Buda & Pest

[Freiherr von Rosen]

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

*While the preparations continue hastily, Ernst's mention of Cain in the place of God certainly raises some eyebrows. But there's no time for theological discussions now. His suggestion is addressed instead by the male Komtur.*

-/Ger/ We do not fight a war here, brother, but neither can the Prince. And unlike the Prince and his retinue, we are the instruments of holy wrath and His divine will.

*His voice remains calm, but the determination in his blue eyes could incinerate forests. His aura is practically visible now.*

-/Ger/ We will not sulk around after such a grave offence. We are the Black Cross, and they are but a garrison in the hinterlands, no matter how Vencel would style himself.

*He too pauses before concluding his thoughts.*

-/Ger/ Of course, the possibility of deception still stands. We will find out the truth before raising swords, but we will do it honourably, in our full might. No other way would ensure proper respect for the Crusade coming after us. We have our standards and principles to live up to.
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[Dronaw]

I remain silent during the way back to our camp. I heard Sophia's irony but I only took it into a basket labelled for her. I look around frequently to prevent an other ambush but fortunately nothing happens. When we arrive to the camp I stay near to Albrecht and let him speak for us too. But when the Komtur mention that we should march into Vencel's palace, I feel I have to talk. But first of all a word for the fallen.

- /Ger/ He did a great job! Kain will surely reward him.

I look at Lucretia and Anselm.

- /Ger/ With all my respect I must say that I don't think marching to Vencel is a good idea. Our prince said we are the eyes and ears and not the swords of the crusaders. If he is really moving against the crusade then he might expect a counter attack and maybe even reinforced his own troops with others who are not agree with our task. Instead of a direct attack I suggest to go inside in incognito and trace down what happened. I could go inside with my ghouls as I used to be as a trader. I think even our Hungarian companion may come with us as a local warrior who decided to travel with me. This won't be unusual.

I pause a little then continue.

- /Ger/ If we march to Vencel and he is neutral we might turn him against us. He is so paranoiac. It's hard to get his favour but easy to lose.

After I finished I sill look on the Komturs waiting for their decision or questions.
_________________
Sunny Black

[Sablepaw]

*Contrary to White Raven's expectations I become even more playful and light-hearted when he mouths my muzzle and starts acting a bit more natural. I can sense the small changes in his behaviour but he still smells sorrowful - even after his answer I have no idea why.*

<Useful...>

- /Gar/ She could have flown unnoticed to watch things for us. But don't worry. Spirits can do that, too!

<And they're allies in the Prophecy not some.... Raven... Twoleg... Shifter... what is that thing anyway? Well, it doesn't matter any more.>

*I try to sound as inspiring as I can before vanishing from the Spirit-Wilds. Tracking the scents is as easy as ever but my great "plan" is quickly revealed as something useless...*

<Complicated Twolegs. Even more complicated Leeches... I don't like complicated things! But he's right. Even if he drank Twoleg-blood and rolled in the remains of the carcass to get that death-scent and blood scent, he would definitely still smell too... alive. And these Foe-things are smarter than Two-Legs.>

*I snort in disdain when he dares to compare those things to us but I think I get his point. Still screening the flattened path I turn to him once again...*

- /Gar/ So should we just sneak around them? What about these Leeches anyway? Tell me more about them. It might be useful if I knew at least some advice about them. All I know is they're Empty, repulsive, dead yet walking Twolegs, filling their emptiness with Twoleg-blood. And the things you've told me and those I saw during the bloodshed. Anything else before we approach them?
_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[Inu]

*Sablepaw still tries to comfort me and pushing her flank would do the job, but mouthing my face... I mean my muzzle is really annoying. At least it reminds me to hide my feelings again. I return her gestures partly to indicate that I'm all right. And she might even realize how annoying her mouthing is, when she feels it herself.*

<What am I doing? Am I a newborn pup? Hide your feelings and your weaknesses!>

-/Gar/ Don't get me wrong. I'm glad that you are both safe. But Dances-With-Winds could be a great help. - *I continue with a comforting smile* - But it is Our Prophecy. We'll do it on our own.

