Godkiller Read online

  By: Nicholas Woode-Smith

  Copyright © 2018

  Warpmancer Universe

  All rights reserved

  This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher and the copyright owner.

  Cover Design by James, GoOnWrite.com

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  Contents

  Chapter 1. The Imperial Council

  Chapter 2. Hatred

  Chapter 3. The Fringe

  Chapter 4. The Agitator

  Chapter 5. A Plan

  Chapter 6. Allies

  Chapter 7. Routine Revenge

  Chapter 8. Duty

  Chapter 9. Xerl

  Chapter 10. Distractions

  Chapter 11. Two Loves

  Chapter 12. Fanning the Flames

  Chapter 13. Ter’un

  Chapter 14. Dying

  Chapter 15. Epilogue

  From the Author

  Chapter 16. Imperial Glossary

  “Ancient Grelaz, we guard you as we have always done. We gain glory in service to you and in the achieving of peace, order and purity. In the name of the Martyrs, your holy existence and our duty to Imperia – we fight.” – Oath of the Star Horde

  Chapter 1. The Imperial Council

  “Peace, order, purity!”

  “Yes, Councillor. We know...” the Proctor sighed, supporting his weary head with his arm.

  Councillor Zary’thyn nodded, satisfied.

  “But,” Councillor Eld’rai interjected, “this isn’t a discussion on the goals of our Council. These are already known to all of us, lest we not be Councillors under the holy Martyrs. Let me remind you that this is not one of your lectures. We are not rue with no understanding of the Doctrine. We are adepts at the way of Imperia. We are the Council, for which our empire takes its namesake. That is why we are second only to the holy Martyrs in this, most illustrious of empires. The only true empire. And as the only true empire, we must expand!”

  Kei Zary’thyn, first-born son of Councillor Zary’thyn, winced as his father’s rival brought up a valid and embarrassing point. Watching from the side-lines of the public council session, Kei tried to send his thoughts to his father, to no avail. Up till now, Kei’s father had been leading the public debate on Imperial expansion. Councillor Zary’thyn represented the faction that opposed further expansion for the next century, while Councillor Eld’rai supported a rapid expansion past the Fringe Worlds and into heathen space.

  The dichotomy between Kei’s father and his rival was not only intellectual but physical. Zary’thyn wore a humble white robe of office, with no jewellery or heraldry, despite his house possessing much wealth. His face bore a well kempt beard below a pair of friendly and attentive brown eyes. Eld’rai, on the other hand, looked severe. His angular face was clean-shaven and militaristic. His blonde hair was kept short, almost stubble. His clothing was that of a Horde veteran – a teal tunic with metal ceremonial plating. Kei noted a lack of medals upon Eld’rai’s chest. He guessed that that might be the reason for Eld’rai’s latent insecurity and stern manner.

  Eld’rai barely hid a smirk as Zary’thyn seemed to be cowed. The forum of Imperial councillors and spectators sat and stood silently in anticipation. Many Edal councillors tapped their feet, anxiously. The Ulyx, as a rule, were still, waiting for what was about to be said. Eld’rai looked about to speak over the silence, content that Zary’thyn had conceded, when Kei’s father cleared his throat.

  “As councillors under the holy Martyrs, we are expected to know what is inferred by my quoting of the Imperial Doctrine. Expansion invites disorder, an end to peace and the corruption that both bring. Purity ends when we progress past our rightful borders.”

  “Our rightful borders are the galaxy!” Eld’rai clenched a fist in front of him for emphasis.

  “Only so that we can ensure peace, order and purity. While the heathens may wallow in their impurity, they are at relative peace. They do not dare march on our borders and, compared to past ages, they are much more reluctant to march on each other’s. Moreover, as I have stressed before, the Star Horde is not ready! If we are to expand, we cannot risk doing so at this time. When we strike, we must strike swiftly and win quickly, lest we delay the arrival of peace once again. The heretics do not gaze upon the true empire with ill intent now, but if we fail in our attacks upon them, which I believe we may very well, we invite their ire. War will come, but must be on our terms and our terms must be thoughtful and righteous! Thus, I call for expansion to be delayed another century.”

