"Man only likes to count his troubles: he doesn't calculate his happiness."
                                                               -Dostoevsky

"You go darling.  Who knows?  Maybe it will be interesting?"

That's what Margildt had said.  Though whether she was speaking to you Frederich or you Emrys, who can say for sure?  When Margildt says "darling" or "love" she means whoever it is that will end up doing it for her.

In this case, the particular something is attending a meeting.  Horst, the senior redcap of the Tribunal, sent a note to her.

We have an important guest, who wishes to discuss some very profitable business with one of our magi.  I immediately thought of you dear Margildt...

You both can imagine what Margildt's thought process was.

Horst is just a redcap.

Horst is the redap for the tribunal.  Well respected.  Actually quite versed.  He wrote the text you both learned magic theory from even though he's not Gifted himself.

And of course it's never a good idea to get on House Mercere's bad side.

But still...he's a redcap.

What to do...what to do?

Ah.  Just send the "boys".  Someone shows up at this meeting and does...whatever.  Margildt can get back to what actually matters.

Everyone wins.

You are both pretty confident that's how it went inside her head.  And so, here you are.  In a meeting room overlooking Fengheld's eastern garden, drinking some of Horst's personal stock of cider and listening to him tell you a story about when he was younger.

Horst is jolly.  It's fun.

And then another redcap enters and whispers something in his ear.

"Oh!  Splendid!"  Horst beams at the two of you.  "Now, I will warn you.  My guest is a little...different...than what you may be expecting.  But our business is quite serious."  He motions for the other redcap to open the door...

---

"I think Erich is thinking of leaving."

Peter, the captain of the Order of the Crossed Swords, sighs and finishes his mug of ale.

Vinter, you are seated with Peter in the common hall of Fengheld, having a draft.  The news of one of your fellows considering leaving the Order is sadly not that surprising.  You've heard Rostov and Gregory talking about it.  If Erich is as well, that's half of you left.

Peter scratches his beard.  "What about you?  Are you thinking of going?"

---

Affare, you gently but firmly pick up the cushion Velum has settled upon.  Gerta steps through the doorway and nods at you.

You quickly but gently walk through into the meeting room and set Velum down in a chair before the two magi Horst had invited.

Emrys and Frederich, a third redcap entered, carrying a black cat on a cushion.  He sets the cat down on a chair facing you and steps back.

Affare, Emrys, and Fred: I will let you three describe your characters as you like for the others.

The cat is quite good looking.  For a cat.  A long and muscular tom with fur as black as a starless midnight.  The cat sits up, stretching, and cocks his head back and forth.  He then raises a front paw and licks it for a moment, before setting it down and staring back at the two of you.

"Greetings," the cat says in perfect latin.  "My name is Velum.  Whom do I have the honor of speaking with?"

As Affare entered the room the younger of the two magi, Emrys, stared at his burden curiously.  His irises, like quicksilver reflected the image of the cat on his pillow.  A smile graced his lips as he considered the redcap's burden.

Given his decidedly Mediterranean skin tone and short dark wavy hair to offer contrast, Emrys' bright white teeth practically flashed in the light as his smile grew wider at the guest's revelation.  It wasn't like he would consider saying no to Margildt but the promise that it would be interesting had already proven true.

Setting his mug of cider down, Emrys stood and brushed his faded and well worn brown robes before offering a polite bow, "I am Emrys, filius Custennin ex Miscellanea.  A pleasure to make your acquaintance Velum."

Resuming his seat Emrys looked to his sodalis, Friderich.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:10, Fri 10 Mar 2023.

Always great to see Horst.  Been so many places, and such good stories.

Then a second - and a third! Redcap arrives on scene, and he daubs his red beard, neatly trimmed, of any dampness from the cider.  Friderich stands as well, as Velum speaks, suddenly glad he dressed more formally, with his side-gored blue bliaut and silvery linien trimmed bloused slightly at the waist, and bowed slightly.  He hoped desperately that the typical reaction from animals did not apply here...

