Buda & Pest

[Dronaw]

<So, what next? Back to the camp for the Gangrel?>

*I remain silent and follow Albrecht.*
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Sunny Black

[Sophia d'Auxerre]

*Sophia peers at Albercht then back along the mush and mud clogged track that the last lingering attackers had fled down. She gestures toward the road as she speaks.*

/Ger/- Given how they were dressed, they could be anywhere. Among the many in the city probably.

*Sophia looks to the woods with a narrowed, thoughtful gaze before looking back to Albrecht and Ernst. There are many factors to consider, all with bleak outlooks should they proceed. *

/Ger/- What of the wolf beasts? Those cowardly... insects are not the only things to be cautious of. They did not touch us.

*Sophia sighs, shaking her head. She had not thought the complications would start so soon. This made such little sense...*

[RedDrake]

/Ger/ - We’re not trackers,

*A new idea came to my mind. *

/Ger/ - But our Gangrel companion, who eventually came from this kingdom, should be a fine one!

*I look to my companion*

/Ger/ - Maybe we could track their scent while it is still „fresh” and find their whereabouts.

*As if I’m unable to do what must be done, the Gangrel can do without arousing any suspicion*
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"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Dronaw]

*I'm busy with the investigation of the corpse so I don't look upon who speaks to me. But I hear everything clearly. I feel seriousness in Albrecht's question but irony in Sophia's. I stand up and look at Albrecht.*

- /Ger/ I'd almost meant that, Fürst von Wulfhard. I think that I would visit the court with my ghouls and my wagon as their vendor and ask questions. They won't ask why I'm here if I can bring some tradable goods or have enough money to make them believe that I come to buy. And during the discussion I might get some information what happened here. Unfortunately I can't find anything relevant in these corpses. They could come from anywhere.

*I shake my head sadly and heave a deep sigh.*

- /Ger/ I only suggest this as an option to find out the truth. But this is not my decision, we are just ordinary members of the company...

* I wait a little, before I continue.*

- /Ger/ So, how should we continue?
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Sunny Black

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Albrecht von Wulfhard, Ernst Hirschler, Sophia d'Auxerre.

*While their masters discuss which path to take next, the three remaining ghouls secure the battlefield. Scouting for survivors from the very beginning, it does indeed appear those who fell fought until their final breath, with most of them already having turned to ash.
The horses are reclaimed, and the fallen body of the banner-clutching crusader is placed upon his own, with all due ceremoniality.*

-/Ger/ Whoever is responsible for this treachery will suffer a horrible death.

*Grumbles Gerunch as he finally moves over to the Kindred, now less injured, but also much paler. He kicks one of the deceased young Cainites in the head, just for good measure.
The rest of them that haven't disintegrated yet exhibit the same pattern. Empty, petty rags, or the clothing of somewhat wealthier peasants, or craftsmen. If they wouldn't have been undead "monsters", or their servants, one could easily think they're regular folks from Buda, or the outlying farmlands. They carry absolutely nothing, other than their weapons, a few worthless coins and the occasional dead rodent in the pockets.
They too are dead rodents now.*
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[Sophia d'Auxerre]

*She looks further down the path as Ernst speaks, thinking of the city that they are not far from. Indeed she too would like to continue, at least to find out more subtly. Unfortunately, she knows that even if the three of them went alone, and the rest back to camp, they would need to drink. Full strength would be needed if they are to keep their wits about them.

Well... two out of three having wits at least.

Sophia arches one sculpted eyebrow as she meets Ernst gaze when he looks to her. When he moves his gaze to the corpses she rolls her eyes, unable to help herself given how inflated the pretend knight's head is.*

<Oh now wouldn't it be a shame if you fell from that high horse? Ugh. Fool.>

*As she is listening to Albrecht's imput, she too, moves through the fallen, her sharp gaze looking for anything out of the ordinary, now and then casting a glance back toward the woods, but they remain silent. *

/Ger/ - Oh then by all means, since you know the prince personally and he clearly won't kill you, despite the attack, perhaps you should go speak to him alone, without the banner, hmm?