  “Are you even a true Edal, Councillor Zary’thyn? Does degora ten alka mean nothing to you?” Eld’rai spat.

  “I am a councillor and servant of the Imperial Doctrine before I am an Edal, Councillor.”

  That stunned Eld’rai. Kei watched, repressing an unbecoming grin as his father reclaimed his rightful pedestal.

  Eld’rai looked about to respond when the fall of a gavel silenced them all.

  “An insightful debate as always, councillors,” the presiding Councillor, a withered Edal with a white beard stated. He wore a white robe similar to Zary’thyn’s. The proctor was also a career civilian. He wore his badge of office on his head in the form of a tall cylindrical hat.

  “Voting on the motion to dedicate the Star Horde to a new crusade will proceed tomorrow at dusk. Due to the sensitivity of the issue, anonymity will be respected among voting councillors. Until then, dismissed, and may the Martyrs guide us.”

  “May they guide us,” Kei, the council and the spectators in the forum repeated, sending a commonly heard echo throughout the domed structure.

  Kei waited in the stands as his fellow spectators began to file out. Anyone was allowed to watch the proceedings of the Imperial Council. Due to the strict work regimen of many Imperial subjects, however, this tended to be a right rarely invoked. Kei was a student, however, and had plenty of free time to watch his father verbally joust.

  His father was conversing with the other councillors in his faction. Kei noted that more were willing to speak to him today than in the previous sessions. While not strictly heretical, many Edal had declared his father’s policy of delaying expansion to be un-Edallic. There was a fine line between being an Imperial and being an Edal, many like Eld’rai would argue, ignoring that half the council were Ulyx.

  Due to this ethno-nationalism, Kei’s father had found his greatest allies in the Ulyx councillors, who saw the logic in consolidating the Imperial armies rather than setting forth on another crusade.

  Finally, Kei’s father finished his corridor diplomacy and made his way to the exit, where Kei awaited him.

  “How was the debate?”

  “A good save, but you should not have given him the opening. You looked weak there.”

  Zary’thyn chuckled. “On the contrary, I think I did the right thing. By seeming weak and then shaming him, I looked even stronger by contrast.”

  Kei looked quizzical. Zary’thyn explained.

  “We are always stronger when we rise from rags.”

  “From rags? Wouldn’t one rather rise further from a higher station?”

  “One would think,” Zary’thyn indicated for them to walk as they exited the forum. “But they would be mistaken. One who rises from rags pulls themselves up
further, requiring more strength. By proving that they can rise to a higher station from less, they have proven to everyone how strong they really are.”

  “Are you saying that we are weak, then?”

  Zary’thyn laughed, brightening his stress-lined blue face.

  “Not at all. Sure, we were born of a high station, but that doesn’t make us weak. But it does make those who pulled themselves up from a lower position stronger. Don’t mistake me. Others being strong does not make anyone else weak. We all have our strengths, Kei. We are all needed for Imperia.”

  Kei nodded. He had heard the same argument in his lectures by his Ulyx mentors. The Imperial Council, Imperia, the Martyrs, were all just morasses for the true purpose of their people – the Imperial Doctrine. They were all servants to this law that held them together. Rather than squabble like the heathen races beyond the Fringe, the Doctrine allowed them to live in peace, order and purity – united.

  It had been this way for countless millennia and would be this way for many more. Unless the Council faltered in their duty, that is. That was why Zary’thyn was fighting to stop a new crusade and risk the empire’s purpose.

