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Under The Black Cross VIII
Ashes of Outremer V
The Itinerant Company approached the Monastery of the Apostles on its quiet and deserted stone street, armed with a freshly killed mortal woman and Brother Anthony's plan to gain entrance.
The thick-walled building was plain and square, wrapped around a small central courtyard and joined by old rusted iron gates. a few windows show the flickering signs of light, but otherwise all is quiet, and the gate unattended.
Deciding it was better to stick to their plan rather than force entry, Mortius began to call out for help, saying he had an injured female found in the street. No answer came but as he called louder the sound of a heavy door opening from within the darkness of the courtyard was heard, and two mailed figures strode toward the gate, suspicion etched upon their battle-worn features as they eyed the Company.
Mortius hastily told them that he was an Itinerant preacher come with the crusade, and that the others where his bodyguard and travelling companions.
Upon showing them the girl, and telling them their deceitful tale, the Knights unlocked the gates and let them enter, one taking the body of the girl and laying carefully upon the cobbles. They introduced themselves as Brothers Duncan and Karl, of the Knights Templar, as if their red-crossed white tabards had not already given the fact away.
The Cainite members of the Company soon felt the ambient faith in the gounds, manifesting as a prickling sensation on the palms of hand and the back of necks, Maelduin even experiencing physical pain, still they kept there composure.
The Templars quickly noted that the girl was dead, and sadly asked Bother Anthony to say her last rights, which he did. They then moved on to questioning how they had come upon her, and seemed satisfied with the lies they were told.
However, before things got any further Brother Karl told them that it was tradition for all who enter the monastery to say the Lord's Prayer before the shrine to St Paul, gesturing over to the small altar in the shadowed corner of the courtyard, which strangely had a gaping hole next to it with the removed cobbles lying in a rough pile nearby.
After a moment of hesitation, Mortius approached first. But the Catholic faith of the place was too strong even for Brother Anthony, and his Beast stirred within him, rearing its ugly head as he turned from his path, screaming in fear of the shrine, and fled wildly into Acre's night.
Barely a touch of surprise registered as the Templars both drew their swords, and turned to face the vampiric Company.
Maelduin found himself quickly involved in swordplay as Brother Duncan immediately moved to attack him, and strike followed parry as they dueled, steel ringing through the air.
The others where nearer to Brother Karl, who had likewise drawn his sword in one hand, while clutching a small silver crucifix in his other. He began to utter whispered prayers.
To their surprise, Volund, Gregoire, and Dragovich were forced back several paces from the force of his faith, the flesh of those that resisted burning and scorching painfully.
Gregoire attempted to use his arts of confusion on them, only to see fall flat and fail utterly.
Brother Karly ran forward as Volund moved to meet his charge, their weapons clanging and echoing as they met.
Volund's flesh seared from faith, and his first blow was skilfully deflected by the Templar, but the Gangrel was the stronger, as with a mighty blow, Volund cut the arm holding the crucifix clean off at the shoulder, bright crimson spurting in its place, as the Knight collapsed.
Mortius now regained his wits and hurried running back the the monastery.
Volund turned and saw Maelduin still fighting hard, striking and parrying against Brother Duncan, and seeing the remaining Templar had his back to him and his attention occupied by the fierce Lihannan, threw his hand-axe at the Knight's back, severing his spine as Duncan fell twitching and foaming at the mouth to the ground.
Wishing to interrogate one of them to gain the answers they sought, Volund and Maelduin tried to stem the flow of blood from Karl's wound, but to no avail.
Bother Anthony hurried in, and seeing the situation and having some measure of medical knowledge, intervened to preserve the dying Templar's life long enough for questions to be asked.
As Duncan died, Karl was questioned on what was buried near the shrine, when it had been removed, and why.
The Templar would tell them little, only that The Cross of The Passion, stained with our Lord's blood, which had rested there since St Paul gave it to Acre's first Christians, had been taken away by Brother Gregory, Knight-Captain of the monastery, the day before. So that it would not fall into the hands of the night-devils...
Spitting curses at them thus he died. They investigated the building, but found it largely deserted, none remained but the two Knights to guard it, and all but food and old weapons had been taken.
Realising that it would be ill-advised to stay in the building awaiting whoever came to look for Duncan and Karl, they returned to their havens, after Volund had secretly gone in the form of a raven to Lady Kara and informed her of what they had learned.
