[London December 15th 1230, 4:00 PM] [Winter means night comes early, and in England that is especially the case. It has now been roughly six months since the incident at the tower and nothing has been heard from Thomas the Rat; however, today that changes. Each of you notice a scroll case at the entrance of your Havens with a rat painted on it. Within the case, when you open it, is a note that says "Mission successful, meet at the place where we met before. -T"] [Begin] 06* Eliana steps out of the chantry to begin her evening and picks up the case, raising an eyebrow. She sets down her candle lantern to read it, then tucks the scroll into a pocket before picking her lantern up again and heading for the warehouse. 06* Moriel nearly steps on the case as he's leaving St. Raphael's. His face automatically slides into expressionlessness as he picks it up and slips back inside to read it. A moment later, he reemerges to make his way to the warehouse. 03* Mechazoom is now known as Rolf 06* Rolf slouches out of his cave , dressed to the twos or threes, and picks up and reads the scroll. He snorts, growls, "And only with a half-year more to go..." and then tosses the case aside to clink down into his cave before he stalks off. 06* Cosimo notices the scroll case as he leaves his haven. Reflexes kick in and he slips into the shadows and surveys the area looking for threats or sign of the messenger. Finding none, he approaches the case, keeping to the shadows. And then, in one fluid motion, grabs the case, climbs a nearby stack of barrels and begins his travels across the rooftops of London. Stopping to read it only after 06* Cosimo he has put some distance behind him. [The warehouse is just as you left it six months ago. The docks are much busier now, however, as it is not nearly as late. In fact, several workers are still unloading shipments and there are even some shops and stands in the market that are still open. Once you all arrive at the warehouse, Thomas opens the door, pokes out his head, looks both ways and then motions you in before disappearing back inside himself.] 06* Moriel slips inside quickly and quietly. 06* Eliana steps in, candle lantern in one hand and hood up - as is fairly usual. At least her outfit is now season appropriate. She glances at Moriel, her expression guarded. 06* Moriel is rather carefully not looking at Eliana. At least as long as he can see in his peripheral vision that she's looking in his direction. 06* Cosimo enters quietly after Eliana, taking up a position near his colleagues, but also one that allows him to keep an eye on the scene. 06* Rolf 's outfit is, admittedly, more season appropriate as well, now that it's cold. He acknowledges people with a nod, at least when they're outside, and once they're inside he shakes himself off a little and growls, "Guess it's good I woke up early today." 01 It seems Thalaba hasn't. I'll see about filling her in as necessary. 06* Eliana focuses on Thomas the Rat. "Well?" she prompts. 06* Cosimo tosses his outer cloak over his shoulder, seeing no need for additional layers where the cold breezes are no longer biting [Thomas nods to each of you and then takes one last look around before continuing. "Greetings, my friends. I hope you are enjoying the longer nights." His voice drops some. "What I am about to say is very sensitive information, you understand. Please be discreet."] 06* Moriel cocks his head to one side, opens his mouth, and then closes it again. 06* Cosimo raises an eyebrow and leans in slightly to listen. [Thomas sighs. "Okay. My informants have spent a lot of time digging up this information, but one of them has told me that a traveling merchant heard mention of an assassination plot surrounding Renier. I had to really stretch my network, but it turns out that a group of Brujah that reside in Chester were plotting to kill Renier. I have even recovered a written order from the Baron of Chester to one named Gerard ordering him to stop Renier from offering the alliance through any means necessary. Since these Brujah are not residents of London, it would be much easier for them to kill him without their absence from the court being suspicious."] 