The wolftime, p.1
The Wolftime, page 1
Praise for Book One
Dawn of Fire: Avenging Son
by Guy Haley
‘The beginning of an essential new epic: heroic, cataclysmic and vast in scope. Guy has delivered exactly what 40K readers crave, and lit the fuse on the Dark Millennium. This far future’s
about to detonate…’
Dan Abnett, author of Horus Rising
‘With all the thunderous scope of The Horus Heresy, a magnificent new saga begins.’
Peter McLean, author of Priest of Bones
‘A perfect blending of themes – characters that are raw, real and wonderfully human, set against a backdrop of battle and mythology’.
Danie Ware, author of Ecko Rising
More Warhammer 40,000 from Black Library
• DAWN OF FIRE •
Book 1: AVENGING SON
Guy Haley
Book 2: THE GATE OF BONES
Andy Clark
Book 3: THE WOLFTIME
Gav Thorpe
INDOMITUS
Gav Thorpe
• DARK IMPERIUM •
Guy Haley
Book 1: DARK IMPERIUM
Book 2: PLAGUE WAR
Book 3: GODBLIGHT
BELISARIUS CAWL: THE GREAT WORK
Guy Haley
THE HELWINTER GATE
Chris Wraight
ASHES OF PROSPERO
Gav Thorpe
LUKAS THE TRICKSTER
Josh Reynolds
• WATCHERS OF THE THRONE •
Chris Wraight
Book 1: THE EMPEROR’S LEGION
Book 2: THE REGENT’S SHADOW
RITES OF PASSAGE
Mike Brooks
• VAULTS OF TERRA •
Chris Wraight
Book 1: THE CARRION THRONE
Book 2: THE HOLLOW MOUNTAIN
Contents
Cover
Praise
Backlist
Title Page
Warhammer 40,000
Dramatis Personae
Map
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Epilogue
Appendix: Fenrisian Lexicon
Appendix: Notes on the Crusade
About the Author
An Extract from ‘Indomitus’
A Black Library Publication
eBook license
It is the 41st millennium.
Ten thousand years have passed since the Primarch Horus turned to Chaos and betrayed his father, the Emperor of Mankind, plunging the galaxy into ruinous civil war.
For one hundred centuries the Imperium has endured xenos invasion, internal dissent, and the perfidious attentions of the dark gods of the warp. The Emperor sits immobile upon the Golden Throne of Terra, a psychic bastion against infernal powers. It is His will alone that lights the Astronomican, binding together the Imperium, yet not one word has He uttered in all that time. Without His guidance, mankind has strayed far from the path of enlightenment.
The bright ideals of the Age of Wonder have withered and died.
To be alive in this time is a terrible fate, where an existence of grinding servitude is the best that can be hoped for, and a quick death is seen as the kindest mercy.
As the Imperium continues its inevitable decline, Abaddon, last true son of the Primarch Horus, and now Warmaster in his stead, has reached the climax of a plan millennia in the making, tearing reality open across the width of the galaxy and unleashing forces unheard of. At last it seems, after centuries of valiant struggle, mankind’s doom is at hand.
Into this darkness a pale shaft of light penetrates. The Primarch Roboute Guilliman has been wakened from deathly slumber by alien sorcery and arcane science. Returning to Terra, he has resolved to set right this dire imbalance, to defeat Chaos once and for all, and to restart the Emperor’s grand plan for humanity.
But first, the Imperium must be saved. The galaxy is split in twain.
On one side, Imperium Sanctus, beleaguered but defiant. On the other, Imperium Nihilus, thought lost to the night. A mighty crusade has been called to take back the Imperium and restore its glory. All mankind stands ready for the greatest conflict of the age. Failure means extinction, and the path to victory leads only to war.
