Guilliman liked the man’s honesty and nodded in open approval. ‘Nothing will happen to you if you are wrong. I am not in the habit of immolating people I disagree with.’ A wildly undiplomatic statement, but calculated. If the priest was to serve him, he must accede to Guilliman’s thoughts and beliefs. Too many in the Adeptus Ministorum reacted badly at any indictment of their practises.

Mathieu ignored the comment but paused for thought before speaking.

Good, thought Guilliman.

‘Militant-Apostolic Geesan is dead of old age,’ said Mathieu, ‘shortly before the glorious victory at Raukos. You seek a new militant-apostolic for your crusade. The Adeptus Ministorum would appoint one itself if you allowed it, but you always recruit your own, and often from the lower ranks of the priesthood, though not usually so lowly as mine. To give me this appointment as your holy mouthpiece is the only reason I can think of for you to call me here, unless I have offended you personally in some way and you wish to punish me. Forgive me if I have, but I do not think that is so. Nor do I think you have called me here to gather intelligence.’

‘Mouthpiece?’ said Guilliman.

Mathieu nodded. ‘A tool in priestly garb. That is what the office of militant-apostolic is. I have heard it said you do not hold the Emperor as a god. You require someone to allay the fears this belief will raise. Therefore, a mouthpiece – a priest to reassure the masses that you are not a terrible heretic.’

Mathieu smiled again.

Guilliman made a noise in his throat. ‘I need free-willed men to serve me, not mouthpieces. But that aside, you are correct.’ He plucked up a large sheet of illuminated vellum. ‘Your certification of office.’

Mathieu raised an eyebrow. His raised leg thumped to the floor, and he scratched the back of his head.

‘That’s it? No ceremony?’

‘Not today, no,’ said Guilliman. ‘I will of course formally invest you soon, but I need you to begin work now.’

Mathieu did not take the vellum. ‘This is a great honour.’

‘It is,’ said Guilliman. ‘You do not take the certification.’

‘I am not sure I am worthy. I must be careful before I accept. Perhaps I should not accept.’

Guilliman shrugged his mountainous shoulders. ‘You are wise to hesitate.’ He put the sheet aside. ‘You have questions. Ask them. You are entitled to.’

‘I was afraid questions would be unwelcome.’

‘I make my methods and tempers well known. Am I such a stranger to my own people?’

‘You are surrounded by legend, my lord.’ Mathieu looked about the room, craning his neck to take in the shelves curving around the room’s shaft. ‘What is it, exactly, that you are doing here, my lord?’