*I follow Sablepaw and let her find the trace for now. I know enough to find them any time with the help of the Spirits.*

-/Gar/ We can find them and follow them but...

[Freiherr von Rosen]

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

*General surprise ensues. The mention of the dreaded wolf-beasts causes an immediate burst of whispering, sometimes loud exclamations of fear, or hatred. Only the two Komturs stand like a pair of rocks, listening to the full story.*

-/Ger/ Lupines often have dark and shady motives - *adds Lucretia* - but it is unusual indeed for them to be consciously discriminating in the heat of battle. At any rate, you've been very... fortunate.

-/Ger/ Yes...

*Anselm takes a step forward, adjusting the straps of his gauntlet.*

-/Ger/ This heroic soldier's burial will be duly attended. His sacrifice was not in vain. But first, we must act. What these strange moon-beasts did and why is out of our concern now. Remember that next time, it could very well be us feeling the full brunt of their assault, so redouble the guard, especially in daytime, and hand over your silver weapons - if you have any - to your ghouls while you sleep. Our lives may depend on it.

*A short pause.*

-/Ger/ Now... for Vencel.

*The gazes in the "audience" all darken with resentment, or outright hatred.*

-/Ger/ I do not know the truth, not yet. But by God, I will find it out within the hour, and when I do and if he sent this rabble against the Holy Cross and his own clan, he will suffer the full force of our fury!

*Vampire and ghoul alike cheers and shouts while the general lynch atmosphere sets in. The Crusade wants revenge.*

-/Ger/ The truth will out! Saddle up, brethren! Let us see the looks on their faces when instead of three Cainites, thirteen show up! Bring only a handful of retainers - we must make sure the camp remains well-guarded!

*Order breaks up as the vampires each make their own preparations - weapons, horses, blood - in all due impulsiveness, but the two Komturs don't go anywhere yet. In fact, they step closer to the survivors and lower their voices.
Lucretia speaks.*

-/Ger/ Anything to add?

*With this, she gazes mostly at the two hitherto-silent Kindred, and, to a lesser degree, the ghouls, it is still Gerunch who finds it proper to reply first. Briefly.*

-/Ger/ He died saving Master Ernst, m'lady. He died clutching the Banner.
_________________

[Sablepaw]

*I'm a bit surprised by the behaviour of the Shadow Lord when I can see he's not about to return the tactile gestures but it quickly reminds me on his Ancestry... but I refuse to become distant and hostile; after all he's my only Garou companion and he certainly proved his strength during the bloodshed but most importantly, he's the Garou Chosen by Griffin as my company and help... and remembering how alien the Empty Ones seemed to be I'll need him desperately.*

<He'll learn to be more wolfish. He just needs to be a bit more upbeat>

*What's more baffling is that despite all the good news he brought he smells overwhelmed by sorrow - and I have no idea why; he reeks from the Foe and he's wounded but not in a severe way. I keep on pushing my flank against his, mouthing his muzzle playfully to comfort him - these gestures would surely comfort me if I were grim.*

- /Gar/ Good, good, we'll go then.

*I start sniffing around to find a perfect place to cross the Barriers but turn towards White Raven once again... my curiosity doesn't leave me alone.*

- /Gar/ So, the Sign of the Prophecy is safe and it's probably still close enough for us to follow it. The more abhorrent Foe-things perished and you did an impressive carnage! Your "Raven-Folk" is safe as well. And we're united again! Two Garou of Two Prophecies! So why all this grimness?

*After he answers - if he does so - I push myself through the Threshold of Worlds to arrive to the Earthly Lands again and I quickly start moving towards the place of bloodshed. If it smells safe enough I just ignore the hideous rotting Blight-ridden carcasses and the ashes and I sniff for scents to locate the direction where the Black Sign On White Pelt was carried away - possibly along with the horses. Sensing it's not the direction of the Hive I'm more confident to follow the trail but I try to keep to the Wilderness as much as I can and remain alert.*

- /Gar/ They didn't go to the Hive. They left to the direction they came from. The horse-scents are fresh, I guess we'll find them again quickly...

