Chapter 27: Interrogation and Preparation
The Abbot nodded. "A noble purpose. I see all the marks of devotion on you and your gear but I do not believe I've seen you here before. What does the Emperor mean to you, Lael?" the Abbot asked as he looked into her eyes.
"The Emperor is the best of us, the peak of our kind. The great leader of humanity. One day I hope to lay my eyes upon him once more." Lael spoke fondly.
Abbot Clovis stared hard at Lael "You've seen him?" clearly asking for clarification.
Lael chuckled and smirked. "No amount of amnesia can make me forget it. I think it was just before the Epsiloid Binary campaign?" Lael looked down at one of her tattoos and squinted. "The parts before and after are still fuzzy. It was before Tempestus scooped me up… It was only a glimpse but he was… glorious. We followed him into hell and we thanked him for the privilege." Lael admitted wryly.
"Hold that image in your mind and pray with me." The Abbot spoke with intensity as he went through the rites of consecration.
"Our Emperor, bless these tools so that we may wield them in your name. Bless them so we, your children may serve as your divine instruments. Bless these arms that we may bring your light even unto the darkest corners of the galaxy. Ward them against the Daemon, the Heretic and the Mutant!"
The Abbot opened his eyes as he felt something travel through him. A faint golden light radiated down onto the arrayed weapons on the Altar from where his hands held Lael's. The light sinking inside the implements before it faded.
Lael's eyes were still closed but after the Abbot said nothing else she opened them and looked down "Is it done?" pulling her hands away from his.
"Yes." he replied as he tried and failed to find the right words to explain the wondrous blessing that they had just performed. "We summoned a small miracle."
"Thank you, Abbot. If you don't mind however, I have my own small, slightly mischievous miracle to go and guard." Lael said with an amused chuckle as she started to pack up the ammunition clips and gather her weapons.
"Please, know you go with the Emperor's blessing. If you wish to return you are always welcome." He replied quickly.
Lael nodded and left a donation for the shrine on her way out.
Abbot Clovis slumped back and turned to look up at the shrine. He sighed and slowly stood up knowing his duty was not done. "I need to let the local Cannoness know about this."