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Session 50

Page history last edited by Michael Grasso 10 years, 8 months ago

 

Scene 1: Carriage Ride

 

Muddy ride to Benatky, a rainy April day. At the side of the road is a dead ox, grey-brown curly hair, a big beard, and a staff. He's clearly been weeping. Ernst sees him. "We should stop to make sure everything's all right. We should stop further down the road, though, in case anything is the matter you can continue." The carriage pulls up 50 yards ahead and Ernst meets the man. "Oh thank God, my beast died. Is there any way you could see your way clear to taking me and my cart? My life's wealth is in these bags. I've lost everything. Everything but what I possess here." He begs Ernst. "Please sir, I will give you half of what I own." "What is it that you trade." "You are one of the Emperor's men. That means I can trust you." Inside is a king's ransom of gold. Coins, decorative items, etc. A little beyond what Ernst would expect a man like this to have. "Sir, we have no need of your life savings. I will give you my word. My carriage is unfortunately full. You have my word I will send people to come back and gather you." Salih hops out. 

 

Salih looks at him, and his aura. Nothing unusual with his Legacy Sight. The old man and Ernst are woven tightly and thickly with Fate sight. (0 - 16)

 

Scene 2: Debut

 

Dusk. Lorant wakes, Matthieu goes to move the gate. He shrinks the gate and puts it in his pocket. Placing the gate in the Powder Tower. Brux accompanies Matthieu and helps him once it's re-enlarged. "Did you know there are visitors here in the Consilium from out of town?" "No." Brux isn't one to gossip, and Matthieu knows it. "They haven't been to see you yet. It was my understanding that they were mostly if not all Guardians." "Oh," M says. "Then they should have come to see me." "I have a feeling what they have come for is meant to be subtle." M agrees. Brux says they've been meeting with the Council itself. M: "Where are they from?" B: "All over, but mostly close by. Vienna, Frankfurt." M: "How many?" B: "Four, with Proximi servants." Brux feels like he may have misspoken and been too open with the information. "I don't think you should feel worried you told me. I have a feeling they should be embarrassed they didn't come see me." Brux asks if he should ask them to meet with Matthieu or not.

 

Then they discuss the gate. Brux assesses it from a security perspective. Matthieu states they'd be responsible for any "hitchhikers" who came through with them.

 

Lorant has completed his score and has encoded Blood Sorcery into the pages so that the Consilium will be able to hear the music directly. He meets up with Matthieu and jokes with him, "Should I stand by my conscience as an artist and not bow to possible censorship?" M: "Well, sometimes, that which is best hidden is hidden in plain sight." L: "That is my thought. The people who want to see will see what they want to see. Those who are not will see entertainment." M: "Do you have something in place for those who seek to look deeper?" L: "That is the next step." M: "That is sort of my specialty." L: "I just don't want to exacerbate anything unnecessarily." Matthieu and Lorant go up to the Consilium room. 

 

The Consilium room is not set up for a tribunal, it is more for a casual gathering. Lorant recognizes it as unusual; it's just a little too informal. Lorant thinks this is because he doesn't know what to expect. Perun asks why they've come here this evening. "I have been working on an opera, of some occult import. When Herr Maier and I were working on the climax yesterday evening, our Sanctum was infiltrated by several air spirits." "Manifested?" Maier: "They were disturbing the environment at any rate." L: "We came to find they were summoned by Libuse." Perun looks to Maier. "You confirmed they were hers?" Maier tells how in Spirit magic he could see her aura imprinted on them. P: "Do you believe that she set to violate the sanctity?" L: "Our other doorwarden, Ernst, says no. He said they were attracted by the music." Perun ponders this. "Why would they be attracted by the music?" "We were told that their mistress and by extension you, would not approve of the piece." Perun chuckles. "So was it the spirit who told you this?" "Ernst summoned it and talked to it. The conversation indicated yes, you would not like this." Perun, still jocular, says, "You've led me along this path, tell me, what is the opera about?" L: "It is about Pythagoras." P pleads ignorance. "Why would these spirits think I would care?" They can't read him. L: "I would like to play it for you." P: "No instruments?" L: "I will play this as an illusion and share with you the staging." Perun sighs deeply when the performance is over.

