Sophia d'Auxerre

[Sophia d'Auxerre]

*As her studying gaze moves over the letter, she enthusiastically drinks in each word as her hidden smile broadened behind her mask. Indeed, Marcus had outdone himself in speed this time; she had not expected the whispers to be heard and the strings to be tugged so quickly. Already she was reaping in the benefits. “Access to Ventrue- controlled libraries and hubs of knowledge”, such was sorely guarded and her previous attempts to be able to indulge her curiosities had only gotten so far through favours and work.*

<And we haven’t even lifted a finger yet!>

*Funds... well, she is in no need of that but if offered, who is she to deny such generosity? Her eyes lingered upon the location for a moment. Magdeburg. She had been there before, of course, but never for too long. The arrogance of the holder of the pen bled through to the ink it appeared as she re-reads over the elegantly formed sentences.
Pausing and holding the letter still carefully between her fingers, she casts a gaze down to the festival and the music that still demanded everyone to listen as it filled the streets.*

<Such a pity... perhaps next time... >

*She folds the letter gently and slides it carefully back into its envelope. Turning from the vision of the beautiful city, she moves her fingers to her mask, carefully removing the exquisitely decorated mask. Her own hidden smile replacing the false painted one as she fixes her ice blue eyes onto her somewhat dreamy-eyed servant.*

-/Ita/ Gather my items from our last travels and fetch my things. Send word to get the carriage ready. We’re to leave as soon as possible to Magdeburg. Let there be no delay.

*Her tone implies that there will be no argument against the matter, not that her servant would ever dare of course. She turns the opened envelope in her fingers, eyeing the paper as if it still held a hidden message on its folds.*

-/Ita/ It seems you might get to meet your knight in shining armour again.

[Freiherr von Rosen]

-/Ita/ I... uhm... yes he did, but I can't recall... just a moment there... what was it...

*The letter opens easily and inside is a single piece of expensive, top-quality pergamen, written on with the same black ink as seen on the envelope. The message body is entirely in Latin.*

†††

To Her Ladyship
Sophia d'Auxerre
Of Clan Lasombra

It is with great pleasure that I pen these words, Lady Sophia, for tales of your skill and beauty have reached far and wide. Specifically, through the words of advice given by my good friend and comrade, Konrad von Salzburg, to me.

Acting on this reference, allow me to present my offer to you.

As those in your clan of Magisters know all too well, the Muslim pagan hordes of the South and East are still strong in number and conviction. Now, they assemble in force under new, aspiring leaders to crush everything we've built together, to overwhelm the Crusader States, Byzantium, Castile and who knows what else under the guidance of their Assamite masters and your own Moorish Lasombra rivals.

But by God, Europe will not stand idle and watch this come to pass. In a historical moment, the mortal Pope called forth the greatest crusader army yet assembled, with forces traveling to the Holy Land from all over the continent, including personally Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor, Philip II of France and Henry II of England.

Needless to say, it is our duty to secure the interests of not only Christendom, but of all the civilized High Clans. If successful, this Crusade will forever unlock Outremer with all its mysteries before us, casting the blood-crazed children of Hakim back to their Persian mountains.

I have been given the honour by my superiors to lead a small, but efficient vanguard force in front of the main Imperial army numbering in the tens of thousands. It is to remove all obstacles from the way in the name of the Black Cross, most importantly those of a supernatural nature that might hamper the speed of Lord Jürgen's and Barbarossa's armies.

I already have many fine knights and devoted crusaders, my lady, cunning scouts and resourceful spies from many clans and bloodlines. What I still sorely require, however, is a Kindred best-suited for our more delicate dealings. A well-chosen and well-timed word can win battles a thousand men cannot. I need somebody who can speak, read and write in a wide variety of languages, skilled and knowledgeable at diplomacy, courtly affairs, rhetorics, dialectics and any liberal arts that might prove useful.

In exchange, other than the glory of partaking in the making of history and serving our God, I offer you access to Ventrue-controlled libraries and hubs of knowledge in both Magdeburg and Outremer, unlimited blood and funds on the way, should you require, the right to take and keep spoils of any nature, and a more than safe place in my personal escort in this vanguard's leadership and high council.

