A typically complex and compelling 40k story from Peter Fehervari, The Thirteenth Psalm takes a closer look than ever before at the Angels Penitent as Chaplain Castigant Bjargo Rathana and his brothers seek out an artefact from their past. On the frozen, rebellion-wracked world of Oblazt, while exploring the decadent halls of a noblewoman’s seemingly undefended estate, Rathana and his brothers at last find the object of their search. In doing so they endure trials of the soul which test their commitment to the Chapter’s ideals, and force Rathana to question even his own purity, and the consequences of his past deeds.
It’s a sinister haunted house story, and a twisting exploration of Rathana’s mindset, strange though that may be. The Penitents are far removed from what we’re used to Space Marines being like, with a grim and worryingly extreme philosophy, and it’s fascinating to watch as Rathana teeters on the edge of sanity, caught between his past and present. Readers keen to learn more about the Penitents and Fehervari’s ‘Dark Coil’ will find much to enjoy absorbing and mulling over, and while it’s far from a straightforward story it’s another beautifully constructed tale that demonstrates once more just how powerful this particular vision of 40k can be.
The Thirteenth Psalm is available either as a standalone e-short or within the pages of Inferno! Volume 2.
Click here to buy The Thirteenth Psalm.
