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MERCYDanieWare
Thecathedral’scorpsewasvast.
Standing in its hollow heart, its darkness vaulted huge above her, SisterSuperiorAugustarestedonescarlet-gauntletedhandonthebolteratherhip.She saidnothing, only scanned this iconof theEmperor’smight, searchingformotion,forthreat,foranyremaininggleamofHisLight.
Buttherewasnothing.
ThiswasUltimaSegmentum’sdarkestcorner,andlittlereachedouthere.
Beside her, the missionary Lysimachus Tanichus was speaking in hushedtones.‘FromthelastyearsoftheAgeofApostasy,sister.Orsotheysay.’Hissibilancecoiledinthedark,likeechoesofmillennia.
Augusta gave a brief acknowledgement and walked carefully through thedebris. The air was hot here, clammy with the overgrown jungle-marshoutside; twistedcreepershadpenetrated thecathedral’scrumblingwallsandthey writhed across the stonework like the tendrils of Chaos itself. Sweatitchedatthefleur-de-lystattooonhercheek.
‘Sisters.’Shespokesoftlyintothevoxatherthroat.‘Rollcall.’
Fivevoicescamebackthroughthedarkness.Augusta’sretinallensestrackedtheir locations: blips deployed in a standard sweep-reconnaissance pattern.Hersquadwereexperienced–allexceptone–andshehadcompletetrustintheirworthiness,andintheirlovefortheEmperor.Together,theyhadcarriedfistandfaithacrosseverysegmentumofthegalaxy.
Tanichus,fiddlingwithhisrosarius,spokeagain.‘TheEmperor’s lighthadnottouchedthisworldinmillennia,sister,notuntilIcamehere,carryingHisname. The local townspeople told me of the cathedral. It’s a part of theirmythology–’
‘I trust you’ve brought them Truth,’ Augusta said. Her authority wasunthreatenedbythemissionary,butsheneededtolisten–thebrieffromthecanonessonOpheliaVIIhadlistedthisworldasapotentialstagingpointforChaos, invading from the Eye of Terror, for witchkin or renegades, formarauding xenos of every kind. Augusta was a twenty-year veteran, herbobbedhairandsterngazebothsteel-grey,andherexperiencemadeherbothsharpandwary.
‘Meservevivere,sister,’Tanichussaid.‘Ilivetoserve.’
‘SisterJatoya,’Augustasaidintothevox.‘Anything?’
Hersecond-in-commandresponded,‘No,sister.Ifthere’sanythinghere,it’swellhidden.’
‘Checkeverywhere.’
‘Yes,sister.’
‘Verywell.’Her touch still on the bolter, eyeing the decaying statues andpillarsaboveher,AugustagesturedforTanichustokeepspeaking.
But he told her only what she already knew: his history with thetownspeople, and their rumours of the cathedral. The town held the placetaboo,butthey’dtoldTanichustheirlocalmyth–thattheruinhadaguardian,anarmouredstoneiconwithabloodiedfloweruponitschest.AndTanichushadcarriedwordofthisbacktotheEcclesiarchy,andtotheSisters.
AmemberoftheOrderoftheBloodyRose,Augustahadvolunteeredforthemissionimmediately–withthecathedral’sage,itwaspossiblethattheiconcouldbeSaintMinaherself.‘TheEmperorhascalledme,’she’dsaidtothecanoness.‘AndImustgo.’Perhapsformorepoliticalreasonsthanvisionaryones,thecanonesshadagreed.
Herbootscrunchingoverancient,fallenmasonry,Augustaclimbedthestepstowardsthehighaltar.Ruinornot,shepausedbeforethetopanddroppedtoonearmouredknee,herblackcloakbillowingandherhandtracingthefleur-de-lysonherarmour.
‘Quantustremorestfuturus,quandoattingitlocumLucis.’
Howgreatthefearwillbe,whentheLighttouchesthisplace!
Shefeltthemissionaryshiverashe,too,knelt.Tanichuswasatalker,agoodmantocarrytheEmperor’sword,butshewasHisdaughter,andhertaskwasclear.
Shewouldfindthisicon.
‘Didthetownspeopletellyouanythingfurther?’sheasked,comingbacktoherfeet.‘Youlivedwiththemforseveralmonths.’
‘Onlysuperstitions,’hetoldher.‘Ifthisisyourpatronsaint,sister,thenwemustfindherwithouttheirhelp.’