06* Eliana nods. "Do you have the letter with you?" 06* Moriel 's face twists, and his voice is bitter. "Gerard." <@Dreol> [Thomas nods. "Yes." He hands the letter over. It says just what he said 'Gerard, you must stop this alliance. Renier is not to have a chance to formally make his offer to Mithras. Stop him by any means necessary. -C'] ...rather foolish of him, to commit that to writing, and include a name. 06* Eliana reads the letter. "Still, it helps exonerate us." indeed <@Dreol> [Thomas nods. "I imagine that he did not expect Gerard to keep it. Standard pratice is to dispose of this type of communication. Clearly something went wrong."] 06* Eliana offers the letter to the others, should they care to read it. "Oh?" perhaps that something was us 06* Cosimo reaches for the letter that Eliana is offering and gives it a quick read. 06* Moriel shakes his head. "Six months after the fact? No." 06* Rolf growls slightly, then says, "Remember what they were sayin' about us bein' targets too?" He scratches his head, then adds, "That'd be more than somethin' Gerard would just do." 06* Moriel grimaces again. "Indeed. And...I do not know how Gerard or his like could erase all signs of his leaving after the deed was done." 06* Cosimo looks up from the letter. "i take it you know of this Gerard, then?" I met him. Briefly. 06* Cosimo straightens and then holds out the letter should anyone else wish to look. "hmmm..." he frowns, adding after a brief, thoughtful pause, "i see" 01 How did you come by the letter? <@Dreol> [Thomas shakes his head. "One of my informants recovered it. I cannot reveal who or how to protect his safety."] 01 So I take it you also cannot tell us when it was given to you, where it was found, or any other information along those lines. <@Dreol> [Thomas shrugs. "It was found between here and Chester. In a forest."] 06* Eliana snorts and refrains from comment. 06* Moriel bows to Thomas. "Thank you for your assistance." well, regardless, it does appear that the one who penned this note was unhurried, so it is reasonable to assume that it is genuine. <@Dreol> [Thomas nods. "Any time, my friends. I hope you clear your names and we can do business in the future, and you will be happy to know that Ragged Jenny has avoided Billingsgate ever since you made your arrangement."] 06* Moriel nods firmly. "Good." 06* Eliana mutters, "She had better." And then she nods to Thomas. "Do you have any further information for us?" 06* Cosimo smiles and nods. "with this," he waves the note slightly, "the chances of future business are much improved." <@Dreol> [Thomas shakes his head. "I gathered plenty of information, but none of it led very far. This is the lead that went the farthest."] i don't suppose luck would have Gerard in town? <@Dreol> [Thomas shakes his head. "I haven't heard he is, no. I believe he is still back at Chester."] 06* Cosimo nods. 06* Moriel waves towards the letter. "We can take that to Prince Mithras, however, and perhaps he will allow us to take action outside London." 06* Rolf growls, with a wide smile on his face. "Now that's an idea with good legs." 01 Yes. It's the next logical step. let's just hope it's enough <@Dreol> [Thomas nods. "Well, if you don't need me anymore. I hope we shall meet again shortly. If you ever need me, you can find me around this area... or, more likely, you can come here and I will find you." Thomas nods, bows, and disappears.] 06* Cosimo bows his head in the direction Thomas disappeared. 06* Moriel glances around at his companions. "To the Prince, then." 06* Cosimo crosses to the door and opens it, looking both ways much as Thomas had done without realizing it. He then holds it open for Eliana. 06* Eliana picks up her candle lantern and turns, making her way out of the building. 06* Rolf has a grin on his face as he heads out. Freedom is on the horizon. And adventure. 06* Moriel falls in behind the others, silent. 06* Eliana glances at Cosimo as she steps out the door. 06* Cosimo nods to Eliana and smiles, mostly because of the rather nervous response she gave. <@Dreol> [You all arrive at the manor where Mithras held court six months ago. It is now around 7:30 PM.] 06* Eliana walks right up to the door and knocks. Not into wasting time today, nope. <@Dreol> [The door opens, revealing a well-dressed attendant. He looks at you all and nods. "Ah. Are you here to see Lord Mithras, then? He is not here. I will inform him of your presence. Please, make your way to the great room and wait." And the attendant disappears up the stairs.] 