The Painted Count (Short Story)

The Painted Count is the fifty-third short story published in the Hours Heresy Series that was not originally part of a main release anthology. The Painted Count was first published as part of the Black Library's 2016 Advent Calendar, on day number thirteen.

Synopsis
Following the disastrous invasion of Sotha and the dimming of the Pharos' light, Gendor Skraivok languishes on board the VIII Legion flagship, the Nightfall. Distrusted by his allies and despised by his rivals, he nonetheless means to claw back leadership of the Night Lords from the pretender Captain Shang, by fair means or foul. And, rather than a portent of doom, the daemonic blade that seems to have chosen him as its bearer may be the answer...