The Lightning Tower (Short Story)
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| Author | Dan Abnett |
| Publisher | Black Library |
| Series | Horus Heresy series |
| Pages | 20 |
| Collected in | Horus Heresy Chapbook Shadows of Treachery Crusade + Other Stories (Anthology) |
"The Lightning Tower" is a short story by Dan Abnett, published in the Horus Heresy Chapbook (Anthology) in 2007, and in Shadows of Treachery (Anthology) in 2012.[1]
Cover Description
Rogal Dorn, Primarch of the Imperial Fists Legion, faces a stark reality - he must tear down the magnificence of the Emperor's Palace, a shining beacon in a galaxy of darkness, and turn it into a fortress. With the army of Horus drawing ever closer, as he blights the Palace with gunports and defence towers, Dorn must face a difficult question: "What are you afraid of?"[1]
Plot Summary
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The following paragraphs contain spoilers for: | The Lightning Tower (Short Story) |
Primarch Rogal Dorn laments the transformation of the Imperial Palace, a wonder of architecture meant to celebrate the Emperor of Mankind's ascent, into a fortress meant to resist the onslaught of traitor legions. He must concur with Vadok Singh's project for the Annapurna Gate, but insists its ornaments be preserved for future restoration.[2a] Archamus I encourages his primarch to voice his frustration, and asks him whom he is afraid of.[2b]
Pondering his Captain's question, Dorn wanders into the Investiary and is met by Malcador the Sigillite[2c], who expresses concern that Dorn might harbour doubts, and asks him in turn what he is afraid of.[2d] They enter Malcador's apartments, where Dorn declares he is afraid of whatever caused Horus Lupercal and the others to turn on the Imperium of Man. Drawing out a deck of cards that belonged to Konrad Curze, the Sigillite coaxes out of Dorn the story of their fight on Cheraut, and the primarch admits he has been haunted by his brother and the truth behind his prophetic visions.[2e]
The memory of the Lightning Tower major arcana[2e] comes back to Dorn later, while running simulations of the Palace being besieged, and, despite his gene-sire's reassurance, he wonders what sacrifices will be necessary to ensure victory.[2f]
Images
Related Articles
Sources
- 1: Black Library - "The Dark King" & "The Lightning Tower" (saved archive page, dated 04 August 2020, last accessed 08 September 2024, original link: https://www.blacklibrary.com/audio/the-horus-heresy-audiobooks/Dark-King-and-The-Lightning-Tower-Audiobook-The-mp3.html)
- 2: "The Lightning Tower" (Short Story):
- 2a: "There was once a fine palace, and it sat like a crown of light upon the top of the world."
- 2b: "A katabatic wind was coming in off the lower bulwarks that night."
- 2c: "Consider the question, Rogal Dorn."
- 2d: "They said little at first."
- 2e: "Malcador raised his hand and the lights in his chambers came on."
- 2f: "They had blown their way through the massive earthwork defences at Haldwani and Xigaze."
