Eisenhorn Omnibus

'Because?'

You should have destroyed that monster years ago, Eisenhorn. That, or handed him over to the ordos. What the hell were you thinking?'

'Same as I'm thinking now. I did what was best/

'Nayl? Inshabel? Bure? Suskova? The whole damn Distaff? That was best?' His tone was venomous.

'Yes, Fischig. And I never heard you contradict my decisions/

'Like you'd have listened!'

To you? Yes. Not once did I hear you say we should turn Glaw over to the ordos/

'Because you always make it sound so logical! Like you know best!'

I shrugged. This is beneath you, Godwyn. It sounds like sour grapes. Things didn't turn out the way I would have wished and you're making out it's all my fault. I took tough decisions that I thought were right. If you'd ever – ever – objected, I'd have considered your opinion/

'Too easy, too damn easy. I was only ever your lackey, your minion. If I'd said we vapourise Glaw, you'd have said yes and then hidden him anyway/

'Do you really think I'm that underhand? You, of all my counsel, I respect the most!'

'Yeah?' He tossed his gloves onto a couch and helped himself to a schooner of Maxilla's clawblood. 'Who told Bure to build Glaw a body without telling any of us? Who suddenly knows how to conjure daemons like an expert? You cover your secrets with such an almighty righteous air we all thank the stars and the Emperor Himself you chose us to help you in your work. But you're a liar! A conspirator! And maybe worse!'

'And you're too much a puritan idealist for your own good. And mine/ I hissed. 'I dearly wanted your help, Godwyn. You are one of the few men I really trust and one of the few humans in space with the stalwart spirit to keep me on the level. I needed you now, in my fight to destroy Glaw. I can't believe you're turning against me like this/

He stared down at the contents of his glass. 'I always did warn you I would if you crossed the line/

'I've crossed no line. But if you feel that way… go. Get off this ship and leave me to my work. You'll always have my gratitude for the service you put in. But I won't have this bitterness/

That's what you think?'

Yes/

He hesitated. 'I gave my life to you, Gregor. I admired you. I always believed you were… right.'

'I still am. I serve the Emperor. Just like you. Get rid of your rancor and we can work together again.'

'Let me think about it.'

'Two days, and we're leaving orbit.'

'Two days then.'

Apparently, his ruminations only took him a day.

I had just received, via the Essene's astropath bank, a rather fascinating communique, and I went looked for Fischig. I found Crezia playing regicide with Maxilla in a mid-deck suite. He'd taken quite a shine to Doctor Berschilde.

She got up as I entered the room, and excitedly displayed the stunning funz-silk gown she was wearing. Tobias had his servitors make it for me! Isn't it gorgeous?'

'It is/ I agreed.

The poor woman had virtually no wardrobe at all, Gregor. Just a few travel bags. It was the least I could do. You wait until you see the epinchire dress they're embroidering for her.'

'Have you seen Fischig?' I asked.

Crezia looked at Maxilla sharply and the ship master suddenly became occupied with his study of the game board.

'What?' I asked.

Crezia took me by the arm and walked me over to the cabin windows. 'He's gone, Gregor.'

'Gone?'

'Early this morning. He left in his shuttle. Dreadful man.'

'He was my friend, Crezia.'

'Not any more, I think.'

'Did he say anything?'

'No. Not to me. Or to Tobias, except a quick goodbye. He was up late last night though, talking to Medea and Aemos.'

'About what?'

'1 don't know. I wasn't included. Tobias took Eleena and me on a guided tour of his art collection. He has some extraordinary p-'

'They talked and this morning he just left?'

'I like Medea, but I think she may be a little careless. I'd never have told that Fischig man about the things you did in New Gevae/

'And she did?'

'I'm just saying. She might have.'

I had servitors summon Aemos and Medea. They arrived in my stateroom at about the same moment. Both of them looked awkward.

'Well?'

'Well what?' snapped Medea.

What the hell did you say to him?'

She looked away. Aemos toyed with the hem of his cloak.

'I simply tried to make him understand, Gregor. About what you were doing… what you had done. I thought if he knew it all he might see it like I see it.'

'Really? It didn't cross your mind he was a puritanical son of a bitch on a hair trigger? Just like he's always been?'

'I felt honesty was the best policy/ Aemos muttered. Medea said something under her breath.

'Oh, say it so we can all hear!' I snarled.

'Honesty is the best policy/ Medea said. 'I was appreciating the irony/

'How so?'

The stuff you never told us. The honesty you withheld/

That's rich coming from you, Medea Betancore. In point of fact, I believe I told you everything. Shared everything. Sworn on my secrets/

Yeah, well../ she looked away.

'Oh Throne, you told him, didn't you? You told him about Cherubael and the Codicium and Glaw and everything!'

She turned on me, tears in her anguished eyes. 'I thought he would understand if everything was out in the open../

'No wonder he left/ I said, sitting down.

'Medea was only doing the same as me/ Aemos said. 'We were defending you to him, trying to make him understand and see things the way we saw them. We thought-'

What?'

'We thought he might change his mind and trust you again if he