“Apprentice Jim is correct,” Wen says, shooting an impressed look at the newly inducted member. “Councilor Wyncham is likely to resent our presence, but he will be acutely aware that our endeavor has the full confidence of the highest echelons of the clan. A failure on our part will reflect badly upon him as well. I do not believe he would wish to risk displeasing the Founder. It's one reason I did not speak up earlier during the deliberations; by appearing neutral we can hope to impress upon him that we are not mere tools in an inner clan powerplay. I intend to do everything I can to establish an open line of communication with him and ensure it be impressed upon Councilor Wyncham that he will be mentioned prominently in my reports back to Vienna, and any assistance he sees fit to grant us praised. I believe this once he realizes our success will expand his own influence this will be enough to ensure his assistance or at least quiet his disapproval.”
He listens intently as Jim explains what the Shen are. “It's not a term I'm familiar with, so any information about these creatures would be helpful.” He wondered if they possessed the same clans that were found in the rest of the world. Likely as not they were cousins of their European families, though perhaps isolation and time ensured they had developed their own societal structures and perhaps even quirks of the blood.
Badger shrugs.
Quiet disapproval isn't necessarily passive disapproval. He could imagine a scenario where they succeed but meet their final deaths in the process. And an enterprising Councilor Wyncham might convince the rest of the council that, while the loss of these apprentices is indeed unfortunate, he offered what help he could under the circumstances and that things might've gone differently had he been given complete control as he initially requested. Badger harbors no delusions. He is a tool in an intraclan power play. He just intends to be too valuable a tool to lose.
"Hope you're right, chief."
The Year of Our Lord Saturday December 31, 1910 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Prime Chantry
Donato nods in agreement with Henry, "I will commune with my Sire before I retire, I know he had taken to wandering east after his... disagreements with the Clan. Perhaps he wandered far enough to have heard something".
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Prime Chantry
The Coterie settle in their own rooms, each contemplating how these events have changed their existences and will likely continue to do so for many years to come, assuming they survive this!
Morning comes early and Master Beschi assembles you all to another chamber where Herd is available to quench your thirst.
After they depart Master Beschi speaks...
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Prime Chantry
"Master Celestyn apologizes that he cannot be here to send you off. I will be finalizing arrangements for our group to board the Orient Express tonight.
When we arrive in Constantinople, you shall have several rooms in the Pera Palace Hotel. There, you shall meet your contact from Master Celestyn, he will provide further instructions for your next leg of this journey.
Your Ghouls and retainers are already at the stations awaiting our arrival.
Have you further questions for me before we depart Prime?"
Henry wakes in high spirits, ready to serve the clan and prove his own worth. The brief feeding also helps to take the edge off and only increase his mood. He feels full of energy and ready to take on the world, but tampers his enthusiasm. He did not want to appear overconfident.
He asks Master Beschi, "Thank you for your assistance in helping arrange everything for us. I would humbly ask for any advise or considerations you feel we should be made aware of during our journey and mission in order to help ensure it proves successful."
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Prime Chantry
"How you will be traveling is unclear whether by land or sea. Both have their own perils.
Upon being Embraced, I was left to my own devices by Celestyn. My ghoul my only reliable companion. Treat your servants well as they guard you by day.
Ware the locals of any strange lands you visit. Courtesy and humility should be your first priority. Starting with hostility will bring hostility in return and your resources are not easily replenished so violence should be a last resort.
Perhaps most of all, trust your instincts. You were all chosen for a reason".
Jim frowns slightly and says, "The most harrowing parts will probably be travel over ocean. If the ship sinks, so do we... and in deep water survival is not assured; torpor is a likely outcome. Especially since Kindred do not swim well."
"Once we reach mainland China, we will likely have to engage some overland routes by more... prosaic forms of travel. Horse-drawn wagons, for example."
Sarah just waits for the possible action she’s going to see.
“I am ready to leave!“
"Right, then. Ready when you lot are."
