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"Prioress Ameldia, ma'am. Anything you'd like me to review for you?"
"Ah, Sister Thyssa, good. Yes, there's some official letters from the Ecclesiarch's office, Josimayne; please inspect them and translate for a tired old soldier without patience for flowery wordiness. There's some other messages, but I doubt they're of any importance."
"Of course, Prioress."
Seraphina Ameldia concerned herself with logistics. Administration, but of a good, practical, concrete sort. Not battle, but sending out sisters, founding smaller abbeys, was war at one remove; preparing fortresses of faith, supply lines of prayer and evangelism, as much as they were establishing fortresses and munitions of temporal strength. Her choir-mistress Josimayne was not well-suited for battle, but her faith was strong, and she spoke often to Adepts of the secular power, and she'd discovered some hidden corruption and brought it to her Prioress without hesitation. She'd taken an unofficial role as Seraphina's bureaucrat, and had passed messages from faithful with concerns, and in some cases to such faithful. The God-Emperor had guided her eye, that day; Josimayne got through things in a quarter the time Seraphina needed, and with more insight.
"Prioress Ameldia... I am concerned by this summons."
Seraphina looked at her assistant, and Josimayne's frown was soon reflected on her face as well.
"Servitor, lock the doors and close the windows."
The once-man bowed and moved to obey.
"What worries you, sister?"
"The Ecclesiarch summons the Supreme Abbess and Prioresses of the Daughters of Wrath to attend on him," Josimayne said, laying the parchment on her desk and indicating portions of the text, "During a great ceremony of several days in which also summoned are Lords Governor, Lords Admiral, Lords High Generals, senior Adepts, and others from across the Segmentum. In the Grand Cathedral. The Daughters are invited, specifically, on the second to last day."
"That sounds tedious, and tiresome, but not worrisome."
"Prioress, I..."
"Josimayne, propriety in public is one thing, but you have earned the respect to call me by name. And speak freely."
"As you command, Seraphina," she replied wryly, "I don't like it. Holy Ecclesiarch Ostulus has been accumulating influence. Political rumors say he will be made Lord Commander of the Senatorum when the Lord Militant retires, which he soon will. A ceremony like this - and I don't recognize the form, it's not an old rite I've ever seen - looks political, a display of fealty and power."
"Second to last day - that puts us at the focus, doesn't it? The last day reserved for the God-Emperor, but all eyes upon us."
"Exactly. With most of the visitors in attendance as spectators, potentially. There's nothing obviously wrong. I can't see any pretext you might give the Blessed Abbess to refuse. But still, it fills me with dread. And... not just dread."
"Anger?"
"No. But what might become it - Emperor help me, I am looking at the words of the Holy Ecclesiarch and they fill me with suspicion. Not heresy, but... profanity."
"That is... a serious charge. Far too serious to lay upon him on the suspicions of a single sister, no matter how trustworthy."
"I know, Prioress. It's too serious to even ask others to investigate, not on such a thin basis. And yet."
Seraphina put her hand on top of Josimayne's. "Josimayne, my sister, there is not Daughter of the Emperor's Wrath I trust more, for guidance in such muddy waters."
The Cantus Superior blushed, and looked away.
"What do you advise I, Prioress Stern, and Blessed Abbess Dawn, do?"
"Answer His Reverend Holiness's call, but in the most imposing garb allowed. Armor, not robes. Power swords. Make everyone who sees you remember that we are sisters of battle first, and daughters of His Wrath foremost. If - anyone - wishes to impose on you - on us - make him tremble with fear to dare. And then... go cautiously. Take nothing at face value, or for granted. Check for the hidden trap."
"I could bring you along."
"A lowly Sister Cantus? It would almost be an insult. Even if I took arms I'm not properly trained with to disguise it. Although... There's five months. That's enough time to arrange for me to lead the choirs that day, without standing out."
"Your intent?"
"If His Most Reverend Holiness should, as I fear, forget who is served, and who serves... perhaps the audience will take a reminder. The Emperor is always with us, but the hymns may remind men of His expectations of us."
"Perhaps. If you believe it is worthwhile, I will do what I may to help you arrange it."
"I would rather find some excuse to advise you and Prioress Stern and Mother Helia in person. But I do not think I can find one. Emperor willing, I will do what I can to support you."
"I know you will, Josimayne. With wisdom, faith, and cleverness."
She blushed again, and Seraphina covered her hands with her own, again.
"You doubt yourself."
"Yes, ma'am. I do not wish to disappoint you, or lead you astray. I try to do the Emperor's will, but..."
"You have not once brought a matter to my attention, where I regretted listening to your advice. Few canonesses can say the same. You are skilled with forms of struggle I find distasteful and difficult, far more confusing than the battles against heretics and xenos. Pride is a sin, but so is inertia. The God-Emperor is with you, as He is with us all."
"Thank you, Seraphina. I will... I will. I won't disappoint you, or Him."
Seraphina smiled, and the blush came back for a moment.
The three highest nuns of the Daughters of Wrath arrived at the Grand Cathedral in full panoply of war (less the bolters, which were inappropriate in a sacred place full of allies, no matter how holy the instruments of the Emperor's angels might be), and found themselves waiting in line outside its doors, among many other groups of great notables.
"I see what you meant, with your warning," Abbess Dawn said, "It is not wrong. Not outright. But there is a whiff of... profanity."
"I do not like thinking in this way," Imelda Stern, Prioress of the Order of the Fiery Heart, replied with a grimace, "We are His warriors, not politicians."
"Believe me, sister, I understand," Seraphina said, "I do not like it either. But I trust Sister Thyssa. I consider myself blessed to have found a devout, trustworthy assistant who can take on the burden of such things lightly on my behalf."
"And who can be attuned to rot within the spheres of politics and bureaucracy," Helia said, "Which you did not mention was hers at the time."
"Once could be a fluke, a beneficiary of the Emperor working through nearby hands. And later... it hasn't been quite so obvious. Also, I admit to selfishly enjoying her company and not wanting to inspire you to poach her, Blessed Abbess."
Helia raised an eyebrow but did not reply.
"If her insight is so valuable, why does she remain with the choir?", Imelda asked.
"She is not physically fit for battle armor. But truly, she is not often with the choir. Though today, of course..."
"I see."
"If you would prefer not to dwell on the complexities, and merely stay aware and in tune with us, Imelda, I do not think duty or faith requires you to believe her warning."
"No, merely sense. I would not ignore a scout's warning on unfamiliar ground, no matter how vague. She is devout, and wise, and so the Emperor is with her. I will heed Him."
Seraphina nodded. The line slowly moved forward.
"Supreme Abbess, Prioresses, welcome to the God-Emperor's holy place," said the vicar at the gate, "The Most Holy Ecclesiarch Ostulus will be honored and overjoyed to see you in this time of unity."
"We are, as ever," Abbess Dawn said, "devoted servants of the God-Emperor and united with all those who serve Him."
"Of course, of course," he said, slightly nervously, "I apologize that you will be waiting considerably more time; you are the most distinguished of guests, but many others who should not be disturbed are ahead."
"That is acceptable. We have no fear of exhaustion."
He smiled awkwardly and waved them inward.
"My Abbess," came a voice from the side, a sister in dark choir robes with a hood. She bowed deeply.
"Cantus Superior Thyssa?"
"Yes, Blessed Mother. I was able to step away from the choir for a few minutes to share what I have seen and heard."