Augusta nodded. She gave her squad orders to structure their search, tomove inastandardskirmishpattern throughout thecathedral’scloistersand
side-rooms.SisterViola,theyoungest,sheorderedtostandguardatthefallendoors. Viola was new from the schola; she was high-hearted and eager toproveherselfandthatwasallverywell…butAugustawantedherclose.
‘Yes, sister.’ Viola, bolter in hand, returned to the doors and took herposition,watchingthehugeandmuggywritheoftheoutsidejungle.
Overthevox,theSisterSuperiorrecitedtheLitanyofMettle.Whateverwashere,theywouldfindit.
Inthecathedral’stranseptstoodacolossalthirty-footstatue,itsbrokenhandsraisedinthesignoftheaquila.Ithadbeencarvedinfullarmourand,likeallsuchthings,itfacedHolyTerraasifitstillsoughttheLight.
ButifthiswasSaintMina,thenshehadnoface,andherinsigniahadlongsincefallentodust.
Augustawasscanning,carefullylookingforageandidentity,whenthecrycamefromViolaatthedoorway.
‘Sisters!’ The word was soft across the vox, but it carried the faintest ofquivers.‘Iseemovement!’
Augustafelt the touchofadrenalineandinhaled,enjoyingthe lift, thefirstflushoffaith–asherbriefinghadwarnedher,thiswasadangerousplace.
‘Bespecific,’shesaid,turningtocrunchbackouttothenave,thecathedral’smainaisle.‘Whatdoyousee?’
‘Large force incoming.Seventy, eightyyards.Moving slowly, but headingthis way.’ Her voice was taut with fear. ‘It’s hard to see them through thejungle.’
TanichusfollowedatAugusta’sshoulder.Themissionaryhadunhookedhislasrifleandlookedslightlyqueasy;shehopedhecouldshootstraight.‘Sisters,tome.Kimura, to the doorway. Jatoya,watch the rear.’Kimura carried thesquad’s heavy bolter, and its faster suppression would be critical. ‘Viola,description.’
‘Ican’tseewell,sister,butthey’reallshoulders.They’rehuge!’
‘SpaceMarines?’Jatoya’stonewassurprised.‘Outhere?’
ButKimurawasatthedoorwaynow,weaponattheready.Hervoicecameback over the vox, her tones shuddering with a rising, burning eagerness.‘They’renotHereticAstartes,sisters.’Thewordswerealight.
‘They’reorks.’
Orks.
IftherewasonedamnedxenosthatAugustaloathed,itwastheork.Filthy,stinking things, slaveringanddisorderly; theywereasmuch theenemiesoftheThroneasanywitchorheretic.Shecouldfeelherfaithunfurlinginherheartlikeabanner–shehadachancetoreclaimthisholyplace,attheedgeofthesegmentum…
ButAugusta’sruthlessdisciplinewaswhathadkeptheralivethroughtwentyyearsofwarfare.She could embrace the loveofherEmperor andkeepherthoughtsclear.
ShereachedKimuraatthedoorway,andusedherauspextolookoutside.
Immediately,shesawwhyViolahadmadethemistake.
Manyoftheincomingbeastswereenormous,biggerthantheSisters,armourand all.But thiswas not the disciplined advance of highly-trained soldiers,this was ramshackle, and noisy, and slow. The orks moved more likemarauders; they laughed amongst themselves, pushing and shoving andsnarling.Theirtoneswereharshandtheirvoicesguttural.
Theywerehardtoseethroughthesteam,throughthefestoonedandloopingcreepers.
Buttheywereheadingstraightforthecathedral.
‘Sister!’ Kimura had reached the same conclusion – her voice was tense.Augustasawhertakeasightontheleadork,angerradiatingfromherstanceasifherarmourburnedwithit.
‘Holdyourfire.’
Foramoment,shethoughtKimurawoulddisobey,butAugusta’scommandofhersquadwastoostrong.Instead,Kimurapaused,quivering,herfingeronthetrigger,trackingtheorksastheyapproached.
Behindthemnow,Viola’sbreathingwasswiftinhervox.Shewasafraid–andAugustaunderstood.
Butstill,theyoungestofthesquadhadtocontrolherself,andquickly.
