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Lord Kaieles was an ancient Kemmethite with horrid green fish-skin and a smell of damp
food. He had been Religious Vicar for generations. He had never shown the slightest respect to
my office. He sat on his stone chair in the thick jungles of Penorth-2 and denied any wrongdoing.
I removed his head with a single swift stroke. Then in the chaos that followed, I purged
the Ecumenical Council, the Sacrifital Council, and the Order of the Green Skull. I did so with
swiftness and cruelty. My blade sang. They did not see me coming, and could not begin to resist.
Only those of demonstrated loyalty were permitted to take over leadership of these
institutions. All of this was done in a day. I recorded everything in a report for the Emperor’s
perusal, including a recommendation for a new Religious Vicar.
I understood at last why the Emperor had restrained me from asking about the Guvnar-6
question. He had known, had always known, about Kaieles’ treason. I was but an instrument
upon his path.
The stars, great burning monstrosities, zip by me as my starship flies into warp. They care
nothing for me, nor I for them. The peasants gaze upon their twinkling prettiness to remind
themselves of sublime realities beyond their ken. I have no need of such. I am the avatar of that
greater reality. I serve Death itself. UJ