[b:a4db1f4274]Eveshka[/b:a4db1f4274]

[i:a4db1f4274]In the music room of Chateau Usse[/i:a4db1f4274]

With a conflict of emotions, Eveshka stood up from the piano and walked over to Morathi. Through her heightened Toreador senses, Eve could tell that Morathi was somehow different. Darker? No, not quite, but there was something sinister in her aura that was not there before. The Comtesse stopped and gently lifted Mora's hands in her own before giving her a tender kiss upon the lips. Her face changed from a radiant smile to a grimace of pain.

"There is something wrong with Julius," said Eve with a great deal of concern.

Morathi looked at Eve oddly.

"He's in Cairo, something dreadful has happened. I sense pain," Eveshka clutched her head and pulled at her hair. "Oh my god what is this? You need to go, you need to go NOW."

[b:48b6cd53c2]Morathi[/b:48b6cd53c2]

Morathi smiled at the unspoken questions she had sensed Eveshka wanted to ask about the way she had changed in the time since their last meeting. The kiss reviving memories of York, memories that were interrupted by Eveshka's sudden painful reaction to a cry her own less experienced supernatural senses could not sense. Morathi listening carefully in concern as Eveshka imparted the message, before voicing her own reaction to meeting her mentor...

[i:48b6cd53c2]"I sense you can tell I've changed.... I guess you could say I developed a change of heart whilst in New Orleans.... But in truth the changes began much earlier than that... For every action there is always a consequence... Pretium Scientiae.... The price of knowledge.... I continue to pay mine....”[/i:48b6cd53c2]

She laughed, breaking the note of regret that had slipped into her voice...

[i:48b6cd53c2]"But now is not the time for long stories.... If Julius is in trouble in Cairo and needs help I'll need to make some calls... If you will excuse me Comtesse I will retrieve my phone... I will return swiftly...."[/i:48b6cd53c2]

Gracefully Morathi glided through the Chateau and out to where her motorcycle was parked. The motorcycle was a gift from Julius when she was his aide and it served her well, not least due to the secure-encrypted communications and surveillence equipment built into its fairing. Equipment she now used to initiate contact with the Home Office in Vienna, entering her Astor identification prefix that allowed her to report directly to members of the Council of Seven to whom she was accountable.

Morathi decided to contact Councillor Meerlinda. As Julius' aide in York she naturally had some liason with the Councillor's office. And in Morathi's officially disgraced status as far as non-council members were concerned, Councillor Meerlinda was the most likely to be able to offer assistance, being known for her frequent support of outcast Tremere that she had use for...

[b:48b6cd53c2][i:48b6cd53c2]To: Councillor Meerlinda
From: Astor Morathi
Subject: Status of Julius Darrant, Pontifex of the 3rd Circle

Councillor, It has come to my attention from a reliable source that Julius Darrant has apparently befallen some disaster in Cairo. I am currently making preparations to travel there and investigate in the interests of House Security. However I would respectfully request your guidance on how to proceed with such an investigation, Councillor Abetorius is not known to welcome the activities of members of my order in his backyard...[/i:48b6cd53c2][/b:48b6cd53c2]

Morathi printed the message, chanting Meerlinda's name softly as she simultaneously ignited the printout in her closed palm and hit the send button with her other hand. A trivial ritual really with origins dating back even to the time House Tremere were mortal mages, but one that ensured that only the intended person could read the message, to any other observer the message would simply be unreadable. She closed down the bike's uplink and retrieved her sat-phone, turning to return to the Chateau and Eveshka.

By the time she had returned to Eveshka, Morathi had called up Willow to arrange through the usual channels a private jet for Lucilla Troy, destination Cairo...

[i:48b6cd53c2]"Please have it ready for my arrival at the rendevous point in Orleans... One moment...”[/i:48b6cd53c2]

She paused looking to Eveshka...

[i:48b6cd53c2]"Do I need to ask my aide Willow to make provisions for a fellow traveller?.... It seems rude to greet you after so long only to have to ask your forgiveness for having to depart in the same breath..."[/i:48b6cd53c2]

The question was for practical reasons as much as Morathi's reluctance to simply dash in and out of her mentor's presence after so brief a reunion. Morathi herself could travel safely in a plane without having to ensure it was suitably prepared against sunlight, Eveshka however did not have the same immunities and Willow would need to arrange suitable preparations...

[b:f512c24681]Eveshka[/b:f512c24681]

Eveshka was torn in two. On the one hand she had her duties as the ruler of Touraine. On the other hand she had her duties as a friend to Julius. Eight hundred years of existence taught her many things, but in particular that one's first duty was to one's self.

"Mora, I cannot go. I have to stay here. I can give you any and all assistance you require though, including my chief of security. He is very capable."

Morathi looked at Eveshka with mixed emotions. Her first response was to grow angry at the lack support fro Julius. She could also understand why Eveshka would not lend it though. With what limited aura perception Mora had, she could tell that a titanic battle was being waged inside of Eveshka. For that, Morathi felt sympathy for the tempestuous Toreador.

"I will contact you from Cairo, once I figure out what is needed," said Mora. "We can finish out catching up later," she finished, smiling coyly.

Eveshka bit her lip and nodded.

[b:d46830381e]Julius[/b:d46830381e]

[i:d46830381e]Cairo, Chantry of House and Clan Tremere[/i:d46830381e]

"What do you mean, he's gone?" Abetorios glared at a high ranking apprentice. "He's just not... there." Came the reply. "He's not in torpor, it's like his body is an empty shell."
Abetorius nodded slowly. "Nevertheless, the work must continue, we may have little time."
At his unspoken command, trolleys of medical equipment were wheeled forwards.

