TVC - Chapter 43 - A Thief in the Night

[Count Erick]

Müller nodded at Mircea.
"You keep that threat in mind. I'll be sure and back it up."
He looked at Simon and raised his arms wide.
"You want me to shut up? I'm right here Von Carstein! Why don't you make me?"
"Not now Müller nodded at Mircea.
said Völundr warningly.
Müller turned his back completely on the Von Carsteins, not bothering any more words with them. He noticed Saul and shook his hand.
"This is Hati."
He gestured to the girl.
"And this is Völundr."

Any further conversation was halted by Simon's bellowing and the sudden appearance of Wights. The trio braced themselves for a fight, Hati and Völundr producing weapons and Müller grinning wickedly as he took off his coat, ready to attack.

 

[TMS]

Helena sighed and rolled her eyes as this scene of distrust played out in front of her. Had she still the ability to consume anything material, a light snack and a beverage would have been a good way of enjoying the situation, in whatever surly way possible. Instead she shot a quick work of advice to Müller and his companions, seeing as they were newcomers to this whole procedure.

-"There's really no need to become so excited over this - it's merely part of the drama that comes with every single gathering of the Council. More or less.."

She then eyed Zosz and awaited his explanation. It sounded like count Simon did indeed have a plan which could turn the tide of the ongoing conflict - something that they needed dearly.

 

[Mr Nightwere]

Jason Looked to the wrights, calmly looking at his blade as this gets were removed of any weapons they may have had. His eyes flashed and tossed the blade to the wright it hummed with arcane energies and burst the wright into flames, it let out a soft scream and in moments was no more than dust. Jason grinned at his gets before his hand formed into a sharp talon and grabbed onto one by the head, his claws digging into it as he screamed out as blood dripped down his head reaching out to Mercia to save him. Mercia of course ignoring the vampire as Jason squeezed his claws into his for head and yelled
"PATHETIC RETCH!" His eyes glowing as he held him high into the air as more blood flowed form his wounds " What is your name, boy" Jason said harshly to the struggling vampire
"Travis, my, my name is Travis" he said as he started to lose consciousness " And who is your lord, Travis?"
Jason said looking into the vampires terrified eyes " Jason Nightwere... he is a great man and will save me from you fiend" Travis said before Jason released him from his iron grip. He sank down to the floor clutching his head and sobbing quietly, looking towards Mercia and then to Jason who gave him a malicious smile.
" I am Jason you pathetic fool, this egomenical fool is a Von Carstien, have you not the seance to tell the difference between you own line" The shock on the young gets faces was priceless, as all looked to the man they were just worshiping, then to the fiendish Jason.
"Take them to the coaches, I would hate to make a mess of our hosts fine furnishings" Harrindir looked to Jason for a moment then to his terrified Gets.
"NOW!" Harrindir yelled and they jumped to there feet and ran out to the doors leaving the gifts at their feet. As the last of them hurried out the door way, Harrindir gave a bow to the assembled Vampires before leaving to deal with his gets outside.

Jason smiled to the assembly and picked up his blade, the runes growing dim as he sheathed his weapon.
"Terribly sorry about that. They shall be dealt with shortly for there impudence, I assure you... As for this gem you speak of Simon, when would I have had the time to take that from you lord Simon?" Jason said pleasantly and he looked to the werewolves, there blades drawn looking at the wrights and Simon.

 

[Knightofni]

Saul had both swords out in a flash in response to the advancing wights.. just try it, about time I killed something; next to him, Trinity had drawn both her pistols and was similarly itching to kill something.

"Seriously people.. It's unlikely that any of us here are responsible for the theft of this item.. we are not theives in the night nor does this 'ruby' mean anything to anyone but our Lord von Carstein." He laughed.. "Such a merry band of brothers we are, to accuse each other more easily than to seek a more rational explanation."

Saul's tone was bored.. yet another reason for the vampires to argue, fantastic. It didn't surprise him that Simon was quick to accuse his allies of treachery but he was a little vexed anyway; the wights were making him nervous.

He turned his head sideways and spoke out the corner of his mouth to Muller's companions..

"Pleasure to meet you.."

 

[Gree]

''Oh it's fine'' Mircea replied to Jaso. ''They were begining to irritate me anyway.''

