chapter one

TableofContents
Cover
TitlePage
Warhammer40,000
Prologue
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-One
Epilogue
AboutTheAuthor
Legal
eBooklicense
Warhammer40,000
Itisthe41stmillennium.FormorethanahundredcenturiestheEmperorhassatimmobileontheGoldenThroneofEarth.Heisthe
masterofmankindbythewillofthegods,andmasterofamillionworldsbythemightofhisinexhaustiblearmies.Heisarottingcarcass
writhinginvisiblywithpowerfromtheDarkAgeofTechnology.HeistheCarrionLordoftheImperiumforwhomathousandsoulsare
sacrificedeveryday,sothathemaynevertrulydie.
Yeteveninhisdeathlessstate,theEmperorcontinueshiseternalvigilance.Mightybattlefleetscrossthedaemon-infestedmiasmaof
thewarp,theonlyroutebetweendistantstars,theirwaylitbytheAstronomican,thepsychicmanifestationoftheEmperor’swill.Vast
armies give battle in his name on uncounted worlds. Greatest amongst His soldiers are the Adeptus Astartes, the Space Marines, bioengineered super-warriors. Their comrades in arms are legion: the Imperial Guard and countless planetary defence forces, the evervigilant Inquisition and the tech-priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus to name only a few. But for all their multitudes, they are barely
enoughtoholdofftheever-presentthreatfromaliens,heretics,mutants-andworse.
Tobeamaninsuchtimesistobeoneamongstuntoldbillions.Itistoliveinthecruellestandmostbloodyregimeimaginable.These
arethetalesofthosetimes.Forgetthepoweroftechnologyandscience,forsomuchhasbeenforgotten,nevertobere-learned.Forget
the promise of progress and understanding, for in the grim dark future there is only war. There is no peace amongst the stars, only an
eternityofcarnageandslaughter,andthelaughterofthirstinggods.
PROLOGUE
ThefourThunderhawkssweptinatfullpowerwiththesunofHydraHydalisattheirbacks,plunging
likeasheafofirontippedspearsatthedarkleviathandriftingbeforethem.Ifsomeone–or
something–onthespacehulkwaswatchingforsignsofattack,RagnarBlackmanewantedtomask
theirapproachuntilthelastpossiblemoment,concealingtheiremissionsamidtheragingsolarwinds
givenoffbythesystem’sthreesuns.
Ithunginthevoidlikethepittedshardofabrokenworld.Ridgesofstone,plainsoficeandtowers
oftrappedmetalstretchedformorethantenkilometres,dwarfingallbutthelargestofImperial
battleships.Andnotthebiggestofitskindbyanystretch,Ragnarthoughtgrimly,studyingitsominous
bulkthroughtheviewportsoftheleadThunderhawk’scommanddeck.
Spacehulksweretheflotsamandjetsamofthewarp,orsothetheorywent,driftinginandoutof
theimmateriumasthoughcarriedonaninvisibletide.Manywerenothingmorethanhunksoflifeless
rock,perhapstornfromworldsbytheteethofwarpstormsinagespast.Others,however,were
studdedwiththehullsofentombedstarships,someofthemtensofthousandsofyearsoldandnotall
ofthemhumanindesign.Suchdiscoverieswerelegendary;oftentheycontainedtreasuretrovesof
losttechnologyandxenoslore.
Sometimestheyalsocarriedhorrorshiddendeepwithintheirdecks:foulalienraiders,hordesof
twistedmutants,orworse.
Whenthespacehulkfirstarrivedattheedgeofthesystemalmosteightstandardmonthsagothe
handfulofdecrepitshipsthatcomprisedtheHydalissystemdefencesquadrondrewcloseenoughto
performaseriesoflong-rangeauguries.Notlongafterwards,thealarmhadgoneoutviaastropath,
andthreemonthslaterFenrissentitsanswer.
Nowallthatstoodbetweentheoncominghulkandtheforty-fivebillionImperialcitizensofHydra
CordaliswasRagnarBlackmaneandhissmallcompanyofWolves.
TheharshlightofHydalis’sprimarygavethenotionalprowofthehulkableachedout,blue-grey
cast.Tendrilsofsteamwreathedtherockysurfaceaspocketsoftrappediceboiledawaybeneaththe
suns’harshglare.Hereandthere,thelightflaredpainfullybrightalongasparofmetalorashardof
jaggedhullplating.Abyssalshadowspooledinthedepthsofancientimpactcraters.Theyseemedto
shiftwiththechangingpositionoftheThunderhawk,likethemultipleeyesofsomevastpredator.The
thoughtleftacoldfeelingintheWolfLord’sgut.RagnarwasfirstandforemostasonofFenris,and
hispeoplehadahealthydreadforthehorrorsofthedeep.
Baringhisfangsinasilentsnarl,Ragnarsurveyedthered-litinteriorofthecommanddeck.Itwas
acrampedspaceatthebestoftimes,thepilotandco-pilotside-by-sideattheforwardendofthe
compartment.Amastertech-priestandtheseniorauguroperatorsituateddirectlybehindthem.The
twobondsmenwerefittedinbulky,armouredflightsuitsthatmadethemlookslope-shoulderedand
apelike,butRagnar ’spowerarmouredbulkloomedheadandshouldersabovethemall.WiththeWolf
Lordstandingatthebackofthecompartmenttheatmospherewasnearlyclaustrophobic,butthecrew
didtheirlevelbesttogoabouttheirworkasthoughRagnarwasn’tthere.
TheWolfLordturnedhisgazetotheauguroperatorathisright.‘Anychange?’heasked.
‘None,lord,’thecrewmanreplied,nevertakinghiseyesfromthewaveringlinesontheaugur
screensbeforehim.Theoperatorreachedupwithaglovedhandandmadeaminuteadjustmenttoa
setofbrassfronteddials.‘Noengineheatoraugursignals.It’sdriftingataconstantrate,headingfor
thecentreofthesystem.’
‘Anypoweremissionsatall?’Ragnarinquired.
Thecrewmanshookhishead.‘Nonesofar,’hesaid.‘We’llknowmoreaswegetcloser.’
Ragnarnoddedthoughtfully,andthenaddressedthepilot.‘Whereisthehullthatthedefenceships
spottedontheiraugurs?’
ThepilotglancedoverhisshoulderattheWolfLord;likeRagnar,theSpaceWolfwasn’twearinga
helmet.Brightblueeyesglitteredbeneathapairofshaggyredeyebrows,andaweboffinescars
indentedthepaleskinofhisrightcheek.‘We’llfinditonthedorsalsideofthehulk,lord,’thepilot
saidinarumblingvoice,‘roughlyamidships,sotheysaid.We’llbethereinanotherfewminutes.’
Thenheturnedbackandkeyedthevox-beadbehindhisear.‘Jotunflight:approachpatternEpsilon,’
thepilotgrowled,‘andSnorri,keepyourfatarsetuckedintoformationthistime.Ifyougetshot
downagainyou’rewalkingbacktoFenris!’
Ragnarcouldn’thearSnorri’sreply,buttheflightleaderletoutaboominglaughandpushedthe
throttlesforward.ThethreeotherThunderhawksintheflightshookoutintoarougharrowhead
formation,andtheirthrustersflaredblue-whiteastheybeganthefinalphaseoftheirapproach.
TheWolfLordshiftedhisweightandreachedforanearbystanchionastheassaultcraftpulledinto
aclimbthatcarriedthemoverthehulk’sbulbousprowatadistanceoflessthanahundredmetres.
JumbledplainsofrockandtwistedmetalflashedbyunderneaththeThunderhawk’snose.Ragnar
caughtfleetingglimpsesofbrokenhullsjuttingfromthesurface:herethecurvedbowofanImperial
merchantship,therethesaw-toothedprofileofanorkraider.Oncehethoughthecaughtthedull
sheenofyellowedboneencasedinasteamingsheetofice.
Thenhesawit,likeadarkcathedralrisingfromabrokenfieldofstone.‘There,offtostarboard,’
Ragnarsaid,pointingjusttotherightoftheircurrentcourse.‘That’sit!’
‘Where?’thepilotsaid,peeringintothedarkness.Thenhestraightenedinhisseat.‘Ah,yes.Iseeit
now.’
Theancientwarshiprosefromthecentreofthehulkasthoughithadtakenshapearoundher.Plains
ofbrokenstonestretchedawayonallsides,risingalmosttothelevelofherdorsalturretdeck.Her
buttressedcommandbridgestoodstraightandtall,stillremarkablyintactaftermorethanfour
thousandyears.TheprowoftheImperialbattleshipwasalmostcompletelyburied,butRagnarsaw
thatinsteadofthecustomaryeagle’sheadatitscrownthererosethefigureofanarmouredwarrior,
swordandshieldheldready.
Thetechpriestshiftedinhisseatandpulledathick,leather-coveredtomefromasatcheltucked
underneathhisconsole.Thepriestflippedthroughtheyellowedpages,comparingthewingedstatue
onthewarshipwiththeimagespicturedinthebook.Suddenlyhesatupright.‘Hereitis,’hesaid,his
voicetingedwithawe.‘She’stheDominusBellum.OneofVandire’sships,accordingtothetext.
DisappearedrightafterthebattleofOpheliaVII.’
Ragnarstudiedthederelictcarefully.Theconditionoftheancientbattleshipwascrucialtohis
plans.Assoonashe’dreceivedthereportfromtheHydalisdefencesquadronheknewthathislone
strikecruiser,theStormwolf,hadnochanceofdestroyingthehulkonitsown.IftheDominusBellum’s
reactorswerestillintact,however,itwaspossibletheycoulddestroythedriftinghulkfromwithin.
‘Anypowerreadings?’theWolfLordasked.
Theauguroperatorstudiedhisscreensandshookhishead.‘Nolord.It’s…wait!’Hebegantuning
asetofdials,andthelinesononeofthescreenssuddenlyspiked.‘I’mpickingupenergyspikes
alongthedorsalhullandz-bandaugursignals!’
‘Morkai’steeth!’thepilotcursed,grabbingforhismic.‘Jotunflight!Evasiveaction!’
Justashespoke,Ragnarsawpinpricksoffireflashandstutteralongthelengthofthebattleship’s
upperdeck,andsuddenlytheThunderhawkwasengulfedinnetsoftracerfireandblastsofexplosive
shells.HammerblowsrangagainsttheThunderhawk’sarmouredhull,andtheWolfLordwasthrown
forwardastheassaultshipdivedevenclosertothehulk’streacheroushull.TheotherThunderhawks
ofJotunflightfollowedsuit,smokestreamingfromminorhitsalongtheirfuselagesandwings.
RagnartightenedhisgriponthestanchionastheThunderhawkplungedthroughthechaoticstorm
offire.Thebattleship’sdefensiveturretsblazedawayattheoncomingassaultships,fillingthevoid
withawallofenergybolts,shellsandstreamsofhigh-velocityslugs.Shrapnelfromnearmisses
rakedattheThunderhawk’sflanks,andablowlikeaTitan’sfistsmotethecraftonthestarboardside.
Luridrediconsflashedurgentlyonthetech-priest’sconsole,andtheyoungcrewmanbeganflipping
switcheshurriedlyashewhisperedaprayerofsalvationtotheOmnissiah.
TheWolfLordgrowledunderhisbreath.Theplanhadbeentotryandfindanintacthangardeckto
landon,butthatwasoutofthequestionnow.Ragnarrealisedthatanyhopeofarapidandorderly
sweepofthederelicthadjustbeenthrownoutoftheairlock.Hereachedforwardwithhisfreehand
andgrippedthepilot’sshoulder.‘Fullassaultprofile!’heyelled.‘Getusonboardanywayyoucan.’
Noddinghishead,thepilotkeyedhisvox-beadtorelayorderstotheflight.Anotherblowshook
theassaultship,andRagnar ’skeennosecaughtthesmellofburningcircuitry.Quickashecould,the
WolfLordturnedandsteppedthroughtherearhatchway,headingdowntheladderbeyondtothe
assaultbaywherehisWolfGuardandthecompany’spriestswaited.
Ragnardroppeddowntothemetalcladdeckwithaclang.Thecavernousassaultbay,largeenough
forthirtyfully-armedSpaceMarines,wascrowdedwithtenwarriorsinmassiveTactical
Dreadnoughtarmour.Thoughslowandponderous,theancientsuitsofTerminatorarmourwereideal
forthecloseconfinesofaspacehulk’spassageways,andRagnarhadbroughteveryoneofthe
ancientsuitshecouldmuster.PowerfistsflexedandarmouredheadsswivelledtoregardtheWolf
Lord,andachorusofroughhowlsgreetedRagnarfromtheWolfGuard’svox-units.Jurgen,the
company’sIronPriest,waitedatthefarendofthebay,flankedbyfourpowerfulthrallservitors.
JurgenwaslockedintohisassaultcradleliketheotherWolves,hishelmetedheadbowedashereada
litanyofprotectionfromasmall,metalcladbookinhisgauntletedhands.
NexttoRagnar,anadamantinehelmetworkedintheshapeofamassivewolfskullturnedslightly
toregardhim.Palegoldenlensesthecolouroflupineeyesstudiedhimfromthedepthsofthehelm’s
blackoculars.Thevox-unitontheWolfPriest’sTerminatorsuitcrackled.‘Itakeitthehulkishostile,’
hesaidlaconically.
Ragnarchuckled,steppingtohisassaultcradleandreachingforhiswaitinghelmet.Normallyhe
hatedwearingthething,preferringtofeelthethunderofbattleandthehottouchofbloodonhisskin.
Thatsortofthingrequiredair,however,andtherewasnowaytoknowifthey’dfindanyinsidethe
battleship’shull.‘Frankly,itneveroccurredtomethatitmightbeotherwise,’hereplied.‘Ididn’t
expectthishotareception,though.’
Hepulledthehelmetonandlockeditintotheadamantinegorget.Therewasamomentofdarkness,
andthen,immediately,thehelm’sopticalsystemsflickeredintolife.Iconsandreadoutsshoneindull
coloursatthecornersofhisvision,showingthestatusofhissuitandthoseofhispack.Witha
murmuredcommand,hetappedintotheThunderhawk’scommandchannelandreceivedstatusicons
fromtherestofthecompanyashelockedhimselfintotheassaultcradle.TheWolfLordnoted
grimlythatthreeiconsinHogun’sBloodClawpackwereflashingamber.JotunFour’sbeenhithard,
Ragnarthoughtgrimly.Threemenoutofactionandwehaven’tevenreachedthetargetyet.Anill
omen.
Amassiveimpactstrucktherearquarteroftheassaultship,hardenoughtothrowRagnaragainst
thecradle’srestraints.Hisstomachlurchedforhalfaninstantasthewholeshipseemedtoslew
sideways.Thebattlelanternsflickered.Inthedarkness,oneoftheWolfGuardthrewbackhishead
andhowledlikeafiend.Fistandswordclashedagainstarmour,androughvoicesbarkedoutbattle
chantsasoldasFenrisitself.Ragnarbaredhisteethinthecloseconfinesofhishelmetandfelthis
bloodburn.
Thentherewasathunderousroar,andtheThunderhawkshookfromstemtostern.Abrightred
iconflashedawarningbutRagnaralreadyknewwhatwascoming.‘Herewego!’hebellowed,and
theassaultcrafttoucheddownonthebattleship’shullwithabone-crushingimpactandascreamof
torturedmetal.
Ragnarreboundedfromthecradlerestraintsandsmashedafistagainstthequickrelease.Witha
murmuredbenediction,hequeriedtheThunderhawk’smachine-spiritandgaugedthepositionofhis
forces.Jotunflighthadbrokenformationattheflightleader ’sorderandtheirhigh-speedapproaches
hadscatteredtheminawidearcacrossthebattleship’sdorsalhull.JotunFourwasclosesttoRagnar ’s
Thunderhawk,landingparalleltotheWolfLord’sassaultshipalmost750metresaway.JotunTwo
hadlandedintheshadowofoneofthebattleship’smassivedorsallanceturrets,welloverathousand
metresdistant.Therewasnowaytotellbythereadoutiftheassaultshipwouldbeabletotakeoff
oncemore.JotunThreewasnowheretobeseen,theThunderhawk’siconconspicuouslyabsentfrom
thereadout.
Ragnarbitbackasulphurouscurse.HegesturedtoJurgen.‘Ventralbreach,’heordered,andthe
IronPriestleaptintoaction.Slippingoutofhisassaultcradle,Jurgenmovednimblyamongthe
hulkingTerminatorsandkneltbeforeahatchonthedeckinthecentreofthebay.TheIronPriest’s
voicerolledsonorouslyfromthevox-unitofhisornatelyworkedpowerarmour,askingforgiveness
fromtheancientspiritsoftheDominusBellum,andthenpronouncingtheBenedictionoftheFiery
Breachasheflippedopenanaccesspanelbesidethehatch.Jurgenliftedaheavylever,andtheshaped
meltachargesattachedtotheventralbreachingunitdetonatedwithaleadenthump.Therewasa
shriekingofincandescentgasesasthefocusedplasmachargedrovelikeamoltenspeartipthrough
morethanhalfadozenmetresofheavyarmourandpiercedthebattleship’shull.
Movingwiththespeedandeaseofveteranwarriors,theWolfGuardquicklyformeduparoundthe
ventralhatch,readytojumpoff.Ragnarkeyedopenthecommandchannelonhisvox-unit.Forthe
moment,hecouldtapintothevox-networkofJotunFlight’stransportsandcommunicatewithhis
scatteredforces.Heknewfromexperiencethatwouldchangeoncehewasinsidethehullofthehuge
warship.‘StrikeTeamSurtur,statusreport,’hecalled.
Thecompany’sWolfScoutsandLeif’sGreyHunterpackaboardJotunTwocheckedinfirst.
‘We’regoinginnow,’theWolfGuardpackleaderreported.‘Imarkyourpositionattwelvehundred
metres.Hogun’spackiscloser.DoyouwantmeandPeturtolinkupwiththeBloodClawsfirst?’
‘Youlooktoyourownpack,Leif,’Hoguncutin.TheBloodClawpackleader ’svoicewasroughedgedwithfury.‘TheBloodClawshuntalone!’
ThevehemenceinHogun’svoicesurprisedRagnar.TheWolfGuardhadproventobeacold,
clear-eyedwarrior,whichwaswhyhe’dbeengivencommandofthehot-headedBloodClawsinthe
firstplace.‘What’sthestatusofyourpack,Hogun?’Ragnarsnapped.
‘Threebrothersarebadlywounded.TheyhaveslippedintotheRedDream,’Hogunsnarled.Space
Marines,withtheirenhancedphysiologyandredundantvitalorgans,wereextraordinarilydifficultto
kill.SpaceMarinesinthefieldwhohadbeenincapacitatedbytheirwoundsoftenwentintoalifesustainingformofsuspendedanimationuntiltheycouldreceivepropertreatment.‘Aburstofshells
torethroughtheassaultbay,’thepackleadercontinued.‘Therestofusgotawaywithminorwounds.’
‘DoesanyoneknowwhathappenedtoJotunThree?’Ragnarasked.
‘Theywerehithard,justshortofthetarget,’Leifreported.‘Ican’tbecertain,butIthinkthey
overshotandlandedonthestarboardsideoftheship.’
‘Havetheycontactedyou?’
‘No,lord.It’spossibletheirvoxsystemwasknockedout.AsIsaid,theywerehithard.’
ThatleftapackofGreyHuntersandthecompany’sLongFangsunaccountedforandpossibly
dead.Ragnardrewhisboltpistolandconsideredhisoptions.‘Allright,’hesaid.‘Iandmypackwill
activateourbeaconsnow.Leif,youandHogunhomeinonoursignal.Petur,takeyourscoutsandsee
ifyoucanlocateJotunThree.We’llholdhereuntileveryonehaslinkedup.Thenwe’llheadafttothe
reactorvault.Nowgo,andRussbewithyou.’
‘ForRussandtheAllfather!’Leifanswered,andthechannelwentsilent.
Satisfied,Ragnaractivatedhispowerarmour ’srecoverybeaconandinstructedhisWolfGuardto
dothesame.ThenhegaveJurgenacurtnod,andtheIronPriestturnedaheavydialonthecontrol
panelbesidethehatch.Withasharphissandacolumnofscaldingsteam,thebreachinghatchslid
open.Ragnarsteppedtotheedgeandpeereddownintoacircularshaftofsemi-moltenmetalthat
droppedawayintodarkness.Baringhisfangsinthecloseconfinesofhishelmet,theWolfLordleapt
intotheshaft.
Thedropwaslongerthanheexpected.Ragnarfellthroughthebreachingshaftandintoa
cavernousspacebeneath,hittingthecanteddecktwentymetresbelowwithanechoingboom.He
landedinacrouch,servoswhining,andthenleapttohisfeetanddashedforward,pistolattheready.
Hisswordflashedfromitsscabbard,itsdiamond-hardteethwhirringtodeadlylifewithafaint,
ominousmoan.
Hefoundhimselfinalong,high-ceilingedpassagewaycrowdedwithdebris.Armouredviewports
letinthefaintgleamofstarlight,givingthesilentcorridoraghostlycast.Fallensupportbeamsand
smashedmasonryfromtoppledstatuesandbrokencontainerswerestrewneverywhere.Thedustof
agesswirledinfainteddiesaroundRagnar ’sfeet.Hisarmourregisteredheatandatmosphere,heavy
withnitrogenandlacedwithanacridstinkthatsettheWolfLord’steethonedge.
TheWolfPriestlandednext,powercracklingmenacinglyfromhiscroziusarcanum,andthen
cametheWolfGuardTerminatorsinrapidsuccession.TheTerminatorsfacedoutwardsinacircular
perimetertoallowJurgenandhisthrallstolowerdowntheircargo:anarmouredcasecontaininga
plasmabreachingcharge.TheIronPriestreckonedthattheywouldneedaminimumofthreecharges
topiercethebattleship’sreactorcoresanddestroythehulk.Ragnarhadbroughtfour,justtobesafe.
Leif’spackhadone,Hogun’spackanother,andEinar,theGreyHunterpackleaderonJotunThree,
hadthespare.WithEinarmissing,however,they’dlosttheirsafetymargin,whichRagnardidn’tlike
atall.
PowerfulsearchlightscutthroughthedarknessastheWolfGuardactivatedtheirsuitlights.‘Ho,
lord!’oneofthewarriorscalledout.‘Havealookatthis.’
Ragnarfollowedthebeamofthewarrior ’ssearchlightandsawacuriouspileofweaponslyingin
thedust.Frowning,theWolfLordwalkedoverandinspectedthem.Theywerecrudeswordsandaxes
shapedfrombulkheadplating,thehidegripstatteredandgrey.Amassive,ungainlyfirearm,clearly
builtforsomethingmuchlargerthanamanlaynearby.Along,twistedbeltofcorrodedshellslay
pooledbeneaththeweapon.
‘Greenskins,’Ragnargrowled.‘Therewereorksonthisshipatsomepoint,butwhathappenedto
them?’
‘Thepreviousownersmusthaveseenthemoff,’theWolfPriestreplied.‘Someoneturnedthose
turretsonus.’
‘Notso,’Jurgensaid,loweringthebreachingchargecarefullytothedeck.Withahissof
pneumatics,theIronPriest’spowerfulservo-armretractedagainsthisbackpack.‘Itcouldhavebeen
anautomatedresponsetriggeredbytheship’smachine-spirit,’hesaid,andshrugged.‘Atleastnow
weknowthebattleship’sreactorsarestillactive.’
Ragnarnudgedthepileofcrudeweaponswiththetoeofhisboot.‘Thenwhathappenedtothe
greenskins?’hemused,‘andwhyweretheirbodiesremoved,buttheirweaponsleftbehind?’
AsenseofforebodingcreptupontheWolfLord,pricklingthehairsonthebackofhisneck.
Somethingwasverywrong.Heturnedandpeeredwarilydowntherubblestrewnpassagewayleading
aft.Ragnarcouldfeelachillcreepingoverhim,likearimeoffrostspreadinginexorablyacrossthe
surfaceofhisbrain.HesuddenlyregrettednothavingtheservicesofaRunePriestathisdisposal.
Ragnarkeyedhisvox-unit.‘Allpacksreportin,’heordered.
Ahissingscreechofstaticanswered.Wordscameandwentinthetorrentofnoise.Itmighthave
beenHogun,butRagnarcouldn’tbesure.‘Damnedarmouredbulkheads,’hemuttered.
‘Hist!’TheWolfPriestsaid.‘Didyouhearthat?’
Ragnarcockedhisheadandlistened,straininghisenhancedsensestotheutmost.There!Heheard
it,awhisperysound,likewindoverbrokenstonesorthehissofadistanttide.
Orlikethedryclatterofclaws,hundredsandhundredsofthem,scrabblingalongthedeckofan
ancientbattleship.
Theysweptupthepassagewayinaseethingwaveofchitin,theirarmouredshellsshiningdullyin
thesearchlights.Thexenosswarmflowedoverobstaclesandalongthepittedwallslikeaswarmof
spiders,theirfourarmsandpowerfullegsscrabblingforpurchaseontheslickmetalbulkheads.They
werealmostaslargeasSpaceMarines,withbroad,talonedhandsthatlookedcapableofrending
adamantiumplate,andarmouredcarapacesthatshoneamottledgreenbeneaththeWolfGuard’ssuit
lights.Theirheadswerebulbousandvaguelyhumanoid,eachwithaleering,fangedmouthandblack
eyesascoldastheAbyssitself.
ThepeopleofHydraHydaliswereinfargreaterdangerthananyoneimagined.
‘Genestealers!’Ragnarsnarled,raisinghisboltpistolandfiringintotheoncomingmass.
Carapacesburst,andtornlimbsspunthroughtheairasthemass-reactiveshellsfoundtheirmarks.
Keening,inhumanshrieksechoedalongthepassageway,andwerelostintherattlingthunderofstorm
boltersastheWolvesofFenrisansweredtheirfoes.
Thefrontranksofthexenoshordewrithedandrippledasstreamsofexplosiveshellstorethrough
them,blastingfrenziedmonstersapart.OneoftheWolfGuardsteppedforwardwitharoarand
levelledaheavyflamerattheoncominghorde.Scoresofshriekingcreaturesvanishedinaseething
blastofpromethium,buttherestcameon,tramplingtheirburningkinbeneaththeweightofhundreds
ofclawedfeet.
Shoutsandgunfireechoedfromtheforwardendofthepassagewayaswell.Thexenosmonsters
hadthemsurrounded.RagnarcaughtaglimpseoftheWolfPriestontheothersideoftheperimeter,
directingfirefromhalftheWolfGuardintothenewwaveofattackers.AsecondTerminatoropened
firewithhisheavyflamer,sweepingtheforwardpassageinanarcofall-consumingflame.
AgenestealerleaptatRagnarfromhighonthestarboardwallofthepassageway,reachingforthe
WolfLordwithitstalonedhands.Ragnarpivotedonhisleftfootandshotthecreaturepoint-blank,
hurlingitsshatteredbodyintotheoncomingmob.Morealienmonsterswereleapingathim,
droppingfromthewallsorboundingaheadoftheoncominghorde.Ragnar ’sfrostbladehowledas
hedecapitatedoneattackerinmid-leap,andthenspunandseveredthelimbsofanother.Afourth
monsterrearedbeforehimlikeacobra.Howlinghisbattlelust,Ragnarshotthecreatureintheface.
Thentheairfilledwithmindless,screechingcriesasthetideofhorrorssweptovertheSpaceWolves.
ClawsslashedandrangagainstRagnar ’sarmour.Rendingtalonsjabbedlikeknives,strikinghip,
shoulder,neckandface.TheWolfLord’shearthammeredinhischest,andhisbloodseethedwith
righteousrage.Heswepthisancientswordindevastatingarcs,splittingtorsos,severinglimbsand
slicingthroats.Thestinkofxenosfluidsfilledtheair,andeveryblowthemonsterslandedonRagnar
onlyenflamedhimfurther.Thebattlemadnesswasuponhim,andheembraceditgladly.
Ragnar ’svisionnarrowed.Ahowlingfilledhisears,risingandfallinginvolumelikeaspiritof
thedamned.Thesoundsofbattleblurred,asthoughechoingfromfaraway.Eventheblurringspeed
ofthealiensseemedtoslow.Atalonfoundachinkinhisarmourandbitdeep.TheWolfLord
decapitatedthemonsterwithabackhandedslash,andthencoollyshotthreemoremonsterspointblank.AwarningiconatthecornerofhiseyetoldRagnarhispistolwasempty.Hesmashedthebutt
ofthepistolintotheskullofanotherleapingxenosanddasheditsbodytothedeck.
Allaroundhim,theWolfGuardlashedoutatthefrenziedcreatureswithfistandblade,their
Terminatorsuitssplashedwithalienblood.RagnarglimpsedJurgentheIronPriesthurlingknotsof
brokencreaturesthroughtheairwithsweepsofhispowerfulservo-arm.TheWolfPrieststoodatthe
othersideofthecircle,layingaboutwithhisfierycroziusarcanumandbellowingafellbattlechant
inthetongueofFenris.
AmonsterleaptatRagnarfromtheleft.Withoutthinking,theWolfLordstunnedthecreaturewitha
blowfromhispistolandthensplititfromshouldertohipwithhisblood-stainedblade.Another,
seeingitsopportunity,dashedinfromtheoppositeside,talonsslashingforRagnar ’sthroat.Yet
beforeitcouldreachtheWolfLord,themonsterwastornapartinastreamofstormboltershells
fromanearbyWolfGuard.
Ragnarspunaround,seekingmorefoestoslay,buteverywherehelookedhefoundonlythe
heapedbodiesofthefallen.Terminatorsmovedamongtheenemydead,smokerisingfromthe
barrelsoftheirstormboltersastheyfinishedoffthewounded.ThreeoftheIronPriest’sthrallswere
dead,theirflesh-and-metalbodiesrippedapartbyalienclaws.Jurgenkneltbesidethefourth,
attemptingtorepairadamagedlegjoint.TheWolfPrieststoodofftooneside,bloodyand
indomitable,hisTerminatorarmourlimnedinluridredlightfromstillburningpoolsof
promethium.
TheWolfLordbreatheddeeply,tryingtomasterthefireburninginhisblood.Hishandsworkedof
theirownaccord,droppingtheboltpistol’semptymagazineandslappinginanother.Thehowling
continuedtoechoinhisears,asavage,bestialsound,devoidofreasonorsanity.
Withachill,Ragnarrealisedthatitwascomingoverthecommandchannel.Itsoundedlike
Hogun’svoice.
‘Hogun?’Ragnarcalledoverthevox.‘Hogun,answerme!’Abruptly,thehowlingceased,but
Hogunmadenoreply.Cursingsilently,theWolfLordswitchedchannels.‘Leif?Doyouread?’
ImmediatelyRagnarheardaresponse,butitwastoogarbledbystatictomakeout.
SuddenlytheWolfPriestwhirled,raisinghisstormbolter.‘Morescrabblingsounds,’hewarned,
‘comingfromfurtheraft.’
Nowthattheyhadbeendiscovered,thegenestealerswereswarmingfromtheirhidingplacesand
seekingouttheintruders.Itwaslikelythatallofthepackswereunderattack,andtheBloodClaws
soundedliketheywereindiretrouble.IfRagnardidn’tactquicklythewholecompanymightbe
overrun,andthefateofthesystemwouldbesealed.‘Followme!’heordered,headingdownthe
forwardendofthepassageinthedirectionofHogun’spack.‘Heavyflamerscovertherear.Idon’t
wantanyofthosexenosbeastsovertakingus.’
TheWolfGuardfellintoformationwithoutaword,surroundingJurgenandhisdemolitioncharge
astheymoveddownthepassagewayatarumblingtrot.TheWolfPriestlopedsilentlybesideRagnar,
peeringwarilyintothegloom.Nodoubthe’dheardthehowlsoverthevox-netaswell,andcould
guesswhattheyportended.
IthadbeenalongtimesinceRagnarhadheardsuchacryfromabrotherWolf.EverySpaceWolf
hadtocontendwiththebeastwithin.ThegiftsRussgavetohissonsweredouble-edged,like
everythingelseaboutFenris.Thestrengthandferocityofthewolfcouldnotbetamed,butconstantly
tuggedatitschains,testingthewillofitsmaster,andmadenodistinctionbetweenfriendorfoe.To
thewolf,therewasonlythehuntandthejoyofthekill.
Ragnarhadtravelledalmostsevenhundredmetresdownthepassagewaywhenhecameuponthe
firstxenosbodies.Thedeadmonstershadbeenburstbyboltpistolshellsorsplitbyaxeandsword,
andthefurtherhewentthemorenumeroustheybecame.
Thefieldofslaughterstretchedforalmostahundredmetresdownthepassageway,withdeadaliens
piledindriftsalmostashighasRagnar ’schest.Hogun’sBloodClawshadwagedanepicfight,driven
slowlybutsteadilybackwardsbythesheerweightoftheirfoes.Ragnarfoughtbackawaveofdread,
expectingtofindthetorncorpsesofthepacksomewhereahead.
Instead,atrioofgore-splashedwarriorsleaptfrombehindapileofaliencorpses,levellingtheir
boltpistolsatRagnar ’shead.OneoftheBloodClawshadlosthishelmetinthebattle,andhiseyes
werewildwithbattlelust.Recognisingtheirlord,theBloodClawsloweredtheirweaponsatonceand
steppedaside.‘Hail,RagnarWolfLord,’thebare-headedwarriorcriedbreathlessly.
‘Hail,Bregi,’Ragnarreplied,steppingpastthewarriors.Hefoundhimselfatacorridorjunction,
occupiedbyeightrestlessBloodClaws.Theirarmourwasbatteredandrent,spatteredwithgorefrom
headtotoe.Theyraisedtheirstainedweaponsinsalute,andRagnarsalutedinreturn.‘Whathappened
here?’heasked.
Bregisteppedforward,headheldhigh.‘Wewereonourwaytomeetyou,lord,’hesaid,‘andthe
cursedxenoswerewaitingforus.Theywerehidinginthedebrisandhangingintheshadowsalong
thewalls.Hoguntriedtoleadusoutoftheambush,buttherewerejusttoomanyofthem.’TheBlood
Clawglanceddownthepassageway,hisexpressiongrim.‘Theyforcedusallthewaybackhere,and
thentheyhitusfromthejunction,too.Theybrokethroughourcordon,andthenitwaseverywarrior
forhimself.’TheyoungwarriorfacedRagnar.‘IlostcountofallthemonstersIslew,butforevery
oneIstruckdownitseemedtenmorewerewaitingtotakeitsplace.ThenHogun…hebegantohowl,’
Bregisaid,andahauntedlookcameoverhim.‘Hehurledhimselfathisfoes,slayinghalf-a-dozen
monsterswitheverysweepofhisaxe.Itwas…terribletobehold.’
Ragnarnoddedgrimly.‘Iknowofwhatyouspeak.Whathappenedthen?’
‘Hogunfoughtlikeawildbeast,’Bregicontinued.‘Thexenosfilthcouldn’tstandagainsthim.He
killedeverythinghecouldreach,andthen,whenthereweren’tanymonsterslefttokill,hetookto
hackingupthecorpses.We…wetriedtostophim,triedtocalmhimdown,butwhenErdwulfand
HalvdanlaidhandsonhimheturnedandsplitErdwulf’sskull.’TheBloodClaw’sgazefelluponthe
bodiesofhisthreepackmates.‘HalvdanandSvipdaegfoughthim,thinkingHogunpossessed,and
perhapshewas.Hogunlosthishelmetinthefight,andIsawthelookonhisface.’Bregilookedupat
Ragnar.‘Hewaswolfbitten,lord.Isawitinhiseyes.He’sbeenlosttotheWulfen.’
‘Whereishenow?’Ragnarasked.
‘HekilledHalvdanandSvipdaegandthenranoffdownthatjunction,howlinglikeoneofthe
damned,’Breglireplied.‘Hetookthedemolitionchargewithhim.Itwasstillstrappedtohisback.’
Ragnarbitbackacurse.‘You’repackleadernow,Bregi,’hesaid.‘TheOldWolfwillhearofyour
pack’scouragewhenwereturntotheFang.Nowseetoyourmen.’
Breginoddedgravelyandturnedtohiswaitingpack.
Aterriblehowlechoedfromthejunctioncorridor.Itwasafearsome,hungrysound,fraughtwith
madnessandpain.
Memoriesroseunbiddeninhismind,downthelongspanofyears:ofthefightingonCharysand
theill-fatedjourneyoftheFistofRuss;ofGabriellaandhisoldcompanions,TorinandHaegr.He
sawinhismind’seyethestormwrackedplain,andheardthemournfulhowlsoftheWulfen.Theyhad
allexperiencedthecurseoftheWulfen-kindonthatdarkcampaign,eachintheirownway.Fora
time,theyhadallknownwhatitmeanttobelost.
TheWolfPrieststeppedclose,hisgazepenetratingandinscrutable.‘Whatnow,WolfLord?’he
askedquietly.
Intruth,therewasonlyonethinghecoulddo.‘Tendtothefallen,’Ragnarsaid.‘I’mgoingafter
Hogun.’
CHAPTERONE
‘Twelvesecondstoinsertion!’MikalSternmarkshoutedoverthevox,hisvoicerisingoverthe
shriekingwindandthethunderoftheguns.‘We’reenteringtheflakbarriernow.’
Asifoncue,aheavyshellexplodedclosetoBerekThunderfist’sdrop-pod,pepperingits
armouredhidewithshrapnel,andshakingtheWolfLordinhisrestraintslikearatinaterrier ’sjaws.
Moreshellsexplodedinrapidsuccession,likestaccatodrumbeatsagainstthedrop-pod’sskin,asthe
assaultforcestreakedatnear-supersonicspeedthroughthecapitalcity’sairdefencezone.
TheImperialGuardcommandersonthegroundhadassuredhimthatmostofthecity’santi-aircraft
gunshadbeenknockedoutofactioninthelastfewweeks.Anotherblastranglikeahammerblow
againstthepod’sflank,hardenoughtorattleBerek’steeth.IfthiswastheirideaoflightAAfire,by
Russhedidn’twanttoknowwhatafullbarragefeltlike.
‘Hangon,lads,’hesaidwithafiercelaugh,‘here’swheretheridegetsrough!’
TheChaosuprisingwasinitsfourthmonthontheplanetCharys,anagri-worldominouslycloseto
Fenris.ServantsoftheRuinousPowershadarisenondozensofworldsspreadacrosstheSpaceWolf
domains,overthrowinglocalgovernments,stagingsuicideattacksanddisruptingvitalmilitaryand
industrialnetworks.ManyoftheuprisingshadbeenbrutallydealtwithbytheSpaceWolvesandlocal
ImperialGuardunits,butthespeedandferocityofthecampaignhadlefttheChapterscatteredand
theirresourcesstretchedthin.ElementsoftheSpaceWolves’twelvegreatcompanieswereinaction
onmorethantwodozenworlds,andseveralimportantsectorswereteeteringonthebrinkofanarchy.
Theattackswereanythingbutrandom.TheOldWolfLoganGrimnar,MasteroftheChapter,had
seenthatatonce.IthadbegunwithaChaosuprisingamongtheprimitivexenostribesonHyades,
triggeringnear-simultaneousattacksacrossvaststretchesofspace.Acomplexanddeviousplanhad
beensetinmotion,onethathadclearlybeenintheworksforagreatmanyyears.Theenemy’s
ultimateobjectiveremainedamystery,butonethingwasclear:iftheChaosforceswerenotstopped
soon,thedamageinflictedtomanyofthelocalsectorscouldtakedecades,ifnotcenturiestorepair.
BerekandtheOldWolfhadstudiedthepatternoftheuprisingsformonths,lookingforthe
lynchpinoftheChaoscampaign.EveryindicatorpointedtoCharys,whichwaswhyhe’dbroughthis
entiregreatcompanytotheagri-worldandassumedcommandoftheplanetarydefences.Within
hoursofhisarrivalhe’dlaidplansforacounter-offensiveaimedatdrivingaspearintothe
uprising’sheart.HeandhisSpaceWolveswerethetipofthatspear,plungingontrailsoffirefrom
thecompany’sbattle-bargehighoverhead.
Battlereportsfromtheplanet’ssurfaceindicatedthattwolocalGuardregimentsandthevast
majorityofthelocalPlanetaryDefenceForcehadforsakentheirholyoathsandswornfealtytothe
RuinousPowers.OpposingthemweresevenloyalGuardregimentsshippedinfromneighbouring
worlds,eachofthemlockedinbitterurbancombattorecapturetheworld’smajorpopulationcentres.
Interrogationsofcapturedofficersandmilitiamenpointedtotheformergovernor,LordVolkus
Bredwyr,andhisfamilyastheleadersoftherevolt.Evidently,LordBredwyrandhishouseholdhad
nurturedanobscenecultwithintheboundsofthegovernor ’spalace,fromwheretheycontinuedto
issueorderstotheirfollowersallovertheworld.
Bereksworethatallthatwasgoingtochangeinthenextfewminutes.
ThecapitalcityofCharyswasheavilydefended,occupiedbyoneoftherebels’traitorregiments
andunitsofheavilyarmedplanetarymilitia.Weeksofartilleryandaerialbombardmenthadlevelled
thecitywallsandreducedentiredistrictstosmokingrubble,butrebelforceshadplacedstrongpoints
ateveryintersectionandturnedthenarrowstreetsintominedkillzones.LoyalGuardregiments
operatingfromthenearbystarporthadonlymanagedtoseizeanarrowfootholdontheeasternfringe
ofthecity,almostadozenkilometresfromthefortressofthegovernor ’spalace.Theairoverthe
massive,walledcompoundshimmeredwiththedarkhazeofanImperator-classvoidshield,proof
againsttheheaviestshellstheGuardcouldthrowatit.
Asthedrop-podsstreakeddownthroughcloudsofanti-aircraftfireaholo-slatebuiltintothedropcradleaboveBerek’sheadprojectedadetaileddisplayofthebattleunfoldingbelow.Mereminutes
beforetheHolmganglaunchedherdrop-pods,theGuardregimentsattheedgeofthecityhadbeguna
fierceoffensive,drivinghardforthecitycentre.
Heavytanksandarmouredpersonnelcarrierswereassaultingrebelstrongpoints,advancingunder
asteadyrainofheavyartilleryshells.Darkmassesofinfantryadvanceddoggedlyintheirwake,
dashingfromoneshellholetothenextinthefaceofintenseenemyfire.Lascannonboltsandrocket
trailsleaptfromtherebelpositions,andstreamsoftracerfirerakedthroughthestrugglinginfantry
formations.CasualtiesmountedastheImperialforceschargedacrossthekillingground.Tanksand
armouredpersonnelcarriersexplodedinballsoffire,incineratingthehaplesssquadsinside.
Thetraitorswerethrowingeverythingtheyhadattheoncomingtroops,andtheaugursofthe
SpaceMarinevesselsoverheadtookcarefulnoteoftheirpositions.
Anamberwarningiconflashedalongthemarginoftheholo-displayastheHolmgangandher
attendantstrikecruisersopenedfire.Salvoesofbombardmentrounds,eachonemassingasmuchasa
LemanRusstank,impactedinacurtainoffirefoursecondslater,stretchinginanarcfivekilometres
wideinfrontoftheImperialadvance.Rebelstrongpointsdisintegrated.Entirecityblocksvanishedin
boilingcloudsofflameandpulverisedferrocrete.Inasingleinstantofrighteousfury,thetraitors’
defensivelinewasshattered.EventheImperialadvancefalteredforamoment,stunnedbythesheer
ferocityoftheattack.AstheGuardunitswatchedinawe,thebombardmentshifted,marching
inexorablytowardsthecitycentre,andtheregimentssurgedforwardoncemore,forcingtheirway
pasttheshatteredrebelpositions.
Thewarningiconflashedaninsistentredasthedrop-podsnearedtheterminalphaseoftheir
approach,andthesecondphaseoftheSpaceWolfbombardmentbegan.
‘Hereitcomes,’Bereksaid,settlingdeepintohisrestraintsastheiconsoffiveNova-classescorts
inhighorbitflashedcrimsonandunleashedtheirlancebatteriesontheshieldsofthegovernor ’s
palace.Raveningbeamsofenergystabbeddownwardsamidtheplummetingdrop-pods.Onepassed
soclosetoBerek’spodthattheionisationcausedtheonboardlightstoflicker,andsentwavesof
staticcoruscatingacrosstheholomap.ThesuperheatedairoutsidethepodhowledliketheStormwolf
oflegend,andBerekThunderfisthowledalongwithit.
Fivelancebeamsplayedacrossthepalace’sshieldsforalmostafullsecond,settingoffarippleof
concussiveblaststhathammeredatthefallingdrop-podsandrattledtheWolfLord’sbones.Theblasts
weresointensethatBerekdidn’tevenrealisethepod’sretrothrustershadkickedinuntilhesawthe
landingcountdownflashontheholo-display.Threesecondslaterthedrop-podslammedtoearthand
explosiveboltsfired,loweringBerek’sassaultramptotheground.TheWolfLordhithisquick
releaseand,witharoar,chargedintothemouthofhell.
Thecompany’sdropsitewasakilometresquareparadegroundthatstretchedbeforethegatesofthe
governor ’spalace.Ahotwindroaredacrossthescorchedplain,buffetingtheWolfLord’sbareface
andtanglinghisbraidedblondhair.Columnsofsmokeandfirecoiledintotheskyfromthepalace
groundsandthebuildingssurroundingthesquare.
Corpsesandpartsofcorpseslitteredtheparadeground,manyburnedbeyondrecognition.Men
staggeredacrossthescorchedferrocrete,theireyesglassywithshockandtheiruniformsblackened
byheat.Berekglancedquicklyaroundandsawmorethanadozenarmouredvehiclesarrayedaround
thesquare.Somewereonfireorhadbeenoverturnedbythebombardment,butmoststillappeared
functional.Thecompanyhaddroppedrightintothemiddleofamechanisedbattalionthathadbeen
usingthesquareasastagingarea.
Fiftymetresaway,therearassaultrampofaChimeraarmouredtransportdropped,andasquadof
stunnedrebelGuardsmenscrambledout.Berekturnedandrakedthemwithalongburstfromhis
stormbolter.Explosiveroundsstitchedacrossthechestsofthesurprisedtraitorsandflashedalong
thereardeckoftheAPC.Beforethetornbodieshadevenhittheground,theWolfLordactivatedhis
beaconandkeyedthecommandchannelonhisvox-unit.‘Bloodandthunder!’heroared,soundingthe
warcryofhiscompany.‘WolfGuard,tome!Allpacks,formupandclearthesquare!’
Evenashespoke,thestaccatothumpthumpthumpofstormboltersandthemoremeasuredfireof
boltgunsechoedacrossthesquareastheSpaceWolvesleaptintoaction.OfftoBerek’srightthere
wasadraconianhissasacyclonemissilelauncherfired,sendinganarmourpiercingrocketintothe
sideofanotherChimera.TheAPCexplodedinahugefireball,andthebattlebeganinearnest.
ThefourTerminatorsaccompanyingBerekinhisdrop-podtookuppositionsaroundtheirlord,
snappingoffshotsfromtheirstormbolters.OneoftheWolfGuardlevelledhisassaultcannonata
chargingsquadofrebelsandtorethemtopieceswithatwo-secondburst.StreaksoffirecrisscrossedoverheadasDeathwindlaunchersonseveraloftheSpaceMarinedrop-podswentintoaction.
Explosionsrippedacrossthesquareamidthegrowingcrackleoflasgunfire.
ArockethissedacrossthebattlefieldandstruckoneoftheWolfGuardstandingbesideBerek.The
krakmissilestrucktheSpaceMarinefullinthechest,knockinghimbackastep,buttheanti-tank
roundcouldnotpenetratetheadamantinebreastplateoftheancientTerminatorsuit.TheWolfLord
caughtsightoftherocketteam,killedthemwithaquickburst,andthenturnedhisattentiontothe
dispositionofhistroops.
Anti-aircraftfireandcyclonicwindshadscatteredthecompany’ssixdrop-podsallacrossthe
paradefield.Fromwherehestood,Berekcouldseethetopsoffourotherpods,onetothenorth-west,
onetothenorthandtwototheeast.‘Aldrek!Whereareyou?’hecalled.TheRunePriesthadbeenin
thedrop-podcontainingtherestofBerek’sWolfGuard.
Aldrekrespondedatonce.‘Imarkyou300metrestomyeast,’hesaidoverthevox.‘Weareonour
way.’
Aloudboomechoedfromtheedgeofthesquare,andthedrop-podtotheeastexploded.Thevoice
ofThorvald,oneofBerek’sGreyHunterpackleaders,rangoutoverthecommandnet.‘Battletankat
theeasternedgeofthesquare!I’mtakingcasualties.’
‘Weseehim,brother,’agruffvoiceanswered.ItwasGunnar,oneoftheLongFangpackleaders.
‘We’resomewayofftothewest,butwe’remanoeuvringtolineupashot.Standby.’
TheWolfLordnoddedinsatisfaction.Thevolumeoflasgunfirewasincreasing,stitchingthreads
ofblazinglightacrossthesquarefromeverydirection,butthecompanyhadsorteditselfoutandwas
respondingdecisivelytothethreat.BerekwasjustabouttoorderhisWolfGuardforwardwhenthe
airshookwitharoarofdualpetrochemenginesandaChimeraAPCcamechargingoutofthesmoke
directlyatthecommandsquad.Theforty-tonnearmouredvehiclesideswipedthedrop-podbehindthe
Wolves,topplingitontoitsside,andboredownontheSpaceMarineslikeanenragedrhinodon.
Multi-laserboltsspatfromitssquatturret,flashingamongtheTerminatorsastheyscatteredtoeither
sideoftheonrushingwarmachine.OneboltdetonatedagainstthepauldronofBerek’sTerminator
armour,makinghisearsringandleavingascorchmarkonthecurvedceramite.TheWolfLord
baredhisfangsasheturnedtofacetheAPC,hispowerfistcrackling.‘Bloodandthunder!’hecried,
andmetitschargehead-on.
Berekgaugedthevehicle’sapproachwithanexperiencedeye.Morelaserboltssnappedharmlessly
overheadastheChimeradrewtoocloseforthegunnertotargethim.TheWolfLordraisedhisstorm
bolterandrattledoffalongburstatthedriver ’svisionblock.Theexplosiveroundssmashedintothe
armourplas,andthedriverpanicked,slewingthevehicleslightlytoBerek’sright.Atthatmoment,he
steppedforwardandsmashedhispowerfistintotheAPC’srightquarter.Therewasathunderous
detonation.Armourcrumpled,partiallyconvertedtoplasmabythepowerfist’senergyfield.The
forwardaxlesnapped,hurlingaspinningtyrepastBerek’shead,andtheAPCflippedheavilyontoits
leftside.Momentslater,therearassaulthatchwasshovedopen,andthebloodysurvivorsofthe
infantrysquadstaggeredoutofthesmokingwreckintotheWolfGuard’smercilessfire.
‘Wellstruck!’Aldrekcried,raisinghisgoryruneaxeinsaluteasheandfourmoreTerminators
joggedheavilyoutoftheswirlingsmoke.‘Gunnarknockedoutthebattletankwithhislascannons,
andhereportsthatthetraitorsarefallingbacktotheeast.Whatnow?’
Berekpointednorth.‘Forward,tothepalacegates,’hecried.‘Wehavetogetinsidebeforethe
rebelsrecoverfromourbombardmentandlaunchacounter-attack.Ifthetraitorsbringupmore
heavyarmourwe’llbeoverrunbeforeourGuardalliescanreachus.’Withoutwaitingforareply,the
WolfLordsetoffataponderousrun,headingnorth.
LasgunfireflickeredoverBerek’sheadashedrewclosertothepalacewalls,growinginvolume
witheachpassingminute.Streamsoftracershellsstitchedtheirwaythroughthesmokeasrebel
gunnersopenedfirewithheavystubbersmountedonthesquaretowersofthepalacegatehouse.
Missileshissedthroughtheairandexplodedabovethebattlefield,showeringtheWolfLordandhis
companionswithcloudsofred-hotshrapnel.
Berekreachedthebulkofhiscompanyaminutelater,justafewhundredmetresshortofthepalace
gates.TwoofhisthreeGreyHunterpackshadtakencoverbehindtheburningwrecksofapairof
Chimeras,whilehistwoLongFangpacksfiredatthepalacedefencesfromtherimsofapairofshell
cratersnearby.Ashewatched,twolascannongunnersfromThorbjørn’sLongFangpacktargetedthe
battlementsoftheleftmostgatetower.Theredbeamsvaporisedacornerofthestructureinacloudof
pulverisedferrocrete,spillingburningbodiesontothesquaresixtymetresbelow.
AttheWolfLord’sapproach,oneoftheGreyHunterpackleadersrosefromcoveranddashed
overtoBerek.‘Wellmet,lord,’thepackleadersaid.‘Itappearswehaveaproblem.’
Berekscowledatthehelmetedpackleader.‘Whatkindofproblem,Einar?’heasked.Afewmetres
away,oneoftheTerminatorsfiredaCyclonemissileattherightmostgatetower,blastingawaya
sectionofitsbattlements.
‘It’sthedamnedgate,’Einarsaid,noddinghisheadtowardsthepalace.‘It’sagreatdealstronger
thanwe’dbeenledtobelieve.GunnarandThorbjørn’slascannonscan’tscratchit.’
Alineofstubbershellsmarchedacrosstheferrocreteafewmetresawayandupthelegandchest
ofoneoftheWolfGuard.TheTerminatorwasknockedbackastepbytheheavyimpacts,butthe
slugsshatteredharmlesslyagainsttheheavyarmour.TheWolfGuardmadearudegesturewithhis
powerfistinthedirectionofthepalacewall,andfiredaburstfromhisstormbolterinreply.
Berekstudiedthedistantgateswithhisenhancedvision,noddingthoughtfully.‘Theformer
governorhadampletimetoprepareforthisday,’hegrowled.‘Howmanymeltabombsdoyou
have?’
Einarglancedbackoverhisshoulderathisassembledpack.Alasgunbolt,possiblyfromalonglassniperrifle,struckthesideofhishelmetwithanangrycrack.TheSpaceWolfappearednotto
notice.‘We’vegotfour,andIngvar ’spackhastwoleft.’
‘Handthemover,’Berekordered,andthepackleaderbegangatheringuptheheavyplasma
charges.
MikalSternmarksteppedupalongsidehislord.‘Goingforawalk,arewe?’heasked,surveying
thekillinggroundbetweenthemandthepalacegates.
‘TheGreyHuntersandLongFangswillprovidecoverfirewhilewetakedownthegates,’Berek
said,gesturingforEinartohandthechargesovertotheWolfGuard.‘Oncewe’reinside,don’twaste
timeclearingthewallsorthepalacegrounds.Aldrekhascasttherunes,andbelieveswe’llfind
Bredwyrinhisaudiencechamber.Ifweonlykillonemaninsidethatpalace,itmustbehim.This
uprisinghasgoneonlongenough.’
TheWolfGuardansweredwithgrowlsofassent.‘Leadon,lord,’Mikalsaidsardonically.‘First
manoutalwaysdrawsthemostfire.’
Berekthrewbackhisheadandlaughed.‘Lastmantothegatecancleanthescorchmarksoffmy
armour,’heanswered.‘Bloodandthunder!’
‘Bloodandthunder!’theWolfGuardhowledinreply,andtheychargedforthegatesasone.
TheSpaceWolveswererushingintoastormofenemyfirewithinmoments.Intersectinglinesof
lasgunfirewoveaburningwebaroundtheTerminators.Tracerfirearcedthroughtheirranks,and
explosiveshellsdugcratersthesizeoffeastingplatesoutofthescorchedferrocrete.Boltersroared
asBerek’sGreyHunterpacksopenedfireattherebelpositionsalongthewalls,stitchingchainsof
redandyellowflashesalongthebattlements.Lascannonbeamsandmissiletrailslancedtowardsthe
gatehouse,punchingmoltencratersintheornatelycarvedstonefaçade,andspillingcurtainsof
shatteredmasonryontothepavementbelow.
LasgunboltsandautogunshellsrangofftheWolfLord’sarmour.Aburstofroundsfromaheavy
stubberstruckhisleftleg,andabloomoffierypaincausedBerektostumble.Mikaldrewcloseand
reachedforBerek’sarm,buttheWolfLordwavedhimtowardstheloominggatesinstead.
Anautocannonletoffaloud,rattlingburstataTerminatortoBerek’sright.Redandyellow
detonationshammeredacrosstheSpaceWolf’schest.TheWolfGuardstaggeredoutofthecloudof
dustandsmoke,hisstormbolterstillfiringdespitethethreebloodycraterspunchedintohis
breastplate.Aftertwohaltingsteps,thewarriorfelltohiskneesandpitchedoverontohisface.
Momentslater,theSpaceWolveswereflatteningtheirbodiesagainstthescarredsurfaceofthe
palacegates,underneaththearcoftheremaininggunsalongthewalls.ManyoftheWolfGuardwere
splashedwithbloodfromnumerousminorwounds,buttheyimmediatelywenttoworksettingthe
demolitioncharges.‘Noneedtoblowthewholegatedown,’Bereksaidthroughgrittedteethashe
probedthewoundinhisleg.Hecouldfeeltheshellinhisleg,lodgedclosetothebone.‘Justmakeus
aholebigenoughtochargethrough.’
Thebreachingchargeswerereadyinseconds.BerektookhalfoftheTerminatorstotherightof
thegate,whileAldrekandtheotherhalfwenttotheleft.‘Clear!’TheWolfLordcalledout,andwhen
heheardananswerfromAldrekhekeyedthedetonator.
Therewasabonerattlingwhumpandarushofsuperheatedair,andthestinkofvaporisedmetal
madeBerekgrimace.‘Go!’heroared,andtheWolfGuardrushedtothebreach.
Themeltachargeshadblownaroughlycircularholethreemetresacrossinthethickmetalgate,
justlargeenoughforoneTerminatortopassatatime.Beyondlayalong,rectangularcourtyard,
borderedbystatuesofforgottensaints,whichtherebelshadtransformedintoacharnelhouse.Priests
andadeptsfromthelocalEcclesiarchyhadbeenbroughthereandslain,andthenhungbychainsfrom
theworn,greystatues.Athickcloudofnoxioussmokehungoverthescene,reekingwithstrange
compoundsthatsearedBerek’snostrilsandmadehisfleshcrawl.
Animprovisedrebelstrongpointmadefromsteelsupports,flakboardandbagsofferrocretestood
abouttwentymetresfromthegate.Lascannonsandheavystubbershadbeensitedtheretocoverthe
entrancetothecompound,butnowtheslopedfaceofthestrongpointwasablaze,itssurfaceignited
bymoltenshrapnelfromthemeltabombs.Berekdashedforwards,firingburstsfromhisstorm
bolterintotheroilingfireandsmoke.OtherWolfGuardsnappedoffshortburstswiththeirstorm
boltersaswell,unleashingahailofdeadlyfireintotheposition.
Berekreachedtheslopedfrontembrasureofthestrongpointandleaptthroughtheflames,landing
nexttoaheavystubberanditsdeadcrew.Lasgunfirestruckhimalongtherightside,andtheWolf
Lordgrabbedthestubberbythebarrelandhurleditatthesquadoftraitorswho’dshotathim.The
rebelsscatteredoutofthewayofthespinningweapon,leavingthemeasytargetsforBerek’sstorm
bolter.
AraspingcryfromBerek’sleftbroughttheWolfLordaroundjustasatraitorwearingthetattered
uniformofaGuardofficerlungedoutofthesmokeandswungacracklingpowerswordathishead.
Berekdeflectedtheswordwiththebackofhispowerfistandshottherebelpoint-blank.
Thehissingcrackleofpowerweaponshummedamidthesmokeandthescreamsofthedying.Dark
shapesflittedthroughtheroilinghaze.Aldrekappearedfromthesmokelikeagiantofold,hisblack
beardglisteningwithspilledblood,andhisheavyaxestreaminggore.Thetraitors’falsecourage
brokebeforetheonslaughtandtheyfledineverydirection,callingvainlytotheirnewfoundgodsfor
deliverance.Thosethatfledinthedirectionofthepalacewerecutdownastheyran,reapedlikewheat
bytheblazinggunsoftheadvancingWolves.
Berekandhismenreachedthefarendofthecourtyardinmoments.TheWolfLordclimbedthe
shallowstepsofthepalaceentranceandwithoutbreakingstridehesmashedhispowerfistintothe
ornatewoodandmetaldoors.Therewasaclapofrighteousthunderandtheportalexplodedinward.
ShoutsandscreamsofpaingreetedBerekastheWolfLordcrossedthesmokingthreshold.
Thenaveoutsidethegovernor ’saudiencechamberwasoncemajestic.Soaringarchesdecorated
withwingedsaintsrosehighoverhead,theircarvedhandsoutstretchedtowardsanoctagonalceiling
ofcolouredarmourplasthatfilledthechamberwithshaftsofjewelcolouredlight.Squarecolumns
carvedwiththelikenessesofImperialheroesstoodatattentiondownthelengthofthechamber,their
sternfeaturesjudgingtheworthofeverysoulthatstrodealongthemarblefloors.
Thegreatspacewascrowdedwithamoboftwisteddegenerates,gibberingandshouting
imprecationstothefalsegodsofthewarp.Foulsigilscoveredthewallsandpillars,andmanyofthe
carvedheroeshadbeensmearedwithlayersofbloodandfilth.Naked,rottingcorpseslayinheapsat
thefeetofthecolumns,theirtornfacestwistedintomasksofhorroranddespair.
HundredsofmutantsandChaosworshippersrecoiledinshockandangerfromtheWolfLord’s
suddenarrival.Theybrandishedstainedcleaversandchainblades,laspistolsandlootedautoguns,and
theairofthedefilednaveshookwiththeirbestialcries.Morestreamedinfromsidecorridorstothe
leftandright,addingtothemass.Itwasasighttoshaketheheartofevenastalwarthero,butBerek
lookedupontheshriekingmassesandwasunmoved.HewasoneoftheEmperor ’schosen,aSpace
Wolf,andheknewnofear.
Berekclenchedhiscracklingpowerfistandraisedithigh.Hisfuriousvoicesmotetheunbelievers
intosilence.‘Oathbreakers!’heroared.‘IamBerekThunderfist!Lookuponmeanddespair!The
AllfatherknowsyourcrimesandhassethisWolvesamongyou.’
AnansweringroarechoedBerekfromthefarendofthenave.Animpossibly-muscled,four-armed
mutantrearedheadandshouldersabovetherestofthemobandmadetoanswertheWolfLord.Berek
shotthemonsterbetweenitsthreeeyes,andwithabloodthirstyhowlheleaptamonghisfoes.
TheWolfLordswepthisstormbolterinanarcbeforehim,cuttingavengefulswathethroughthe
packedthrong.Atsuchcloserangetheheavyshellstorethroughtwooreventhreebodiesbefore
theirexplosivetipstravelledfarenoughtodetonate.Whenhe’demptiedtheweapon’stwinmagazines
heswungitlikeaclub,crushingskullsandsmashingribs.Hispowerfistroseandfell,hurling
brokenbodiesinalldirections.Clubs,chainswordsandcleaversrainedagainsthisancientarmour,
butnonecouldfindpurchase.Hewasastormofrighteousfury,theembodimentoftheEmperor ’s
wrath,andnothingcouldstandagainsthim.
AldrekandtheremainingWolfGuardstormedintothenavebehindBerek,addingtheirstrengthto
thebattle.TwoTerminatorssteppedtoeithersideofthebrokendoorway.Onelaunchedapairof
Cyclonemissilesdownthelengthofthenave,showeringtherearranksofthemobwithred-hot
shrapnel.Theotherlevelledhiswhirringassaultcannonandunleashedastreamofdeadlyshellsover
theheadsofhisbrotherWolves.
Withinseconds,thebattlehadtransformedintoaslaughter.Eventhemutants’fanaticaldevotionto
theirnewgodswasnotenoughtosustaintheminthefaceoftheSpaceWolves’fury.Theytriedto
flee,buttheirlargenumbersworkedagainstthemastheytriedtofighttheirwaytothenave’snarrow
side-passages.Theyclawedandtrampledtheirkinintheirdesiretoescape,whiletheWolves
continuedtheirremorselessadvance,bloodstreamingfromfistandblade.
BythetimeBerekreachedthefarendofthenavetherewerehundredsofdeadrebelsheapedinhis
wake.AldrekandtheWolfGuardgatheredaroundhim,weaponsready.TheWolfLordeyedtheRune
Priestashereloadedhisstormbolter.‘Whatnow,priest?’heasked.
Aldrektookasteptowardstheaudiencechamberdoors,hishandtighteningonthehaftofhisrune
axe.‘Ismellthestinkofsorcery,’hesaid.‘Bredwyrmustliewithin.’HeturnedbacktotheWolves,
hisfacelinedwithterriblestrain.‘Thereareterribleforcesatworkinthechamberbeyond,’he
warned.‘Thefabricofrealityis…unsettled.’
Berekfrowned.‘Unsettled?Speakplainly,Aldrek.’
‘ThisisasplainasIcanmakeit,’theRunePriestreplied,hisexpressionvagueandhaunted.
‘Realityis…shifting,likesand.Forcesaremingling,compelledtoweavetogether…’Aldrekshook
hisheadfiercely,tryingtodrivetheimagefromhismind.‘Icannotexplainit.I’veneverknownthe
like.’
Berekraisedhisstormbolter.‘Thenletusseeforourselves,’hesaid,andputhispowerfisttothe
door.
Theportalsswungopensilently.AwaveringnimbusoflightwashedoverthewarySpaceWolves,
andunseenenergiesclawedinvisiblyattheirminds.
TheWolfLordstrodeforwardintothedimlylitchamber.Hisbootscrunchedonbrittlebones.The
entirechamberwaslitteredwithhumanskeletonsandcast-offhusksofwitheredskin.Theairwas
hazywithfoulincense,streamingfromtall,wroughtironbraziersplacedapparentlyatrandomalong
theroom.Sheetsofbloodyskinhadbeentackedtothetallpillarsbythehundreds,eachonecarved
withintricatepatternsofblasphemousrunes.Itwastheserunesthatfilledtheroomwithitstenebrous
light.
Berekstrodethroughthedetritusofscoresofsacrificialvictims.Hisbrainfeltasthoughitwason
fire.TheWolfLordpassedunheedingthroughtheblasphemoustableau,hisgazefixeddreadfullyon
theabominationthatrearedbehindthegovernor ’sbrokenthrone.
Thewallbehindthethronewasfifteenmetrestallandtenmetreswide,andinthedaysofthe
palace’sconstructionitwouldhavebeencarvedwiththelikenessoftheholyEmperor.Now,thewall
wascoveredinglisteningfleshandpulsatingorgans,stitchedtogetherbysomeformofsilverwire
thatshonelikeliquidinthesorcerouslight.Veinsandarteriesthrobbed,andheartsclenchedand
unclenched,drivingbloodthroughthevilemass.Berekglimpsednakedbrainstrappedinwebworks
ofpalpitatingmuscle,andeyesrollingingelidmassesoffat.Intestineswrithedlikesnakesacrossthe
surfaceofthetoweringmass,boundinplacebysilverwire.Vastandunnaturalenergiesradiated
fromthething,likeheatfromaforge.Theabominationwasalive,somehow,andonsomedeep,
primallevelBerekalsoknewthatitwasnotsomemaddenedactofdepravity.Ithadbeenbuilttoserve
averyparticularpurpose.
‘BlessedAllfather,’Aldrekgasped,hisfaceturningpale.‘We’vefoundBredwyrandhisentire
household.’
Grittinghisteeth,Berekraisedhisstormbolter.‘Thenlet’sfinishwhathecameheretodo.’
TheSpaceWolvesfiredasone,pouringstreamsofexplosiveshellsintothehorridmassofflesh.
Berekwatchedwithrevulsionastheconstructwrithedbeneaththestormoffire.Apinkhazeof
vaporisedbloodandfleshfilledtheairaroundtheabomination,but,almostasquicklyastheywere
made,theshellholessealedshutagain.
AwaveofunholypowerradiatedfromtheconstructandsweptovertheSpaceWolves.Vertigo
washedoverBerek,overwhelminghisenhancedsenses.Itfeltasthoughtheroomwasexpandingin
everydirection,stretchingawayintothevastnessofspace.Reeling,theWolfLordturnedtoAldrek.
‘Priest!’hecried.‘Youraxe!’
Aldrekhadbeendriventoonekneebytheforceoftheconstruct’spower.Hiseyeshadrolledback
intheirsockets,andtendrilsofsmokecurledfromthesilverandbrassconnectionswiredtohisskull.
Andyet,theheroicpriestheardBerek’scallandnodded.Hetriedtospeak,butonlyagutturalgrowl
escapedhisbloodylips.Withamightyeffort,Aldrekrosetohisfeet,raisinghisruneaxehigh,anda
blackbladecarvedwithblasphemous,glowingrunesburstfromtheRunePriest’schest.
AtoweringfigurecladinornateblueandgoldarmourhadappearedbehindAldrek,asthough
coalescingoutoftheshadows.TheChaossorcererpulledhishellbladefromAldrek’sbody,andthe
RunePrieststaggered,bloodpouringfromhisopenmouth.Withastrangledroar,Aldrekspunabout,
swingingfuriouslywithhisaxe,butashedidsotwomorearmouredgiantsmaterialisedlikeghosts
toeithersideofhimanddrovetheirswordsintotheRunePriest’schest.
Morefiguresweretakingshapefromthedarkness:dreadfulwarriorscladinbaroqueversionsof
powerarmoureerilysimilartothosetheSpaceWolveswore.Berekrecognisedtheirblueandgold
heraldryatonce,andfoughtbackasurgeofrighteousrevulsionanddread.EverysonofRussknew
thecoloursoftheChaosMarinesknownastheThousandSons.Twistednightmaresofmuscleand
fleshemergedalongsidetheTraitorMarines,andreachedfortheSpaceMarineswithglistening,ropy
tentaclesandfangedmouths.
TheambushhadcaughttheWolfGuardunawares,buttheirsurpriselastedonlyaninstant.‘For
RussandtheAllfather!’MikalSternmarkcriedasthesorcerersanddaemonsrushedinfromallsides,
andtheairrangwiththethunderofboltersandtheclashofblades.
Aldrekhadfallentohisknees,bloodflowingfromhiswounds.Asthesorcerersclosedinagain,
heslashedatonewithhisruneaxe,buttheChaoswarriorparriedtheblowwithhishellswordand
knockedtheaxefromAldrek’sbloodlessfingers.TheRunePriesthowleddefiantlyathisfoes,butthe
sorcererslaidtheirhandsuponhim,andtheyvanishedasswiftlyastheyappeared,takingAldrekwith
them.
BerekThunderfistletoutafuriousbellow.‘Standfast,sonsofFenris!’hecried,blastingapairof
daemonsintogobbetsofprotoplasm.‘Ourbrothersarecoming,’hesaid,knowingthatEinarandthe
restoftheGreyHunterscouldnotbefarbehindthem.
‘Indeed,’saidasilkenvoicebehindtheWolfLord.‘Asamatteroffact,myplandependsuponit.’
Quickerthantheeyecouldfollow,Berekspunonhisheel,hispowerfistreachingforthesourceof
thevoice,butthegauntletclosedonemptyair.
AfearsomeimpactstruckBerekinthechest.Terriblepain,coldandblackastheabyss,spread
beneathhisribs.
TheChaossorcererstoodjustoutofreach.Hisornatepowerarmourwaswroughtwith
blasphemoussigilsofpower,anddecoratedwiththewrithingskullsofserpentinegargoyles.
Terrible,inhumanintelligenceburnedfromtheeyeslitsofthebaroque,hornedhelmet.
Withasingle,fluidmotion,MadoxdrewtheSpearofRussfromBerek’schest.TheWolfLordfelt
hisstrengthleavehimallatonce.Hislegsfailedhim,andtheSpaceWolffelltohisknees.
MadoxraisedthetipofRuss’sspeartoBerek’sface,showinghimtheblooddrippingfromthe
pointofthesacredrelic.‘ThefateofyourChapterissealed,BerekThunderfist,’theChaoschampion
said,asdarknessfilledthecornersoftheWolfLord’svision.‘Whenyougotostandbeforeyour
falseemperor,tellhimthatyouaretheonetoblame.’Asthesorcererspoke,hisarmouredform
blurredbeforetheWolfLord’seyes,fadingfromviewasifhewereaghost.
ThelastthingBerekheardwasthesoundoftriumphantlaughter,ascoldandcruelasOldNight
itself.
AmoaningwindkeenedceaselesslyinthecrimsontemplethatMadoxhadbuilt.Ruddylightseeped
fromtheverystones,andtheunnaturalwindpluckedatthecornersofthebloodyscrapsofskin
nailedtothetemplecolumns.Therunesinscribedontheirsurfacewereblackasthevoid,drawingin
theenergythatsurroundedthem.
ThebloodoftheWolfLordraninthinrivuletsdownthehaftofRuss’sSpearandacrossthe
sorcerer ’sknuckles.AsMadoxwatched,theinsubstantialfiguresofBerek’sWolfGuardwithdrew
fromsight,draggingthebodyoftheirlordthroughthepiledbonesandskinthatlitteredthechamber
inthephysicalrealm.
Wherethegovernor ’sthronehadstoodintheaudiencechamber,Madoxhadplacedhistemple’s
altar,asingleblockofblackstonecarvedwithrunesofpower.Offeringscovereditssurface,
gleaminglikerubiesinthehellishlight.
AtrioofsorcerersapproachedMadox,draggingthebodyoftheRunePriest.TheSpaceMarine
stillclungtolife,despitehisterriblewounds.TheChaossorcerersmiled.‘Holdhimup,’Madox
commanded.
WithinhumanstrengththeTraitorMarinesliftedAldreknearlytohisfeet.Madoxplacedataloned
gauntletovertherentintheSpaceWolf’sbreastplateandthrustitwithin.TheRunePrieststiffened.
PureagonyfocusedAldrek’sgazeonthesorcerer.
Fleshripped,andMadoxtorehishandfree.TheRunePriestslumped,eyesglazingindeathasthe
sorcerershowedAldrekwhatheheldinhishand.‘Nowthecircleiscomplete,’hesaid,andlaidthe
progenoidglandsonthealtarbesidenearlyadozenmore.
Aldrek’sbodyfelltothebleedingstoneswithalifelessclatterasthesorcerersraisedtheirhands
andbegantochant.Madoxfeltthepowerofthegreatritualbegintotakeshape,andturnedtofacehis
master.
MadoxhelduptheSpearofRusstotheblazingeyethathoveredintheairbeforehim.‘Theendof
theSpaceWolvesisathand,’hesaid,showingtheWolfLord’sbloodtohisdreadfulmaster.
CHAPTERTWO
ThenarrowbladescoredathincutacrossRagnar ’spowerfullymuscledchestashepivotedtoavoid
thekillingthrust.Baringhisteethinaferalsnarl,hebroughthisironswordaroundinablurringarc
andchoppeddownhardonTorin’sexposedneck.
Itwasablowthatwouldhavehackedanormalman’sheadcleanoff.Instead,Torinpivotedonthe
ballofhisrightfoot,nearlytoofastfortheeyetofollow,andRagnar ’sheavybladerangagainstthe
SpaceWolf’sreinforcedcollar-bone.Thedulledswordsplittheskininapressurecutaquarterofa
metrelongacrossTorin’schest,drawingahissofpainfromtheolderwarrior,andfillingtheairof
thepracticearenawiththecopperyscentofblood.Atvirtuallythesameinstant,Torin’sswordswept
downandstrucklightlyatRagnar ’sleftthighbeforetheSpaceWolf’slungecarriedhimpasthis
opponent,openingthedistanceacrossthesandytrainingground.
DriedbloodcrackledfaintlyalongRagnar ’sbrow.Theenhancedclottingfactorinhisbloodhad
alreadystoppedthebleedingfromthescalpwoundTorinhadgivenhimsecondsbefore.Both
warriorswerebare-chested,cladonlyinloosefittingbreeches,tornandstainedfromdozensof
blows.MostSpaceMarineChapterspreferredtopractisetheirclose-combatskillswithautomated
sparringdronesorcombatservitors,buttheSpaceWolveskepttotheoldwaysoftheirhomeworld:
mantomanandironagainstiron.
BothWolveswerecoveredinangryredwealsandshallowcuts.Theygrimacedatthepainfrom
tornmusclesandwrenchedligaments.Thewoundssharpenedtheirwitsandtestedtheirwillsinaway
nomindlesscombatservitorcould.
Torincontinuedtogiveground,glidingeffortlesslyacrosstheblackvolcanicsand.Hisironsword
wasalittlelongerandthinnerthantheheavybroadswordinRagnar ’shand,lendingthewarriora
slightadvantageinspeedandreach.Theweaponsuitedhim.Torinwastallandlean,almostlithe
comparedtoRagnar ’sbroad-chestedbulk.Hisbladeflickeredbackandforththroughtheair,more
oftenthannotavoidingdirectlyblockingtheyoungerSpaceWolf’smoremassivebladeandleaving
Ragnarswingingatemptyair.Theolderwarrior ’sblowswerefluidandprecise,strikingsharply
alonglegorarmandwithdrawingagain,asthoughintendedtogoadRagnarintoangerratherthan
strikeakillingblow.
IfthatwasTorin’splan,Ragnarhadtoadmititwasworking.
TheyoungSpaceWolfloweredhisheadandchargedatTorinwithafuriousbellow.Gaugingthe
distancecarefully,heaimedafierceblowattheolderSpaceWolf’stemple,andthencheckedthefeint
atthelastmomentandreversedtheangleoftheblow,slashinghardatTorin’sthigh.Quickashewas,
Torinwasstillfaster.InsteadoftryingtoparryRagnar ’sbladeorturnaside,heleaptforwardand
pastRagnar ’srightside.ThesleekbladescoredanothershallowcutontheinsideofRagnar ’sright
arm.
Snarlingfuriously,RagnarspunandlungedforTorin’sretreatingback,jabbingtheblunttip
againsthisopponent’sshoulderbladehardenoughtodrawapainfulgruntfromtheolderSpace
Marine,butnotenoughtotranslateintoakillingblow.Torinthrewhimselfforwardintoashoulder
rollacrosstheblacksand,comingupfacingRagnarafewmetresawaywithhisswordattheready.
TheolderSpaceWolf’sleanfacequirkedintoafaintlymockinggrin.‘Good,butnotgoodenough,’
hesaid.
‘Icamedownheretofight,notdance,’Ragnargrowled.‘Ifyou’dsitstillforhalfasecondyou’d
bedead.’
Torin’smockinggrindeepened.‘Acompellingreasonnottositstill,don’tyouthink?’hereplied.
‘Morkai’sfrozenbollocks,’boomedathunderousvoicefromtheedgeofthearena,‘willyoutwo
quityappingandgetonwithit?’Amassivefigureroseponderouslyfromastonebenchnearthe
arenaentrance,brandishingagnawedlegboneinhisknobbyfistlikeagreasy,gristlyclub.Rich,
honeycolouredalesloshedfromanenormousdrinkinghornclutchedinHaegr ’slefthandand
splashedoverhisthickfingers.‘IfIwereinthereIwouldhavekilledthebothofyouandbehalfway
backtothemeadhall!’Thehugewarrior ’sbushyredwhiskersandbristlyeyebrowslentHaegrthe
appearanceofanenragedwalrus.
Torinlaughed.Hisvoicewaslight,buthisdarkeyesneverleftRagnar ’sface.‘Ironswordagainst
icemammothhaunch?IthinkI’dliketoseeyoutry.’
‘Bah!’Haegrexclaimed,pausingtolickthespilledalefromhisscarredknuckles.‘Themighty
Haegrdoesn’tplayatfighting,Torin.Whathefights,hekills.Youshouldknowthatbynow.AndifI
killedthetwoofyou,whowouldbelefttoguardtheladyGabriellabesidesme?’
TheolderSpaceWolfrolledhiseyesinmockdisdain.‘Whocanarguewithwisdomlikethat?’
Ragnarnearlyhadhim.JustasTorinspoke,helungedforward,hisbladeslashinginablurring
figureofeight.Forafractionofasecond,Torinappearedtobecaughtoff-guard.Heblockedonecut
witharingingblowthatsentsparksflyingfromhisswordandbarelyduckedasideabrutalcutfrom
theoppositeangle.Again,hisswiftbladeflickedout,bitingpainfullyatRagnar ’sgroin,butthistime
theyoungSpaceWolfkeptrightoncoming,hammeringatTorin’shead,neckandshoulders.The
olderSpaceWolfback-pedalledfuriously,hisfacegrowingtautwithstrain.Hewasforcedtoblock
oneblow,andthenanother.Thenathirdstrokesnappedthethinnerbladewithadiscordantclang.
Ragnar ’sswordcontinuedalongitsarcandcrackedhardagainstTorin’sleftcheekbone,knocking
theSpaceWolfontohisback.
Ragnarleaptforward,stompingdownhardontheinsideofTorin’srightthightopinhiminplace,
andthenpressingtheblunttipofhisbladeintothehollowofhisopponent’sthroat.‘Thisdanceis
over,’hegrowled,hishandtighteningonthegripofhissword.‘Nexttimeyoufightme,try
somethingotherthanatoysword.’
BloodflowedinthickstreamsdownTorin’sraggedcheekandintohisthinmoustache.He
regardedRagnarcoldly.‘Thefightendedfivesecondsbeforemyswordbroke,’hesaid.‘Ikilledyou,
butyouweretoothick-headedtorealiseit.’
Ragnarletoutabarkoflaughter.‘What?Thatbeesting?’
TorinpushedRagnar ’sbladeasideandclimbedslowlytohisfeet.Hepointedatthespotwherehis
lastblowhadfallen.‘Femoralartery,’hesaid.HethenpointedtothecutalongtheinsideofRagnar ’s
swordarm.‘Brachialartery.’TorinjabbedatafadingredmarkonRagnar ’sabdomen.‘Main
pulmonaryartery.Evenwiththeclottingfactor,I’dhavebledyouwhiteabouttwominutesago.’He
turnedawayandlimpedovertothebrokenhalfofhisblade,stickingupfromthesandsafewmetres
away.‘Youshouldhavepaidmoreattention,myfriend.Halfadozenminorblowsarejustasdeadly
asonebigone.’Torinbentandpickedupthebatteredshardofiron.Hefrowned,turningitoverinhis
hands.‘Ihadtohavethisspeciallymade,youknow.’
Torin’scolddissectionofthebattledrainedalltheheatoutofRagnar ’sblood,leavingtheyounger
SpaceWolfvaguelyshamed.‘You’reright,ofcourse,’hesaidheavily,tossinghisnotchedsword
ontothesand.
‘Forgiveme,brother,’Ragnarsaid,holdingouthishand.‘GivemethepiecesofthebladeandI’ll
begaboonfromoneoftheIronPrieststohaveitremade.’
TheolderSpaceWolfshookhishead,wavingRagnar ’shandawaywiththebrokenshardofiron.
‘Thereisnothingtoforgive,myfriend,’hesaid.‘Thefaultisasmuchmineasyours.Iproddedyou
onpurpose,tryingtodrawoutsomeofthemelancholythat’sgrippedyoutheselastfewmonths.’
‘Muchasitpainsmetosayit,Torin’sright,’Haegrsaid,worryingatapieceofgristlewithhis
fangs.‘HerewearebackonFenris,thelandofheroes,andallyou’vedonesincewegothereis
mope.’
