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The Red Path 4: Blood Vision – Extract

A Black Library Publication

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The Red Path 4: Blood Vision

Chris Dows

Chapter Master Solucious Gaul was not one to rush, but the speed with which he swept down the passageway of the Light of the Emperor was nearing a charge. Behind him, four of his longest-serving veterans matched the urgency of his pace, their heavily embroidered cloaks swaying in time with that of their leader. The reason for their presence had nothing to do with Gaul’s protection. They were accompanying him in a show of the esteem in which they held their honoured guest, even if he was currently putting the lives of everyone on the ship and, for that matter, the entire fleet, in jeopardy. Passing a third triumvirate of Adepta Sororitas, Gaul clenched his back teeth together and ignored their burning stares. While he had nothing but admiration for their military prowess and appreciated the Living Saint had fought with them for the last five years on his crusade, they simply were not needed on an Angels Eradicant vessel.

Gaul had spent a long time on the Light of the Emperor and knew it nearly as well as the shipmaster, but even he had been surprised at just how different the approach to the chapel now looked. Gone were the tapestries and battle banners celebrating the victories over Chaos by his Chapter, replaced with those narrating the bloody trail of destruction waged by Lozepath during his holy war. The pennants and flags had been embellished with golden frames, an extravagance Gaul found hard to stomach in these times of hardship for the Imperium. Even so, he had to admit it was impressive, albeit typical of what he had come to expect from Lozepath. Those who imagined Living Saints to be humble souls dedicated to the spiritual nourishment and guidance of the Emperor’s faithful servants had clearly not met him. The man, if that was the right description, was anything but self-effacing. As he quick-marched through the corridor, Gaul suspected it was Lozepath’s irrepressible temperament that had led to an emergency call coming through to the Chapter Master from the bridge only minutes before.

Turning a wide corner, Gaul spied the newly embossed doors to the chapel. His path was quickly blocked by yet another heavily armed contingent from the Order of the Divine Perfection. The most senior amongst them regarded the Chapter Master and his fully armed escort coolly, one delicate hand stroking the top of the bolter slung over her right shoulder, the other on a brass-bound tome suspended by a thick golden chain. A network of puckered scars ran across her elegant face, and there was a look of quiet determination that, under normal circumstances, Gaul might have given greater respect to. Right now, she was in his way, and he was in no mood to be delayed.

‘Who begs to enter the ministry of the Living Saint?’

Gaul knew the Sisters well enough to realise they would not expect a warrior of the Adeptus Astartes to beg for anything. The words were deliberately confrontational, but he knew how to conduct this particular dance of etiquette.

‘Chapter Master Solucious Gaul of the Angels Eradicant.’

The Sister Superior looked past Gaul and eyed his four veterans behind him with suspicion. The five other Sisters that fanned out and walked past Gaul to stand by their sides provoked no reaction whatsoever. The Sister Superior could clearly see she was hopelessly outgunned, but it did not cow her.

‘His Celestial Highness is at prayer. Come back later.’

Gaul looked down at the woman, took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Behind him he could hear her guard shifting in their elegant black armour, readying themselves for a violent response. Inside the Chapter Master’s head, a clock was counting down. A firefight would solve the impasse, but it would also likely complicate and delay matters. There was a very large contingent of Adepta Sororitas on board, and they would mobilise within seconds of hearing combat. Clasping his hands in front of him, Gaul leaned forwards and dropped his voice.

‘Sister Superior, I understand your devotion to Lozepath. But let me put this as simply as I can. I need to talk with the Saint as a matter of extreme urgency. All attempts to communicate with him inside the chapel have been unsuccessful, and I believe him to be in considerable danger at this very moment.’

Gaul knew the Adepta Sororitas had supreme confidence in their ability to protect their holy charge, but a direct warning such as this from a Chapter Master was something that could not be ignored. Gaul straightened and waited for the reaction he expected. Sure enough, the Sister Superior looked over the closest of her fellow guards, then back to Gaul. Something changed in her eyes.

‘Chapter Master, I have my orders. No one is to enter at this time.’

Her words were almost hissed. Gaul could see she was in a difficult position, but his patience was rapidly abandoning him. The time for diplomacy was over. He needed to take a more direct approach.

‘Sister Superior, this vessel currently houses over a hundred of my battle-brothers, all of whom have been in a state of combat readiness since we set off on this journey. Such is their desire to fight, they would relish the opportunity, regardless of who their opponents might be.’

