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{{redirect|Betrayer|other uses of the term|Betrayer (disambiguation)}}
 
{{Book
 
{{Book
 +
|Portal      ={{PublicationsPortal}}{{Ambig|subject=the Horus Heresy novel|disambiguation=Betrayer}}
 
|Name        =Betrayer
 
|Name        =Betrayer
 
|Image        =Betrayer.jpg
 
|Image        =Betrayer.jpg
 
|Image caption=Cover art by [[Neil Roberts]]
 
|Image caption=Cover art by [[Neil Roberts]]
−
|Author      =[[Aaron Dembski-Bowden]]
+
|Author      ={{Auth|Aaron Dembski-Bowden}}
 +
|Performer    ={{Actor|Jonathan Keeble}}
 
|Publisher    =[[Black Library (BL Publishing)|Black Library]]
 
|Publisher    =[[Black Library (BL Publishing)|Black Library]]
 
|Series      =[[Horus Heresy Series]]
 
|Series      =[[Horus Heresy Series]]
 
|Preceded by  =[[Angel Exterminatus (Novel)|Angel Exterminatus]]
 
|Preceded by  =[[Angel Exterminatus (Novel)|Angel Exterminatus]]
−
|Followed by  =
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|Followed by  =[[Mark of Calth (Anthology)|Mark of Calth]]
−
|Released    =April 2013
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|Released    =March 2013
−
|Pages        =
+
|Pages        =416
−
|Editions    =
+
|Length      =14 hours 9 minutes
 +
|Editions    =2012 hardcover<br>ISBN 9781849702805
 +
 
 +
2012 audiobook<br>ISBN 9780857876423
 +
 
 +
2013 paperback<br>ISBN 9781849703895
 
}}
 
}}
−
'''Betrayer''' is the twentieth novel  in the [[Horus Heresy Series]], written by [[Aaron Dembski-Bowden]]. It is scheduled for publication in April 2013.
+
'''''Betrayer''''' is the 24th novel  in the [[Horus Heresy Series]] written by [[Aaron Dembski-Bowden]]. The hardcover edition was published in December 2012, with the trade paperback scheduled to be published in March 2013.{{Fn|1}} It was later included in "The Novels: Volume 5" eBook collection.
 +
 
 +
==Cover Description==
 +
The [[Shadow Crusade]] has begun. While the [[Ultramarines]] reel from [[Kor Phaeron]]'s [[Battle of Calth|surprise attack]] on [[Calth]], [[Lorgar]] and the rest of the [[Word Bearers]] strike deep into the realm of [[Ultramar]]. Their unlikely allies, [[Angron]] and the [[World Eaters]], continue to ravage each new [[system]] they come across - upon the garrison planet of [[Armatura]], this relentless savagery may finally prove to be their undoing. Worlds will burn, [[Space Marine Legion|Legions]] will clash and a [[primarch]] will fall.{{Fn|1}}
 +
 
 +
==Plot Summary==
 +
{{Spoiler|source=Betrayer (Novel)}}
 +
[[Isstvan III]], 005.[[M31]]. [[Destroyer Marine|Destroyer]] [[Space Marine Sergeant|Sergeant]] [[Skane]] of the [[World Eaters]]' Eighth Company signals [[Apothecary]] [[Kargos]] that he has found their his [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]], [[Khârn]], holding on to life [[Galaxy in Flames (Novel)|impaled]] by a [[Land Raider]]'s dozer blade.{{fn|3b}}
 +
 
 +
===Part One: Armatura, the War-World===
 +
[[File:Evocati.jpg|200px|left|thumb|The World Eaters assault the Evocati shield wall{{fn|3aa}}]]
 +
~007.M31. Aboard the ''[[Fidelitas Lex]]'', [[Lorgar Aurelian]] and [[Magnus|Magnus the Red]] discuss the latter's possible joining of [[Horus Lupercal]]'s rebellion, and [[Angron]]'s increasingly deteriorating state. As the ship and its armada exits the [[Warp]] close to the [[Ultramar]] war world [[Armatura]], Lorgar reveals the two [[Abyss Class Battleship]]s he had commissioned along the ''[[Furious Abyss]]''.{{fn|3c}}
 +
On the ''[[Conqueror (Ship)|Conqueror]]'', Khârn and [[Argel Tal]] discuss their respective Legiones' characters and the upcoming assault against Armatura. Angron comes in to prepare for planetfall and goads Argel Tal into attacking him, insulting the memory of [[Cyrene Valantion]]. Khârn and the [[Word Bearers|Word Bearer]] have one last exchange: Angron is broken, and none of his World Eaters feels kinship with their [[Primarch|primarch]].{{fn|3d}}
 +
 