*But I pause for a while; most "plans" I've ever had were about hunting prey, dealing with Spirits or attacking Foe and they were all dictated by instincts of the instant rather than "thinking". But something bothers me this time.*

<And if we find them... what's next? We mustn't be spotted but those Empty Ones wield frightening powers and maybe they're not so dumb as mere Two-Legs. And they saw us...>

- /Gar/ Hey, I have an idea. You can shift into a very convincing Twoleg form and you know much about Leeches. And you're from the Invisible Moon, from the Trickster's role. So, can you fool the Leeches by pretending to be a Leech? While I hide nearby. Maybe you can find out their route. I know, you don't smell Empty but your scent is already faint. Maybe it needs a bit of blood-scent. Coming from your snout.

*I'm proud at my cunning idea; I feel almost like blessed by a raven or a fox.*
_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[Inu]

*With a sad sigh I change back to Hispo. I need my smell to find my companion - the one that I still have - and I need my strength if the forest turns against me. I have been ambushed too many times recently. I'm more paranoid than ever before.

I follow the scent riding on the pettish winds of the spirit world to find Sablepaw. They still have a few tricks before I can finally find her trace. My mind is still chaotic. Images of the beautiful Dances-With-Winds, her echoing sentences and the images and voices of the actual environment vary in me. From my dream Sablepaw's jump and lick wakes me up. Her mere presence and playful behaviour softens my grim mood but I can't forget that I have lost my raven again. I don't return the lick but nuzzling with her feels good. It's a start.*

-/Gar/ The Sign is saved. So does Dances-With-Winds. And they are gone.

*A sigh again. And of course I join Sablepaw to the hunt of the leeches with less enthusiasm.*

-/Gar/ Following the Cross will be easy. Yes, Sign, Prophecy... Lets go.

*I will need some time to be the same again. Time heals the wounds.*

[RedDrake]

/Ger/ - So be it!

*Time to introduce the uninvited “guests”.*

/Ger/ - They were Wolf-changers, two of them.

*A rhetorical pause is necessary.*

/Ger/ - They ambushed our ambushers and slaughtered many of them.

*’Til this point it’s not a surprise. Garou attacks do happen from time to time.*

/Ger/ - However, they carefully avoided attacking us. After our enemies were defeated they left without looking back. I’m sure it’s not the last time we’ve seen them.

*Of course I could tell more, but that’d ruin my incognito. But the decision is in the Komtur’s hand.*
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Freiherr von Rosen]

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

*Von Heidenauer stands unflinching, tall as a tree, listening with a grim expression that more than likely hides a fountain of holy fury. It might not be on par with the mystical Rage of the Garou, but it certainly threatens with a violent explosion. A few words into Albrecht's report, his counterpart, Lucretia von Hartz also comes along, standing beside Anselm to listen with much more serene curiousity.*

-/Ger/ I believe it is too late for privacy now, my friend.

*The male Komtur finally replies. His composure is held, but his ghouls already start preparing their weapons and horses. They know him well...*

-/Ger/ And even if it weren't, I have no secrets to be kept from our brothers and sisters in Christ. We're all in this together. Let's hear it all.

*Interests are piqued and everyone near and far congregates to hear who this mysterious, third side could have been.*
_________________

[Sablepaw]

*Before reaching the spot of the Bloodshed and stepping to the Earthly Realms, a faint scent draws my attention...*

<White Raven! Maybe! With that stale scent of him one can never be sure... but I can smell the Twoleg-bitch's scent on him! It must be him!>

*I rush forward in my unharmed and cleansed Giant Wolf form cheerfully and merrily; fickle as Mother Moon and driven by whatever instincts control me as the wolf I was born as I approach him and greet him loudly with a playful leap on his back and by licking his snout. I can realize he's wounded, grim and sorrowful, still reeking from the remains of the Foe and carrying the scent of the strange "Raven-Folk" but I hope he catches my mood.*

- /Gar/ Hey, White Raven! Look, I'm fine and pure again! Doe-Hind helped me, can you smell how fine my scent is? And you survived as well!