Scowling,Ragnarturnedaway,headingforthebenchwheretherestofhisclotheswerelaid.‘The
Chapterisatwar,’hesaiddarkly,reachingforhiswoolandleathertunic.‘Weshouldbeoutthere,
fightingalongsideourbrothers.’RagnarthoughtofSven,hisoldpackmate,fightingwithBerek
Thunderfist’sgreatcompanyonCharys.Nodoubttheywerecelebratingtheirvictoryinthe
governor ’spalaceevennow,whilehehauntedthestonehallsoftheFanglikesomenithling.
‘OurplaceisatGabriella’sside,’Torinsaidevenly.‘WehaveasacreddutytoHouseBellisarius,
Ragnar,nowmorethanever,afterthelosseswesufferedatHyades.’
‘Ihearyou,Torin,’Ragnarreplied,sittingonthebenchandreachingforhisdragonskinboots.
TheyweremembersoftheWolfblade,bodyguardsassignedtotheNavigatorHouseofBellisariusby
theGreatWolf,inkeepingwithanancientpactthatwasasoldastheImperium.Therewerenever
morethantwodozenWolfbladeatanygiventime,andmostofthosewerestationedonHolyTerra,
guardinghigh-rankingmembersoftheBellisariuslineandtrainingtheirHousetroops.
Ragnar,Torin,HaegrandsixoftheirbrothershadleftTerramorethansixmonthsagoto
accompanyLadyGabriella,oneofHouseBellisarius’shighestrankingNavigators,onaninspection
oftheHouse’sholdingsonHyades,ajungleworldvaluedforitspromethiummines.Oncethere,
however,theyhadbeencaughtupinthemachinationsofaChaostaintedwarlordnamedCadmus,
whohadswornhimselftotheserviceofTzeentchandtotheSpaceWolves’ancientfoestheThousand
Sons.Cadmus’sschemesorchestratedaviolentbattlebetweenBerekThunderfist’sgreatcompany,
whichwaspatrollingintheregion,andacontingentofDarkAngels.TheDarkAngelswereoneof
themostsecretiveofSpaceMarineChapters,andnursedabitterrivalrywiththeSpaceWolvesthat
stretchedbackthousandsofyears.Thefightthatensued–andCadmus’sowntreachery–claimedthe
livesoftheirfellowbodyguards,leavingonlyTorin,HaegrandhimselftokeepGabriellasafe.
ThoughCadmushadultimatelybeendefeatedandtheThousandSonsdrivenoff,Hyadeswasthefirst
sparkintheconflagrationsweepingacrosstheSpaceWolfdomains.
Ragnarrosefromthebenchandreachedforhisswordbelt.Theancientfrostblade,arelicborne
bytheWolfbladeforthousandsofyearsandgiventoRagnarbyGabriellawassettledcomfortablyon
hiship.‘It’sjust…ifGabriellaisn’tsafeintheFangofallplaces,sheisn’tsafeanywhere.TheOld
Wolfneedseverystoutsword-armhecanmusterandwe’rebeingwastedhere.’
ToringaveRagnaraprobinglookashesettledaheavybearskincloakaroundhisshoulders.The
monthsonFenrishadchangedTorinsomewhat.OnTerratheSpaceWolfhadadoptedmanyofthe
fashionableairsofthelocalaristocracy.WhenRagnarhadfirstmethim,hishairwascutshortand
hismoustachetrimmedpencil-thin,intheTerranfashion.Now,hishairwasgrowingoutagain,and
borenoneofthescentofperfumedpomadehe’dfavouredamongtheImperialelite.Hisabilityto
readpeople,however,wasjustassharpasever.‘Thisisn’taboutdoingyourdutyasaSpaceWolf.
ThisisabouttheSpearofRuss.’
TheobservationstungRagnar.ThoughassignmenttotheWolfbladewasostensiblyapostingof
greathonour,mostSpaceWolvessawitasaformofexile,farfromthegloryofthebattlefield.
Ragnarcouldnotseeitanyotherway.HehadbeensenttoTerrabyLoganGrimnarafterhehadlost
oneoftheChapter ’smostsacredrelics:theSpearofRuss.Oncewieldedinbattlebytheprimarch,in
theglorydaysoftheGreatCrusade,ithadbeenkeptformillenniaatasacredshrineontheplanet
Garm,waitingforthedayRusswouldreturnfortheLastBattle.Butanarch-hereticnamedSergius
hadstolenthespearduringabloodyuprisingonGarm,andRagnar,thenaBloodClawinBerek
Thunderfist’sgreatcompany,hadbeenamongthewarriorssenttocrushtherevolt.Afternumerous
battles,Ragnarcameface-to-facewithhisoldnemesisMadox,whohadmanipulatedSergiusinto
takingthespearinanefforttosummonMagnustheRed,hisLegion’sinfernalprimarch,intothe
physicalrealm.
Thefoulsorcerernearlysucceeded,butjustasMagnusbegantocrossthethresholdfromthe
depthsofthewarp,RagnarseizedthespearfromSergiusandhurledthelegendaryweaponatthe
fearsomeprimarch.ThespearstruckMagnuslikeathunderboltandthedaemonprincewashurled
backintotheragingmaelstromofthewarp.Garmhadbeensaved,buttheSpearofRusshadbeen
lost,possiblyforever.
He’dhadnochoice.Ragnarknewthis.EventheOldWolfhadoncetoldhimthathewouldhave
donetheverysamethinghadhebeeninRagnar ’splace.Thatdidn’tchangethefactthathe’dbetrayed
asacredoaththattheChapterhadsworntotheirprimarchnearlytenmillenniaago.Tothepeopleof
Fenristherewerefewthingsmoreterriblethananoathbreaker,andtherealisationhauntedhim.
TheyoungSpaceWolfshookhishead,draggingbluntfingersthroughhistangledmaneofblack
hairandprobingatthecutonhisscalp.UnlikeTorinorHaegrhissquarechinwasclean-shaven,in
thecustomoftheBloodClaws.ASpaceWolfgrewhisbeardonlyafterbeingacceptedintotheGrey
HuntersortheWolfScouts,andthoseavenueshadbeenclosedtohimwhenhe’dbeensentawayto
Terra.
‘Thespearisgone,Torin,’Ragnarsaidatlast.‘Iknowthis.It’sjust…Ihaven’tbeensleepinglately.
That’sall.’
‘Ha!Clearlyyouhaven’tbeendrinkingenough,’Haegrinterjected,raisinghismassivealehorn.‘A
caskofaleandagoodbrawliswhatyouneed,Ragnarmylad!Whydon’twegotothemeadhalland
seewhatwecanfind,eh?’
RagnarstoleaglanceatTorin.TheolderSpaceWolfseemedunconvincedbyRagnar ’sclumsy
evasion.‘I’vehadenoughofwaiting,brothers,’hesaidgravely.‘I’mgoingtospeaktotheOldWolf
anddemandhesendmetothebattleline.’
‘Demand?’Haegrrepeated,hisexpressionincredulous.ThemassiveSpaceWolfthrewbackhis
headandroaredwithlaughter.‘Didyouhearthat,Torin?ThecubthinkstocommandLogan
Grimnar!’Haegr ’shugefacesplitinaferociousgrin.‘TheOldWolfwillhityousohardRuss
himselfwillfeelit!’
Ragnarfeltaflushofangerrisetohischeeks.Beforehecouldreply,however,thevox-beadbehind
hisrightearhummed,andGabriella’scalm,quietvoicefilledhishead.‘Ragnar,Iwouldhaveyou
attenduponme,please.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfpaused,masteringhistemper.Hereachedbacktothevox-bead.‘Asyou
wish,mylady,’heansweredgrimly.Perhapsforthelasttime.‘WherewillIfindyou?’
‘IntheGreatWolf’scouncilchamber,’Gabriellareplied.‘AshiphasarrivedfromCharysbearing
gravenews,andthereismuchtobediscussed.’
AcoldsenseofforebodingprickledthehairsonthebackofRagnar ’sneck.‘I’llbethereatonce,’
hereplied.
TorinwatchedthechangeinRagnar ’sexpression.‘What’shappened,brother?’heasked.
TheyoungSpaceWolfcouldonlyshakehishead.‘Idon’tknow,’hereplied,‘butIfearit’s
somethingterrible.’
WhitesunlightfloodedtheGreatWolf’scouncilchamber.Thearmouredshuttershadbeendrawn
backfromthetallwindowsthatdominatedtheeastsideofthelargeroom,providingapanoramic
viewofthecloudwrappedAsaheimrangeandthedistant,iron-greysea.Fenriswasswingingcloseto
theWolf’sEyeoncemore,endingtheharshwinterandheraldingtheevenharsherTimeofFire.The
risingtemperatureshadbanishedtheheavyovercastandtheclingingmistthatenfoldedtheFangfor
muchoftheyear,andforashorttimeRagnarknewthattheseaswouldbemildandrelativelyfree
fromstorms.Thekrakenwouldrisefromthedeeps,andthepeopleofFenriswouldtaketotheseain
theirlongshipstohuntandtofight.TheIronSeason,Ragnarrecalled,atimeoffeastingandofbattle,
ofbetrothalsandbirths:atimeforofferingsacrificestothegodswhowatchfromtheclouds.
LoganGrimnarwasstandingbeforeoneofthosetallwindowsasRagnarenteredtheroom,his
widehandsclaspedbehindhisbackashebroodedupontheunsuspectingworldbelow.TheGreat
Wolfwasinhisarmour,hisshoulderswrappedinacloakofsea-dragonscales.Runiccharmsand
wolves’teethwerewovenintothethickbraidsofhisiron-greyhair,andparchmentribbonsfrom
hundredsofmajorcampaignsflutteredlikeraven’sfeathersfromhisscarredgreyandyellow
pauldrons.Oldandfierce,asindomitableastheFangitself,somesaidthatLoganGrimnarwasthe
greatestlivingwarriorintheImperium,andRagnarcouldnothelpbutfeelawedbyhispresence.
NearlyadozenotherSpaceWolvesstoodaroundthecounciltable,mightypriestsormembersof
Logan’sWolfGuard,eachoneatoweringfigureinhisownright.
Atonce,RagnarcaughtafamiliarscentamongthefearsomeWolvesandsearchedamongthe
crowdedwarriorsforitssource.LadyGabriella,MasterNavigatorofHouseBellisarius,satina
high-backedwoodenchairatthefarsideofthetable,studyingtheassemblyoverslim,steepled
fingers.SheworethedarkdressuniformofherHouse,ornamentedwithepaulettesandpolishedgold
buttonsfashionedwiththewolf-and-eyesymbolofBellisarius.Medalsandceremonialbraidcovered
thefrontofherjacket,proclaimingherpersonalachievementsandthegreatdeedsofherhousehold,
andasmallpistolandagracefullycurvedsabrehungfromabeltaroundhernarrowwaist.Herlong,
blackhairhadbeenboundupinglossybraidsthathungabouthernarrowshouldersandframedher
severe,angularface.AscarfofblacksilkcoveredtheNavigator ’shighforehead,concealingthe
pinealeyethatwasthesourceofherpsychictalents.
GabriellaturnedherheadslightlyasRagnar ’sgazefelluponherandnoddedacurtgreeting.Then
sherestedherhandsinherlapandturnedherattentionbacktotheGreatWolf.
RagnarsteppedforwardandkneltbeforeGrimnar.‘LadyGabriellasaidashiphascomefrom
Charysbearingnews,’hesaidwithoutpreamble.‘Whathashappened?Whydidn’ttheastropaths–’
‘AccordingtotheLadyGabriella,youencounteredtheChaossorcererMadoxonHyades,’the
GreatWolfsaid,cuttingRagnaroff.‘Whatdidhesaytoyou?’
ThequestiontooktheyoungSpaceWolfaback.‘Wedidnotmeetfacetoface,’hereplied.‘Heonly
revealedhimselfthroughoneofhisminions,justaswewereabouttoleavetheplanet.’
‘And?’Logangrowled.
‘Hesaidhismenweregoingtokillus,’Ragnarsaidwithashrug.
Grimnarturned,fixingtheyoungSpaceWolfwithanicygaze.‘WhatoftheSpearofRuss?Didhe
sayanythingaboutit?’
Ragnarfrowned.‘No,lord,hedidn’t.ThetraitorCadmus,however,claimedthatMadoxwas
seekingarelicthatwasacrucialcomponentofaritualhesoughttoperform,aritualthatalso
dependeduponSpaceMarinegene-seed.’AchillraceddownRagnar ’sspine.‘Thiswasallinmy
earlierreport.Whatisallthisabout?’
‘MadoxhasbeensightedonCharys,lad,’spokeavoicebesidethecounciltable.Ragnarturnedto
meetthegazeofRanek,thegreatWolfPriest.‘HehastheSpearofRusswithhim.’
Ragnarleapttohisfeet,startledbythenews.‘TheSpear!’hesaid,forgettinghimself.Russbe
praised,hethought,perhapsallisnotlost.
‘Thisishardlyacauseforcelebration,lad!’Raneksnapped.‘NowthefullscopeoftheChaos
incursionbecomesclear.’
‘Howso?’Ragnarasked.
Ranekreacheddownandtouchedaruneattheedgeofthecounciltable.Ahololithmountedinthe
tabletopglowedtolife,creatingadetailedstarmapofthesector.Fenrislaynearthecentreofthe
map.Systemscurrentlyunderattackorinrevoltshonebrighterthantherest.Minorattacksor
incursionswerecolouredyellow,whilemajorattackswerered.Ragnarwasshockedtoseethatmore
thanthirtysystemswereaffected.
‘WehavebeenstudyingthepatternoftheChaosincursionsinceitbegan,’theWolfPriestsaid,
‘tryingtoascertaintheirultimateobjective.Manyoftheinitialuprisingsmadesensefromamilitary
standpoint:forgeworlds,industrialisedhive-worldsandtradecentres,attacksdesignedtosow
confusionandcrippleourabilitytorespond.Butmanyothersconfoundedus.’Hepointedtoapulsing
redsystem.‘CetaPavonis,anairlessrockoccupiedbygangsofpiratesandslavers.Orhere:Grendel
IV,anoldworldallbutabandonedthreecenturiesagowhenthelastofitsradiumminesplayedout.
EvenCharysisnothingmorethanaminoragri-world,withlittlestrategicvalueotherthanits
proximitytoFenris.Yet,ineachoftheseplacestherearemajoruprisingsandreportedsightingsof
ChaosMarines.’
Ragnarconsideredthis.‘Diversions,’heconcluded,‘meanttodrawourattentionfromthetrue
objective.Whatelsecouldtheybe?’
RanekgavetheyoungSpaceWolfanappraisinglook.‘What,indeed?Wewonderedmuchthesame
thing.’TheWolfPriestshrugged.‘Iftheyweremeantasdiversions,thenourfoeschosepoorly.
Therearefarmoreimportantsystemsthatrequireourprotection.Butweknowthatourenemiesare
notfools,howevermuchwewouldliketobelieveotherwise.Therewasaplanatworkhere,butwe
couldnotseeitatfirst.’RanekgesturedatthecollectionofRunePriestsstandingquietlyaroundthe
table.‘Theruneswereconsulted,andtheysuggestedweseekanewpointofviewontheproblem.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfturned,pensive.‘Well,I’mnotsurehowmuchhelpIwillbe,butifyou
thinkIcanbeofuse–’
Amelodiouslaughrosefromthefarsideofthetable,andinmomentstheassembledSpaceWolves
joinedin,breakingthetensionintheroom.Gabriellacoveredhermouthwithonepalehand,her
humaneyestwinklingwithmirth.‘Ranekwasreferringtome,’shesaid,notunkindly.‘Heandthe
GreatWolfthoughtImightseeapatternwhereawarriormightnot.’
Ragnarfoughttocontroltheflushrisingtohischeeks.‘Ah,ofcourse,’hesaidquickly,‘andwere
yousuccessful?’
Gabriella’sangularfeaturesturnedsoberoncemore.‘Unfortunately,yes,’shesaid.Sheturnedto
Ranek.‘Ifyouwillpermitme…’
‘Ofcourse,lady,’theWolfPriestsaid,steppingawayfromthetable.
Gabriellarosefromherchairandsteppedovertothehololithcontrols.‘Theproblemwasthat
everyonewasviewingtheincursionasamilitarycampaign,notunlikeaBlackCrusade,’shesaid.‘As
Raneksaid,nearlyalloftheminortargetshadmilitaryvalue,butifwejustfocusontheareaswitha
majorChaospresence,weareleftwiththis.’Shetouchedaruneandtheyellowindicatorsfadedfrom
view,leavingthirteensystemsscatteredinaroughlysphericalarrangementaroundFenris.
Ragnarstudiedeachofthesystemsinturn.‘Noneofthesearemajormilitaryorindustrialtargets,’
hesaid,apuzzledlookontheirface.
‘Indeed,’shesaid,‘but,beingaNavigator,anotherprospectsuggesteditselftome:whatifthe
systemsweren’timportantbecauseofwhattheywere,butrather,wheretheywere?’
Gabriellatouchedanotherrune.Thehololithdrewblinkingredlinesconnectingeachofthe
systemstogether.Ragnarwatchedthemconverge,andhiseyeswentwide.‘It’sasymbolofsome
kind.’
‘Notasymbolperse,’Gabriellareplied.‘It’sasorceroussigil,andCharysliesatitscentre.’She
glancedupatRagnar.‘DoyourememberwhatthecityofLethelookedlikewhenweleftfortheFist
ofRuss?’
Ragnarnodded.‘Firefromtheburningpromethiumlinesstretchedallacrossthecity.Itlooked
like…well,Irememberthinkingitlookedlikearitualsymbolofsomekind.’
Shenodded.‘ThatwastheritualsymbolestablishingHyadesasananchorpointforthislarger
sigil,’shesaid,pointingtotheblasphemoussignhangingbeforethem.‘Madoxhaslaidthe
foundationforasorcerousritualofenormousproportions.IfwhatyoulearnedfromCadmusis
correct,henowhasalltheelementsheneedsfortheritualtobegin.’
Thescopeofthesorcerer ’splansstaggeredRagnar.HelookedtotheGreatWolf.‘Ashiparrived
fromCharys,bearingnews.WhathasBerekfound?’
TheOldWolf’sexpressionturnedgrim.‘Berekhasbeengravelywounded,’hesaid,‘andtheRune
PriestAldrekisbelievedtobedead.’Loganturnedawayfromthewindowandsteppedheavilytothe
table.‘WhenGabriellarevealedtheimportanceofCharysIsentBerek’sgreatcompanytheretobring
anendtothismonstrousscheme.ItappearsthatMadoxwaswaitingforhim.Berekandhismenwere
luredintoatrap.’TheOldWolfleanedforward,restinghisscarredknucklesonthetable’sglass
surface.Hislinedfacewasgrim.‘MikalSternmarkcommandsthegreatcompanyforthemoment,
andheandtheGuardregimentscontinuetofightagainsttherebels,butwarpstormsaregrowingin
theregion.Soonthesystemwillbeisolatedaltogether,andtheChaosuprisingshavescatteredour
forcesacrossthesector.’TheOldWolfbangedhisfistonthetabletop.‘Madoxandhisone-eyed
mastermusthavebeenplanningthisfordecades.They’veoutmanoeuvredus,andtheirteethareat
ourthroats.’
AlowgrowlbegantobuildinRagnar ’sthroat.Suddenlyhewasveryawareofthebloodrushing
throughhisveinsandthepoundingofhishearts.EverySpaceWolfintheroomsensedthechange.
HandsclenchedandheadsloweredastheycaughtthescentoftheWulfen.
‘Masteryourself,youngone,’Raneksaidinalow,commandingvoice.‘Savethewolf’sragefor
ourfoes.’
Ragnarstruggledtocontrolhisrisingfury.‘Whatofyourcompany,GreatWolf?’hesaidina
chokedvoice.‘SurelytheycanturnthetideatCharys.’
‘Mycompanyisscatteredacrossourdomains,bolsteringtheeffortsoftheotherWolfLordswho
arehard-pressed,’Grimnarreplied.‘Berek’scompanywasourreserveforce.’
‘SendtheWolfbladetoCharys,then,’Ragnarsnarled,unabletocontainhimself.
TheOldWolf’sfistsclenched.‘What,thethreeofyou?’hethundered.‘Doyouimagineyou’llturn
thetideallbyyourselves?’
‘I’lldieintheattempt,ifImust!’Ragnarshotback.‘I’dratherlieonafieldatCharysthanlive
anotherdayhere.’
‘Arrogantpup!’Grimnarroared.Hestraightenedtohisfullheight,hisfiercepresenceseemingto
filltheentirechamber.HecrossedthespacebetweenhimandRagnarwithasinglestep,andlashed
outwithhisopenhand,cuffingRagnaronthesideofthehead.‘Icouldn’thavesaiditbettermyself!’
TheWolvesroaredwithlaughter.Afteramoment,Ragnarjoinedinaswell.Gabriellastudiedthe
giants’bloody-mindedmirthwithanexpressionofstartledbemusement.
‘Youwillhaveyourwish,youngSpaceWolf,’Grimnarsaid,clappingRagnarontheshoulder.‘We
aresendingeverywarriorwehavelefttoaddtheirswordstothefight,andLadyGabriellahas
pledgedherskillstoguideourreinforcementssafelytoCharys,’theOldWolfsaid,nodding
respectfullytotheNavigator.‘ReporttoSternmarkwhenyouarrive.I’msurehe’llbegladforevery
stoutarmhecanget.’
Inaflash,Ragnar ’sangerturnedtoafierce,bloodthirstyjoy.DeathmightwaitforhimonCharys,
butsobeit,hewouldfaceitasaSpaceWolf,fightingalongsidehisbattle-brothers.‘TheSpearof
Russwillbeoursonceagain,lord.Onmylifeandonmyhonour,Iswearit!’
‘Ihearyou,RagnarBlackmane,’theOldWolfansweredsolemnly,‘andRusshearsyouroathas
well.Spillthebloodofourfoesandreturntouswhatwaslost,andtrytosetagoodexampleforthe
ladswhenyou’regettingyourselfhackedtopieces,eh?’
CHAPTERTHREE
TherumbleoftheThunderhawk’senginesdrummedsoundlesslyacrossRagnar ’sachingbones,
risinginexorablytoapunishingcrescendoastheheavilyladentransportclaweditswayintothenight
sky.Hedimlyheardtheapproachingroaroftheengines,thesoundattenuatedintoabrassyrattleby
thethinatmosphere,andthethickblanketofcloudsbelowtherockyledgebegantoglowafaintblue.
Theclimbingspacecraftburstthroughthecloudlayerlikeaspear,ridingacolumnofcyanlightinto
thepurplevaultofstarswheretheFistofRussawaited.Ragnartrackeditscoursethroughfrozen,
half-closedlidsuntilitwasnothingmorethananotherfiercelyburningspeckinthefirmamentabove
thegreatmountain.
Withinmoments,thelastnotesofthunderfaded,leavingRagnartohissilentvigil.Hehadlosttrack
ofthehourssincehe’dclimbedabovethecloudsandsettledhimselfhighatoptheFang.Cladonlyin
hiswoollenclothesandwolfskincloak,hehadkneltinthesnowanddrawnforthhisancientfrost
blade.Restingthetipagainstthefrozengroundandplacinghishandsuponitshilt,hehadprayedto
theAllfatherandtoblessedRuss,theFirstWolf,untilicecrystalscloggedthisthroatandrattledinhis
lungs.Allthroughthenighthewaited,hisfaceupturnedtotheendlessexpanseofspace,hopingfora
brushwithsomethinghecouldnotrightlyname.
ForatimeafterhisbriefaudiencewiththeGreatWolf,Ragnar ’sspiritshadbeenlifted.Thechains
ofdutyhadbeenloosenedatlast,andfieldsofwarbeckoned.Moreimportantly,theSpearofRuss
hadbeenspottedonCharys,andforthefirsttime,Ragnarfeltthathemighthaveachancetoredeem
himselfandrestorethehonourofhisChapter.
However,asthedayworeon,andhebeganpreparinghiswargearforthejourney,histhoughts
turneddarkoncemore.ThenewsofBerek’sfateatthehandsofMadoxwasaterribleblow,andthe
picturethattheOldWolfhadpaintedoftheoverallsituationwaswoefullygrim.Restoringthose
worldsalreadylosttoChaoswouldtakecenturiestocomplete,ifitcouldbedoneatall.He’dheardof
worldsscoureddowntothebedrockbyvirusbombsandcyclonictorpedoes,oncethey’dbeen
deemedtootaintedtoreclaim.Againandagain,hismindturnedbacktothatmomentinthetempleon
GarmwhenhehadheldtheSpearofRussinhishand.Ithrewitaway,hethought,andeverythingthat
cameafterisbecauseofme.
HecouldnothelpbutthinkofwhattheOldWolfhadsaidinthecouncilchamber.Madoxandhis
one-eyedmastermusthavebeenplanningthisfordecades.Coulditbetrue?Ifso,hadn’thebeen
nothingmorethanapawn,pushedandpulledacrossavast,invisibleboardthatonlytheChaos
sorcerercouldsee?Theidealefthimsickatheart.Itwasonethingtostrivemightilyandfail–at
leastthatwasanoblefailure,pureinspiritanddonewithhonour–buttodancetothebiddingofevil
powers…thatcouldnotbeborne.
So,hehadclimbedtothehighestslopeofFenrishecouldreach,farbeyondthegraspofmortal
men,tostareupintotheheavensandseek…something,abrushwithholinessperhaps,suchashe’d
feltinthesacredshrineonGarm.Herememberedthepeacehe’dfeltthen,thesenseofrightnessthat
banishedpainandwearinessanddoubt.
Notthistime,however.Poisedbetweenheavenandearth,fireandice,RagnarBlackmanewasleft
withnothingbutsilenceanddoubt.
IcecrackledfaintlyastheSpaceWolfslowlybowedhishead.Hisbreathnolongerleftfaintwisps
ofmistinthethinair,havingslowedandcooledalmosttothepointofhibernation.Hecouldhearthe
sluggishflowofbloodthroughhisveins,andtheslow,alternatingbeatsofhishearts.
Itwasseverallongmomentsbeforethebuzzingsoundofvoicesregisteredinhisnumbedbrain.
Theywereapproachingfromthethickcloudlayer,severaldozenmetresbelow.Haegrappearedfirst,
broachingthepearlymistlikeagreyflankedwhale.HisbeadyeyesspottedRagnaratonce.‘Ha!’he
exclaimed,hisboomingvoicestrangelydistortedbythealtitude.‘Itoldyouwewouldfindhimhere!
That’sthreekegsofIronheadAleyouoweme,TorintheDoubter.’
Thebarrel-chestedSpaceWolfploddedresolutelyuptheicyslopetowardsRagnar,theheavy
armourheworelendingweightandpowertohissteps.IceglitteredalongtheshouldersofHaegr ’s
bearskincloakanddraggeddownthebristlesofhiswalrus-likemoustache,andhischeekswerevivid
red.Despitetheclimb,thehugewarriorstillcarriedhismassivealehorninhisrighthand.Behind
him,lighterofstepbutnolessburdenedbythesavageconditions,cameTorin,helmet-less,but
wearinganarctichoodthatshieldedhisleanfacefromtheworstofthecold.‘Itwastwokegsofale,
notthree,’theolderWolfbladereplied,‘butyouwonthemfairlyforachange.Howdidyouthinkto
lookhere?’
‘MightyHaegr ’smusclesaren’tjustinhisarms,’hedeclared,tappinganarmouredfingeragainst
hisskull.‘Yousawthelookinhiseyeswhenheleftthearmingchamberthisafternoon.Whenhe’sin
oneofhisblackmoodsjustthinkoftheworst,mostinhospitableplaceaWolfcangettounderhis
ownpower,andthat’swhereyou’llfindhim.’TheburlySpaceWolfclimbedontoRagnar ’sledge,
andpeeredsternlyathim.‘Beenuphereallnight,bythelooksofhim.Hisskin’sblackerthanan
inquisitor ’sheart.’
TorinslippedpastHaegrandkneltbesideRagnar.Theolderwarriorstudiedhimsointentlythat
foramomentRagnarwonderedifTorinthoughthemightbedead.Hetookinadeeperbreathand
spoke,thewordscomingoutinaraspycough.‘Neededtimetothink,’hesaidgruffly.Hetriedtogive
Torinahardlook,buthisfrozeneyesrefusedtoobey.
TheolderWolfbladeglancedbackoverhisshoulderatthevastseaofcloudbelow.‘Ifyou’dwaited
hereafewhourslongeryou’dbewatchingourThunderhawktakeoffandbethinkingabouthowyou
weregoingtowalktoCharys,’hesaid.‘Gabriellaistakingherbreakfast,andwantstobeaboardthe
FistofRussbeforedaybreak.Wetriedtocallyou,butyouswitchedoffyourvox-bead,orit’sfrozen
solid;Ican’ttellwhichatthispoint.’
Ragnarforcedhiseyestocloseandconcentratedonhisbreathingforamoment.Hispulsebeganto
quicken,slowlyincreasinghisbody’scoretemperature.Tricklesofwaterranfromhiseyeslikefaux
tears,andfrozeuponhischeeks.TheyoungSpaceWolfclenchedhisfistsaroundthehiltofthesword
andfelticecrackleacrosshisknuckles.Whenheopenedhiseyesagainhesawthattheskinofhis
handswasblue-black.Hewouldbescrapingthedeadskincellsawayforquiteawhile.Grittinghis
teeth,Ragnarclimbedtohisfeet.Fiercepainsstabbedthroughhisjoints,buthesuppressedthemwith
aneffortofwill.‘Iwouldhavecomedownbydawn,’hegrumbled,shakingstillmoreicefromhis
shoulders.
‘Perhapsanotetothateffectnexttimewouldbehelpful,’Torinobserved.
NowRagnardidmanageaforbiddingglare.‘IfI’ddonethatyouwouldhavecomelookingforme
straightaway.Itoldyou,Iwantedtobealone.’
‘Whatabloodystupidthingtosay!’Haegrbarked.‘AWolf’snothingwithouthispack,Ragnar.
Evenyou’rebrightenoughtoknowthat.’HebrandishedhishornbeforetheyoungSpaceWolf.‘Why,
youmissedatruehero’sfeastinthehalllastnight!Therewasmeadenoughtofloatalongship,and
theeating-boardgroanedwithallthefoodpileduponit!’
‘WhichHaegrtriedtoeatallbyhimself,’Torinsaidwryly.
ThehugeSpaceWolfpuffedouthisbarrelchest.‘Don’tblamemeforyourfaintheart,’Haegr
replied,eyeswidewithoutrage.‘Youcouldhavetakenyourshareatanytime.’
‘ExceptthatIlikemyfingerswheretheyare,’Torinremarkedwryly.‘I’veheardofbattlemadness
before,butfeastmadness?Wereyoubittenbyagoatatayoungage,Haegr?Ithinkyoutriedtoeat
theboarditselfbetweencourses.’
‘Don’tbestupid,’Haegrshotback.‘Ijustneededasplintertogetapieceofvenisoncaughtbetween
myteeth.’
‘Thatwasn’tvenison,thatwasRolfi,oneofthenewBloodClaws,’theolderWolfbladereplied.He
glancedatRagnar.‘Forawhile,thecubsjustsatandstaredateverythingthatwasgoingdown
Haegr ’sthroat,butfinallyRolfihadenough.Hereachedforapieceofvenisonandthisgreatfool
triedtotakeabiteoutofhim.Startedquiteafight.TheClawspulledHaegrdowneventually,likea
packofwolvesnippingatabear.’
‘Andyousatbyanddidnothing!’Haegrgrowled,fullofdudgeon.
‘Notso.Isawmychanceandhadafinedinneramidthedebris,’Torinansweredmildly,andthen
regardedtheyoungSpaceWolfagain.‘Didyoufindwhatyoucameherefor?’heasked.
Ragnarraisedthegleamingfrostbladetothestarrysky,inspectingtheweaponcarefullyinthe
faintlight.‘No,Ididn’t,’hesaidafteramoment,andthenslidthebladebackintoitsscabbard.
‘Perhapstheanswerlieselsewhere.’
‘OnCharys,youmean?’Torinasked.
‘Perhaps,’Ragnarsaiddarkly.
Haegrshookhisheadinexasperation,staringoutacrossthecloudscape.‘You’reagoodlad,
Ragnar,butyouthinktoodamnedmuch,’heobserved.‘Still,youcanpicksomefinespotstobrood.’
Thehugewarriorspreadhisarmsandsighed.‘ByRuss,itfeelslikewebarelygotherebeforewe’re
leavingagain,’hesaid,atouchwistfully,andthenchuckled.‘See,nowyou’vegotmedoingit.I’llbe
mopingaboutforyearswhenwefinallygetbacktoTerra.’
‘You’regettingaheadofyourself,’Ragnarsaid.‘WehavetowinonCharysfirst.’
‘Ha!’Haegrreplied,hisexpressionbrighteningatonce.HeclappedhishandonRagnar ’sshoulder
hardenoughtostaggertheyoungSpaceWolf.‘That’sagoodone,lad!Haven’tyoueverheardthe
oldsaying?Thewolfwinseveryfighthe’sin!’
‘Everyfightbuthislast,’Ragnaradded,hisexpressiongrim.
TheburlySpaceWolfthrewbackhisheadandlaughed.‘ThenMightyHaegrwillliveforever!’he
roared,raisinghisalehorntohislips.Hepaused,andthenloweredthehornandpeeredintoits
depths.‘Morkai’sblackbreath,’hecursed,‘mymead’sfrozen.Let’sgetbelowquick.Theremaybe
justenoughtimetothawitoutandgetaquickbitetoeatbeforeweliftoff.’
Ragnarwatchedthroughtheshuttle’sviewportsastheybegantheirapproachtotheFistofRuss.The
hugewarshipappearedoutofthedarknesslikeabatteredfortress,hervastgreyflanksbearingdeep
scarsfromenemylancesandcrateredbysalvoesofmacro-cannonshells.Herimposing,armoured
prowwasscorchedandpittedbyweaponblasts,andhersuperstructurewasablackened,twistedruin
alongnearlyhalfofitslength.Smallerrepairtendershoveredaroundtheenormouswarship,using
hugeservo-armsandplasmablasttorchestoreplaceruinedsectionsofhullplating.Ragnar ’skeen
eyespickedoutswarmsofrepairservitorsclimbinglikeantsoverthewarship’smassivedorsallance
turrets,workingfuriouslytomakesuretheywouldbereadyforaction.
ShehadoncebeenaMars-classbattlecruiserthathadservedwithdistinctionalongsidethecapital
shipsofBattlefleetObscuras,nearlyfourteencenturiesbefore.Inthosedaysshehadbeencalledthe
Resolute,butthatnamefellintoinfamywhentheArch-HierophantVortigernbegantheAlphalus
Insurrectionlateinthe39thmillennium.ThepettyofficersandcrewoftheResolutehadsidedwith
Vortigernandmutinied,murderingtheship’sofficersandturningthebattlecruiserovertotheArchHierophant’sforces.
ForthreehundredlongyearssheservedasVortigern’sflagship,untilBerekThunderfist’s
predecessor,theWolfLordHrothgarIronblade,capturedherduringtheBattleofSestusProxima.
Hrothgarclaimedtheshipforhisownshortlythereafter,ashispreviousflagshiphadbeenlost,and
ResolutereturnedtoImperialserviceastheFistofRuss.Shehadfoughtmanygreatbattlessinceand
earnedaplaceofhonourintheChapter ’sbattlefleet,anditgrievedRagnartoseeherinsuchwoeful
shape.AtHyadestheFistofRusshadfacedoffagainsttheheavybombardmentcannonsoftheVinco
Redemptor,abattle-bargeoftheDarkAngelsSpaceMarineChapter,andthenlaterfoughtasmall
armadaofChaoswarshipssummonedtoassistCadmusintheuprisingontheplanet’ssurface.
Thoughshe’dsurvived,andeventriumphed,inbothbattles,theFistofRusshadpaiddearlyforher
victories.Ragnarcouldseethatthewarshipneededmonths,perhapsyears,torepairallthedamage
she’dreceived,butthatwasaluxurytheSpaceWolvescurrentlydidn’thave.AlltheChapter ’sother
greatshipswerealreadyinaction,alongwiththeirsmallerescorts,sotheFistofRusswasneededat
thebattlelineoncemore.CrewsfromFenriswouldcontinuetomakerepairsupuntiltheverylast
minute,returningtotheirtendersonlywhenthebattlecruiserwasabouttoenterthewarp.
RagnarknewthattherehadbeenreportsofChaoswarshipslurkingattheedgesoftheCharys
system.HeofferedaprayertotheAllfatherthattherepairswouldbeenough.
‘Youseemtroubled.’
Ragnarturnedawayfromtheshuttle’sporthole.UnliketheThunderhawktransportsthathadferried
thenewBloodClawpackstotheFistofRussduringthenight,Gabriellawascomingaboardthe
warshiponanelegantlyappointedpersonalshuttlefromherfamily’scruiser,theWingsofBellisarius.
TheyoungNavigatorsatateaseinacurved,high-backedaccelerationcouchintheshuttle’sspacious
passengercompartment,herfacehalf-hiddeninshadow.
TheyoungSpaceWolfcastaglancetowardsthepilotcompartment,whereTorinwasguidingthe
shuttletothewarship’sstarboardhangardeck.Haegr,truetohisword,haddashedoffassoonas
they’dcomedownfromthemountaintopandappearedattheshuttle,justmomentsbeforelaunch,with
ahugehaunchofmeatclutchedinonearmouredfist.He’deatenthewholething,bonesandall,
beforetheshuttlehadevenlefttheloweratmosphere,andnowhesatinthebackoftheshuttle
compartmentsnoringlikeanidlingLandRaider.
Ragnarconsideredhowtorespond.‘Theshiphasnobusinessheadingbacktothebattleline,’he
saidafteramoment.‘Areyoucertainyouwillnotreconsiderthis?’
AfaintsmiletouchedthecornersofGabriella’sthinlips.‘Aftereverythingthatyouandyour
ChapterhavedoneformyHouse?’shereplied.‘ThisistheveryleastIcando.Butyou’rebeing
evasive.It’snottheshipthat’sbotheringyou.’
Ragnarfoldedhisarmstightlyacrosshischest.‘Areyoupeeringintomythoughts?’heasked
gruffly.TheNavigatorHousesoftheImperiumweresomeofthemostpowerfulpsykershumanity
hadeverknown,andtheirpsychicabilitiesallowedthemtoguideshipsofallsizessafelythroughthe
maelstromofthewarp.TheirpowersmadetravelthroughtheImperiumpossibleforitswarshipsand
merchantfleets,anditwasthesourceoftheirfamilies’enormouswealthandpower.
Gabriellaletoutasmallsighofexasperation.‘Don’tbefoolish,’shechided.‘Whenitcomesto
youremotionsyou’reaboutassubtleasHaegr,’theNavigatorsaid.‘You’vebeeninadarkmoodfor
thelastfewweeks,’shecontinued.‘Whatisit?’
Shespokecalmlyandcarefully,asshealwaysdid,butRagnarfeltaflushofirritationather
persistentquestioning.Hestartedtosnapather,lipspullingbackfromhiscurvedfangs,butcaught
himselfatthelastpossiblemoment.Whatiswrongwithme,Ragnarthought?Hehadswornanoathto
serveandprotectHouseBellisarius.ForallintentsandpurposesGabriellawasnodifferentin
authoritythanBerekThunderfistorevenLoganGrimnar.TheyoungSpaceWolftriedtomaskhis
consternation,butgaveupwithanexplosivesigh.‘Honestly,lady,Idonotknow,’hereplied.‘I’ve
beentroubledsinceourescapefromHyades,butmymoodhasonlydarkenedsincearrivingon
Fenris.’
‘Iwouldhavethoughtthatreturningtoyourhomewouldpleaseyou,’shesaid.
‘Pleaseme?’Ragnarsaid.‘Howcouldit?MyChapterisatwar,andthemoreIconsiderit,themore
IbelievethatIampartlytoblame.’
‘How?Bycastingthespearintothewarp?Ragnar,ifMadoxhadwantedthatdone,doyouhonestly
thinkhewouldhaveneededyourhelptodoit?’
Ragnarshifteduncomfortablyinhisseat.‘Well,no,Isupposenot,butittroublesmeallthesame.’
Gabriellasighedandfoldedherpalehandsinherlap.‘Ragnar,Iunderstandwhatit’sliketofeel
obligatedtothepeoplearoundyou,butwhat’sdoneisdone.Beashamedifyoumust,butdon’t
wallowinregret.Itwon’tchangeathing.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfdroppedhisgazetothetipsofhisarmouredboots.‘Iseeyourpoint,’he
saidreluctantly,‘butlately,Ijustcan’tgetthethoughtoutofmyhead.Ihaven’tbeensleepingwellfor
days.LatelyI’vebeenhavingstrangedreams.Ithinkthespearfiguresintothem,butIcan’tquite
rememberwhattheywereaboutwhenIawake.’Heglancedupworriedly.‘IthinkMadoxmaybein
mydreamsaswell.Couldhehaveputsomekindofcurseonme?’
Gabriellaraisedaneyebrow.‘Acurse?Unlikely,’shesaid.‘Itsoundsmorelikeguilttome.’She
gesturedgracefullyatthemassivewarshiploominglargeintheshuttle’sforwardviewscreen.‘Ranek
saidtherewasayoungSpaceWolfPriestleadingtheBloodClawswe’retakingtoCharys,perhapshe
couldhelpyou.’
Attherearoftheshuttle,Haegrletoutasnortandstraightenedinhischair.‘AWolfPriest?’hesaid
fuzzily,wipingdroolfromhischin.‘Iknowhim,ayoungladnamedSigurd.’
RagnarglancedbackattheburlySpaceWolf.‘Howdoyouknowhim?’
‘Hewasatthemeadhallwhenthosecubsofhisstolemyrightfulshareofthefeast,’hesaid
indignantly.‘Triedtolecturemeaboutdisciplineandrespect!I’vegotscarsolderthanthatpup,’
Haegrgrumbled.‘He’sgotastickshovedsofaruphisarseIcouldusehimforahandpuppetonfeast
days,’hesaid,andthenfrowned.‘Arewethereyet?MightyHaegrcoulduseabitetoeattokeepat
peakfightingcondition.’
TherumbleofthrustersebbedastheBellisariusshuttlebeganitsdescentintothebattlecruiser ’s
hangardeck.RagnarfoundhehadonemorereasontobeconcernedaboutthevoyagetoCharys.
CHAPTERFOUR
Alowgroanoftorturedmetalechoedhollowlydownthelengthofthebroadpassageway,andRagnar
thoughthefelttheheavydeckbeneathhimtrembleastheFistofRusswasbuffetedbyenergies
beyondmortalken.
TheywerethreeweeksoutfromFenris,andmorethanfourdayspasttheirscheduledreturntoreal
spaceattheedgeoftheCharyssystem.Theyhadencounteredthefirstwarpstormmorethanaweek
ago,andtheintensityoftheetherealwindshadonlygrownmoreintensesincethen.Atfirst,the
stormswerealmostimperceptibletoRagnarandtherestoftheSpaceWolves,butovertimethefirst
creaksandgroansbegantoreverberatethroughthehull.Now,theterriblesoundswerenearly
constant,risingandfallinginvolumeastheunseengalewrackedthewarship’sGellerfield.There
werealreadyscoresofhullbreachesinstill-damagedpartsoftheship.Thecrew,overwhelmedbythe
simpleday-to-daytasksofkeepingtheFistofRussoperational,wereforcedtosealoffentiresections
ofthewarshipratherthanspendpreciousresourcesontemporaryrepairs.
Themoodofthecrewwastense.UnlikemostSpaceMarineChapters,whichmadeextensiveuseof
servitorstomansecondarycrewstationsthroughouttheirships,theSpaceWolvespreferredhuman
bondsmentooperatetheirstarships.ManyofthesewereformerSpaceMarineaspirantsthathad
fallenshortoftheenormousdemandsoftraining,butwerestilldeemedworthytoservetheChapter
inanothercapacity.OtherswerechosenfromamongthepeoplesofFenrisspecificallybecauseof
theirskillsasship-handlers.TheywereamongthefinestshipmeninanyImperialfleet,butwhen
Ragnarpassedtheminthecorridorsoftheembattledshiphecouldsmelltheacridscentoffearon
theirskin.Iftheydidn’tfindawaythroughthestormssoon,theFistofRussmightnotreachCharys
atall.
Fortheirpart,theWolveshadgrownmorerestlesswitheverydayspentintheconfinesofthegreat
ship.Despitethebattlecruiser ’svastsize,theindividualroomsandpassagewaystookonan
increasinglyclaustrophobicfeel,asthoughthewarpstormshadaphysicalweightthatpressedinon
theshipfromeveryside.TheWolfPriest,Sigurd,kepttheBloodClawpacksbusypractising
boardingdrillsandmockcombatsalongthelengthandbreadthofthebattlecruiser,drivingthe
youngWolveshard,butkeepingtheirmindsbusyintheprocess.Ragnarcouldnothelpbutapprove
oftheWolfPriest’sdiligenceanddedication,butSigurddidn’tseemtoknowwhentostop.Day-long
battledrillswouldbefollowedbyunannouncedinspectionsorsurpriseattacksduringsleepinghours.
Packswereassignedcomplicatednavigationproblemstosolvewithinthelabyrinthinecorridorsof
thewarship,andwerenotallowedtoeatorrestuntiltheywerecompleted.Tempersweregrowing
frayedwitheachpassingday,buttheWolfPriestwouldnotrelent.EvenRagnarwasgrowing
increasinglyirritatedaboutit,andhewasn’teventakingpartinthetrainingregimen.Torinhad
approachedSigurdearlyoninthevoyage,offeringtheservicesoftheWolfblade,buttheolderSpace
Wolfhadbeencoldlyrebuffed.
TheWolfbladespenttheirhourstendingtheirwargearandpractisingtheirclosecombattechniques
whentheBloodClawsweren’tusingthetrainingarena.EvenHaegrhadbeenpersuadedtojoin,more
fromboredomandlackoffoodthananythingelse.
SleepcontinuedtoeludeRagnar.Ithadbeenmanyweekssincehe’dlastmanagedafullrestcycle,
andwhatlittlesleephedidmanagewasfraughtwithstrange,fragmentarydreams.AlthoughaSpace
Marinecouldfunctionwithoutpropersleepformonthsatatimeifnecessary,Ragnarcouldfeelthe
strainbeginningtoaffecthisabilitytothinkandreact.Hehadcontemplatedapproachingtheship’s
Apothecaryforhelp,orevenenteringtheRedDreamforthedurationofthevoyage,butthethought
ofwhatstrangedreamshemightencounterinsuchastategavehimpause.
Fromtimetotime,heconsideredGabriella’sadviceaboutconsultingtheWolfPriestforhelp.As
thekeepersoftheSpaceWolves’sacredlore,theWolfPriestswereconsideredthespiritualheartof
theChapter,andsourcesofgreatinsightandwisdom.Sigurd,however,wasrarelyavailableto
anyoneoutsidetheBloodClaws,drivinghimselfashardas,orharderthan,hischarges,andtheone
requestthatRagnarhadleftatSigurd’squartershadgoneunanswered.Thesedays,whensleepeluded
him,hewenttothebattlecruiser ’sbridgeandstoodwatchoverthearmouredcapsulewhere
GabriellafoughttoguidetheFistofRussthroughthewarp.
Ragnarintendedtoreturnthereaftertheeveningmeal,forhecouldalreadytellthathewastoo
agitatedtogetanysleep.HehadspenttheentiredaysparringwithTorinandHaegrwhiletheBlood
Clawspractisedboardingdrillsnearthebowoftheship,andhisbodyachedinascoreofplaces
wherehiscomradeshadlandedtellingblows.He’dkeptfightinglongpastthepointofexhaustion,but
whilehisbodyfeltalmostleadenwithfatiguehismindwastenseandagitated.Strangely,evenTorin
andHaegrseemedtoechotheyoungSpaceWolf’smentalstate.They’dfoughtjustasfiercelyashim
inthearena,hackingandslashingatoneanotherwithsilent,murderousintent.Torinbroughtnoneof
hiscunningtobear,revertingbacktosimple,brutalblows,andevenHaegrhadlittleornothingto
say.TheypaddedalongsilentlyinRagnar ’swakeastheymadetheirwaytotheship’smeadhall,
drawingworriedstaresfromeverybondsmanthatpassedby.
Theraucoussoundsoffeastingrolleddownthepassagewayastheyapproachedthemeadhall.
Ragnarpaused,bitingbackasurgeofirritation.Thewholereasonhe’dchosenthistimetovisitthe
hallwasbecausenormallytheBloodClawswereelsewhere.SincethevoyagebegantheWolfblade
hadkepttheirdistancefromtheyoungWolves,andthesentimenthadbeenreturnedinkind.Ragnar
hadlittledoubtthatSigurdhadpaintedtheWolfbladeasapackofoutcastsandexiles,asmanyother
SpaceWolveswerewonttodo.
‘Areyougoingtostandthereallday?’Haegrgrowled.‘Can’tyouhearthat?Thepupsareeating
oursupper!’
Torinsighed,alittleexasperated.‘Therewillbemoreinanhourorso,yougreatfool.’
‘Thentheycanwaittheirturn,’thehugeSpaceWolfrumbled.‘Pupsoughttolearntheirplace,if
youaskme.Hereweare,threemightyheroes–well,onemightyheroandtwofairtomiddlingones
–whodeservetheirdue,andthoseun-bloodedyounglingsthinktosnatchthemeatandalefromour
verymouths.Well,Iwon’thaveit!’Puffingouthischest,HaegrpushedpastRagnarandrolledlike
thunderintothemeadhall.
Torincursedunderhisbreath.‘Imustbegoingmad,’hesaid.‘Haegralmostmadesensetherefora
minute.’HeglancedatRagnar.‘He’ssuretostartafight,youknow.Ontheotherhand,I’malmostas
hungryasheis.Whataboutyou?’
Ragnaralmostturnedonhisheelandheadedbacktohiscell.Inthemeadhallbeyond,theclamour
ofyoungvoicesandtheracketofplatesfellintoasuddenandtensesilence.Allatonce,asurgeof
irritationwashedoverRagnar,raisingthehacklesonthebackofhisneck.‘Comeon,’hegrowled,
andstrodeswiftlyintothehall.
ThehallwasfullofBloodClaws.Atfirstglance,Ragnarreckonedthatallthreeoftheyoungpacks
weretakingtheirmealatthesametime,somethingthathadn’thappenedsinceleavingFenris.Shaggy
headshunglowovergnawedhaunchesofmeat,anddarkeyessurveyedHaegrandhisbrethrenwith
openhostility.Lowgrowlsrumbledacrossthehallandtheairwasthickwiththescentofchallenge,
settingRagnar ’steethonedge.
Inoldertimesthewarship’smeadhallwastheofficer ’swardroom.Nowthreemassiveredoak
tableswerearrangedinaroughY-shapeinaroomcapableofholdingeasilythreetimesthatnumber.
Haegrstoodbetweenthetwolowertables,hiswidehandsplantedonhishipsasheglaredbackatthe
BloodClaws.Headsturnedtothehightable,wherethestrongestpacktypicallysat,andthelesser
packswouldtaketheircuesfromthem.Thepackleaderatthehightablewasabroadshouldered,
blond-hairedwarriorwithahatchetfaceandhoodedeyes.Hepickedagrox’sthighbonefromthe
debrisonthetableandcrackeditbetweenhispowerfuljaws,hisgazeneverleavingHaegrashe
suckedoutthesweetmarrow.
‘WhatinMorkai’snamedoyouwant?’heaskedwitharaspysneer.
HaegrglancedbackatRagnarandTorin,andgavethemawidegrin.‘Nowthere’sastupidquestion
ifeverIheardone,’hereplied,hisrumblingvoicelowwithmenace.‘Thisisthemeadhall,isn’tit?
We’reheretoeatanddrinkourfill,asWolvesought,’hesaid,turningbacktothepackleader.‘Only
youdogshappentobeinourseats.’
MoregrowlsrosearoundtheWolfblade.RagnarcaughtTorin,givinghimasidelongglance.He
knewthatheshouldsaysomething,aquickwordofgreetingoranoffertotoastthecomingbattle,
buthefelthisbodyrespondingtothechallenge,almostofitsownaccord.Ifthecubthoughthewas
thetoughestWolfinthehall,Ragnarwaseagertoprovehimwrong.Infact,hehungeredforit.
Alean,red-hairedwarriortothepackleader ’srightgaveHaegrawolfishgrin.‘Ithinkthewalrus
isreadyforanotherbeating,’hesaid.
Theblondwarrior ’ssneerwidened.‘Youwanttoeat?Here,’hesaid,andtossedthecrackedboneat
Haegr ’sfeet.‘Whenyou’redoneyoucanbegformore.Iexpectwecanfindafewmorescrapsfora
bunchofoutcastslikeyou.’
Laughterfilledthemeadhall.AbonearcedfromthetabletotherightandbouncedoffHaegr ’s
shoulder.Acrustofbreadflewpast,andthenafishhead.
Haegrstraightenedtohisfullheight,hischestswellinglikeathundercloud,butbythetimehe’d
openedhismouthtobellowhisrage,Ragnarhadsweptpasthiminadozenlongstridesandreached
thehightableoppositethepackleader.Theblondwarriorleapttohisfeet,hiseyesalightwiththe
promiseofbattle,andRagnarslappedhimwithhisopenhandhardenoughtoknockthewarrioroff
hisfeet.
Thepackleadercrashedbackintohischairandbouncedbackwithafurioussnarl,hisfacetwisted
withfury.HesnatchedacarvingknifefromthetableandmadetolungeatRagnar,buttheBloodClaw
mightaswellhavebeenstandingstill.Ragnarchoppedhishanddownonthepackleader ’swrist,
breakingitwithabrittlecrunchofbone,andthenbackhandedtheBloodClawoffhisfeet.
Therewasashoutfromthepackleader ’srightandthewarrior ’sred-beardedlieutenantlunged
fromhischair.Therestofthepackatthehightablefollowedsuit,shakingtheairwithhowlsofrage,
andthemeadhalleruptedintoawild,wheelingbrawl.
TheBloodClawscameatRagnarfromeverydirection,swingingfists,steinsorwhateverelse
cametohand.Ahurledplatebuzzedpasthisheadandadrinkingcupshatteredagainsthischest,
sprayingRagnarwithmead.TheyoungSpaceWolftookastepbackfromthetableasthefirstofthe
BloodClawsreachedhim,spoilingthepup’saimashethrewawildpunchatthesideofRagnar ’s
head.Ragnarsmashedhimtothedeckwithabone-crackingpunchtothejaw.Anotherwarriorrushed
infromRagnar ’sright,bentlowandaimingtotacklehim.TheyoungSpaceWolflaidthepupout
withanelbowtothebackofhishead,andthentwomorewarriorscrashedintohimfromtheleft,
drivinghimoffhisfeet.
ThethreeSpaceWolvescrashedtothedeckwithathunderousclatterofceramite.Fistsrained
downonRagnar,hammeringhischest,shouldersandface.Onefistrakedacrosshisrightcheek,
openingaraggedcutallthewaybacktohisear.Snarling,RagnargrabbedahandfulofoneBlood
Claw’shairandsmashedhisforeheadintothepup’sface.Thewarriorrolledaway,momentarily
stunned,butthesecondBloodClawdrovehisfistintothesideofRagnar ’shead.Aflurryofbright
spotsburstacrossRagnar ’svision,butheshookofftheblowwithasavagegrowlandplantedhis
footagainsttheBloodClaw’schest.AnotherpunchglancedacrossRagnar ’sforehead,andthenthe
youngSpaceWolfkickedwithallhisstrengthandsenttheBloodClawflyingbackwards.Thewarrior
hittheheavyoaktableandflippedoverit,scatteringplatesandbitsoffoodinalldirections.
AheavychairspunthroughtheairtoRagnar ’srightandsmashedaBloodClawoffhisfeet.The
threepackswerefightingtheWolfblade,andbatteringoneanotherwithwildabandon.Ragnar
glancedoverhisshoulderandsawHaegrlifttwoBloodClawsbythescruffoftheirnecksandknock
theirheadstogether.TwootherwarriorshadtheirarmswrappedaroundtheburlyWolfblade’slegs
andhips,tryingtopullHaegrdown,buttheymightaswellhavebeentryingtopulldowntheFang
itself.FartherofftoRagnar ’sleft,Torinwasweavingthroughthemeleelikeaghost,fellingmen
withswift,preciseblowsandpickingchoicemorselsoffoodoffthebatteredtablesashewent.
Ragnarheardthewhirringapproachoftheflungbeermughalfasecondbeforeitstruck.He
ducked,lettingitpassharmlesslyoverhead,andglancedbackatthehightabletoseefromwhenceit
came.Instead,hesawtheredhairedBloodClawjustafewstepsaway,swingingamassivechairinan
underhandedblowthatwasaimedsquarelyathisface.
Ragnargothisarmscrossedinfrontofhisheadasplitsecondbeforetheblowstruckhome.Old
oaksplintered,drivinghisheavyvambracesintohisface,andtheforceoftheblowsenttheyoung
SpaceWolfsprawling.Helandedinatangleofsplintereddebris,blinkingbloodfromhiseyes,and
hisattackerwasuponhiminaninstant,swingingathickchairleglikeanimprovisedmace.
AheavyblowstruckRagnarhighinthechest,andthenanotherlandedonhischin.Painburst
acrosstheyoungSpaceWolf’sface,andforasplitsecondRagnar ’svisionwentblack.Hekickedout
blindlyandconnectedwiththewarrior ’sside.Thenhedrewbackhisbootanddroveitagainstthe
BloodClaw’sleftknee.Thewarrior ’sleggaveout,droppinghimintoapainfulkneelingposition,
butbeforehecouldreact,Ragnarsentthewarriorsprawlingwithaviciouskicktothesideofhis
head.
Ragnarclamberedtohisfeet,shakinghisheadtotryandclearhisvision.Hiskeensensesdetected
someonerushingathimfromtheleft,andhespuntomeetthethreat.Ahandlashedoutathim,
anglingintowardsthesideofRagnar ’sneck,andhebarelymanagedtoblockitbygrabbinghis
attacker ’swrist.Withacoldshock,Ragnarfelttheprickofaknife-pointdigintothesideofhis
throat.
TheBloodClawpackleaderletoutawordlesssnarlandpressedhisattack,swingingatRagnar ’s
headwithhisfreehand.Ragnarlettheblowstrikehome,scarcelyfeelingthepain.Asuddenwaveof
murderousfurywashedoverhim,andheclosedhisrighthandaroundthepackleader ’sthroat.
‘StandfastinthenameofRussandtheAllfather!’shoutedafuriousvoicefromthefarendofthe
hall.‘Whatisthemeaningofthis?’
Ragnarsqueezedthepackleader ’sthroathardenoughtofeelthereinforcedcartilagecreakbeneath
hisfingers.Hewatchedtheveinsthrobbingfuriouslyinthepackleader ’sfaceandfelthispulse
beneathhispalm.Atthatmoment,hewantednothingmorethantotearthefool’sthroatopen.
Dimly,heheardTorinanswer.‘Yourpupsrequiredalessoninmanners,Sigurd,’theolder
Wolfbladesaidcoldly.
Theothervoicerepliedwithanironnoteofcommand.‘Ithinkit’sthethreeofyouwhoforget
yourselves,’itsaid.‘Unhandthatwarrior,Wolfblade,orsuffermywrath!’
Ragnarwhirled,draggingthechokingpackleaderwithhim.AyoungSpaceWolf,notmucholder
thanRagnar,stoodatthefarendoftheroom.Hewasahandsomeyouth,withapale,square-chinned
faceandsharp,flintygreyeyes.Hishairwaswhite-blond,pulledbackinaheavybraidthatcurved
aroundtheheavywolfskinmantleonhisshouldersandhungdownacrosshisbreastplate.Noscars
marredhisclose-croppedbeard,andhisarmour,whileancient,showednosignofrecentbattle.A
massivecrossofgoldinlaidadamantium,blazonedwithasnarlingwolf’shead,hungfromaheavy
chainaroundtheWolfPriest’sneck.Thecroziusarcanum,sacredbadgeofthepriesthood,crackled
menacinglyinthepriest’sfist.
ThelookoffuryintheWolfPriest’seyestookRagnaraback,extinguishinghisragealmostat
once.ThepriestsoftheChapterexistedapartfromthegreatcompanies,andineffectwereliving
embodimentsoftheChapter ’shistoryandtraditions.Theydemandeddeferenceandrespectbyvirtue
oftheirpositionalone.EventheGreatWolftreatedthemwiththeutmostrespect.Itwaswhatthey
weretrainedtodofromtheirfirstdaysattheFang.Withouthesitation,Ragnarletthepackleadergo,
butitwashardertoletgooftheinsultheandhisbrothershadbeendealt.Leavingthepackleader
gaspingforbreath,Ragnarstrodetowardstheyoungpriest.‘BlametheClaw,’hegrowled.‘He
thoughtfittochallengehisbetters.’
‘Betters?’theWolfPriestsnapped.Youngashewas,hehadthelookofaprince,andamannerthat
camefromoneborntoauthority.‘Haraldhasnobettersheresaveforme.Thisisahallforwarriors,
notexileslikeyou.’
Ragnar ’sfistsclenched.Haegrletoutathreateninghiss,andevenTorinstiffenedattheinsult.It
wasallRagnarcoulddonottostrikethehigh-handedpriest.‘Itisanhonourtoserveinthe
Wolfblade,asanyoneversedintheChapter ’slorewouldknow,’theyoungSpaceWolfrepliedwith
care,‘andweweretreatedassuchinthehallsoftheFang.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfPriestwasunmoved.‘IdonotspeakoftheWolfblade,’herepliedcoldly.‘I
speakofthethreemenIseeherebeforeme,exilesandoutcasts,oneandall,’hesaid.Sigurdtooka
stepclosertoRagnar.‘Iknowyourcrimes,’hesaid.‘IknowhowyoulosttheSpearofRuss,theselfsameweaponusedtostrikedownyourformerlord!’Hisgrey-eyedgazetransfixedtheyoungSpace
Wolf.‘Doyoudenyit?’
Ragnartrembledwiththeefforttoholdhisrageincheck.Hecouldnotguesswhatwouldhappenif
hegaveintohisfuryatthatmoment,andhedidn’twantthebloodofapriestonhishands.‘Youknow
Icannot,’hereplied.
‘Thatisso,’Sigurdansweredwithagrimsmile.‘Youdonotbelonghere.Noneofyoudo.Ifyou
wouldeat,takeyourmealsinyourquartersuntilwereachCharys.Youdonotbelonginthecompany
oftruewarriors,’theWolfPriestdeclared.‘Nowgetoutofmysight.’
Foramoment,silencereignedinthehall.Noonemoved.Sigurdglaredimplacablyatthe
Wolfblade,mercilessandindomitableinhisanger.FinallyitwasTorinwhorelented.‘Letusgo,
brothers,’hesaidcoldly.‘Sigurdisright.Thisisnoplaceforthelikesofus.’
ThethreeWolvesfiledsilentlyfromthehall,eachonestrugglingtocontainhisrage.Ragnar
turnedatthedoorway,andglaredachallengeatthered-facedHaraldandhisbrethren.Whenhemet
thepackleader ’seyeshesawequalmeasuresofangeranddoubt.TheyoungSpaceWolfbaredhis
teethinasnarl.Trymeagainandyou’llgetmoreofthesame,andworsebesides,hislooksaidtothe
BloodClaws.Thenheclosedthedoorstothehallandstalkedaloneintothelabyrinthinepassageways
ofthewarship.
Ragnardreamtofwolvesthatwalkedlikemen.
Thethick,hotairechoedwiththesnarlingofbeastsandthesoundsofbattle.Ragnarcouldsmell
spiltbloodandthestenchofdeathallaroundhim,andbodieslitteredthestonesathisfeet.Hesaw
menandwomeninbloodstainedrobes,theirbodiestornbytoothandclaw,andtheirlifelessfaces
frozeninmasksofterror.
Thewolvesworearmourlikehisown,buttheyhadthefacesofsavagebeasts.Theystruggledall
aroundhim,grapplingandtearingatshadowyfiguresthatwrithedandlashedatthewolveslike
snakes.Foreveryonethewolvestoreapartitseemedtwomorerosetotakeitsplace.Howlsofanger
anddespairsmoteRagnar ’sears.
Hewasstandinginavastchamber,likearuinedtemple.Anotherarmouredfigurestoodatthefar
endoftheroom,hisfacehiddenbehindahornedhelmet.Ragnardidn’tneedtoseethetallspear
clutchedintheman’sarmouredfisttoknowwhothefigurewas.‘Madox!’hesnarled,andthrew
himselfathisbitterfoe.
Hisveinsturnedmoltenwithrage.Agutturalgrowlroseinhisthroatasheslashedleftandright
withhiskeeningblade.Theancientswordcarvedadeadlypaththroughtheshadowcreatures,but
MadoxmadenomovetoresistasRagnardrewcloserwitheachlongstride.Ragnarcouldfeelthe
powerswellinginhislimbs,hisblood-lustquickeninghisstepsuntilhewaslittlemorethanablur.
Voiceswerecallingouttohim,shoutingwarningshecouldnotunderstand.Noneofitmattered;the
spearwasalmostwithinreach.Ahowloftriumphrosetohislipsashereachedforthesacred
weapon,andthenhislegsseemedtobucklebeneathhim.
Ragnarcollapsedtothestone,hismuscleswrithinglikesnakesbeneathhisskin.Thefrostblade
fellfromhishandsashisfingerscontortedintoclaws.Theonlythingthatremainedconstantwashis
anger,burningasbrightasahunter ’smoon.
Ragnarfellontohisbelly,writhing.Hethrewbackhisheadandhowledinrage,feelingthebones
ofhisfacedistend,centimetrebycentimetre,intoablunt,toothysnout.Snarling,lashingattheair
withhistalons,hethrashedontohissideandsnappedmadlyatthesilentfigureofthesorcererjustout
ofarm’sreach.
Ashedidso,hisgazelitonapalefigureametretohisright.Shelayonthestonesbesidehim,her
alabasterfacespottedwithblood.Asshespoke,vitalfluidsgushedfromtheterriblebitemarksinher
throat.
‘Thebeastwaitswithinusall,’Gabriellasaidtohim,andthenhewatchedthelifegooutofher
eyes.
Heawokewithashoutofdismay,lashingaboutwildlyinthedarknesswithhisfists.Onehandrang
offathickmetalpipeandtheviolentmotionthrusthimbackwards,causinghimtocrackhishead
againstaheavysteamfitting.Ragnarcollapsedbackintoaheap,blinkingstupidlyintotheblackness.
Hehadnoideawherehewas,orhowhe’dgotthere.
Asleep,hethought,strugglingtomakesenseofthesituation.Imusthavefallenasleep.Within
momentshiskeeneyesadjustedtothegloom,andasecondortwolaterherealisedhewasinsome
kindofnarrowtunnel,deepwithinthebowelsoftheoldbattlecruiser.
Stillblinking,Ragnarrubbedahandoverhisfaceandtriedtorecallhowlonghe’dbeen
wanderingthroughtheship,agreatmanyhours;thatmuchwascertain.Theragehe’dfeltafterthe
encounterwithSigurdrefusedtogoaway,nomatterhowhardhetriedtomasterit.He’dstalked
alongthepassageways,swearingeveryvileoathhecouldimaginetohavehisvengeanceuponHarald
andthatupstartpriest.
ThelastthingheclearlyrememberedwasdecidingtoheadforthepartoftheshipwheretheBlood
Clawswerestationed,andtolieinwaitforHarald’sreturn.
SomethinglikehorrorwashedovertheyoungSpaceWolf.Slowly,dreadingwhathemightfind,he
raisedhishandstohisface.Theywerecoveredinathicklayerofgreaseandgrime,buthesmelled
nofreshbloodonthem.
‘BlessedRuss,’hesighed.‘What’sthematterwithme?’
Thenadoloroushowlechoeddowntheconduit,sendingRagnarreachingforhisweapons.Itwasa
fewmomentsbeforeherealisedthatthesoundwasn’tcomingfromalivingthroat,itwastheship’s
battleklaxon,summoningthecrewtotheirstations.
Thatwaswhenherealisedthatthebattlecruiser ’slitanyofcreaksandmoanshadfallensilent,and
herdecknolongertrembledwithstrain.TheFistofRusshaddroppedoutofthewarpatlast.
TheyhadarrivedattheCharyssystem,andtheywereunderattack.
CHAPTERFIVE
TheolddeckplatesrangwiththetrampofbootedfeetasthebondsmencrewoftheFistofRuss
readiedthebatteredshipforcombat.ThegreyuniformedcrewracednimblypastRagnarastheyran
totheirstations,buttheSpaceWolfcouldnothelpbutseethestrainontheirfacesorsmellthefearon
theirskin.Thebattlecruiserwasinnoshapeforafight.
IttookRagnaralmosthalfanhourtofindhiswaytothecommanddeck,highuponthecitadel-like
superstructureneartheaftendoftheship.Bloodracingattheprospectofbattleandhisheadstill
reelingfromhisstrangedream,Ragnarchargedpastthetwobondsmenstandingguardatthe
armouredhatch.Thecommanddeckwasdimlylit,anddespitethehigh,cathedral-likeceilingtheair
feltheavywithtension.Officersandmidshipmenstoodattheirstations,consultingbrassetchedlogic
engines,andconferringinlowvoices.RagnarsawthehunchedfigureoftheOfficeroftheDeckat
thefarendofthespaceashegrippedtheedgesofthecommandpulpitandbellowedorderstothe
bondsmenandservitorsoftheship’sbridge,halfadeckbelow.TheyoungSpaceWolfsawthegreen
andgreyorbofCharysfillingthree-quartersofthehigh,archedviewportsalongthebowendofthe
bridge.Theywereapproachingtheworldfromitsnightside,andhiskeeneyespickedoutthe
scatteredembersoffarmingsettlementsandtradecitiesburningsullenlyacrosstheplanet’ssurface.
Ahandfulofdark,angularshapeshunglikecindersabovetheburningworld,limnedwithpulsing
greenlightfromtheirplasmadrives.Raiders,hethoughtgrimly:traitorwarshipswhosecrewshad
swornthemselvestotheRuinousPowers.SomehadoncebeenvesselsoftheImperialNavy,while
othershadbeenbuiltatcorruptedforgeworldsattheedgeoftheEyeofTerror.Individually,they
werelessthanathirdthesizeoftheFistofRuss,buttheywereswift,agilecraft,andinlargenumbers
theywereathreattothelargestbattleship.
‘What’shappening?’hedemanded,approachingasmallgroupofseniorofficerswhowere
standingaroundtherimofalargehololithtableandspeakingtoSigurdtheWolfPriest.Amongthe
officers,RagnarrecognisedWulfgar,theship’smasterand,half-hiddenbytheshiftingpatternsofthe
holomap,hecaughtsightofGabriella.TheNavigator ’sfacewaspalerandmorestrainedthan
Ragnarhadeverseenit,andhecouldseethatshewasclenchingherfistsathersidetokeepthem
fromtrembling.Asnearashecouldtell,Gabriellaremainedstandingbysheerwillpower.
TheWolfPriestwhirledaroundatthesoundofRagnar ’sapproach.SigurdfixedtheyoungSpace
Wolfwithabalefulglare.‘Returntoyourquarters,exile,’hesnapped.‘Theshipisatbattlestations.
Thisisnoplaceforthelikesofyou.’
Ragnarfeltarushofangersointensethatitwasallhecoulddonottothrowhimselfatthe
arrogantyoungpriest.Severaloftheship’sofficersdrewawayfromSigurd,theirexpressionswary.
TheWolfPriest’seyesnarrowed,hishacklesrisinginthefaceofthesuddenthreat.Hisgauntleted
handtightenedaroundthehaftofhiscrozius.
Saveyourfuryfortherealfoe,Ragnartoldhimself,forcinghisbodytorelaxandhisfiststo
unclench.Likeitornot,asthehighestrankingSpaceWolfaboard,Sigurdwastheactingcaptainof
theship,andhiswordwaslaw.HewasboundtoheedthecounselofWulfgarandhisofficers,but
littleelse.Ragnarwasn’tabouttobarehisthroatsoeasily,however.‘Myplaceiswithher,’hesaid,
inclininghisheadtowardsGabriella.‘Whereshegoes,Igo,especiallyduringtimesofbattle.’
Sigurd’saristocraticfacetwistedintoagrimace.HeglancedbackatGabriella,andthenlookedto
Wulfgarandtherestoftheship’sseniorofficersasthoughgaugingthestrengthofhisauthority.
Finallyheacquiescedwithacurtwaveofhishand.‘Verywell,’hegrowled,‘butforthelady’ssake
alone.’
Withaneffort,RagnarnoddedcurtlytotheWolfPriestandworkedhiswayaroundtheperimeter
ofthebroadtabletoreachGabriella’sside.Ashedidso,theyoungSpaceWolfquicklytookinthe
situationunfoldingintheairabovethehololith.TheFistofRusswaslessthananhourfromentering
orbitaroundCharys,butnolessthannineenemyraidersstoodintheirway.Flickeringrunesand
directionaliconsonthehololithshowedthattheraiderswerebreakingorbitathighspeedand
headingtheirway.
RagnarsawnosignsofImperialshipsanywhereinthevicinity.WhereisBerek’sfleet?TheWolf
Lordhadbroughtabattle-barge,twostrikecruisersandhalfadozenescortstoCharys.Whatcould
havehappenedtothem?
WulfgarandtwootherofficersresumedatensebutquietexchangewithSigurdasRagnarstood
besideGabriella.TheNavigatormanagedawearysmile.‘Youlookterrible,’shesaid.
Thecommenttookhimaback.‘Imighthavesaidthesameaboutyou,lady,’hesaidquietly,his
browsdrawingtogetherinaworriedfrown.‘Yousufferedmuchtogetushere,itseems.Howlong
havewebeeninrealspace?’
Gabriellatookadeepbreath.Herlipspressedtogetherinatightline,andRagnarcouldsenseher
disquiet.‘Lessthananhour.IbroughtusinasclosetoCharysaspossible,’shesaidafteramoment.
‘Itwas…difficult.Ican’tquiteexplainhow.’
‘Warpstorms?’Ragnarventured.
‘No,nothinglikethat,’shesaid,herexpressiontroubled.‘ThecurrentsaroundCharysarefierce,
though,like…avortex,ofsorts.’
‘Avortex?’theyoungSpaceWolfasked.‘Youmean,likeawhirlpool?’Heknewthemwellfrom
thecraggycoastlinesofFenris,andunderstoodthedangertheyposed.
‘Perhaps,’shesaidtentatively.Shepressedatremblinghandtoherforehead.‘I’venever
encounteredanythinglikeit.IttookeverythingIhadtoguidetheshippastthetidalforces.Alesser
Navigatorwouldn’thavestoodachance.’
Ragnarchuckledquietly.‘MyladyhasspenttoomuchtimeinHaegr ’scompany,methinks.’
GabriellasmiledupatRagnar.‘SavethewryhumourforTorin,’shesaid.‘Butwhattroublesyou,
myWolf?ThereisafeylookinyoureyesthatI’veneverseenbefore.’
Ragnarpaused,recallingthewolfdream.Whatcouldhetellher?Whatwouldshebelieve?He
didn’tunderstandithimself.Beforehecouldanswer,however,Sigurd’sangryvoicebrought
Ragnar ’sheadaround.
‘Flee?Youexpectmetoturntailandrunfromtheenemy?’theWolfPriestsnarled.Sigurdloomed
angrilyoverWulfgarandhisofficers.‘Whereisyourhonour,ShipmasterWulfgar?’
Wulfgar ’smenbristledattheinsult.ThoughnotSpaceWolves,theyweremenofFenrisstill,and
suchtalkdidnotgolightlywiththem.ButWulfgar,theveteranshipmaster,wasunmoved.‘There
werenoreportsofanenemyfleetatCharys,’hesaid.‘Theshipisnotbattle-worthy.Mostofour
repairsaretemporary,lord.Asingle,well-placedhitcouldcrippleus,leavingusalmosthelpless.’
Theoldbondsmanleanedforward,hisexpressionintent.‘Wemustdisengagenow,whilewestillcan.
Thechartsshowanasteroidfieldnearby.Wecanhidethereandtrytocomeupwithanotherapproach
totheplanet.’
‘AndspenddaysskulkinglikeawhippeddogwhiletheThunderfist’scompanyisgroundtopieces
ontheplanet’ssurface?No.IsworeanoathtoLoganGrimnarthatIwoulddeliverour
reinforcementstoCharyswithoutdelay,andIwilldosoifIhavetofightmywaythroughhellitself!’
TheWolfPriestglancedcoldlyatRagnar.‘I’dsoonerdiethanbecalledanoathbreaker.’
Onceagain,Ragnarfoughttocontainaflashofmurderousrage.Thiswasnotthetimeortheplace
toissueachallenge,butforabrief,dizzyingmomenthefoundthathedidnotcare.
Hishanddriftedtothehiltofthefrostbladeathiship,butGabriellagrippedhisfingersinstead.
Theslightpressurewasenoughtoshockhimbacktohissenses.Ragnartookadeepbreath.‘The
WolfPriest’swordsareill-chosen,’hesaidtoWulfgar,‘butnevertheless,heiscorrect.Our
reinforcementsaredesperatelyneededonCharys,andevenasingledaycouldmakethedifference
betweenvictoryanddefeat.’
SigurdgaveRagnarabrief,appraisinglook,asthoughsurprisedattheyoungSpaceWolf’s
backhandedshowofsupport.Wulfgarlistened,andhiswrinkledfacecreasedinadeepfrown.‘Ifwe
mustfightourwaythroughthensobeit,’hesaidheavily.‘Loadyourwarriorsaboardtheir
Thunderhawks,lord.Ifourenginesfailyoumayhavetolaunchquicklyandflytherestofthewayin.’
TheWolfPriestnoddedsolemnly.‘Russiswithus,ShipmasterWulfgar,’hesaidsolemnly.‘Letus
bareourbladesandbeginthebattlesong!’
‘Ihearyou,WolfPriest,’Wulfgaranswered,andseemedtodrawstrengthfromSigurd’siron
conviction.Heturnedtotheofficerofthedeck.‘Aheadtwo-thirds!’heordered.‘Bringustwopoints
tostarboardandchargethedorsalmounts!Guncrewsfireasyoubear!’
Thousandsofkilometresdistant,theblack-hulledraidersshookoffthegripofCharys’sgravitywith
aflareofplasmadrives,andswungtheirrakishbowstowardstheoncomingImperialship.Their
hullswerematteblack,likedarkiron,etchedwithfoulrunesthathadbeensanctifiedinbloodand
blessedbythedreadhandofChaos.Gargoylefiguresofverdigrisedbrasscrouchedatopsquat
turretsorleeredfromthearmouredmantletsoftheirtoweringsuperstructures,theirmouthsgaping
hungrily.Theirviewportsgleamedbalefullywithpale,eldritchlight.Theyleaptfromtheirparking
orbitslikeapackofjackalsandscatteredintoaloosearcinthepathoftheoncomingbattlecruiser,
scanningthevoidwithuncannyaugursandlookingforsignsofweakness.Gunturretssquealed
ponderouslyontheircorrodedmounts,trainingupontheFistofRussastherangebetweenthetwo
sidesdecreased.
Inresponse,thedistantImperialshipswungtostarboard,showingtheraidersherbattlescarred
flankandherbroadsideofheavyguns.Alongthebattlecruiser ’sdorsalhull,twomassiveturrets
slewedtoport,bringingtheirenergyprojectorstobearontheincomingenemycraft.Arcsofcyan
lightcrackledandseethedwithinthehugeaccumulationchambersofthelancebatteries,gathering
intensitywitheachpassingmomentuntilthebluntprojectorswereshroudedinahazeofvoltaic
wrath.ThoughtheFistofRussstoodaloneagainsttheraiders,andherhullwasbatteredandbroken,
thereachofhergunswaslongerthanmostothershipsintheImperialfleet.
Thelancebatteriesfiredhalfasecondapart.Twinbeamsofirresistibleforcecrossedtheblack
gulfintheblinkofaneye,convergingontheforemostraiderinthepack.Thefirstenergylance
crashedagainsttheraider ’svoidshield,blazingwhiteatthepointofimpactandshootingarcsofcyan
andmagentalightningacrossitscurvedsurface.Forperhapsamillisecondthepowerfulshieldheld,
butthenthesemi-invisibleshieldflickeredandflaredasitstruggledtodissipatethelance’s
tremendouspower.Itfailedinasphericalflashoflight,likeaburstingbubble,andthenthesecond
lancebeamstruckhome.Ittoretheraideropenfromstemtostern,rippingopenitsflanklikeafiery
talonuntilitpenetratedthesmallship’sreactordecks.TheChaosshipdisappearedinanincandescent
ballofplasmaandradioactivevapour,wreathingitsfellowsinstreamersofpurpleandmagentafire.
TheFistofRusshadclaimedfirstblood.
Thrustersflaring,therestofthepackracedon,plungingthroughtheexpandingcloudofdebris.
Thoughtheirmaingunswerestilloutofrange,theraiderswerefarfromtoothless.Threeofthe
Chaosshipssurgedaheadoftherest,orderingthemselvesintoaroughlineabreast.Blackened,pitted
blastdoorsdrewbackfromlaunchtubesrecessedintotheships’angledbows,andapairofpowerful
anti-shiptorpedoes,eachmorethanfortymetreslong,streakedtowardsthebattlecruiseronboiling
plumesoffierygas.
‘Torpedoesincoming!’shoutedoneofthetacticalofficersfromhisstationonthecommanddeck.
Ragnarcaughtsightofthetenseexpressionontheman’sfaceasheglancedtowardsShipmaster
Wulfgar.
‘Lancebatteriesswitchtoantimissiletargeting,’theship’smasterdeclared.‘Portsidebatterieslock
ontothosetorpedoshipsandfireatwill!’Wulfgarturnedtoatrioofofficersclusteredaroundaset
ofconsolestohisleft.‘Ordnanceofficer!Whatisthestatusofourclose-inturrets?’
‘Defensivegunsatsixtypercenttoport,’theseniorordnanceofficerreplied.
‘Verywell,’Wulfgarsaidgravely.‘Atthisrangethey’renotlikelytomiss.Damagecontrolparties
standby!’
Thesixtorpedoesfannedoutinabroadarc,blanketingtheareaaroundtheFistofRuss.Theweapons
werepowerfulbutunguided,theirtrajectoriesplannedbytheinfernallogicenginesaboardtheir
parentcraft.Swiftasthunderbolts,theystreakedtowardsthebattlecruiser ’skilometre-longflank.
Thoughherthrusterswereroaringatnearfullpower,forallintentsandpurposestheImperialship
mightaswellhavebeenstandingstill.
Twincyanbeamslashedthroughthedarknessattheoncomingtorpedoes,detonatingfourofthem
inglobesofnuclearfire.Thefinalpairofdeadlymissilesslippedpasttherakingbeamsandplunged
towardstheFistofRuss.
Atfiftykilometresthebattlecruiser ’sdefensiveturretsclatteredintoaction,hurlingatorrentof
energyboltsandexplosiveshellsintothepathoftheoncomingweapons.Acloseburstfromoneshell
puncturedthefueltankofoneoftheenemymissilesandtheresultingexplosionblewitapart.The
secondtorpedoflewonunscathed,flyingbyunholyluckthroughagapintheship’sflakcoverage.It
strucktheFistofRussjustforwardoftheportsidehangardeck,itsnuclearwarheaddetonatinglike
thehammerofanevilgod.