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

At Zosz’s appearance Lesa turned back to Simon,
“Until it can be proved it will do no good with infighting and accusations. Have your minion’s stand down, and as the collective Council we are meant to be we can try help.” The wights stopped for the moment, but did not retreat.
“Now everyone lower your blades,” Lesa continued, “and I mean everyone. Did the battle we have just fought teach nothing? We cannot win if we do not work as one, if we do not show trust. Now if I can work civilly with him,” she said gesturing at Mircea, “then so can everyone else. Or do you all want to be stood here brawling with one another when we are attacked next?”

Aubervillier lowered his sword, bowing his head in response to Lesa’s words,
“You speak wisely milady. On behalf of the Duke we too wish this Council too succeed, but it is difficult at times to remain calm in the face of such obstinacies. I respect the Count’s standing, as I do the Marshal, however I would venture to say they do not show the same respect to the rest of the Council, which is the cause of much of the hostility.
If perhaps they was to heed our advice as they expect others to heed their words, then such arguments would not occur.”

At the blood Dragon’s words Lesa paused before turning to Simon,
“He speaks fairly Simon. What say you in return?”

---

“More than passable,” the Duke replied, “have you thought that perhaps training would bring back some of your memories? Such skills become part of a warrior, become part of their body. Mayhap your body simply needs to be reminded?” He walked over to the side of the forge where he had place his blade, picking it up and drawing it from it’s sheath,
“If you would like, I could help you?”

 

[Mr Nightwere]

"I'm sure they were." Jason said pleasantly to Mercia before he turned to Saul and Muller examining their blades before he calmly walked towards the table and sat looking around at the assembled vampires and speaking softly " I agree with Lesa, I think its time we all sat down, and talked this out, wouldn't you say? Or are we so uncivilized we can't be reasonable with each other?"

 

[Get of W'soran]

Karl smiled graciously and placed a hand on Simon's shoulder
"I'm sure my nephew sees reason in your words Lady Lesa." the Baron said smoothly.
Stepping forward Karl glanced at the other council members
"How ever I am sure you can understand the Count's logical distress, after all this is his home is it not? And he is certainly protective of his property as I am sure many of us are."
Karl turned to look at Akarin
"Put away your sword." he commanded
Akarin looked at Simon seemingly unsure of what to do
"Now." The Baron growled losing his smile.
The Assassin sheathed the dazzling white blade looking annoyed.
Karl nodded and glanced at Marc who immediately sheathed his sword.
Nodding Karl turned to the council once more with a smile
"See we can all be reasonable, we are after all all descended from the great Trueborn of Lahmia and we can all work together I am certain."

 

[Knightofni]

Pleased that this new development hadn't degenerated into more fighting, Saul sheathed his swords.. they wouldn't be needed; at least not yet. He motioned to Trinity to lower her pistols.. she did so belatedly and with a look of disgust on her face.

Saul remembered why he didn't like people.. always arguing, never sociable, so quick to accuse even their friends.. how he longed for the company of the packs. He moved back to the outer edge of the hall, pulling Trinity with him.. it would be safer to watch from the sidelines.

Or are we so uncivilized we can't be reasonable with each other?

Trust a Lahmian to play diplomat..

 

[Trevy the Great]

Vekarin stood motionless, his weapon was still at the ready, drawing in light like a ravening beast from the torches that dotted the walls of the great hall.
"I have had enough of this treachery. The von Carstein's haughty arrogance can be accepted as a natural trait of their bloodline, no doubt stemming from weak blood, but this constant treason begins to weary me. I will no longer stand by and allow them to usurp this Council!"

---

"Training?" Victarias replied, "Yes, Vekarin..." she shook her head, looking pained for a moment.
"I would enjoy a spar, if that is your wish. Perhaps I can re-learn the skills that time has taken from me."

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

At Vekarin's words Lesa could see that they would cause bloodshed if she did not act quickly.

"What would you have us do in Vekarin?" she asked, her eyes staring into his, "you accuse of treachery where there is none. The Carstein's were forced against their will, I know this for certain. I saw what it did to Milosh, and I swear on my own unlife there was no way they could have resisted.
There is no treachery here from anyone, just unfounded accusations that will be the end of us unless everyone learns to reign in their tempers and start acting with civility."