*Sophia looks to Ernst, her expression unreadable except a raised brow in questioning*

[RedDrake]

*Retreat or not retreat: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing crush them? To vanquish: to wait;
No more; and by a swing to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoid all as to be wish'd.

Albrecht still feels uneasy. His old self would not run home with an unfinished task at hand, but his kindred self advises caution and to recuperate, because survival comes first. In his inside he is busy looking for a good cause to stay.*

/Ger/ - Lady d’Auxerre has right. It’s important. They’ve also mentioned a King who will swallow all… it’s another important detail we shouldn’t miss.

*But after that I listen to Ernst.*

/Ger/ - The corpses, yes, they may help.

<If only I could use the wolf’s nose to memorize the scent. >
*I may be able to track where they came from. But for that at least partial transformation would be needed. *

<He’s a like a ragabash. A young-cub.>
*Ernst shares some characteristic. Saying that maybe the prince would want to kill Sophia, and suggesting hiding our cross. *

/Ger/ - Are you saying that you’d visit the prince as yourself, not a member from the crusade?

*I’m curious. While asking him, I walk to the corpses to have a brief look on them.*
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Dronaw]

*I look surprised when Albrecht tells me what the enemy were shouting. It's hard to believe that they were the prince's men. This may be a scam. I begin to look around and after Albrecht ask his question, I go to the corpses.*

-/Ger/ First, I want to check those corpses. Maybe I can find some evidence where they come.

*I check the bodies one after another as I speak.*

-/Ger/ So, Prince Vencel... I met him personally only a few times. First when I came with my Sire and he introduced me as the new vendor. The prince seemed to be kind and acted as he was an old friend of my Sire. Later, I only met him when he wanted to talk about serious goods like weapons. This only happened circa 3 times. Mostly I met with his ghouls but they of course acted as they were told to. And they never tried to screw us. They prices were always fair they treated us well. Even sometimes they gave us protection when we carried valuable goods.

*I give a little pause as it seems I find something interesting, but maybe it's nothing.*

-/Ger/ So I could say I don't really know him personally but through his acts and these make me believe that he doesn't want to kill me. But I can't tell that he is not against the cross nor that he doesn't want to kill you.

*I look up to Sophia during my last sentence then head back to the investigation.*

-/Ger/ All I can say that I think I can go inside with my ghouls and ask questions without any danger. But without the cross, of course!
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Sunny Black

[Sophia d'Auxerre]

*Sophia slowly eyes Ernst, but betrays nothing of her inner thoughts upon her delicate features. She glances back down the road to where the last attackers fled, still chanting and hissing their threats.*

-/Ger/- It proves nothing yes, but it's hardly a detail to be ignored. Especially given their numbers.

*Sophia looks round to the wounded men, the smell of blood strong upon the iced winter air. She nods and with the mention of wolves she peers to the trees, where the hulking beasts were last seen as they fled the battle.

There was no doubt, she seen the way that wolf slaughtered the monster by attacking its shadow alone. She had read how the wolf-beasts were to be avoided for the obvious reasons. Their ferociousness combined with their strength, teeth and claws was certainly not something to stand in the way of.
But to possess powers like that? Hrm...

It's not something to dwell on now at least. There are far more important matters at hand.

Like Albrecht, Sophia is frustrated that they have to go back. Not only for the ghouls but to replenish themselves. To continue on without being at full strength would be no doubt a fatal mistake.

She looks to Ernst as Albrecht asks him of the Prince.*

<A friend of the Prince? Please.>

*Sophia remains silent, standing tall though, listening carefully*

[RedDrake]

*There it goes again. The enemy echoed the name of the prince. But of course they can lie and of course it can be a double lie. *

/Ger/ - They died shouting his name, Vencel.