 +
While Khârn handles the breakdown of cohesion on Armatura due to the [[Butcher's Nails]], [[Imperial_Navy_Hierarchy#Senior_Officers|Flag-Captain]] [[Lotara Sarrin]] shares his concern over Angron's worsening condition. Lorgar decides to make planetfall as well, sensing that Angron needs help.{{fn|3e}}
 +
Indeed, he has been buried under rubble and only manages to orient himself towards the surface thanks to the Communion, a psychic gestalt of the XII's few remaining [[Librarian]]s. As Lorgar teleports in and starts digging his brother out, loyalist [[Titan]]s approach.{{fn|3f}}
 +
Lorgar is brought down by the [[Warhound]] ''[[Ardentor]]'''s plasma weapon but is saved from being crushed under its feet by Angron, who just emerged from the soil to halt the Titan's step.{{fn|3g}}
 +
The primarchs are rescued by the [[Legio Audax]] Warhound ''[[Syrgalah]]'', and Khârn orders a [[tech-priest]] to recover the remains of the [[chainaxe]] [[Gorechild]], discarded by Angron.{{fn|3h}}
 +
 
 +
The ''Conqueror'' chases the fleeing ''[[Praetorian Truth]]'', forcing it to give a last stand. The [[Ultramarines]] ship sends boarders as it dies, but the World Eaters flagship's contingent of Astartes defenders has made unauthorized planetfall. Khârn is forced to lead a charge into a XIII Legio shieldwall.{{fn|3i}}
 +
Horus contacts Lorgar, who informs him of the Shadow Crusade’s progress.{{fn|3j}}
 +
The [[Dreadnought]] [[Lhorke]] is awakened along with other veterans of the War Hounds to lead the defense of the ''Conqueror''. ''Syrgalah'' is brought down, her princeps slain, and its remaining crew is saved from loyalist troops by Argel Tal.{{fn|3k}}
 +
The boarders are dispatched, but not before slaughtering most of the command crew on the Conqueror's bridge. Khârn duels Captain [[Orfeo]], whom Angron decides to finish off.{{fn|3l}}
 +
 
 +
As [[Princeps]] [[Audun Lyrac]] takes ''Syrgalah'''s [[Moderati]] away for debriefing, Sarrin challenges [[Delvarus]] of the Triarii for abandoning his post. Skane and [[Codicier]] [[Esca]] prevents things from turning into a bloodbath, and Delvarus is consigned to his quarters. [[Erebus]] warps aboard the ''Fidelitas Lex''.{{fn|3m}}
 +
The primarchs decide to split their fleet to keep laying waste to Ultramar, after bombarding Armatura into a lifeless rock.{{fn|3n}}
 +
 
 +
===Part Two: Nuceria, the Homeworld===
 +
[[File:Angron Betrayer.jpg|300px|thumb|Angron mourns his fallen brothers and sisters{{fn|3aa}}]]
 +
Three days later. As Argel Tal pays his respects to Cyrene's tomb, Erebus comes to warn him that Khârn will be betrayed and only his friend can save him.{{fn|3o}}
 +
During transit, Sarrin receives confirmation from [[Vel-Kheredar]] that the Nails are killing Angron.{{fn|3p}}
 +
Khârn assists Argel Tal in retrieving Cyrene's corpse from the fanatic followers deep in the bowels of the ''Fidelitas Lex''. In the fighting pits, Delvarus is reminded of the paramount importance of brotherly trust among the XII.{{fn|3q}}
 +
At Argel Tal's request, Erebus brings Cyrene back to life, restoring her sight in the process.{{fn|3r}}
 +
Lorgar tells Angron they are headed for [[Nuceria]], and explains that [[Leman Russ (Primarch)|Leman Russ]] was the true victor of their [[Night of the Wolf|confrontation]] of [[Ghenna]]. After another 24 days of fitful warp transit, the traitors reach the Nuceria system.{{fn|3s}}
 +
 