 

"Why Lorant?" "It has been commissioned." "May I ask commissioned by whom?" Lorant arches an eyebrow. "I believe you can figure that out. Let me just say I have it on unimpeachable authority that this is what happened that day." Lorant can tell now that Perun has been hit. "I am not seeking to embarrass you or reveal secrets you do not wish revealed." "Herr Maier, Dr. Demont will you leave us please? Dr. Demont, I believe there are men waiting for you downstairs. From your Order." M: "Is that all right with you?" L: "Yes." M: "Are you sure?" Maier meanwhile is being asked to leave the Powder Tower. Maier: "Half of this composition is mine, I should…" P: "Michael, go." When Matthieu gets down there, he sees no one there in the antechamber. (16 - 46)

 

Scene 3: The Road

 

Salih says to Ernst, "I'm sure we can find space." Under his breath, "Your fate and his are tied tightly." E: "That worries me even more. Are you aware of what he has in his cart?" "No." "Someone of his wealth should not be relying on us to get where he is going. Something does not sit well on this. We could send a rescue party and bring him back to Benatky." Salih looks at the old man and his stuff. The connection between him and the gold is natural and long-lasting. "It doesn't appear he's come by this unjustly; those things belong to him." Ernst says that doesn't necessarily follow. "They have a deep connection. It is not fleeting. But do as you will, so long as you are aware." "I am sure if our fates are intertwined we will meet again. I'd prefer it to be not on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere." Ernst returns to the old man to explain the plan.

 

"We are also on the way to Benatky. You have my word as an agent of the empire, we will send you a resuce party, a new ox, to get you to where you need to go. I hope this will be sufficient." He grabs has bags and begins to walk toward Benatky, in silence. Ernst goes to the carriage.

 

Salih sighs. "If it were just you and I on the road, fine. But not when we have people with us, and it's important for us to keep them safe." Salih: "It is your choice on how you express your charity, and how your daughter will perceive it." They get back inside the carriage, and they continue on their way to Benatky. And continue on their way to Benatky. And continue… 

 

After three hours of being on the road, it's evident that they are not going on their way to the town or the school. Salih puts up a Space effect. Ernst puts up Spirit Sight. They realize they are all now in the spirit world. (46 - 55)

 

Scene 4: Ladder

 

Perun: "So let's speak frankly. You are Zalmoxis's childe." L: "It is because of him I am in this condition, yes." P: "This opera was at his request." L: "Yes." P: "Not the Ordo Dracul's? His… personal request?" L: "Whether it came from higher up I do not know." P: "Who is higher than Zalmoxis?" L: "I do not know, I have had no contact with them. I am more Rosicrucian than Ordo." P: "You ask me, Lorant, at some point there may be no more difference between the two. Do you know about the tradition you have been initiated into? Do you know what the Ordo is? Do you even conceive of the kind of games that you're playing?" L: "I am simply trying to show truth through this art. And this is why I brought it to you, because you and your Consilium have been very generous to me." P, coldly: "Oh, I know we have."

 

"You saw what happened that day in Croton." "Yes, through Zalmoxis. Was that indeed you?" "I am not going to tell that to you. That secret is not vouchsafed to one of the… profane such as yourself." Lorant keeps his Beast in check expertly. "If I am but a pawn between my regnant and yourself, then initiate me. Show me. I have more loyalty to you than to him. I live here in your city among you." P: "You are not a Mage. From what I heard you refused the gift of Awakening." "I did not refuse it." And Lorant realizes that he is not supposed to know that. "You refused the gift the Supernal and the Oracles sought to bestow upon you. And you made a mockery of it." "Well it seems that since you are privy to so many of my secrets, you likely know why I refused Samuel's gift, for he was a liar and a deceiver, the antithesis of everything I wanted to be." "You were destined to be a Mastigos, the demons were bound to find you sooner or later." "I am not going to be forced to explain myself. I try to prove myself through my actions, which is why I am here with you tonight." "You're doing this for Zalmoxis because you believe in the truth, but he's shown you one, very small, portion of what was the end of his mortal life. Do you know what he has done in the two millennia since?" "No, but I can suspect, in the time my life has been since." "Lorant you are a bright, capable man. You have a moral code, and what strikes me as unfathomable is that you have decided to engage in what your regnant wants without any thought to why. You may be serving truth at the same time you are serving Zalmoxis's selfishness." "You have to admit it is an excellent story. And I believe it could both edify and enlighten. And I'm not talking about the bit at the end with him being struck down." "What you are talking about what happens when history repeats itself every time Sleepers gather to strike down the Elect. If it happens again as your cabal and Salih believes it will? You'll burn better than us." (55 - 64)

