Part of the Rise of the Ynnari series, Gav Thorpe’s short story Fireheart sees the action turn to Craftworld Saim-Hann. Druthkhala, a Commoraghan emissary of Yvraine, requests the Craftworld’s aid in a mission to an aeldari maiden world, in search of one of the lost Croneswords of Morai-Heg. Though generally met with disdain, she finds support from the bold Wild Rider Nuadhu Fireheart. Accompanied by members of Nuadhu’s clan they venture out in search of the fabled weapon, only to find that whatever lies on that maiden world, it is well defended.
Gav just has a way with aeldari (eldar…whatever) stories, and always brings a real sense of identity to these tales. Here, the story itself is perhaps a touch predictable, albeit entertaining still, but that’s made up for by some lovely details of the Saim Hann aeldari, and a great depiction of Nuadhu. While Druthkhala is only lightly sketched in, with Nuadha we see our understanding of him develop over the course of the story – though his judgement appears mostly led by a desire to impress Druthkhala, there’s more at stake than that. Overall, while it’s perhaps not essential reading it bodes very well for the upcoming novel Wild Rider.
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