[i:d46830381e]In Twilight[/i:d46830381e]

The garou had broken Julius and his coterie into Lodin's haven, on the CCTV monitor, Sheriff could be seen ready to take down the hostages at a single word from the Prince. Lodin sat behind his desk, smiling. "Checkmate, I believe." He said. One of the garou vanished from sight, reappearing on the monitor, embattled with Sheriff. Julius used the distraction to cast "Trust of Childlike Faith" upon Lodin, yet somehow his magic failed, as he succumbed to Lodin's dominance. On the monitor, he could see the garou dead and the hostages being slain. In their rage the remaining garou turned upon him, rending his flesh...

..."But this is not how it happened" Screamed Julius...

..."True," Came the stranger's voice, "Gives you something to think about, doesn't it."

[i:d46830381e]Vienna, Domus Magnus of House and Clan Tremere[/i:d46830381e]

Meerlinda read the message, over and over. "Julius Darrant has apparently befallen some disaster". She hit the reply button.

[b:d46830381e][i:d46830381e]To: Astor Morathi <morathi@tremnet.net>
From: Councillor Meerlinda <meerlinda@tremnet.net>
Subject: Re: Status of Julius Darrant, Pontifex of the 3rd Circle

Head to Cairo, stay secret, stay hidden. I will investigate and contact you again when I know more.[/i:d46830381e][/b:d46830381e].

Meerlinda entered her private laboratory and began to work.

[b:7cdfb3052c]Eveshka[/b:7cdfb3052c]

Eveshka sat staring at her computer screen. On it was a reply from Madame Guil, the Toreador Justicar. It contained the number for Councillor Meerlinda. Just getting the information required Eveshka to become highly indebted to Madame Guil. The actual amount of the debt she was not sure she wanted to know. Madame Guil said that she would smooth it out so that Meerlinda would be expecting her call, but one did not simply phone up Meerlinda. She looked at the telephone number. With her hands shaking like those of a fearful child, she began to press the numbers. Her finger hovered over the final digit for a moment. In her experience with the Tremere, she had always found it best to be thought of as a brainless trollope. Direct contact with one as high as Meerlinda could change all of that. She would forever be known.

Her finger dropped onto the final digit and let it's harsh tone hold out for a long time before she took her finger off the digit. With her eyes closed she heard the phone start to ring.

ring ring

[i:7cdfb3052c]Don't answer, don't answer, don't answer[/i:7cdfb3052c]

ring ring

[i:7cdfb3052c]Don't answer, don't answer, don't answer[/i:7cdfb3052c]

ring

"Bon soir, Comtesse," said a silky voice she had only heard about. "I've been expecting you."

"Cuh-councillor Meerlinda, please forgive my intrusion," said Eveshka very nervously.

Silence from the other end.

"I do not know what has happened but I felt a dear friend of mine call out to me in great pain."

Silence.

"Pontifex Darrant went to Cairo on information he and I had discovered about," said Eveshka.

"The Scroll of Shal-Ka-Mense," interrupted Meerlinda. "I am aware of this, Apprentice Morathi has already sent me a communique on the matter."


"She... she has?" asked Eve.

"Indeed. Although your contacting me personally on his behalf shows great strength of character on your part Comtesse Eveshka, if not great loyalty to Julius."

"I cannot help but feel somewhat responsible Councillor," said Eve.

"As you should feel," came the cold reply from Meerlinda. "Now, what is it you seek from me, that you could not get through your own manipulations, which i have come to see over the years, are not insignificant."

"Petty intrigues, and political posturing I am adept at. This is something completely out of my league. Is there a way that I can get what information I have to you so that it can be used to get him back? I am not at libery to leave my realm."

Meerlinda laughed myrthlessly.

"Your realm," she asked with a bit of that laughter.

This time it was Eveshka's turn to be silent.

After a tense moment, Meerlinda said, "You can simply transfer any information you desire to this IP. It is secure. Send it encrypted if you so desire. It may make you feel better."

Eveshka was silent again. "I don't think I could."

Meerlinda raised her voice a bit, "You don't think you could? It was not I who initiated this contact. If you didn't think you could go through with it, you ..."

"No, no, " interrupted Eve. "You misunderstand me My Lady. I don't know how."

Nothing but laughter came from the other end of the line. Eveshka held the receiver away from her face burning with embarrassment and a rage she knew she could do nothing with until after the call was completed.

"Very well, I shall send a trusted courier to you within the next few minutes who can assist you."

"Within the next few minutes? How could you," began Eveshka.

"We are Tremere my Dear Comtesse," said Meerlinda with a laugh.

[b:1cf5a70b01]Morathi[/b:1cf5a70b01]

Still travelling under her mortal identity of Lucilla Troy, Morathi was settling into her room alone at the Cairo Hilton. Her plane had arrived very low key just before dusk, allowing her to visit local markets to buy attire that would allow her to pass as a native if needed. But for now she was playing the role of Ms Troy on holiday as she had yet to familiarise herself with local customs sufficiently to attempt passing as a native with any degree of success...

Fortunately there were many similarities with her experience of travelling in Turkey to allow her to maintain a discrete profile as just another tourist without being a magnet for the peddlers and less desirable elements. It was partly an issue of body language, act like you knew the rules and the social predators would seek easier, less alert prey.

Stepping out onto the balcony of her room, Morathi looked down upon the illuminated Cairo below. Julius would be out there somewhere, as she looked she flipped open her sat-phone and called Eveshka to inform her she had arrived and intended to start figuring out local politics in Cairo, and Julius' probable location as soon as possible, wondering if she noted a more guarded tone towards her in her Mentor's voice....

