimtowalkin,unmolestedbythecontainedpressureoftheflood.

Hewasold,butnotsooldthatsuchanideacouldn’ttouchhimwiththefeelingofoldermyth.It

warmedhisdyingbonessomehow.Notathrillassuch,butapowerfulreassurance.Tobeintunewithsuchanancestrallegend.

The Inner Placewas silent, except for the distant chiming of a prayer bell.And beyond that, amuffledclamour,faraway,likeaneternallyrestlessgod,ortherumbleofadeep,primevalstar.

With long, fragile fingers, freed from themesh-armoured glovewhich swung fromhiswrist-guardbyitsleatherloopandtheenergycoupler,theOldOnetracedthegoldsymbolsinscribedonthegreenstoneofthelowerwalls.Heclosedhisrealeyes,dryrheumylidsshuttingtightlikewalnutshells,andtheauto-sensitiveirisshuttersofhishelmetopticsclosedinsynch.

Another old tale remembered itself to him.Back, before the starswere crossed,whenhis kindonlyknewoneworld,andknewthestarandthekindredworldsthatrevolvedarounditonlythroughtheastronomicallensestheytrainedatthesky.Then,astheweightofyearsswungby,slowandheavyastheslideofcontinents,andtheirabilitiesgrew,theyslowlylearnedofotherstars,otherworlds,agalaxy.Andtheyrealisedtheywerenotoneandalonebutoneamongstcountlessothers.Andthoseotherlightsbeckonedand,astheywereableto,theyfledtothem.

Soitseemednow,anecho.TheOldOnehadbeenaloneforalongwhile,consciousonlyofthefewlivesthatorbitedhisintheInnerPlace,thelivesofhisdevotedkin.Then,intheouterblackness,otherlightsbegantoemergeandrevealthemselvestohismind.Afewatfirst,thendozens,thousands,legions.

TheOldOne’smindwasafearfullypowerfulapparatus.Ashundredsofthousandsoflife-lightsslowlyappearedandbegantocongregateonthisplace, itseemedtohimas ifwholeconstellationswereformingandbecomingreal.Andsomanyofthoselife-lightsweredarkandfoul.

limewasagainsthimandhiskind.Hedespisedtheurgency,becausehastewasonethinghislong,carefullifehadpreviouslybeenfreeof.Butnowtherewaspreciouslittletimeleft.Aheartbeatbyhismeasuring.Andhewouldhavetouseeverylastpulseofittoachievehispurpose.

Alreadyhismindhadsetthingsinmotion.Already,hehadshakenouthisdreamsandlethisrichimaginationdrapeacrosstheplacelikeacloak.Simpledeceits,suchaswouldnormallybeguilethelesserbrainsofotherraces,hadalreadybeensetinmotion.

Theywouldnotbeenough.TheOldOnesighed.Ithadcometothis.Asacrifice,onethatheknewwouldonedaypunctuatehis

longlife.Perhapsithadbeentheveryreasonforhisbirth.Hewasready.Atleastitwould,initsturn,makeanewlegend.Underthethick,wettreesandcreepergrowth,Thirdplatoonskirtedtheditchesandmud-banksof

the glades, moving ever nearer to the thunder-war in the west. Dawnwas now on them and lightlanceddownthroughthecanopyincold,stalebeams.

Third platoon; Rawne’s. They’d had Larkin seconded to them from Corbec’s unit becauseRawne’ssniperwasbusyheavinghisfever-riddengutsintoatinbucketintheinfirmary.Blood-flies,and tinybiting insects that swirled likedust,hadbegun to spreaddiseaseand infection through theranks.Dordenhadbeenbracedforwounded,butwhathehadgot,suddenlyinthelastdayandnight,werethesick.

Milo was with Rawne’s platoon too. The boy wasn’t sure who hated his presence there most,RawneorMilohimself.Justbeforedeployment,GaunthadtakenMilotoonesideandinstructedhimtoaccompanythemajor ’sadvance.

“Ifanyone’sgoingtobenefitfromyourrousingpipes,it’sgoingtobetheThird,”thecommissarhadsaid.“Ifanysectionisgoingtobreak,it’sgoingtobethem.Iwantyoutheretourgethemon—

oratleastvoxmeiftheyfalter.”Milo would have refused but for the look in Gaunt’s eyes. This was a trust thing, a subtle

commandresponsibility.GauntwasentrustinghimtowatchtheThirdfromtheinside.Besides,hehadhislasgunnow,andhisshoulderpip,andRawne’ssniperwasn’ttheonlymanintheThirdtofallsick.

“Keepup!”Teygorhissed toMiloas theycrept through theweeds.Milonodded,bitingbackacurse.HeknewhewasmovingmoreswiftlyandsilentlythanmanyinRawne’splatoon.Heknewtoothathehadfastenedhiswebbingandappliedhiscamo-paintbetterthananyofthem.ColmCorbechadtakentimetoteachhimwell.

Buthealsoknewhewasn’tanoutsideranymore,aboypiper,amascot.HewasaGhost,andassuchhewouldobeytheletterofhissuperiors.Eveniftheyweredangerous,treacherousmen.

WithRawne’sscoutLogrisinthevanguard,thetenmenfiledthroughthegladesandthicketsoftheMonthaxjungle.MilofoundhimselfbehindCaffran,theonlytrooperintheplatoonwhoheliked.Ortrusted.

Rawnepausedtheminabasinofweedandsilt-muckwhichstankofripevegetationwhileLogrisandTeygoredgedahead.Tinyfliesswirledlikedustoverthesoup.

Caffran,hisfacestripedwithcamo-paint,turnedtoMiloandgentlyadjustedthestrapsofthelad’sweapon,likeabigbrotherlookingafterayoungersibling.

“You’veseenaction,though,haven’tyou?”Caffranwhispered.“Thisisnothingnew.”Miloshrugged.“Yes,butnotlikethis.Notasatrooper.”Caffransmiled.“You’llbefine.”Acrossthesilkywater,Larkinwatchedthemfromhispositioncurledintotherootnetworkofa

mangrove.HeknewthatCaffranandthepiperboyhadneverbeenfriendsbeforenow.HehadheardCaffrantalkofit.Thoughlittlemorethantwoyearsseparatedthem,Caffranfeltuneasyaroundthelad,becauseheremindedhimtoomuchofhome.NowthatseemedtobeforgottenandLarkinwasglad. It seemedhavingMilo in his companyhadgivenCaffran purpose.Anovice, a little brother,someonejuniortotheyoungestGhostthatCaffrancouldtakecareof.

Caffranfeltittoo.HenolongerdespisedBrinMilo.TrooperMilowasoneofthemnow.Itwaslike…itwasliketheywerebackhome.Caffrancouldn’tunderstandwhyhehadshunnedtheboyso.Theywereallinthistogether.AllTanith,afterall.Andbesides,ifGaunthadseenfittoprotectMiloallthistime,Caffranwasdamnedifanythingwouldhappentotheboy.

Rawnewaitedat theditchedgeforLogrisandTeygor.Hiseyeswerefiercediamondsofwhitewithhard,darkcentres,flashingfromthebandofcamo-paintacrosshisface.Therewassomethingterriblyfamiliarabouttheirsituation.Hecouldfeelitinhismarrow.Soontherewouldbekilling.

Spoonbillsflappedby.MkollturnedtoDomorandslunghisweapon.“Sir?”Domoraskedquietly.“Takethemforward,Domor,”Mkollsaid.“Me?”“You’reuptoit?”Domor shrugged a “yes”, the focussing rings of his bionic eyes whirring as they tried to

manufacturethequizzicalexpressionhisrealeyeswouldhavewanted.“Ineedtomoveahead.Scout.Icanonlydothatalone.YoubringtheNinthupafterme.”“But—”“Gauntwon’tmind.I’vespokentohim.”Mkolltappedtheear-pieceofhismicro-beadintercom

twice and softly told the rest of his platoon thatDomorwas now in charge, “followhim like you

wouldme,”heurgedthem.HelookedbackatDomor.“Thisisimportant.Itmaybethelifeordeathofus.Okay?”Domornodded.“ForTanith.”“TorTanith,likeit’sstillalive.”Mkollwasgoneaninstantlater,vanishingintothebrooding,puffy,waterloggedvegetationlikea

rumour.“Formonmeandrenewadvance,”Domorwhisperedintohisbead,andNinthplatoonformedand

renewed.Undertheshadeofgreat,oil-sweettrees,Corbec’splatoon,theSecond,movedintothemireand

theglades.ThecolonelmissedLarkin,buthis squadalreadyhad thecrack-shotMerrt, so itwouldhavebeenchurlishtocomplain.

Feth,Corbecwasthinking,allthistimedrivenmadbyLarks’babblingandscaremongering,andnowIactuallywishhewashere.

Ahead,thegladeswidenedintoalagoon.Thestillwaterwascoatedwithrussetweed,andblack,rottenwood limbs and roots poked up out of it. Corbecmotioned the Second on behind him, thethigh-deepwaterleavingagreasyfilmonhisfatigues.Heraisedhisgunhigher.

“Upthere!”Merrtbreathedthroughtheintercom.Alongthefarendofthelagoon,Corbeccouldseeshapes:movingfigures.

“Ours?”Merrtasked.“OnlyVarlcouldbedumbenoughtobringhisplatooninfrontofours,andhe’sontheeastern

limit.No.Let’sgo.”Corbecraisedhisguntofiringposition,heardnineothersafetieshumoff.“ForTanith!Forthe

Emperor!Forus!”hebellowed.Las-firevolleyedacrossthewaterofthelagoonandfiguresatthefarendfellandstarted.Some

droppedintothewater,facedown;otherskneltforcoverinthetreerootsofthebankandreturnedfire.Lasershotsechoedandreturnedacross thewatercourse.The lowestboltscut furrowsas theyflewacrossthewater.Otherssteamedastheyhittheliquidorexplodedsodden,decomposingbark.

Othershitflesh,orcutthrougharmour,andfigurestumbleddownthefarbank,slidingintothewaterorbeingarrestedbyrootsystems.Merrtmadethreepricelessheadshotsbeforeastrayreturntookhiminthemouthandhedropped,facedownandgurgling,intotheoozeofthelagoon.

Corbecbellowedintohisvox-beadthatcontacthadbeenmadeandthathewasengaging.Thenhesethislasgunforfullauto-fireandploughedintothewater,hisfingerclenchingthetrigger.

OneforMerrt.Two.Three.Four.Notenough.Notevenhalfenough.“Secondplatoonhasengaged!”Comms-OfficerRaglonreportedquicklytoGaunt.“Aheadnow!”Gauntordered,urgingthemenofFirstforwardthroughtheshin-deepwateralong

the glade bed. His chainsword was in his hand and purring. They could hear the close shooting,harsherandmoreimmediate thanthedistant thunderof themysteriouswar theywereapproaching:Corbec’s platoon, fighting and firing. But the source was unspecified, remote. Gaunt damned thethicknessandfalseechoesoftheglades.Whywasthisplacesoimpossiblyconfused?

Las-fire spat across the glades at the First platoon. Lowen fell, cut through and smouldering.Raglonwentdowntoo,aglancingburntohischeek.Gaunthauledthevox-castermantohisfeetandthrewhimintocoverbehindathickrootbranch.

“Allright?”

“I’ll live,”returnedthecomms-officer,dabbingthebloody,scorchedwealalongthesideofhisfacewithamedicineswab.

Theenemyfirewastooheavytochargeagainst.Gauntfellhisplatoonintocoverandtheybeganto return firewith drilled, careful precision. They loosed their las-rounds down the funnel of theglade,andthesalvosthatcamebackatthemwerelooseandunfocused.Gauntcouldseethepositionoftheenemyfromtheirmuzzleflashes.Theywerebadlyplacedandpoorlyspaced.

Heorderedhismenup,searchingforarousingcommand.Nonecamebutfor:“Firstplatoon…likeyou’retheFirstandOnly!Killthem!”

Itwoulddo.Itwoulddo.Third platoon froze, half at a hand gesture fromRawne, half at the sudden sounds of fighting

fromelsewhereintheglades.Theysettledinlow,inthedarkgreenshadowsofthecanopy,whiteeyesstaringup fromdarkcamo-paint at every rippleof sound.Feygorwipeda trickleof sweatoffhischeek. Larkin tracked aroundwith his custom rifle, hunting the trees around themwith his night-scope.Whelnchewedathislowerlip,eyesdarting.Caffranwaspoisedlikeastatue,gunready.

“Totheleft,”Rawnehissed,indicatingwithafinger,“fightingthere.Nofurtherthantwohundredmetres.”

Justbehindhim,Milojerkedathumbofftotheright.“Andtotheright,sir.Alittlefurtheroff.”Hisvoicewasawhisper.

Feygor was about to silence the impudence with a fist, but Rawne raised a hand and nodded,listening.“Sharpears,boy.He’sright.Theechoesareconfusing,butthereisasecondengagement.”

“Allaroundus,then…Whataboutourturn?”Feygorbreathed.Rawne could feel Feygor ’s itching impatience. Thewaiting, the fething anticipation,was often

harderthanthefightingitself.“We’llfindourfightsoonenough.”Rawneslidouthissilverdagger—giventohimbyGaunt,

Emperor damn his soul!—the blade dulled with fire-soot, and clipped it into the lugs under hislasgun’smuzzle.Hismenfixedtheirownknivesasbayonetsinresponse.

“Let’skeepthequietandthesurpriseaslongaswehaveit,”Rawnetoldthem,andraisedthemtomoveon.

There was the sound of water, drizzling. The spitting noise almost blocked out the muffled

fightingelsewhere.Butnotthedistantheavybombardmentoftheduellingarmour.Mkollfollowedalipofrocks,slickwithblacklichen,aroundtheedgeofapoolindeepshadow.

Askeinofwaterfellfromamossyoutcropthirtymetresabove,frothingtheplungepool.Itwasashumidanddarkasasummernightinthisdimplace.

Mkollheardmovement,askitteringofrockshighaboveatthetopofthefalls.Coverwasscant,sowithouthesitationheslidoffthelipofstoneintothewater,sinkingdowntohisneck,hislasgunheld up in one hand at ear level, just above the surface.With fluid precision, he glided under theshadowoftherock,movingbehindthechurningfrothofthecataract.

Shadowsmovedalongthetopoftherockabovehim.Fifteen,perhapstwentywarriors.Hecaughttheirscent:thespicy,foulreekofsomethingbarelyhuman.Heheardlow,clippedvoicescracklebackand forthvia helmet intercoms, speaking a language that hewas thankful he couldnot understand.Mkollfelthisgutsviceinvoluntarily.Itwasn’tfearoftheenemy,orofdeath;itwasfearofwhattheenemywas.Theirnature.Theirabomination.

Thewaterseemedglass-coldaroundhim.Hislimbsweredeadening.Buthotsweatleakeddown

hisface.Thentheyweregone.Mkollwaitedafulltwominutesuntilhewassure.Thenhecrawledupoutofthewaterandpadded

offsilentlyinthedirectionfromwhichhisenemyhadcome.Seventhplatooncameoutof adeepgrove into sudden sunlight andevenmore suddengunfire.

ThreeofSergeantLerod’smenweredownbeforehehadtimetoorderformandcounter.Enemyfirestrippedthetreesallaround,pulverisingbarkandfoliageintosapmistandsplinters.Theenemyhadatleasttwostubgunsandadozenlas-weaponsincoveronthefarsideofthenarrowcreek.

Lerod bellowed orders in thewhistling flashes of the exchange,moving backwards and firingfromthehiponauto.Twoofhismenhadmadegoodcoverandwerereturninghard.Othersfoughtfor places with him. T’argin, the vox-operator, was hit twice in the back and fell sideways, histwitchingcorpseheldupright,likeapuppet,inadraperyofmoss-creepers.

A las-round stung Lerod’s thigh.He knelt helplessly, then dropped to his belly in desperation,blasting up into the trees.Hiswild fire hit something— aweapon power-pack, perhaps— and aseethingsheetofflamerushedoutof thefarcreekbank,strippingandfellingtreesandtossingouttwoblackenedbodieswhichcartwheeledintheairandfellintothecreekbed.Pin-pointingLerodasthe source of this little victory, the unseen stubbers traversed and sent stitching lines of firepowerdowntheearthtrailwherehesprawled.

He saw them in a split second: the twin lines of ferocious tracers etching theirway across theloamtoslicehimintotheground.Therewasnothinghecoulddo…notime.Heclosedhiseyes.

Lerodopenedthemagain.Bysomemiracle,bothlinesoffirehadmissedhim,passingeithersideofhisproneform.

Hebegantolaughatthecrazinessofitandrolledintothecoveroftreesafewmetrestotheleft,exhortinghissurvivingcompanywithrenewedvigour togivebackandgivehard.Hefelt jubilant,like he hadon the founding fields belowTanithMagna, before theToss.Hehadnever thought hewouldhavethatfeelingagain.

Withbitterresentment,CorbecpulledtheSecondbackfromthelagoonwheretheywerestymied.

They were outgunned and partly circled. The Tanith fell back, quickly and silently into the trees,leavingtripwiresandtuberoundsintheirwake.

Aquickvox-exchangebrought theSecondroundalongside thefirstplatoonandGaunthimself,holdingthelineofawidecreek.

“Thickasflies!”CorbecyelledtoGauntashismenreinforcedthefirst.“Bignumbersofthem,determinedtoo!”

Gaunt nodded, directing hismen forward ametre at a time trying to out-mark and topple theenemypossessionofthefat-bank.

