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Black Library Celebration 2019 #3
Lantern's Light
A Primarchs story
After a year in the Imperium, Mortarion has yet to lead his sons in battle – and is still unsure of his place in this galactic empire. Will a meeting with the Emperor ease his doubts, or harden his distaste for his new situation?
READ IT BECAUSE
Mortarion's early years are fascinating, and this tale not only delves into his deepest doubts and fears, and sows the seeds of his later treachery, but also shows how difficult his relationship with the Emperor was from the very beginning – and how he came by his infamous pistol, the Lantern.
THE STORY
One year after the coming of the Emperor to Barbarus, Mortarion and his Legion – the newly renamed Death Guard – have yet to strike out and join the Great Crusade. The primarch is wracked with doubts about his place in this Imperium of Man, and still angry that the Emperor robbed him of his vengeance against the alien father who raised and tortured him. When he is summoned to attend the Emperor on his flagship, will his resentment spill out and threaten the relationship between them? Or will the Deathlord master his emotions and embrace the Emperor's light?
Written by James Swallow
22 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2019
12 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
James Swallow
304 books1,072 followersJames Swallow is a New York Times, Sunday Times and Amazon #1 bestselling author and scriptwriter, a BAFTA nominee, a former journalist and the award-winning writer of over sixty-five books, along with scripts for video games, comics, radio and television.
DARK HORIZON, his latest stand-alone thriller, is out now from Mountain Leopard Press, and OUTLAW, the 6th action-packed Marc Dane novel, is published by Bonnier.
Along with the Marc Dane thrillers, his writing includes, the Sundowners steampunk Westerns and fiction from the worlds of Star Trek, Tom Clancy, 24, Warhammer 40000, Doctor Who, Deus Ex, Stargate, 2000AD and many more.
For information on new releases & more, sign up to the Readers’ Club here: www.bit.ly/JamesSwallow
Visit James's website at http://www.jswallow.com/ for more, including ROUGH AIR, a free eBook novella in the Marc Dane series.
You can also follow James on Bluesky at @jmswallow.bsky.social, Twitter at @jmswallow, Mastodon at @jmswallow@mstdn.social and jmswallow.tumblr.com at Tumblr.
DARK HORIZON, his latest stand-alone thriller, is out now from Mountain Leopard Press, and OUTLAW, the 6th action-packed Marc Dane novel, is published by Bonnier.
Along with the Marc Dane thrillers, his writing includes, the Sundowners steampunk Westerns and fiction from the worlds of Star Trek, Tom Clancy, 24, Warhammer 40000, Doctor Who, Deus Ex, Stargate, 2000AD and many more.
For information on new releases & more, sign up to the Readers’ Club here: www.bit.ly/JamesSwallow
Visit James's website at http://www.jswallow.com/ for more, including ROUGH AIR, a free eBook novella in the Marc Dane series.
You can also follow James on Bluesky at @jmswallow.bsky.social, Twitter at @jmswallow, Mastodon at @jmswallow@mstdn.social and jmswallow.tumblr.com at Tumblr.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 19, 2023
Still not the full-length novel about Mortarion and Death Guard I'm waiting for since 50+ Horus Heresy novels, but this short tale about the Death Lord and his gene-father was far better than nothing.
And seeing the Emperor acting as a lovely father, knowing what he really thinks about his sons if you have read The Master of Mankind was almost painful.
Can't wait to read The Buried Dagger at last.
April 16, 2024
April 2024 Read using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project Reading Order Omnibus XIV Shadows of the Warmaster II Lords of Death (www.heresyomnibus.com/omnibus/xiv-sha...) as part of my Oath of Moment to complete the Horus Heresy saga and extras.
I know I've already smashed through so much of Scale and Stone, but with this I have finished Lords of Death, and wand a perfect button of ending at the beginning if is.
This is a rare glimpse of the Emperor of Mankind having some one on one time with one of His sons with the added treat of actually being in Mortarion's head and getting his commentary on the interaction. The Reaper of Men joins his father on his cyclopean and palacial ship for the traditional bequeathing of a unique piece of arms or armour from the Emperor's own unfathomable collection.
It's truly remarkable how many firsts and unique insights are packed into this one very short story! We get details about the Emperor's flagship, Bucephelas, learn about his passion for collecting and crafting unique weapons and armour, the tradition of him gifting them to his sons as they join the Great Crusade, but far more fascinating is that we are brought into the previously incredibly closed and unreachable mind of Mortarion. We see his doubts and resentments, his utter disregard for pomp and ceremony, and the disdain and resignation he feels towards the Emperor and Imperium. It's truly a fascinating character study and encounter.
