Into Exile

The Horus Heresy #Short Story

by Aaron Dembski-Bowden

When the traitorous allies of Horus and Kelbor-Hal seized Mars, they sent elite hunters to apprehend key targets and ensure that any loyal resistance would fail. One such target was the legendary technoarchaeologist Arkhan Land, the discoverer of many lost treasures and curiosities from mankind's Golden Age - and the Imperial Fists cannot allow such a valuable mind to fall into the hands of the enemy. Does Land have good reason to fear his apparent saviours?

Finally, for the first time ever, you'll see the story behind one of the most famous names in the Imperium – Arkhan Land, whose name is on some of the Imperium's most powerful and revered weapons. Oh, and the events of this story tie in to 'The Master of Mankind'…

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

20 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2016

Reviews

[RatGrrrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

This is the end of another omnibus, which has vacillated violently on quality and my enjoyment, and it ends rather appropriately with a pretty good story by an actually good author actually doing something a little interesting structurally and featuring a legendary guest star.

Sigismund has sent one of his yellow brethren to the red planet to get a VIP the heck out of Dodge.

Maybe the ups and downs of this omnibus and my sedious lack of enjoyment from Sanders' stories has made me easier to please, but this is actually something. It's written rather well and blends the comedic, starched cameo with the starched, seriousness of the Imperial Fists, it is told in reverse, which is fun, and it has one of those scary robots from one of the stories I really didn't care for in this omnibus.

Ultimately, it's a novelty and a meme as much as anything serious and that works as a Black Library Advent Calendar short, so, yeah. Pretty good.

I did think about reading it again now that I had experienced the whole backwards story, to appreciate it more, and it is short, but I decided not to, so...pretty good?

Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 17.41 Horus Heresy novels, 10 novellas, 47 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.

[DarkChaplain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story told in reverse, featuring Arkhan Land's escape from sacred Mars. Sadly, it didn't work for me. The concept seems novel at first, intriguing, but I didn't feel like it added much, if anything, to start with the conclusion and work back towards the beginning.
There were no unexpected twists that might have turned the plot on its head in ways that complimented the unique style, and knowing exactly how a character would meet his end made the whole evacuation chase here feel rather dull.

I liked the character of Arkhan once again, but Nicanor felt flat to me. Stoic, stubborn and dutiful, but that's an Imperial Fist in a nutshell anyway. The plot itself is simple and filling a gap that I don't think really needed plugging.

[Michael Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Day three of Black Library’s 2016 Advent Calendar takes us back to the Horus Heresy with Into Exile by Aaron Dembski-Bowden, in which technoarchaologist Arkhan Land finds himself caught up in the rebellion on Mars. With the red planet burning around him and enemies keen to either capture or kill him, Land has to abandon his home and put his faith in the Imperial Fists to see him safely off the surface. His flight is not unopposed however, as a hunter is on his trail, and even his vaunted intellect can’t protect him.

Read the rest of the review at https://trackofwords.wordpress.com/20...

[Dylan Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting short story focusing on one of my favourite characters from Master of Mankind, Arkhan Land. The story is told in reverse, starting at the end and each part works backwards from there. It was certainly an interesting story, and an interesting concept for the pacing of the story, but I feel that it really only worked to take away from the story, rather than add to it.
Still a must read for the fans of Master of Mankind and Arkhan Land in particular, but don't expect too much.

[Veronica Anrathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting little story about the legendary Arkham Land, told in reverse. I appreciate the original approach, but it did make things a bit less intriguing. Still enjoyable.

[TuralyonW3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slight tale of Arkham Land’s begrudging escape from Mars with the help of a dutiful Iron Fist, told somewhat interestingly in reverse chronological order. Probably best read after Master of Mankind, to which it is a prequel, so you already know Land’s difficult personality. Good for Land, Mechanicum, and ADB completists, but inessential for Heresy reading.

[Thomas Langley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent short story that's told backwards all to culminate in the reveal that the man with the last name Land is really why the vehicles are called Land speeders despite flying. Stupid retcon but very funny.

[Flávio Sousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

40k in 40 words: A tense, atmospheric tale of loyalty, betrayal, and survival, where shifting allegiances test honor and resolve. My first Arkhan Land read, and it delivers tragedy mixed with resilience, offering a powerful glimpse into Warhammer’s unforgiving, brutal galaxy.

[T R Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Telling the tale of technoarchaeologist Arkhan Land’s flight from the civil war on Mars, 'The Exile' by Aason Dembski-Bowen is an interesting short story that has been written in reverse, with each short chapter taking the narrative backwards in time from the end to the beginning. This is an odd narrative choice, and while it does have lead to some interesting insights into Arkhan Land’s character it doesn’t do much for the other main character, the Imperial Fist Battle Brother Nicanor. What action there is in this very short tale is quite good, but I do feel that this is more a character piece for Land himself.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another near-4 star effort from Dembski-Bowden. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a simple story, told backwards.

[Urgewyrm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad they took the time at the end of story to let us know that it's a LAND Raider and a LAND Speeder in case we forgot why Arkan is important.

[Ross Cudmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Legionary lies in the dirt, his duty done."

Arkham Land of the Mechanicum is guided to safety by a lone Imperial Fist. A relatively straightforward forward story, except for the fact that it is told backwards! The story begins at the end and ends at the beginning. Despite that, it is a relatively easy story to follow, but is worth reading it again in the "conventional" order.

The story isn't particularly complex but it is effective, Arkhan Land is well characterised as a smary intellectual type with a pumped up ego, but there is a likeable charm to him all the same.
ADB has such command of language, each scene was exciting and captivating.

[Chris Dennison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic short story told in a unique manner that shows off the Authors talent wonderfully. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff

The reverse order of events was cool and interesting, perfect for a short story, Unusual for 40k, start bleak and end with hope, check it out.

[leon warburton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

I would recomed the book to anyone who likes the admec and what's to learn more about one of the most important Martians of the heresy erea