 +
[[File:Audax Betrayer.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The ''Corinthian'' is shackled by the Warhounds of Legio Audax{{fn|3aa}}]]
 +
As Nucerians struggle to find the proper way to respond to an unknown force's arrival, Angron visits the battlefield where his fellow rebel slaves were slaughtered. He then goes to [[Desh'ea]], where he learns that the slavers claimed he had fled the last battle, and orders the planet's population to be eradicated.{{fn|3t}}
 +
Six days later, as only the city of [[Meahor]] still stands, an Ultramarines armada reaches the system's edge. The World Eaters charge towards the city while Sarrin attempts to prevent the loyalists from making planetfall. Aboard the ''Fidelitas Lex'', Cyrene is approached by the [[Perpetual]] [[Damon Prytanis]], who wants to recruit her into the [[Cabal]] but is burned alive by her [[Vakrah Jal|bodyguard]].{{fn|3u}}
 +
As the ''Fidelitas Lex'' is being finished by the XIII, Prytanis reappears and the ''Conqueror'' is being boarded. On Nuceria, the first loyalist troops drop into Meahor: the [[Legio Oberon]] with its [[Imperator Titan]] ''[[Corinthian]]'', and the Ultramarines with their primarch [[Roboute Guilliman]].{{fn|3v}}
 +
 
 +
Guilliman duels Lorgar, and Argel Tal struggles to keep Khârn alive. Angron joins the primarchs' duel, leading to Guilliman crushing one of the rebel slaves' skulls.{{fn|3w}}
 +
''Syrgalah'' and her pack incapacitate ''Corinthian'', enabling ground troops to besiege it. Blood begins to rain on the battlefield and Angron is racked by energies of the Warp. The Communion is extinguished trying to thwart Lorgar, and Lhorke engages the XVII primarch in combat.{{fn|3x}}
 +
With ''Corinthian'' now in the traitors' hands, Erebus kills Argel Tal because he would have prevented Khârn from falling to Chaos. Still in the throes of [[Daemon Prince|metamorphosis]], Angron saves Lorgar from Lhorke. The XIII retreat, leaving a nearly wrecked ''Conqueror'' behind.{{fn|3y}}
 +
 
 +
The [[Ruinstorm]] now cuts the galaxy in twain, and Lorgar tells Khârn who killed Argel Tal. The World Eater faces Erebus in the pit and nearly kills him, but the chaplain warps away. Deep in Angron's confinement chamber, Khârn is ordered to build him a [[Khorne|throne of skulls]].{{fn|3z}}
 +
 
 +
==Dramatis Personae==
 +
[[File:Kharn betrayer.jpg|200px|thumb|Khârn, Eighth Captain of the World Eaters{{fn|3aa}}]]
 +
 
 +
[[Primarch]]s
 +
*[[Warmaster]] [[Horus Lupercal]] — [[Primarch]] of the [[Sons of Horus]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Angron]] — [[Primarch]] of the [[World Eaters]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Lorgar Aurelian]] — [[Primarch]] of the [[Word Bearers]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Magnus the Red]] — [[Primarch]] of the [[Thousand Sons]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Roboute Guilliman]] — [[Primarch]] of the [[Ultramarines]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
 
 +
[[World Eaters]]
 +
*[[Vorias]] — [[Chief Librarian|Lectio Primus]], [[Librarian|Librarius Division]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Esca]] — [[Codicier]], [[Librarian|Librarius Division]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Khârn]] — [[Space Marine Captain|Captain]], [[8th Company (World Eaters)|Eighth Company]] and [[Equerry]] to [[Angron]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Kargos]] — [[Apothecary]], [[8th Company (World Eaters)|Eighth Company]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Jeddek]] — [[Standard bearer]], [[8th Company (World Eaters)|Eighth Company]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Skane (World Eaters)|Skane]] — [[Space Marine Sergeant|Sergeant]], [[Skane Destroyer squad]], [[8th Company (World Eaters)|Eighth Company]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Gharte]] — [[Space Marine Sergeant|Sergeant]], [[Marakan]] [[Tactical squad]], [[8th Company (World Eaters)|Eighth Company]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Delvarus]] — [[Centurion (Rank)|Centurion]], [[Delvarus]] [[Triarii|Triarii squad]], [[44th Company (World Eaters)|44th Company]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Lhorke]] — [[Dreadnought]], [[Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought|Contemptor-pattern]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Neras]] — [[Dreadnought]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
 