I'm going to be thinking about this one for some time and will be high on my list of stories to return to!
It's heartbreaking just how manipulative and abusive to his sons the Emperor is, but it is incredible to see him actively gaslighting and getting called on it. It's fascinating that he seems unable or unwilling to read Mortarion's thoughts or is choosing to ignore the huge red flags.
It's also so tragic that Mortarion didn't get a fair shake in terms of being represented and getting an accessible centre stage until the very end of the main Horus Heresy series. Through this omnibus, but particularly this story and The Buried Dagger, I have really come round and I am overcome with just how much empathy I have for him and how intrigued I am by him. I feel like I am rather telling on myself with Angron, Lorgar, Curze, Mortarion, Khârn, and Argal Tal are some of my favourite characters and those that really mess me up emotionally. I am over the moon to have Morty among them after being a character I truly wrote off as little more than a grumpy gasmask, which is largely how he is painted. I'm actually going to have to revisit his Primarchs book, which I didn't love, but maybe my new found love of him will help.
This is a true gem of a story and I absolutely commend the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project for putting such a perfect button on this omnibus, and for just how much work they have put into the reading order and website (www.heresyomnibus.com).
Awesome. Scenes.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 28 Horus Heresy novels, 16 novellas (including 2 repeats), 98 short stories/ audio dramas (including 6 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 13 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and a short story...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.
I know I've already smashed through so much of Scale and Stone, but with this I have finished Lords of Death, and wand a perfect button of ending at the beginning if is.
This is a rare glimpse of the Emperor of Mankind having some one on one time with one of His sons with the added treat of actually being in Mortarion's head and getting his commentary on the interaction. The Reaper of Men joins his father on his cyclopean and palacial ship for the traditional bequeathing of a unique piece of arms or armour from the Emperor's own unfathomable collection.
It's truly remarkable how many firsts and unique insights are packed into this one very short story! We get details about the Emperor's flagship, Bucephelas, learn about his passion for collecting and crafting unique weapons and armour, the tradition of him gifting them to his sons as they join the Great Crusade, but far more fascinating is that we are brought into the previously incredibly closed and unreachable mind of Mortarion. We see his doubts and resentments, his utter disregard for pomp and ceremony, and the disdain and resignation he feels towards the Emperor and Imperium. It's truly a fascinating character study and encounter.
I'm going to be thinking about this one for some time and will be high on my list of stories to return to!
It's heartbreaking just how manipulative and abusive to his sons the Emperor is, but it is incredible to see him actively gaslighting and getting called on it. It's fascinating that he seems unable or unwilling to read Mortarion's thoughts or is choosing to ignore the huge red flags.
It's also so tragic that Mortarion didn't get a fair shake in terms of being represented and getting an accessible centre stage until the very end of the main Horus Heresy series. Through this omnibus, but particularly this story and The Buried Dagger, I have really come round and I am overcome with just how much empathy I have for him and how intrigued I am by him. I feel like I am rather telling on myself with Angron, Lorgar, Curze, Mortarion, Khârn, and Argal Tal are some of my favourite characters and those that really mess me up emotionally. I am over the moon to have Morty among them after being a character I truly wrote off as little more than a grumpy gasmask, which is largely how he is painted. I'm actually going to have to revisit his Primarchs book, which I didn't love, but maybe my new found love of him will help.
This is a true gem of a story and I absolutely commend the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project for putting such a perfect button on this omnibus, and for just how much work they have put into the reading order and website (www.heresyomnibus.com).
Awesome. Scenes.
Through using the Horus Heresy Omnibus Project (www.heresyomnibus.com) and my own choices, I have currently read 28 Horus Heresy novels, 16 novellas (including 2 repeats), 98 short stories/ audio dramas (including 6 repeats), as well as the Macragge's Honour graphic novel, 13 Primarchs novels, 4 Primarchs short stories/ audio dramas, and 2 Warhammer 40K further reading novels and a short story...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.
March 13, 2019
For a year after first meeting the Emperor, Mortarion has been learning the ways of the Imperium and beginning to bond with his new legion, but has not been permitted to lead his sons into battle. When the Emperor returns to Barbarus to meet with him once more, Mortarion finds himself questioning his new life and the role he sees for himself in his father’s empire.