---

At Victarias's suggestion an almost boyish grin lit up the Duke's face.
"Yes I would enjoy that very much," he said turning round, "shall we say the first to draw blood?"

 

[Count Erick]

Müller, Völundr and Hati stood down, though they where slow to do it. Müller and Hati where both itching for a fight after the insults dealt them and Völundr's protective streak made him slow to lower his two handed hammer. But the lowering of weapons was more a symbol than anything.
The werewolves most powerful weapon was always at the ready.

 

[Trevy the Great]

"I respect your opinion, Lesa, but I do not believe this Carstein fabrication. It certainly seems like something that they would introduce to cover their treachery in the face of undeniable defeat."

---

"If those are your rules, than so be it." Victarias replied, her own weapon leaping into her hand.

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

"It is not my opinion Vekarin, it is a fact," Lesa replied, her voice taking on a cold tone, "do you think my husband tried to kill me so the Carsteins could commit treachery? I saw the spell upon him, I saw how it forced him to do things he never wanted to, and saw how the strands of magic affected them all.
I respect your knowledge in martial combat, I would have you respect my knowledge in spellcraft. The Carsteins were acting against their will."

---

The Duke smiled, before hus balde suddenly lashed out with lightning speed. Before it even reached its intended target it jumped like a fish from one hand to another, slipping past Victarias's guard with ease.
"I hope you do not expect me to go easy on you," he said, eyes glittering with excitement.

 

[Get of W'soran]

Karl forced a smile when the brute Vekarin spoke for the Baron, as a von Carstein, had assured these low-born scum that they would be perfectly safe within Simon's home and yet they had not the good grace to stand down.
I see why Simon and Micrea get so angry with these idiotic peasants, they call us arrogant but being loud seems to be the only way to get through to the thick-headed fools.
With his forced smile Karl turned and limped back to his original position of standing beside Simon, let the Lahmian sort the mess of a situation up
If they do not find at least a small amount of wisdom they will see the von Carstein line is easily capable of dealing with any who oppose it. he thought angrily
____________________________________________________

After Lesa spoke Akarin glared at Vekarin
"You are a fool Blood Dragon! Our will was stolen from us we did not betray anyone! So I fail to see what constant treason you speak off...if you wish to see this council's goals succeed perhaps you should try working with us instead of speaking against us." the Assassin spat
Visibly forcing himself to Calm down the von Carstein stared at the other council members
"Perhaps we can just all try to work together and try to find out how the Count's possession was stolen."

 

[Trevy the Great]

"Do you have some sort of proof, blood queen?" Vekarin inquired, turning his eyes toward the Lahmian, "For all we know this action may deliver the Council into the hands of the Black and allow him to use his Carstein pawns against us once again. I will not allow that to happen a second time."

 

[Knightofni]

"Peace.. Please." Saul's voice shook with surprise as he found himself intervening, he glanced at Vekarin nervously.. "Far be it from me to speak above myself, Sir.. but the debate about our bloodlines misfortune is getting us nowhere. What is done is done.. and cannot be undone. And thus we must look to the future.. despite our differences."

Realising that perhaps he shouldn't have spoken at all.. Saul stepped back to the edge of the hall.. trying desperately to blend in with the walls. Talk about dropping yourself in it.

 

[Mr Nightwere]

Jason rolled his eyes and sighed fighting back a growing anger before he spoke,
"Do we really need to go on with this foolishness... lets simply go on with the task at hand which is the missing of the artifact. Now shall we presume that there are some sort of underground escape routes within this castle? and if so would there be some sort of defensive traps in place for just such an occasion as this... I'm only presuming yes as I know Simon is no fool so why not search the dungeons and secret escape routes first before passing blame to the rest of the council, and being plain racist. " he said before looking to the door way as Harrindir walked through. Bloody knuckles dripping with tainted blood which had already began to dry as he stood beside Jason introducing himself quickly before sitting down at the table next to his Sire.