Explosions crackled through the trees in thedirectionofCorbec’s retreat as the advancing foetrippedthefirstofthemines.Gauntcursed.ThisterrainwasmeanttogivetheGhoststheadvantagewiththeirstealthskills,but theenemywaseverywhere,as ifmillingandconfused.Andthoughthatmeanttheywerenotworkingtoacohesiveplan,italsomeantthelargerenemyforcewassplintered,unpredictableandallaroundthem.

Raglonwas firing from cover andGaunt ducked in behind him,wavingCorbec over. Corbecsprintedacrosstheopenground,histunicandfacesplatteredwithpulverisedleafflecksandsap.HelookedliketheOldManoftheWoodsinthetraditionalleastofLeaves,backhomeonTanith,whe—

Gauntfroze,startledandconfused.BackhomeonTanith!Whattrickswashismindplayingnow?

He’dneverheardofanyFeastoftheLeaves,yetithadseemedtobobupfromhismemoryasatruth.Foramoment,hecouldevensmellthesugarednal-fruitastheyroastedintheircharcoalovens.

“What’s up, sir?” Corbec asked, trying to squeeze his bulk into the scant cover as las-roundswhippedaroundthem.

Gauntshookhishead.“Nothing,”hepulledhisdata-slatefromthepocketofhisleathercoatandpluggedtheshortleadintothesocketatthebaseofthevox-linkonRaglon’sback.Thenhetappedhisclearance into the small board of rune-marked keys, andmain battle-data began to display on hisslate,directfromGeneralThoth’sLeviathancommandbase.

GauntselectedanoveralltacticalviewsoheandCorbeccouldtakeinthestateofthebattle.TheTanithwereshownasathin,vulnerableline,staticandheldalongthemainwatercourse.To

eithersideof them,heavier regimentsandarmouredunitsweremakinggreaterheadway,but thesetoo were slow and foundering. The Volpone were pushing from the east, with massive artillerysupport,buttheTrynaiSixthandSixteenthwerepinneddownandslowlybeingslaughtered.

“Teth,butit’sbad…”Corbecmuttered.“Thiswholepushisgrindingtoahalt.”“We’llhavetoseeifwecanimprovematters,”Gauntreturned,solemnandoccupied.Hewound

the dial to bring up a specific display of theGhosts’ struggling advance.All of the platoonswereessentiallyhaltedandmostengaged inheavy fire.Lerod’sunitwas taking thebruntof it.Rawne’s,Gauntnoticed,hadsofarfailedtoengage.

“Havetheygottheluck?”Corbecasked.“Oraretheynottrying?”Gauntsaidaloud.TheThirdedgedon,passingadeephiddenpoolwithaglitteringwaterfallthatfellfromacropof

mossyrock.Rawnesplithisplatoonandmovedthemupeithersideofthewater.Feygorstoopedtopickupsomethingandshowedittothemajor.Itwasacellfromalasgun,but

notImperialissue.“They’vebeenthroughhere.”“Andwe’vemissedthem!”Rawnecursed.“Tethtakethisbastardjungle!We’reinamongstthem

andwecan’tseethem!”Onthefarsideofthepool,MilopausedandturnedtoCaffran.“Smellthat?”hewhispered.Caffranfrowned.“Mud?Filthywater?Pollen?”“This jungledoesn’t smell like it didbefore. I can almost smell…nal-wood.”Milo rubbedhis

ownnose,asifhedistrustedit.Caffranwas about to laugh, but then realised that he smelled it too. Itwas astonishing, almost

overwhelming in itsnostalgia.Theair indeedsmeltof therichconifersofTanith.Nowhe thoughtaboutit,thetreesandfoliagearoundthemseemeddarker,muchmorelikethewet-landforestsofhislost home-world. Nothing like the stinking, seething jungle they had known since arriving onMonthax.

“Thisiscrazy,”hesaid,reachingoutandtouchingoneofthefamiliartrees.Milonodded.Itwascrazy—andscarytoo.

From the cover of some low, flowering bushes, busywith insects,Mkoll could see a clearing

ahead. There had been brief, heavy fighting there notmore than two hours before. The earthwaschurnedup,treesburnedbackandsplintered.Bodiessmoulderedontheground.

Hecreptforwardtolook.ThedeadwereChaossoldieryheavilyarmedandarmouredinquiltedred fatigues and bare steel armoured sections. Their helmets were inscribed with such horrific

symbolsandfigureshebegantodry-heaveuntilhelookedaway.Othershadfallenheretoo,buttheirbodieshadbeenremoved.NoImperialunithadgotthisfarin.

Therewas another force at play onMonthax.Mkoll looked at thewounds on the fallen.Here andthere,ahelmetormetalbreast-platehadbeenpunctured,notbyanenergyroundorexplosiveshell,butbysomethingsharpandcleanwhichhadpunchedrightthroughcompositemetal.Inatreestumpbehindonecorpse,Mkoll foundamissileembedded,awickedlysharpmetalstarwithrazor-edgedpoints.

Withalong,slowsighthatwheezedoutofhishelmet’smouthpiece,theOldOnesatbackonthe

stoneseatatthecentreoftheInnerPlace.Likeaspiderattheheartofacomplexweb,hereachedoutmentallyandtestedthestrandsofhis

netofdeceit,thecloakofconfusionhehadspreadoutaroundhim,leaguesineverydirection.Itwasservingitspurposefornow.Hestudiedthemindscaughtinhisnet:soverymanyofthemcruelandbrutish and overflowing with the poison of Chaos. And the others, the brief human sparks. TheImperialshadengagedtoo,herealised,comingintotrytheirstrengthagainsttheforcesofChaosastheymoved.Hesawbloodyfighting.Hesawprimitivecourage.Humansalwayssurprisedhimthatway. Such little life-spans, so furiously exhausted. Their valour would be almost admirable if itwasn’tsofutile.

Yetperhapshecouldusethat.Tomakeallieswasoutofthequestion,buthecoulduseallthetimehecouldbuy,andthesedeterminedImperialhumans,withtheirrelentlessurgetofightandwin,couldhelphiminthat.

Itwaspasttimeforhimtoplayhislasthand.Hewouldworkthehumans,forwhatlittlegoodtheycoulddo,intothatgambit.Afinalchecknow.

Muon Nol, Dire Avenger, master of the bodyguard, entered the Inner Place at the Old One’smentalsummons.Heheldhisgreatwhite-crestedhelmunderonearm,theredplumecrestperfectandtrim,andhisopalescentbluearmourglitteredwithflecksofgold,liketheheartofacoolingstar.Thebraidedtasselsofhiscapehungdowntohiswaist,shroudingtheweaponscinchedtighttohisback.Hisnoble,ancienteyesstudiedtheOldOne.Therewasfatigueinhislong,solemnface.

“MuonNol:howgoesthework?”“TheWayisopen,lord.”“Anditmustbeclosed.Howmuchlonger?”MuonNollookeddownatthesmoothstonefloorwheretheshimmerofhisbluearmouredform

wasreflected.“Allbutthebodyguardhavedeparted,lord.TheClosingoftheWayhasnowbegun.Itwillbealittletimeyetbeforewearefinished.”

“Alittletimeforus,perhaps,MuonNol.Notfortheenemy.Morethanlongenoughforthem,Ifear.Thereisnotimeforproperclosurenow.Wemustsever.”

“Lord!”TheOldOnehelduphishand,theonethatwasbareofaglove.Thesightofthoseancientfingers,

almosttranslucentwithwastingage,silencedMuonNol’sprotests.“Itisnotthewaywewishedit,MuonNol.Butitisallwecandonow.Dolthemustbeprotected.I

willnowdoasItoldyouandcommitmyfinalreservestothelastdelayingtactics.”MuonNoldroppedtohiskneesbeforetheseatedfigureandloweredhishead.“Butthatitshould

cometothis,LordEonKull!”EonKull, theOldOne, sat backwith a half-smile. “I am thisWay,MuonNol. It has beenmy

chargeanddutyallthesemeasuresoftime.ItandIareasone.Ifitmustbeshutnowforever—andit

must—itisonlyrightthatthebookofmylifeshutswithit.Itisappropriateandnecessary.Idonotseeitasafailureoraloss.Neithershouldyou.LordEonKullcloseshisWayforthelasttime,foralltime.LordEonKullwillpassawaywithit.”

MuonNol raisedhishead.Were those tears inhisdarkeyes?EonKullconsidered thatperhapstearsfromhismostfaithfulwarriorwerenotoutofplace.

“Leavemenow.Tellyourguardtobrace themselvesfor themind-trauma.Iwillcallyouagainwhenitisdone,sothatwemaysayfarewell.”

themasterofthebodyguardroseandbegantoturn.“MuonNol?”“Lord?”EonKull,theOldOne,liftedhisweaponfromtherimofthestoneseat.Thedimlightshonefrom

the long, smooth barrel of the buanna, and twinkled on the inlay at the grip and shoulder guard,Uliowye,theKissofSharpStars.Theweaponofachampion,preciousandcelebrated.InEonKull’shands,ithadwonfabulousvictoriesforDolthe.

“Takethis.Standyourplacewhenthetimecomesanduseitwell.”“Uliowye…Icannot,lord!Shehasalwaysbeenyours!”“Then she is mine to give,Muon Nol! Uliowye will not be happy to sleep through this great

passing.Shemustkissthefoeatleastoncemore.”MuonNoltooktheoldshriekercannonreverently.“Shewillnotgosilently,highlord.Youdome

agreathonour.”EonKullnoddedandsaidnomore,shushingMuonNolawayandoutoftheInnerPlace.TheOld

Onesatforawhilelonger,thinkingofnothingbutthesilencetocome.Thenhismindwokeagaintothenoisyhostsoutside thewalls, themindsmilling and fighting andkilling anddying in thedeepjungleofMonthaxaroundhim.

EonKullroseandsteppeddownoffthethrone.HekneltonthecoolflooroftheInnerPlaceandunclaspedthedecoratedpurseathisbelt.Thecontentsclackedtogether.EonKullthewarlockspilledthemoutontotheflagstones.Sliversofbone,eachinscribedwitharuneofpower.Thoughthiswasadimplace, they shone like ice in thenoonsunandheobserved theirpattern.Slowly,withhisbarefingers, he slid them around, forming intricate conjunctions, pairing some slivers, placing otherrunesaloneorinsmallpiles.Thearrangementwasquiteprecise.

EonKull tensed as he felt the rawmoaning of thewarp. The psycho-reactive runes gave himaccess to theunbridledpowerof thewarp-spaces,actingaskeys toopen the locksofhispowerfulmindtothewarpoutside.

Hestartedtodrawandchanneltheforceofthewarpthroughtherunekeys.Theybegantoglowmorebrilliantlynow,hummingwithenergy.Hismindbegantostruggle.Hehadneverattemptedtochannelsuchlevelsofpowerbefore.

No,thatwasn’ttrue.Inhisyouth,ashebeganupontheWitchPath,hehadperformedgreatfeats,and thenwith fewer runes.Hehadadded tohisknowledgeand techniqueover thecenturies,buthewasnotyounganymore. It tookmoreoutofhimnowtoharness thepower. Insympathy, thespiritstones insetonhis rune-armour flickered,asdiddozensofothers rangedat thesideofhis throne.Wakingfromtheireternalslumberathisbidding,thesoulsofotherseersandwarlocks,longflesh-dead,conjoinedwithhimtoguidehimandstrengthenhispower.

Afewoftheolderandmoresurlyspiritschidedhimforattemptingsogreatadeed.Othersaidedhimunequivocally,andsoothedthecomplaintsoftheirfellowspirits.Thecausewassimpleandpure:Dolthe.Dolthemustpersist,andEonKullwasrighttotrythelimitofhispowerstomakeitso.

Anoisefrombehindalmostdistractedhim.ButitwasFuehainFalchior,tastingbattle,twitchinginherwraithbonerack.

“Bestill,witchblade,”HonKullmurmuredandturnedhisfullattentionbacktothedeed.Nowtherunesglowedmorebrightlystill.Somequiveredonthefloor,rattlingasifdisturbedby

seismicshaking.Thespiritstonesflickeredandpulsed.LonKulllookedintothewarpandthewarppouredintohim.Hegerminatedpower,aracing,fecundrhythm.

Hisbarehandclaspedlikeaclaw.Veinsstoodoutonhiswrist.Nowthepainwelledinsidehim.Wateryblooddribbledfromhisnose.

Despitethepain,helaughedtohimself.Nomatterhowstrange,howbittersweet,therewouldbevictoryinthis.Oratleast,forDoltheandhiskind,hehopedthattherewould.

TheskyoverthatsectionoftheMonthaxglade-wildernessbuckledandexploded.Blindingforks

of lightningblinkeddownwards inahundredplacesoutofaheaventhathadpreviouslybeenclearand sultry blue. Stands of trees exploded under the electrical hammerblows. Several armouredvehicles in the Imperialvanguardwerestruckanddestroyed.AVolponeHellhound,struckbyball-lightning,wentuplikeatorchasitshugefuelreservesweretouchedoff.Atanotherplace,onacreekbed, fourteen basilisk self-propelled guns, their long barrels raised to the sky ready forbombardment,becamelightingconductors.Electrocuted,thegun-crewsdancedandjerked,ormeltedontothewhite-hothullsfor tensecondsbeforethecombinedmunitionsblewasquarekilometreofthejungleintotheskyinacolumnofsuperheatedenergyanddebris.

Theblastshookthehulking,hundredmetre-highImperialcommandLeviathanstationedsixteenkilometresbackandthrewthebridgecrewtothedeck.GeneralThothleaptupashismultiplescreensandmainholographicdisplayfizzledandwentout.Heyelledfranticordersintothedarkness.

Rain sheeted down on top of the lightning, walls of cold, unseasonable downpour whichdemolishedtheripefoliageoftheuppertreecoverandthemoss-vines,andshreddedtrunksbacktotheheartwood.Drenched,theImperialforcesfellbackblindintowatercoursessuddenlyswollenbyrich,redtidesoffloodwater,thebattleforgotten.

Varl’s platoon fell into cover under rocks, praying andgasping in the icy rain.Vox-lineswerebrokenandnoonecouldseemorethanametreinanydirection.

Pear tightened itsgripon the Imperiumforces.Theenemywere lost in the stormallalong thewar-front.Chaosartillerypersistedinfiring,buttheirblastsandrecoilsseemedpatheticnexttotheelementalcommotion.GuardsmenspokeofaChaos-summonedwitch-storm.

Lerod’s platoon, what was left of it, ran back through the drumming rain, blind and almostgratefulforthechancetobreaktheimpasse.

HalfofDomor’splatoonwerecarriedawaydownaflash-floodingwaterway.Twodrowned.Then, amidst the rain, came hail like fists. This fell on the west, breaking bones and killing

nineteenmenoutrightintheVolponephalanx.Thehailwassoharditdentedtankarmour.Suddenlyuptotheirkneesinrushing,liquidmud,firstandSecondplatoonsoftheTanithbacked

from the breaching lagoon, Gaunt leading the way, gripping saplings and vines to stay upright.Corbecchasedthestragglers,half-carryingTrooperMelkwhohadlostaknee.

“WhatinthenameofFethisthis?”Gauntscreamedintotherain.Noonehadananswer.Witchery,theyallthought.Typhoon-forcewindssurgedinalongtheedgesofthestorm.Imperialair-coverwaspulledout

and grounded, but not before twoMarauders had been torn out of the air and smashed. One, itsstabilisersgoneanditsthrustersscreaming,managedtoturnitsdeathintoapyrrhicvictorybytaking

outa lineofChaostanksgummeddowninaclearingwhichhadabruptlybecomealake.Thevast,multipleexplosionswerelostintheroarofthestorm.

Caught in a sudden flash flood, stunnedby the force of the hail and rain,Mkoll clungon to anearlyuprootedmangrovetostophimselfbeingcarriedoff.Blinkingwaterfromhiseyes,hesawhislasgun ride away in the leaf-choked froth. He felt the loss acutely. He had been so careful andprotectiveofthatsimple,standard-issuegun.Therewasnonebetterkept,bettercaredfor,orcleanerintheTanithregiment.Nowitspunawayfromhim,ruined,swamped.Buthehadhislifestill—foraslongastherootswouldhold.

RawnepushedThirdplatoonforwardthroughthedeluge.Theirhairanduniformswereplasteredto theirpale skins.Someedifice roseahead, a structureof stone raised fromfashionedblocks.ToRawne,itseemedalmostfamiliar.Hisurgentcommandswerelostinthehurricanewinds.

Asnappedoffbranchwhickered through thegaleand thenear-horizontaldownpourandstruckTrooperLogrisinthethroat.Milotriedtohelphimbutitwastoolate.Hisneckwasbrokenandhishead lolled around the wrong way. Already, his crumpled body was being sucked down into theswellingmudbythehideousrain.

CaffrangrabbedMiloanddraggedhimthroughthestormofwindandrainandflurryingleavesinto the cover of the stone ruin.Rawne yanked them in to join the othermembers of his platoon:Feygor, Cown,Wheln,Mkendrik, Larkin, Cheffers. But Cheffers was dead. Therewas no sign ofinjury on himuntilCown spotted the blood oozing from a slit in his throat. Something protrudedfromit.Itwasaleaf.Carriedpoint-firstbythestabbingwind,thestiffleafhadpuncturedCheffers’throatandcuthiswindpipe.Horrified,withthewindandrainwailingagainstthestoneblockattheirbacks,theysawhowtheirtunicsandcloakshadbeentornandslicedbyothersuchleaf-missiles.

“Whatkindofstormisthis?”Caffranhowledovertheroar.“Andwherethefethdiditcomefromsosuddenly?”Feygorbawled.

