<@Dreol> [Chester December 23rd 1230, 6:00 PM]
<@Dreol> [Last time after a very long journey you all finally arrived in 
Chester. Once inside the gates, you found yourselves in the market of Chester. 
All the shops were closed and the streets were mostly cleared, although the 
taverns still appear to be occupied. Other than that, not much has happened! Now 
stuff will!]
<@Dreol> [Begin!]
 06* Eliana looks around as they enter Chester. She closes her book, tucking it 
back into her bag.
 06* Cosimo looks around the mostly empty streets, trying to get a feel for the 
city.
 06* Thalaba is still looking out of the window, watching as they enter the 
city.
 06* Moriel looks around, too, his expression going remote as his gaze drifts 
over the closed shops and empty streets.
 06* Rolf pulls the carriage up to the stables and growls out a 'Whoa, we're 
here', before stopping, knocking on the carriage and saying, "We're here," and 
then starting to get the horse and carriage taken care of.
 01<Eliana> Thanks for the reminder, Rolf.
 06* Moriel steps down from the carriage and drifts over to help Rolf, as much 
as he can without spooking the horses.
 06* Eliana pulls her gloves back on, then gathers her things before climbing 
out of the carriage.
<Rolf> Hey, just lettin' you know. Maybe you're restin' your eyes.
 06* Thalaba steps down after Eliana and stretches slightly before pulling her 
bag out of the carriage.
 06* Cosimo quietly slips out of the carriage and to the door, keeping to the 
shadows inside the stables and keeping watch on the street
 06* Eliana is not nearly so stealthy as she focuses on Moriel. "Would you know 
where to find him?"
<@Dreol> [A stablehand takes the horses and carriage. "I'll be glad to watch 
these for you, m'lord." He pauses for a moment waiting for payment, possibly, 
but if none is paid, he will just head off to take care of the horses.]
 06* Rolf growls and tosses him a small somewhat suitable coin. It keeps people 
from eating your horses.
<@Dreol> [The stablehand nods. "Thank you, m'lord." And then he takes the horses 
and carriage away.]
 06* Moriel had his hand halfway to his purse to pay the stablehand, but then 
Rolf took care of it.  So instead he turns to Eliana, frowning.  "I...know where 
Baron Chester's haven is.  He would spend a great deal of time there, no doubt."
 06* Eliana hms softly and nods. "A place to start, then." She heads for out of 
the stable.
 06* Cosimo turns his head from looking out the door of the stables to look at 
the group. "makes it easier to find him... but unless we're careful, we'd have 
to present ourselves." he steps back into the room to allow Eliana to pass.
 06* Moriel closes his eyes for a moment, looking weary.  "And we should avoid 
that."
 06* Thalaba had been looking around the stable, not really paying attention to 
the conversation. Her attention is drawn when she sees Eliana leave the stables. 
"So we are going?"
 06* Moriel shoves himself away from the wall he'd leaned against and follows 
Eliana.  "Yes.  But we'd best find a quiet place to make a plan."
<Cosimo> i would tend to agree.  i did not pack for a frontal assault
 06* Eliana talks as they walk; they can walk with her, or not. "As I see it, we 
have a couple of basic options."
 01<Eliana> Three, really.
 06* Moriel is walking with Eliana.  Or a step or two behind her.  Something 
like that.
 06* Thalaba follows after Moriel and Eliana, listening now.. at least for the 
moment "What options are those?"
 06* Cosimo stalks quietly along with Eliana and Moriel, sticking to the shadows 
more out of habit than anything
 06* Eliana walks. Not to anywhere in particular. She just walks, like out for a 
stroll. "One is we can decide not to introduce ourselves; the higher power is on 
our side. We have Rolf and Cosimo, perhaps, identify and trail Gerard for a day 
or two, then strike when he is most vulernable."
 01<Eliana> Mind, if the baron realizes any of us are here, we are at some risk.  
And while we do have the higher power's blessing, he is not personally here to 
protect us.  Nor would he likely want to.
 06* Eliana pulls her hood up over her head. "The second is we do introduce 
ourselves. By doing so, we may well get visual identification of this Gerard, 
and could even possibly talk to him that way. Then do some of the first plan if 
he's reluctant to come along - which I imagine he would be."
<Cosimo> he could be... persuaded to come against his will.  though it might 
make him more delicate.
 06* Eliana snerks. "'Delicate.' That's precious."
<Moriel> Harder to snatch a target that knows you're coming, though.