"Well and good. What have you to share?"
"The visitors have been pushed to make not just vows of faith, but also loyalty. They present gifts to show tribute, and in several cases of particularly significant visitors, are given gifts in turn, along with the vows. I would advise being very careful with words and vows, and to watch for traps baited with gifts."
"The vicar was clearly watching for us particularly," Seraphina said.
"Trap, then. For us."
"Let us not be hasty," the abbess admonished, "He remains the chosen representative of the God-Emperor in the galaxy."
"Of course, Blessed Abbess Dawn. My apologies."
"Yet, you are not wrong. It is a suspicious situation indeed. We will be wary. And you, Cantus Superior?"
"I must return to the choir presently. But I will be watching, and listening. And my choir has strong faith; if I must lead them in a prayer of battle, they will follow. And the great men and women of the Imperium who are in the cathedral, Emperor willing, will be moved."
Helia smiled at Prioress Ameldia. "You were correct, Seraphina, I would have been tempted to poach her. Sister Thyssa, if you see reason to think our lives are in danger, shift to the Hymn of Duty and Blood."
"A good choice, Mother Helia; I will. There are a few parties of nobility from Shrine Worlds present ahead of you, and I think behind. Benediction of Sector Tertius, Vulgate of Sector Blinding Gulf, Eydolim on the coreward fringe, Quietos of the Prosperan Hinterland, some others further ahead or behind. If there is reason for disquiet, they may give you a sign, or come to your aid. The Ophelia System is perhaps twenty parties ahead, unfortunately, and Cthonia gone yesterday, and either unlikely to have the opportunity."
"I will bear in mind that there are devout men near to hand, should they be needed. Fewer known to me, but we do what we can."
"I pray they will not be, Blessed Abbess, but planned for the fear they will. That is all I have gathered."
"It is enough, if the Emperor smiles upon us, and that is all we may ask."
Seraphina stepped closer and took Josimayne's hand. "As ever, you do not disappoint, Josimayne."
"I strive not to, Seraphina. Walk in the Emperor's light."
"You as well, sister."
"'Enjoying her company,' hmm?," Imelda murmured after Josimayne had left, "In private?"
"Kindly remove your mind from the gutters, Imelda."
"That's not a denial."
"Shush, Imelda," Helia said, though she sounded faintly amused.
The "Yes, Mother," she gave in reply was sarcastic, but she obeyed.
Seraphina saw Imelda glancing around at the Frateris Templar. Some were going up and down the line with priests of the hierarchy, but most were standing watch along the great pillars on the edges of the nave, with ceremonial pikes and holstered laspistols and light body armor. They were at attention, but lazy in their stance, secure in the knowledge no violence would possibly break out in the High Holy Cathedral of Him-On-Terra and all they needed to do was display proper parade discipline.
Knowledge that she strongly suspected was incorrect.
"If His Holiness expects us to object, he has not told the Templar," Imelda observed, "Does that bode well for his intentions, or poorly for his understanding of our calling?"
"One of those," Seraphina replied dryly, "We may see as we approach."
"Mmmh," Imelda replied. And they were approaching quite soon. Within a minute or two, she could see those at the front, bowing in prayer at an altar below the Ecclesiarch's pulpit. From the main floor of the cathedral rose wide central stairs to a middle terrace, where sat the altar and wide table where 'gifts' had been set; at its edges were smaller stairs curving up to the higher terrace, with the dais and pulpit at the edge as a balcony.
"Sister Josimayne was right," Imelda hissed as she took in the scene of supplication, "This stinks."
"She is adept. Did you think I asked her to do this for her looks?"
"Daughters. Do not snipe. We will need our calm. Unless we are all, as may be hoped, mistaken. Further, Frateris approach. With the Chapel-Master."
"Yes, Blessed Mother," they chorused.
"Blessed Abbess Dawn," Chapel-Master Jacobus Taedusz said, bowing, "His Reverend Holiness Ostulus has asked me to invite you to approach more swiftly. Such blessed, accomplished, and puissant servants of the Church should not need to wait among lesser men."
"It is no imposition to stand within the God-Emperor's church. I have been here for services times before, and Emperor willing will be many times again. And my Prioresses have not had the honor nearly so often."
"Still, still. You are of course welcome to remain as long as you wish, but His Holiness would prefer you approach."
"Then we shall not refuse His highest servant. Lead the way, Reverend Chapel-Master."
As a wedge of Frateris went ahead of them, pushing aside notables of the Segmentum, Imelda began to quietly sing with the hymns of the choir. Helia took it up as they started to follow, and then Seraphina. She understood why; this only made her more nervous.
Mother Helia nodded apologetically to someone attired as Lord Governor, with symbols Seraphina recognized as of Vulgate, as they passed; he bowed slightly and made the sign of the aquila, raising it high as he stood - a gesture of blessing. So did another man, who the Abbess didn't seem to immediately recognize, but she gave him a nod and an answering aquila. Seraphina guessed from the icons of the Martyr-Primarch Magnus on his arms he was Lord Governor of Quietos.
But they came close to the front, only one party between them and those currently paying homage. She didn't recognize those bowing, but those next in line must be Ophelia. She recognized Lord Governor Daki of Ophelia VII; they had met when he had spoken with the Blessed Abbess - the Convent Phobian on the Founder's homeworld was growing in size and importance, at both their urging. The Chapel-Master began to push through them as well, but Helia ceased her song and called, "Hold."
"Blessed Abbess?"
"Ophelia is a Founding World of the Faith, and second greatest world of our orders. We are most blessed, and there was no shame in other worlds deferring to our seniority in order of worship, but I am not so prideful as to insult them by claiming we should pass by them."
The leader of their party turned and bowed. "Blessed Abbess Dawn, I thank you for the courtesy."
"It is nothing, Prince-Governor Septimian, only the dutiful faith we owe your system and worlds for the light Saint Ophelia shone for us."
"And yet it is fresh air in such august company as we have today, to be reminded that there are some who do not see a time of vows of faith before the Most Holy Ecclesiarch as an opportunity for personal aggrandizement."
"I am sure did they remain in such a sanctified place they would be reminded that we are all small before the God-Emperor, in time. Unfortunate, then, that most seem to leave so quickly."
A man behind Septimian coughed and stifled it, and Seraphina saw it was Lord Daki. And that he was stifling a laugh, more than a cough. ...Ah. She nodded to him, concealing a smile, but probably not well. He nodded back, and made an aquila - but held it for warding, more than blessing, pushed forward slowly. He was nervous as well. She nodded again, more deeply, and returned the gesture. Which drew Imelda's attention.
"We would not dream of missing the chance to witness your meeting with the Holy Ecclesiarch, Blessed Abbess. Nor would many others here; I believe His Reverend Holiness would be quite disappointed."
"I will take heart from such faithful men being close to hand and joining in the prayers."
"I am glad to hear it, and shall not disappoint. Ah! I believe we are called ahead. Until another time, Abbess Dawn."
"Indeed, Prince-Governor. Until then."
Their escorts left them as the Ophelians moved forward, and the prioresses shifted closer and let the hymn lapse.
"The Prince-Governor is a faithful man," Imelda whispered.
"He has not struck me so in the past," Helia murmured, "But I think he has the strength of character to take small risks in our aid. Had our sister not warned us, I would be greatly in his debt for the warning."
"Lord Daki has smelled rot as well," Seraphina whispered, "And there is a truly faithful man."
