Vitruvia set in contemplative silence as the Aquila lumbered through the sky.
She observed her fellow sisters to take their measure. The short one, Lisbeth Dominicia, wore a chaplet ecclesiasticus long enough to wrap around her waist multiple times. Vitruvia was duly impressed. Though she did not know Lisbeth personally she was familiar enough with acts of penance to have a certain respect to one who was so dedicated at such a young age. There were Sisters Superior who couldn't boast of such mortification of the flesh.
Sister Alexandra Christina was next. A hospitaller. It was always a comfort to have a hospitaller about. They were proof of the love the God Emperor had for all mankind and of course it was always easier to fall into a deep and restful sleep when serenaded by the anguished screams of a heretical captive. She was also one of the tallest woman Vitruvia had ever seen. Being built like an amazon herself it was uncommon to encounter a man who was taller than her, much less a woman.
Last but certainly not least was Horacio Mazzini, a confessor. In Vitruvia's opinion confessors were a bit of a mixed bag. For every fire breathing sermon that sent goosebumps crawling up and down her arms there was an half insane fool who wasted the God Emperor's resource in maddened charges against insurmountable odds, selfishly seeking martyrdom at the expense of wiser minds, who were left to clean up their mess. The Emperor had appointed a time and place for all things and without the stern instruction of the Schola Progenium could even the righteous discern between wisdom and folly?
Vitruvia resolved to withhold judgement. Horacio had been selected for a reason, after all. No doubt the God Emperor would test him and he would prove himself or be found wanting upon that appointed hour.
After examining her companions Vitruvia turned her attention to meditation and silent prayer, spending the rest of the journey lost in contemplation of the glory of the God Emperor and reflection upon both the scriptures of the Holy Saints and more pragmatic tactical lessons learned in the Schola Progenium.
After Landing
Vitruvia followed the Sister-Celestian through the Preceptory, her helm tucked under her left arm and her power armor's oiled servos whirring quietly with each step. There was a certain swagger to her walk; she was young, just hitting her athletic prime and infused with the confidence of the holy warrior who feared no death but old age.
Victorine Blandine was a woman to be respected. The rank of Celestian was not given, but rather earned. It was also a rank to which Vitruvia had aspired since she first donned the robes of an acolyte. The amazonian battle sister found the presence of such an august warrior of the God Emperor inspirational. Together with the statues of the holy saints she felt a surge of righteous purpose.
When she first saw Inquisitor Kliment and Canoness-Preceptor Aubrie an eyebrow rose. Clearly this was no minor mission. Nothing an Inquisitor did could be considered minor. It was, in fact, a great honor to even be considered for the mission, much less chosen.
"Vitruvia Procyon." She didn't bother to conceal a fierce grin.
"At your service Inquisitor."
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