This short story is available in the Black Library Events Anthology 2018/19 or as a standalone e-short.
A dark and folklore-tinged tale featuring Commissar Severina Raine and the 11th Antari Rifles, Rachel Harrison’s Scribe Award-nominated short story The Darkling Hours pits Raine, Captain Andren Fel and his Duskhounds against an unseen foe able to tap directly into their fears. Dispatched by aerial insertion into the sinister depths of a vast open-pit mine controlled by the Sighted, the small squad’s mission is clear – to infiltrate the mine complex, find the witch lurking at its heart, and kill it. Down in the cold darkness however, the witch’s power grows as they draw closer, and their strength is sorely tested.
A story about fate, fear and the strength to resist it, with the focus exclusively on Raine and the Duskhounds it’s also an opportunity for Harrison to continue exploring the bond between Fel and the Commissar, as well as the influence which Antari superstition plays upon the regiment and these stories. Equal parts tense spec-ops insertion and insightful character study, it effortlessly blends action and introspection to form an elegantly-told and darkly compelling story in its own right and a powerful companion piece to the novel Honourbound. It’s every bit the action-packed Imperial Guard story, but fans of this series will find much more to enjoy as well in Harrison’s continued exploration of recurring characters and themes.
Check out reviews of all the other stories in this series.