Theancientwarshipshudderedbeneaththeblow,andaroarlikethunderreverberatedthroughthe
battlecruiser ’shull.Menwerethrownacrossthecommanddeckbytheimpact.Gaugesburstand
sparkseruptedfrompowerconduitsontheportbulkhead.Oninstinct,Ragnargrippedthehololith
tabletosteadyhimselfandwrappedaprotectivehandaroundGabriella’swaist.Onthebridgedeck
below,woundedmencriedinpain,andatech-priestcriedoutaprayertotheOmnissiah.
‘Damagecontrolreport!’Wulfgarroaredfromthecommandpulpit.
‘Hullbreachfromdecksthirty-fivetothirty-eightatframe412,’thedamagecontrolofficer
reported.Bloodflowedfreelyfromacutonthebondsman’sscalp,andhewipeditawaywithasavage
swipeofhishand.‘Fireontheflightdeck!’
‘Allavailablecrewtotheflightdeckandcommencefirefightingprocedures,’Wulfgarordered.
ThemasteroftheshipturnedandaddressedWulfgar.‘Iadviseyoumakeforthestarboardhangarsat
once,lord.’
RagnarshotGabriellaaworriedglance.TheFistofRusswashithard,andthebattlehadonlyjust
begun.TheNavigatorcaughthiseyeandgaveasternshakeofherhead.TheyoungSpaceWolf
noddedandraisedhisheadtoWulfgar.‘Westandwithyou,ShipmasterWulfgar,’hesaid.‘Fighton,
inRuss’sname!’
Theship’smasterturnedbacktohistask.RagnarcaughtSigurdglancinghisway,andwas
surprisedattheWolfPriest’sapprovingnod.
Offtotheright,oneoftheship’sgunneryofficerslookedupfromhisdatascreen.‘Enemyshipsin
rangeofourbroadsides!’hesaidwithavengefulsnarl.‘Allgundecksreportweaponslock!’
‘Thengivethebastardsatasteofhell,’Wulfgarreplied.
Theflankofthebattlecruiserwaslimnedinredfromthemoltenwoundofthetorpedohit.Jetsof
burningatmosphereventedfromthehangardecksaftoftheimpactsite,castingaflickeringglow
overthedozensofhugegunturretsthatswungintoaction.Macro-cannonbarrelselevatedinto
position,aimedbycomplexgunneryritualsperformedbymachine-spiritsonthebattlecruiser ’s
bridge.Theenormousweaponsfiredinsequence,hurlingshellsthesizeoflandraidersatthe
oncomingChaosships.
Salvoesofexplosiveshellsbracketedthethreeoncomingtorpedoships,hammeringrelentlessly
againsttheirvoidshieldsinstaccatoburstsoffire.Withoutwarning,theshieldingononeofthe
raidersfaltered,andaclusterofshellseruptedonthewarship’srunecoveredbowandsuperstructure.
Oneshelltorethroughtheirondecksandfoundtheraider ’sforwardmagazine.Theresultant
explosionrippedthetraitorvesselinhalf.
Halfasecondlater,anotherraidersuccumbed,itshullpiercedinadozenplacesandits
superstructureablaze.Thelastremainingtorpedoshipcontinuedon,itsshieldoverloaded,but
otherwiseunharmed…untilacyanboltfromthebattlecruiser ’slancebatteriestoretheraiderapart.
Nearlyhalfoftheraidersweregone,buttherestplungedahead.Theywerelessthanfifteen
secondsfromenteringgunrange.
‘Twooftheraidersareanglingaft!’theseniorauspexofficerdeclared.‘They’regoingafterour
engines!’
‘Hardtoport!’Wulfgarordered.‘Showthemourbow!’Theship’smasterchuckledbleakly.
‘Maybeifwe’reluckyoneoftheblasphemerswilltrytoramus!’Heturnedtothegunneryofficers.
‘Portandstarboardbroadsides,standbyforsalvofire!’
Withatorturedgroanofmetal,thecommanddeckangledbeneathRagnar ’sfeetasthehugeship
swungontoitsnewcourse.Hecouldseestreaksofredandyellowthroughthetallviewportsasthe
firstenemyshellsbeganhurtlingpastthestrugglingwarship.Onceagain,helookedtoGabriella,but
hereyeswereclosed,asthoughdeepinthoughtorprayer.Hethoughttoaskheroncemoreifshe
wishedtoheadforthehangarbay,butafteramoment’sthoughthechosetoholdhistongue.
Thebattlewouldbedecidedinthenextfewseconds.Ifthebattlecruiserwasdoomedtheywould
neverreachthehangardeckintime.
Slowly,streamingatrailoffrozenoxygenandmelteddebris,theFistofRussturnedtofaceher
attackers.Wulfgarhadtimedhismovecarefully,bringingthewarship’sheavilyarmouredprowinto
positionjustastheenemyshipshoveintorange.Macro-cannonsandmagnaboltprojectorsspat
torrentsoffireattheoncomingImperialship,bracketinghervoidshieldswithanunrelentingstorm
ofexplosions.Thefirstlayerofshieldingfailed.Then,secondslater,theinnershieldgavewayas
well.Fierceblastspummelledthebattlecruiser ’sbowandsuperstructure,leavingscorchmarks
againstfifteen-metrethickadamantiumplate.
Momentslatertheraiderswereplungingpastthewarshiplikeburningmeteors,theirweapon
batteriesstillblazingawayattheirfoe.TheFistofRussanswered,herbroadsidesroaringtoportand
starboardattheswiftmovingChaosships.Thenearestraidertoportflaredcyanunderthelashofone
ofthebattlecruiser ’slancebatteries,beforeasalvoofmacro-cannonshellsblewitapart.
ScoresofexplosionsravagedtheImperialship’sflanks.Manywereturnedasidebythevessel’s
armourplate,buthereandtheretheenemyshellsstruckhome.Oneofthebattlecruiser ’shugelance
turretsblewapart,itsmassivepowercapacitorsdetonatedbyanenemyshell.Hundredsdiedonthe
Imperialship’sgundecksasarmourpiercingshellsopenedairtightcompartmentstospace.
Araideronthestarboardsideoftheshipwasstruckbyasalvoofheavyshellsthatcollapsedits
shieldsandtoreintoitsthrusterbanks.Thesmallshipspiralledoutofcontrol,trailingablazingwake
ofplasmaandmoltendebrisuntilitsreactorsoverloadedmomentslaterinaspectacularburstof
light.
Thenthesurvivingraidersweregone,hurtlingaftoftheFistofRussandopeningtherangewhile
thebattlecruiser ’sbeleagueredcrewstruggledtokeeptheancientvesselalive.
Flamesbillowedfromthebridge,sendingcloudsofdarksmokeroilingoverthecommanddeck.
Menscreamedinterrorandpainastheemergencylightingflaredtolife.Officerspickedthemselves
upoffthedeckandstaggeredbacktotheirstations.RagnarheldontoGabriellaandpeeredwarily
throughthesmokygloom,wishingtotheAllfatherforafoehecouldcometogripswith.
Theseniordamagecontrolofficersangoutthroughthesmoke.‘Hullbreachesonmultipledecks!
Dorsallancebatteryoutofaction!Starboardgundecksreportheavycasualties.Shieldsatfiftyper
cent.Ourreactorsarestable,butpoweroutputislimited.’
‘Verywell,’Wulfgarrepliedashestaggeredbackuptothepulpit.‘Helm!Canwestillmanoeuvre?’
‘Aye,sir,’thechiefhelmsmanreplied.‘She’ssluggish,butshe’sstillansweringthehelm.’
‘Bringustwopointstoport,’theship’smasterordered.‘Let’sclearourwakeandseewherethose
raiderswent.’
Allstarshipswereblinddirectlyaft,wheretheroilingwakefromtheirthrustersmadesensor
returnsimpossible.Slowly,ponderously,thebattlecruiserswungaround,streamingtwistingribbons
offire.
Thesecondsstretcheduponthecommanddeckastheship’saugurssearchedfortheChaosraiders.
Fire-fightingcrewswerehardatworkonthebridgedeck,andalreadythechokingsmokewas
dissipating.Ragnarbreathedslowlyandevenly,allowinghisenhancedrespiratorysystemtofilterout
theworstofthefumes.HebentlowoverGabriella.‘Areyouallright,lady?’heasked.‘ShallIcall
foramedicae?’
‘No,no,’theNavigatorprotestedwavingasootstainedhand.Hereyeswereblearyfromthe
smoke,butherexpressionwasdetermined.‘TheGod-Emperorknowsthey’vemoreserious
problemstoworryabout.’
‘Fire-fightingteamsontheflightdecksaytheyhaveevacuatedthehangarandventedittospace,’
thedamagecontrolofficerreported.‘Thefireisout.’
‘Verywell,’Wulfgarreplied.‘Wherearetheenemyships?’
Thechiefauspexofficerlookedupfromhisscreen.‘Nocontactsaft,’hereplied,hisvoicetinged
withrelief.‘Theremainingenemyshipshaveshutdowntheiraugursandgonesilent.They’ve
disengaged!’
Araggedcheerwentupfromthecommandcrew.‘Belaythatfoolishness!’Wulfgarbellowed.
‘We’refarfromsafeharbouryet.Guncrewsandaugurteamswillremainattheirstations.Allother
crewwillreporttolocaldamagecontrolstationsandlendassistance.’
Theship’sofficersscrambledtoobey.Wulfgarsteppedwearilydownfromthecommandpulpit
andapproachedSigurdandRagnar.NeitheroftheSpaceWolveshadmovedfromtheirplaces.Barely
fourminuteshadelapsedsincethebattlehadbegun.
WulfgarbowedhisheadtotheWolfPriest.‘We’vefoughtourwayclearforthemoment,’hesaid
grimly,‘butIfeartheFistofRussiscrippled,lord.AThunderhawkcanreachCharysorbitinless
thanthreehours.Isuggestyouandyourwarriorsdepartfortheplanetatonce.Theenemycould
returnwithreinforcementsatanytime.’
Sigurdnoddedgravely.TheyoungSpaceWolfPriestlookedaroundthedamagedcommanddeck,
apparentlystunnedbythedevastationhisordershadwrought.Heslowlyraisedhiscroziusover
Wulfgar ’shead.‘PraiseRussandtheAllfather,’heintonedinapowerfulvoice.‘Youandyourcrew
aretobecommended,ShipmasterWulfgar.Itwaswrongofmetosuggestthatamanlikeyouwas
withouthonour.Thecourageofyouandyourmenshamesme.’Thepriestplacedhishandon
Wulfgar ’sheadandpronouncedtheBenedictionofIron,anhonournormallyreservedformembers
oftheChapter.WhenSigurdwasfinished,WulfgarlookedupattheWolfPriestinspeechlessawe,
noddedrespectfullytoRagnarandreturnedquicklytohisstation.
RagnarwatchedasSigurdlookedaroundthedamagedcommanddeckonelasttime,clearlyshaken
bythefiercebattle.WhentheWolfPriest’sgazefelluponhimandGabriella,however,hisexpression
hardenedoncemore.‘WewillleaveforCharysatonce,’hesnappedatRagnar.Whenheturnedto
Gabriella,hisvoicewasfarmoremoderate.‘Willyouaccompanyusaboardoneofour
Thunderhawks,lady?Itisnolongersafeforyoutoremainaboard,Ifear,anditwillbesometime
beforetheFistofRusshasneedofyourtalents.’
‘Yourconcernisnoted,holyone,’Gabriellarepliedsmoothly,‘butIandmyWolveswillfollowin
mypersonalshuttle.’
‘Asyouwish,’Sigurdrepliedwithacurtbow.ToRagnar,hesaid,‘Reporttoheadquartersassoon
asyou’vemadeplanetfall.’Thenhestrodeswiftlyfromthecommanddeck.
Ragnarwatchedtheyoungpriestdepart,admirationmixingwithoutrage.Later,hevowed,Sigurd
wouldanswerforhisinsultstoRagnar ’shonour.Fornow,theyhadawartofight.
CHAPTERSIX
Byaccidentorapernicioustwistoffate,theenemyrocketattackbeganjustasthelandingcraftfrom
theFistofRussbegantheirfinalapproach.Twokilometresnorthacrossthecrateredand
smoulderingexpanseoftheCharysstarport,thebarragesirenbegantowailfromthecentralbunker
complex,thenotesbarelyperceptibleabovetherisingshriekoftheThunderhawks’turbines.Seconds
laterasalvoofrocketsroaredinfromtherebelartillerypositionstotheeast,justasthefirstassault
transportraiseditsarmouredprowandflaredinforaverticallanding.Theunguidedwarheadsfellat
randomacrosstheten-kilometresquarestarport,detonatingamidemptyrevetments,burned-out
warehousesandblackenedadministrationbuildings.Onecamedownontheothersideofastorage
shedlessthantwohundredmetresfromwhereMikalSternmarkandtheassembledhonourguard
werewaitingattheedgeofthelandingfield.Theblasthurledchunksofburningflakboardand
pulverisedferrocreteintotheairwithathunderousexplosion.NeithertheSpaceMarinesnorthe
armouredplatoonofImperialGuardsmenseemedtonotice.
Roilingcloudsofdirtandgritspedinawideningcircleasthedescendingcrafttoucheddownina
roughdiamondformationatthecentreofthelandingfield,lessthanahundredyardsaway.Thehot
windtangledSternmark’sdarkhairandpulledatthetatteredendsoftheblackwolfpeltacrosshis
shoulders.Needlesofpainstabbedalongthelengthoftheugly,raggedwoundthatmarkedtheleft
sideofSternmark’shead,buttheWolfGuardgrimacedstoicallyintothehot,stingingwindand
tightenedhisgriponthehaftofthepoweraxeinhislefthand.He’dhadlittleoccasiontocarryit
recently,andhedrewcomfortfromitsfamiliarweight.
He’dcarriedanentireworldonhisshouldersforthelastthreeweeks,andnowhecouldgladlyset
thatburdenaside.Itwasonethingtoleadmenintobattleandcometogripswiththeenemyfaceto
face,Mikalhaddonethatformoreyearsthanhecouldcount,andhewasgoodatit.Directinga
planetarycampaignfromadimlylitbunker,withthousandsoftroopsandtensofmillionsofcivilians
tocontendwithwassomethingelseagain.Onceuponatime,he’ddreamtofrisingtotheloftyrankof
WolfLordandholdingthefateofstarsystemsinhishands.Charyshadshownhimthefollyofhis
ambitions.Hewasawarrior,andaleaderofwarriors,andhelongedtoreturntothefrontlineswhere
hebelonged.
Theferrocretelandingpadtrembledasthetransportstoucheddown.Mikalsawwithsome
bemusementthatoneofthecraftwasn’taThunderhawkatall,butarichlyappointedshuttlecraftwith
theinsigniaofHouseBellisariusemblazonedonitsflank.Mustbesomekindofadvanceparty,he
thought,andwaitedpatientlyasthetransports’assaultrampsloweredwithaclangandthefirsttroops
clatteredoutintothelateafternoonsun.
DustswirledaroundthelegsoftheSpaceWolvesastheylopedontotheferrocreteandformedup
inranks.Hereandtherethebillowsofdustseemedtomasklarger,morehulkingshapesthatstalked
menacinglyatthecornersofMikal’svision.Heshookhisheadsharplytotryandclearit,whichonly
sethiswoundthrobbingagain.Thehellbladethathadstruckhimduringthefrenziedretreatfromthe
governor ’saudiencechamberhadnotbeenpoisonedasfarasthecompany’sWolfPriestcould
determine,buttheinjurywasn’thealingasitshould.
Withinmoments,threelargepacksofSpaceWolveswerestandinginranksbeforetheirtransports,
headsheldhighandweaponsreadyattheirsides.BloodClaws,Mikalnotedwithaslightfrown.His
expressionofuneasedeepenedwhenhesawthatnoneofthewarriorsboretheheraldryoftheGreat
Wolfontheirshoulders.
Movementattheendofthelinecaughthiseye.MikalsawaWolfPrieststepforwardandraisehis
croziusinsalutetothewaitinghonourguard.Theheavymantleofwolfskinandthebulkofthe
priest’spolishedarmourmadethewearerseemalmostchildlikeincomparison,likeasontryingon
hisfather ’swargear.Afteramoment,herecognisedtheyoung,aristocraticface.Sigurd,sonofarich
jarlintheDragonIsles,youngandunblooded,BlessedRuss,whatishedoinghere?
Offtothewest,aheavydrumbeatshookthegroundastheEarthshakerbatteriesoftheImperial
Guardfiredacounter-batterysalvoagainsttherebelrocketlaunchers.NearlyathirdoftheBlood
Clawsflinchedatthesound,weaponsjerkingintheirhands.Sternmark’suneasetransformedto
irritation.
HestrodetowardstheWolfPriest,lipscurlingbackfromhisteeth.Silentasashadow,Morgrim
SilvertonguefollowedinSternmark’swake,watchingthesceneunfoldwithastoryteller ’seye.
Markingmyeverymistake,notingeverytellingfailure,theWolfGuardthoughtsourly.Everyking
andherowantedafineskaldathisside,butpitythewarriorwhosedeedswerenotworthy.
SigurdwatchedMikalapproachandsmiled,makingthesignofthewolf.‘TheblessingsofRuss
andtheAllfatherbeuponyou,MikalSternmark,’heintoned.‘AllofFenrisknowsofyourdeedson
Charys,andwehavecometoaddourswordstoyourown–’
‘Whereishe?’Sternmarkgrowled.
TheWolfPriest’ssmilefaded.‘Idon’t…Idon’tunderstand,’hestammered.
‘WhereistheGreatWolf?’Mikalsaid,stilladvancingontheyoungpriest.Withhisterriblewound
andhisbatteredTerminatorarmour,theWolfGuardwasavisionofwarincarnate,loomingover
SigurdandthefrontrankofthestartledBloodClaws.‘Whenwillheandhiscompanymaketheir
landing?Hashebeendelayedbythespacebattle?’
Sigurdloweredhiscrozius,anapprehensivelookonhisface.‘He…he’snothere,lord,’he
answered.
‘Berekislordhere,notI!’Mikalshouted,suddenlystruckwithanger.‘Iamhislieutenantand
champion,andcontrolofthiswarzonemustpasstoGrimnarassoonashearrives.’Hetookanother
stepforward,teethbared,hisfacemerecentimetresfromSigurd’s.‘Canyoutellmewhenheandhis
companywillmakeplanetfallornot?’
TheWolfPriestblanchedatSternmark’spalpablefury,butgamelyheldhisground.‘Hewon’t,’
Sigurdsaidflatly.‘Hecan’t.TheGreatWolf’scompanyisscatteredacrossthewarzone,supporting
theactionsoftheotherWolfLords.’
HisanswerstoppedtheWolfGuardinhistracks.Theshocklefthimpainfullyawareofthe
spectaclehe’dmadeofhimself.Sternmarkfanciedhecouldfeeltheskald’sdarkeyesburning
accusinglyintothebackofhisneck.
‘Idon’tunderstand,’hesaid,notquiteabletokeepthestrickentonefromhisvoice.‘Didhenot
readmyreport?Berekhasfallen.Madoxishere,withtheSpearofRuss.Thisiswherethewarwillbe
decided.’
Sigurdnodded,morecomposednow,butstillunabletoconcealthelookofresentmentinhiseyes.
‘Evenso,’hereplied,‘theGreatWolfcannotcome.Wehavebeensentinhisplacetoaidyouin
whateverwaywecan.’
Onceagain,atideofangeranddespairthreatenedtooverwhelmSternmark.Heshotalookatthe
waitingBloodClawsandchokedbackthewordsthatfirstrosetohislips.HowamItosaveour
Chapterwiththreepacksofinitiatesandaboy-priest?WhyhastheOldWolfforsakenme?
Instead,hedrewadeepbreathandstruggledtopushhisfeelingsaside.Ashedidso,hecaughtsight
ofanothersmallgroupapproachingtheranksofnewlyarrivedtroops.Thoughdistant,herecognised
theirscentsatonce.
RagnarBlackmane,andtheNavigator,Gabriella,withTorintheWayfarerandHaegrtheMountain
intow.WhatinMorkai’snamearetheydoinghere?Theanswersuggesteditselfalmostatonce.It’s
theSpear.Grimnar’ssentthemtoreclaimitsomehow.EithertheOldWolfistrulydesperate,orhe
knowssomethingIdon’t.
Sternmarkchosetobelievethelatter.He’dbankedagreatdealonthereporthe’dsenttoFenris,
believingthatonceGrimnarunderstoodhowdirethingswereonCharys,theOldWolfwouldgather
hiswarriorsandtakechargeofthecampaign.Mikalhadclungtothathopefordays,knowinghewas
notuptothetaskthathadbeenthrustuponhim.Nowhewouldhavetoseethingsthroughtothebitter
end.
Withasmuchdignityashecouldmuster,SternmarkturnedtotheassembledBloodClaws.‘Praise
Russ!’hedeclared.‘Lookuponblood-stainedCharys,andknowthatyourdeedsherewillbe
rememberedinthesagasofourChapter.Gloryawaitsyou,intheAllfather ’sname!’
TheBloodClawsdidn’trespondforamoment,stillstunnedbytheWolfGuard’searlieroutburst.
ThenSigurdraisedhiscroziusandaddedhisvoicetoSternmark’s.‘ForRussandtheAllfather!’he
cried.‘Gloryawaits!’
Harald,leaderofthefirstBloodClawpack,tookupthecry.‘RussandtheAllfather!’heroared,
raisinghisaxe.WithinmomentstherestoftheSpaceWolveshadjoinedin,bangingtheirweapons
againsttheirbreastplatesandhowlingatthesmokestainedsky.
MikalSternmarklistenedtotheshoutsofhisyoungbrethrenandfoughttomasterhisemotions.
Ghostlyimagesplayedatthecornersofhisvision:huge,leapingshapesthatwereneitherbeastsnor
men,andstrange,distortedsoundswhisperedinhisears.Thewound,hethoughtdespairingly.That
damnedhellbladehaslaidacurseonme.
HelookedtoSilvertongue,andcaughttheskaldstaringathimwiththoseunreadableeyesofhis.
Mikalcouldguesshowhisownsagawouldend.Notallthetalesendedgloriously.Someendedin
tears,orinfamy.Thethoughtshamedhim,butheresignedhimselftoit.
Offinthedistance,thebarragesirenwailed.
Thecommandbunkerwasred-litandstankofunwashedbodiesandbile.FromwhatRagnarcould
determine,theGuardcommanderinchiefhadchosenthestarportbunkercomplexasher
headquartersuponfirstarrivingwithherregimentsonCharys,andwhatstartedoutasatemporary
postbecamepermanentasthecampaignworeon.Fieldcotsandpilesofemptyrationtinsinthe
cornersofsomeofthelow-ceilingedroomssuggestedthatAthelstane’sgeneralstaffworked,slept
andateattheirposts.Judgingbythepastyfacesandred-rimmedeyeshe’dseenonhiswayinside,
Ragnarthoughtthatmanyofherstaffhadn’tfeltthetouchofsunlightinweeks.
ThatoneobservationtoldhimallheneededtoknowabouthowdesperatethesituationonCharys
trulywas.
Athelstane’sharriedofficersallbutignoredthenewcomersastheywereescortedintoasmall
auditoriumthathadbeenconvertedintoanimprovisedsituationandplanningroom.Thehardpews
hadbeenclearedaway,replacedwithtablesandportableworkstations.Harriedaidesdartedbetween
thenarrowaisles,carryingflimsyprintoutstostaffofficerswhoweremonitoringbattlereportsfrom
halfaworldaway.Tenseconversationsandmutedordersroseabovethedryclatteroflogicengines
andvoxteletypes.Enginseeracolyteshoveredinthecornersoftheroom,mutteringprayersand
lightingvotivecandlestokeepthedatachannelsopen.
MikalSternmarkledSigurd,RagnarandGabriellaacrossthecrowdedroomtoalarge,ornate
hololithtablethathadbeensetupontheauditorium’sformerstage.There,heintroducedthemto
LadyGeneralMilitantEsbetAthelstane.ThecommanderofallGuardforcesonCharyswasathin,
raw-bonedwomanwithasevere,patricianfaceandlarge,darkeyes.Heriron-greyhairwascropped
asshortasarankandfilesergeant’s,andtoRagnarshesmelledofleather,amasecandfinemachine
oil.AthelstaneworetheMedallionCrimsonamongthemanycampaignribbonsanddecorationson
herofficer ’sgreatcoat,andfromthefaintsoundsofservomotorsandpistons,Ragnarreckonedthat
herrightarmandbothlegswereexpertlycraftedaugmetics.
Athelstanegreetedthemallwithwearyprofessionalcourtesy,andthenintroducedanolder,balding
maninadarkgreensuit,whoreluctantlyjoinedthegatheringfromaseatatthebackcornerofthe
stage.Hewastallerthanthegeneral,withahooknoseandred-rimmed,greyeyes.Therewasa
defeatedairabouttheman;helimpedhaltinglyonhisleftleg,andhisangularshoulderswere
hunched.Ashesteppedintothedimlight,Ragnarsawthattherightsideoftheman’sfaceandthroat
wascoveredinaglisteningfilmofwoundsealant,andbothhandswerewrappedinflexiblebandages.
‘ThisisInquisitorCadmusVolt,oftheOrdoMalleus,’thegeneralsaid.‘Heandhisteamhavebeen
onCharysforthelastthreeyears,investigatingreportsofforbiddenpracticesamongthelocal
farmingcartels.Sincetheuprisingbegan,hehasadvisedusontheenemy’scapabilitiesandpossible
intentions.’FromthesteelysoundinAthelstane’svoiceitwasclearthatVolthadbeenoflittleusein
thatregard.
InquisitorVoltbowedcordiallytoGabriella.‘MayIaskwhatbringssoesteemedamemberofthe
NavisNobilitetosuchadangerousplaceasCharys?’heasked.
GabriellaacknowledgedVoltwithacoolnodandanarrowgaze.TheNavigatorHouseshada
long,antagonisticrelationshipwiththeInquisition.‘HouseBellisariusandtheWolvesofFenrishave
beenalliesforcenturies,’sherepliedcoolly.‘Honourrequiresthatweaidouresteemedfriendsin
whatevermannerweareable.’
‘WithoutLadyGabriella’sassistanceourreinforcementswouldneverhavereachedCharysatall,’
Ragnarsaid.‘Turbulenceinthewarphasallbutisolatedthesystem.’
‘Sowesurmised,’Athelstanesaidwithanod.‘WhatevertheenemyisattemptingatCharyshas
takenafearfultollonourastropaths.Wehavebeenawaitingyourarrivalwithgreatanticipation.’
BothAthelstaneandSternmarklookedtoSigurd,andtheWolfPriestpickedupontheunspoken
cueandbeganhisreportofthewarcouncilonFenris.ThecommanderslistenedcarefullyastheWolf
PriestrecountedtheGreatWolf’sdeliberationsandtheirsubsequentjourneytoCharys.Ragnartook
theopportunitytoleadGabriellatoanearbyseat.TheNavigatorwasstillsomewhatunsteadyonher
feet,andthoughshetookpainstoconcealit,Ragnarcouldtellthatshewasdeeplyunsettled.Gabriella
acceptedtheseatwithanabsentnod,onehandclingingtohisforearmforsupport.
AsstrainedashermannerwasaboardtheFistofRuss,ithadonlygrownworseoncetheirshuttle
hadlanded.TherewassomethingstrangeatworkonCharys.Ragnarfeltit,too,astrangesenseof
dislocation,asthoughtheworldaroundhimhadnomoresubstancethanahologram.Shadowy
shapesflittedatthecornersofhisvision,andfaintsoundswhisperedinhisears.Theagitationhefelt
onFenrisseemedmagnifiedtenfold.Itwasallhecoulddonottoriseandpaceacrossthecrowded
stagelikeacagedanimal.Fromtimetotime,hisgazewanderedtoMikalSternmark’sgrimface,and
hewonderedifthelegendarychampionfeltthesameashedid.
‘ThankstotheLadyNavigator ’sskill,weemergedveryclosetoCharys,whereuponwecame
underattackfromaforceofenemyraidersthathadbeenatanchorinhighorbit,’Sigurdcontinued.
‘WehadthoughttofindBerek’sfleetwaitingthere.’
‘Theenemyhasasizeablenavalpresenceinthesystem,’Athelstanereplied.‘Webelievethatthere
wasalargearmadaofraidershidingwithintheouterasteroidfieldsforsometime.Sincetheuprising
began,theyhavebeenjoinedbyagrowingnumberofescortsandcruisers.Berek’sfleetcommanded
theapproachestoCharysforalmostaweek,andwewereabletodefeatanumberofenemyground
offensiveswiththeirsupport.AstheenemywasabletocommitmoreandmoreshipsagainstBerek’s
force,casualtiesbegantomount,anditbecameclearthatiftheyleftthesystemtomakerepairs,they
mightnotbeabletoreturn.’ThegeneralglancedbrieflyatInquisitorVolt.‘Itwasdecidedthatthe
fleetwouldwithdrawtotheedgeofthesystemandmakewhatrepairstheycould.They’veremained
thereeversince,asourforceoflastresort.Muchoftheenemyfleethasbeendrawnofftohuntfor
them,althoughgroupsofraidershaveappearedfromtimetotimetobombardourpositionsfrom
orbit.’
Gabriellastraightenedinherseatanddrewadeepbreath.‘Howhastheenemymanagedto
communicatewiththeirfleetacrossthesystem?’
Thegeneralshrugged.‘Wedon’tknow.Sorcery,perhaps?That’snotmyareaofexpertise.’Once
again,shegavetheinquisitorasidelonglook.‘Maybetheyaren’ttalkingwithoneanother.Their
orbitalattacksdon’tseemtocoincidewiththeirgroundoperationsasfaraswecantell,notthatthey
aren’tdamagingenoughallbythemselves.’
‘Well,’Sigurdinterjected,clearlyalittleagitatedbyGabriella’sinterruption,‘you’veheardour
tale.Now,whatwouldyouhaveofus?’
Athelstanerestedherhandsonthehololithtable’ssmokedglasstopandglancedatSternmark.
‘That’saninterestingquestion,’shesaidslowly.‘WehadbeenledtobelievethatFenriswouldbe
sendingagreatdealmoretroopsandheavyweaponstosupportus.We’dhopedforaspearthatwe
couldthrustintotheenemy’sheart.Instead,itappearsthattheGreatWolfhasgifteduswithahandful
ofbrandnewknives.’
ThebaldstatementtookalloftheSpaceWolvesaback.Itwasn’tadisparagement,butacold
assessmentofthefacts.RagnarsawtheWolfPrieststiffennevertheless.Thisisthesecondtimeheand
hismenhavebeendismissedasirrelevant,theyoungSpaceWolfthought,ahardthingtotake,forthe
sonofapowerfuljarl.
WhenSigurddidn’treplyatonce,Ragnarventured,‘Evenaknifecanbelethalwhenused
properly,’hesaid.‘Tellus,howgoesthewarontheground?’
‘Badly,’Athelstanereplied.‘Atfirstwebelievedtheuprisingwastheworkofasmallcabalof
governmentofficialsandofficersinthelocalPDFregiments,butnowit’sclearthatoutsideforces
plannedandorganisedthiscampaignformanyyears.Morethantwo-thirdsoftheplanetarydefence
forcesmutiniedoverthecourseofasinglenight.Whatheavyweaponsandvehiclestheydidn’ttake
theymanagedtodestroy.Bureaucratsinkeypositionssabotagedtheplanetarylogisticalnetworkand
crucialemergencyresponseplans.BythetimemyregimentsandIarrived,Charyswasalmost
completelyinenemyhands.’Shereacheddownandkeyedacontrolpanelrecessedintotheedgeof
thetable.Aholo-mapoftheplanetinstantlyappearedintheairabovethetable,showingnearlysixty
smallcitiesandtownshipsscatteredacrosstheworld’svastplains.Morethanhalfofthesettlements
hadaskullsuperimposedoverthem.Theyexistedinnameonly,havingbeenabandonedorwipedout
bytherebels.Therestshowedaredaquila,indicatingthattheywerebattlegroundswhereneitherside
couldclaimtotalcontrol.
‘Wemanagedtoestablishfootholdsatanumberofpointsaroundtheplanet,butweweren’tableto
achievesignificantgainsbecausewehadbeenmisledastothesizeoftherebelforceandthelackof
supportwewouldfindontheground.’Thegeneralturnedabrassknobandtheviewswitchedtoan
operationalmapofthecapitalcity.Nearlyeighty-fivepercentofthedistrictswerered,withonlya
narrowbandofImperialbluearoundtheoutlyingsectorstotheeastthatstretchedbacktothestarport
outsidethecity.‘WhenBerekThunderfistandyourbrethrenarrived,weattemptedalightningthrust
aimedatdecapitatingtherebelleadershipandretakingthecapital.’Shepressedastudandatrioof
broad,bluearrowsleaptfromtheeasterndistrictsanddrovedeepintotheheartofthecity.‘The
orbitalbombardmentandfollow-onattacksinflictedveryheavyrebelcasualtiesandallowedusto
pushallthewaytothegovernor ’spalace.’
Athelstane’sexpressiondarkened.‘Unfortunately,theWolfLord’sattackmetwithdisaster.
Sternmarkandhiswarriorsmanagedtobreakoutoftheenemyambushandwithdrawfromthepalace
withBerek’sbody,andthenlinkedupwithourleadarmouredelements.’
RagnarglancedoveratMikal.Thelookinthewarrior ’seyeswasoneheknewalltoowell.He
curseshimselfforretreating,theyoungSpaceWolfthought,andnowonder,butwhatotheroption
didhehave?
‘WhereisBereknow?’Sigurdasked.‘Doeshestilllive?’
‘WethinkhelingersintheRedDream,’Sternmarksaiddully.‘Ourinstrumentsdetectfaintlife,but
hisbodywillnotrespondtoourpriest’sunguentsandbalms.WehadhopedthatGrimnarwouldat
leastsendRanekoroneoftheseniorWolfPrieststotendtoBerek…’TheWolfGuardlefttherest
unsaid,buttheimplicationwasclear.
‘Whatofthepalace?’Ragnarinterjected.
‘Beforewecouldmountanotherattempttoretakethepalacetherebelforceslaunchedamassive
counter-offensive,’Athelstanereplied.‘ThistimetherebelsweresupportedbyTraitorMarinesand
packsofdaemons.Theenemystruckoutofthinair,exploitingweakspotsinourlineswithdiabolical
skill.’Shesighedbitterly,clearlyhauntedbyherfailuresstemmingfromthatfatefulday.‘Fighting
ragedaroundthecitycentreforalmostforty-eighthours,butintheendwewereforcedtowithdraw.’
Gabriellaleanedforwardinherchair.‘HowaretheChaosMarinesmanagingthesefeatsof
teleportation?’
InquisitorVoltfoldedhisarmsandscowledattheholo-map,asthoughthesecretwassomehow
hiddenthere.‘Wedon’tknow,’headmitted.‘It’snottechnological.Theyappearanddisappearlike
ghosts,comingandgoingapparentlyatwill,andnotjusthereinthecity,butacrosstheentireplanet
aswell.’Heshookhisheadinexasperation.‘We’velaidwardstoprotectthestarportperimeterfrom
attack.Theyseemtohaveworkedsofar,butthecostofmaintainingthemisenormous.IfIknewhow
theenemywasaccomplishingthis,Icouldperhapsdeviseabetterwayofcounteringit,butIcan’t
findareferencetoanythinglikethisinmyrecords.Thescaleisunprecedented.’
Gabriellaconsideredthis.‘Itisinterestingthatyoumentionthenotionofscale,inquisitor.Ihave
beenstudyingtheeffortsoftheenemysorcerersatthesubsectorlevel.Perhapsifweweretocompare
notes,Imightbeabletogiveyoumoreinsightintothesituation.’
VoltstareddumbstruckattheNavigatorforamoment.‘Thatis…unexpected,’hefinallymanaged.
‘Ofcourse,Iwouldbehappytohearyourthoughtsonthematter.’
GabriellanoddedatVolt,andthengesturedtoAthelstane.‘Pleaseforgivetheinterruption,general.
Praycontinue.’
Thegeneralkeyedanotherstud,andthebluearrowsshrankbackfromthepalace.‘Foratimewe
wereabletostabiliseourlineswithhelpfromtheshipsinorbit,butoncetheywithdrewthetide
turnedagainstus.Theenemyhaspushedusbackbitbybit.TheTraitorMarinescrackopenourlines
withprecisionassaults,andtheirgroundtroopspourrightthrough.Berek’scompanyhasbeen
dividedupamongwarzonesallovertheworldinanattempttostemthetide,butallwe’vedoneis
slowtheiradvance.Atthispoint,we’vebeendrivenbacktotheedgeofthecity,andthereare
indicationsthattheenemyispreparinganothermajoroffensive.’Theholo-mapshiftedagain,
returningmoreorlesstothethinbluelineatthecity’seasternedge.‘Theirobjectiveisthestarport.If
itfalls,weloseouroneandonlyairbaseandsupplypoint.Ourregimentswillthenbeisolatedand
eventuallyoverwhelmed.’
Foramoment,SigurdandRagnarconsideredthemapinstunnedsilence.Ragnarglancedupatthe
general.‘WhatabouttheImperialNavyandtheGuard?’
‘WhenIleftCorianuswithmystaff,thelordgovernorsubsectorhadsentoutthecallformore
regiments,’shesaid.‘Atbest,thefirstunitswon’tgethereforanotherfivemonths,evenassumingthe
Navycangetshipsthroughthelocalwarpturbulence.’Sheeyedthemapgrimly.‘We’llbeluckyifwe
canholdoutanotherfivedays.’
Ragnarwalkedovertothemaptable,studyingtheriotofsymbolsthatdepictedthelocationsof
Imperialandenemyunitsacrossthecity.‘Youforget,general,thatoneshiphasalreadymadeit
through,’hepointedout,‘and,althoughtheyareuntestedinbattle,youhavealmostfiftySpace
Wolvestoaddtheirstrengthtothefight.Donotbesoquicktodismissus.’Helookedpointedlyat
Sternmark,buttheWolfGuardwouldnotmeetRagnar ’seyes.
Athelstanesighed.‘Yourcouragedoesyoucredit,’shesaidheavily.‘I’vehadthehonourof
fightingalongsidetheSpaceWolvesseveraltimesinmycareer,andIknowverywellwhatyou’re
capableof,butyoumustunderstand,evenwithtwiceyournumbersIdoubtwecoulddefeattheforces
arrayedagainstus.’
Ragnarsethisjawandlookedthegeneralintheeye.‘Yousaidyouwantedaspeartothrustatthe
heartoftheenemy,’hesaid.Heindicatedtheenemypositionsonthemapwithasweepofhishand.
‘SupposetheGreatWolfhadarrivedwithhiscompany,wherewouldyouhaveemployedthem?’
Thegeneralregardedhimappraisinglyforamoment.‘Forstarters,Iwouldn’thavecommitted
themtothecityatall.’
Sheadjustedasetofdialsandthemap’sviewpointpulledbackuntilitshowedthecountryside
withinsixtykilometresofthecity.‘ThereisalargePDFbaseapproximatelytwentykilometreswest
ofthecapital.BeforetheuprisingitwasthesupremeheadquartersfortheCharysdefenceforces.’The
mapshifted,focusinginonalarge,fortifiedmilitarybasesomefivekilometresacross.‘We’ve
suspectedforsometimethatthetraitorregimentswerestillusingitastheircommandcentre.
Naturally,we’vebombardeditateveryavailableopportunity,butthebase’sbunkercomplexwasbuilt
toshrugoffthatkindofattack.’
Withanotherturnofthedialthemapzoomedinontherebelbase.Ragnarobservedtall,thick
perimeterwallssitedwithdozensofgunemplacementsthatcommandedaflat,featurelesskilling
groundforkilometresineverydirection.Hesawtankparksandreinforcedbarrackslargeenoughto
holdfourormorearmouredregiments,defendedbyHydraanti-aircraftpositions.Thecentralbunker
complexalonewasovertwokilometresacross,andRagnarsuspectedthatitextendedevenfarther
underground.
‘OnceBerek’scompanyarrivedweinsertedthreepacksofhisscoutsintotheareaaroundthebase
toseewhatwecouldlearn,’shecontinued.‘Oursuppositionsprovedcorrect.Therebelswereindeed
stillusingitastheirheadquarters,andrecentlytheyhaveobservedthearrivalofnumeroushighrankingofficersandtheiraides.Theyarestillthere,whichiswhywebelievethey’vebeengatheredto
planamajorseriesofoffensives.’
‘AndyouwantedtheOldWolf’scompanytodestroythisbase?’Ragnarasked.
‘Notjustdestroyit,’Athelstanereplied.‘Weplannedalightningassaulttocapturetherebelhigh
commandanddeliverthemhereforinterrogation.InquisitorVoltassuredmehehadthemeansto
makethetraitorstelluseverythingtheyknew.’
Ragnarnoddedappreciatively.‘Howmanyenemytroops?’
‘Areinforcedarmouredregiment:atleastfifteenhundredtroopswithheavyweaponsandalmost
fortybattletanks.’Shespreadherhands.‘WereckonedevenGrimnar ’sgreatcompanywouldhavea
toughtimetakingthebase.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfnoddedthoughtfully.‘It’sgoodforyouthenthatwe’rehereinsteadofthe
OldWolf,’hesaidwithaferalgrin.‘We’llgoinatfirstlight.’
CHAPTERSEVEN
Thebattlecruiser ’sbrassandsteelteleportationchamberranglikeaswordmaster ’sforgeasthe
SpaceWolvesmadereadyforbattle.TheWolvesofHarald’sBloodClawpackcongregatedinatight
group,checkingtheirweaponsandadjustingtheheavyloadofextraequipmenttheywouldbe
carryingwiththemontheraid.Mosthadtheirhelmetsoffandweretalkingwithoneanotherinlow,
sullenvoices.Ragnarhadinsistedthatthewarship’sancientteleporterswerevitaltothesuccessofthe
raid,buttheSpaceWolveshatedthethoughtofplacingthemselvesatthemercyofsuchanarcane,
unreliabledevice.Afewmetresaway,SigurdtheWolfPrieststoodalone,bothhandsclaspedonhis
croziusandhisheadbowedinprayer.IronPriestsandacolytesinfullceremonialvestmentsmoved
slowlyaroundtheperimeteroftheroom,checkingandanointingthevastnetworkofpower
couplingsandmatrixfieldcollectors.
Ragnarsteppedthroughthearmouredhatchintothechamberjustafewminutesbeforejump-off.
TheyhadreturnedtotheFistofRuss,inhighorbitoverCharysonlyafewhoursago,andhe’dspent
mostoftheinterveningtimemeditatinginhisoldquarters.Agrimsenseofforebodingdoggedhis
steps.Althoughthesenseofdislocationhadebbedsinceleavingtheplanet’ssurface,hecouldnotease
thetautnessofhisnervesorbanishthewispsofshadowthatflittedatthecornersofhiseyes.
Hecouldnotaffordtobedistractedoncetheraidbegan.Evenamoment’shesitationcouldmean
disaster.
TheassembledwarriorspaidRagnarnoheedashestrodeacrossthechamber.Hetookcarefulnote
ofSigurdandtheBloodClaws,andthencaughtsightofTorinontheoppositesideoftheroom.The
olderWolfbladewasfinishinganinspectionofhischainswordasRagnarapproached.
‘Where’sHaegr?’Ragnaraskedwithafrown.
Torinslidhischainswordintoitsscabbardandgrinnedruefully.‘Whereelse?’
‘Morkai’sblackbreath!’Ragnarcursed.‘Ifthatoverfedwalrusislate–’
‘Peace,brother,’Torinchuckled,raisingagauntletedhand.‘Haegrcanbeafoolsometimes,but
I’veneverknownhimtoshirkhisduty.He’llbeherewhenthetimecomes,probablyclumpingalong
withanalebucketonhisfoot,buthe’llbeherenonetheless.’TheolderSpaceWolfstudiedRagnar
carefully.‘What’stroublingyou?I’veneverknownyoutogetacaseofnervesbeforeabattle,even
oneasriskyasthis.’
Ragnarshrugged.‘It’snothing,’hebegan,butstoppedtryingtopretendwhenhesawTorin’s
disbelievingglare.‘NothingIcanexplain,atleast,’hesaidgrudgingly.‘Idon’tknow,Torin.Truthbe
told,Ihaven’tfeltrightsincewereturnedtoFenris.Mytemperisonahairtrigger,andIfeellikeI
couldcrawlrightoutofmyskin.’Heshookhisheadsavagely.‘Evenmyeyesareplayingtrickson
me.’
Torin’seyesnarrowedthoughtfully.‘You,too?’
Ragnarfroze.‘Youmeanyoufeelthesameway?’
TheolderSpaceWolfloweredhisvoicetoaconspiratorialwhisper.‘SincewearrivedonCharys
I’vebeenseeingthings,likeshadowsorwispsofsmoke,flittingattheedgeofmysight.’
‘Yes!Exactly!’Ragnarwhisperedexcitedly.HeleanedclosetoTorin.‘Anythingelse?Did
everythingplanetsidefeel…Idon’tknow…unsettled,somehow?’
‘Likenothingwassolidorreal?’Torinbreathedasighofrelief.‘ThankRuss.Iwasstartingto
thinkIwaslosingmymind.Butwait,yousaidyouwerefeelinglikethisbackonFenris?’
Ragnarfrowned.‘Well,notexactly.Ididn’tstartseeingthingsuntillater,oncewe’dsetofffor
Charys.OnFenrisitwasmostlyjuststrangedreams.’
‘Dreamsaboutwhat?’
‘Monsters,’Ragnaranswered.‘Monstersintheshapeofmen.’
Torinfrowned.‘Monsters…orWulfen?’
Ragnarfelthishacklesrise.‘Doesitmatter?’heasked.
‘Ofcourseitdoes,’Torinanswered.‘HaveyoutalkedtotheWolfPriestaboutit?’
‘EvenifI’dthoughtofit,therewasnotimetotalktoRanek,’theyoungSpaceWolfreplied.
‘WhataboutSigurd?’
Ragnarsnorted.‘Don’tbestupid.We’rejustabunchofnithlingsasfarashe’sconcerned.Theonly
thingsIplanonsharingwithhimaremyfists.’
TheolderWolfbladeshookhishead.‘Don’tbesoquicktojudgehim,Ragnar.Yes,he’sabitofan
idiot,butweallwereatthatage.Hestillthinkshe’sthesonofajarl,notayoungpriestwho’sjust
earnedhiscrozius.He’sunsureofhisauthorityandoverwhelmedbytherolehe’sbeenthrustinto.
Basically,he’sterrifiedoffailure.’TorinlookedpointedlyatRagnar.‘Soundlikeanyoneyouknow?’
‘I’mnotsurewhatyoumean,’theyoungSpaceWolfgrowled.
‘Fine,considerthisinstead:Sigurdwouldn’thavebeenraisedupunlessRanekandtheotherpriests
sawsomepotentialinhim.Talktohimaboutthedreams.Givehimthebenefitofthedoubt,and
perhapshe’lllearntodothesamefortherestofus.’
Ragnarthoughtitover.Finally,heshrugged.‘Allright,’hesaid,‘assoonaswegetback,provided
wedon’tgetblowntopiecesinthemeantime.’
ToringrinnedandclappedRagnarontheshoulder.‘That’sthecheerysoulIusedtoknow.Trustme
onthis,brother.IknowwhatI’mtalkingabout.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfturnedandsurveyedthechamberoncemore.‘Isthatso?Thenwhereis
Haegr?Wejumpoffinthirtyseconds–’
Aboominglaughrolleddownthepassagewayoutsidethechamber.Haegr ’sbristly,grinningface
appearedinthehatchway,hismassivedrinkinghornclutchedinonegreatfist.‘MightyHaegris
here!’heroared,sloshingabitoffrothyaleontothedeck.‘Drawyourswordsandbeatyourshields,
sonsofFenris!Battleandredgloryawait!’
Foramoment,itlookedasthoughHaegrwouldn’tbeabletoforcehisbulkthroughthenarrow
hatchway.IronPriestsandacolyteshurriedovertohelp,butthehugeSpaceWolfpaidthemnoheed.
Firstonefoot,thenthehandbearingthealehorn,thenahipthesizeofaboar ’sflankandatorsohalf
againaslargeasameadcask,andwithagruntandacreakofmetal,Haegrsqueezedsidewaysinto
theroom.Stillgrinning,hetookalongdraughtfromhisalehornandlickedthefrothfromhis
whiskers.‘NexttimeIseetheOldWolf,’hesaidtoRagnar,‘remindmetotellhimweneedbigger
ships.’
Farbelow,onthesurfaceoftheembattledworld,thefirststagesofRagnar ’splanwereswinginginto
motion.
AtGorgon-4,anImperialGuardfirebasefivekilometreseastofthestarport,avoxteletypebegan
toclatterinthecompanycommander ’sblockhouse.Thesoundjoltedthevoxoperatorawake,
dragginghimfromapleasantdreamaboutagirlheusedtoknowbackhome.Rubbinghisbleary
eyes,theyoungGuardsmanreadoffthescriptasitprintedandconfirmedbythemessageheaderthat
ithadbeensenttotheproperunit.Thenhetoretheflimsycopyfromthemachineanddashedoutinto
thetrenchestofindtheartilleryofficer.
Thevoxoperatorfoundthebatterycommandersippinglukewarmrecafffromatincupashe
watchedthesunstarttorisethroughthesmoke-stainedhorizontotheeast.Theofficer,aveteranof
manycampaigns,tooktheprofferedscriptwithoutawordandreadtheordersbetweensips.Hisdark
eyeswidenedabitashesawthetimestamponthepage,andheturnedtorousetheguncrewswitha
streamofleatherycurses.
Withinminutes,thelongbarrelsofGorgon-4’sEarthshakerbatteriesroseintothesky.Sixhundred
kiloshellshadalreadybeenfedintotheguns’openbreeches,andbare-chestedGuardsmenwerestill
blinkingsleepoutoftheireyesastheywrestledpropellantbagsfromtheirarmouredcaissons.
Stillwatchingtheglowontheeasternhorizon,thebatterycommanderslowlyraisedhisrighthand.
Allalongtheline,thegunnerycrewsscrambledclearoftheguncarriages.Eachgunnerysergeantin
thebatterycheckedhisgun,checkedhiselevation,checkedhiscrewandthenshothisrighthandinto
theair.
Thebatterycommandersmiledinsatisfaction.Atthatexactmoment,thefirstraysofthesunbroke
throughthehaze.
‘Fire!’hecried,droppinghisarm,andtheeightheavygunsroared.Thundershooktheearthtothe
northandsouthasfiveotherfirebasesaddedtheirgunstothebarrage.
Fivekilometreswest,thevox-unitscrackledinthecockpitsofMjolnirFlight.‘MjolnirLead,thisis
Echofive-seven.Greenlight–repeat,greenlight.Goodluckandgoodhunting.’
Tenpilotsandtheircrewsstraightenedintheirjumpseatsandputawaytheirpre-flightchecklists.
Theyhadbeenwakenedinthedeadofnight,briefedandtakenouttotheirbirdsanhourbeforedawn.
Nowwideawake,theyreachedforthethrottlesandbroughtidlingturbojetstoafull-throatedroar.
Onebyone,eightValkyriegunshipsandtwoThunderhawkassaulttransportsroseheavilyfrom
theirrevetmentsandheadedofftothewest.Theywouldbeovertheirtargetinjusttwelveminutes.
BackaboardtheFistofRuss,theIronPriestsandtheiracolytesfiledonebyonefromthe
teleportationchamber.Anunearthlyhumbegantofilltheair,sinkingdeepintoRagnar ’sbones.
‘Formup!’Ragnarordered,drawinghisboltpistolandsword.TheBloodClawsfellsilentatonce,
separatingintothreeteamsasRagnarhadplanned.ThreeoftheClawstrottedovertojoinRagnar,
TorinandHaegr.Raisinghiscrozius,Sigurdmovedquicklytotheheadofanotherteamoffive
Claws.Haraldstoodreadywiththeremainingsixmembersofthepack.Therewerenodarklooks,no
challengesorrecriminations.WhateverSigurdortheBloodClawsthoughtofRagnarandhis
companions,noneofitmatterednow.Theywenttowarasbattle-brothers,astheirforebearshaddone
sincethedawnoftheImperium.
SigurdtheWolfPriestturnedtohisbrethrenandbegantheBenedictionofIron.OneoftheBlood
Clawsclashedhisaxeagainsthisbreastplateandstartedhisbattle-chant,singingofsaltwavesand
splinteredshieldsinalow,rumblingvoice.
Haegrthrewbackhisheadanddrainedhisalehorninasingledraught.Foamdrippingfromhis
whiskers,hegavehiscompanionsanenormousgrin.‘ByRuss,thesearethemomentsthatmakea
man’sbloodsing!’heroared,laughinglikeadrunkengod.‘TrytokeepupwithmightyHaegrifyou
can,littlebrothers,lestheclaimallthegloryforhimself!’
Chainbladesgrowledtolife.Powerweaponscrackledandmoaned.Boltpistolsrattledasshells
weredrivenhome,andthentheteleporteractivatedwithasearingflashoflight.
Therewasamomentofterrible,blinddislocation,andinthespaceofasingleheartbeattheSpace
Wolvesfoundthemselvesnearthesouthernedgeofthesprawlingrebelbase,caughtupinastormof
fire,thunderandsteel.
RagnarstaggeredanddroppedintoacrouchastheearthshookbeneaththeImperialbarrage.
Heavyshellshowledoverhead,fallingacrosstherebelbasewiththunderousdetonationsandtall
pillarsofdirtandsmoke.Theywerewellwithinthebase’sdefensivewalls,perhapstwohundred
metresfromthebroadferrocretebunkersofthetankpark.Themangledwreckageofastaffcar
blazedbrightlynearby,itspassengersscatteredinsmokingpiecesforadozenmetresaroundthe
impactsite.Nooneelsecouldbeseen.Thebase’sgarrisonhadrunforthesheltersthemomentthe
barragebegan.
Red-hotshrapnelrangoffRagnar ’sarmour.Heduckedhisheadandshoutedatthetopofhislungs.
‘Goforobjectiveone!’heshoutedintothecataclysmicstorm.‘Go!’
Withouthesitation,thethreeteamsofSpaceWolvesseparated,chargingoffintothehowlingstorm
ofshells.Theyhadtodealwiththeanti-aircraftbatteriesfirst.Theirairsupportwouldbeoverthe
baseinlessthantenminutes.
ItwasGeneralAthelstane’scommentaboutbombardingthePDFbasethathadgivenRagnarthe
idea.Despitehisprotestations,heknewfullwellthattheBloodClawsstoodnochancefacingthe
base’sgarrisoninaconventionalfight.Dealingwiththemoneelementatatime,however,was
anothermatter.Onepack,hereckoned,wouldbeenoughforwhattheyhadtodo.Anymoreandthey
riskedtakingunnecessarycasualtiesfromtheirownartilleryfire.Asitwas,therewasagoodchance
thatsomeofthemwouldbecaughtbyanunluckyblast,butthatwasariskRagnarwaswillingtotake.
TherewerethreelargeHydraanti-aircraftbatteriessituatedaroundthebase,consistingoffour
quadruplecannonmountsandahigh-powerauspexunit.Ragnarchosethebatteryfurthestfromthe
insertionpointashisteam’sobjective.TheSpaceWolvesdashedthroughthepallofsmokeanddirt,
navigatingmorebymemorythansight.Concussionssmoteatthemwithinvisiblefists,andsteel
fragmentswhizzedpasttheirheads.RagnarheardToringruntinsurpriseandpain,butaquickglance
showedthattheolderWolfbladewasstillrunningalongsidehim.Brightbloodleakedfroma
shrapnelwoundinhisarm.
Theycoveredthethreekilometrestothebatteryinjustoverthreeminutes.Thegunmountswerein
concreterevetmentsarrayedinadiamondaroundthecentralauspexunitandbarrageshelter.Ragnar
signalledtohismen,andthewarriorspeeledawayandheadedfortheguns,leavinghimtotakecare
ofthebattery’screw.
Hevaultedaslittrenchconnectingtwoofthebatteriesandrantothelowferrocretebunkerinthe
centre.Pullingagrenadefromhisbelt,heputhisarmouredboottothebunker ’ssteelhatch.Thedoor
crumpledandfellinwardonthethirdkick.
Boltsofbluelightsnappedoutoftheinteriorofthebunker,detonatingagainsthisbreastplate.One
shotsizzledpasthishead,closeenoughtoleaveanangryweltonhischeek.Ragnarfiredapairof
wildshotsfromhisboltpistolandduckedtotheleftofthedoorashechuckedthegrenadeinside.A
chorusofshoutswassilencedbyasharpbangasthegrenadeexploded.Movingquickly,theyoung
SpaceWolfdashedintothesmokefilledbunkerandmadecertaintheoccupantsweredeadbefore
headingbackoutside.
Bythetimehewasfinishedthefourgunmountswerewrecked.Ragnarwavedtohismenand
keyedhisvox.‘Objectiveone-oneclear,’heshouted.
‘Objectiveone-twoclear,’cameSigurd’sreply.
‘Objectiveone-threeclear,’Haraldansweredamomentlater.
Ragnarnoddedinapproval.Sofar,sogood.‘Goforobjectivetwo!’hecalled.
TheSpaceWolvesconvergedonthecentreofthebasefromthreedifferentdirections,headingfor
thegarrison’sclusterofbarrageshelters.Twoandahalfmoreminuteselapsed.Accordingtothe
plan,theImperialbarragewasabouttolift.
Ragnarandhismenreachedthefirstofthebarrageshelters.Eachonewasalow,ferrocretebunker
capableofholdingahundredmen,withareinforcedsteeldoorandasetofnarrowvisionslits
runningalongtheirflanks.
AhundredtraitorsversusfiveSpaceWolves,Ragnarthought,takingcovertotherightofthedoor.
Thosewereoddshecoulddealwith.
HemotionedtoapairofBloodClaws.TheWolvesrantothedoor,oneofthemdetachingaheavy
meltachargefromhisbackpack.Workingquickly,theyattachedthecharge’smagneticclampstothe
doorandkeyedthetimer.
Thebunkers’ferrocreteconstructionmadethemstrongenoughtoshrugoffadirecthitfroman
Earthshakerround.Italsomadethemstrongenoughtochanneltheblastofameltachargeinsteadof
burstingapartanddissipatingit.Ragnarhadseenwhatmeltachargesdidtothecrewsofenemytanks.
Heexpectedasimilarresulthere.
Withahollowthumpthechargedetonated,vaporisingthesteeldoorandhurlingitinwardsasa
plumeofincandescentplasma.Theconcussionwavestruckthefarendofthebunkerandrebounded
throughtheopendoorwithathunderclapofsuperheatedair.Grinningfiercely,Ragnarsignalledhis
warriors,andtheysweptinside,huntingforsurvivors.
Theydidn’tfindmany.
Ragnar ’smenclearedfifteenbunkersinjustunderfourminutes.BythetimethelastImperialshells
landedacrosstheenemybaseitsgarrisonhadbeenalmostcompletelydestroyed.
Thethreeteamslinkedupagainonthewestsideofthecentralbunkercomplex.Aquickheadcount
showedthatthreeWolvesweremissing.Twohadbeenunluckyrunningthroughthebarrage,andone
BloodClawhadgotover-eagerassaultingthebunkersandhadsteppedinfrontofarebounding
concussionwave.Helayinsideabunkerawaitingextraction,deepintheRedDream.
Achorusofpetrochemenginesgrowledofftothewest,ontheothersideofthebunkercomplex.
Thetankswouldberollingoutoftheirshelterssoon.Thefaintroarofjetenginesofftotheeasttold
Ragnarthatthetraitorswereabouttobeinforabrutalsurprise.
‘Here’swherethefightingbeginsinearnest,’RagnartoldtheassembledSpaceMarines.‘Wedon’t
knowhowmanytroopsareinsidethecentralcomplex,butRussknowsthey’llputupastifffight.
Expectanything,’hesaid.‘You’veallgotmapsofthecomplexloadedintoyourmemorycores.If
yougetseparated,fightyourwaytothevaultorheadbackoutsideforextraction.Killeverythingthat
getsinyourway.’
TheBloodClawsgrowledinassent.RagnarglancedatTorinandHaegrandnodded.‘Allright,
let’sgo.’
Theyrantothewesternsideofthebunker,emerginglikevengefulspiritsoutofthesmokeand
haze.Autogunfireandboltsofenergysnappedoutatthemfromthebunker ’sfiringslits,butthe
enemywastoostartledtodrawbeadsonthefast-movingWolves.TwoBloodClawsranaheadand
startedfixingtheirlastdemolitionchargetothewesternbunkerdoors.Theykeyedthetimerjustas
Ragnarandtherestoftheforcearrived.
TheconcussiveblastbuffetedRagnarandhiscompanionsfromtenmetresaway,checkinghis
headlongchargeforhalfastep.Then,withahowl,heplungedintothesearingheatandsmoke
beyondthegapingdoorway.TheyoungSpaceWolffoundhimselfinashortnarrowcorridor,
emergingafterafewmomentsintoalarge,squareroomthatreekedofhotmetalandburnedflesh.A
squadofrebelstormtroopershadbeenformedupinsidetheroom.Atleastthreeofthemhadbeen
caughtbytheforceoftheblastandtornapart,whiletherestwerehurledlikeragdollsagainstthe
stonewalls.Ragnarburstuponthemjustastheywerestaggeringtotheirfeet.Theirsergeantletouta
yellandshottheyoungSpaceWolffullinthechestwithhishellpistol.Thecrimsonboltcracked
harmlesslyagainsttheancientceramitebreastplate.Ragnarhackedoffthesergeant’sleftarmand
headwithabackhandedswipeofhisfrostblade,andthenshottwomoretroopersastheytriedtoflee
fromtheroom.
AnothersharpconcussionrangfromthebunkerwallsasHaegrsteppedtoRagnar ’sleftand
smashedtwomorerebelstobitswithaswingfromhisthunderhammer.Thelastsurviving
stormtrooperthrewdownhishellgunandraisedhishandsinsurrender.Torinsteppedintotheroom
andshotthemaninpassing.Theyweregoingtohaveenoughtroublewithprisonersasitwas.
Twocorridorsledoutoftheentryroom,headingleftandright.Ragnarrecalledthemapshe’d
studiedofthebunkerlayout,lookedtoSigurdandpointedleft.TheWolfPriest,hispalefacespeckled
withfreshblood,noddedandledhisandHarald’steamsdownthecorridor.Thereweretwostaircases
inthecomplexthatleddowntothelowerlevelwherethevaultwaslocated.Theywouldworktheir
wayacrossthebunkertothestairsonthewestside,whileRagnarandhiscompanionsfoughttheir
waytothecloserstaircase.Thatwaytheycouldensurethatnoneoftherebelcommandersgotpast
themiftheydecidedtoflee.
Shotsandlasgunboltswhippedthroughtheentryroomfromtheright-handcorridorasrebels
openedfireonSigurd’steam.Ragnarpulledanothergrenadefromhisbeltandhurleditdownthe
passageway.Asecondbeforeitdetonated,henoddedtoHaegr,andtheburlyWolfchargedintothe
wakeoftheblast.Screamsandbrutalthunderclapsechoeddownthecorridor,punctuatedbytheSpace
Wolf’sboominglaugh.
RagnarreadiedhisboltpistolanddashedoffafterHaegr,runningpastbrokenbodiesandshattered
weaponsthatlitteredthepassagewayfloor.ThemassiveSpaceWolfwasploughingaheadlikea
stampedingmastodon,crushinganyresistanceinhispath.Ragnarandhismencharged,morethan
once,intoabloodstainedroom,andfoundthemselvesfightingstunnedguardsmen,whoHaegrhad
simplyoverrunandleftbehind.
TheycaughtuptoHaegrseverallongminuteslater,atafour-wayjunctiondeepwithinthe
complex.ThehugeWolfhadhisbackagainstthewallnearthecornerofthejunction,wrappedin
swirlingtendrilsofsmoke.Thesmellofozoneandshatteredstonefilledtheair.
Haegrlookedoverathisbattle-brothersastheyapproached.Ragnarsawthattherightsideof
Haegr ’sfacewasredandblistered,andhalfofhisunrulywhiskershadbeenburnedaway.‘Mighty
Haegrisunusuallynimbleforoneofhisheroicgirth,’hegrumbled,‘butthesetightcorridorsmakeit
hardtododgeplasmafire.’
‘Likeshootingfishinabarrel,’Torinsaidtightly.HeglancedatHaegr.‘Sorry.Morelikespearing
whales.’
‘MustIdothefoe’sworkandthrashyoumyself?’Haegrsaid.‘Thatwouldbetragic,woulditnot?’
‘Whereistheplasmagunner?’Ragnarsaid.
Haegrjerkedhisheadtotheleft.‘Aroundthecorner,abouttwentymetres,’hereplied,‘andhe’snot
alone.Lookslikeanothersquadofstormtroopersiscoveringthestaircase.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfnodded.‘Didyoutryanygrenades?’
Haegrblinkedathim.‘Grenades.Yes.Agoodidea,’heagreed.
Torinrolledhiseyes.‘Whatdidyoudo?Eatyours?’
TheburlyWolfgloweredatTorin.‘ThemightyHaegrpreferstolookthefoeintheeyebefore
endinghislife,notcoweringbehindacloudofshrapnel.’
‘Meaningyourthickfingerscan’tworkthegrenadedispenser,’Torinsaiddrily.
Haegrshifteduncomfortably.‘Yes,well,possiblythat,too,’hegrowled.
Ragnarcouldn’thelpbutchuckle.‘NowIknowwhythepairofyouweresenttoTerra,’he
declared,shakinghishead.HesheathedhisswordanddrewagrenadefromHaegr ’sbelt.Thumbing
thefuse,hetosseditaroundthecorner.Immediately,ahailoffirechewedalongthelengthofthe
stonewallandricochetedacrossthejunction.Secondslaterthegrenadewentoff,andRagnarspun
aroundthecorner,firingasheran.
TheyoungSpaceWolfsawatoncethatHaegrhadneglectedtomentionthebarricadeafewmetres
downthecorridor.
Abarrieroflayeredflakboardhadbeenerectedacrossthewidthofthepassageway,andhis
grenadehadleftascorchmarkatitsfeet.Thestormtrooperstakingcoverbehinditwerejustpopping
backupfrombehindcoverasRagnarstartedhischarge.Scarletboltsofhellgunfireburstacrosshis
breastplateandpauldrons,leavingscorchmarksacrosstheceramiteplate.Hesawtherebelplasma
gunnerpopupandlevelhisweapon.Ragnarbroughthispistolaroundandshotthemaninthehead.
Anotherboltdetonatedagainsthisthigh,andRagnarfeltajoltofpainastheshotburnedthrough
hisarmour.Hestumbled,andthenredoubledhispace,chargingheadlongattheenemybarrierwhile
hedraggedhisfrostbladefromitsscabbard.
Twomoreshotsstruckhismidsectionasheleaptoverthebarrier.Ragnar ’sfrostbladeflashedand
twostormtrooperstoppledinawelterofblood.Helandedonathirdrebel,drivingthesoldiertothe
floorbeforeshootinghimintheneck.Ragnarspuntotheright,slashingdownwardwithhissword
andslicinganotherscreamingtrooperinhalf.
Theremainingstormtroopersfellback,snappingoffshotsfromtheirhellgunsastheywent.Drunk
withbattlelust,Ragnarstalkedafterthem.Heshottheclosestmaninthehead.Thenthecrowdbefore
himparted,andhewasfacingasergeantwithaglowingpowerswordinhishand,andatrooperwith
ahissingflamerlevelledatRagnar ’schest.
ThereweretwoloudboomsbehindRagnar,andapairofheavyroundshissedpasttheyoung
SpaceWolf’shead.Thefirstshotstruckthemanwiththeflamerintheshoulder,andthesecondtore
throughthetrooper ’sthroat.Thestormtrooperspuntotheright,hisfingertighteningonthetrigger,
sprayinghiscomradeswithastreamofliquidfire.
Ragnardodgedtotheright,awayfromtheflames,andthestormtroopersergeantrushedforward,
slashingattheyoungSpaceWolf’schest.Ragnarcaughttheglowingswordonthediamond-hard
teethofhisfrostbladeandrippedopentherebel’schestwithaback-handedblow.Thesurvivorsfled
downthehall,firingwildlyastheywent,abandoningtheirpostattheheadofthestaircaseto
Ragnar ’sright.
TheyoungSpaceWolflookedbackthewayhe’dcomeandsawtherestofhisteamrushingupto
joinhim.Haegrwasoutfront,smokecurlingfromthebarrelofhisboltpistol.Ragnarscowledatthe
burlywarrior.‘Youcouldhavewarnedmeaboutthebarricade,’hegrowled.
‘Barricade?Youmeanthispitifulthing?’Haegrdrewbackafootandkickedthelayeredflakboards
apart.‘Ithoughtitwasjustapileofrubbish.’
Shakinghishead,Ragnargavethewoundinhislegacursorycheck.Findingnothingserious,he
bentandpickedtheflamerandplasmagunoffthebodiesofthedeadstormtroopers.‘Takethese,’he
said,passingthemovertotwooftheBloodClaws.‘Flamerupfront.Let’sgo.’
TheBloodClawwiththeflamernoddedcurtlyandsteppedtotheheadofthestaircase.Theiron
rungsrecededintodarkness.
Abreathofcoldairroseupfromthedepths,smellingofoldstoneandlingeringrot.Ragnarbared
histeethandslappedtheleadBloodClawontheshoulder.Slowly,cautiously,theybegantheir
descent.
CHAPTEREIGHT
TheironstairsrangastheSpaceWolvesmadetheirwayintothecommandbunker ’slowerlevel.
Withadraconichisstheflamerspatastreamofburningpromethiumdownthelengthofthedark
staircase.Ruddyorangelightpushedbackthecave-likeshadowsforamoment,revealingasteep
descenttoaferrocretelandingandaswitchbackleadingfartherdown.Teethbared,theleadBlood
ClawclamberedslowlydownthestairswithRagnarandtherestoftheteamclosebehind.
BoltpistoltrainedovertheBloodClaw’srightshoulder,Ragnarstrainedhissensestotheutmost,
listeningfortell-talesignsofambush.Inthedistance,hethoughthecouldhearthecrashandechoof
gunfire,butthestonewallsofthebunkermadeithardtogaugewherethesoundwascomingfrom.
Onceagain,acoldwaveofvertigosweptthroughhim,andtheyoungSpaceWolffoughttocontrol
hisbalanceonthenarrowstairs.Shadowshapesflittedatthecornersofhisvision,further
disorientatinghim.Ragnargrowledsoftlyandforcedhimselftoconcentrateonthefeelofthe
weaponsinhishandsandthepresenceoftheBloodClawinfrontofhimastheymadetheirwaydown
thestairs.
RagnarsignalledfortheleadWolftohaltatthebottomofthefirststaircase.Theylistenedinthe
gloom.FaintsoundsreachedRagnar ’sears.Wasitwhispering,orthefaintscrabbleofclawson
metal?Whateveritwas,thesoundwascomingfromaroundthecornerofthestaircase.Ragnar
signalledtotheBloodClaw,whonoddedandswiftlythrusttheflameraroundthebend.Anall-toohumanscreamofhorrorwasquicklyswallowedintheflamer ’shissingroar.
TheBloodClawhelddownthetriggerforafullsecondbeforedrawingbackoutoftheway.
Ragnarsweptpast,boltpistollevelled,andpumpedshellsattheburning,flailingformswrithingon
thestaircase.Headvancedintoaninferno,killingmenwithshotstotheheadandchestorendingtheir
agonieswithasweepofhisblade.Powerpacksandammunitioncookedoffallaroundhim,filling
thenarrowspacewiththunderousdetonationsanddeadlyricochets.Behindhim,therestoftheteam
sweptdowninRagnar ’swake,eagertocometogripswiththefoe.
Therewasasmalllandingatthebaseofthestairs,piledwithsmoulderingcorpses.Inthedim
firelight,Ragnar ’skeensensespickedoutanopendoorwaytotheleftofthelanding.Ashe
approached,heheardthedistinctdoubleclickofapairofgrenadesbeingprimed,andthetwinsilver
canisterswerelobbedthroughthedoorwayathisfeet.Alessermanmighthavepanicked.Ragnar
simplyknockedthembackthewaythey’dcomewithasweepofhisarmouredboot.Theydetonated
lessthanasecondlater,closeenoughtopepperhimwithbitsofsearingshrapnel,buttheeffectonthe
rebelsinthechamberbeyondwasfarworse.
Ragnarchargedthroughthedoorwayintothereelingsquadofrebeltroopers,knockingtwomen
offtheirfeetwithboltpistolshotsbeforeslashingintotherestwithhisfrostblade.Theroomwas
nearlypitch-dark.Ragnar ’skeensensescaughttheultrasonicwhineofthermal-visiongogglesand
markedthelocationsoftherebelGuardsmeninthestroboscopicflashesoftheirweapons.Lightburst
fromalasguntohisright,sendingabeampoint-blankintoRagnar ’sbreastplate.Theflashrevealeda
snarlingGuardsmanlittlemorethanametreaway,hissunkencheekscrudelycarvedwith
blasphemoussigils.Ragnarspunonhisheelandlashedoutwithhissword,evisceratingthesoldier
withasweepingcut.
Ashotgunwentoff,sprayinghisrightshoulderandthesideofhisfacewithleadpellets.Ragnar
howledinfuryandfiredaroundinthedirectionoftheflash,hearingthemeatysoundoftheshell
strikinghomeintherebel’schest.AsRagnardrovedeeperintotheroomachainswordslashedin
fromtheleft,glancingoffhisleftpauldronandtearingopenhischin.Withouthesitation,theyoung
SpaceWolftoreupwardswithhiskeeningfrostblade,severingtherebel’sarmneartheelbow.
Therewasanotherflash,thistimebehindRagnar,asHaegrfiredatanothertarget.Theyoung
SpaceWolfglimpsedtherebelwho’dstruckhim,reelingaway,bloodjettingfromhisshornarm.
Anothertraitorcoweredonthefloornearthefarwall,hisbloodspatteredhandspressedtohisface.
Ragnarshotthembothforgoodmeasure.
Thunderandman-madelightningburstagainandagainintheconfinedspace.Guardsmenthrashed
andspun,hammeredtothegroundbyboltpistolshells.Withinmoments,thesurvivorsbrokeandran,
loosingraggedvolleysoflasgunfireastheyfleddownanadjoiningpassagewaytothenorth.
RagnarheardHaegrandTorinsteptothemouthofthepassagewayandfireontheretreating
troops.TheyoungSpaceWolfstoodnearthecentreofthedarkroomandtriedtogethisbearings.He
swayedunsteadilyonhisfeet.Strangesmellsassaultedhissensesoverthereekofpropellantandthe
stinkofrupturedorgans.Thehairsonthebackofhisneckprickled.Somewhere,impossiblyfar
away,hethoughtheheardahowl.
Therestoftheteamspreadoutintotheroom.Inthedarkness,Haegrchuckledcruelly.‘Thefools
shouldhavestayedput,’hesaid.‘I’venevermetamanwhocouldoutrunaboltpistolshell!’
‘There’saroomatthefarendofthepassageway,’Torincutin.‘Icanseesomesortoffaint,purple
glow.’
Sorcery,Ragnarthought.Thathadtobethesourceofhishallucinations.MadoxandtheThousand
SonsservedthedreadedChangerofWays,avilegodofmadnessandillusion.Now,itappearedthat
therebelswereturningtotheirunholypatronsforhelpagainsttheimplacableWolves.
Ragnarpeeredaroundthedarkroom,strugglingtofocus.Timewasrunningout.Beyondthe
dangerofwhateversorceriestherebelsweretryingtoinvoke,theextractionflightwouldbeoverthe
base,circlingandstrafinganytraitorvehiclesthatemergedfromtheirshelters.Theycouldn’tremain
forlong.Iftheyweren’tbackonthesurfacewithinafewminutes,therewouldn’tbeanyonewaiting
totakethembacktobase.Hedidn’twanttotryhisoddsfightinghiswaybackonfootwithhalfa
dozenenemyprisonersintow.
TheyoungSpaceWolftriedtosummonthemapsofthebunkercomplextotheforefrontofhis
mind.Heknewthatthevaultadjoinedthemainwarroomonthislevel,buthowmanypassageways
connectedtoit?Thespilledbloodintheroommadeitdifficulttothink.Ragnarstartedtopace,
fightingtheurgetochargeoffintothegloominsearchofsomethingtokill.Soundsechoedinthe
darkness.Ahowlseemedtoechofromanotherpassagewaytothesouth.
‘Didyouhearthat?’hehissed.
ToRagnar ’ssurprise,Torinansweredatonce.‘Idid.ItcouldbeSigurdortheotherteam.Ifthey’re
pinneddown,we’retheonlyonesinpositiontoreachthevault.’
Ragnarstifledacurse.Torinwasright.Hewaslettinghisimaginationgetthebetterofhim,and
timewaswasting.Heworkedhiswaypastthefallenbodiesoftherebelsoldiersandreachedthe
mouthofthenorthpassageway,wherehetoocouldseeadim,purpleglowpulsingslowlyatthefar
end.AshepassedTorin,hewhispered,‘Isthereanythingelseyoufeel?Doyouseeshadows?’
‘Yes,’Torinwhisperedback,‘perhapsworsethanbefore,butlet’sworryaboutthatlater.Fornow,
let’sjustgetdownthiscorridor.’
Ragnarnoddedtohimself.HeshoulderedhiswayalongsideHaegrandcheckedtheammoloadfor
hispistol.Satisfied,hefocusedonthelightinthedistanceandsetoffatalopingrunwiththerestof
theteambehindhim.
Theypassedthroughhalfadozensmallroomsalongtheway,clutteredwithdebrisanddevoidof
life.Astheydrewclosertothepulsing,ethereallight,Ragnarcouldfeeltheinvisibletidesofsorcery
washingoverhiminwavesofoilyfilth.Astrange,acridstenchburnedinhisnostrilsandsethisteeth
onedge.Buzzing,atonalnotesechoedinhisears,growinglouderwitheachstephetook.
Distractedashewas,Ragnardidn’tnoticetheflakboardbarrieruntilhewaswithinthreemetresof
theendofthepassageway.Theenemyhadlaidboardsoverthedoorwaytowellabovehumanheight,
theirgreysidesreflectingtheshiftingpurplelightfromtheceilingoftheroombeyond.
Ragnarslowedhispaceatonce.‘Barrierahead,’hesaidgruffly,hisvoicesoundingtinnyand
distortedovertheinfernalbuzzinginhisears.‘We’llgettheplasmagun–’
Haegrlaughed.Thesoundwasdeepandguttural,likethegrowlofabear.‘Abarrierforyou
perhaps,’hegrowled,‘butnotformightyHaegr!’
ThehugeSpaceWolfchargedrightattheslabsofflakboard,histhunderhammerreadyinhis
hand.Withabloodthirstyshout,hecrashedagainstthebarrier.Theflakboardexplodedinwardina
showerofdebris,fallingapartsoeasilythatHaegrstumbledforwardwithanawkwardshoutintoa
hailofgunfireandachorusofexcitedcries.
‘Morkai’sblackbreath!’Ragnarshoutedangrily,andthenchasedoffafterHaegr.Shoutsandwar
criesechoedafterhimasTorinandtheBloodClawstookupthechase.
SharpblastsofthunderrangfromthewallsofthechamberasRagnarchargedthroughthe
doorwayandfoundhimselfinthebunker ’sexpansivewarroom.Situationtablesandlogicengines
hadbeenoverturnedormovedtocreatedefensivepositionsacrossthewide,rectangularroom,and
morethanascoreofhuge,burlyfiguresstoodorcrouchedbehindtheirbarricadesandunleasheda
stormoffireuponHaegrandRagnarboth.Beyondthem,attheoppositesideofthewarroom,
Ragnarsawapairofgleamingsteeldoors:theentrancetothebunker ’semergencyvault.
StubbershellswhippedthroughtheairaroundRagnarorrangoffhisceramitearmour.One
gougedafierypathacrossthesideofhisheadbeforericochetingoffhisthickenedskull.Tracerfire
criss-crossedaroundhiminadeadlywebofshells.Afewmetresaway,Haegrhadcrashedagainstthe
faceofanupendedhololithtableandwassmashingatthetraitorsontheothersidewithhiscrackling,
bloodsmearedhammer.Bulletssparkedandhowledoffthecurvedsurfacesofhisarmour,though
Ragnarsawwherealmosthalfadozenroundshadleftred-rimmedholesintheburlywarrior ’sarms,
waistandlegs.Thehitsdidn’tseemtoslowHaegrintheleast.
AheavyblowstruckRagnarintheleftarm,andfierypainblossomedjustabovehiselbow.
Snarling,theyoungSpaceWolfturnedandblastedawayattherebelstakingcoverbehindthe
barricadestohisleft.Ahugefigurerearedupbehindabrokenlogicengine.Ragnarcaughtsightofa
twisted,misshapenhunkofgleamingmusclesandascarredlumpthatmightoncehavebeenahuman
head.ThemutantturneditsbeadyredeyesonRagnarandlevelledashort-barrelheavystubberat
him.Roaring,theyoungSpaceWolfchargedatthemutant,blazingawaywithhisboltpistol.Shell
aftershellrockedthemonster,blowinggoryholesthroughitsmassivearmsandtorso,butthemutant
refusedtodie.
ItsheavystubberhammeredatRagnar,spittingastreamoftracerroundsattheonrushingSpace
Wolf.HammerblowsstruckRagnarinthechestandabdomen,buttheblessedarmourplateheld
againsttheheavystubberrounds.Howlinglikeabeast,Ragnarleaptontothetoppledlogicengine
andburiedhisbladeinthemonster ’scartilaginousskull.Sicklygreyandyellowmatterspewedfrom
thefrostblade’swhirringteeth,butthemutantrefusedtodie.Ithowledandthrashed,throwingdown
itssmokinggunandreachingforRagnar ’sblade.Horrified,Ragnarshotthemonstertwiceinthe
faceanddasheditsblasphemouscorpsetothefloor.
Howling,gibberingfiguresrushedattheyoungSpaceWolffromeverydirection.AGuardsman
withaskinnedfaceswungachainswordatRagnar ’sleftleg.Ragnarparriedthestrokewithhisfrost
bladeandkickedtheonrushingrebelinthehead,burstingitlikeamelon.Anothermutant,thisone
wearingthetattereduniformofaPDFstaffofficer,wrappedalong,barbedtentaclearoundRagnar ’s
leftankleandwithsurprisingstrengthhauledtheSpaceWolfoffhisfeet.Helandedheavily,smashing
hisheadandshouldersagainstthemetalandglasscaseofthelogicenginebeforerolling,senseless,
tothefloor.
Forlessthanhalfasecondhewastoostunnedtomove.Soundsrolledlikesurfinhisears:shouts,
gunshots,screamsandthuddingblows.AbladeofsomekindsmashedintoRagnar ’sbackagainand
again,grindingoffthearmour.Figurescrowdedabovehim;agunwentoff,theroundburyingitself
inhisbackpack.Thenatentaclesquirmedwetlyaroundhisthroatandbegantosqueeze.
Ragnarroaredlikeawoundedbeastandlashedoutwithhiswhirringblade,shearingthrough
anklesinanarcaroundhishead.Mutantsshriekedandtoppledlikefelledtrees,bleedingtheirlives
outontothefloor.Ragnarusedtheimpetusoftheswingtoflipontohisback,hisboltpistol
hammeringatthefoesstillloomingabovehim.Threemutantsreeledbackwardswithsmokingholes
inthebacksoftheirheads.ThetentaclearoundRagnar ’sthroatcameawaywithaspasmodicjerk.