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Prime Chantry to the Train Station
Master Beschi nods and leads the Coterie from the common chamber and back into the long hallway of Prime Chantry. After walking past several doors looking thoughtful, Beschi pauses and places his hand on a red door. He nods and turns the nob, the door opens into a short hallway. He gestures you all to head in first. Donato heads to the door and finds the knob will not turn, he turns around to call out to Master Beschi who enters the small hall last and closes the door, placing the hall into darkness.
The young man mutters under his breath and tries the door once more, the knob this time does turn and the door leads to a foyer. One none of you have seen before. As you exit you see that you are not in Saint Rupert's church but instead in the lobby of a quiet hotel in Vienna. Beschi steps forward and leads the group through a steel lattice door, glass encased, with symbols of the Clan cleverly designed into the art.
Our front are four carriages. Sitting atop each are coachmen dressed in impeccable black suits. Seated beside the lead driver is a man who turns to Donato. They nod to one another.
Master Beschi motions for you all to enter the coaches.
Once aboard, you are all whisked away at a rapid pace through the cobblestoned streets of Vienna. Unlike the previous night, the skies are clear and the temperature brisk but not cold and clammy.
Soon enough your group arrives at Vienna Station. Steam rises from the train as passengers scurry to and fro, the excitement from the Mortals is palpable. Porters rush about seeking to move, in some cases a ridiculous amount of luggage, for these passengers.
The shining blue and gold train at the platform is sleek and a testament to the ingenuity of Man. The staff wear perfect buttoned coats and assist passengers up into the various cars. There are 18 cars in all. Standing dead center in the order of cars are your various ghouls and other lackeys. Master Beschi points to them as you all exit the carriages.
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
"We had extra cars added to the train for our accommodations. Unfortunately, try as we might, we cannot have our cars tacked to the end. Therefore, Mortals may move through the halls by our rooms. It is good that you have a contingent of Mortals to ward off those too curious by day".
He begins to walk towards the group that awaits your arrival.
Henry watches the train and the commotion surrounding it, the technology reminding him of the changing nature of the world. There's a hint of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time, but he suppresses it. Let the kine have their so called "innovation." It all paired in comparison to the might their clan held.
He spies the few members of his herd, and follows Master Beschi over to them.
James boards the train as a Kindred somewhat familiar with the modern era, without too much trepidation or confusion.
"About how many days and nights is this supposed to take... ?"
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
Master Beschi responds to Jim's query, "No more than two overnights, so at most three days. If we arrive by day, we have paid to ensure that the train stays in place long enough for all of you to disembark by night. Partially because they will be removing our sleepers to remain at the station".
Sarah frowns a bit, but does not respond.
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
"Very well then." Wenzel looks to his belongings gets ready to board.
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
Marcus regards the locomotive and nods appreciatively. "Nicer accommodations than I've had on some other trips to be sure." Hefting his bags, he readies to board the train.
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
The retainers begin to load your baggage onto the train as Master Beschi waives the porters away. Peering inside you can all see that these trains are a far cry from the carriages which you rode in upon, opulent as they were. The seats have plush velvet furnishings in rich jewel tones, with dark wood mahogany walls. A brief tour further in shows that each car has two rooms with a twin canopy beds with heavy deep red velvet coverings which can be rolled down to the floor. Next to each bed is a small living area with ample space for private dining (eating for three) and yet another plush sofa.
Mortals walk through your cars seeking their own destinations. Some look at your group with admiration or jealousy but keep moving through.
The hustle and bustle is quite furious!
Donato's brute speaks for the first time, "This will be difficult to defend by day, should we all stay in one place for protection? Comforts are useless to you dead masters..."
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
"I'd not go so far as to say useless," Henry says. Even as a kindred he enjoyed a drawn, warm bath as much as the next fellow, and he retained a appreciation for the finer things. He could compartmentalize and was equally at home in existing in a cramped cellar, but these sort of accommodations were a pleasant surprise, ones that would make the trip slightly more enjoyable.
"Still, while I am not opposed to us all residing together, I would suggest we spread out to two or three rooms. If a foe breaches our defenses we must assume that they are well prepared, both to know of our location and overcome our defenses. We must also assume our defenses would not hold. Splitting up gives us a better chance of survival and ensures that if the worst happens and some of us were destroyed the mission could still be salvaged. But if you would all feel better staying in one place I don't mind that either.