 +
[[Word Bearers]]
 +
*[[Argel Tal]] — [[Gal Vorbak]], [[Commander]] of the [[Vakrah Jal]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Erebus]] — [[First Chaplain]], [[Dark Apostle]] of the Word.{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Eshramar]] — [[Vakrah Jal]], [[Space Marine Sergeant|Sergeant]], [[Eshramar]] [[Immolation squad]].{{fn|3a}}
  
−
==Related Publications==
+
[[Ultramarines]]
 +
*[[Orfeo Cassandar]] — [[Lord Commander (Legiones Astartes)|Legatus]] of [[Armatura]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
 
 +
[[Imperialis Armada|Fleet Personnel]]
 +
*[[Lotara Sarrin]] — [[Flag-Captain]] of the [[Battleship|XII Legion warship]] ''[[Conqueror (Ship)|Conqueror]]''.{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Ivar Tobin]] — [[Officer|First Officer]] of the [[Battleship|XII Legion warship]] ''[[Conqueror (Ship)|Conqueror]]''.{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Feyd Hallerthan]] — [[Officer]] of the [[Battleship|XII Legion warship]] ''[[Conqueror (Ship)|Conqueror]]''.{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Lehralla]] — [[Scrymistress]] of the [[Battleship|XII Legion warship]] ''[[Conqueror (Ship)|Conqueror]]''.{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Kejic]] — [[Vox-caster|Vox-master]] of the [[Battleship|XII Legion warship]] ''[[Conqueror (Ship)|Conqueror]]''.{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Cyrene Valantion|The Blessed Lady]] — [[Confessor]] of the Word.{{fn|3a}}
 +
 
 +
[[Adeptus Mechanicus|The Martian Mechanicum]]
 +
*[[Vel-Kheredar]] — [[Magos|Archmagos Veneratus]], representative of [[Kelbor-Hal]].{{fn|3a}}
 +
 
 +
[[Legio Audax|The Legio Audax]]
 +
*[[Venric Solostine]] — [[Princeps|Princeps Ultima]], and [[Princeps]] of the Command [[Titan]] ''[[Syrgalah]]''.{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Toth Kol]] — [[Moderati Primus]], [[Titan|Command Titan]] ''[[Syrgalah]]''.{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Keeda Bly]] — [[Moderati Secundus]], [[Titan|Command Titan]] ''[[Syrgalah]]''.{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[The Ninth]] — [[Adept|Mechanicum Adept]], [[Titan|Command Titan]] ''[[Syrgalah]]''.{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Audun Lyrac]] — [[Princeps|Princeps Penultima]]{{fn|3a}}
 +
 
 +
[[Legio Lysanda|The Legio Lysanda]]
 +
*[[Maxamillien Delantyr]] — [[Princeps]], [[Titan]] ''[[Ardentor]]''.{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Ellas Hyle]] — [[Moderati Primus]], [[Titan]] ''[[Ardentor]]''.{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Kei Adaras]] — [[Moderati Secundus]], [[Titan]] ''[[Ardentor]]''.{{fn|3a}}
 +
 
 +
'''Others'''
 +
*[[Tybaral Thal'kr]] — [[Praxuary]], [[Imperial Magnate]] of [[Nuceria]]{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Oshamay Evrel'Korshay]] — [[General]] of the [[Thal'kr Kin-Guard]]{{fn|3a}}
 +
*[[Damon Prytanis]] — [[Perpetual]]{{fn|3a}}
 +
 
 +
==Images==
 +
[[File:Betrayer final.jpg|thumb|center|400px|Cover art by [[Neil Roberts]]{{fn|2}}]]
 +
 
 +
==See also==
 
*[[List of Novels]]
 
*[[List of Novels]]
−
*[[Horus Heresy Series]]
 
  
 