[img:1cf5a70b01]http://www.rtfract.com/rtfract/cairo5.jpg[/img:1cf5a70b01]

Much as logic called for her to start an investigation at the local chantry, Morathi heeded the wisdom of Councillor Meerlinda's directives to stay secret, and stay hidden. From her brief time in Cairo, she had already been disturbed by the apparent lack of covert indicators of a Chantry, the subtle waypoints that would allow a member of House and Clan to find the safehouse a chantry represented. The Chantry was not welcoming visitations by fellow Tremere, and if so it would certainly not welcome her waltzing in as an official inspector of Chantry standards and practices...

No... It would be best if she settled into the local vampiric nightlife discretely, she would maintain her role as Ms Lucilla Troy, play the tourist, visit some ruins and perhaps locate a Toreador or Setite that could be talked into providing her with an idea of the local politics...

[b:5e907a88af]Eveshka[/b:5e907a88af]

[i:5e907a88af]9:45 PM The Sorbonne, Paris[/i:5e907a88af]

Gabriel sat in Dr. Malik's office looking at the esteemed Professor of Anthropology and Linguistics. The Seneschal of Cascadia sat reading the professor’s aura while he looked over the notes that Gabriel had brought.

"Mr. O'brien, as I told Lady Shuvolov, I have not the faintest clue what this means. It is just jibberish. Some of it is a progenitor of Farsi, others Sanskirt, others appear to be similar to early Egyptian glyphs, while still others almost look like Cuniform. It's as if the writer was either very uneducated, or SO educated that it is a coded dialect," said Dr. Malik.

Gabriel nodded, seeing his aura showing the tension indicative of dishonesty.

“I do not know what this means,” finished Dr. Malik.

Again Gabriel nodded.

[b:b1c6275c7a]Gabriel[/b:b1c6275c7a]

Gabriel stood, qued by the impatient rapping of the middle aged man's foot against the floor. Taking the notes back into his posession, he allowed himself to be led to the door. As Dr. Malik opened the simple oak door leading to the crowded London streets, Gabriel stopped and extended a hand.

"Well, I thank you for your time indeed Professor Malik." Gabriel said, flashing a false smile of support. The once brown and amber waves which ensconced the doctor slowly paled as relief washed over him. "If you stumble across anything, feel free to contact me at the number I left you. As it is, I will be in London for a few days, so perhaps I may call upon you again?"

"Of course." Dr. Malik ushered him out the door, and Gabriel found himself upon the street. Behind him, up the well kept stoop, the clacks of bolts locking into place were issued from behind the door. The Ventrue pulled his tan trench tighter, securing the belt snuggly around his waste before drawing his phone out from his jacket pocket.

The other end did not complete a full ring before Tyler's raspy voice answered curtly.

"Malik wouldn't cooperate." Gabriel said flatly, pausing at the head of one of the city's many subway entrances. The night was darker than usual, heavy stormclouds blocking what little light the moon would have offered. The city sat in a blank void, it's denizens scurrying home from work, unaware of the carnivores amongst them. "Start digging."

"Alright, can do. What exactly do you want?"

"I left a bug in his office, I want you listening in. Tell Noshad to look up phone bills, frequent or long distance numbers. I want credit card reports, find out where he shops, eats, drinks...anything and everything. Get your hands on his bank statements, lets get some dirt."

"You got it Mr. O." Tyler sang, his ego apparently bolstered by Gabriel's faith in him in these matters.

"Address me like that again and there won't be enough of you left over for the rats to gnaw on." Gabriel said evenly, snapping the phone shut and stepping onto the train. As the vehicle pitched forward, Gabriel wondered what would keep Dr. Malik from being upfront, aside from the fact that he'd be sharing details with a complete stranger.

These affairs could be so tedious, unwilling mortals. A Sabbat would simply have dominated him into an encyclopedia of information, but Gabriel had learned more than once the hard way that bursting into a city and spreading your vampiric powers on influencial mortals was a sure fire way to earn an undead enemy...not to mention unwanted attention. Besides, why ruin the fun..?

[b:97d40f6cee]Julius[/b:97d40f6cee]

[i:97d40f6cee]Somewhere in the Middle East[/i:97d40f6cee]

The robed figure nodded to the image before him. "Our paths, it seems then, are linked. I will do this thing you ask. We will discuss the price later." The image nodded in return, a few blonde hairs falling out of place as the image faded. "Faisal, come here!"

"Yes, master?"

"You will go to Cairo, here are your instructions."

"Yes, master."

[i:97d40f6cee]Cairo, Chantry of House and Clan Tremere[/i:97d40f6cee]

"Bring him back!" Shouted Abetorius. The Apprentice cringed, "From where, Councillor? I do not understand where he is. His body is here, but his essence, his soul, I cannot find."

For the first time in this escapade, Abetorius began to know doubt. This was not going to plan. An empty shell was not what he had intended at all. Julius' memories could be doctored later, but this was beyond his arts. In another time, he might have contacted his Sire for help, but her current favourite was the subject of his problems. For the first time, in as long as he could remember, he felt very alone.

[i:97d40f6cee]In Twilight[/i:97d40f6cee]

The youngest and sole surviving founder of the Order of Hermes addressed the gathered members of his House. "...and so, House Diedne must be eliminated. Their link to the fey constitutes a danger to the plans I have for us, for our future, for our survival. The Dominion encroaches upon upon our lands further each day and so we diminish." Tremere's eyes narrowed. "I for one, plan to live forever and will not allow anything, not even the coming Age of Reason, to stand in my way. The Order stands in confusion and chaos. Since House Tytalus were convicted of Diabolism, the seeds of distrust have been sown throughout our order. Now is the time for us to act, act to preserve our House."

"Aye and see what makes 'em tick?" Came a voice from the back of the room. Tremere grinned, "They taught us spontaneous magic, I imagine they have a trick or two up their sleeves. If anyone should come across anything... interesting... please ensure it reaches our Domus Magnus in Transylvania." Tremere drew himself to his full height and spoke formally, "On this, the Fourteenth Day of June, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand and Seventy Eight, by the authority invested in me, as Primus of House Tremere, I declare a Wizard's March in force upon House Diedne. For their crimes, they are renounced from the Order of Hermes."