Rawne didn’t know. Everything had been going smoothly until then. The mustering on thefoundingFields.Thepreparationfordisembarkment.Andnowastormlikenothinghe’dseenbeforehadfallenonTanithMagna.

“Netyourlivesit’stheworkoftheenemy!”heyelledtohismen.“AsurpriseattacktotakeTanithfromus!Readyyourweapons!”

Everyoneofthemresponded,checkingtheirlasguns.ExceptMilo.“Major—whatdidyoujustsay?”Rawnelookeddownattheboy.“Iknowit’syourfirsttasteofbattle,worm,buttrytothinklikea

trooper!Youhaveonlyjustmusteredhere,wetbehindtheearsfromtheMagnaprovincefarms,butyou’reinforafight!”

Miloblinked.Theroarofthestormjustoutsidethestoneblocksshelteringthemseemedtohavelefthimconcussed.Rawneandtheothershadgonemad.Thiswasn’tTanith!Theywereactinglikeitwasthehomeworldand—

Hestopped.Thestonewall infrontofhimwasasolidsectionofTanithbasalt,minedfromthequarriesatPryzeJunction.ThecrestoftheElectorwasinscribedintoit.Heknewthisplace…asidecorridorjustoffthemainwesternfortificationofthecapitalcity.

But—Foramoment,Milofaltered.Hecouldremembersomething.Adyingworld,asmallbrotherhood

ofsurvivors…ghosts…playingthepipestourgethemon.Justadream.Justabaddream,herealised.TheyweremusteringattheFoundationoftheTanith

regimentsandChaoshadattackedtheirhomeworld.Theyhadnochoice.Standandfight,ordie.And

iftheydied,Tanithwoulddiewiththem.Thestorm,aspinningelectricaldiskofcloudedblackfurysixtykilometresindiameter,heldits

position unerringly above the battle front. Its power and force were so great, even the mightycogitatorsofthehexathedralSanctity,highinorbit,couldn’tcomputeitsmagnitudeorpenetratethedomeofblistering interference itcreated.AnyImperial forces thatstillhadameasureofmobility,thosethathadnotbeensweptawayormired,begantopullbacktotheirlines,makingwhatheadwaytheycouldintheappallingconditions.Manyunits,mostofthemarmourandheavyfightingvehicles,werecutofforswamped,helplessanddetachedfromthemainretreat.

No one, not evenGeneral Thoth’s chief tacticians, could begin to guess the state, response orpositionofthefoetheyweremeanttobeengaging.Hadtheybrokentoo?Weretheyjustaslost,orhadallofthembeenobliteratedbythehurricane?Orwasthistheirdoing?

Manyof the Imperial veterans andofficers had seenpsychic stormsbefore, a favoured terror-weaponoftheChaoticfoe.Butthiswasnotthesame.Therewasnopestilentialqualitytoit,noreekofunholy filth, no heaviness in the air that made skin crawl and bowels churn and minds spin intowakingnightmares.

Just titanic fury.Almost pure, elemental power.A null.Yet, if they could read it, thewarpwasthere.Theunmistakableflavourofthewarp.

Inquisitor Lilith had no doubts at all. Her attuned senses had no trouble in detecting the coldpsykerpowergalvanisingthedeluge.Indeed,itwasallshecoulddotoshutitoutandstopithowlingandscreamingthroughhermind.Therumoursofpysker-witcherysaidtohauntthisworldweretrue,butthiswitcheryhadapowerandclaritylikenoneshehadeverfelt.

Shestrodethroughthedownpourinalongcapeofdrippingblackleather,hercowlpulledup.Shestaredfixedlyatthestormwhichboiledintheskytwoleaguesorsofromherposition.Herhonourguardescortmarchedinhertrain.Shecouldfeeltheirnervousnessandunwillingnesstoproceedintoanareaallotherright-mindedGuardunitswerefleeingfrom.ButLordMilitantGeneralBulledinhadappointedthemtoserveLilithassheprosecutedthisevent,andtheyfearedtheLordMilitantandtheinquisitormorethananystorm.

TheescortwasthirtytroopersfromtheRoyalVolpone50th,theBluebloods.Theyworethegreyand gold body armour and low-brimmed bowl helmets of theVolpone, withwet-weather oilskinsdraped lankly over their torsos. Their shoulders and armsweremassivewith segmented carapacearmour, and they were each armed with a matt-black hellgun fresh from the weapon shops ofLeipaldo.EachmanhadabrightindigoImperialEaglestudpinnedintohisarmaplascollarsection,markingthemallasfromtheVolponeTenthBrigade,theeliteveteranforce.OnlythebestofthebestforanImperialinquisitor.Withthemcameashroudedastropath,oneofLilith’sownstaff.Hejerkedandstaggeredateverytwitchofthestorm,andwasgivenawideberthbytheVolponesoldiers.

Thedetailcommander,MajorGilbear,fellinstepwiththeinquisitor.Hisfacewassetgrimly,butheprojectedasickeningsenseofpompousprideattakingthisduty.Lilithcouldbarelyshutthatouteither.

“Canyououtlineourpurposeandapproach,myladyinquisitor?”Gilbearasked,usingtheformalaristocraticdialectofthehighestImperialcourts.Itwaspartlytoimpressher,Lilithknew,andpartlytoestablishhisownself-importance.ThehugeVolponeclearlywantedtoshowhebelievedhimselftobemorethanacommonsoldier.Asiftheywere…equals…

“I’ll let youknowwhen I decide,major,” she replied in the blunt and crude low-Gothic of thecommon soldiery.An insult, she knew, but one thatmightmake him quit his airs and graces. She

hadn’ttimetobebotheredwithhimrightnow.Henoddedcurtly,andshesmiledatthethrobofbitten-downangerheradiated.They crossed a foaming waterbed, shallow, but fast running, where a dozen Chimeras of the

Roane Deepers were struggling to dig themselves out. Agitated, spooked troopersmilled around,shouting,cursingandheavingonstripped tree trunks to leveroutclogged trackunits.Tinedrizzlefromtheedgeofthestormwhippedacrossthem,creatingabillionimpactripplesinthewater.

Onthefarside,theinquisitor ’spartyfollowedthebankintowardstheedgeofthestorm.Therewas debris in the spraying water here: shreds of equipment, helmets, pieces of foliage, drownedbodies,allswirlingdownstreamintheflood.

Inquisitor Lilith called a halt in a clearing where vast deciduous trees had been reduced toblackenedcolumnsbylightningstrikes.Araftofwoodpulpandleavessloshedandebbedovertheswamped ground. She pulled out her data-slate and reviewed it. It showed the positions of all theImperialforces,eachindividualunit,aslastrecordedbeforethestormcamedown.Acomplexdata-mosaicofthousandsofindividualcomponents,onethatwouldtakeatrainedtacticianhourstoassess.Butshehadalreadylocatedtheoneelementwhichinterestedher:theThirdplatoonoftheFirst-and-OnlyTanith.

Mkollmadeittohigherground,therainandwindpeltinghim.Theskywasblack,anditwasas

darkasnight,buthisnight-visioncouldn’tadjustbecauseofthefrequentblindingflashesoflightningwhichstrobedacrosshim.Hewasallbutdeafwith thenear-constant thunder. Inplaces,mud-slideshadbroughtpartsofthehighgroundslopedown,andmorethanoncehewasalmostcarriedoffhisfeet as thick, slimy folds of mud came loose and oozed away down the incline. He glimpsedsomething in the next lightning flash thatmade him stop in his tracks, and hewailed for the nextsearingdischargetoconfirmwhathehadseen.

Theruin.Theruinhehadglimpsedonpatrolbeforeandhadspentso long trying to findoncemore.Hewouldn’tloseitagain.Mkollstayedputandwaitedthroughthenextthreeorfourflashes,memorisingtheelementsofthelandscape,bothnearandfar,asitwasrevealedtohiminsplit-secondsnapshots.

Inthelastflash,hesawthemovementtoo.Enemywarriors,higheruptheslope,stumblingacrosshiminthedelugebychance.Astheworld

wentblackagain,theyfiredhisway,crackingredlinesinthedarknessandtherain.Mkollsliddownontohiskneesinthemud,tryingtousetheslopetogivehimasmuchcoveraspossibleagainstthekillersmovingdownthehillfromabove.

Another flash.Theywere closer.Sixormore,most holding theirweaponsone-handed as theyclungontosaggingsaplingsandoutcropsofrocktokeepthemselvesuprightastheycamedowntheincline.Inthedarkness,moreredfire-bolts.

Mkollpulledouthislaspistol.Hewasblind,buttheredflasheswereafocusinthedark.Hewaitedformoreshots,thenfireddirectlyatthesourceoftheblasts.

Thenhescrambledtohisleftsotheycouldn’tusethesametrickonhim.Hisprecautionwaswise.Themuddyridgewhichhadpreviouslyshelteredhimwashitbyfourseparateburstsofenemyfire.Boiledmudspatteredupinlazysplashes.Thetumultuousrainwashedthesteamawayimmediately.

More lightning. This brief gift of sight revealed toMkoll the huge shape of a Chaos soldieralmostontopofhim.He’deitherbeentryingtoflankMkoll’slastpositionorbeenbroughtdowntheslick,treacherousslopefasterthanintendedTheyhadalmostcollided.

Mkollswunguphislaspistolandshothimthroughthechest,pointblank,beforehecouldreact.

Theenemy,astinkingdead-weightdrapedinloosechainsandangular,rustyarmourplates,slammedintoMkollandflattenedhimbackintotheooze.Lockedunderthecorpse,Mkollbegantoslidebackdown themud-slope.He fought togetout fromunder thebodyand freedhimself.Nowheand thecorpsesliddownthehillmoregently,headfirst,ontheirbacks,sidetoside.

Mkollswungoverontohisknees,slippingdownagaintwicebeforeheproperlyrightedhimself.Hewascoatedwithmudandslime,thoughtheslapoftherainwasheditoutofhiseyes.Hefeltithadpouredthicklyintohisearstoo,becausehewastrulydeafnow.Orhadthedetonationsofthethunderfinallybursthiseardrums?Gunfirechasedhisway,huntinghislastshot.Hecouldseetheredripsintherain,buttheyweresilentnow.Therewasnothingbutalow,constantgrumbleinhisears.

Hegotdownnext to thecorpse.Therewasnosignof itsmainweapon,butanantique laspistolwashookedinto itswaistband.Hepulled itout. Itwas longer,heavierandfarmoreornate thanhissimple, standard-pattern Guard pistol. The pear-shaped hand-grip was wrapped in fine chain andleathercord,andgrotesquesymbolswereinlayedalongtheunder-barrelfurnitureinpearlandsilver.Ayellowdotoflightshoweditwasfullycharged.

Bluelight,harshandelectrical,shoneoverhim.Phosphorflares,twofirst,thenathird,trembledupintothesheetingrainoverthehillside.Mkoll’seyesadjustedtothebright,flickeringtwilight.Hecouldseethetreesinstarkblackrelief,thesolid,blurringveiloftherain.Hecouldseetheenemy,nineormore,scramblingdownthebankontohim,theclosesttwentymetresaway.

Andtheycouldseehim.Theyopenedfire.Itwassilentstill,justthatrumblelikegrindingteeth,butplumesofmudburst

up from impacts around him, and scythed through the bole of a tree to his left, bringing the fiftymetretalltrunkcrashingdown.Mkollslidunderitwherethegrounddipped,pullinghimselfthroughagully full of rushingwater.Emergingon theother side,with the fallen trunkas cover, he foundsoundhad returned.Thewater had sluiced the stickymud fromhis ears and the sides of his head.Noiserushedinathim:thethunder,thecrackofshots,theclamouringvoiceslikeabayingpackofhounds.

Digginghisheelsintothesoftgroundforpurchase,heswungupandleanedacrossthetreetrunk,firingapistolineachhand.Thelaserboltsfromhisregulargunwerestarkandwhite.Thosefromthecapturedweaponweredirtyandred.Heshotatthetwoattackersclosesttohimanddroppedthemstraightoff.Onefelltwisted,intoatangleoffoliage.Theotherslidonhisnose,spread-eagled,rightdowntheslopeanddisappearedintotherushingwaterofthecreekbedbelow.

Mkollduckeddownandcreptalongthelengthofthefallentrunkasreturnfirecrematedandsplitthesectionhehadbeenusingforcover.Digginghisfeetinagain,hepoppeduponcemore,andshotanotherenemythroughthesideofthehead.

Twomorewerecloseonhim,but a thickbrakeof treesbaffledhis aim.Shots toreathim.Heblastedwithhistwingunsagain,explodingtheshoulderofanattackerflankinghimtotheleft.Alas-roundexplodedthetrunkinfrontofhimandhereeledbackintoshelter,suckingatthenewsplintersofwoodsliveredintohisforearmsandfingers.

Mkollfoughtawaythesharp,superficialpain.Hebegantocrawlalongundertheblockofthetreetrunkagain,butback towardshisoriginalpositionofcover towrong-foot them.Thenext timeherosetobringhisweaponstobear,threeoftheenemysoldiershadreachedhislastpositionandwereclamberingoverthefallenlogtoblastdownintothegullybeyond.Firingdownthelengthofthetree,Mkollkilledthemallbeforetheyrealisedtheywereshootingatnothing.Onetoppledbackandslidunderthetrunk,anotherfellacrossitanddroppedintothickmudthatsuckedhiscorpsehalf-under.Thethirdfelldrapedacrossthelog.

Theflaresweredyingandthestrobelightingofthestormwasbeginningtoreassertitself.Mkollsawthatdozensmoreoftheenemywereadvancingdowntheslopefromabove,andthere

werestillfourorfiveinhisimmediatefieldoffire.Hewasrunningoutofchancesandoptions.Hebegantorun,backdownthelengthofthefallen

log,thenacrossthecontourofthehill towardstheruinintheinclinebeyondShotschasedhim.Hefellonce—anditsavedhislife,aslas-roundscuttheairthathad,justasecondbefore,beenoccupiedbyhishead.Herolleddownthebank,onlypartlyvoluntarily, thenscrambledupagainandranon.Moreflares lit thesky.Silver lightkissedtheground, themuddyslopeandthecurtainofrain.Thetreesbecameblackfingerswithmultipleshadows.

Twoenemy soldiers charged at himout of the spray, headonOne fired, his shots goingwild.Mkoll’sgunswerestillinhishandsandheshoteachoneintheheadasheranbetweenthem.Behindthedead, threemore.Onemanaged to react fastenough topullhis triggerandMkoll felthisneckrecoilassomethingpainfullyhardandhotstungacrosshisscalp.Bloodstreameddownhisface.Hewonderedifhehadbeenshotinthehead,ifhisthoughtsandmotionsweresimplyanervousreactioncarryinghimforwardpastthepointofdeath,hisbraincookedbackwardsoutoftheexplodedcupofhisskull.

Whateverthetruth,hewasn’tgoingtostop.Heshotthefoewhohadhithimwithbothpistols,thenleaptthecorpse,extendinghisgunsoutoneithersidetotargettheotherpair.Theleapwasbravebutfoolish.Treaclymudtookhisfeetawayashelandedandhisshotswentwild.Trackinghimasheleaptbetweenthem,thetwosoldiersofChaosfiredsimultaneouslyandkilledeachother.Mkollstruggledup,laughingoutloudatthislittlepieceofImperialjustice.Thenhestoppedandholsteredoneofhisguns, feelinghis scalpwithhis freedhand.He fully expected to finda jaggededgeof skull likeabrokenegg,buttherewasajustbloodygougeacrossthetopofhishead,andasectionofhishairwascrisped away. His cap had vanished. It had been a glancing wound. No doubt Rawne would haveremarkedupontheobstinatesolidityofhisskull.

He stumbled on towards the rise, needles of red light sweeping his trail. Outnumbered andoutgunned,herealiseditwastimeforthemostdrasticaction.

Mkoll reacheda tough-looking stumpand lashedhimself to itwithhiswebbing.He took threetube-chargesoutofhisthighpouch,woundthemtightlyinabunchwithtapeandhurledthembackuptheslopebehindhim.

Lightningbrokeatthesamesecondthechargeswentoff,washingouttheflashandtheroar.Thentheentirehill-facesquealedandfellaway,avastmud-slidethatbroughtthousandsoftonnesofliquidmud,rockandplantsdown,sweepingtheenemyawaywithitintoasofttombatthecreekbed.

Waves of mud and liquid filth smashed into Mkoll; timbers carried down from higher upslammedintohim.Hechokedandvomitedonthefluidrush.

Thenitwasover.Thestormblitzedonandtheairwasreekingwiththepungentsmelloffreshlyexposedsoil.Mkollwashangingfromthetreestumpbyhiswebbing.Theslidehadwashedawayhisfootingandcarriedoffseveralmetresoftop-soil,butthestump’sdeeprootshadbeenmorefirmlybedded. It was one of the few things still standing proud of the smooth, sagging, crescent-shapedmud-slip.

Mkollpulledoffhiswebbinganddroppedfree.Nearby,theclawinghandofaburiedfoewarriorjerkedandclawedupfromthethickmud.Mkollfiredintothemuduntilthehandstoppedtwitching.

Hemadeittothenextriseandlookeddownintothedeepjunglecavitywheretheruinsat,solemnandmysteriouson ahighmound.The secondvolleyof flaresweredying awaynow,but heknewwhathesaw.

The ruin was besieged by Chaos. Hundreds of thousands of enemy warriors, glistening andchurninglikebeetlesinthedownpour,assaultedthegreatruinfromallsides.

Theywererelentless,ignoringthestormasifallthatmatteredwasthejaggedcrownofstonesatthetopofthemound.

