By the Lion's Command

The Horus Heresy #Short Story

by Gav Thorpe

Following the splitting of the Dark Angels fleet in the aftermath of Perditus, Seneschal Corswain continues to hunt down the Death Guard forces under the command of the infamous Typhon. Now, a tense standoff erupts in the heavens over the supposedly independent world of Terra Nullius, and Corswain must either bend the local population to his own cause or make an example of them to other worlds that might secede from the Imperium. In this war, there can be no innocent bystanders.

Read it because
It's a tense stalemate from start to finish. An ultimatum is set for the Free Army of Terra Nullius by the Dark Angels. They can rejoin the forces of the Emperor or be destroyed along with the traitor Death Guard. This is one of the first instances where a system declares independence rather than joining either side in the Horus Heresy, forcing the Loyalists to make some hard decisions about them.

Genres: Science Fiction, 40k, Audiobook, Short Stories

21 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2015

About the author

Gav spent 14 years as a developer for Games Workshop, and started writing novels and short stories in the worlds of Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 when the Black Library imprint was launched in 1997.

He continues to write for Black Library, and his first 'homegrown' novel series The Crown of the Blood has been released via Angry Robot.

Currently living in Nottingham, Gav shares his home with his loving and very understanding partner - Kez, and their beautiful little boy - Sammy.

Reviews

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good Horus Heresy short tale with insight about Seneschal Corswain, one of the leaders of the First Legion.
When the split forces of the Dark Angels engage at last the Death Guard onds under the command of infamous Typhon above neutral world of Terra Nullius.
Outclassed by the traitors firepower, the only way to win for the sons of Caliban is to use cover of Terra Nullius' orbital batteries, but whose side are they going to choose?
In this war, there can be no innocent bystanders.

Great story and is always a pleasure seeing the Terminus Est, Deathguard admiral ship, in action before its 40k nightmarish incarnation.



If you wanna read more of that one look for amazing Cadian Blood novel by Aaron Black L Dembski-Bowden, one of my most favourite Warhammer 40000 books ever.

[RatGrrrl · Rating 2 out of 5]

March 2024 Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order - Omnibus VIII Angels of Darkness (https://www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.

I'm starting to feel like when it comes to short stories, particularly about the Dangles, there's two Gav Thorpes...

Loyalists and Traitors stand equidistant to a neutral planet and say, 'come to papa' to see where they will side, but the Dark Angels have Corswain who's a genius apparently?

I feel like there are better versions of this story already out there that feel less like trade discussions from The Phantom Menace, and this is coming from the gal who thoroughly enjoyed Zahariel's admin and logisitics for training recruits on Caliban in Fallen Angels.

Thorpe is a wonderful writer and, by anecdotes of people I know who have worked with him, a lovely guy, but sometimes he writes stories that do absolutely nothing for me, despite Raven's Flight remaining one of the best stories in all of the Horus Heresy and Warhammer in general, so I'll take a bunch of these of it mens I get more of that and stuff like The Path of the Eldar books.

Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 16.41 Horus Heresy novels, 8 novellas, 42 short stories/ audio dramas, as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 8 Primarchs novels, 3 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels...this run. I can't say enough good about the way the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project suggestions. I'm loving it! Especially after originally reading to the releases and being so frustrated at having to wait so long for a narrative to continue

[Lanfear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Porque los ángeles oscuros buscan al lobo?
Pregunta sería...
Para advertirlo de la traición de Horus? No debería saberlo ya a estas alturas? Acaso esto está ocurriendo mientras la quema de Próspero? O un poco después? Se demasiado poco de Leman Russ y me fastidia.
En este relato corto tenemos a Corswain, el senescal designado por el León para perseguir a los guardias de la muerte y a Thypus?!! Mientras se encuentran con un mundo conquistado por la humanidad pero que no quiere tomar partido en esta lucha de gigantes por las consecuencias que les podrían acarrear ponerse de uno de los dos bandos. Al principio esto me indignó bastante porque no me podía creer como alguien podría dudar siquiera en algo tan evidente. Pero las palabras de Corswain me hicieron pensar, yo personalmente me parece muy mal lo que hace el puto emperador, que siempre me ha parecido un gilí, conquistando y adoctrinando planetas libres y matando a todos los alienígenas. Desde ese punto de vista no creo que los humanos de Agreus hagan nada malo, solo intentan defenderse de dos matones, de uno mitad zombie mitad demonio putrefacción y otro que parece un fascista caracuadrada con cerebro lavado con la mierda militar y obediencia ciega.
Me habría gustado ver algo de Typus porque es un gran personaje de parte del caos y espero que lo aprovechen...
Una batalla uno contra uno con Sigismund o algo.

[Matt Argueta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another short story following Corswain, after the events of The Lion.

This was decent and showed the current state of the Dark Angels Legion amid the heresy. This explores the grey area of others caught up in the warring legions, and Corswains reflective thoughts on it's broader impact and what it means to "take sides" or attempting to remain neutral.

They briefly mention Nemiel and the Lion's spurning of edict of Nikaea. This presents alot of questions for their values and where they stand. Curious to see what happens with a return to Caliban, though I'm not entirely sure if that will happen right away.

[Marsha Altman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay so this author has done most of this plotline, including some "Legacy of Caliban" books that I think aren't part of the official Horus Heresy books. This is about Corswain again, so I kinda skimmed it.

[Regan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's cool to see how factions outside of the civil war are acting during the heresy, good universe building.

[Vansh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was well written and if the goal was characterization of the legion then it did well for it was my first experience with the dark angels.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corswain learns what neutrality is.

[Tyberius · Rating 5 out of 5]

All that must be done for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.

[Troy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collected in war without end anthology.

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The galaxy is split as planet's declare for the Warmaster or remain loyal to the Emperor. But some walk a third path, hoping to remain independent in what is seen as a "Legion War", a war of the transhumans.

Corswain of the Dark Angels faces off against the superior might of the Death Guard ships. A nearby planet has declared itself neutral in the conflict, but it's orbital guns could be the deciding factor if Corswain can win them over.

I enjoyed this short story, playing with the tension of conflict rather than spending twenty pages describing another naval conflict. Instead we get to see more of Corswain and how he thinks, his approach to the war.

[Alexander van der Pol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just gives to show the disposition of the various factions in all the chaos. Traitor or loyallist, with whom do you stand? Turn your back on the emperor's angeles and face vengeance of and unknown kind, just sitting on the sidelines is not an option. period.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great look at the mind of one of the Leader's of the Dark Angels was they prepare to engage the Death Guard during the Heresy.