Several uncertain weeks passed in the once-holy city of Acre, with the Company either taking their ease or watching, and perhaps being watched by, their potential allies and rivals.
One evening they gathered in their communal haven, the house that had once served as the home of a family, when Washid, the Syrian Toreador scribe and herald of Etienne, paid them a visit. He said that he had heard of them asking questions as to Brother Gregory of the Knights Templar and his whereabouts. They told him that this was true, and he replied that as they had done him and the Prince a service in ascertaining the fate of the French Ventrue Knight and speaking with Hanifa, that if anything was heard regarding this man or his Brothers, then they would be informed as a return favour. The Company expressed their gratitude to him, and shortly after he took his leave, returning to the caravanissary.
The next evening, they woke to find a summons from Etienne's court had arrived, yet the note was from Aram, not Etienne.
After speculating as to what Aram sending a summons from Etienne's Court might imply as to the state of affairs, they prepared themselves, and left.
They reached the caravanissary outside the city shortly afterwards, and upon being recognised by the ghouled manager, where given leave to enter the back chambers.
They came into the antechamber before Etiene's small indoor audience chamber, and all was quiet. Save perhaps angry murmurings from through the closed doors to the audience chamber.
Gregoire and Mortius, possessed of senses heightened by the arts of Auspex, quickly began to listen as best they could.
They hear that the angry voice is Aram's, and Etienne pleads that he has done all he could, but Aram cuts him off. Varsik's eldest childe accuses Etienne of forgetting his duties, and of neglecting Varsik's interests in place of his own games. Recover The Cross , he says, or be cast from your throne and renounced by your Sire...
The talking seems to stop and the Company backs away from the doors, moving closer to where they entered, just as the doors there doors opened, and the other Cainite members of Acre's court begin to fill the antechamber.
The doors to the small audience chamber are opened by Washid and the waiting Cainites enter the room. As they gather Aram mounts the dais with Etienne at his side, clearly in an inferior position. Aram welcomes the Cainites and announces that Varsik, Sire of the current Prince, Etienne De Fauberge has an offer. That If anyone present recovers the Holy Relic and gives it into the keeping of Varsik, then that Cainite will have the friendship of the most powerful Christian vampire in Jerusalem. After letting both the situation and the offer sink in, Aram orders the minstrels to begin.
The assembled Cainites begin to mix and talk among themselves over warm goblets of vitae as music wafts through the chamber.
As they gravitate toward Von Achern, who blusters quietly about the Prince of Dirt, and orders them to move among the guests and subtly gauge the feeling toward both the idea of him becoming Prince, and the extension of Lord Jurgen's influence over the region.
The scions of the Company do so, carrying out the Baron's word and moving among the guests.
They talked to nigh all there, and few among them found the idea of the Baron becoming Prince to be palatable, both Acre's residents and visiting Crusaders, though the Jerusalem faction was more concerned with the prospect of Aram becoming Prince and Varsik's control over the region increasing. Maria D'Agostino seemed more flexible, though obviously more concerned with her own ambitions. There was less ill feeling toward toward Lord Jurgen's influence coming to Acre, but it seemed that the Baron had inspired little affection in his time there so far.
Just as there were finishing however, the double doors to the chamber bust open, and above the noise and ringing of swords being drawn, a familiar voice could be heard. Blessing upon the house of the Prince of Acre! , we have come to enjoy your hospitality.
It is the Muslim Brujah Hanifa Bint Nasir, and her coterie.
Shouts rise from the crowd and Etienne's gouled guards move to attack, but the Prince stops them with a gesture. He welcomes Hanifa, and grants her the protection due a guest, if the keeps the peace. Peace of God be upon you, what is your business?
Hanifa briefly glances at the Company in recognition, before directing he words to Etienne, and their meaning to Aram.
Just this. Varsik is a Christian in a Musim city, and should be cautious of dictating terms. This is a time of war between faiths, and placing a hatefull lick-spittle, or Franj warlord, as Sultan of Acre would be a provocation. Varsik is a trader. Roads can be closed, and hospitality revoked. Bowing she and her coterie turn and leave.
After the inevitable commotion, the guests disperse into the night, with more questions than answers.