“Whatisthatplace?”Mkollbreathedaloud.“Whatisityouwant?”Stillshriekingandexplodingoverhead,thestormdidn’tanswerhim.Theskyspasmedabovethem,strickenwithelectricalconvulsions,firstplatoon,withtheremnants

ofCorbec’sunitandthestragglersofLerod’swhohadjoinedthembyaccidentinthestorm’schaos,struggledonastheybeattheretreat.

GauntcameuponCorbec,whowasclamberingintheleadthroughtherainandtheundergrowth.TrooperMelkwasnowonastretchercarriedintherearoftheretreat.

“What?”Gauntgaspedtohiscolonel,waterstreamingoffhisleanface.“Ariver!”Corbecspat,surprised.Aheadofthem,athunderoustorrentroaredthroughthetrees,

foamy and deep and dangerously fast. It hadn’t been there when they had come in. Gaunt stood,pummelledby therain,and tried tomakesenseof the landscape in theflickeringdark.HeorderedTrooperMkteaforwardandtookoneofhistube-charges.CorbecwatchedindisbeliefasGaunttapedittothebaseofamassiveginkgotrunkandprimedthefuse.

“Back!”Gauntshouted.Theexplosioncutthetreeabovetherootanddroppeditssixtymetremassacrosstheboilingtide:

abridgeofsorts.Onebyone,themencrawledacross.Corbecledthemtoproveitcouldbedone,cursingaseach

handholdslippedandtoreawayfromthesoddenbark.TrooperVowllosthisgripanddroppedfromthehorizontallog.Theflash-floodcarriedhimawaylikeacork.Ascreamingcork.

On the far side,Corbec saw to the defence of the position, ordering each drenchedman freshfrom thecrossing intoplace, lasgunaimed, creatingawidedispersalof ready soldiers ina fan toprotectthosestillcrossingthetimberbridge.

Corbecmovedforwardhimself,intothehorsetailfernsandhyacinths,theirfrondedleaveslashedandshakenbythedrummingrain.Therewasmovementahead.Hereporteditviahismicro-beadbutgot nothing back. The storm was playing merry hell with the vox-links. Clammy, cold handstighteningonhislasgun,Corbecinchedforward.

Ahellgunfiredtohisright,wide,apiercingdistinctivereport.Hestartedforwardandfellintothegripofthreelargefigureswhichslammedintohimoutofthepulsingdarkness.Helosthislasgun.Afist hit him in the back of the neck and he dropped, then recovered and punched out. One of hisassailantswentdowninthemud.AnotherkickedathimandCorbeckickedback,breakingsomethingcrucial.

Hewaswrestlingwith the biggest of his opponents now, blind in the rain and themud spray.Corbecgotaglimpseofgoldandgreycarapacearmour, an ImperialEagle studofpreciousblue.Underneathhisrollingfoe,hepunchedupwardsintowhatshouldhavebeenthefacetwiceandthenrolledhisstunnedaggressoroversothathewasstraddlinghim.

Aflashoflightning.CorbecsawhewasastrideaVolponeBlueblood,abigmanwithabattered,bloodiedface.Amajor.Corbechadhishandsaroundtheman’sthroat.

“Whatthefeth?”hegasped.Hellgunmuzzlesweresuddenlypressingtohishead.“Youstinkingbastard!”themajorunderneathhimgroanedvenomously,tryingtorise.Corbec raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, wary of the guns around him. The major,

released,threwCorbecbackoffhimandrose,pullingouthishellpistolandaimingatCorbec’shead.“Don’t,”saidavoice,quietyetmorecommandingthanthethunder.Gauntstepped into theclearing,hisboltpistolaimedsquarelyatMajorGilbear ’scranium.The

Bluebloodgunsswungaroundtopointathimbuthedidn’tflinch.“Now,”Gauntadded.Hisgunwasunfaltering.Corbeclookedupfromthemud,lyingonhisback,

consciousthattheBluebloodmajor ’sgunwasstillpointedhisway.“Shoothimand I can assureyou,Gilbear, youwill bedeadbefore anyofyourmencan fire.”

Gaunt’svoicewaslowandthreatening.Corbecknewthattone.“Gaunt…”Gilbearmurmured,notslackeninghisaim.MoreGhostsmovedinaroundthecommissar,gunsaimed.“Somethingofastand-off,”Corbecmutteredfromtheground.Gilbearkickedhim,hisaimnot

leavingCorbec’shead,hisgazenotleavingGaunt.“Loweryourweapon,MajorGilbear.”InquisitorLilithsteppedintotheglade,hercowldrawnup,

astaccatorollofthundereerilypunctuatingherwords.Gilbearwaveredandthenholsteredhisgun.“HelpColonelCorbectohisfeet,”Lilithaddedintheperfect,effetetonesofthecourtlydialect.Gaunt’saimhadnotchanged.“Andyou,commissar.Putupyourweapon.”Gauntloweredhisboltpistol.“InquisitorLilith.”“Wemeetagain,”shesaid,turningaway,ashrouded,sinisterfigureintherain.Gilbearheldhishanddown toCorbecandpulledhim tohis feet.Theireyes lockedasGilbear

broughthimup.Gilbearhadtheadvantageofafewcentimetresinheight,andhisbroadshoulders,encased in thebulkycarapace segments, eclipsedCorbec’s shambling form,but theTanith colonelhadthebenefitofsheermass.

“Nooffence,”GilbearhissedintoColmCorbec’sface.“Nonetaken,Blueblood…untilnexttime.”GauntpassedGilbearasheapproachedLilith,andthecommissarandthemajorexchangedlooks.

NeitherhadforgottenVoltemand.“Inquisitor Lilith,”Gaunt began, raising his voice over the cacophony of the storm, “is this a

chanceencounterorhaveyousniffedmeoutwithyourpsykerways?”Sheturnedandlookedathim,cleareyed.“Whatdoyouthink,Ibram?”“WhatamIsupposedtothink,inquisitor?”She half-smiled, rain pattering off her white skin. “A psyker storm lights up the battle zone,

abortingourassaultagainstthefoe.”“You’renottellingmeanythingIhadn’talreadynoticed.”“WhereisyourThirdplatoon?”Gauntshrugged.“Youtellme.Voxinghasbecomeimpossibleinthishell.”Sheshowedhimthelitdialofherdata-slate.“They’rerightinthere,aslastreported,fellme,don’tyouthinkit’ssignificant?”“What?”“Milo…Oh,heansweredmyquestionsandwriggledout,butstill,Iwonder.”“Whatdoyouwonder,inquisitor?”“Aboysuspectedofpsykerpower,givenrankbyyou,inthedepthofthiswhenitbegins.”“ThisisnotBrinMilo’swork.”

“Isn’tit?Howcanyoubesure?”Gauntwassilent.“What do you knowof psykers, commissar?What do you know?Have you talkedwith them?

Haveyouseen theway theyblossom?Aboy,agirl,barely in their teens,neverhavingshownanysparkofthecraft,suddenlybecomingallthatwefear.”

Gauntstayedquiet.Hedidn’tlikewherethiswasgoing.“I’veseenit,Ibram.Thesuddendevelopmentofuntrainedpowers,thesuddeneruptionofactivity.

Youcan’tknowforsurethisisn’tMilo’sdoing.”“Itisn’t.Iknowitisn’t.”“We’llsee.Afterall,that’swhatweareheretofindout.”Rawnestareddownfromaslitwindowinthethickstonework,nightrainandhighwindslashing

theoutside.Therewerefiresoutside,butnolongerthereassuringlinesofcookfiresonthefoundingfields.Theskyhadfallen.Doomhadcome toTanith. If therehadbeenanydoubt,Rawnehadseenwarningflaresriseandfallabovethetreelinenotthreeminutespast.

Rawneclutchedhis freshly-issued lasgun tohis chest.At least hewouldget touse it beforehedied.

“What’shappening,sir?”TrooperCaffranasked.Rawnebitbacktheurgetoyellathim.Theboywasanovice,firsttasteofbattle.AndRawnewastheonlyofficerpresent.

“Planetaryassault.Theenemyhavefallenonuswhilewewerestillmustering.”Othersinthesquadmoaned.“We’refinished,”LarkinhowledandFeygordisciplinedhimwithablowtohiskidneys.“Enoughofthattalk!”Rawnesnapped.“They’llnottakeTanithwithoutafightfromus!Andwe

can’tbetheonlyunitinsidetheElector ’spalace!WehaveadutytoprotectthelifeoftheElector.”Therestmurmuredandnodded.Itwasadesperatecourse,butitseemedright.Theyallfeltit.Feygorcheckedhisintercomagain.“Nothing.Thelinesaredead.Mustbescramblingus.”“Keeptrying.WehavetolocatetheElectorandformacohesivedefence.”BrinMilo’s headwas spinning. It all seemed so unreal, but he cautioned himself thatwas just

shockatthespeedofevents.IthadbeenstressfulenoughtopreparetoleaveTanithforever.Allthemenhadbeenedgytheselastfewdays.Now…thisnightmare.

Thatwaswhatitwaslike.Anightmare.Atwistingofrealitywheresomethingsseemedblurredandothersbrightandover-sharp.

TherewasnotimetosettlehisnervesorsootheitawayGunfireandagoutofflamerusheddownthestonehallwayfrombehindthem.TheenemyhadgainedaccesstothepalaceRawne’ssquadtookcover-placesalongthewallandreturnedfire.

“ForTanith!”Rawneyelled.“Whileityetlives!”EonKull,theOldOne,awokewithastart.Hecriedout,ananimalbarkofpain.Hefoundhimself

lyingonthepolishedstoneflooroftheInnerPlace.Foramoment,hedidnotrememberwhoorwhathewas.

Thenittrickledback,likesandthroughthewaistofanhourpiece,agrainatatime.Hehadlostconsciousnessandlainhere,undiscovered,inhisdelirium.

He could barely rise. His hands trembled; his limbs were as weak as a fildassai. Blood wasclottinginhismouthandnose.Hefelthisbeatingorgansandpumpinglungsrustleandwheezeinsidehisribslikedyingbirdsinacage.

Hehadtotakestock.Hadhebeensuccessful?

The spirit stones had all gone dark. Fuehain Talchior sat silent and still in her rack. The runesliverswerescatteredacrossthefloorasifsomeonehadkickedoverthearrangement.Someglowedredhotandsmoulderedlikeironinasmelter.Otherswerewispsofcurledash.

EonKullWarlockgaspedatthesight.Heclawedattherunes,gatheringupthefragmentsandtheash,burninghis fingers. In thenameofVaul theSmithy-God,whathadhewrought thisday?Whathadhedone?Attemptedtoomuch,thatwascertainHisageandhisfrailtyhadfailedhim,madehimpass out and lose control, but surely for only a second or two. What had he unleashed? SacredAsuryan,whathadhedone?

HisexhaustedmindsensedMuonNolreturningtotheInnerPlace.Thewarriorshouldnot,wouldnot see him like this, EonKull found strength from somewhere and hauled himself back into histhrone,claspingthepurseofashandbone-cinderstohisbelt.Jointscrackedlikeboltershotsandhefeltbloodriseinhisgorgeashisheadspan.

“LordEonKull?Areyou…well?”“Fatigued,nomore.Howgoesit?”“Your…storm…itisaworkofgreatness.MorefiercethanIhadimagined.”EonKullfrowned.WhatdidMuonNolmean?Hecouldn’tshowhisignorancetothewarrior.He

wouldhavetoreachoutandseeforhimself.Buthismindwassoweakandspent.“TheWaymustbeclosednow.Thestormwon’tlastforever.”MuonNolkneltonbothkneesandmadetheformalgestureofpetition.“Lord,Ibeseechyouonce

more,forthelast time,letusnotabandontheWayhere.LetmesendtoDoltheforreinforcements.Withexarchs,withthegreatAvataritself,wecanholdoutand—”

EonKullbadehimrise,shakinghishelmetedheadslowly.HewasgladMuonNolcouldn’tseethebloodthattrackeddownhisseptumandoverhisdrylips.“AndItellyou,forthelasttime,itcannotbe.Dolthecansparenomoreforus.Theyarebeset.HaveyouanyideaofthescaleofthefoehereonMonthax?”EonKull leanedforwardand touchedMuonNol’sbrowwithhisbaredhand,sendingahesitantmentalpulsethatconveyedtheunnumberedmeasureofthefoe-hostashehadsensedit.MuonNolstiffenedandshuddered.Helookedaway.

“Chaosmustnottakeus.TheymustbedeniedaccesstotheWebway.OurWayheremustbeclosednow,asIhavewishedit.”

“Iunderstand,”thewarriornodded.“Goseetothefinalprovisions.Whenallisready,comeandescortmetotheHighPlace.Thatis

whereIwillmeetmyend.”Aloneagain,EonKulltheOldOneflexedhismind,tryingtopeeroutbeyondtheInnerPlaceand

sense the outsideworld. But he had no strength.Had he expended somuch?What hadMuonNolmeantwhenheremarkeduponhisstorm?

Shuffling, unsteady, Eon Kull crossed the Inner Place and opened the lid of a quartz box setagainstthewall.Itwasfullofcharreddustandsomeemptysilkbags.Ararefewstillheldobjectsandhe took one out now. Thewraithbonewand slipped out of its protective bag into his hand. It waswarm,pulsing;oneof the lasthehad left.Heshuffledback to the throne,sankonto theseatwithasighandclutchedthewandtohischest.Heprayedthattherewasstrengthenoughinittochannelandfocus his dissipated powers. The embers of his power lit through the wand, and the spirit stonesaroundhimandsetintohisarmourblinkedbackintoasemblanceoflife.Mostofthem,atleast.Someremaineddullanddead.Manymerelyflickeredwithadullluminosity.

Hismindblinked, twoor three times, flashing images of the outsidewhich roared andwailed.Thenitcoalescedandhesaw.

Hesawthestorm,themagnitudeofthestorm.Hecursedhimself.Heshouldhaverealisedthathehadbeentooweaktocontrolsuchaconjuration.Hehadintendedastorm,ofcourse,asadiversiontocoverhismoresubtle,complexillusions.Butthestresshadrobbedhimofconsciousness,andhehadlostcontrol.

Hehadunleashedawarp-storm,acatastrophicforcethatnowragedentirelybeyondhisabilitytocommand,farfromcoveringthehumansandallowthemincloseenoughfortheillusionstoworkthemtohiscause,hehadallbutblastedthemaway.

Hisheadlolledback.Hisfinaldeedhadbeenafailure.Hehadexhaustedhisentirepower,burnedhisrunes,extinguishedsomeofhisguidespirits,andallforthis.KaelaMenshaKhaine!Anelementalforceofdestructionthatfell,unselective,uponall.Itroaredabouthim,likeawar-houndhehadspentmonthstraining,onlytoseeitgoferal.

There were a few faint spats of light, the traces of a handful of humans who had been closeenoughtobecomewrappedinhisillusions.Butfarfromenough.

LordEonKull,OldOne,warlock,wept.Hehadtried.Andhehadfailed.Mkoll had been stumbling through the torrential rain for fifteen or more minutes before he

stoppeddeadinhistracks,shookhimselfinamazement,andthenhurledhimselfintothecoverofadripping,exposedtree-root.

Itwasnotpossible.Itwas…somekindofmadness.He look up at the stormy sky, shuddered and hugged himself. All along, he had suspected the

stormwasnotnaturalinorigin.Nowheknewitwasplayingwithhismind.ThiswasMonthax,Monthax,hetoldhimself,overandover.NotTanith.Thenwhyhadhespentthelasttwentyminutesmakinghiswayhometothefarmsteadheshared

withhiswifeandsonsinthenal-grovesaboveHeban?Shockpoundedinhisveins.ItwaslikelosingEilonialloveragain,thoughheknewshewasdead

ofcanth-fevertheselastten,fifteenyears.ItwaslikelosingTanithagain,losinghissons.Hehadbeensoconvincedhewashurryingbackthroughasummerstormfromthehigh-pasturing

cuchlainherds,soconvincedhehadawifeandafarmandafamilyandalivelihoodtoreturnto.Butinfacthehadbeenscramblinghiswaybacktowardstheruinandthemassedforcesoftheenemy.

Howhadhismindbeensorobbedoftruth?Whatwitchcraftwasatwork?Hepulledhimselftohisfeetandmadeoffagain,nowintheoppositedirection,towardswhathe

prayedwerefriendlylines.OnLilith’sorders,asizableforceofmenbeganpushingbackintothestorm-chokedjungles.Her

bodyguardformedaroundher,followingaroughlyequalnumberofTanithGhostsunderGaunt,theregroupedremnantsofthefirst,SecondandSeventhplatoons.Thewoundedhadbeensentontothelines.

Gilbearhadprotested,bothattheadvanceandtheco-operationoftheTanith,butLilithhadmadenogreatefforts todisguisehercontemptforhimwhenshedeniedhisobjections.Ifherfearswererealised,thiswasGaunt’sbusinessasmuchashers.Besides,theGhostshadalreadybeeninthere,andhadatasteofwhattoexpect,forallthevauntedveteranskillsoftheVolpone’seliteTenthBrigade,shewanteda serious fighting force,withenoughnumbers that losseswouldn’tdent.Sixtymen,orthereabouts,halfdedicatedheavyinfantry,ordered toguardherby thegeneral,half thebeststealthfightersintheGuard,ledbytheirowncharismaticcommissar.