*We should have saved one “alive” but it’s too late for that now.*

<I wonder how they meant that the king will swallow all?>

*Our ghouls are in no condition to continue our journey. But I’m too
frustrated in the inside to just simple “walk home”.
I look at both Ernst and Sophia.*

/Ger/ - That, of course, does not prove anything at all.

*I nod, a bit.*

/Ger/ - Our escorts are wounded. At least they should head back to our camp. But if they do so, they’d be an ideal prey for wolves and other beasts lurking nearby.

*It’s sad but we’ve to go back. I don’t want to.*

/Ger/ - Herr Hirschler,

*I turn to Ernst.*

/Ger/ - what should we know about the Prince? How well do you know him? His methods, his ways in trade?
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"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Dronaw]

- /Ger/ I'm sorry Lady but I didn't hear them. I was too busy fighting with those skunks.

<Who asked you, I was talking to Albrecht!>

*I turn my head towards Sophia during my answer and she may see a little anger or just the aftermath of the battle on my face. I turn it back to Albrecht and continue to him.*

- /Ger/ I know the Prince for years, trading with him and his court. Why would he attack us? I'm sure he knew about this mass and I also have questions. Maybe I can get some answer from his men. I know many of them personally as we traded many times.

*My voice is full of self-confidence. I have no doubt that I can do what I said and I don't believe that the Prince I know for a long time would want to hurt me. Though this I also admit Albrecht's experience.*

- /Ger/ But if you say, it's wiser to retreat to our camp, I won't argue with you. I only hope that the wolves won't come back with their pack.

*I nod a little and clean my sword before I tuck it away.*
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Sunny Black

[Sophia d'Auxerre]

*An eerie silence falls as a curtain behind the cheering of the ghouls, now that the battle is over.

The last remaining insects have fled, their last threat having been hissed. Sophia looks to the darkened woods that frame them, no shadows seem to move, there's no signs of teeth or echos of snarls.*

<How could they just vanish?>

*With another cautious glance, to be sure of their surroundings, Sophia allows the tentacles to meld back with the shadows of the land. Already having pulled enough attention to themselves, she doesn't wish it to go further.

Sheathing her short sword, she pulls a cloth from a small bag that sits upon her belt and wipes the spatters of blood from her ivory features, looking between Albrecht and Ernst as she ignores the ghouls cheering in apparent victory.

She moves toward them as she speaks.*

-/Ger/- I agree, going straight to the Prince after that would be foolish. Did you hear their cries?

*Sophia frowns slightly as she looks in the direction of the city*

-/Ger/- Albrecht is right, the Prince would have eyes that would have long told him what was taking place here or even that such a large mass was lingering in his lands.

*Sophia looks over the ghouls then to both Albrecht and Ernst, firm in her tone. Possibly trying to steady her anger.*

-/Ger/- To go to him without even strengthening ourselves would be... well..

*Sophia glances back to the forest then to the two men who stand before her, a gesture of her hand apologising for the fitting, but not purposeful pun*

-/Ger/ - Offering ourselves to the hungry wolves.

[RedDrake]

*My last strike fills my heart with anger. It cannot be, but my swing misses again. The second time I’ve focused all for a single strike and the second time it misses. It’s not the blade’s fault, it’s the wielders. My fault, my… soul, my wretched existence is just not cooperating with my will! *

<No matter how many years I’ve spent to forget my death wish, the remnants of my soul still wants to die! >

*Sometimes I even dream of a losing battle where my sufferings will end. This is all I want, to end this undying suffering, to disappear without a trace. To stop my time. But, … there is so much left to do. I must atone for my sins and for that I have to continue this wretched existence*

<Move rotten body. MOVE! STRIKE! You will not have your rest! There is still work to do! NOW! >

*If my will is not enough, my fury will do fine. And that traitorous wolf dares to finish my prey! Something is just not right!*

<Feeling proud White Raven? Your hubris will be your undoing!>

*I snort. But at least the Zulo is dead, the rest is scattered, the skirmish is over. But the sweetness of victory was taken away. I stand silently until Ernst calls for me. In short, I’ve a bad feeling about these two garous and now we’re in a middle of a good old territory struggle. I turn to the others, observing Sophia and Herr Ernst*

/Ger/ - There is something amiss here.

