CEDRIC//

I had a revelation. She could have ascended to a higher level of power. Maybe she is struggling to control things of a planetary nature? And wouldn't it be like me down here struggling to comprehend the nature of water? I think it's what she always would have wanted. She would have transcended the ordinary.

STRAUD//

Indeed, she would have.

CEDRIC//

Who are the Eigen, Vlad?

STRAUD//

I do not know. It is the very nature of faith that I fear I've invented them.

CEDRIC//

Okay, I can get that. But who are they? What do you know about them?

STRAUD//

They are beings of immense power that originate in and emenate outward from stars.

CEDRIC//

That's pretty incredible.

STRAUD//

It is, isn't it? But at the same time, it seems entirely plausable. For what other being is as old, as storied, and immense as starstuff?

CEDRIC//

It's a hard sell. We are so tiny, we have no hope of understanding such a being.

STRAUD//

And yet we are all pieces of the starstuff yearning to rejoin the whole.

CEDRIC//

I think that's where she is. She's been chosen to ascend. Her soul has endured. She was judged worthy.

STRAUD//

She was a spirit of good works.

CEDRIC//

I lament all the time we spent together but apart.

STRAUD//

Videogaming?

CEDRIC//

All that time not spent face-to-face, in actual social experience.

STRAUD//

It does not have to be face-to-face. Comrades-in-arm share a shared tragedy, and you only see your fellow man through the crease of one's eye. You were in shared experience, do not decrease it so.

CEDRIC//

But if I were to try to recreate her, I would not know some of the most vital parts of her self -- how she hunt.

STRAUD//

For that you must go to Sebastian Eriksson.

CEDRIC//

I do not know if I am ready for that. I mean, maybe it is something I can do but I am not sure I'm prepared to integrate what I see.

STRAUD//

Why do you fear it?

CEDRIC//

Because I fear filling myself with jealousy. Sebastian is a powerful vampire.

STRAUD//

Do you resent their parting?

CEDRIC//

No, I don't understand it. I just wish I could know it from her perspective. I'll never be able to ask her.

STRAUD//

Maybe you just won't want to ask her. It's in the past.

CEDRIC//

I just wish I'd had more time to get to know her.

STRAUD//

It is never enough. But don't go about thinking you needed her presence to alleviate yourself of guilt you accumulate in her absence. For that is covetousness, greed. You must be ready to give her up when it is her time.

CEDRIC//

But I thought we were to fight for our loved ones.

STRAUD//

Indeed, the advice seems contradictory. But the crux of the issue is your personal motivation. Everything we do should be out of love, not out of want or supposed need. We should not hold souls hostage because of our own shortcomings.

CEDRIC//

Do you think she's really ascended?

STRAUD//

I do. I had hoped I could free her from what troubled her on Earth.

CEDRIC//

But how could existence be boiled down to a single affliction? Couldn't we just focus on solving that problem?

STRAUD//

Sometimes there is no fix. Sometimes it is beyond our power. We are small and limited. Even the Mages tremble before the might of the Eigen.

CEDRIC//

That is where I hope she is. I miss her, with every atom of my being, but I would not recall her from fulfilling a greater destiny.

STRAUD//

Do not forget that she is here with you, helping you to rise to your own destiny. Have you made any progress pulling water from the Dream?

CEDRIC//

I've been afraid to try.

STRAUD//

Fear is expected and reasonable but it will slow your progress.

CEDRIC//

One wrong step and I could twist my ankle.

STRAUD//

Oh, you could do worse than that. The Dream is unpredictable, as is our command over it.

CEDRIC//

I could fill the house with water, drown AVAEL and the cats along with my entire city block.

STRAUD//

You are right to know these miracles may take many shapes. You do not have the moderating influence of an Avatar as the Mages do. The nature of the vampire is coming to understand the loneliness.

CEDRIC//

What do you make of Svetlana's connection to the animal spirit?

STRAUD//

It seems to be something of an Avatar, but not the same. A sort of guardian angel. That is why I was unable to aid in her fight against her illness. Her spirit is governed by a magic far greater than I possess.

CEDRIC//

Did you try?

STRAUD//

As a man tries to dislodge a boulder. Nothing moves but that does not mean I did not expend effort.