A reasonable insurgency force, she reckoned. Still, she had had her astropath signal back for

reinforcements.Thothhadbeenreluctantuntilshehadpulledrankandsuggestedthemagnitudeofthethreat.Now fivehundredBluebloodsunderMarshalRuas and threehundredRoaneDeepers underMajorAlefandCommissarJaharnweremovingup in theirwake,anhourorsobehind them.Theastropathwas nowdead from the effort of sending and receiving through the storm.They left hisbodywhereitlay.

It seemedbloody-minded topush aunit back into the stormzonewhenall other Imperials hadretreatedoutofit,anditseemedtocompoundthaterrorbysendinginfreshnumbersafterthem.ButLilithknewthat,stormornostorm,ChaoshostornoChaoshost,thekeytovictoryonMonthaxlayintheheartofthatzone.Andthefocusofherown,personalinquisitiontoo,perhaps.

Lerod led the spearhead, lie had volunteered, brimming with an enthusiasm that Gaunt foundfaintlyalarming.Yael,oneofLerod’smenfromtheSeventh,hadtoldofLerod’smiraculousescapefromtheenemygunnersonthecreekbank,andexplainedthatLerodnowthoughthislifecharmed.

Gauntwondered for amoment.He’d seen that sort of luck-flare before,where aman thoughthimself invulnerable.The consequences could be appalling.But he’d rather haveLerod laying his“luck”atthefrontthancursingthemlowerdownthefile.

Besides,Lerodwasafinesoldier.Oneofthebest,themostlevel-headed.Andmorethanthat…AlloftheGhosts,Corbecincluded,seemedsomehoweagertogetbackinto

the deadly storm. It was as if something called to them. Gaunt had seldom seen them so highlymotivated.

And then, in apause, he realised that he, too,wasmore thanwilling to turnback into the fatalonslaughtbesettingthedensejungleandcreeks.Hecouldn’taccountforit.Italarmedhim.

Lilith’sbrigadesloggedin throughthecreek-waysandwater-runs,beatenbytherainandwind.The muddy ground became steep slopes, the low rises of upland rain forests above the floodedswamps.

Lilithsentpairsofmenforwardtosecurelines.CorbecandacoupleofGhostsandBluebloodsclambered forwardwith Lerod up themuddy escarpments, playing out cables that they secured totreesandstumpsalongtheway.Lightningberatedthem,explodingthetallesttreesroundabout.

Thebrigademovedforward,followingthetwinlinesofcabletheadvancehadplayedout.Highonaslope,Corbecnailedtheendofhiscable line toastump,andthensetwatchwithhis

partyasthemainforcestruggledupbehind.OneoftheBluebloodslookedathim,smiling.“Culcis?”“ColonelCorbec!”Corbecslappedtheyoungermanon thearmouredshoulder,and theotherBluebloodseyed this

camaraderiewithsuspicion.“Wherewasit—Nacedon?”“Inthefarm.Ioweyoumylife,colonel.”Corbecguffawed.“Irememberyoufoughtashardasthenextthatnight,Culcis!”Theyoungmangrinned.Rainwaterdrippingdownhisfacefromhishelmetlip.“SoyoumadetheTenth,huh?”Corbecasked,settlinginnexttotheBluebloodandtakingaiminto

theblisteringdark.“Yourmedicwrotewellofme,andyourleader,Gaunt,mentionedmeindispatches.ThenIgota

luckybreakonVandamaarandwonamedal.”“Soyou’reveterannow?OneoftheBluebloodelite?Bestofthebest,andallthat?”Culcischuckled.“We’realljustsoldiers,sir.”Thetwinlinesofadvanceprogressedslowlyuptheslopesalongthecablelines,weavingbetween

theheavytreesandsaturatedfoliage.Thegroundwaslikewateredhoney,looseandfluid,cominguptotheirshins.Atleasttherewerenoinsectsabroadintheonslaught.

Theymovedon infire-teamformation, followingadeepvalley into the jungleuplandsand the

heartoftheroilingstorm.Lilithcalledahalt,togetafixontheirposition.Shewasjustraisingherdata-slatewhenasearinglightflashedandtheyweredeafened.

Lightninghadstruckatreetwentypacesback,explodingitinawelterofwoodenshrapnel.TwoBluebloodshadbeenatomisedbyelectricalarcsandanothertwo,alongwithoneoftheTanith,hadbeenflayedalivebythewoodchips.

MajorGilbearslammedintoLilithashestumbleduptheslope.“Wemustretreat,inquisitor!Thisismadness!”

“This isnecessary,major,” she corrected, and returnedhergaze to the slate.Gauntwasbyherside.Theycompareddata,peltingrainpatteringoffthescreensoftheirrespectivedevices.

“There’syourThirdplatoon,”shesaid.“Asyouhaditlastfixedbeforethestormcamedown,”correctedGaunt.“Theywereintheeyeof

thestormthen,butcanyougetatruefixontheirlocationnow?Oronours?”Lilith cursed silently.Gauntwas right. Theywere cut off from orbital locator signals, and the

stormwas playingmerry hellwith all their finders and codiciers.All they had towork onwas amemoryorlocationandterrain.Andnoneofthatseemedreliable.

Gauntdrewhertooneside,outofGilbear ’searshot.“MymenarethebestscoutsintheGuard,butthey’recomingupblind.Ifthisstormispsykerlikeyousay,it’sfoxingus.I’mnotsurewecanfindourwaytothelastrecordedpositionoftheThird.”

“Andsoyousuggest?”“Idon’tknow,”Gauntsaid,meetinghergrimeyes.“Butifwemovemuchfurtherin,I’mnotsure

we’llbeabletofindourwayback…”“Sir!Commissar!”ItwasRaglon, thevox-officer.Hescrambledbackdownthemuddyslopeto

Gauntandheldouthisheadset.“Third,sir!I’vegotthem!Indistinct,broken,butit’sMajorRawneandtheothersallright.Icopy

micro-beadtraffic,troopertotrooper.Soundslikethey’reinafight.”Gaunttooktheheadsetandlistened.“Canyougetafix?”Raglonshookhishead.“Thestorm’sfethingeverything,sir.Ican’tgetthevoxsignalstojibewith

anything.It’slike…likethey’renowhereandeverywhere.”“Nonsense!” Gilbear barked, snatching the headset from Gaunt and adjusting the dials on

Raglon’scasterset.Afteramoment,hegaveupwithacurse.“Trysendingtothem,”GaunttoldRaglon.“Repeatsignal,wide-beam.”“Message?”Raglonasked.“GaunttoTanithThirdplatoon.Givestatusandpositionsignal.”Raglondialleditin.“Nothingsir,repeating…Wait!Aresponse!Sir,itreads:‘Position:Elector ’s

Palace,TanithMagna.Rearguard’.”“What?”Gauntgrabbedtheheadsetagain.“Rawne!Rawne!Respond!”The thirdwere holed up at a bend in the hallway, las-rounds blistering back and forth from a

ferociousfirefight.Overhismicro-bead,RawnecouldhearGaunt’ssignal.“Trythemagain,”heurgedWheln,whowasfumblingwiththedialsonthevox-casterbackpack.RawnehatedthisGauntalready,thisnewcommanderbroughtfromoil-worldtoleadthem.Where

washe?WhatdidhecareforTanith?Wheln interrupted Rawne’s thoughts. “Gaunt signals, sir! He says to withdraw and pull out.

Instructsustorallywithhimatthefollowingco-ordinates.”Rawneeyedtheprintoutandthrewitaside.Itmadenosense.GauntwasorderingthemtoabandonthepalaceandTanithMagnaitself.“Givemethat!”heshoutedtoWheln,takingtheheadset.“Sir?”RagonheldouthisheadsettoGaunt.“Idon’tunderstand…”Gaunttookitandlistened.“…won’tgiveupnow…won’tletTanithfall!Damnyou,Gaunt,ifyouthinkwe’llgiveuponthe

planet now!”Gaunt lowered his hand, letting the headset droop. “Crazy,” Gauntmurmured. “He’scrazy…”

Mkollshoulderedonthroughtherain.Hefocussedhismindonrealityandshutuptheyearnings

inhishead.Home,thelines…hewouldmakeit…Las-shotsscorchedathisheels,explodingtrees.Heglancedbackwardsandbegantorun.AnenemywarriorloomedaheadofhimandMkollblastedwithoneofhispistols,takingthehead

cleanoff.Allaroundhim,intherain,Chaoswarriorswereclosing.Heduckedintocoveraslaserblastspuffedupleaf-mouldandweed.Twoshotstotheleft.Twoto

theright.Ahit,andbodyfallingandtwistinginthegrime.ThenMkollwasupandrunningagain.Ashotclippedhisheadandhewentdown,fulllength,intothemud.Hetriedtorise,buthisbody

wasslowanddazed.Themudsuckedathim.Apowerfulhandtookhimbytheshoulderandyankedhimover,themudsuckingasitkissedhim

goodbye.MkolllookedupintothefaceofDeath,theraddledfaceofanenemytrooper.Heshothimpoint

blankand then rose, cutting thekneesoff thenext foewhoadvancedwith adouble spit of las-firefromhisguns.

Mkollstartedshootingwholesale,pickingoffshadowsthatloomedbetweenthetreesthroughthestorm,andfiredonhim.

Anothershotkissedhisflankandburnedascarthatwouldneverleavehim.Mkolldroppedtooneknee, firing with both pistols. He killed left and right.Maximum firepower. Then he realised hiscapturedlaspistolwascoughinginertgas.Hethrewitaside.

Ashewenttoreloadhisissuepistol,ahugeformbarrelledintohimandknockedhimdown.TheChaostrooperhadhisbayonetraisedtoripMkoll’slifeoutofhisbody.

Theywrestledinthemudforafewmoments,untilMkollwasabletousehistrainedskilltorolltheotheroffhim.

ThesprawlingwarriorthrewhisbayonetanditimpaledMkoll’sleftkneewithaclackofmetalonboneandarippingoftendons.Mkollfalteredandfell.

theenemywasbackonhim,handsoutstretchedandamurderoushowlonhissuturedlips.Theyfellback,thrashing,fighting.Mkollcouldn’treachtheTanithbladeinhiswaistband,buthe

foundtheenemybayonetstickingoutofhiskneeandwrencheditfree.Cursinghis lifeandmourningEiloni,Mkollplunged thedagger two, three, four times into the

sideofhisaggressor ’sneck,untilthebestialwarriorshudderedanddied.Mkollpulledhimselffreeofthecorpse,bloodjettingfromhiskneewithaforcetoogreatforthe

downpourtodiminish.

Hestumbledon,armedonlywiththeenemyknifenow.Hewasgettingweakerashelostblood.Thefootofhiswoundedlegwashotwithblood,yetcool.Hiskneedidn’tworkproperly.Morefirecamehisway,cuttingthelimbsoftreesandburstingripefruit-flowers.

Adeflecting laser roundtookhimin thesmallof theback,anddroppedhim,facedown, in themire.Stunned,hewrithed,nobreathcoming,mudsuckingintohisnoseandmouth.

Somethingmadehimpullhimselfup.Something,someurge.Eiloni.Shestoodoverhim,aspaleandasbeautifulasshehadbeenattwenty.“Whatareyoudoingdownthere?Whatwilltheboysdoforsupper?Husband?”Shewasgoneasquicklyasshehadappeared,butMkollwasalreadyonhisfeetwhenthefirstof

theChaosspawnclosedinonhim.Onhisfeetandsearedwithpassion.Despitetheburn,agonising,onhisback,Mkolltookthefirstdownwithhishands,breakinghis

neckandribsandcrushinghisskull.Capturingthelasgun,heturned,settingittofullautoandcuttingdownawaveofChaosinfantryastheypressedinonhisheels.

Hewasstillshooting,blindly into thenight,his lasgun’spowercellalmostexhaustedand threedozenslainfoeabouthim,whenCorbecfoundhim.

Gauntestablishedapicketperimeterintheslopingforesttoguardthemasthefieldmedicstreated

Mkoll.Thestormcontinuedto lacerate theskyaboveandswaythetreeswiththesheeringforceofwindandnearlyhorizontalrain.

Lilith, Gilbear and Gaunt stood by as Trooper Lesp opened his field narthecium and dressedMkoll’s many cuts and las-burns. The scout’s head was bandaged and his pierced knee had beenstrapped.

“He’satougholddog,”CorbecmurmuredtoGaunt,sidlinguptothecommissar.“Heneverceasestoimpressme,”Gauntwhisperedback.Lilith looked over at them, a question in her face.Gaunt knewwhat itwas: how had thisman

survived?“We’rewastingtime,”Gilbearsaidabruptly.“Whatarewedoing?”Gauntturnedonhim,angry,butLilithsteppedbetweenthem.“MajorGilbear.Areyoustillmybodyguardcommander?”“Yes,lady.”“Nonewdutieshavefallentoyousinceyouweregiventhattask?”“No,lady.”“Thenshutupandleavethistothecommissarandmyself,ifyoudon’tmind.”Gilbearswungaroundandmadeofftocheckthepickets.Corbecpokedhis tongueout at themajor ’sbackandmadeavulgarnoise.Gauntwasabout to

reprimandhimwhenhesawLilithwaslaughing.“He’sapompousass,”Lilithsaid.“Indeed,”thecommissarnodded.“Imeantnodisrespect,inquisitor,”Corbecsaidhurriedly.“Yes,youdid,”Lilithsmiled.“Well,yes,butnotreally,”Corbecstammered.“Checkthepicket,colonel,ifyouplease,”Gauntsaidquietly.“Butthemajor ’sgoneto—”“Andyoutrusthimtodoagoodjob?”Gauntasked.“Notonhiscurrentform,no,”Corbecgrinned,salutingGauntandmakinganover-lavishbowto

theinquisitorbeforehurryingoff.

“You’llhavetoexcusemysecond-in-command.Hisstyleofleadershipiscasualandspirited.”“Butitworks?”askedLilith.“Yes,but…yes.CorbecisthesoundestofficerI’veeverworkedwith.Themenlovehim.”“Icanseewhy.Hehascharisma,courage.Justtherightamountofhealthydisrespect.Colmisa

veryattractiveman.”GauntpausedandlookedoffintothenightwhereCorbechadvanished.“Heis?”“Ohyes.Trustmeonthat.”LilithturnedherattentionbacktoMkoll.“So,wehaveyourbestscout,

beatenandshottohell,cometousoutofthemaelstrom?”“Yes.”Gauntclearedhisthroat.“Mkoll’sthebestIhave,allinall.Lookslikehe’sbeenthrough

fethinghellandback.”“Feth…niceword.Goodweight.I’llbeusingthatifyoudon’tmind.”Gauntwaspuzzled.“Mind?I—”“Whatdoesitmean?”Gauntsuddenlygotaveryclearandvividmentalpictureofwhatitliterallymeant.HeandLilith

wereactingitout.“I—I’mnotsure…”“Yesyouare.”Lightningstruckatreenearby,causingBluebloodstorunyelpingforcover.Thedetonationwas

likeaslapinthefaceforGaunt.Hismindcleared,sober.“Don’tplayyourmindtrickswithme,inquisitor,”hesnarled.“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.”“Yes, you do. Twisting a feeling of jealousy inme against Corbec. And the images youwere

broadcasting,fethisoneoftheTanithtree-gods.Notsomebarbariceuphemism.I’llworkwithyou,butnotforyou.”

Lilithsmiledsolemnlyandheldupherhands.“FairpointI’msorry,Gaunt.I’musedtomakingallieswhereIcan’tfindthem,usingmypowerstotwistwillstomypurpose.Isupposeit’sstrangeformetohaveawillingcomrade.”

“Suchisthewayoftheinquisitor.AndIthoughtthecommissar ’spathwaslonely.”Shestaredintohiseyesandanothersmilelitherpaleface.Gauntwonderedifthiswasanotherof

herguiles,butitseemedgenuine.“Webothneedtofindandconquerthesourceofthis,”Gaunttoldher,gesturingupatthestorm.

“Webothwantvictoryhere.You’ll findmeamuchmoreableally if Iamin fullcommandofmypowers,ratherthenspellboundbyyou.”

Shenodded.“Webothwantvictoryhere,”shesaid,repeatinghim.“Butthat’snotallIwant,”sheadded,mysteriously.

Gauntwas about topickherupon itwhen she shivered,pushingbackher cowl and runningahandthroughherfinehair.Thecommissar-colonelrealisedhowstrainedshelooked.

“Thisstorm…it’sreallyhardforyou,isn’tit?”“I’matmylimit,Ibram.Thewarpisallaroundme,tuggingatmymind.I’msorryaboutbefore.

Desperation.”Gauntsteppedtowardsher,usheringhertowardsMkoll.“Yousaidyoulikedtomakeallieswhere

youcouldn’tfindthem.WhysohardonGilbear?”Shegrinned.“Helovesit.Areyoukidding?Apowerfulwomanorderinghimaround.Hewants

mesobadhe’ddieforme.”NowGauntgrinned.“You’reascarywoman,InquisitorLilith.”

“I’lltakethatasacompliment.”“Justpromiseyouwon’tusesuchbasetacticsonme.”“Ipromise,”shesaid.“Idon’tthinkIneedto.”Gauntsuddenlybecameawareofhowlonghehad

beenlookingintohereyes.Hebrokethegaze.“Let’stalktoMkoll.”“Letme.”“No,”hecorrected.“Letus.”Gilbearwalkedthepicketintheslicingrain.Invisibleamphibianscroakedandrattledinthewet

gloom.Byafoldoftrees,watchingtheleftflank,hefoundtwoTanithGhostsoccupiedintryingtolightsmokesfromadamptinderbox.