*I swing in the air with my blade to clean it from the blood.*

/Ger/ - A group that large was here waiting for us, so close to his city. It’s highly unlikely that the prince wasn’t aware.

*My voice tells: someone will pay for this. I really need time to get hold of myself.*
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"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Dronaw]

*My deflect was a success and I begin the counterattack as the giant tentacle swoop down on the Gangrel. I immediately jump back a little.*

<Shit, it almost crushed me either. What's this slut doing?>

*I observe the battlefield. The Zulo is dead, but it's last scream still echoes in my ears . The survivors of the attackers flee towards the city. I slowly realise that it's over, but my hand can't ease the grip on my sword. Until now, I only fought with mortal enemies. Robbers and muggers were not match for me. And of course, I had Karl on my side and Irene in the back of them. But these vampires and especially the Zolu... That tentacles commanded by Sophia... The giant wolves... As the wolves come into my mind I quickly check for them.*

<Maybe they fled when they see they can't win against us. But surely they will return with their pack. I don't want to experience how to fight against them. We must move quickly!>

*I move towards Albrecht still gripping my sword. My voice is filled with fear and perplexity.*

- /Ger/ The wolves fled, we should move quickly to the city before they get back with their pack! I know Prince Vencel, he will welcome us and track down who dared to attack us in his lands.
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Sunny Black

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Albrecht von Wulfhard, Ernst Hirschler, Sophia d'Auxerre, White Raven.

*The battle takes an unexpected turn. With the giant eventually stopped and backstabbed, and the swarm successfully hindered and curbed, what little "order" there was in the frenzied offensive, breaks. Albrecht's swipe immediately destroys one of his attackers and the other two break off and flee, one of them impaled by an Arm of Ahriman with the precision of a Vlach executioner.
The Gangrel going for the flag finds himself facing a determined Ernst and a deadly Sophia, the eye of the storm, as far as the shadowy snakes are concerned, now freed from the threat of the Zulo. He is grabbed by a tentacle, he slips out of it, then grabbed by two others, his attack is deflected by the Ventrue and a third Arm is used to severe his head from his shoulders.
The Banner of the Black Cross remains intact and the remaining enemies instantly turn tails and flee towards the city. Some of them even manage to succeed. But somewhat bluntening the victory are the whispered words of the vanquished foe... or perhaps the very earth itself: "we will return". "We will return..."*

-/Ger/ Victory for the righteous!

-/Ger/ Run, you cowards!

-/Ger/ God be praised!

*Echo the mortal ghouls for a while as White Raven gallops away into the darkness as swiftly as he came. They won, but only with their assistance, of course. Finally, there is time for the senses, and it is of no surprise that he cannot see either Sablepaw, or Dances-with-Winds.
What's worse is that he cannot smell them either. Reaching the woods and moving over to the tree trunk nearby, he concludes that she must have left recently, with no trace to provide where.
This, of course, can only mean the Umbra. Wonderful. Like one of the Fae, she comes and goes elusively. But again, it serves as a sobering reminder that she is of another kind.
Not one of them, and never will be.

A strange silence falls unto the land again. The grasps upon the sword hilts loosen, the heavy panting of the knights becomes audible with Gerunch's cold breath visible in the star- and moonlight. Though heavily battered, three out of four still stand, including their commander, who now methodically sees to seeking out any survivors. There are none. These fanatics fought until their Final Deaths, save for the half a dozen or so who escaped. The shadowy tentacles reach to the dark skies fully idle now, like an unholy forest, somewhat contradicting the God-praising victory cries. The horses are still a good distance away, frightened to the bone even with Kindred blood in them.
And the wolf-men, the Lupines, the night horrors, the Oldest-of-All disappeared into the darkness that spawned them.*

Continued for White Raven
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