"I also know the ritual to prevent sunlight from entering into a small area. I imagine several of you do, it is a rather simple one. I don't mind casting it if we feel it necessary for added security. If any of you know of rituals that allow us to wake faster if under threat those could assist us as well."
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
Donato nods, "I know the ritual as well. My retainer and I are happy to stay with a split group of us.
Since three of you hail from the British Isles, perhaps you three together plus Sarah and the rest of us in another room? This way at least one member of each group has a a capable warrior".
Sarah nods in agreement and she glances at Master Beschi who is back outside directing his ghoul, "I suppose Master Beschi will wish to stay on his own? I would not presume to tell him what to do".
Badger nods. "Now that's settled. Think I'll have a bit of a look around." He tips his bowler and begins toward the train's engine.
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
Wenzel nods in agreement
"I also know the ritual to prevent sunlight from entering but nothing to help hasten us out of a sleep."
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
As the rest of the coterie and their retainers settle in to the cars that are the temporary quarters of Clan Tremere, Badger walks the cars to scout the rest of the passengers.
A very cosmopolitan group. They consist of easterners, westerners, civilians, and those who appear to be soldiers. While there is certainly talk of the elegance of the train, there is also talk of war. The Italians make demands of the "sick man of Europe". Their other territories, which apparently hang by a thread, are also in danger of open revolt.
The British speakers. and there are many, most of the soldiers in fact, speak of being dispatched to far flung territories in the middle east, India, and even China.
If there are other Cainites on board, they are behind closed doors as you pass through.
As he passes through the other cars, Badger listens to see if anyone has anything interesting to say regarding the coterie's destination.
Badger hears nothing specific about Constantinople.
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
Badger returns to the sleeping cars of the coterie with nothing specific to report. The Coterie settles in and Master Beschi gives his second dissertation on the languages and dialects of their destination.
He informs the coterie that the last night he is with them, he will try and cover the areas he believes that they will travel to geographically as the third night they will in Constantinople and he will be heading back to the Prime Chantry.
As the night draws to a close, the coterie members settle in to their respective bedding assignments. The retainers have selected shifts by day to ensure that at least a handful are in the hallways by the doors at all times.
Beschi takes his own sleeping car accompanied by his longtime Ghoul.
Henry spends the night casting Defense of the Sacred Haven, then follows that up with a casting of Mirror of Second Sight on a hand mirror in his possession.
"For those unaware, this ritual will allow this mirror to pierce any illusions others may possess and reveal to us their true form. I would be happy to cast it for any of you whom carry such with you to offer an extra layer of protection."
Once he is done with those rituals, he prepares to retire for the day ahead.
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 1, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
Your undead nature perhaps make the ride a bit more bumpy than it would be for Mortals as you feel ad hear the sounds of the locomotive as it makes its way towards its next destination.
Soon enough though, daysleep falls upon you all....
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 2, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
As the fatigue of the day wears off you all wake and find nothing amiss. It seems that the day brought no troubles to the sleeping cars of the Coterie.
As Master Beschi sits to provide his next, and final lesson, a loud scream issues forth from the front of the train! "Was that the whistle?" Donato asks. Sarah cocks her head, "No. No. That sounded like the scream of a woman".
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 2, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
Master Beschi waves off the sound, "Whatever it is, it does not concern us".
Henry does not wish to contradict a superior, but seeing no one else speak up, he reluctantly does so.
" I do agree that matters with the kine concern us little, but perhaps it would be prudent to send one of our servants to inspect the scene and report back to us? It's likely a mugging, a spat between lovers, or something equally insignificant. But considering our enclosed position upon the train, I would humbly suggest we verify the matter is not something that endangers our mission. As a worst case another kindred could be on the train as well and given in to their temptations, which would be useful to be aware of going forward."
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 2, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
Master Beschi frowns but slowly nods, "Indeed, that would be a worthwhile thing to know, do any of you have a specific retainer you wish to send, let us pause here and do so".