For the young Magus Julius, who had only that day received his Sigil from his proud [i:97d40f6cee]parens[/i:97d40f6cee], Nicolai, who stood beside him, this was indeed an exciting...

...time...

...passes. The massed forces of House Tremere, accompanied by elements of House Flambeau (who could never miss a fight) are moving on the Domus Magnus of House Diedne, deep within the territory of the Hibernian Tribunal. Julius moved with his brothers, chasing the fleeing Diedne magi, unceremoniusly blasting them aside like so many flies, their [i:97d40f6cee]Parma Magica[/i:97d40f6cee] unable to defend them against the attacks of so many mages simultaneously.

Back at the seat of House Diedne, Tremere magi had finished looting the library for all it contained and a group of Flambeau were eagerly preparing a ritual which would blast the building into smouldering ruins. Julius and his brothers headed back to watch the fireworks, leaving the ever eager Flambeau to finish chasing down the remaining magi, no.. no longer magi. Magi were members of the Order of Hermes. These were renounced, hedge wizards and soon to be dead.

Even as the completion of the carefully prepared ritual cast a great fireball into the sky, a magus appeared in front of Julius, scorched, still smoking. "Diedne!" Shouted Julius, eager to score another kill for the day. "Honourless dogs." Snarled the Diedne mage. "Face me in the Certámen circle and we'll see who is stronger."

"I'll do it." Said Julius, even as his friends began the incantations which would end the life of the Diedne before him. "Julius, don't." Warned Erichto, a sister from his home covenant. "This is a Diedne, renounced from the Order. Beneath contempt and not deserving." Julius smiled, the same smile he always smiled, the one which conveyed his self confidence. "I'll deal with this one. Form the circle." Reluctantly, his companions wove the certámen ritual. Julius and the Diedne were now enclosed. No magic could escape the circle. "As challenged, I choose the technique of Creo." Began Julius, "Then I choose the form of Animál" replied the Diedne.

So the duel began. Each certámen was different, reflecting the types of magic chosen by the combatants. In this case, Creo Animál, each mage created greater and more powerful beasts, which battled in the center of the circle. At first, Julius had an easy lead, his knowledge of Creo outstripping the the Diedne mage, but as the battle progressed, the Diednes in depth knowledge of the form of Animál begane to win through, until finally Julius' defences were overrun. The Diedne laughed in triumph. By tradition, the winner of a Certámen duel was permitted to cast one free spell at the loser and even as Julius friends tried to use their own magic to prevent it, the Diedne caused brambles to spear through Julius' body, invading his limbs and vital organs with thorny growth, then releasing his agony by pulling his body apart. So much bloody flesh left in pieces upon the ground.

"Do you yet see the lesson?" Came the stranger's voice.

Julius took a deep breath, "Perhaps, though not the reason for it."

[b:97d40f6cee]Hermetic Glossary[/b:97d40f6cee]

Animál: "Animal"; This is the magical Form associated with manipulation of animals, the mind of animals and animal matter.
Creo: "I create"; This is the magical Technique associated with creation and restoration.
Certámen: "Contest"; This is a form of non-lethal duelling between magi.
Covenant: This is the term for a community of magi living together
Domus magna: (pl. Domi magnae) The location of the covenant or resident where the Primus of House lives.
Parens: (pl. parentes) "parent". The term given to one's former master, in a gender-neutral sense.
Parma Magica: trans. Magical Shield. A ritual all Hermetic mages use to provide them with some degree of magic resistance.
Primus: (pl. primi, f. prima, f.pl. primae) Short for "primus magus", or "first magus", it is a term denoting the Head of a particular House.

[b:ba8b5ccbfa]Morathi[/b:ba8b5ccbfa]

[b:ba8b5ccbfa]Cairo[/b:ba8b5ccbfa]

Morathi was enjoying herself. Cairo was an interesting city split up into several social zones called [i:ba8b5ccbfa]Khittas[/i:ba8b5ccbfa] by the city's remarkably sizable kindred population. She was especially interested in the Khitta under the complete dominion of the local Caitiff prince, which was known as 'Free Cairo'.

Whilst being particularly careful to avoid attracting attention from fellow Tremere, she had made a few contacts within the local Toreador population there under the auspices of considering to arrange an appearance of Lucilla Troy in a singing capacity at a future function of the British Embassy, It seemed that with a little namedropping her Toreador contacts quickly recalled that the name 'Troy' had been associated with Eveshka's own stagename in performances in Rome and Vienna. It had taken little effort to demonstrate she was in fact the same 'Troy'. This cover story she hoped would mask her true objectives in that particular region of Cairo to any kindred that were monitoring her activities.

In actuality her choice of potential venue for her stagename was selected due to practical and topographical considerations. She was after all in Egypt with an British passport so the British Embassy would be the most likely to welcome a performance of one of their citizens. Also she was aware the Cairo Chantry was supposed to be located under the Egyptian Museum, which was convieniently a short walk to the north from the Embassy, and she intended to make sure that she convieniently happened to walk that way after meeting with Embassy representatives.

Returning towards her hotel, Morathi used her sat-phone to check for any messages from Meerlinda, in addition to a few reports from Willow, there was indeed one message. The message was cyptic, but essentially seemed to be informing her to anticipate aid from an unexpected quarter.

Before she had even entered her hotel suite, Morathi's auspex could sense something had entered her room whilst she had been away, something had changed in the feel of the room. Cautiously she entered, closed the door and flicked on the lights, close observation would have noted a slight crackle of electricity dancing across her fingertips from the switch for a few seconds as she drew a charge from the hotel's power supply into her body to store for potential release as raw lightning as and when she saw fit. Her vision shifting into spectrums beyond those available to mortals as she scanned her room.

