TVC - Chapter 48 - The Altdorf Job

[Lord of Ravens]

"Someting is definately awry," agreed Peter, "I have not seem a Geheimisnacht this active in many years. It seems as if all the dead in Altdorf have awakened."

Turning to Jason he said, "Lord Nightwere, we need to act fast if we are to heal this rift in the Council. We can not defeat Nagash without the Carstein's help, despite their tearchery."

 

[Gree]

Serpino had not dfone much fighting during the raid, prefering to stay behind and let the rest do the dirty work.

''Yes, as odious as the Carsteins betrayel may be, we still need their armies'' he suggested.

 

[Lord of Ravens]

"Yes, without the Carstein's armies at our sides, Nagash will pick us of one by one until there is nobody left to oppose him," said Peter.

Then, at his side, Lucia snorted, "Men, as always, forget to look right under their noses," she tutted, "Not all of the Carsteins betrayed you. I may still have some influence with the family. After all, I was Isabella's closest friend."

 

[Simon von Carstein]

Kurt Helborg dismounted from his horse and entered the chapterhouse of the Reiksguard. The chapterhouse as one of the most fortified positions in the city had been made temporary headquarters for dealing with the current crisis. He was greeted by several captains who proceded to report.

"The walking dead have begun slowly moving through the city there doesn't appear to be any unifying force directing them."

"They only seem interested in killing any living thing in their sights.

"We've heard rumours that this is happening elsewhere across the Empire as well."

"My men are capable are dealing with this scourge but theres just so many dead out there and so few of us by comparison that we're in danger of being overrun!"

"The Amethyst Order wants to send its members into the infested areas to try and find the cause and they want men to escort them in and out."

"The Bright Order keeps requesting that they be allowed to burn this pestilence from the streets despite the danger of an uncontrolled blaze."

"The Witchhunters are demanding that all the Orders should be locked up for being responsible and are threatening to do it themselves."

Thinking hard the Reikmarshal replied "Set up baricades around the city. Try to seperate the horde into more managable numbers. Tell the Amethyst order that I'll be happy to oblige them once the barricades are in place. Tell the bright wizards to go back to the college until I send for them and inform the Witchhunters that I am in charge of this crisis until I am formally relieved of command by the Emperor and that if they want to be useful they can send men to reinforce us!"

 

[Sweeney Todd]

"Perhaps so, Frau Lucia. But then again, maybe not, since Isabella is long dead. As is Vlad, and Konrad, and Mannfred, and the rest of the 2nd generation for that matter." Todd commented in reply. The thought of having to go back to the Carsteins after their betrayal irked him greatly, and it showed in his voice. Mrs. Lovette however said nothing, choosing to watch Lucia with a glimmer of interest instead.

"By the way, gents, ladies, it appears that the streets are alive, or shall we say, un-alive with zombies. Perhaps we can make use of the confusion to make a break for it."

 

[wraith]

Markus spoke up "I beleive it would be in our best intrests to go to the southern mansion..." he agreed "The zombie incursion is a good smokescreen for us and we should utilise it... we should proceed on foot out of the ciy and then find better means of transport... as for the carsteins... Let them apologize first" he spat "Until you require me my lords" he nodded and left through a side door, into the dank of a fenced alley. he leaned on a wall and closed his eyes, polotics were giving him a headache. among other things like the rage he felt for his brother and the contempt that was building within himself.
.

 

[Mr Nightwere]

Lucia I have no doubt that the von carstiens would welcome you back with open arms, But this is more serious this was abbandonment and deception in its foulest form all of us trusted them in some manner and this is a low blow to their trustworthynes. They are going after Nagash, So are we And that is all our relationship needs to be a mean to and end from now on."

Jason watched as markus Bitterly walked away from the council He wondered weather he should council his son and decided that the direction of the council was of more immediate importance.

Now he had begun to worry about his trusted get.

 

[TMS]

Ashlotte and Vekarin was drawing close to Helena's house, and behind them followed the two Lustrian Lizardmen and a small, armed group of the ship's crew. The streets were fortunately quite deserted, strange and unusual as that was, and a wailing wind blew through the paved passageways, eerie and unnatural. Ashlotte's mistress had her home set in one of the more quiet areas of Altdorf but even so, the darkness that crept in the night was disturbing to the senses - oppressive almost - and bore testament to the fear that filled the hearts of men during the geheimnisnacht. Moving shadows and creatures lurked in the alleys intersecting the streets where the small party passed but even the night itself seemed to heed their progress, as nothing hostile approached them.