==Sources==
 
==Sources==
 +
*{{Endn|1}}: [https://www.blacklibrary.com/the-horus-heresy/novels/betrayer-ebook.html Black Library] ''(last accessed 23rd January 2022)''
 +
*{{Endn|2}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20230326222905/https://aarondembskibowden.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/betrayer-cover-for-real-this-time/ Aaron Dembski-Bowden: Betrayer Cover (for real this time…)] ''(saved archived page, 26 March 2023, last accessed 31 July 2024, original link: https://aarondembskibowden.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/betrayer-cover-for-real-this-time/)''
 +
*3: '''''Betrayer''''' (Novel)
 +
**{{endn|3a}}: ''Dramatis Personae''
 +
**{{endn|3b}}: ''Prologue''
 +
**{{endn|3c}}: ch. 1
 +
**{{endn|3d}}: ch. 2
 +
**{{endn|3e}}: ch. 3
 +
**{{endn|3f}}: ch. 4
 +
**{{endn|3g}}: ch. 5
 +
**{{endn|3h}}: ch. 6
 +
**{{endn|3i}}: ch. 7
 +
**{{endn|3j}}: ch. 8
 +
**{{endn|3k}}: ch. 9
 +
**{{endn|3l}}: ch. 10
 +
**{{endn|3m}}: ch. 11
 +
**{{endn|3n}}: ch. 12
 +
**{{endn|3o}}: ch. 13
 +
**{{endn|3p}}: ch. 14
 +
**{{endn|3q}}: ch. 15
 +
**{{endn|3r}}: ch. 16
 +
**{{endn|3s}}: ch. 17
 +
**{{endn|3t}}: ch. 18
 +
**{{endn|3u}}: ch. 19
 +
**{{endn|3v}}: ch. 20
 +
**{{endn|3w}}: ch. 21
 +
**{{endn|3x}}: ch. 22
 +
**{{endn|3y}}: ch. 23
 +
**{{endn|3z}}: ''Epilogue''
 +
**{{endn|3aa}}: Enhanced Edition Internal illustrations
 +
 
{{HHnav}}
 
{{HHnav}}
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[[Category: Novels]]
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[[Category:Audio Books]]
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[[Category:Novels]]
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[[Category:Sources (Ultramarines)]]
 
[[Category:Sources (Word Bearers)]]
 
[[Category:Sources (Word Bearers)]]
 
[[Category:Sources (World Eaters)]]
 
[[Category:Sources (World Eaters)]]
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[[de:Betrayer (Roman)]]
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[[fr:Félon (Roman)]]

Latest revision as of 15:45, 28 March 2026

Targetdrone.gif Betrayer redirects here. For other uses of the term, see Betrayer (disambiguation).
Book2.jpg
 Publications Portal
Betrayer
Betrayer.jpg
Cover art by Neil Roberts
Author Aaron Dembski-Bowden
Performer Jonathan Keeble
Publisher Black Library
Series Horus Heresy Series
Preceded by Angel Exterminatus
Followed by Mark of Calth
Released March 2013
Pages 416
Length 14 hours 9 minutes
Editions 2012 hardcover
ISBN 9781849702805

2012 audiobook
ISBN 9780857876423

2013 paperback
ISBN 9781849703895

Betrayer is the 24th novel in the Horus Heresy Series written by Aaron Dembski-Bowden. The hardcover edition was published in December 2012, with the trade paperback scheduled to be published in March 2013.[1] It was later included in "The Novels: Volume 5" eBook collection.

Cover Description

The Shadow Crusade has begun. While the Ultramarines reel from Kor Phaeron's surprise attack on Calth, Lorgar and the rest of the Word Bearers strike deep into the realm of Ultramar. Their unlikely allies, Angron and the World Eaters, continue to ravage each new system they come across - upon the garrison planet of Armatura, this relentless savagery may finally prove to be their undoing. Worlds will burn, Legions will clash and a primarch will fall.[1]

Plot Summary

Spoiler!
The following paragraphs contain spoilers for: Betrayer (Novel)

Isstvan III, 005.M31. Destroyer Sergeant Skane of the World Eaters' Eighth Company signals Apothecary Kargos that he has found their his Captain, Khârn, holding on to life impaled by a Land Raider's dozer blade.[3b]

Part One: Armatura, the War-World

 
The World Eaters assault the Evocati shield wall[3aa]

~007.M31. Aboard the Fidelitas Lex, Lorgar Aurelian and Magnus the Red discuss the latter's possible joining of Horus Lupercal's rebellion, and Angron's increasingly deteriorating state. As the ship and its armada exits the Warp close to the Ultramar war world Armatura, Lorgar reveals the two Abyss Class Battleships he had commissioned along the Furious Abyss.[3c] On the Conqueror, Khârn and Argel Tal discuss their respective Legiones' characters and the upcoming assault against Armatura. Angron comes in to prepare for planetfall and goads Argel Tal into attacking him, insulting the memory of Cyrene Valantion. Khârn and the Word Bearer have one last exchange: Angron is broken, and none of his World Eaters feels kinship with their primarch.[3d]