To her credit, the Sister Superior did not so much as bat an eyelid in response. While the repercussions of her allowing him to pass might be severe, they would be nothing compared to the damage she and her sentinels would endure in a battle with his Space Marines. She kept her gaze locked onto Gaul, only flicking her eyes to his honour guard as she finished her sentence.

‘There is no need for threats, Chapter Master. You may pass – but you alone.’

Gaul looked back to his four veterans, then turned to the Sister Superior.

‘These warriors are here to honour his holiness. To enter without them would be an insult. Would you have that to answer for as well?’

The Sister Superior looked at Gaul for a long moment. Without blinking, she took one step to the side and nodded towards the entrance. As he marched past, Gaul noticed with grudging respect that her finger had been on the trigger of her bolter throughout their exchange. Raising both arms before him and letting his cloak fall behind his shoulders, he pushed against the two massive wooden arched doors of the sanctuary and leaned into them. They swung open with a deep, ancient creaking and he had to squint against the intense golden light flooding the chamber’s interior. Striding forwards, he held one hand high with fingers spread wide, both in greeting and to show he held no weapon, lest his sudden entrance be taken as a hostile act. As it was, voices were raised in protest the second he appeared. The high-pitched childlike wailing of Lozepath’s neutered clerical attendants mixed with violent oaths from the Sisters of Battle. Gaul’s eyes quickly adjusted to the dazzling surroundings, and he came to a halt yards before the raised dais on which Lozepath lounged. Black-armoured figures swarmed towards him, weapons readied to fire. In response, two of his veterans stepped forward, one on either flank, and drew their bolt pistols. Behind him, Gaul heard two chainswords buzz into life. Calls of ‘blasphemy’ and for them to immediately disarm went unheeded. Gaul would give no such order. Palatine Serenaird strode towards him, power sword and bolter drawn, her face darkening with fury.

‘How dare you enter without my permission, Chapter Master! Do you realise the disgrace you bring upon yourself and your brothers?’

Serenaird swept past the veterans and stood inches away from Gaul. Her head only came up to the Chapter Master’s chest armour, and while she was effectively surrounded by the towering forms of Gaul and his honour guard, it was obvious from the righteous anger burning in her eyes that she was very far from being intimidated. As far as Gaul was concerned, this made what he had to say much easier. He had no more time for games.

‘May I remind you, Serenaird, this is my ship. I do not require permission from you or anybody else to do anything. And with regards to bringing disgrace upon my Chapter…’

Gaul’s gaze flashed down to her humming weapon, then back to her eyes.

‘The true dishonour is yours for drawing blades at the sight of those who provide shelter and protection to your Sisterhood and the Saint.’

A chorus of oaths erupted around the chamber. Four Sisters moved towards the veterans at his side, the muzzles of their weapons aimed directly at the Angels Eradicants’ heads. Gaul readied himself to restrain the Palatine. He would have to move fast to prevent her from getting off a shot.

‘Chapter Master Gaul. Were you not informed I was at prayer?’

Lozepath’s voice was like oil on water. It slid around the high-ceilinged chamber like silk, soft and strong in equal measure. Gaul kept his gaze fixed on the Sister’s eyes for a few more seconds, then turned and bowed towards the dais. As he did so, he caught the furious glares from various clerics and other minions standing at floor level and on the eight high steps leading to the altar. They were of no consequence. What was of the greatest importance was the distorted, twitching form of Lozepath’s personal sanctioned Astropath sitting to the Living Saint’s left. Anger flared brighter in Gaul’s chest. The creature’s head was attached to a series of cables snaking behind the wide, ornate throne on which Lozepath sat and directly into the main communications network of his ship. The psyker’s hood had fallen back from its ashen face and its eyes were glowing white. Gaul had seen enough of the creatures to know this one was still active. Emperor’s Throne, it had been transmitting its dream-message for far too long.

‘Forgive me, Your Holiness, but I am here on the gravest of business. Our shipmaster has detected an astropathic communication from your chambers, and I must insist it be terminated immediately.’

There was a gasp from around the room at Gaul’s words. More Sisters of Battle stepped towards his honour guard, and Gaul could feel the hatred emanating from Serenaird. Beneath his cloak, Gaul clasped his unseen hand around the handle of his relic blade. His hopes of avoiding bloodshed were fading with every second, but the stakes were far too high for inactivity. Gaul knew if he drew Acritus, there would be no going back. Regardless of who he stood before, right at this moment he desired it more than anything.

‘Come forward, Chapter Master. I would speak with you.’

