Changes

Chaplain Deschain finished the morning sermon with a sigh. As always the sermon relied heavily on religious platitudes… symbols, parabels, paraphrases… He was suddenly astonished of his thoughts. Weren’t they close to blasphemy? Traitorous almost? He shuddered with unease. What was happening to him? He had never faltered in his belief in the Emperor before, but… it was hard keeping the faith these days. The evil was winning everywhere, only small patches of success maintained some kind of balance. But… the evil was winning… He shocked himself with these blasphemous thoughts, but blasphemy was worryingly close to pragmatism. And he was born a pragmatic human being. Yes, evil was winning… How can we stop it? By praying? Praying to an almost- dead god? Did the almost-dead God hear him? If so, why hasn’t the almost-dead God listened to millions of prayers? From him. From his soldiers. From fellow chaplains. From believers. From ordinary men and women, suffering from the evil on a daily basis. And… if… the almost-dead God listened… Why didn’t the almost-dead God act? Why no divine help?

Deschain could hardly believe that he, a Chaplain of the Emperor, could even begin to think these thoughts. But he did. If Inquisitor Bellatrix learned about this, he would be severely punished and sentenced to death In shame. No doubt. He rose from the pulpit and looked at the picture of the Emperor. It was an image of might. Strength. Divinity. But it was just an image. A glorified picture of a great warrior, now almost-dead. Chaplain Deschain shook his head. He had to get rid of these thoughts. If he wasn’t careful, the ruinous powers would most certainly appeal to him, lure him… And if that happened… Chaplain Deschain shuddered at the thought. He was still believing in mankind and its struggle against evil. It was just that evil was winning… And we cling to images of long-gone warriors…?

-Chaplain Deschain? You’re wanted at the comm-centre!

A metallic voice interrupted his thoughts, and he welcomed it. Doubt had seeped into his mind and doubt was a poor friend in battle.

-Acknowledged! On my way!

The comm-centre bristled with activity and Deschain got a feeling that something was about to happen. The war on Borhelia was not going to plan and the ruinous powers and xenos were both establishing territories and increasing their presence on the planet. And the news of Slaaneshi daemons on the ground were very bad news. The Imperial forces could really need some good news and he hoped this was just that… good news!

-This is Chaplain Deschain, over!

-Deschain! We have incoming reinforcements, and I am appointing these new assets in command of the operation on Borhelia. I think they are landing at your outpost as we speak. You will co-op with Lieutenant Akheton Pops when he arrives and brief them on the situation on the ground. They are well-suited for the kind of war this is turning into. I will pull back most of your forces, Deschain, but I will leave some of them on Borhelia, over.

Chaplain Deschain swallowed hard as he realized that he had just been removed from command of the ground forces on Borhelia. What a shame! But… he knew this was coming. He had been almost killed twice and had lost two engagements with enemies. And he had lost bad!  He knew this would happen, but he still felt shame of not being up to the task. Not being good enough. Was it his doubts that had made him a bad leader? He swallowed again and cleared his throat.

-Inquisitor Bellatrix… I understand. I will make the hand-over to Lieutenant Pops smooth. Ehm.. do you have any orders for me… I… over.

-Chaplain Deschain. You are to head for Esenie X. Inquisitor Ripley has requested your assistance in the search for an important artefact. I think you will find this appointment interesting… And I need another approach here on Borhelia. Lieutenant Pops and his Ravens have just what I think will change the course of the war. Questions? No? Good! Over and out!

Chaplain Deschain couldn’t help feeling that the Inquisitor was a colorful and able character who got things done. And maybe he could find his faith again on Esenie X. He turned and left the comm-centre somewhat pleased. And he didn’t notice the silent laughter in the back of his head as he walked to the hangar to meet The Raven Guard Lieutenant.

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Tony Melander (2024)