"I am Friderich filius Margildt ex Trememe, and it is I who am honored.  If it has not been said before, welcome to Fengheld."

In reply to Frederich (msg # 3):

Velum studies you both and then bows his head.  Slightly.

"It is good to see humans who have been so splendidly trained.  My appreciation for your courtesy."

Velum's tail starts to twitch a bit.

"Now.  Before we discuss business...Horst.  Please inform these good sirs about the balance in my accounts."

Horst hesitates a moment.

"We don't usually-"

"Master Horst.  Please inform these good sirs of the balance in my accounts."

Horst sits up straight and clears his throat.  He looks at both you directly.  "What I am about to speak of should not leave this room.  It is...confidential informaiton. But as it is Velum's information.."

He shrugs.

"As you may know, House Mercere operates various commercial interests for the Order.  We will represent magi and...their associates in some of these commercial interests.  Velum here is the beneficiary of an holding in a merchant house in Venice.  So he has a certain level of yearly income, comparable to a successful small merchant's household.  He also has ownership rights in two merchant vessels."

Horst stops there.  Velum stares at him.  Horst reaches out, picks up his mug, drinks from it, and resumes.

"As you are both probably aware, House Mercere operates a bank of sorts for the Order.  We provide storage for vis and make vis loans as part of these banking services.  Velum has ownership of one of the accounts in our vis bank.  Currently his accounts have a total of two rooks and four pawns of vis.  The breakdown of the vis is-"

"That's good enough for now.  Thank you Master Horst."

Velum looks back at both of you and continues.  "I want both of you to understand that I am capable of making compensation for services rendered.  And I wish the two of you to render services for me.

"Specifically, I will need you to accompany me.  You see, my human has gone missing.  And I need to go find him.  His name is Amis Sinon ex Jerbiton.  And I am afraid of the trouble he will get into if he is left too long out of my care."

He pauses, looking you both over as if he's trying to judge your reaction.

Emrys looks eager, excited even at the prospect of making his way out in the world with a magical talking cat.  However he stops himself from speaking up immediately as he pays mind to Friderich as he glances over to him to see his reaction.  All too often he drug his Tremere friend along in some sort of trouble or other by accident or little consideration.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Sat 11 Mar 2023.

Affare folds his thin arms awkwardly and purses his lips.  Judging by his splendid dress and well-made hair, he had come prepared for something important.  But a cat was never a part of his plans, and it isn't hard to deduce this by looking at him, much as he is obviously trying to hide it.

His years of education and noble upbringing obviously didn't prepare him for this.

Friderich keeps his hands folded in his lap, resisting the urge to touch his beard as he considered.  "I am sorry to hear of your troubles, socium Velum, and I am indeed interested.  But I would hear more of your...of Amis Sinon, and this trouble of which you are concerned.  Might you speak on that?  Was there something that might have caused him difficulty? Or someone with enmity?  This I would know, perhaps along with where you feel he might be?  We thank you for your indulgence to these questions.  You must be very concerned."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:50, Sat 11 Mar 2023.

In reply to Frederich (msg # 7):

Velum looks you over Frederich.  Then turns to you Emrys

"That you for your gracious introductions.  Well met.

"My human...to be frank, he is quite a mess.  Amusing and dear, but...he always gives me quite a bit of trouble."

Velum sighs.

"Well. To start at the start of things.  We lived mostly in Valnastium, though every other year, we would travel to a covenant in Italy and spend a few months there.

"Amis is interested in old things.  Antiquities he calls them.  Most of them are dusty old pieces of stone.  But he and a few of the others at Valnastium obsessed over them.  Like the stones were a mouse that just refuses to quit squeaking if you know what I mean.

"Anyway, over the past year, Amis began corresponding with someone.  He wouldn't discuss what was going on with me.  All I knew was that it had something to do with some specific type of old stone.  The kind of old stone that had pictures cut into them.

