Chapter Three: War of Words

By Richard LeBlanc

At a location that appeared be more suited to a Brujah rant - the next night's conclave was underway. Man Basher - was perched atop a throne made from mangled cars. Although everything was pretty lively - she seemed bored. When she saw Calloway enter the scene - a smile crept across her face.

Finally - something interesting might happen. She thought as she hopped from her perch and wormed her way through the kindred gathering.

"Calloway? So glad you could make it," she said politely. The assassin smiled and bowed his head respectfully. "We missed you the other night," she added.

"Did something happen?" he asked.

"No - it was kind of fucking boring. Had I the choice I would have stayed home too," she replied. He quietly chuckled as he looked around. From the corner of his eye he could see Glare taking down more notes.

"I - apologize for my absence. A - guest was visiting and I had to entertain her," he replied politely. She quietly laughed and shook her head.

"I can well imagine how you were entertaining her - but I digress. I did some digging on you - and - everything came up clean. It is almost like - no one wants to say anything bad about you. Odd - where assassins are concerned," she remarked.

"Snake is particular about who needs to be dealt with - and how. He understands that - our war will never eclipse the petty politics at council tables. Pity that," he began. She smiled as she leaned against a partially standing wall behind her.

"How so?" she asked.

"When those of the third generation rise from their torpor - they will be greeting with a hunger that will not be quenched with anything short of a sea of kindred blood," he stated rationally.

"Interesting - but what of Set? He is of the third generation. Won't he be hungry when he wakes?" she asked curiously. Calloway smiled and shook his head. In all of his years he had heard that argument the most.

"Lord Set - he is the one that started this crusade. When he awakens - he will lead us as we - stop the others from doing to everyone - what they did to his sire," he rationally rebutted.

"So - what you are saying is that you and those that stand by you - are trying to save us all - from ourselves and our elders?" she asked coyly. Calloway quietly laughed.

"We seek to protect everyone - from the elders. We haven't the manpower to protect everyone from themselves," he replied. She smiled as she reached over and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"That was almost poetic," she began. "But - I still don't buy it," she replied.

"Such is your choice. I can respect that. Were they to awaken - this day - this very night - would you object - to me and those of caliber standing in the front lines - ready to keep them at bay?" he asked curiously.

"I fight my own battles," she rebutted.

"I would expect less from a Brujah prince?" he admitted.

"For someone that loathes politics as you claim - you sure know the waters well enough," she pointed out.

"Hating something does not mean ignorance. An assassin - a soldier - a warrior - only exists so long as his lord - his elder - and - his prince allows," he stated.

"I am your prince?" she asked.

"So long as I am in your city," he replied.

"You really know how to work that forked tongue of yours. Enjoy yourself - mingle - and know that - I will be keeping an eye on you. I may respect people that know how to fight - but I won't ever trust an assassin," she remarked as she walked away.

"Nor should you," he muttered to himself. He looked around the gathering and saw the Tremere Primogen Palaseen talking with the Ventrue Primogen Tamina. He smiled as he walked through the crowd to where the two were.

"It is good to know that there are Ventrue in the city again. Perhaps it is an omen that - the balance in the city is about to be restored," Palaseen stated. Tamina quietly laughed.

"The Toreadore have been quiet. The Gangrel clan is surprisingly absent save for her sheriff. The balance is a long way from being established. But - it is good to be," she began as she saw Calloway heading their way. "Calloway. We missed you the other night. There were rumors afoot that you opted to leave like a shadow in the night," she said with a smile.

"No such luck. It looks as though I might be here - longer than anticipated," he began as he looked among the faces in the crowd. He saw Grater and a few other members of his clan glaring at him. "Or desired for that matter. I hate to impose Tamina - but - I was wondering - if I could steal a moment or two of Palaseen's time?" he asked with a smile.

"Well - aren't you a fast worker?" she mused as she took out a business card from her purse and handed it to the Tremere Primogen. "If you ever desire or need to do business with the clan - just let me know," she offered as she faded into the crowd to mingle.

"It is almost as though the clan never left," Calloway remarked.

"What do you want assassin?" Palaseen asked tolerantly. Calloway smiled.

"I desire a moment of your time to talk - nothing more," he reassured.

"Then talk," he rebutted.

"You don't want me talking here - too many ears and noses sniffing around. I need to talk with you - privately," he pointed out. Palaseen laughed and shook his head.

