1404

With the summation of events by Gwynne, and the rather passionate outburst by the northern barbar whom he had not met yet, Aserymus does his best to suppress his satisfaction. Patience indeed was a weapon, but a fickle one, and once again it had served the master who knew its unique edges best.

Ignoring the more vocal members of the court for the time being, he turns to the dark-haired woman regarding him and his companions.

"Allow me to introduce to you Guinnein and Mordag. Two of the local..." he pauses, searching for the correct word in the local tongue, "tribe? Clan? of Werewolves that dwell in the woods outside the city. And if our agreement proves beneficial and productive, hopefully the first of many new auxiliaries to solidify more peaceful relations between us."

The edges of a smile finally playing across his lips, the Lion's eyes twinkle with mirth as he finishes his thought.

"And I am very much looking forward to the reaction of the Prince when I make this more widely known."

"Alright, just try not to kill any more mortals than you need to... They are jumpy enough as it is in these troubling times." Duccio mutters towards Izra'il as the man leaves with Lupo while examining the two unknown individuals who had entered with Aserymus. The shadows behind Duccio seem to fluctuate ever so slightly as Duccio listens to the report from Gwynne choosing to ignore the comments make by Aserymus.

"Well Elder Ríonach I have some ideas of what might be causing this issue but I cannot be certain as I have not had the time to research deeper due to having so many fires to put out. If you have time I wish to discuses a few matters with you as you may provide some illumination upon some aspects of this cities history."

Duccio is about to say more when the words Werewolves come out of Aserymus' mouth the entirety of Duccio becomes unnaturally still including his shadow in spite of the flickering light from the candles. Duccio closes his eyes as he slowly takes a single breath in and out before beginning to pack up the parchment and paper upon his table, "And to which tribe do these Garou belong?"

As her words shift along with her demeanour becoming immediately more defensive, Aserymus regards the Tzimisce carefully. As Guinnein and then Mordag answer the questions in kind, he stands proud of their candor. Indeed, it would be all too easy to resort to snarled threats and hints of violence, for both sides. Time enough for that another day, if it comes to that, he muses to himself.

Focusing on Hildr, he barely moves his large frame, though his eyes never leave hers.

"Finn was well aware of my intent when leaving the city to meet with the Shadowlord Tribe. As was Isaac, without whom the meeting would not have been possible. As for our dear, devoted Prince," the Tunisian intones, his words and tone not at all alike, "I have not asked her for permission for anything. Nor do I intend to. I act, and she may react, as is her wont."

Duccio's relaxes slightly at the more docile actions of the woman studying her as she speaks, "Firstly I would like to extend my deepest thanks to your tribe in the healing of our dear Finn, even if it was a simple exchanging of favors she is a well loved member of this city. Secondly I am glad to see there are some within your tribe that do not wish for confrontation with our kind, albeit I am sure you do not speak for all of your tribe in that sentiment. Lastly I can sense that you do not wish trouble with us and why you would wish to see change in your Tribe, but the change you wish to see is not something easily done and you should know why that is."

Duccio is about to turn to address Aserymus when Finn makes her way into the room Duccio tenses up preparing for the worst, "Be sure not to harm those Garou unnecessarily, we do not wish to give their Tribe claim that we broke our peace agreement. Aserymus you may have misgivings about the rules and rulers of our society much like you Sire but your actions of disregard could throw us all into peril due to short sightedness."

Staring down at Finn as she approaches with her armed entourage, his visage within his helmet darkens, leaving only two feral, glinting points of dangerous light fixated on the older vampire. Likewise, his corded muscles flex and harden under the glittering plates of his armour, to the point where he appears more akin to a Greek statue of antiquity than a man."Was it not the Prince who charged that the Werewolves outside the city were a threat in their current state?" The Tunisian's tone is not a question, but a statement, leaving no question to its validity as he continue. "And was it not you, Warden, who heard my plan to turn enemies to allies? And did you speak objection then? No. You sanctioned the action with your silence. If I am guilty of Treason, then so are you, Finn Volkova."

And with that, it takes every ounce of restraint in his body to keep still. But this was not the stillness of indecision. This was a predator on the savanna, studying his prey.Taking a deep breath, the Lion remembered at last the teachings of his mentor, and the Path she had started him on. For Her sake, he would extend one last branch. Still staring at Finn, he spoke one last time.

"In respect to you, revered mother, have someone fetch the Prince. I would still have her meet her new allies, that we can begin dealing with the true threats to the city."

Finally tilting his head ever-so-slightly at the other assembled Cainites, his voice at once returned to it's knife-edge tone as it echoes loudly throughout the hall.