It’s a quiet, introspective story which eschews any overt action in favour of finding conflict in Mortarion’s inner turmoil and his reactions to the changes in his life forced upon him by the Emperor. It’s not a happy read, but it’s interesting nonetheless, and ties in well with Swallow’s novel The Buried Dagger.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2019/02/...
It’s a quiet, introspective story which eschews any overt action in favour of finding conflict in Mortarion’s inner turmoil and his reactions to the changes in his life forced upon him by the Emperor. It’s not a happy read, but it’s interesting nonetheless, and ties in well with Swallow’s novel The Buried Dagger.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2019/02/...
July 12, 2025
Solid story, grating writing. Rather than matching Mortarion's personality and getting to the point, the story's punch is cushioned by dozens of clunky redundancies.
A character is called "cruel" right before we learn that he's a child abuser. An excellent scene where Mortarion disregards ceremony, is preceded by him having a conversation where he says that he dislikes ceremony and has the rank to ignore it. An action is described as "preordained, as if already written into history", when yes, that is what "preordained" means.
No single instance is that bad, but altogether, I was left feeling like I was having the story explained to me, rather than discovering it for myself.
A character is called "cruel" right before we learn that he's a child abuser. An excellent scene where Mortarion disregards ceremony, is preceded by him having a conversation where he says that he dislikes ceremony and has the rank to ignore it. An action is described as "preordained, as if already written into history", when yes, that is what "preordained" means.
No single instance is that bad, but altogether, I was left feeling like I was having the story explained to me, rather than discovering it for myself.
November 29, 2022
This one really tied together the last one (Grandfather's Gift) for me. This one probably should have been placed first in the Traitorous Scions collection, if not for chronology's sake than for thematic reasons. But maybe it was more satisfying this way around. Either way, I now have a clear picture of Mortarion as an eternal rebel... eternally thwarted by one father-figure or another.
October 23, 2025
Absolutely tragic short story, showing the depths of Mortarion's traumarized psyche, of his paranoia and distrust. I'm really sad that between this, The Pale Kind and The Burried Dagger we didn't get to explore his relationships more fully. It's stories like these that make me sad for the missed potential of one of the most interesting primarchs.
Short and poignant, highly recommended.
Short and poignant, highly recommended.
Read
May 1, 2024Another friend recommendation. Short but sweet, I love primarch family drama that’s not The drama and love characterization of the big guy that chafes against the general “image” of him (so to speak) so this was right up my alley :)
January 29, 2022
Good insight into the tortured mind of Mortarion.
January 29, 2024
Mortarion the rebel without a clue.
August 18, 2024
A intresting shirt read
Not a long book, but an intresting read if you like heresy lore, or death guard lore. I would recommend
Not a long book, but an intresting read if you like heresy lore, or death guard lore. I would recommend
October 2, 2025
El relato del hallazgo de Mortarion y el encuentro con su hermano Architraidor y su padre genético el emperador de la humanidad.
August 26, 2025
I haven’t seen much of Mortarion since I finished reading “Flight of the Eisenstein” so it was great to spend more time with the character. Mortarion harbours doubts and resentments. He has no tolerance for pomp and ceremony. And while he seems to want to know the Emperor and his brothers, there is resentment. The Emperor upstaged him, slew the Warlord that ruled his homeworld of Barbarus, and now Mortarion must serve him. There is a strain to there relationship that I find quite interesting.
The highlight of the story were the scenes between Mortation and his father. The Emperor has many facets to him, and it’s hard to tell what is genuine and what is a façade. To each of his sons he shows a different face, how much of it is true and how much is an act to win them over is unclear. Here the Emperor is a concerned father, empathetic to his son’s hardships, openly emotional.
There was also some really interesting lore about the Emperor's flagship, Bucephelas. As well as a tradition of the Emperor gifting his sons unique armour and weapons before they join the great Crusade.
The highlight of the story were the scenes between Mortation and his father. The Emperor has many facets to him, and it’s hard to tell what is genuine and what is a façade. To each of his sons he shows a different face, how much of it is true and how much is an act to win them over is unclear. Here the Emperor is a concerned father, empathetic to his son’s hardships, openly emotional.
There was also some really interesting lore about the Emperor's flagship, Bucephelas. As well as a tradition of the Emperor gifting his sons unique armour and weapons before they join the great Crusade.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews