The room was grand and opulent. Chandeliers from finest craftsmen on Holy Terra adorned the vaulted ceiling. The aroma of various dishes filled the air along with soft music from a live orchestra. A long heavy ornate dark wood serving table was sprawling with silver dishes. Each contained one of many local delicacies including some from across the Imperium. The room was filled with people dressed extravagantly, and conversing in tones ranging from hushed and discrete, to full and pronounced as if to put on a show to the rest of the room. Among the many socialites was a stern looking man. He was slender, and middle aged in appearance though for many people in such levels of society looks were deceiving. He wore the robes of the Adeptus Ministorum. face was narrow, and he had a prominent nose that was also narrow. Dark piercing brown eyes took in his surroundings like a raven. He wore a number of large jewel encrusted rings, but most prominent was a large gold signet ring which bore the symbol of the Diocese of Gelt. His name was Cardinal Frollo, the leading official of the Ministorum not just on Gelt but in the entire system. He was arguably the most powerful person on the planet, even compared to Lord Reinhardt, the planetary governor. Frollo was outwardly deferent to Reinhardt, but anyone who understood the depth and intricacies of the planetary politics understood that Frollo had the more commanding presence. For all his bravado and ambition, Rienhardt was not politically savvy. Frollo frowned as he saw Deacon Corbin entered the reception hall of the governor's palace. The Deacon looked lost as he looked around the crowd. When the Deacon spotted Frollo, he rushed over to the Cardinal who was taking a sip of amasec. "My Lord," the Deacon said. Frollo nodded casually to him. "What brings you to the Lord Reinhardt's estate?" he said calmly. The Deacon seemed winded, like he had run all the way from the grand cathedral. Of course, Frollo knew this was not so. The Deacon was an aging man who lived a largely sedentary life, even by the standards of the nobility of the upper spire. Frollo handed the Deacon a glass of cool water and the Deacon took it gladly and took a long pull on it as he caught his breath. The other guests glanced amusedly at the exchange, which further Frollo's reputation as a calm and stoic leader who was always in command of the situation even when chaos and confusion existed among his subordinates. "My Lord," the Deacon said as his breathing finally slowed. "The first group of troops from the Order of Our Martyred Lady have landed from the evacuation fleet of Cadia." Frollo looked quietly at the Deacon without any expression, clearly knowing that there was more. When there was no response from Frollo, the Deacon continued nervously. "The entire evacuation fleet has arrived, but no arrangements have been made for housing any of the Order's forces. It would see that..." Frollo raised a hand to cut off the deacon. He didn't need any explanation. He knew the ins and outs of the planetary bureaucracy's shortcomings. However, Frollo also knew how much influence the Imperial Church, and by extension he had. “I will speak with the various noble houses here to solicit their…donations to the Ministorum and its holy warriors,” he said. All the great houses would do anything to gain favor with the Imperial Church. Especially if any of them harbored any desire to gain the governorship. Furthermore, he could deduct any assistance from their annual tithe to the church. Perhaps he would even reach out to Colonel Canute. The 53rd was not a native regiment and thus untouched by the local politics. The Deacon was about to say something when Frollo cut him off. "You may go," he said to the Deacon. "Inform that canoness that there will be quarter for her sisters shortly."