  They finally arrived at the end of the long marble tunnel of the public forum. To greet them was Grelaz itself, in all its majesty. Crystal towers rose to the heavens, emitting lights that made the illusion of stars despite it being the day. White stone spires failed to reach their peak, but were almost equal in their majesty. Lower down, marble and stone buildings, some dating back tens of thousands of years, were covered with crowds of dutiful subjects of Imperia. Most were clothed in fineries. Respectable blue, white and silver tunics of varying but un-clashing hues. Everyone was immaculately dressed. Grelaz was the capital of the greatest empire the galaxy had ever seen, after all. This was not a place for filfs. Among the well-dressed bureaucrats and politicians, Ulyx and Edal legionnaires marched, but not to keep the peace. There had been peace on Grelaz for millennia. They would have been fresh recruits, or veterans who did not wish to take off their uniforms. Kei didn’t blame the latter. After he served in the Star Horde, upon a glorious crusade for Imperia, he would also not want to take off the uniform. Not only was it stylish, crafted of a rich blue fabric and covered with a shining metal mantle, it would represent the peace he had brought to the galaxy.

  A part of him opposed his father’s policy of slowing down expansion. Kei was almost to begin officer training to join the Star Horde. Degora ten alka – glory in war. Kei wanted to bring glory to Imperia and House Zary’thyn as soon as possible. A crusade was needed for that. Kei did not feel like waiting 100 years for his chance to enter a crusade.

  But, Kei knew not to oppose his father publicly. That would dishonour the house and sully his own personal honour. His duty was to Imperia, his house and to his father. As the Doctrine dictated. So, he stayed his tongue.

  As they walked towards the transit district upon clean crystal tiles, Kei’s father motioned for them to stop. Kei hid his displeasure. An Ulyx, dirty sweat marring his snow-white skin, stood to the side in a stained tunic. Zary’thyn licked his lips as he handed over some coins to the Ulyx, who passed him a l’eron, a sweet fruit grown in the system’s farm worlds. Taking a bite, he looked at Kei, voicelessly asking if Kei wanted one. Kei declined.

  He didn’t understand his father’s obsession with street vendors. Not only was it unbecoming of a councillor to purchase from such rabble, it was also frowned upon by all manner of subjects to deal with kur’dal – enterprising folk. Imperia had a system. Kur’dal endangered that system with their selfish desires.

  But Kei’s father remained unconvinced by Kei’s regurgitated arguments against entrepreneurship. To him, kur’dal were just as important subjects of Imperia. They served the Doctrine in their own way. Like in the selling of l’eron without filing an official requisition form.

  They walked further. Kei’s father’s lips were stained red by the fruit.

  Kei shook his head. He felt simultaneously proud and ashamed of his councillor father. While his father was, indeed, an unconventional malcontent with an arguably loose conception of the Doctrine, he was also an accomplished debater and one of the most respected Doctrine scholars in Central Imperia. His father could get away with his interpretations of the Doctrine, regardless of other academic opinion, because his father was the best. As such, his father had managed to bring his own sort-of reason to many debates on the Doctrine – urging caution to retain peace, not wage war.

  While an odd approach for an Edal, his arguments had won favour with the Ulyx. While peace by the sword was the usual doctrine, Kei’s father argued that it was best to strike with a sharp sword and that the Star Horde and Legion needed sharpening before striking to gain peace.

  Kei’s confusion over his father was not total, however. He loved his father, as a son should – and respected him. Disagreement or not, he served his duty to his family not only by the dictates of the doctrine, but because he was genuinely fond of them. Sometimes, overly so, he told himself. His mentors informed him that the Doctrine ranked duty to family below that of Imperia and Martyrs, but Kei (when honest with himself) could not help but feel loyalty more to his kin.

  Nobody was perfect, however, (except the Martyrs, of course) and Kei had plenty of time to correct his loyalties. Edal did live an awfully long time, after all. 100 years was a long time to wait, but it would still give him time to find glory under the banner of the Star Horde afterwards. Heathens would fall to his FireLance and he would bring peace and order to the galaxy. It was just a matter of time.

  While he disagreed with his father, he respected him. Kei didn’t know who to believe between his father and mentors, but chose the former. Perhaps it was just the impurity of his duty, but as he had come to accept, he’d work on it.