*I start circling around him with curiosity in my gaze.*

- /Gar/ What happened after I left? Could the Foe-things save the Sign from other Foe-things? I can smell your... bird-bitch survived.

<But that's not important at all. Who cares about some weird Raven-changer?>

- /Gar/ The place where it happened isn't far away. Come on, let's check it out! The Prophecy! The Sign! The Prophecy!
_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Sablepaw, White Raven.

*Leaving the raven and the creek, and leaving the glade, White Raven and Sablepaw begin looking for each other's scent almost simultaneously. The Umbral winds, ever chaotic around here, keep changing over and over again, but since they both advance towards the same general area, the forest's edge near the battlefield, they soon pick up the other's trace.
In a matter of minutes, they meet again, in the middle of the forest, just the two of them. White Raven can clearly tell the Lupus has somehow managed to heal as well, her movements - as well as her scents and voice - are filled with ease, grace and even a touch of happiness. At the same time, Sablepaw's keen nose indicates the Homid came straight from close contact with a female twoleg - that twoleg -, and that he's not currently in the brightest of moods.
The forest is silent, the spirits look on in awe. The wolves have the stage now.*
_________________

[RedDrake]

*I have only one more word to add before we depart from the place of the ambush.*

/Ger/ - I’m sure the prince is aware of our presence. Customs dictate an introduction.

*Heaven help Ernst from now on, because Sophie doesn’t want to miss an opportunity to be inquisitive about his „bonds” with the prince. My voice becomes more serious.*

/Ger/ - We must gather all information from that prince.

*During the ride, I spend my time to steel my will. Everything has a price, so does my wretched state. I was never truly born human, I was born to be a predator, and after my embrace I truly became a hideous monster, an avatar of raging warriors, a beast who, when it comes to combat, is second to none. I’m only to be defeated by my own state of mind. Deep down inside, my true wish is to die. I spent decades of rigorous meditation to conquer and enslave this all-consuming feeling. To change that imminent urge to a subtle fleeting dream and, with the help of my sire, and find a small glitter of hope. That instead of going down in a glorious battle against the strongest avatar of the Wyrm, or picking up a suicidal frenzy against all the corrupted leeches who turned Rome into their toy, I see a way before myself, actually it is a thin path, but it’s a way to undo my curse, to save my soul.

So I’ve locked up my agony to the bottom of my heart of stone, alongside with my feelings. With this artificial tranquility I was able to carry on. No facial expression, no passion, no agony and no death wish. But… everything comes with a price. The marvelous silver light of the moon goddess can turn the stone back to flesh again. Using her sacred gift, I tap into my primal instinct and rage bursts out of my heart, and thus opening the way for the other feelings to arise.

And here I am, struggling in the inside, silent and expressionless in the outside, busily trampling on my feeling and forcibly locking them up again. As the Fenrir tell tales about their ancestors locked up by the gods, so do I lock up the proud, raging wolf warrior inside me, escaping the state of all-consuming harano. What is really frightening that it’s becoming more and more natural. Will there be a time, when I’ll lose them permanently? Or will a time come when, as they prophesized for Fenris, it will break the chains and consume me as he will consume the sun? I can never know, but I’ll endure it to the end! I shall need some undisturbed hours to fully regain my usual self but I’m over the worst.