Lozepath’s command seemed to catch everyone by surprise. Gaul caught a dismissive wave from the seated figure, and heard the Sisters move warily around him and the honour guard. Gaul turned his back on Serenaird and, making sure both of his hands were visibly empty, mounted the steps. Lozepath gestured to the right side of his throne, a holy relic retrieved from his unsalvageable flagship. Every step Gaul took up to the wide platform was scrutinised by the Sisters of Battle, all of whom still had their weapons trained on him and his battle-brothers. As he reached Lozepath’s flank, the Living Saint’s Astropath issued a strangulated cry and fell from his seat to the floor. Several shaven-headed serfs tended to him, roughly disconnecting cables from his head before dragging the psyker away towards an antechamber at the back of the chapel.

Lozepath leaned on his right elbow and beckoned Gaul to within earshot. Such was the intensity of the energy that surrounded his body, Gaul found it difficult to look upon him at close proximity, even with the protection of his augmented vision. Underneath its shimmering field, Gaul got the impression of a simple white cloak and thick golden sash, around which was slung a jewel-encrusted sword belt. The weapon itself, a mighty blade taller than a man, rested tip-down in front of the throne’s left arm.

‘I take it you believe my communication with Salandraxis to be a deliberate breach of your orders and a dangerous mistake, Chapter Master.’

Lozepath did not turn to look at Gaul as he murmured the words. The Living Saint’s eyes burned with a ferocity equal to that of any daemon Gaul had faced in his countless battles with the forces of Chaos.

‘Highness, we cannot afford to give away our location so far from our destination. We may attract the attention of the Despoiler. I would not have your safety compromised.’

Gaul’s response was brutal in its simplicity. Had Tentera been present, he felt sure the venerable Chaplain would not have approved of the accusation. However, it was a truth Gaul would not hide. Regardless of his inviolability, the Living Saint had put them in immediate, terrible danger.

Lozepath shifted his weight to the other side of his throne as he considered the Chapter Master’s words, the glow from his body intensifying, then fading. Leaning back over to the right, he beckoned Gaul closer once again.

‘There are three things you need to understand, Chapter Master. First, the needs of an entire planet outweigh our own. Salandraxis has not heard from me since we set off on our journey, and they had to know I was safe and nearing my return. Second, my righteous authority overrules anything you or any other warrior of the Adeptus Astartes might hold, regardless of how well intentioned your actions may be. And third…’

Lozepath grabbed hold of Gaul’s left vambrace. The movement was unnaturally fast, and by the time Gaul had looked down to the action, he could see the ceramite beneath the Living Saint’s hand glowing. At red he felt minor discomfort. At white, his forearm was crisping. He looked back up to see a flaming intensity in Lozepath’s eyes, his soft, red lips transformed into a sneer.

‘If you ever enter this chapel against my wishes again, I will have you executed.’

Lozepath released Gaul’s arm, and the Chapter Master looked down to see a molten handprint smoking on the surface of his vambrace. For long seconds Gaul stared at the damage, waiting for the anger within his breast to subside. When he eventually flicked his eyes back to Lozepath’s face, Gaul let his arm fall, his cloak shrouding the mark left upon him. Gaul dropped his voice to a low growl.

‘If you continue in the delusion that I serve you before the Emperor and His realm, you will be the one to suffer. Heed these words – I will not repeat them.’

The sneer dropped a fraction on the Living Saint’s lips, but before he had time to react any further, Gaul took a step back, bowed his head and then marched down the steps without looking to the Palatine. His fury was almost beyond control, but he had said what he needed to say. The blind faith of the Adepta Sororitas would not allow them to see the reality of the situation they had been led into, and Gaul would make no excuses for doing what he felt to be right. As he reached the opening doors, he heard his honour guard barge their way past the Sisters and take up formation behind him. Other than the sound of their marching boots, their departure was watched in absolute silence. Exiting the chamber, Gaul looked to the Sister Superior who had tried to stop him from entering. Even though her skin was like porcelain, she looked ashen. Without a word she turned and walked back into the chapel, likely summoned to answer for her actions. He did not expect to see her again.

As Gaul marched away from the chapel, he finally allowed his fury to sweep through him. Lozepath’s psyker would be detected by an Astropath of the enemy, of that he was certain. Despite the Living Saint’s considerable power, they were an easy target, six ships or no. Looking down to his arm, he realised he would need attention for his ruined armour and flesh. And then, the words of the Chaplain Venerable Dreadnought came back to him. He should use his belief an attack would come to his advantage. Coming to a junction, Gaul stopped dead and, instead of heading to the medical facility, turned towards the bridge. He needed to speak with the fleet’s shipmaster immediately.

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