CEDRIC//

I will go to Sebastian and learn more about her.

STRAUD//

I think that would be good for you.

CEDRIC//

We were supposed to have eternity together.

STRAUD//

How generous a promise never afforded to the mortals.

CEDRIC//

Isn't that one of the tradeoffs for the unending responsibility of stewarding them?

STRAUD//

Is not the boon of eternal life enough?

CEDRIC//

It doesn't come without drawbacks.

STRAUD//

I challenge you to detail the negatives to someone whose natural lifespan passes in the blink of an eye.

CEDRIC//

Valid. Just... It's not what I was promised.

STRAUD//

In this world of violence, nothing is guaranteed, not even for us.

CEDRIC//

So I aimed to be stronger than my enemies.

STRAUD//

You and each and every of my Childer. You have been fortunate to enjoy the time of peace that you enjoyed.

CEDRIC//

Tell that to the veterans of conflict. That at least their childhood was idyllic.

STRAUD//

At least you recognize your own childhood as such.

CEDRIC//

I am not ready to close the door on the past.

STRAUD//

She will ever be a part of your future.

CEDRIC//

I have too many sins to atone for.

STRAUD//

Your enduring love with see that to completion.

CEDRIC//

Is there any end in sight for us?

STRAUD//

Our end comes each time we enter daysleep and the death of each new sunrise. You will live your life to completion each time the energy drains from your form.

CEDRIC//

But sleep doesn't come to me every day.

STRAUD//

And yet, it still comes. The same rule applies.

CEDRIC//

What if I'm just making up my experience in the Dream?

STRAUD//

That is the difficult aspect of faith. But the rewards are everlasting.

CEDRIC//

I'm trying to interface with faith but it's difficult; I wasn't raised that way.

STRAUD//

All children experience faith, even if they are not taught to give it a face.

CEDRIC//

I suppose what I had was a sort of faith, though it was a faith of nothingness.

STRAUD//

You made your own faith.

CEDRIC//

I didn't deserve her, Vlad. I didn't deserve her kindness, her beauty, her wisdom. I didn't deserve her generosity.

STRAUD//

We are all sinners, but it does not do to dwell in sin. You still have much in front of you. Make that time worthy of what she has given you.



That evening, I could not tutor Cedric on the use of the Dream. Tomas Ortega had requested my presence at the Blue Velvet.

I needed all the help I could get in the coming campaign against my old rival. I was glad Ortega had seen reason and allied with our cause. The Sabbat was but one enemy on the horizon.

On the way to the Blue Velvet, Mandarc decided to engage in some unusual smalltalk.

MANDARC

IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE’VE SEEN DAVIAN OUT AND ABOUT.

SHOULD WE INVITE HIM OUT?

STRAUD

I BELIEVE THE MAN IS TIGHTLY EMBROILED IN HIS STUDIES.

HE WILL EMERGE WHEN HE IS READY.

MANDARC

SURPRISED I HAVEN’T SEEN LILA, EITHER.

STRAUD

DESPITE HER GREAT SHOW OF POWER, SHE IS HIS APPRENTICE.

I IMAGINE SHE IS ASSISTING HIM.

TONIGHT WE WORK ON DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH ANOTHER FACTION: THE CAMARILLA.

MANDARC

YOU’D BETTER BE CAREFUL, OR HE’S GOING TO ASK YOU TO THROW YOUR LOT IN WITH HIM.

STRAUD

WE HAVE ALREADY JOINED FORCES.

MANDARC

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

HE’LL REQUEST YOU BECOME A CARD-CARRYING MEMBER OF THE CAMARILLA.

STRAUD

I DO NOT THINK THAT WILL BE A PROBLEM.

MANDARC

WHAT?

STRAUD

I DO NOT THINK HE WILL ASK US TO JOIN THE CAMARILLA.

BY AND LARGE, WE FOLLOW THE PRECEPTS OF THE MASQUERADE, AND HE RECOGNIZES WE ARE ALREADY ALLIES IN THE WAR AGAINST THE SABBAT.

MANDARC

I JUST WORRY THAT HE WILL WANT TO EXPAND HIS DEFINITION OF “THE CITY”.

STRAUD

WE WILL FIGHT THAT BATTLE IF IT COMES TO IT.