Once again, weeks pass with little activity, and in the mortal world things look little better as the initial phase of the Crusade draws to a close. King John of Jerusalem's two attacks against Mt Tabor fail, as he mysteriously withdraws his forces each time they are on the verge of success. In the midst of Winter, a force of nearly 500 Hungarian Knights and sergeants disappears in the mountains whilt trying to establish their own domain without their King's permission, and King Hugh of Cyprus lies dying in Sidon. His passing marks the loss of the Hungarian King's Andras's interest in the Crusade, and he begins to make preparations to return to Europe.
It is mid-December when they receive an invitation to one of Etienne's Courts, and snow has begun to fall from a cloud-cloaked sky, gently cover all in white and granting the desert Kingdom a surreal appearance.
Etienne is holding Court outside, and few others have deigned to attend, only Don Alfonso and Sir Guy as well as the three Cainites from Jerusalem.
Washid and Etienne greet the Company as they arrive, pointedly inquiring as to the whereabouts of the Baron.
As things continue, the night's silence is broken by the jingling of reins as the doors to the courtyard are opened...
A party of 10 riders comes into view, trotting slowly forward and led by a tall knight. Those with Auspex noted that the company seemed to be a mixture of Cainites and mortals, but the mortals held no fear of the vampires surrounding them. The party contained riding men-at-arms, other knights or squires, and those robed in a more scholarly fashion. The man at their head possessed a neat beard of grey and brown, piercing blue eyes, and white skin that seemed to shine with the reflected radiance of a full moon that wasn't present in the cloudy sky above.
Their tabards were of a dark midnight-blue with the device of a silver grail upon them, and those present knowledgeable in such things recognised it as the heraldry of the Order of The Bitter Ashes, strange and mystic vampire-knights sworn to protect all that was holy.
Etiene is in awe as the Knight introduces himself as Sir Michael of Durham and presents his entourage.
Etienne does not even wait for the proper form before granting them permission to hunt and make haven.
Upon being asked why they have come, Sir Michael replies, graciously declining the proffered cup of blood, The Relic. For this is to unsettled a land for it to remain safe in, and we would see it safe.
Etienne merely shakes his head, saying that it has gone, and none knows to where...
Etienne and Sir Michael move aside for a private discussion, as those of the Company move to the other guests, asking what they knew of The Order and Sir Michael.
Yet another force had come to Acre...
Ashes of Outremer V
The Itinerant Company approached the Monastery of the Apostles on its quiet and deserted stone street, armed with a freshly killed mortal woman and Brother Anthony's plan to gain entrance.
The thick-walled building was plain and square, wrapped around a small central courtyard and joined by old rusted iron gates. a few windows show the flickering signs of light, but otherwise all is quiet, and the gate unattended.
Deciding it was better to stick to their plan rather than force entry, Mortius began to call out for help, saying he had an injured female found in the street. No answer came but as he called louder the sound of a heavy door opening from within the darkness of the courtyard was heard, and two mailed figures strode toward the gate, suspicion etched upon their battle-worn features as they eyed the Company.
Mortius hastily told them that he was an Itinerant preacher come with the crusade, and that the others where his bodyguard and travelling companions.
Upon showing them the girl, and telling them their deceitful tale, the Knights unlocked the gates and let them enter, one taking the body of the girl and laying carefully upon the cobbles. They introduced themselves as Brothers Duncan and Karl, of the Knights Templar, as if their red-crossed white tabards had not already given the fact away.
The Cainite members of the Company soon felt the ambient faith in the gounds, manifesting as a prickling sensation on the palms of hand and the back of necks, Maelduin even experiencing physical pain, still they kept there composure.
The Templars quickly noted that the girl was dead, and sadly asked Bother Anthony to say her last rights, which he did. They then moved on to questioning how they had come upon her, and seemed satisfied with the lies they were told.
However, before things got any further Brother Karl told them that it was tradition for all who enter the monastery to say the Lord's Prayer before the shrine to St Paul, gesturing over to the small altar in the shadowed corner of the courtyard, which strangely had a gaping hole next to it with the removed cobbles lying in a rough pile nearby.
After a moment of hesitation, Mortius approached first. But the Catholic faith of the place was too strong even for Brother Anthony, and his Beast stirred within him, rearing its ugly head as he turned from his path, screaming in fear of the shrine, and fled wildly into Acre's night.
Barely a touch of surprise registered as the Templars both drew their swords, and turned to face the vampiric Company.
