Imperial Guard 04 - Rebel Winter by Warhammer

Author:Warhammer [Warhammer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

65

Colonel Kabanov nodded. “That sounds best.”

Karif grinned, shook his head and returned the book to his pocket. “I suppose I should be

terribly offended, gentlemen, but you’re reaction amuses me. Captain Sebastev insisted I read the

book. I can assure you that I carry this copy with his express permission. I’d like to give a reading

from it during the battle, provided the honourable father has no objections, of course.”

Olov’s scowl had softened, but the man still looked less than friendly. “The very worst orator in

the Imperium could motivate Firstborn with a reading from the Treatis Elatii. It’s a safe choice,

commissar, unoriginal, but safe. Go ahead with my blessing. I’ll listen with interest.”

Karif bowed his head in mock gratitude. Conceited old grox, he thought.

Was it possible that the old man didn’t know his own reputation? The men of Fifth Company

thought him a far better soldier than a priest. His kill count was impressive and his faith in the

Emperor inspirational. It was just a shame, said some, that Olov had been born a second son, rather

than a first. He’d proven to them on the battlefield many times that he would have made an excellent

sergeant.

Karif knew all this from his time among the troopers. The words of the officer class alone rarely

painted accurate pictures. It was only by listening to the conversations of the rank-and-file that one

could learn the truth as seen from ground level. He was confident that his reading would be well

received, earning him a little more acceptance among the men. Today would be hard on all of them:

a single company against Throne knew how many. Karif’s chest swelled as he thought of it.

Commissars are made for these kinds of odds, he thought. Glory abounds on such days. Victory

may bring decorations, medals and promotions. With luck, I’ll receive the kind of recognition that

will see me returned to a higher station, a station befitting my past achievements. Breggius may

blame me for the shame his son brought upon him, but all his scheming will have been for nothing if

I can restore my former status.

“…reading?”

Karif shook himself, realising that the colonel had addressed him. “I apologise, colonel. I’m

afraid I didn’t catch that.”

“I asked, commissar, whether you believe you’ll be able to fulfil your other duties while giving a

battlefield reading.”

“Oh, without question,” said Karif with a broad smile. “I won’t be reading from the actual pages.

I’ve already committed the entire volume to memory and made some preliminary selections. I’m

sure you’ll be satisfied.”

Father Olov’s scowl deepened, but he didn’t meet Karif’s eyes. The priest was probably

damning him for a braggart and a fool. So be it. Karif had indeed memorised the text using

techniques of mental imprinting taught to commissars in scholams throughout the Imperium. He

could hardly be blamed for the Ecclesiarchy’s failure to promote such skills among its own servants.

Lieutenant Kuritsin mumbled something to himself, drawing Colonel Kabanov’s eye.

“If you’ve something to say, lieutenant,” said the colonel, “share it with the rest of us.”

Kuritsin’s face reddened. “Sorry, sir. I was just thinking that, in all my years serving with Fifth

Company, I’ve never known the captain to let someone else handle his treasured book.

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