Gilbearpouncedatthem,kickingoneinthegutandpunchingtheotheroverontohisback.“What is this?”Heseethed. “Areyouwatching the flank?No?You’re toobusy lightingupand

joking!”Oneof themenprotestedandGilbearkickedhimagain. In the face, the ribs, thekidneysashe

wentdown.Hekeptkicking.“There’sauniverseofhateoutthere,andyoucan’tbebotheredtowatchforit!”TheotherGhosthad risen todefendhis fallen,balled-upcomrade, andGilbear turnedonhim,

punchinghimout,thenlayinginwiththeboot.AbighandcaughttheBluebloodmajorbytheshoulder.“There’sauniverseofhatewaitinginheretoo,”Corbecsaid.HedroppedGilbearwithaheadbutt that split theBlueblood’s forehead.ThenCorbecwhaled in

withtwohardpunchestothemouthandchest.Thelatterwasdeflectedbythecarapacesegments.Gilbearsprawledinthemud,pullingCorbecdownonhiminathreshingfrenzy.“Youwantme,Ghost?Yougotme!”hegrowled.“Notbeforetime,”Corbecagreed,snappingGilbear ’sheadbackwardswithhisfist.“It’sbeena

longwhilecoming.ThatwasforCluggan,resthissoul.”GilbearfoldedhislegsupandpropelledCorbecheadlongoverhimwithakick.ThebigGhost

slammeddownagainstatreestump,upsidedown,thesharpstump-endsrakinghisback.NowGilbearwasonhisfeet,fistsballed.Corbecleaptuptomeethim,throwingoffhiscape,fury

inhiseyes.Theyedgedaroundthemuddyclearingintheslantingrain,waterwashingoffthemandsluicingthebloodfromtheirwounds.Punchandcounter-punch,followedbybellowandcharge.ThetwobeatenGhostswereupontheirfeet,cheeringandjeering.Others,GhostsandBluebloodsboth,congregatedinaringasthetwoofficersbattledbylightningflash.

Gilbearwasaboxer,aheavyweightchampionbackonVolpone,withastingingrighthookandaterrifying capacity to take punishment. Corbec was a wrestler, Pryze County victor three yearsrunning, at the Logging Show. Gilbear bounced on spread legs, throwing humiliating punches.Corbeccameinlow,soakingthemup,clawinghishandsaroundGilbear ’sthroat.

Witharoar,CorbecdroveinunderthewhistlingfistsandslammedGilbearbackwardsthroughabreakoftrees.Theytumbledtogetherdownashortinclineintoacreekbedswollenwithstormwater.TheGhostandVolponeaudiencehoveredattherimofthecreek,lookingdownandchanting.

Gilbearrosefirst,blackwiththemuddywater,andswungapunch.Itkissedair.Corbecexplodedupoutoftheflood,greasedjet-blackwithliquidmud,anddoubledGilbearwithalowpunchtothegut,thensenthimoverinasprayofsilverdropletswithanuppercuttothechin.

Gilbearwasn’tdone.Hecamebackoutofthewaterlikeasurfacingwhale,asloudandviciousasthe stormwhich quaked the sky above, and knockedCorbec back two, three stepswith blow after

blow.Corbec’smouthwassplitopenandhisnosebroken,floodinghisbeardwithblood.Corbecduckedinlow,throwingpunchesbeforeheshoulder-chargedGilbearoffhisfeet.Corbec

lurchedthemassiveBluebloodbackwardsonhisshoulder,legsdangling,thentwistedandthrewhimoverhimselfinaperfectwrestlingmove,slammingGilbeardownintothecreekonhisback.Corbeckickedhimforgoodmeasure.

TrooperAlhac,aBlueblood,waspoundinghishandstogetherwildlyuntilherealisedhissidehadlost.HewasabouttoturnhisvenomonthecheeringTanithbesidehimwhentheundergrowthtohisleftflickered.

Alhacfroze.SodidtheGhosthewasabouttostrike.Somethingblackandabominablegrewoutofthejumpinglightsinthethicket.Alhacdied,cutintostreaksofevaporatingflesh.TheGhostbesidehimperishedthesamewaya

second later.ThenanotherBlueblood,skinned inan instant.TheotherGhostsandBluebloodswhohadbeencheeringthefightfromthecreekedgefledinpanic.

“Ohfeth!”Corbecsaid,drippingwithooze,lookingup.“What?”askedGilbear,risingbesidehim.“That!”Thecreaturewaslikeadog,ifadogcouldbethesizeofahorse,ifahorsecouldmoveasfastas

a humming bird. A red, arched-backed quadruped with long, triple jointed limbs and a skin-less,blisteredpelt.Itsskullwashugeandshort,blunt,withthelowerjawextendingbeyondtheupper,andmultiplerowsoftriangularsaw-teethineach.Ithadnoeyes.Awarpcreature,loosedfromthestormandhuntingforChaos.

“Ohfeth!”Corbecspat.“GreatVulpo!”barkedGilbear.Thedog-thingleaptdownintothecreekandbegantopoundtowardsthem.CorbecandGilbear

turned and ran as fast as they could through the root-twisted waterway. It was right behind them,baying.

ThethingleaptonGilbearanddraggedhimdown,rippingathiscarapacearmourwithitstusks.Stripsofarmaplasshreddedoffhisshoulderpanels.Gilbearcriedout,helpless.

Corbec leapt astride thewarp-beast, pulling its headbackby themane andplunginghisTanithdaggerintoitsthroat,foetidpurplebloodsquirtedfromthewoundandthethingopeneditsmouthtohowlandsqueal.

“Now,Blueblood!Now!”Corbecshouted,ridingthebeast,pullingitsskullback.Gilbearpulledafraggrenadefromhisbeltandthrewitstraightintothebeast’smouth,rightdown

itsgulletpastthewincingpinklarynx.GilbearthrewhimselfdownandCorbecpropelledhimselfclear.Thedog-thingexplodedfromwithin,showeringboththemandthecreekbedwithstinkingmeat.Corbecpulledhimselfupoutofthefluidmuckatthebottomofthewatercourse.Helookedacross

atGilbear,satwithhisbackagainstthecreekwall,eyesstraining.“Youallright?”Corbecgurgled.Gilbearnodded.“Abouttimewecalledatruce,eh?”Gilbearnoddedagain.Theybothgotup,unsteadyandfilmedwithmudandflecksofputridmeat.

“Atruce.Yes.Atruce…”Gilbearwasstillstunned.“Fornow.”“Theruin,sir,theoneIglimpsedbefore.Ifounditagain.”Mkoll’svoicewassoftandbrittle,his

breathlaboured.Hesatonafallenlog,sippingalternatelyfromawatercanteenandasacraflaskthatBragg had manifested. He was bandaged and caked in mud. Gaunt crouched by him, listeningcarefully.MkollseemedalittlespookedbyLilith,butshereadthisresponsequicklyandheldbacksoGauntcouldtalktohisvaluedscout.

“Whatisit?”askedGaunt.Mkollshrugged.“Noidea.Big,old,fortified.It’sontopofamoundthatIdon’tthinkisnatural.

Tooregular.AllIknowis,theenemyaresurroundingitthickerthansap-fliesroundaglucosetrap.”Gaunt felta tingleofalarm.NotonlydidheknowpreciselywhatMkollmeant,hehadabrief,

vividmental flash of the long-bodied insects themselves, swarming around a beaker of glisteningfluidonawoodsman’shut-stoop.InsectsnativetoTanith.Insectshehadneverseen.

“Numbers?”hepressedon.“I didn’t take a headcount,”Mkollmuttereddryly. “Iwas a little busy, fens of thousands ismy

guess.Maybemore, beyondmy lineof sight.The terrainwashilly, thick cover.There couldhavebeenhundredsofthousandsupthere.”

“Whataretheyafter?”Gauntwonderedoutloud.“Ithinkwehavetofindout,”Lilithsaidquietly.Gaunt rose and looked round at the inquisitor, her face in shadow fromher cowl. “Beforewe

exploretheinsanityofsendingsixtymenupagainstapossibleforceofhundredsofthousands,mayIremindyouthatwecan’tevenfindthisplace?Ourlocatorsandauspexarescrewed,myscoutscan’ttell one direction from another, feth, Mkoll’s my best, and he admits he only found it again byaccident.”

Lilithnodded.“Thereisadeeplevelofmisdirectionandconcealmentinthisstorm.Idon’tknowtheanswer.”

“Icouldleadyouthereagain,”Mkollsaiddarklyfrombehindthem.Gauntturnedtolookathim.“Youcould?Youclaimeditwaselusivebefore.”Mkollroseshakilytohisfeet.“Thatwasthen.Idon’tknow…IjustfeelIcouldfinditagainnow.

Somethinginmybones.Itwouldbelike…likefindingmywayhomeagain.”GauntlookedatLilith.“Let’stry,”shesaid.“MkollseemsconfidentandItrusthimlikeyoudo.If

oppositiongetstoohot,wecanpulloutagain.”Gaunt nodded.Hewas about to call upRaglon and issue neworders to advancewhen the dull

crumpofafraggrenaderolledthroughthestorm.Afewmomentslater,lasgunsandhellgunswerefiring,sporadic,thedistinctivecrackoflaserfireoverlappingthehighershriekofhell-shots.Gauntscrambleddownthebank,pullingouthischainsword,shoutingforreports.

SergeantLerodwasdirectingthemenintheeastflankofthepicket.“Lerod?”“Sir!Therearethingscomingoutofthestorm,sir!Brutes!Creatures!”Gauntpeeredoutintothedarkjungle,andsawscuttlingmonstrositiesbeingbornoutoftendrils

oflightning.TherewasasickeningwhiffofChaos.BluebloodandTanithgunsblewthethingsapartastheycameclose.

“Warp creatures,” Lilith hissed, appearing by his side. “Manifestations of this unholy storm.Mindless,butlethal.”

Corbecstaggeredup,lookingverymuchtheworseforwear.Hewasorderingthewestflankofthepickettoloopbackclosertothecentre.

“Whathappenedtoyou?”Gauntaskedsharply,seeinganequallybedraggledGilbearmovinginwithafire-teamofBluebloods.

“Bitofafight,”Corbecsaid.“Somefethingthingcameoutofthedark.”

Gauntdidn’twanttoknowanymore.Thiswasnotimeforfiercereprimands.Hehadtokeepthewholeunittightandtogether.Hekeyedhismicro-bead.“Gaunttobrigade.We’readvancing,doubletime. Spearhead formation. Tanith First platoon and half the Volpone unit at the point. Take yourdirection fromScout-TrooperMkoll.Everyoneelse,watch the flanksand the rear. InquisitorLilithinstructs that warp-spawn could appear around or among us at any time. Don’t hesitate; shoot.Sergeant Lerod, take a six-man drill and guard the back of the formation. All commandersacknowledgeunderstandingoftheseordersandsignalreadiness.”

Achatterofresponsescamebackswiftly.Raglon,monitoringthemwiththevox-caster,noddedtoGauntthatallthebrigadehadsignalledin.

Gaunthadn’tfinished.ThedevotedTanithhadmadehiscommissarialdutieseasythese lastfewyears.Butnowtheywereinthick,spooked,andthecompanywasmixedwithtroopershedidn’tknowor even trust. Morale, discipline— the watchwords of the commissariat. He thought back to histraining at the Schola Progenium, to his field apprenticeship as a cadet under Oktar. He took thespeakerhornofthevox-setfromRaglon.

“Iwon’t pretend thiswill be easy. But it is vital. Vital to Imperial success on thisworld, vitalperhapstotheentireCrusade.Theenemyandtheirambitionswillbedenied,ifittakeseverysparkofourlivesandeverydropofourblood.WefightfortheEmperortoday,fightasifwewerestandingathissideashischosenbodyguard.ProtectthementoyourleftandrightasiftheyweretheEmperorhimself.Donotslacken,donotfalter.Victoryawaitsyou,andifnotvictory,thenthegloryofabravedeathinservicetotheGoldenThroneofTerra.TheEmperorwillprovide,ifyouaretrue.Hishandguides us, his eyes watch over us, and even in death he will bring us to him and we shall sit insplendourathissidebeyondtheEternityGate.

“ForLostTanith,forMightyVolpone,forImperialEarth…advance!”Likeasingle,litheentity,thebrigadesweptuptheescarpment,pushingonwardsintothejagged

hillsasthestormshooktheworldaroundthem.BluebloodandGhostmovedinperfect,trainedordertogether,allanimositiessetaside.Gauntsmiledasheobservedthetightdrilledformationofhisown,andwassuitablyimpressedthatitwasmatchedbythebulkyVolponeelite.Everynowandthen,las-shotssangoutfromthevanguardaswarp-thingsweresightedanddispatched.

Lilithmovedwithhim.Sheslidaplasmapistoloutfromunderhercloakandchargeditwithaflick of her black-gloved hands. “Good speech,” she grinned at him. “Got themmotivated. Oktartrainedyouwell.”

“You’vecheckeduponme.Mybackground.”“I’maninquisitor,Gaunt.Whatdoyouexpect?Ienquire.”“AndwhatareyoureallyinquiringabouthereonMonthax?”heaskedcurtly.“Whatdoyoumean?”“I’mnopsyker,butIreadpeoplewellenough.Thisisaboutmorethanvictoryhere,morethanthe

successfulprosecutionofpsyker-deviantsinourforces.Youhaveanagenda.”She flashed a smile at him. “Nomystery, Ibram.Backon theSanctity, I told you.Bulledin had

reportedbacktousbecauseitwassuspectedsomepowerfulpsykercomponentmightbeatworkhere.Wethoughtthatitwastheenemyitself,thatwewereinforamind-war.Butnow,thisruin.Thefoeembarkonanadvance,ignoringuscompletely,andseemhell-bentontakingthatplace.You’vegottowonderwhy.You’vegottobelievethatthere’ssomethingveryvaluableupthere.”

“Somethingthatcausedthisstorm?”Sheshrugged.“Orsomethingthatmadethemcausethisstormtocovertheirmovementtowardsit.

ButIthinkyourguessisprobablymorelikely.”

“Andthat’swhatyouwant?”“It’smyduty,Ibram.AndIdon’tthinkIneedtoexplainthatconcepttooneoftheImperium’sbest

commissars.”“Don’t try distracting me with flattery. Give me some idea what you mean by ‘something

valuable’.”“Think back to Menazoid Epsilon. I told you, I checked your background thoroughly. As an

inquisitor,Igottolookatsomeveryclassifiedreports.Youknowwhatwasatstakethere.”Gauntwaswary.“You’retalkingabouttechnology?Artefacts?”Shenodded.“Itcouldbe.”“Ancienthuman?Alien?”Lilithproducedsomethingfromherpocket.“Mkollfoundthis.Hedugitoutofatreestumpata

battlesitejustbeforethestormhit.Youtellmewhatyouthinkitmeans.”Sheheldupthemetalstarwiththesharpenedpoints.Gauntstaredatitwithdarkcomprehension.“NowyouknowasmuchasIdo.”Thebrigademoveddownadeepdefile intoa tree-shelteredvale thatblocked the ragingstorm

partiallyforthefirsttime.Gauntwasbecomingnumbwiththeincessantwindandrain,andknewhismenmustbetoo.Itwasablessed,temporaryrelieftomovethroughthedeepgorgewithitsalmostcathedral-likearchesof ancient cattails andclopeas,where rainarrestedby the leaf canopysimplydrooleddowntothegroundinlong,slow,sappystreams.Thestormraged,muffled,farabovethem.

GauntmoveduptoMkollatthepointoftheformation.“Stillontrack?”Mkollnodded.“LikeIsaid,Icouldn’tlosethetrailnowifIwantedto.”“Likecominghome,yousaid,”Gauntremindedhim.MkollclosedhiseyesandsawEiloni just

ahead,beckoninghimback to the farmstead.Shewaswhisperingpromisesofahot supper,andofrowdyboysreadyforoneoftheirfather ’sfiresidetalesbeforebed.“Youhavenoidea,commissar.”

Theadvancing tideofChaoswarriorsonlystoppedwhenthenumbersof theirdeadchoked the

passageway.Rawneorderedhisplatoonbackand theyhauleda setofdoubledoorsclosed,barring them to

sealthetunnel.MilohelpedWhelnswingthedoorsshut,hisfingerstracingtheheraldicbadgeoftheTanithElectorinscribedontheheavynal-woodpanels.Heblinked,andforasecondsawtaller,moreslenderdoorsofpolishedonyx,markedwithalienruneshedidnotunderstand.

“What’sup?”Whelnasked,panting.Milo blinked again.The doorswere archednal-wood in theTanith pattern again, theElector ’s

insigniaclearlymarked.FeygorandMkendrikdroppedalongbaracrossthedoorloopstolockittight.Beyondthethick

barrier,theycouldhearmuffledexplosionsandtheraspofflamersastheenemytriedtounblockthecorpse-packedtunnel.

The eight Tanith men were exhausted. A day ago, at the Founding, none of them—with thepossibleexceptionofRawneandFeygor—hadeverfiredaweaponinanger,letalonekilled.Nowtheyweretrulybaptised.Therewasnocountingthedeadtheyhadpiledup.

Gownsanktohisheelsagainstthewall,fightingforbreath.“Arewelost?”heasked.“IsTanithlost?”

Rawne turned to facehim, fire inhiseyes.“Arewealive?IsTanith living?Getup!Getupandmove!Onlythatfecklessoff-worlderGauntseemstohavegivenuponTanith!Withdraw?Abandon?Whatkindofleadershipisthat?He’dmakeworld-lessghostsofus!”

“Ghosts…”murmuredLarkin, leaning slackly against the farwall, cheekand shoulderpressedagainstthecoldstone.“Gaunt’sGhosts…”

“What did you say?” Milo asked directly, blood racing in his ears. It was like a dream wasbreakinginhishead.