The world's eyes are upon us, Lady Sophia. We gather in the town of Magdeburg. Come, set the old, petty clan feuds aside, aid us with your powerful mind and you shall indeed collect treasure in Heaven. We might be Damned, but we are also Chosen.

Signed,
Anselm von Heidenauer
Of Clan Ventrue
Komtur vom Kreuze of the Black Cross

CHRISTUS VINCIT

CHRISTUS REGNAT

CHRISTUS IMPERAT



†††

-/Ita/ Ah, yes! He said that we should consider learning to use a sword. Whatever did he mean by that?...

[Sophia d'Auxerre]

*More than used to the adoration of her thrall, she offers her a chuckle for her flattery. She had made sure to wear one of the most elaborate and dazzling costumes for this festival, no expense was spared. She had spent too much time lately in silence, lost in books and travelling, this night was a delicious indulgence... in many ways.
As she set her icy gaze upon her fawning aid, she waits patiently. She had long become used to this particular girls swooning over men who donned a uniform. The girl was incredibly helpful but in exchange she now and then had to endure these little... rants. *

<If you were not tied to me, you would have thrown yourself in front of a knight’s horse no doubt.... >

*Sophia rolls her eyes out of sight of Fiona before looking back to her and spotting the feverishly held letter. A flash of the seal is seen through the girls fingers. Could it be? Sophia reaches out as it is handed to her and inspects the writing upon it, turning it over, she spots the seal.

She smirks.

As her delicate finger runs over the wax, it is all she can do not to let out a laugh. As usual, he had held his word. It was somewhat surprising that he had managed this so swiftly but he... no, -they- had done far more impressive things.*

<Such a show off you are...>

*Removing the letter with care, she unfolds it and scans over the words*

-/Ita/ Focus now dear, did he say anything else?

[Freiherr von Rosen]

*The music, the singing, the various noises of celebration down there turn all the more vivid and energetic as the cathedral bells finish signalling midnight. This time of the day had a special significance in almost every culture in history.
Receiving her permission to enter, Fiona crosses the doorstep, as usual, having to force herself from practically running to her mistress. Even more carefully, she slides away the curtain to be able to exit to the balcony herself.
She drops her jaw.*

-/Ita/ Dear Lord in Heaven and the Virgin Mary! You are absolutely stunning, Signora! I knew this costume was a good idea, but... but wow! Mamma mia. Excuse me. So yes. Message...

*This particular thrall wasn't present when her lady dressed up, having errand duties to run, but she holds something in her hands now, practically pressing it against her chest in excitement.*

-/Ita/ So yes, we were tending the house as usual, when, around noontime, this tall and totally handsome knight comes in! Seriously! He even had a horse and shining armour, and this white tabard with the Cross on it and... oh. He gave me this.

*She raises the letter now. At first glance, little but a few words of addressing written in elaborate Gothic style and black ink can be seen, with an unbroken seal on the other side. Can it be?*

-/Ita/ He said I am to deliver this directly to you, Signora. It is an important message from a Patrician in the Reich up north. Did I say he was handsome?...

*Upon taking the letter from the servant, all the suspicions are proven right. The seal bears the mark of the Black Cross, Ventrue of the Holy Roman Empire. Marcus' plan might very well have come to fruitition.
A beautiful night indeed.*

[Sophia d'Auxerre]

*Bewitching, breath-taking, magnificent... All described this beautiful city that had been her home for some time now. It had been a while since she had such an enjoyable evening. The atmosphere was electric with the excitement of the festival and those she watched below still enveloped themselves in the revelry. It was quite intoxicating, even to one such as her. *

<Of all nights, this was certainly the one to choose...>

*Upon hearing the call of one of her faithful, she smirks lightly at the excitement in her voice, unable to help herself but be amused each time she arrives home to her... servants. She does not turn however, taking an odd pleasure in making the girl wait in heavy silence. A soft chuckle escapes her lips eventually at the womans need for attention*

<Quite adorable, perhaps next time I shall allow them to join.... >

-/Ita/ Oh indeed, Fiona, there is much to tell. Come... listen to the music. Is it not beautiful?

