Tales of Heresy (Anthology)
Template:Anthology Tales of Heresy, edited by Nick Kyme and Lindsey Priestley, is the tenth book in the Horus Heresy Series and is a collection of seven short stories, written by some of the series' authors. The book was published on March 14, 2009. It was later included in "The Novels: Volume 2" eBook collection and as an audiobook collection.
Contents
Cover Description
When Horus, the Warmaster, rebelled against the Emperor, the ensuing civil war nearly destroyed the Imperium. War raged across the galaxy, pitting Astartes against their battle–brothers in a struggle where death was the only victor.
Blood Games
By Dan Abnett
Synopsis
Custodian Guard Amon Tauromachian infiltrates the Imperial Palace as part of a 'Blood Game' designed to discover weaknesses in security. Ambushed by three workers when he attempts to purchase some drugs he effortlessly kills them and uses the drugs to temporarily stop his heart, allowing him to hide in a cargo crate and fool the security system that scans it. Inside the palace he locates the Emperor and makes it as far as raising his blade to strike before being intercepted by Constantin Valdor.
Given a new mission, Amon and fellow Custodian Haedo Emankon investigate Pherom Sichar, lord of Hy Brasil, who is suspected of leaking information to Horus. Infiltrating a meeting they attempt to arrest Sichar but are stopped by Rogal Dorn, who reveals that Sichar is a triple agent who is posing as a traitor but working for the Imperium. At that moment an assassin strikes, killing Sichar and eight others with a bomb before fleeing on a speeder rigged with explosives. Amon gives chase, kills the assassin and manages to send the speeder up into the atmosphere before it explodes.
Setting
Terra, after the Battle of Isstvan III.
Characters
- Amon Tauromachian - Custodian
- The Emperor of Mankind
- Constantin Valdor - Chief Custodian
- Lord Pherom Sichar - Hereditary Lord of Hy Brasil
- Haedo Emankon - Custodian
- Ptolem Sichar - 4th brother of Lord Sichar, CEO of Cajetan Imports
- Ibn Norn - Lucifer Black, bodyguard for Ptolem Sichar
- Rogal Dorn - Primarch of the Imperial Fists Legion.
- Gen Cheth - Assassin posing as a Lucifer Black
Wolf at the Door
By Mike Lee
Synopsis
A band of Space Wolves belonging to the 13th Great Company have just completed the conquest of rebellious human world Kernunnos when they receive summons to muster with the rest of their legion but also discover a planet which was previously hidden by warp-storms. Lord Bulveye chooses to delay the rendezvous in favour of investigating the new world and finds it is inhabited by humans. However, Antimon's government is hostile towards the Imperium and Bulveye discovers that the governor's son Andras invited them to the planet without permission. Chaos descends when an army of Dark Eldar from the Kabal of the Shrieking Heart arrive for one of their regular tribute collections and the Space Wolves' ships are destroyed, stranding them on Antimon. With no other options, Bulveye leads his men in a series of guerrilla raids against the Dark Eldar, culminating in an attack on one of their towers which Andras and group of soldiers join. Bulveye manages to slay the enemy Archon and the Dark Eldar descend into infighting. Bulveye, Andras and their men brace for a last stand but a Space Wolves relief fleet arrives in orbit and drives the Dark Eldar away. Celebrations are cut short, however, when Andras refuses to let his planet join the Imperium and Bulveye is forced to kill him and order a bombardment of the planet.
Setting
- Planets Kernunnos and Antimon in the Lammas subsector
Characters
- Bulveye, Wolf Lord of the Space Wolves 13th Great Company
- Halvdan Bale Eye
- Jurgen
- Andras Santanno, son of Antimon's planetary governor
- Darragh Shakkar, Archon of the Kabal of the Shrieking Heart
Scions of the Storm
Synopsis
The Word Bearers Legion encounter the planet Forty-Seven Sixteen and declare war on its heathen populace, who deploy intelligent machines with weaponised lightning-launchers for arms in battle. Captain Sor Talgron of the 34th Company leads an assault that brings down part of the force-field around the enemy palace and discovers the planet's remaining humans praying to the Emperor. He informs legion command of the gross mistake that has been made but is shocked when Lorgar, Erebus and Kor Phaeron order the people slaughtered, unaware that his commanders have secretly turned against the Imperium. Putting his faith in Lorgar, Talgron is inducted into the traitor fold.
Setting
- The Battle of 47-16, about a month after Lorgar turns against the Emperor.
Characters
- Lorgar, Primarch of the Word Bearers
- Sor Talgron, Captain, 34th Company
- Arshaq, sergeant
- Kor Phaeron
- Erebus
The Voice
Synopsis
The Sisters of Silence investigate the disappearance of a Black Ship, full of captured psykers.
Setting
- The Aeria Gloris
- The Validus, which is found drifting in the warp
Characters
- Sisters of Silence
- Leilani Mollitas, Novice-Sister
- Amendera Kendel, Oblivion Knight, Storm Dagger cadre.
- Thessaly Norton, Null Maiden Sister.
- Emrilia Herkaaze, Sister of the White Talons cadre.
Call of the Lion
By Gav Thorpe
Synopsis
Dark Angels bring the planet Byzanthis into the Imperium of Man, while Commanders differ on how it should be done.
Setting
- The Spear of Truth
- The planet Byzanthis in the system designated DX-619
Characters
- Dark Angels
- Astelan, Chapter Commander, master of the ship The Spear of Truth
- Belath, Chapter Commander, member of The Order of the Raven's Wing
- Galedan, second in command on the Spear of Truth
- Cayvan, Sergeant of a Jetbike squad.
- Byzanthisians
- Paldrath Grane, Chairman of the Committee of Nations
- Kinloth, President of Confederate Vanz
- Lashkar Kerupt. This may be the name of the woman or of the power block she represented.
The Last Church
Synopsis
A mysterious warrior visits a church, and enters into a battle of words with the old priest tending it.
Setting
Terra, before the the Great Crusade.
After Desh'ea
Synopsis
The War Hounds, the legion which will become known as the World Eaters, meet Angron, their Primarch, for the first time.
Setting
- The flagship of the War Hounds
Characters
- Khârn, later known as The Betrayer
- Angron, Primarch of the World Eaters
Trivia
- The Hall of Leng, described as a location within the Imperial Palace in the Himalazia region of Terra in Dan Abnett's Blood Games, is most likely a reference to Howard Phillips Lovecraft and his Leng.