“Ignorehim!”Feygorordered.“Fethingfoolisweakinthehead.Butforhisgoodeye,I’dhaveshothimasdead-weightbeforenow.”

“No,”beganMilo,“Thisisn’tright…it…”“Ofcourse it’snotright!”FeygorsnarledintoMilo’sface.Milowincedasspittlehithischeek.

“The Imperium comes to Tanithwhen it needsmen, butwhere is the Imperium nowwhen Tanithneedsit?They’releavingustodie!”

CaffranpulledFeygorbackfromMilosharply.“Thenwe’lldiewell,Feygor!We’lldiefethingwell!”Theyoungtrooper ’sfacewasbrightwithpassion.ThethoughtofLariaburnedinhismind.Shewasouttheresomewhereandhewouldfightandkillandkillagaintosavethisplaceandbewithheroncemore.

“Caff’s right, Feygor,”Mkendrik said.Wheln andCown both nodded in agreement. “Let’s diewellsoTanithcanlive.”

“Andfethanyoff-worldcommissarwhosaysotherwise!”spatCown.Feygor,subdued, turnedandnodded,deftlyexchangingthepowercellofhis lasgunforafresh

one.Rawnehadbeenabsentforafewmomentsandnowstrodebackintoview.“Ihearfightingdown

thehall,maybethreehundredspansaway.Soundslikeanothergroupofourboysindefence.Isaywemoveintosupport.”

Mkendriknodded.“Bolsterournumbers.MaybetheyknowwheretheElectorissheltering.”“Ifwecouldgethimtothetransportstables,wecouldmaybeflyhimtosafetyinacutter,”Cown

added.Rawnenodded.“Feygor,makethedoorasurprise.”Feygorgrinnedandtookoutabraceoftube-chargesfromhispack.Hestrappedthemwithquick,

practiseddiligencetothedoorbar.Anythingthatbrokeinherenowafterthemwouldsnapthetriggerwireandbringthehallwaydownontopofthem.

“Let’sgo!”Rawneordered.Milo fell into stepwith theothers as theyhurriedondown the longpalacehallway, boot-steps

resoundingfromthestoneflags.Hewishedwithallhisheartandsoulhecouldworkoutwhatwaswrongwith…withreality.Therewasnootherword.Realityitselfseemedwronganddreamlikeanditwasmakinghis stomach turn. Itmustbe theChaosdaemons,Milo thought.MaybeMajorRawneknewwh—

Milopaused.MajorRawne?InthetentsoftheFoundingFieldsoutsideTanithMagna,Rawnehadbivouackedwith thecommonsoldiers.A trooper,nothingmore.Norank,noseniority.Sincewhenhadhegotthecollarpinsandthepromotion?

HaveIforgottensomething?Milowondered.HaveI…Another flicker in hismind.An imageof…of a cramped cabinon a starship.Rawne,Corbec,

Milo.Adeputation.Atall,powerful, lean-facedmanthatcouldonlyhavebeenCommissar-ColonelIbramGaunt,risingtomeetthem.HowcouldheknowwhatthisGauntlookedlike?He’dneverseenhim.HecouldhearGauntspeaking,makingbold,confidentfieldpromotions:ColonelCorbec,MajorRawne.

Anotherdream?

Therewasnotimetothinkaboutit.Theywerealmostonthefighting.Gunshots.Screaming,justahead.

Thatwasn’t las-fire,Milothoughttohimselfasheandall theplatooncheckedstrideandraisedweapons.He’dheardenoughlasgunexchangesinthelasthalfanhourtoknowthedistinctivesnap.Thiswasaneerie,singingshrill;ashrieking,abuzzing,likethesaw-noteofawasp,amplifiedandbrokenintoharsh,serriedblasts.

Whatthefethwasit?“Youhearthat?”hegaspedtoLarkinbesidehim.Larkinwastuningthenight-scopeonhislong

gun,stabbingaslendertargetbeamofporcelainbluelightupattheroof.“What?Lasgunsonfullauto?Yeah…someone’shavingabusyday.”It’snotalasgun,thoughtMilo,it’snot…Thirdplatoonroundedacornerinthehallway,movingintightoverlapformation,andbrokeinto

awideaudiencehallofdark,volcanic stone.Shattered stainedglasswindowsdepictinganroth, thehouseholdandforestspiritsofTanith,linedonesideofthevaultedchamber.Nal-woodpews,manyshattered or overturned, filled the main body of the room. The banner of the Elector hung insmoulderingtattersoveranoriolewindowatthefarend.ThreeTanithtroopers,theirbackstothem,were in position behind the pews, blastingwith lasguns down at an arched door under the oriole.Chaosspawnwerebattling toget in through thedoor, theirdeadsprawledall around theentrance,fiveormoreotherTanithtrooperslaydeadamidthewoodenwreckage.

Without question or hesitation, the Third fell in beside their brethren and took up the fight,blastingatthedoorwayandcuttingintotheadvancingenemy.ThethreeTanithholdingthechamberglancedaroundinsurpriseatthenewcomers.Milodidn’trecogniseanyofthem,thoughthecolonelwasanunforgettablegiantwithamaneofwhitehairrivenwitharedstreak,alongnoblefaceandthebluetattooofascytheonhischeek.

“ForTanith!FortheElector!ForTerra!”Rawneyelledasheblasted.Thebigcolonelhesitatedagain,thenreturnedhisattentiontothekilling.“Asyousay,”heboomed

melodiously,hisaccentstrange,“for…Tanith!”MuonNol,oftheDireAvengersAspect,hadbeenholdingthegreenonyxvaultwithasquadof

hiswarriors,seeingthemcutdownonebyoneasChaosforcedtheirwayinto thechambervia thediamond-shapedprayerchuteattheend,undertherosetteofspiritstonessethighinthewallbeneaththewraith-silkstandardofDolthe.

Theonlycoverwasthetangledmessofpsycho-plasticbencheswhichhadoncelinedthecelebrantvault,benchesthathadbeensplinteredorwiltedbyenemyfire.Tothesideofthem,slenderpointedwindowspanedwithtranslucentwraith-boneshowedimagesofAsuryan,thePhoenixKing,KhaineoftheBloodyHand,Vaul, the crippled smith-god,Morai-Heg the fate-crone, andLileath theMaiden,goddess of dream fortune, backlit by Farseer Fon Kull’s warp-storm outside. It was Lileath whoMuonNolmostworshipped,thatbeautifuldivineroffuturesandpossibilities.Heworeherruneonathreadaroundhisneck,underhisjade-blueaspectarmour.

MuonNol’swhitecrestedhelmetwasdintedwithblack las-scores,and the redplumecrestwassinged.StillUliowye,LordFonKull’sholybuanna,spatwhickeringonslaughtsofjagged,flickeringstar-roundsat the foe, slicing themtopieces,a thousandrounds ineach tightburst.Thestabilisinggyroswhirredasthegreat,ornateshriekercannonbuckedinhismesh-glovedhands.Theacceleratorfieldshimmeredaroundthemuzzlebase,Uliowye,theKissofSharpStars.Hehadperhapssixrodsof solidammunition left;hewouldmake themcount.ForLileath,hewouldmake themcount.For

Dolthe.Suddenly,eighthumansindrab,muddyuniformsfellinbesidehim,blastingtheirlasgunsatthe

enemy.Theywereresilientandfierce,andseemedtoshownoshockorsurpriseattheirsurroundingsorsudden,new-foundcomrades-in-arms.

Psychically, Muon Nol ordered his remaining men to accept them and fight on. This wasundoubtedlyLordEonKull’swork—andLordEonKull’sdeceit.

And,Khaine, but thesemon-keigh fought!Like theywere fighting for their ownhomeworld itseemed,fightingforeverythingtheyloved!

InunderfiveminutesthereinforcementofthehumansoldiershaddriventheChaosspawnback.Theypushed forward togetherdown theprayer chute andkilled the last of the attackers, closing agreatstonehatchshuttoblocktherest.

The Master of the Bodyguard turned to the slim, dark-haired human who appeared to be thenewcomers’ leader. He searched for his grasp of Low Gothic, as he had learned in the trainingsymposiumsofDolthecraftworld.

“IamMuonNol,ofDolthe,ofthisWayPlace.YourInterventionandaidisgreetedwithwelcome.LordFarseerEonKullwillthankyouforit.”

“ColonelMunnol,fromTanithDale.Goodtoseeyouboys,andnomistake.TheElectorneedsall

themenhecangetrightnow.”ThetallTanithofficerwiththemaneofwhitehairturnedtotheThirdastheshutterhatchclosed.

TheexplodedcarcassesofChaostroopslayallaroundthem.Rawne nodded. “Glad to help. I’m Rawne, Major, commanding… well, what’s left of Third

platoon.Placeuswhereyouwantus,colonel.”Munnolnodded,butheseemedbewilderedsomehow,Milothought.Cometothat,he’dneverseen

aTanithmanwithanythingbutblackhair.NotonlywereMunnol’swhitelocksodd,butbothhismen,whoseemeduneasynowhenoticed,werewhitehairedtoo.

ColonelMunnol nodded to a doorway to the left. It was a strange gesture. And what kind ofweaponwasheholding?Alasgun…butlongandextended,longerandthickerthanLarkin’ssnipergun.Milofeltsomethingtugginganxiouslyathismind.

“Ifyou’rewilling,Rawnehuman, thewesternemplacementsneedsupportdesperately,”ColonelMunnolwassaying.

“Lead on!” barked Rawne, changing his energy cell and dropping the spent one to the floor.Munnolshruggedandnodded,beckoningthemafterhim.

Rawnehuman?Hadhemisheard?Milo followed, unnerved.Human?The nightmare refused toslipaway.Hehatedtheterriblenauseousfeelingofconfusion.

Atafastpace,Munnol led theThirdandhisownmendownablackgranitecorridor.Aheadofthem,throughanarchway,theycouldseetwodozenmoreTanithtroopersliningabattlement,firinglasgunsdownintothestormynight.Exceptthatthenoisewastheshriekingchatterofsomethingoddandotherworldly,notthereassuringsnap-returnoflas-fire.

Rawne hurried beside the tall colonel, Feygor at his heels. “Can you believe this luck?” helaughed.“Chaosattackingusontheverydayofourfounding?”

“No…indeed,”Munnolreplied.“I’llbehonestwithyou,Munnol…Ialmostdidn’tsignup,”Rawnewenton.“Whatkindoflifeis

it, fightingyourway through thestars for the loveofsomefethinguncaringEmperor,nohopeofevergoinghomeagain?”

“Notanenticingprospect,Rawnehuman,”Munnolagreed.“feth, but I had a nice life back in Tanith Attica. A nice little business, if you understand me.

Nothingtooillegal,but,youknow,onthewrongside…”“Iunderstand…”“Feygorwaswithmebackthen.Weren’tyou,Feygor?”Rawnesaid,noddingathiscomrade.“Aye,Rawne,aye.”“Nicework,goodreturns,didn’twanttogiveitup…but,fethtakemeforachulan…I’mgladI

did!feththeGoldenThrone…thanktheanrothI’marmedandreadytostandforTanithatthisdreadhour!”

“Weallthanktheanrothforthat,Rawnehuman,”Munnolreplied.Theywereoutonthebattlementsnow,enemyfirerippingoverthem.ColonelMunnolcalledto

hisTanith soldiers,who looked around from the loopholes and crenellationswhere theyhadbeenfiringdownatthefoe.Whitehair,streakedwithred,thoughtMilowithashudder.Theyallhavewhitehair.

Hethoughthewasgoingtobesick.“MenofDolthe!”Munnolexclaimed.Dolthe?Dolthe?Wherewasthat?Milowondered.“Our Kin arrive to fight with us! Major Rawne and other humans! Treat them well, they are

resoluteandwithustotheend!”ArousingcheergreetedColonelMunnol’swords.RawneorderedtheThirdinalongsidetheTanithalreadyinplace,takingpositionandfiringdown

intothestormydarkoverthejaggedlipoflaser-chewedstonework.MilowasabouttotakehisplacewhenhesawLarkinwascoweringbehindthemall,crouchedin

thecornerofthebattlementawayfromthefight,clutchinghissniperrifleandshakinguncontrollably.Milocrossedtohim.“Larkin?Whatisit?”“T-tookalookthroughmyscope…B-brin…they’renothuman!”“What?”Milofelthisgutsclench,buthewasn’tgoingtogivein.“IknowwhatIsaw!Throughmy…myscope.Itneverlies.ThisbigbastardMunnolandtherest!

They’renot…notTanith!”MilosnatchedthesnipergunoutofLarkin’swaveringhands,andsighteditatMunnol, looking

through the scope. The bead of the blue light beam kissedMunnol’s drab camo-cloak like a tinyspotlight.Milolookedthroughthescopeviewer,seeingMunnolasaghostofbluesandshadows.

Munnol,asifsensingthebeamonhim,turnedtolookbackatMilo.Throughthescope,MilosawMunnolasheswungslowlyaround,hiseyeshookedandslantedinhiscoldpaleface.Asecondmore,andthoseeyesbecamethevisorslitsofagreatsculptedhelmetofgleamingwhitearmour,backedbya towering crest of red feathers. Munnol’s grey fatigues became a tight suit of blue armour thatlockedmajesticallyabouthishuge,powerful frame.The lasgun inhishandsbecamea long, flutedlanceweaponwitharidged,coiledpipe,silverventsandabeautifulinlayofchasedpearlandgold.MunnolbecamequitethemostfrighteningthingMilohadeverseen.

“OhmyEmperor…”hebreathed.“They’reeldar!”Lilith’sbrigadebrokefromthegorgeintoafanoflowlandswherethejunglehadvanishedunder

sculptural folds ofmudwhichhad slid in vast curls down the slopes andobliterated everything intheirpath.Thegoingwasslower,thetroopswadingwaist-deepinochreslimeinsomeplaces.Abovetheroarofthestorm,theforwardscoutscouldnowpickupthesoundsofmassedcombatfromthe

valleybeyond.Hashesoflightbacklitthehilltop,anditwasn’tlightning.Gauntorderedbattlereadinessviaanencryptedvox-burst,marshallingtheVolponeheavyweights

up the flank of the hill underGilbear ’s lead and funnelling theGhosts in two detachments led byLerod and Corbec along the edge of themud slip below. Gaunt and Lilith moved at the front ofCorbec’sband.

Mkollhadledthemtrue.Roundthecurveofthehill,theygottheirfirstsightofthemoundanditsruin—and themassed forcesof theenemysurrounding it.EvenpreparedbyMkoll’sdescription,Gaunt found the scalewas immense.Thousandsof enemy troops, somewithheavyweapons,wereswarmingthemound’sslopesandbombardingthegreat,darkedificewithaforcestonehadnorightto resist. The entire scene was a flickering mess of fire-flashes and explosions. The wet air waspungentwithbloodandthermite.

TheGuardsmenwereengagingbefore they realised it.Gilbear ’sBluebloodshadcome into therearpositionsofenemyheavyweaponsemplacements,andthecrewswereturning,startled,counter-attacking with close-quarter side arms. A moment later, and both detachments of Ghosts werehemmedinbyChaosunits thatpeeledbackfromthemainassault tofacethissurpriserearcontact.Las-fireandboltroundssearedamiserablelight-streakcriss-crossoverthesmoothmudflats.

Blastingwithhisboltpistol,Gauntsawa tinyopportunity:breakandfallbacknow,orbecomelockedirrevocablyintothefighting.

He saw Gilbear ’s unit spill down the rise and fall upon the enemy weapon stations with aferociousandadmirablegrace,overwhelmingandslaughteringtheminamatterofaminuteortwo.Thepowerfulhellguns,supportedby twogrenade launchersandaplasmarifleman,ripped into thehindquartersoftheguncrews’positionandcutthemdown.

Gilbearhaughtilyvoxedhissuccessashismentookovercontroloftheenemyweapons,turningmissilelaunchersandfieldartilleryontheranksofthechaosarmybeyond.TheVolponeTenthElitewere damn good, Gaunt had to admit. Rotation training on all combat disciplinesmeant that theycould takeagunpostand thenman thatgunassurelyanddeftlyas if theywerededicatedartillerytroops.

Gauntknewthemomenthadgone.TobreaknowwouldhavelefttheVolponealone.Hischoicewasmadeforhim.Battlewastrulyjoinedandtherewouldbenorespite.

The twinprongsof theGhostspunched into the rearof thebesiegers.Gilbear, tacticallyastute,turnedtheaimofcapturedgunsdowntheturnofthevalleyandcoveredtheGhostpush,creatinghugebreaksintheenemy’smakeshiftflankingmanoeuvre.ShellswhistleddownunderGilbear ’sdirection,pin-pointaccurate,throwingribbonsofmud,strandsoffoliageandpiecesofChaostroopersintotheairnottwentymetresinfrontoftheadvancingGhosts.

Thefightingwascloserangeandwhitehot.Incredibly,butforafewgrazesandglancingburns,Gauntfoundhismensufferednocasualties.

Withinfiveminutesoffirstcontact,theImperialshadcutawedgeintotheenemyrearguard,madeuphalfakilometreofgroundandslaughteredupwardsoftwohundredenemytroops,atnomortalcost.

Gilbearheldthelineaslongashecould,buttherecameapoint,mutuallyagreedbetweenhimandGauntoverthevox-link,whentheseparationofthetwosmallImperialadvanceswouldbecometoogreat.