Swiftly,theSisterSuperiorgaveordersfordeployment.KimuraandCaiaatthedoor,ViolaandMeliaat the front leftarchway, Jatoya,withher flamer,watchingtherear.Augustaherself,Tanichusstillwithher,tookpositionatthefront arch to the right, its window long since put out by the creeper andshatteredtoforgottendust.
Outside,theorksadvanced,oblivious.Afighthadbrokenoutamongsttheirnumber,cheeredandjeeredbythosesurrounding.
Beneathherhelmet,Augustacurledherlip–shehadnofearofthesebeasts,whatever their numbers. Over the vox, she recited the Battle Hymnal andheardhersistersjoinher,avidlysoft.
‘ThatThouwouldstbringthemonlydeath,
ThatThoushouldstsparenone,
ThatThoushouldstpardonnone
WebeseechThee,destroythem.’
She felt Viola stiffen, felt her courage coalesce. She felt Kimura steady,readytounleashHiswrathontheincomingcreaturesandtheirblasphemousintentions…
‘Wait,’shesaid,again.
Theorksmovedcloser.
Withinheavybolterrange.
Withinbolterrange.
Anymomentnow,theywouldseethecrouchingSisters,theirblood-scarletarmourandtheirblack-and-whitecloaks…
‘Sisters,staydown.Kimura,onmycommand,fullcoveringsuppression.FortheEmperor…Fire!’
Theorkshadnoideawhathadhitthem.
Raiders and warriors alike, everything vanished in a hail of gore andshreddingflesh.TheheavybolterhowledinKimura’shands,andthejunglewasrippedtopieces,leavesshininglikeshrapnel,treesandvinescutcleaninhalf.
Oneancienttrunktoppledoverwithagroan,butwasstoppedbyatangleofcreeper.Ithungthere,creaking,likesomehugeexecutioner’saxe.
Kimura’svoicecameoverthevox,loudernow,‘Amorteperpetua,Domine,libranos!’TheHymnofBattleragedintunewiththefuriousbarkingoftheweapon. The Sisters’ voices joined her, rising to crystal-pure harmonics asKimuravisitedbloodydestructionupontheorks.
Augustawas grinning now, tight and violent beneath her helm. She knewthis with every word in her ear, every flash in her blood – this was her
worship,herpurposeandherlife.TheEmperorHimselfwaswithher,Hisfireinherheart,Histouchinthecreakandweightofherarmour,inthebolterinher hand. Shewas here to unleashHiswrath against the despoilers of thisforgottenandholyplace.
Anditfeltgood.
Atherotherhip,herheavychainswordclankedasifbeggingforrelease,butnotyet…notyet.
SheheardKimura’ssingingringwithvehemenceasthesistercuttheorkstopieces.
‘FromtheblasphemyoftheFallen,ourEmperor,deliverus!’
Butorks,despitemanyflaws,hadnoconceptofintimidation.TheyhadnointerestintheEmperor’swrath,notactics,andnosense.Anotherforcemighthavegonetoground,givencoveringfire,butnotthesebeasts.
Roaringwithoutrage,wavingwhatclumsyweapons theyhad, theysimplycharged.
Overthesinging,Augustashouted,‘Kimura,fallbackandreload!Therestofyou,fire!’
She raised her own bolter, aiming for the largest ork she could see.Greenskins had a very simple rule of leadership – the bigger the beast, themorecontrolitwielded.Andifshecouldtakeouttheleaders,therestwouldbeeasiertokill.
Thebattlehymnstill soundedandsheaddedhervoiceonceagain, feelingthemusic thrillalonghernerves likewildfire.Asecondwaveoforksragedforwards,leeringandeager.
Thereseemedtobenoendtothem.
The beasts were closing fast now, and she could see them clearly: theirjutting teeth and green skin, their rustedweapons, their armour all scrappypiecesofceramiteandsteel,scroungedfromwhoknewwhatbattlefields.
One had a set of white pauldrons bearing the distinctive fleur-de-lys.Snarling,sheblewitaway.
Buttheirlossesdidn’ttouchthem;theypickeduptheweaponsoftheirdyingandtheirtrampled,andtheyjustkeptcoming.
Bolters barked and howled in red-gauntleted hands. Tanichus took singleshotswithhislasrifle,pickinghistargetscarefully.Thejunglebecameamess
of blood and smoke and noise, but still the orks came on, slobbering andshouting,rippingthroughcreepersandfallentrees.Tooneside, therewasalashing and a gurgle and half a dozen greenskins vanished, shrieking andstruggling,belowthesurfaceofthemarsh.Jeersandcallscamefromtherest,buttheydidn’tslowdown.