 

Scene 5: Masque

 

Downstairs, Matthieu waits. He fumes as he waits, thinking about how he will confront Perun if no one arrives here. A man walks into the Powder Tower from outside. He is wearing a simple white porcelain mask, simple dark blues and purples, dressed more Eastern than Western. "You are Doctor Demont?" Matthieu identifies the mask as one of the 49 Masques of the Guardians. "I am." In relief, on the forehead, is a design of a diamond shape. It is the Diamond Triangle, the archetype of the expert who cannot suffer fools. "We do need to talk but you are not ready yet." "Not ready for what?" "Not ready to talk. When we are finished with our business we will attend to you. Do not ask any questions, and wait patiently. We are giving you this warning because you are an esteemed member of our order, but our business is not for you to know." "You say I should ask no questions, assuming I've asked questions at all?" He chuckles despite himself, his facade cracking, his Masque slipping. "You make an excellent point. We were told you were an inquisitive soul, and we made an assumption we should not have. As I said, we will attend to you in due time." He makes a Guardian rote mudra, telling him that there will be a shakeup in the city. "Be prepared for change." With his vision, he can tell the mask was made quickly. And that assumption lets Matthieu know they are improvising. (64 - 73)

 

Scene 6: Highway

 

Salih, Ernst, Zayed, Maryam and their driver are in the spirit world. The change was subtle and it looks like the real world. M and Z both wonder when they'll arrive. And Maryam notices their disquiet. E: "It appears we've taken an unexpected detour." Zayed looks out the window, says a word in Arabic, and points to the sun. Even the simple-minded man notices. "Detour, what do you mean?" "We have taken a wrong turn somewhere." "How did that happen, it is your school?" Salih goes up on top to talk to the driver. It's the old man. "Hello Salih. I did a service for him, for you, some time ago, and it's time for me to collect." "First of all, I need to apologize for his former behavior." "I didn't expect much better from him." "So what is it you require." "Oh, I require him." "All right. If you take him, can the rest of us go?" "Oh of course." "It will be very easy, your mortal friends will not notice. I can do it now." "He has certainly made his bed."

 

And Ernst hears snippets of this conversation. V: "I won't be bothering you anymore. He's done me a favor, really." A shimmer. Salih walks back in the carriage, and everyone is there except Ernst, who is an illusion. And Ernst find himself in an empty carriage. And coming down from the stage is Veles. "It's been a while," Ernst says. "Can I tell you a story?" "No. Let me stop you. Last time I listened to a story it did not end well for me." "No, you'll like this one, because it's to do with the foolish fictional god that you worship." "Veles, it has been a while since we've spoken. You don't know about my faith anymore. I understand that we…" "Once upon a time there was a man called Cain who had a brother named Abel. You know this story, you know how this goes." "Yes." "Cain was a farmer, a reaper of grain. Abel was a herdsman who gave gifts of blood and flesh to his god. Now this god, your god, he favored the sacrifice of warm blood over cold grain. Cain led his brother astray, an interesting echo of these sacrifices that Abel gave. Abel went to dwell with the Lord, and Cain was left to roam the earth, not to be harmed. This didn't actually happen, in case you were wondering, but the idea behind the story has happened many many times. You don't understand what you are and what you have been gifted with by your god. I'm here to show you. You're coming to my village now and you're going to live among us for a little while. And you're going to learn things that will serve you will in your world. You're going to be gone quite a while. You're a Master of Spirit now?" Ernst stays silent. "Let me guess; you had thought about calling a Spirit Court, to bring me under your heel? Of course, you're about to enter a spirit court just for you. Of course, they're ghosts not spirits, but they'll like nothing more than to introduce you into their tribe. Still quiet?" "What am I supposed to say, you've made every choice for me?" "You don't have choices anymore. You made your choice on the road." (73 - 85)

