The first Black Library appearance of Knight-Zephyros Neave Blacktalon, Andy Clark’s Age of Sigmar short story Blacktalon: When Cornered is a tale of Stormcast tenacity, duardin stubbornness and Chaotic deviousness. Having finally cornered the Chaos sorcerer Xelkyn Xerkanos after months of pursuit, only for a clan of duardin to capture him before she could strike the killing blow, Blacktalon cuts a frustrated figure as she accompanies the duardin on their slow march home. Xerkanos is to be tried and executed in front of the clan’s Grudgekeepers, but Blacktalon rankles at the delay, keeping a suspicious eye on the tricksy sorcerer.
It’s an interesting introduction to this character, demonstrating her thought processes and unique talents despite portraying her somewhat out of her comfort zone. Blacktalon’s mindset provides an unusual angle on the question of Stormcast mortality (and what that means narratively), as she measures her success in terms of how many enemies she can take out before being worn down and returned to Azyr for yet another Reforging. Plot-wise it’s entertaining if a little predictable, but with some enjoyable dialogue, characterful (albeit rather one-sided) action scenes and effective worldbuilding of this particular sliver of Chamonite wasteland there’s more than enough to whet the appetite for the upcoming novel Blacktalon: First Mark.
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