‘There’s too many of them!’ The youngest sister’s cry broke the hymn’spurityandAugustafelthersquadwaver.
Sheraisedhervoicetoapaean,aclarioncalllikeaholytrumpet,allowingthemnopause.
‘Domine,libranos!’
Shriekingwithfury,Violaresumedfiring.
Buttheorksdidn’tcare.Theytorethemselvesfreefromthejungle’stangleandthrewthemselvesatthesteps.
Theleadorkwentbackwardsinasprayofcrimsonmist.
Theotherswerealreadyboilingpastit.Tanichuskeptfiring,streaksoflightpastAugusta’sshoulder.Augustaswitchedtofullsuppressionandheardtheboltersoftheothers,allgrowlinginrighteousfury.
Yet theorksstillcame.Theywere likea rottinggreen tide, largecreaturesandsmall,nostructure,nofear.Theybayedandsnarledlikeanimals.
TheSisterscouldn’tstopthemall.
Fury rose in Augusta and was annealed to a magnesium-white flare ofrighteouswrath.Youshallnotenterhere!
Viola,afraid, screamed thewordsof thehymnal, thesameverse,overandover…
Theadvancestopped.
Shreddedleavesflutteredslowlytotherottingjunglefloor.
The orks had paused. Changingmagazinewith an action so reflexive shebarelynoticed,Augustascanned themthroughher retinal lenses,wonderingwhatinDominica’snametheyweredoing.
Hadtheyjustbeenovercomebytheholinessofthecathedralitself?
Somehow,shedoubtedit.
Shewatchedasthecreaturesatthefrontmoved,takingcoverbehindtoppledstatues.Shegavetheordertokeepfiringandheardtheboltersstartagain.
ThebeastsknewtheSisterswerehere–andthey’dresponded.
Smartorks?Theideawashorrifying.
Yet something down there – the warboss or whatever it was – hadintelligence.
Itmade her wonder if their presencewas pure coincidence… and an oddchillwentdownherback.
The lead orks had taken cover now, and the jungle was ominously quiet.Behindthem,throughtherisingsteam,shecouldseebiggerfigures,movingforwards.Severalhadstubbysidearms,luridlydecorated;theweaponsgaveasteady bark of fire. Rounds chewed chunks out of the stone andmade theSisterskeeptheirheadsdown.
Andoneofthem–
‘Getbackfromthewindows!Takecover!’
Hersquadwerealreadyonthemove,throwingthemselvesback.Theydidn’twait for the ork with the rocket launcher to loose his leering-skull-paintedmissile…straightintothecathedralnave.
Augustahitthefloor,takingTanichusdownwithher.
Theworlderuptedinfire.
Sheheard thewhistlingof shrapnel, felt thewhooshofheat that searedherarmourandshrivelledhercloaktotatters.Theorkswouldusethecoverofthemissiletogainentrancetothebuilding,andshewasbackonherfeet,evenastheflamewasdying.
‘Sisters!Rollcall!’
Tanichuswasscramblingup,charredbutunhurt–Augustahadcoveredasmuchofhisunarmouredbodyaswaspossible.Hewascoughing, fumblingforhislasrifleamongstthesettlingdust.
Fivevoicescamebacktoher,makingherthanktheEmperorHimselfforthecourageandexperienceofhersquad.
Theorkswereon themnow,piling through thedoors,scramblingover thewindowledges–ifallelsefailed,Augustawouldbringthebuildingdowninafinalhailofrounds,andkilleverythingwithin.
ForthegloryoftheEmperor!
Buttheywerenotdoneyet.TheywouldfightwiththeEmperorHimselfat
theirbacks,andtheywouldfighttotheirlastbreath.
‘Kimura–!’
She started togiveorders to fall back, forKimura’s heavybolter to coverthem, but her voice was lost under the detonation of a grenade, impactingrightatKimura’sfeet.
Thesisterdisappearedinablastofsmokeandfragments.
Viola screamed. Chunks of roof tumbled to the floor. Tanichus scrabbledawayonhisbackside,hisriflelost.
Now,theorkswerealloverthenave.Augustacouldseethesmaller,darkergretchins,scuttlinginamongtheirboots,pickingthingsupandshakingthemandbitingthem,thenscurryinggleefullyaway.
