Finally, the holo zoomed in on a curious mass of stonework some way east of the Precentor's Palace. To Loken's untutored eye, it looked like a collection of church spires or temples, sacred buildings heaped one on top of one another over the centuries.

'This is the Sirenhold and my Sons of Horus will lead the attack on it,' said Horus. 'Choral City's revolt appears to be religious in nature and the Sirenhold was the spiritual heart of the city. According to Corax's reports, this was the seat of the old pagan religion that was supposed to have been dismantled. It is presumed that it still exists and that the leadership of that religion will be found here. This is another likely location for Vardus Praal, so again I do not require prisoners, only destruction.' For the first time, Loken saw the battlefield he would soon be fighting on. The Sirenhold looked like difficult ground to take: massive, complicated structures creating a confusing multi-levelled warren with plenty of places to hide. Dangerous ground.

That was why the Warmaster had sent his own Legion to take it. He knew they could do it.

The holo zoomed out again to a view of the planet itself.

'Preliminary operations will involve the destruction of the monitoring stations on the seventh

planet of Isstvan Extremis,’ said Horus. 'When the rebels are blind the invasion of Isstvan III will commence. The units chosen to lead the first wave will deploy by drop-pod and gunship, with a second wave ready in reserve. I trust you all understand what is required of your Legions,’

'I only have one question, Warmaster,’ said Angron.

'Speak,’ said Horus.

Why do we plan this attack with such precision when a single, massive strike will do the job just as well?'

You object to my plans, Angron?' Horus asked carefully.

'Of course I object,’ spat Angron. We have four Legions, Titans and starships at our disposal, and this is just one city. We should hit it with everything we have and slaughter them in the streets. Then we will see how many on this planet have the stomach to rebel. But no, you would have us kill them one by one and pick off their leaders as if we are here to preserve this world. Rebellion is in the people, Horus. Kill the people and the rebellion ends,’

'Lord Angron,’ said Eidolon reasonably, 'you speak out of turn-'

'Hold your tongue in the presence of your betters,’ snarled Angron. 'I know what you Emperor's Children think of us, but you mistake our directness for stupidity. Speak to me again without my consent and I will kill you,’

'Angron!'

Horus's voice cut through the building tension and the primarch of the World Eaters turned his murderous attention away from Eidolon.

'You place little value on the lives of your World Eaters,’ said Horus, 'and you believe in the way of war you have made your own, but that does not place you beyond my authority. I am the Warmas-ter, the commander of everyone and everything that falls under the aegis of the Great Crusade. Your Legion will deploy according to the orders I have given you. Is that clear?'

Angron nodded curtly as Horus turned to Eidolon. 'Lord Commander Eidolon, you are not among equals here, and your presence in this war council is dependent upon my good graces, which will be rapidly worn thin should you conduct yourself as if Fulgrim was here to nursemaid you.'

Eidolon rapidly recovered his composure. 'Of course, my Warmaster, I meant no disrespect. I shall ensure that my Legion is prepared for the assault on Isstvan Extremis and the capture of the Precentor's Palace.'

Horus switched his gaze to Angron, who grunted in assent.

'The World Eaters will be ready, Warmaster,’ said Kharn.

Then this conclave is at an end,’ said Horus. 'Return to your Legions and make ready for war,’

The delegations filed out, Kharn speaking quietly with Angron and Eidolon adopting a swagger as if

to compensate for his dressing down. Loken thought he saw a gleam of amusement in Mortar-ion's eyes as he left with Garro and his Terminators in tow.

Horus turned to Abaddon and said, 'Have a stormbird prepared to convey me to the Conqueror. Angron must be illuminated as to the proper conduct of this endeavour,’

Horus turned and made his way from the Luper-cal's court with Abaddon and Aximand following behind him without so much as a backwards glance at Loken and Torgaddon.

That was educational,’ said Torgaddon when they were alone.

Loken smiled wearily. 'I could feel you willing Angron to strike Eidolon,’

Torgaddon laughed, remembering when he and Eidolon had almost come to blows when they had first met on the surface of Murder.

'If only we could join the Warmaster on the Conqueror! said Torgaddon. 'Now that would be something worth seeing. Horus illuminating Angron. What would they talk about?' What indeed?' agreed Loken. There was so much Loken didn't know, but as he pondered his unhappy ignorance, he remembered the last thing Kyril Sindermann had shouted to him as he was led away by Maloghurst's soldiers.

Tarik, we have a battle to prepare for, so I want you to get everyone ready. It's going to be a hard fight on Isstvan III,’

'I know,' said Torgaddon. The Sirenhold. What a bloody shambles. This is what happens when you give people a god to believe in.'

'Get Vipus up to speed as well. If we're attacking the Sirenhold, I want Locasta with us.'

'Of course,’ nodded Torgaddon. 'Sometimes I think you and Nero are the only people I can trust any more. What are you going to be doing?'

'I have some reading to catch up on,' said Loken.

FOUR

Sacrifice

A single moment

Keep her safe

WHEREVER EREBUS WALKED, shadows followed in his wake. Flickering whisperers were his constant companions, invisible creatures that lurked just beyond sight and ghosted in his shadow. The whisperers flitted from Erebus and gathered in the shadowed corners of the chamber, a stone-walled lodge built in the image of the temple room of the Delphos where Akshub had cut his throat.

Deep in the heart of the Vengeful Spirit, the lodge temple was low, close and hot, lit by a crackling fire that burned in a pit in the middle of the room. Flames threw leaping shapes across the walls. 'My Warmaster,' said Erebus. 'We are prepared.' 'Good,' replied the Warmaster. 'It has cost us a great deal to reach this point, Erebus. For all our sakes it had better be worth it, but mostly for yours.'

'It will be, Warmaster,’ assured Erebus, paying no heed to the threat. 'Our allies are keen to finally speak to you directly'

Erebus stooped to stare into the fire, the flames reflecting from his shaven, tattooed head and in his armour, recently painted in the deep scarlet colours now adopted by the Word Bearers Legion. As confident as he sounded, he allowed himself a moment of pause. Dealing with creatures from the warp was never straightforward, and should he fail to meet the Warmaster's expectations then his life would be forfeit.

The Warmaster's presence filled the lodge, armoured as he was in a magnificent suit of obsidian Terminator armour gifted to him by the Fabricator General himself. Sent from Mars to cement the alliance between Horns and the Mechanicum of Mars, the armour echoed the colours of the elite Justaerin, but it far surpassed them in ornamentation and power. The amber eye upon the breastplate stared from the armour's torso and shoulder plates, and on one hand Horns sported a monstrous gauntlet with deadly blades for fingers.

Erebus lifted a book from beside the fire and rose to his feet, reverently turning the ancient pages until he came to a complex illustration of interlocking symbols.

"We are ready. I can begin once the sacrifice is made.'

Horus nodded and said, 'Adept, join us,’