"Agreed," the abbess replied, "Ah. It seems His Reverend Holiness is impatient."
They turned their attention to the man in ornate golden robes above them, and the words of his sermon. Indeed, he was hurrying through the flowery language. And men like their escorts - including some of the same ones, even - were bringing out many gifts at once, rather than ritually awarding each in turn.
"Mother Helia, Seraphina, you noticed the words of the Chapel-Master, when he approached? 'Servants of the Church?'"
Helia just nodded, slightly grimly.
"Ah. I should have," Seraphina replied.
The Confessors loomed as the great lords of the Ophelia system swore vows of faith and devotion to the Emperor, and to loyally, as His high shepherd the Ecclesiarch supported them with the gifts he gave, serve and support His church and Ecclesiarch. It would have been cheering, if it was not that the last of those was clearly the focus.
They finished their roughly rushed rite, and the Ophelians withdrew fifty steps, pausing to kneel and pray as the Templar cleared away the offerings on the altar. The three Daughters approached the pulpit, climbing the stairs to the altar terrace and kneeling with respect. As they advanced, Lord Daki caught Seraphina's eye, and tossed his head toward the upper stairs; the Chapel-Master had just ceased conferring with two Confessors, who looked at the Daughters of Wrath with mutinous anger.
She prayed silently, as she knelt behind her abbess, God-Emperor, let us be wrong about Your Holy Ecclesiarch's intentions. If he intended to subordinate the sacred to the profane, let him feel Your blessing and turn aside. Let all Your faithful be in faith with each other as we are with You, and not driven to violence against each other. But if we must fight, guide my blade and my heart, and let those who truly follow Your will be victorious in Your service. Amen.
"Noble Daughters, we appreciate all you do, defending the Imperium of Man from the forces of darkness, heresy, and rebellion. Of all those who have come to pledge their faith and allegiance to the Holy Church, it is yours I most rely on."
"Thank you, Your Most Reverend Holiness. We are forever at the God-Emperor's command," Helia said, her voice not betraying the tightness it had before they climbed the steps, "We need no appreciation to do our duty. It is my honor to see the Most Holy Ecclesiarch well, and well-defended, as befits His chosen first servant in the material realm."
"And it is my great honor and pleasure to hear it, from the greatest warriors of the Frateris Templar, the mighty and holy Daughters of the Emperor's Wrath!", boomed Ostulus from above, standing at the edge of his pulpit with laud hailers carrying his words - and theirs, now they had reached the terrace - to the edges of the Cathedral and beyond, "And recognition which is not needed, may yet be deserved - unfailing faith and duty has earned it. Confessors! Bring out the relics."
Men from beside his throne - paltry against the God-Emperor's great golden seat, but unmistakably a throne rather than a mere seat of a holy representative - disappeared behind it, and emerged carrying a red shoulder mantle lined with gold, a black cape with silver tracery, a haloed golden circlet, and a golden censer, each on a pristine silver platter with cloth of gold folded beneath it. The censer and cape approached from Seraphina's left; the mantle and halo from the right, past Imelda. They laid them on the altar, halo and censer in the center, as Ostulus spoke.
"For our greatest servants, blessed relics to aid them in their service. First from the manufactories of the Emperor's Adeptus Mechanicus, with all their mastery and unorthodox devotion. Second bestowed on faithful soldiers and leaders, and their faith and trust. Third with holy martyrdom in the service of Emperor and Church. And finally, by my own invocation of the Master of Mankind as they were repaired. For the Prioress of the Fiery Heart, a mantle that brings strength to the arm of the faithful. For the Prioress of the Valorous Heart, a cloak which turns its bearer's faith into a shield. And for our Blessed Abbess, the halo of soul armor blessed with sharp eyes, and a censer to bring the blessings of our churches with her wherever she may go and inspire her own heights of faith and will to the Templar and Securites she finds herself among. That she and her successors may lead our Daughters of Wrath with all that great virtue, until the God-Emperor's rebirth."
What had been an altar for offering 'gifts' to demonstrate service, had become one for accepting them toward the same end. Seraphina contemplated whether they would have caught the hook in the bait, had they not been warned. Perhaps. Mother Helia was a straightforward leader, not a foolish one. But then perhaps not.
The hymn drew to an end, two verses early. The room was quiet, even the low murmur of conversation trailing off. And Helia might not be a subtle manipulator, but her sermons were far too good for her not to take advantage. Just as the lull peaked, she looked up from the relics.
"I am sure the Emperor looks upon us all with favor," Helia said, "For our service to Him and your great generosity to His servants."
He frowned slightly. Had he really thought they would accede easily? Without complaint? If they were unwarned, and it was Imelda leading - or Seraphina. But it would have not been that smooth. Still, she gave silent thanks to the God-Emperor that Josimayne Thyssa had come to her attention and her abbess's.
"I am sure He does. But in trying times, we must all stand together, in His Blessed Church, all His Templar together. You are the greatest leaders and warriors in the Ecclesiarchy's service, and we give these gifts to you in recognition and blessed thanks that you shall remain so for many centuries to come."
"Then, Your Most Reverend Holiness, I am afraid I must refuse. Our matriarchs were guided by the God-Emperor and the Emperor only, and so must we remain. His Church is holy and blessed, as is Your Most Reverend self, and we heed your call whenever the faith is at risk or the heretic unburnt, but we serve His will alone."
"The Church is His blessed instrument, and the Ecclesiarch the Emperor's chosen in the galaxy, His voice from Terra, just as the Astronomican is His shining gaze. To refuse my authority violates His edicts, through the Great Hand Valdor. A church or Cardinal who did such a thing would be stripped of their blessings like any heretic."
The choir began again, quiet but firm, and as Seraphina expected, it was Duty and Blood.
"Indeed you are, Your Most Reverend Holiness. And His spirit is with you, as it has been for your predecessors and will be for your successors. As a hand or voice is part of the man, so are the Masked Hands and Ecclesiarch part of the Emperor. But I have sworn to serve the mind and will of Him entire, and Him alone. I have vowed, and vowed to insist my successor Abbess does as well, as my predecessor did before me. Valdor's authority is exceeded by only one other. But it is exceeded, for He is unequaled."
She rose from her knees and stood tall and proud, and Seraphina and Imelda rose to their feet as well. Confessors were livid along the balcony of the upper terrace, and several had reached inside their robes, likely for pistols. (Swords would have been visible to a battle sister's eye.) Three veteran warriors put armored hands on hilts of power swords, and at least one wished she'd dared a chainsword or pistol of her own.
The hymn grew louder - "For every human life is His, united by our blood! Every death set to His people, as every soul knows that it should!" - and the murmur behind them was fearful, with a hint of anger.
Seraphina was calm, despite her anger. So it went, when the Supreme Abbess preached. She was not a politician, to bend words to her purpose. She was a general, and a choir-master, and a fiery preacher, not even a theologian. But she had utter faith, and with it came deadly sincerity. The censer would do little a laud hailer could not. Beside that voice, how could a human will fail? She glanced around the room. Three dozen Frateris within range of a charge, maybe more. Tomorrow they would have many souls to pray for. Either in the abbey chapel, or at the Emperor's side.
"You are misled, Abbess. Has it not been doctrine since the earliest years of the Temple of the Savior Emperor that his church and adepta are divinely ordained?"
