This short story is featured in Inferno! Volume 2, which is out now.
The Black Library debut for Jamie Crisalli, Ties of Blood is an action-packed short story exploring the rivalry between the Chaos gods and their champions, and the fickle nature of loyalty for those who follow the dark gods. Slaanesh-worshipper Savrian’s devotion to his absent god(dess) is complete, and he risks his life to rescue his son, long thought lost, from the clutches of Khorne-worshipping warlord Chagorath. His plan is simple – infiltrate the Khornate fortress, find his son and leave with the savage warriors none the wiser. When things don’t quite go to plan, his faith is tested as much as his blade.
It’s more than just a swashbuckling adventure (although it is that), and there’s an enjoyable sense that these characters have history and backstory, despite this being their first appearance. Crisalli nicely captures Savrian and his fellow Slaanesh worshippers’ sneering contempt of their Khornate enemies, and that combines well with the theme of family which underpins the story to bring everything to life beyond the essential Slaanesh/Khorne rivalry. It’s fun to read something entirely Chaos-focused, and which digs a little deeper into the lives and motivations of characters we tend to only see as antagonists. It’s only short so doesn’t go too far down that path, but it’s a bleakly satisfying story and an impressive debut.
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