Chapter 11
The girl walked forward, only the Hospitaller marched ahead of her in the procession. Beside her the Militant Advance of the rest of the detachment marched, each of them was clearly younger than their typical counterpart. No, not only did a ghost come to haunt the Canonness, the entire force was nothing but children. Inside her armor Vylerine could feel herself trembling, fear, rage or excitement she could not decide.
Finally the procession reached the Canonness, and the Hospitaller stepped forward announcing herself and the lower ranking sisters with her. "Canonness Vylerine may the Emperor guide and bless your leadership. I am Zoie of the Order of The Cleansing Water, of the Covenant Prioris. I thank you for your hospitality and have taken on the honor of introducing you to the Sororitas of your command. My Canonness may I introduce you to the new Sororitas of the Keyan Mission. Each sister has been hand picked by the Prioress or the Arch-Deacon assigned to support her."
The Hospitaller continued to speak, though the eager young eyes, and the almost nervousness of the youth behind her already gave away the reality. While these girls may be talented enough to be skipped past Constantia Advance stage of their training and made directly into Sisters of Battle none of them had the experience born skill Vylerine was hoping the see. And in front of all of them still stood that aggravating face.
"And now my Canonness if I may introduce the sisters assigned to lead your new Sororitas under the guidence of yourself and the Superiors. First is Sister Ogina." The Hospitaller gestured to one of the fifteen leading sisters, a dark skinned girl with steadfast steps. From there the Zoie continued to name off the Sisters, each was unremarkable besides their youth almost forgettable. "And Canonness if I may introduce the three lead most Sororitas of the unit who each have been encouraged to seek your own divine mentor-ship. First is Sister Katira who earned the envy of the Tempest Scions."
The girl was only remarkable in how unremarkable she appeared, someone who could be easily mistaken for any of the other sisters on the field. Afterwards the Hospitaller gestured to a incredibly short Sister, standing maybe to the chests of the Sisters around her. "And if I may introduce my Canonness, Mirael who is noted for single-handedly directly engaging a fortified heretic position, complete with heavy ordinance, in a headlong engagement and returning successfully."
After displaying these sisters, Zoie walked to the final of the battle sisters, the one with that face that aggravated Vylerine. Before Zoie could speak the girl stepped forward and spoke for herself, "Battle Sister Adala, my Cannoness, promoted to Elohiem Advance due to service with the Ordo Hereticus while still a acolyte and for taking emergency command in combat against forces of the Arch-enemy." The self-identified Adala stated, while bowing with the sign of the Aquila.
Vylerine immediately responded, the back of her armored hand connecting to the face of the arrogant youth. As Adala sprawled on the ground caught by surprise and in pain Vylerine allowed herself a sneer of contempt before returning to her absolute neutrality. "Sister Zoie was granted the blessing of your introduction. You, child, were not given the license to speak. As Cannoness of the Keyan Mission of the Jade Rose, I will not tolerate this. Speak without our consent, and without necessity again and I will see you removed from the order militant or even executed." Vylerine growled with a heavy dose of inevitability.
Those eyes, the offense in their presence and the look of them even as they glared back at Vylerine. Adala wouldn't defy her Cannoness that much was certain, no the glare was one of offense and pain, one that had a understanding most fools never held. Vylerine did not know if she could feel proud for a sister so clearly already broken of any form of arrogance despite youth's achievements, or if her revulsion would win out preventing her from seeing a Sister who might have a promising future.
"Stand." Vylerine ordered. As the young Adala quickly snapped up and Vylerine's fist met her other side of her face. "I said stand, not spring." With that statement Vylerine cast her cold gaze at the gathered young Sororitas. "To disobey your Cannoess is to display apostasy against the Emperor! I will not tolerate any such disobedience from my Mission, Understood!" A chorus of assent immediately answered Vylerine.
Vylerine cast her gaze at the Hospitaller already at her knees next to the now heavily bleeding Adala, "Zoie, she is to be at the front of choir tonight. I never struck her, if we see any sign I will find a punishment for you. Adala I think you might look decent with some make-up, see me after final prayer." Vylerine forced a tender smile.
After spitting out some blood, and with Zoie struggling to check the girls jaw something almost certainly dislocated after two blows from a powered armored fist, the girl answered. "Yes my Cannoness. Should how much should I flagellate?"
"Twice what you ever did as a Acolyte and twice again for your failure as a leader. Nothing more, Nothing less. But not until after we speak." Vylerine answered before the sound of a Thick Tight voice rose behind the Sororitas. "Cannoness Techpriest Imm3s has sent a summons for you!" A Mission servant cried out.
Upon hearing this cry Vylerine could only feel her temper flair. "Bellolla lead them and assign chambers." And as the Cannoness turned to return to the mission she could feel Chrana fall into step behind her.
"You think this wise Cannoness? They've only just arrived, their discipline might be lax but even we were lax." Chrana tried to advise, her voice always sharp, even when coming from the vox-grill of her helm.
"No it wasn't but it was still my decision and I will stick to it. They clearly have potential but I'm to be their Cannoness, not some mother to them. As such I must be harsh and we must remain pure, any kindness should only come after our service to the Imperium and even that comes after our most important task of upholding the Emperor's divine rule. "
"Ave Imperator"