Whenthesignalwasgiven,theBluebloodsminedthegunemplacementsandpushedon,scythingadouble-timeadvance to swing themselves inbehind theGhosts.Limedexplosions, staggeredandstaggering,setofftheemplacementmunitionsandexcavatedanewvalleywhereasmallplateauhad

been.Intotheheatnow,onthelowerslopesofthemound,theImperialexpeditionforceslicingabreak

inthefoeasaspearheadformation,Ghoststotheright,Volponetotheleft,withGauntandCorbecatthetip.

Gaunt knew the Tanith fought well, but he had never seen them discharge themselves sodeterminedly, so brilliantly. In his heart, he couldn’t believe that thiswas a simple response to hismotivationalspeech.Theywerefightingforsomething,somethingdeepin theirshearts,somethingthatwouldnotbedenied.

“ForTanith!ForTanith,blesshermemory!”heheardCorbecyellingasheadvanced.Thecry, as itwas takenupbyGhosts all aroundhim,promptedadeep, emotional response in

Gaunt.Itshockedhim.TheywereindeedfightingforTanith…notforsomememoryorforasenseofvengeance.Theywerefightingfor theloveof theirhomeworld,of themistycities, thedarklingwoodlands,themajesticseas.

Heknewthisbecausehefeltittoo.HehadspentallofadayonTanithbeforethefall,andmostofthatinsidethedimanteroomsoftheElector ’spalaceatTanithMagna.Butitfeltasifithadbeenhishome, something he had grown to love through years of upbringing, something that was stillattainable…

WithCorbecandtwootherGhosts,hewasthefirsttoreachadefenceditchonthelowerslopesofthemoundwheresuperiornumbersofChaosfilthwereturningfromtheirassaultoftheruintorepelthe hind attack.Gaunt ledwith his chainsword, slicing the enemy apart. It seemed like hewas las-proof.Allopposingshotswentwild.ThejoyofTanithsanginhisheart.

He dropped into the ditch, cutting the first aggressor before him open down the middle, thenswungthewhiningbladelefttodecapitateanother.Inhisotherhand,hisboltpistolblasteddowntheditch,blowingthelegsofftwochargingghoulswithfixedbayonets.Hisbolterclackedempty.Corbecwasbesidehim,bellowing,blastingwithhislasgunatfigureswhofellandsquirmedandfleddownthe narrow defile. To the other side, Troopers Yael and Mktea fought hand to hand with silverdaggers,passionate,furious.Beyondthem,Bragg,blastingwithhisautocannonovertheditchtop.

Gaunt threwhisbolter andhis swordasideandgrabbed the firinghandlesofanenemystorm-bolterwithabeltfeedsetintothelipoftheditch.Themassivegunwassetonflak-board,withwiretie-downstopreventthetripodfromskating.Gauntthumbedthetriggerandswepttheshudderinggunleftandright,decimatingtheranksofenemyadvancingupthehillabovehim.

Hefeltahandonhisarm.Lilithwasbesidehim,herfacepale,hereyesfulloftears.“What?”hebarked,continuingtofire.“Can’tyoufeelit?You’resweptupinthestorm-magictoo!”Hereleasedhishandsandthedrumbeltrattledroundonauto-feed.“Magic?”“ThewebofdeceitIspokeof…it’senflamedallyourmen,theBluebloodstoo.It’stearingatmy

mind!Gaunt…!”Involuntarily,heheldher.Shepushedhimoffafterasecond.“I’mallright!Allright!”“Lilith!”“Whatever…whoever…itisupthereintheruin,they’repreyingonouremotions.”“Whatdoyoumean?”“I…Ithinktheywantallthehelptheycanget,Gaunt!They’vewovenapsychicspellthroughthe

storm thatmakesus…makesus respondby touchingourdeepestdesires!ForyourGhosts, this isTanith…aTanithwhere it’sstillpossible towinandsave theworld!For theBluebloods, it’s IgnixMajeure,wheretheylostafteradesperatefight!ButIbram…it’skillingme!Sostrong,sopowerful!”

Gauntfoughttocatchhisbreath.“W-whyme?WhyTanith?”“What?”sheasked,wipingherpuffyeyes.“I’mnotTanith,butthewillinsidemerespondedthatway.Whyaren’tIfightingforsomegreat

cause inmyown life?Whyhave I been living andbreathingTanith inmywakingdreams all thiswhile?”

Shesmiled,simplyandpainfully,herperfectfacelitbythefire-flashesaroundthem.“Don’tyouknowit,Ibram?Tanithisyourcause,nomatterifyouwerebornthereornot.You’vedevotedyourserviceandlifetothesemen,tothememoryoftheirworld.

“ThefateofTanithconsumesyou,asitdoesthem,andthoughyou’renotatruesonoftheforests,thismagicplaysonyourdeepesturges!You’reaGhost,IbramGaunt,whetheryouknowitornot!You’renotjusttheirmaster,you’reoneofthem!”

Gaunt pulled off his cap and wiped brow-sweat back into his cropped hair. He was panting,painfullyhighonadrenaline.“Thisisallfalse?”hebegan.

“We’rebeingused.Manipulated.Driventofightbysomethingthattouchesourdeepestcauses.”“Then…intheEmperor ’sname,ifithelpsuskilltheChaosscum,let’snotdenyit!Let’suseit!”

Gauntcuedhismicro-beadandopenedachanneltohisforce.“Sixtymenagainsttenthousand!Thestuffoflegends!Pushon!Pushon,forTanithandforIgnixMajeure!Taketheslopeandmakefortheruin!”

AttheheadofhiswaveofBluebloods,Gilbearheardthecallandscreamedintothenightasheemptiedyetanotherpower-packoutthroughtheglowingmuzzleofhishellgun.TheVolponetooktherise,scatteringenemybeforethem.

Lerod,whonow thoughthimself truly immortal, ledhisdetachmentup themound, stampedingoverthepanicking,splinteringwavesofChaosfilth.

Corbec,withBraggfiringsolidlinesofdestructionfromhisheavyweaponathisside,pushedtheotherGhostbandupbetweentheprongs.ToeithersideoftheImperialadvance,ahundredthousandsoldiersofthefoeswarmedandregrouped.ButthesixtyorsoImperialscutalineupthroughthemthatwouldn’tbedenied.

Yearslater,painstakinglyreconstructingthedetailsofthisassaultfrompatchydatacollectedatthetime,ImperialtacticiansonLondonwouldbeutterlyunabletoaccountforthesuccessoftheaction.Evengiven thesurprisenatureof theassault, from the rear, therewasnosense to thedata.Simplestatistics should have had Gaunt’s expeditionary force cut down to the last man, at most a halfkilometrefromtheruin.Thetacticianswouldfactorincharismaticleadership,tacticalinsight,luck…andstill therewasnomistake.Gaunt’smenshouldhavebeenentirelyslaughteredlongbefore theyreachedtheruin.

Butthatwasnotthecase.Gauntdrewhisforces,withoutthelossofasingleman,uptothewallsoftheruinperhapsthirtyminutesaftertheyhadfirstengagedthebackoftheenemypositions.Theyhadcutthroughalegionofthefoewhooutnumberedthemtenthousandtoone,andattainedatargetareatheenemyhadbeentryingtoforceitswayintoforhours.Theyslew,approximately,two-point-fourthousandsoldiersoftheenemy.

Eventually,afteraprolongedanalyticalstudy,thetacticianswoulddecidethattheonlyexplanationcouldbethattherewerenoenemyunitsonthefieldthatday.Itwasallanillusion.Gaunthadmountedanassaultthroughopen,undefendedground.Onlythendidthecomputationsandthestatisticsandthepossibilitiesmatchup.

None of them could admit that this wasn’t the case. And so, perhaps the greatest and mostspectacularsuccessofMacaroth’sgreatCrusade,out-classedandout-numberedbutstill successful,

wasdeletedfromtheImperialAnnalsasaphantomengagement.Suchisthefateoftrueheroism.Therewasadoor:atall,pointedarchofstonefacedwithstone,inthesideofthesmoothflankof

the ruin. Gaunt grouped his force around it as relentless firepower strafed up at them from themuddledbutregroupinglegionsoftheenemy.

Gilbearintendedtominethedoorinthehopeofblowingitopen,though,asCorbecpointedout,thescorchmarksonthestonefacingseemedtoindicatethattheenemyhadtriedthatmorethanonceandfailed.

Theywere about to argue the point somemorewhen the door opened.BrinMilo stood there,lookingoutatthem,flankedbyCaffranandaspectacularlygrimeldarwarriorwitharedplumesetbehindhiswhitehelmet.

Thestormflashedabove,stillfuriousandwild.“You’vecomethisfar,”Milosaid.“Nowlet’sfinishthis.”SealedinsidetheonyxwallsoftheWay-Place,Gauntandhisforceheardthelowwailingofeldar

mourners,remorsefullysingingthelastsongsofclosure.MuonNolfacedGauntforalongwhile,untilGauntsalutedandheldouthishand.“IbramGaunt.”Nothingmoreneedbesaid,Gauntthought.MuonNollookedattheprofferedhand,thenslungUliowyeoverhisshoulderandclaspedit.Hespoke,abewilderingslitherofotherworldlylanguage.“You’vejustbeenformallyworshippedasafellowwarrior,”Lilithsaid,steppingup.MuonNol

turnedhishugegazetolookather.“IamLilith,of theImperial Inquisition,”shestated.MuonNol,ahead taller thanevenGilbear,

pausedandnoddedslowly.Gauntlookedroundsharplyattheinquisitor.“We’renotgettinganywherefast,”hehissed.“Does

anyoneherespeakeldar?”“Ido,”Lilithsaid,butMuonNolspokesimultaneously.“Thereisnoneed,”hesaidinmelodiouslyaccentedLowGothic.“Iunderstand.Youmustfollow

menow.Thefarseer-lordawaits.”“Fine…”Gauntbegan.MuonNolsteppedback.“No.Notyou.Thefemale.”LordEonKull felt thewashandburnof theChaoshostsas theyassaulted theruinaroundhim.

FuehainFalchiorhadbeguntorattleinherrackagain.ThedooroftheInnerPlaceslidopenandMuonNolentered,escortingacowledhumanfemale,a

hulkingstormtrooperingreyandgold,andahumanmaleinalongcoatandcap.MuonNolbowed.Lilithdidlikewise.GilbearandGauntremainedupright.EonKullspoke,perfectlyusingtheclumsylowGothichehadoncewastedabriefyearmastering.“IamEonKullFarseer.Myenchantmentshavebroughtyouintothis.Imakenoapologies.The

WaymustbeclosedtotheDarkandIwilluseallmypowerstoaccomplishthat.”MuonNoltookastepforward,gesturingtoindicateLilith.“Mylord…thisfemaleiscalledLilith,

inthehumantongue.Isthatnotasign?”“Ofwhat?”“Ofpurpose…lord?”

EonKullseemedabouttoanswer,asifhetoorecognisedthesymboliccoincidence.Butthenheslumpedagainstthesideofhisthrone,bloodleakingfromunderthesealofhishelmet.

“Mylord!”Gaunt reached him first, pulling off the tall helm and cradling the pale skull of theworn-out,

dyingEldarfarseerinhisglovedhands.“Icansendformedics…healers,”hebegan.“No…n-no…no time.Nopurpose to it. Iwant todie,Gaunthuman.TheWaymust be closed

beforeChaoscancorruptit.”HoldingEonKull,GauntlookeduphopelesslyatLilith.Shecameandtookhisplace,embracing

thefraileldar ’sheadandbody.“That’swhattheChaosforcesarehereonMonthaxfor,isn’tit,farseerlord?”“Youspeaktruth.ThisWayhasstoodopenfortwenty-sevencenturies.Nowtheenemyhavefound

itandthroughittheywillinvadeDolthecraftworld.ForthesakeofDolthe,forthelivingsoulsoftheeldar,thisWaymustbeclosed.ForthisgreatpurposeIhaveconjuredyou.Forthisgreatpurpose,myaspectwarriorshavegiventheirallandtheirlast.”

“Allofthis…sometrickofastinkingalienscumbag…”Gilbeargrowled.Gaunt launched himself forward, bringing down Muon Nol before the enraged eldar could

splinterGilbeartopieceswithhisshriekercannon.GauntgotupofftheaspectwarriorandstrodeacrosstheonyxroomtofaceGilbear.“What?WhatdidIsaythatwassobad?”Gilbearasked,asecondbeforeGaunt’sfistlaidhimout

unconsciousontheflagstones.“Ibram!”GauntturnedasLilithcriedout.ShewascradlingEonKullinherarms.Gauntrushedto

her,withMuonNolathiselbow,buttherewasnomistakingthesigns.FarseerEonKull,theOldOne,wasdead.Theyplacedhisfrailremainsonthefloor.“Wearelost,then,”MuonNolsaid.“Withoutthefarseer,wecannolongerconjurethepactswith

thewarpandclosetheWeb.DolthewilldieassurelyasFarseerEonKull.”“Lilithcandoit,”Gauntsaidsuddenly.MuonNolandLilithlookedathim.“Iknowyoucan,andIknowyouwantto.Thatiswhyyou’rehere,Lilith.”“Whatareyoutalkingabout,Ibram?”shesaid.“You’renottheonlyonewithpull,theonlyonewhocanchaserecordsanddigouthushedfiles.I

didmyresearchonyouassurelyyoudidmine.LilithAbfequarn…psyker,inquisitor,blacknotationrating.”

“GodofTerra,”shesmiled.“You’regood,Ibram.”“Youdon’tknowhowgood.TheBlackShipssingledyououtwhentheyfoundyou.Daughterofa

planetarygovernesswhoseworldedgedthestampinggroundsoftheeldar.Shediedinoneoftheirraids.Youswore…firsttodestroythemandthen,asyougrew,tounderstandthestrangespeciesthathad robbed you so.And that’swhy youwanted thismission: you craved a chance to contact yournemesis.Youwantthis,Lilith.”

ShesankandsathardontheonyxfloorbesideEonKull’scorpse.MuonNolliftedherup.“YouareLileath.Youcandowhatthefarseerwouldhavedone.Closethe

gate,Lileath.TakeusbacktoDoltheforever.”LilithlookedatGaunt.Gauntnoticedforthelasttimehowbeautifulshewas.“Doit…Thatiswhy

youcame.”

Shetookhisshoulders,huggedhimbrieflyandthenpulledawaytolookintohisface.“Itwouldhavebeeninteresting,commissar.”“Fascinating,inquisitor.Nowdoyourjob.”They said goodbye.Mkoll said goodbye toLiloni,Caffran said goodbye toLaria.TheGhosts

saidgoodbyetoTanithandtheBluebloodbadefarewelltoIgnixMajeure.Acoldlight,hardasvacuum,brightasdiamond,piercedtheskyabovetheruin,evaporatingthe

storm in littlemore than aminute.Seventy-five percent of the astropaths aboard the Imperial fleetelements in orbit suffered catastrophic seizures and died. The others passed out. The psychicbackwashoftheeventwasfeltlightyearsaway.

ThespellendedastheWayfinallyclosed.TheeldarleftMonthaxforever,andtookLilithbacktoDolthecraftworldwiththem.SheclosedtheWay,asshehad,perhaps,beenborntodo.OncetheWaywasshut,closely-targetedorbitalbombardmentsincineratedthemassedforcesoftheenemy.

ThejunglesofMonthaxburned.Oncethebombardmentstopped,GauntledhisGhostsandtheVolponeunitbacktowardstheline.

Thestormwasdeadandpalesunlightfellonthem.Theworldaroundthemwasawasteddesertofbakedmudandburnedvegetation.

TheonlymanGaunt had lost in the final assault hadbeenLerod, takenby a remarkably luckyglancingshotofftheroofoftheeldartemple.

IbramGauntsleptforadayandhalfinhiscommandcabin.Hisfatiguewastotal.Hewokewhen

Raglon brought him directives from Lord Militant General Bulledin, orchestrating the ImperialwithdrawalfromMonthax.

Heputonhisfulldressuniform,adjustedhiscapandwentoutintothesmokysunlighttooverseetheTanithas theypackedupandprepared forevacuation.Thevast troop transportscast flickeringshadowsacrossthelinesastheycamein,droningdownfromhighorbit.

Gauntcouldsensethefeelingof themen:weariness,aches, thejoyofagreatvictorysomehowdulledandstrange.

HefoundMilo,sataloneonthesidestepsoftheabandonedinfirmary,cleaninghislasgun.Gauntsatdownnexttohim.

“Oddthewaythingsworkout,isn’tit?”Milosaidbluntly.Gauntnodded.“Ithinkitwasagoodthing,though.”“What?”“Theeldartrick.Goodforus.GoodfortheGhosts.”“Explain?”Gauntasked.“IknowhowIfeel.I’veheardthementalkingtoo.ThiswasTanithagainforus,foryoutoo,I

think.Deep down I thinkwe all hate the factwe never got a chance to fight forTanith. Some areblatantaboutit.Menlike…likeMajorRawne.Otherscanunderstandwhywehadtoleave,whyyouorderedusout.Buttheydon’tlikeit.”

HelookedaroundatGaunt.“Justamindtrickmaybe,butforafewhourstherefortyorsoofusgottofightforTanith,gotto

fightforourworld,gotthechancetodowhatwe’dalwaysbeencheatedoutof.Itfeltgood.EvennowIknowitwasalie,itstillfeelsgood.It…exorcisedafewghosts.”

Gauntsmiled.Theboy’spunwasawful,buthewasright.TheGhostsofTanithhadlaidtheirownghoststoresthere.Theywouldbestrongerforit.

Andsowouldhe,herealised.Theywerehisghostsafterall.Gaunt’sGhosts.

ScanningandbasicproofingbyRedDwarf,formattingandadditionalproofingbyUndead.