The curtains were undisturbed from the same open state they had been in whilst she had been resting during the day, the spirit within her body craving the feel of sunlight even if its host was not aware to experience it.

[color=darkblue:ba8b5ccbfa][i:ba8b5ccbfa]<<Behind you...>>[/i:ba8b5ccbfa] [/color:ba8b5ccbfa]

The spirit within her heart warned, she turned to spot the pale aura of a male kindred that had moved behind her so silently identifying his clan was narrowed down to a short list...

[i:ba8b5ccbfa]"I'm guessing you are not the Maid here to place the complimentary chocolates on my pillow are you?...."[/i:ba8b5ccbfa]

She smiled at her unexpected visitor, and carefully lowered her hands, it was mostly symbolic as she could call upon her stored charge of lightning at any time and unless intentionally directed otherwise it would simply strike the nearest target. But she suspected if her 'Guest' meant her harm he would have tried by now, especially as she was now aware of him.

[i:ba8b5ccbfa]"Perhaps some formalities.... I am Morathi of House and Clan Tremere... And you would be?...."[/i:ba8b5ccbfa]

Her guest bowed slightly in formal greeting.

[i:ba8b5ccbfa]"Faisal... I come as an envoy of Hassan Ibn Sabbah...." [/i:ba8b5ccbfa]

Her 'Guest' was proving to be the soul of Arab charm and good manners, and Morathi in return as his host treated him with the due courtesy one could expect from an English Lady as he started to explain why he had come to her...

[b:149227e101]Eveshka[/b:149227e101]

[i:149227e101]Mid August, Chateau Usse[/i:149227e101]

Eveshka sat at her piano playing nothing more artful than four octave scales at blistering speed. Up and down the keys her delicate fingers flew, octave after octave, scale after scale. The sound of the insanity resounded throughout most of the ground floor of the Chateau. The neonates at Court knew better than to intrude upon their Countess when she was playing like this. It usually meant she was anxious. When Countess Eveshka got anxious, her judgement got impaired. When her judgement got impaired, Eveshka became… unpredictable at best. Things at Court had run relatively smooth for the most part, since she had immolated Renard. She had been “anxious” that evening as well.

A soft knock was heard on the door jam of the double doors that stood open to the main ball room, adjoining the small music room in which Eveshka played. The scales abruptly stopped. Montcalm came walking softly into the room with a prettyish woman on his arm. Eveshka’s blush of health failed her and she became as white as any Cappadocian. She stood up, looking resplendent, though anachronistic, in a gown that would have looked completely at home in the court of Queen Elizabeth I. Eveshka curtsied deeply.

“Councillor Meerlinda,” she said softly.

Meerlinda nodded her head graciously.

“Dame Comtesse,” she said. “I thoroughly enjoyed the Tudor Dynasty. None in any of their courts could possibly compare with your divine radiance.”

Eveshka nodded, her blush of health returning. “Thank you My Lady, you do me too much honour to praise me so, even in my own house.”
Meerlinda smiled and laughed, fakely, looking around at the sumptuous chateau. “House you call this?” she laughed fakely again. “Well, I am so happy that you received me so promptly after our last chat.”

“But of course, Councillor,” smiled Eveshka, her façade of confidence returning. “It is not often that I get visitors of such note from House Tremere.”

Meerlinda smiled and nodded. “Indeed,” she said with a tone of dismissal. The two vampiresses regarded one another for a moment. “Comtesse, we need to talk,” she began.

Eveshka nodded and motioned towards a settee, “What is on your mind, Councillor?” asked Eveshka, knowing already what would be the response. Potentially the most beautiful woman existing sat down on the settee as the other woman, nowhere near as beautiful, but exponentially more powerful, stood before her. “We need to discuss some things,” began Meerlinda.

[b:614e151dbf]Julius[/b:614e151dbf]

[b:614e151dbf][i:614e151dbf][u:614e151dbf]In Twilight[/u:614e151dbf][/i:614e151dbf][/b:614e151dbf]

A gull circled overhead, calling to the sea, which, as before, washed up against the grey stone of the cliff face. The rain had given way to sunshine, with a fresh salty breeze blowing in from the foam crested waters. Julius breathed deeply, savouring the crisp scent.

At the edge of the cliff, the stranger awaited, the ever present guide who had taken Julius through two strange scenes of past possibilities. As Julius approached, he turned, raising a hand in greeting.

"Welcome back Magus, how was your journey?"

"You should know, I think." Replied Julius, "For the road I walked was one of your making."

"True enough." Smiled the enigmatic stranger. "You should be glad. In my day, twilight was chaos, there were few who could control it and no-one to guide you. Of us all, Only Criamon really understood it."

"The seeker of the Enigma, I read about him. Strange fellow."

"A little like your Malkavian friends, I fancy. Criamon and his followers understood each other, even if no-one else did."

"But why am I here?"

"Questions again? Very well. That one I cannot answer, though I can speculate."

"By all means do."

"As you wish. Julius, it seems that your magic is closest to how it was. You use the forms and techniques like the mages of old, unlike your brethren in House Tremere. Furthermore, unlike modern mages you are not subject to the Paradox and the Dominion. It therefore seems entirely logical that you should be subject to the twilight."

"If we are to be logical, then my next questions must be who are you and what is your interest in me?"

"Maybe one day you will know the answers to both of those questions. For now, it is enough for you to know that I needed you to learn a lesson. For a long time now, your actions have shown a particular quality which is perhaps, not ideal and you lack one which would be prudent to enjoy. Do you understand Julius, have you learned from this experience?"

"You have tried to show my over confidence and my lack of caution. You are, I think, calling me a lucky bastard."