This is the era Indomitus.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
INDOMITUS HIGH COMMAND, FLEET PRIMUS
Roboute Guilliman, XIII primarch, the Avenging Son, the Lord Commander, the Imperial Regent
Maldovar Colquan, Stratarchis Tribune Actuarius, Adeptus Custodes
Hurak, Captain, Unnumbered Son of Corax
BATTLE GROUP RETRIBUTUS, FLEET PRIMUS
Lieutenant Astopites, Firstborn, Novamarines
Captain Veirsturm, Firstborn, Hammers of Dorn
THE FENRIS OUTRIDERS
Hastius Vychellan, Adeptus Custodes, Emissaries Imperatus Shield Host
Arlandus Castallor, Lieutenant, Ultramarines
Madam Caulderri Vertozikata, Astropath, Enduring Hate
Odys, Assistant to Madam Vertozikata, Enduring Hate
Petty Officer Maqoma, Surveyor Accordant-minor, Enduring Hate
Lieutenant Carmaichaz, Strategium Watch Officer, Enduring Hate
LOGOS HISTORICA VERITA
Deven Fracoi Esterant Mudire
Copla-var
Forgewelt Sparbend
λ-34-Eliptyka
Ahlek Threstinius
SQUAD LUPUS-SIX
Sergeant Gaius
Aegreus
Anfelis
Doro
Garold
Neiflur
THE DARKSTRIKE – NIGHT LORDS OF THE TERRORSTORM
Ektovar, Squad leader
Felskas
Serius
Nordra
Elizir
Lenthe
Keslos
DEFENDERS OF NOVIOMAGUS SUPERIOR
Colonel Gander, Commander, Noviomagus Superior defence force
Captain Orstanza, Dragonspears Chapter, Fourth Company
WARRIORS OF FENRIS
Wolf Lords and other Warriors of Renown
Logan Grimnar, The Great Wolf, Chapter Master of theSpace Wolves, Lord of the Champions of Fenris
Engir Krakendoom, Wolf Lord of the Seawolves
Ragnar Blackmane, Wolf Lord of the Blackmanes
Njal Stormcaller, Rune Priest, the Runelord, Chief Librarian of the Space Wolves
Engillr Walks-the-Sky, Rune Priest
Hrolf War-Tongue, Rune Priest
Ulrik the Slayer, Wolf High Priest
Aldacrel, Iron Priest
Bjorn the Fell-Handed, Venerable Dreadnought, former Great Wolf
Gammalr Jarl-Taken, Shipmaster of the Great Wolf’s flagship
Tyrnak and Fenrir, Fenrisian companions to the Great Wolf
Champions of Fenris
Arjac Rockfist, Kingsguard, Champion of Logan Grimnar
Skor Oft-Shot, Kingsguard
Torfin Daggerfist, Kingsguard
Hrothgar Frostskull, Kingsguard
Sven Halfhelm, Kingsguard
Herjolf, Kingsguard
Odyn Foe-Ruin, Wolf Guard
Ironfang, Wolf Guard
Horgoth, Wolf Guard
Alrik Doomseeker, Wolf Guard
Leifar Twice-Slain, Wolf Guard
Ancient Kryll, Venerable Dreadnought
Skvald Warbringer, Dreadnought
Svard Bloodfang, Dreadnought
Drakeslayers
Krom Dragongaze, Wolf Lord
Kraki, Wolf Guard
Brodd Winterstride, Wolf Scout
Drogr, Pack leader, Drogr’s Crimson Claws
Ordas Blacktail, Grey Hunter
Ullr’s Greypelts
Ullr, Pack leader
Sáthor
Dethar
Garnr
Forskad
Eirik
Hari
THE FOLK OF LANDSATTMAR
Gytha
Bjorti, Smith, husband of Gytha
Lufa, Son of Gytha
Korit, Daughter of Gytha
Ourilk the Tongue, Elder
Gotrin Tidebreaker, Aettjarl
Agitta, Elder, Bjorti’s mother
Faeras, Elder
Kjora, Elder
Kjorfi, Elder
Ydra, Elder
Artur Su rebow, Huntjarl
Noraslov Fearbiter, Aettgard
Orin, Aettgard, cousin of Gytha
Hengla Chainsleeves
Fergas
Siggurund
Erkrand
ASSORTED SERVANTS OF THE EMPEROR
Crew of the Rigorous
Lieutenant Grier, Mistress of the Deck, starboard main gun deck
Ensign Cappagan, Officer of the starboard second battery
Rossi, Rating, Gun 4 captain, starboard second battery
Moaro, Rating, Gun 4 starboard second battery
Orad, Rating, Gun 4 starboard second battery
Cassonette, Rating, Gun 4 starboard second battery
Captain Bargoza, Commander, Heretics’ Reward
Lesaso Yaoic, Astropath, Heretics’ Reward
Captain Som, Tempestus Scions Commander, 394th Deltic Lions
Lieutenant Thaker, Lord Regent’s Defence force, 394th Deltic Lions