 

Scene 7: Initiation

 

L: "You are absolutely correct, I would burn better than most. This is why I am hoping to have the Emperor leave behind a legacy, because he will not last forever. I fully intend to, as apparently you do as well.." "Stop. You don't know what you're talking about, and you're simply not allowed to have that knowledge." Lorant crosses his arms and leans back. "Knowledge is knowledge, for the taking." "This is where your Order and mine part ways. I want to get back to something earlier. You don't believe you are a pawn of the Ordo." "I fully admit I am, but they are not here." "Are you sure about that. Where is Zsuzsanna?" "I was under the impression she had left along with the rest of Prince Michael's retinue." "Where is Zalmoxis?" "He is in southern Italy." "Revisiting old haunts." "Yes." "We both know Prince Michael is a fool." "He truly is a pawn of the Ordo." "Yes, truly. Zalmoxis embraced you out of the goodness of his heart to prevent your death at the hands of the Seers?" "I believe I must have had some use to him. But I am grateful to him, because I did not wish to die." "You never would've been in that position in the first place if you'd been Awakened." "Again, I was not willing to sell my soul to a deceiver and a liar, which is what Samuel was." "We are going around in circles. What does Zalmoxis get to this story being told in this way." "This being the reveal at the end?" "I am not talking about the fate of Zalmoxis, I mean his existence. In some stories he is said to be a student of Pythagoras. But these are secret. That he must keep the flame of knowledge burning?" He causes Prime flame to dance on his fingers. Paradox burns his left hand, the non-lit one. "Obviously there must be a catharsis and climax to the drama. Why not let Zalmoxis get burned by the mob, instead of from a bolt from above. It would teach the lesson that if you mess with an uncontrollable mob, you may get sacrificed." "Yes, but you…" "Let's say the Sky God." "The Sky God, smote those who went against Pythagoras. There needs to be an agent of destruction who lays waste to the ignorant. And Pythagoras being destroyed must mean they in turn are destroyed." "Maier, please return," he whispers. "I've asked him to return to initiate you into deeper mysteries of the Rosicrucians." In the meantime, Perun asks him to use a different "deus" in the deus ex machina. Lorant offers Veles, but Perun makes clear that he is not a sky god. This leads Perun to discuss Veles's escape. L: "I think you know why I wish it to be a Slavic deity, to intrigue the Bohemians." "Do you mean it to be a triumph of ethnicity over religion." "No, to pique their interest." (85 - 96)

 

Scene 8: Request

 

Maier returns. "Oh you're still here. Is anything wrong?" to Matthieu. "I'm fine." Perun: "Michael, you are allows to bring Herr Kelemen into the deeper mysteries of the Brotherhood." Maier: "Is it my discretion on how…" P: "Yes." M: "We welcome you brother." Lorant accepts, knowing and recognizing that Perun wants him closely watched and controlled. Perun and Lorant are happy; Perun has control, and Lorant must change his opera. L: "The old man is in a mood, and wishes to see you." to Matthieu.

 

When Matthieu arrives at the Consilium chamber, the man in the mask is leaning against the wall of the staircase. "The Hierarch awaits." Matthieu holds up a hand, "We're not ready to speak yet." Perun sits behind the council table. "You wanted to see me?" M: "I don't think I should ask you right now." Perun is baffled. M tells him he was either being prescient or rude with the Guardians. "I am also assuming you know I would like to do more here." "When it comes to the Consilium, that is my province. When it comes to your Order, that is not my province." "I understand that there is no room for the likes of me on the Consilium." "No, not at the moment." "Is that something that is like to change?" "Immediately, no. Eventually, of course. If your desire is to serve the Consilium more closely, then consider the request logged and appreciated." "I'm an ambitious man, Perun." "Yes." "With that request logged, keep that fact in mind as well." They depart. (96 - 105)

 

Scene 9: New Home

 

"Ernst why don't you take care of the rest of the carriage, and I will see to our guests." Ernst's illusion walks around the stables and disappears. It is nighttime. He plans to take the Death Gate back to Prague. 