  They arrived at the transit, a dark grey stone platform for the parking of transport vessels. Several councillors, some allied and some opposed to his father, surrounded them. Kei observed a few Edal glare at his father. Zary’thyn didn’t seem to notice. A flying craft waited for them. Zary’thyn entered and Kei followed. They rose into the air, chauffeured by their personal pilot. This gave them the ability to survey their surroundings. Zary’thyn, as dutiful as he was good natured, was busy working. This left Kei to observe the city of his homeworld, his race’s homeworld, alone.

  Snow-white and deep-blue structures pierced the skies. Marble and crystal domes covered tracts of land. People became dots below them. Pleasant chilly wind sent banners bearing the Imperial bident crest fluttering upon countless Council buildings. The visuals sang of the Doctrine’s key tenets – peace, order and purity. His people had established perfection. It was now their responsibility to maintain it. It was his responsibility.

  Kei felt the contradictory urge to want to leave this place so to bring it glory, and never wanting to leave its grace ever in his life. Well, perhaps his father’s campaign was for the best. 100 years in this paradise was a pleasant cost indeed for having to wait for glory.

  “Councillor…”

  “Please, Kei, call me father.”

  “Father…do you fear the other factions?”

  “Fear?”

  “Do you think they might do something rash? They were confident at first, but now I think they see their hubris. The Ulyx have all joined your faction. I think the vote will go in your favour tomorrow.”

  “Then why fear? That is cause for joy!”

  “Don’t you fear they will not abide that?”

  “They will abide by the laws of the Doctrine and dictates of the Martyrs.”

  “And if the Martyrs remain silent?”

  “Then the Doctrine will suffice.”

  “Yes, father.”

  There was silence as Zary’thyn went over his fibre-papers. He was reading reports by his students. While being a councillor, Zary’thyn was also an accomplished lecturer and scholar of Imperial Doctrine. He dedicated his life to studying the Imperial Doctrine and interpreting its dictates for us
e by Imperial society. It wasn’t unusual for a councillor to hold additional jobs. Eld’rai worked as a bureaucrat for the Star Horde, others were bankers, military-men and so on. But that was to maintain their lavish lifestyles, so they could best serve Imperia. Kei’s family did not need the extra coin. House Zary’thyn was an ancient house and had collected coin and favour over millennia. Kei’s father lectured and served as councillor out of duty, not need.

  Zary’thyn shook his head.

  “What is it?”

  “This student,” Zary’thyn sighed, “argued that the Martyrs are not all equal in holiness. I don’t know where they get these ideas. Above that, she placed the Martyrs above Doctrine. She claims that His Holiness Martyr Grexus is holier than the rest of our holy Martyrs due to his martial capabilities.”

  “Heresy?”

  “Technically, yes. But many would accuse me of the same. I’ll just call her in for a meeting. Always best to talk before calling in the enforcers.” He chuckled softly. “I hope someone does the same when they think I’m committing heresy.”

  He wrote a note with a crystal tipped pen, emitting a faint light as it scraped words into the fibre-paper. Then he placed his papers aside. He looked at Kei, smiling faintly and expectantly.

  Kei examined his father. Royal blue skin, marred only slightly with stress wrinkles upon his face. A black pony-tail, flanked by two-long pointed ears. Sharp, but soft, features. Good Edal stock. Kei looked similar, but with shorter hair and no stress markings – yet.

  “How goes training, Kei?”

  “I am to begin Warpmancy training tomorrow. I passed my officer entry exam this morning.”

  “Congratulations!”

  “I should probably slow down – the next crusade being in 100 years, after all.”

  Zary’thyn frowned. “I hope you understand why I’ve taken this position.”

  “Peace, order, purity – Imperial Doctrine.”

  “That, but my reasoning as well. Defeating the barbarous Areq almost destroyed the Star Horde and Legion.”