Urul Breakbough, Kaerl translator
Sergeant Coulas, Son of Russ
Kalum, Son of Russ
The sky is glass-clear beneath a rare summer sun and the wind fills the longship’s red-and-white sails. You feel the vessel lifting over the high waves like a buck in spring leaping across a glade. There is power there, every timber and rope and nail bound together for common purpose. A strength that can hold back the worst the elements will throw at you.
A tall man stands at the prow but you cannot see his face. The crew are ready around you but you do not look at them. Your eyes are fixed on the horizon and the thin stretch of green and white that marks a distant land. The sun has started to set, the crests of the waves aflame with oranges and reds. The sea is getting sharper, the wind shrill through the rigging, the mast creaking with fresh strain. Beneath your feet the deck starts to bend and the ship yaws heavily through the worsening troughs of water.
Still you sail on, fixed upon your goal. The man at the bow does not move. His bald scalp seems alight with sunfire. He turns his head ever so slightly, as if hearing something.
The sky darkens, becoming scarlet while black clouds billow up to throw a storm across your path. The sea seems thick, each wave hitting the hull with a thunderclap, red stains left on the painted planks. The howl of the wind nearly drowns the tear of canvas as the sail parts, flapping violently from its cables, the crack of its movement like a giant’s whip.
The warrior before you holds onto the dragon-headed stempost, now with an axe in his hand. Lightning crackles across the dark red heavens, briefly illuminating the lowest part of his face, his lips drawn back in a fierce grin to reveal canines that dig into his bottom lip, cheeks flowing with a braided, greying beard.
You hear the growls of the creatures around you. The crew are decked in furs, their faces hidden in shadow but for the glint of inhuman eyes and off-white fangs. You are not afraid, for you are one of them.
The sea boils, spitting hot over the gunwales, splashing like acid against the rows of round shields that line the edge of the longship. With no sail the wind roars over you, turning the boat one way and then another as it wallows dangerously beneath a rising wave. Taller than a tree the wave of red grows, glimmering with its own light to silhouette the warrior at the prow. He raises his axe in challenge and lightning springs from its head to disappear into the burgeoning wave.
Whether water or blood it is impossible to tell, as red liquid froths and rages, trying to swallow the ship. There are wolves around you, eyes like amber. Heads thrown back they howl as one. The storm lord riding the prow howls with them, but still his face is hidden, a figure of black with bared fangs against the ruddy backdrop of the devouring seas.
The red flow breaks, leaving nothing but a shore of sharp rocks and stinking mud. You are the wolf, leaping from boulder to boulder, the scent of your prey thick in your nostrils. The ship, the warrior, the crew have become the wolf with you. You are the beating heart, driving the hunter forward.
From the ground erupts a creature that towers up to the thick clouds, crowned with green lightning. Its flesh is the colour of jade. Its eyes are rubies that blaze with fire. Clawed hands reach down, seizing you by the throat. Sharp fingernails dig into flesh, drawing out your lifeblood, spilling it into the churned mud below.