Maelduin found himself quickly involved in swordplay as Brother Duncan immediately moved to attack him, and strike followed parry as they dueled, steel ringing through the air.
The others where nearer to Brother Karl, who had likewise drawn his sword in one hand, while clutching a small silver crucifix in his other. He began to utter whispered prayers.
To their surprise, Volund, Gregoire, and Dragovich were forced back several paces from the force of his faith, the flesh of those that resisted burning and scorching painfully.
Gregoire attempted to use his arts of confusion on them, only to see fall flat and fail utterly.
Brother Karly ran forward as Volund moved to meet his charge, their weapons clanging and echoing as they met.
Volund's flesh seared from faith, and his first blow was skilfully deflected by the Templar, but the Gangrel was the stronger, as with a mighty blow, Volund cut the arm holding the crucifix clean off at the shoulder, bright crimson spurting in its place, as the Knight collapsed.
Mortius now regained his wits and hurried running back the the monastery.
Volund turned and saw Maelduin still fighting hard, striking and parrying against Brother Duncan, and seeing the remaining Templar had his back to him and his attention occupied by the fierce Lihannan, threw his hand-axe at the Knight's back, severing his spine as Duncan fell twitching and foaming at the mouth to the ground.
Wishing to interrogate one of them to gain the answers they sought, Volund and Maelduin tried to stem the flow of blood from Karl's wound, but to no avail.
Bother Anthony hurried in, and seeing the situation and having some measure of medical knowledge, intervened to preserve the dying Templar's life long enough for questions to be asked.
As Duncan died, Karl was questioned on what was buried near the shrine, when it had been removed, and why.
The Templar would tell them little, only that The Cross of The Passion, stained with our Lord's blood, which had rested there since St Paul gave it to Acre's first Christians, had been taken away by Brother Gregory, Knight-Captain of the monastery, the day before. So that it would not fall into the hands of the night-devils...
Spitting curses at them thus he died. They investigated the building, but found it largely deserted, none remained but the two Knights to guard it, and all but food and old weapons had been taken.
Realising that it would be ill-advised to stay in the building awaiting whoever came to look for Duncan and Karl, they returned to their havens, after Volund had secretly gone in the form of a raven to Lady Kara and informed her of what they had learned.
Several uncertain weeks passed in the once-holy city of Acre, with the Company either taking their ease or watching, and perhaps being watched by, their potential allies and rivals.
One evening they gathered in their communal haven, the house that had once served as the home of a family, when Washid, the Syrian Toreador scribe and herald of Etienne, paid them a visit. He said that he had heard of them asking questions as to Brother Gregory of the Knights Templar and his whereabouts. They told him that this was true, and he replied that as they had done him and the Prince a service in ascertaining the fate of the French Ventrue Knight and speaking with Hanifa, that if anything was heard regarding this man or his Brothers, then they would be informed as a return favour. The Company expressed their gratitude to him, and shortly after he took his leave, returning to the caravanissary.
The next evening, they woke to find a summons from Etienne's court had arrived, yet the note was from Aram, not Etienne.
After speculating as to what Aram sending a summons from Etienne's Court might imply as to the state of affairs, they prepared themselves, and left.
They reached the caravanissary outside the city shortly afterwards, and upon being recognised by the ghouled manager, where given leave to enter the back chambers.
They came into the antechamber before Etiene's small indoor audience chamber, and all was quiet. Save perhaps angry murmurings from through the closed doors to the audience chamber.
Gregoire and Mortius, possessed of senses heightened by the arts of Auspex, quickly began to listen as best they could.
They hear that the angry voice is Aram's, and Etienne pleads that he has done all he could, but Aram cuts him off. Varsik's eldest childe accuses Etienne of forgetting his duties, and of neglecting Varsik's interests in place of his own games. Recover The Cross , he says, or be cast from your throne and renounced by your Sire...
The talking seems to stop and the Company backs away from the doors, moving closer to where they entered, just as the doors there doors opened, and the other Cainite members of Acre's court begin to fill the antechamber.
The doors to the small audience chamber are opened by Washid and the waiting Cainites enter the room. As they gather Aram mounts the dais with Etienne at his side, clearly in an inferior position. Aram welcomes the Cainites and announces that Varsik, Sire of the current Prince, Etienne De Fauberge has an offer. That If anyone present recovers the Holy Relic and gives it into the keeping of Varsik, then that Cainite will have the friendship of the most powerful Christian vampire in Jerusalem. After letting both the situation and the offer sink in, Aram orders the minstrels to begin.