"I will wait for the Prince here. But know this. Any who strike at me will die, as will the two beside them. The choice is yours."

A deep and resounding sigh comes from Duccio at Aserymus' posturing, "Your choices and assumptions are incorrect, First we have an ongoing peace with the Tribe in the forest it was a different tribe we have most recently had difficulties with. Secondly I am sure Finn only thought you would simply talk and work on diplomatic relations when meeting as I am sure had she known your intent to bring representatives into the heart of our domain she would have attempted to talk some sense into you. Lastly I have a feeling the Prince might feel less inclined to meet with one poised like a wild animal ready to strike at anything that inconveniences him, although I am willing to attempt to bring the Prince here."

Duccio slowly and carefully raises from his seat and attempts to make his way deeper into the Abbey while keeping Aserymus within view and not making any sudden movements that might inadvertently cause an attack.

Isaac steps forward his hands held up non-threateningly.
"Woah woah! We're all friends here! Lets calm down and talk this through while our friend the Deacon goes to speak to the Prince. Guinnein,Mordag hang on I'm sure we can get this all sorted out. I did indeed take Aserymus to help him make contact with the wolves in the forest though I was simply making introductions and didn't involve myself in the negotiations. I assumed when he made this arrangement that he would seek the Prince's approval to finalize it as he has no authority on his own to unilaterally make deals on behalf of the city. I did not realize he would bring our new friends to one of our most secret gathering places but it is too late for me to counsel against that now and hindsight serves no purpose. While Aserymus' actions have been rude and overstepped we should consider the deal he has made on its own merits and allow the Prince to decide as is her right and privelage. Many of us have seen how deadly a warrior of the lupines can be firsthand. We are in dire need of such warriors for our battles against the Fomori. I would also advise against trying to imprison Guinnein and Mordag as they were acting in good faith and that would mean a shattering of the truce we have carefully worked for."

Isaac turns directly to face The Lion of Tunis with both his face and his voice pleading.
"Please Aserymus stay your hand and work with us to settle this dispute. I have seen your strength and skill at arms displayed in several skirmishes. The city NEEDS you for the coming battles. If you fight here in Elysium you will be persona non grata in our society if you survive. I have no doubt you would make a good accounting of yourself and may take some of those present down with you but there are too many here for you to fight alone. Our friends the wolves would be unlikely to join you as they know that would also destroy the peace! You have shown yourself to be a noble and dangerous warrior. Now is the time to show you can also be a man of peace when it is required. "

The Tunisian meets Finn's mirth with his own wry smile, though the warmth never manages to extend to his eyes. Hearing her assent to the Prince's will, such as it is, solidifies his opinion.

"So be it then. There will be no surrender to one who's own actions led us to the dangerous precipice the city is now on. Had you followed my advice a year ago, this all could have been avoided. And perhaps some of us need not have died while I was away."

Turning his head slightly, the Aserymus' gaze passes over the other assembled Cainites, chief among them the Prince's guard.

"Guinnein. Mordag. Come. The three of us are leaving. If anyone is bold enough to try and stop us, make your attempt. But once we pass those doors, remember that every death due to the Inquisition, or the Fomori, or anyone else is on your heads. I will not fight the Princeling's wars any longer. Now run back to your master and pray she looks favourably on you."

And with the sound of armoured steps resonating off the floor of the hall, the Lion moves past Finn, never taking his eyes off his would-be jailors, nor his hand away from his weapon.

Izra'il stepped into Elysium, bow slung over his back, and his right had resting on his sword hilt, "What in the Lords name happened here?" He asked aloud to no one in particular, his nose twitching at the scent of blood, "And more importantly why are those responsible not in torpor or worse?"

As if on cue after Hildr's comment, a tattered, blood-drenched Gwynne staggers back into Elysium and collapses into the nearest chair. "No one died," she coughs out in the strained, raspy voice of a corpse that has holes where it shouldn't. "Things are... Resolved."

She slumps over, muttering under her breath "I need to stop doing that..."

There is something broken both in Isaac's slumped shoulders and in the lack of his normal friendly tone in his voice.
"I'm glad noone was killed. I have some Scourge business to announce.After investigation the individual captured by the guards is not a cainite and therefore not within the purview of my duties. From assistance with the investigation I offer a minor boon to Izra'il of the Banu Haqim and Ludivico Giovanni of clan Cappadocian. Torston could you please ask the Prince to meet with me as soon as she is able to regarding an extremely urgent matter. Tell her it's regarding the threat I previously discussed with her."