Anupendedtablenearbyexplodedinablueballofplasma,scatteringflamingdebrisacrossthe
room.Twomutantsstaggeredawayfromtheexplosion,blindedandfiringwildlyintothemelee.
BattlechantsandbloodthirstycriesrangfromthestonewallsastheBloodClawsinRagnar ’steam
chargedintothefray.RagnarcaughtsightofHaegrcarvingagorypaththroughaknotofstruggling
mutants,burstingthemapartwithearthshakingblowsfromhishammer.Ashadowpassedacrossthe
youngSpaceWolf’svision,butthistimeitwasTorin,leapingnimblyoverabarricadeofsmashed
logicenginesandopeningthethroatsofthemutantshidingbehindthem.
Foramoment,theroomseemedtospin.Ragnarfeltasthoughhewasfalling,butthenhehearda
gutturalvoicesnarlintohisear.‘Watchyourhead!’
Somethinginthetoneofthevoicegalvanisedhim.Ragnarrolledtotheleft,justasaroaring
chainbladesmashedintotheferrocretewherehisheadhadjustbeen.
Heartracing,Ragnarthrewablindswingbehindhimashelurchedtohisfeet.Hisfrostbladeswept
throughemptyair,andthenheheardthechainblade’sthroatyrasp,andaterribleblowstruckhimin
thebackofhisleftthigh.
Thepainwasimmense.Forabrief,agonisinginstant,Ragnarcouldfeeltheteethofthechainblade
tearingthroughhisflesh.Hestaggered,buthissacredarmoursensedtheimpactandlockedhisleft
knee-jointtokeephimupright.Snarlinginagony,theyoungSpaceWolfspunonhisimmobilised
leg,barelywardingoffasecondblowaimedathisneck.
Hefoundhimselfstaringatanenormous,hyper-muscledmutant,wieldingatwo-handed
chainswordinitsclawedfists.Ragnarrecognisedtheweaponatonce:itwasaneviscerator,a
ponderousbutdevastatingweaponfavouredbywould-bemartyrsintheGuard’sEcclesiarchal
auxiliaries.TheyoungSpaceWolfrealisedthattheleeringmutantwaswearingthetatteredremains
ofapriest’shomespunrobes.AnImperialaquila,oncethepriest’smostprizedpossession,hung
upside-downonanecklaceofbodypartsstrungaroundthemutant’sbull-likeneck.
Themutantgibberedastreamofblasphemiesandpresseditsattack.Theevisceratorwasaclumsy
weaponinhumanhands,butthemuscleboundtraitorwieldeditlikeawillow-switch.Ragnarblocked
onepowerfulblowafteranother,knowingthatifhisdefencefailed,evenforamoment,themutant
wouldhackhimintwo.
AblurringstrokeleaptatRagnar ’sface.TheyoungSpaceWolfblockedtheevisceratorina
showerofsparks,andshotthemutantintheleftknee.Themonsterstaggered,bellowingthrougha
mouthfullofpointedteeth,butitpresseditsattackwithoutpause.
Themutantchargedforwards,slashingacrossRagnar ’sleftpauldronandleavingadeepgashin
theceramite.Alightning-fastreturnstrikenearlytookoffhalftheyoungSpaceWolf’sface.Ragnar
shotthemutanttwicemore,onceinthebellyandonceinthegroin,andthistime,whenthemutant
lurchedbeneaththeimpacts,theyoungSpaceWolflashedoutwithhisfrostbladeandseveredthe
traitor ’slefthandatthewrist.HotbloodspurtedontoRagnar ’sfaceasthemutanthowledinagony,
andtheyoungSpaceWolfrushedintofinishoffthetraitor,buttheformerpriestdroppeditsweapon
andseizedRagnar ’sswordwristinavice-likegrip.
Ragnarfeltservoswhineunderintolerablepressureasthemutantcloseditsfist.Thecuffofhis
gauntletbegantodeformunderthepressure.Bonesgratedinhiswrist.Ragnarputtheboltpistolto
themutant’sheadandpulledthetrigger,buttheweaponwasempty.
ThemutantlookedintoRagnar ’seyesandhissedcruelly.Ragnarfeltawaveofpanicasthebones
inhiswristandarmbegantosplinter.Itwasasthoughawildbeastcamehowlingupfromdeepinhis
breast.Withasavagegrowl,Ragnarleaptforwardandburiedhisteethinthemutant’sover-muscled
neck.
Hebitdeep,feelingfleshandcable-likemuscletearwithinhispowerfuljaws.Blood,hotandbitter,
filledhismouth.Themutantshrieked,pummellingRagnarwiththestumpofitsleftarm,butthe
youngSpaceWolfwrenchedhisheadleftandright,wideningthewoundanddiggingforthepulsing
arteriesburiedwithintheneck.
Ragnarcouldfeeltheheatofthemutant’sheart-blood.Hehungeredforit,longingtofeelit
spillinginafloodoverhisgapingjaws.Itwasthepurest,mostvividthinghe’dfeltinhisentirelife.
Forafleetinginstant,Ragnarwasgone.Whatremainedbehindwassomethingrawandelemental:a
wolfinnameanddeed.
Hetoreoutthemutant’sthroat,andthenhestartedtofeed.
CHAPTERNINE
ApowerfulblowsmoteRagnaronthesideofthehead.TheforceofitknockedtheyoungSpaceWolf
ontohisside,buthewasbackuprightinmoments,showinghisredslickedfangsandcrouching
protectivelyoverhiskill.Sigurd’spalefaceappearedbeforehim,bloodspatteredandsevere.
‘BytheholynameofRussthePrimarchItakeyoursoulintomyhands,RagnarBlackmane!’The
priest’svoicetrembled,butthewordswerepowerful,infusedwiththestrengthofcenturiesoffaith.
Ragnarblinked,drawingbackfromtheimageofawolf’sskullamuletthatSigurdbrandishedbefore
hiseyes.
‘Thewolfcannothaveyou!Yourheartisnotyourstogive,butbelongstotheAllfather,nowand
forevermore!Rememberyouroaths,sonofFenris!Rememberwhoyouare!’
Thewordswerelikethetollingofabellinsidehishead,coldandbrightandirresistible.Hefell
heavilyontothefloor,shakinghisheaddazedly.
Afteramoment,Ragnar ’svisioncleared.SigurdtheWolfPriestloomedabovehim,hiswideeyes
fearful,buthisexpressionhardenedintoamaskofdetermination.HisIronWolfamuletwasclenched
inonegauntletedhand.
Ragnarcouldfeelbloodtricklingoverhislipsandstaininghisbreastplate.Ashudderpassed
throughhim.TheyoungSpaceMarinerosetohiskneeswithaneffort,andashedidsohenoticedthe
bloodyfiguresprawledbesidehim.Ragnarlookeddownatthemangledcorpseoftheformerpriest
andfeltawaveofhorrorandrevulsioncrashdownuponhim.BlessedRuss,hethoughtdespairingly,
I’mwolf-bitten.
‘Forgiveme,’hesaidhoarsely,unabletotearhiseyesawayfromthegapingwoundinthemutant’s
throat.
‘Forgivenessisearnedinbattle,’Sigurdsaidcoldly.‘Standandfightlikeaman,Ragnar,notan
animal.’TheWolfPriestbrandishedhiscroziusbeforetheyoungSpaceWolf.‘JustasRussovercame
thewolfinsidehimoutoflovefortheAllfather,sotoomustyouriseabovethebeastwithin.Nowget
up.Thefoeawaits.’
Nodding,Ragnarlurchedtohisfeet.Thebattleinthewarroomwasover.Sigurdandthe
remainingBloodClawshadarrivedandoverwhelmedtheremainingtraitorsasRagnarstruggled
withthehugemutant.Smokeandthestenchofburnedfleshhungintheair,andthebodiesofthe
traitorGuardsmenlayinbloodyheapsbehindtheirmakeshiftbarricades.Haraldandhispack-mates
stoodamongthecarnage,clutchingtheirweaponsandwatchingtheexchangebetweenRagnarand
Sigurdwithwary,fearfuleyes.ItwasallRagnarcoulddonottohanghisheadinshame.
AheavyblowtotheshouldernearlyknockedtheyoungSpaceWolfoffhisfeet.Haegrloomed
overRagnar,chucklingdeepinhisthroat.‘Youcallthatabite?MightyHaegrwouldhavetakenthat
monster ’sheadoffwithasinglesnapofhisjaws!’
ThehugeSpaceWolf’slaughwasinfectious.Soon,everywarriorintheroomwaslaughingalong
withhim,butforSigurdandRagnar.
‘Youwantsomethingtochewon,comeoverhereandtryyourteethonthis,’Torinsaid,pressing
hisfingertipstothecoldsteeldoorsofthevault.‘Ourtimeisalmostup,andtheAllfatheralone
knowswhatthey’reuptoinside.’
RagnarrubbedhischinwiththebackofhishandandturnedtoSigurd.‘Haveyougotanycharges
left?’
‘Two,’theWolfPriestsaid,andnoddedtoHarald.TheBloodClawpackleaderwavedapairofhis
menforward,andtheybegansettingthechargesagainstthedoor.
HaraldturnedtoSigurd.HiseyespassedoverRagnar,asthoughafraidtoseewhatlurkedwithin
theyoungSpaceWolf’sgaze.‘We’resuretokilleveryoneinsidewhenthesegooff,’hesaid.
‘No,’Ragnarreplied,shakinghisheadashereloadedhispistol.‘Thesedoorsaredoubly
reinforced,designedtoprotectthegeneralstaffintheeventofamajorattack.Morelikelythe
shockwavewillreboundbackonus,soIsuggeststandingwellofftoeithersideofthedoor.’
ThebatteredandbloodiedSpaceWolvesquicklytookuppositionsaroundthevault.Ragnarcould
stillfeelthesicklywashofuncleanenergiesripplingfromwithin.HenoddedtotheBloodClaw
waitingatthethreshold.Thewarriorkeyedthefuseandleaptclear.
Sureenough,atremendousconcussionshooktheentireroom,throwingthearmouredwarriors
backagainstthestonewallsandsendingcloudsofbrokendebrisflyingthroughtheair.Whenthe
smokecleared,Ragnarleaptforward,weaponsready,andfoundaholemeltedthroughthethicksteel
doorsjustwideenoughforaSpaceMarinetofitthrough.Hethrewhimselfintothegapwhilethe
metaledgeswerestillred-hot,withTorin,HaegrandSigurdjustafewstepsbehindhim.
Thevaultwasasmallredoubt,withanarrow,thick-walledpassagewaybeyondthemoltendoors
thatopenedintoanoctagonalchamberbarelytenmetresacross.Twobodies,charredalmostbeyond
recognition,weresprawledonthestoneflooratthefarendofthepassageway.Beyondthemlaya
sceneofbloodypandemonium.
Therewereperhapstwentyofficersandstaffaidescrammedintothechamber,shoutingand
babblingdesperatepleastotheirnewfoundgods.Theirornateuniformsweretornandstainedwhere
theyhaddugintotheirfleshwithceremonialknives,andtheirfaceswerepaintedinfreshblood.
Morebloodhadbeenspilledonthefloor.Ayoungorderly,littlemorethanfifteen,hadbeendragged
tohiskneesandslitfromeartoear,andtheredfloodthathadpouredfromhisnarrowthroathad
beenusedtopaintablasphemouscircleinthecentreoftheroom.Itwastowardsthisterriblesigilthat
therebelsdirectedtheirpleas,theirgore-stainedhandsoutstretchedinabjectworship.AsRagnar
chargedintotheirmidsthesawaghostlyfiguretakeshapewithinthesigil.Itwasatoweringform
cladinancient,baroquearmourofblueandgold,itsedgesinlaidwithblasphemoussigils,andits
curvedplatesdecoratedwithcharmsandfetishesofboneandwitheredskin.Flickeringpurpleflames
glintedhungrilyintheocularsoftheChaoschampion’shornedhelmet,fixingRagnarwithaglareof
eternalmalice.Inonehand,thesorcererheldaswordmadefromtooth,hornandsoulless,blackiron.
Flamesleapthungrilyinthepalmofhisotherhand,hissingandspittinginthedankair.
ForafleetingmomentRagnar ’sheartleaptwithbloodthirstyjoyatthethoughtthathe’dcome
face-to-facewithMadoxhimself.Yettherewasnoglintofrecognitioninthesorcerer ’sstrangeeyes
asheraisedhisblazinghandandcalledoutahorrificstringofsyllablesinaraw,hatefulvoice.
Ahowlingtorrentofpinkandpurplefireburstfromthesorcerer ’shand,aimedrightatRagnar ’s
chest.Theboltstruckoneoftherebelofficersaglancingblowasitpassed,andthetraitordissolved
rightbeforetheyoungSpaceWolf’seyes.Cursingfearfully,Ragnarthrewhimselftothesideandthe
sorcerousflamestruckhisrightpauldronaglancingblow.Heheardtheceramitehissandscream
beneaththeblast,scatteringmoltendropletsuponthefloor.Theboltcontinuedon,missingHaegrby
ahair ’sbreadthandcrashingintotheonrushingformofSigurd.
ThesorcerousflameswashedovertheWolfPriestinachorusofthin,unearthlyhowlsanda
crackleofbrittlethunder.TwoBloodClawstoeithersideofthepriestwerethrowntothefloorbythe
blast,butSigurdwasunmoved.TheflamescurledawayfromtherosariusthattheWolfPriestheld
beforehim,andhecalledoutinapowerfulvoice,‘Traitor!Servantoffalsegods!Iabjureyou,
warrioroftheThousandSons!LookuponthesonsoftheWolfanddespair!’
TheThousandSonsChaosSpaceMarinelaughedattheWolfPriestandutteredastreamofvile
cursesthatcausedtherebelGuardsmentofallthrashingtothefloor.Baringhisteeth,Ragnar
gatheredhiscourageandchargedattheunholywarrior,snappingoffshotswithhisboltpistolashe
went.
Explosiveroundsdetonatedharmlesslyagainstthechampion’sbreastplateandhelm,leaving
scarcelyamarkontheensorcelledarmour.Undaunted,Ragnarsteppedcloseandunleashedastorm
ofdeadlyblowswithhismastercraftedfrostblade,fullyintendingtochoptheChaosSpaceMarineto
pieces.
Notasingleblowfounditsmark.Whetherbysorceryorpure,deadlyskill,thechampionblocked
orevadedRagnar ’severymove.Thehugefiguremovedlikequicksilver,seemingtoanticipatethe
youngSpaceWolf’sattacks,andcounteringthemwithdisdainfulease.AtonepointRagnarsensed
he’dfoundanopeninginthesorcerer ’sguardandnearlyfoundhimselfimpaledonthechampion’s
unnaturalblade.
AshadowflowedintoRagnar ’sfieldofvisiontohisleft.Torinwasthere,catchingthesorcerer ’s
bladeagainsthischainsword.Sensinganopportunity,Ragnarlungedforwardwithaslashingcutto
thechampion’sshoulder,buttheChaosSpaceMarinefellback,dodgingtheblow.
Shoutsandbattlecriesechoedintheconfinedspaceastherebeltroopsrearedupfromthestone
floorlikebeasts,andthrewthemselvesattheSpaceWolves.Dimly,RagnarheardSigurdrepudiating
thetraitorGuardsmeninaloud,sonorousvoiceovertheroarofchainbladesandthebarkof
laspistols.ThenamountainousformloomedtotheyoungSpaceWolf’srightandunleashedanearth
shakingblowupontheChaoschampion.Haegrlaughedasthesorcererleaptbackwardsoutofthe
pathofthefallinghammer.‘That’sit,traitor!Dancelikeamaid!’heroared.‘Youcan’tmatchblows
withmightyHaegr!’
Thesorcerer ’shatefulgazeneverwavered,however,ashefellback,stepbystep,acrossthe
chamber.Ragnarcountedthestepsandgaugedtheirdistancetothefarwall.He’llhavehisbackup
againstthebricksinafewmoremetres,hethought,pressinghisattack,andthebastard’stoogoodnot
toknowit,too.He’stradingspacefortime.
AflashofunderstandingnearlystoppedRagnarinhistracks.‘Ambush!’hecriedout,justastheair
seemedtothickenandtearlikerottedparchment,andahostofgibberinghorrorsappearedinthe
SpaceWolves’midst.
SomethingheavyandranklandedwetlybehindRagnarandutteredapiping,lunaticcry.Fearfulof
turninghisbackonthedeadlyChaosMarine,theyoungSpaceWolfpivotedonhisbackfootand
thrustouthispistolatawrithingcolumnofpinkandpurpleflesh.Thedaemon’sfourthornytentacles
wrappedaroundRagnar ’sarmandchest,andthecolumnofmusclecontracted,haulingtheyoung
SpaceWolftowardsthecreature’sserratedbeak.
Ragnarcriedoutastheblackbeakgapedmerecentimetresfromhisskull.Thenhefeltthelashof
anothersetoftentaclesaroundhisneckandwaist,andhewasjerkedtoapainfulhalt.Yetanother
daemonhadtrappedhiminitstalons,andnowthetwounholycreaturesgibberedandsquawkedat
oneanotherastheyviedforhisflesh.
Anentirepackoftentacledhorrorsfilledtheoctagonalspace,snappingandlashingoutat
everythingthatmoved.AsRagnarstruggled,hesawapairofrebelGuardsmentorntopiecesina
messysprayofbloodandentrails.Sigurdreeledwithinthegraspofatrioofsnappingmonsters,
thickpurpleichorsmokingfromthecracklingedgesofhiscrozius.TheBloodClawswerebeseton
everyside,butHaraldstoodintheirmidst,holdingtheburninghuskofadaemoninhispowerfist
andshoutingarallyingcrytohismen.
Growlingangrily,Ragnarsqueezedthetriggerandtheboltpistolbuckedinhishand,blowinga
smokingholeinthedaemonstandingbeforehim.Shrieking,themonsterrecoiled,drawingits
tentaclesstilltighter.ThedaemonbehindRagnarpulledbackjustasfiercely,andtheyoungSpace
Wolffeltthebonesinhisneckcreakfromthestrain.Withasavagecurse,helashedoutwithhisfree
hand,andthefrostbladeslashedthroughtwoofthetentaclesthatboundhim.Ichorgushedover
Ragnar ’sarmourasthedaemoninfrontofhimunwrappeditsremainingtentaclesandtriedtoslither
away.Immediately,theyoungSpaceWolfwashauledbackwardstowardshissecondassailant,but
Ragnarlevelledhisboltpistolandfiredtwicemoreatthewoundeddaemon,blastingitsheadapartin
ashowerofdissolvingflesh.Thenhespuninmid-air,levellinghisfrostbladeandimpalingthe
daemonthathadbeensohungrytodrawhimintoitsembrace.Therune-markedchainswordtore
throughthedaemon’sabominableform,causingittodiscorporateintoacloudoffoul,clingingmist.
Ragnartwistedashefell,landinghardonhisbackandskiddingacrossthestonefloor.Hisbolt
pistolcameup,seekingtargets.Theentirechamberwasfilledwithariotofstruggling,slashing
bodies,andthecrashofbattleroaredsurf-likeinhisears.Thelightinsidethechamberseemedto
pulseandshift.ShadowsflittedatthecornersoftheyoungSpaceWolf’seyes,buthemuttereda
prayertoRussunderhisbreathandfocusedonthebattleathand.
HecaughtsightofaBloodClawgrapplingwithasnapping,stranglingdaemonafewmetresaway
andputabolt-roundthroughthemonster ’snominalhead.Anotherwarriorwentdownbeneaththe
thrashingtentaclesofapairofpurplehorrors.Ragnarpumpedshellaftershellintothedaemons’
muscularbodiesuntiltheSpaceWolfmanagedtotearhissword-armfreeandhackoneofthe
monstersinhalf.
Aseveredheadbouncedacrossthefloor.Thefacewasmaskedwithblood,butRagnarknewfrom
thescentthatitwasoneofHarald’sbattle-brothers.Somedistanceaway,theyoungSpaceWolfsaw
Haegrpullalashing,snappingdaemonfromhischestwithonebroadhandandsmashitagainstthe
wallbesidehim.Anothermonsterdartedin,bloodstainedbeakclashinghungrily,buttheWolfblade
crusheditwithadownwardsweepofhismassivehammer.
Anotherdaemoneruptedinagoutofpurpleichor.Haraldraisedhisdrippingpowerfistin
triumph,hisfangsglintinginthefaintlight.ThenRagnarsawthemonsterrisinglikeasnakebehind
thepackleader,itstentaclesrearingbacktostrike.
Ragnardrewabeadonthedaemon,andadarkshadowfelloverhim.Heheardtheraspofancient
armourandthehungrysweepoftheChaoschampion’sbladeasitdrewbackforthekillingblow.
Inasplit-second,theyoungSpaceWolfmadehischoice.CommendinghissoultotheAllfather,he
firedanexplosiveroundpastthepackleader ’sheadandintothedaemon’sgapingbeak.
Shadowsdancedabovehishead.Metalcrashedagainstmetal,andRagnarheardarumbling,liquid
growl.
Bloodpoundinginhistemples,Ragnarfacedhisattacker,onlytofindthesorcerergrapplingwith
ahugeSpaceWolfinscarred,gunmetal-greyarmour.Thewarriorfoughtthechampionbare-handed,
onepowerfulhandgrippingthesorcerer ’sswordwrist,whiletheotherclosedinexorablyaroundthe
ChaosMarine’sthroat.
TherewaswirygreyfurmattedalongthebackoftheSpaceWolf’shands.Ragnarcaughtaglimpse
ofcurved,blacktalons,andthenhenoticedtheshaggymaneandthestrangeshapeofthewarrior ’s
head.
TheSpaceWolfsensedRagnar ’seyesuponhim.HeglancedbackatRagnar,furredsnout
wrinklingashislipspulledbackinabestialsnarl.
Cursingwildly,Ragnarhurledhimselftotheright,rollingawayfromthestrugglingfigures.In
moments,heclamberedunsteadilytohisfeetandwhirledaround,weaponsraised,butthestruggling
warriorsweregone.Theyhadsimplyvanished,asthoughthey’dneverexisted.
Boltpistolshammered,theshotsechoingfromthewalls.Chainswordssangtheirharshbattlesong,
tearingthroughunnaturalflesh,andthen,abruptly,theonlysoundwasthepantingofexhaustedmen
andthepainedbreathsofthewounded.
ThestonefloorseemedtoswaybeneathRagnar ’sfeet.Numbwithshock,hesurveyedtheblood
spatteredchamber.HaraldandhalfadozenBloodClawswerestillontheirfeet,theireyeswideand
theirarmoursplashedwithgore.Threeotherskneltorlayamongthebodiesonthefloor,wounded
grievouslybutstillalive.Twobattle-brotherswouldnotriseagain,theirbodiesrippedapartby
tentaclesandsnapping,serratedbeaks.
HaegrkneltbyTorin’sproneformafewmetrestoRagnar ’sleft.TheolderWolfbladewas
strugglingtorisewithHaegr ’shelp,despiteadeepwoundinhiship.
AfeelingofdreadsettledinRagnar ’sstomachashebegantoinspectthedead.Everyoneofthe
rebelofficershadbeentornapartbydaemonsormeltedbysorcerousflames.
OfSigurd,therewasnosign.TheyoungSpaceWolfPriestwasgone.
TheyrodebackaboardtheThunderhawksinsilence,eachwarriorlostinhisowngrimthoughts.
Haraldhadsuggestedlootingthewarroomofeverybitofusefulinformationtheycouldfind,and
theydraggedawaymakeshiftboxesfullofmaps,data-slatesandmemorycores.Astheyloadedup
theirwoundedanddead,however,theWolvescouldnothelpbutfeelthattheyhadfailed.
RagnarreportedtoMikalSternmarkwhiletheraidingpartywasstillintheair,apprisinghimof
whathadhappened.ThelossofSigurdwasanexceptionallyhardblowtoSternmark,recallingasit
didtheambushatthegovernor ’spalaceafewweeksearlier.Ragnaracceptedfullresponsibilityfor
whathadhappenedinthebunker,laudingthecourageofHaraldandhispackaswellashisfellow
Wolfblades,buthewasn’tsureSternmarkpaidattentiontoanyofit.
Thereturnflighttookthemlowoverthesouthernoutskirtsofthecity,anditwasobviousto
everyoneonboardthattheforcesoftheenemywereonthemove.Plumesofblue-blackpetrochem
exhausthunginapoisonoushazeoverthecrateredtransitwaysleadingintothecapital,asregiments
ofinfantryandarmourmovedtowardsthetenuousImperiallines.Whiteflashesstutteredandstrobed
beyondthehillswestofthecityasrebelgunbatteriespoundedtheeasternrimofthecapital.More
thanoncetheThunderhawksandtheirValkyrieescortshadtodivebehindbrokenridgesorweathered
hilltopstoevaderebelanti-aircraftrocketsorgunpositions,anditwasmorethananhourafterdustoffbeforetheassaultshipsreachedfriendlylinesandcouldlandatCharysstarport.
Theydisembarkedinthemiddleofanotherrocketattack,carryingtheirseriouslywounded
brotherstotheport’smedicaefacilitiesthroughastormoffireandshrapnel.Torinwantednopartof
thepackedandchaoticfieldhospital,withitsexhaustedchirurgeonsandoutdatedequipment.He
insistedhiswoundwasminorandwouldhealquickeronitsown.‘I’dratherliedowninthedark
somewherelikeawoundedhoundthanriskgettingmylimbscutoffbysomedrunkenbone-cutter,’he
declared,andhisprotestsgrewsovehementthatevenHaegrshruggedhisbroadshouldersand
relented.Ofcourse,theyhadn’tthefaintestideawhattodowiththeolderWolfblade,sofinally
RagnarandHaegrturnedaroundandcarriedhimbacktotheThunderhawk.
Oncethey’dsettledTorinbackinthesamesuspensor-webhe’dlaininontheflightoutofthePDF
base,RagnarleftHaegrtowatchovertheirbattle-brotherandheadedtothecommandbunkerto
reporttoAthelstaneandSternmark.OnthewaytherehethoughttocheckwithGabriellaandensure
thatshewassafe,butthememoryofwhathe’ddonebackattherebelbasewasstillpainfullyfreshin
hismind.I’masmuchadangertoherastheenemyis,hethoughtindespair,wonderingwhatwas
goingtohappentohimnow.
EverySpaceWolfstruggledwiththewolfinsidehim.ThegiftsoftheCanisHelixmadetheminto
peerlesswarriors,butsuchsavagerywastwo-edged.Thewolfwithinwasalwaystestingitslimits,
seekingescapeinthefireofbattletorendandtearuntilitsappetitewassated.Oncethewolfhadgot
itsteethinaman,therewasnoturningback,sofarasRagnarknew.Littlebylittlehismindslipped
awayandhisbodysuccumbedtotheinfluenceofthehelix’sbestialinfluence.Sometimestherewere
WolfLordswhotookoneoftheWulfenintobattlewiththem,butmostoftenthewolf-bittenwere
givenintothecareoftheWolfPriestsandtakenfromtheFang,nevertofightfortheChapteragain.
Nowheunderstoodfromwhencehisdreamshadcome,andwhyhehadbeenfeelingsostrangeof
late,buttherealisationgavehimlittlecomfort.HewouldprobablybedismissedfromtheWolfblade,
hereasoned,andwithoutaWolfLordwillingtospeakforhim,thiscampaignwoulddoubtlessbehis
last.
Ragnargrittedhisteethandpushedsuchthoughtsfromhismind.Fornow,therewasabattletobe
foughtandwon.
TheyoungSpaceWolffoundanopencrateoffieldrationsinthecommandbunker,andforced
himselftoeat.Ithadonlybeenafewdayssincehe’dlasthadameal,butfocusingonhisbody’s
mundaneneedskeptmoretroublingthoughtsatbay.Therationpastealsohelpedkillthetasteof
bloodthatstilllingeredinhismouth.
‘Weshouldhaveexpectedthisallalong,aftertheambushatthegovernor ’spalace,’Sternmarksaid
bitterly.‘WhatIwanttoknowishowtheyknewwhenweweregoingtostrike?’
TheWolfGuardwaspacingalongthebackwallofthebunker ’swarroom,gauntletedhands
claspedtightlybehindhisback.Sternmark’sfacewasfierceandbrooding,hisdarkeyesdartingfrom
RagnartoAthelstaneandbackagain.TheGuardgeneralsatinanearbycampchair,fixingthe
situationholowithadarkstare.FromthebeleagueredlookonherfaceRagnarsuspectedthatshe
hadn’tsleptindays.
Ragnarstoodatparade-restatthefootofthetableoppositethegeneral.Heraisedhisscarredchin
andaddressedthemboth.‘Idon’tbelieveitwasanambushatall,’hesaid.‘Iftherebelswantedtolay
atrapforusatthebasetheycouldhavedoneiteasilyenoughwithoutputtingtheirgeneralsinthe
crossfire.’
‘AtthispointI’mstartingtohavemydoubtsthattheyweregeneralsatall,’Athelstanesaidwitha
frown.Shegesturedattheholowithaglovedhand.‘Theirplannedcounter-offensivehasn’tskippeda
beat.Reconnaissanceimageryshowsthatthetraitorshavemovedanotherfortythousandmenintothe
citysincedaybreak,andthey’llbeinapositiontohitusbytomorrow.TheEmperoraloneknowshow
we’regoingtostopthem.’
Ragnarshookhishead.‘Youdidn’tseethelooksontheirfaceswhenwebrokeintothevault.Those
menwerehigh-rankingofficers,allright,andtheyweredesperatetoescape,’hesaid.‘Theyhad
paintedsomekindofsymbolonthefloor.Itlookedliketheywerecallingforhelp,honestly.’
‘YettheChaoschampionandhisdaemonskilledthosesamemenduringthefight,’Sternmark
pointedout.‘Ifthechampionkilledthearmycommanders,whothenisleadingthecounteroffensive?’
TheyoungSpaceWolfshrugged.‘TheThousandSonsthemselves,Iwouldthink,’hereplied.‘We
knowthisworldisthelynchpintotheirentirecampaign.Ican’timaginethattheywouldtrustacabal
ofGuardofficerstodefendit.’HeglanceduncomfortablyatAthelstane.‘Nooffence,ma’am.’
Athelstanebrushedtheremarkasidewithanimpatientwaveofherhand.‘IftheThousandSonsare
commandingtheplanet’sdefence,wherearethey?Theymusthaveabasesomewhereontheplanet,
correct?’
‘Notnecessarily,I’mafraid.’
HeadsturnedatthesoundofGabriella’svoice.TheNavigatorandInquisitorVoltstoodattheedge
oftheformerstage,theirarmspiledwithdustybooks.ShelookedtotheInquisitor,whonoddedand
addressedthegeneral.Hisfacewaspaleandgrim.
‘WethinkweknowwheretheThousandSonsarestrikingfrom,’hesaid.‘Ifweareright,weareall
infargreaterdangerthanweimagined.’
CHAPTERTEN
‘ItwasLadyGabriellawhoprovidedthekey,’Voltsaidquickly.Theinquisitorshuffledupontothe
stageandspreadhisweatheredbooksonthesituationtable.Theholoimageabovethetablewarped
intoastormofrainbowhuedstaticasVoltcoveredmanyofthehololith’sprojectoreyes.
‘What’sallthisabout?’Athelstaneasked,unabletoconcealanoteofirritationinhervoice.
Theinquisitordidn’tseemtohearthegeneralatall.‘AsfocusedasIwasoneventshereonCharys,
Ifailedtopaycloseattentiontoreportsfromtheotheraffectedworldsacrossthesubsector,’Volt
said,fumblingwithhistrembling,bandagedhandsattheironlockandhingesecuringoneofthe
tomes.Thebook’scoverwassmokestainedandcharredalongtheedges,andonecornerofitsheavy,
cream-colouredpageswasspottedwithred.
‘A…acampaignofthissize,withsomuchpreparation,itshouldhavebeenobviousthattherewere
deeperpatternsinplay,’Voltsaid,almosttohimself,asherifledthroughthethickpages.‘The
diversionaryattacks,yes,andthechoiceoftargets…Ah!Here,’hesaid,grippingthebottomofthe
openbookwithbothhandsandturningitaroundsothatAthelstaneandSternmarkcouldsee.‘Thisis
whatI’mtalkingabout.’
ThegeneralandthehugeSpaceWolfleanedoverthetable.Volthadopenedthebooktoapage
coveredinhandletteredHighGothicscript.Spreadacrossthepageswasavast,intricatecircle,
inscribedwithdensepatternsofblasphemousrunes.Athelstanecaughtjustaglimpseandturnedaway,
makingthesignoftheaquilaandmutteringaprayerunderherbreath.Sternmarkraisedhiseyesand
studiedtheinquisitorcarefully.
‘ThisisnotthesymbolIsawinthegovernor ’spalace,’hesaid.
‘No,notatthepalace!’Voltsnapped,hisgreyeyesblazing.HeturnedandbeckonedtoRagnar.
‘YouwereatHyades,wereyounot?Tellmewhatyousee.’
Frowningbemusedly,Ragnarsteppedovertothetable.Thelinesetchedinredacrossthepage
burnedintohismind,callingupamemoryofthetenseshuttleflightoffthebeleagueredImperial
world.HeglancedfromVolttoGabriella.‘It’sthesymbolwesawburningoverthecapitalcity,’he
said.
‘Aha!’Voltsaid,pleasedtoheartheyoungSpaceWolf’sconfirmation.‘Thisiswhatisknownasa
cornerstone,ananchoringsigildesignedtoshapetheboundariesofamuchlargeroccultsymbol,’he
said.‘Inmytime,I’veseenthemspreadacrossthehabblocksofasmallhivecity,evenonceacross
thebreadthofanentireisland.’Hetracedafingeracrossthesurfaceofthepage.‘Onlyoncein
historyhasanyoneattemptedsuchafeatonaninterstellarscale.’
Voltturnedhisattentiontotheremainingbooksonthetable,searchingthroughthemimpatiently.
Gabriellasteppedforwardquietlyandhandedoverabatteredtomefromthetopofherstack.The
inquisitorlookedupwithagruntofsurpriseandtookthevolumewithamutterofthanks.‘It
happenedaroundthirteenhundredyearsago,’hesaid,flippingquicklythroughtheancientpages.‘A
traitornamedArseniusTalvarentriedtoopenapermanentgatewaytotheEyeofTerror,centredon
HolyTerraitself.’
Athelstane,SternmarkandRagnarsharedincredulouslooks.Thegeneralshookherhead.
‘Obviously,hefailed,’shesaid.
‘Obviously,yes,’Voltreplied.‘Theattemptwasdoomedalmostfromtheverystart,butthe
madman’sunderlyingtheorywasentirelysound,fromanarcanestandpoint.’Hepausedataparticular
page,readingclosely,andthennoddedtohimself.Voltlookedupfromthebook.‘LordSternmark,
comehereandtakealookatthisforamoment,’hesaid.‘Tellmeifthisismorefamiliartoyou.’
Thepowerfulchampionmovedslowlyaroundtheperimeterofthetable,alookofdreadsettling
likeamaskoverhisfeatures.Helookeddownatthebook,andgrimacedatonce.‘Itissimilar,’he
admitted,‘verysimilar.’
‘Soyou’retellingmethatthetraitorsaretryingtopryopentheEyeofTerror?’Athelstaneasked,
herstoicexpressiontingedwithconcern.
Voltsnappedthetomeshut.‘No,notthistime,’hesaid.‘Talvaren,themadgenius,overreached
himself.Hecouldnotmastertheforcesnecessaryforsuchafeat,andeveniftheInquisitionhadn’t
stoppedhimonLuna,thedemandsoftheritualwouldhavedestroyedhim.’Theinquisitorglancedat
Sternmarkandthegeneral.‘HereonCharyswe’redealingwithforcesthatarealtogethermore
powerfulandsophisticated.’
‘Thenwhat,praytell,aretheyattempting?’Athelstaneasked,herpatienceclearlynearingitslimit.
‘Abilocation,’Voltsaidgravely.‘A…link,ifyouwill,betweenCharysandadaemonworldwithin
theEye.’
Theladycommanderrubbedherbrowwithanaugmentedhand.‘Ithoughtyoujusttoldmethat
wasn’tpossible,’shegrowled.
LadyGabriellaclearedherthroatdiplomatically.‘Aco-locationisnotthesameasaconduit,’she
said,settingherbooksonthetable.‘BecausetheEyeofTerrorisalocationwherethewarpspillsinto
physicalspace,thenotionofdistanceandtimewithintheregionisfluid,’shesaid.‘Thisisthesame
reasonwhyweusethewarptotravelbetweenthestars.’
‘Yes,yes,Iknowallthat,’thegeneralsaidwithanimpatientnod.
‘Well,thinkofthewarpasafast-flowingriver,’theNavigatorcontinued.‘Apersoncouldeither
walkalongthebanktogetfromonetowntoanotherdownstream,orhecouldleapintothewaterand
berushedthereatamuchfasterrate.Now,whatTalvarentriedtodowascreateatributaryofthat
river,allowingthewatertoflowfromtheEyeofTerrordirectlytosacredTerra,atremendousfeat
thathadlittlechanceofsuccess.’
Gabriellareachedintoherbeltandremovedhervox-unit.‘WethinkMadoxistryingtostrainthe
fabricofrealityaroundCharysandcreateashadowoftheworldinsidetheEyeofTerror.’She
extendedherhandslowly,edgingtheroundedvox-unitintotheprojectorfieldofthehololith.Asthe
objectoccludedtheedgeoftheprojectionfielditcreatedanovalshapeddarkpatchinthe
shimmering,distortedmap.
Sternmarkgloweredattheshadowbeforehim.‘TheEyeofTerrorishundredsofparsecsaway,’
heprotested.TheEyewasavaststellarregionwithintheSegmentumObscuras,wheretheChaotic
energiesofthewarpbledintothephysicaluniverse.Itwasarealmofhorrorandmadness,aneternal
battlefieldwheretheworshippersofChaoswarredforthefavouroftheiruncaringgods.Afterthe
HorusHeresy,theTraitorLegionsoftheWarmasterHorusfledintotheEye,wheretheycontinuedto
plaguetheImperiumwithdeadlyraidsandruinousBlackCrusades.
‘Rememberthatwithinthewarpthereisnonotionofspaceordistance,’theNavigatorsaid.‘A
locationcanbefixedbywillandritualalone,andInquisitorVoltsuspectsthataseriesofdaemon
worldswithintheEyearemaintainingcornerstonesigilstostabilisetheshadowworldaswell.The
sigilwithinthegovernor ’spalaceprovidesthegluethatconjoinsthetwoworlds.’Sheturnedto
Ragnar.‘It’sthisritualthatiscausingthestrangeturbulenceinthewarpIspokeof.’
Ragnarnoddedthoughtfully.ItalsoexplainsthesenseofdislocationTorinandIfelt,andperhaps
eventhehallucinations.‘ThentheThousandSonsaresimplysteppingbetweenworldswhenthey
attackus.’
Gabriellanodded.‘Yes,exactly.’
‘Buttowhatend?’Athelstanedemanded.‘I’mgoingtoassumethatwhatyoujusttoldmeis
possible,butevenso,surelypullingitoffwouldhavetoconsumeenormousresources.’
‘Yes,indeed,’Voltnodded.‘Wecan’tevenspeculateonwhatthetraitorshadtodoinordertocreate
thecornerstoneswithintheEye,butit’sobviousthattheydevotedmanyyearsandahugeinvestment
ofefforttoarrangingtheritualsacrossthissubsector.’
‘Thenwhatdotheystandtogainfromallthis?’thegeneralasked.
‘Severalthings,’Voltreplied.‘First,itgivesthemasecurebaseofoperationsfromwhichtopursue
theireffortsonCharys.Theycanstrikeusanywhere,atanytime,andretreattosafetywithoutfearof
pursuit.ItalsoallowsthemtotapintothelimitlesspoweroftheEyetofueltheirsorcery.’
‘Butwhat’stheirobjective?’Athelstanesnapped.‘That’stheonepieceofinformationIneed,
inquisitor.IfIknowwhatthey’reafter,Icantrytocounterit.’
RagnarrememberedthewarcouncilbackonFenris.‘TherunessaythattheThousandSonshavea
plantobringaboutthedownfallofourentireChapter,’hesaid.‘That’swhyMadoxishere.’Andthe
spearaswell,hethought.
InquisitorVoltlookedsidelongatRagnar.‘Astowhattheirultimategoalis,neitherInorLady
Gabriellacansay,’hecontinued,‘butwedoknowthattheheartoftheenemy’spowerliesnoton
Charys,butuponitsshadowtwinwithintheEye.’
‘Thenthatiswherewemuststrike,’Ragnarsaidatonce.
Athelstaneinterruptedwithaharshbarkoflaughter.Thebitteramusementdiedatonceasshesaw
thelookontheyoungSpaceWolf’sface.‘You’reserious,’shesaidincredulously.‘But…that’snot
possible.’
VoltglancedatGabriella.‘Wethinkitis,’theinquisitorsaid,gesturingtoher.‘Pleaseexplain.’
Gabriellanodded.‘TheFistofRussmadeorbitnottoolongago,’shebegan.‘ShipmasterWulfgar
reportsthatshehassustainedseveredamage,butherwarpdriveisintact.Wecouldplaceastriketeam
onboardandusetheshiptoenterthewarp.’TheNavigatortookadeepbreath.‘Providingwe
activatedthedriveclosetotheplanet,theshipwouldcrossthebarrierintotheimmateriumatthe
pointwheretheshadowworldisanchored.’
Thegeneralinterjectedwithaperemptorysweepofherhand.‘Now,forgivetheinterruption,my
lady,butIknowenoughaboutwarptraveltoknowthattheshipissurroundedbyaforcefieldthat
keepsitisolatedfromtheimmaterium–’
‘TheGellerfield,yes,’Gabriellasaid.‘Itprojectsapocketofrealityaroundashiptravelling
throughthewarpthatkeepstheforcesofChaosatbay.Naturally,wewouldhavetodeactivateit
beforemakingtheattempt.’
Athelstanewasstruckspeechless.Finallyshestammered,‘Thatwouldbesuicide.’
‘Normally,yes,’Gabriellaagreed,‘butnotinthiscase.Justastheco-locationcausessomeofthe
warptospilloverintothephysicalrealm,thereversewouldapplytotheshadowworld.Thereshould
beapocketofstablerealityaroundtheplanetstrongenoughtokeeptheshipfrombeingdestroyed
outright.’
‘Should,’Athelstaneechoed.‘Allofthisistheory.Youhaven’toneshredofproofthatanyofthisis
true.’
Voltraisedhischin.‘Itfitstheevidenceathand,’herepliedarchly.
‘Icanonlytakeyourwordforthat,’Athelstanereplied.‘Myexperiencedoesn’thelpmuchin
matterslikethese,butIdoknowwhatwillhappenifyou’veguessedwrongandyouheadoffintothe
warpwithoutaGellerfield.You,theship,andeveryoneonboardwillbedestroyed.’
MikalSternmarkfoldedhisarmsandgloweredthoughtfullyatthebooksscatteredacrossthe
situationtable.‘I’llgathertheWolfGuard,’hesaid,‘plusapackofGreyHuntersandEinar ’sLong
Fangs.Wecould–’
‘Nolord,youcan’t,’Athelstanedeclared.‘Iwon’tletyoudothis.’
Sternmarkslowlyturnedtothegeneral.‘Youforgetyourself,ladycommander,’hesaidcoldly.
‘YouhavenoauthorityovertheSonsofRuss.’
AthelstanerosetoherfeetandstaredupatthetoweringSpaceWolf.‘Perhapsnot,’shesaid,‘but
yousworeanoathtoprotectthepeopleofthisworld,andwithoutyouCharysismostassuredlylost.
Everysquadyoupulloutofthebattlelinemakesourdefencethatmuchmoreprecarious.Areyou
willingtorisklosinganentireworldforthesakeofasuicidalgamblelikethis?’
‘Whatotherchoicedowehave?’Sternmarkshotback.‘Voltisright.TheThousandSonscanstrike
ourlinesatwill,andtherearenoreinforcementscoming.Atbest,we’rejustdelayingtheinevitable.
Bettertostrikeablowagainsttheenemythansitinourholesandletthemcomeforus!’
‘Andwhatifthey’rewrong?’Athelstanesaid.‘Ifthatshiphitsitswarpdriveandthere’snostable
pocketofrealityontheotherside,you’llhavethrownawaynotjustyourlife,butmillionsofothers
aswell.Makenomistake,withoutyouandyourmenwewon’tlasttwenty-fourhoursoncetherebel
counter-offensivebegins.’
‘SendtheWolfblade,’Ragnarinterjected.Thewordsburstfromhislipsbeforehefullyknewwhat
hewassaying.‘UsandHarald’spackaswell.’
SternmarkshotRagnaradisdainfullook.‘What,thirteenofyouagainstMadoxandtheThousand
Sons?’
InquisitorVoltspokeup.‘Actually,Iwasthinkingalongmuchthesamelines,’heventured.‘Itis
unlikelythattheenemyisexpectingthiskindofattack,andasmallforcewouldhaveabetterchance
ofavoidingdetection.’Hespreadhisbandagedhands.‘Ofcourse,giventhesituation,Iwouldassume
commandoftheexpedition.Myskillswillbeabletofurtherprotectthestriketeamandleadittoits
target.’
TheWolfGuardregardedVoltbalefullyforamoment,andthenrelentedwithacurtnod.‘There’s
stillthematterofthewarpturbulence,’hesaid.‘Howdoyouplanongettingpastthat?’
VoltturnedtoGabriella.Sheraisedherheadandsaidcalmly,‘Themissionwillhaveneedofan
expertNavigator.OtherwisetheshipcouldbehurleddeepintotheEyeandmeetwithdisaster.’
TheWolfGuard’seyeswentwide.‘No,’hesaid,‘Ican’tallowthis.’HeglancedatRagnarandVolt
forsupport.‘Lady,surelyyoucanseethatthismissionisaforlornhopeatbest.Evenifeverything
goesasplannedandthemissionisasuccess,thesurvivorswillfacethefullwrathoftheThousand
Sons.Withanattackingforcethissmall,nooneisgoingtosurvive.’
Gabriellaonlynodded.‘Iunderstand,lord,andIappreciateyourconcern,butjustasthelady
commanderhasnoauthorityoveryouoryourmen,neitherdoyouholdanyswayoverme.’Shemet
theWolfGuard’seyesandgavehimafaintsmile.‘Restassured,theNavisNobilitearenostrangers
tosacrificeinthenameoftheholyEmperor.’
Sternmarkthoughtitover.‘TheOldWolfwillhavemyhideforarugwhenhehearsaboutthis,’he
growled,buthethrewuphishandsinsurrender.‘Allright.Makeyourpreparationstodepart,’he
said.‘Ragnar,I’llleaveittoyoutogiveHaraldthegoodnews.’
RagnarbowedhisheadtoSternmark,andwithaworriedglanceatGabriellahetookhisleave.The
NavigatorsketchedabowtoAthelstaneandtheWolfGuard.‘I’llcontacttheFistofRussandinform
ShipmasterWulfgarofourplans,’shesaid,anddepartedaswell.
SternmarkwatchedthemgowhileInquisitorVoltgathereduphisscatteredtomes.Finallyhe
sighed.‘Ihopeyouknowwhatyou’redoing,’hegrowled.
‘AsdoI,’Voltanswered.HestraightenedandfixedtheWolfGuardwithacommandingstare.‘It’s
timewecontactedtheHolmgang.’
TheBloodClawsweren’tatthestagingareanearthestarport’scommandcomplex,andnoneofthe
headquartersstaffseemedtoknowwherethey’dgone.Ragnarwasn’tallthatsurprised,butthe
discoveryirritatedhimnonetheless.Asmoreenemyrocketsplungedlikearrowsacrossthecratered
expanseofthestarport,RagnarwasreducedtotracinghisroutebacktotheThunderhawkthey’d
flownin,andthentrackingHarald’spackbyscent.
HefinallyfoundtheminanisolatedsupplybunkernotfarfromtheThunderhawks’armoured
revetments.Ragnarfollowedthetraildownashallowferrocreterampthatledtoanopendoorwayin
thebunker ’sflank.TwoBloodClawspostedassentriesrosesilentlytoeithersideoftheinterior
doorwayastheyoungSpaceWolfsteppedinside.
Thebunkerhadbeenemptiedoutlongago,andthepacksatonthebarefloorsinthegloom,
tendingweaponsandmakingfieldrepairstotheirarmour.Thethreementhatthey’dtakentothefield
medicaeunithadeitherbeenreleasedorthey’ddecidedtoreleasethemselves.Theyrestedagainstone
oftheferrocretewalls,lettingtheirenhancedconstitutionandtheirarmour ’smedicalsystemstendto
theirinjuries.
Haraldwassittingwithapairofpackmates,cleaningandcheckingtheirweaponswhenRagnar
appeared.Thepackleaderglancedupandhisfacedarkenedintoanangryscowl.‘WhatinMorkai’s
namedoyouwant?’hesnarled.
Ragnarstrodepurposefullyintothebunker.ThetwoBloodClawstoeithersideofhimclosedin
quickly,intendingtobarhisway,buthestoppedthemintheirtrackswithasteelyglare.‘Ibring
tidingsfromMikalSternmark,’hedeclared.‘We’regoingbackintoaction.’
Hesketchedouttheplannedexpeditionquicklyandconcisely,entertainingnoquestionsfrom
Haraldorhispackmates.Ashespoke,theBloodClawsshareddisbelievinglooksthatonlyturned
grimmerastheinquisitor ’splantookshape.
Whenhewasdone,RagnarturnedbacktoHaraldandplantedhishandsuponhiships.‘Ifyouhave
somethingtosay,packleader,nowisthetime,’hesaid.Hecouldseethechallengebuildingbehind
Harald’seyes,andpartofhimhopedthattheBloodClawwouldtrytodosomethingaboutit.
‘Whoiscommandingthisexpedition?’Haraldasked.‘Thelasttimeyouledus,welostourWolf
Priestandathirdofourpack.SurelySternmarkisn’tabouttoplaceusinyourhandsagain.’
TherestoftheBloodClawsweresilent,glaringangrilyatRagnar.TheyoungSpaceWolfbared
histeeth.‘There’saninquisitorontheplanet,amannamedVolt.He’llbeleadingtheforce.’
Haraldsnortedindisgust.‘Firstanexile,thenaninquisitor.ByMorkai,we’reanill-fatedbunch,’
hetoldhismen.Theygrowledtheiragreement.ThepackleadersneeredatRagnar.‘Nextthingyou
know,thatdamnedthree-eyedmaidofhiswilltryherhandatus.’
‘Getup,’Ragnarsaidcoldly.
Thepackleadersmiled.‘Well,well,’hesaid.‘Struckclosetohome,didI?’
‘Isaidonyourfeet.’Ragnartookastepforward.‘Takeyourbeatinglikeaman,notgrinningup
fromthefloorlikeadog.’
Haraldleaptoffthefloorwithasnarl,bluefirecracklingbetweenhisfingersasheactivatedhis
powerfist.Startledshoutsfilledthebunkerastherestofthepackthrewtheirbodiesbetweenthetwo
menandtriedtopushthemapart.
‘Enough!’yelledHarald’ssecond,thered-hairedwarriorcalledRolfi.HegrabbedHaraldbythe
frontofhisarmourandshookhim.‘Nochallengesduringwartime!That’stheOldWolf’slaw!’
Haraldpushedhimselfawaywithasnarl,butangerstillsmoulderedinthepackleader ’seyes.
‘WhenwereturntoFenris,then,’hedeclared,pointingatRagnarwithhiscracklingfist.‘You’re
goingtoanswerforSigurd,exile.ThatIswear.’
Ragnarshookoffthemengrippinghisarmslikeabearshakesoffapackofhounds.‘LetSigurd
speakforhimself,’heshotback.‘Iforonechoosetobelievehestilllives.’Heglaredsavagelyatthe
assembledWolves.‘MusterforbattleatThunderhawkTwoinanhour,’hesaid.‘We’regoingtogo
andgethim.’
Ragnarturnedandheadedforthedoorway.Hepausedatthethreshold,andlookedbackoverhis
shoulderatHarald.Thepackleaderwasstillsurroundedbyhismen,gazingangrilyattheyoung
SpaceWolf’sback.
Onefightatatime,Ragnarthought,andsteppedoutintothesunlight.
TheGuard’spowerfulvoxtransmitterswereonlyashortwalkfromthebunker ’ssituationroom.
InquisitorVoltledtheway,withSternmarkpacingonlyafewstepsbehindhim.Thestormtroopers
stationedatthedoorshoulderedtheirhellgunsandadmittedthemwithoutaword.
Inside,Voltsurveyedthecrowdedroom.Halfthespacewasgivenovertohummingvoxconsoles,
wheresoldiershunchedoverflickeringcathodescreensandreadoffmessagesfromsheetsofflimsy
parchmentpassedfromthewarroomacrossthehall.Therestofthedimlylitroomcontainedrack
uponrackoftransmitters,receiversandpowersupplies.Thestinkofozonehungheavyinthe
crampedspace.Noddinginsatisfaction,hedismissedtheon-dutyvoxoperatorsandtech-priestswith
amurmuredcommand.Whenthedoorhadshutonthelastofthemen,theinquisitorwalkedoverto
thecentralconsoleandbeganadjustingthefrequencycontrolsonthesystem’sorbitalrelay.
Sternmarkputhisbacktothedoorandfoldedhisarms.Foroncehewasgladnottohavethe
watchfuleyesoftheskaldboringintohisback.Asenseofdespairgrippedhim.Hecouldnotshake
thefeelingthatthesituationwasspirallingoutofcontrolandnothinghedidcouldalteritscourse.
‘Youdon’thavetodothis,’hesaidgrimly.
‘Itisnowornever,’Voltreplied,fine-tuningthefrequency.‘Yousaidityourself.Thereisvirtually
nochancethatanyofuswillreturnfromthismission.Imustsetthingsinmotionbeforewedepart–’
‘That’snotwhatImeant,’Sternmarksaid.‘It’stooprematuretocallforExterminatus.’
VoltturnedtofacethedourSpaceWolf.‘DoyouthinkI’mdoingthislightly?I’vebeenan
inquisitorforahundredandfiftyyears,anddoyouknowhowmanyworldsIhavecondemned?
None.Notasingleone.’TheinquisitortookasteptowardsSternmark,hisbandagedhandstrembling.
‘Therewasalwaysanotherwaytodealwiththetraitorsandsavetheinnocent,always.We…we
alwaysfoundaway.’Hetookadeep,shudderingbreath.‘Butnotthistime.Theenemywastoowell
prepared.Weworkedforyears,slowlypenetratingthegovernor ’shouseholdandthePDFhierarchy,
buttheywereawareofustheentiretime.Whenthetraitorsfinallyrevealedthemselvesmy…
friends…werethefirsttodie.’Volt’sfacegrewhaunted,hisgazeturninginwardsasherelivedthat
bloodynightinthecapital.Heshookhishead.‘Now…there’snothingleft.Ifwedon’tsucceedonthe
shadowworld,thenit’sonlyamatteroftimebeforeyourpositionsareoverrun.’Voltregainedhis
focuswithastart,likeamanwakingfromanightmare.‘Wehavetobepreparedforthateventuality.’
Sternmarktriedtoformulateareply,buttheinquisitorturnedhisbackontheWolfGuardand
keyedthetransmitter.‘Holmgang,thisisCitadel,’Voltsaid,usingthecodenamefortheplanetary
headquarters.‘Myauthorisationisfive-alpha-five-sigma-nine-epsilon.Pleaserespond.’
Forseverallongmomentsnothingemergedfromthevox-unitexceptfortheghostlyhissofstatic.
Then,faintly,avoicereplied.‘Citadel,thisisHolmgang.Countersignisgamma-alpha-seven-fouromicron-beta.Whatisyourmessage?’
Thebattle-bargeandhersurvivingescortshadbeenhidingoutintheasteroidbeltforweeks,
powereddownandmaintainingvoxsilencetoavoiddetection.Volthadinsistedthattheshipsbeheld
inreserveonceithadbecomeclearthatlossesweremountingagainsttheChaosfleet.Thebarge’s
powerfulbarragecannonsandcyclonictorpedoeswereaforceoflastresortintheeventthatthe
ImperialdefendersonCharyswereoverwhelmed.
VolttookadeepbreathandinvokedthewrathoftheHolyInquisition.‘ImplementTripwire,’he
said.‘Acknowledge.’
Silencehungheavyintheairasthesignalscrossedthevoid.Finally,thevoicereplied,‘Tripwire
acknowledged.Holmgangout.’
Theinquisitorslowlyreachedupandswitchedoffthetransmitter.‘Markthehour,’hesaidto
Sternmark.‘Fromthisdayforwardtheall-clearcodemustbesentatexactlythesametime.’Heturned
backtoSternmark,andhisexpressionwasbleak.‘IfyouorAthelstanefailtosendthecode,theship’s
masterwillassumethattheheadquartershasbeenoverrun,andbyorderoftheInquisition,Charys
willdie.’
CHAPTERELEVEN
Theshellsfellfromorbitwitharumbling,clatteringroar,passinghighoverheadandfallingbeyond
thehorizontothewest.Whiteandyellowflasheslittheundersidesofthethickcloudsofbillowing
smokeabovethecapital,andarollofman-madethundersentashiverthroughthegroundbeneaththe
SpaceWolves’feet.
Anearlyduskwascomingonasthestriketeamfinallybegantoboardtheirshipsandrendezvous
withtheFistofRuss.Theirdeparturehadbeendelayedmorethanfourhoursbyrocketattacksanda
surpriseairraidbyasquadronofrebelValkyrieslateintheafternoon.Fireswerestillburningoutof
controlatthefueldepotontheothersideofthestarport,andseveraloftheGuard’saircrafthadbeen
damagedordestroyed.Rocketattackshadcontinuedoverthecourseoftheafternoonaswell,making
repairworkhazardous.ItwascleartoRagnarandtherestoftheWolvesthattheseweretheopening
stagesofthecomingenemyoffensive.
ThedelayswerefurthercompoundedbyShipmasterWulfgar,who,uponreceivinghisordersfrom
Sternmark,insistedonevacuatingthecruiserofallnon-essentialpersonnelandtransferringthe
ship’ssupplystoresdowntotheplanet.Theoff-loadingtookmorethanthreehours,duringwhich
timethebattlecruiser ’ssurvivingweaponbatteriesbombardedrebelpositionsinandaroundthe
capital.Wulfgarwantedtodoasmuchashecouldfortheembattleddefenderswhilehehadthe
chance,andnoone,notevenSternmark,soughttogainsayhim.Noonesaiditaloud,buteveryone
knewthatoncetheFistofRussbrokeorbitandenteredthewarp,therewaslittlechancethecrippled
warshipwouldeverreturn.
AgrimmoodhunglikeastormcloudovertheWolvesofHarald’spackastheyqueueduptoboard
ThunderhawkTwo.ThunderhawkOne,whereTorinhadchosentorestandrecuperatefromhis
wound,hadbeenhitduringtheairraidandbadlydamagedbyenemybombs.Thoughtheinjured
Wolfbladehadmanagedtoputoutthefireragingintheassaultship’sfuselage,thedamagewasso
extensivethattheThunderhawkhadbeenputoutofaction.Smokestainsstillsmudgedtheolder
Wolfblade’sleanface,givinghimadark,gloweringmienashelimpedaroundtheexteriorofthe
Bellisariusshuttleonapre-flightinspection.
Therewasascentintheair,somethingthinandacridthatcutthroughthesmellofburning
petrochemandflakboardandsetRagnar ’shaironend.Hecouldseebythehunchedshouldersand
hoodedeyesoftherestoftheWolvesthattheyfeltit,too,allbutHaegr,whoseemedserenely
obliviousofeverythingbutthegroxthighbonehehadbetweenhisteeth.Something’sgotunderour
skin,hethought,watchingtheBloodClawsclimbaboardtheirwaitingassaultshipafewdozen
metresaway.Something’sburningintheblood.Thethoughtperplexedhim,buthefoundhimself
strangelyassuredthathewasn’ttheonlyoneinanillhumour.It’snotjustme,notjustthewolfinside.
Surelythecursecan’tbeclawinginsideeachofus.
Gabriellaseemedtroubledaswell,inherownway.Shearrivedattheshuttlesilentandwithdrawn,
cladinpartialcarapacearmourdrawnfromtheGuard’smeagrestores.Shewalkedwithgreatcare
acrossthetarmacanduptherampintotheshuttlecraft,asthoughburdenedbytheunfamiliarweight
ofbreastplateandgreaves.Ragnarhadstoodatthebottomoftheramp,immobileasastatue,andshe
passedhimwithoutawordorasidewaysglance.He’dlongsincegoneovereveryargumenthecould
thinkoftodissuadeherfromjoiningtheexpedition,andnotoneofthemseemedsufficient.Itwasher
right,indeed,herduty,toplaceherlifeinharm’swayforthegoodoftheImperium,andyethecould
nothelpbutfeelasthoughheandhisbrothershadfailedhersomehow.Itshouldneverhavecometo
this,Ragnarthoughtdarkly.
InquisitorVoltarrived,ashortwhilelater,disembarkingfromthearmouredsquadbayofascarred
ChimeraAPC.Heemergedalonefromtheidlingtransport,carryingnothingmorethanabattered
leatherbookcaseinonehandandascabbardedswordintheother.Polishedarmourgleamedfrom
beneaththefoldsofhisdark,redrobes,andtheunmistakeablebulgeofaboltpistolresteduponhis
hip.RagnarsawatoncethatthewargearhadbeenmadewithVoltinmind,buttheinquisitorboreit
awkwardly.HeremindedRagnarofanagedveteran,longpasthisprime,who’dputonhisoldgear
forthefirsttimeinagreatmanyyears.AnothersalvoofheavyshellsrattledoverheadasVoltstrode
acrossthetarmac,andheturnedtomarktheirpassingastheyfelluponthefar-offcapital.Ragnar
watchedthemanstarecontemplativelyatthedistanthorizonforseverallongminutes.Thenthe
inquisitorraisedhishand,asthoughinfarewell.Withthat,hestraightenedandresumedhiscoursein
aswirlofcrimsonrobesandnoddedwordlesslytoRagnarashejoinedGabriellainsidehershuttle.
Torincompletedhischeckoftheshuttle’sthrusters,andlimpedovertoRagnar.Hisarmourhad
beenpatchedwherethesorcerer ’shellbladehadtornthroughhiship,butthepalelineofthechemical
weldshowedhowlargethewoundhadactuallybeen.Hisvoicewasahuskygrowl,nodoubtfromthe
cloudsoftoxicsmokehe’dinhaledfightingthefire.‘Shetooksomefragmentsduringthatairraid,
butshe’llfly,’hesaid,‘providingHaegrhasn’tmanagedtoputonanymoreweightsincewe’vebeen
here.’
Haegrcrackedopentheendofthebonewithhisgranite-likemolars.‘IfIhave,Icanworkitoffin
afewmomentsbygivingyouagoodthrashing,’hesaididly.
Toringavehisbattle-brotherawolfishstare,andforamomentitlookedasthoughhewelcomed
thechanceforafight.ThesightstartledRagnar.‘Headinsideandstartuptheengines,’hesaid
quickly.‘IwanttolaunchassoonasHarald’smenhaveboarded.’
TheolderWolfbladenodded,almostsullenly,andthennoddedatsomethingpastRagnar ’s
shoulder.‘Sternmark’scoming,’herasped,andheadeduptheshuttleramp.
Bemusedanddeeplyunsettled,RagnarturnedtoseehalfadozenWolfGuardstridingpurposely
throughthesmoketowardsthestriketeam.Sternmarkledthem,hishelmettuckedbeneathhisarm
andhislong,blackhairunbound.Heseemedadifferentman,Ragnarthoughtatonce.Gonewerethe
troubledexpressionandthehunched,almostdefeatedlookthathe’dhadinsidethecommandbunker.
Outintheopenair,withgunspoundingandenemyshellsflyingoverhead,theWolfGuardheldhis
headhighandtherewasafelllookinhisdarkeyes.Hestrodethroughthefuryofwarlikeaheroof
legend,thetruesonofahardandwarlikepeople.SomeofHarald’spackcaughtsightofSternmark
andcalledouthisname,raisingtheirchainbladesinsalute.Ragnardidsoaswell,drawinghisfrost
bladefreeandliftingittothesky.EvenHaegrtossedhissplinteredbonehurriedlyasideandgripped
thehaftofhisthunderhammer.
‘MikalSternmark,lordandcaptain,hail!’Ragnarcalledinadeep,powerfulvoice.
Sternmarknoddedgravelytothewarriorsandreturnedtheirsalutewitharaisedfist.‘Thereisno
lordherebutBerek,’hesaid,‘Iamonlyhisswornman,actinginhisname.’Hestoppedbefore
RagnarandcalledouttothenearbyBloodClaws.‘Harald!Comehere!’Atonce,thepackleader
brokeintoarun,coveringthefewdozenmetresbetweentheminmoments.Hearrivedwithaclatter
ofarmourandthefaintwhineofservomotors,bowinghisheadrespectfullytotheWolfGuard.
Ragnarloweredhissword,suddenlyveryconsciousofthesilentfigureofMorgrimSilvertongue,the
companyskald,watchingtheproceedingsfromtherearofthegroup.
‘Iamheadingforthefrontlinesoon,’Sternmarksaidwithoutpreamble.‘Theenemyoffensivehas
begun,andeverywarriorwillbeneededtoholdthetraitorsatbay.’Hepaused,afrownmomentarily
creasinghisbrowashestruggledfortheproperwordstosay.
Afteramoment,hecontinued,‘ThesurvivalofCharysdependsuponyou.IftheRunePriestsspeak
true,thefateoftheentireChapterrestsuponyourshouldersaswell.Whateverevilourfoesare
workingyoumustsomehowdestroyit,nomatterthecost.’
Harald’sexpressionturnedsombre.Thiswasthefirsttimehe’dheardofthepriests’dire
predictionsregardingthefutureoftheChapter.‘Nomatterthecost,’heechoed.‘Youhavemyoath
uponit.’
‘Andmine,’Ragnarsaid.
Sternmarknodded.‘Iamnopriest,soIhavenobenedictionstoofferyou.NoramIalord,togift
youwithgoldringsortitles.Icanonlygiveyouthis,’hesaid,offeringhishand,‘andwishyougood
hunting.’
Theyclaspedforearmsinsilence,warriortowarrior,asmorerocketshowledoverhead.Ragnar
waslast,andSternmarkgrippedhisarmamomentlonger.‘Fightwell,’hesaidquietly.‘Ifwedonot
meetagain,knowthatyouareredeemedintheeyesofBerek’scompany.’
RagnarunderstoodwhatSternmarkintended.Hesendsmeofftodiewithhonour,hethought,and
wasmoved.Yetheshookhishead.‘No,’heanswered,‘notyet,notuntiltheSpearofRussisreturned
toGarm.ThatismyoathtotheGreatWolf.’
TheWolfGuardsmiledgrimlyandnodded.‘Sobeit,’hesaid.‘Russwillknowyourdeeds,even
untothedepthsofthewarp.’SternmarktookastepbackandsalutedthetwoWolvesonelasttime.
‘Untilwemeetagain,brothers,inthislifeorthenext,’hesaid.Ashestartedtoturnaway,theWolf
GuardcaughtHaegr ’seye.‘AndifyougettotheHallsofRussbeforeme,savemeasipofaleanda
crustofbread,willyou?’
HaegrwatchedtheWolfGuardandhisretinuestrideoff,hisbrowfurrowedinconsternation.‘Now
whatdoyousupposehemeantbythat?’hemusedaloud.
Notfarfromthestarport’scommandbunker,thewarriorsofBerek’scompanyhadtakentheirfallen
lordandlaidhiminstatelikeakingofold,cladingleamingarmourandstretcheduponatableof
stone.Hisblondhairwasunbound,andbutforthedeathlypallorofhisface,BerekThunderfistmight
havebeensleeping,lostinreddreamsofglory.Hisscarredpowerfistwaslaidacrosshischest,and
hishelm,whichtheWolfLordalmostneverwore,hadbeendugoutofhisarmingchestandsetbyhis
side.
Twinbraziersburnedlowinsidetheabandonedbunker,oneateachendofthelongtable.Whenit
becameclearthattheWolfPriest’ssalvesandincensedidnothingtorousetheirstrickenlord,
Sternmarkhadthecensersremovedandthebraziersputintheirplace.He’dlitthewoodfireshimself,
ashispeoplehaddoneonFenrisforthousandsofyears.Theorangefirethrewmartialshadows
againstthethickwalls.IntheweekssinceBerekhadfallen,hiswarriorshadheapedtheirwartrophies
aroundtheirlord’sfeet.Swordsandaxes,pistolsandrifles,skullsofmutantandhumanalikefilled
thespacearoundBereknearlytoceilingheight,andmorewerearrivingeveryday.
AsingleWolfGuardstoodvigiloverthefallenlord.Itwasallthecompanycouldspareinthese
desperatetimes.OldThorinShieldsplitterfilledthedoorwaywithhisfearsomebulk,barringtheway
withhistwo-handedpoweraxe.HehadbeenthecompanychampionbeforeMikal,andnowhebowed
hisheadandsteppedasideasSternmarkapproachedtopayhomagetohislord.
Heenteredthebunkeralone,hardfootstepsechoingstrangelyinthecrowdedspace.Thefaint
cracklingofthefireandthesmellofwoodsmokeremindedSternmarkofhome,andforthefirst
timeinmonthshefoundhimselfthinkingofFenris,somanylight-yearsaway.
Sternmarkapproachedthebiercarefully,sethisownhelmetuponthefloor,andslowlydrew
Redclaw.Theancient,rune-etchedbladegleamedinthefirelightasheresteditstiponthefloorand
sanktooneknee.Foralongtimehestaredattheblinkingstatusrunesflickeringfromanexposed
accesspanelonBerek’sarmour.TheWolfLordstillclungtolife,sofaintlythatthearmour ’s
powerfulsystemscouldonlybarelydetectit.OnFenris,perhaps,somethingcouldpossiblyhavebeen
done,buthere,onCharys,alltheycoulddowaswait,andtheywerenearlyoutoftime.
TheWolfGuardcasthiseyesdownward,totheblinkingredtelltaleofthemeltachargesset
beneaththebier.IfthestarportperimeterwaseverbreachedandtheImperialdefendersoverrun,then
Thorin’slastdutywastohitthedetonatorandensurethattheirlordwouldneverbecomeatrophyfor
theenemy.
AsenseofinevitabilityhungoverSternmark.Itwaslikeridingalongshipintotheteethofastorm
andperchingatopatoweringwave,waitingforthemomentwhentheprowwouldstarttodipandthe
terrifyingplungewouldbegin.Deathcomesforusall,soonerorlater,butitwasnotdeaththatthe
warriorfeared.Apartofhimwelcomedthecomingfoeandthebrutalsimplicityofbattle.Whenthe
swordssangandbloodflowed,aman’sdecisionsmeantlifeordeathforhimalone,notuncounted
thousandshalfaworldaway.
WhatSternmarkfearedwasthestainoffailure,andtherealisationthathewasnotworthyofthe
challengelaidbeforehim.
‘Why?’hesaidsoftly,hishandstighteningonthehiltofhisblade.‘Whyme?’
‘Ifnotyou,MikalSternmark,thenwho?’
Sternmarkleapttohisfeet.ForthebriefestinstanthethoughtitwasBerek’svoicethatheheard,but
thenherecognisedthesmooth,practicedtonesofMorgrimtheskald.Sternmarkfelthischeeksburn
withtheshameofhisconfession.Hewhirled,teethbared,andsawMorgrimstandingsilentlyjust
withinthebunker ’sentrance.Hisexpressionwasunreadableasever,buthiseyesweresharpand
clear.
Watchingme.Markingmyeverymistake.
WhitehotrageboiledinSternmark’sbreast.Theweightoftheswordfeltgoodinhishands,and
thenhesawthatthetwoofthemwerealone.Icouldkillhimnow,hethoughtwildly.Myshamewill
diewithhim.
Hetookasinglestepforward…andthenrealisedwhathewasdoing.‘BlessedRuss!’hecried,
wrestlingwithhisrevulsionandrage.HeglaredatMorgrim,furiousathimselfandtheskaldbesides.
‘Nowonderyouskaldsarecalledstormcrows,’hegrowled,‘alwaysstickingyourbeakswherethey
don’tbelong!’WithaconsciouseffortSternmarkslammedRedclawbackintoitsscabbard.‘What
willyousayofthismoment,Iwonder?’
Morgrimcockedhisheadcuriously.‘Iwilltellofaheroandadutifulwarriorwhospenthishour
beforebattlepayinghomagetohislord,’hesaid.‘WhatdidyouimagineIwouldsay?’
‘Don’tlietome!’Sternmarkroared,onceagainfeelingtherageclawthroughhim.Avision
dancedbeforehiseyesoftheskaldthrashingonthebunkerfloor,hiseyeswideandhishandspressed
totheshreddedruinofhisthroat.TheWolfGuardshookhisheadsavagely,tryingtodrivetheimage
fromhismind.BlessedRuss,hethought,whatiswrongwithme?
‘DoyouthinkIhaven’tseenyouthesepastfewweeks?’Sternmarkshouted.‘Doggingmystepsand
notingeveryfalsemoveI’vemade?DoyouthinkmeblindtothewayyoujudgeeverydecisionI
make?’
Theskald’seyesnarrowed.‘It’snotmyplacetojudgeyou,’hesaidcarefully.‘Mydutyistobear
witness,andrememberthedeedsofourcompany.’Hespreadhishands.‘DoyouthinkIdothisoutof
spite,orforanevening’sentertainment?No.Irememberallthedeedsofourbrotherssothatwhen
timesaredesperateandourleadersareinneedofadvice,Iwillbeabletohelp.’
‘Andnowyou’vegotafinetaleofaman’sfailure!’Sternmarkshouted.‘Ifyoumanagetosurvive
myblundershereonCharysyou’llhaveacautionarytaleforthenextlordwhocomesalong.’
‘Whatblundersarethose?’Morgrimasked,andthesincereinterestinhisvoicegaveSternmark
pause.
TheWolfGuardgropedfortherightwords.‘This…thisloomingdefeat,’hesaid,clenchinghis
fists.‘NothingI’vedoneherehasstemmedthetideonewhit,andyouwellknowit.We’reabouttobe
overrun.Berek’sgreatcompanyisabouttodie,andtheblameismine.’
Morgrimdidnotansweratonce,insteadtuggingthoughtfullyathisbeard.Finally,hesaid,‘Do
youimagineBerekcouldhavedoneanybetter?’
‘Ofcourse!’Sternmarksnapped.‘Howmanybattleshashewon?Howmanytimeshasheledus
againstimpossibleoddsandstoodtriumphant?’
‘Fivehundredandthirty-seven.’
Sternmarkfrowned.‘What?’
‘YouaskedhowmanybattlesBerek’swon,andItoldyou,fivehundredandthirty-seven.That’s
majorbattles,ofcourse.Wedon’tconcernourselveswithskirmishesorraidsunlesstheyleadto
somethingnoteworthy.’
‘Areyoumockingme,stormcrow?’theWolfGuardasked,incredulous.
‘BytheAllfather,I’mnot!’Morgrimsaidwithalaugh.‘Thinkonthis:infivehundredandthirtysevenbattles,doyounotimaginethatBerekhadoccasiontofeeltheexactsamewayyoudonow?’
Sternmarkgloweredattheskald.‘Whydon’tyoutellme?’
‘Morkai’sblackbreath!Ofcoursehedid,’Morgrimreplied.‘PaxosVI;ManesPrimus;thewhole
ofthedamnedLucernSuppression,’hesaid,tickingthemoffwithhisfingers.‘Andthosearejustthe
mostrecentones.That’stheburdenofcommand,MikalSternmark:holdingthelivesofyourbrothers
inyourhandsandknowingthatnomatterwhatyoudo,theycouldstilldie.Sometimestheenemyis
stronger,ormoreclever,orjustluckier.Youcanonlydothebestthatyoucan,andtherestisupto
fate.’TheskaldwalkedpastSternmarkandstoodnexttothebier.‘Berekisafinelordandamighty
warrior,’hesaid,‘buthestillwalkedintoanambushinthegovernor ’spalace.’Heshrugged.‘Perhaps
hewouldhavedonethingsdifferently,perhapsnot.Everylightfailsintime,’theskaldsaid.‘Battles
arelost.Heroesdie.’
Sternmarklookeddownuponhisstrickenlord.‘Ifailedhim,Morgrim.’
‘No,’theskaldreplied,‘younevershirkedfromyourduty.Whatmancandomore?’
TheWolfGuardconsideredthis,andfoundheonlyhadoneanswer.Hebentandpickeduphis
helmet,turningitsbatteredshapeoverinhishands.‘Whenthetimecomeswecanfightanddielike
Wolves,’hesaidsoftly.
‘Andsoweshall,brother.Soweshall.’
TheFistofRusslimpedawayfromCharysathalfpower,trailingaglitteringstreamofleakingair
andcoolantinherwake.Heraugurssweptthevoid,searchingforsignsofdanger,whiletheskeleton
crewaboardprayedtotheDivineEmperorthattheywouldfindnone.Hershieldswereweak,only
halfhergunsworked,andallbutoneofherportthrusterswereout.Thecrippledbattlecruiser
wouldn’tlastlongagainstadeterminedgroupofraiders,buttheyoungNavigatoronboardtoldthem
nottoworry.Thevoyage,sheassuredthem,wouldbeashortone.
Smokestillstainedthebulkheadsonthewarship’scommanddeck,andtheairstillsmelledof
burnedwiringandscorchedflesh.Tech-priestswalkedinsolemncirclesacrossthedeck,swinging
censersandintoningdamagecontrolcatechisms.ShipmasterWulfgarwasaloneonthedeck,savefor
ahandfulofhisseniorofficers.Theirfacesweregrimastheywentabouttheirtasks,callingout
orderswithanalmostfunerealsolemnity.Everyoneofthemhadvolunteeredforthemission.Sailors
downtotheirbones,theyhadrefusedtogiveuptheship.
ShipmasterWulfgarstoodatthecommandpulpit,hishandsgrippingthelecternbeforehimashe
lookedoutoverthebridge,below.HehadbeenreadingpassagesaloudfromtheLexicanum
Imperialisastheshipsailedonthroughtheendlessnight,buthehadfallensilentasGabriellahad
climbedquietlyinsidetheNavigator ’svault.TorinandHaegrtookpositionsateithersideofthe
vault’sadamantiumhatch,asthoughtheirpresencecouldsomehowshieldtheNavigatorfromharm.
Ragnarunderstoodhowtheyfelt.TheyoungSpaceWolfcaughtVolt’swatchfuleye,andthe
inquisitorgavehimanod.RagnartookadeepbreathandmovedquicklytoWulfgar ’sside.
Theship’smasterturnedslightlyatRagnar ’sapproach.Despitetheaddedheightofthepulpit,the
bondsmanwasstillafewcentimetresshorterthanthetoweringSpaceWolf.Ragnarsawapairof
fadedpictslaidacrosstheilluminatedpagesoftheLexicanum:ayoungboyinabondsman’sblack
tunic,grinningupattheimager,andawoman,tallandsevere,wearingthearmouredcoverallsofan
engineer.Wulfgar ’srighthandsettledprotectivelyoverthemastheyoungSpaceWolfapproached.
‘Theenginedecksreportready,’Wulfgarsaid.‘WearemerelyawaitingwordfromtheNavigator
tocommencejump.TheGellerfieldhasbeenshutdown.’
Ragnarnoddedslowly.‘Iunderstandyourconcerns,ShipmasterWulfgar,’hesaid,‘butItrustthe
LadyGabriellawithmylife.IfsheandInquisitorVoltsaythatthereisaworldontheotherside,then
thereis.’
Wulfgarbegantospeak,butthoughtbetterofitandsimplynoddedinstead.
‘Shealsosaysthatthereislittlechancewe’llfindanyhostileforcesabovetheplanet’ssurface,’
Ragnarcontinued,‘soourarrivalshouldgounchallenged.’HelookedWulfgarintheeye.‘Soyou
shouldhavenoproblemcompletingthejumpcycleandreturningbacktorealspaceassoonasthe
striketeamisdeployed.’
ThemasteroftheshipturnedfullyabouttofacetheyoungSpaceWolf.‘Thatwouldbeyourdeath
warrant,’hesaid.‘Ittakesmanyhourstorechargeawarpdriveunderoptimalconditions.You’dbe
deadbeforewecouldreturntogetyou,providingwecouldevenfindourwaybacktotheproper
timeandplace.’
Ragnarnodded.‘Buttheship–andherNavigator,oursolemncharge–wouldbeabletoescape.’
WulfgarstudiedRagnarforalongmoment.‘You’vetalkedthisoverwiththeinquisitor?’
‘Ihave.Weareallagreed.’
Theship’smastersighed,andthennoddedsolemnly.‘Sobeit.MaytheAllfatherprotectyouall.’
Ragnarnoddedsolemnly,secretlyrelievedthathe’datleastfoundawaytoplaceGabriellaoutof
harm’sway.TheThunderhawkcarryingthestriketeamcoulddeploywithinminutesofreachingthe
shadowworld.Gabriellawouldn’tevenneedtoleavethesafetyofherheavilyarmouredvault.
Aredtelltalebeganflashingonascreensetintothelectern.Wulfgarknewitsmeaningwitha
glance.‘SignalfromtheNavigator,’hesaid,turningbacktothepulpit.Hedrewadeepbreathand
criedoutacrossthebridge.‘Allhands,standbytojump!’Asanafterthought,heglancedoverhis
shoulderatRagnar.‘You’dbestfindsomethingtohangonto.Russaloneknowswhatwillhappen
whenweengagethedrive.’
Ragnarlookeddubious.‘Andholdingontoastanchionisgoingtohelp?’
Theship’smastershrugged.Afaintgrintouchedonecornerofhismouth.‘Itcan’thurt.’
Ragnarthoughtitoverandshrugged.Itwasbadenoughthattheyweregoingtoleapheadlonginto
thewarpwithoutprotectiveshielding;therewasnosensetemptingfateanyfurther.Hesteppedoverto
onesideandclosedhishandsaroundtherailingoverlookingtheship’sbridge.
Momentslaterthejumpsirenbeganitsshrillcry.‘Standby!’Wulfgarshouted.‘Standby…jump!’
Withoutwarning,ahowlingwindtoreacrossthecommanddeck,cuttingdeepintoRagnar ’sbones.
Themassivebattlecruiserpitchedandyawedlikealongshipintheteethofagale,hermassive
superstructuregroaningagainstthestrain.Lightsandstrange,reflectedshapesflowedlikeoil
throughthecathedral-likeviewportsofthebridge.Theaircurdled.Menscreamedinterror,or
ecstasy.RagnarfelttheunbridleddesecrationofChaoscrashoverhimlikeawaveandcalledoutto
theAllfatherfordeliverance.
Asifinanswer,thehowling,groaningstormsimplyceased.Ragnarstaggered,clutching
desperatelyattherailashisbodytriedtocompensateforthesuddenshiftinmotion.Asenseof
unrealitypassedthroughhim.Foramomenthefearedthathishandmightpassthroughthemetalrail
asthoughitweremadeofsmoke.JustlikeCharys,hethought.