WHAT’S MADE YOU SO SUSPICIOUS?

MANDARC

I KEEP THINKING OF THAT TREMERE, HASSAN.

THE PRINCE IS A PRETTY FACE BUT PERHAPS HE AND THE TREMERE LIKE HIM ARE THE MORE HONEST FACE OF THE CAMARILLA.

STRAUD

YOU ARE RIGHT TO SUSPECT THE TREMERE.

MANDARC

HOW CAN WE BE BOTH ON THE SIDE OF THE SALUBRI AND THE TREMERE?

STRAUD

I HAVE NOT FORGED AN ALLIANCE WITH THE TREMERE SO MUCH AS I HAVE DECLARED FRIENDSHIP WITH THE PRINCE HIMSELF.

MANDARC

DOES HE UNDERSTAND THAT?

STRAUD

I WILL MAKE HIM UNDERSTAND.



When we arrive at the Blue Velvet, the sun has sunk into the western horizon. Mandarc and I walk through the front door and find the place abuzz with conversation. Mandarc skitters off to the bar.

A familiar voice sticks out in the crowd. It is one of my Childer, Áine, engaged in a flirtatious conversation with her chosen mate, the demon prince Gwydion. It was a match I could not have foreseen, but supported wholeheartedly.

ÁINE

GRANDFATHER.


She spoke to me telepathically from across the room. But I could still hear the signature of her voice that reflected her uniqueness.

STRAUD

CHILDE.

ÁINE

I’M GLADDENED BY YOUR PRESENCE.

STRAUD

AS AM I.


Suddenly, a less-than-familiar voice bombards my consciousness.

GWYDION

SALUTATIONS, GRANDFATHER.


He was nothing if not bold. I supposed he had both of his parents to blame for that.

STRAUD

I’M GLAD YOU BOTH ARE ENJOYING YOURSELVES BUT MANDARC AND I HAVE COME TONIGHT ON BUSINESS.

ÁINE

WHAT’S THE NAME OF THE GAME?

STRAUD

A FOLLOW-UP WITH THE CAMARILLA PRINCE. THE FIRST OF MANY MEETINGS CEMENTING OUR FRIENDSHIP.

GWYDION

IT IS FORTUITOUS THAT HE’S ACCEPTED YOUR PLACE OF ELYSIUM.

STRAUD

IT IS A GOOD SHOW OF FAITH.

GWYDION

MAYBE IT’S JUST BECAUSE YOUR SPEAKEASY IS DEVELOPING QUITE THE REPUTATION.

STRAUD

OH IS IT?

ÁINE

HUMILITY, GRANDFATHER, HUMILITY.

STRAUD

THE PRINCE MAINTAINS HIS SAFE HAVENS BUT HE MUST KNOW I DON’T PREFER TO TRAVEL.

GWYDION

MAYBE I’LL PAY HIM A VISIT ONE OF THESE DAYS.


I am surprised at how rapidly Gwydion has joined our cause. Perhaps he has seen a similarity between his plight and ours.

He and Áine share a knowing glance and I feel grateful that they’ve found each other. But I cannot dwell in it for long, as I feel the presence, calm and proud, of Tomas Ortega. With him is a young vampire who I do not recognize but seems to have an impression of me and my establishment.

Tomas and his accomplice walk up to me as I’ve set my eyes upon them and bid them welcome.

They are dressed in ordinary street clothes befitting the summer’s approach. Tomas wore an outfit of mostly white, as he usually did, and his friend wore a youthful outfit with red accents, complete with beads in her hair. She struck me immediately as a kind, thoughtful vampire and I liked her even before she spoke.

TOMAS

COUNT STRAUD.


Tomas bowed to me, and it surprised me. Áine and Gwydion seemed pleased to see them present the gesture. Finally our exchange attracted the attention of Mandarc, who made his way over to offer a greeting. It is bold of the Prince to travel without his wives, as it leaves him and his accomplice woefully outnumbered.

STRAUD

TOMAS.

IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.


Mandarc, Áine, and Gwydion offer salutations in return.

STRAUD

PLEASE, LET US SIT.


I direct the entourage over to my usual table, stage right of an empty platform covered by curtain.

