Set between the events of the Rise of the Primarch background book and his novel Dark Imperium, Guy Haley’s short story The Armour of Fate is a rare action-free 40k story, but an absence of fighting allows for plenty of insight. When he was restored to life by the combined skills and knowledge of Belisarius Cawl and Yvraine, Roboute Guilliman was told that if he ever removed the life-giving Armour of Fate, he would die. After years of confinement within the armour, and long study of its workings, Guilliman is determined to remove it anyway, and reclaim his own fate.
A quiet, thoughtful story, this focuses on Guilliman the man (of sorts) rather than the warrior or the statesman, as he tries to find a solution for an endearingly human frustration. Through discussions of the issue with Cato Sicarius, the Cawl Inferior and even someone a little further from home, Haley brings home the everyday absurdity of Guilliman’s situation with a light touch and even a little knowing humour. Look elsewhere if you’re after a Primarch getting stuck into combat, but if you fancy a glimpse of Guilliman’s personality away from all the usual bombast – and especially if you’re up to date on current Ultramarines lore – this is well worth investigating.
