Warhammer 40K - Dawn of Fire 02 - The Gate of Bones by Andy Clark

Author:Andy Clark [Clark, Andy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, novel, Warhammer 40K
ISBN: 9781789993448
Google: Po0bzgEACAAJ
Publisher: Games Workshop
Published: 2021-02-15T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

Arrival

War-Brother

Corax

The Thunderhawks coasted without power towards Gathalamor for a day, their systems at minimal output and flight shielded by the debris of the campaign’s opening void battles. Only when they needed to make the rapid dash down through the atmosphere did their engines ignite. As soon as news was given of the final approach, Achallor and Vychellan hastened to the landing pads assigned to the Adeptus Astartes.

They crossed raised causeways over the fields that filled much of the space between the landing mounds. The larger facilities had been the arrival points for Gathalamor’s legions of pilgrims. The galleons had fled when the invasion began, but some of the hangars still held their abandoned landing vessels, covered now in blankets of dust.

Seeing these prompted Vychellan to speak. ‘I must say something, shield-captain.’

‘Then speak, my brother. I listen attentively to all words said in good faith.’

‘It is faith I speak of, Marcus,’ he said.

‘How so, Hastius?’

‘I will say bluntly,’ said Vychellan. ‘I do not like it when you feed the superstition of our people.’

‘I see,’ said Achallor. ‘You disagree with the use of religious language when dealing with our allies here.’

‘Heretics, faith, the Emperor is watching – it’s nonsense,’ Vychellan said. ‘You know it’s nonsense. You have seen the Emperor. You know He is a man. Why do you insist on using their false terms?’

‘Because they understand the world that way,’ said Achallor. ‘The Adeptus Ministorum is the second most powerful organisation in the Imperium. The faith of the people is our most potent weapon in this war.’

‘Yet it is false,’ said Vychellan.

‘Is it false, Hastius?’ said Achallor. ‘Is it false when the Sisters pray and their belief in our master protects them? Is it false that the soldiers here draw on wells of courage that would run dry without belief in the Emperor’s protection? Is it false when the cards of the tarot deliver the Emperor’s will to His servants?’

Vychellan stopped, and put a hand on Achallor’s arm. ‘The Emperor is powerful. I have no doubt that He reaches out and touches those who will further His goals, just as He guides us. By the Throne, Marcus, there are whispers that He stirs and more hear His words. That is a wondrous thing, if true. But He is not a god, and when you use these words that impute divinity to Him so easily, it troubles me.’

Achallor stared at his friend a long time. The sound of distant battle rolled across the blasted city.

‘I sometimes wonder if you are truly fitted for the Emissaries Imperatus, Hastius.’

Vychellan held his position, then laughed in rue, and turned aside. ‘Someone has to break heads, when diplomacy fails.’

‘You are an impatient man,’ said Achallor.

‘And you love me for it, my brother.’

‘It is not for your impatience that I value you,’ said Achallor. ‘Do not be concerned. I judge the moral weight of my words as much as I do their effect. They are chosen carefully.’

‘Do others see it that way?’ said Vychellan. They recommenced walking.

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