06* Moriel makes his way to the great room and waits, then. 06* Eliana nods and then steps in, pushing her hood down and running gloved fingers more or less through her hair. 06* Cosimo follows, quietly, pulling his hood back and combing his hair with his fingers to try to look a bit more presentable. 06* Eliana then blows the candle in her lantern out while she walks, as the inside of the manor is lit well enough. <@Dreol> [After nearly an hour, the curtain behind the throne moves and Mithras emerges, once again you notice that his very presence seems to inspire awe. He seats himself in his throne and looks at you without a word.] 06* Moriel kneels. Like you do in front of a prince. 06* Eliana drops to the ground, setting her lantern on the ground next to her, and bows her head. 06* Cosimo takes to a knee as well, bows his head, and holds his hands out, palms up to show he is not holding weapons. 06* Rolf will kneel, sure, so now he's only about as tall as most people. <@Dreol> [Mithras nods and motions for you all to rise. "I take it you have received some information?"] 06* Cosimo stands slowly, his hands still outstretched. slowly, he reaches down with his left hand and pulls the note from his sash. "indeed, m'lord." 06* Eliana speaks as Cosimo offers the note: "A letter was found, written by the Baron of Chester, for one Gerard to assassinate Renier." 06* Cosimo bows his head as he offers the note to Mithras. <@Dreol> [Mithras looks sidelong at Cosimo and shakes his head motioning towards the Assamite. As he does, another vampire emerges from behind the curtain, walks up and retrieves the note and then hands it to Mithras, who looks it over and nods. "This, however, does not prove that this Gerard was the one who killed Renier. You will bring me this Gerard. You have one month. If you have not returned by that time, I will assume you have tried to escape, and I will call for your execution." He nods and hands the letter back to his assistant, who takes it back behind the curtain.] with all due respect, m'lord.... alive? 06* Eliana stares at Mithras, and her mouth goes into a thin line. <@Dreol> [Mithras shrugs. "If possible. It would be much easier to prove he killed Renier if he is brought back alive. If not, you will bring proof of his death and proof of the murder with you. A witness would be preferable."] 06* Moriel bares his teeth in a rather disturbing smile. "This should be enjoyable." 06* Cosimo nods. "of course." Cosimo bows, and then takes a step back, returning to his companions. 06* Eliana stares at Mithras a moment longer, then says, "Understood." <@Dreol> [Mithras rises from his seat. "You are dismissed." He disappears again behind the curtain.] 06* Moriel rises and turns to go. "I assume we all need some time to prepare for a journey. Still, there are many hours of darkness left. Can we all prepare and meet at the farmhouse before dawn?" 06* Eliana stands, lantern in hand, and starts heading out, too. "Yes. I'll see to it that Thalaba gets the message." 06* Rolf lets out a short growl and nods. "Don't take me much to be ready, but I'll be there." 06* Cosimo turns and looks at his companions. "what do we need in the way of supplies? or transportation" 06* Eliana smirks. "You're all the preparation you need, Rolf." 06* Eliana looks to Cosimo. "Most of us don't have a horse at our beck and call. Beyond that..." She shrugs. "I'll see if I can get a map for likely settlements and shelter along the way." 06* Moriel mms. "We could perhaps hire a cart. Or buy one." horses are a bit tricky... but a wagon might... [nods to Moriel] 06* Eliana nods. Can any of you sooth an animal enough to make it bear with our presence? We would still need a horse to draw the cart. indeed 06* Rolf growls slightly and nods. "Me and animals can get to an understandin'." 06* Moriel nods firmly. "Then I can procure us transport. But...ah...it might be best if you came with me. I have no such skills." 06* Rolf lets out a low chuckle and says, "If you need help, little man. Let's go." i can acquire other supplies. just let me know what you require 06* Moriel gives Rolf an extremely dry look, but nods. Then he glances at Cosimo. "No, thank you. Not for myself, in any case." 01 I can easily acquire most of what I need. 06* Cosimo nods. "it seems we have a plan, then. i shall see you all at the farmhouse." <@Dreol> [Session End! Current time 9:00 PM]