Slingingthebolter,shedrewthechainswordandstartedthemechanism.
Itsnarledintolifelikepureimpatience,eagerfortheblasphemers’blood.
Calledbytheraspoftheweapon,theSisterswereupontheorkswithfistsandfeetandfury,punchingone,kickingittothefloor,thenrippingtheaxeoutofits grip and using it on the one behind. Their armour, already red, slickedbrighterwithcoloursofdeath.
But somewhere under the combat-high, Augusta was beginning tounderstand something: this was not just a random raid, it was too big, tooclever,toostrong.Theseorkshadcomehereknowingly.
Andthey’dcomeexpectingresistance.
Ahandgrabbedhercloakandpulledherbackwards.
Shespunthechainsword,slashedthroughtheneckofoneorkandintothechest of another. Bothwent over, one still howling, and her thoughtswereforgotten–shehadotherpriorities.Stampingattheimpertinentgretchins,sheslashedatathirdork,andafourth.Shewaswrathincarnate,therageoftheEmperor,carvingfleshandboneandarmour,andsprayinggorelikeredwine.
Tanichushadvanished,somewhereinthemess.
SisterJatoyashoutedoverthevox–theorkshadgotroundbehindthem.
Cleverindeed.
TheflamerroaredasJatoyaretreated,searingtheenemyandsendingthemscreaming, burning, stumbling. The wet and seething creepers started tosmoke.
Andthen,Augustasawsomethingelse.
Warboss.
Throne,thebeastwasbig!Sevenandahalffeetofpure,greenmuscle.Ithadmetalinitsears,onelowertooththatjuttedoveritsface,andanalmostfullsetofarmourthatofferedmorethanonewell-knownsymbol–BloodAngels,ImperialFists,theeight-pointedemblemofChaos.Itwasachampion,andthebiggestdamnedorkshe’deverseen.
Andifthat thingwasoutherescavenging, thenshewasstraightoutoftheschola.
Ithadasharp,slyglimmerinitsredeyes–anditsgazestoppedonAugusta.
Shesnarledatit,‘Moriblasphemusfui.’
Die,blasphemer.
Aroundthem,themeleeslowedtoafluiddanceofbloodandblades.Fromthecornerofhereye,AugustasawViolapunchherscarletgauntletcleanintoanork’sface,sawtheorkrockbackwards,thenshakeitselfandgrin.
Butherattentionwasstillontheleader.
Justasitswasonher.
Theyweretheeyeofthestorm.Theorkcarriedtwinaxes,eachaslongasitsmuscledforearm,andtherewasasecondgrenadeatitsbelt.
Itsaid,‘Sis-tah.’
Butthesnarlofthechainswordwasitsonlyreply.
Notonlybig,butfast.
Augusta was used to orks being slow, bearing down an enemy by bruteforce,ratherthanbyspeedorskill.
Notthisthing.
Inhermind,sherecitedtheLitanyofBlood–areflex,achantofpurefocus.Itwaspartofhercombattraining,somethingshe’dlearnedattheschola,anditmadehersharp,thetoolofthemightthatflowedthroughher.
But her first side-slash was blocked, then the second, the rasp of thechainswordrisingtoascreamastheaxescaughtinitsteeth.
Theorkdidn’t falter. Itwascontrolledandpowerful.Shewentbackwards,parryingoneblowafteranother,herbootsscatteringdustandmessandfallen
orkbodies.Anditcameafterher,itsbreathasfoulasitscoatedyellowteeth.Itwasstilltalking;threatsandmockery,butshehadnointerestinbandyingwordswithit.Itwasdefileranddespoiler,anditwoulddie.
Anotherblow, andanother.She tried topress forwards, but it gavehernogapinwhichtostrike.Aroundher, therestof thesquadfoughtwithknivesandfists,hammeringtheorkstoabloodygreenpulp.
Shesawonesisterfalter,andfalltoherknees.
‘Sis-tah.’ Grinning, the monster dropped both axes. It grabbed thechainsword,bladesandall,inonemassivehand,andtoreitoutofhergrasp.
Itthrewitaside.
She saw Jatoya’s flamer in the corner of her vision, saw Caia andMeliatogether pick an ork up bodily and hurl it into a gathering of its fellows,sendingallofthemscatteringtothefloor.
Theywouldwinthis!