 06* Eliana nods in agreement.
 06* Cosimo stops short and looks at Eliana somewhat confused and replays his 
words back in his mind. Once convinced he was correct, he catches up.
 01<Eliana> A third, is a combination of the first two.  Moriel, and possibly 
myself and Thalaba, introduce ourselves and get a feel for the situation here.  
And then Rolf and Cosimo basically enact the first plan.
<Cosimo> i was just thinking that we wouldn't want to damage him further.
 06* Moriel is perfectly expressionless.  "That last is probably the least 
risky."
<Thalaba> "I agree with Moriel.. the last one does seem to be the best option." 
 06* Cosimo pulls a knife from his sleeve, looks at it thoughtfully, and then 
adds. "i mean as long as he dropped cleanly, then we'd just have to carry him 
back."
<Moriel> ...better to trust to luck as little as possible.
<Cosimo> tell me... this Gerard... is he a stocky fellow?
 06* Eliana pulls a white satin ribbon from her sleeve. She winds it around her 
fingers thoughtfully as she walks.
<Moriel> Big.  Not as big as Master Rolf.  But big.
 06* Moriel takes a breath.  "Shall it be option three, then?"
 06* Eliana nods, curling the ribbon back into her sleeve. "Lead the way."
 06* Moriel stops a moment, glancing at the others.  "Master Castelletti and 
Master Rolf will disappear when we get close.  I can tell them when.  Are both 
of you coming with me?"
 06* Cosimo nods. "if the opportunity presents itself tonight, do we take it? or 
should we wait at least a day?"
 06* Moriel shrugs.  "No reason not to take it, I suppose, as long as we can get 
away with it.  If it's early enough in the night, we can leave again tonight.  
If not...perhaps best to wait.  We want to have a head start when Baron Chester 
begins to wonder where his lackey is."
 06* Cosimo seems satisfied. He puts away his blade. "one question, though. if 
you present yourselves and then Gerard and you both turn up missing the same 
night, it might be obvious what has transpired. we would want to make haste our 
return to London"
<Moriel> Yes.
 06* Eliana nods.
 06* Moriel goes still for a moment, opens his mouth, and then closes it again, 
shaking his head.  He keeps walking.
<Rolf> I know I'd like to have this over as soon as possible. I'd like my, uh... 
life back.
 06* Rolf chuckles in a low, grumbly way.
 06* Eliana smiles a touch.
 06* Cosimo nods thoughtfully.
 06* Moriel snarls, but it's gone again in a flash.  Perhaps, since he's 
leading, no one saw it.
 06* Thalaba nods quickly "Yes I would as well.."
<@Dreol> [Eliana, Moriel, and Thalaba arrive at the forge. it is a large stone 
house with heavy smoke coming through the chimney. The door is shut, but the 
glow of the forge can be seen through the windows.]
 06* Moriel gestures Rolf and Cosimo off well before they get there.  He eyes 
the door with disfavor, but steps up to rap sharply.
<@Dreol> [The door snaps open and a large shirtless man with ragged, soot 
covered breeches answers the door. He is clearly the ghoul in question. He 
speaks in English. <"It is late. Can I help you?">]
 06* Moriel looks up at the ghoul and says quietly, "<We're here to present 
ourselves to Baron Chester.>"
<@Dreol> [The ghoul nods and steps aside. Once you have a view of the inside of 
the building, you can see that there is a staircase leading down to a basement 
door.]
 06* Eliana murmurs in Latin, "<Subtle.>" She moves forward to the basement.
 06* Moriel shrugs and murmurs back in the same language, "<We're not from the 
city.>"
 06* Thalaba follows the two silently after giving the ghoul a quick look over.
<Moriel> <And it gives us a reason to walk into the middle of his court, and get 
a feel for things, as you said.>
 06* Eliana glances to Moriel and replies, "<I was referring to the staircase.>" 
So saying, she heads down said staircase.
<Moriel> <Oh.>
 06* Moriel shrugs again.  "<It hardly needs to be.>"  And he follows her down.
<Thalaba> "<Specially with someone as ugly as that..>" She motions back behind 
them "<Guarding the place...>"
<@Dreol> [The ghoul goes back to working the forge as you all go down the stairs 
and open the door. The room below is much larger than the one above. Torches 
line the walls of the large stone basement. On the far end of the room is a long 
table and at the head of that table is a man dressed in fine clothes. He has a 
sword at his side and wears an actual crown on his head. To his left is a much 
larger 
<@Dreol> man, who has a halberd on his back and is dressed in full chainmail 
covered with plate armor. There are about 4 other vampires standing around the 
table as well when you walk in. And as soon as you become visible, the crowned 
man looks up from whatever he was doing and speaks in french. "Good evening. And 
who might you be?"]