Eventually, they made it unto the street that would lead them up to their destination, a building that distinguished itself from those next to it with its appearance - most notably its tall and narrow structure, along with its likewise tall but narrow slits for windows. The group approached the house and entered it, the slamming shut of the heavy doors bringing them all a sense of relief from the dangerous night that lurked outside.

Meanwhile, in another part of Altdorf..

"If we'd have known in advance that the town would be in this state we could've just as well brought the others along as well." said Helena as she, Aubervillier and the Red Duke traversed the nighttime streets of Altdorf. The darkling moon above cast its ominous light over the imperial capital and the dark night responded in turn, freeing all that is shunned by the light and letting them loose upon the world of mortals. There was not a single human to be seen anywhere.
"If the fragments of the Council is indeed staying at the inn of the Hairy Dwarf then we are not far from them at all, it's only a little bit further-" she said before interrupting herself, turning her attention to the dark shapes that were appearing before them.
"The animated dead!" she exclaimed in surprise. "Let us proceed to our destination with the utmost urgency before the Witch Hunters arrive here." she continued, urging her companions to break into a run towards the inn that was only a short distance ahead.

 

[Sweeney Todd]

From his vantage point in front of the window, the burst of sudden movement caught Todd's eye at about the same time his subconscious tingled with the presence of approaching vampires. He squinted to make sure he wasn't seeing things before turning back to the rest

"I believe some of the other Council members have found us. Pity we have no red carpet to spare."

 

[Lord of Ravens]

"Then we shall go and meet them in the bar," said Peter to Todd.

The Blood Dragon led the Council into the bar. Igor nodded to them as they came out of the back room. The taproom was almost empty, with a lone drinker sat in a shadowy corner.

Not long after, the rset of the Council arrived. The ghost child Helena burst through the door, closely followed by the Red Duke and one of his knights.

"Mistress Helena," said Peter with a bow of the head, "May introduce you to Lucia von Carstein."

 

[TMS]

"Good evening." replied Helena in return with an inquisitive eye fixed on Lucia - an involuntary reaction to hearing the name 'von Carstein' under the current circumstances.
"You will have to excuse our hasty arrival, but we've not come here on leisurely terms - we've been meaning to have a word with you since the questionable... transpirings that took place in Nuln the other night." she said, after which she turned to the Red Duke and continued, "I'm sure you would be able to relay our thoughts in a stronger manner."

 

[Lord of Ravens]

"I swear to you that I had no..." began Peter, but before he could continue, the door burt open, and in rushed a large numbr of Templars of Sigmar.

"Foul creatures, we know that you and your kind are responsible for tonight's happenings," cried their leader, "You are th same monsters that ionvaded Sigmars most sacred place, and murdered His Templars. Prepare to die."

The Templars surrounded the Council in moments, and drew their blades.

The with hunter captain walked over to the stranger in the corner.

"Get out drunkard, before I kill you too," he spat. He knocked the shadowy figure's drink off the table.

The stranger slowly stood up, drew a pistol, and shot the a from point blank in the face.

Then all hell broke lose.

 

[Sweeney Todd]

Sweeney Todd was smiling when he reacted to the sudden commencement of hostilities by going straight for the jugular, namely the nearest witch hunter's throat. He very much liked and appreciated the kind of audacity the stranger showed. What was more surprising than the outbreak of violence was the fact that Geralt had managed to plunge his runeblade into a witch hunter's heart before his razor had caressed a single windpipe. These days the witcher was seldom surprised by anything, and he had already lunged forward when the shot was fired. By the time Peter or Todd had killed anyone Geralt had already beheaded a second guard with one clean stroke.

Mrs. Lovette was not idle while the rest fought with their sword arm however. Outside of the blessings in the Cathedral of Sigmar which deadened the Winds of Magic, she began to teach those humans what Geheimisnacht meant to a powerful sorceress like her. The air was so filled with magic that for her to release a barrage of lightning blasts upon the Templars wasn't much more difficult then simply flicking her fingers and murmuring. Stepping back to channel something truly destructive, she breathed deep and disgorge a roiling cloud of pure Dhar. It engulfed the whole room and within moments all were encompassed within a crackling midnight sphere that destroyed and disintegrated the foe within it.

Releasing the spell was a lot more difficult than normal. Smoke rose from the hole blasted in the ground just outside the door from her 'ventilation', and arcs of residual power crackled over her body as she grinned.

