'Grandfather's Gift' – Guy Haley (Black Library)



I feel like a bit of a cheat following up a Black Library short story with another Black Library short story but, in my defence, it has been one hell of a day. I was working until 2am this morning, grabbed a few hours sleep then got up and did it all again, only this time I had to pretend that I was awake and that I knew what I was doing... It's over and done with now though and if that wasn't enough, I've looking right down the barrel of a week off work. I'm not going anywhere (who is?) but I am going to sleep lots. It's all good.
The other thing that attracted me to this particular short story (and the last one to be honest) is that it's focussing on probably my favourite Chaos god and the Warhammer 40K. Nurgle, the happy god, the god of spreading all kinds of grim diseases but doing it in his own sweet time because, hey, everything dies in the end doesn't it? When life pushes me too hard, I often cast an envious look at Nurgle, a god who works to his own schedule and no-one elses ;o) And he likes to be called Grandfather as well, isn't that sweet? Well, not really but you know what I mean ;o)
So, 'Grandfather's Gift' it is then. Lets take a look at it...

When Mortarion, daemon primarch of the Death Guard Traitor Legion, awakes in a strange garden with no memory of who he is, he cannot know what delights await him in its rotting tranquility. Above all things, Papa Nurgle is a generous god.

When I think of Warhammer 40K fiction, it's usually along the lines of a good to great plotline that's punctuated with the hammer of bolter fire and giant post-humans beating the you know what out of the Xenos. The level of bolter fire can vary, from time to time, but that's more or less what I expect every time. 'Grandfather's Gift' is a real change then in that the great story is there but there is no bolter fire, no armed combat of any kind in fact...
No, what we have in 'Grandfather's Gift' is a really thoughtful tale around the subject of abandonment and abuse and how this shapes a person. In 'Grandfather's Gift', you can be one of the most powerful beings in the galaxy and still be subject to fear and doubt after being abused and abandoned by the father figures in your life. It really makes you wonder if the Emperor really knew what he was doing with the Primarchs but that's a post for another time (and maybe another blog)... Haley may not be telling us anything new about the Daemon Primarch Mortarion (as I've heard said elsewhere) but I'd argue that what he does is arguably more important. Haley casts a strong spotlight on what drives Mortarion and dares us to have a little empathy with him as a result. It's a risky move (you know, evil character and all that) but it really pays off as I certainly felt more than a little happy for Mortarion that he has found a home with a Grandfather that will always be there for him.

The sombre background, of Nurgle's home, really helps to bring out what is a strangely heart warming tale at its roots and as misplaced as that feeling may be, it's kind of sweet to see this tale nestling at the edges of this particularly grimdark universe. I hope Haley gets to tell a few more tales like these and I think there's definitely room for them. I also hope 'Grandfather's Gift' finds a home in a print collection sooner rather than later, I'll happily pay the £2.49 but can see how others may find it steep and that's a shame if it keeps this darkly sweet little tale away from people who would get a lot out of it. Here's hoping...

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