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 2, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
Pulling his hat from over his eyes, Marcus chimes in. "Or if we'd rather have a more personal touch, I can go look into it."
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 2, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
"Very well Acolyte Townshend, but tarry not long".
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 2, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
"I believe I will stay here, unless you believe you require further assistance." Henry tells Marcus.
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 2, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
Getting up out of his seat, Marcus shrugs.
"Not opposed to either way." he says, heading for the car exit leading toward the front of the train.
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 2, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
Wenzel gets up following Marcus leaning a bit on his walking stick.
“Perhaps a walk is what I need.”
James shakes his head ruefully. "If it is simply a domestic dispute, it is best for us not to be involved. At all. If it is something supernatural, such as another Kindred on the train, it will become a problem for us soon enough."
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 2, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
Wenzel and Marcus head to the back of the train passing through a few more sleeping cars and into the most rear dining car. Passengers murmur and crowd in so it is hard to see what is happening.
A man pushes through looking quite disturbed, "I must get to the conductor, the train must be stopped! There has been a murder!"
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 2, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
As the rest of the coterie remains behind and Master Beschi exits the sleeping car in which he gives the lesson.
---
Sarah speaks to Henry, "Have you traveled before to Constantinople Acolyte Gaden? I think you should know that I have, I was part of a prisoner exchange in the city having been captured on an assignment by the Assamites. The one who exchanged me seemed noble. It may be worth attempting to contact her to get insights into the city while we are there".
---
Donato approaches Jim, "While you are not the most senior Acolyte among us, as the one with first hand knowledge of the territory into which we venture, should you not lead until we arrive at out final destination?"
---
While the Gargoyle approaches Badger, "When you wandered about yesterday, did you see any other of our kind last night?"
James says to Donato, "You've inadvertently answered your own question in the statement: While I'm famliar with the territory into which we venture, I know very little about the route there. I have no firsthand knowledge of Constantinople or... the remnants of the Ottoman Empire or Rus. Once we get there... I'll do what I can to make sure that everyone fits within the cultural expectations and we don't make any horrible mistakes."
"No, I unfortunately haven't. Most of my time was spent in England, save the trip to Vienna shortly after my embrace. I've also been to France a few times."
He considers her words. "I'm not opposed, if we have the time. Though I don't know how long we will be in the city, and they will likely seek suitable information in turn. There may be no harm in an initial meeting though, if you are willing to arrange one. Though I would suggest only one or two of us attend it; no need to alert outsiders of the size of our group. That will only raise questions."
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 2, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
Donato nods, "That's a sensible approach. My own wanderings with my Sire were limited to Italy and most recently, to Vienna.
He seems to believe that soon, now more than ever before, the world is shrinking and there would be fewer and fewer places to hide from the Mortals. He has become less bold I think as he has managed to carry on as an outsider for so long and believes remaining an individual between the Sects to be too dangerous for his own continued existence".
-------
"It may indeed Acolyte Gaden. The Prince of Constantinople is Mustafa, of Clan Ventrue. I suppose it is a Camarilla city though the Ottoman Empire is of course heavily controlled by the Assamites. I think whether by land or sea, we would pass through some of their territories so paving the way if you will from the beginning may make sense.
Perhaps our benefactor did this already, perhaps not. I would not like to find out he failed to do so and battle our way to the east. Badger is the streetwise one no? Perhaps he should be the one to accompany me".
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 2, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
Henry is initially not thrilled to not be leading the negotiations, but he recognizes he may have other matters to tend to, and his experience interacting with those outside his clan is also somewhat limited.
"You raise good points. Very well. Provided Badger has no pressing matters I see no reason you two can not handle the meeting. But let us see what awaits us in the city before we decide anything with finality." He suggests.
The Year of Our Lord Sunday January 2, 1911 – Vienna - Austro-Hungarian Empire - The Orient Express
A murder? Did one of our group get a bit zealous in their feeding? is the first thought that crosses Marcus's mind.
"A murder?" Marcus asks the man incredulously. "By what means? Are you sure it isn't a matter of natural causes?"
With a quick nod of his head, the professor encourages Wenzel to continue on towards the supposed victim.