TheairtastedstrangeonRagnar ’stongue.Helookedaroundandsawmensprawleduponthedeck.
Twoofthetech-priestswereinconvulsions,sparksflyingfromtheiraugmentedeyesandfoam
specklingtheirlips.EvenTorinandHaegrwereontheirhandsandknees,shakingtheirheads
drunkenlyfromtheshockofthebrieftransit.InquisitorVoltwasclimbingslowlytohisfeet,his
mouthworkinginasilentprayer.
Redlightfloodedthroughtheviewports,thickascongealedblood.Ragnarbroughthishead
aroundandforcedhiseyestofocusontherealmbeyondthestrickenship.Hesawthedarkcurveofa
world,likeasphereofebonglass.Skeinsofpurplelightningravelledacrossitssurface,silhouetting
vast,arrowheadshapesdriftinglikeleviathanshighabovetheshadowworld.
TheskywasfullofChaosships.
CHAPTERTWELVE
Thelastsalvooftherebelbarragelandedrightontarget,burstingalongtheentirelengthofthe
ImperialbarricadesblockingtheAngelusCauseway.HugesiegemortarroundsandEarthshaker
cannonshellsblewgoutsofpulverisedferrocreteandstructuralsteeldozensofmetresintotheair
andturnedhumanbodiesintocloudsofbloodandvaporisedflesh.TenmetrestoMikalSternmark’s
right,abunkermadeofsalvagedmasonryandquick-settingceramitecompoundtookadirecthitand
vanishedinacloudofgreysmokeandrazor-edgedshrapnel.Guardsmenmanningfiringpositionsto
eithersideofthebunkerweretossedintotheairlikebrokendolls,theirarmourmeltedandtheir
clothesalight.
Nearlythreeweeksofconstantshellinghadturnedtheonce-prosperouscommercialdistrictthat
linedthecausewayintoanightmarelandscapeofguttedbuildingsandsmoking,debris-linedcraters.
ThecausewayitselfpassedthroughthecentreoftheImperiallines.Fedbyfourmajortransitlines,
thebroad,six-laneroadwasmadetoferrytheproduceofCharys’ssprawlingagri-complexesintothe
armsofthemercantilesyndicatesatthenearbystarport.Columnsoflocalgranitehadbeenraised
alongtheentirelengthofthecauseway,toppedbysevere-lookingangelsbearingthescalesof
commerceortheupraisedswordofwar.Nearlyalloftheangelshadbeendestroyedduringthelong
weeksofcombat:allsaveone,whoseemedtotowerdefiantlyovertherightendoftheImperials’
defensiveline,hisswordraisedtostrikedowntheEmperor ’sfoes.
Thedefendershadbuilttheirbarricadefromthecarcassesofthebombed-outbuildingsthatlined
thecauseway.Heavyslabsofferrocretehadbeendraggedintoplacebycargowalkersbroughtup
fromthestarport,andengineeringteamshadgonetoworkconstructingfiringstepsandgunpitsout
ofmasonryandlayersofflakboard.Thelineoffortificationsstretchedforafullkilometre,fromone
sideofthecausewaytotheother.Anentireregiment,theHyrkoonGrenadiers,oneofAthelstane’s
veteranunits,hadbeenorderedtoholdthecausewayatallcosts.AfullplatoonofLemanRussbattle
tankshadbeenassignedtosupportthedefenders,theirsquat,blockyturretsrisingthreateninglyfrom
ferrocreterevetmentsbuiltjustbehindthebarricade.Fromtheirfiringsteps,thedefenderscouldsee
foralmosttwokilometresdownthewide,flatcauseway.Itwasanidealkillingground,onethatany
sanecommanderwoulddreadhavingtocross,butitalsostretchedfromthecitylikeanout-thrust
spear,reachingrightfortheheartoftheImperialforcesonCharys.Iftheenemyforcedopenthe
causewaytheycouldreachthestarportinlittleoveranhour.
Sternmarkhadnodoubtthatthecausewaywouldbethetraitors’mainobjective.HeandhisWolf
GuardhadjoinedthesurvivingmembersofEinar ’spackjustasthefirstenemyshellshadbegunto
fall.Now,amidthedeafeningthunderoftherebelbombardment,hisenhancedsensesdetecteda
differenttimbretotheimpactslandingonthefarsideofthebarricade.Sternmarkplacedabootonthe
firingstepandraisedhisheadabovethelipofthestoneembrasure.Athickwallofgreyvapourwas
swellingsilentlyacrosstheconcertinawireandtanktrapslaidbeforethebarricade,fuelledbythe
burstsofdozensofrebelsmokerounds.Atthesametime,therollofartilleryblastsdwindled,and
beyondthewallofsmokeSternmarkheardthedistantgrowlofpetrochemenginesandthewar-shouts
oftherebelhost.
AgrimsmiletouchedthecornersoftheWolfGuard’ssootstainedface.Hekeyedhisvox-unit.
‘Heretheycome!’hecalledout,bothforthebenefitofhisbattle-brothersandfortheplatoonsof
GuardsmenhuddledagainstthefortificationstoSternmark’sleftandright.‘Standready!’
Shoutedordersechoedthinlyalongthebarricadeassergeantsbrokethespelloftheenemybarrage
withashoweroffierycursesandgotthemenontotheirfeet.Thelong,greylineseemedtoswarm
withdarklycolouredbeetlesasthegrenadiersscrambledontotheparapetandreadiedtheirweapons.
Thecriesofwoundedmenrangshrillythroughtheair,mingledwithangryshoutsandthepiping
notesofofficers’whistles.NotfarfromSternmarkoneoftheLemanRussbattletanksstartedits
enginewithathroatyroar,itsturrettrackingslowlyfromlefttorightasitsgunnersoughttargets
beyondthecurtainofsmoke.
FranticactivityswirledaboutSternmark’stoweringfigure.Aprieststaggeredfromamakeshift
shelternobiggerthanapenitent’scell,furiouslychantingtheLitaniesofExtermination.Ayoung
grenadier,barelyoldenoughtoserve,clamberedoverthedebrisbehindthebarricadeandpicked
throughthebodypartsofhisdeadcomradesinsearchofsparepowerpacksforhissquadmates.A
trioofsoldiersgrappledwithatripod-mountedautocannon,strugglingtoliftitbackintoposition
afterithadbeendislodgedbyashellimpact.MoregrenadiersracedpastthetoweringSpaceWolf
fromsheltersfurthertotherear,andclimbedawkwardlyontothefiringstep.Rifleswerechecked.
Somemenlaidgrenadesonthechippedstoneparapetwheretheywouldbeclosetohand.Bayonets
werepulledfromtheirsheathsandlockedinplace.Atall,cadaverous-lookingsergeantstrode
quicklyalongtheline,eyeingthegrenadiers’preparationswithapractisedeye.
Volleysofcracklingredlas-boltsbeganlashingtheirwaythroughthesmoke,detonatingagainst
thestonebarricadesorbuzzingangrilyoverhead.Burstsofshellskickeduppuffsofdustor
ricochetedcrazilyofftheedgesoftheparapet.Theroaroftheengineswasclosernow,aswellasthe
dementedhowlsoftherebelinfantry.
SternmarkclosedhishandaroundRedclaw’shiltanddrewthegreatbladefromitsscabbard.
Sunlightplayedalongthemirrorfinishofitsedgeandtherunescarvedalongitslength.Heheldthe
swordupandrestedhisforeheadagainsttheflatoftheblade.Thenheclosedhiseyesandofferedup
prayerstoRussandtheAllfather.Whenhewasdonehethumbedthesword’sactivationruneandfelt
thefamiliarhumofitspowerfieldsweepreassuringlyuphisarm.Asenseofcalmsettledlikea
mantleontotheWolfGuard’sshoulders.Forthefirsttimeinalmostamonth,theangerand
frustrationthathadgrippedhimatthecommandbunkerrecededfromhismind.Onthevergeof
battle,hefeltwholeoncemore.
Lookingleftandright,hecouldjustseeHaakonandSnurri.Hisbattle-brotherswereahundred
metrestoeitherside,andtheWolfGuardandEinar ’spackwasstretchedthinalongtheentirelength
ofthebarricade,readytolendtheirstrengthtoanybreachintheline.Sternmarkconsideredkeying
hisvoxandshoutingwordsofencouragementtohisbrothers,butnothingcametomind.Hehad
neverbeenmuchgoodwithwords,andbesides,whatwastherelefttosay?Whilehe’dbeendriving
himselfmadwithroutemapsandlogisticaltablestheyhadbeenoutonthefrontlines,doingthework
ofwarriors.Theyknewwhatwasatstakefarbetterthanhedid.
Ahead,thesmokewasthinning.SternmarkcouldseethedarkshapesofChimeraAPCsheading
downthecausewaytowardshim,theirmultilasersandheavyboltersspittingfire.Platoonsof
infantrymenranalongintheirwake,snappingoffwildshotswiththeirlasgunsastheyadvanced.
BoltsofenergytorethroughtheairaroundSternmark,andtheImperialdefendersopenedfire,
unleashingastormofenergyboltsanddeadlyshellsintotheranksoftheoncomingenemy.A
Chimerawasstruckbyalascannonbeamandlurchedtoastop,smokepouringfromitsbursthatches.
Menstaggeredandfellaslasgunbeamsorheavystubbershellsfoundtheirmarks.Thefoepressed
on,drawingclosertothebarricadeswitheachpassingmoment.
Sternmarkraisedhisswordheavenwardandbeganthebattlechantofhisancestors.Lookingupat
theiron-greyskyhethoughtofRagnar,andwonderediftheyoungSpaceWolfandhiscompanions
werestillalive.
ThefleetofChaosshipsturnedupontheFistofRuss,trailingglitteringarcsofgrave-lightfromtheir
thrustersastheybrokeorbit,andclosedontheImperialbattlecruiserlikeaswarmofhungrysea
drakes.BoltsofpulsinglightstabbedfromtheweaponbatteriesstuddingthehullsoftheChaosships,
buttheiraimwaswideandthefirstsalvoesstreakedharmlesslyintothebattlecruiser ’swake.
‘Helm,hardtoport!’ShipmasterWulfgarroaredfromthecommandpulpit.Hisvoicewascalm
andassured,butthebondsman’sknuckleswerewhiteashegrippedtheedgesofthelectern.‘Ahead
full!Allbatteriesfireasyoubear!’ThemasteroftheshipglancedatRagnar,andthenturnedand
fixedhisengineeringofficerwithacommandingglare.‘Runthereactorsatonehundredandtwenty
percent.’
Theengineeringofficerpaled,butnoddednevertheless.‘Reactoratone-twenty,aye,’heconfirmed,
‘butthecontainmentwardswon’tholdforlong.’
‘Verywell,’Wulfgarreplied,asthebattlecruiserstartedherturn.Deep,groaningsoundsechoed
aftfromtheengineeringdecksasthewarshipincreasedpower,hertorturedsuperstructuresuffering
underthestrain.Thunderrangthroughthedeckplatesasthefirstoftheenemysalvosstruckhome
againstthewarship’sweakenedshields.
Ragnar ’smindracedashestudiedthenearbyplottableandstudiedtheflashinglinesmarkingthe
coursesandpositionsoftheChaosships.TheFistofRusswasturningitsarmouredprowtothe
oncomingenemyships,butwithinmomentsthebattlecruiserwouldbesurroundedandvulnerable.
Hisworriedglancefellonthestill-sealedNavigator ’svault.Thenheaddressedtheship’smaster.‘We
canbeatthehangardeckandlaunchourThunderhawkintenminutes,’hesaid.‘Alteryourcourse
andopentherange,ShipmasterWulfgar.WecanslippasttheChaosshipsintheconfusionandmake
planetfall.’
WulfgargloweredattheyoungSpaceWolf.‘Youwouldn’tlasttenseconds,lord,’hesaidwitha
snort.‘We’vegottogetyouasclosetotheplanetaswecanbeforeyoulaunch,orthey’llblowyou
apart.’Greenishlightflickeredthroughthehighviewportsasanenemysalvoflashedpastthebattle
cruiser ’sbridge.Wulfgarturnedbacktothecommandlectern.‘Oncewe’rethroughandyou’reon
yourway,we’llcomehardaboutandjumpagain.WithLoki’sluckwe’llstillbeinonepiecewhenwe
comeoutontheotherside.’
Aseriesofdeafeningblastsbatteredtheportbowofthestrickenbattlecruiser.Menwerethrownto
thedeckbytheimpact.OnlyRagnar ’sspeedandstrengthkepthimupright,althoughhisgripcreased
thecommanddeck’smetalrail.Abloomoforangeandredswelledinslowmotionontheportsideof
thewarship,justaftofthearmouredprow.Ragnarsawmoltenhullplatingstreaklikemeteorsdown
thelengthofthebattlecruiserandtumbleintothevoid.
‘Shieldshavefailed!’criedtheship’sdeckofficer.‘Augursreportanenemyshipdeadahead,
comingaboutonacollisioncourse!Wehavetocomeabout–’
‘Steadyasshegoes!’Wulgarroaredbackashepulledhimselftohisfeet.Theship’smasterpressed
ahandtoacut,smearingbloodacrosshisforehead.‘Dorsallancebattery,fireatwill!’
RagnarcouldseetheChaosshipnow,adistant,arrowheadshape,glimmeringwithpale,unnatural
light.Itlaysquarelyinthebattlecruiser ’spath,firingboltafterboltattheImperialship’sprow.The
youngSpaceWolfshookhishead.‘Asinglelancewon’tbeenough,ShipmasterWulfgar,’hesaid.
‘Sonowyou’reashipmaster,lord?’Wulfgarsnapped,buthegavetheyoungSpaceWolfafierce
grin.‘Theysuspectwhatwe’redoing,andthey’removingtostopus.Ifwealterourcourseevena
singledegreeitwillmakethetaskofreachingorbitthatmuchharder.’Thebondsmanshookhishead.
‘No.We’llploughrightthroughthatbastardifhedoesn’tbearaway.Youhavemyoathonit!’
Acyanflarefrombeyondtheviewportshowedthatthebattlecruiser ’sremaininglancebatteryhad
goneintoaction.Thearcsofvoltaicforceleaptacrosshundredsofkilometresintheblinkofaneye,
andflaredinaragingstormagainsttheshieldsoftheonrushingChaosship.Thebatterychargedand
firedagainwithinseconds,andoncemorethepowerfulbeamweaponbatteredagainstthestillglowingcurveoftheenemycruiser ’svoidshield,untilitfailedinablazeoflight.
MoreexplosionsbatteredtheflanksoftheImperialship.Sparksshoweredfromapowerconduit
alongthestarboardbulkhead,andalarmsbegantowailacrossthecommanddeck.Wulfgarquickly
checkedthereadoutsonthecommandlectern,andhisexpressionturnedgrim.‘Engineering,increase
reactoroutputtoonehundredandthirty-fivepercent.Helm,bringustorammingspeed.’
TheFistofRusswasalmostcompletelysurroundedandtakingfirefromallsides.Hersurviving
batteriesanswered,andthespacearoundthemwassodensewithenormousshipsthateveryshot
foundatarget.Macrocannonshellssmashedasideenemyshieldsandblasteddeepcratersinthe
flanksoftheChaosships.Onecruisersheeredabruptlytostarboard,streamingmoltendebrisfroma
blastthathadsmasheditscommanddeck.Itssuddenmanoeuvrecarrieditdirectlyintothepathof
anotherChaosship,andthetwocollidedinaspectaculareruptionofblazingplasma,andshornhull
plating.However,deprivedofhershields,thedamagetotheancientbattlecruiserwasmounting
swiftly.Fieryexplosionsrippledalongthelengthofherhull,andshebledraggedstreamersof
burningoxygenthattangledinherwake.
Then,likeawoundedbear,theFistofRusssurgedforward,hersurvivingthrustersblazing.Caught
unawaresbythesuddenchangeofspeed,manyoftheenemysalvoesfellharmlesslybehindherasshe
boredownontheloneenemyvesselinherpath.Thetwoshipsclosedthedistancerapidly,still
blastingawayatoneanotherwiththeirremainingweapons.Lancefirehadwroughtterribledamage
alongtheChaosship’sbow,andthebattlecruiser ’sarmouredprowandsuperstructurehadbeen
repeatedlycrateredbyhigh-energybolts.
TheChaosshipswelledinthebattlecruiser ’sforwardviewports.‘Soundcollision!’Shipmaster
Wulfgarcried.‘ForRussandtheAllfather!’
Ragnarhadjustenoughtimetogripthecommanddeckrailwithbothhandsandchecktomake
surethatGabriellawasstillsealedinhervault,beforethetwoshipscollided.
ThoughtheFistofRusswasburnedandbroken,shewasstillamassiveship,weighingtensof
millionsoftonnes.Thearmouredprowofthebattlecruiserstruckthecruiser ’sbowandsplititopen
likearottenfruit.Crumpledhull-platesandshornbracingbeamsburstoutwardfromtheimpact,
propelledbyacloudofsuperheatedmetalandescapinggas.TheImperialshiptorethroughthe
cruiserfromstemtostern,plunginglikeanirontippedspearthrustbyawrathfulgod.
Thewoundedbattlecruisersufferedtoo.Ragnarwasthrownhardagainstthedeckrailandtheair
reverberatedwiththegroanoftorturedmetalandthescreamoftearinghullplates.Severalofthe
bridgeofficerswerethrownforwardbytheimpact,hurledoverthedeckrailandontothebridge
crewbelow.Sparksexplodedfromapairofoverheadconduits,andthensuddenlythelightswentout.
Ragnarheardscreamsofpainandterror,andthedecktrembledwithpowerfulexplosionsfromdeep
belowdecks.
Then,withaflareofmulticolouredlight,theChaosship’sreactorexploded,wreathingtheforward
endofthebattlecruiserinfire.TheFistofRussshuddered,andRagnarfeltanominoustremorpass
alongthewarship’sbatteredkeel.Then,allwassilent,saveforthefaintcriesofthewounded.
Redemergencylightingslowlyilluminatedthecommanddeck.Afainthazeofacridsmokehungin
theair.Ragnarsurveyedthedeckinthedimlightandwasamazedtofindmanyofthecrewstillat
theirstations,workinghardtokeepthewarshipinthefight.ShipmasterWulfgarstillstoodatthe
commandpulpit,bentwithpain,butquicklyscanningthereadoutsonthelecternbeforehim.‘Damage
report,’heorderedinaraspyvoice.
‘Weareonemergencyreservepower,’thedamagecontrolofficerreplied.‘Nooneisresponding
ontheengineeringdeck,butindicationsarethatthereactorshavefailed.Therearereportsof
multiplefiresbelowdecks,butmostofourdamagecontrolstationsarenotresponding.’
Wulfgarnodded.‘Whataboutthehangardecks?’
Thedamagecontrolofficercheckedhisgauges.‘Bothhangardecksreportready,thoughIdon’t
knowforhowmuchlonger.’
Ragnarlistenedtotheexchangeandfeltacoldballofdreadsettleinhisstomach.‘Whatdoesthis
mean,ShipmasterWulfgar?’heasked,eventhoughhealreadysuspectedheknewtheanswer.
WulfgarslowlystraightenedandaddressedtheyoungSpaceWolf.Hisfacewaspale,andatrickle
ofbloodleakedfromthecornerofhismouth.‘Itmeanswe’vegoneasfaraswe’reable,’the
bondsmansaid.‘Takeyourladyandmakeforthehangardeckasfastasyoucan.There’snotmuch
time.’
Ragnarfeltasurgeofdesperation.HeglancedbackattheNavigator ’svaultandsawthatthe
armouredcontainmentsystemwasalreadystartingtocycleopen.‘Butthejump–’
Themasteroftheshipshookhishead.‘Wecan’tmakethejumpnowthatthereactorshavefailed.’
Wulfgarreplied.‘Nowgo,lord!Gettothesurfaceanddowhatyoucametodo.We’llcoveryoufor
aslongaswecan.’
Ragnarbaredhisteethinasilentsnarl.‘I’lltakeyourengineeringofficerandwe’lltrytoreachthe
reactors.Wecanmakerepairs–’
‘No,’InquisitorVoltsaid.Hisvoicewassombre,buttherewascoldsteelinhistone.‘Shipmaster
Wulfgarisright.WemustreachtheshadowworldandconfrontMadox,orallofthisisfornothing.’
AgrowlofangerwelledfromRagnar ’sthroat,butheknewthatVoltwascorrect.Harddiscipline
asserteditself,andtheyoungSpaceWolfnoddedcurtly.‘Iunderstand,’hetoldtheinquisitor,andthen
noddedhisheadrespectfullytoShipmasterWulfgar.‘We’lltakeourleaveofyou,master,’hesaid.
‘InformHaraldtoloadhismenandstandbyforlaunch.’
‘Iwill,’Wulfgarsaid.Then,thebondsmanreachedforwardandextendedhishand.‘Ithasbeenan
honourtoserve,lord.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfshookhishead.‘No,ShipmasterWulfgar,thehonourhasbeenours.’He
claspedthemaster ’sbloodstainedwrist.‘IshalltelltheOldWolfofyourdeeds,’Ragnarsaid.‘You
havemyoathonit.’
Thebondsmansmiled,andthenstraightenedhistunicandturnedaway.Hestudiedthepagesofthe
bookproppedonthelecternbeforehim,andbegantoreadaloudinastrong,clearvoice.‘Forifthe
Emperoriswithme,whomaystandagainstme…’
RagnarturnedtoInquisitorVolt,andtheoldmannoddedsilently.TorinandHaegrwerealready
escortingGabriellatotheliftattherearofthecommanddeck.Hisheartheavy,theyoungSpaceWolf
hurriedtojointhem.
Thedecksbeneaththebattlecruiser ’sbridgewereahellishrealmoffire,smokeandtwisted
wreckage.Torinsalvagedanemergencyairsupplyfromthebodyofadamagecontroltechnicianand
gaveittoGabriella,whileHaegrandRagnartookturnsforcingtheirwaypasttheworstofthedebris.
Moreexplosionshammeredatthehullofthedyingbattlecruiser,andwitheverypassingminute
Ragnarfearedthattheywouldnotreachthehangardeckintime.
Yetluckwaswiththemoncetheywerewithinafewdecksofthehangarbay.Theymadeitpastthe
worstofthefiresandquicklyregainedtheirbearings.ThemanydaysRagnarhadspentwandering
thelowerdecksofthehugeshippaidoff,andhewasquicklyabletoleadthepartydownaseriesof
maintenanceaccesswaysthatbroughtthemdirectlytothewaitingThunderhawk.Haraldhadthe
enginesidlingasthegroupburstontothedeck,andVoltgavetheordertolaunchassoonasthey
wereaboard.
RagnarstruggledtoreachtheThunderhawk’scommanddeckastheassaultshiproareddownthe
launchplatformandintoastormofenemyfire.TheChaosfleethadcomeaboutandwasblasting
awayattheFistofRuss.Ragnarsawatoncethatthebattlecruiser ’smainthrustershadbeenreduced
toatwistedmassofmetal,andherdorsalsuperstructurehadbeenallbutrippedapart.Firesglowed
likesullencoalsinthedeepwoundsalongthewarship’sflank.
ThehorizonspuncrazilyasthepilotrolledtheassaultcraftandpulledawaybeneaththeImperial
ship.Ragnargrippednearbystanchionsforsupportandkepthiseyesonthedyingbattlecruiserthe
entiretime,bearingwitnesstoitsfinalmoments.
Shewentdownfighting,hergunsstilldefiantlyansweringtheenemybarrage.Ragnarsawan
enemycruiserburstapartunderapunishingstrikefromthebattlecruiser ’slancebattery.Thenan
enemyshellfoundoneoftheImperialship’smagazines.TheFistofRussdisintegratedinamassive
chainreaction,afittingpyreforherheroiccrew.
Ragnartookadeepbreathandlookedthroughtheforwardviewportsattheominouscurveofthe
ebonworld.‘Howlonguntilwemakeplanetfall?’heasked.
‘Forty-fiveminutes,lord,giveortake,’thepilotreplied,hisvoicesubdued.‘I’llkeepthewreckage
betweenusandtheenemyshipsuntilwe’rewelloutofrange.’
Ragnarnodded.WiththeFistofRussdestroyed,therewouldbenoescapefromtheshadowworld
foranyofthem.Wulfgarandhiscrewwereonlythefirstamongthemtodie.
Settinghisjaw,Ragnarforcedsuchthoughtsruthlesslyfromhismind.Theyhadamissionto
perform.Beyondthat,nothingelsemattered.
Hewasjustabouttoturnandheadbackintothetroopcompartmentwhenawarningtelltalebegan
toblinkontheaugurofficer ’spanel.Thecrewmanleantforward,twistingaseriesofdials.
‘Russpreserveus,’thebondsmansaid,readingtheiconsonthescreen.‘Ihavemultiplecontacts
launchingfromtheenemyships.Theylooklikefighters!’
Ragnarswallowedacurse.‘Fullpower!’hesnappedatthepilot.‘Getusonthedeckasfastasyou
can!’
Thrustersflaring,theassaultshipdroppedlikeathunderbolttowardstheshadowworld.Behind
them,thefirstofthesleekattackshipswasalreadypassingthroughthebattlecruiser ’sdebrisfield
andstartingtodive.
Thehuntwason.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
‘Icounttwenty–no,thirty–contacts,closingfast!’theThunderhawk’sauguroperatorcried,hiseyes
gluedtothephosphorescentdisplayscreen.Thebondsman’sglovedhandsplayedwiththeaugur
unit’stuningknobs.‘Atpresentspeedthey’llbeinrangeinsevenseconds,’hecalculated.
‘Verywell,’theassaultship’spilotrepliedcalmly.Hereachedupandkeyedhisvox-mic.‘Gunners,
lookalive!Contactsatsixo’clock,’hesaid,alertingthefourcrewmenmanningtheweaponstations
inthecompartmentbeneaththecommanddeck.Asanassaultshipmeanttocarrytroopsintohostile
landingzones,theThunderhawktradedspeedandmanoeuvrabilityforweaponsandarmour.Along
withamassiveforwardfiringbattlecannonandapairoflascannons,theThunderhawkalsomounted
fourtwin-linkedheavyboltersonremotehardpoints.Twoofthesehardpointsweremountedbeneath
eachwingtip,allowingthemtofirebothforwardandaft.Ragnarfeltthevibrationofthehardpoint
gimbalsandtheclatteroftheautoloadersasthetwomountsswungaboutandbegantrackingthe
incomingChaosfighters.
Ragnar ’sgriptightenedonthestanchionstoeithersideofthecommanddeck’shatch.Hehadn’t
countedonthepossibilitythatthecruiserscirclingabovetheshadowworldcouldcarryattackcraftas
well.‘Howlonguntilwemakeplanetfall?’heasked,eyeingthelightning-streakedcurveoftheebon
planet.
‘Twentyminutes,moreorless,’thepilotansweredtersely.‘Settinguptheproperre-entryangleis
goingtobetrickyatthisspeed.’
‘We’llbeluckytolasttwentyseconds,’theyoungSpaceWolfgrowled.Hisheartswerehammering
inhischest,andhethoughthecouldfeelthebloodhissinginhistemples.Ittookeveryounceofwill
nottolashout,tofeelsomethingbreakandbleedinhishands.Heclosedhiseyesandforcedthe
Wulfenfromhisthoughts.Theredtideseemedtoebbsomewhat,afteramoment,leavinghisminda
littleclearer.
‘Isthereanysignofacityontheplanet’ssurface?’Ragnarasked.‘Ifthisplanetistrulyamirror
imageofCharys,theremustbeashadowversionofthecapitalaswell.’
Thepilotshookhishead.‘Idon’tseeanythingbutlightning,’hereplied,andthenglancedbackat
theauguroperator.‘Otto,switchtonavigationalsurveyorsandsweeptheplanet.’
‘Whatabouttheenemyships?’theoperatorasked,lookingupfromhisscreenwithapanicked
expressiononhissallowface.
‘Forgetaboutthem!’thepilotsnapped.‘Youheardthelord.Findmeacitydownthere.’
Swearingunderhisbreath,theauguroperatorjabbedatasetofrunesonhiscontrolpanel,andthe
displayscreenshiftedtoanewsetofoscillatinglines.Frowning,thebondsmanadjustedaseriesof
knobs,andstudiedthepulsingreadouts.‘I’mpickingupsmallcollectionsofgroundstructuresat
wideintervals.Theyfittheprofileforagri-combines,’hesaid.‘Hardsurfacereflectionsfromtransit
lines,butnothing…wait!’heleanedforward,gentlytwistingapairofbrassdials.‘Lookslikeahard
setofreturnsbearingzero-one-five,rightattheplanetaryterminus.There’syourcity.’
Thepilotnoddedandbroughttheassaultshipintoashallowturntostarboard.‘Lininguponzeroone-fiveandstartingourdescent,’hesaid,reachingupandadjustingasetofcontrolsonapanelover
hishead.TheSpaceWolflookedoverhisshoulderatRagnar.‘Goodnews,lord.Thecityisrightat
theedgeofourglidepath.Wecantouchdownneartheoutskirtswithoutaddinganymoretimetoour
descent.’
Ragnarnodded.‘Andthebadnews?’
Asifoncue,streamsofseethingenergyboltsfilledthedarknessaroundtheThunderhawk,andthe
assaultshiprangwithaseriesofheavyblowsalongitsfuselage.Warningiconsflashedamberonthe
tech-priest’scontrolpanel,andthecrewmanbegantorecitetheLitanyofAtmosphericIntegrityashe
franticallyjabbedatdamagecontrolrunes.Atthetipsoftheassaultship’swings,thetwin-linked
heavybolterswentintoaction,barkingoutstutteringburststhatreverberatedthroughthe
Thunderhawk’sarmouredframeasthehigh-speeddogfightbegan.
Theenemyfightersweresharpandangular,likeshardsofpolishedobsidian.Faint,greenishlight
glowedfromtheirangledcockpitviewports,givingtheshipsasinister,insect-likeappearance.They
descendedonthelargerThunderhawkinaswirling,chaoticswarm,blastingawayattheImperialship
fromadozendifferentangles.Energyboltsburstacrosstheassaultship’swings,fuselageandtail,
wreathingitinawebofsmallexplosionsthatateawayattheThunderhawk’sdensearmourplate.The
assaultshipside-slippedabruptlyleft,andthenright,tryingtospoiltheattackers’aim,butitwasn’t
enoughtofullyevadethestormofenemyfire.
RedtracerroundsslashedthroughtheenemyformationinresponseastheThunderhawk’sheavy
boltersreturnedfire.ApairofChaosfightersblewapartincloudsofglitteringfragmentsand
glowingplasma.Theshatteredfightercraftdissolvedintheebonworld’supperatmosphere,
consumedbyarcsofsorcerouslightning,buttherewasstillmorethanascoreofattackships
doggingthebatteredThunderhawk’stail.
Apowerfulimpactstrucktheassaultship’sportside,causingthecrafttoslewsidewaysfora
dizzyinginstantbeforethepilotcouldregaincontrol.‘Numberoneengineishit!’thetech-priestcried
out.‘Pressureindicatorsarespiking!’
‘Holdittogetherforanotherfewminutes,’thepilotshotback.Anotherblasthitthenoseofthe
attackcraftjustbeneaththecockpit,limningthepilot’shelmetedheadinluridgreenlight.‘I’mgoing
toincreaseourangleofdescentandseeifIcangetthebastardstobackoff.Holdon!’
TheThunderhawksteepeneditsdive,comingintotheplanet’sturbulentatmosphereatasharper
angleandincreasingthespeedofitsre-entry.Atonce,theleadingedgesofthehullbegantoglowred
withfrictionbuild-up.TheImperialvesseltrembledlikeashipinasummergale,butherreinforced
superstructureheldagainstthestrain.Severaloftheenemyfighterssharpenedtheirdivesaswell,but
theirhungerfordestructionprovedtheirundoing,astheheatandturbulencetoretheirhullsapart.
Therestoftheswarmfellback,unabletomatchtheassaultship’sdangerousdescent.
‘Well,thatboughtusaminuteortwo,’thepilotshoutedoverthethunderofre-entry.Theheat
insidethecockpitwasintense,andtheassaultcraftshudderedviolentlyasitplungedtowardsthe
planet’ssurface.Moreandmorewarningiconsflashedaninsistentredonthetech-priest’sdisplay.
Ragnarheldonforallhewasworth.ItwasclearthatthepilotwaspushingtheThunderhawktothe
edgeofitsperformanceenvelopeandpossiblybeyond.‘Willthisgetusonthegroundanyfaster?’he
shouted.
TotheyoungSpaceWolf’ssurprise,thepilotthrewbackhisheadandlaughed.‘Oh,aye,lord!One
wayoranother,itsurelywill.’
Theywerecloseenoughtotheplanet’ssurfaceforRagnartomakeoutdarkoceansandbroad
continentsstuddedwithmountainranges.Therewerenolightsthathecouldsee,buttheshapeofthe
landmasseswasaperfectreflectionofCharysasnearashecouldtell.Allthisjusttofacilitatea
singleritual,Ragnarthoughtwithaterriblesenseofawe.Hetrulygraspedthesheerscopeof
Madox’splans,forthefirsttime,andfeltsomethingakintodismay.Hethoughtofthehandfulof
SpaceWolvesinthetroopcompartmentbehindhimandwonderedhowtheycouldpossiblychallenge
somethingsovast.Whoarewetoovercomeanentireworld?
Theanswerwasobvious.WearesonsoftheAllfather,Ragnarthought,justasMadoxoncewas.
Whateverthetraitorcanbringtobearagainstus,weareitsequal.
TheThunderhawkflashedpastarockycoastline,plungingtowardsthedarksurfaceoftheworld
likeafierycomet.Vastplainsstretchedbeneaththedescendingcraft.Ragnarwasamazedtoseethe
outlinesofenormousagri-combines,theirsubdividedcropzonesradiatinglikethespokesof
enormouswheelsmorethanathousandkilometresacross.TheyoungSpaceWolfcouldjustmake
outthetoweringgranariesandequipmenthivesatthehubofeachcombine,wherelegionsoffarm
servitorswouldshuttlebackandforthlikebeestotendtheircarefullymonitoredcrops.
Withinminutes,thefierceshudderingbegantosubsideastheassaultshippassedthroughtheupper
atmosphereanddivedthroughadarkskyemptyofclouds.Atorrentofgreenboltsslasheddownward
fromhighandtostarboard.Thedaemonshipswereclosingtherangeoncemore.Ragnareyedthe
multitudeofwarningrunesflashingonthetech-priest’sscreentohisleft.‘Howlong?’heasked.
‘Otto?’thepilotsaid.
‘Surveyorshowsthecitydeadaheadatfivehundredkilometres,’theauguroperatorreplied.Then,
suddenly,hestraightenedinhisseat.‘Wait–I’mgettingsomething–’
BurstsofgreenenergyboltshowleddownaroundtheThunderhawkfromhighandtostarboard.
Thepilotmutteredacurse.‘Nevermind,Otto.Iseethem.’
‘No!There’ssomethingelse!’theoperatorexclaimed.Hefumbledforasetofdialsandadjusted
themcarefully,hisheadcockedintentlytooneside.‘I…I’mgettingasignalonthevox.Itsoundslike
oneofourrecoverybeacons.’
ThepilotlookedbackoverhisshoulderatRagnar.‘Howisthatpossible?’
Boltsimpactedacrosstheassaultship’swingsandfuselageinastringofsharpdetonations.The
Thunderhawkshudderedbeneaththeblowsandseemedtoplummetdownwardforavertiginous
instantbeforecomingundercontrol.Ragnarleanedclosetotheauguroperator.‘Canyougetan
identitycodefromthebeacon?’
Ottoshookhishead.‘Icanbarelyhearitatall,’hesaid,pressingahandtohisheadphones.
‘There’salotofatmosphericinterference–’
Anotherthunderclapsmotetheaftsectionofthetransport,throwingthecrewagainsttheir
restraints.Analarmbuzzedshrillyonthetech-priest’spanel,butRagnarwasoblivioustoeverything
butthesignalthattheauguroperatorwasreceiving.‘Canyouisolateitslocation?’heasked.
Thebondsmanshookhishead.‘Icangetabearingandanapproximatedistance,’Ottoreplied,
shoutingovertheexplosionsbatteringtheThunderhawk.‘It…itlookslikethree-five-fivedegreesat
abouteightytoahundredkilometres.That’sdeepinarangeoflowmountainsonthefarsideofan
agri-combinerightahead.’
BeforeRagnarcouldaskfurther,thesoundoftheassaultship’sengineschangedpitchandthe
Thunderhawkslewedviolentlytostarboard.Thetech-priestletoutasharpcry.‘Numberoneengine’s
failed!’hesaid.
Therewasanotherstomachclenchingdropastheassaultshipfelllikeastone.Bothpilotandcopilotwrestledwiththecontrols.‘Increasepowertonumbertwo,’thepilotordered,hisvoicetense
withstrain.‘Canyourestartnumberone?’
‘Nochance,’thetech-priestshoutedback,‘turbine’sseized!’
RagnarwasthrownforwardastheThunderhawk’snosedippedintoasteepdive.Thepilotwas
tradingaltitudeforspeed,tryingtokeephisshipintheairforaslongaspossible.TheyoungSpace
Wolfclungtothestanchionsandwatchedthegroundrushingtowardsthemthroughthecockpit
viewports.Hecouldseethepaleribbonofatransitroutecrossingtheplainbelowthem,pointingto
theoutskirtsoftheagri-combinethatOttohadmentioned.
TheThunderhawkbegantoshudderviolently.‘Controlsaregettingsluggish,’thepilotgrated.
‘Where’smyhydraulicpressure?’
Aflurryofenergyboltssurroundedthedivingassaultship,andmultiplehitsslammedintothe
Thunderhawk’stailandwings.Thewingtipheavyboltersreturnedfirewitharoar,butthentherewas
aloudexplosionaftandtheworldseemedtospinoutofcontrol.
‘Numbertwoengine’shit!’thetech-priestcried,andthenlapsedintoadesperateprayertothe
Omnissiah.
‘Well,that’sitthen,’thepilotsaid,hisvoicesurprisinglycalmasthehorizonspunbeyondthe
cockpitviewports.‘Cutpowertonumberthree!Hurry!’
Theco-pilotthrewhimselfagainsthisrestraints,reachingdesperatelyforthethrottlelevers.
RagnarsawthattheSpaceWolfwasn’tgoingtomakeit.
PrayingtoRuss,theyoungSpaceWolfpulledhimselftowardsthepilots’controls.Fightinghard
againsttheG-forcespinningthecrewintotheirseats,hepushedhisarmour ’ssystemstothelimitand
strainedforwardwithhisrightarm.Thetipsofhisfingersbrushedthesteelthrottleleveranddrewit
backfarenoughtogetasolidgrip.Ragnarwrappedhisfingersaroundtheleverandpulledbackwith
allhismight,nearlytearingitfromitshousing.
Thehowlingwailoftheenginefellsilent.AllRagnarheardwasthewhistlingwindandthe
impassionedprayersofthetech-priestinthefewsecondsbeforetheassaultshipslammedintothe
ground.
AnotherwaveoffleshandsteelboredownontheImperialpositionsattheAngelusCauseway.
Clawedfeetscrabblingforpurchase,ahugemutantheaveditselfuptheshiftingmoundofbodiesat
thefootofthebarricadeandreachedforMikalSternmark.Beadyredeyesglitteredwithhatefrom
withinthick,pastyfoldsoffat,andtheentirelowerhalfofthecreature’sdoughyfacewasnothingbut
amassivesetofpowerfuljawsandalashing,serpentinetongue.Oneclawedhandgrippedashock
maul,ofthetypethatArbitesriottroopersoftencarried,anditsbloodstainedtipcrackledwithlethal
energies.Apackoflessermutantsswarmedbehindthemassivecreature,armedwithacollectionof
laspistols,slugthrowersandgorychain-blades.Theyhowledencouragementtotheirleaderand
scrambledalonginitswake,eagertosweepovertheImperialdefencesandslaughterthesoldierson
theotherside.
Sternmarkmetthemwithabloodthirstyshout,smokecurlingfrombolterandblade.Hisbareface
andornatearmourwerecoveredinbloodandgrime,andhisfangsshoneredinthefadinglightof
day.Thetraitorshadhurledwaveafterwaveofassaultsagainstthebarricadeoverthecourseofthe
day.Burningvehiclesandthebodiesofthedeadstretchedforalmostafullkilometredownthe
causeway,buteachattackhadbroughttherebelsafewhundredmetresclosertotheImperial
positions.Fourtimestheenemytroopshadattemptedtoscalethebarricade,andfourtimestheSpace
Wolveshaddriventhemback.
TheWolfGuardlevelledhisstormbolterattheoncomingcreatureandfiredaburstintoitschest.
Mass-reactiveroundspunchedcleanthroughthemutantandfelledapairofgibberingmonsters
behindit,butthelanternjawedmonsteronlyroaredinbloodlustandkeptcoming.Itswungitsshock
maulatSternmark’shead,butRedclawblurredthroughtheairtomeetit.Therewasasharpcrackof
electricaldischargeandablue-whiteflashastheancientpowerweaponcutthemaulintwo.Teeth
bared,Sternmarkbroughttheheavybladedowninadiagonalcut,slicingthroughthemutant’s
shoulderanddeepintoitschest.Ichorflowedthicklyfromthewound.Thecreaturesnarledand
snappedattheWolfGuard,stilltryingtoclimbontothetopofthebarricade,butitsstrengthfailedit
allatonceanditcollapsedontoitsfacejustshortofitsgoal.Themoundofdeadnowrosehalfa
metrehigherthanithadbefore.
Moreofthemutantsclimbedoverthecorpseoftheirfallenleader.Las-boltsdetonatedacross
Sternmark’schestandshoulders,andaslugleftacreasealongthesideoftheWolfGuard’sright
cheek.Sternmarktorehisswordfreeofthemutant’scorpseandsplitoneofhisattackersfromgroin
tochin.Anothertriedtoscramblepasthim,draggingagrenadefromitsbelt,andheshotitpointblankinthechest.Anarmcameup,levellingalaspistolathisface.Withabackhandedswipeofhis
blade,heseveredthelimb,andsmashedthescreamingfoeoffthebarricadewithablowfromthebutt
ofhisstormbolter.
Sternmarkwhirledinplace,seekingmoreenemiestoslay,butafterafewmomentsherealisedthat
hewasaloneamongthedeadanddying.Lookingoutalongthecauseway,hesawfiguresintattered
GuardandPDFuniformsretreatingbackintothesmoke,chasedbylas-boltsandbolterfirefromthe
Imperialdefenders.Thelastofthemutantswho’dtriedtochallengehimhadstumbledbackdownto
thebaseofthemoundandwererunningfortheirlives.
TheWolfGuardthrewbackhisheadandhowledatthered-stainedskies.Allalongtheline,a
raggedchorusofvoicesjoinedhis,celebratingthegloryofthekill.Theenemyhadbeenbrokenfor
afifthtimeandhurledbackindisarray.Watchingtheirfleeingfigures,Sternmarkfeltthebloodburn
inhisveins,andhismouthgapedinawolfishgrin.Theurgetogivechase,tofallupontheterrified
enemyandtearouttheirthroatswasalmosttoomuchtobear.
Hetookastepdownontotheslipperymoundofcorpses,thenanother.Sternmarkcouldalmostfeel
therushingwindofthechaseagainsthisskin.
Therewasabuzzinginhisears,likethewhineofabitingfly.Sternmarkfrowned,pressingahand
tohisear.Belatedly,herealizedthathe’ddroppedhisemptystormbolter,andhewastottering
uneasilyatoptheshiftingmoundofthedead.
Thelastoftheretreatingtraitorsdisappearedintothesmoke.Slowlythetideofbloodlustebbed,
flowingrestlesslyintothebackofhismind,andthebuzzinginhisearsresolvedintowords.‘My
lord!Whatareyoudoing?’
Sternmarkturned,asthoughinadream.OneofEinar ’spackmembersstoodafewmetresaway
atopthebarricade,abolterandabloodychainswordhanginglooseinhishands.Thewarrior ’s
silver-blondhairwasbraided,aswashisbloodstainedbeard.IttookamomentforSternmarkto
dredgetheyoungwarrior ’snamefromtheredsurfpoundinginhisbrain.‘Sven?’heasked.‘What
areyoudoinghere?’
TheyoungSpaceWolfshifteduncomfortably.‘I’mheretoreport,lord.’Heraisedhisbolter.‘My
packfiredoffthelastofourammunitioninthelastwave,eventheroundswegatheredfromEinar
andKarl.’
‘Einar?Karl?’SternmarkglaredatSven,tryingtomakesenseofwhattheGreyHunterwassaying.
‘What’shappenedtothem?’
ThequestiontookSvenaback.‘Karlwaskilledduringthethirdattack,’hesaid.‘Amutantwitha
meltagungottooclosetothebarricade.’
‘AndEinar?’
‘DeepintheRedDream.Anevisceratortookhisrightarmandmostofhisshoulder,buthebloody
wellkilledthetraitorthatdidit.’SveneyedtheWolfGuardwithconcern.‘Wereportedthisoverthe
vox.Isyoursystemmalfunctioning?’
‘Youtendtoyourwargear,brother,andI’llattendtomine,’Sternmarksnapped.‘Whoisincharge
ofthepacknowthatEinarisdown?’
Svenpaused,unsettledbythevehemenceoftheWolfGuard’srebuke.‘Byrights,thatwouldbe
Freyr–’
‘ButFreyrisn’theremakingthereport,ishe?You’reactingpackleadernow,Sven.Returntoyour
brothersandprepareforthenextattack.I’llspeaktoheadquartersaboutresupply.’
‘I…’Sven’seyeswidened.‘Lord,areyoucertainyouarewell?’
‘Wellenough,’Sternmarkgrowled.Hiseyesnarrowedinchallenge.‘DoyouthinkI’vechosen
poorly,brother?’
‘No,lord!’Sventookastepback,clearlyuncertainhowtoproceed.Afteramoment,theyoung
GreyHunterbowedhisheadinsubmissionandbackedaway,hisexpressiontroubled.
Sternmarkturnedaway,searchingforhisstormbolteramongthedead.Hefoundtheweaponatopa
triooffallengrenadiersandbenttoretrieveit.Itfeltclumsyandawkwardinhishands.Hefumbled
withthemagazinereleasefornearlyafullsecondbeforehemanagedtodroptheemptyclips.Only
theironconditioningofmanydecadesofcampaigningkepthimfromhurlingtheweaponawayin
frustration.
ThetemptationstunnedtheWolfGuard.Sternmarkshookhisheadfiercely,asthoughtryingto
breakthegripofaterribledream.Shadowyformsflittedatthecornersofhisvision.Hewhirled,
tryingtofocusonthem,butsawonlythebodiesofthedead,stretchingasfarashecouldseealong
thelengthofthebarricade.Thebattletanksthathadsupportedthedefenderswereblackenedhulls,
destroyedbyrebelsuicideattacksorartillerystrikesoverthecourseofthelongday.
Herealised,dimly,thathehadnoideahowmanyoftheGuardsmenwerestillalive,orwheretheir
commanderwas.He’dlastspokentotheircommander…wasitafterthesecondattack,orthethird?
Sternmarkcouldn’tbecertain.Theregimentcouldbeonthevergeofretreat,leavinghimandhis
battle-brotherstoholdthecausewayalone.
Sternmarklookedleftandright,searchingfortheWolfGuardwho’daccompaniedhimtothe
barricade.Rageandshameboiledinsidehim,makingitdifficulttothink.‘Cursed,’hegrowled
bitterly.‘Thisdamnedworldhascursedusall.’
Rebelartilleryhowledoverhead,crashingbehindtheImperialpositions.Achorusofbattlecries
rosefromtherebellinesasthetraitorsresumedtheirattack.
Ragnarawoketothedullacheofbrokenbones.Linesofpainpulsedacrosshisforeheadanddown
hisface,almostasfarashisjaw,andhetastedthecopperytangofbloodinhismouth.
Lightningflashedbeyondhisclosedeyelids.Ragnarblinked,andthencarefullyopenedhiseyes.
Hewaslyingonhisback,staringupatadarkskydevoidofstars.Theairsmelleddryandmustyasa
tomb,tingedwiththeacridstinkofburningsynthetics.
TwoshadowyfiguresloomedovertheyoungSpaceWolf.Onekneltcloser.Lightningflickered
acrosstheemptysky,revealingTorin’sangularface.TheWolfbladepeeredwithworryatRagnar ’s
face,andthenbrokeintoawrygrin.‘See?Itoldyouhewasstillalive,’Torinsaidtothesecond
figure.‘Luckyforushisfaceabsorbedmostoftheimpact.’
Withadeepbreath,Ragnarpushedupontohiselbows.Thefracturesacrosshisfaceandskull
causedhimtogrimaceinpain,buthecouldtellthatthebonewasstartingtoknittogetheralready.He
glancedupatthesecondfigureandrealiseditwasHarald.TheBloodClawpackleaderscowled
disdainfullyatRagnarandturnedaway.
TheThunderhawkwasatwistedpileofwreckageafewdozenmetresaway,half-buriedinafurrow
ofscorchedearththatstretchedfornearlythree-quartersofakilometrebehindthemangledwreck.
Somehow,thepilothadmanagedtocrash-landtheassaultshipalongthegreyribbonofroadwaythat
he’dspottedduringtheirdescent.Twistingcolumnsofblacksmokerosefromthewreckage.The
cockpitoftheThunderhawkwasburstopen,itsviewportsshatteredandthemetalbracingspeeled
apart.Theassaultship’sportwinghadbeentornawayduringthecrash,andthestarboardwingjutted
crookedlyfromthewreckage.ThreewarriorsfromHarald’spackwereattemptingtodisassemblethe
remainingwing’sheavybolterhardpointunderthewatchfulgazeoftheThunderhawk’stech-priest.
Fourotherfiguresinheavyflightsuitswereunloadinganumberofsmallpacksandothersurvival
gearfromanopenhatchontheassaultship’sfuselage.
TorinfollowedRagnar ’sgaze.‘WehadtotearopenthecockpitwithHarald’sfisttogetyouout,’
hesaid.‘Thepilotandco-pilotdiedinthecrash,andtheauguroperatorwasdeadbythetimewe
pulledhimout.’
Ragnarnoddedpainfully,realisingsadlythathe’dneverlearnedtheheroicpilot’sname.‘Any
othercasualties?’heasked.
‘Notyet,thankRuss,’theWolfbladesaid,glancingupattheemptysky.‘Weheardtheenemy
fightersflyoverheadafewtimesasweweretryingtocutourwayoutoftheship,buttheyweregone
bythetimewemadeitoutside.’
‘LadyGabriella?’Ragnarinquired.
TorinindicatedaspotoffbehindRagnarwithacurtnodofhischin.‘Haegriswatchingher,’he
repliedgravely.‘She’snotdoingtoowell.’
Hispainforgotten,Ragnarclamberedquicklytohisfeet.Gabriellawassittingjustafewmetres
away,herlegsdrawnupandherheadrestingonherknees.Haegrloomedprotectivelyoverthe
Navigator,histhunderhammerheldattheready.InquisitorVoltkneltbesideGabriella,speakingto
herinlowtones.TherestofHarald’sBloodClawpackformedasecurityperimetersomewayoff,
diligentlyscanningthesurroundingterrainforsignsofdanger.
RagnarapproachedtheNavigatorcarefullyandsankdownintoacrouchnexttoInquisitorVolt.
TheinquisitorpaidtheyoungSpaceWolfnomind.Hisheadwasbowedandhewasreadingfroma
smallbookrestinginhisbandagedhands.Withastart,RagnarrealisedthatVoltwaspraying,reciting
alitanyinHighGothicthathe’dneverheardbefore.HesenseditwasbeingdoneforGabriella’s
benefit,buthecouldnotfollowthespecifics.
Leaningforward,RagnarspokesoftlytoGabriella.‘Lady?Areyouwell?’
Atthesoundofhisvoice,theNavigatorraisedherhead.Gabriella’spalefacewassmudgedwith
sootandgrime,andherexpressionwasoneofpureanguish.Herscarfwasgoneandherblackhair
hunglooselyaboutherface.InthecentreofherforeheadtheNavigator ’spinealeyeburnedlikea
tinystar,stunningRagnarwithitsintensity.
‘Icanfeelit,’shesaidinastrickenvoice,‘linesofterriblepowerstretchingintothephysical
realm,anchoredbythesufferingofmillions.Thefabricofspaceturnedinsideout,warpedbythe
willof…’Alookofhorrorpassedacrossherface.‘Icannotsayit!Idarenotsayit!BlessedEmperor
preserveus!’
‘TheEmperoriswithus,’Volttoldher,hisvoicetremblingwithconviction.‘Hissacredlight
shieldsus,andhehassethisWolvestowatchoverus.Bestrong,GabriellaofBellisarius,’hesaid,
andlaidahandgentlyonherarm.‘Whatcanyoutellusoftheritualourfoeisplanning?’
‘Planning?’Gabriellasaid.‘No,notplanning,performing.Ithasbeengoingonforsometime.Ican
heartheirvoicesinmyhead,whisperingterriblethings.Whatevertheritualportends,itisnearingits
culmination.’
VoltsqueezedherarmcompassionatelyandglancedatRagnar.‘ItisworsethanIfeared,’hesaid
quietly,butitwasunclearifhewasspeakingabouttheritualortheeffectitwashavingonGabriella.
‘Thereisn’tmuchtimeleft.’
Ragnarnoddedgravely.‘Lady,weneedtogetmoving,’hesaid,asgentlyashecould.‘Canyou
walk?Oneofuscancarryyouifneedbe–’
‘Icanwalk,’Gabriellasaidforcefully,thoughthestrainofwhatshewasfeelingwaspainfully
apparentinhereyes.‘IcandowhateverImust.’
‘Thenrestforafewmomentsmore,’Ragnarreplied,andturnedtoVolt.‘Doyouhaveanyidea
whereweare?’
Voltclosedhisbookofdevotionsandnodded,surveyingthedarkplainthatsurroundedthem.
‘We’reaboutahundredkilometresduesouthofthecapital,’hesaid,andthenpointedtotheroadway.
‘Thisisoneofthemaintransitrouteslinkingthesouthernagri-combines.Itleadsrightintotheheart
ofthecity.’
Ragnarscowledatthenews.Timewasoftheessence.TheSpaceWolvescouldcoverahundred
kilometresinlessthansevenhoursataforcedmarch,buttherewasnowaythatGabriella,Voltorthe
bondsmenwouldbeabletomanagesuchapace.‘Theroadwayistooexposed,’hesaidtothe
inquisitor.‘Theenemyfightershavegonefornow,butIexpectthatsomethingwillarrivetosearch
thewreckagebeforemuchlonger.’
Voltnodded.‘Ifearyou’reright.’Heputawayhisbookandthengesturedtothenorth,wherethe
greystripeoftheroadwaybisectedadarkgreenbandthatstretchedacrossthehorizon.‘We’llhead
forthatagri-combine.It’smuchsmallerthanmost,butthecropswillgiveussomecoverforatleast
twentykilometres.’
Ragnarshookhishead,bemused.‘WhatdoesashadowworlddeepwithintheEyeofTerrorneed
withcropsandagri-combines?’
‘It’sthelawofcorrespondence,’Voltsaid.‘Theshadowworldhastobeanexactgeographical
copyofCharysfortheco-locationtowork.’
‘Allright,’Ragnarsaid.‘Whataboutthemountainrangebeyondthecombine?Ifwefollowit
insteadoftheroadway,howclosewillittakeustothecity?’
Voltpursedhislipsthoughtfully.‘Wecouldfollowthemtowithintenkilometresofthecity’ssouthwestdistricts,’hesaid,‘butitwouldberoughgoing.’
Ragnarnodded.‘Thenthat’swhatwe’llhavetodo.’
‘What’sthis?’
RagnarandVoltlookedupatthesoundofHarald’svoice.Thepackleaderhadarrivedwithhis
threeBloodClawsandthesurvivingThunderhawkcrewintow.Twoofthewarriorscarriedthe
heavyboltersstrippedfromtheassaultshiponimprovisedshoulderslings.Thetech-priestandthe
assaultship’sgunnerswerecarryingstubbylascarbinesintheirhandsandhadbulkysurvivalpacks
ontheirshoulders.
HaraldglareddownatRagnar.‘You’renotincommandhere,exile,’thepackleadersaid.‘Noone’s
takingordersfromyou.’
AshadowfellacrossHaraldasHaegrleanedforward,hishandstighteningaroundthehaftofhis
hammer.‘ShallIthrashsomesenseintothispup,brother?’heasked.
Haraldbristledatthethreat.‘I’dliketoseeyoutry,’hesaid,baringhisfangs.
‘That’senough,’Voltsnapped,risingtohisfeetbetweenthetwowarriors.TheWolvesstoodhead
andshouldersabovetheoldman,buttheinquisitor ’stonewashardandunyielding.‘Ragnarisn’tin
commandofthisexpedition,butIam,andwe’reheadingfortheagri-combine.Harald,assemble
yourmen.IwanttwoofyourWolvesonpointandonecoveringeachflank,understood?’
ThepackleaderstareddownatVoltforalongmoment,andRagnarthoughtforaninstantthat
Haraldwasgoingtochallengetheinquisitor.Then,justassuddenly,henoddedanacknowledgement
andbegancallingoutorderstohismen.
Voltbegantogatheruphisgearwithoutcomment,asthoughnothinghadhappened.Haegrheldout
ahandtoGabriellaandhelpedtheNavigatortoherfeet.Torinappearedquietlyoutofthegloom.
OnlyRagnarnoticedtheolderWolfbladeslidinghispistolbackintoitsholster.Thetwowarriors
sharedapprehensivelooks.
‘Notagoodbeginning,’Torinsaidsoftly,asthebandpreparedtomoveout.‘Harald’sonlybarely
holdingittogether.’
Ragnarglancedthoughtfullytothenorth.‘Aren’tweall,’hereplied.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Distancesweredeceivingonthevast,darkplainsoftheshadowworld.Whenthey’dsetoutfromthe
crashsite,Ragnarhadreckonedtheywereonlyafewdozenkilometresfromtheedgeoftheagricombine,butanhourlatertheystillseemednoclosertotheirobjective.TheSpaceWolvesloped
alongatatireless,ground-eatingpace,theireyesrestlesslyscanningthehorizonforsignsofenemy
activity.Thebondsmen,accustomedastheyweretothephysicalregimensoftheFang,keptupthe
pacewithoutcomplaint.InquisitorVoltandLadyGabrielladidthesame,butRagnarcouldtellthat
theywerebeginningtotire.Theirscentswerebitter,lacedwithcripplingfatiguepoisons.Gabriellain
particularwassufferinggreatlyafterthedifficultyofthewarptransit,yetsheheldherheadhighand
neverslowed.Ragnarfollowedalonginherwake,waitingforhertoaskforhelportocatchherup
incasesheshouldstumble.
Hecouldhearthelabouringbeatsofherheart,drummingadesperatecounterpointtotherhythmic
cadenceofherfeet.Whenhebreathed,hecouldtastethewarmthofherskinandfeeltheheatofher
bloodonthetipofhistongue.Sincehe’dsetfootontheshadowworldhissenseshadbecome
incrediblysharp.Analmostelectricalchargegalvanisedhisbloodandbanishedthewearinessfrom
hislimbs.Itfeltasthoughhecouldrunforeverunderthisstarlesssky,pacingalonginGabriella’s
wakeandlisteningtothebeatofherheart,waitingforhertostumble.
Thesurgeofpure,soullesshungerthatgrippedhimnearlytookRagnar ’sbreathaway.Fora
fleetinginstanthecouldimagineherthroatwithinhisjawsandtastethehotrushofherblood.He
staggered,bilerisinginhisthroat,andfelloutofstepwithhisbrothers.
TherestofthepacklopedpastRagnar,allexceptforTorin,whoslowedhispaceandcameup
alongsidetheyoungSpaceWolf.TheolderWolfblade’sexpressionwasfullofconcern,butRagnar
wavedhimawaywithasavagesweepofhishand.‘Keepyourdistancebrother,’hesaidhoarsely.‘I…
amnotmyself.’
‘Iknow,brother,’Torinrepliedquietly.‘Icansmellit.YourscentischangingastheWulfengrows
instrength.’
‘Russpreserveme,’Ragnarsaid,hisheartsclenchinginhorror.Helookedoutacrossthe
featurelessplainandforafleetinginstanthewastemptedtorunasfastandasfarfromhisbrethrenas
hecould.‘Ican’tbelieveHaraldortheothershaven’tnoticed.’
‘Thereasonissimple,’Torinreplied,hisvoicegrim.‘Theycan’ttellthedifferencebecauseit’s
happeningtoallofus.’
RagnarscowledatTorin,thinkingforamomentthathewasbeingmocked,butthenhesawthe
lookintheolderWolfblade’seyes.Behindtheconcerntherewasacold,desperateglint,hintingatthe
innerstrugglegoingoninsidethewarrior.RagnarsuddenlynoticedthetensiongrippingTorin’slean
frameandcaughttheolderWolf’sscent.Therewasamuskyundercurrentthatimmediatelysetthe
youngSpaceWolf’steethonedge.Insteadofhisbattle-brother,Ragnarsawonlyanotherpredator
andapotentialrival.
ThesuddenrealisationstruckRagnarlikeaphysicalblow.HereeledawayfromTorin,hislips
pullingbackinaferalsnarl.
Beforehecouldreactfurther,Torin’svoicepulledRagnarbackfromthebrink.‘Peace,brother!’
hesaidquickly,steppingforwardandgrippingRagnar ’swrist.‘Masteryourself,orallofusarelost.’
Ragnarclenchedhisjawsandfoughtagainstthebeastthatthreatenedtosubornhim.Hefocusedon
Torin’sunwaveringgazeandthesteadyinggripofhishand,andafteramomentthefireinhisblood
subsided.Whenhecouldspeakagainheasked,‘Howcanthisbe,Torin?Howisthispossible?’
TheolderWolfbladecouldonlyshakehisheadhelplessly.‘Idonotknow,’hesaid.‘I’vesensedthe
changeseversincewelandedhere.EvenHaegrisbeingaffectedtosomedegree.’Toringrinned
fleetingly.‘Ifwe’renotcarefulhemighttrytoeatusall.’
TheattemptathumourwaslostonRagnar.‘I’veneverheardofsomanyWolvessuccumbingat
once,’hesaid.
‘NorI,’Torinreplied.‘AtfirstIthoughtthattheplanetwasaffectingus–wearesomewhereinthe
EyeofTerror,afterall–butyouwerefeelingthecursewhenwewerestillonFenris.’Theolder
warrior ’sshouldersslumped.‘IshouldhaveseenitthenandbroughtittoRanek’sattention,butyou
canbesodamnedmelancholysometimes.’Hesighed.‘Forgivemebrother.Ifailedyou.’
Ragnarshookhisheadruefully.‘Thisisnofaultofyours,Torin.YoutoldmetospeaktoSigurd
aboardtheFistofRuss,butIwastoostiff-neckedtoseekhimoutwhenIhadthechance.’Athought
occurredtotheyoungSpaceWolf.‘Coulditbeme?’heasked.‘CouldIsomehowbeaffectingtherest
ofyou?’
Torin’sbrowsknittedthoughtfully.‘Honestly,Idon’tknow.I’veneverheardofsuchathing,but
whoknows?Perhapsthat’swhythepriestsculltheWulfenfromthecompaniesandisolatethem.’
Afterafewmoremoments’thought,heshookhishead.‘No,ifthatwastruethenHaegrandIwould
havebeenaffectederenow.Somethingelseiscausingthis.’
Ragnarthoughtitover,andwasforcedtonodinagreement.‘That’sapity,’hesaidgrimly.‘IfI
thoughtIcouldstopthisbyputtingaboltpistoltomyheadIwoulddoit.’
‘Don’tbestupid,’Torinsnapped.
‘Youwouldn’tsaythatifyoufeltthesamewayIdo,’Ragnarsaid.‘I’mbecomingadangerto
Gabriella,Torin.Thethoughtsthataregoingthroughmyhead…’
‘Icanguess,’theolderWolfbladereplied.‘Don’tworry,brother.Iwon’tletyouharmher.You
havemyoathuponit.’Hesighed.‘Honestly,it’stheyoungeronesI’mworriedabout.Haraldandhis
packmatesdon’thavetheexperiencewehave.TheycouldsuccumbtotheWulfenandneverknowit
untilitwastoolate.’
Ragnarnoddedgravely.‘Ihearyou,Torin.WecanonlypraytotheAllfatherthatouroathswill
sustainuslongenoughtodealwithMadoxandhisinfernalmaster.Afterthat…’heshrugged.
‘Aye,’Torinsaid.‘TherestisuptotheFates.’
ThetwoWolfbladeshadfallenseveraldozenmetresbehindtherestofthegroup.Ragnarnoddedto
Torin,andtheybegantopickupthepace.Astheydidso,Ragnarcaughtahintofmotionoutofthe
cornerofhiseye.Withaflashofirritationandashakeofhisheadhedismissedthephantomimage,
untilhesawitagain,streakingacrossthestarlessskyfromtheeast.
‘Hostileaircraft,’Ragnarbellowed.‘Takecover!’
TheChaosfightershowledacrosstheplainlessthanfiftymetresabovethedeck,openingfirethe
momenttheSpaceWolvesbegantoscatter.Streamsofgreenenergyboltsrakedalongthedark
groundandleftmeltedcratersinthesurfaceoftheroadway.TheSpaceMarinesreactedwithblurring
speedandyearsofexperienceandtraining,seemingtodanceeffortlesslyamongthestreamsoffire.
Oneofthebondsmenwasn’tsolucky,however.Twoboltstookhimhighonthechestandshoulder,
blowingthegunnerapart.
RagnarcaughtaglimpseofHaegrpushingGabriellaandVolttothegroundandplacinghis
considerablebulkbetweenthemandtheattackingships.Thetwoenemyfightersstreakedoverhead
andsplitup,arrowingskywardonpillarsofghostlyfire.Anarcofredtracersfannedtheairbehind
thesoutherlyfighterasoneofHarald’sBloodClawsopenedfirewithhissalvagedheavybolter.The
Chaosshipmadeatightroll,avoidingtheexplosiveshells,anddisappearedintothedarkness.
‘Move,move!’Ragnaryelled,risingtohisfeet.Thedarkgreenborderoftheagri-combine
appearedtobeonlyafewhundredmetresaway.Itwasn’tmuch,butitwastheonlycoverhecouldsee
forkilometres.‘Runforthefields!Go!Haegr,getGabriellamoving.’
TheBloodClawsstartedmovingatonce,heavybolterssweepingfromhorizontohorizonin
smooth,controlledarcs.HaegrliftedGabriellabodilytoherfeet,andthenVoltaswell,sendingboth
runningfull-tiltdowntheroadwaywiththesurvivingbondsmenclosebehind.Torinfellintostep
besideRagnar.‘Scoutflight,youreckon?’heasked.
‘Scoutsorescorts,’Ragnarsaid,searchingthesky.‘We’llknowforsureinthenextfewminutes.’
TheChaosfightersmadetheirsecondpassfromthenorth-east,appearingwithoutwarningover
thefieldsahead.AsboltsofenergytorethroughthepackofWolves,Harald’sgunnersstoppedin
theirtracksandfilledtheairwithtracerfire.Aburstofshellsstitchedalineofsmallexplosions
alongthelengthofoneoftheattackcraft.Itroaredoverhead,trailingaribbonofsmokeandflame,
andthenwentintoanuncontrolledspinandcrashedintotheearthhalfakilometreaway.
Las-boltschasedvainlyafterthesecondfighterasthebondsmenventedtheirrageattheenemy
ships.Ragnargrippedhisboltpistolandwastemptedtolooseafewpointlessrounds,justforspite’s
sake.OneoftheBloodClawswasreeling,clutchingatthemeltedstumpofhisleftarmandcursingat
thesky.
Ahead,Haraldandhispackmateshadcometoahaltbeforeaknee-highbarrierofpalemetalthat
markedtheouterboundaryofthecombine.VoltandGabriellastoodintheirmidst,staringmotionless
attherustlingfieldsbeyond.
RagnarchargedpastthesmokingheavyboltersandmadestraightforGabriella.Hecouldalmost
feelthesecondfighterrollinginforathirdpass,straightdowntheroadwaybehindthem.‘Whatin
theAllfather ’snameareyouwaitingfor?’hesnarled.‘We’vegottogetundercover–’
Gabriellaturnedtohim,andthelookofhorroronherfacestoppedRagnarinhistracks.
Adry,whisperingsoundrosefromthedarkfieldsasthevastfieldsoftheagri-combinerustledin
thewind.Except,Ragnarsuddenlyrealised,therewasnobreezeblowingagainsthisface.
Thetall,darkgreenstalksorderedinneatranksbeyondthebarrierlookedlikegene-craftedcorn
atfirstglance.Long,droopingleaves,dozensofthemoneachstalk,trembledandwhisperedagainst
oneanother,asthoughfearfuloftheSpaceMarines’presence.
Lightningsplittheskytotheeast,paintingtheglossyleavesinpale,greenlight.Eachleafborea
humanface,distortedintoamaskofterrorandpain.AsRagnarwatched,thelipsofeachfacemoved
inasilentscreamorapleaforrelease.
‘BlessedRuss!’Ragnarhissed.‘WhatintheAllfather ’snameisthis?’
‘Aharvestofdamnation,’Voltsaidgravely.‘Thesearethesacrificesthatmadethisdarkworld
possible.Fieldafterfieldofthem,stretchingforthousandsofkilometresallacrosstheplanet.’
‘Wehavetoburnthem,’Haraldsaidhoarsely.‘Ourflamers–’
‘Ourflamersarenotenough,’Ragnarsaid,‘andrightnowweneedthem.’
Thentheheavyboltersbegantoroaragain,andstreaksofghostlyfirehissedpastthestricken
BloodClaws.Ragnarwhirledandsawastreamofgreenboltsmarchinguptheroadwaytowardshim.
‘Intothefield!’heroared.‘Now!’
Raisinghisboltpistol,Ragnarbeganwalkingtowardstheoncomingfighter,aimingandfiringone
shotafteranotherastheBloodClawsbegantoscrambleoverthebarrier.Iftheenemyfighterpilot
wantedatarget,hewasgoingtogiveitone.
Theattackshipwaslowandlevel,justafewdozenmetresabovetheroadway.Itplungedthrougha
weboftracerfire,itscannonsblazing.ThetwoSpaceWolfgunnersblazedawayattheChaosship
justaheadofRagnar.OneoftheBloodClawswasstruckfullinthechestbyoneoftheenergybolts,
blowingaholethesizeofRagnar ’sfistcleanthroughtheyoungwarrior.Thegunnerstaggered,and
thensanktooneknee,buttheBloodClawkeptfiring.
AvolleyofboltsfilledtheairaroundRagnar.Oneglancedoffhisleftpauldronandburneda
moltenfurrowthroughtheceramiteplate.TheblowknockedtheyoungSpaceWolfbackastep,but
hecontinuedtofireuntilhispistol’smagazinewasempty.
‘Ragnar!Getbackhere!’Torincalledfromthecombine’smetalbarrier.
ThemortallywoundedBloodClawtoppledforward,hishandstillclosedaroundthefiringleverof
hisheavybolter.Hitswerebeginningtoregisteracrossthehulloftheoncomingfighterhowever,as
thesurvivinggunnerfoundtherange.Howlinghisdefiance,thegunnersteppedintothemiddleofthe
roadway,rightintotheattackship’spath.
Ragnarglancedbackatthebarrier.Torinwasthere,beckoningwithhisblade.‘Comeon!’he
shoutedoverthehammeringblastsoftheheavybolter.
ExplosiveshellsburstinstaccatoflashesacrossthenoseandglowingviewportsoftheChaosship.
Suddenlytherewasalargerblastfartheraft,andtheattackcraftwashaloedinanimbusofburning
gasandelectricaldischarges.Theshipseemedtostaggerinmidair,andthenplummetedlikea
thunderbolttowardsRagnarandtheBloodClawgunner.
Ragnarsawthedangeratonce,butthegunnercontinuedtofireatthedivingcraft.‘Run!’theyoung
SpaceWolfyelledattheBloodClaw,butthegunnerdidn’tseemtohear.Hewasstillfiring,thebarrel
ofhisheavybolterglowingredwithheat,whenthefightersmashedintotheroadwayandcrushed
himbeneathitsskidding,tumblingbulk.
Cursing,Ragnarspunonhisheelandracedforthecombine’smetalbarrierasquicklyashecould.
Hecouldhearthegrinding,crashingscreechoftheattackshipdisintegratingalongtheroadway
behindhim,growingcloserwitheverypassingsecond.Atthelastmoment,Ragnargatheredhis
strengthandleaptforthebarrier.Somethinghardandunyieldingsmashedintohisbackthemoment
hisfeetlefttheground,crackinghisbackpackandhurlinghimthroughtheair.Tumbling,hestruck
thedarkearthhardandrolledforseveralmetres,flatteningthemorbidstalks,anddiggingfurrows
intotheground.
Theattackshipspentthelastofitsenergyagainstthecombine’smetalbarrier,scatteringsteaming
debrisacrossthedreadfulfield.Twistedhunksofred-hotmetallandedallaroundRagnar,thepieces
hissingagainstthedarkground.Withinmoments,Torinwasathisside,allbutdraggingtheyoung
SpaceWolftohisfeet.‘Isawmorethrustersburningofftothesouth,’Torinsaid.‘They’recoming
thisway.Lookslikethosetwowereescortsafterall.’
Ragnarclimbedtohisfeet.Hishandsseemedtomoveoftheirownaccord,droppingtheempty
boltpistolmagazineandslappinginafreshone.‘Where’sGabriella?’
‘Somewhereinthiscursedfield,’Torinreplied,glancingwarilytothesouth.‘She’swithHaegrand
Volt.Theinquisitortoldeveryonetomakeforthebuildingstothenorth.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfscowledatthenews.‘Wecan’taffordtogethemmedintoastaticdefence,’
hesaid.‘We’vegottostayonthemoveorwe’llbeoverwhelmed.’
‘TellthattoVolt,’Torinsaidruefully.
‘Firstthingsfirst,’theyoungSpaceWolfreplied,breathingdeeplyofthedry,mustyair.Hetasted
Gabriella’sscentandfelthispulsequicken.‘Let’sgofindthem.’
Thetwowarriorsdasheddeeperintothesacrificialfield,forcingtheirwaydownnarrowrows
carvedbetweenthedarkgreenfurrows.Slick,waxyleavesslitheredagainsttheplatesoftheirarmour
andacrosstheirfaces.WhentheybrushedagainsthisearsRagnarthoughthecouldheartheplaintive
whispersofthesoulstrappedwithin.
Hefocusedinsteadonthesoundsofpoundingfeetechoingfromthefieldinawidearcaheadof
him.ItsoundedliketheBloodClawshadfannedout,orperhapstheyhadsimplybeenseparatedby
thefield’sendless,identicalrows.Ragnarkeyedhisvox-beadandhisearswerefilledwithaharsh,
atonalsound,risingandfallinglikethehowlofadementedwolf.HecalledtoHaegrorVolt,butgot
noreply.HegaveupafterafewtriesandconcentratedinsteadonlopingaftertheNavigator ’sscent.
Ragnarheardtheapproachingshipsbeforehesawthem,arisingcrescendoofshriekingthrusters
cominginlowfromthesouth.Adarkshaperoaredoverhead.Ragnarglancedupatablack,angular
hullthatglistenedlikepolishedironandwasstuddedwithrowsofcurvedspikesandjaggedblades.
Openportalsgapedlikemouthsalongtheundersideoftheship,andtheyoungSpaceWolfsaw
armoured,red-eyedfigurescrouchingattheirrims.
TheassaultshipsthunderedpastRagnarinastaggeredlinefourabreast,ridingboilingplumesof
smokeandsteam.Morethanascoreofdarkshapesleaptfromthespeedingcraft,fallinglike
stormhawksonshriekingpillarsofsuperheatedair.RagnarsawatoncethattheywereChaosSpace
Marines,buttheirdesecratedsuitsofpowerarmourwerefittedwithbulbous,turbine-driven
backpacks.Theycarriedornateboltpistolsandchainswordsintheirhands,andlongtrophycords
strungwithhumanscalpshungheavilyattheirwaists.TheyoungSpaceWolfrecognisedthemwitha
surgeoffrozendread:ChaosRaptors,theshocktroopsandfleshhuntersoftheTraitorLegions.
TheyplungedlikearrowsintothefieldaroundtherunningWolves,fillingtheairwiththeir
bloodcurdlingshrieks.
AngryhowlsandthecrackofboltpistolsechoedamongtheshiftingstalksastheRaptorsclosedin
fromallsides.Ragnarhowledachallengeofhisownanddrewhisfrostbladefromitsscabbard.Just
astherune-markedbladewhirredintodeadlylifeadarkshapeburstintothenarrowrowaheadofthe
youngSpaceWolf.TheRaptorspunonhisheel,histrophylinesfanningoutinadreadfuldisplayas
hebroughthisweaponstobear.
TheRaptor ’sboltpistolboomedandamass-reactiveshellflattenedagainstRagnar ’sbreastplate.
Snarling,theyoungSpaceWolfbrokeintoafullrun,snappingshotsatthefoeashecame.Thebolt
pistolshellsrangharmlesslyofftheRaptor ’sarmour,andanansweringshotricochetedfromtheside
ofRagnar ’sknee.Withafierceshout,RagnarraisedhisswordandslashedattheRaptor ’sneck,but
theChaoswarriorwasablurofmotion,parryingthestrokewithasweepofitschainsword.Sparks
flewfromtheclashofblades,buttheattackwasonlyafeint.Ragnartookanotherstepforward,put
hisboltpistolagainsttheRaptor ’slefteyeandpulledthetrigger.Theheavyshellburstthehelmet
apart,andRagnarleaptoverthefoe’scollapsingform.
SoundsofconfusedfightingechoedallaroundRagnarashetriedtofocusonGabriella’sscent.
Las-boltshissedthroughtheair,andstraybolt-roundscarvedpathsthroughthedenserowsof
sacrificialstalks.OfftoRagnar ’sright,amanscreamedinagonyandavolleyofwildlas-boltstore
throughtheair.BolterroundsrangoffarmourtotheyoungSpaceWolf’sleft,andthencamethe
unmistakeablesoundofachain-bladerendingflesh.
Gabriella’sscentwasgrowingstronger.Shewascloseby,andRagnar ’spulsequickenedwhenhe
realisedthathertrailledintothemidstofafiercebattlethatwasragingjustahead.Hewassointent
onthesoundsofbattlethathedidn’tseetheRaptorcoming,untilitleaptathimthroughascreenof
rustlingstalkstohisright.
Achainswordroaredthroughtheair,slicingthroughthetall,greenplantsandscrapingagainst
Ragnar ’srightpauldron.Theblade’swhirringteethslicedopentheskinalonghisjaw,cuttingthe
youngSpaceWolftothebone.Hewhirled,bringinguphisfrostblade,buttheRaptorblockeditwith
itssnarlingbladeandraisedhisboltpistolforashotatRagnar ’sunprotectedneck.Butbeforeeither
WolforRaptorcouldreact,aslimbladewasburieddeepintheattacker ’sneck.TheChaoswarrior
collapsedinafloodofsteamingichorasTorinpulledhisswordfree.
Therewasasoundlikeathunderclapafewdozenmetresahead,andabellowlikethatofan
enragedbear.‘ThatwouldbeHaegr,’Torinsaidwithagrin.Ragnarnoddedcurtlyandbrokeback
intoarun.
Withinmoments,theyfoundthemselvesattheedgeofatrampledclearingofsorts,whereblades,
bodiesandtrampingfeethadflattenedaroughcirclewithintheblasphemousfield.Gabriella,Volt,
andHaegrstoodbacktobackinthecentreoftheclearing,shootingandswingingatthepackof
Raptorsthatencircledthem.Bodieslayeverywhere.HalfadozenarmouredChaoswarriorswere
sprawledacrossthedarkearth,closetothebrokenbodiesoftwooftheThunderhawk’sgunnersand
Harald’sone-armedBloodClaw.AtthefarendoftheclearingtheThunderhawk’stech-priestwason
hisknees,chokingforbreathashepressedred-stainedhandstohistornthroat.Haegrwastryingto
reachthemortallywoundedbondsman,keepingtheRaptorsatbaywithmightysweepsofhisthunder
hammer.
InquisitorVoltlevelledhisboltpistolatoneoftheRaptorsandfired.Theshelltookthearmoured
warriorsquareinthechest,andpowerfulblessingsworkedintotheammunitionpunchedright
throughthearmouredbreastplateandconsumedthemaninsideinasheetofsilveryflames.The
inquisitor ’sarmourburnedbrightwiththeglowingtraceryofpotentwards,andhisunsheathedsword
glimmeredwithpalebluelightning,similartoaRunePriest’sblade.ARaptor ’sgunbarked,anda
slugsmashedintoVolt’sshoulder,knockingtheoldmanoffhisfeet.ThreeoftheChaoswarriors
rushedforward,leapinghighonjetsofshriekingairandplunginglikefalconsupontheirprey.
ToRagnar ’shorror,LadyGabriellarushedtoprotectthefalleninquisitor.ShelevelledasleeklookingsilverpistolattheleadRaptorandfiredanindigo-colouredbeamthatburnedaglowinghole
cleanthroughthearmouredfoe.Thewarriorcollapsedwithascreech,butbeforehiscompanions
couldreact,theNavigatorslashedatthemwithasweepingstrokeofhersabre.Themastercrafted
powerbladeglimmeredlikewhite-hotsteelasitslicedthroughthelegsofoneRaptorandcutthe
thighoftheother.ThewoundedRaptorletoutasharphissandstaggeredbackwards,shooting
Gabriellatwiceinthechest.Shepitchedbackwardsandfellwithoutasound.
Ragnarchargedintotheclearingwithawildhowl,swordreadyandboltpistolblazing.Two
Raptorstoppled,theirthroatsblownapartbymass-reactiveshells,andanotherhaditschestsplitopen
byastrokefromtheyoungSpaceWolf’sblade.TorinfollowedinRagnar ’swake,snappingoff
precise,deadlyshotsatthefoemennearGabriella’sproneform.
TwoRaptorsspunaroundattheWolves’suddenassaultandslashedatRagnar.TheyoungSpace
Wolftooktheirrakingblowsagainsthisbattlewornarmour,andstruckofftheirheadswithasingle
sweepofhissword.Hesteppedpasttheircollapsingbodiesandburiedhisswordintothesideof
anotheronrushingChaoswarrior.TheRaptor ’sswordrakedatthesideoftheyoungSpaceWolf’s
faceandcutdeepintohisneckbeforehislifelessformsanktotheground.Ragnarhurledthe
Raptor ’sbodyaway,andwithtwomorestepshereachedtheNavigator ’sside.
Hisenhancedsensestoldhimatoncethatshewasstillalive;hecouldhearherheartbeat
hammeringinherchest.Shesatupwithagrimace,lettinggoofherswordandpressingherhandto
thetwoslugsthathadflattenedthemselvesagainstherbreastplate.‘I’mallright,’shesaidbreathlessly.
‘Helpmeup.’
Takingheratherword,RagnarliftedGabriellatoherfeet,whileTorinhelpedInquisitorVolt.
Haegrwhirledaround,raisinghisstainedhammer,andthenhisbeadyeyeswidenedasherecognised
hisbrothers.‘Torin!Ragnar!Wherethedevilhaveyoutwobeen?I’vebeenfightingthewhole
damnedhordesingle-handed!’
