The Garrison 1403

Izra'll looked to Finn, his voice even and cold. "While Abdul was another son of Haqim we are not ofnthe same ilk. His kind should leave this sort of thing to those who are trained for it. Locked away in their Chantries and labs, perfecting their art for when the D'uat require their unique talents. A man who could not pass the ultimate judgment as our Father instructed has no right or place to pass out lesser sentences." His voice and features softened as he turned to the Tunisian. "This is how I have fought only for the past two decades or so, as the Deserts of Anatolia and the harsh mountains of Iberia do not treat heavier arms well. But should the need arise my Shield and spear arm are as sharp as they were all those years ago. Perhaps I shall even get the opportunity."

Aserymus regards Balthazar for a moment as he speaks, hand on the hilt of one of his blades. When he is finished, the slight smile curls the corner of his mouth, but the same warm courtesy does not extend to his eyes.

"I do not have the time nor inclination to massage your ego with scented oils. And do you think this will be a gentle walk amongst the gardens? There is every chance that you, or I, or the people here will be in danger. For one so well-travelled on the battlefields of the world, you sound like a raw recruit, ready to cut down the enemy but paling when he realises the enemy may do the same to him."

The Lion stood from the chair, never allowing his gaze to waver from the other Cainite.

"If all men questioning that which they fail to understand prevented them from action, we would all be dead of lethargy. Question, and I will explain as I may. But if you are unwilling to accept the personal risk in this endeavour, the road to another city may be more to your taste."

Isaac holds his hands up in a conciliatory manner and looks back and forth between Aserymus and Izra'll.
"I'm sure Izra'll didn't mean anything like that from his words my friend! I'm sure we all understand that on such a dangerous outing it's important we all follow instructions when there is no time for discussion. I may not be as experienced a warrior as our Banu Haqim friend or as storied a soldier as The Lion of Tunis but I know that when led into danger the best way for as many as possible to come out the other side is to follow the orders of those who have been selected to lead. "
Isaac's diplomatic smile hardens and no longer reaches his eyes.
"I am not a fighter. I have discovered myself to be a learned man and I hope my expertise in this area can be helpful. But a man does not need to be a fighter to fight for his friends and his home. I will use what powers and skills I DO have for all of us as I have done on the front lines of every conflict since I arrived. "
Isaac looks Aserymus full on in the face and makes unwavering eye contact.
"While as Scourge I do not intend to join either the Spear or the Shield know that I stand with you. I am not afraid to die. I don't wish it. I don't welcome it. But I do not fear it. If my story comes to its end standing between the Lion of Tunis and Izra'll of the Banu Haqim fighting for this city and my friends, fighting for those who don't even know the dark things we fight, then I will call that a good death. If all our deaths are the price we pay to end the threat of the earthbound then I call that a fair bargain. "
Isaac shakes himself and his smile returns in full force.
"I apologize if I am sometimes.....intense. I feel very strongly about these matters especially since Kristophe died without me even knowing he was being attacked. And then I saw Abdul die mere fight from me. It's not that I can't endure the loss of friends its that such things always have a weight and a cost."

The Lion nods once, and speaks plainly. "Respect then. Given and received."

At Finn's words and her retainers appearance, Aserymus breathes deeply, as if tangibly allowing himself to refocus on matters at hand. Taking an offered stein, he turns to her, as well as regards the others gathered in the room briefly.

"Two days time is enough to muster our strength, but we will need to apply it judiciously. When last I was here, I knew of 3 threats to this city. The Werewolves outside it, the otherworldly denizens below it, and the Inquisition within it. All three of these will have to be dealt with, and quickly."

Taking a sip from the stein, the Tunisian continued. "I need to know location, numbers, and temperament. Tell me everything."

Isaac sits and politely nurses a stein.
"We have polite if somewhat cold relations with the wolves outside the city. The truce holds with them staying in the woods and us staying out of the woods except when invited. They continue to dislike us for our nature and I don't think that will ever change but we have been able to deal with them cordially. It was they who healed Finn of her catatonic spiritual possession in exchange for me doing them a favor."
Isaac settles deeper into the chair and looks thoughtful.
"I have also had run ins with the hunters and Inquisition though they are not aware I was there. I have seen a group of well equipped hunters led by a man named Siegfried investigating possible supernatural rumors in the city. Siegfried himself seems to be a famous hunter and knows what he is doing. It is this group that has been buying up the silver in the city. They seem focused on the wolves for now. Separate from them is the inquisition. They have at least one priest who seems to have great power in his faith and it is this man who collected the rock from the sky. They are based from a castle nearby and seem unaware of our presence. "

"Anything the Lupines have done to assist in this matter more then likely was to further their own goals. So long as they stay out of our business then we should just let them stay to their forests and rituals, and if possible tell this Siegfried where they are located, let our problems deal with themselves." Izra'll shrugged politely declining the offer for a drink with his hand. "Do enough of us have the ability to detect the enemy through their Obfuscate?"

"A whole Chantry on his own? That is, impressive for lack of a better term." Izra'll cast a glance to the Tremere, "But he must be put down once this demon problem is handled, he is a threat to us all, especially if he is just a Mortal which I am starting to doubt."

Aserymus listens to the details carefully, noting each summary in time, one after another. At long last, he addresses the others in attendance.

"So we have the Wolves outside the city, but they can be reasoned with. And stand to lose as much as we if the Inquisition or these overambitious actually focus their initiative in one place. They also seem not aligned with the ones in the city who absconded with Finn, from what you've said. I doubt they would much miss the presence of their misbegotten brethren."

Pausing for a moment, the Lion takes in the group as a whole before speaking again.

"Our situation has improved. The first threat is the...'Demonic' presence under the city, as you say. In 2 days, as Finn has said, we go in force, and we remove them. This will be quick, and done with conviction. No quarter asked or given. For this we array ourselves however best we may.

Once this is done, we focus on the Lupine outside the city. We have a common enemy, so I believe we can come to common agreement with them. I will need someone to make contact with them, preferably someone who has already done so. This will be under a banner of peace, so I will need a volunteer."

Isaac raises a hand.
" I volunteer to make contact. I have been in contact with them off and on since we made our truce and had previously warned them about Siegfried. They are the ones who actually gave us his name and they had told me they will hunt him for a change. So I believe they are already working on that but we could see if we could coordinate better. I have also made a deal with them in the past to heal Finn and accompanied the Prince to negotiate with them so it seems I'm the natural choice to continue being an emissary. I wouldn't go so far as to say they like me but we have dealt fairly with each other."

"Do you require an escort Isaac? Even if they tolerate you, it's still inherently dangerous work. It would be a shame if something were to happen, seeing as you appear the be a rather gifted diplomat, a Venture who missed his calling perhaps?" Izra'll laughed, "But in seriousness especially now I do not believe anyone should travel alone."

"We can discuss the logistics and specifics of any negotiation with the wolves if we live through the tunnels expedition. One thing at a time my friends. Let's focus on that for now."

With renewed vigour and a quick last glance at the assembled group, Aserymus takes up his spear and shield from where they rested on the floor.

"Excellent. 2 days then. Array yourselves and steel your souls. In 2 days time we meet here, then we venture below to cleanse whatever remains and send it to the Underworld."

With a quick last glance, his eyes alight with grim resolve, The Lion done his helmet once more, and turns to the door. With the rhythmic clamp of greaves, he ventured out into the night.