Italmostmadeherlaugh,thesoundlikepure,righteousjoy.Withonlyhergauntlets,shethrewherselfatthemonster.
Butitwastoofast–itgrabbedher,itschainsword-carvedhandaroundhergorget,anditliftedhercleanoffthefloor.
Furiousnow,shekickedit.
Again.
Again.
She split the beast’s lip, but its grin onlywidened, its teeth now streakedwithitsownblood.Furious,shetookitswrist inhergaspandtriedtotwistandcrushitsarm,forceittodropher.
Itshookherlikeanerrantunderling.
‘Sister!’ Across the vox, she heard Jatoya’s cry. Her second in commandcouldn’tuseherflamerbutJatoyabarkedaclearorderattherestofthesquad.
‘Takeitdown!’
Thewarbossdidn’tcare.Itshookheragain,herarmourclattering.
‘Sis-tah,’itsaid.‘Knowyou.Cametofind.’
What?
‘Wait!’Thewordwasagurgleoverthevox.
Thebeastwaslaughingather.‘Wetakeall.Killsis-tahs.Takeweapons.’
Understandinggrewupherspinelikeice.Shestaredat theorkasitshookherforthethirdtime.
Takeweapons.
IthadknownthattheSisterswerehere!
Thefightingaroundthemwasbeginningtolessen.Theorkswerefaltering,andtheSistershackedatthemwithoutmercy,drivingthemback.Manyofthesmaller beasts were dropping their weapons and running away. Jatoya hadslungherflamerandfoughtwithherfistsalone;Augustasawherpunchanorkinthebackoftheneck,sawitstumbletoitsknees.
Onered-armouredfigure–shecouldn’ttellwho–waswalkingthroughthemess,bolterinhand,puttingsingleshotsintostrugglingheaps.Anotherwasclearingthebodiesfromthealtarsteps,andshecouldseethebrokenformofKimura,smokestillrisingfromthejointsinherarmour.
Thenshesawonesisterclicktheneckofherhelmandremoveit,revealingafreckledfaceandbobbedredhair,alltousledandsweating.
Viola.
Herexpressionwaslikeacid-carvedsteel.
‘Putherdown.’
Violaraisedherbolter,andtookclearaimattheork’shead.
Thewarbosspaused.Augustasawitlookroundatitsdefeatedforce;sawitsredeyesnarrow, its lipcurl.Thenit lethergo,andshefell,crashingtoherkneesonthecathedralfloor.
Violacamecloser,thebolteraimedandsteady.
Theorkbareditsteethather.
Impressedwiththenewmettleoftheyoungestsister,Augustastoodup.Shesteppedinclosetothewarbossandsaid,‘Youknewwewerehere.’Talkingtothethingmadeherfleshcrawl,butshehadtoknow.‘How?Whotoldyou?’
‘Sis-tah.’ThewarbosslookedfromAugustatoViolaandback.Itcockeditsheadtoonesideandsaid,‘Sofool-ish.Sotiny.’
Augustaglaredatit.‘Howdidyouknow?’
‘BloodAxes.’Itthumpedthecrossed-axesymbolonitschest.‘Wekill.Takeweapons.’
Shehelditsredgaze.AugustahadheardoftheBloodAxes,theytradedwithhumanssometimes–itmightexplainwhythismonsterwassodamnedclever.Butnothowithadknown–
Tanichus.
TherealisationcameliketheLightoftheEmperorHimself–arayofpureTruth.Tanichushadbeenherebefore–hadlivedhereformonths–andonlyTanichushadknownthattheSisterswerecoming.
And,asAugustaremembered,he’dusedhislocalknowledgetosetthetimeoftheirreconnaissance.
He’dtoldthemwhentobehere.
‘Getthemissionary.’Shesnappedthecommandoverthevox,sawCaianodandturnaway.
‘Whatdidheofferyou?’shesaidtothewarboss.
Itsneeredather,itsredeyescold.
Reachedforthegrenadeatitsbelt.
Shesawthemotion,wenttokickitswrist–butViolawasfaster.
Herfacelikestone,theyoungestsistershotitcleanthroughthehead.
Gorespattered.Thehugebeastteeteredforasecond,almostasifstartled–thenitcrashedtothefloorlikeatreefalling.Thewholebuildingseemedtoshake.
Apoolofcrimsonspreadoutacrosstheflagstones.