"I put this to my abbess, when I was merely a Sister Palatine. She agreed. To be obeyed as if they were the Word of God itself. But if I must choose, I will choose the Word the Emperor spoke to me."
The cathedral went deathly quiet. Even the hymn came to an abrupt stop. Ostulus looked purple with anger. He started to speak, but he was preempted by another hailer. From the choir. A familiar voice, and a half-line behind, a dozen more, following with purposeful trust.
"God-Emperor, forgive us, the Daughters of Your Wrath," Josimayne intoned, "for the desecration your holy cathedral shall see today. For the blood that must spill, between men and women of faith, true humans and true believers and dutiful imperial subjects."
Seraphina and Imelda both put their shield hands in fists, and clasped them to their breasts, the proper way to observe penitent prayer. They hummed a simple harmony, a half-sung hymn to match the half-chant of the litany Sister Thyssa intoned with her choir. Between them, Blessed Abbess Helia Dawn drew her sword as well. Seraphina felt the prayer demanded she lower her eyes, but battle demanded she did not. God-Emperor, forgive her; she would do penance later.
"And we," she said quietly, locking eyes with Ostulus, "will perform our duty to Him in blood, if need be."
He did not grow angrier, but unnerved. His eyes held doubt. The Confessors, though, were made of more stubborn stuff, and full of wrath. In other circumstances that would be a virtue, but their wrath was not holy, not today.
"Shall we fall in the shedding, we will come to Your side penitent but proud. Shall these many men fall, forgive those whose hearts were pure, and only misled. And if it is Your will, may Your servants be corrected before they have allowed their error to become action, that their penance be lessened."
Seraphina focused on the confessors and templar at the balcony and stairs, those who could shoot clearly - but their pistols were flame as much as laser, and not long-distance. The Templar were ready to break. She glanced to the side, at the much larger numbers of Templar along the edges of the nave. They were standing ready to fight, finishing the Rites of Cleansing and Safety on their rifles, but they were terrified.
They had faith, but they had never seen the Emperor at work, across a battlefield, had never understood what heretics saw. And holy terror filled them at the realization of what, for all their shows of piety, they lacked.
Good. If they lived, they would be better men tomorrow.
"May all we do, today and all days, be in Your service and for Your glory, Master of Mankind. May we bring succor to the faithful and fire to the heretic. Amen."
"AMEN!", chorused the three greatest leaders among the Daughters of the Emperor's Wrath, just as it boomed out from the voices of Josimayne's choir.
She smiled as she realized it came from behind her as well. The Lords of Ophelia, and many behind them.
Helia raised her sword, looking not to the Ecclesiarch but to the angriest of the Confessors.
"Most Holy Ecclesiarch Ostulus, First of That Name, I would not presume to give you orders," she said, "But if you wish my sister's prayer to be unnecessary, I would suggest you turn off the laud hailer and bring your dogs to heel."
There was a sound of sharp indrawn breath from the choir. And then the dogs slipped their leash. A laspistol shot came from the balcony, and Seraphina blocked it with her armored arm, covering her face even as she surged into motion up the stairs. The Templar were backing away in panic, and one or two Confessors, but most of them had drowned fear and shame beneath rage, and the hiss of flame and revving of chainswords were Seraphina's greeting as she crested the stairs and cut a priest's hand off at the elbow. She heard a clang and glanced to the side; the circlet of the halo had knocked the Ecclesiarch mitre off his head and bounced off the roof of his throne. And then hit him in the back, out of view of most. He stumbled, but stayed upright.
Imelda and Mother Helia were together at the top of the other stairs, and if none were dead yet it was only because power swords cauterized most wounds. Seraphina parried a chainsword and knocked it into the banister hard enough to break both banister and chainsword. She kicked its wielder back with the strength of the second-mightiest armor the Emperor had ever designed, and now there were only three before her. Weaker, in body and faith, but with flame pistols she could not dodge or block.
Emperor, may my soul go to Your side swiftly, or may I be left hale enough to fight again in Your service by the wounds I receive this day.
She lunged forward toward the one whose will seemed weakest, but then-
"HOLD!", boomed the Ecclesiarch, "In the Emperor's name, hold! Cease! Priest and Daughter, men and women of faith, CEASE!"
Prioress Seraphina Ameldia, highest Daughter of the Order of the Valorous Heart, stopped with her blade's tip six inches from a man's throat, the power field thrumming halfway between. His pistol was fumbled, and dropped to the floor, but two more were still leveled at her.
"The Blessed Abbess Helia Dawn has spoken," Ostulus said quietly, though it still boomed across the Cathedral, "And her words are the Emperor's today. Mother Dawn, I name you, now and henceforth, Supreme Abbess, to signify that no other shall stand between you and the God-Emperor's will, nor your successors. Let there be no more blood spilled between believers; we shall all require penance enough after what has occurred today."
The Confessors lowered their guns and let their swords go silent. Seraphina backed away and let her sword drop before she looked over, to check Helia and Imelda. Imelda looked burned, and would likely scar, but it didn't look crippling - she might lose an ear, at worst. Mother Helia was unharmed. And as soon as she was sure the Confessors were all down or withdrawing, she stood tall, facing the Ecclesiarch, and bowed deeply. Seraphina mirrored her, and if Imelda did not, her eyes were clearly muddled and she could not see.
(Or at least, so Seraphina would say if anyone asked why her sister Prioress had been disrespectful and held herself ready for battle and betrayal.)
"Truly," Ostulus said, with the hailer off, "even the God-Emperor's highest servant can be enlightened by the blessings of wise devotion and supernal piety. Allow me to bestow these gifts of the Emperor upon you personally, as His servants, and not mine. Confessors, Templars, I am in no danger. Please, leave us, and fetch medicae for those who fell from their error."
Something seemed wrong about his tone, but it was not a Prioress's skill to ascertain what.
The choir began another hymn, The Finding of Lost Sons, and she glanced up to the choir with a rush of affection. Josimayne was no longer leading the hymn, but gliding, stately but swift, through the galleries, toward the stairs which connected the lofts to the high terrace where the pulpit stood.
Then Seraphina looked backward, and she saw ceremonial swords still being sheathed. The Templar in the nave had all weapons low. A few rifles were still out and held, aimed at the floor; a few halberds were still clutched upright. But more were on the floor, some from Frateris cowering in fear, and others from those on their knees in fervent prayer. Further away, there was still nervous motion outward, people who had begun to flee and not stopped, but most of what she could see was men and women down on one knee, singing with the hymn and praying, for their own souls or for others.
Ostulus stood from his throne, and walked toward Seraphina on his own two pudgy feet, giving her a respectful nod. She couldn't read his eyes, but bowed again, brief and more shallow, before preceding him down the stairs, there to meet her sisters at the altar where the tainted gifts had been laid.
His portly body was not used to even such light labor, but with his own chubby hands, he placed the red and gold mantle over Imelda's shoulders, and clasped the black and silver cape on Seraphina's, murmuring prayers and blessing them as the Emperor's servants. Finally he took up the golden censer.
They had each knelt on one knee to allow him to reach their shoulders, but were still quietly nervous as Mother Helia did the same. But he took the silver basket that had accompanied in on its tray and as he walked to her, he said, "Most blessed of the God-Emperor's warriors, most devout, may this cage support your faith and constrain only the foe."
He affixed it to the back of her armor, then brought forward the censer, wrapping its chains into the cage to tie it tightly, nesting snugly.
