Miriya, Portia, Cassandra and Isabel each took an item of Iona's wargear and armour, detaching it and casting it aside. As one they spoke the next verse of the catechism. "We turn our backs upon you. We cast off your armour and your arms.’

'I leave this company of my own free will.’ lona continued, 'and by my will shall I return.’ Behind her, Reiko used a rough-hewn blade to rip the Sister's discarded robe into strips that Portia and Isabel tied over Iona's bare arms and legs. Cassandra strung barbed expiation chains across her torso and pressed seals bearing the words of the oath into her stripped tunic. 'I shall seek the Emperor's forgiveness in the darkest places of the night.’ intoned the woman.

Sister Reiko bent forward with the knife and reached for a hank of Iona's hair, but Miriya took the blade from her with a stony countenance. The Sister Superior leaned close and whispered in her friend's ear.

'You do not have to do this.’

lona looked back at her. 'I must. With just one touch he hollowed me out, did such horrific things... I cannot rest until I cleanse myself.’

Miriya nodded once and said the next stanza aloud. 'When forgiveness is yours, we shall welcome

you back.’ With sharp, hard motions, she cut off Iona's straw-coloured tresses until her scalp was bare and dashed with shallow scratches. 'Until such time you are nameless to us.’

With that, the oath was sealed, and the Battle Sisters took two steps back before turning away from her. Miriya was the last to do so, gripping the paring knife in her hand.

'See me and do not see.’ Iona sighed, speaking the final verse. 'Know me and know fear, for I have no face today but this one. I stand before you a Sister Repentia, until absolution finds me once more.’

'So shall it be.’ Galatea bowed her head, and all others in the chapel did the same. Iona walked past them all, into the stewardship of a lone Battle Mis-tress at the chapel doors. The Mistress carried a pair of matched neural whips that crackled and hummed with deadly power. In her hand she held a ragged red hood. Iona donned it, and then they were gone.

LaHayn broke the silence with a grunt of contentment. 'Not quite the price I would have demanded, but it will do.’ He gave a shallow bow and snapped his fingers to summon the dean. 'Until the Blessing, then, Canoness?'

Galatea returned his bow. 'Until then, lord deacon. His light be with you.’

'And you.’ The priest's delegation filed out, leaving the Battle Sisters alone again.

The Canoness made a dismissive gesture. 'Leave me now. I will deal with your dispensation later.’

The rest of the Celestians did as they were commanded, but Miriya remained, still kneading the grip of the knife. 'Iona was unfit to take the oath.’ she said without preamble. 'It is a death sentence for her.’