‘Nevermindthatnow,’Ragnarsnarled.‘Howmuchfarthertothebuildingsatthecentreofthe
combine?’
Haegrstraightened,peeringoverthetopsofthesacrificialplants.‘Threehundredmetresorso,’he
said.Astraybolt-roundwhickeredpasttheWolf’sshaggyhead,causinghimtoduckdownagain.
‘Let’sgo,’Ragnarsaid.‘I’monpoint.Torinontheleft,Haegrontheright.LadyGabriella,
InquisitorVolt,you’reinthemiddle.Nowmove!’
Theysetoffoncemoredownthenarrowlanesbetweenthesacrificialstalks,weaponsheldready.
Thefightingseemedtobetaperingoff,andhowlsechoingbackandforthfromthefieldsaheadtold
RagnarthatatleastsomeofHarald’spackstilllived.Astheyranacrosstheremainderofthefield,
theystumbledovermoretrampledscenesofcarnage,strewnwithbloodandscorchedearthfromthe
Raptor ’sjets.
RagnarandhiscompanionscameuponHaraldandhiswarriorsallatonce,nearlyfallingover
themastheycrouchedbehindametalbarrieratthenorthendofthefield.Thepackleaderwas
studyingthecomplexofdarkenedbuildingsahead.Lightningflickered,banishingtheshadows
aroundthestructuresforatantalisinginstant.
Haraldshookhishead.‘Guntherthoughthesawmovementbehindoneofthosebuildings,butwith
allthelightningit’shardtobesure.’
‘Well,wecan’tstayouthere,’Voltsaidhoarsely.‘Weneedtogetsomewheredefensiblebefore
thoseshipscomebackagain.’
‘No,weneedtokeepmoving,’Ragnarsaidflatly.‘Ifweholeupinthesebuildingstheenemywill
surroundusandwearusdown.Timeandnumbersareontheirside.’
‘Weagreeonthatmuchatleast,’Haraldgrowled.
Theoldinquisitorstudiedthebuildingsalmostwistfully.Ragnarsensedthatthemanwasexhausted,
andGabriellawasnotinmuchbettershape,butVoltfinallynodded.‘Allright,westayonthemove,’
hesaid,andthenpointedatthebuildings.‘We’llcrossthecompoundanddisappearintothefieldon
theotherside.That’sthemostdirectroutetothemountainsnorthofus.’
RagnarandHaraldexchangedglancesandrosetotheirfeetasone.Weaponssweepingtheopen
groundbeyondthebarrier,theSpaceWolvesemergedwarilyfromthefield.Lightningglittered
acrossthesurfaceoftheirice-bluearmourandonthewhirringteethoftheirchainblades.
Thebuildingswerelow,ferrocretebunkers,mostofthembuilttohousetheagri-servitorsthat
tendedthefields,plusageneratorstationandalogichub.Fourtallgranariestoweredfromthecentre
ofthecompound,risingmorethanfortymetresintotheair.Therewerenolights,norwerethere
doorssetinthebuildings’doorframesorglasspanelsinthewindows.Evidently,thestructuresalone
wereenoughtomakeMadox’sgeomancypossible.
Ragnarsurveyedthebatteredgroupthatemergedfromthedepthsofthesacrificialfield.Noneof
theThunderhawk’sgunnersoritstech-priesthadsurvived,andthreeofHarald’spackweregone.
CountingVolt,GabriellaandtheWolfblade,therewereonlytwelvesoulsleftagainstthemightofan
entireTraitorLegion.
Itwillbeenough,Ragnarthoughtgrimly.Itwillhavetobeenough.
Theymovedquicklyandquietlydowndarklanesbetweentheemptystructures.Ragnarfelthis
hacklesriseashewatchedtheopendoorwaysforsignsofmovement.Thelightningplayedtrickson
hiseyes,hintingatmovementdownthedarkside-streets.
Withinafewminutestheyhadreachedthefootofthetoweringgranaries,andthelaneswidenedto
alargeferrocreteplaza,wheretheagri-servitorscouldloadandunloadgrainfromthehugesilos.
Movingcautiously,theWolvesadvancedacrosstheopenspace.
Theirbootsechoedhollowlyacrosstheferrocreteastheysteppedintothemidstofthetowering
granaries.Lightningflashedsilentlyoverhead.Onimpulse,Ragnarlookedupatthearcsofunearthly
light,andsawthesilhouettesofhornedhelmsandhulkingshouldersringingthetopsofthefour
silos.‘Ambush!’hecried,raisinghisboltpistol,butitwasalreadytoolate.
TheRaptorsleaptfromtheirperchesatopthesilosanddroppedheavilyamongthesurprised
Wolves.Ragnarguessedthattherewereperhapsascoreofthem,attackingthegroupfromallsides.
Theyhadbeenthetruethreatallalong,herealised.TheRaptorsdroppedintothefieldhadbeenlike
hounds,drivingthepreyintothetrap.
OneoftheattackerslandednexttoGabriella,butwasstruckbyTorin,HaegrandtheNavigator
almostsimultaneously.RagnarsightedonanotherRaptorafewmetresawayandshotthewarrior
throughtheneck.Thenapairofattackersrushedathimfromtheleft,firingastheycame.Oneshot
smashedintohishipandanothertookhimhighintheshoulder,flatteningagainsthisarmour,but
nearlyknockinghimfromhisfeet.
ThesoundsoffightingandthecriesofwoundedWolvesechoedfromallsides.Ragnarhowleda
challengeattheoncomingRaptorsandpreparedtodielikeasonofFenris.
Heshotthefirstwarriorbetweenhisredeyes,andthenparriedthesweepingstrokeofthesecond
foeman.TheRaptorreverseditsstrokeinablurofmotionandslasheddownwardsatRagnar ’sknee.
Thesnarlingchainswordfoundagapinhisarmourandbitdeep,gratingacrossthebone.Theyoung
SpaceWolfsnarledandhackeddownwards,slicingoffthefoeman’ssword-handatthewrist.
Thentherewasaflashoflight,andaterrible,burningimpactsmashedintothesideofRagnar ’s
headjustabovethetemple.Heheardaroaringsoundinhisears,likeahowlingwindorthepounding
ofastormysurf,andthenherealisedhewasfalling.
Ragnarlandedfacedownontheground,bloodpouringfromthewoundinhishead.Soundsof
fightingragedabovehim.Therewasacrackofthunderandashoutedoath,andthentheroaring
filledhisearsonceagain.
No,notroaring,howling,likeahugepackofFenrisianwolvesonthehunt.
ThesoundsetRagnar ’sbloodhissinginhisveins.Hestruggledtogethislegsunderneathhimso
thathecouldstand.Heblinked,discoveringthathecouldnolongerseeoutofhislefteye.
Somethingheavyfellontopofhim.Withaslurredcurse,heshovedatthething,graspingdimly
thatitwastherivencorpseofaRaptor.Ragnarrolledawkwardlyawayfromthethingandfound
himselflyingonhisback.
Adarksilhouetteloomedoverhim.Teethbared,Ragnartriedtoraisehissword,butthefigurelaid
anarmouredbootacrosshiswristandpinnedittotheground.TheyoungSpaceWolfraisedhisbolt
pistol,onlytofindthathisgunhandwasempty.
Thehowlingcontinuedallaroundhim.Lightningflashed,andintheflickeringlightRagnarsaw
thatthefigureabovehimwascasedindarkgreypowerarmoursimilartohisown.Yellowedskulls
andleathercordsstrungwithlong,curvedfangshungfromthewarrior ’sbelt,aswellasancient
tokensofironetchedwiththerunesofhispeople.Aredwolf’sheadsnarledfiercelyuponthe
warrior ’sscarredrightpauldron.
Thewarriorwashuge,easilyaslargeasHaegr.Hisbroadshoulderswerecoveredinablackwolf
pelt,andhisirongreyhairhungintwothickbraidsthatdrapedheavilyacrosshisruneworked
breastplate.Hisshaggybeardwasstillblackasjet,however,andtheeyesthatshonebeneaththe
warrior ’scraggybrowwereyellowgold,likethoseofawolf.Inonehandhegrippedamighty,
single-beardedaxe,itscurvedblademarkedwiththescarsofcountlessgrimbattles.Fellruneswere
carvedintothedarkmetal,anditcrackledwithunseenanddeadlyenergies.
Whenthefigurespoke,hisvoicewascoldandhardastheglaciersofFenris,fullofpowerandold
beyondreckoning.TotheyoungSpaceWolfitsoundedlikethevoiceofagod.
‘YoumustbeRagnarBlackmane,’thewarriorsaid.‘We’vebeenlookingforyou.’
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Abattlecannonshellhowledhighoverhead.Therebeltankgunnerhadbeenovereagerandhadfired
tooearly,missingthefleeingImperialtroopsbyhundredsofmetres.Grenadiersshoutedand
screamedatoneanotherastheyranpell-melldownthedebrischokedcauseway.Tracerfirefrom
heavystubbersandvolleysoflasgunfirerakedthroughtheretreatingsoldiers.Menwrithed,
clutchingattheirwounds,orfelllifelesslytotheground.
PanickedgrenadiersflowedinadarktidearoundtheimpassivefiguresofMikalSternmarkandhis
fourWolfGuard.ThepresenceofthearmouredgiantswastheonlythingkeepingtheImperialretreat
frombecomingatotalrout.TheWolvesmovedatastolid,measuredpace,facingbackthewaythey’d
comeandcuttingdownrebelsquadsthatpressedtooclose.
‘Haakon!’Sternmarkcalled,levellingRedclawattherebeltanknosingitswayamongthesquadsof
enemytroopsahundredmetresbehindthem.TheTerminatortoSternmark’srightstoppedinhis
tracks,raisingthetargetingmoduleinhishand,findingtherangetothetarget,andthenloosingone
ofhisfewremainingCyclonemissiles.Theantitankroundstreakeddownthecausewaywitha
hissing,spittingroaranddetonatedagainstthefrontofthebattletank’sturret.Concussionand
shrapnelscythedthroughtheinfantrysurroundingthetank,andtheLemanRusslurchedtoasudden
halt.Agoodshot,butSternmarkcouldn’tbecertainwhetherithadknockedthetankoutornot.
Theyhadheldthebarricadebeneaththetoweringangelformuchoftheday,throwingbacknoless
thantenbloodyassaultsbeforetheyhadbeenforcedtowithdrawunderastormoftankandartillery
fire.Bypure,evilchanceashellhadstruckthedefiantangelatthestartofthelastbarrage,blowingit
apartandshoweringdebrisonthewearydefendersbelow.Superstitioustoafault,thebeleaguered
grenadiershadtakenitasanomen.
Surroundedbyhundredsoftheirdeadcomradesandfacinganapparentlyinexhaustibletideof
enemytroops,thesurvivingregimentalofficersorderedageneralretreatjustastherebelsrenewed
theirattack.Sternmarkwatchedhelplesslyasthefirstsquadsbegantostreamawayfromtheruined
barricade,butheknewfromexperiencethattherewasnorallyingthebrokentroopsnowthatthe
withdrawalhadbegun.Instead,heformedthebatteredplatoonsaroundhimintoarearguard,andsent
Sven’spackracingdownthecausewayasfastastheycouldtoformasecondlineofdefenceaheadof
theretreatingGuardsmen.He’dhadnocontactwiththeyoungGreyHuntersince.Sternmarkcould
onlypraytoRussthatSvenhadbeensuccessful.Theywerelessthanakilometrefromtheedgeofthe
city.Iftherebeltroopsmadeitintotheopenterrainbeyondthecitytherewouldbenostoppingthem
fromreachingthestarport.
Sternmarkcaughtsightofarebellascannonteamstrugglingtohaultheirweaponintofiring
position,andcutthemdownwithaburstfromhisstormbolter.Therebelsrespondedwithahailof
wildlasgunfirethatburstacrossSternmark’sTerminatorarmourandpittedtheferrocreteroadway.
TheWolfGuardignoredtheflickeringbarrage,castingaquickglanceoverhisshouldertogaugethe
terrainalongtheirpathofretreat.Sternmarkcaughtsightofamassivepileofrubbleahundred
metresorsoaway.Abuildinghadcollapsedontothecauseway,layinganaturalbarricadealmost
two-thirdsofthewayacrosstheroad.Armouredfigurespeeredoverthetopofthedebrispile,
awaitingtheapproachoftherebeltroops.They’dreachedthesecondlineofdefence.
Mikalkeyedhisvox-unit.Ashrillsquealofstaticfilledhisears.Therebelshadbeentryingtojam
theImperialvox-netsincemorning.‘We’reholdinghere!’hecalled.‘Fallbackandtakeposition
behindthedebrispile!’
TheTerminatorsraisedtheirswordsorpowerfiststoshowthey’dreceivedtheorderasthey
continuedtofireattheadvancingrebeltroops.Thefirstgrenadierswerealreadyswarmingoverthe
rubbleorrunningaroundthefarendofthepile.Sternmarkfiredanotherburstatthetraitorsand
turnedtorunforthebarrier.Hismindworkedfuriouslyashestudiedtheterrainandtriedtoworkout
thebestwaytoorganiseitsdefence.HecouldputhisWolvesalongtherubblepiletokeeptheinfantry
atbayandkeepthegrenadiersbehindthebarricade,outofthelineoffirebutreadytohittheflankof
anyattackerstryingtoforcetheirwayaroundthefarend.
Therewasaloudboomandabattlecannonshellcrashedagainstthedebrispile,blowingadeep
craterinthejumbleofferrocreteandsteel.TheLemanRusswasbackinaction,itstreadsclankingas
itresumeditsadvance.Sternmarkgrimacedatthestingofshrapnelalongthesideofhisface,and
clamberedupthejumbledslopeofstoneblocksandtwistedgirders.Ashereachedthesummit,the
LemanRussfiredagain,blastinganothercraterinthebarrierandshoweringhimwitharainofdirt
andstone.
Sternmarkleaptoverthesummitandskiddeddowntheothersideuntilhewasoutofthelineof
fire.HefoundSvenandthetworemainingmembersofhispackcrouchingbehindthelargestpieces
ofstoneworktheycouldfind.TheyoungGreyHunterhadacquiredaGuard-issuemeltagunatsome
point,andSternmarkwasstartledtoseethetwowarriorsbesideSvencarryinghellgunsinsteadof
theirblessedbolters.
‘Whereareyourweapons?’theWolfGuardsnapped.
Svenshiftedpositiontoshowhisbolterstowedinitstravelclipbesidehissuit’sbackpack.‘Ranout
ofammunitionhoursago,’hesaid.
‘WhyinRuss’snamedidn’tyoureportit?’
TheGreyHunterlookedbewildered.‘Idid,lord,’Svensaid,‘backatthebarricade,justbeforethe
eighthbloodywavehit!Don’tyouremember?’
Sternmarkshookhisheadangrily.Thetruthwasthathecouldn’trecall.Everythingseemedtobe
blurringtogetherinhismind,dissolvingintoajumbleofhalf-formedimages.Theredtideinthe
backofhismindwashedeverythingelseaway.
‘Nevermind!’theWolfGuardsnarled,turningawayangrilytosurveythestateofthebarrier ’s
defences.Hehopedtofindatleastafewhundredgrenadiersandsomeheavyweaponsduginto
positionsanglingawayfromthebarrier.Withenoughtroopsandalittleluck,hethought,theycould
holduntilnightfall,longenoughtogetsomemoreammunitionsentup.
TheonlyGuardsmenhesaw,however,werethemembersofhisrearguard,stillretreatingfarther
downthecauseway.Svenandhistwobattle-brotherswerealoneonthebarricade.
ShockandangerplayedacrossSternmark’sbloodstainedface.‘Wherearethey?’heaskedSven.
‘Wherearethegrenadiers?Iorderedyoutoformasecondline–’
AnotherexplosioncutSternmarkoff,rainingmoredebrisdownonthebeleagueredWolves.‘We
triedtoformalinehere,’Svenshoutedback,‘buttheregimentalcommanderreceivedordersfrom
hissuperiortofallbacktothestarport.’
‘Thestarport?’Mikalsaidincredulously.Ashespoke,hisfourbodyguardsappearedaroundthe
endofthebarrier,stillfiringattheoncomingtroops.Heavystubberfirefromtheadvancingtank
rangofftheirarmouredbreastplates,scatteringglowingredtracersinalldirections.Sternmark
wavedhiswarriorsbackaroundtheendofthebarricadeandoutofthelineoffire.Thenheskidded
tothebottomofthedebrispileandkeyedhisvox-unitoncemore.‘Citadel,thisisAsgard!’heshouted
intothepickup.‘Citadel,thisisAsgard!Doyoureadme?’
Sternmarkstrainedtoheararesponseoverthescreechoftherebeljammingsignals.Several
secondspassedbeforeheheardafaintreply.
‘Asgard?Wherehaveyoubeen?’Athelstaneaskedangrily.‘We’vebeencallingyouforthepast
threehours.’
TheWolfGuardignoredthequestion.‘Whydidyouorderthegrenadiersbacktothestarport?’he
shouted.‘Wecan’tholdthecausewaywithoutthem.’
‘Thecausewayisalreadylost,’Athelstaneshotback.‘Therebelsbrokethroughourlinesfour
kilometreseastofyourpositionandhavesplitourforcesintwo.Ifwedon’tpullbacktothestarport
nowourtroopsinthecitywillbesurroundedanddestroyed.Thatincludesyou,Asgard.’Itwashard
totelloverthejamming,butSternmarkthoughttheangerinAthelstane’svoicehadsubsidedabit.
‘TherearereportsthatChaosMarineshavebeensightedinthecity,andwe’velostcontactwith
severalofyourpacksscatteredacrosstheplanet.’
Sternmarkfelthisbloodruncold.‘Lostcontact?Whatdoyoumean?’
‘Imeantheyaren’tansweringoursignals,muchlikeyou,’thegeneralreplied.‘Youneedtoget
backhererightaway,Asgard.Thingsaregettingoutofhand.’
Cursingbitterly,Sternmarkswitchedoffthevox-unit.Therumbleoftherebeltankengineandthe
squealofitstreadswereveryloudnow,soundingasthoughitwasjustafewdozenmetresawayon
theothersideofthebarrier.HecouldhearthehoarseshoutsofthetraitorGuardsmenandthe
gibberingcriesofthemutantsintheirmidstastheyracedforthebarrier.
Mikalcheckedhisstormbolter.Hewasdowntohislastmagazine,anditwasreadinghalf-empty.
HisfellowWolfGuardstoodcloseby,evercourageousandresolute,butheknewthattheymustbe
nearlyoutofammunitionaswell.Nevertheless,hewastemptedtoremainwherehewas,tomakea
standatthebarrierandfighttothelast.
Iftherestofthelinehadheld,hewouldn’thavehesitated,butwhatwoulditachievenow?Sacrifice
wassecondnaturetotheAdeptusAstartes,butnotwithoutgoodreason.Afinalbattleherewouldjust
beawasteofgoodmenandpreciouswargear.
Stilltheredtiderosewithinhim,demandingrelease.Itpromisednothingsavespilledbloodand
deadfoemen,andSternmarklongedtosurrendertoitsembrace.Iamnoleaderofmen,hethought
angrily.I’mawarrior,awolfwroughtofceramiteandsteel.
Atopthebarrier,Svenandhisbattle-brothersnoddedtooneanother,andthenwentintoaction.The
threeGreyHuntersmovedasone.Thewarriorswithhellgunspoppedupandrapidfiredintothe
approachingtraitors,whileSventookcarefulaimwithhismeltagun.Therewasadraconichissof
superheatedairastheassaultweaponfired,andathunderousexplosionsenttherebeltank’sturret
spinningintotheair.ScreamsandshoutsofalarmrangfromtheothersideofthebarrierastheGrey
HuntersdroppedbackintocoverandsliddowntheslopetothewaitingTerminators.
‘Thattookcareofthetank!’Svensaidwithaferalgrin.‘Theremustbeafewhundredrebelsleft,
though.Whatshallwedo,lord?’
SternmarkgrippedRedclaw’shiltandfoughtagainstthewolfinsidehim.‘Weretreat,’hesaid
grimly.‘We’refallingbacktothestarport.Thebattleinthecityislost.’
Ragnarblinkedhotbloodfromhiseyesandbaredhisteethatthebeardedgiantloomingabovehim.
Achorusoflustyhowlsfilledhisearsandsethismindtoreeling.Hecouldfeelthecurseofthe
Wulfenrespondingtothethroatycries.‘WhointhenameofRussareyou?’hegrowled,lettingthe
frostbladeslidefromhishand.
Thegiantnarrowedhisyelloweyes.‘WhoamI?’hesaid,hisvoiceroughedgedwithmenace.‘I’m
TorvaldtheReaver,ofRedKrakenHold,andwiththisaxeI’veslaingodsandmen.’Heraisedthe
fearsomeweaponinhishandandshowedthegleamingedgetotheyoungSpaceWolf.
Ragnarcouldfeelchallengeinthegiant’svoice,likeabladeagainsthisskin.Hisbloodseethed,
andtheWulfengrippedhim,bodyandsoul.Thistime,hedidn’ttrytostopit.
HisemptyswordhandclosedaroundTorvald’sankleandpulledwithallthewildstrengthofthe
Wulfenbehindit.Inthesamemotion,Ragnarroseupanddrovehisotherhandagainstthesideofthe
giant’ship.ThespeedandferocityofRagnar ’sattacktookthegiantbysurprise.Hisheavycloak
flaringlikedarkwings,Torvaldfellforwardontohisknees.SwiftasashadowtheyoungSpaceWolf
cameupbehindhim,grabbingahandfulofthegiant’shairandpullinghisscarredheadbackto
revealthecordedmusclesoftheReaver ’sthroat.
Angryhowlsandbestialcriesshooktheair.DarkshapesrushedatRagnarfromallsides,andhe
glimpsedhuge,swiftformsingunmetalgreyarmourwithluminous,lanternyelloweyes.Lightning
flickeredacrosstheemptysky,revealingshaggyheadsandblunt,toothysnouts.Long,blacktalons
glintedasthemassivewolf-menlungedforRagnar.
TheworldseemedtotiltbeneaththeyoungSpaceWolfasthemonstersclosedinaroundhim.
Thesewerethebeaststhathauntedhisdreamsandhadfoughtthedaemonsinthecommandbunkerat
Charys!HeletgoofTorvaldandstaggeredbackwards,strugglingtothink.Alow,animalgrowlrose
inhisthroat,andthepackofwolf-menanswered,snarlingandsnappingtheirfangedjaws.
‘Bestill!’shoutedaclear,strongvoice.‘InthenameofRussandtheAllfather,bestill!’
Thewolf-menpaused,hangingtheirheadsandsniffingtheaircautiously.Thevoiceechoed
strangelyinRagnar ’shead.Heturnedaround,seekingitssource,andhiskneesbuckledbeneathhim.
Afigureinfamiliarpowerarmourwasstridingtowardshimthroughapressofhulkingwolf-men,
asalordmightmoveamonghishounds.Lightningglimmeredonthewarrior ’sgoldenhairandthe
ironwolfamulethangingfromaheavychainaroundhisneck.
SigurdtheWolfPriestapproachedRagnar,hiscroziusarcanumheldhigh.‘Rememberyouroaths,
RagnarBlackmane,’hesaidsternly.‘Masterthewolfwithinyouandstayyourhand.Weareall
brothershere.’
Thewordsseemedtoechostrangely,asthoughfromagreatdistance.Ragnarblinkedhisonegood
eyeandlookedforGabriella,butallhefoundwasdarkness.
FierypainbloomedinRagnar ’shead,dragginghimroughlybacktoconsciousness.Hesnarled,
shakinghishead,butanarmouredhandclosedfiercelyaroundhisjawandheldhimfast.
Blinkingfuriously,RagnaropenedhiscrustedeyelidsandsawSigurd’spalefaceloomingabove
him.Hewaslyingonhisback,surroundedbycrouchingfigures.Facesswamintofocus.Torinand
HaegrwatchedtheWolfPriestwork,theirexpressionsguarded.Gabriella’sfacewasbleakandetched
withstrain.
ItwasHaegr ’shandthatgrippedhim.Torinleanedclose.‘Holdstillamomentmore,’hesaidto
Ragnar.‘He’salmostdone.’
Therewasanotherbrightflashofpain,butthistimeRagnarwasabletobluntitwiththemental
roteshe’dlearnedattheFang.HefeltatrickleofbloodseepdownthesideofhisheadasSigurd
leanedbackandinspectedtheblood-stainedtipofaboltpistolround.‘Youmusthaveaheadmadeof
solidceramite,’theWolfPriestgrowled.‘Still,you’reluckytheshothitatanangle,oritwouldhave
blownyourbrainsout.’
Torinchuckled.‘Noworriesthere,priest.ThatslugwouldhavehadtorattlearoundinRagnar ’s
headlikeadicebeforeithitanythingimportant.’
Sigurdofferednoargument,tossingthebulletasidewithafrownanddiggingacoupleofmetal
jarsfromapackathisbelt.‘Theshothityoujustabovethelefteye,’hesaidashebeganapplyingthe
healingbalmstoRagnar ’swound.‘Areyouhavinganytroublewithyourvision?’
Ragnarstruggledtofocushisthoughts.Visionsofanaxe-wieldinggiantandsnarlingwolf-men
loomedlikeghostsinhismind.‘Ihadsometroublebefore,’hesaidabsently,‘butthatmightjusthave
beentheblood.I’mfinenow.’
Sigurdnoddedcurtly,buthisexpressionwasdubious.HepressedawoundsealanttoRagnar ’s
forehead,androsetohisfeet.‘Watchhimclosely,’theWolfPriestsaidtoHaegrandTorin.‘Iexpect
we’llbeonthemoveverysoon.’
Grimacing,RagnarrosetohiselbowsasSigurdturnedonhisheelandstrodeaway,pickinghis
wayoverthebrokenbodiesofChaosRaptorsthatlitteredthegroundbetweenthetoweringgranaries.
HesawHaraldandhispackmatesafewmetresaway,crouchingbesideInquisitorVolt,checkingtheir
weaponsandspeakingtooneanotherinlowvoices.Hulkingformsstalkedsilentlyaroundtheedges
oftheopenspace,sniffingwarilyattheemptysky.Ragnarcaughtthescentofthewolf-menandfelt
hishacklesrise.
Tenmetresaway,Torvaldstoodwithhisaxeraisedtothesky.Lightningflickereduponhis
upturnedface.Thegiant’seyeswereopen,buttheyglimmeredgreen,likeGabriella’spinealeye,and
Torvald’sfacewassetinanexpressionofgrimconcentration.
Ragnarstruggledtomakesenseofthescene.‘WhatinMorkai’snameisgoingonhere?’he
muttered.
‘We’vefallenintothepagesofalegend,’Torinsaidreverently,‘onethatstretchesbackten
thousandyears.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfscowled.‘Whatareyoutalkingabout?’
‘Don’tmindhim,’Haegrsaid.‘Ihaven’tunderstoodasinglethinghe’ssaidsincethebattleended.
IfIdidn’tknowanybetterI’dsayhetooktheheadwoundinsteadofyou.’TheburlyWolfblade
surveyedthesceneofcarnageandshrugged.‘TheRaptorsambushedus.I’msureyourememberthat
part.ButbeforemightyHaegrcouldputthemtoflight,Torvaldandhis…warriors…racedoutofthe
shadowsandtoreourfoestopieces.’
‘Butwhoarethey?’Ragnarasked,stillhauntedbytheimagesinhismind’seye.‘Theyareclearly
sonsofFenris,butthearmourandinsignia–’
‘Theyhaven’tbeenseensincetheHeresy,’Torinsaid,‘notsinceLemanRussdescendedon
ProsperotowreakhisvengeanceontheThousandSons.’Heshookhisheadinwonder.‘They’repart
oftheLostCompany,Ragnar,theThirteenth.’
Haegrletoutasnort.‘Listentohim.Hethinkshe’saskald,now.’
‘PerhapsIwas,onceuponatime,’Torinsaidarchly.‘There’smoretolifethanjusteatingand
fighting,youshag-earedlummox.’
‘Butwhataretheydoinghere?’Ragnarinterjected.‘AndhowdidSigurdcometobewiththem?’
Torinshrugged.‘You’dhavetoaskthem,brother.Sigurdwouldn’ttellusathing,andIgather
Torvaldisusinghispowerstohideusfromourfoes.’
‘He’sapriest,too?’Ragnaraskeddumbly.
‘Notjustapriest,Ragnar.TorvaldwasoneofthefirstRunePriests,’Torinreplied.‘Hefought
alongsideRussduringtheGreatCrusade.Imaginethat!’
‘Andyoupitchedhimintothedirtasifhewasabare-chinnedaspirant,’Haegrsaid,slapping
Ragnarontheshoulder.‘Thatwaswelldone,littlebrother!He’sluckyhedidn’ttrytoshakehisaxein
myface.Imighthavebittenitoffandspatitathisfeet!’
TheyoungSpaceWolfpaidHaegrnomind,staringinsteadatthehugewolf-menpatrollingaround
them.‘They’reallwolf-bitten,’hesaid,‘evenTorvald.HehasthemarkoftheWulfeninhiseyes.’
‘Accordingtothesagas,MagnusandtheThousandSonsescapedourwrathonProsperoby
retreatingthroughaportalintothewarp,butRusswasn’tabouttoletthemescapesoeasily.He
orderedtheThirteenthtogivechase,andtheydisappearedintothefadingportal,nevertobeseen
again.’Torinshookhisheadruefully.‘It’sawonderanyofthemarealiveatall.’
‘Tenthousandyears,’Ragnarechoed,tryingtomakesenseofallhe’dheard.‘WhatdoesTorvald
wantofus?’
‘NotTorvald,he’shereatthebiddingofhislord,Bulveye.Sigurdsaidwe’retoheadupintothe
mountainstomeetwithBulveyeandtherestofhiswarband.Iexpectwe’lllearnmorewhenweget
there,’Torinsaid.
RagnarmetTorin’seye.‘Howdoweknowwecantrustthem?’heasked.
ThequestionsurprisedTorin.‘They’reourbrothers,Ragnar!’
‘Evenso,they’vespenttenmillenniaatthemercyofthewarp,’theyoungSpaceWolfcountered.
‘Whocanguesswhattheirmotivesarenow?’
Torinshifteduncomfortably.‘We’llknowsoonenough.TorvaldandhisWulfenmeantotakeus
intothemountains,andIdon’tthinkwehavemuchchoiceinthematter.’TheolderWolfbladerose
abruptlytohisfeet.‘Besides,we’renotexactlyunblemishedourselves.’
Ragnarwatched,bemusedasTorinstalkedaway.Haegrshookhisheadandrosetolumberafterhis
long-timefriend.TheyoungSpaceWolfturnedtoGabriella,aquestioninglookonhisface.‘What
didTorinmeanbythat?’
TheNavigatorlookedatRagnarforalongmoment,andthenreachedoutandlightlytouchedhis
cheek.‘It’syoureyes,’shesaid,awearysadnessinhervoice,‘they’reyellow-goldnow,justlike
Torvald’s.’
Atthesamemoment,manyleaguesacrosstheshadowworld,acrescendoofpainandsufferingrose
withinthewallsofthecrimsontempleastheenergiesofthegreatritualapproachedacriticalmass.A
thousandsorcerersandinitiateskneltonthestonefloorofthecavernoushall,theirhandsoutstretched
tothealtarofblackstoneandthebloodyscrapsoffleshthatlayuponit.Theirlipswerecrackedand
bleeding,theirthroatsrawandtheireyessearedshutbytheawfulenergiesemittedfromtheburning
eyethathunglikeablasphemoussunabovethesacrificialstone.
HellishlightfelluponMadox.Hecouldfeeltheterriblefavourofhisprimarchrestinglikeafiery
mantleuponhisshoulders.Thesorcererlordstoodbeforethegreataltar,leadingtheintricateritual
inacold,implacablevoice.InonehandhegrippedthestolenSpearofRuss,anditwasthroughthis
sacrediconthatMadoxchannelledtheforceofhisunholyspell.Itwasthefulcrumuponwhichthe
ritualwouldact.Withoutit,thegreatspellwouldhavebeenfornaught.
Madoxfeltthemindsofthelessersorcerersintheroom,eachoneshapingaspecificpartofthe
maledictionthathewouldchannelintothespear.Theelementswereslippinginexorablyintoplace,
liketheworkingsofavastandterribleengine.Hecouldsensethemomentapproachingandhisvoice
swelledwithtriumph.
TheSpaceWolveshadcarriedtheseedsoftheirowndestructionfromtheverybeginning.Very
soonthoseseedswouldbearbitterfruit.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
TorvaldtheReaverdrovetheWolveshard,leadingthemoutofthedismalfieldsoftheagri-combine
andtowardstheslatecolouredmountainstothenorthatadeadrun.Despitehisage,theRunePriest
wasfleetasadeer.Ragnarandtheotherwarriorshadtopushthemselvesinordertokeepup.During
thefirsthourthedarkgreenfieldsofthecombinewerejustafaintlineonthehorizon,andtheempty
plainsweregivingwaytolow,roundedfoothillsofdarkstoneandlifelessearth.
InquisitorVoltandGabriellamanagedtokeepthepaceforthefirsthalfhour,buttheexertions
they’denduredafterthecrashoftheThunderhawkquicklytooktheirtoll.TheolderVoltfaltered
first,hispaceslowingandhisbreathcominginraggedgasps.Hestumbled,onthevergeofcollapse,
buttwoofHarald’sBloodClawsclosedinoneithersideoftheinquisitorandslippedtheirarms
aroundhiswaist,carryinghimalongjustastheywouldacrippledpack-mate.Gabriellalastedalmost
halfanhourlonger,butthesoundofherpainedbreathingmadeitclearthatshe’ddrivenherselfwell
beyondherphysicallimits.BeforeshecouldfalterHaegrcameupbehindherandscoopedthe
Navigatorupinthecrookofonearm,likeafathermightcarryachild.Gabriellahunglimpinthe
burlyWolfblade’sembrace,tooexhaustedtomanagemuchinthewayofprotest.
TheWulfen,nolessthanfifteenofthem,Ragnarwasshockedtodiscover,lopedalongeasily
besidethewarriors.Theymovedwithaswift,fluidgait,clawedhandsswingingandshoulders
hunched,theirwolf-likeheadsheldlowasiftosniffforsignsofdanger.Theirarmourwasdented
andscarredfromcenturiesofharduse,andRagnarsawthatmanyoftheirsuitshadbeenpatchedwith
scavengedparts.Hecouldn’tbecertain,butsomeofthereplacementslookedtohavebeentakenfrom
thesuitsofslainChaosMarines.Theirstrengthandspeedwereincredible,buttherewaslittle
intelligenceintheirgoldeneyessaveforthefiercecunningofapredator.WhenRagnarmettheirflat
stareshefelthishacklesrisewithaninstinctivechallenge,andmore,asenseofmutualrecognition.
Isthismyfuture?Ragnarbroodedoverthenotionastheyracedacrossthetwilitplain.Hethought
ofTorvald.TheRunePriestwaswolf-bitten,butforallthatheseemedcapableofholdingthecurseat
bay.Theremustbeaway,theyoungSpaceWolfthought.Hecouldn’tbearthenotionthathewasa
prisonertohisfate.
Therewasonlyonepersonhecouldthinkofwhocouldanswerhisquestions.Grittinghisteeth,
RagnarpickeduphispaceandsoughtoutSigurdtheWolfPriest.
SigurdraninthemidstofHarald’sBloodClawpack,justafewmetresbehindTorvald.The
youngerwarriorshadgravitatedaroundthepriestsincehisunexpectedreturn,likeirontoa
lodestone,andtheyglaredbelligerentlyatRagnarasheworkedhiswayintotheirmidst.
TheWolfPriestnotedhisapproachwithasingle,forbiddingglance.‘Whatdoyouwant,exile?’he
said.
Ragnargavethepriestasidelongglare.‘Allofusareexilesnow,priest,’heretorted.‘Ourship
wasdestroyed,sothere’snochanceofeverreturninghometoourChapterandkin.’
Sigurdsaidnothingatfirst,althoughthepriest’sstiff,silentdemeanourtoldRagnarthathispoint
hadhithome.Finallyhesaid,‘Wesawthebattleunfoldabovetheshadowworld,butcouldonlyguess
attheoutcome.’
‘TheFistofRussisgone,andmanybravemenarefeastingintheHallsofRussnow,’Ragnarsaid
gravely.‘Wedetectedasignalaswetriedtomakeplanetfall.Wasthatyours?’
‘Yes,’Sigurdsaid.‘Bulveyewasagainstit,butIthoughtitworththerisk.Lookoutsspottedthe
aerialbattleandthefiresofyourcrash,andTorvaldvolunteeredtosearchforsurvivors.’Thepriest
spreadhishands.‘TheWulfencaughtyourscentandledustotheagri-combinejustintime.’
‘ItseemsthattheWulfensavedyouaswell,’Ragnarsaidthoughtfully.Memoriesoftheconfused
meleeintherebelcommandbunkerflashedthroughhismind.‘ThelastIsawofyou,youwere
surroundedbydaemons.’
SigurdgaveRagnarahardlook,butreluctantlynodded.‘Itwasagrimbattle,’heagreed.‘They
cameuponmeallatonce,risingoutoftheaetherlikeghosts.Thisworldwe’reonliesacrossCharys
likeashadow,allowingthemtostepbetweenthetwoatwill.’
‘Iknow,’theyoungSpaceWolfreplied.‘InquisitorVoltandLadyGabriellaunravelledthemystery,
whichiswhatledushereinthefirstplace.’
TheWolfPriestnoddedinunderstanding.‘Thedaemonsseemedtotakeparticularinterestinme
forsomereason.Perhapsapriestmakesabettertrophythanamerewarrior,’hesaidruefully.‘I
struckdownseveraloftheabominations,buttomyshametherestofthemoverwhelmedme.They
pinnedmyarmsandsomehowdraggedmebackacrossthethresholdintothisnetherrealm.’Sigurd
noddedtothetoweringformoftheRunePriestjustahead.‘Butthefoulcreaturesdidn’trealisethey
werebeinghunted.TorvaldandtheWulfenambushedtheChaossorcererandhisdaemonsevenas
theyambushedus.’
RagnarrememberedthesightofthetoweringWulfengrapplingwiththeChaossorcererinthe
vaultbeneaththerebelcommandbunker.‘SoTorvaldandhiswarriorscancrossbetweentheworlds
aswell?’
Sigurdfrowned.‘Werethatpossible,Iwouldhavereturnedtothebattlestraightaway,’hesnapped.
‘No,thecrossingisaffectedbysorcery.Sometimesit’spossibletobecaughtupinthespelland
drawnacrossthethreshold,butonlyforamoment.’Heshrugged.‘TheWulfenpulleddownthe
sorcererandtorehimapart,andTorvaldturnedhisaxeuponthedaemonsbesettingme.Whenthe
battlewasdoneItendedtheirwoundsasbestasIcould,andtheytreatedmeasoneoftheirown.’
‘Buthowdidtheycometobehere?’Ragnarasked.‘TorinsaystheThirteenthCompanywaslost
duringthetimeoftheHeresy.’
‘Lost?’Sigurdseemedastonishedbythenotion.‘Bulveye’scompanywasneverlost,Ragnar.When
aWolfLordisslainanewoneisraiseduptotakehisplace.Thesameistrueforthegreatcompanies,
butaplacefortheThirteenthremainsatthetableoftheGreatWolfbackonFenris,asthoughtheyare
expectedtoonedayreturn.Thinkonthat,Ragnar.TheThirteenthCompanywassentintotheEyeof
TerrorbyRuss,andfortenthousandyearstheyhavecontinuedtheirmission,regardlessofthecost.’
Thethoughtwasasoberingone.Ragnarstudiedthegrey,featurelessmountainsaheadandtriedto
imaginewanderingthemfortenthousandyears,untilFenriswasnothingbutadistantmemory.
Unbidden,hefeltthewolfwithinhimstir.‘Theirhonourhascostthemdearly,’hesaid.
‘Honouralwaysdoes,’theWolfPriestreplied.
Forawhile,theyranoninsilence.ThefootfallsoftheWolveswerelikeaheavydrumbeatacross
theslopingplain,beatingoutawar-songintimetothebalefullightningoverhead.Ragnarconsidered
hiswordscarefully.
‘Howdoesamancometobewolf-bitten,Sigurd?’
TheWolfPriestshotRagnarasharplook,butabruptlyrelentedashemettheyoungSpaceWolf’s
goldeneyes.Heconsideredthequestionforamomentbeforehereplied.‘Allofushavethewolfin
ourblood,’hesaid.‘Itsharpensoursensesandgivesusthegladrageoftheberserkerinbattle,but
likeanywildthingittestsitsbondsconstantly,waitingforthechancetobreakfree.’
SigurdstaredthoughtfullyatapairofWulfenlopingsilentlyalongbesideHarald’spack.‘Itisa
constantstrugglebetweenmanandwolf,’hesaid,‘andnoteverysoulisstrongenoughtokeepthe
beastatbay.’ThepriestlaidahandontheIronWolfamuletathisbreast.‘Webindthebeastwith
sacredoathstoRussandtheAllfather,andweofthepriesthoodpurifyourbattle-brotherswithrituals
anddevotionstostrengthentheirresolve.Formost,thatisenough.’
‘YetnotenoughforBulveyeandhiswarriors.’
Ragnarexpectedapiousretortfromtheyoungpriest,butwhenSigurdspoke,hisvoicewas
surprisinglycompassionate.‘Itisnotourplacetojudgethesewarriors,’hesaidwithconviction.
‘EventheancientDreadnoughtsmustsleepbetweentimesofwar,lesttheysuccumbtotheirferal
natures.Howhardmustitbetokeepone’ssoulintactafterathousandyearsofwar,muchlessten?’
TheWolfPriestshookhisheadsolemnly.‘Itisatestamenttotheircourageandhonourthattheyhave
enduredaslongastheyhave.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfnoddedthoughtfully.‘But…istherenowaytorestorethem?’
Sigurdstiffenedslightly.Ragnarwasstrayingintotheproscribedterritoryofthepriesthood.‘The
transformationisagradualone,’hesaidguardedly,‘butoncebegun,theprocessisinexorable.Asthe
wolfwithingainspower,itexertsphysicalchangesonthebody.’HegesturedtotheWulfennearby.
‘Muchdependsonthewillandthefaithofthewarrior.Thedegradationcanbehalted,sometimes
indefinitely,butitcannotbeundone.’
Thepriest’swordssentachillthroughRagnar ’sveins.‘Gabriellasaysthatmyeyeshavechanged
colour,’hesaidnumbly.‘HowmuchlongerdoIhave?’
Sigurdfrowned.‘Truly,Idonotknow,’hesaidreluctantly.‘Again,itdependsuponthewarrior.
Theprocessbeginsslowly,butacceleratesasthewolfgainspower.’
‘Howslowly?’Ragnarasked.
TheWolfPriestgloweredatRagnar.‘Areyoutryingtoshamemewithmylackofexperience?’he
snapped.‘IconfessIdonotknowforcertain.Thecurseusuallystrikesinitiateshardest,becausetheir
mindsarestilladaptingtothechangestakingplacewithinthem.Onceawarriorbecomesafullfledgedbattle-brother…thecursetakesyearsforthetransformationtotakehold.’
‘Years?’Ragnarexclaimed.‘ButIfeltnothingbeforeIreturnedtoFenris,justtwomonthsago!’
SigurdstaredsharplyattheyoungSpaceWolf.‘That’snotpossible,’hesaid.‘Evenwithaninitiate,
ittakesatleastayearforthefirstchangestomakethemselvesknown.’
‘IfIwerewolf-bittenayearago,Ranekwouldhaveknownit,’Ragnardeclared,‘andIwouldhave
neverbeensenttoTerratoserveHouseBellisarius.’
Theyoungpriestthoughtitover,andhisexpressionbegantodarkeninconsternation.‘It’strue,’he
saidatlast.‘Somethingelsemustbeatworkhere,butIconfessthatIdon’tknowwhatitcouldbe.’
Ragnarnodded.‘PerhapsBulveyeorTorvaldcantellus,’hesaid,daringtohopethatthingswere
notashopelessasSigurdsuggested.
‘Perhaps,’thepriestallowed.‘WeshouldreachtheWolfLord’scampinafewmorehours.Iexpect
we’lllearnagreatdealthen.’
Theyreachedthefirst,wood-fringedfoothillssouthofthegreymountainsnotlongafterwards,
andTorvaldledtheWolvesalongthewindingtrackofadrystreambeduntiltheywerehiddenwithin
thewallsofanarrow,stonydefile.Theirpoundingfootfallsechoedcrazilyfromtherockywallsas
theircourselednorthandeastfromonecanyontothenext.Thetraildoubledbackmorethanonce,
andwithoutapatternofstarstonavigatebyRagnarsoonlosttrackofwheretheywere.
WithinanhourRagnarbegantopickupthefaintscentsofotherWolves,andreckonedtheywere
approachingtheperimeterofthecamp.Hisexperiencedeyesscannedtheslopesoftherockycanyons
throughwhichtheypassed,butifthereweresentriesobservingtheirapproachhecouldn’tdetect
them.Then,abruptly,thecanyonslopedsteeplyupwardandthepathnarrowedtoacleftinthestone
barelywideenoughtoadmitthebroadSpaceMarines.
Ragnarfeltapricklingsensationraceacrosshisskinasheworkedhiswaythroughthepass.Once
throughtheclefthequicklyscannedtheclose-setwallsofthedefilethatsurroundedhimandsawa
pairofironbarsthathadbeendrivenintothestoneoneithersideofthepass.Skullsandirontokens
carvedwithruneshungfromeachofthebars,andawaveofinvisiblepowerradiatedfromthem.
‘Thoseareway-posts,partofTorvald’ssystemofwards,’Sigurdexplainedasheemergedfrom
thecleftbehindRagnar.‘TheyconfoundattemptstolocateBulveye’scampusingsorcery.’TheWolf
Priestgazedupontheway-postwithamixtureofaweandsuperstitiousdread.‘Torvaldandhiskin
havelearnedagreatdealduringtheirlongcampaignintheEye.’
ThepathtoBulveye’scamphadbeencarefullychosen,theapproachforcingtheWolvestotravel
single-fileandclimbasteep,rockyapproachintoahigh,sheer-sidedcanyon.Atthesouthernendof
thecanyon,RagnarsawthefirstofBulveye’swarriors:apairofmencrouchingintheshadowofa
boulder,coveringtheentrancetothecanyonwithapairofplasmaguns.Bothwarriorsworecloaks
oftannedhidethathadbeencoveredindirtanddust,andtheirmotionlessformsallowedthemto
blendinperfectlywiththeirsurroundings.LikeTorvald,theirlonghairwasthickandbraided,and
theirbeardshunghalfwaydowntheirpatchedbreastplates.Theysaidnothingastherescueparty
climbedpast,studyingthemwithcold,lupineeyes.
Alittlefartherupthecanyonamassiveboulderhadbeenrolledintoanarrowplace,creatingakind
ofdog-legtopreventaclearlineoffireintotheareabeyond.Morewarriorsstoodguardonthe
othersideoftheboulder,brandishingold,wornboltpistolsandancient,runecarvedblades.Their
armourwasdecoratedwithintricaterunesandcarvingsofbattlescenesorvoyages,andtherewere
skullsorotherbattletrophieshangingfromtheirbroadbelts.ThewarriorsstaredatRagnarandthe
newcomerswithfrankbutwaryinterest,stealingsidelongglancesatoneanotherandcommunicating
insubtlegesturesornods.
Morethanadozenmetresfurtherupthecanyontheycameuponaseriesofwell-wornbut
serviceablewildernesssheltersbuiltalongsidetherockwalls.Thecamplookedasifithadbeen
occupiedforsometime,andmanyofthesheltersweremarkedwithrecentwartrophiessuchas
daemontalonsanddamagedpiecesofblueandgoldarmour.Morethanascoreofyellow-eyed
warriorssatoutsidetheshelters,cleaningtheirweaponsormakingrepairstotheirgear.Onthe
surface,itlookednodifferentfromanyotherSpaceWolffieldcampthatRagnarhadseen…except
forthewary,challengingstaresofthebattle-brothersandthesenseofhistorythatstretchedlikean
invisibletapestryacrossthecampanditsinhabitants.
He’dfeltsuchathingoncebefore,backwhenhewasbutayoungladplyingthesaltoceansof
Fenris.Hislongshiphadbeenblownfaroffcourseduringastorm,andthey’dputinatasmallisland
insearchoffreshwater.Theretheystumbledontothecampofasmallbandoftheirclansmenwho
hadbeenstrandedtherebyasimilarstormtwoyearsbefore.Ragnarstillrememberedthefirsttime
he’dsetfootintheircamp,andhowthesurvivorshadstaredathimlikeapackofwilddogs.They
hadlivedinanotherworldaltogethersincetheyhadbeenlost,andtheirexperienceshadforgeda
bondthatnooneelsecouldunderstand,muchlessshare.Itwasaworldinwhichheandhisclansmen
couldnoteverfullybelong,andRagnarfeltthesamesensationashewalkedamongthewarriorsof
theThirteenthCompany.
Theypassedsilentlythroughthesmallcampandheadeduptothefarendofthecanyon.Justoffto
theleft,Ragnarwassurprisedtofindapackofhuge,Fenrisianwolvesstretchedoutinfrontofthe
entrancetoalargecave.ThewolvesraisedtheirshaggyheadsasTorvaldandtheWulfen
approached,andthesmallestofthepackroseontoitspawsandlopedintothedarknessbeyondthe
cavemouth.Torvaldraisedhisaxe,signallingforthepartytohalt,andwentinsidewithoutaword.
TheWulfensankontotheirhaunches,someclosingtheireyestorestwhileothersdraggedscrapsof
fleshfrompouchesattheirbeltsandtoreatthemwiththeirpowerfuljaws.
Harald’sBloodClawsloweredInquisitorVoltcarefullytotheground.Theoldmanspentseveral
longminutesfishingametalvialfromhispack.Heopeneditwithtremblinghandsanddrankits
contentsinasingleswallow.Alittlefurtheraway,HaegrsetGabriellaonherfeet.Thoughobviously
tired,theNavigatorwasstudyingtheWulfenandthegrimlittlecampwithwide-eyedinterest.
Ragnarslowlyturnedinplace,surveyingthecanyonanditsstrange,forbiddinginhabitants.He
remindedhimselfthatdespitethedifferencesbetweenthem,theywereboundbythesameoathsand
thesameworld.TheThousandSonswerestilltheirimplacablefoes,andRagnarhadnodoubtthat
theywouldbeabletocountuponBulveyeandhiswarriorswhenthetimecametostrikeattheheart
ofMadox’sgrandscheme.Forthefirsttimesincecrashingupontheshadowworld,theyoungSpace
Wolffeltasparkofrealhope.
Suddenly,asharpcryechoedfromtherockywalls.RagnarwhirledtoseeGabriellastaggerand
falltoherknees,herhandspressedtightlytoherface.Fiercegreenlightfromherpinealeyeflared
betweenherpalefingers.
‘Lady!’Ragnarshouted,rushingtotheNavigator ’sside.
TheyoungSpaceWolfhadnearlyreachedGabriellawhenawaveofsorcerybuffetedhimlikean
unseenwind.Itsterribleenergiessankthroughhisarmouranddeepintohisflesh,settingbloodand
bonesafire.AcryofterribleagonytoreitswaypastRagnar ’slipsashecollapsedtohisknees.
Dimly,hewasawarethathewasnotalone.HaraldandhisBloodClawshadfallentoo,andwere
writhingupontheground.EvenHaegrwasdownononeknee,hiseyesscrewedshutwithpain.
Ragnarclosedhiseyesasanotherwaveofagonywrackedhisbody.Hismusclesroiledbeneathhis
skin,andhisfleshcrawled.Hetastedbloodinhismouth,andthenhewasawareofnothingbuta
chorusofhungry,bestialhowlsfillingtheairandaredtiderisinguptoswallowhismind.
Theairabovetherollingplainhissedwithboltsoflascannonfire,andrumbledwiththethunderof
heavyguns.Pillarsofblacksmokeroseintotheskyfromtheburninghulksoftanksandarmoured
personnelcarriers,paintingthewesternhorizonthecolourofoldblood.
RebeltroopshadreachedtowithinhalfakilometreoftheCharysstarportbeforetheiroffensive
groundtoatemporaryhalt.Outnumberedandoutgunned,theImperialdefendershadmanagedto
retreatingoodorderdespiteconstantartillerybarragesandfuriousassaults.Thecausewaylinking
thecapitalcitytothestarportwaschokedwithbodiesandwreckedvehicles,testamenttothedesperate
rearguardactionfoughtbytheTwentiethHebrideanFootandtheTairanIrregulars,twoof
Athelstane’sveteranunits.Thetatteredcoloursoftheregimentsflutteredintheroughwindblowing
overthecauseway,surroundedbythebodiesoftheirfallencolourguard.Bothunitshaddiedtoa
man,holdingbackthetraitors’armouredassaultlongenoughfortherestoftheImperialunitsto
reachtheport’sfortifiedperimeter.
Nowthefrenziedrebeltroopsfoundthemselvesunderthegunsofthestarport’sdefenders,forced
tomarchacrosshundredsofmetresofopengroundcoveredbymines,anti-tankgunsandartillery
batteries.Aftertwobloodyassaults,thetraitorswereforcedtopullbackoutofrangeuntiltheirheavy
artillerycouldbebroughtforwardtopoundtheImperialpositions.
Justoverakilometrefromthebeleaguereddefenders,thefirstbatteriesofrebelgunswerebeing
rolledintopositionbythelightofthedyingsun.Bare-chestedguncrewsstrainedandcursedasthey
unlimberedheavy,stub-nosedsiegemortarsandtriedtorollthemintopositionalongthereverse
slopeofalow,treelesshill.Othercrewstookpry-barstosquat,woodencratescontainingthemassive
high-explosiveshells.Withinthehourtheywouldbereadytofirethefirstsalvoes.
Theguncrewswereexhausted,andthey’dgrowncarelesswiththepromiseofimpendingvictory.
Nosentrieswerepostedtowatchthesurroundingterrain,sotherewasnoonetotakenoteoftheeight
armouredfiguresobservingthebatteryfromacopseoftreesahundredmetrestothewest.
MikalSternmarkflexedhisarmouredfingersaroundthehiltofRedclawandtastedthescentsofthe
enemytroops.‘Ammunition?’heaskedofhismen.
Sveneyedhistwopackmates.‘JurgenandBorscanshootthosebloodyflashlightsforanother
monthbeforetheyrundry,’hesaid,scowlingatthehellgunsintheWolves’hands.Hecheckedthe
powermeteronhismeltagun.‘AndI’vegotoneshotleft.’
Haakonclearedhisthroat.Severalpiecesofshrapnelhadlodgedinhisneckoverthecourseofthe
afternoon,leavinghimhoarse.‘I’moutofrockets,’hegrated.‘Bjørn,NilsandKarlaredowntofive
roundseach.’
‘Grenades?’theWolfGuardasked.
Svenshookhishead.‘Notsincethatfightbackatthecrossroads.’
Sternmarknodded,althoughhecouldn’thonestlysayherememberedwhichfightSvenwastalking
about.Thedayhadblurredintoonelong,deadlypursuit.Theywouldretreatafewhundredmetres,
layanambushfortheirpursuers,andthenstrike,killasmanyastheycouldandretreattothenext
ambushpointfurtherdowntheroad.TheWolveshadlefthundredsofdeadtraitorsandwrecked
vehiclesintheirwake,untilfinallythey’deludedtheirpursuersinsidethedrainagenetworkatthe
edgeofthecity.
Theycouldhaveslippedintothelowhillssouthofthecapital,lainlowuntilnightfall,andthen
creptpasttherebelpositionsunderthecoverofdarknessandintosafetybehindtheImperiallines,but
Sternmarkwouldbedamnedbeforeanyonesaidheslunkbacktocamplikeawhippeddog.
Theredtidewasrising.Hecouldfeelitpressingagainstthebacksofhiseyes,andhewelcomedit.
‘We’lladvanceinstandardskirmishformation,’hetoldhismen,andthenpointedwithhis
bloodstainedbladeatateamofgunnerswhowerefixingfusestoatrioofwaitingshells.‘Sven,when
we’reinrange,youputyourlastshotrightthere.’
Svenletoutalowwhistle.‘Pullthetriggerandeatdirt.Aye,lord.’
TheWolfGuardignoredtheGreyHunter ’simpertinence.Hewasalreadymoving,glidingswiftly
fromtheshadowsbeneaththetrees.
Theyracedacrossthelowgroundinmoments,unnoticedbythelabouringartillerycrews.
Sternmarkmeasuredthedistancewithapredator ’seye,andthennoddedtoSvenandsanktooneknee.
Withouthesitation,theGreyHunterraisedthemeltaguntohisshoulderandfired.
Thethreeheavyshellsdetonatedinasingle,earthshakingblastthatstaggeredthekneelingWolves,
andpitchedSvenontohisback.Forasingleinstant,theslopeofthehillwaspaintedinfieryorange.
Thenashowerofearthandsmoulderingpiecesoffleshfellinadarkrainaroundtherebelbattery.
Sternmarkwasonhisfeetbeforetheflashhadcompletelyfaded,chargingamongthestunnedand
woundedartillerymen.Redclawflashedandhummed,splittingtorsosandseveringarms.Ahandfulof
gunnersstaggeredtotheirfeetandran,screamingcurses.Hellgunsbarked,andtheirsmokingbodies
tumbledtotheground.Withinseconds,theslaughterwascomplete.
TheWolfGuardstudiedtheguns.Oneofthemortarshadflippedontoitsside,buttherestseemed
unscathed.‘Sven,youandyourbrothersrightthatmortar,’hesaid.‘Bjørn,NilsandKarl,fetchmore
shells.’Hepointedtothesummitofthehill.‘Haakon,you’llspotfortargets.’
TheWolvesleaptintoactionatonce,realisingSternmark’splan.Haakonstrodeswiftlyupthe
slopewhiletheotherthreeTerminatorspulledapartmorecratesandheftedmortarshellslike
oversizedboltgunrounds.Withinmoments,theywerebeingfedintothebreechesofthesixwaiting
siegemortars.
‘Targets?’Sternmarkcalled.
Haakonpeeredovertheslope.‘Amotorisedbattalionbetweenusandthestarport,’hesaid,raising
thetargetingsurveyorinhishand.‘Rangesixhundredandfiftytosevenhundredmetres.’
Svenandhispackmatesracedbetweenthemortartubes,diallingintherange.Whentheywere
readyheraisedhishandtoSternmark.TheWolfGuardsmiledcoldly.
‘Fire.’
Themortarswentoffinastaggeredvolley,spittinghalf-tonneshellshighintotheair.They
screamedlikethesoulsofthedamned,andSternmarkthrewbackhisheadandhowledalongwith
them.BythetimethefirstshellsburstamongtheunsuspectingrebelsSternmarkhadcrestedtheslope
andwaschargingtowardsthefoe.
Haakonhadguidedtheshellsrightontotheirtarget.Therebelunithadbeenassemblingbehind
anotherlineoflowhills,theirtrucksandarmouredcarsmassedinadisorderlyknotbehindthe
highestridgeline.Nowthevehiclesweresmashedtopiecesortossedaroundlikechildren’stoys,
sprayingburningfuelacrosstheblackenedearth.Bodiesandpiecesofbodieslayeverywhere,and
woundedmentriedtocrawlorstaggerawayfromthesceneofcarnage.
TheWolvesracedamongthem,slashingandstrikingwithoutmercy.Sternmarkscythedhisway
throughthescreamingtraitors,histeethbaredatthesmellofhotblood.Las-boltscrackledthrough
thesmokyair.Once,aninfantrymanlurchedupright,strugglingtoaimameltagunwithapairof
charredhands,butNilsblewhimapartwiththelastofhisstormboltershells.
Sternmarkfoundthebattalioncommandertryingtoclimboutfromunderapileofbodies,and
struckoffhisheadwithacasualswipeofhissword.Enemyreturnfirewasintensifyingasthe
survivorsrecoveredfromtheshockofthebarrage.Hespiedalmostaplatoonofsoldiersretreating
farthersouth,firingwildlyatthewarriorsofFenris.
Snarling,theWolfGuardmadetopursuethefleeingtraitors,butSvenletoutayell.‘Thewayis
clear,lord!’hesaid,wavinghischainbladefromthesummitofthenexthill.‘We’refifteenhundred
metresfromthestarport.’
Sternmarkpaused.Foramomenthecouldn’tmakesenseofwhatSvenwassaying.Hisbodyguard
rusheduptosurroundhim,firingwell-aimedshotsintotheretreatingtraitors.Mikaltastedtheblood
ofhisfoesuponhislipsandeyedthefleeingrebelshungrily.
Somewhere,offinthedistance,hefeltatremor,likethefallofaheavyshellorthefirstdrumbeat
ofacomingstorm.Ittuggedathim,makinghisveinstremblelikepluckedwiresandcatchingthe
breathinhisthroat.
Mikalturned,seekingthesourceofthethunder.Haakongrippedhisarm.‘Whatareyourorders,
lord?’heaskedinhisroughvoice.
SternmarkstruggledtofocusonHaakon’sface.Hecouldsensetherebeltroopsescaping,drawing
furtherawaywitheverypassingmoment,andlongedtorunthemdown.‘We…’hebegan,struggling
topullthewordsfromtheredtideinhismind.Chasethem.Dragthemtotheearthandtearopen
theirthroats.
Haakonfrowned,worried.He,too,seemedtofeelsomethingstrangeintheair.‘Themenare
waiting,lord,’hesaid.
‘Themen…’Sternmarkechoed.Hebreatheddeeply,andthennoddedtowardstheslope.‘Right.
Let’sgo.’
TheWolvesfellinbehindtheirleaderashemarchedstolidlyuptheslope.Atthesummithesawthe
broadexpanseofthestarportspreadbeforehimandthekillinggroundlitteredwiththedead.Energy
boltsandtracerfirespedbackandforthacrossthecorpsechokedfieldasImperialtroopsandrebel
forcesalongthecausewaytradedvolleys.
Sveneyedthefieldwarily.‘Aquickandeasyrunforonce,’hesaid.
TheWolfGuardshookhisheadsavagely.‘I’vedoneenoughrunningforoneday,’hegrowled.
‘Fromhere,wewalk.’And,raisinghisancientbladetothesky,hestartedforward.
Fortenminutes,theSpaceWolvesstrodeacrossthesmokingplain,infullviewofbothsides.
Redclawcaughtthelightofthesettingsunandherbladeshonelikeaneveningstar,drawingtheeye
ofeverysoldierwithinsight.Almostatonce,rebelgunnersopenedfireontheslowlymarching
warriors,butthelas-boltsandstubberfireflewwideoftheirtargets.Sternmarkdidnotalterhispace
intheslightest,hisheadstraightandhisstridemeasured.Achanceshotcrackedagainsthisside,but
hisarmourheldandhemissednotasinglestep.
Bythetimetheyreachedthemiddlegroundbetweenthetwosides,theWolvescouldhearthe
cheeringfromtheImperialfortifications.Returnfirestabbedoutattherebeltroops,providingcover
fortheheroicSpaceMarines,andlonevoicescalledoutencouragementtoSternmarkandhismen.
Moreshotsflashedthroughtheknotofbloodstainedwarriors.Therebelswerefiringgrenadesat
longrange,sendinghotpiecesofshrapnelringingagainsttheWolves’flanks.Amissilestreaked
fromarebelpositiontothesouth,butitsaimwaspoorandtheshotfellshort.
Threehundredmetres.Twohundredandfifty.Ashotfromaheavystubbersmashedinto
Sternmark’ship,shatteringagainstthearmourandsendingsplintersintohisleg.Mortarrounds
whistledoverhead,smashingintotheearthaheadoftheWolveslikeburningfists.
‘Nicedayforawalk!’Svenshoutedintothedin.Alas-boltcrackedagainsthisleg,andhebrushed
irritablyatthescorchmarkitleft.‘Pityaboutthebugs,though!’
TheywereclimbingthelongslopeuptothefirstoftheImperialentrenchments.Sternmarkcould
seethegrimy,cheeringfacesofthetroops,callingouttohimfromtheirfiringpositions.Theywere
lessthanahundredmetresaway.
Hefaintlyheardtheclatteroftreadsfarofftothewest,andalustyshoutwentupfromtherebel
positions.Then,toolate,heheardthehollowboomofabattlecannon.
Theworldseemedtoslowtoaturgidcrawl.Sternmark’ssensesgrewsupernaturallysharp.He
couldfeeltherumbleofdisplacedairastheheavyshellarcedtowardsthem.Pulverisedrockandbits
ofdirtrangoffhisarmourliketinychimesasheturned,lookingbacktowardsimpendingdoom.
Theshellwasadark,thumb-shapedsmudgeintheair,spinninglazilyasitfell.Nexttohim,
SternmarkheardSvendrawinasharpbreath.
‘Allfatherprotectus,’theGreyHuntersaid,andtheworldvanishedinaneruptionofearthand
flame.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Shoutsandbestialsnarlsshooktheairofthenarrowcanyon.Fistsandbladesclashedagainst
ceramiteplateaswarriorsclawedattheirbreastsinrageandpain.Ragnarhowledinhelplessfury,his
fingersdiggingdeepfurrowsinthelifelessearth.Itfeltasthoughhisbodywastearingitselfapart
fromtheinsideout.Hismuscleswrithedlikemaddenedsnakes,constrictingaroundhisreinforced
bonesandbendingthemwiththestrain.Hiseyesburnedandhisteethachedtotheirroots,anditfelt
asthoughaswarmofstinginginsectswascrawlinghungrilybeneathhisskin.Ragnarpitched
forwardandsmashedhisforeheadagainstthelifelessgroundagainandagain,tryingtodriveoutthe
awfulsensationswithjoltsofpure,honestpain.
TheWulfensnarledhungrilywithinhim,settingitsteethdeepinhisbones.Ragnartoreclumsilyat
hisarmour,asthoughhecouldreachinandripthebeastfromhisbody.Thetipsofhisfingersached
fiercely,andmindlesswithrage,hetuggedatthegauntletswithhisteeth,tryingtopullthemfree.
Voiceswereshoutingallaroundhim,buthecouldnotmakeanysenseofthewords.Wolves
snappedandsnarled,clashingtheirfearsomejaws.Theairwasthickwiththeacidreekofangerand
thesweet,headysmellofblood.
Somethingsmallcrashedagainsthim,andsoftblowsbeatathischestandface.Athin,pipingsound
reverberatedinhisears.Shakinghisheadsavagely,Ragnargrippedtheflailingobjectandhearda
gaspoffear.Breathghostedagainsthisface,andhiseyesopenedinsurprise.
Gabriella’sfacewascentimetresfromhis,herexpressionstern,buthereyesshiningwithfear.His
handwasclosedtightaroundherupperarm,hardenoughtocrackthecarapacearmourshewore.
Shedrewbackherhandandslappedhimhardacrosstheface.Thegauntletcameawayslickwith
blood.
‘Ragnar!’shecried,hervoicesharpandfaintlytrembling.‘Listentome!Thisisdarksorcery,and
itfeedsonconflict!Themoreyoufightit,thestrongeritgrows!Don’tstruggle.Doyouhearme?Let
itwashoveryoulikeawave,andthenitcan’taffectyou!’
ThewordsechoedstrangelyinRagnar ’sears.Hetriedtograspthem,buttheyslippedfromhis
mindlikequicksilver.Everynervewasaflame,andhefeltasthoughhewascomingoutofhisskin.
Gabriellastruckhimagain,andhetastedfreshbloodonhislips.Ragnarbaredhisteethattheblow,
andhishandsseemedtomoveoftheirownaccord.HegrabbedtheNavigatorbythehairand
wrenchedbackherhead,stretchingthetendonsofherpaleneck.
‘Ragnar,no!’Gabriellacried,hereyeswideninginterror.
Fangsglistening,theyoungSpaceWolflungedforherthroat.
AshadowfelloverRagnaratthatmoment,andanarmouredfistclosedaroundhisnecklikeavice.
HislipsscarcelybrushedGabriella’sskinbeforehewashauledintotheairandshakenlikeanewborn
cub.Apowerfulvoice,deepandsonorous,cutthroughthecacophonyaroundtheyoungSpaceWolf
andsnappedhistormentedmindintofocus.
‘Forgetthosesoftwordslittlebrother,andfightthebeastforallyouareworth!Youmuststruggle
againstthewolfinallitsforms,astheprimarchhimselfcommands.Thatisthefirstoathofour
brotherhood,andwithoutitwearelost!’
Ragnartwistedhisheadtoseewhohadseizedhim.Hefoundhimselfstaringdownatagiantofa
man,straightfromthemostancienttapestriesoftheGreatWolf’sHallattheFang.Thewarriorwas
tallandlean,casedinornatearmourwroughtduringtheglorydaysoftheGreatCrusade.His
pauldronswereedgedingoldandfinelycarvedwithscenesofbattle,andthepeltofthelargestwolf
Ragnarhadeverseenwasstretchedacrosstheman’sbroadshoulders.Trophiesfromahundred
campaignsdecoratedthewarrior ’sbreastplateorhungfromhiswidebelt:fearsomeskullsand
clovenhelms,medallionsofgoldandsilver,polishedscalesandplaquesofrawiron.Inhislefthand
thewarriorgrippedthehaftofafearsomeaxe,wroughtfromametalblackerthanthenight.Runes
glitteredlikefrostacrossitssurface,anditexudedacoldnimbusofdreadthatchilledRagnar ’svery
soul.Unlikehiskin,thewarrior ’sheadwasbald,andhisblondbeardwasclose-shaven.Fierceblue
eyesglitteredlikechipsofpolaricebeneathagrim,forbiddingbrow.
‘Lemangaveustheblessingsofthewolfsothatwewouldneverbedefeatedbyourfoes,’hesaid,
‘buthisgiftscomewithaprice.Asweareborntobattle,soarewecalledtoproveourworthtimeand
again,throughstrength,courageandguile.Warwithin.Warwithout.Warunending.Thatishowwe
live,littlebrother.Thatiswhoweare.’ThewarriorshookRagnaroncemore,asiftoemphasisehis
point.‘IamBulveye,axemanoftheRussandlordofthiswarband,’hesaid.‘DoyouhearwhatI’ve
saidtoyou?’
Ragnargrittedhisteethanddrewadeepbreathashesummonedthecatechismsofself-discipline
he’dbeentaughtasanaspirant.Byforceofwill,hedampenedthesensationswrackinghisbodyand
struggledtoclearhistroubledthoughts.‘I…Ihearyoulord,’hesaidafteramoment.‘Ihearand
obey.’
BulveyenoddedinapprovalandsetRagnaronhisfeet.Thesheerforceofhispresenceseemedto
stillthechaossweepingthroughthecamp.HepaidnomindtoGabriellaatall,turninghisfull
attentiontoHaegrandTorin.‘Whatofyou,brothers?’heasked,hiseyesnarrowinginappraisal.
Torinsanktoonekneebeforethegiant.Hisfacewaswrackedwithpain,andhiseyeshadturned
yellow-gold,butabriefsmilecausedhismoustachetotwitch.‘Iamnostrangertothisfight,my
lord,’hesaidbreathlessly.‘Thewolfmayhowl,butIamunmoved.’
‘Andyou?’thewarriorasked,turningtoHaegr.
TheburlyWolfpuffedouthisbroadchest.‘ThemightyHaegrfearsnoone!’hedeclared.‘Not
evenHaegrhimself!’
RagnarwascheeredbyhisfellowWolfblade’sbravado,evenashesawsignsofterriblestrain
aroundHaegr ’seyes,butthenheheardabestialsnarlofftohisright,andsawthatnoteveryonehad
beenasfortunateasthey.
HaraldandhisBloodClaws,allofthemlittlemorethanaspirants,hadsufferedtheworstunderthe
sorcerousonslaught.Theirfacesweredistended,alreadylengtheningtoformwolf-likesnouts,and
theirskinwasdarkeningwithafinepeltoffur.Theycrouchedlikebeastswithinacircleofthe
ThirteenthCompany’sWulfen,snappingandsnarlingwhenevertheolderbeastsdrewtooclose.Many
ofthewarriorshadtuggedtheirgauntletsfreeandslashedattheairwiththick,curvedtalons.
ThesightstunnedRagnar,andaprayertotheAllfathercame,unbiddentohislips.Atthatmoment,
thewarriorthathadbeenHaraldglancedupandmetRagnar ’seyes.TheyoungWulfenthrewbackhis
headandutteredasinglehowlofdespair.
Bulveyelookeduponthecursedwarriorsandshookhisheadsadly.‘Whereareyou,youngpriest?’
hecalled.
SigurdemergedfromthepackofstrickenBloodClaws.TheWolfPriest’sfacewasashenwith
grief.Hiseyes,oncedark,werenowadeepyellow-gold.
‘HereIam,lord,’hesaidsombrely.
Bulveyenodded.‘Tendtoyourbrothers,priest,’hesaidquietly.‘Thefirsthoursarealwaysthe
hardest.’
Sigurdnodded,ableaklookuponhisyoungface.Thenheturned,spreadinghishands,andbegan
tochantalitanythatRagnarhadheardonlyonceinhistimewiththeChapter.ItwastheLitanyofthe
Lost,amournfulobservanceforthosewhohadbeentakenbytheWulfen.
Another,smallerfigureelbowedhiswaythroughthesnarlingmobofwolf-men.InquisitorVolt
lookedfeverishwithshockandfatigue,hiseyeswideandhisseamedfacetautwithstrain.Hecaught
sightofRagnarandLadyGabriellaandrushedtotheirside.‘Whathashappened?’hedemanded,
fallingtohiskneesbesidethestunnedNavigator.
Gabriellareachedfortheoldinquisitor ’sarmlikeadrowningmanclutchesatastorm-tossedspar.
Herpinealeyestillburnedbrightlyinherforehead,andherfacewasaswhiteaschalk.‘Awaveof
psychicforce,’shegasped.‘Somuchpower,somuchhunger,flowinglikemoltenironthroughthe
aether.’
‘Theritual,’Voltsaid.HeturnedtostareatHaraldandhismonstrouspackmates.‘Blessed
Emperor,’hewhispered,hisvoicefilledwithdread.‘They’vecompletedtheritual.We’retoolate.’
TheNavigator ’sgazedriftedbacktoRagnaronceagain,andalookofhorrifiedrealisation
drainedthelastofthecolourfromherface.‘Youwouldhavekilledme,’shesaid,hervoiceleaden
withanguish.‘HaditnotbeenforLordBulveye,youwouldhavetornoutmythroat!’
RagnarstaredspeechlesslyattheNavigator,struckdumbbytheenormityofwhathe’dnearlydone,
buttheWolfLordspoke.
‘Allieswemaybe,LadyBellisarius,butwearenottamedogstosniffatyourheels,’Bulveyesaid
sternly.‘Evenaloyalwolfbitesifprovoked.Youandyourpeoplewoulddowelltorememberthat.’
Hefixedtheinquisitorwithhissteelygaze.‘TheladyIknowbytheheraldryshewears,’hesaid.
‘Whoareyou?’
VoltrosetohisfullheightandmettheWolfLord’seyes.‘InquisitorCadmusVoltoftheOrdo
Malleus,’hesaidcoolly.
Bulveye’scraggybrowsknittedinconsternation.‘Inquisitor?’heasked.‘Isthatanythinglikea
remembrancer?’
TheoldmanwastakenabackbytheWolfLord’sreply.‘Certainlynot,’hestammered.
‘Good.ThenIwon’thavetofeedyoutomywolves,’Bulveyerepliedgruffly.‘Nowtellmeofthis
ritual.’
Theoldinquisitorrecoveredhiscomposurequicklyandshookhishead.‘First,tellmewhatthis
is,’hesaid,pointingtotheWulfen.‘Atfirst,Ithoughtyourwarriorshadbeentwistedbyexposureto
thewarp,butnowIwonderifthisissomethingdeeper.TheInquisitionhaslongsuspectedthatthere
wereflawsintheSpaceWolfgene-seed.Isthistrue?’
TheWolfLord’seyesnarrowedcoldly.‘Iwaswrong,’hesaidquietly.Hishanddriftedtothepistol
athiship.‘ItappearsI’llhavetokillyouafterall.’
‘It’sthecurse!’Ragnarsnarled,overcomewithhorrorandshame.‘Icanfeelit,likeahotcoal
buriedinmybrain.MadoxhascastaspelltoawakentheWulfeninallofus.’HestaredupatBulveye.
‘Evenyou,mylord!Surelyyoumustfeelitaswell.’
TheWolfLordsethisjawstubbornly,buttherewasaglimmerofdoubtdeepinhiseyes.‘Howdo
youknowthatthrice-cursedfiend,Madox?’heasked.
‘Thereisabloodfeudbetweenus,’Ragnaranswered.‘HehasstolentheSpearofRuss,andIhave
swornanoathtogetitback.’
ThenewsstrucktheWolfLordlikeaphysicalblow.‘Morkai’steeth!’hesnarled,hiseyes
widening.Heturned,seekingoutthehulkingformoftheRunePriest.‘Torvald!Didyouhear–’
‘Noneedtoshout,’theRunePriestsaid,makinghiswaythroughthecrowdofwarriorstowards
BulveyeandRagnar.‘Thepupspeaksthetruth,lord.I’vetoldyouforsometimethattheairhere
stankofsorcery,andnowIknowwhy.Icursemyselfforafoolfornotsuspectingitsooner.’The
beardedwarriorgaveBulveyeameaningfullook.‘AndnowthesetidingsofMadoxandthespear.
Yousee?Therunesdidnotlie!’
‘Theymaynothavelied,buttheytelltheirtruthssidewise,’Bulveyesaid.Heraisedhisheadtothe
emptysky,andforaninstantRagnarsawanenormouswearinessetchedintothelinesoftheWolf
Lord’sface.Thenitwasgone,soquicklythattheyoungSpaceWolfcouldnotbecertainhe’dseenit
atall,andBulveyesurveyedhiswarbandwithacommandinggaze.
‘Torvald,summonthepackleaders,’theLordoftheThirteenthCompanysaid.‘It’stimewehelda
councilofwar.’
Forafleetinginstant,MikalSternmarkwasgrippedbythejawsofadragon.Fierceheatanda
thunderousconcussionbuffetedhim,andred-hotshrapnelrakedathisfaceandneck.Hestaggered
beneaththeblow,butdidnotfall.
Ashowerofdirtandstoneraineddownallaroundhim.Smokecurledfromthesurfaceofhis
Terminatorarmour,buthewasstillalive,andRedclawstillpointeddefiantlyatthesky.
IttookseverallongsecondsbeforeSternmarkunderstoodthathe’dbeenspared.Helookedaround,
dazed,andsawthestunnedfiguresofhisbodyguards,allofthembatteredandbloodied,but
neverthelessalive.Amongthem,Svenandhisbattle-brotherswerepickingthemselvesupoffthe
groundandlookingofftotheeastinamazement.Thebattlecannonshellhadlandedjustafewmetres
shortofitsintendedtarget,gougingadeep,smoulderingcraterinthegroundbehindtheWolves.
MomentslaterthefirstcheerwentupfromtheImperiallines.Apriestwho’dbeenwatchingthe
scenefromanearbygunpitclamberedatopthetrenchlineandraisedhisarmstothesky.‘The
Emperorprotects!’hecried,andsoontheGuardsmentookupthecryaswell.
‘TheEmperorProtects!TheEmperorProtects!’Theshoutechoedacrossthekillingfield,andmen
tookheartagainafterthebitterretreatfromthecapital.
Onebyone,theWolvesturnedandwalkedthelastfewmetresintotheImperialfortifications.
Sternmarkwaiteduntilthelast,hisswordstillgleaminginthesun’sdyinglight.Thenheturnedhis
backonthetraitorsofCharysandjoinedhisbrothersinthetrenches.
Svenandtheotherswerewaitingforhim,surroundedbyaringofawestruckGuardsmen.The
Wolveswerejokingwithoneanother,therawedgetotheirlaughterbetrayingthetensionoftheir
brushwithdeath.Therewassomethingalmostferalintheirwideeyesandrough-edgedvoices,
raisingthehacklesonSternmark’sneck.Hisscalpprickled,anditfeltlikeaswarmofhungryinsects
hadcrawledbeneathhisskin.‘Takehalfanhourtoeatandreplenishyourammo,’hesnapped,‘then
returntotheline.’
TheWolveswerestartledbytheharshedgetotheirleader ’svoice,promptingachorusofdeep
growlsandanarrowingofeyes.Forafleetinginstant,theairwaschargedwithtension.Sternmark’s
handtightenedonthehiltofhisblade,butthenapowerfulvoicebrokethedeadlyspell.
‘Thatwasboldlydone,mylord,’MorgrimSilvertonguecalledashemovedthroughthethrongof
admiringtroops.‘Whenyoudisappearedearlierinthedaywefearedyouhadbeenlost.’
Sternmarkturnedtotheskaldasthoughinadaze.Theredtidewasrisingoncemore,threateningto
overwhelmthelastvestigesofreasonhehadleft.Hishandsandfingertipsached,andabruptlyhefelt
smotheredinsidetheweightofhisTerminatorarmour.
AsharpchallengerosetotheWolfGuard’slips,butitwasSvenwhospokefirst.‘Anotherfew
momentsandwemightwellhavebeen,Silvertongue,’theGreyHuntersaidgrimly,andthenpointed
outacrossthekillingground.‘Look.’
Sternmarkturned.Somethingwashappeningalongtherebellines.Theveryairseemedtothicken
anddeepeninhue,andpurplelightningflickeredabovethetraitors’heads.Criesofadulationand
terrorechoedacrossthekillinggroundasshifting,luminescentformsappearedamongtherebel
Guardsmen.
FromthegunpitnearbytheregimentalpriestmadethesignoftheaquilaandbegantheLitanyof
Detestationinaharsh,tremblingvoice.Menclutchedtheirweaponsandpressedthemselvesfearfully
againstthepacked-earthwallsofthetrenchlinesashundredsofdaemonshowledachorusof
blasphemouscursesattheImperialdefenders.
StillworsetoSternmarkwastheclashing,rhythmicsoundofarmour,risingandfallinglikea
dirgebeneaththecacophonous,otherworldlycries.Hesteppedtothetrenchparapetandstudiedthe
rebelpositionscarefullyuntilhespiedthefirstglimmerofblueandgold.
Theytoweredoverthecringingtraitorsintheirbaroquearmour,theirboltgunsheldatport-arms
inperfectunisonastheymarchedtowardsthebattleline.Rebelsoldiersflinchedfromthesoundof
theirdreadfultread,partinglikesmokebeforetheThousandSons’inexorableadvance.Theheadsof
thetoweringwarriorsturnedneitherleftnorright.Nohumancuriosityshonefromtheglowing
depthsoftheirornatehelms.Theirbodieshadbeenconsumedbysorcerousfiresthousandsofyears
ago.Nothingremainedinsidethosearmouredshellsbutspiritsofpure,immortalhateandmurderous
skill.FellsorcerersmarchedalongsidetheghostlyChaosSpaceMarines,drivingthewarriors
onwardwithfierceoathsandimprecationstotheirabominablegod.
SternmarkcountedalmosttwohundredofhisChapter ’sarchfoes.Inallhisyearsofcampaigning
he’dneverseensomanyofthespectraltroopsassembledinoneplace.Evenwithoutthehowling
daemonsandrebelbattalionsattheircommand,theycouldcrushthestarportdefendersinan
implacable,armouredfist.
MorgrimjoinedtheWolfGuardattheparapet.‘Itseemsyouarrivednotamomenttoosoon,’he
saidquietly.