"Yes - I can see that happening. Me just walking off to talk to a high caliber assassin in private," he sarcastically remarked. Calloway leaned forward.

"It has to do with what lies beneath the chantry," he whispered. The color - what little was there - drained from the face of the Primogen. "Now - if you want to talk here," he began. Palaseen grabbed Calloway by the arm and led him away.

Across the gathering the prince and Glare noticed the two making their way away from the assembled mob.

"How odd," she muttered.

"He's up to something," Glare stated seriously.

"Snakes are always up to something. But what business could that assassin have with the Tremere?" she pondered out loud.

"I am more curious as to what you were talking with the assassin about," he remarked.

"Oh so?" she asked.

"Never would I question you - as you are prince - but I question the sanity of any that would associate with that vampiric death dispenser," he replied. She laughed as she shook her head.

"No one ever accused me of being sane - but - it is far wiser to keep dangerous people in front of you than behind. And I am sure that you won't disagree that he is dangerous," she added with a smirk.

"I have seen - how he deals with people - first hand," he began but stopped. "I will let it drop. The issue is moot as I am sure - you have everything - under control," he remarked. The prince smiled as she looked around at the gathering.

"Oh you silver tongued snakes - the way you say things always keeps me on my toes," she playfully replied as she left to mingle with the neonates. Glare sighed and shook his head. He could see how the drama was playing out.

"Each believes that the other is no threat. One is wrong - very wrong," he muttered as he looked in the direction that Calloway had departed to.

A safe distance away from the gathering and their prying ears - Calloway and Palaseen came to a complete stop.

"What are you talking about?" Palaseen asked.

"Whatever do you mean?" Calloway rebutted.

"What you said back there?" he reminded.

"Maybe something - maybe nothing," he began. Palaseen was about to speak when Calloway raised a finger. "I do know - for a fact - that something is going down - deny it - and I will spread theories around the neonate pond. I do know - that it could have serious - ramifications on the city - your chantry and your clan in this city," he said calmly. "And I know - that you need help - and that the help that is on route - will get here a day or two - too late," he added seriously.

"How the fuck could you know of this?" he muttered.

"I know a great deal of things. My people are - well informed. You need help - in both dealing with whatever - you people have set in motion - and in - insuring that - the cause of it does not leak into inappropriate ears," he pointed out.

"The latter of the two can be easily dealt with," Palaseen warned.

"Me? You think this information just popped into my head out of the ether? My source - isn't even in this fucking city. Ponder this - would I be approaching your clan - if I didn't have some - insurance to cover my ass?" he asked seriously.

"I know that arrogance can make smart men stupid. You play a dangerous game assassin," Palaseen warned.

"Hey as a show of good faith," the assassin began as he reached in his pocket and took out a note that had arcane writings on it. "This - was given to the person - who gave it to a person - that finally - gave it to me," he began as he showed it to the Primogen. "Know what it is?" he asked.

"Do you?" the Primogen rebutted. Calloway looked at the document and smirked.

"Is Greek to me - luckily - I know a bit of Greek,' he remarked. "I know it is part of a ritual - the - kindred legality of trying something like this - must be questionable," he continued as he looked over at the Primogen. "Maybe you're right. Maybe this is a waste of time and I should just talk about this with Man Basher," he suggested. The Tremere Primogen reached over and grabbed Calloway by the arm. "You think we should keep this - quiet?" he asked curiously.

"That - document," he began. Calloway smiled as he offered it to him. Hesitantly he reached over and snatched it away. "You have copies?" he asked seriously.

"I might - stranger things have been known to happen. You were saying something about that document?" he rebutted - changing the subject.

"This - this is a matter of - Tremere - security," he explained.

"Your precious security has been compromised," he rebutted.

"So it would seem," Palaseen admitted. "What do you want assassin?' he asked.

"I want to talk with your regent. I was told to bring the matter to you - but - I will need to discuss maters with him directly," Calloway explained.

"If I refuse?" he asked. Calloway smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

"Try it and see. Either way makes little difference to me. Choice is yours - but - I wouldn't waste too much time deliberating the matter. Time - is - your enemy here - not me," he stated calmly.

"You wish to - discuss this mater with the regent - so be it. You may live to regret your - brash actions - then again - maybe not. Follow me," he replied seriously - motioning for the assassin to follow him.

To Be Continued...