While Khârn handles the breakdown of cohesion on Armatura due to the Butcher's Nails, Flag-Captain Lotara Sarrin shares his concern over Angron's worsening condition. Lorgar decides to make planetfall as well, sensing that Angron needs help.[3e] Indeed, he has been buried under rubble and only manages to orient himself towards the surface thanks to the Communion, a psychic gestalt of the XII's few remaining Librarians. As Lorgar teleports in and starts digging his brother out, loyalist Titans approach.[3f] Lorgar is brought down by the Warhound Ardentor's plasma weapon but is saved from being crushed under its feet by Angron, who just emerged from the soil to halt the Titan's step.[3g] The primarchs are rescued by the Legio Audax Warhound Syrgalah, and Khârn orders a tech-priest to recover the remains of the chainaxe Gorechild, discarded by Angron.[3h]

The Conqueror chases the fleeing Praetorian Truth, forcing it to give a last stand. The Ultramarines ship sends boarders as it dies, but the World Eaters flagship's contingent of Astartes defenders has made unauthorized planetfall. Khârn is forced to lead a charge into a XIII Legio shieldwall.[3i] Horus contacts Lorgar, who informs him of the Shadow Crusade’s progress.[3j] The Dreadnought Lhorke is awakened along with other veterans of the War Hounds to lead the defense of the Conqueror. Syrgalah is brought down, her princeps slain, and its remaining crew is saved from loyalist troops by Argel Tal.[3k] The boarders are dispatched, but not before slaughtering most of the command crew on the Conqueror's bridge. Khârn duels Captain Orfeo, whom Angron decides to finish off.[3l]

As Princeps Audun Lyrac takes Syrgalah's Moderati away for debriefing, Sarrin challenges Delvarus of the Triarii for abandoning his post. Skane and Codicier Esca prevents things from turning into a bloodbath, and Delvarus is consigned to his quarters. Erebus warps aboard the Fidelitas Lex.[3m] The primarchs decide to split their fleet to keep laying waste to Ultramar, after bombarding Armatura into a lifeless rock.[3n]

Part Two: Nuceria, the Homeworld

 
Angron mourns his fallen brothers and sisters[3aa]

Three days later. As Argel Tal pays his respects to Cyrene's tomb, Erebus comes to warn him that Khârn will be betrayed and only his friend can save him.[3o] During transit, Sarrin receives confirmation from Vel-Kheredar that the Nails are killing Angron.[3p] Khârn assists Argel Tal in retrieving Cyrene's corpse from the fanatic followers deep in the bowels of the Fidelitas Lex. In the fighting pits, Delvarus is reminded of the paramount importance of brotherly trust among the XII.[3q] At Argel Tal's request, Erebus brings Cyrene back to life, restoring her sight in the process.[3r] Lorgar tells Angron they are headed for Nuceria, and explains that Leman Russ was the true victor of their confrontation of Ghenna. After another 24 days of fitful warp transit, the traitors reach the Nuceria system.[3s]

 
The Corinthian is shackled by the Warhounds of Legio Audax[3aa]

As Nucerians struggle to find the proper way to respond to an unknown force's arrival, Angron visits the battlefield where his fellow rebel slaves were slaughtered. He then goes to Desh'ea, where he learns that the slavers claimed he had fled the last battle, and orders the planet's population to be eradicated.[3t] Six days later, as only the city of Meahor still stands, an Ultramarines armada reaches the system's edge. The World Eaters charge towards the city while Sarrin attempts to prevent the loyalists from making planetfall. Aboard the Fidelitas Lex, Cyrene is approached by the Perpetual Damon Prytanis, who wants to recruit her into the Cabal but is burned alive by her bodyguard.[3u] As the Fidelitas Lex is being finished by the XIII, Prytanis reappears and the Conqueror is being boarded. On Nuceria, the first loyalist troops drop into Meahor: the Legio Oberon with its Imperator Titan Corinthian, and the Ultramarines with their primarch Roboute Guilliman.[3v]