‘Iwonderiftherabbitthinksthesamethingashestickshisheadintothesnare,’Sternmarkhissed.
HefoundhimselfthinkingofhisfallenlordBerek,andthemeltachargeslaidbeneathhisbier.The
colddemandsofdutyfocusedhismindsomewhat,helpinghimignoretheawfulsensationswracking
hisbody.Hebaredhisteeth,tastingthestrangescentsaroundhim.‘Howmanyofourbrothers
remain?’Sternmarkasked.
Theskaldfoldedhisarmsthoughtfully.‘It’shardtosay,’heanswered.‘We’veGunnarand
Thorbjørn’sLongFangshereatthestarport,aswellashalfofThorvald’sGreyHunters.’Hepaused,
hislipspressingintoagrimline.‘Butwe’velostcontactwiththerest.’
‘Lostcontact?’Sternmarkgavetheskaldahardlook.‘Whatdoesthatmean?Arewebeingjammed
planet-wide?’
‘Thereissomejamming,yes,’Silvertonguereplied,‘butsomepackshavesimplystopped
respondingtoourcalls.Wearen’tsurewhat’shappenedtothem.’
‘Notsure?’theWolfGuardsnarled.‘They’redead,Silvertongue.Whatotherexplanationcould
therebe?’Sternmarkbroughthisfistdownontheferrocreteparapet,sendingupasprayofbroken
fragments.Theragewasrisingwithinhimoncemore,anditwasgettingharderandhardertofinda
reasontofightit.Helookedoutacrossthekillingfield.‘Whataretheywaitingfor?Let’sgettothe
bloodybusinessofthedayandbedonewithit!’
SilvertongueeyedtheWolfGuardwarily.‘Iexpecttheyarestillwaitingfortheirheavyartillery,’
hesaid.‘Wehaveenoughheavyweaponslefttomakeafrontalassaultveryexpensive,andbeforehe
leftInquisitorVoltinstructedtheprieststolayaseriesofwardsthatwillkeepthedaemonsatbay.’
Theskaldpeeredcloser.‘Mylord?Youreyes…they’vechanged–’
TheWolfGuardseemednottohearhim.‘Wards?’hespat.‘Thosewon’tlastlongwithallthose
sorcerersoutthere.’
‘Aye,that’strue,’Silvertonguerepliedcarefully,‘butweonlyneedafewmorehours.’
Sternmarkglaredattheskald.‘WhatinMorkai’snameareyoutalkingabout?’hedemanded.
SomethingintheWolfGuard’sfacetookSilvertongueaback.HerecoiledslightlyfromSternmark,
asthoughsuddenlyconfrontedbyasnarlingFenrisianwolf.‘I…Ithoughtyou’dbeeninformed,’he
saidquickly.‘LadyCommanderAthelstanehasorderedeveryavailableshipmadereadyforlaunch.
Shebelievesthatthereareenoughtransportsstillabletoflytoevacuatetheentirestarportinonego–’
‘Evacuate?’Sternmarkspat,thewordbitteronhistongue.‘Shewouldhaveusabandonourhonour
andslinkawaylikewhippeddogs?’
Hestaggered,overcomewithfury.Theredtidesurged,angryandwild,andswallowedhimup
entirely.
Silvertongueshoutedsomething,hisvoiceurgent,buttheWolfGuarddidnothear.Hewasgone,
runninglikeashadowaheadofthecrimsonsunsettowardsthedistantcommandbunker.
BulveyeledRagnarandhiscompanionsintothedimlylitcave,settinghiswolvestoguardits
thresholdoncemorewithaquickgestureandafewwhisperedcommands.Beyondtheentrance,the
cavenarrowedquicklyintoalongtunnelthatmeanderedforseveraldozenmetresintothesideofthe
mountain.ToRagnar ’skeennightvisionthepassagewayseemedshroudedintwilight.Veinsofdark
oreraninserpentinepathsthroughtheroughstonewalls,andrunesofwardingwerechiselledat
everycornertofoilthequestingspiritsoftheirfoes.
Finallytheycamearoundanothernarrowturn,andRagnar ’seyesnarrowedatasuddenblazeof
firelight.Thepassagewayemptiedoutintoalarge,high-ceilingedcavernalmosttwentymetres
across,laidwithfursandroughstonebenchesinthestyleofalord’sfeastinghall.Thewarriorsof
theThirteenthCompanyhadfelledsomeofthestrangetreesthatdottedthefoothillsatthebaseofthe
mountainandhadpiledthelogsinacrudepitatthecentreofthecavern.Thewoodburnedwithout
soundorsmoke,givingoffafey,otherworldlybluelight.
Atthefarendofthecavern,ailingservoscreakedandwhined,andapairofcarewornservitors
struggleduprightattheirmaster ’sarrival.Bulveyeturnedandaddressedthenewcomerssombrely.
‘EntermyhallwiththeblessingsoftheAllfather,’hesaid,andbeckonedtotheservitors.
TheWolfLordwelcomedthemaccordingtotheancienttradition,withhandclasps,breadandsalt.
Thegesturewasbothstrangeandoddlyreassuring.Customandtraditionarealltheyhaveleft,
Ragnarmused,asBulveyebadethemsitbythefire,andthenstrodeofftoafarcornerofthecavern.
Hereturnedwithguestinggifts:agoldringforGabriellaandirondaggersforherWolfblade.The
weaponshadbeenforgedonFenris,Ragnarnoticed,andbeautifullymade.
Anotherpieceofhome,hethought,turningthebladeoverinhisachinghands.Herealised,forthe
firsttimethathewouldneverseeFenrisagain,andaterriblemelancholystoleoverhim.
Afewmomentslaterthefirstofthepackleadersfiledintothecavern.Theyweresilent,implacable
figures,markedbytenmillenniaofwarfare:thepauldronsofaWorldEaterchampionsatonthe
shouldersofonewarrior,whileanotherworethebreastplateofafallenlieutenantfromAbaddon’s
infamousBlackLegion.Theyworecloaksofdaemonhideornecklacesofhellhoundteeth,andthe
twistedskullsofthosethey’dslainwerespittedonirontrophyspikesjuttingfromtheirbackpacks.
Thepackleaderstooktheirplacesaroundthefire,eachaccordingtohispositionwithinthewarband,
andtheyspokequietlyamongstthemselvesastheywaitedforthecounciltobegin.
Sigurdstolequietlyintothehallshortlyafterwards,hisexpressionsolemn.Ratherthantakeaseat
amongthewarriorshekepttotheshadowsatthebackofthehall,armsfolded,anddeepinthought.
RagnarstoleaglanceatTorinandHaegr.Thetwowarriorsweresilentandwithdrawn,theireyes
hoodedandshouldershunchedastheyfoughttheirsilentstruggleswiththebeastsbeneaththeirskins.
Beyondthem,InquisitorVoltandGabriellasatonabenchtothemselves.Voltwassittingramrodstraight,hisgazemovingconstantlyaroundthecavern,whiletheNavigatorsatwithherarmstightly
foldedacrossherchest,lostinsometormentedreverie.
Torvaldwasthelasttoarrive,stridingslowlypastthefireandtakingaseatatBulveye’sright.The
RunePriestsurveyedtheassembledwarriorsandnodded.Thenhestruckthecavernfloorthricewith
thebuttofhisaxe.‘TheblessingsoftheAllfatherbeuponyou,brothers,’hesaidinthesilencethat
followed.‘Ourfoesgatherbeforeus,callingustobattle.Eretheswordssingandthebloodflows,
hearwhatourlordhastosay.’
Bulveyesurveyedeachofthewarriorsseatedaroundthefire.‘ItwasTorvald’srunesthatledusto
thisplace,’hesaid.‘HeconsultedtheFates,andwhenhetookhishandfromtheleatherbag,hewas
holdingTyr ’sRune,theRuneoftheSpear.’
Oneofthewarriorsletoutasullengrowl.‘Yetwhenwegothere,whatdidwefind?Ahostof
enemiesandtheshadowofanImperialagri-world,’hesaid.‘Ifhewasherewewouldhavefoundhim
bynow–’
‘Wehavebeenhereforsometime,tryingtopuzzleouttheriddlesofthisplace,’Bulveye
interjectedsharply,throwingawarninglookatthepackleader.‘Nowourdistantkinhavearrived,
withanswerstosomeofthequestionsweseek.’TheWolfLordnoddedtoRagnar.‘Tellushowyou
andyourbrotherscametobehere.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfeyedhiscompanionsandroseuneasilytohisfeet.Asquicklyandsuccinctly
ashecould,herelatedtheeventsonHyadesandtheChaosuprisingaroundFenris,andthentoldthe
grimtaleofthebattleforCharysandtheirdesperateforaytotheshadowworld.‘Theheartof
Madox’srituallieshere,’hesaid,‘withinagreattempleatthecentreoftheshadowcitytothenorth.’
Hepaused.‘InquisitorVoltcantellusmoreaboutwhatourenemyintends.’
Ragnargesturedtotheoldinquisitor,whoraisedhisheadwithascowlandroseslowlytohisfeet.
‘TheenemyintendsnothinglessthantheperversionoftheSpaceWolfgene-seed,’InquisitorVolt
declared.‘Andinsodoing,theThousandSonswillinflictawoundupontheImperiumfromwhichit
mayneverheal.’
BulveyegloweredatVolt.‘Howcanyoubesocertainofthis?’
‘How?Theevidenceissittingrighthere,beforeyourveryeyes!’VoltpointedtotheWolfblade.
‘SeehowtheyhavebeenchangedalreadybyMadox’sspell?’Hecastanaccusatorystareateachof
thewarriorsseatedaroundthefire.‘Youallfeelit,don’tyou?Madoxisreachingintotheverycore
ofyourbeing,warpingyoufromtheinsideout!’
‘YouspeakofnothingthatIandmybrothershavenotstruggledwithfortenmillennia!’Bulveye
growled.‘Thewarptwistseverythingittouches.’
‘Donotdissemble,lord!’Voltsnapped.‘Wehavenotimefordenialsordeceptions!Yousawwhat
happenedtoHaraldandhiswarriors.HasthecurseRagnarspokeofeverstrucksoquicklybefore?
SomehowIdoubtit.’TheinquisitorturnedtoSigurd.‘Comehere,priest.It’syourdutytosafeguard
thesoulsofyourbattle-brothers.Tellusthen,arethesetransformationsnormal?’
TheWolfPrieststiffenedatthementionofhisname.Slowly,reluctantly,hesteppedforwardinto
thefirelight.Hiseyeswereyellow-gold,liketwobrasscoins.‘No,’hesaidgravely,‘theyarenot.’
‘There!’Voltsnapped.‘Youhearitfromoneofyourownpriests.LadyGabriellafelttheinitial
waveofsorceryastheritualreacheditsculmination.Thatenergyhascrossedtheaetherintothe
physicalrealm,whereitwillwashoverCharysandthendownthesorcerousanchorlinesuntilit
chargesthevastsigilthatMadoxpainstakinglybuilt.’Theinquisitorbegantopace,hishandsclasped
tightlybehindhisback.‘TheChaosuprisingwasbothacoverandaluretodrawtheSpaceWolves
withinreachofthesigil,’hesaid.‘Asthesigilbecomescharged,everyoneofthegreatcompanies
willbeaffected;evenFenriswillbecaughtwithinthewebofpower.’
Sigurdscowledattheinquisitor,buthetookadeepbreathandspoke.‘Theaspirantswillsuccumb
first,’hesaid,‘thentheyoungerwarriors.Theseniorpackmemberswillholdoutforsometime,I
expect,butslowly,theytoowillbeoverwhelmed.Intheend,perhapseventhegreatDreadnoughts
beneaththeFangwillawakeninthedarknessandhowlforinnocentblood.’
Pandemoniumbrokeoutaspackleadersleapttotheirfeet,shoutingangryoathsordenouncing
Voltasaliarandablasphemer.Bulveyesatinsilence,broodingdarklyoverthenews.Finally
Torvaldrosetohisfeetandraisedhisaxehigh.Lightningcrackledfromthebladeandasharp
thunderclapdeafenedeveryoneinthecavern.‘Sitdown!’theRunePriestcommanded,andthepack
leadersreluctantlyobeyed.ThenTorvaldaddressedVoltdirectly.‘Whatyouaretalkingaboutwould
requireenormousamountsofpsychicpower,’hesaid.
‘Naturally,’Voltreplied.‘ThatiswhyMadoxandhislordhadtoperformtheritualhere,intheEye
ofTerror.Theycandrawuponthewarptofueltheirsorceries,andthenchannelthoseenergies
throughthesigilaroundCharys.Noone,notevenGrimnarhimself,couldresistsuchaspellfor
long.’
‘Andthen?’Torvaldasked.
Volt’sexpressionbecameamaskofdread.‘Thenbloodwillflowacrossadozenworlds,’he
replied.‘TheWolveswillturnuponthesheeptheyoncesworetoprotect.Iexpectmillionsof
Imperialcitizenswilldie,andthatwouldbejustthebeginning.TheInquisitionwoulddeclarethe
SpaceWolvesexcommunicaetraitoris,andthentherewouldbewar.’
Ragnarfelthisgutsturntoice.Voltwasright;theInquisitionwouldsparenoefforttohuntthe
Wulfentodestruction.VirusbombswouldfalluponFenris,andthosethatdidnotfleetotheouter
reachesofthegalaxy,orintotheEyeofTerror,wouldbeslain.Ofcourse,theWulfenwouldnotgo
meekly.Bythetimethewarwasover,entiresectorswouldlieinruins.TheImperiumwouldneed
thousandsofyearstorebuild,provideditsfoesdidnotdecidetotakeadvantageofhumanity’s
weakenedstateandmoveagainstit.
‘NowweknowwhytheChaoscultistsweretakingtheprogenoidglandsfromdeadSpaceMarines
onHyades,’Ragnarmused.‘MadoxneededSpaceWolfgene-seedforhisritual.’Hefrownedas
anotherthoughtstruckhim.‘ButwhatoftheSpearofRuss?Whatdoesheneedwiththat?’
Voltshookhishead.‘I’vebeenwonderingaboutthatmyself,andIcanonlyspeculateatthispoint,’
hesaid.‘IbelievethatMadoxrequiredarelicofgreatsignificancetobindtheritualtoyourChapter.
Thespear–taintedwiththebloodofBerekThunderfist,aWolfLord–isthefulcrumforMadox’s
ritual.’
Onceagain,thecaverneruptedinwildshoutsasBulveye’swarriorsreactedtothenews,andthis
timeittooktheWolfLordhimselftoendthetumultandbringthecouncilbacktoorder.‘Itisno
surprisethatMadoxwouldhavechosenthespearforhisdiabolicalspell,’BulveyetoldVolt.‘Forwe
WolfLordssworeourallegiancetoLemanuponthatself-sameweaponandformedthegreat
companiesofourLegion.Themostbindingoathsofourbrotherhoodwerewroughtwithit.’
ThenewsstunnedRagnar.DidLoganGrimnarorthepriestsattheFangrealisethespear ’s
importance,orhaditstruesignificancebeenlostoverthecourseofthousandsofyears?
‘ButhowdidLemanlosehisspear?’oneofthepackleaderscried.‘It’sinconceivable!’
‘Morkai’sblackteeth!’Torvaldswore,shakinghishead.‘Hewasconstantlylosingthedamned
thing.Youmaynotrememberanymore,butIdo.’TheRunePriestpointedtoBulveye.‘Doyourecall
thetimehedrankallthatstormwineonSireniaandtriedtothrowthebloodyspearatthemoon?Took
usfourdaystofinditafterwards.’HechuckledruefullyandgrinnedatRagnar.‘Truthbetold,he
hatedthatbigboar-sticker,buttheAllfathergaveittohimasagift,sohewasstuckwithit.He
draggeditoutforceremonies,andthenhe’dstickitinacornersomewhereandforgetaboutit.Drove
hishuscarlsmad.’
‘Nevermindhowhelostthespear,’Bulveyesaid,turninghisattentiontoVolt.‘Yousaidthissigil
hadtochargeitselfbeforeitreachedfullpower.Doesthatmeanwecanstoptheritualbeforeitistoo
late?’
‘Yes,Ibelieveso,’theinquisitorreplied.‘Wemustfindawaytoreachthetempleatthecentreof
thecityandwrestthespearawayfromMadox.Withoutthatfocus,theritualenergieswilldissipate.’
RagnarclenchedhishandsaroundBulveye’sirondagger.Hecouldfeelhisfingertipschangingas
thicktalonsbegantotakeroot.‘Whataboutourbrotherswhohavealreadysuccumbed?’
‘Iftheritualisdisruptedbeforeitcausestoomuchcorruptiontothegene-seed,theymayrevertto
normal,’Sigurdsaid,‘buteverymomentbringsusclosertothepointofnoreturn.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfleapttohisfeet.‘Thenwemustattackatonce!’
Ragnarwasgreetedwithloudroarsofapprovalfromthepackleaders,butBulveyegloweredatthe
warriors.‘Shutup,fortheAllfather ’ssake!’hebellowed.‘We’vebeenwatchingtheenemycomeand
gofromthatcityforalongtime.It’smorethanaday’smarchaway,andthestreetsareguardedbyan
armyofcultistsandThousandSons.’TheWolfLordpacedinfrontofthefire.‘Ifwehadthewhole
companyherewecouldjustchargerightdowntheirthroatsanddarethebastardstostandinourway,
butthereisonlyus.’
‘Whatcanwedo,then?’Ragnarasked.
TheWolfLordstudiedthefacesofhispackleaders,andthenstaredthoughtfullyintothecold
flames.‘Wemustbringtheenemyhere,’hesaid.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
ThefirstheavyshellsbegantofallontheImperialdefencesasMikalSternmarkreachedthe
commandbunkercomplex.Nobarragesirenwailedthistimeastheearthshakingblastspoundedthe
fortificationstotheeast.Theaugurcrewsandcommunicationsstaffwereloadingalltheequipment
theycouldcarryonatrioofheavycargohaulersasSternmarkcamechargingoutofthetwilight.
SoldiersandtechniciansscatteredoutoftheSpaceWolf’spath,intentonmakinggoodtheirescape
fromtheimpendingrebelassault.Thestinkofdefeathungheavyintheair,stokinghisrageeven
further.
NosentriesremainedtochallengeSternmarkatthecommandbunker ’sentrance,butthenarrow
passagewaybeyondwasfilledwithaprocessionofnear-panickedGuardsmencarryingboxesof
documentsandcratesofequipment.Theyrecoiledbeforethegrim,blood-spatteredvisageofthe
SpaceWolf,flatteningthemselvesagainsttheferrocretewallsasbesttheycouldtoallowhis
armouredbulktopass.
Theburningbeneathhisskinhadturnedtoasharp,pulsingachethatreacheddownintohisbones.
Sternmarktastedbloodonhislips,andasteady,agonisingpressurewasbuildingbehindhiseyes.He
lashedoutlikeamaddenedbeastashelurcheddownthecorridorsofthebunker,gougingcratersin
thereinforcedferrocretewithblowsfromhisarmouredfist.
Atechnicianwashurryingoutofthewarroomwithaportablelogicengineinhisarmsas
Sternmarkarrived.Themanfrozeatthesightofthewild-eyedgiant,andtheWolfGuardhurledhim
backwardsintothechamberwithabrutalshove.Hehitthefloorwithacrashandashoutofpain,his
armsstillwrappedprotectivelyaroundthepreciousmachine.
Mostoftheequipmentinthelargechamberhadalreadybeenremoved,andascoreofsoldiersand
staffofficerswerehardatworkunhookingandpackinguptherest.Headsturnedatthesudden
commotion,andthefreneticbuzzofconversationintheroomfellsilent.SeveraloftheGuardsmen
tookonelookatSternmark’shorrificappearanceandsurreptitiouslylaidtheirhandsontheirlasguns.
LadyCommanderAthelstanewasstandingonthestageatthefarendoftheroom,surroundedby
halfadozenofherseniorofficers.Themenwerecarryingdespatchcasesbulgingwithmapsand
data-slates,andlookedreadytodepartatamoment’snotice.TheyallturnedattheWolfGuard’s
suddenarrival,handsdriftingtothebuttsoftheirlaspistols.
Athelstanescowledattheblood-stainedWolf.‘Haveacarewithmyequipment,’shesaidcoldly.
‘Thoselogicenginesaredifficulttocomeby.’
Sternmarkbristledatthegeneral’scynicaltone.‘Whatisthemeaningofthis?’hedemanded.
‘Ishouldthinkthemeaningwouldbeobvious!’Athelstanesnapped.‘Theenemyhasdrivenusfrom
thecapitalandispreparingforafinalassaultagainstthestarport.Now,Imustconcernmyselfwith
preservingasmuchofmycommandaspossiblewhilethereisstilltime.Ifyou’dbotheredtoanswer
anyofmyvoxtransmissionsyouwouldhaveknownaboutthishoursago.’
‘You’refleeingfromtheenemy!’Sternmarkroared.Thesavageryinhisvoicestolethecolour
fromtheGuardsmen’sfaces,butAthelstanewasmadeoffarsternerstuff.
‘Haveacare,sir,’shewarned.‘I’mnotinthemoodforinsults.’
Sternmarkstalkedtowardsthestage,hispowerbladegrippedtightlyinhishand.Thepaininhis
headmadeithardtothink.Itfeltasthoughhisveryskullwasbeingwarpedbythepressure.Helashed
outwithaclenchedfistandsmashedatabletopieces.Startled,theGuardsmenscatteredoutofhisway
andraisedtheirweapons.
‘Whereisyourhonour?’Sternmarkgrowled.Thewordswerebarelyintelligible,astheWolf
Guard’slipsstretchedtautoverprominentfangs.‘Ourtroopsaredug-in.Wehaveheavyweapons,
andmymenarewellsupplied–’
‘Howmanyofyourmenareleft?’thegeneralshotback.‘Wehaven’tbeenabletocontactanyone
beyondthecapitalsincemid-afternoon.Mymenareexhausted,andtheirvauntedheavyweaponsare
nearlyoutofammunition.There’snothingmorewecandohereexceptdie,’shesaid,‘andIwon’t
wastethelivesofgoodsoldiersonalostcause.’
Athelstanenoddedcurtlytoherofficersandcheckedherchronometer.‘It’salmosttimetocheckin
withHolmgang,’shesaid.‘IwasgoingtorequestthattheyreturntoCharysandcoverourwithdrawal,
andthentheycanbombardthestarportandthecapitalwitheverythingthey’vegot.Wecanatleast
maketheenemypayformassingsomanyoftheirtroopsinoneplace.’
SheledherofficersdownoffthestageandapproachedtheWolfGuard.‘Nowthatyou’rehere,I
coulduseyourhelpconvincingtheHolmgangtosupportthewithdrawalplan.’Asthegeneraldrew
closer,hereyesnarrowedandshestudiedSternmark’sfaceclosely.‘What’shappenedtoyou?’she
saidwithacuriousscowl.‘There’ssomethingwrongwithyoureyes–’
‘Icannotletyoudothis.’TheWolfGuard’svoicewaslittlemorethanadeep,liquidgrowl.
RedclawfellwithadiscordantclangtothewarroomfloorasawaveofagonysweptoverSternmark.
‘Betterdeaththanthis.’
Hiswordsgavewaytoaterriblehowl.Sternmarkpressedhishandstohisfaceandfeltthebones
beneathhisskinstarttoshift.
‘BlessedEmperor!’Athelstanecried.‘He’ssufferingsomekindofattack.’Sheturnedtohermen.
‘Goandfetchapriest,quickly!’
‘Itistoolateforpriests!’theWolfGuardsnarled.Sternmark’sheadcameup,hisfacedistended
intoatoothysnout.Powerfuljawsgapedatthestunnedgeneralandherstaff.‘Cursed!’hehowled.‘I
amcursed!’
GuardsmenscreamedatSternmark’sbestialtransformationandbroughtuptheirguns.Boltsof
energydetonatedharmlesslyagainsttheWolfGuard’sTerminatorarmour.
Sternmark’sbodymovedwithpure,animalinstinct,surgingforwardandsmashingtwoofthe
Guardsmenacrosstheroomwithblowsfromhispowerfulfists.Bonesshattered.Mencriedinmortal
pain,andthescentofbloodhungintheair.
LadyCommanderAthelstaneutteredablisteringcurseandreachedforthehellpistolatherhip.She
fumbledopentheholsterflapandpulledtheweaponfreejustastheWulfen’steethclosedaroundher
throat.
HalfwayacrosstheCharysstarsystemtheHolmgangandherescortsdriftedsilentlythroughtheicy
void.Forweeksthebattle-bargehadplayedadeadlygameofcatandmousewithChaosshipsinthe
asteroidfieldatthesystem’sedge,butHolmgang’swilymasterreversedhiscourseandslipped
unnoticedthroughtheenemycordon.SincethentheSpaceWolfshipshadbeenglidingonaparabolic
coursebacktowardstheembattledagri-world,growingcloserwitheverypassingday.
Theship’smasterandhislieutenantsgatheredatHolmgang’ssignalsroomandeyedtheminutes
tickingawayonthechronometersetabovethevoxstation.Tripwirerequiredatleastthreecommand
officerspresenttoconfirmreceiptofthescheduledsignal.Therecouldbenoroomforerrorwiththe
fateofanImperialworldhanginginthebalance.
Theminutestickedaway.Noonespoke.Thesilenceinthesignalsroomwasbrokenonlybythe
quiethumofthevox-unitsandtheghostlywhisperofstatic.Attheappointedtimetheofficersraised
theirheadstothecracklingvox-speakerandlistened.
Theywaitedwhilethesecondspassed,andtheirfacesturnedcoldandgrim.Afullminutepassed,
andthenanother,untilfinallytheship’smastercouldwaitnomore.Withsolemnceremonyhe
stretchedouthishandandpressedaswitch.Thevox-unitfellsilent.
Withinthehourtheordersweretransmittedtotherestofthefleet.Thrustersglowedtoangrylife,
andtheSpaceWolfshipsputonspeed.Belowdecks,IronPriestsgarbedthemselvesinleadenrobes
andbegantheRitesofAtomicRedemption,unlockingthegreatsealsthatwouldwakentheship’s
cyclonictorpedoes.Therewaslittletimetowaste.
TheHolmgangwouldreachCharysinlessthanfourhours.
Bulveye’splanwassimpleanddirect.AfterissuingafewcurtcommandstoTorvald,theRunePriest
leftthecaverntoseteventsinmotion.Thentherewasnothinglefttodobutwait.
TheWolvespassedthetimeinthesamewayastheirancestorsofold,tellingtalesofthecampaigns
theyhadfoughtandthefoestheyhadbested.BulveyeandhiswarriorsspokeoftheGreatCrusade
andthebattlestheyhadfoughtalongsideLemanRuss.Theirstoriesweretoldintheoldtongueof
Fenris,shapedinthechantingcadencesoftheancientsagas.Ragnarlearnedoflostcivilisationsand
long-deadraces.Bulveyewasagiftedstoryteller,andpaintedvividtalesoffierycombatdropsand
titaniclandbattles,ofdesperatestrugglesandheroicstandsfoughtforthesakeofayoungand
hopefulImperium.
TheyspokeofRusshimself,nottheblessedPrimarchRuss,buttheblackhaired,flameeyed
warriorwhowasmorewolfthanman.Theyspokeofhisroughmannerandintemperateheart,ofhis
wildoathsandpettyrivalries,ofhismelancholynatureandhismercilessrage.‘Hedroveusallto
distraction,’Bulveyesaidruefully.‘Irememberonetimewhenhe’dgotHorussoworkedupI
thoughttheyweregoingtocometoblows.TheAllfathergotbetweenthem,andLemanpunchedhim
fullinthejaw.’
Ragnar ’seyeswidened.‘Whathappenedthen?’
Bulveyelaughed.‘TheAllfatherhitLemansohardhewasunconsciousforamonth.Spenttherest
ofthecampaignflatonhisbackaboardthebattle-barge.’
OneofBulveye’spackleaders,awarriornamedDagmar,shookhisheadandchuckled.‘Thatwas
thequietestmonthweeverhad,’hesaid,andhiscompanionslaughedalongwithhim.
‘Lemandidn’tspeaktotheAllfatherforalmostayear,buteventuallytheycamearound,’theWolf
Lordsaidwithagrin.‘Thatwashowtheywere,likeajarlandhissons,alwayssquabblingaboutone
thingoranother,buttheyneverforgotthetiesofbloodandkin.’Bulveyepaused,andhissmilefaded.
‘Well,notuntiltheend.’
Torinleanedforward,restinghiselbowsonhisknees.Hiseyesshoneyellowinthecoldfirelight,
andtherewasatroubledlookonhisface.‘ThelegendssaythatRusssentyouintothewarptofinish
whatwasbegunbackonProspero.’
‘Isthatso?’Bulveyerepliedconversationally,buttherewasaguardedlookinhisblueeyes.‘That
soundslikeaninterestingstory.Youwillhavetotellittomesometime.’
Silencefellaroundthefire.RagnarglancedsidelongattheWolfLord.‘Youcametothisworld
becauseTorvaldcasttherunesanddrewtheSpear,’hesaid.‘Whatwereyouexpectingtofind?’
TheWolfLordconsideredtheyoungSpaceWolfforalongmoment.‘You’vealreadyansweredthe
question,’hesaidcarefully.‘Icamelookingforthespear,andnowyou’vehelpedmefindit.’
‘Itwasn’tjustthespear,though,wasit?’Ragnarsaid.‘YouhadnoideathatRusshasbeenlostfor
tenthousandyears,andthathe’dlefthisspearbehindonGarm.Youexpectedhimtobehere.’
BulveyegaveRagnarawolfishsmile.‘Lemanisnomorelostthanwewere,’hereplied.‘Idon’t
knowwherehe’sgone,butIdoknowthis:hesworeanoathtousaverylongtimeago,andoneday
hewillkeepit.’
‘Howcanyoubesosure?’Torinasked.
TheWolfLordchuckled.‘Because,littlebrother,LemanoftheRusswasascoundrelandanaxebittenfoolattimes,buthealwayskepthisword,regardlessofthecost.’Bulveyeheldouthisright
hand.‘Whenlastwemet,heclaspedmywristandsworethatonedaywewouldmeetagain.’TheWolf
Lordloweredhisarmandstaredintotheghostlyflames.ForafleetinginstantRagnarsawtheterrible
wearinessonceagaininthewarrior ’sblueeyes.‘Intime,thatdaywillcome.’
Afaintclatterofarmourdrewtheattentionoftheassembledwarriors.Torvaldhadreturnedtothe
cavern,andnowstrodequicklyintothefirelight.‘It’sdone,’hesaidcurtly,returningtohisbench.
Ragnarscowledatthecold,blueflames.‘HowcanyoubesuretheThousandSonswilltakethe
bait?’
‘Becausewe’vebeenadaggerintheirsidefortenmillennia,’Torvaldanswered.‘Theirsorcerers
arealwayssniffingatourtrail,waitingfortheslightestmistakethatwillgiveourpresenceaway.
NowI’vegiventhemone.Iallowedthewardsconcealingthecamptogoout,forthebriefestinstant,
beforeenergisingthemagain.’
‘Buthowcanyoubecertaintheynoticedthelapse?’Ragnarpersisted.
TheRunePriestletoutasnort.‘Whodoyouthinkwe’refightinghere,littlebrother?Ofcourse
theynoticed!’
‘Andtheywillsendeverywarrioranddaemontheycanmuster,’Bulveyeadded.
‘Thenwhyarewestillhere?’theyoungSpaceWolfaskedinexasperation.
‘Why,tofightthem,ofcourse,’Bulveyeanswered.‘Iftheirwarbandarrivesandfindsthecamp
deserted,they’llsuspectatrickandreturntothecityasquicklyastheycan.’TheWolfLordraisedhis
ebonaxeandlaiditacrosshisknees.‘So,we’llletthemspringtheirtrap,andkeepthedevilsbusy
whileyoufightyourwayintothetempleandgetbackRuss’sspear.’
ThenewsstunnedRagnar.HeglancedquicklyatHaegrandTorin,notingtheirlooksofshock.
He’dexpectedthatBulveyeandhismoreexperiencedwarriorswouldclaimtheprivilegeof
confrontingMadoxandreclaimingtheartefact.‘Thisisagreathonour,lord,’hemanagedtosay.
‘It’snothingofthekind,’Bulveyerepliedirritably.‘I’dlikenothingbetterthantotearMadoxapart
withmybarehands,butifI’mnotseenherewithmytroopstheenemymightstillseethroughour
ploy.’HestaredappraisinglyatRagnarandhiscompanions.‘Asfaraswecantell,Madoxdoesn’t
knowanyofyouarehere.That’swhyyou’restayinginthiscaveuntiltheattackiswellbegun.’
Ragnar ’sbrainwaswhirling,tryingtopuzzleoutthehiddenelementsoftheWolfLord’s
deceptivelysimpleplan.‘Ifwe’restillherewhentheattackbegins,howinMorkai’snamearewe
supposedtoreachthecityundetected?’
TheWolfLord’seyesglitteredwithcoldamusement.‘BytheAllfather,youaskmorequestions
thanaBloodClaw!’hesaid.‘Sufficetosaythatwe’vegotafewsecretsthatnoteventheThousand
Sonssuspect.’HebeckonedtoSigurd.‘Gatheryourcharges,priest,andbringthemhere,’he
commanded.‘Wewillnothavemuchlongertowait.’
SigurdnoddedsilentlyandlefttofindHaraldandhispackmates.Afterhehadgone,theWolfLord
turnedbacktohisguestswithafaintsmile.‘Now,littlebrothers,speaktousofdistantFenris.Tellus
talesofourhome.’
Ragnarwastakenabackbythesuddenrequest.He’dneverconsideredhimselfastoryteller,andas
hefelttheeyesofBulveyeandhispackleadersfocusonhim,hismindwentutterlyblank.An
awkwardsilencehungintheairastheyoungSpaceWolfgropedforsomethingworthwhiletosay,
butthenTorindrewadeepbreathandbegantospeak.Atfirsthisvoicewasroughandawkward,
taintedbythebeastinsidehim,butashespokeofthetallcliffsandcrashingsaltwavesoftheislands,
achangecameoverhim.Histonegrewstrongerandmorepolished,fallingintothesmoothcadences
ofaskald,andtheoldwarriorslistened,rapt,ashetoldthemofallthathadtranspiredsincethedays
oftheHeresy.
BulveyeandthewarriorswereshockedtohearofallthechangesthathadbefallentheImperiumin
theirabsence.TheirexpressionsturnedgraveastheyheardhowtheirgloriousLegionhadbeen
reducedtoamereChapterinthewakeofHorus’srebellion,andtheyglancedthoughtfullyatone
anotherwhentheylearnedofRuss’sdeparture.Butthetalesthatgrippedthewarriorsmostofallhad
nothingtodowithwarsorstrife.Theywantedtohearoftheirhomeworld,oftheheavingseasandthe
tallmountains,oftheTimeofIceandtheTimeofFire.Theyaskedhowthefishingwasoffthe
KrakenIsles,ofwhichclanshadprosperedandwhichhaddisappearedoverthecourseofthe
centuries.Theyaskedaftervillagesandpeoplesthathadvanishedagespast,oflegendsthatnoone
couldnowrecall.RagnarlistenedandwatchedtheoldWolves,andsawthesenseoflossetchedon
theirfaces.
BeforelongSigurdreturned,leadingashufflingpackofwarybeaststhathadoncebeenmen.
Ragnarwatchedthemgatheraroundthepriestarespectfuldistancefromthefire,andheardthepriest
speakingtotheminlow,soothingtones.InquisitorVoltandGabriellahadretreatedfromthecircle,
andsatcross-leggedonapileofrugsatthefarendofthecavern.TheNavigator ’sheadwasbowed
andhereyesweretightlyshut.Foramoment,heconsideredgoingtoher,butthenherememberedthe
lookofhorroronherfacewhenshe’dglimpsedtheWulfeninsidehim.Weareallofusforsaken,he
realisedbitterly.Allofushavelostourway.
AsTorinspunhistales,Haegrranhiswidehandsoverhiswhiskeredfaceandgloweredintothe
fireforsometime.Afterawhilehereachedadecisionandbeganrummagingquietlythroughthe
fieldbagsattachedtohiswaist.Slowly,carefully,hedrewoutasquatcylinderthesizeofamelta
bombandcradleditinhislap.Thenhereachedoverhisshoulderanddrewforthhisgreatalehorn.
Ragnarfaintlyheardthehissofescapingairandthoughtnothingofitatfirst.Thenhenoticeda
palpablechangeamongthewarriorssittingaroundthefire.TheoldWolveswereleaningforward,
theirexpressionsintent.EvenLordBulveyehadstoppedlisteningtoTorinandwaswatchingHaegr ’s
everymove.
BythispointTorinhadnotedthechangeaswell,andhisstorycametoahalt.Haegr,meanwhile,
settheemptycylinderonthestonefloorandstartedtoraisethefoaminghorntohislips.
‘Isthatale?’askedDagmar,lickinghislips.Hisvoicesoundedalmostreverent.
‘Aye,’Haegrrepliedwithabroadgrin.‘Good,brownIronIslandsale,tappedfromthekegsinthe
Fang’sdeepcellars,’hesaidproudly.‘I’vebeensavingthisoneforaspecialoccasion,andthisseems
likethetime!BringingitallthewayfromFenriswasasagaallbyitself,Icantellyou.’Heraisedthe
horntothewarriors.‘Skoal!’
‘Wehaven’thadadropofaleinsixthousandyears,’Bulveyemused,eyeingthealehorn
appreciatively.
‘Sixthousandthreehundredandtwenty-twoyears,eighteendays,sixhoursandtwenty-one
minutes,’Dagmarsaid,‘giveortake.’
Haegrfroze,therimofthehorntouchinghislips.Hiseyesflickedfromonethirstyfacetothe
next.‘Well,IsupposeIcouldofferyouataste,’hesaidreluctantly,‘justaswallow,youunderstand–’
‘That’sfine!’Bulveyesaid,reachingeagerlyforthehorn.PryingitloosefromHaegr ’sfingers,he
raisedithigh.‘Drinkdeep,lads!ThenexttastewegetwillbeintheHallsofRuss!Skoal!’
‘Skoal!’thewarriorscried,risingfromtheirbenchesandcrowdingaroundtheirlord.Haegr
watchedthefrenzywithastrickengrinfrozenonhisface.
Muffledthunderrolleddownthewindingtunnel,followedbythefainthowlofwolves.Bulveyeand
thewarriorsfroze,theircelebrationsforgotten.Thencameanotherrumble,thisonestaccatoand
sharpedged,likethehammeringofaheavybolter.
‘Ithasbegun,’theWolfLordsaid.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
Svencrouchedlowandranalongthetrenchline,clamberingoverthetwistedbodiesofGuardsmen
asbolterandmissilefirecrashedintothefiringpositionhe’djustleft.Rebelartillerycontinuedto
fall,unleashingastormofshrapnelandchurningtheearthbehindtheImperiallines.Theblasts
strobedangrilyinthedarkness,paintingtheshatteredfortificationsinluridcoloursandlong,jagged
shadows.
TheGreyHunterworkedhiswayalongthetrenchforadozenmetres,andthenpoppedupand
swepthisbolteracrossthecrowdedkillingground.
Themassedassaultsbymobsofrebeltroopshadfinallygroundtoahalt,andscatteredplatoonsof
infantryandbandsofhowlingmutantscrepttheirwayforwardmetrebymetreoverthebodiesof
theirfallencohorts.Svencaughtasmallsquadoftraitorsjustastheyrosefromasmokingshell-hole
andcutthemdownwithaone-handedburstfromhisboltgun.Twelveroundsleft,hethought,keeping
thecountinhisheadasheduckedtoavoidthestormofreturnfirethatclawedatthebatteredparapet.
AnothersalvoofshellscrashedintoSven’ssectionoftheline,nearlypitchinghimforwardonto
hisfaceandshoweringhimwithdirtandbrokenferrocrete.TheSpaceWolfheardafierceoath
furtherdownthecorpse-filledtrench,andsawahulking,armouredfigureonhisknees,onehand
pressedtothesideofhisneck.Teethbared,theyoungGreyHunterscrambledovertothewounded
SpaceWolf.
ItwasGunnar,oneofthecompany’sLongFangpackleaders.Brightredbloodstreamedbetween
theoldWolf’sfingersandspatteredhisdirtcoveredbreastplate.Sven’seyeswidenedatthesight.
‘Howbadlyareyouhurt,brother?’heasked,shoutingovertheroarofenemyshells.
Gunnargrimacedandspatastreamofbloodontotheground.‘I’vehadworse,’hegrated,showing
red-stainedfangs.Akrakmissileslammedintotheparapetdirectlyovertheirheads,silhouettingtheir
facesinyellowandorange.BothWolvesduckedasmorefragmentshissedovertheirheads.‘Idon’t
thinktheylikeusverymuch,’Gunnarobserved.
Svencouldn’thelpbutgrin.‘MusthavebeensomethingIsaid,’hequipped.‘Whereistherestof
yourpack?’
‘ThorinandMikkalarefifteenmetresbackthatway,’thepackleadersaid,jerkinghisheadinthe
directionofthetrenchlinetohisleft.‘Idon’tknowwhereIvoorJangotoffto,butthey’dbesthope
theenemyfindsthembeforeIdo!’
Svenshookhishead.‘I’velosttrackofJurgenandBorsaswell,’hesaid.‘Oneminutetheywere
withme,andthenext…’
Gunnarnodded.‘Iknow,’hereplied,tentativelypullinghishandfromthewoundinhisneck.‘I
thoughtIvoandJanmighthaveheardthewithdrawalorderandpulledback.Myvoxisn’tworking.’
‘Neitherismine,’Svenadmitted.‘Notasinglethingisgoingright,ifyouaskme.’
‘HaveyouseenSternmark?’
‘HewentchargingofftothecommandbunkertwohoursagoandIhaven’tseenhimsince,’Sven
answered.
TheLongFanggrowleddeepinhisthroat,andthenroseabovetheparapetandfiredoffaquick
burst.Screamsechoedupfromthekillingground.‘NowwouldbeagoodtimeforBerektogetoff
hisdeathbedandsortthingsout,’Gunnarsaidashedroppedbackintocover.
‘Notlikely,’Svenmuttered.Hereadiedhisbolterandwaitedforthestormofreturnfiretopass.
Movementfromfurtherdownthetrenchcaughthiseye.‘Someone’scoming,’hesaid,pointingatthe
armouredfigureswiftlyworkingitswaytowardsthetwoWolves.
Gunnarpeeredwarilyattheapproachingfigure.‘That’sSilvertongue,’henoted.‘Maybenowwe’ll
getsomedamnedanswers.’
Theskaldlookedinnobettershapethantheywere.Streaksofbloodandsootcoveredhislong
face,andshallowcratersacrosshisbreastplateandpauldronsshowedtheimpactofheavycalibre
shells.‘HaveeitherofyouseenSternmark?’heaskedashereachedthetwoWolves.
SvenandGunnarsharedasidelonglook.‘Wewerehopingyouhad,’theLongFangadmitted.
‘Notsinceheheadedofftowardsthecommandbunker,’theskaldreplied.‘HisWolfGuardis
holdingaboutakilometreofthetrenchlinebackbehindme,butIhaven’tbeenabletofindanyone
elsebesidesyoutwo.’
ArocketmadeabansheewailrightovertheWolves’heads,nearlycloseenoughforSventoreach
outandtouchit.‘There’ssomethingstrangegoingon,’theGreyHunteryelled.‘What’shappenedto
thewithdrawal?Ithoughtwewerepullingbacktotheships?’
‘Athelstanewassupposedtogivetheordermorethananhourago,’Silvertonguereplied.‘Someof
theGuardunitshavealreadypulledback–’
‘Pulledback?’Gunnarspat.‘They’reretreatingallalongtheline!Ifwedon’tdosomethingsoon
thisisgoingtoturnintoarout!’
Asillfatewouldhaveit,screamsandshoutsofterrorrangoutalongtheImperialline.Inthefiery
lightoftherebelbombardmentSvencaughtglimpsesofdreadful,sinuousformsrearingupfromthe
trenchesandscatteringtornpiecesofmeatthatmomentsbeforehadbeenmen.
‘Morkai’steeth!’theGreyHuntercried.‘Thewards!Thebloodywardshavefallen!’
Battered,reelingfigureswerescramblingandcrawlingoutofthetrenches,firingwildlyatthe
unholymonstersthathadappearedintheirmidst.TheGuardsmenhadfinallyreachedtheirbreaking
point,pushedpastthepointofenduranceafteralongdayofblood,steelandflame.
Then,adreadful,rollingdrumbeatrattledfromthedepthsofthekillingground.Fleeingsoldiers
staggeredorspunabout,tornbypreciseburstsofmass-reactiveshells.
ThethreeWolveseyedoneanothergrimly.Theyknewthatsoundandwhatitportended.
Svenpoppedupovertheparapetandsearchedfortargets.Downinthekillingzonemarchedathin
lineoffigurescasedinblueandgold.
TheThousandSonsstrodelikeirongodspastthecoweringrebeltroops.Eldritchfiresblazed
fromtheocularsoftheirornatehelmsandleakedfromthejoinsintheirancientarmour,andtheir
rune-etchedweaponsspatstreamsofdeathatthefleeingGuardsmen.
BreathinganoathtotheAllfather,Svenlaidhissightsononeoftheadvancingwarriorsandfireda
quickburst.Detonationscrackledalongthefoeman’sbreastplateandblewafist-sizedholethroughits
helmet.TheChaosMarinestaggered,fireslickingfromthewound,butthewarriorbroughtits
weaponaroundandreturnedfireinthesamemotion.
Astreamofcursedshellsdugcratersfromtheparapet,andburstalongSven’srightpauldron.With
ablisteringcurse,heduckedbackintocover,absentlysmearingbloodfromashrapnelwoundacross
hischeekwiththebackofonehand.
Gunnarstolealookoverthelipofthetrench,andduckedbackasanothervolleyofshellstoreinto
theparapet.‘We’llwaituntiltheyhitthetrenchlineandgivethematasteofourblades,’theLong
Fangdeclared.
MorgrimSilvertongueshookhishead.‘Wethreearen’tgoingtostopthis,’hesaid.‘TheGuard
regimentsareinfullretreatandourbrothershavebeenisolated.Weneedtoregaincommandand
controlorwe’regoingtobecutoffandslaughtered!’
‘How?’Svengrowled.‘Thevox-unitsarebeingjammed.’
Silvertonguestaredacrossthesmokewreathedstarportandreachedadecision.‘Headforthe
commandbunker!’hedeclared.‘Wecanusethelong-rangevoxsystemtorallyasmanytroopsaswe
canandformarearguard.’
Sveneyedthedistantbunkerandnoddedgrimly.‘Let’sgo,’hegrowled.‘It’sasgoodaplacefora
laststandasany.’
AsquadronofChaosraiderspickeduptheHolmgangontheirscopeshalfwaytoCharys,andswung
aboutonaninterceptcourse.Auguroperatorsstudiedtheunknowncontacts,strugglingtodivinetheir
identitiesasguncrewsracedtotheirmountsandtorpedocrewshauledattheloadingchainsoftheir
rune-etchedmissiles.Commandersinvokedtheblasphemousnamesoftheirgodsandorderedtheir
shipstoflankspeed.VastrewardshadbeenofferedtothefirstcrewtofindthehatedWolfshipsand
bringthemtobay.
TheChaosshipsfannedoutinabroadarcacrosstheHolmgang’spath,castingadeadlynetforthe
oncomingvessels.Convergingatmaximumspeed,thetwoforcesreachedextremeweapons’range
withinmoments.Theauguroperatorsmuttereddesperateincantationsandbroodedovertheicons
glimmeringontheirscreens,buttheyweretakenbysurprisewhentheunidentifiedshipswere
obscuredbehindacloudofflickeringenergyreadings.
Uponcommand,theremainingThunderhawksofHolmgang’sbattlegrouprammedtheirthrottles
forwardandstreakedfromthesensorshadowoftheirparentships.BythetimetheChaos
commandersrealisedwhathadhappenedthestrikecraftwerealreadystartingtheirattackruns.
FifteensecondslatertheWolfshipspassedthroughtheexpandingdebriscloudsoftheChaos
raiders.Hourslaterthelightfromtheviolentexplosionswouldreachthehunter-killersquadrons
stalkingthroughtheasteroidfields,butbythenitwouldalreadybetoolate.
ThefateofCharyswassealed.
Anotherloudblastreverberateddownthecurvingtunnel,stirringtheairofthecavernandcausingthe
flamestogutterandspark.ThescentofsmokeandburnedfleshreachedtheSpaceWolves,causing
theWulfentolowertheirheadsandgrowldeepintheirthroats.Sigurdmovedamongtheformer
BloodClaws,murmuringprayersinafirm,quietvoice.
AtanodfromBulveye,thepackleadersracedfromthecavern,teethbaredandweaponsready.The
WolfLordpassedthealehornbacktoHaegrandtookuphisebonaxe.Astrange,deadlycalmsettled
likeacloakovertheancientwarriorasthesoundsofwarechoedfaintlyinthevalleybeyond.When
heturnedtotheRunePriesthiseyesshonelikebalefires.‘Getthemascloseasyoucan,’Bulveye
said,‘andstaywiththemuntilthelast.’
‘Untilthebattle’sdone,lord,’Torvaldpromised.‘Invictoryorindeath.Youhavemyoathuponit.’
BulveyenoddedandclaspedtheRunePriest’sarminfarewell.ThenheturnedtoRagnar.‘Your
destinyawaits,littlebrother,’hesaid.‘There’snotellinghowmanyofthefoewe’vedrawnfromthe
city,butIdon’tneedtocastanyrunestoknowyou’veagrimbattleaheadofyou.’Heheldouthis
hand.‘Fightwell,RagnarBlackmane,andholdtoyouroaths.Thehonourofourbrotherhood,nay,
thesurvivalofFenrisitself,restsinyourhands.’
RagnargrippedBulveye’swrist.‘Thespearwillbeoursagain,lord,’hesaidfiercely,‘regardless
ofthecost.’
TheWolfLord’seyesnarrowedatRagnar ’sgraveoath.‘Evenatthecostofallyouholddear?’he
asked.‘Evenuntoyourverysoul?’
Bulveye’swordschilledtheyoungSpaceWolf,butheansweredwithouthesitation.‘Evenso,lord.’
Witharattleandawheezeofhydraulics,aservitorlimpedfromtheshadows,bearingapolished
silverhelmetfashionedintheshapeofasnarlingwolf’shead.Bulveyetookupthehelmandstudied
itsscarredfaceforamoment.‘RememberallthatItoldyou,’hesaidtoRagnar.‘Warwithin.War
without.’
ThentheWolfLord’sfacedisappearedbehindthesnarlingmask,andhewasgone,stridingswiftly
fromthecaverntowardsthesoundoftheguns.
‘Warunending,’Ragnaransweredsoftly,andfelttheWulfenswellwithinhisbreast.
AssoonasBulveyewasgone,theRunePriestturnedtotheassembledWolves.‘Itistime,’hesaid,
raisinghisaxe.‘Gatherround,brothers.’
RagnarturnedtoTorinandHaegr.TheolderWolfbladewasalreadyonhisfeet,weaponsready,
whilehisburlycompanionstareddisconsolatelyintothedepthsofhisemptyalehorn.Murmured
versesechoedacrossthecavernasSigurdsummonedtheWulfenwiththesterntonesofthe
BenedictionofIron.
InquisitorVolttouchedGabriellaonthearm,andtheNavigator ’seyesblinkedopen.Theyspoke
softlytooneanother,andthenclimbedslowlytotheirfeet.Ragnarwatchedthemapproach,concern
etcheddeeplyuponhisface.‘Areyouwell?’heaskedastheyapproached.
GabriellalookedupattheyoungSpaceWolfandsummonedaresolutesmile.‘Ofcourse,’shesaid
coolly.‘Don’tconcernyourselfaboutme.’
ThedistanttoneintheNavigator ’svoicestruckRagnarlikeablow.Abewilderedfrowndarkened
theyoungSpaceWolf’sface,butbeforehecouldreplytheoldinquisitorspoke.‘IaskedLady
GabriellatotryandcontactLadyCommanderAthelstaneorLordSternmarkandwarnthemof
Madox’splan,butwithnosuccess.ThoughCharysandtheshadowworldareextensionsofone
another,theturbulenceintheaetheristoogreatforhermindtopenetrate.’
‘IneedaphysicallinktothemthatIcanfocusupon,’Gabriellasaid.‘Thatwouldmakeallthe
difference.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfthoughtitover,butfinallyshookhishead.‘Ican’tthinkofanythinghere
thatwouldhelp,’hegrowled,irritatedattheideaoffailingGabriellayetagain.‘I’msorry.’
Voltsighed.‘Nomatter,’hesaid,althoughtherewasalookofconcernintheoldinquisitor ’seyes.
‘Wewillhavetotrustthattheywillendureuntilwecansetthingsright.’
Ragnarnoddedgravely.WithalastglanceatGabriella,heturnedtotheRunePriest.‘Westand
ready,Torvald,’hesaid.‘Telluswhatwemustdo.’
TheoldRunePriestsurveyedtheassembledwarriorsanddrewadeepbreath.Palebluearcsof
powercrackledalongthelengthofhisaxe,andTorvald’sbeardedfacesplitinafearsomegrin.
‘Hearkentomyvoice,brothers,’hesaidinaboomingvoice.‘Hearkenwell,andfollowme.’
Thenthepriestthrewbackhisheadandbegantochant,thewordsringinglikehammerblowsinthe
echoingspace.Arcsofpsychicpowerleaptfromaxetopriestandbackagain,growingmoreintense
witheachpassingmoment.Ragnarfeltunseenenergiescrawlacrosshisskin.TheWulfensnarledand
snappedatthechargedatmosphere,theiryelloweyesnarrowedinfear.
LightningradiatedoutwardfromtheRunePriest,thearcsmergingintoablue-whitehazethat
surroundedthewarriorsinanimbusofnear-blindinglight.RagnarheardGabriellaletoutastartled
cry,andthenthecavernfloorseemedtotilt,propellingtheyoungSpaceWolfintothebuildingstorm.
Ragnarfeltadry,desertwindonhisfaceandheardthecriesofhiscompanionsechoingthroughthe
haze.Hefeltthefirststirringsofpanicashetriedtocomprehendwhathashappening.Hismind
struggledtokeepamentalimageoftheWolfLord’scavern,buthisstepsdidn’tmatchwhathe
remembered.Thefasterhewalked,themorethegroundbeneathhimseemedtotilt,untilitfeltas
thoughhewererunningdownhill.Throughitall,Torvald’svoicerolledlikethunder.Ragnarfocused
ontheRunePriest’schantandkeptrunning,hopingthattheoldwarrior ’simposingformwouldtake
shapeoutofthewhirlingmaelstromatanymoment.
Then,justasitseemedthatthestormwouldgoonforever,thewhitehazepartedlikemistand
Ragnarfoundhimselfreelinglikeadrunkarddownarubble-chokedstreet.Theopenskystretched
abovehim,darkandempty,hemmedbythejaggedbonesofburned-outbuildings.Hisbootstrucka
largechunkofbrokenmasonryandhewentdownononeknee,cursingfiercelyunderhisbreath.
Wispsofgreysmokecurledfromthesurfaceofhisarmour.
MorecursingandstartledshoutsrangoutbehindtheyoungSpaceWolf.RagnarheardTorvaldlet
outawarninghiss.‘Quiet!’theRunePriestwarned.‘Notasound.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfleapttohisfeet,weaponsready,hiseyesscanninghissurroundings.Ruins
stretchedawayfromhimasfarashecouldsee.Theroadaheadofhimwascrateredbyshellholes,
buttherewerenovehiclesorbodiesthathecouldsee.Offinthedistance,Ragnarcouldseeabroad,
fortress-likestructurebroodingoverthekilometresofdevastation.
Acolumnofshifting,pulsingenergyrosefromthedarkpalace,apparentlywovenlikeaburning
threadintothenight.EvenfromsuchagreatdistancethesightofitfilledRagnarwithdread.
Heknewwheretheywere.Torvaldhadbroughtthemtotheveryedgeoftheshadowcity.
‘How?’hegasped,turningtotheRunePriest.‘Whatmannerofsorceryisthis?’
Torvaldwaswreathedinvapour,likeabladedrawnfromthequenchingbarrel.Hisgrinturned
fierce,andtinyarcsoflightningflickeredthroughhisirongreybeard.‘We’velearnedafewofthe
enemy’ssecretsonourlonghunt,’hereplied.‘Akeenmindandaboldheartcanaccomplishmuch,
eveninthisterribleplace.Icancrossleaguesinbutafewsteps,solongasIcanseethedestinationin
mymind.’TheRunePriestwinkedconspiratorially.‘Soonwe’llbeabletowalkbetweentheworlds
aswellasourenemiescan.’
InquisitorVoltsteppedfromtheshadowsacrossthestreetfromTorvald.‘Pridegoesbeforethe
fall,priest,’theoldmanwarned.‘Whatyouspeakofdancesupontheedgeofdamnation.’
Torvaldgavetheinquisitoraflintystare.‘We’vespentthelasttenthousandyearshere,Volt.We’ve
forgottenmoreaboutdamnationthanyouwilleverknow.’
DarkshapesglidedswiftlyaroundtheRunePriest.TheWulfenrecoveredswiftlyfromtheshockof
thesuddentransit,andwhateverelsehadbecomeoftheirminds,theirtrainingstillheldtrue.Sniffing
theair,theformerBloodClawsslippedsilentlyintotheshadowsalongbothsidesoftherubblestrewnlane,followedcloselybySigurd.HaegrandTorinpacedintoviewbehindVolt,warilyeyeing
thelightning-shotsky.Gabriellawalkedbetweenthem,herpinealeyeblazinglikeabrand.
‘We’reatthesouth-eastedgeofthecity,’Torvaldcontinued.Hepointedfurthereast.‘Afew
hundredmetresthatwayisthecity’smaintransitroute,butthere’snotmuchcovertoshieldour
approach.’
Ragnarnodded,breathinginthecrypt-likeairandtryingtoclearhisthoughts.Hecouldstillfeel
thecurseclawingathisinsides.Focusonthemission,hethought.‘Whatarewelikelytoencounter
fromhere?’
TheRunePriestshrugged.‘Icannotsay.Thisisasfarasanyofushasevercome.’Hisyelloweyes
surveyedtheruinedcityblocks.‘TheplaceismuchchangedsinceIwaslasthere,andthereareno
signsofpatrols.Bulveye’splanappearstohaveworked.’
‘OrtheImperialtroopsonCharyshavebeendrivenfromthecapital,’Voltsaid,lookingtotheeast.
Alookofhorrorleachedthecolourfromtheinquisitor ’sface.‘BlessedEmperor,’hesaid,fumbling
forhischrono.‘Whatisthehour?Doesanyoneknow?Mytimepieceisn’tworking.’
Torvaldletoutagrunt.‘Timeisfickleinthisplace,inquisitor.’
‘ButnotonCharys,’Voltwhispered.‘IftheImperialforceshavebeenforcedbacktothestarport
andSternmarkhasbeenaffectedbyMadox’sritual…’HegaveRagnarastrickenlook.‘Beforewe
leftIorderedtheHolmgangtodestroytheplanetiftheydidn’treceiveasignalfromtheplanetary
commandersatasettimeeachday.IfSternmarkandhiswarriorshavefallenundertheswayofthe
curse,thesurvivingdefenderswillhavebeenthrownintodisarray–’
‘Morkai’steeth!’Ragnarsnarled.‘Haveyougonemad,inquisitor?’
‘PerhapsIhave,’Voltsaidshakily.Heranatremblinghandacrosshisface.‘Wemustbeswift,’he
said,thinkingquickly.‘Ifwecandisrupttheritualintime,andSternmarkregainshissenses,perhaps
hecancontactthebattle-bargeandstopthebombardment.’
‘Andifhecan’t?’Gabriellaasked.‘WhatwillhappenhereifCharysisdestroyed?’
VoltturnedtotheNavigator.‘Idon’tknow,’hesaid.‘Lookaroundyou.Theshadowrealmchanges
toreflecttherealityofthephysicalworld.IfCharysburns…’
‘Oh,damnation,’Torvaldsnarled.‘NotonlyhaveyouputCharysindanger,butBulveyeandhis
warriorsaswell.Youriskmorethanyouknow,Volt!’TheRunePriesttookasteptowardsthe
inquisitor,hishandtighteningonthehaftofhisaxe.
‘That’senough!’Ragnarsnapped,stoppingbothmenintheirtracks.‘What’sdoneisdone.Our
onlychancetosetthisrightistogettoMadoxandrecoverthespear,andthesandsarerunningfrom
theglassaswespeak.’
TorvaldglaredatVoltforanothermoment,andthenrelentedwithacurtnod.‘You’reright,little
brother,’hesaid.Thepriestpointedhisaxeinthedirectionofthepalace.‘Leadon,’hesaid,‘butbe
careful.I’veshieldedusfromsorcerousdetection,buttheremaystillbepatrolsguardingthestreets.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfnodded,consideringhisoptions.‘Verywell,’hesaid.‘Sigurd,takecharge
oftheWulfenandcoverourflanks.Torin,Haegr,you’reonpointwithme.LadyGabriella,Inquisitor
Volt,stayclosetoTorvald.’HelockedeyeswitheachoftheWolvesinturn.‘Noshootingunless
absolutelynecessary.Wecan’triskbeingdiscoveredbeforewegettothepalace.’
Eachofhiscompanionsnoddedtheirunderstanding.Ragnarfeltawelcomecalmsettleoverhimat
theprospectofbattle.‘Allright,’hesaid,‘let’sgo.’
TorinandHaegrjoinedRagnarwithoutaword,andtheWolfbladesetoffataswift,stealthypace
throughtheruins.Hebreatheddeeply,tastingtheairforthescentofhisenemies,andhiseyesroamed
thewastedlandscapeaheadfortelltalesignsofmovement.TheyoungSpaceWolfbaredhisteethin
thedarkness,gladtobebackonthehuntoncemore.
Theymovedthroughtherubblewhereverpossible,avoidingtheeasierbutmoreexposedroadways
andchartingadirectcourseforthedistantpalace.Ragnarcaughtmultiplescentscoveringthebroken
stones,andthoughtheglimpseddistantmovementinthedirectionofthepalace,butthelightning
madeitdifficulttodiscerntruthfromillusion.
ItwasTorinwhosawthemfirst.AwarninghisssentRagnarscramblingforcoverbehindatoppled
sectionofwall.Hiseyesdartedwarilyleftandright,buttherewasnothingtosee.
Thenheheardit,athin,whistlingsound,likewindoverbrokenstones,approachingslowlyfrom
thenorth.Ragnarpressedcloseragainstthestoneandlookedbackalonghislineofmarch,hoping
thateveryoneelsehadgoneintocoveraswell.
Twinbeamsofluridredlightsweptacrosstheruinsfromoverhead,sweepingbackandforth
acrosstherubble.Thewhistlingturnedintoafaintwail,andastrange,bat-wingedfigureglided
swiftlyoverhead.Ragnarcaughtaglimpseofglistening,leatherywingsandcorrodedmetalribbing,
alongtailmadeofsteelbarbsandapale,misshapenhead.Thecreature’sfleshymouthwasdistended
aroundtherustedgrilleofavoxspeaker,andthecrimsonbeamsshonefromitsaugmeticeyes.
Stillsearching,thefigureswoopedofftothesouth,untilthelightfromitseyeswaslostinthe
distance.Ragnarwaitedafullfiveminutesbeforeheroseslowlytohisfeet.‘Whatwasthat?’he
musedsoftly.
‘Somemannerofdaemon,’Torinmuttered,stillcrouchedlowandscanningthedarksky.‘Ifwe’re
spottedthey’lldraweverypatrolinthecitydownonus.’
‘Letthem,’Haegrgrowled,grippingthehaftofhisthunderhammer.‘Ihaven’thadabiteoffood
oradropofaleintwenty-fourhours.Someoneisgoingtogetagoodthrashing.’
Ragnartriedtogaugethedistanceleftbetweenthemandthepalace.Asnearashecouldreckon,
theystillhadfivekilometrestogo.‘We’llhavetotakethatchance,’hedeclared.‘It’sinthehandsof
theFatesnow.’
Theysignalledtotherestofthewarbandandresumedtheirpace,dividingtheirattentionbetween
thepathaheadandtheskiesabove.Astheydrewclosertothecentreofthecitytheysawmoresigns
ofmovementalongtheshadowystreets.Ragnar ’skeensightpickedouttheshapesofmen,traitor
Guardsmenlikethefoesthey’dfoughtonCharys,lurkingintherubbleateveryintersectionalongthe
mainroutesleadingtothepalace.Moreoftheflyingdaemonscircledandswoopedabovethebroken
groundinbetween,paintingtherockswiththeirbloodygaze.Morethanonce,Ragnarwasforcedto
callahaltandtrytofindawaythroughthenetofflyingsentries.Fortunately,theirmovementswere
predictableenoughtocreategapsthatasmallpartycouldslipthroughiftheywerecareful.
Thetrekintothecityseemedtolastforhours.Ragnar ’searliercalmhadmeltedaway,leavinghis
bodytenseandhisnervesraw.Eachpassingmomentwaslikeaweightpilingontohisshoulders.
EveryflashofpalelightningcausedhishearttoskipabeatasheimaginedtheHolmgangunleashing
hercyclonictorpedoesandsettingtheagri-worldafire.
Theywerewithinakilometreofthepalacewhentheycameuponacross-streetthatintercepted
theirlineofmarch.Bythispointtheywerecloseenoughforthepillarofcoruscatingfire,towering
overtheritualsite,tocaststrangeshadowsacrosstheruins,sendingshiversalongRagnar ’sskin.He
couldseeapairofflyingdaemonssearchingabombed-outdistrictfurtherofftothenorth,butsensed
noothermovementahead.Signallingforhiscompanionstohalt,hecrouchedlowandcreptcloserto
thestreet.
Ragnarslippedsilentlythroughadefileofbrokenstone,andsettledontohishaunchesnearthe
burned-outshellofasmallbuilding.Movingonlyhiseyes,hescannedalongthelengthofthestreet,
firsttotheleft,andthenright…andfroze.
Justtwentymetresaway,crouchedagainstalow,brokenwall,lurkednearlyascoreoftraitor
Guardsmen.Ragnarsawatoncethattheywerenotrecentconverts,liketherebelsonCharys.Their
armourwasveryold,andscribedwithlayersofblasphemousrunes,andtheirbodiesboresignsof
terriblemutations.Theyclutchedstrange-lookingautogunstippedwithserratedbayonets,and
searchedthedarknesswithcold,calculatingstares.Forthemoment,theirattentionwasdirectedtothe
north,towardsthewrithingcolumnofChaosenergy.
ThehacklesontheyoungSpaceWolf’sneckrose.Faintly,hesensedmovementbehindhim.
RagnarturnedhisheadandsawseveraloftheWulfenmovingacrosstherubblefieldtowardshim,
andthenTorvald,GabriellaandVolt.Hebitbackacurse.Therestofthewarbandhadmissedhis
signalinthedarkness.
Movingasquicklyashedared,Ragnarslidbackwardsuntilhispositionwashiddenbythesame
lowwallthathidthedaemonpack.Thinkingquickly,hewavedtohiscompanionstoheadforthe
wreckedbuilding.Tohisrelief,theWulfenchangedcourseandslippedintocoverbehindthe
building’sbrokenwalls.Torvaldandtheothersquicklyfollowedsuit,andRagnarmotionedforthe
Wolfbladetojointhem.
Theymadetheirwaycautiouslyacrossthebrokenterrainandthroughagapingwindowframeinto
thegroundfloorofthebuilding.Partofthesecondstorey’sfloorwasstillintact,aswellastwoofthe
structure’sfourwalls.Thewarbandcrouchedindeepshadow.Ragnarcouldhearthepantingbreath
oftheWulfen,andsawtheeerieglowofGabriella’spinealeye.TheywatchedRagnarintentlyashe
croucheddownanddescribedquietlywhatlayintheirpath.
‘Wecantrytoworkourwayfurtherdownthestreet,crossover,andthenworkourwayback
towardsthepalace,’Ragnarsaid,‘orwecanwaitandseeifthepatrolmoveson.’
‘Can’twejustkillthem?’Sigurdreplied.TheWulfenshiftedontheirhaunchesandgrowled,as
thoughinagreement.
‘Notquietly,’theyoungSpaceWolfsaid.‘We’restillmorethanhalfakilometrefromthe
objective–’
‘Thenwe’llcutourwaythroughthemandchargetowardsthepalace,’Sigurdshotback.‘Asyou
saidbefore,we’rewastingtime.’Thepriestrosetohisfeet,andtheWulfenmovedwithhim.
‘Don’tbeafool!’Ragnarhissed,boltingtohisfeetandsteppingintoSigurd’spath.Rageseethed
withinhimashisbodyrespondedinstinctivelytotheWolfPriest’schallenge.TheWulfenpickedup
onthechangeandbaredtheirfangs.Oneofthem,possiblyHarald,tookasteptowardsRagnarandlet
outawarningsnarl.
Thebestialsoundechoedliketheroarofachainbladeintheconfinesoftheruinedbuilding.
SigurdhissedawarningattheWulfen,butRagnarwavedhimtosuddensilence.Everyonefrozeas
somethingsharpscrapedalongtheferrocreteabovethem.
RedlightwashedovertheWolves.Ragnarlookedupandfoundhimselfstaringintoapairof
glowingaugmeticeyes.
CHAPTERTWENTY
Itwasnosimplethingtoturnalivingworldtoash.
Cyclonictorpedoesoperatedontheprincipleofignitingaplanet’satmosphereandcreatingaselfsustainingfirestormthatspreadacrossentirecontinents.Kindlingsuchafirewasnoeasytask,
however;thewarheadshadtobeseededinacomplexpatternandtheirdetonationssynchronisedin
suchawayastoensureaproperchainreaction.
ThecalculationsbeganwhiletheHolmgangwasstillanhourawayfromCharys.Likepiecesofa
puzzle,dataabouttheagri-world’smagneticfield,rotationalspeedandatmosphericdensitywere
computed,andorbitalpatternsforthebombardmenttookshape.Thistranslatedtomanoeuvring
ordersforthefleetastheflagshipchoreographedinsertionpatternsforherattendantcruisers.Huge
warshipsshiftedpositionswithfunerealgrace,takingtheirplacesforthedreadfuldancetocome.
Holmgang’smasterandhercommandofficerswatchedthegreenorbofCharysfillthegrand
viewportsalongthecommanddeckandlistenedastheordnanceofficersdeterminedlandmassratios
andpopulationdensities,turningoverthelastpiecesofthepuzzleandfittingthemcarefullyinto
place.
Thered-eyeddaemonrearedbacklikeastrikingcobra,itsleatherywingsspreadinglikeablack
hoodarounditsmisshapenskull.Asquealofstaticissuedfromthebatteredvoxspeakerthatpassed
forthecreature’smouth,andthenitbeganahigh,skirlingwailthatgrewlouderandmoremanicwith
eachpassingmoment.Morepairsofcrimsoneyesblazedtolifeintheshadowsofthebuilding’s
secondstorey.Byillluck,theWolveshadsoughtrefugerightunderneaththelairofanentirepackof
theflyingdaemons.
Ragnarsnarledacurseandbroughtuphisboltpistol,butthedaemonswerealreadyinflight,
leapingfromtheirroostontothesurprisedwarriors.Theymovedwithpreternaturalspeed,diving
lowandlashingattheirvictimswiththeirbarbedsteeltails.OneofthecreaturesflashedpastRagnar,
strikingsparksacrosshisbreastplateandleftarmwithitsrakingtail.Itspreaditswingsandraced
skyward,buttheyoungSpaceWolfspunonhisheelandshotthedaemoninthebackofthehead.The
smokingcorpsestruckoneoftheraggedwallsandcrumpledtotheearth.
Unholywailsandthethunderousbeatingofwingsshookthemustyairasthedaemonspressedtheir
attacks.Haegrletoutawildyellandswepthishammerthroughtheairatthedartingfigures,blood
streamingfromaraggedwoundalongthesideofhisface.Torinduckedlowasadaemonswooped
overhead,andslicedawayoneofitswingswithaneatstrokeofhissword.Otherdaemonscrashedto
earthinatangleofwingsandfurastheWulfengrappledwiththeirswiftmovingattackersandripped
themapart.TheferalWolveswereeverybitasswiftastheirmonstrousfoes,andtheirarmourwas
proofagainstthecreatures’barbedtails.
Thesurvivingdaemonsfledskyward,circlingabovetheruinedbuildingandspreadingthealarm
farandwide.Boltpistolsbarked,andwithinmomentsthelastoftheflyingdaemonscrumpledand
felltotheground,butthedamagehadalreadybeendone.Ragnarcouldhearthesoundsofarmoured
bootsscrabblingacrossbrokenstoneandheardtheansweringcriesofotherwingeddaemons
approachingfromeverydirection.TherewasonlyonethingleftfortheWolvestodo:fighttheirway
tothepalace,ordieintheattempt.
Ragnarraisedhiskeeningblade.‘Followme,brothers!’hecried.‘Ourcourseisset,andthefoe
awaits.Letnonestandagainstus.ForRussandtheAllfather!’
SigurdraisedhiscroziusarcanumandbegantheBenedictionofIron.Torvaldthrewbackhishead
andhowledatthesky,andtheWulfenjoinedin,singingahuntingsongolderandmoreelemental
thanmankind.
LightningragedoverheadastheWolveschargedfromtheconcealingshadowsoftheruined
buildingandcrashedhead-onintotheoncomingplatoonoftraitorGuardsmen.Wildshotstore
throughtheair,blastingcratersfromtherubbleorricochetingoffceramiteplate.Anindigobeam
fromGabriella’spistolburnedaholethroughoneonrushingGuardsmanandtoppledhimtothe
ground.InquisitorVoltcriedanoathtotheEmperorandshotanotherGuardsmanfullinthechest.
Thesanctifiedboltpistolshellpunchedthroughthetraitor ’sdesecratedarmourasthoughitwere
madeoftissue,andtheblessingscarvedontotheround’ssurfaceconsumedthemaninasheetof
silverfire.
Ragnarleaptaboulder-sizedchunkofmasonryandshotanoncomingGuardsmanpoint-blank.The
traitorstaggered,andhefinishedthemanoffwithasweepofhisblade.Anothertraitorlungedathim
fromtheleft,slashingathimwithdagger-likeclaws,buthespunbeneaththeblowandslicedoffthe
soldier ’smutatedarmattheelbow.Man-madelightningcrackledasTorvaldlaidatraitorlowwith
hisruneaxe,andHaegrsmashedanotherapartwithafuriousblowfromhisthunderhammer.
‘Forward!’Ragnaryelled,orientatinghimselfonthedistantpalace.‘Don’tstopforanything.’
AnotherGuardsmanrearedupinfrontoftheyoungSpaceWolfandtheybothfiredpoint-blank.
Thetraitorfellbackwards,hisheadblownapart,evenastheautogunshellricochetedfromRagnar ’s
ancientarmour.HevaultedtheGuardsman’sbloodycorpseandsliddownaslopeofshatteredrubble,
allbuttumblingontothedebrischokedstreetbeyond.
Astormofshellscriss-crossedoverRagnar ’sheadordugfurrowsfromtheroadwayasmore
enemypatrolsfiredfromeitherendofthestreet.Ragnarduckedlowandcrossedthestreetatarun,
firingaimedshotsatthemobofGuardsmentohisright.TorinandHaegraddedtheirfiremoments
laterastheyemergedontothestreetandfollowedtheyoungSpaceWolf’slead.Torvald,Gabriella
andVoltfollowed,surroundedbySigurdandtheWulfen.Theinquisitor ’sarmourandrobesshone
withburningsilverrunes,andthewardsofprotectionseemedtoconfoundtheenemy’saimlong
enoughforthegrouptoreachcoveronthefarsideofthestreet.
BythatpointRagnarwasalreadychargingaheadthroughthelightningshotdarkness,stumbling,
leapingandscramblingoverpilesofrubbleandtwistedmetalwhilelisteningtothesoundsofpursuit
approachingfromtheeastandwest.Shrieksechoedoverheadasmoreoftheflyingdaemonsjoined
thechase.Onesweptlow,anglingforRagnar ’sback,butashotfromTorin’sboltpistolsentit
tumblingtotheground.Shouts,cursesandferalhowlsshookthenight.Shotsfromthetraitors’
autogunshissedthroughtheair,butthebrokenterrainprovidedamplecoverfortherunning
warband.Ragnarcouldn’taffordasinglebackwardglance.Hecouldonlytrustthathiscompanions
werestillbehindhim.
Ragnarcutthemostdirectcourseovertheruinsthathecould,navigatingbythetwistingcolumnof
Chaosenergyrisingfromthepalaceroof.Thetraitorscontinuedtopursuetheracingwarband,
sometimesdrawingcloseenoughforabriefexchangeoffirewiththeWolves.OnceRagnarclearly
heardahowlofpain,andheknewthatoneoftheWulfenhadbeenhit.Steelinghimself,theyoung
SpaceWolfpressedon.
Afterseverallongminutes,thebrokenwallsandpilesofdebrisabruptlyendedattheedgeofa
vast,opensquarethatstretchedbeforethepalacegates.Thesquarewaspockedwithcratersand
scarredwithblackenedfurrowsthatwerethehallmarksofanorbitalbombardment.Ragnarfetched
upagainsttheremnantsofashatteredwallandcursedunderhisbreath.Heoughttohaveexpecteda
paradegroundormarshallingfieldinfrontofthepalace.Thisone,nearashecouldtell,lookedtobe
akilometreacross.FaintsignsofmovementatthefarendrevealedmobsoftraitorGuardsmen
rushingintothesquarefromthewest,drawnbythewailingdaemonsoverhead.
Faracrosstheplaza,thepalace’stallgatesstoodopen,butforhowmuchlonger,Ragnar
wondered?
TorinandHaegrpulledupalongsideRagnar,theirarmouredformscoatedindustandsplashesof
ichor.Haegrwasred-facedandbreathinghardfromthedifficultrun,buthisexpressionwassetina
determinedscowl.Torinpeeredacrosstheopensquareandshookhishead.‘Idon’tlikethelookof
that,’hedeclared.‘We’llbetakingfirethewholewayacross.’
‘Bestgetitoverwith,then,’Ragnargrowled.Hepeeredbackoverhisshoulder,tryingtoascertain
wheretherestofthewarbandwas.HecaughtaglimpseofSigurdandafewoftheWulfen,andthen
sawTorvald,GabriellaandVoltclimbingoverapileofrubblejustbehindhim.‘We’llstaycloseto
theinquisitorandseehowwellthosewardsofhiswork.Let’sgo!’
Ragnarleaptfromcoverontotheedgeofthesquare.MomentslaterTorinandHaegrfollowed,and
thenSigurd,Torvald,GabriellaandVolt.Thedark,swiftformsoftheWulfenflowedlikeshadows
outoftherubbletoeitherside.Theywereclosetothesouth-westcornerofthesquare.Ragnarcould
seemoremovementfarthernorth,whereasidestreetemptiedintothesquare,andsawmorepursuing
mobsapproachingfromthenorthandeast.
Hedidn’tseethetraitorshiddenintherubbletothesouthuntiltheyrosefromcoverandopened
fire.
Astormofshellstorethroughthesurprisedwarband,ringingoffthecurvedsurfacesofceramite
plate,andbuzzingthroughtheair.TwoshellsflattenedagainstRagnar ’sarmour;anotherclipped
Haegr ’srightleg,nearlydroppingtheburlyWolfbladetohisknees.OneoftheWulfendropped
withoutasound,shotthroughthehead.
Gabriellaspun,rakingtheruinswithburstsfromherxenotechpistol.Thenashellstruckherhigh
inthechest,knockingtheNavigatorfromherfeet.
Ragnarroaredinangerandopenedfireontheambushers,knockingonetraitorbackwardswitha
shellthroughhishelmet.MoreenemyshellshissedpasttheyoungSpaceWolf’sheadasheleaptfor
Gabriella.‘Headforthepalace,’hecried.‘Go!’
Torvaldtookupthecry,leadingSigurdandtheWulfentowardsthepalace.Stillfiring,Ragnar
kneltbesideGabriella.‘Areyouhurt?’heasked.
‘Fine…I’mfine,’theNavigatorgasped.‘Itflattenedagainstmyarmour.Helpmeup.’
AshellricochetedfromRagnar ’sleftpauldron.Volt,TorinandHaegrstoodtheirground,trading
shotswiththeambushingGuardsmen.TheyoungSpaceWolfgothisswordarmaroundGabriella’s
shouldersandliftedhertoherfeet.‘Run!’heyelled,pushingherafterTorvald.Holsteringhispistol,
Ragnarpulledagrenadefromhisbelt,threwittowardstheambushers,andthenlopedalongin
Gabriella’swake.
ShellshissedthroughtheairfromthreedifferentdirectionsastheWolvesracedacrossthesquare.
TraitorGuardsmenwerechargingatthewarband,forminganarmouredbarrieracrossthewarriors’
path.Torvaldwashitagainandagain,skippingasinglestepwhenoneoftheshellsfoundaweakspot
inhisarmour,buttheoldwarrioronlyredoubledhispace,hisaxeheldhigh.TheRunePriestbegana
dreadfulbattlechantashechargedintothefire,asongofsplithelmsandsplinteredshields,a
mercilesssongofvengeanceandredruin.
IfthetraitorsmeanttobarthepathtoMadox,theywouldhavetostandtheirgroundbeforethe
WolvesofFenris.
Torvaldcrashedintotheenemyrankslikeabatteringram,hisaxereapingaterribleharvestamong
hisfoes.Armourplatessplitandsmokingcorpseswereflungskywardwitheachupwardsweepofthe
warrior-priest’sblade.Thetraitorsslashedandstabbedathimwithchainswordsorjaggedtalons,but
nonestruckmorethanonce.
Thetraitorsreeledfromthepriest’sterribleonslaught.ThentheWulfenstruck.Havingsuffereda
constanthailofshellssincethebattlebegan,thecursedwarriorsleaptattheirfoeswithbloodthirsty
howlsandflashing,razor-edgedclaws.Sigurdchargedalongsidethem,roaringouttheLitanyof
Detestationandcrushingskullswithhisglowingcrozius.Theenemylinerecoiledfromtheimpact,
itssurvivorspushedstepbystepbacktowardsthewaitingpalace,andthemobsofGuardsmenalong
theflanksrushedforwards,tryingtoencircletheWolves.
‘Forward!’Ragnarshoutedtohiscompanions.‘Breakthroughandkeepgoing.’Ashespoke,he
snappedapairofshotsintotheswirlingmeleeandbroughtdownanotherfoe.Thenhewovepastthe
snarlingWulfenandcrashedintothelinealongsideTorvald.Hisfrostbladehowledastheyoung
SpaceWolfhackedopenatraitor ’sbreastplate,andthenseveredanother ’sclawarm.
AnindigobeamflashedpastRagnar ’sshoulderandpunchedthroughtwoofthestrugglingfoes.
ThenVoltappeared,brandishingaglowingsilverfalchionandshoutingaprayerofdetestationina
terriblevoice.Thetraitorsfalteredbeforethefuriousinquisitorandhispowerfulwards.Manythrew
uptheirarmsandstaggeredaway,hissingcursesatVoltandtheWolves.
Haegrrushedforwardwithabear-likeroarandsmashedtwoGuardsmenasidewithasweepofhis
hammer.RagnarsawtheopeningandshoutedtoSigurd.‘Forward,priest!’Hepointedtothepalace
gates,justafewhundredmetresaway.‘Keepmoving!’