A fanged maw, impossibly vast, opens like a dark cave ringed with teeth like the oldest icicles. The dark swallows you.
Prologue
Pain flared up Orad’s wrist as he put out a hand to stop himself hitting the meshwork of the deck. His foot tangled in his blanket and he wriggled free, half off the low bunk, skin on his chest tingling as it touched the cold decking. The siren was an ear-splitting presence a couple of inches inside his skull; it had jerked him from his slumber barely minutes after falling asleep. But it was not his own sudden awakening that had toppled Orad from his bunk – a sudden shift in the local gravity field had done that.
‘How the–?’
He saw the confused, half-asleep expressions on the rest of the gun crew that shared the dorm and knew he wouldn’t get any answers. Everything seemed normal now, but for a few seconds it had felt like the gravity plates had been almost at a right angle, like a seaborne ship on the brink of capsizing.
‘Brace for emergency warp translation!’ bellowed a warning voice across the intervox. ‘Five seconds!’
Coldins started praying. Lether added her voice as the two women knelt on the floor, holding hands, heads tucked to their knees. Orad assumed the position himself, hands clasped together over his head, his prayers silent instead. Emperor shield me! Let me live to serve another day! Short and to the point. The gunners, twenty of them, hunkered shoulder to shoulder in the bunk room, filling the space as a violent shiver throbbed through the hull of the Rigorous.
Orad felt the tremble in his soul as well as his bones, flashing back thirteen years to his first crash-jump, just a year into his life in the Imperial Navy. That had been a warp storm, narrowly avoided by the Navigator of the Rigorous. Just as then, he thought his mind was being turned inside out, hearing voices whispering from within while his bellow of fear was sucked away into nothing.
Then stillness, within and without.
Lieutenant Grier appeared at the door, her cap awry, greying shoulder-length hair not yet tied back in regulation style. Ensign Cappagan bobbed and ducked around behind the lower starboard deck gunnery officer, his young face plastered with sweat.
‘Realspace incursion, some kind of directed gravimetric wave,’ announced the lieutenant, though Orad only understood half the words. ‘Intervox is overwhelmed. Stand to your stations and prepare for firing by battery.’
The ageing officer stepped back, almost tripping over Cappagan, who doffed his peaked cap in salute and somehow melted past her into the dorm.
‘You heard the mistress of deck,’ he snapped, trying to sound confident. At fourteen years Terran standard he lacked the bass and gravitas of his seniors. However, he was the officer of the second battery, and this was clearly not a drill. The crew followed him out of the other door and to their positions, some only part dressed, to where the other watch was already waiting with Ensign Doyll, Cappagan’s senior by four years.
Orad took up position on the traversal lever for gun number four, the sleep now gone completely, his bare feet finding purchase on the plasteel of the gun rotunda.
‘Test your piece!’ The order rang down the gun deck.
The gun captain, Rossi, gave a thumbs up through the door, acknowledging the command from Cappagan.
Along with the other macrocannon crews, Orad and the others put their weapon through the drill, checking the elevation, traverse, autoloaders and firing mechanism in strict sequence. It was Orad’s job to haul on the controls that sent the turret and forty-yard-long gun swinging left and right, while Cassonette did the same for the vertical lever. Moaro was overseeing loading and priming, while as captain, Rossi held ultimate responsibility and oversaw the firing trigger – a heavy pull-chain painted a vivid red that hung from the side of the main breech, just below the autoloader feed.
When they were done, Orad threw himself against the brake lever, using his considerable weight to lock down the turret in the neutral position. The crunch of gears and whine of motors signalled other crews doing the same all along the mile of the lower gun deck. Twenty guns in all, quite a considerable punch for a vessel classed as a light cruiser. The Rigorous could spare the crew and space, though, lacking the torpedo tubes that were common to most Imperial vessels of its type.