Guilliman duels Lorgar, and Argel Tal struggles to keep Khârn alive. Angron joins the primarchs' duel, leading to Guilliman crushing one of the rebel slaves' skulls.[3w] Syrgalah and her pack incapacitate Corinthian, enabling ground troops to besiege it. Blood begins to rain on the battlefield and Angron is racked by energies of the Warp. The Communion is extinguished trying to thwart Lorgar, and Lhorke engages the XVII primarch in combat.[3x] With Corinthian now in the traitors' hands, Erebus kills Argel Tal because he would have prevented Khârn from falling to Chaos. Still in the throes of metamorphosis, Angron saves Lorgar from Lhorke. The XIII retreat, leaving a nearly wrecked Conqueror behind.[3y]

The Ruinstorm now cuts the galaxy in twain, and Lorgar tells Khârn who killed Argel Tal. The World Eater faces Erebus in the pit and nearly kills him, but the chaplain warps away. Deep in Angron's confinement chamber, Khârn is ordered to build him a throne of skulls.[3z]

Dramatis Personae

 
Khârn, Eighth Captain of the World Eaters[3aa]

Primarchs

World Eaters

Word Bearers

Ultramarines

Fleet Personnel

The Martian Mechanicum

The Legio Audax

The Legio Lysanda

Others

Images

 
Cover art by Neil Roberts[2]