The stranger laughed, "Yes, young Magus, you have indeed enjoyed more than your share of luck. You might, in future, wish to make a little of your own, by exercising a touch of prudence now and again."

"Why go to all this trouble? Why try to teach me this?"

"Because I need you alive... for the future."

"The future?"

"Yes. You might want to think about that, too. And so, until our paths cross again, I bid you farewell. Enjoy the sunshine, it will likely be a time before you see it again."

"Wait.." Demanded Julius to the fading figure. "Dammit!" He then announced to the empty air. True enough though, the sun was warm and friendly. Julius stretched out his arms and in an instant, a second gull took to the skies, exalting in the feel of the air through his feathers and the hot blood pumping through his body.

[b:614e151dbf][i:614e151dbf][u:614e151dbf]Cairo, Chantry of House and Clan Tremere[/u:614e151dbf][/i:614e151dbf][/b:614e151dbf]

"He's smiling... what does that mean? [b:614e151dbf]What does that mean!?![/b:614e151dbf]"

[b:0e9014c805]Eveshka[/b:0e9014c805]

Tyler walked into the penthouse room in St. Germain that Gabriel was renting out carrying a sheaf of paper. The Ventrue Seneschal of Cascadia looked up at him from some documents upon which he was working.

“What have you brought for me, Tyler?” asked Gabriel.

“The latest information from Dr. Malik. I’m not sure what any of this means, but it seemed important enough to bring it right over, Mr. O.,” Tyler said.

Gabriel looked at him and held out his hand with interest written all over his face. “Have you read any of it?”

“A bit, seems like there is something going on outside of Cairo,” said Tyler.

Gabriel looked down at the page to which Tyler turned and saw:

[i:0e9014c805]Unknown Contact in Baghdad – Have you made any further headway in Egypt?

Dr. Malik- We’ve located the Tabernacle under the great Pyramid at Giza. Thus far the Setites are not giving any difficulty. It seems that they are just as interested in this Thothist link as we are, and are quite willing to let us do the leg work.

Unknown Contact in Baghdad – That is fine for now. How is our Toreador “Goddess” fairing? I trust the little clues that were given were swallowed hook, line, and sinker?

Dr. Malik – Yes. She has invested considerable assets in the venture. I believe she has sent a rather wealthy tremere fledgling, whom she has enraptured, down to Cairo to make some inquiries. Together, their financial backing could very well prove sufficient to unearthing the Tabernacle.

Unknown Contact in Baghdad – Hmmm, yes, Julius Darrant and the might of Darrant Industries. I know of Mess’r Darrant. This little marriage will have to be watched. Shuvolov is difficult enough to pin down on her own, Darrant is more powerful than most could ever imagine. –silence- Any more on this upstart Irishman?

Dr. Malik – No sire. I do not think he is doing anything.

Unknown Contact in Baghdad – Good. Good. He would not be too difficult to remove if he does persist though. Very well Salah, you have done well. How goes the translation on the Scroll fragments?

Dr. Malik – I am making progress, but it is difficult without a clearer image from which to work.

Unknown Contact in Baghdad - Keep working.

//////// CONTACT SEVERED AT THIS POINT //////////// [/i:0e9014c805]

Gabriel looked up at Tyler with an even more curious look on his face.

[b:4b1d728c05]Gabriel[/b:4b1d728c05]

Gabriel was exasperated. He was finding himself more and more becoming the little fish in an enormous pond. He poured nightly over the cryptic clues that the bug provided him with, and what little information Noshad and Tyler could provide.

He barricaded himself within the hotel suite, refusing to leave. The hotel staff found it strange as the 'do not disturb' sign never left the door, but as their jobs commanded, they left their VIP be. Behind the door however, Gabriel was being submerged ever deeper within the puzzling riddles Dr. Malik had so graciously provided.

The parchments he had obtained in Cascadia mentioned a scroll of some renown, writing and diction suggested of middle eastern origin. However, the dialect and style was either too old or too new to decipher much else of the folders. Dr. Malik had unknowingly shed a little on the mystery, or at least his phone bill did. Calls to Egypt and Baghdad were carefully monitored, but the manner of the conversations were general at bests. Still they had some leads....

A dull and obviously cautious knock drew Gabriel from his contemplation as he lay stewing within the steaming bath water. He glanced over to the bathroom door and saw the outline of a pair of feet on the other side, pacing anxiously in place. The crisp, musky smell of his own vitae could barely be detected over the sweet oils and various soaps that were strewn throughout the steam-drenched bathroom. Tyler had been essential in their studies over the past several days, and Gabriel had rewarded him handsomely in a rather excessive amount of vitae. It was clear he had been indulging heavily in it.

"Come in." the Ventrue said, drawing himself out of the bath slowly. The ghoul complied and opened the door only to be confronted by his naked master. Tyler stumbled backwards slightly, shocked by Gabriel’s sheer lack of shame. "Come now Tyler, I'm nearly two centuries old. I'm past modesty with my own lackeys."

"Ah...yes sir." Tyler mumbled, standing his ground. He produced a notepad and several folders from his pouch and held them towards Gabriel. "I...I found what I could on the names mentioned in Dr. Malik's conversation."

"You're referring to Nanna and Enki I take it?" the previous night they had picked up another dialogue from the good doctor, and the unfamiliar names were prevalent in the discussion. Gabriel had decided to take a break and let Tyler do some research.

"Yes sir, apparently Nanna and Enki were ancient Sumerian Deities. Lord of the Water and Goddess of the moon respectively." Gabriel stopped, and pondered as he wrapped a towel around his slender frame.

"Sumerian eh? Well, that would fit in with the Pyramid of Giza wouldn't it" Gabriel said absently as he made wide arches with his hands across the face of the mirror in front of him. As the condensation cleared his reflection became clearer, long pillars of hair clung to his chest and shoulders, darkened by the water's touch.

