King of Ashes

Ahriman #Short Story

by John French

Once reviled as the most dangerous sorcerer in the galaxy by his brethren, Magnus the Red has endured pain and reformation the likes of which mortals cannot even comprehend. But the Crimson King is broken, and now rules nought but ashes and dust, despite – or perhaps because of? – the best efforts of his sons. Tumbling through personal hells and chased by the echoes of his past, Magnus’ attention falls once more upon Ahriman and the cabal of Thousand Sons who unwittingly brought so much calamity to their Legion.

Read it because
Plying the slow, ponderous void-routes through the backways of Ultramar, the funeral ship Shendao heads for a cemetery world with its cargo of the dead. Recent wars have left the warp in an eerily calm state and yet, inexplicably, an intruder emerges from the shadows of the vessel’s undercroft. What could a renegade Iron Warrior like Warsmith Honsou want from the Shendao, enough to face the Space Marines of the Ultramarines Chapter alone?

Genres: 40k, Science Fiction, Short Stories

10 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2017

About the author

John French is a writer and freelance game designer from Nottingham, England. His novels include the Ahriman series from Black Library, and The Lord of Nightmares trilogy for Fantasy Flight. The rest of his work can be seen scattered through a number of other books, including the New York Times bestselling anthology Age of Darkness. When he is not thinking of ways that dark and corrupting beings could destroy reality and space, John enjoys talking about why it would be a good idea... that and drinking good wine.

Reviews

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very beautiful and touching sneak-peek into Magnus' thoughts and feelings, and a wonderful prelude to Ahriman: Uchanged.

[Станислав · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ещё один короткий и ненужный рассказ про Аримана. Можно ли писать о Тысяче Сынов не используя слова "ash" и его деривативы? Похоже - нельзя. Издан в 2014 году для сборника "Renegades of the Dark Millennium", сам сборник неплохой - давно читал.
Очередная зарисовка из непонятных образных воспоминаний. Обязательно: волк. Куда же без этого? Ведь читатель мог забыть, что Просперо сожгли Космоволки и Тысячесыны до сих пор этим обмазываются буквально. Так что волчий вой сопровождает из колдунские мысли как будто они живут на Фенрисе.
Очередное пережёвывание воспоминаний о том как Магнус изгнал Аримана. Или не Магнус? Или не Аримана? Или не изгнал? Сначала картинка от лица Аримана, потом от Магнуса. Ариман изгнан и Ариман вернётся. А с ним и война.
Главное такого Френч мог написать на 2 страницы, мог на 20, мог и на 200. Бессодержательность и пустословие.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Narek Ohanyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magnus mentioned!!