See also

Sources


Horus Heresy Series
Novels I Horus Rising • II False Gods • III Galaxy in Flames • IV The Flight of the Eisenstein • V Fulgrim • VI Descent of Angels • VII Legion • VIII Battle for the Abyss • IX Mechanicum • X Tales of Heresy • XI Fallen Angels • XII A Thousand Sons • XIII Nemesis • XIV The First Heretic • XV Prospero Burns • XVI Age of Darkness • XVII The Outcast Dead • XVIII Deliverance Lost • XIX Know No Fear • XX The Primarchs • XXI Fear to Tread • XXII Shadows of Treachery • XXIII Angel Exterminatus • XXIV Betrayer • XXV Mark of Calth • XXVI Vulkan Lives • XXVII The Unremembered Empire • XXVIII Scars • XXIX Vengeful Spirit • XXX The Damnation of Pythos • XXXI Legacies of Betrayal • XXXII Deathfire • XXXIII War Without End • XXXIV Pharos • XXXV Eye of Terra • XXXVI The Path of Heaven • XXXVII The Silent War • XXXVIII Angels of Caliban • XXXIX Praetorian of Dorn • XL Corax • XLI The Master of Mankind • XLII Garro • XLIII Shattered Legions • XLIV The Crimson King • XLV Tallarn • XLVI Ruinstorm • XLVII Old Earth • XLVIII The Burden of Loyalty • XLIX Wolfsbane • L Born of Flame • LI Slaves to Darkness • LII Heralds of the Siege • LIII Titandeath • LIV The Buried Dagger • Dropsite Massacre
Siege of Terra I The Solar War • II The Lost and the Damned • III The First Wall • Sons of the Selenar • IV Saturnine • Fury of Magnus • V Mortis • VI Warhawk • VII Echoes of Eternity • Garro: Knight of Grey • VIII The End and the Death (Volume I • Volume II • Volume III) • Era of Ruin
The Scouring I Ashes of the Imperium
The Primarchs Roboute Guilliman: Lord of Ultramar • Leman Russ: The Great Wolf • Magnus the Red: Master of Prospero • Perturabo: The Hammer of Olympia • Lorgar: Bearer of the Word • Fulgrim: The Palatine Phoenix • Ferrus Manus: Gorgon of Medusa • Grandfather's Gift • Perturabo: Stone and Iron • Malcador: First Lord of the Imperium • Konrad Curze: A Lesson in Darkness • Jaghatai Khan: Warhawk of Chogoris • Vulkan: Lord of Drakes • Sons of the Emperor • Corax: Lord of Shadows • Angron: Slave of Nuceria • Scions of the Emperor • Konrad Curze: The Night Haunter • Ghost of Nuceria • The Passing of Angels • The Abyssal Edge • Mercy of the Dragon • Lion El'Jonson: Lord of the First • Illyrium • The Revelation of the Word • Morningstar • Will of the Legion • Embers of Extinction • Alpharius: Head of the Hydra • Blood of the Emperor • Loyal Sons • Mortarion: The Pale King • Rogal Dorn: The Emperor's Crusader • Sanguinius: The Great Angel • Heirs of The Emperor
Horus Heresy Characters Valdor: Birth of the Imperium • Luther: First of the Fallen • Sigismund: The Eternal Crusader • Eidolon: The Auric Hammer • Zardu Layak: The Crimson Apostle
Novellas Promethean Sun • Aurelian • Brotherhood of the Storm • The Reflection Crack'd • Feat of Iron • The Lion • The Serpent Beneath • Corax: Soulforge • Scorched Earth • Tallarn: Executioner • Prince of Crows • The Crimson Fist • The Purge • Ravenlord • The Seventh Serpent • Tallarn: Ironclad • Cybernetica • Wolf King • The Honoured • The Unburdened • Garro: Vow of Faith • Sons of the Forge • Dreadwing • Spear of Ultramar
Collections Angron • The Imperial Truth • Sedition's Gate • Echoes of Ruin • Death and Defiance • Blades of the Traitor • Meduson • Betrayal at Calth • Echoes of the Imperium • Virtues of the Sons/Sins of the Father • Echoes of Revelation • Lupercal's War • Cthonia's Reckoning
Short Stories The Lightning Tower • The Dark King • Army of One • Kryptos • Distant Echoes of Old Night • Lost Sons • Death of a Silversmith • The Divine Word • The Kaban Project • The Gates of Terra • Lord of the Red Sands • Serpent • Luna Mendax • Riven • Bjorn: Lone Wolf • The Wolf of Ash and Fire • Heart of the Conqueror • Child of Night • The Shadowmasters • The Devine Adoratrice • Daemonology • Sins of the Father • The Final Compliance of Sixty-Three Fourteen • Vorax • The Value of Fear • Brotherhood of the Moon • Virtues of the Sons • Imperfect • Howl of the Hearthworld • A Safe and Shadowed Place • Gunsight • Black Oculus • Wolf Mother • Twisted • Chirurgeon • Tallarn: Witness • Ironfire • Hands of the Emperor • By the Lion's Command • All That Remains • The Phoenician • Artefacts • Ghosts Speak Not • Patience • Inheritor • Tallarn: Siren • Blackshield • Myriad • Into Exile • The Grey Raven • The Painted Count • Exocytosis • The Last Son of Prospero • Ordo Sinister • The Ember Wolves • Restorer • The Laurel of Defiance • Immortal Duty • Duty Waits • Magisterium • Now Peals Midnight • Dreams of Unity • The Board is Set • The Atonement of Fire • A Lesson in Iron • Massacre • Two Metaphysical Blades • Prologue to Nikaea • Old Wounds, New Scars • Abyssal • The Last Council • A Rose Watered with Blood • Bringer of Sorrow • Lantern's Light • The Serpent's Dance • The Lightning Hall • Eater of Dreams • Bloodhowl • Amor Fati • The Fields of Abundance • The Shel'tain Affair • Primacy • The Nine • Visage • The Last Loyalist • Anathema
Audio Dramas Raven's Flight • Garro: Oath of Moment • Garro: Legion of One • Butcher's Nails • Grey Angel • Burden of Duty • Garro: Sword of Truth • Warmaster • Strike and Fade • Veritas Ferrum • The Sigillite • Honour to the Dead • Wolf Hunt • Censure • Thief of Revelations • Khârn: The Eightfold Path • Lucius: The Eternal Blademaster • Cypher: Guardian of Order • Hunter's Moon • Wolf's Claw • Templar • Garro: Shield of Lies • Master of the First • The Long Night • Stratagem • Herald of Sanguinius • The Watcher • The Eagle's Talon • Iron Corpses • Garro: Ashes of Fealty • Raptor • Grey Talon • Red-Marked • The Either • The Heart of the Pharos • The Thirteenth Wolf • Children of Sicarus • Perpetual • The Soul, Severed • Valerius • The Binary Succession • Dark Compliance • Blackshields: The False War • Blackshields: The Red Fief • Hubris of Monarchia • Nightfane • Blackshields: The Broken Chain
Artbooks Collected Visions (2007) • Visions of Heresy (2013) • Visions of Heresy (2014) • Visions of Heresy (2018) • Art of the Horus Heresy
Script Books Horus Heresy: The Scripts: Volume I • Horus Heresy: The Scripts: Volume II
Graphic Novels Macragge's Honour
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