Cult of the Spiral Dawn by Peter Fehervari

Author:Peter Fehervari
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Library
Published: 2018-02-15T13:32:13+00:00

PART THREE

Redemption in Fire

‘Should the sacred bloodline become imperilled beyond the salves of shadow or terror, then rise up against the Outsider and cast him down with tooth and claw and purifying fire!’

– Apotheosis of the Spiral Wyrm

CHAPTER TEN

It’s coming, Ariken thought as she followed Captain Omazet into the war room. Whatever Cross was afraid of, it’s beginning.

The regiment’s senior officers were gathered around the long table with the colonel at their head, but it was the robed man to Talasca’s left that drew Ariken’s attention. He nodded a solemn greeting when he saw her.

Bharlo.

Major Rostyk frowned as Ariken sat beside Omazet, doubtless wondering what a lowly corporal was doing here, but the others paid her no heed. Truthfully she didn’t give a damn what any of them thought. Less than an hour had passed since the horror outside the wrecked ship, and her place was with her squad – what was left of it anyway – but Omazet had insisted on her attendance.

‘You are my shadow,’ her captain had said. ‘I want you at my back.’

When everyone was seated they turned expectantly to the colonel. Talasca was hunched over the table, his hands clasped before his face as if in prayer, his eyes closed.

‘Captain Omazet,’ he said quietly.

‘We are at war,’ Omazet began without preamble. ‘Our enemy is the Spiral Dawn.’ She nodded to Bharlo. ‘Say your piece, pilgrim.’

‘They’re massing in the city,’ the former shepherd said. ‘Raising an army.’ His face was lean to the point of starvation, his eyes bloodshot and haunted.

‘How many?’ Omazet asked.

‘Thousands,’ Bharlo said. ‘Mostly city grubs and Neophytes, but others too… the Blessed Ones – Acolytes and worse.’

‘Are they daemon-worshippers?’ the bearded giant, Major Kazán, asked intently. He appeared unsurprised by the news.

He’s been expecting it, Ariken sensed. Looking forward to it even.

‘I don’t know what they are,’ Bharlo said. ‘Something worse maybe…’

‘Gentlemen, we cannot trust this civilian’s word,’ Rostyk protested. ‘If there has been a misunderstanding with the sect we should request a parley.’

‘There’s nothing to talk about,’ Bharlo hissed. ‘They’re done talking.’

‘The Spiral Dawn is unorthodox,’ Rostyk urged, ‘but it reveres the Emperor.’

‘A four-armed emperor,’ Talasca said, finally opening his eyes. ‘Their magus looked into my mind and I looked back. I saw what he was inside. They are an abomination.’

‘I have always known it,’ Kazán said, nodding.

Talasca’s silver gaze fell upon him. ‘The attacks on their temples,’ he said, ‘that was your hand, Kazán?’

‘And I stand by them, colonel.’ The giant scowled, showing his metal-shod teeth. ‘An honest Szilar warrior can smell corruption.’

Except among his own men, Ariken thought sourly, remembering Trazgo.

‘We’re wasting time,’ Bharlo pressed. ‘They’re coming for us. We have to hit them first.’

‘What are you suggesting?’ Omazet said, watching him closely.

‘I can lead you straight to them,’ he said eagerly. ‘I know the secret paths and the watchwords.’

‘What about Ophele?’ Ariken asked suddenly. She ignored the looks the officers threw her way, some ­puzzled, others angered by her presumption. ‘What happened to her, shepherd? And all the others?’

Bharlo sighed.

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