STRAUD

YOU ARE FORTUNATE YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SIT THROUGH ANOTHER OF OUR PERFORMANCES.

TOMAS

OH, THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

SHELBY AND I BOTH ENJOYED LONG WINTER VERY MUCH.

SHELBY

IT WAS MY FIRST VISIT TO THE BLUE VELVET, SIR.

STRAUD

I HAD SUSPECTED AS MUCH.

IT IS GOOD YOU HAVE COME TO JOIN US, MISS DAWSON.

TOMAS

SHE OVERCAME A BLOOD BOND IN ORDER TO DO SO.

STRAUD

AN IMPRESSIVE SHOW OF WILL.

MANDARC, TOO, BENT HIS WILL IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PICK THE LOCK OF HIS PRISON.


Mandarc’s eyes widened but he said nothing. He was not one to enjoy praise.

TOMAS

THAT IS PART OF WHY I HAVE COME, COUNT.

I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER SHELBY TO YOU AS YOU NEED.

SHE IS EAGER TO LEARN BUT I THINK SHE WOULD LEARN BEST WITH YOUR FLEDGLINGS.

THEY ARE SIMILARLY STRONG-WILLED FOR THEIR AGE.

STRAUD

I APPRECIATE THE OFFERING.

I CAN ALWAYS USE AN ADDITIONAL FOOT-SOLDIER, ESPECIALLY IN THESE TRYING TIMES.

BUT IN REPAYMENT I MUST ASK SOMETHING OF YOU.

TOMAS

OF COURSE, COUNT.

STRAUD

THERE IS A PARTICULAR FELLOW IN YOUR SERVICE THAT I FIND RATHER UNTRUSTWORTHY.

IN ADDITION, HE POSSESSES A YOUNG WOMAN WHOM I WOULD LIKE TO SEE RESTORED TO AN ASSOCIATE OF MINE.

TOMAS

OF WHOM DO YOU SPEAK?

STRAUD

THE TREMERE HASSAN TALEB.

TOMAS

AH YES.

HE SERVES UNDER KALYANI.

STRAUD

I AM SURE HE PAYS THE PROPER RESPECT TO YOU AND YOURS BUT HE HAS BEEN IN MY HOUSE CAUSING MISCHIEF AND, DARE I SAY, THREATENING THE MASQUERADE.

I HOPE THAT IS CAUSE ENOUGH TO ROUSE YOUR IRE BUT I CONSIDER MY PERSONAL MOTIVATIONS OF PRIMARY IMPORT IN THIS MATTER.

TOMAS

IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT SHE CAME OF HER OWN FREE WILL.

STRAUD

A CONFESSION GIVEN UNDER DURESS CANNOT BE WHOLLY REGARDED AS TRUTHY.

TOMAS

I’M SORRY TO HEAR OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HER EMBRACE.

STRAUD

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HER RETURNED TO MY PEOPLE.

MANDARC

EXCUSE MY INTERRUPTION, BUT WHO ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

STRAUD

THE VAMPIRESS GABRIELLE ORLÉANS.

THOUGH SHE NOW BE THE CHILDE OF HASSAN TALEB, SHE WAS ONCE A DEAR FRIEND OF DAVIAN HUGHES.

MANDARC

OH MY.

HELL HATH NO FURY…

STRAUD

DAVIAN HAS LARGELY STAYED OUT OF THE MATTER, RESIGNING HIMSELF TO THE FACT THAT SHE JOINED THE TREMERE OF HER OWN ACCORD.

BUT I SEE IT DIFFERENTLY.

I DO NOT THINK THE TREMERE HAVE HER BEST INTERESTS AT HEART AND IT FALLS TO US TO CARE FOR THE FEW ENCHANTED THAT REMAIN.

ÁINE

I DID NOT THINK IT POSSIBLE TO TURN A MAGE.

GWYDION

THE TREMERE ARE CAPABLE OF SUPRISING FEATS WITH THEIR RITUALS.

TOMAS

WHAT IF SHE DOESN’T WANT TO LEAVE?

STRAUD

THEN BRING HER TO ME.

LET ME AT LEAST HAVE A WORD WITH HER.

THEN WE WILL SEE WHERE HER TRUE LOYALTY MAY LIE.