‘Goodshot,’Augustatoldtheyoungestsister.
Violagrinned.
Behind them, Caia had returned with Tanichus, the missionary almostgibberingwithfear.
‘Found him trying to flee,’ Caia said. ‘Scuttling out of the crypt like aninsect.’
‘Sister!’ Themissionary was white-faced; he looked like he was about tovomit.Her armour still dripping, shewalkedover to him, closing her handabouthisneckjustliketheork’shadbeenaboutherown.
Helookedather,hiseyeswide,hismouthopen.‘SisterSuperior,IswearbyHisLight–’
‘Youdare?Youdareswearby theEmperor’sname?’Herhandclosed;shefelthisbreathcatchinhisthroat.‘Ishouldcrushyouwhereyoustand.’
‘Sister,please!’
Atherfeet,thewarbosslaydead.TheorkswerefinishedandtheSistershadclosedranksatAugusta’sshoulders–theentirecathedralseemedgatheredatherback,lookingatthemissionary.
‘You’ve been here before,’ Augusta said. ‘Lived with the townspeople.You’rethelink,Tanichus.You’retheonlythingthatcouldhavemanipulatedthepieces.Tellme,didyouspeaktotheorks?Dealwiththem?Didyoulieabouttheicon?Somethingtobringusouthere,justsotheorkscouldkillusforourweapons.’Sheshookhimlikearat.
‘Sister,Iswear!’
Disgusted,shelethimgo,watchedasCaia’sgauntletedhandsclosedonhisshouldersandforcedhimtohisknees.
‘SisterKimuradied,’Augustasaid.Shefreedthesealonherhelmandtookitoff,enjoyingtherelativecoolofthemarsh-thickair.
Meetingherflat,steelgaze,Tanichuswasstartingtopanic.‘Please!’
Shedroppedtooneknee,grippedhisjawinonebloodygauntletandforcedhimtolookather.
‘Repent,heretic,youmayyetsaveyoursoul.’
Tanichuswasshakingnow,hisfacepale.Sweatshonefromhisskin.
She’d seen this a hundred times in the suddenly caught-out-and-penitent –theguilt,thefear.Andtheywereexactlytheadmissionshewaslookingfor.
‘Tellmethetruth,’shesnarledathim.‘Whatdealdidyoudo?’
Hewas snivellingnow, terrified.Words spilledout of him. ‘When I camehere,’he said, ‘the townspeople toldmeabout theorks.The tribehadbeendestroying the villages, committing such horrors… and theywere going towipe out the town.The people told the orks about the cathedral. Said theycouldhaveanything theycould find if they just left the townalone.Then Icame,andtheybeggedmeformyhelp.Theyknewthattheorkswouldcomeback. Knew what would happen to them.’ He seemed almost in tears.‘They’rejustpeople,sister,justfamilies.Theyhavelivesandfearsandhopes.Children growing up.’ His face was etched in pain. ‘I just wanted to helpthem.’Heheldbackasob.
AugustasawthepityonViola’sfreckledface,sawthestancesoftheothersshift–theyknewfullwellwhattheorkswouldhavedonetothetownspeople.
He said, ‘I went to find the orks. I told them that I would bring themweapons,armour,iftheyjustleftthepeoplealone.And–’
‘Andsoyoubroughtthemus.’Augusta’stonewasscathing.
‘Youbeatthem,didn’tyou?’Hewaspleadingwithher.‘Youwon!’
She contemplated the sobbing man, water tracing clean lines through thefilthonhisskin,andsheunderstoodhispain,thechoicehe’dmade.
Butitdidn’tchangethefacts.
‘LysimachusTanichus,youarea traitor.Youhavemanipulated theAdeptaSororitastoyourownends.YouhavebetrayedtheEcclesiarchy,andthenameof theEmperor.’Tanichusopenedhismouth,but shedidn’twant tohear it.‘Andyourstorymissesonecriticalpoint–whatwouldhavehappenedifwe’dlost?’
‘You’reSisterSuperiorAugustaSantorus–youdon’tlose!’
‘TellthattoKimura.’
Tanichus glanced at the fallen sister, then slumped forwards, defeated.Hewassniffling.‘Ionlywantedtohelpthepeople.’