When we arrive I look nearly as calm as I used to be. The camp will itself be a buzzing bee-hive. We are the harbingers of death and ill-news. Now everybody in the camp will know what it means to participate in a war. As a fellow knight once said: “Live by the sword, die by the sword” Yet the death was not in vain. We, the survivors, made a step towards working as a pack, yet again, the first death is always a tragedy, but the greater losses are just battle reports. This is the cruel reality of the battle fields. Young ones, signing up for valor and fame and the greater good never know this until the first burial. Of course, and I strongly hope that well-seasoned knights should have been assigned to our vanguard team, but thinking back, Ernst hasn't fought that skillfully, so others can be startled too. I don’t say a word to anyone before reaching the Komtur. His expression ensures that it is a surprise for him too. Not that I wouldn’t trust him, he is amongst the few I can.

When he asks his question I’ll be the one to answer first.*

/Ger/ - It was done by an uncultivated low-clan mob consisting both enraged vampires and ghouls. They were already aware of our presence and set up an ambush to welcome us.

*I want to explain it short and yet precise.*

/Ger/ - They formed two groups, having a dozen “person” in each one. While the first wave attacked, the second blocked our way to retreat. Their leader was a fiend, a skilled fleshcrafter. Their affiliations are unknown, yet they screamed the name of Prince Vencel and a Great king who will swallow all.

*Here comes the sad part.*

/Ger/ - We fought valiantly, and vanquished them, but hadn't the opportunity to leave one alive for interrogation or to save everyone’s life. And there was a third side participating, temporary, on our side, but maybe you’ll want to hear that detail in private.

*By private, I mean the three of us and the Komtur, but if he does want to hear that in public, I’ll tell everything right here and now.*

/Ger/ - They were scum.

*That’s my short opinion.*
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Freiherr von Rosen]

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

*It is certainly of no great difficulty to find the freshly-erected crusader camp. In fact, the riders need to ride even less on their way back, for Anselm designated the great flatlands to the north of the road as the vanguard's base of operations. Already, the ghouls and various service hands are busy clearing snow and agricultural leftovers, erecting tents and, carefully, building fires. It is rare for an army, even of this size, to march in the winter, but many of these men and women were hand-picked for their prowess, or sheer stamina.
When the group returns, it naturally attracts the gazes of many. The body of the fallen warrior on his horse also creates a respectful air of silence, except for the more hot-blooded, who demand to know what happened. The three ghouls refuse to utter a single word. Then finally, around the middle of the camp, full in the business of organizing, as usual, Anselm von Heidenauer, Komtur of the Black Cross is found.
Turning around, he eyes the arrivers in silence as they become more and more visible in the star-lit night. By contrast, his own gaze turns darker and darker, settling in a heavy, displeased frown. Nobody dares to utter as much as a sigh now, even though other vampires also start congregating here. Then he speaks. In a dangerously calm tone...*

-/Ger/ Who did this?
_________________

[Sophia d'Auxerre]

*Sophia nods at this, moving to her horse and sorting the reigns, with another glance to the woods, she pulls herself up onto the horse, sorting her robe and cloak as she does so.*

/Ger/- We should at least sort ourselves so we are ready for another attack. I very much doubt that is the last one, given the size of it. We should perhaps think of being more subtle in gaining information on the Prince.

*Sophia arches an eyebrow and looks to Ernst and Albrecht*

/Ger/-That is unless his personal friend would get us granted passage?

*Sophia pulls up her hood, blood from the battle catches the light of the winter night against the black garment. *

[RedDrake]

*I nod.*

/Ger/ - They could be anywhere.

*I look to the way where that Red Talon has disappeared.*

< They were chasing a prophecy but then why had they helped us? Or why they fought at all?>

*This makes no real sense*
/Ger/ - I’m sure this is not the last time we heard about these… wolves.

*I don’t really like the lupine word for my old kind.*

/Ger/ - Yet again, the presence of the wolves nearby is vital to be known by the others too.

*Finally I begin walking towards our horses.*

/Ger/ - We should head back, the sooner, the better,… unfortunately

*I’m far from being content with this result.*

/Ger/ - And hopefully our tracker will lead us to them.

*If everybody agrees I get on my horse and my plan is to return to our camp with the survivors.*
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)