Elisaria monitored the reactions of Gabriel and Fahlia, noting the surprise in both. The Chapter Master stepped up.

  "My lady, I suggest we fall back. While the Omnis Arcanum could defeat them, I don't think it wise to erase a fleet, especially as they could be misinformed."

  Gabriel waited for a response from his Primarch, but none came.

  "My lady?"

  Evaria slowly stirred. "Have Simeon's armor sent here for him, alongside an honor guard. After they've been transferred, the Judicial Pyre will retreat while the Omnis Arcanum distracts that fleet and makes its way to Terra to inform my brother of my return."

  Gabriel and Fahlia both began to argue at the same time, but Evaria silenced them.

  "The Omnis Arcanum wouldn't be able to protect the Judicial Pyre while using its full capabilities. Inquisitor, is there a fortress world or a world that even these High Lords of Terra would hesitate to assault?"

  Silence held Fahlia's tongue.

  "Inquisitor?"

  She finally stirred. "Ophelia VII. It is the home of the secondary headquarters of the Ecclesiarchy, and the homeworld of the Order of our Martyred Lady. Few would dare harm it."

  "Then that is where we go."

  Fahlia seemed to pale slightly.

  "Inquisitor, if you are not the one who betrayed me, then your life is at stake." Evaria slowly turned to the scarred woman. "As you're a witness."

  Fahlia finally nodded. "You are not wrong." She began giving orders into her vox-caster, as did Gabriel.

  "Lord Angelos?"

  Gabriel turned back to her. "Yes, my lady?"

  "I expect you to captain the Omnis Arcanum, and to keep casualties to a minimum."

  He stared at her for a moment, then nodded. "As you wish, my lady."

  He left the room as Sarai and Simeon entered. Gabriel grasped Simeon's shoulder.

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  "Your armor is on the way. You will lead her honor guard. Do not disappoint, brother."

  Simeon looked up at his chapter master, then bowed his head. "To my last breath, brother."

  Gabriel left, and Sarai approached Elisaria and Evaria. "My lady, I have a request to make."

  "Then make it."

  Sarai knelt down to one knee. "I request your forgiveness, that I was unable to be by your side during the attempt on your life."

  Simeon noticed the confusion on Evaria's face as she glanced back at the Palatine. He himself bore that shame, and waited with baited breath.

  "You both needed rest to recover from helping me through the Warp. Do not insult yourself by apologizing for helping me." Evaria gently nudged the Palatine. "And I wish to speak to the both of you in private. Simeon, close the door."

  Simeon did as requested and made his way closer. Elisaria continued to braid Evaria's voluminous hair.

  "Sarai, describe to me who would lead your Order."

  Sarai blinked a few times. "Currently I am, my lady."

  "Yet I recall mention of a Canonness? What role is that?"

  Sarai glanced away. "The official leader of an Order, or convent. It depends, usually if the particular order is a suborder of a larger one or not. A High Canonness would lead a larger order and the canonness' of a suborder."

  Evaria slowly nodded. "I believe you have another request to make of me. One to do with the name of your order."

  Sarai's eyes widened. "Yes, I do."

  "Let me hear it."

  "I have spoken with my sisters, and we all agree that we wish to rename ourselves to the Daughters of Evaria, should you deem us worthy of such an honor."

  Evaria sized up Sarai, her gaze piercing through the Sororitas. "Even though I'm not yet officially recognized as a Primarch, let alone a Loyalist?"

  "We acknowledge you as both." Sarai spoke quickly, but confidently.

  Evaria slowly nodded. "I understand. Then you shall henceforth be the Daughters of Evaria. Your crest will be my original standard: a white skull with tears of red flowing from the eyes. Your colors are to be Cream on your pauldrons, Turquoise for the base, and gold for the accents. Sarai, you are hereby Canonness of the Daughters of Evaria."

  Sarai's eyes practically lit up.

  "Thank you for this great honor, my lady. We will repaint our armor as you've ordained it."

  "Simeon?"

  Simeon stepped forward. "Yes, mother?"

  "I do not expect you to change your armor colors or sigil. As my honor guard that will come with time, but until then you are Blood Ravens. I also wish to know: where are the rest of my sons?"

  "Across the galaxy, mother. We expected your return to be a more... Peaceable one, otherwise we'd have brought the whole chapter, and gathered our other brothers."

  Evaria tilted her head slightly. "Other brothers? You mean my sons are part of different legions?"

  Simeon nodded. "Some were taken in to the Ultramarines of Imperial Regent Guilliman's legion. They've since broken off into smaller chapters from the greater whole, but their gene-seed is mixed now, and to take them from Guilliman could prove problematic for a variety of reasons. Additionally there are the White Templars and Storm Giants. The Chapter Master will send out the call to them of your return and where to find you."

  "Which means our enemies will know where I'm headed as well."

  Simeon nodded slightly. "I'm afraid so, mother."

  Evaria returned her gaze to the fehl Astartes in front of her.

  "Then let us hope the winds of the warp will carry us faster than it does them."