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

"I do not know what you will accept as proof," Lesa replied, "all that I can say was that I saw the spell with my own senses, heard V'azrin admit what he had done as I destroyed him. He would not have shared his spell knowledge, for his kind do not give up their knowledge easily.
I understand your concerns about the risk of this happening again, I do not think it can do. It would take a second generation carstein of which I am not aware of any still surviving. Even if there was one it is not just a spell but the conditioning of the body. It took months of work on my husband for it to work. If we work together now, then even if they did suceed in finding a second generation, they would not have time to condition his body for the spell to work."

 

[Trevy the Great]

"Very well." Vekarin lowered his weapon, the tip of the Dark Blade resting on the cold stones of the hall, "I will defer to your opinion in this matter, however I will not hesitate if this happens again."
He did not return the Dark Blade to the scabbard on his back.

---

"I had hoped not." Victarias replied, leaping backwards quickly. The Duke's strike sliced through thin air missing Victarias' skin and she lashed out to take advantage of her opponent's attack. Steel scraped as her own attack was deflected by the Duke's weapon, but she has already disengaged herself pulling her sword back defensively.

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

Grateful that Vekarin had lowered his weapon Lesa walked over to him,
"Thank you," she whispered, quiet enough for only him to hear her, "I do truly understand your concerns, and if Nagash ever managed to turn them again, you would not fight alone."

Turning back to the Council, she looked at Simon,
"Perhaps now we can solve the mystery of your missing ruby?" she said, "I agree with Jason, we should start searching now, to see if we can pick up any tracks of the thief. Perhaps our new guests would be able to assist in that area," Lesa glanced questioningly at Muller.

 

[Simon von Carstein]

Simon signalled his forces to stand down "you are right Lesa. I'm sorry the shock has affected my judgement. He nodded to Aubervillier "I must apologise I wasn't thinking clearly." Turning to Nar-Zuul he said "seal the gates make sure no one enter nor leaves."

 

[Trevy the Great]

"Right, you should do that, Simon. Closing the watched and heavily guarded gates will certainly stop anyone who was truly skilled from leaving." Zosz rasped sarcastically, "I would advise that we keep the gates open, so as not to alert a thief of our knowledge of them. They may be galled into foolishness."
Zosz thought for a moment.
"Unless, of course, the thief is myself, in which case I would advise closing the gates, because there is nothing more you can do to alert my of my detection, and it will slow your troops when they do chase after me."

 

[Sweeney Todd]

Todd had removed his face from his palm only for tensions to be reignited when Vekarin brought forth his accusation of treachery. He sighed deeply in frustration as he picked up and read the message left at his feet. Things were complicated enough as it were, thus he decided to wait for a better moment to mention Zaak's departure.

It was then that the air began to seethe with magic. The general reaction of those in the chamber was alarm, but Todd sensed a familiar hand behind the spellwork and called for calm while waving the sea of drawn blades down. He was not the least bit surprised when Mrs. Lovette and Toby once again emerged out of a shimmering portal suspended in mid-air, and curtseyed briefly to the council in general before they took their place at Todd's side. He seized on the opportunity provided by the temporary silence Lovette's abrupt arrival brought on

"Regarding the theft of your item, Simon, I would leave Zosz out of it. If any amongst our number were the thief, do you really think he or she would be so foolish as to remain there and wait to get caught? All present have witnessed my associate's ability to teleport, so would you accuse everyone amongst us capable of the same then? I suggest that we investigate before we hasten to point fingers."

 

[Gree]

Mircea stood silently, amused by Vekarin’s ranting. Did not that fool realize that he could have extracted his forces easily and fought another day with the core of his army still intact?

Of course not, but Mircea did not expect any less form those inferior to him.

‘’I think in our rage we are missing the obvious solution.’’ Mircea suggested.

All heads turned to him.

‘’Which is why I am doing it right now’.’ Mircea gave a short whistle and in the distance a fierce chitterling began to fill the hallways as swarms upon swarms of bats began to descend from Nexeternus’s holding caverns.

‘’As I hope you all know, the von Carstein line holds an affinity to the creatures of the night, namely wolves and bats. And of those two, bats posses an ability called ‘’echolocation’’ I have used it myself while in that form.’’

‘’The ruby may be hidden from eyes, but that would not stop the bats form finding it’s shape, nor the Wolves from scenting the thief, Simon, I am already sending several wolves to your collections room, there I will have them get the scent of the room and lead them out, hopefully they should lead us straight to the thief.’’