*Her question was far from one of assurance, as she listened to the echo of the music that floated through the streets, as if being carried by the moonlit water. She doesn’t turn to her servant, far too enthralled with watching the celebrations. Her ice blue gaze scanned the crowd of dancers and the entertainers who mingled with them. It had been more than worth it to place her plans on hold for this night. Though a passing thought flitted through her mind.*

<He could have at least saved me a dance.>

*Her ruby lips were touched by a smirk at that thought, far from anger, she found her distracted thoughts entertaining..*

-/Ita/ What is it you have?

*Finally she turns to view her anxious, excited servant, tearing her gaze away from the alluring sight of the city.*

[Freiherr von Rosen]

“I knew that the languages which one learns are necessary to understand the works of the ancients; and that the delicacy of fiction enlivens the mind; that famous deeds of history ennoble it and, if read with understanding, aid in maturing one's judgment; that the reading of all the great books is like conversing with the best people of earlier times; it is even studied conversation in which the authors show us only the best of their thoughts; that eloquence has incomparable powers and beauties; that poetry has enchanting delicacy and sweetness; that mathematics has very subtle processes which can serve as much to satisfy the inquiring mind as to aid all the arts and diminish man's labor; that treatises on morals contain very useful teachings and exhortations to virtue; that theology teaches us how to go to heaven; that philosophy teaches us to talk with appearance of truth about things, and to make ourselves admired by the less learned; that law, medicine, and the other sciences bring honors and wealth to those who pursue them; and finally, that it is desirable to have examined all of them, even to the most superstitious and false in order to recognize their real worth and avoid being deceived thereby.”

- René Descartes


*****





*La Serenissima.
As the midnight bells begin to toil, as thousands upon thousands of lights illuminate the night sky, as the perfect half moon is finally exposed from under the dark, winter clouds, the City of Water is anything but serene.
It is... the center of the world.
The night breeze steals a miriad of scents from the streets below, the food, spices, incense and who knows what exotic, eastern goods of the revelers reach far and wide, the cacophony of sounds knows neither limits, nor bounds, as the glorious town below celebrates its annual victory feast. The feast of a city in its golden age.
There is a lone figure standing on the high balcony in one of the richest districts of Venice. Overlooking the widest canal in the city, and perhaps the most spectacular revelry in decades, she cannot help but smile at the mortals below, her ruby lips hidden behind her elaborate mask. A fairly new, but definitely tasteful custom that might catch on.
At such times, it is worth it to be removed from the dusty tomes of monasteries and libraries, the somber walls of churches and universities. At such times... it is worth it to live again. For how much closer can the Damned reach to the lives they once lived than indulging in the finest qualities of the flawed, fallible mortal masses? Nights like this make the moon shine brighter, the wind caress more pleasantly, and the very Vitae that keeps the world turning sweeter.*

-/Ita/ Signora! Signora, I'm so glad you are back and well!

*Having just returned from the carnival herself, the lady so vehemently called for finds no surprise in the overt anxiety of the servant girl. She is, after all, frequently blood-bound to ensure her beauty stays eternal - just below her own, of course. And for all intents and purposes, the blood of the Damned is a maddening drug for any mortal.*

-/Ita/ You'll have to tell me everything you saw at the Piazza dei Fiori! And, and... oh, I have something for you, too!

*The girl - Fiona - is standing just outside the entrance of her mistress' room, knowing it better than to enter without permission, although she doesn't seem to consider her loud chattering an offence. The eloquent, purple silk curtain covering the balcony entrance veils her lady from her sight, showing but her mysterious, shadowy outlines.
Obviously, she is eager like a puppy to tell her news, but she knows her place - if necessary, she'll stand and wait outside the entire night.
This entire, beautiful night.*

Ambience

[Freiherr von Rosen]

A voyage of power, beauty and the ambition to drive it all.