"That's quite the ask," Liam remarked, quickly catching up with what had presumably been a lengthy conversation in his absence. "And you're okay with this?"

Moira nodded. "She protected the city, and now she wants to protect herself," she said. "And I do not believe that any of us will be greeted kindly when we are introduced to the world. Now we'll have a safe place to run to. I gotta think about my kids, Liam."

"I understand," Liam replied. That was all he needed to hear. "I know it isn't your preference, but if you're too drained to look after them there are others."

Liam didn't specify Tim and Kat by name as he knew this was a sore point for Moira.

"I trust you to keep them safe," said Moira. Her tone suggested this was both a gesture of confidence, and an indication as to who she'd ultimately hold responsible should anything go wrong.

Liam nodded. "Let's make sure tomorrow goes without a hitch before we get too far down the road," Liam replied. "But it sounds to me like you could do with some rest, Moira. Its late. Or early, depending on your perspective I suppose. You should probably get to bed. And I should make some final calls before turning in."

"Yeah," said Moira defeatedly. With Joyce's help, she stood. "I wonder what my dreams are gonna be like without my soul. Goodnight, Liam."

"Thank you," Liam whispered to Joyce.

"Good night."

He headed down the path once more, out into the woods whistling for Caleb to join him. He didn't plan on going far, just far enough.

Once he'd left the grove behind he found a place to sit and took out the journal.

Apologies. I had company.

Robyn has big plans tomorrow. She wants me here. I expect you'll feel it. Presuming all goes to plan I'll write you after to let you know its done.

The following night I intend to clear the ruins with the help of Mickey and Tyr.

Are you ready for others to know you're free? I haven't breathed a word.

While he waited on Miss, Liam reached for his phone to call Cal.

"Miss me yet?"

"The nights I've lain awake pining by the phone," Cal replied. "We hooked up your friends and sent them on their way. How's life in the village?"

"The villagers are getting restless," Liam replied. "They want to help."

"We're hunkering down here tomorrow. I've asked Mik to keep an eye on things from ground level, while Elijah watch the skies."

"I'll call as soon as Robyn is done with whatever it is she's doing."

"The following night Mickey and I will purge the ruins. I've already spoken with Tyr. Tell Mickey he's on board. And I'll see if I can grab anyone else. I've got some ideas."

"We'll be the bait. Elijah and company will hit the aerie. The villagers want to make use of the commotion to free some more folks in the suburbs, send them packing towards the air base. I figure they'll be far enough away from the fireworks that it ought to be safe. I can have the werewolves tag along as an added precaution. But I didn't want to give the go ahead unless you were expecting them."

"Send the civvies up the road out of town," said Cal. "Closer and safer than the airbase. I'll tell the roadblock crew to expect them. I'll make sure I have eyes out in the suburbs and they'll fire off a warning if trouble gets too close."

Meanwhile, a missive had scrawled itself into the journal.

I feel it already. I suspect the Pyramid does as well. Whatever power she's tapping, it's leaking through her concealment spells. Not enough to pinpoint her location, more like feeling the noise of digging below the ground. I know it's coming from the woods Northwest of town, so they do too. Be careful. Whatever she's planning will light up your secret haven like a beacon. And they'll be ready to move.

I'd prefer if you'd keep my secret on a need-to-know basis. We're full of Pyramid lackeys over here. If they get wind, it'll be bloody. Who do you plan on telling?

"They'll be happy to hear that," Liam replied. "I think that's everything I've got for you tonight. Oh, and Cal? It was the river. We got in and out via the river. I saw your boys were already in the process of closing that gap, so I expect by this time tomorrow it won't be an issue. Then I'll have to get really clever."

Liam frowned at the response from Miss. It worried him that the Pyramid might know what they were up to - or at least where. He paused a moment to scratch Caleb's head before responding.

I'll make sure we're ready here.

Mickey and Tyr, if you plan to join us. Msizi if he can come. They'd need to know you're with us. Otherwise they'll assume you're against us. And whatever Mickey knows, Cal knows. But I can stop it there. I trust all four to keep a secret.

"I figured as much," Cal said. "Can't spot cold-blooded shapeshifters if they're shifted into something cold-blooded. If you weasel your way through again, let me know."

It took a moment, but finally Miss replied.

If there's a hit and I'm not around to get an alibi, they'll be suspicious. With the Tremere, you're guilty until proven innocent.

Too much at risk. Unless you're letting Vamanando out while you're down there, I'm out.

"Sounds good. You have yourself a good night, Cal. I'll call you tomorrow."

Liam hung up the phone. He was feeling immeasurably better about his relationship with Cal. He was still extremely on edge about tomorrow however.

I understand. Wish us luck and stay safe. I'll write tomorrow if all goes well.

He waited long enough for a reply and then closed the journal. Reaching into his pocket he found the messenger stone and placed it under his tongue.

"Well? Did you open it?" He could scarcely disguise the amusement in his voice.

"What, you mean that stack of bureaucratic bullshit the government calls an olive branch?" Hasan said. "Yeah, I opened it. I'm not impressed. Jacob is already poring through law books on his phone. 'Indefensible,' he called it."

"I look forward to his well considered rebuttal," Liam replied. "Did you two get ahold of Petty okay? Sorted out travel arrangements?"

"I'm tempted to show them my well-considered rebuttal," Hasan grumbled. "We've filed a flight plan for the jet. We take off tomorrow at sunset. Short stop-over in Iceland, and then it's Amsterdam and Vienna the next night."

"Sounds like a lovely holiday," Liam replied. "Make sure to take in the sights."

"You wont be surprised to hear that Mik and Tyr are equally unenthusiastic about their newfound amnesty. Pockets too. She was quite happy to receive your gift however. I all but got ushered out of her room so she could try it on."

"The only sights we're going to have time to see is the inside of stuffy rooms containing even stuffier assholes," Hasan grumbled. "Good to hear that the others have some sense."

"And of course she loved it," he added matter-of-factly. "It's a masterpiece."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:38, Wed 23 Aug 2023.

"Cal thinks you might have a future as a blacksmith if you play your cards right," Liam ribbed. "Anyway I'm glad to hear you're sorted. I'm going to turn in, but I'll be in touch."

"Don't blow up anything fun til I get back," quipped Hasan.

Tim and Kat had moved into one of the portables in the wake of the recent vacancies. Kat answered the door, rubbing her eyes. "Jesus, Liam. Shouldn't you be inside? The sun's almost up."

"I was just on my way to bed," Liam replied. "I assume you're aware of what's happening tomorrow?" He paused just a moment in case he had to fill in any details.

"I heard from Miss tonight. She can feel it. And if she can feel it you'd better believe they can feel it in the tower."

"I was hoping for a quiet night, but I wanted to make sure you and Tim were aware that we might attract some visitors."

"I've heard the scuttlebutt," said Kat. "And yeah, we can feel it too. Whatever she's building in there, it's positively buzzing with energy. We'll be ready in case the Tremere come knocking. But if you're that worried, maybe she should consider doing this before sunset."

"I suspect the timing is important, but I'll let Robyn know. Anyway that's all I wanted to say. Sorry to wake you. I'll see you tomorrow. I hope you have a quiet day."

The eastern sky was brightening on Liam's walk back to the house. So much for calling it an early night.

[5 XP + 1 WP for the scene]

Liam scrawled the briefest of notes for Robyn as he stepped inside.

<i>They can feel you in the Chantry. The Tremere will be ready. See you tomorrow.</rose>

He collapsed into bed with Caleb at his feet and was out as Sol crested the horizon.