Can't We Just Let This Go?

The High Lords Council's offices were also inside the Imperial Palace, though they were in the administrative district of its outer court.

The palace was laid out in layers: a rampart surrounded the outer court, then successive inner walls enclosed the halls within. Yellow Pelt's Throne Room stood at the very center.

The outer court had one advantage: getting there did not require a particularly long walk.

They passed through the gate on Adamantium Avenue and crossed the outer rampart. After walking a little farther, past several Adeptus Administratum buildings, they arrived outside the High Lords Council's assembly hall.

The council's building was more restrained than Lin En had imagined. At least, it was nowhere near as ostentatious.

It was enormous, with polished marble floors and walls free of needless ornament.

There was none of the expected gold-and-glitter splendor. It felt more like a medieval courthouse than a palace.

A line of attendants was already waiting respectfully.

The Lamenters really were receiving different treatment now.

The Lamenters Chapter was no longer considered traitorous and had entered a period of observation by the Imperium. Even the staff at the High Lords Council's offices had become quite courteous to them.

Lin En was the Emperor's envoy, with two black-armored Adeptus Custodes behind him. The council did not dare slight him either.

The attendants bowed when they saw them. They respectfully invited Lin En to rest in a side chamber and asked Phoros, Chapter Master of the Lamenters, to enter the assembly hall and deliver his report.

Lin En nodded and told an attendant to lead the way.

The attendant led them forward with impeccable deference. There was not a thing to fault in his manner.

...I thought they'd give us some trouble.

*This won't do. If they're this obedient, what excuse do