 

Ernst's carriage falls apart around him, and turns into a hut. The shades of the dead are all around him, and Veles is gone. Ernst reactivates Spirit Sight. There are spirits on the periphery of the village; mostly nature spirits, some conceptuals. They stay outside the village grounds. Ernst looks at the spirits, are they protecting? Looking down upon? He'd need to get closer.

 

The ghosts have definitely noticed Ernst's arrival. They seem confused. They sense that Ernst is not like them. "What is your name?" The ghost stares off into the distance. "Where are you?" "I am home." Ernst leaves the ghost and decides to get answers from the spirits.

 

Thick foliage spirits, hanging over the treeline. Spirit Tongue. One of them smiles and says, "Hello, Master of Spirit." "Hello." "We have been asked to make your stay comfortable by our master?" "Veles." "Yes. Living in the spirit world as a mortal can be disconcerting so he has asked us to help." "I suppose he's also asked you to keep me here." "You're free to wander about." "Is there anything you'd like me to know." "We will give you the utmost in hospitality. Despite all you've done, he likes you and appreciates you." "What has he said?" "You have pressed him into service, he is a god, not a dumb animal." "Sort of how you've been pressed into service? And what are you getting in return?" "There has always been a hierarchy." "That's not my question." "I can serve him or you?" "I am asking you to think about what your master has told you. Where I'm from, there is negotiation. Deal-making. Perhaps even a little more equality." "We are only what we are, we cannot be more than that." "And Veles is a god, and should be treated as such. When you make an agreement with a god, and he does not fulfill his promise, or becomes a beast of burden. Veles has already misled you once. Do not be surprised if he does it again." (105 - 118)

 

Scene 10: Night's End

 

Salih arrives. "It's good to see you. Shall we go? If your business is concluded?" L: "It is. Let's take a walk." Salih ushes L and M away from the Powder Tower. L believes the walls have ears. S is not is as concerned. Lorant says Perun knows everything, and Matthieu is just as disconcerted. "It's why I don't lie to him. It's not worth it." L and M still outraged. L: "He would not deign to tell me… He instructed Maier to bring me closer to the Brotherhood. It is the only reason I am not completely crestfallen." M concurs. Salih says our old friend from Benatky, our first friend, decided to come and collect his debt from Ernst. In so, collecting Ernst. But his daughter is safe. And I think I will return there. And just so you don't find out later, I pretty much agreed to it. I feel guilty." L: "Do not." M: "Did you get anything in exchange?" S: "No." M: "Then do not feel guilty." S: "It's nice to know everyone had a lovely evening." L: "Illuminating." M: "Interesting choice of word." S is not worried. M: "He is important." L: "Is he being punished?" S: "Not my impression." L: "Educated?" S: "Used in some way." L: "We're all being used. We're all being exploited." M: "I'm not." 

 

Salih asks if there is anything else. M: "Is he being imprisoned by Veles?" Salih doesn't know. Matthieu says he is important. L: "He will be missed from his offices." M: His spirit or body?" S: "Body." L: "Ernst is the public face of our cabal." S: "That is a shame. There is nothing I can do." M is shocked and outraged. S: "If anyone could deal with Veles, it would be Ernst." M: "Or, our, or your, good friend in the Tower we just left." L: "The arrogance I found a little disconcerting. If you could intercede with Perun to get Ernst back. Let his spirit be educated, but the body can continue its mortal toil." S: "I cannot abandon him, regardless of my personal feelings. I will talk with Perun." (118 - 126)

 

Scene 11: Resolution

 

M: "How did your conversation go?" L: "About as well as can be expected. I am going to be censored. It is not without merit. I'm just tired of being a pawn of multiple kings." M: "What are you going to do about that?" L: "This opera was to be my first volley in breaking out on my own path, and hopefully crating something more and different." M: "Has that changed?" L: "I'm being a bit disingenuous in that I wanted to tell the truth and now I am being told to change the truth in order to suit a certain narrative." M asks if it's just Perun's presence. L does not want to lie about the truth but concedes it is Zalmoxis's point of view. L: "I am probably being oversensitive, but my honesty is the last virtue left to me." M: "Create a character that rings so true with truth of Perun that it does not matter." L says he needs to do research to find that option. L wishes he could become drunk. The two men go to Ludmila's. They tell Salih they will be there before they leave. (126 - 130)

