Forgiven

This story, part of the community effort on the Emperor's Nightmare chapter, a follow-up to Demagogue.

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Cardinal Largos sat and stared at the crowds of people walking by, several stopping to bow, others were merely making the sign of the Aquila as they passed. He didn’t care. He had grown tired of these formal parties and functions among Delois’s most prominent individuals. He gave a hacking cough as he mentally commanded his seat into a small study.

Approaching his fifth century of life had not been pleasant for Villium Largos. Rejuvenant treatments could only do so much for so long before the body stopped responding. The cog-boys had figured out a way around it but they weren’t sharing. Now, Cardinal Largos sat bound to his wheeled throne, tubes embedded in his arms, neck, and Emperor knows where else.

He heard footsteps approaching from behind and slowly shifted his seat in its direction. Walking towards him was a gaunt, bald man. A thin veil covered his clearly empty eye sockets and a staff topped with the symbol of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica was held in his left hand. The robes he wore were of an extremely fine quality, yet lacking in any of the gaudy accoutrements of a House-owned astropath. It was more fitting of a teacher or sage. “I see I am being approached by a servant of the Scholastica Psykana.” The Cardinal said, putting on a practiced smile. The man gave a slight bow,

“Your mind is as sharp as ever your holiness.”

“Only a shame the rest of me has grown so blunt.”

“I am Xerses, an adviser of the Scholastica Psykana, as you deduced.”

“Well then, what can I do for you Xerses? I’m afraid my time is short.”

Xerses took a seat next to the Cardinal, his face was stoic and the veil only made him more difficult to read, “You’ve lived a long and prosperous life haven’t you Cardinal?” Behind his smile, Cardinal Largos rolled his eyes. There was always fawning involved, always flattery. Such was the life of a Cardinal.

“I have, and I’ve given every moment of it in service to The God-Emperor.”

“Anything you regret?”

Villium raised an eyebrow.

“Regret? Of course not. The Emperor teaches us certainty in our actions, ‘Blessed is the mind too small for doubt’.”

A classic. He’d converted millions of savages into Emperor-praising zealots with that one.

“Do you sleep well your Holiness?”

“I sleep perfectly fine, thank you very much!”

“I’m glad to hear you remain well rested. I’m sure your dreams must be very pleasant then.”

“Of course! I dream of being by the Emperor’s side on Terra, leading his followers as I have in life.”

“Don’t we all…but surely you have other dreams. Comforting dreams. Dreams were you feel safest.”

What an odd question, the Cardinal thought to himself. But he took a moment anyway to think of an honest answer. It’s a dream from his childhood. He had spent many nights sailing the seas that surrounded his family’s estate. The dark colored waters, not black with pollution, but a deep purple from the massive depth of the waters.. His hair blowing in the wind as he stood at the prow of his family’s golden ship. He felt such joy and contentment, as well as safety when he dreamed of those times long past.

“Do you have such dreams Cardinal?” Xerses said, interrupting his memories, “Is there anything that stands out from them?”

“Actually yes…the colors of the water and the ship…a dark purple and a shimmering gold…” The Cardinal said with an honest smile on his face. Xerses nodded as he stood up in front of Villium. “You’re sure there’s nothing you regret?” Cardinal Largos’s smile faded as he eyed the astropath suspiciously,

“You’re not with one of the noble houses. What are you doing here? Where did you come from?”

“I come from Icelus, your Holiness”

The Cardinal’s face slowly turned into a scowl at the mention of that place, “This discussion is over astropath. You are dismissed.”

Without a change of expression, Xerses bowed and turned to leave the room, one last statement upon his lips before hastily exiting the Cardinal’s presence, “Know this Cardinal, the sins committed against those you have scorned have already been forgiven.”

“The sins committed against those you have scorned…what nonsense!” Villium mumbled to himself.

He sat in the study in silence for a few moments before pressing a rune on his throne. Almost immediately, his most trusted servant Eris walked into the room.

“You requested me, your Holiness?”

“Eris, my son, do you recall a sailing vessel on my family’s estate from years ago? The oldest one?”

“Of course I do sir. It was your favorite.”

“What color was it?”

“Pale blue sir, to match the waves it rode upon.”