 

[Mr Nightwere]

Jason looked towards the door way and burst towards it. Outside there were was a small army of 30 witch hunters grinning as they opened fire on Jason. Jason's features were that of an utter glee as the bullets and cross bolts flew towards him the silver and iron ripped into the cloak of eternity. Jason held out his hands as the liquid metal now flung back towards the hunters, searing their flesh in moments.
Jason was still, as he looked to the remaining men feeling their fear rising he cast away his hood, his eyes were alight with power and glaring at them. The light leapt from his eyes with dazzling color's as the bolts incinerated more of the witch-hunters as they struggled to react from the first volley of liquid silver and iron. As he looked to the now scattered few before him, he drew his sword from its sheath. The energy of the moon above his head filled him, as the sword cracked with power as it flowed through Jason who gazed into the eyes of the few who still stood defiant before him.

The Hunters dashed forward from all sides. Jason ducked a blow from behind and struck out lightning fast to wound one of the hunters his powerful blade not piercing the blessed armor of the hunter. He ducked and spun dodging the swords with an unnatural grace and speed as he cast out to block and parry more on attacks. Jason flicked out his blade aiming high at one of the men, landing a blow on the witch hunter a dark smile pressed on Jason's lips as the armor was infected by the enchanted blade. The witch hunter recoiled in horror, as his flesh turned a sickly black and he lost consciousness.

The other hunters pressed in, too end Jason now. As they did Jason's cloak sprung to life and enveloped their blades stopping them for one terrifying moment before he spoke.
"What are these men who seek to end me here in the slums this city? I have fought with Gods and daemons and battled upon the edges of this world and the next. Leave this place with your lives and save your kin or feel free to join the dead. Your choice."
The witch-hunters stopped and looked to each other and their fallen. Only grim and empty eyes looking back at them their lives expired, as the still living twitched faintly in the darkness. They lowered their blades and gathered the fallen men who were clutching to life and dragged them away keeping a watchful eye as they did.

Jason stood there triumphant, and felt the moons cool glow on his skin. He drank heavily from the darkness around him, feeling whole for the first time is hundreds of years. His eyes shifted to the form of Markus, who was cleaning his sword in the shadows, the blood covered his plate armor and the fury and adrenalin still pumping through his veins told him that he had taken out what ever other witch hunters may have been hiding in the shadows.
"You seam troubled my son?" Jason said before looking into the sky and relaxing before he continued.
"Tell me Markus what troubles your mind? I can feel it, niggling at your thoughts clouding your mind perhaps?" Jason said as he turned to face him formally and respectfully.

 

[wraith]

MArkus sheathed his sword and turned to face his dark father.
"It is nothing..." he lied but he was to compelled to speak "Vaskatachi my lord... I feel that he has lost faith in me... I know i took a long absence in the mountains but he dosent know the reason ... I wanted to be in the raiding party in the cathedral but the council made me out to be weak saying that his weakest gets would guard the exit if i didnt... I dont know father I think all that time i spent in the shadow vault has caused me to loose touch with my brothers and our kind..." he paused "I guess im just full of anger because Im not in control of my own path here anymore..." he looked to the ground "I wanted nothing more then to free you and I was not even allowed in the cathedral.." he had wanted to kill and maim but was not given the chance. "Others think me weak" he looked up at his dark father as the ultimate reason came out

 

[Lord of Ravens]

The stranger walked up to Peter and Todd.

"I think ye be needing a way out of this city," he said to the Vampires.

Peter eyed him suspiciously.

"Yes, but why would you help us?" he asked cautiously.

"Because I know who ye are. Word of the Council has reached distant shores," explained the stranger, He was dressed in the manner of pirate, and carried a number o pistols about his person.

"I am Captain Johan Brower, pirate of the Vampire Coast," he said with a bow," And the way I see it, ye be in need of a ship."

 

[Mr Nightwere]

"And that will be their undoing, The greatest power one can have is the one unknown to his enemy. Remember that for you are not weak but strong in my eyes. As for the vault, Vaskatchi need not know about your purpose there, he is to proud to admit your skill but that is simple rivalry." Jason said as he moved over towards Markus sheathing his sword as he walked to stand beside him.
"Besides I know you are all strong. Vaskatchi is strong and wise about the world it comes with ages yes, but he has sired many gets and his blood as thinned because of it. Rick Has trained with the bow and learned and studied the world around him, siring few gets and keeping them strong but losing sight of the world of men keeping to them selves in the trees. You are my gets and are all strong and wise in your own right and it shall be soon that our war against the lahmian's will be over once and for all"

 

[wraith]

he nodded, knowing jason to be right /We shall hunt them till their blood rains down from the sky/ wraith said in his mind "We should move quickly.. the witch hunters and templars will gather in more numbers..." he said and looked about "And thankyou jason..." he said barely audible, jason had always been able to stop his rage.