"Last summer, he suddenly left with just his personal knight Gustav.  I tried to find out where he had left to, as he is my possession.  So I have the right to know.  But no said they knew.  Or they were not willing to help.  Typical really.

"Before the snows fell, Amis returned.  He seemed...different.  Wouldn't tell me anything.  What was odder was that Gustav left almost as soon as he arrived.  I heard that he stopped just outside the gate to Valnastium, that the two of them seemed to argue, and that Gustav turned around and left.  He's apparently left the Company that protects Valnastium.  It's completely out of character for him.  Worse, I didn't give him permission to do so!  Gustav was also my possession.  It's irksome when one's things decide to galivant around on their own without obtaining permission.

"Amis spent the entire winter reading books.  They weren't the usual ones you magi read.  These were old scrolls that Valnastium had in their library.  It was my understanding they were ones no one really paid much attention to.

"As soon as the snows thawed, Amis left again.  Snuck away really.  He left one evening, which was strange as he always made it a point not to leave on a journey until the sun had come up on a new day.

"My throat is sore.  You," Velum glances at you Affare.  "Milk please.

"Anyway, I am incensed that Amis has left the spaces I have allowed him.  Especially as he seems to have wandered off on his own.  He's not very competent.  I worry that Gustav is not with him, not to mention I am not there!

"I need to find my Amis.  And I need assistance to do so.  That is the situation in brief."

Emrys nods and looks to Friderich and back to Velum, "Did a redcap deliver this mystery correspondence or did he employ someone else?  How quickly did he seem to get replies to his letters?  Tracking down Gustav would might yield some clues about Amis.  Does he or his family hold a fee or the like?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:04, Mon 13 Mar 2023.

"Mmm hmm, mmm hmm.  And Valnastium itself might hold answers... Did not Ptolemy write of the the iconography of Aegyptus"

But yes, Velum, I can understand how worrisome it is when one's ...things go missing.  What ideas do you have of his whereabouts - and perhaps he had a friend of confidant in your Covenant with whom we could speak?"

In reply to Frederich (msg # 10):

Velum demurely listens to your questions Frederich, then turns to Emrys

"His correspondence came through different channels.  Sometimes a Redcap.  Sometimes a messenger.  Honestly, I'm not sure how this particular set was delivered.  And I agree, I would wish to speak to Gustav as well.  But as I mentioned, he left before I had a chance to.  I do not know his whereabouts now. But..."

He glances your way Frederich before turning back to you Emrys.  "...as your associate suggests, I think a return to Valnastium is the first step.  There are individuals there who may be able to answer questions.

"Amis has a number of magi at the covenant he is more or less on good terms with.  But I doubt he spoke to them much.  He tended to like not to announce what he was up to until a project had reached a point he felt it was presentable.

"However, there is a servant there...a woman named Audrey.  She serves the covenant in it's library.  I believe she handles the collection of non-magical tomes.  Amis was always consulting her about the stones he was so interested in.

"There is a magi named Bertalo.  He is in charge of Valnastium's knights.  I think either Bertalo or some of  the knights there may know where Gustav went.

"And...I could perhaps arrange for you to view some of Amis' things.  That may help.

"It would be easier for humans to make most of these inquiries.  Though the Jerbiton are enlightened when it comes to the majesty of my kind, there are still some...divisions.  And some of those inquiries may need to be made to other magi.  I think you can both see the reason for this meeting.

"So.  Can I count on you?  As I mentioned at the start, I can compensate you for your efforts."

"You have my assent, good Velum.  I am just finished, as it happens, with a certain project, and some years past my gauntlet besides.  A travel, especially to so fair a covenant, is a most agreeable proposition, and the opportunity to set a thing right even moreso.  I cannot speak for amica Emrys here, but I can speak for the dour winters here in the waldberge." He allows for a little grin; this could be terribly exciting!

Emyrs enthusiastically nods, "Count on me as well."

In reply to Emrys (msg # 13):

Velum purrs contentedly.  "Excellent.  I am sure our journey will be agreeable to all sides.