"And may the blessed scent convey your piety and strength of faith and will to all who feel it, and His wrath to all those who reject it."
And then he looked back toward his dais and frowned.
"Allow me to spare you some trouble, Your Most Reverend Holiness," Josimayne said, gliding down the stairs with a small piece of cloth of gold and the circlet atop it.
"Thank you, sister. I believe I recognize your voice, but do not know your name."
"Cantus Superior Josimayne Thyssa, Your Most Reverend Holiness."
"That was true a moment ago," Mother Helia said, "But you have shown the Emperor's blessing and earned an elevation. Sister Thyssa, I name you my Perita Superior, an advisor I have seen I dearly need, outside the Orders as is the Blessed Abbess."
"Thank you, Supreme Mother Helia."
"Appropriate indeed, for the voice that brought us to wisdom. Now, Supreme Abbess, a final gift, that you may stand as our Imperium's greatest servants, with the halo of saints and holy astartes."
"With honor and thanks," Helia murmured, and bowed her head toward him, as he bowed to place it.
Behind his back, Josimayne caught Seraphina's eye with a smile, and then glanced at Ostulus and grimaced, briefly. She nodded back; there was something wrong. But she couldn't stop from smiling back, either.
"I have made mistakes," Ostulus said, "Today and in days past. But you have shown me my error, and beyond penance I will correct them, and be a worthier Ecclesiarch and servant of the God-Emperor. And so I must thank you, not just for standing up for your sacred duty, but for insisting I reconsider."
"Serving the God-Emperor to the best of your ability is all the thanks we need, and all that can be asked. For the great and the small; all that differs is the extent of our ability."
"Indeed so. Alas, I must now tend to the bodies and soul of those who followed and exceeded me in error. I hope I will see you again tomorrow, for the Emperor's rites."
"Unless holier duties present themselves," Helia promised, "Thank you, Your Reverend Holiness."
He bowed to her, then ascended the stairs to the left, opposite Perita Superior Thyssa. Who herself bowed to Mother Helia.
"I thought it best that I depart with you and the Prioresses, Blessed Mother. We may have things to discuss."
"By all means. You did the God-Emperor a great service today. I suspect His blessing was upon you."
"I did my utmost," she demurred, as they turned and walked slowly, proudly, down the stairs, "Though I do see His hand at work, today and in months that came before, I do not think I was blessed myself." She fell in behind the abbess, between and behind the prioresses.
"Where do you see it?"
"That I came to Prioress Ameldia's attention, but did not inspire her to promote me away from the choir. That the pious lords of Ophelia were just in position to properly meet you before you approached, and here to make a show of faith while the confrontation began."
"Speaking of which. Prince-General, I am glad to see you still well!"
"Thank you, Supreme Abbess; I am merely glad we were able to support the God-Emperor's will today. Will you do us the honor of allowing us to escort you as you depart?"
"We need no protection but His grace, and among these good men of the Imperium today, not even that. Still, I would be honored to accept it. You have been good friends and allies to our orders, and I am proud to have chosen such pious men to work with to expand the Convent Phobian."
"Not as proud as we are to be expanding it, I assure you. Gentlemen, if you would?"
The dozen lords spread out around them, and their dozen guards around them, positioned well to allow them to be seen and made regal and supported by many, without looking dependent on that support.
Josimayne stepped closer to Mother Helia, and murmured more quietly, "And I believe He guided your aim, Blessed Mother. To inflict embarrassment on Ostulus, but not harm. And perhaps your words, to shame without totally undermining. My first warning as Perita, Mother Helia - he will not forgive us."
"What do you mean?"
"Politicians are never more dangerous than while salvaging what they can from a defeat. He will do whatever is needed to publicly deserve our favor and support. And it might be dangerous to snub him - he will try to make it drive our allies away, if we do. But he will not forget this, and it will sting as deeply as any battlefield defeat. Perhaps more, for he must pretend it does not."
"Ah. This will... I need more advisors, don't I?"
"It may be wise, Mother. I do have... I think possibly we should have a new Order. A suborder like the Hospitallers, at least. To find sisters with skills like mine, which are common enough, but also the faith and will we expect of a Daughter of Wrath, which are not."
"If anything, rarer than among those with more martial spirits," Seraphina murmured.
"You are not unbiased, Seraphina. But I think I agree. You have ideas in mind?"
"The seeds of a plan, I think. I suspect the Emperor's Hands may be eager to assist, if presented with a suitable plan. It may be tricky to make it suitable for them, and also framed in a way Ecclesiarch Ostulus will not find fault with... Later, perhaps?"
"Later," Helia agreed, "But for the moment... Josimayne, you were left without a relic, and more than earned one. The censer."
"Blessed Mother, I have not..."
"You have. And you will." Helia paused, and the procession paused with her. She half-knelt, and Josimayne reverently stepped up to her back and lifted the golden censer out of the silver cage, the gilted chains which had held it in place now leaving it dangling from her hands, swinging gently.
"Perita Superior, Sister Cantus, and whatever may come after, Josimayne Thyssa, bear this censer, which I name Voice of Wisdom, as your badge of office. May the God-Emperor bless it as He has you, and may He guide you and those around you with it as you guide me and your sisters."
"Amen," Josimayne said reverently, and everyone around them echoed her.
"In that case, Supreme Abbess, I believe I should take the fore."
"Indeed."
And by the time they left the Grand Cathedral, slow chant, the swinging of the censer, and the smell of blessed smoke drew every ear, nose, and eye to Sister Thyssa and the leaders of the Daughters of Wrath, and their loyal escorts of the Ophelia System.
"It looks like Mother Helia poached you after all."
"I'm sure I'll have plenty of reason to visit. You'll have to do some more of your own bureaucracy."
"Well, at least the eye for politics is slightly rubbing off. I could tell Ecclesiarch Ostulus was... off, after he called a halt, but not specifics."
"I am overjoyed to have assisted my prioress."
"...Imelda was needling me repeatedly, you know."
"What could she possibly have to needle you about? Especially after that very friendly chat with Lord Daki."
"Oh, before that, mostly. Though I'll be sure to return the favor."
"Any favors I should return?"
"Oh, not to her... Kiss me, Josi."
"With joy, Sera."
The same four women were assembled in Helia's private office, a month later.
"I think we all recognize the need for more politicians supporting us," Josimayne said, in elegant new black robes with hidden body armor - light, but sturdy carapace sections - beneath, "But I think this is actually a secondary need. What we lacked, most of all, that required the God-Emperor's hand to steer us, was information."
"I do not follow," Imelda said.
"My apologies, Prioress. I would analogize it to scouting, on a physical battlefield. I played the role, more or less, of a keen-eyed sister happening to look in the right direction from a hill, without knowing the terrain. The God-Emperor provides, when it is necessary, but it behooves us not to make it necessary more than need be."
"And you want to make an order of... scouts."
"Let us not dissemble, sister. An order of spies. Which presents, of course, the immediate question: what does the order claim to be? As amusing as being honest and disbelieved for it might be."
Seraphina snorted quietly. She had been getting more used to her dearest sister's dry humor.
"Naturally not," Mother Helia said, "And you therefore have a proposal."
