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The Last Council – Extract

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The Last Council

L J Goulding

The title of Imperial Regent, regardless of its provenance, was seen by some as problematic in and of itself. Whenever the Emperor was abroad in the galaxy, the power of the Throne was assumed to reside with Malcador, His most trusted advisor and confidant. So, for the first time in living mortal memory – indeed, since the Unification of Old Earth – this meant that the rule of Terra and the Imperium was fallible. It was something that could conceivably be disputed, or even seized, if any usurper had the strength of will and arms to attempt it.

A regency is, by definition, a compromise. It is the tacit acknowledgement that an individual with no rightful claim to the throne is, nonetheless, preferable to an empty throne.

The doors of the chamber were flung wide, with such force and fury that even Vivar’s burly retainers flinched.

‘Sigillite!’ Horus roared, striding ahead of his brothers, his footsteps like armoured thunder. ‘Explain yourself!’

Several of the assembled lords and adepts started from their places around the debating table, the wrath of three enraged primarchs enough to cow almost any mortal into tearful penitence. Malcador, however, remained seated in his tall wooden throne, gazing levelly back.

‘Alpharius. This is your doing, I would guess.’

At Horus’ side came the lord of the Alpha Legion, resplendent in ornate ceremonial battleplate. He offered no reply beyond half a sneer directed at the Army officers backing away from their posts, flanking the doors – they were the only armed men in the room, and the thought of raising their laslock rifles never even crossed their minds.

Horus reached the far side of the table. The wolf pelt draped across his immense ceramite pauldrons settled as the primarch raised an accusing finger.

‘I gave you an order, dear uncle. Explain yourself.’

There were raised voices in the hallway beyond the chamber, and the clamour of more armoured warriors approaching. The Hegemon was not officially guarded by the Custodes, yet word of this unexpected intrusion had clearly already reached the Palace watch-commanders, as a handful of golden shieldbearers surged into view. They halted at the threshold, scanning the room in something like confusion.

‘Lord Regent,’ one of them called out, eyeing the three primarchs warily, with one hand on the pommel of his sword. ‘Do you require our assistance?’

Malcador drummed his fingers upon the smooth tabletop, never breaking Horus’ flinty gaze. ‘No, captain. This is nothing I cannot handle. Thank you for your diligence, and your concern. Your warriors may return to their duties.’

The Custodian raised an eyebrow, but nodded slowly.

‘As you wish,’ he murmured, waving several of the more visibly distressed courtiers out before him.

Others seized this opportunity too, and the chamber rapidly emptied. Malcador felt a soft touch at his shoulder; Sibel Niasta, his personal astropath, took her leave, though she spared a pointed glare for the third primarch as she passed.

The Khan, renowned warhawk of Chogoris, bowed his head courteously in response. Then he made a wide circle around the edge of the low-ceilinged chamber, before closing the doors behind them all.

‘You as well, Jaghatai?’ Malcador sighed, then pursed his lips. ‘What brings you so promptly to the Throneworld, when not even Lady Niasta can reach your expedition’s chantries, when we need to?’

‘My brother calls, and I answer,’ the Khan replied in his softly accented Gothic, leaning casually against a marble pillar. ‘It is the way you made us, no?’

Horus growled impatiently, from behind gritted teeth.

‘And now, you will answer me, Sigillite. I will not ask again.’

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A Black Library Publication

First published in Great Britain in 2018 by Black Library, Games Workshop Ltd, Willow Road, Nottingham, NG7 2WS, UK.

Produced by Games Workshop in Nottingham.

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ISBN: 978-1-78030-779-4

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