A Man of Unshakable faith
Seamus Lin was a man of unshakable faith, a man of such great mental prowess and firm conviction that even the most twisting and corrupting knowledge, the kind of knowledge that had brought low beings that were to humans as humans were to ants, the kind of dark truths that left men who could walk unflinchingly into an eternity of torture blubbering messes more prone to beg for their mothers than present a respectable figure, washed off the unassailable fortress that was his faith.
Lin was not a man prone to fear, no that was wrong, Lin mused to himself, rising from the small modest shrine to the emperor that made up his personal place of worship. He did feel fear, and he felt it often, he feared for the souls that he could not reach, souls that fell to the twisted lies of the dark gods. He feared for the future of the imperial trust after he was gone, though he knew in his heart that those he would leave behind were of similar resolve to himself, who would forsake any comfort they could to save another soul from the predations of chaos. He feared for his friends, for Ridcully and the knowing smile they shared, for Jane and their mutual distain for chaos, for Clovis, and the faith they shared in humanities future. He even feared for Rotbart, who had done so much to prolong Lin's life, who's unshakable leadership had led Avernus through so much, but left him stressed and taxed, a widower and an absentee father and grandfather. He even in his darkest moments feared for the emperor, what if he was reborn somewhere corrupted by chaos? What if Chaos's foul trickery delayed, or emperor forbid, stopped his rebirth and left humanity leaderless against the endless probing of chaos, left them adrift and defenceless as chaos chipped away at the foundations of those that opposed them?
But he felt no fear for himself. He did not fear dying, because he would leave behind a legacy of pious service, of billions of saved souls, of worlds brought back from the corruption of chaos, of the secrets of the Chaos Gods themselves their unsightly bellies exposed to the Imperial Trust. Lin's ever-present soft smile widened, even a legacy of peace between millennia old enemies.
Lin did not fear for himself, so why did he feel a creeping dread up his spine? What was this sense of impending danger that seemed to darken every shadow? Why did the hair on the back of his neck raise up and why did it feel like his breath hitched every time a soft breeze caressed him? What was it that drove him to pick up his pace towards Rotbarts offices, to break his usual habit of sparing a few words for the staff that darted about around you, barely sparing a glance for Sara who had only recently come back from maternity leave, or Sven, who commonly guarded the door to your living quarters within Governors Palace, save for the months he had been forced into medical leave after a Phase tiger attack, or the dozen others that Lin longed to talk to even if for just a brief few moments.
But the creeping dread drove him onwards, ignoring those he would usually delight in interacting with, until he reached Rotbarts office, at the same time as Ridcully, whose youthful face contrasted against his experienced eyes paradoxically both heartened Lin, and worried him.
Lin tried to widen his smile for Ridcully, but it rang hollow, and he already knew that the smile didn't reach his eyes, after all, Ridcully's smile didn't reach his eyes either. "I had hope that I was being foolish, rushing here on just a feeling". Lin's voice felt rough even as it retained the almost lyrical timbre that it has had ever since he became the Emperors last living saint.
Ridcully's smile finally did reach his eyes, as it took a sad turn. "Old friend, you and I both know you would be far more foolish ignoring your feelings than otherwise". He gestures towards Rotbarts door, where two of his personal guard stood at attention, stoic to anyone else's eyes, but Lin easily made out their unease at seeing two people they regarded as pillars of their society acting so… off balanced.
Lin smiled at the two, this one coming far easier to him, and he felt joy as even that small act seemingly put them both at ease, the unease that was coiling into their eyes disappearing their shoulders seemingly imperceptibly squaring in their already perfect attention position. "Perhaps we should stop unnerving Rotbart's guards and head straight on in". Lin turned back to Ridcully, chuckling as he saw him patiently waiting for Lin to finish his sentence "I'm sure he is concerned as to why we have both arrived on his doorstep so early on in his day".
The two guards push open the door to Rotbart's office, or perhaps office wing was a better name for it.
Dozens of scribes worked tirelessly, with paper stacked almost as high as the scribes working on them, and dozens more darted about, gathering and delivering paper in a seemingly chaotic pattern, but to Lin's discerning eyes (and he admitted privately to himself, long experience dealing with his own paperwork in his own office) he saw the well-practiced pattern, the economy of motion and the careful review of every document before it left the office.
"Lin? Ridcully?" Rotbarts voice was deep and commanding, the voice of a man who was used to being obeyed, both for his authority or his experience. Lin let his eyes slide off the various scribes, towards the desk that dominated the room, with far more manageable paper stacks, and ultimately to the man behind the desk. Rotbarts voice was fitting for the man, his well-defined face was stern and magisterial, with broad shoulders that looked well used to the weight of the world, or as circumstance would have it, multiple. "What do I owe the pleasure?" Lin could tell he was being genuine about their presence being a pleasure, but he could just as easily tell that Rotbart was exhausted, the bags under his eyes were deeper than normal, but more worryingly there was a slump to Rotbarts shoulders that few but his closest friends would notice.
"You haven't been sleeping well" Lin softly admonished Rotbart and let his concern for his friend shine through on his face, knowing the genuine show of emotion would work far better to curb Rotbarts worrying sleeping habits than any number of long-winded arguments. Rotbarts vision shifted slightly looking beyond Lin rather than directly at him, and Lin knew that Rotbart would get at the very least a few good nights sleep before slipping back into his old habits.