"It would certainly seem so."

Gabriel tied his hair back and sighed. This wasn't getting any easier. Stepping out into the main room he approached the bed where Noshad lay asleep.

"What about the other names?"

"I couldn't find much reference to Salah Al-Hudin, Ishtar, or Arikel." he said, following closely behind his master. "Well...nothing solid anyway."

The Ventrue stopped for a moment before turning to face Tyler for the first time.

"Well what did you find?"

"Well, I checked out that Kindred library you suggested..." his face lost a bit of color as he spoke "...which was a rather harrowing experience might I add..."

"And...?" Tyler gulped and continued.

"And there are brief mentions of Ishtar and Arikel as Toreadors, some even going so far to say Arikel was the progenitor of the Clan. There's too many rumors and myths to tell what's fact and what's fiction, but one story says that Ishtar took refuge with King Minos briefly before falling to the beast and becoming the legendary Minotaur..."

"Pah..." Gabriel spat, turning his back on Tyler once more with a wave of his hand. "Ridiculous." He sat down on the bed and snatched up the carefully folded clothes that lay there. Slipping into his shirt he glanced up at the waiting ghoul. "Okay, lets think this out. This scroll is obviously very important to quite a few, which means it's powerful in one way or another. They're up to something in Egypt...we still don't know who this 'Toreador Goddess' is...but we perhaps have an ally in this Julius Darrant character.";

"Yes sir, I've dug up some information on him as well for you. Pontifex of Clan Tremere...rumored to have unique powers, very influential. I couldn't manage to locate him however..."

"Well, keep trying. You and Noshad are going to stay here and find out what you can about these leads."

"Very well, shall I arrange transportation for you back to Cascadia then" Tyler asked, taking a gentle step towards the phone.

"No no, I'll be heading to Cairo instead." Gabriel said, fastening the final button on his blue silk shirt.

"Cairo? But sir, perhaps that's a little too close to the action if I may say. They've already taken notice of you."

"Of course they have, would I have come barging into some Doctor's office if I was concerned with that?" Gabriel laughed as he tied his hair back. "I have my own manner of dealing with these things....I also have a contact or two down in Cairo who is well suited for this type of investigation..."

[b:91809bc101]Eveshka[/b:91809bc101]

[i:91809bc101]Back at Chateau Usse[/i:91809bc101]

Eveshka sat on the settee and looked up at Meerlinda. “Something has gone drastically wrong with Julius and I do not know what,” Eve began. “Julius is one of the few people alive that I truly trust.”

“Oui, Mademoiselle,” said Meerlinda in an offhand manner. “C’est ca.” She looked about the room with a nonchallant expression on her face, taking in the plush surroundings.

There was silence for several moments as Eveshka tried reading Meerlinda’s aura, unsuccessfully. Meerlinda merely enjoyed Eveshka’s discomfort throughout the silence.
Finally Eve broke the silence.

“You said you could help me get him out of trouble,” she started. “What must I do?”

Meerlinda fixed Eveshka with her sapphire eyes and pursed her lips.

“Frankly, I am surprised you are here, Eveshka,” began Meerlinda. “Why are you not in Cairo? Surely you must know that if the situation were reversed, hell, nor high water, nor perhaps even my command would keep him from you!”

Eveshka looked down at her hands and meekly said, “I am not at liberty to leave my domain.” She looked back up into Meerlinda’s piercing gaze. “I am still getting established. I dare not leave the greater trust that has been given to me by the Inner Circle, no matter WHO is at stake.” La Comtesse looked down and away from Meerlinda again and sucked on her bottom lip. Several moments of tense silence passed.

“Shall I tell you where he is, Comtesse?” asked Meerlinda with a face devoid of emotion. Eveshka, a master of reading auras and gauging people’s emotions was at a complete loss with Meerlinda. She had NEVER encountered so empty and blank an aura as she was encountering now. It was as if Meerlinda were a computer.

Eveshka looked at her intently and said, “He is in Cairo. I know that much.”

Meerlinda nodded saying, “Indeed, yet would you know the rest?”

Eveshka looked at her a moment with her head cocked slightly to the side, trying desperately to read something,….. anything…. into what Meer was feeling. She finally slowly shook her head no. “What is it you require in payment for this My Lady,” asked Eve.

Meerlinda ignored the question and bristled slightly. “No? You would not wish to know his fate? I truly thought you cared. Perhaps my journey is wasted. I have duties in my domain that require my attention...” Meerlinda trailed off meaningfully, looking towards one of the windows out into the starlit night.

Eveshka looked up with very poorly masked anger in her eyes, “Of course I want to know his fate.”

Meerlinda slowly looked back at Eve with a condescending smile on her face. “Of course you do. Have you heard of Abetorious?” asked Meerlinda.

“Only shadowy tales,” responded Eve. “Nothing more than that.”

Meerlinda nodded and continued on. “You should know that Abetorious is the Tremere Councillor for Asia. You should also know that he is my Childe.”

Eveshka nodded but remained silent, listening to every word.

“Once, a time ago, Julius went to the Middle East,” said Meerlinda. “Do you remember?”

Eveshka nodded and said, “Yes. To Iran, to speak with Hassan Ibn Sabbah.”
Meerlinda nodded and went on, “While he was there, he achieved something that Abetorious never could. Julius was actually raised in rank for his efforts on the occasion, yet earned the enmity of my Childe in the process.”

La Comtesse de Touraine nodded with eyes widening. “Where does Abetorious keep his chantry? What city I mean. In Cairo?” she asked. “Is that who has him,” Eve continued asking, her questions getting more and more urgent.