"Once we have found some clue to the direction Amis took, we can proceed along that route.

"I will also ask for you to arrange for our security, as it would prove difficult for me to do so given my nature.

"For payment, I propose the following.  First, I will give you a deposit in cash.  Enough for you to purchase any sundries needed for your travels.  I and my associate here," he indicates Affare, "Will make arrangements for the provisioning of the expedition.  Please meet with Affare to make those arrangements.

"I will advance one pawn of vis to each of you.  You may select which form you wish.  Affare will handle the transaction.

"I will award you another two pawns of vis, that is two each, if you can ascertain a viable lead on Amis' trail.  If I continue to need your assistance in tracking him, and I imagine I would, we can negotiate a second round of payment at that time.

"Agreed?"

Emrys nods, "Agreed."

"Will we be travelling to the Alps on foot or other means?" he asks.

Affare bows politely, then rushes to fetch the Master Cat his milk.  Upon returning, he bows again, then serves it.

“May I inquire as to where precisely in Italy the covenant is located?  I do, after all, have some familiarity with the region, having grown up there.”

He speaks with a slave’s humility, although it remains difficult to shake the conviction that he belongs to the greater species.

"We could pick up the Danube at Regensburg and then from Wein, to Graz and then cross the Alps on their easter edge?  Tell us of your journey here, Velum; how were the roads?"

OCC: What season is it?  A one month walk (or three week walk and 1 week float) is a lot less pleasant in the winter than in the summer.

In reply to Frederich (msg # 17):

Velum twitches.  "My journey here was...unpleasant. But I was in a box for most of it.  The details aren't important.  But I would not have much of a grasp of what travel is like for humans."

Horst shakes his head.  "You need not worry too much about getting to Valnastium.  I will allow you the use of one of our portals.  There is one directly to Valnastium, since it is the House Jerbiton's domus magna."

Velum's tail twitches and he purrs.  "Such hospitality.  My thanks Human Horst."

Horst nods, then turns to address your questions Affare.  "It's located near the southeastern tip of the mountains.  I believe it would be closer to the border of Styria.  Much closer to Austria than Milan."

Just created an Almanac thread.  Affare, posted a map of the Greater Alps Tribunal there.

Did I hit everyone's questions?  Anything else for Velum?

Emrys nods, "A portal simplifies things greatly.  I have nothing further and that just leaves making arrangements to leave and the like."

No further questions on my end.

"I concur.  I expect some discussion with my former Parens, from whom I - we - received this invitation, and there may be additional discussions of other members of Fengheld are to accompany us, but I do not anticipate more than a day or two or delay." he smiled broadly. "And, ah, How is the weather there, this time of year?"

In reply to Frederich (msg # 20):

Horst smiles blandly.  "Spring in the Alps.  You may want to pack a warm robe just in case."

He points over at Affare.  "Now.  Let me introduce you both to Affare Acisculu.  He will be accompanying you.  Leave necessary arrangements regarding your budget to him.  Acceptable Velum?"

Velum regards you Affare, and then goes back to licking his paw.  "I find him acceptable."

Affare smiles and bows graciously once more.  He is more than willing to settle for ‘acceptable’.

In reply to Affare Acisculu (msg # 22):

Horst nods.  "Then I will leave the matter in your capable hands.  Frederich.  Emrys.  Please take good care of Velum.  And do rely on Affare.

"Affare?  A word please?"

I will be posting some seprate threads for some of you tomorrow.  Just a few odds and ends to clean up before we move ahead.

Fred and Emrys, I will take a look at the Grogs.

Thanks

"Absolutely, Horst.  Velum, thank you; Affare, well-met.  Let us re-convene, to-morrow, at this same hour of the day; and if this room is unavailable, then the garden below?"

Affare nods politely to Frederich and the others, then makes himself available for private conference with Horst.  At times like these, he enjoys his role as a Redcap.  Being consulted makes him feel needed.

But of course, he realizes full well there will be times when he doesn’t enjoy it.