 

[Mr Nightwere]

Jason looked to the moon and towards the end of the street as rats ran through the streets echo's of scream and terror filling the air as screams of people were eaten alive.
"Let them come my son an army of warrior priests could not hope to undo us on this night."
Jason said as he walked into the bar and looked to the council and then to vaskatchi who was perched on a bar stool watching the Captain Brower and wiping his rapier of blood. Vaskatchi smiled at Jason as he walked in and looked to the captain examining him before he spoke.
" Hello, did I miss something?"

 

[Lord of Ravens]

"Well, I don't think we have any other choice," said Peter to the rest of the Council.

He led the others out of the bar, after tossing a small bag of gold to Igor. It paid to keep the bar keeper sweet.

In the streets of the capital, the Imperial authorities were barely keeping the Undead under control. Peter couldn't sense any power directing the walking corpses. He reached out his mind, and subtly guided a small group of Zombies to attack an Imperial road block. In the confusion, the Vampires slipped by unnoticed.

Soon the Council came to the docks.

"That be my ship there," said Brower, gesturing to a large vessel moored close by. The double masted ship towered over most of the other river traders tied up along the quay.

"Quickly, get on," continued the pirate, "Be there any more of your number in the city?"

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

The Duke had quickly dispatched any templars who had been foolish enough to attack the Blood Dragon, agreeing with Peter's suggestion at retreat. They had achieved their goal of finding the other Council members, and it was pointless staying any longer in the city.

As they prepared to board the ship the Duke answered the pirate,
"Yes, Vekarin, the lizard creatures and Ashlotte are waiting at Helena's mansion," he said, glancing at Victarias, "we deemed they were to noticeable to walk unnoticed around Altdprf. Of course we didn't realise at the time the dead were rising."

"It would be best if we met with them later," Victarias replied a little quickly, eyes flickering away from the Duke, "even with the events they would be noticed, and escalate this into a full scale war. Perhaps Lady Helena could send a message to them, instructing them to leave Altdorf when things have calmed down? The Mistresses ship is still docked here after all?"

OOC: Now LoR - you post in the Nehekharan chapter!

 

[TMS]

"Certainly, I'll relay to them a message and advice that they stay put until this storm has died down."

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Having foregone a tour of the residence upon request from the guests, the unlikely group of creatures had all holed themselves up inside the library which made up the majority of the abode's floor area. The large chamber was lit by two rows of candles that stretched from one end of the room to the other, candles that gave light but no warmth, the flickering flames frozen in time. Rows of bookcases followed the walls and a single round, low-legged table was there, and next to it stood an ornate wooden armchair with a tall backside - Helena's eternal seat and resting place. Ashlotte had earlier rushed forth to stop one of the ship's human crew when he made to sit himself down on the piece of furniture, lifting the man bodily from his half-seated poistion without much of an explanation.

"My mistress says that they are about to leave Altdorf already, but she asks that we stay where we are until this night has passed. The same ship with which we arrived here will still be there for us to use unless we decide to take another route.”

The news of this development garnered a moment of silence from all gathered, before Vekarin boomed,

“Why should we have to stay here while they go off on another little adventure?”, to which Ashlotte replied, “My mistress says that the dead has risen from their graves and are haunting the night, and that the holy men of Sigmar have begun a scouring of the city in response. We would have nothing to gain by risking-“

Vekarin cut her off with a gesture of his hand and another growling comment, “So, where are they headed now, exactly? Did they find the other council members?”

“My mistress did not say where they were going at this point, but they have found who they were looking for.”

“And?

“What do you mean?”

“What did they find out?” demanded Vekarin.

“I wouldn’t know, my mistress did not tell me.”

Vekarin tilted his forehead downwards, put his hand to it and sighed deeply.

 

[Lord of Ravens]

"Well, I hope ye have yer sea legs," replied Brower, before striding off to prepare the ship to sail.

"Set sail ye scurvy dogs," he shouted at his Zombie crew. They shuffled about, raising the anchor and casting off from the docks.

"Get a move on, ye lilly livered curs," bawled the pirate, before blasting a Zombie Pirate overboard with his pistol to emphasize his point.

 

[Mr Nightwere]

Jason walked on-board as the plank was pulled up behind him. He was the last to walk on and the only to look back at the city as more shrieks filled the night air. A small smile crossed his mouth as he Reached out to the city and called to the dead their souls drifted across the waters as their ethereal lights set a grim scene as the dead looked back to home for the last time and illuminated the water's.

Jason turned to the captain and looked into his eyes. Jason already liked the captain, while still mistrusting the new ally, a habit which had served him well in his long days past. One he never hesitated to implore around new and generous vampire.

Never the less he was looking forward to this new turn of events...

 

[Disciple of Nagash]

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