‘You betrayed us to the enemy.’ She backhanded him, her metal gauntletcuttinghischeek.Hisheadsnappedsideways,thenhelookedbackupather,uncomprehendingandhorrified.‘Youbroughtushereona lie.Youcost thelifeofSisterKimura.Youtriedtofleethebattle.Yourguiltismanifest,andyourlifeisforfeit.’
Hestaredather,hismouthopen.
But shewasn’tdone. ‘However, Iwill say this– thisworld,Lautis, in theDrusus Marches of the Calixis Sector, is now under the observation andprotectionoftheOrderoftheBloodyRose.Weclaimthiscathedral,andallwithin it, inHisname.Andwewillprotect thepeople–on theassumptionthattheyacknowledgetheEmperorofAllMankind.’
Tanichus had fallen forwards. He was shaking, his hands over his face.‘Please!Iknewyou’dbeatthem!Iknew!’
‘Iwilldeliveryourprotection,Tanichus.Butyou…’Shedraggedhisheadupagain.‘Inpythonissamnonpatierisvivere–Ishallnotsufferyourlife.’
‘Sister Superior…’ Viola’s voice came to her ears, not over the vox. ‘He
shouldcomebackwithus,facejudgement–’
‘Enough!’Augusta snapped the order andViola recoiled. ‘I know exactlywhattodowiththisoffal.’
‘Sister,’Jatoyasaid,morecautiously.‘Itisnotourplace–’
‘Hehasmockedus!’Augustabarked,furious.‘Kimuraisdead!’
Tanichusthrewhimselfatherfeet.‘Please!’
ViolaandJatoyaexchangedaglance.
Augustareacheddownwithonehand,anddraggedthesobbingmanbacktohisfeet.‘Youdonottakethenameofthesaintinvain.YoudonotmanipulatetheOrdertoyourownends.Andbelieveme,iftheorkshadwon,bothyouandyourtownwouldstillhavebeendestroyed.Thatwarbosswouldhavecutyoutopiecesandeatenyou.’
Tanichuswasshakingnow.Shetoretherosariusoutofhisgrasp,gaveittotheclosestofhersisters.
Thenshepulledherfleur-de-lyspunch-daggerfromthefrontofherarmour,andslitTanichus’throat.
AugustafeltViolaflinch,thoughshesaidnothing.Tanichusgapedandfell,bubblesonhis lips,hands tohis throat,hisbloodminglingwith thatof thedeadork.
Hislastword,ashehitthefloor,wasMercy.
ABOUTTHEAUTHORDanieWareistheauthorofthecriticallyacclaimedEckoseries,aswellasnumerousshortstories.ShelivesinCarshalton,southLondon,withhersonandtwocatsandhaslong-heldinterestsinrole-playing,re-
enactment,vinylarttoysandpersonalfitness.Thesedays,shejugglesraisinghersonandwritingbookswithworkingforForbiddenPlanet(London)Ltd.,wheresherunstheireventscalendarandsocialmedia
profile.MercyisherfirstshortstoryforBlackLibrary.
AdeptaSororitasSisterMiriyaandhercomradeshuntrenegadepsykers,battletheancientmightofthenecronsandinvestigateaworldnewlydiscoveredbytheImperiuminthreetalesoftheSistersofBattleby
JamesSwallow.
ABLACKLIBRARYPUBLICATION
FirstpublishedinGreatBritainin2018.ThiseBookeditionpublishedin2018byBlackLibrary,Games
WorkshopLtd,WillowRoad,Nottingham,NG72WS,UK.
ProducedbyGamesWorkshopinNottingham.CoverillustrationbyAnnaSteinbauer.
Mercy©CopyrightGamesWorkshopLimited2018.Mercy,GW,GamesWorkshop,BlackLibrary,TheHorusHeresy,TheHorusHeresyEye
logo,SpaceMarine,40K,Warhammer,Warhammer40,000,the‘Aquila’Double-headedEaglelogo,andallassociatedlogos,illustrations,
images,names,creatures,races,vehicles,locations,weapons,characters,andthedistinctivelikenessesthereof,areeither®orTM,and/or©GamesWorkshopLimited,variablyregisteredaroundtheworld.
AllRightsReserved.
ACIPrecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary.
ISBN:978-1-78572-882-2
Thisisaworkoffiction.Allthecharactersandeventsportrayedinthisbookarefictional,andanyresemblancetorealpeopleorincidentsis
purelycoincidental.
SeeBlackLibraryontheinternetatblacklibrary.com
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