"Yes. Primarily, teachers. Of the highborn, though foundlings taken into the Daughters should get consideration, and perhaps other things. I expect advisors to the parents of the students to develop naturally, as we will be a source of counsel on matters of faith and duty near to hand. The great benefits to spying will take one or two generations to develop, but the conversations I have had with acolytes of the Masked Hands and drill abbots of the Schola Progenium have paved the way to spreading reasonably swiftly, and in the meantime, it will still be helpful."
"Josimayne, explain in more detail for those without twisty minds, please," Seraphina reminded her. Imelda nodded firmly.
"Right, my apologies. So, the core problem is how to identify pious, devoted faithful among the highborn who can be consulted and relied on to observe hints of heresy or profanity that will become problems that we or the Hands must later deal with, while they are smaller matters. And some of this can and must be done the slow, difficult way. But by teaching the children of the highborn, and getting to know our pupils, we will create the faithful. We will know which of our pupils shone with the light of true faith and yet can maneuver among society, and be clear that they can and should come to us, or our sisters, if they detect any such warning sign. And, of course, we will have solidified and broadened the Emperor's hold on the souls of those who have most temporal power in His Imperium."
"A worthy goal in its own right," Helia said.
"Which is important as well! Because we would hardly establish a sub-order of Daughters of Wrath for a purpose that did not work clearly toward the Emperor's service."
"I am in favor," Imelda said, "But confused. Why will highborn, venal ones whose children need the shepherding to true faith, want tutors who are devout, and may turn their children away from venality and power-grubbing?"
"Those who work for the rewards of faith require less of the rewards of money. But more importantly, this was why I spoke with Hand acolytes. The two things every highborn covets, even Lords Sector, are the seats of the Senatorum Imperialis, and the status of Masked Hand. Away from Terra, only the status of Hand. If some of the good, orthodox Masked Hands make it known that they will, in selecting their acolytes, look very favorably on those tutored by the Order Famulous - and several Masked Lords have assured me they would be happy to for its own sake - that makes it a means to a coveted prize. And allowing that to bid up fees and favors offered should establish it as something only the elite of the elite can have, which then makes it a coveted prize itself, as a status symbol."
"You're confident?", Imelda asked skeptically.
"It could go wrong in a number of ways. But this is how it usually works, it's unlikely any of the steps will backfire, and almost all of them are good in their own right."
She nodded.
"There is a secondary, and tertiary, part of the remit, intended for scouting in other parts of the Imperium. The second piece is the investigation and verification of Saints. The lessons we give can be particularly heavy on the lore of saints and their personal interventions and patronage, to tie them together. This gives us an excuse to move through most low society environs, and everywhere there are great events in progress."
"Because people claim Saints near great events?"
"Near great events, there is almost always psychic activity. And to the uninformed, saints and psykers appear the same. Seraphina suggested this, in fact, from the Moiror Crusade a few years ago. There will be few places, in lower society, where our attention would be valuable, which will not also have reports of miracles and potential saints to investigate. Within the Imperium. On its fringes, I think we will never be the Emperor's chief instrument, but difficult missionary situations, swaying difficult lost cultures of humanity, could fall to us in time, and catch Chaos before it can worm its way into the Imperium."
"Thoughts?", Helia asked, "Seraphina, I'm sure, has heard it already."
Josimayne had a guilty smile. Seraphina did not feel guilty, and just nodded.
"I approve, in theory," Imelda said, "But how will you keep the Daughters Famulous from drifting toward venality?"
"It will be difficult. But while we will not be soldiers, I intend to teach them for battle. Not every bolter and chainsword, but drill, pistols, knife-fighting, at least. Everything we'd train a scout in, some Arbites training. We must have a soldier's discipline even without a soldier's tasks."
"Good. I think I am content. Mother Helia?"
"How will you begin this order? And train them as is needed, for these things? In politics and espionage, scouting and quiet violence, together with discipline and tests of faith?"
"Here again I will, in the first generation, lean on the assistance of the Holy Masked Hands. Several acolytes agreed that if others committed, enough to begin with fifty teachers and a few hundred students, their master Hands would contribute several acolytes to take holy orders as Daughters Famulous. They are wise men and women, and will happily sacrifice some of their best now for a future with a better selection of the Emperor's servants to choose from. We will need to be attentive and flexible in determining what shall work. But I have faith we will find it."
"Teachers entirely from those ranks and from the Valorous and Fiery Hearts?", Seraphina asked. That wasn't the impression she'd gotten before.
"Not entirely. Primarily, yes. But I think it will not be hard to borrow Drill Abbots or Arbites Proctors-Magistrant, or from the Adeptus Mechanicus if we should find we require them, and with, Emperor willing, initial successes, specialist training from the dread Greyblades, blessed Magnificat, or Assassinorum may become possible to request, should it seem needed."
"You suspect Officio Assassinorum training may seem needed?"
"Frankly, Mother Helia, I expect every Daughter Famulous, myself included, to receive lessons in assassination. It is a skill sorely needed, on blessedly rare occasions, working among those who faith and trustworthiness is in question. My doubt is whether the specialists of the Officio will be needed."
"A grim thought. But a wise one."
"Also, I think any Novitiate who cannot go through the practical pieces of such lessons is unfit to carry out the remaining duties. Either she lacks faith and will, or she is too merciful and should go to the Daughters Hospitaller. Novices may flinch, but by the time they are ready for Sisterhood, they should not."
"And will you?", Imelda asked.
"I had a laspistol with me, the day we met, Prioress Stern. As for wielding it... I did personally lead the Arbites to Adept Haphaard, when we uncovered the Bley conspiracy. That was when my Prioress found me. Did you think I did no fighting of my own? My failure as a battle sister was never the weapons training."
Seraphina concealed a smug smile. Imelda would know it was there anyway.
Imelda inclined her head in acknowledgment of her misplaced pride.
"I see no reason not to proceed with this plan," Helia said, "Begin the work to assemble those you will need for the first dozen Daughters Famulous, and a formal charter for a new order."
"Yes, Supreme Abbess."
"He's blocking it? How?"
"The Blessed Abbess has, by the first charter of the Daughters of the Emperor's Wrath, free rein to split off portions of our orders into daughter orders, as she sees fit. But to establish a new holy order requires the Ecclesiarch's authority, present or delegated, or debate in the Synod. And if this is not a portion of our ranks being split, but new, and he magnanimously permits Cardinals in the Synod who are definitely not his patsies to object, then it can be delayed until... well, until he changes his mind."
"And... people who are well informed can tell it's his fault, but not everyone else?"
"To everyone else, the polite deflections from those who prefer it stay hidden are enough to prevent confidence. No one wants to be the first to object."
"Craven," Seraphina said.
"Politics," Julimayne shrugged.
"So how does this block your work?"
"I can work within our orders, as the Hospitallers do. Training of our senior sisters we can do without anything official. But organization, and a reputation, which we need to begin the work... impossible."
"You'll overcome it, love. I'm sure."
"Thank you, love, but I'm not good enough. Not at this level."
"I can't believe you'd just accept it!"
"I didn't say that. I said I'm not good enough."
"You gather allies, then?"
"Virtue can always find friends."
"Who did you ask?"
"You may regret looking too closely at that."
"You... That's a dark way to begin your Order."
"I have asked for nothing dark. But those I was already speaking to are comfortable with underhanded dealings for the good of Humanity and Him-On-Terra."
"Does it hurt, to see what must be done and do it?"
"Did it hurt to attack Ecclesiarch Ostulus's Confessors, knowing they were pious and dutiful?"