Meerlinda smiled slightly and said, “Oh no, his chantry is in Istanbul, however your assumption is not innacurate, for Cairo does indeed fall within the domain of Abetorius. And yes, my childe has taken Julius. No doubt he seeks to learn how Julius does what he does. It is a mystery of our House. As I'm sure you know, we have a wide variety of techniques for our... research.”

Eveshka clenched her fists so hard that her nails dug into the palms of her hands and began to bleed. “Yes, I am well aware of some of them, having been the object of an experiment once,” growled Eveshka, through clenched teeth.

“Ah yes, the incident with Goratrix, our errant brother,” said Meerlinda, not without a touch of embarrassment. Eveshka’s eyes opened wide and she said, “You know of…..” She trailed off looking down at her hands a moment before continuing, “Of course you know of it.”

Meerlinda nodded slightly. “Little escapes our attention, as I’m sure you know. It may comfort you to know that Julius has no concept of what Abetorius does. Or then again, it
may not. Julius is... parted... from himself. His body lies in the chantry in Cairo, but his essence, that which makes him Julius, is... apart from it.”

“How do I get to him,” asked Eve.

Meerlinda regarded her for a moment before answering. “You don't. Nobody does. For Julius to be made whole, his body must be removed from its current situation. The magic must balance, my dear. Surely you can understand that, with your somewhat extensive knowledge of such things.... oh yes, we know of your dabbling in our arts.”

Eveshka cocked an eyebrow in surprise and loses her blush of health.

“You're far too obvious, Comtesse,” said Meer. “Boiling the blood of your former subject was one of your finer advertisements.” Eveshka shrugged and replied softly, “Julius has seen me do far worse.”

Meerlinda nodded slightly and said, “I know, and for his own reasons he chooses not to question your abilities. That is his decision and we will not debate his wisdom here, yes?”

Eveshka nodded and weakly said, “Thank you.” She looked up into Meerlinda’s eyes: eyes which hadn’t removed their piercing stare, and hadn’t blinked throughout the whole interview. “How can I help him without actually leaving Touraine?” Eveshka asked. “I cannot go anywhere.”

Meerlinda looked at her silently for a moment and then said, “That is a question. A better question is this, why should I work against my childe and prevent him from learning how Julius manages to use the old magic? To be able to give that knowledge to the whole of my clan would profit us greatly, it not?”

Eveshka did not take her eyes off Meerlinda when she answered, “Objectively I suppose it would, but that would be ….. immoral.” Meerlinda laughed coldly and said, “As if kindred were ever thought to be moral, indeed, our clan is often feared for a perceived lack of morality.” Meerlinda gazed at Eve for several long silent moments. “So, my question stands. How far are you willing to go, Eveshka Shuvolov? Convince me that it is
in my interest to assist you.”

Eveshka bit her lip and started, “I…… it……” Meerlinda waited for Eve to finish as Eve looked around the room as if she were hoping for inspiration. She finally decided on, “Julius is your future.”

Meerlinda smiled slightly and softly said, “Let me make it easier for you. What can you offer me, in his stead?”

Eveshka looked at Meerlinda and coldly said, “Whatever your thoughts on my clan may be, I am a Toreador Elder. A POWERFUL one. I know this.”

Meerlinda met her tone with equal coldness, “Your power is well known, Toreador.”

Eveshka continued as if she had not even heard Meerlinda. “One holding a debt over my head holds a certain everywhere in France, and nearly everywhere in western Europe.
The Tremere inspire through fear.” Meerlinda interrupted with, “That has been said, though your Julius may be the exception.”

Eveshka shrugged noncommitally and continued, “Toreador inspire through something longer lasting. You are the thing that goes thump in the night. We are that which gives hope. Hope will outlast fear. Hold one who weilds hope in debt.... you have a powerful tool.” Eveshka stood up and walked over to the piano again and ran her finger lightly along the sound-board. “I am not one of the new generation of brainless twits who stare at piles of dog shit and get some weird meaning from it.”

Meerlinda smiled inwardly at the proud Toreador, but remained without outward affect. “You would place yourself in my debt? It seems a small thing, though perhaps... Do you remember your first meeting with Julius? The new Pontifex, under Grimgroth, who would take on the responsibility for my former Domain, in Britain?”

“Yes,” replied Eve.

Meerlinda nodded and continued, “At that time, he asked a favour of you. To set
his chantry in York, where you stood as Seneschal.”

Eveshka nodded and said, “I asked for his blood in return. Is that what you wish? For me to partake of your vitae?”

“That is the price you set for a debt,” said Meer. “I see no reason to say you were wrong.” Eveshka narrowed her eyes slightly, “That is what you require from me?”
Meerlinda nodded and said, “That will suffice, on this occasion.”

Eveshka stood looking down at the powerful vampiress and coldly said, “So be it.”
She walked over to an armoire and pulled out a crystal goblet and hands it to Meerlinda.
Meerlinda nodded with a smile and said, “Good, ever it was the Tremere way to take vitae from a cup, not the host. You mirror each other in many ways, Comtesse. Julius has many... Toreador ways about him, whilst you show elements of Tremere in you.”

Meerlinda filled the goblet with her vitae and handed it to Eveshka who held it for a moment. The two women’s eyes met and then the Comtesse drained the goblet in one gulp. She then shattered it on the ground at her feet and walked towards the settee that Meerlinda had sat down in.

“Good,” said the Tremere Councillor. Know then, that I have already set in motion
those things which will bring Julius safely back to you. An Astor is in place and allies come to her aid. Soon Julius will be free. With the information you have given me, I will assist him in deciphering the scroll. With the background information you have given me, I will be able to give the Astor the information she needs to free Julius.”

The two women looked at each other for several moments. Meerlinda bade her good bye and made her way out of the chateau. Eveshka meerly sat back down at the piano and resumed her scales.