 06* Moriel bows.  "Travelers.  We're passing through your domain for a few 
nights, and came to present ourselves in accordance with the Traditions."
<@Dreol> [The Baron nods. "And what are your names, Travelers?"]
 06* Eliana curtsies, bowing her head. "Lenora, if you please."
 06* Moriel goes for short and simple.  Easier to remember that way.  "Michael."  
And he gestures for the others to introduce themselves.
 06* Thalaba had been about to give her real name but after hearing the other 
two give a different name she does the same. "Isabow..." following Eliana's 
example and giving a little curtsey.
<@Dreol> [The Baron nods. "I appreciate your introductions. I am the Baron of 
Chester. You may refer to me simply as Baron. These are my advisors. What is 
your purpose in my city? Are you simply spending the day here?"]
<Moriel> A few, perhaps.  We've been traveling for some time, and need to 
replenish ourselves.  Prey can be difficult to find on the road.
<@Dreol> [The Baron nods. "Well as long as you do not cause problems for me, you 
may remain here for a time. You will, of course, have to find your own places to 
sleep."]
 06* Moriel nods.  "Of course.  Thank you."
 06* Eliana glances around the room, taking in the dimensions, exits, likely 
hidden areas, and of course, Gerard.
 06* Thalaba has long since lost interest in the conversation and is looking 
around the room curiously.
 01<Eliana> We'd best find a place to rest.  By your leave, Baron.
 06* Eliana curtseys again and sweeps out of there, unless they stop her.
 06* Moriel bows and follows her.
 06* Thalaba catches Eliana's movement out of the corner of her eye and moves to 
follow.. without the curtsey.
<@Dreol> [The Baron makes no move to stop anybody, and you are all able to leave 
the forge uninterrupted.]
 06* Eliana gets out of the smithy, then paces around the building outside, 
looking for where the second exit may be.
 06* Moriel drifts after Eliana.  "You know, we actually *should* find a place 
to rest."
 06* Eliana nods, not stopping in her search.
 06* Thalaba remains out by the street, letting Eliana and Moriel search.
 06* Moriel sighs silently and steps more briskly, until he's actually beside 
Eliana.  "What are you doing?"
 01<Eliana> Looking for the other exit.
 06* Moriel rolls his eyes.  "Mistress Casale.  It could go anywhere.  It likely 
comes up under a building.  I don't think we are going to find it, and you look 
suspicious."
 01<Eliana> That's typical.
 06* Eliana keeps looking, maybe now just to annoy Moriel.
<Moriel> But not precisely the goal just now.
 06* Eliana shrugs slightly. "Unless it is." She hms softly to herself and keeps 
on walking, making her way gradually to and past the north gate.
<@Dreol> [There are a series of caves in the hills of the moors north of Chester 
just outside the gate.]
 06* Moriel stops and stares at Eliana's back for just a few steps, and then he 
sighs and follows her.
 06* Eliana approaches them, paces by for a bit, and smiles to herself. "There."
 06* Eliana turns and walks back, saying to Moriel as she passes, "So, a place 
to stay?"
 06* Thalaba is still in town, wandering a little but more going back towards 
the stables.
 06* Moriel stares at Eliana some more, this time in astonishment.  Then he 
shakes his head.  "Certainly."
 01<Eliana> Let us arrange for some inside rooms at the inn and then meet with 
the others.
 06* Eliana does that with Moriel, one may assume, and then they go to meet up 
outside of the stables!
 06* Thalaba has since reached the stables and is hanging around outside.. 
waiting for the others to show up
 06* Cosimo , elsewhere in Chester, looks at the moon and then says softly, 
"Master Rolf, it might be wise to secure shelter for the impending dawn before 
it gets too much later"
 06* Rolf 's ongoing low growl gets a little louder, before he replies, "Guess 
you're right. Damn."
<Rolf> Let's go, uh, get with the others.
<Cosimo> agreed.  perhaps they will have had better luck than we have
<@Dreol> [Later that night you are all able to find an inn to stay in for the 
next day, which you have done a few times throughout the trip. We shall see what 
happens the following night next session!]
<@Dreol> [Session End!]