"Mmmm," Seraphina said, and let the silence sit. Finally, she continued, "So we wait for a pious friend to take action?"
"I'm focusing on training, more than waiting, really. I wouldn't be ready to start recruiting yet, anyway. And I have a little more time to spend with my favorite sister."
"Your Most Reverend Holiness, I bring again the charter of the Daughters Famulous for your approval."
"Supreme Abbess, I have reminded you of the importance of allowing the Cardinals of the Synod their objections. I am ever a supporter of the Daughters of Wrath, but a charter for Daughters of the Emperor's Wisdom is a very different thing. One I support, without question, but one I well understand why those less familiar with yourself and your Perita Superior might balk at."
"Nonetheless," Josimayne said, bowing, "Your Holiness has the power to enact the charter without delay, and I implore you, in the Emperor's name, to do so."
"And why should I override our esteemed Synod? What requires such speed?"
"The Emperor wills it, Your Holiness."
"Many say such things. Few are inspired by His word or will."
"I am very sure, Your Holiness. The God-Emperor intervened in my life several times, to push me to create this order. The Imperium needs more Daughters, more erudite and refined but with equal faith and will, and needs those highborn we will teach proper piety."
"It is a virtuous and worthy cause, but not one so desperate we must override protocol. Again, I must refuse."
"Very well, Your Reverend Holiness," Helia said, cutting in, "Then we will not trouble you by asking again. May the Daughters Famulous who might have been meet you by the Emperor's side."
They turned away and left, leaving him slightly off-balance. They had left his chapel office before he realized the meaning of the phrase.
In plainer language?
"See you in Hell."
Ecclesiarch Ostulus, First of His Name, fell ill with a wasting sickness in the early weeks of 892.M34. It slowly worsened over the course of two months, despite the best medical care the Adeptus Mechanicus and Priests-Medicae could offer. He refused offers of assistance from the Daughters Hospitaller. There were rumors he accused the Daughters of poisoning him, but no official record gave these accusations any credit, even to deny them. The Masked Hands of the censor's office wouldn't hear of it; no conflict between such exalted, devout servants of the God-Emperor could happen. The mere suggestion bordered on treason.
As Ostulus was in seclusion for his health, the leadership quartet of the Daughters of Wrath was as well. Praying for his health, and his soul.
"I devote most of my prayers to his soul," Seraphina admitted to Mother Helia, "I don't think anyone who may have intervened, would permit any but the greatest, most obvious miracles to dissuade them from insisting."
"That which the Emperor can destroy, He can repair. Was that not how he converted the Magoi of Mars and Saturn?"
"That is true. Perhaps I should have more faith. It is not as though I know any more than you."
God-Emperor, Seraphina prayed, gather Your great servant Ecclesiarch Ostulus to Your breast, and let him lead and steer the faithful as skillfully as he did in life. But let him not be brought to Your side before his time; let him return to health, strengthened by faith, and ready to lead us all toward Your greater glory. Saint Katherine the Indomitable, grant him your strength and endurance. Amen.
"I suppose my Perita Superior has told you a few things."
"Not much. And I gather what she knows is guesswork, based on who she spoke to."
"I know who spoke, and replied. And I can guess, if not equally well."
Saint Marduk, Helia prayed, guard His Holiness's body against wasting such as claimed your Crusade. Saint Messelina, banish impurity and the wages of sin from him, as you did among your followers and enemies. Saint Julyanna, sweep all corruption physical and spiritual as before your tide of war. Saint Lancae hold him fast, life and soul in the Emperor's hands as your mighty tomb. Amen.
"I pray for him," Imelda said, "But it is difficult. To know he played us false... But he is loyal to the Imperium and faithful to the Emperor, and for any such, I can pray."
Saint Ollanius guard Ostulus as every warrior, let him hold against every threat until You, God-Emperor, decide he has reached Your appointed time. Saint Horus guide him when Your time arrives, and bring him to the martyr's hall. Saint Mina, my Unswerving matriach, take him by your side as you fight to bring souls to His side. And guide my fire toward those who truly deserve it. Amen.
"It is," Josimayne agreed, "But I find it easier, I think. I understand too well why a man might oppose us in sincere belief it serves the God-Emperor."
"How?", Imelda asked.
"He is devout, so his personal power serves the Emperor. We oppose his power, so we must be misled, accidental traitors to the God-Emperor."
"Do you truly believe that, Josi?"
"No," she replied to Seraphina, "But I can pray that I am wrong, and that he may be enlightened as he returns to health."
Saint Jemreta of the Cards, bring the visions that guided you to His Reverend Holiness Ostulus, to show him the God-Emperor's true way. Saint Yimeng, bring the Emperor's light and health to his body and spirit, heal him as you healed my sisters by His will. Amen.
"Sometimes," Mother Helia, "We pray for those who will not be saved. As much for the light to shine on our own souls as on his. We may resent him, but the Emperor does not. He may have been foolish, but he was certainly faithful. We pray that we may regard all true servants of the God-Emperor as our brothers, and that all His servants may prove, or become, true. For this is how it should be; should all men glimpse the Emperor's divine light directly, all who did not burn utterly from darkness staining their soul should be swayed to His true service. May the Holy Ecclesiarch Ostulus the First glimpse that light and be healed and undeceived, and may we glimpse it and see him as the brother in the Emperor's service he has tried to be, as he shall be. Amen."
"Amen," three sisters chorused, with feeling. Seraphina delighted in her Abbess's words yet again. The clarity of these moments was precious.
"Most Holy Ecclesiarch Horias, Second of Your Name, it is an honor," Abbess Helia said, bowing in the great chancel of the Abbey of the Daughters of Wrath.
"Given how it went when you were last summoned to my home church, Supreme Abbess Dawn, it is simple good sense. I have no desire to contract a wasting sickness of my own."
"I have prayed for him an hour a day, without fail, from the last audience we sought to the present. While he was sick, eight hours each day. I will continue at least until the state funeral rites have concluded. I am not a pragmatist, to do, or ask, dubious things in the God-Emperor's name, to forward His goals. We do not teach such things to Daughters of Wrath. We fight in His light, with piety and bolter, armor and devotion."
"And as for those who do not?"
"I praise Him, that He arranged His Imperium so that His warriors need not become lost in the shadows."
"Ostulus would not have forgiven you, I think. Had he lived a century."
"And I prayed for his enlightenment nonetheless. All men alive can seek redemption. Holy Ostulus did nothing that would prevent him from achieving it. I am sure he is with the Emperor now, commanding the faithful fallen into the shadows with skill and conviction."
"We may hope. I do intend to prevent such problems in the future."
"Oh?"
"Scribe, attend," he said, waving to a servitor, who approached and offered a parchment. "Formal terms of independence. Only as part of a Crusade, with another officer commanding, are the Daughters of the Emperor's Wrath strictly required to obey the Church's word. Another Ecclesiarch may override it - but not lightly, and not without the Cardinals deliberating."
"I am sure my successors will be reassured, for it to be known and set."
"You will not?"
"I need no reassurance. Do you know, Perita Superior Josimayne suspects that the God-Emperor arranged this, in both threat and overcoming it?"
"...Really."
"The Emperor's light could have diverted Holy Ostulus from claiming authority He did not wish His representative to have. But it did not, and the confrontation drew our attention to an important failing. On the subtle battlefields of Terra, we are an army without scouts. So I wish to charter an order without armor, though perhaps not entirely without arms."