"it's the Psyker attacks isn't it? three Alpha level psykers in just a year and a half? Most of them being telepaths? Even if Jane dealt with them without much issue it is enough to raise the eyebrows of anyone". Ridcully cut in, pulling two chairs up to the desk, and sat down. "we've seen signs like this before, the Dark Princes invasion, and the Blood Gods invasion". Ridcully leaned back into his chair, watching the resigned Rotbart. "but we all knew that already, the only question now, is who is going to be behind this one, and what the goal of this incursion will be".
Lin watched as Rotbart spun a pen around in his hand, threading it between each of his fingers in turn, his large hands belied a surprising dexterity to those that didn't know the origin of the Avernite Governor. "I don't believe the previous two would be trying again, either they achieved their goal in this sector, or they have deemed it too costly to try and achieve. But then again trying to attribute logic to the Chaos Gods is fool's errand". Rotbart turned his head towards Lin seeking his input, and the trust in Lin's judgement warmed his heart, despite how often Rotbart did so.
"I agree, there's nothing that Slaanesh or Khorne would find valuable enough on this world to commit a full incursion to take, nor do I know of anything nearby that would be that valuable". Rotbart nodded, seemingly assured that he at least had some understanding of his enemy.
"So that just leaves three, options then". Ridcully leant forward, scratching at his beard. "Which, while a good start doesn't exactly leave us in the best place to prepare".
"It leaves us in a better place than before, but you are right, anymore insights Lin?" Rotbart handed a piece of paper off to a scribe, who swiftly moved towards the back of the room, disappearing behind a large bookcase.
"As ever when we are talking about Psykers we must be wary of the changer of ways, and of course, Ridcully most likely has a target painted on his back, but considering our success at fending off previous incursions, and the lack of sabotage" Lin glanced over to Ridcully who nodded thoughtfully "I will tentatively rule him out for the moment, if Tzeench acted, there would be more preparation then what I've seen".
"The Plague Father again would have reason to go after Ridcully, but the complete lack of biomancers in the Fallen Psykers, makes me doubt its him, and I've haven't heard in any upswings in sicknesses recently" Lin glances to Rotbart, and raises his eyebrow, as he glances off to the side at a scribe, before nodding. "then I'd say that no signs point towards him".
"That just leaves the Tyrant then". Ridcully looked calm on the outside, but Lin could see his inner turmoil with the idea. Most Chaos gods were simple to fight against in theory, they were evil through and through, The Tyrant on the other hand was a twisted image of the emperor, a perversion of the imperial trusts very culture, Avernus's faith would be tested as it turned its arms on their own ideals twisted.
"and telepathy is strongly associated with the Tyrant, is it not?" Rotbart was also troubled by the idea, the speed at which he spun his pen around his hand increasing.
"You are right my friend, and, no offence Ridcully". Lin smiled at the Divination Grandmaster. "He has a far more valuable target then the others". He finally took the opportunity to sit, sinking into the surprisingly plush chair.
"You" they both spoke at the same time, Ridcully letting an amused smile cross his face as Rotbart levelled an unamused stare at him.
"Yes, I'm the last living saint of the emperor, and most likely the last saint alive to defy him, I am most likely worth much to him, both metaphorically and metaphysically". Rotbart and Ridcully nodded, clearly this was along the line of what they were thinking. "And deep in my bones I can feel it, the Tyrant has turned his attention on me, and he is not happy".
"Then we should prepare for the Tyrant invading then and get you to somewhere safe". Robart stated, gesturing for another scribe to take another piece of paper from him, who walked out of the room. "Letting Chaos just get what it wants is a recipe for disaster".
"few places are safer during a demonic incursion old friend" Lin reminded Rotbart, after all, the entire planet being a smorgasbord of demons makes even a deadly place like Avernus more deadly. "Unless you lock me up in the vault for the rest of my short life".
Rotbart's face took on a thoughtful slant, but before he could reply, Ridcully cut in. "It wouldn't be the worst idea, but you have precious few years to live Lin" even as he spoke he winced, clearly it wasn't something that he wanted to come to terms with yet "and we can't waste them waiting for the Tyrant to make a move".
"I'm not going to lock Lin in the vault like some prisoner" Rotbart shot them both a flat glare "but a organising a rapid extraction to the vault in the event of an incursion would definitely be an intelligent choice". Lin nodded reluctantly, as Ridcully stood.
"I'll arrange for a few of my diviners to work with your extraction team Rotbart, even if Lin somehow manages to miss the start of the incursion, they should catch it". He nods at both of them, before walking out the room, returning his chair with a flex of his mind as he does so.
"I have a mass I wish to lead before I start investigating Sanguinis once more, thank you for your time, Rotbart, and do try to get some more sleep". Lin smiled at Rotbart as he pushed himself out of the chair, picking the wood chair up and returning it from where Ridcully took it from before leaving the room himself.
"Lin". Rotbart called just before Lin left the room entirely. "This is Avernus, we don't let our own go without a fight, don't forget that". Lin smiled serenely at Rotbart, before leaving, amused that Rotbart thought he was worried about himself.
Seamus Lin wasn't the kind of man to feel fear.
Afterall, with men like Ridcully and Rotbart there after he was gone? Avernus would be fine.
This was going to be really different when I started, but then it was 1 am and I realised that I had work so I rushed it, sorry.
@Durin I hope it isnt too bad.