 

Scene 12: Veles

 

P: "I have had many visitors this evening." S: "I am sorry. I know you've had an interesting evening." "Indeed." "I found myself in a predicament in which I have no real control or knowledge of how to proceed. So I come to you." "Of course, anytime." "A powerful spirit has come to collect his debt from Ernst. It's a little outside my ken." "Which spirit is this and why did he take him?" Salih hesitates, because it was all due to requesting the ride to Prague. Salih admits he let the spirit to take him… encouraged him, in fact. Salih reveals the presence of Maryam. Perun did not know about this. P: "That is part of how he operates. He tests people's charity. I do not wish to speak too much of Veles. You obviously need your cabalmate back." "We need him back in Prague. Do you have any advice?" "I don't know what Veles is asking of him." "Neither do I." "Do you want me to call him?" "I do not want you to do more than you are comfortable with." "This timing… bothers me." "Why?" "You undoubtedly heard the opera." Salih got it second-hand from Ernst. "I thought it none of my business." "Wise choice. You have not been vouchsafed all the information the library has to offer. The theme seems to be people who have not ascended to the tops of their orders." Salih shows patience, "When the time is come, it will come." "Salih, I am not who I say I am. Before I do anything to do disturb or call Veles, it's important that I make clear that…" "You have been a friend and a teacher to me, and I respect you for that." Perun shakes his head, disappointed in himself. "Tonight's not the right time, trust me when I say, I am not the person who should contact Veles for you. Libuse is." "If I tell you how you can find her, she will likely never forgive me." "It may be difficult, but if you can do it alone, that would be preferable." "Tell me, give me a hint… I know she keeps her distance. Of all the things in Prague, what would be most significant to her?" "Let me write down an address. Begin your search there." And Perun gives him a suburb of Prague, . "Thank you. You should have a cup of coffee with me, discuss this." "It would be good to meet at a time that is less fraught." "Let me know." (130 - 140)

 

Scene 13: Final Scenes

 

"You don't seem to understand," the foliage spirit says. "You are free to go any time you want." "I am not looking for that." "What then?" "I'm sharing information." "You want to free us?" "No. I have no interest in changing this.I wish you to look at the stories you are told. You know Veles does nothing out of the kindness of his heart. Even as a Master of Spirit, there is no way I could compel Veles to do anything. When Veles tells you he was nothing but a packmule, you are not getting the full story. So when I try to leave later, and Veles tries to stop me, remember what he told you and what I told you." He walks away. He goes into his hut, sparsely furnished. Ernst sits in front of the fire and waits. It does get dark. Veles walks in. "Good evening!" Ernst says brightly. "I'd offer you some drink or food…" "You're being taken care of." "I have a roof over my head and a kind tree filled me in on the situation." "I come under cover of darkness because… Ernst, when you summoned me bodily into your world, I was upset and disturbed by it, but you did something I'd never been able to do for thousands and thousands of years… free myself from this cycle. I brought you here because I need you to understand that… what you did was against the role I'd been forced to fulfill these many years. And if I stay away much longer, things topside will get very bad. So, you are taking my place."

 

Lorant and Matthieu at Ludmila's. Matthieu seems fascinated by the mechanics of feeding and alcohol. Matthieu goes out to the privy. A man in a black robe and a skull mask. He leans in, "Typotius departs tonight." He fades into the darkness and fades away.

 

Salih in Veleslavín. He sees two tiny stones like the ones at Benatky. No mana flows here. "Good evening, Herr Cavus. We had a problem, but we have none anymore. For months the god Veles has been missing, but now he must be back. I was under the impression that your friend had released him. "Yes." "I have the strangest feeling he has been compelled to take his place."

 

And Ernst's flesh is beginning to turn to ephemera.

 

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