Sigurdblockedatraitor ’ssweepingblade,andthenglancedquicklyatRagnarandnodded.The
WolfPriestshoutedsomethingatatrioofWulfencloseby,andthewarriorssurgedforwards.In
momentstheyhadbrokenthroughtheencirclementandwereracingacrosstheparadefield,drawing
firefromseveralofthetraitorsastheywent.MoreoftheWulfencaughtsightoftheircomradesand
brokefreeaswell,andwithinmomentsthewarbandwasonthemoveagain,firingatthemobof
Guardsmenclosingranksintheirwake.
ShellschasedafterRagnarandhiscompanions,buttheshotswerepoorlyaimedandflewwideof
theirmark.Thewarbandwaswidelyscatteredinthewakeofthemelee,withSigurdandatrioof
Wulfenwellahead,followedbyTorvald,Volt,GabriellaandtherestofHarald’spack.Ragnar,Torin
andHaegrbroughtuptherear,firingshotsatthepursuingtraitorsastheyran.
Ragnarsawthatthepalacegateswerestillopen,andfromwhathecouldseetherewerenofoes
waitingonthepockmarkedbattlements.HeturnedhisattentionfromthepursuingGuardsmenlong
enoughtotryandpeerbeyondthegatewayintothecourtyardbeyond,butallhecaughtwasafleeting
glimpseofflickeringpurpleflame.
MoretraitorGuardsmenwereracingontotheparadegroundfromthesouthandwest,butthey
weretoofarawaytoreachtheWolvesintime.Oncepastthegatesitwouldbeashortrunintothe
palace,andtheconfinedspaceswouldfavourthemratherthantheirfoes.
TheyoungSpaceWolfturnedtoshoutencouragementtoSigurd,andcaughtaflashofmovement
justbeyondthepalacegates.Atfirsthethoughtitwasamoboftraitorspositioningthemselvesin
frontoftheshiftingflames,butthenherealisedthattheflameswereinmotion,advancingimplacably
towardsthegateway.
Ragnar ’seyeswidenedinrealisation.‘Sigurd!’heshouted,buthiswarningcameamomenttoo
late.
Sigurdhalf-turned,glancingoverhisshoulderattheyoungSpaceWolfjustastheChaos
Dreadnoughtlumberedthroughthegatewayandopenedfire,bathingtheWolfPriestandthetrioof
Wulfeninablastofcracklingplasma.
Thecrackleofsmall-armsfireechoedthroughthedarknessacrosstheCharysstarport,punctuatedby
confusedshoutsandthecriesofdyingmen.Flamesbillowedskywardfromwarehousesorrefuelling
nodeshitbyenemyfire,illuminatinglargesectionsofthelandingfieldwhileleavingothersplunged
intoabyssalshadow.Svenandhiscompanionskepttothedarknessastheyracedbacktothecommand
bunker,theirpreternaturalsensesalertforsignsofdanger.
Strange,gibberinghowlsandblasphemouscriesrosefromalldirectionsaspacksofdaemons
stalkedacrossthelandingfieldafterthefleeingGuardsmen.Theregimentshadallbutceasedtoexist.
Allthatremainedwereisolatedplatoonsfightingfortheirlivesastheysearchedforsomewayto
escapetheslaughterunfoldingaroundthem.
Menscreamedinthenight,callingtotheEmperortodeliverthem.Sometimes,theirpleawas
answeredbyalow,savagehowl.ThesoundmadeSven’sbloodruncold.He’dhearditoftenenough
alongthemountainslopesandicefieldsofhomeastheFenrisianwolveshuntedtheirprey.Afterthat
therewouldbeterrible,unnaturalscreamsandsavagecriesasthedaemonsfoundthemselvesfighting
abeasteverybitasterribleastheywere.Sven,GunnarandSilvertongueshareduneasylooksatevery
wolf-likehowl.Ourbattle-brothershavegonemad,theGreyHunterthoughtdreadfully,feelinghis
skincrawl.Hisgazeturnedtothenorth-east,wherethecompanyhadlaidBerekinstateonabier
strungwithmeltacharges.SvenpicturedThorinShieldsplitterkneelingatBerek’sfeet,hishands
tremblingasheliftedtheaccesspaneltothefirstchargeandawokeitsdetonationrunes.Notlong
now,Sventhoughtbleakly.
Astheyranthefivekilometrestothecentreofthelandingfield,Svenlistenedfortherisingwhine
ofengines,andscannedthedarkskiesforthrusterflames.Nothinghadtakenofffromthedoomed
starportasfarashecouldtell.Hefearedthatwhentheyreachedthecommandbunkertheywouldfind
aburning,crateredruin,blownapartbyasalvoofpowerfulEarthshakerartilleryshells.
Instead,thethreeWolvesarrivedtofindthelow,slope-sidedbunkerslargelyunscathed.Three
cargohaulerswereparkedoutsidethemainentrance,theirpetrochemenginesrumbling.The
armoureddoorstothebunkerwereopen,buttherewasnooneabout.
Theysurveyedthesceneforamomentfromthedeepshadowsbeyondthebunkerfloodlights.
‘Whatdoyoumakeofthis?’Svenasked,feelinghishacklesrise.
Gunnarshookhishead.‘Nosignsofafirefight.MaybetheGuardsmenlosttheirnerveandran
off?’
‘Perhaps,’Silvertonguesaid,buttheskald’svoicesoundedlessthancertain.‘Let’scheckoutthe
backofthosetrucks.’
Thewarriorsspreadoutandapproachedthecargohaulersatacrouchingrun,theirbolterstrained
andready.Svenreachedthetailgateofthefirsttruckandswungaround,aimingintothebed.‘Logic
engines,data-slatesandapairofgenerators,’hedeclared,loweringhisweapon,‘butnosoldiers.’
‘Samehere,’Silvertonguesaidfromthebackofthesecondtruck.‘Gunnar?Whathaveyougot?’
‘Cratesandmorecrates,’theLongFangsaidfromthethirdcargohauler.‘Looksliketheywere
emptyingoutthebunker.Except…’
TheskaldlookedbackattheoldWolf.‘Exceptwhat?’
Gunnarnoddedtowardsthebunkerentrance,justafewmetresaway.‘Ismellblood,’hereplied,
‘andit’sfresh.’
SilvertonguelookedoveratSvenandindicatedthebunkerentrance.TheGreyHunternoddedand
edgedtowardstheopendoorway,bolterattheready.
Whenhewaswithinthreemetres,hecouldsmellthebloodaswell,alongwiththestinkofscorched
ferrocreteandoverheatedpowercells.Svencrouchedlowandtriedtopeerintothetunnelbeyondthe
threshold.Mostofthelightsinthepassagewaywereout,buttheWolf’skeensightpickedoutabody
slumpedonthefloorjustbeyondthedoorway.
Anothersavagehowlroseintothedarknessofftothesouth.Sventookadeepbreathandedged
closer.
ThebodywasclearlythatofaGuardsman,collapsedagainsttherightwallofthetunnelandsitting
inapoolofblood.Thesoldier ’sleftarmwasflungouttotheside.InthefaintlightSvencouldsee
thatithadbeentornopenfromshouldertoelbow.Moreworrying,thesoldierhadbeenfacinginto
thebunkerwhenhe’dbeenkilled.
Movingcarefully,Svensteppedaroundthebodyandenteredthetunnel.TheGuardsman’slasgun
layinhislap,coveredingore.Afaintlyblinkinglightontheweapon’spowercellshowedthatitwas
completelyempty.Scorchmarksfromwildlasgunfiremarkedthereinforcedwallsallthewaydown
thenarrowpassageway.
Svencrouchedlow,aimingdownthepassageway.Therewasanotherfaintscentinthetunnel,
somethingsavageandwildthatsethisnervesonedge.Hewassointentonthestrangesmellthathe
didn’thearGunnarandSilvertonguecreepuptothebunkerentrancebehindhim.
‘Whathappenedhere?’theskaldasked.
TheGreyHunterstarted,hisfingertighteningonthetriggerofhisboltgun.Heartracing,hehalfturnedtohisbattle-brothers.‘There’ssomethinginhere,’hesaidquietly.‘Idon’tknowwhatitis,butI
cansmellit.’
Gunnarlookeddownatthedeadsoldier.‘Lookslikedaemon’swork,’hesaidgrimly.
Silvertonguenoddedthoughtfully.‘Ifso,they’rebetweenusandthevox-units,’hesaid.‘Sven,
you’vegotpoint.’
TheGreyHunternodded,checkinghisbolter.Sixroundsleft,hethought.Ifthere’smorethanone
oftheminhere,thisisgoingtobeashortfight.
Weaponsready,theWolvesmadetheirwayintothebunker.Outside,achorusofhuntinghowls
roseintothefire-litsky.
TheChaosDreadnought’sarmouredhideborethemarksoftenthousandyearsofbattle.Gruesome
trophiesfromdozensofunholycampaignshungfromcorrodedspikesacrossitswideshoulders,and
itsscarredfronthullwasdaubedwithevilrunespaintedinthebloodoftheinnocent.Thewar
machine’ssarcophaguswaswrappedinblackironchains,andstrangecharmshadbeenaffixedtoits
metalsurface.Wreathedinanimbusofmulticolouredfire,theocularsoftheDreadnought’spitted
helmwereasblackasthedepthsoftheabyss.Ragnarlookedintothosedepthsandknewthatnoliving
thinglaywithinthatadamantineshell.Thewarriorwithinhadbeenturnedtodustbythesorceriesof
theRubricofAhriman,thousandsofyearspast.Allthatremainedwasahatefulspiritthatlongedfor
nothingbutslaughter.
InthemiddlegroundbetweenRagnarandtheDreadnought,anarmouredfigurestaggeredamid
threeblackenedandmeltedcorpses.SmokerosefromSigurd’sarmour,andtheceramiteplates
shimmeredwithheat,butthepoweroftheironwolfamulethadsavedthepriestfromagruesome
death.TheblasthadlefttheWolfPrieststunned,andforamomentheseemedunabletocomprehend
theperilloomingbeforehim.
Withagroanofancientservo-motorsthewarmachinetookaponderousstepforward.Aninhuman
growlissuedfromtheDreadnought’svox-unitasitreachedforSigurdwithahuge,sawtoothed
powerclaw.
‘ForRussandtheAllfather!’Ragnarcried,chargingbetweenSigurdandthewarmachine,and
leapingattheDreadnought’shead.Purpleandgoldflameslickedathimlikedeadlywhipsashedrew
near,leavinglongscorchmarksacrosshisshouldersandchest.Hisfrostbladestrucksparksasit
rangfromthewarmachine’sheavyarmour,butwithallhisstrengthhecouldnotpenetratethethick
adamantineplates.
Howlinginfury,theDreadnoughtturnedatthewaistandswipeditsclawattheoffendingWolf.
Ragnarleaptbackwards,justoutofreach,butwasstruckwithahailofshellsasatwinbolterinthe
warmachine’sshoulderopenedfire.Mass-reactiveroundssmashedagainsttheyoungSpaceWolf’s
breastplate,drivinghimtohisknees.
MoreoftheWolvesrushedforwards.TheWulfensweptaroundtheDreadnought’sflanks,risking
thedeadlyflamestoleapinandraketheirclawsagainstthewarmachine’sarmour.Enraged,the
Dreadnoughtlashedoutwildlyagainstitsantagonists,catchingoneoftheWulfeninitsclawand
cuttinghimintwo.
Thencameaboominglaugh,andHaegrstrodetowardsthetoweringwarmachinewithaberserker
grinonhisbroadface.‘Curseyourfalsegodsforyourillfortune,traitor,’hecalled,heftinghis
thunderhammer.‘MightyHaegrhasbeenlookingtogivesomeoneagoodthrashing,andhe’schosen
you!’
TheDreadnoughtletoutanothersavageroarandpivotedagain,bringingitsplasmacannonto
bear,butHaegrsawthemoveandrushedforwardwithsurprisingspeed.Hishammercrackledwith
powerasheswungitinabrutalarc,smashingthecannon’sprojectortopieces.Sorcerousflames
lashedattheburlyWolfblade,butHaegrkeptmoving,spinningononeheelandsmashinghis
hammerintothewarmachine’srighthip.Therewasanearth-shakingdetonationthatsentpiecesof
tornmetalspinningthroughtheair,andtheDreadnought’srightlegbentatanawkwardangle.The
warmachinewasimmobilised.
However,theDreadnoughtwasfarfromfinished.Howlinginrage,itswungatHaegrwithits
powerclaw,strikingtheWolfbladeaglancingblowthathurledhimthroughtheair.Haegrhitthe
groundfivemetresaway,histhunderhammerspinningacrossthepavingstones.
‘Haegr!’Ragnarshouted.ThebigWolfbladeslowlyrosetohishandsandknees,shakinghishead
inadaze.AburstofboltershellsblazedacrossHaegr ’sflankastheDreadnoughtopenedfireagain.
OthershellstoreintothepavingstonesandbuzzedthroughtheairaroundtherestoftheWolves.The
traitorGuardsmenandtheirdaemonpacksweredrawingnear,pressinginonthewarriorsfromthree
sides.RagnarlookedbackandsawTorvald,Torin,VoltandGabriellastandingbacktoback,blazing
awayattheoncomingfoes.
TheyoungSpaceWolfstaggeredtohisfeet,tryingtothinkofsomewaytostopthedaemonpossessedwarmachine.Suddenly,hecaughtsightofaswiftfigurechargingtheDreadnoughtfrom
theright.AWulfendashedbeneaththedaemon’sswingingpowerclawandleaptontothemachine’s
leftleg.Flamesenvelopedthewarrior,burningawayhisblondfurastheformerBloodClawclimbed
nimblyontotheDreadnought’sback.Thewarmachinebellowedinfury,gropingclumsilywithits
powerclawattheboldwarrioronitsback,buttheWulfencrouchedbetweentheDreadnought’stwin
exhausttowersandtoreattheengine’spowercouplingswithhischarredhands.
Burninglikeatorch,HaraldturnedandmetRagnar ’seyes.Whiteteethshoneinawolfishgrin,
framedbyablackenedface.ThentheWulfenthrewbackhisbroadshouldersandheaved.Ensorcelled
metaltorewithachillingshriek,andtheDreadnought’spowerplantexplodedinadazzlingwhite
flash.
Theconcussionflattenedeveryonewithintenmetres.MoltenshrapnelraineddownontheWolves.
TheDreadnought’spowerclawspunendoverendacrossthepavingstoneslessthanametrefrom
whereRagnarlay.
Thewarmachinewasgonefromthewaistup,standinginashallowcratermeltedinthestone.
Beyond,thepalacegateslayundefended.TheyoungSpaceWolfleapttohisfeet.Shellsbuzzedpast
himasthetraitorGuardsmenresumedtheirfire.‘Let’sgo!’heshoutedtohisstunnedcompanions.
‘Followme!’
RagnarchargedpastHaegrandtheWulfenandranbeneaththetallgateway.Beyondlayalong,
rectangularcourtyard,emptyoflife,andcloakedindeepshadow.Theentrancetothepalacewasat
thefarend.
Withaheavytread,Haegr,SigurdandthefoursurvivingWulfensweptthroughthegate.Shots
chippedstonefromthearchandrangfromthesteelgates.TheburlyWolfbladehadlostmostofhis
whiskerstothesearingtouchoftheDreadnought’ssorcerousflames,butotherthanthatheseemed
unharmed.Withinmomentstherestofthewarbandjoinedthem,TorvaldandTorinfiringtheirbolt
pistolsatthedaemonsintheirwake.
ThepillarofChaosenergyoverheadshoneupontheWolveswithasickly,furtiveglowastheyran
alongthelengthofthecourtyard.ShotswhippedpastthemasthetraitorGuardsmenboiledthrough
thegatewayandgavechase,buttheycouldnotgainmuchgroundonthefleet-footedwarriors.
Ragnarfeltasenseofrighteousrageswellingwithinhisbreastwitheverystep.Themomentof
reckoningwasathand.Madoxwasfinallygoingtopayforallthathe’ddone.Nothingcouldstop
themnow.
Ragnarchargedupthestepstothepalaceandputhisshouldertothedoors.Thedarkwood
smashedinward,revealingasilent,emptynave.Toweringstatuesofdaemonprincesinornate
armourleereddownattheWolvesastheyracedinside.
CadmusVoltpointedtothedoorsatthefarendofthenave.‘Thegovernor ’saudiencechamberlies
beyond,’hesaidoverthebarkofboltpistolsandthebuzzofricochetingshells.‘Thatwaswhere
Berekwasambushed.Itmustbethelocusoftheenemyritual.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfnodded.Hisheartwasracing,andhisbloodwasafire.‘Whateverelse
happens,Madoxmustfall,’hesaid.‘Nothingelsematters.Ifwediehere,sobeit,butMadoxandhis
ritualmustdiewithus.’
‘Wellsaid,’Sigurdrepliedsolemnly.Theyoungpriest’sfacewasblisteredfromtheplasmablast,
andthebrushwithdeathhadleftagrimlookinhiseyes.
‘Enoughtalking,’Torvaldsaid,heftinghisaxe.‘Now,go.’
RagnarfrownedattheRunePriest.‘Whataboutyou?’
‘I’mstayinghere,’hesaid.‘Someonehastoholdthedoorandkeepourpursuersoffyourback
longenoughforyoutodealwithMadox.’Theancientwarriorstudiedthedoorwayandnodded.
‘Fromhere,Icanholdthosefiendsatbayalmostindefinitely.’
‘Almost?’Ragnarsaid.
TheRunePriestsmiled.‘Go,littlebrother,’hesaid.‘Fightwell,inLeman’sname.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfnodded.‘Andyou,’hereplied.
Shotsstruckthedoorframeandwhippedaroundthedarkenednave.Withanodoffarewell,Torvald
turnedtofacetheonslaught.Ragnarandhisremainingcompanionslookedtooneanotherandleftthe
RunePriesttohisfate.
Theycrossedthenavequickly,theirskinpricklingatthetouchofunseenenergies.Ragnarheard
theWulfengrowluneasily,andfeltthecursewithinhimrespond.Beyondtheaudiencechamber ’s
doubledoors,theycouldhearachorusofwild,unnaturalchanting.
Behindthem,atthefarendofthenave,RagnarheardthefirstblowsbeingstruckasTorvaldfaced
thetraitorhordealone.AgrimandterriblewrathcameupontheyoungSpaceWolf,likearedtide
risingupbehindhiseyes.Withahowl,heraisedhisbootandburstthewoodendoorsasunder.
UnholylightwashedoverRagnarandhiscompanions,alongwithachorusoftorturedshrieks
fromthesoulsofthedamned.Scrapsoftatteredskinflutteredinonanunseenwindfromthetall
pillarsliningthegreatchamber,drawntowardsawhirlingpillarofsorcerousenergythatroselikea
cycloneabovethetemple’sblackaltar.
Uponthedesecratedstoneburnedthestolengene-seedofMadox’svictims,theirpreciousgenetic
materialspunfreeinafine,redmistthatroseintwistingtendrilsintotheheartofthepsychic
whirlwind.Scoresofcultsorcerersfilledthegreathall,standingatopthecharredremainsoftheir
peersastheystretchedtheirhandstotheobsidianaltarandfuelledtheworkingsofMadox’sgreat
spell.
Thefoulsorcererstoodbehindthatsameblackaltar,grippingtheSpearofRussinhislefthand.
Madox’srighthandwasoutstretched,asthoughingreeting,beckoningtheWolvestotheirdoom.His
eyesburnedwithhatefromthedepthsofhisornatehelmet,andhisbaroquearmourglowedwith
unholypower.Patternsofrunescarvedintotheancientarmourpulsedandwrithed,radiatingenergy
likeheatfromaforge,andfoulenergiesleaptinarcsoflightningfromthetipsofhishornedhelm.
BehindMadox,wreathedintheveryenergiesofthewarpitself,shonetheglowingsemblanceofa
single,terrifyingeye.ItglaredatRagnarwithpalpablemaliceandinhumanevil,piercinghisarmour
andsinkinginvisibletalonsofdespairintotheyoungSpaceMarine’ssoul.
Alessersoulmighthaveshatteredbeforesuchanawfulsight,butRagnarBlackmanelookedupon
hisoldfoeandfeltonlyasavage,mercilessjoy.‘MadoxoftheThousandSons!’heroared.‘Your
wyrdisuponyou!ByRussandtheAllfather,yourdeathisathand!’
Thechantingfalteredwiththosefiercewords,andthesorcerersspunaround,hissinginvocations
totheRuinousPowers.HowlsshookthevaultedchamberasRagnarledhiscompanionsintobattle.
Boltpistolshammered,sendingheavyshellssmashingthroughthemassedranksoftheenemy.
Ragnarfiredagainandagainintothepress,scarcelymarkingwherehisroundsstruckasheforced
hiswaystepbysteptowardshisgoal.Sorcerousenergiesflashedthroughtheair,strikingthe
armouredwarriors,butthewardsetchedintoVolt’sInquisitorialarmourseemedtoturnasidethe
worstoftheenemyspells.HaegrandTorinstoodtoeithersideofRagnar,wreakingaterrible
slaughterwithhammerandblade.Ontheflanks,theWulfenpulledcultistsofftheirfeetandtorethem
asunderwithtoothandclaw.SigurdstoodamongtheWulfenontheleft,bellowingouttheLitaniesof
Hateandslayingtheenemywithblowsfromhisglowingcrozius.Gabriellastoodontheright,
movingeasilyamongthebestialWulfenandslashingatthecultistswithhercurvedpowersword.
Thecultistsfellbackindisarraybeforetherelentlessassault.Scoresdiedeverymoment,reaped
likewheatbeforetheWolves’ironfury.Witheverystep,Ragnardrewclosertotheblackaltar,but
Madoxmadenotasinglemovetostophim.Themastersorcerersimplywaited,hiseyesgleaming
andhishandoutstretched.
Withinmomentstheyhadadvancedalmosttwo-thirdsofthewayacrossthechamber.Ragnarfelta
hintofuneasethroughtheredcurrentsofbloodlust.Bythen,however,itwasalreadytoolate.
Swiftfiguresemergedfromthedeepshadowsbehindtheparchmentcoveredpillars:broad,
powerfulfiguresinblueandgoldarmour,wieldingboltpistolsandchainswordsofarcanedesign.
Theirarmourwasdecoratedwithgrislytrophiesfromcountlessbattlefields,includingtheburnedand
brokenhelmsofSpaceMarinechampions,andtheskullsofImperialheroes.Theymovedwitha
speedandskillbeyondthatofevennormalChaosMarines.Theywereveteranwarriorswhohad
slaughteredtensofthousandsoffoesintheirtime,andwerethechosenmenofpowerfullordssuch
asMadox.
‘Looktotheflanks!’Ragnarbellowed,buttheveteranChaosMarineswerealreadypressing
forwards,smashingthecultistsoutoftheirwayintheireagernesstospillloyalistblood.Stillmoreof
thewarriorswerecirclingbehindthewarband,cuttingofftheirretreat.
Theonlywayleftwastogoforward.Redoublinghisefforts,Ragnarthrewhimselfatthecultistsin
frontofhim,severinglimbsandsplittingtorsoswithfearsomesweepsofhisblade.Hewaslessthan
threemetresfromthestepsleadingtothealtar,andonlyaboutadozencultistsstoodinhispath.
Ragnarheardtheshriekofachainbladebitingagainstarmour,andthenheardToringruntinpain.
AChaosMarinehaddartedinalongsidetheolderWolfbladeandstruckhimhardacrosshisleft
vambrace,leavingtornarmourandadeepcutabovehiselbow.ThenHaegrletoutayellasapairof
enemywarriorsattackedhimfromtheright.TheWolfbladecrushedoneoftheChaosMarineswitha
downwardstrokefromhishammer,buttheotherdrovehischainswordintoHaegr ’smidsectionwith
unnaturalstrength,andinflictedabloodywound.
AngeranddesperationdroveRagnaron.Madoxhadtodie.ThefutureoftheChapterdepended
uponit.Heslashedleftandrightwithhisblade,killingeverycultisthecouldreach.Then,without
warning,theremainingsorcerersturnedandfledfromtheberserkWolf,scramblingfortheirlives
upthestonesteps.
Forafleetinginstant,Ragnarfeltasurgeoftriumph,butthenapairofChaosMarineschargedat
himfromeachside,theirswordsflashing.
Ragnarhowledinfuryasheparriedablurringcuttohishead,andthendodgedastop-thrustaimed
athismidsection.Aswordflickedoutandstruckhisleg,thechainbladescoringthearmour,but
failingtopenetrate.Anotherswordstruckathisshoulder,bitingdeepintohisrightpauldron.The
youngSpaceWolfstruckback,aimingafeintatonewarrior ’shead,andthenswitchingtoabackhandedcutthatheburieddeepinanotherChaosMarine’schest.Theenemywarriorstaggered,and
thensurgedupright,slashinghissworddeepintoRagnar ’sforearm.Thechosenwarrior ’sunnatural
vigourdrovetheChaosMarineonwarddespitetheterriblewound.
TheyoungSpaceWolfpulledhisweaponfreejustintimetoparryanotherblowarcinginfromhis
leftside.Suddenlyhefoundhimselfentirelyonthedefensive,ringedbyasemicircleofflashing
bladesattheveryfootofthealtarsteps.Hesnarledwithwildrage,feelingtheredtidepoundingin
hisveinsasheslashedandhackedatthedeadlywarriors.
AboltpistolbarkedjustpastRagnar ’sshoulder.Withoutwarning,theChaosMarinetotheyoung
SpaceWolf’srightscreamedashisbodywaswreathedinsilverflames.InquisitorVoltdartedpastthe
burningformandsethisfootuponthestonesteps,hiseyesblazingwithmurderoushate.Raisinghis
pistol,hefiredashotatMadox.Theblessedroundrangfromthesorcerer ’sancientarmour,butthe
inquisitortookanotherstepandfiredagain.Eachtimehepulledthetrigger,Voltcriedoutaname.
‘GunterMault.KyrSirenus.MattieuVanDorn.YrianKar ’Doma.IsseduOrban.’Eachshotstruck
Madoxsquareinthechest,arelentless,punishingbarragethatcausedhimtostaggerwitheachhit.
Voltkeptcoming,hisfacetwistedintoamaskofrage.‘EdwenBarone.JeddenbirGul.Thesoulsof
myfriendscryoutforvengeance,youbastard.Andnow–’
Aboltpistolcrackedfromtheshadowsbehindthealtar,andVoltstaggeredasanarmourpiercing
shelltorethroughhisside.Theoldinquisitorreeled,bloodpouringfromtheexitwoundinhisback,
buthestraightenedandtookanotherstep.Heraisedhispistol,butanotherenemyshelltorethrough
hisleftshoulder.TheglowingfalchionclangedontothestepsasitfellfromVolt’snervelesshand.
FigureswereglidingfromthedarknesstoeithersideofMadox:fearsomesorcerersinornate
armour,bearingdreadbladesandaimingboltpistolsatthestrugglinginquisitor.Theirguns
hammered,andVolt’sbodytwitchedastheheavyslugsriddledhimfromnecktohip.Theoldman
swayed,foraninstant,onhisfeet,hispistolstillraised.Withafinaleffort,hesqueezedthetrigger,
gougingacraterfromthefrontofthestonealtar.Thenhislifelessbodycrumpled,slidinginatrail
ofbloodbackdownthestonesteps.
Ragnarbellowedasavagecurse,andcutawarrior ’slegoutfromunderhim,droppingtheveteran
ChaosMarinetotheground.Criesofrageandpainechoedaroundhimashisfriendswerebeset
fromallsides.Abladebitintohiship.Ragnargrowledlikeawoundedwolfandshothisattacker
point-bankintheface.Therewasonlyoneenemywarriorleft,buttheThousandSonsorcererswere
glidinglikesnakesdownthebloodstainedsteps,theirblackbladespoisedtostrike.
AwaveofblindingpainspearedthroughhimasthelastveteranwarriorslippedpastRagnar ’s
guardanddrovehischainbladeintotheyoungSpaceWolf’schest.Hefeltoneofhisheartsstop
beating,andpure,animalragetookhold.Droppinghisboltpistol,hegrabbedthewarrior ’ssword
wristandhackedofftheChaosSpaceMarine’shelmwithasingleswipeofhisblade.
Ragnarpulledthefoe’schainswordfreeandfelltohisknees.Hecouldfeelhismuscleswrithing
likesnakesbeneathhisskin,andhismindwasafire.TheyoungSpaceWolflookedupthesteps,past
theoncomingsorcerers,tothealtarandthetoweringfigureofMadox.Thespearwasrightthere,just
outofreach.
Apure,wordlesscryofanguishtorethroughRagnar ’sthroat,andhefelthisbodybegintochange.
Hisfrostbladeclatteredtothefloorashetoremadlyathisgauntlets.Bythetimehepulledthemfree,
thetalonswerealreadystartingtogrowfromhisfingertips.
RagnarlookedbackatTorinandfoundtheolderWolfbladeonhiskneesaswell,writhing
painfullyinthegripofthecurse.TheWulfencontinuedtofight,snappingandslashingatanyfoethat
camewithinreach.Sigurdwasstillstanding,fightingtwoveteranChaosSpaceMarinesatthesame
time.Whathelackedinskillhemadeupforwithpure,animalferocity.Hiseyesshoneyellow-gold,
andhiscurvedfangswerebared.
Howlsfilledtheairasthecursetookhold.Atthetopoftheblood-soakedsteps,Madoxthrewback
hisheadandlaughed,savouringhistriumph.
Thenafuriousbellowshooktherafters,liketheroarofawoundedbear.Ashadowpassedover
Ragnar,andthegroundshookbeneaththetreadofheavy,armouredfeet.Haegrreachedthefootof
thestairsatadeadrun,chargingrightatthelineofsorcererswithhishammerreadytostrike.
Streamingbloodfromhalfadozenwounds,theburlyWolfbladeswunghisthunderhammerina
fearsomearc,smashingtwoofthesorcerersfromhispath.‘ThatwasforRuss!’Haegrbellowed.
Anothersorcererlungedinfromtheright,stabbinghisswordintotheWolfblade’sthigh.Grunting,
HaegrslewtheChaosSpaceMarinewithaswift,overhandblow.‘ThatwasforTorin!’hesaid,and
continuedupthesteps.
Anothersorcererdartedinfromtheleft,thrustinghissworddeepintoHaegr ’sside.Thehuge
SpaceWolfstaggered,andthenbroughtdownhishammerandcrushedthesorcerer ’sskull.‘Thatwas
forGabriella,’hesaidgrimly.
Haegrtookanotherstep.Thenhedrewbackhishammerandswungitwithallhisstrength,
smashingtheobsidianaltartobitswithadeafeningthunderclap.Madoxreeledbackwards,spitting
cursesastheWolfbladereachedforhimwithonebroadhand.
‘Andthis,youblack-heartedbastard,isformybrotherRagnar!’Haegrcried,raisinghisfearsome
hammer.
TheWolfbladeclosedhishandaroundhisfoe’sthroat,butashepulledMadoxtowardshim,
Ragnarsawaglimmerofblackmetalasthesorcererdrewthehellbladeathiship.
HaegrandMadoxcrashedtogether.Foramoment,neitherfiguremoved.MetalcreakedasHaegr ’s
handtightenedaroundthesorcerer ’sthroat,butthenheslumped,fallingtoonekneeasMadoxpulled
hisswordfreefromHaegr ’schest.
ThethunderhammerfellfromtheWolfblade’sgrasp.Stillgrippingthesorcerer ’sneck,Haegr
lungedforwardwiththelastofhisstrengthandseizedRuss’sspear.Madoxshoutedacurse,
strugglingtokeepholdoftherelic.Desperate,hedrewbackhishellbladeandburieditinHaegr ’s
shoulder,rightatthebaseoftheneck.Bloodfountainedfromthewound,buttheWolfbladewouldnot
relent.Withafinal,wrenchingheave,HaegrtorethespearfromMadox’sgraspandcastitdownthe
stepsbehindhim.
MadoxshoutedwithrageastheSpearofRussplungedamidthesurvivingWolves.Itarcedpast
Ragnar ’sheadandlanded,point-first,rightbehindGabriella.TheNavigator,fightingalongsideone
oftheWulfen,turnedawayfromtheChaossorcererinfrontofherandranfortheweapon.Her
xenotechpistolfellfromherhandasshegrabbedthehaftoftheancientrelicandclosedhereyes,as
thoughdeepinconcentration.Herpinealeyeflaredlikeanewbornstar.
Abruptly,Gabriella’seyesopenedagain.ShelookedatRagnar,justafewmetresaway.The
Navigator ’smouthopened,butnosoundescapedherlips.Thenhergazefelltotheblackbladejutting
fromherabdomenandshesankslowlytothefloor.
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
Highabovethewar-tornworldofCharys,thedanceofdeathbegan.
AtasignalfromHolmgang,thesevenstrikecruisersoftheSpaceWolffleetbrokeawayfromthe
flagshipondivergentcourses,settinguporbitalinsertionsthatwouldcarrythemovertheir
designatedbombardmentzones.Thefleet’seightsurvivingescortsquicklyfellbehindtheonrushing
cruisers.StandardprocedurefortheHunterandFalchionescortswastoprovideacordoninhigh
orbittoprotectthecapitalshipswhiletheywerelockedintotheirattackruns.
Aboardthebattle-barge,orderswerepassedtothehelm,andHolmgangcameabout,settingupher
ownbombardmentrun.Hertrackwouldcarryheroverthecapitalcityandtheplanet’sstarport.It
wasn’ttheidealplacementforthecyclonictorpedoes,buttheship’smasterwantedtogivethelost
warriorsofBerek’scompanytheheroes’pyrethattheydeserved.
Acrossthecommanddeck,thechiefordnanceofficertappedaruneabovehiscontrolstation.A
timerwhirredandticked,countingdowntheminutesremaininguntillaunch.
Thecommandbunkerwasassilentasatomb.
Svenmovedthroughtotaldarkness,slidingforwardastepatatime,andtastingthescentsintheair.
HecouldhearthefaintsoundsofGunnarandSilvertonguefollowingafewmetresbehindhim,and
feelthepulsedrumminginhistemples,butlittleelse.TheGreyHunternavigatedbymemory,
workinghiswaythroughthenarrow,maze-liketunnelstowardsthewarroomatthebunker ’scentre.
They’dfoundnomorebodiessinceenteringthesite,butthescentofbloodhungheavyinthestale
air.Svencouldsmellpatchesofitbeneathhisfeet,thescentturningsicklysweetasitcooledand
congealed.Hecouldn’tmakesenseofitatfirst,untilherealisedthatthespotsappearedatregular
intervalsdownthepassageway.Theywerebloodyfootprints,leftbywhateverkilledthesoldieratthe
bunker ’sentrance,andtheyledinthedirectionthattheWolvesneededtogo.
Typical,Sventhoughtgrimly.Neverseeadaemonhidingoutinasupplyclosetorstalkingthe
lavatories.No,theyalwaysseemtofindtheoneplacewheretheycancausepeoplethemosttrouble,
likecats,onlywiththumbs.
Svengrinnedinthedarknessandcontinuedon.
Faintlightshonearoundasharpcornerjustahead.TheGreyHunterpaused,consultinghis
memory.Ifherememberedrightly,thewarroomwasjustaroundthecorner,andthesignalsroom
abouttenmetresbeyondthat.Nearlythere,hethought.
Justshortofthecorner,Svenpausedandtookadeepbreath.Hiseyesnarrowedashetastedthe
charnelreekofaslaughterhouse.
TheGreyHunterswungaroundthecorner,bolterready.Asinglelightstripglowedfromthe
ceilingrightoutsidethedoortothewarroom,revealingasceneofcarnage.
Bodiesandpiecesofbodieslitteredtheferrocretepassagewayinatremendouspoolofdarkblood.
Brokenweapons,crushedhelmetsandtornpiecesofcarapacearmourwerescatteredamongthe
remains,andscorchmarksonthewallsrevealedthatthevictimshadputupabriefbutdoomedfight
beforethey’dbeenoverwhelmed.
‘BlessedRuss,’Svenwhispered,studyingtheslaughter.Therewereatleastsixbodieslyingonthe
ferrocrete,oneofwhichwasstretchedacrossthethresholdleadingintothewarroom.
GunnarandSilvertongueslippedupquietlybehindSvenandtookintheawfulscene.‘Lookslikea
bombwentoff,’theLongFangsaidsoftly.
‘Justclawsandteeth,likethesoldierattheentrance,’theGreyHuntersaid.‘Thosetwowouldhave
beenthesentriespostedoutsidethewarroom,’Svensaid,indicatingthesavagedremainsoftwomen
splayedagainstthewalloppositethedoorway.‘Therestarelogisticstroops,Ithink.’
Silvertonguenoddedthoughtfully.‘Iftherewerestillsentrieshere,thenAthelstanehadn’tleftthe
bunkeryet.’
TheGreyHunternodded.‘Seethebodyacrossthethreshold?He’sface-down,legspointinginto
theroom.Hewastryingtoescapethewarroomwhenhedied.Whateverhappened,’hesaid,nodding
atthedoorway,‘startedinthere.’
‘Iagree,’theskaldreplied,drawingadeepbreath.‘Wehavetocheckitout,’hesaid.‘Ifthere’seven
achancetheladycommanderisstillalive,weneedtofindher.’
‘Iwasafraidyouweregoingtosaythat,’Svenreplied.Steppingcarefullyandkeepinglow,he
pickedhiswaythroughthecharnelsceneandcautiouslyenteredtheroom.
Asbadasitwasinthepassageway,thewarroomwasworse.
Bloodandbitsoftornfleshwereeverywhere,splashedonthefloorsandsprayedacrossthewalls.
Heavytableshadbeensplinteredorhurledacrosstheroom,andpiecesofwreckedlogicengines
gleamedlikepolishedcoinsamidthegore.Morescorchmarkscouldbefoundalmosteverywhere
Svenlooked,suggestingawild,desperatefight.WhateveritwastheGuardsmentriedtostop,itwas
clearthattheyhadn’tstoodachance.
Svenworkedhiswayfurtherintotheroom,peeringcloselyatthebodieshecameacross.There
wereatleastadozen,asnearashecouldreckon.GunnarandSilvertongueenteredtheroominthe
GreyHunter ’swake.Thoughtheywereveteransofscoresofbrutalcampaigns,thesightofthe
viciousslaughterleftthemstunned.TheLongFangpaused,justinsidethedoor,whiletheskald
pickedhiswaycarefullythroughthepiledwreckage.
TheGreyHunterreachedthefarendofthechamber.‘Largegroupofbodieshere,’hesaid,
kneelingamongthesavagedcorpses.Heliftedascrapofdrippingclothandstudiedthebloodsmearedmedalspinneduponit.‘Lookslikeseniorregimentalofficers,’hemused.‘Iguessnowwe
knowwhynoonegotthewithdrawalorder.’Sventossedtheclothasideandstudiedthebodies
carefully.Frowning,hereacheddownandshiftedoneofthevictimsasidetorevealanotherbody
underneath.
‘Morkai’steeth,’Svenhissed.‘Heresheis.What’sleftofher,atleast.’
Silvertonguemadenoreply.Worried,theGreyHunterlookedbackandsawthattheskaldwas
kneelingbesideatoppledtable.Svenfrowned.‘Whatisit?’heasked.
Theskaldreacheddown,pushedthetableaside,andpickedupalong,blood-stainedpowersword.
‘It’sRedclaw,’Silvertonguesaidgrimly,holdingtheancientbladeuptothelight.‘BlessedRuss,’the
skaldsaidinableakvoice.‘Sternmark,whathaveyoudone?’
Svenfeltachillrundownhisspine.Itwasthesamesensationhe’dfeltasachild,walkingthrough
thepineforestsclosetohomeandknowingthattherewassomethingwatchinghimfromdeepwithin
thewood.Hefelthismouthgodryashecaughtthesame,feralscenthe’dsmelledatthebunker
entrance.Thenhesawthehulkingfigurejustoutsidethewarroomdoor.
GunnarcaughtthelookinSven’seyeandwhirled,bringinguphisbolter,butthemovecamehalfa
secondtoolate.Withadeep,liquidgrowl,thebeastthathadoncebeenMikalSternmarklunged
throughthedoorwayandsmashedtheweaponfromGunnar ’shand.ThenitstrucktheLongFang
acrossthefacewithbone-crushingforce.SvenheardthecrunchofGunnar ’sskullfromclearacross
theroom,andtheoldWolfflewbackwardsontoapileofbrokenfurniture.
‘MikalSternmark!’Silvertongueshouted.‘Stayyourhand,lestyoubelabelledkinslayer,and
foreverdamned.’Theskaldtookastepforward,Redclawheldattheready.‘Submityourselfintothe
keepingofyourbrothers,andsaveyourtormentedsoul.’
Theterriblebeastgrewstill,itsdrippingclawspoisedoverGunnar ’sunconsciousform.Sternmark
hadbeentransformedintoacreaturebornofnightmare.Hisoncegloriousarmourwasdrenchedin
darkbloodandscrapsoftornflesh,andhisclawedhandsweremattedwithgore.Slowly,thewolflikeheadturnedtoregardtheangryskald.Yellow-goldeyesregardedSilvertonguecoldly,andthen
driftedtotheswordinthewarrior ’shand.Thinlipsdrewback,revealingbloodstainedfangs,andthe
Wulfenletoutapredatorysnarl.
Silvertonguedrewadeepbreath.‘I’llholdhimoff,’hesaidcalmly.‘Whenheattacksme,youslip
pastandmakeforthesignalsroom.Doyouunderstand?’
SvenlookedfromtheskaldtoSternmarkandbackagain.‘There’sgottobeanotherway,’theGrey
Huntersaid,feelingacoldfistofdreadsettleinhisstomach.‘Togetherwecouldsubduehim,or
perhaps–’
‘DoasIsay!’Silvertonguesnapped,takinghiseyesoffSternmarkjustforamomenttogiveSvena
commandingglare.
ThatwasallthetimeSternmarkneeded.
TheWulfenwasablurashechargedattheskaldwithabloodthirstyroar.Silvertongue’shead
snappedaroundandonpureinstincthedodgedleft,slicinglowatthebeast’srightleg.Theancient
powerswordglancedfromSternmark’sTerminatorarmour,buttheskald’sswiftmovementcarried
himbeyondthereachoftheWulfen’sfearsomeclaws.
SilvertonguefellbackbeforetheWulfen’sfierceattack,drawingthecreaturedeeperintotheroom.
Svensawtheskald’splanandstartedtomove,skirtingwideofthedesperatebattleandheadingfor
thedoor.Shamestunghim.Despitetheskald’scommand,theyoungGreyHunterknewhewas
abandoningbothofhisbattle-brotherstoaterriblefate.Thoughtheskaldfoughtskilfullyandwith
greatcourage,hewasnomatchforSternmark’sprowess.Silvertonguewasgoingtodie.
Svenwaswellpastthefight,andhispathfromtheroomwasclear.Still,hehesitated,hishand
tighteningonthegripofhisbolter.Sixroundsleft,hethought.
TheskaldfeintedattheWulfen’sface,andthenswunglow,aimingatthebeast’srightknee.Itwasa
swift,cripplingblow,buttheWulfenwasswifterstill.Thecreaturecaughttheskald’swristandpulled
Silvertongueoffhisfeet,drawinghimwithinreachofthebeast’sgapingjaws.Snarling,theWulfen
sankhisteethintotheskald’sthroat,andthenfeltthecoldedgeofaboltgunbarrelpressagainstthe
sideofhishead.
‘Lethimgo,brother,’Svensaidquietly.‘Atthisrange,Ican’tpossiblymiss.’
TheWulfenlettheskald’sunconsciousformslideheavilytothefloor.Afearsomegrowlrumbled
deepinthecreature’schest.
Svenletoutaslowbreath.‘Allright,that’sgood,’hesaid.‘Now,mylord,Iwantyouto–’
Heneversawtheblow.Thebeast’sarmcrashedintoSven,knockingthebolterfromhishand,and
thenclawedfingersclosedaroundtheGreyHunter ’sthroat.Svendrewbackhispowerfist,in
desperation,butheknewthattheblowwouldnotlandintime.
‘Stayyourhand,MikalSternmark,’avoicespokequietlyfromthedoorway.‘Rememberyourself,
andtheoathsyousworetome.’
TheWulfen’sfiercegazeswungfromtheGreyHuntertothetallfigureframedinthedoorway.
Svensawthebeast’seyeswiden,andthehandslippedfromhisthroat.Ananguishedwhineescaped
thecreature’slips,andthebeastfelltoitskneesamidthecarnageithadcaused.
BerekThunderfistlookedhaggardandpaleinthewanlight.Deckedinhisresplendentarmour,
SventhoughtatfirstthathewaslookingupontheWolfLord’sghost.‘Mylord,’hegaspedinwonder.
‘WhenIsawyoulast,youstoodatdeath’sdoor!’
‘SoIdid,’Bereksaidgravely.‘Madoxwoundedmesorely,andhismagictrappedmysoulina
realmofshadowsfromwhichIcouldnotescape,untilaladycametomeandshowedmetheway
backtothelandoftheliving.’AfaintsmilepulledatthecornersofBerek’smouth.‘Ourdebtto
HouseBellisariusisdeeperthanever.Ionlyhopewelivelongenoughtorepayit.’
Svenfrownedinconsternation.‘Forgiveme,lord,butIdon’tunderstand.’
‘NordoISven,notentirely,’Bereksaid,‘andthereisnotimetoexplain.EvennowtheHolmgang
isintheskyaboveus,preparingtobombardtheplanet.Wehavetoreachthemandcallofftheattack.’
‘TheHolmgang?Here?’Svenexclaimed.Atonce,theGreyHunterboltedforthedoor,hisscalp
pricklingatthethoughtofthedoomloominghighabovetheagri-world,butthenhesawGunnar ’s
unconsciousformandstoppedinhistracks.HeturnedbacktotheslumpedformoftheWulfen.‘What
shallwedoabouthim,mylord?’
Berekgazeduponthetormentedfaceofhischampion.‘Hewillstayhereandwatchoverhisfallen
brothers,’theWolfLordsaid,inavoicelikeiron.‘MikalSternmarkhasbeenbewitched,likemanyof
ourbrothers,bythesorceriesofMadoxandtheThousandSons.Butheisnomonster,’theWolfLord
declared.‘Hehaseverbeentruetohisoaths,andhewillheedmenow.’
WulfenandWolfLordlockedeyesacrossthebloodspatteredroom,andalookofcomprehension
shoneinthecreature’syelloweyes.Thebeastbowedlow,touchingitssnouttothefloor,andBerek
turnedaway.
SvenfollowedtheWolfLordintothehall,headingforthesignalsroom.‘Thiscurse,howarewe
goingtostopit?’heasked.
‘It’salreadybegun,’Berekrepliedgravely.‘Oncewe’vehaltedthebombardment,I’mgoingtoturn
thefleet’sgunsontherebelpositionswhileyouandIrallyoursurvivingbrothers.Thenwe’regoing
backintothecitytofinishwhatwestarted.’
Gabriellaseemedtofallinslowmotion,slidingoffthesorcerer ’shellbladeandsinkingwith
dreadfulgracetothefloor.HerhandsstillgrippedtheSpearofRusstightly,evenasherlife’sblood
pouredoutontothedarkstones.TheChaossorcererloomedaboveher,grippingtherelicandtrying
topullitfree,buttheNavigatorheldthespear ’shaftinadeathgrip.Thewarriorspatahatefulcurse
anddrewbackhisblade,aimingablowatGabriella’shead.
Ragnarcrashedintothesorcereratafullrun,drivinghisshoulderintothewarrior ’schest.The
ChaosSpaceMarineflewbackwardswithasnarl,slashingwildlywithhisbladeandslicingopenthe
youngSpaceWolf’scheek.Ragnar ’shandclosedaroundthehaftofthespear,andhelookeddownat
thestrickenNavigator.Theireyesmetforasingleinstant,andhecouldseethepainetchedthere.With
afaintsigh,herhandsslippedfromthespearhaftandshesettledontoherbackinaspreadingpoolof
crimson.
Hecouldhearherheartbeatslowing.Thebreathinherlungswasshallow,likeafadingbreeze.
Horrorassailedhimashelookeddownattheladyhehadoncesworntoprotect.
TheWulfencalledtohim,beyondtheredtide.Itpromisedasimplerexistence:alifewithoutoaths
orduty,livingonlyforthemomentandtheredjoyofthehunt.Foraninstant,helongedforthat
forgetfulness,andthefeelingofpoweritpromised.
Hedimlyheardthesorcererclambertohisfeet.ThencamethevoiceofBulveye,echoinginhis
head.Warwithin,warwithout.
TheWulfencalled,andRagnaranswered.Cometome.
Withafurioushiss,thesorcererrushedattheyoungSpaceWolf,butRagnarletthefuryofthe
Wulfendrivehim.Hewasablurofmotion,whippingthespeararoundandknockingtheChaosSpace
Marine’sthrustaside.Thenhebroughtthespearheadbackintolinewithatight,circlingmotionand
thrustitintothesorcerer ’sneck.Thepointoftheancientweaponpunchedthroughtheceramiteplate
asthoughitwerepaper,burstingfromthebackofthefoe’sneckinagoutofvilefluids.Ragnar
jerkedtheweaponfreeandletthewarrior ’slifelessformfalltotheground.
Suddenly,Ragnarwasbathedinlurid,redlight,andhefeltunseenhandsgrappleforthespear.
Tendrilsofenergywrappedaroundthehaftoftherelic,trailingfromthefouleyefloatingabovethe
ritualspace.TheyoungSpaceWolfspun,glaringupatthesemblanceofMagnus,thefoulprimarch
oftheThousandSons.
Hecouldfeelthedreadedprimarchchannellinghisenergiesintothespear,fightingtomaintainthe
ritualthatwascorruptingtheSpaceWolves.Everymomentthespellcontinued,thetaintsankdeeper
intotheirsouls.
Ragnartightenedhishandsaroundtherelic.Heknewthathecouldnothopetomatchwillswithone
suchasMagnus,andhedidnotintendto,forwhilehecouldsensetheprimarch’sfuryandhis
implacablehate,hecouldalsofeelthepainfromawoundthathadnotyethealed.Thespearhad
woundedMagnussorely,andhewasstillweak.
TheyoungSpaceWolfgazeddefiantlyattheblazingeyeandheftedthespearinhishands.Witha
howloffuryhedrewhisarmbackforamurderousthrow.
Atoncethetendrilsrecoiled,andadisembodiedvoiceroaredwiththwartedrage.Thentherewasa
thunderclap,andMagnustheRed,PrimarchoftheThousandSons,wasgone.
Ragnarfelttheechoesoftheprimarch’sretreatreverberateacrossthesurfaceoftheshadowrealm.
Theredtidebegantorecedeinhismind,flowingbackintothedeeprecessesfromwhenceithad
sprung.However,theyoungSpaceWolfwasn’treadytoletitgo,andheseizeditbyforceofwill,
stokingtherageoncemore.Theritualwasfinallybroken,butMadox,itsfoularchitect,still
remained.
ThesorcererstoodaboveHaegr ’sslumpedform,stillclutchinghisbloodstaineddreadblade.His
lefthandclenchedintoatremblingfist.‘Ruined!’hehissed.‘Thelabourofahundredyears,undone
byapackoffools.’MadoxlashedoutwithabootandkickedHaegrover,knockingtheWolfblade
ontohisback.‘Butyou’vedoomedyourselfaswell,RagnarBlackmane.Thisworldhasalready
beguntounravel.Soon,itwillreturntothewarp,andthethingsthatlurktherewillfeastuponyour
soul!Ishallsavouryouragonieslikewine,’thesorcerersaid,andthenloweredhisglowingeyesto
theNavigator.‘Her,Imaychoosetokeepasaplaything.Herspiritcouldentertainmeforaverylong
time,Ithink.’
AchorusofhungrysnarlsansweredMadoxastheWulfenturnedfromthebodiesoftheirfoesand
caughtthesorcerer ’sscent.Asone,thefourbeastschargedatthefoulsorcerer,theirbloodyjaws
agape.
‘No!’RagnarshoutedastheWulfenchargedupthestairs.Toolate,thesorcererspranghistrap.
Madox’slefthandopened,andheutteredastringofblasphemoussyllables.Therewasarushing,
wailingsound,likeamercilesswind,andthenatorrentofunnaturalenergypouredfromthe
sorcerer ’spalm.ThefoulstreamengulfedthefourWulfen,shrivellingtheirmassiveformsto
smokinghusksinaninstant.
Ragnarwaschargingupthestairsasthefirstofthelifelessbodiesfelltopiecesonthestonesteps.
He’dsensedthatMadoxhadbeentryingtobaithim,andnowthatthesorcererhadexpendedhis
terriblespellRagnarwasdeterminedtostrikebeforehecouldreadyanother.
TheSpearofRussgavetheyoungSpaceWolftheadvantageofreach,whichheusedtofulleffect.
Madoxfellbackfromthefuriousassault,hisblademovinginadarkblurasheparriedaflurryof
lightning-fastjabsandthrusts.Thoughataslightdisadvantage,Madoxhadtenthousandyearsof
experienceonhisside,andhemovedwiththedeadlygraceofaviper.
RagnarpushedMadoxrelentlessly,drivinghimsteadilybackwards.Thesorcererreachedthetop
ofthestepsandcontinuedtoretreat,untiltheyoungSpaceWolffoundhimselffightingonlevel
ground.Almostimmediately,thesorcerercounter-attacked,knockingthespearasideanddartinginto
plungethetipofhisbladeintoRagnar ’sthigh.Ragnarfeltnopainfromtheblow,onlyaspreading
coldnessthatsankdeepintothelimb.
Madoxfellback,afainthissoflaughterescapingfromthedepthsofhisornatehelm.Ragnarknew
thathewasbeingluredintoplayingthesorcerer ’sgame.HerememberedthefightbackattheFang,
whenTorinhadplayeduponhisaggressionandkilledhimwithsmall,preciseblows.Madoxwas
goingtodotheverysamething,andtherewaslittlethatRagnarcoulddoaboutit.
TheyoungSpaceWolfdartedforward,aimingaseriesofthrustsatthesorcerer ’sheadandchest.
Madoxfellback,parryingthemwithease.ThenhelungedinandstabbedhisbladeintoRagnar ’sleft
hip.
‘You’regettingslower,’thesorcerersaid,‘justabit,perhaps,butIcantell.It’sthecold,yes?You
canfeelit,sinkingintoyourbonesalittleatatime,andeachtimeIhityou,thefeelingwillgetworse,
untilfinallyyou’restumblinglikeawoundedsteer.’Madoxchuckled.‘Icanmakethislastalong
time,Ragnar,averylongtime.’
TheyoungSpaceWolfstaggered.Then,withafuriousbellow,heleaptforward,stabbingatthe
sorcerer ’sswordarm.Madoxexpertlygaugedtheblowandlungedpasttheexpectedsecondstrike,
stabbinghishellswordintoRagnar ’smidsection.
Ragnarfelttheicycoldnessoftheswordspreadthroughhistorso,andsmiled.Madoxlookedup,
andsawthepointofRuss’sspear,poisedtostrike.
Therehadn’tbeenasecondblow.Instead,Ragnarhadpaused,lettingthesorcerer ’sbladestrike
home.Hereachedoutwithhislefthandandgrabbedthesorcerer ’swrist,drivingthehellbladedeeper
intohischestandtrappingitthere.
Ragnarbaredhisteethinacold,wolfishgrin.‘This,ontheotherhand,won’ttakeverylongatall.’
Madox’sscreamwascutshortastheyoungSpaceWolfdrovetheSpearofRussthroughthe
sorcerer ’sfaceplate.
FormanyyearstocometheofficersaboardtheHolmgangwouldspeakwithprideofthepartthey
playedinthesalvationofCharys.Itwasonlyinprivate,afterseveralstiffglassesofamasec,thatthey
wouldconfesstheirhorrorathowclosethey’dcometounleashingtheirtorpedoesontheirlordand
hismen.
Berek’surgentcallstoppedthecountdownwiththreesecondstospare,leavingtheordnance
officersscramblingtotransmittheabortcodeandsilencetheweapons’hungryspirits.Cheerserupted
acrossthecommanddeckastheWolfLord’ssteelyvoicebarkedorderstohisfleet.Thefightonthe
agri-worldwasfarfromover,andthegunsofthegreatbattle-bargewereneededtoturnthetide.
Withinminutesthebombardmentcannonswerebroughtintoaction,unleashingarainof
devastationuponthemassedrebelforcesoutsidetheplanetarycapital.Caughtbysurprise,thetraitor
regimentsweredevastatedbytheonslaught,andthesurvivorswereforcedtoretreatinconfusion
backtotheruinedstreetsofthenearbycity.
Butanevengreaterreversalwasoccurringinvisiblyacrosstheentireworld.AsMadox’sritual
failedandtheshadowrealmbegantopullawayfromCharys,thedaemonpacksthathadoverrunthe
starportwereforcedtodissipate,drawnbacktothemaelstromfromwhencetheycame.The
ThousandSons,facedwiththerealdangeroffindingthemselvestrappedwithoutsupportonaplanet
soclosetoFenris,chosetoretreattoo.Theyfadedfromsightonelasttime,leavingtherebel
commandersscreaminginvainfordeliverance.Abandoned,exhaustedandunderfirefromorbit,the
rebeloffensivebecameapanickedrout.
Berekstrodeoutintothedarknesslikeavengefulgod,callinghiswarriorstohisside.The
survivorsofhiscompanyfelltotheirkneesattheirlord’smiraculousdeliverance,andsoonword
spreadthroughthebatteredGuardregimentsthattheLordofWolveshadrisenfromhisdeathbedto
drivetheChaosspawnfromCharys.Withinhours,anarmouredcolumnofrecapturedvehicleshad
beenassembledandwasmakingitswayuptheAngelusCausewaywithBerek’sWolvesinthelead.
Theirobjectivewasthegovernor ’spalace,andtheysleweverylivingthingthatstoodintheirway.
Ragnardrewadeepbreathandwrappedhishandsaroundthehiltofthehellblade.Hegrittedhisteeth
andslowly,carefully,hepulledthevileweaponfree.
TheblackbladeclatteredtothestonesbesideMadox’slifelessform.Ragnarpeeredathis
bloodstainedhandsforamoment,notingabsentlythattheclawswerenolongerthere.Thenhe
plantedhisbootonMadox’schestandpulledtheSpearofRussfromthesorcerer ’shelm.Therewas
nobloodupontheadamantinespeartip,justadarkstainofdust.
Ragnarcouldstillfeelthecoldspreadingthroughhisbodyasheturnedandlimpedcarefullydown
thebloodstainedsteps.Theairfeltstrange.Itwasthinandverydry,likeozone,andheheardthe
ominousrumbleofthundersomewherefaraway.HerememberedwhatMadoxhadsaidaboutthe
worldreturningtothewarp.
TheyoungSpaceWolfmadehiswayamongtheshrivelledbodiesoftheWulfenandsanktoone
kneebesidehisfallenfriend.Haegr ’sfacewasaspaleasalabaster,andbloodstillranfreelyfromthe
terriblewoundinhisshoulder,stainingthestepscrimsonbeneathhim.TheWolfblade’seyes
fluttered,andhepuffedouthissingedwhiskerswithashortbreath.‘Youlookawful,’hesaid
breathlessly.
Ragnartriedtogrin.‘SoI’mtold,’hesaid.HerestedhishandonHaegr ’sbreastplate,amazedthat
theburlyWolfhadn’talreadysunkintotheRedDream.‘Saveyourstrength,’hesaid,lookingdown
towhereSigurdkneltwithTorinbesideGabriella’sproneform.‘I’llgettheWolfPriest–’
‘Areyou…areyousayingthatthemightyHaegrislackinginstrength?’theWolfbladesmiled
weakly.‘Ishouldthrashyouforthat.’
TheyoungSpaceWolffeltaterribleacheinhischestthathadnothingtodowithhiswounds.‘Get
upandtry,then.Torinwilltakebets,I’msure.’
Haegr ’sgrinfaded.‘Someothertimeperhaps,’hesaidsoftly.‘IsGabriellasafe?’
RagnarglancedagainattheNavigator,andtriedtosounddismissive.‘Torin’swithher,’hesaid.
‘She’sresting,Ithink.’
‘That’sgood,’theWolfbladesaid,hisvoicegrowingfaint.‘TellherI’msorry.Ididn’twantto
leaveher.’
‘Sheknows,Haegr.’Ragnarsaid,hisheartheavywithgrief.‘Sheknows.’
TheWolfblade’seyesgrewunfocused.Heblinkedonce,andsmiled.‘Don’ttaketoolonggettingto
theHallsofRuss,’hesaid,almosttoofaintlytohear,‘orI’llhavedrunkallthegoodalebeforeyou
getthere.’Hetriedtolaugh,butthebreathescapedinagentlesighandthemightywarriorgrewstill.
Ragnarreacheddownandclaspedhisfriend’sbroadhandinfarewell.Ashedid,hesawtheblack
gleamofHaegr ’salehorn,lyingonthestepsbesidehim.Madox’shellbladehadsevereditscarrying
strap,butthevesselitselflookedunharmed.TheyoungSpaceWolfpickeditupandtiedittohisbelt
ashestoodandmadehiswaydownthesteps.
AtremorshooktheChaostemple,shiftingthestonesbeneaththeyoungSpaceWolf’sfeet.He
slippedonsomethingslick,andrealisednumblythattherewasbloodonhisboots.Butfortheterrible
acheinhisheart,hecouldfeelnothingfromhiswaisttohisneck.Usingthespearasawalkingstick,
hemadehiswaytoGabriella’sside.
SigurdwasbentovertheinjuredNavigator,pressingabandagetothewoundinherabdomen.
TorinlookedupastheyoungSpaceWolfapproached.Hiseyesweredarkagain,andhisexpression
wasbleakasheclutchedtheNavigator ’shandsinhisown.‘Shetoldmeshetriedtosendawarningto
Berek,’hesaid.‘PerhapsshesavedCharys.’
Ragnarnoddeddumbly.AsterribleasHaegr ’sdeathhadbeen,thesightofthewoundedNavigator
wasmoreterriblestill.HetouchedSigurdonthearm.‘Howisshe?’
TheyoungWolfPriestshookhishead.‘MyunguentsandsalvesaremadeforSpaceWolves,not
people,’hesaid,hisvoicefullofregret.HecaughtsightofthewoundinRagnar ’schestandhiseyes
widened.‘Yourwoundisstillbleeding,’hesaid,hisvoicetautwithconcern.‘Sitdownandletmesee
toit.’
‘It’snothing,’theyoungSpaceWolfreplied.‘SaveyourenergyforLadyGabriella.’
Sigurdstartedtoprotest,butsawthelookinRagnar ’seyesandthoughtbetterofit.Henoddedhis
headinthedirectionofthesteps.‘WhatofHaegr?’
Ragnarshookhishead.Tearsstungatthecornersofhiseyes,andhecouldn’tbringhimselfto
speak.
Sigurdnoddedgravelyandrosetohisfeet.Hehadonelastdutytoperformfortheburly
Wolfblade.Thoughhehadfalleninbattle,hisgene-seedwouldneedtobereturnedtotheFang,for
implantationinanewinitiate.Drawingashort,curveddaggerfromhisbelt,thepriestmadehisway
tothefallenwarrior.
TorinlookedupatRagnar.‘Whatnow?’heasked.‘Itsoundslikethewholeworldiscomingapart.’
‘Itis,’theyoungSpaceWolfsaidbleakly,gazingdownatGabriella’sface.Hereyeswereclosed,
asthoughsheweresleeping.Thebandageoverherchestwasalreadystainedred.Gently,hereached
downandtouchedhercheek.‘Forgiveme,mylady,’wasallhecouldmanagetosay.
‘Bulveyemustknowawayofftheplanet,’Torinsaid.‘Theygotheresomehow,afterall.’
‘Nodoubt,’Ragnaragreed,‘buthe’saday’smarchaway.Idon’tthinkthisplaceisgoingtohold
togetherthatlong.’
‘Itwon’t,’adeepvoicegrowledfromthetempleentrance,‘butwe’llbegonelongbeforethen.’
Torvaldmovedwithalimpasheenteredthetemple,andhisleftarmhungatanawkwardangle.
Hisarmourwasbatteredandhisfacebloodied,buttheancientwarriorstilllived.HelookedatTorin
andRagnarandfrowned.‘Don’tactlikeyou’relookingataghost,’hesnapped.‘Itwasjustahordeof
Guardsmen.I’vefoughtworseinmytime.’
TheRunePriestsurveyedthebloodstainedbattlefieldandthenkneltbythefallenNavigator.‘This
waswelldone,brothers,’hesaidsolemnly.‘Lemanwouldbeproud.’Thenheglanceddownat
Gabriella’sproneformandlaidahandgentlyonherarm.‘Canyoucarryher?There’snotimeto
waste.WehavetogetbacktoBulveye’scamp–’
Suddenly,theNavigator ’seyesflutteredopen.‘No,’Gabriellasaidweakly.‘There’sanotherway.’
TheRunePriest’sbrowfurrowedinconcern.‘Whatisshetalkingabout?’
‘Theco-location,’shesaid,‘thebridgebetweenworlds.Wecancrossit.’
Torvaldlistenedandshookhisheadsadly.‘No,lady.WouldthatIcould,butcrossingbetweenthe
realmslikethatisstillbeyondmyabilities–’
‘Notforme,’shesaid.GabriellapulledahandfromTorinandgrabbedtheRunePriest’sarm.
‘Openthegate.Icanguideusthrough.’
TheRunePriestconsideredthis.‘Whatyou’resuggestingisfraughtwithrisk,’hebegan.
‘Please,’shesaid.‘Please.’GabriellalookedupatTorinandRagnar.‘Idon’twanttodieinthis
place.’
RagnarlookedintotheNavigator ’seyes,andnodded.‘Doit,’hetoldtheRunePriest.
Torvald’sscowldeepened.‘Verywell,’hesaid.‘Calltheyoungpriest.Weneedtobequick.’
TorincalledforSigurd,andthengentlytookGabriellainhisarms.RagnarstoodbesideTorvald.
‘WeshouldgobacktoBulveye’scampfirst,’hesaid.‘IfGabriellacanguideushome,shecanbring
allofyouwithus.Youcancomehome,afteralltheseyears.’
AstrangelookpassedoverTorvald.HelookedatRagnar,andsmiledsadly.‘Thethoughttempts
mebrother,’hesaid,‘butourworkisnotfinishedyet.Oneday,whenouroathhasbeenfulfilled,we
willreturn.Youmaycountuponit.’
SigurdrejoinedthemswiftlyaspalelightningbegantocracklefromtheRunePriest’saxe.The
cracklingenergiesremindedRagnarofthefirsttimehe’dseenTorvald,outlinedbythelightning
abovetheshadowworld.Suddenly,heglancedoverattheRunePriest.‘Torvald,whenIfirstsawyou
attheagri-combine,yousaidyou’dbeenlookingforme,butSigurdhadnowayofknowingIwason
theFistofRuss.Howisthatpossible?’
TheRunePriestraisedhisheadintheyoungSpaceWolf’sdirection.Hiseyelidsopened,revealing
glowingorbsinsteadofeyes.‘Itwasforeseen,’theRunePriestsaidinanunearthlyvoice.‘Farewell,
RagnarBlackmane.Weshallmeetagain.’
BeforeRagnarcouldreplythegateopened,andtheworldvanishedinahazeofwhitelight.
BrittlebonessnappedbeneathBerekThunderfist’sheelsashereturnedintriumphtothegovernor ’s
audiencechamber.SvenandseveralmembersofGunnar ’sLongFangpackfollowedcloseonthe
WolfLord’sheels,andapairofGuardsmenbroughtuptherear,glancingfearfullyaroundthegreat
chamber,andfingeringthetriggersoftheirhandflamers.Berekhadbroughtthemtofinallyputan
endtothegovernorandhishousehold,butbythetimetheyhadarrivedthehugetapestryoffleshwas
abrown,shrivelledhusk,alreadydisintegratinginthefaintbreeze.
Small-armsfirecrackledinthedistanceasGuardunitsbeganthearduoustaskofhuntingdown
rebelholdouts.WiththeHolmganginorbit,theImperialforceswereabletoovercometheplanetary
voxjamming,andhadalreadyregainedcontactwithseveralisolatedpacksacrosstheplanet.Charys
hadbeenwonbackfromthebrinkofruin,butataterriblecost.
Bereksurveyedtheruinedchamberonelasttime.‘Let’sgo,’hetoldhismen.‘There’snothingleft
toseehere.’
ButastheWolfLordturnedaway,Sven’seyeswidenedandhepointedbackatthedais.‘Youmay
wanttotakeanotherlook,mylord.’
TheWolfLordglancedback.Awhitehazewastakingshapewherethegovernor ’sthronehadonce
stood.Itthickened,likemist,andhecouldseevaguefiguresmovingwithinit.
TherewasaclatterofboltsandahumofpowerconvertersastheLongFangsrushedforward,
weaponsattheready.Berekheldouthishand.‘Holdyourfire,’hesaid.Hisnosecaughtafaint,
familiarscent.
Thefiguresgrewmoredistinct,asthoughtheywereapproachingfromagreatdistance.
‘Ragnar!’Svenshouted.
TheyoungSpaceWolfappearedfirst,theSpearofRusshelduprightinhishand.Torinthe
Wayfarerfollowed,withthelimpbodyofaNavigatorinhisarms.Bringinguptherearwasayoung
SpaceWolfPriestwitheyesfarolderthanhismeagreyears.
Avague,toweringfigurestoodbeyondthelimping,batteredWolves.Berekstudiedthesilhouette,
anddespitethegulfthatlaybetweenthem,heknewthathewaslookingatoneofhiskin.Thewarrior
raisedamightyaxeinsalute,andthenvanishedinthehaze.Inmoments,thestrangefogwasgone.
RagnarapproachedtheastonishedWolfLord,hisfacepaleasalabaster.Blooddrippedontothe
stoneswitheverystephetook.HesankslowlytohiskneesbeforeBerek,andwithbothhandshe
offeredupRuss’sspear.
‘Wehavewonbackourhonour,mylord,’theyoungSpaceWolfsaid.‘TheSpearofRussisours
oncemore.’
EPILOGUE
RagnarstalkeddowntheruinedpassagewaysoftheDominusBellum,feelingtheghostsofoldfriends
lopingsilentlyinhiswake.
IthadtakenfourmoremonthstopacifyCharys,asbandsofcultistsandrebelGuardsmenfledthe
capitalandtooktothehills.TheChaosuprisingacrossthesubsectorhadvirtuallyendedwith
Madox’sdeath.Whentheritualcollapsed,theagentsoftheThousandSonsabandonedtheircampaign
andvanishedbackintotheshadows.TheSpaceWolvesandthebatteredImperialGuardregiments
acrosstheregionrestoredorderswiftlyandbrutally,butrebuildingthedamagewroughtbythe
Chaosforceswouldtakedecades.
VictoryhadcomeataterriblepricefortheChapter.Manybattle-brothershadbeenlostinthe
fighting,andmanymorehadsunkintotheRedDreamuntiltheycouldrecoverfromtheirinjuries.
Somewarriorswhosurvivedthecampaignborescarsontheirsoulsthatwouldneverfullyheal.
MikalSternmarkwasgivenovertotheWolfPriestsaftertheeventsonCharys,andspentmanyyears
inseclusionashestruggledwiththethingshe’ddoneduringthebattleatthestarport.Hereturnedto
servewithBerekThunderfistduringtheWolfLord’slastcampaign,fightingwithhonouranddying
besidehislordasachampionoughtduringtheawfulbattleonHadsrubal.
TheImperialauthoritiesneverlearnedthetruthofLadyCommanderAthelstane’sfate.Asfaras
anyoneknew,shediedasaherooftheImperium,whichwasn’tveryfarfromthetruth.Itwas
assumedthatshe’dbeenslainfightingthedaemonsthathadpenetratedtheperimeterwards,andnone
ofBerek’swarriorscontradictedtheofficialaccount.TheChapterlookedoutforitsown.
RagnarandtheSpearofRusswereplacedaboardastrikecruiseranddespatchedtoFenrisassoon
asthewarpwassafetotravel.MuchofthetimehespentintheRedDreamwhilehisbodyrecovered
fromtheterriblewoundshe’dreceived,butbackattheFanghewasquestionedatlengthbyRanekand
theOldWolfhimself.RagnarspokeoftheThirteenthCompanytoLoganGrimnaralone.Afterhe’d
toldhistale,theOldWolfhadtheSpearofRussbroughtupfromthevaults,andmadeRagnarswear
upontherelicnevertotellanothersoulofwhathe’dseen.
FormanyyearsafterwardsRagnartriedtolearnwhatGrimnarknewofBulveyeandhissecret
mission,butthewilyOldWolfclaimedthatsuchthingshadbeenlostinthemistsoftime.Eventually,
Ragnarhadstoppedasking,butherememberedthelastwordsthatTorvaldhadsaidtohim.Sooneror
later,he’dseetheRunePriestagain,andthenhe’dhavehisanswers.
SixmonthsafterRagnarplacedthespearinBerek’shandsonCharys,theThunderfist’scompany
madeasolemnpilgrimagetotheancientshrineonGarm.Theworldstilllayinruinsinthewakeof
thegreatuprising,yearspast,buttheChapterhadsparednoexpensetorestoretherestingplaceofthe
legendaryWolfLordtoitsformerglory.RagnarwalkedbehindBerek,carryingthespearthatheand
hiscompanionshadwoninbattle.Withmostofthegreatcompanybearingwitness,hereturnedthe
relictoitsrightfulplaceandfulfilledtheoathhe’dsworn.ThenBerekdeclaredtohismenthatby
winningbacktheChapter ’shonour,Ragnarhadredeemedhisownaswell.TheWolfLorddeclared
that,byLoganGrimnar ’sdecree,Ragnar ’stimeamongtheWolfbladewasatanend.
Hourslater,GabriellaandTorinfoundhimintheshrine,standingbeforeGarm’sivory
sarcophagus.TheNavigatorhadneverfullyrecoveredfromtheterribleordealshehadsufferedat
Charys.SheseemedweakandfrailasTorinledherintotheshrine,andtherewasathickstreakof
whiteinherlong,blackhair.Theysaidfarewelltooneanotherbesidethetomb.TorinandRagnar
spokeofHaegr,andlaughedonceagainatthememoryoftheburlywarriorwithanalebucketonhis
foot.Gabriellalistened,andsmiled,buthereyeswerehauntedandherexpressiondistant.Shetold
RagnarthathewouldalwaysbewelcomeinherhouseonTerra,andinvitedhimtoreturnoneday,if
theFatespermitted.Bythenshewasgrowingtired,andsotookherleave.Torinledhergentlyaway,
herhandrestinguponhisarm.ThenextdayhershipdepartedonthelongjourneytoTerra.Ragnar
hadn’tseeneitherofthemsince.
Thatnight,Ragnarstoodvigilbeforethesilenttomb.HeleftHaegr ’salehornuponthe
sarcophaguswhenheleftatdawnthenextday.Asfarasheknew,itremainedtherestill.
Ahowlechoedfromthedarkness.Ragnarstoppedinhistracks,stillsodeepinhisreveriethathe
thoughthewasbackonCharysoncemore.Thenheheardthevilescreechofaxenosbeastandhewas
backaboardaderelictImperialbattleship,hurtlingtowardsCortaHydalis,andthewarriorhesought
wassomewhereupahead.
TheWolfLordcrouched,peeringdownthelong,debris-strewnpassageway.Thesoundsofbattle
wereunmistakeable,steelringingagainstboneandclawshissingacrossceramite.Fromthesoundof
it,Hogunwasfacingoffagainstahordeofalienhorrors.
Readyinghisboltpistol,Ragnarracedtowardsthefight.
Ahundredmetresaheadthepassagewayopenedintoasmall,debrisfilledroomsomethirtymetres
across.Shaftsofweaklightshonedownintothespacethroughaccessshaftsoverhead,providingjust
enoughilluminationforRagnartoseeby.There,inthecentreoftheroomstoodHogun,surrounded
byapackofgenestealers.
TwoofthebeastslaydeadatHogun’sfeet,splitopenbytheWolfGuard’spoweraxe.Blood
streamedfromanumberofminorwoundsalongHogun’schest,armsandback.Fourmore
genestealerscircledHogunwarily,waitingfortheirpreytoweakenandmakeafatalmistake.
Thegenestealersweresointentontheirpreythattheydidn’trealiseRagnarwasstealinguponthem
untilitwastoolate.TheWolfLordraisedhisboltpistolandfiredtwoquickshots.Oneofthe
creaturesletoutahideousscreechandcollapsed,ichorstreamingfromwoundsinitsside,but
Ragnarwasalreadyonthemove,charginganotherofthegenestealersbeforethefirstbodyhitthe
ground.
‘ForRussandtheAllfather!’heroared,hackingatthegenestealerwithhisfrostblade.Theblow
wasswift,butthegenestealerwasswifter,duckingbeneaththeblowandlungingforward.Talons
piercedtheWolfLord’sarmour,diggingdeepintohischest.ClashingjawssnappedatRagnar ’sface.
Hebellowedacurse,shovedhispistolunderthecreature’schinandpulledthetrigger.Ichorandbits
ofchitinsplashedagainstthefarwallasthebodyslumpedtothefloor.
AheavyweightcrashedagainstRagnar ’sback,drivinghimtohisknees.Clawedhandsreached
aroundhissuit’sbackpack,grabbingforhisneck.TheWolfLordspun,tryingtodislodgethe
genestealer,butthealienmonsterclunglikeaswamptick.TalonsrakedacrossRagnar ’scheeks.Any
momentthosesametalonswouldfindhisneck,andthenhewasdonefor.
Ragnarhurledhimselfbackwards,smashingthegenestealeragainstoneofthewalls.Heheard
chitincrack,butthecreaturerefusedtoletgo.
Therewasanotherhissingscreechacrossthechamberasthelastofthemonstersfellbefore
Hogun’saxe.ThentheWolfGuardloomedinfrontofRagnar,hisdrippingaxereadytostrike.His
yellow-goldeyesshoneinthefaintlight.
Ragnarfeltthegenestealer ’srazor-sharpclawsdigintohisneck.TrustingtotheFates,heturned
hisbacktoHogun.
Hogun’spoweraxehissedthroughtheair,andsteelrangagainstchitin.Thegenestealerletouta
shriekandfellheavilytothedeck.
BythetimeRagnarhadturnedaroundagain,Hogunwasracingdownapassagewayonthefarside
oftheroom.‘Wait!’hecalledaftertheWolfGuard.‘Rememberyouroathstome,Hogun,andstand
fast!’
Yearsoftrainingtookover,stoppingthefleeingwarriorinhistracks.Hogunturnedlikeawolfat
bay,histeethbaredandhisshouldersheaving.‘Nooathsbindmenow,mylord,’hesaidinaragged
voice.‘I’veslainmypackmatesinafitofmadness.I’mwolfbitten,anddamnedforalltime.’
‘Nottrue,’Ragnarsaid,edgingslowlytowardsHogun.‘Didyounotjustsavemefromcertain
death?Whatisthat,ifnotfealtytoone’slord?’
‘AllIwantedwastokillsomething,’Hogunsnarled.‘IfIhadnotrunIwouldhavetriedtokillyou
next.’
‘Isthatwhatyouthink?’Ragnarsaid.‘Doyouholdyourselfinsolittleregardthatyouthinkyou
couldraiseyourhandtoyourswornlord?’Heholsteredhispistolandsheathedhissword.‘Very
well,’theWolfLordsaid,takinganotherstepforward.‘Strikemedown,ifyoucan.’
Hogun’seyeswidened.‘Whatmadnessisthis?’hesaid,takingastepback.
‘Standyourground!’Ragnarroared.Hetookanotherstepcloser.‘Isaidstrikeme,Hogun.Slayme
withyouraxeifyoucan.’
TheWolfGuardsnarledinfury.Hishandstightenedonthehaftofhisaxe,buthemadenomoveto
attack.‘Icannot,’hesaidthroughclenchedteeth.‘Icannot!’
‘That’sright,’theWolfLordsaid.‘Thewolfdoesnotruleyou,Hogun.Fightit!Masterthebeast
andmakeitsstrengthyourown!Thatiswhatwedo.Thatiswhoweare.’
Hogunwavered,tornbyshameandrage.‘Slaymethen,lord,’hecried.‘Ispilledthebloodofmy
packmates.Mylifeisforfeit.’
‘Soitis,’theWolfLordsaid.‘Youhavekilledmyliegemen,andsoyourlifebelongstome,as
traditiondemands.Doyouagree?’
TheWolfGuardstraightened,acceptinghisfate.‘Thatisso,lord.Doasyouwill.’
‘Thenhearme:youareapartofmycompanyuntiltheFatesdeemotherwise,andyouwillfight
alongsidemeuntilthereisnolifeleftinyou.Youarewolfbitten,andyouhavelostyourhonourby
spillingthebloodofyourpackmates,sofromthismomentforwardyouwillfighttowinitback.Do
youunderstand?’
HogunstaredatRagnar.‘Issuchathingpossible?’
‘That,andmorebesides,’theWolfLordsaid.‘Followme,andservetheAllfather,Hogun.Thatis
allIask.Willyoudothis?’
TheWolfGuardfelltohisknees.‘Iwill,mylord,’hesaid.‘IwillfollowyouintoMorkai’sjawsif
Imust.’
RagnarclappedHogunontheshoulder.‘Let’snotgetaheadofourselves,’hesaidwithafaint
smile.‘Rightnow,we’vegottogetthecompanybacktogetherandfightourwaytotheship’s
reactors.Nowgetonyourfeet.’
TheWolfLordheadedbackthewayhe’dcomewithHogunfollowingcloseonhisheels.Asthey
emergedintothechamberwherethey’dfoughtthegenestealers,theyfoundtheWolfPriestwaiting
forthem.
‘Petur ’sfoundEinar ’spackoffJotunThreeandisleadingthemtous,’thepriestsaid.‘Therestof
thepacksareassembledbackatthejunctionandareawaitingorders.Jurgenhascheckedhisdata-
slatesandbelieveshe’sfoundanaccesswaynearbythatshouldtakeusrighttothereactordeck.’
Ragnartookinthenewswithacurtnod.‘Welldone,’hesaid,andthenindicatedHogun.‘I
commendthiswarriorintoyourkeeping,priest.Whateverelsehemaybe,heisstillamemberofmy
warband,andhewillfightalongsideusasanyotherwarrior.’
TheWolfPrieststudiedHogunforamoment,andthenreachedupwithonehandanddisengaged
theclaspsonhiswolfskullhelm.SigurdliftedthehelmetawayandsmiledgrimlyattheWolfGuard.
TheyfellintostepbehindRagnarastheWolfLordrushedbacktothejunction,hismindalready
workingonthetacticshewouldneedtodefeatthegenestealerthreat.
Behindhim,thejarl’ssonspoketoHoguninquiettones.‘Listenclosely,Hogun,andmarkmewell.
I’veastorytotellyouoftheWulfen,andoftheheroestheycanbecome.’
AboutTheAuthor
LeeLightneristhepennamefortwoauthorswholiveinBaltimore,USA.Lifelongfriends,
theyarebothavidSpaceWolffans.
SpecialthankstoMikeLee.
ABLACKLIBRARYPUBLICATION
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TableofContents
TitlePage
Warhammer40,000
Prologue
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-One
Epilogue
AboutTheAuthor
Legal
eBooklicense