"Perita Superior Thyssa as its Prioress?"
"Canoness Superior, but indeed. The Daughters Famulous, and the Hospitaller if we proceed there, should sit as secondary pieces of our sisterhood. We should remain warriors in the light."
"Do I have your word, in the God-Emperor's name, that if I approve it, there will be no further... intense assertions of independence that may undermine my authority? For at least my span as Ecclesiarch."
"We never desire it, but if the God-Emperor wills we do so, we must. We do not guard our independence without cause, from those who by rights are the most blessed and devout."
"That is less than reassuring."
"Our founders had certain visions from Him, Your Reverend Holiness, best not revealed. We must not betray them. I have little fear it will come to pass, Your Holiness. Do not corner us, and do not act the fool in any of a hundred ways no man his fellow Cardinals elected enthusiastically would do by accident, or consider a surprise, and all will be well. I will do my utmost to prevent any conflict that could undermine you, or the Church. That, I can swear by His Name, in His Sight, without condition."
"And if I want Josimayne's vow as well?"
"You will have to ask her. I suspect she'll be happier to give it as a Canoness. You ought to speak to her in any case; certain of her maneuvers may have an impact I am too unsubtle to detect."
"Well, I can't imagine she isn't waiting. Please, call her out."
Helia nodded with a smile and rang a small bell beside the altar.
"Supreme Mother, Your Reverend Holiness," Josimayne said as she approached from the sacristy door, "What need do you have of me?"
"I am inclined to grant your order of teachers and saint-testers, Perita Thyssa, and I request an explanation for why this is of such importance."
"We are without scouts on the subtler battlefields, and so require a network. The Holy Hands may find agents and acolytes, but we are of deeper faith. Better to create them, by training those who will someday have great power to be pious and armored with faith. It serves the Emperor, even when it does not serve as our eyes."
"And they will accept these tutors?"
"The Hands would very much like more pious, educated Highborn to consider inducting as their acolytes and potential successors."
"And are not shy of saying so, at your request?"
"Just so, Your Holiness. If you could encourage the Ecclesiarchy's Cardinals and Deacons to do the same, this would be appreciated."
"And saint-finders?"
"Every potential saint is a potential witch, and subterfuge and faith together are needed to determine which. It is a good reason to send sisters out into the sectors of the galaxy."
"You are dangerous, Sister Thyssa."
"Thank you, Your Holiness."
"Which makes it the more imperative, that I assure myself you will not strike against me. Will you vow, if I grant this charter before the year is out, the same as your Abbess? That if I do not corner your Orders, or provoke you and all right-thinking faithful by foolishness or heresy, to do your utmost to prevent any conflict between the Daughters and I, and the Ecclesiarchal hierarchy with me, that would undermine me or the Church?"
"Mother Helia?"
"I did. Slightly rephrased."
"Then yes, I do. I swear to you, Most Holy Ecclesiarch Horias, Second of That Name, that I will do my utmost in that cause, for this sacred year and shall the charter be granted, all years to come, in the God-Emperor's Sight and by His Name."
"While your name may never be spoken in the same breath as the Trinity, Canoness Superior Josimayne Thyssa, the enemies of mankind will rue the day you gained your station just as much. Somewhere in the Realms of Chaos, the Plotter's beasts are howling as they see the Emperor has won a victory."
"Flattery is not a virtue, Your Holiness."
"Please permit a holy man his small indulgences, for I believe it to be true. When histories mention my name, if I am fortunate and they do, it will be for granting this charter, and this promise of independence. Your deeds... well, I suppose it will be up to you, whether you choose to be remembered for them."
"Perhaps in certain specific circles, if the Emperor blesses my endeavors."
"As I thought. Supreme Abbess, I would advise you to arrange the charter for the Hospitallers promptly as well. I see no reason to delay in approving it; their role is understood. Spaced apart, but not far, two in a month, or successive weeks with my Sunday High Sermon. It camouflages the importance, without taking too much away from the impact."
"Legatine Superior Sabathellia Amelica would certainly appreciate it. Josimayne, I leave the decision to you; Sabathellia can wait a year if that is appropriate."
"I see the wisdom, Your Reverend Holiness. I think, if you are willing to push the Cardinals to take on our sisters as tutors for their children, a week apart is most suitable. If that presents difficulties, best to be a few months apart."
"It fills me with trepidation, to consider agents of subtlety given such power over the next generation, and those to come. But if you truly are confident they will uphold the high standard the Daughters of the Emperor's Wrath have set? That the Emperor intends this?"
"I have my first three squads of Sisters Superior, and another score of teachers and recruiters. We have the tools we require, and the faith and will to wield them. If the Emperor guides us, we will not fail. And if corruption reaches our ranks, among our uncaught failures, I am very sure our successes will root it out and cleanse it without requiring their superiors. And if I am wrong, may the God-Emperor bring me to his side before I can begin."
"I will see it done, Matriarch Josimayne."
"I... suppose I will be, after my death. I'd thought 'Matron,' like Matron Hospitaller Yimeng, but if it's a real order..."
"I can say 'Saint' if you'd prefer to argue me down."
"Please, Your Holiness, you sound like a flirt."
"I assure you, Canoness, my misspent youth made me very familiar with what a flirt sounds like. Let it be done, Sisters. I will sign the charter before the Sermon. The announcement can wait until the second is ready."
"Thank you, Your Holiness," Josimayne and Helia said, almost in synchrony.
"It is my blessed duty. Matters of business being concluded: May I pray with you here?"
"Of course, Most Holy Horias. You bless our Abbey with your prayers, even more than with your actions."
"I am confused, Educa. The Fourth Matriarch. Despite living two centuries after Saint Yiming, the Fifth."
"Her order preceded the Serenity, and so its matriarch is permitted the honor. We do the same with the Daughters of Thor, don't we? Placing them before Matriarch Law and the Dialogus, though she precedes them in time."
"That's a mark of respect, is it not? If the Holy Word were more critical to our orders' shared purpose than the Roses, we would decide otherwise."
"True."
"But then - Saint Josimayne the Quiet? The Peacemaker? Over Yiming the Martyr-Bearer? I've never understood it. Why the Supreme Abbess thought it was worth asking, from an Ecclesiarch with much to make up for."
"Consider her pistol, student. You are not in my care for dullness. The Last Argument. Why is that its name?"
"...Because where words fail, flame and shell do not?"
"Close. Because the role of the Daughters Famulous is to speak, and persuade; to learn and teach, not to be examples of burning wrath like you will be. But in the end, whether student or parent, impostor saint or witch, if our charges fail in their faith, we must bring in the Battle Sisters. Sometimes wrath is cold, and we must resort to the last argument."
Her student was silent.
"Thoughts, Palmica?"
"That's not right, though, is it, Educa Sabathe?"
"Is it not?", Sabathe responded heatedly, "You know better than your teachers?"
"That doesn't make sense, Educa! Why would the Prioress Minor carry a pistol? For that reminder? Carry a vox, a flare, not..."
Sabathe smiled with menace. "Have you followed that thought to its end, Palmica?"
"Yes, Educa."
"And you have nothing further to say?"
"If I am right, you know it already. If I am wrong... I will be corrected in the future."
"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than speak, and remove all doubt."
"I would prefer you think me foolish than unwise, Educa. And I think I am right, for it answers two questions together."
"Well, well. Perhaps you shall not be an officer after all. We may have rarer use for you."