The assembled Cainites begin to mix and talk among themselves over warm goblets of vitae as music wafts through the chamber.
As they gravitate toward Von Achern, who blusters quietly about the Prince of Dirt, and orders them to move among the guests and subtly gauge the feeling toward both the idea of him becoming Prince, and the extension of Lord Jurgen's influence over the region.
The scions of the Company do so, carrying out the Baron's word and moving among the guests.
They talked to nigh all there, and few among them found the idea of the Baron becoming Prince to be palatable, both Acre's residents and visiting Crusaders, though the Jerusalem faction was more concerned with the prospect of Aram becoming Prince and Varsik's control over the region increasing. Maria D'Agostino seemed more flexible, though obviously more concerned with her own ambitions. There was less ill feeling toward toward Lord Jurgen's influence coming to Acre, but it seemed that the Baron had inspired little affection in his time there so far.
Just as there were finishing however, the double doors to the chamber bust open, and above the noise and ringing of swords being drawn, a familiar voice could be heard. Blessing upon the house of the Prince of Acre! , we have come to enjoy your hospitality.
It is the Muslim Brujah Hanifa Bint Nasir, and her coterie.
Shouts rise from the crowd and Etienne's gouled guards move to attack, but the Prince stops them with a gesture. He welcomes Hanifa, and grants her the protection due a guest, if the keeps the peace. Peace of God be upon you, what is your business?
Hanifa briefly glances at the Company in recognition, before directing he words to Etienne, and their meaning to Aram.
Just this. Varsik is a Christian in a Musim city, and should be cautious of dictating terms. This is a time of war between faiths, and placing a hatefull lick-spittle, or Franj warlord, as Sultan of Acre would be a provocation. Varsik is a trader. Roads can be closed, and hospitality revoked. Bowing she and her coterie turn and leave.
After the inevitable commotion, the guests disperse into the night, with more questions than answers.
Once again, weeks pass with little activity, and in the mortal world things look little better as the initial phase of the Crusade draws to a close. King John of Jerusalem's two attacks against Mt Tabor fail, as he mysteriously withdraws his forces each time they are on the verge of success. In the midst of Winter, a force of nearly 500 Hungarian Knights and sergeants disappears in the mountains whilt trying to establish their own domain without their King's permission, and King Hugh of Cyprus lies dying in Sidon. His passing marks the loss of the Hungarian King's Andras's interest in the Crusade, and he begins to make preparations to return to Europe.
It is mid-December when they receive an invitation to one of Etienne's Courts, and snow has begun to fall from a cloud-cloaked sky, gently cover all in white and granting the desert Kingdom a surreal appearance.
Etienne is holding Court outside, and few others have deigned to attend, only Don Alfonso and Sir Guy as well as the three Cainites from Jerusalem.
Washid and Etienne greet the Company as they arrive, pointedly inquiring as to the whereabouts of the Baron.
As things continue, the night's silence is broken by the jingling of reins as the doors to the courtyard are opened...
A party of 10 riders comes into view, trotting slowly forward and led by a tall knight. Those with Auspex noted that the company seemed to be a mixture of Cainites and mortals, but the mortals held no fear of the vampires surrounding them. The party contained riding men-at-arms, other knights or squires, and those robed in a more scholarly fashion. The man at their head possessed a neat beard of grey and brown, piercing blue eyes, and white skin that seemed to shine with the reflected radiance of a full moon that wasn't present in the cloudy sky above.
Their tabards were of a dark midnight-blue with the device of a silver grail upon them, and those present knowledgeable in such things recognised it as the heraldry of the Order of The Bitter Ashes, strange and mystic vampire-knights sworn to protect all that was holy.
Etiene is in awe as the Knight introduces himself as Sir Michael of Durham and presents his entourage.
Etienne does not even wait for the proper form before granting them permission to hunt and make haven.
Upon being asked why they have come, Sir Michael replies, graciously declining the proffered cup of blood, The Relic. For this is to unsettled a land for it to remain safe in, and we would see it safe.
Etienne merely shakes his head, saying that it has gone, and none knows to where...
Etienne and Sir Michael move aside for a private discussion, as those of the Company move to the other guests, asking what they knew of The Order and Sir Michael.
Yet another force had come to Acre...
