True Adamance
PIE Inc.
Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris
727
   |
Posted - 2013.07.17 04:31:00 -
[1] - Quote
Kador kneels in reverent silence before one of the great statues of the Amarrian prophets uttering one of the catechisms of peace from the Scriptures.
His term of service at the frontlines of the Crusade had made him weary, The days battle had stained his battle armour with blood and muck and so he had slipped into some simple civilians clothes, a plain roughspun tunic of brown wool, and a pair dark leggings. Over his shoulder he wears a crimson sash indicating his status as a Templar Crusader of the Praetoriate, and neatly hung over his heart is the Medal of St Agelroth polished in glittering in the dim half-light of one the cathedrals cloisters.
This place brings him peace, he can still feel the ache in his muscle of prolonged tension, but that is slowly fading and being replaced with transcendent relief.
The statue before him is that of St Anoyia.
Her image carved entirely of pure while marble, no flaws or imperfections blemish her form. The long flowing robes she is depicted in reach low and are elegantly and ingeniously carved into the statues Corinthian base.
Her face bears a look of limitless compassion, and understanding.
"The angelic Apostles of Heaven sing praises for their children!
Our Lord smiles upon the world.
Where the Emperor rules in his name
Leading his people to glory untold.
Hearken the trumpets of Heaven
Hailing the people of Amarr."
He utters in the silence of the cloister. Outside the Cathedral an Apocalypse class battlefield slowly drifts past the Temples windows, a mighty display of imperial strength.
Flashes of combat spin through his mind. The stifling heat of his laser rilfe from inside the enclosed pillbox. The cries from his brothers as a line of tanks crests the hill. The blinding pain as red hot metal scores a bloody line across his face.
All in God's name.
All forgotten, for the disturbed mind was a place ripe for Heresy to take root.
All accepted, and all condemned to the past.
"Chosen, you are first before God.
You are the True and the Faithful.
But in such a state must you hold yourselves high above all.
And constantly prove yourself worthy of Gods Love.
How can such a gift be repaid,
Other than to toil all our days,
In his glorious service,
According to his will,
Serving him always,
Bearing him first in our thoughts,
Always must we strive to show him our worth,
For we are the Chosen, Blessed above all."
The second litany passes his lips echoing out through the colonnades and cloisters in ghostly whispers and fade into the hymns of the clergymen.
Here Kador's mind is at peace. Here the horrors of battle fade away. Here memmories of his days as a cadet begin to weigh down upon him. Father Camden, as he spoke of the Test of Faith, the early morning prayer sessions with the other Templar aspirants, Arryn and Dardan the other aspirants who were chosen to enter the Templar Programme.
Those days were good.
He now begins to consider his role as an Immortal. A servant in God's name who cannot die. He is truly blessed to serve the Lord. Truly blessed to serve the people of the Empire.
Behind him, slowly shuffling across through the resplendent chapel, a priest, who nods in praise to Kador's diligence in worship.
Outside the windows the stars flicker and shine, as the mighty Apocalypse accelerates to stable warp speed. Outside the stars beckon to him.
"The word of the Lord is pure,
It is a shield for the faithful,
Brought unto men by the Angels,
As a guiding light in the darkness "
"Amen" |
True Adamance
PIE Inc.
Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris
756
|
Posted - 2013.07.22 09:09:00 -
[2] - Quote
Even with his observances complete Kador feels little reason to leave the grand cathedral.
It is a place of serenity, understanding, and peace.
He slips between the marble colonnades and heads toward the windows which depicts a marvellous display, as if the universe itself, in motion, were the canvas of some grand artist.
This is true he considers to himself, God was indeed the first and most sincere artist of all to have created such beauty.
He relaxes into a comfortable stance, hands held behind his back, and gazes out into the space lanes where hulking freighters and transport ships slowly drift into station while smaller escort frigates dart between the lumbering giants like schools of minnows.
Yet again another exhalation of Anoyia's passes his lips.
Behind his he hears the shuffling slippered feet and the rasp rough robes on polished floors. He turns. There is a member of the clergy there, his features drawn and defined in the nature of True Amarrians. The priest is of middling age, late forties perhaps Kador would have assumed, fading blonde hair tied in a bun, her eyes are a steely grey but filled with wisdom and understanding.
"You are here much of late Templar" she says noting the red sash around his neck and then the medal of St Agleroth. "And honoured by God's chosen too no less. A fine example of a true Amarr. What is it you seek of St Anoyia? Her's is the cloister you most visit, when all about you is so grand why not offer your prayers at the main altar?"
He nods back, acknowledging her complement.
"You are too kind priestess. This One is not worthy of such words, I merely do my duty for the Empire....."
He stumbles over his words as he tries to find himself.
".....I feel Anoyia's words offer great understanding and compassion priestess. Her's are hymms of understanding, of celebration before God, and of His exultation. Many times I have I uttered the catechisms of protection to the altars of the Lord, and never have I failed to utter Anoyia's words there too. More than that.... they are beautiful words... I find solace in them."
To Kador's surprise the priestess nods back at him in understanding, her eyes search his for a moment, she looks as if she is about to ask him something but thinks better of it.
"Indeed they are Templar?"
"Ouryon priestess."
She turns and glances back at the other clergy members. They are preparing for a service, a man beckons for her aid and she indicates her acknowledgement. She takes one glance at Kador and then one at the cloister of St Anoyia.
"Then Templar Ouryon I shall pray for you, so that you may do no wrong in God's name, and that you may uphold the laws and beliefs of our Holy Empire in your cause.... "The word of the Lord is pure, It is a shield for the faithful........."
Kador smiles. It is his favourite excerpt from the Scriptures. He knows this off by heart and has uttered its hallowed words a thousand times over on a dozen planets. They are the words that keep him, they are his shield and his sword. He places one hand over his heart, and the other behind his back in a formal military salute.
"Brought unto men by angels" he replies "As a guiding light in the darkness "
With the exchange over he returns his gaze back to the space lanes. |