Shattered Scepters

DISCLAIMER:
I own nothing. The Clan names, discipline names and structure, titles and other such things are copyrighted to White Wolf Game Studio. Neither I, nor this story, are affiliated with White Wolf or any of their associates or subsidiaries, nor do I receive any monetary compensation from the publication of this narrative.

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CHAPTER 18: NEGOTIATIONS & FIREBALLS

“Thank you for coming.” Emma said, and then discretely led the small group away from prying eyes and curious ears. John looked at Stephan’s expressionless face with inquisitive eyes. Stephan looked at John and gave a barely perceptible shrug indicating that he had no idea why they were there. Lolli followed the trio, her own curiosity piqued.

“Thank you for meeting me.” Emma said steeping into view.

“Of course ma’am.” Stephan said following as Emma lead them to the privacy of her Limo. John opened the door for Emma and Lolli. Once the ladies had entered, Stephan and John soon joined them.

“I believe that your choice of a Regnant should be just that your choice” Emma began, signaling her driver to drive around the block. “I know better than you can imagine how it feels to have your ability to make your own decisions remove from you. I would never presume to force my will on another without their consent.”

Emma paused for a moment and noticed the air of disbelief that has fallen upon them. “I know you don’t believe me, it’s something you would not normally hear from a Ventrue. I am not a ‘normal’ Ventrue. Having said all of that my next request may seem like a…contradictory. You all are aware now that the Ventrue are very greedy, and possessive of their ‘property’.” She said looking at Stephan and John.

“I have not told anyone that I have not claimed you for my own. As a matter of fact I’ve led them to believe both of you now belong to me. And I have done this to protect all four of us. As long as the rest of the Ventrue believe that you belong to me they will not try to punish either of you for leaving, they will not attack Lollipopp for poaching and I will not be punished for allowing this to happen in the first place.

Unfortunately, I am now required to present all ghouls I am responsible for to the new Prince. As you may or may not know Chris White has ways of determining if someone is being truthful. There is only one way for me to be sure that no one detects the truth, and that is to make you believe that you truly are my ghouls.”

“And how do you prose to do that?” Stephan asked, suspicion lacing his words.

“There is only one way…” Emma looked down at the ground, wringing her hands.

“What way?” John asked.

“Domination.” Emma answered in a low whispered.

“No.” Stephan responded so quickly that John was taken back.

“Do you have a better idea? Any other idea that may work?” She pleaded. “I don’t want to do this, but I can’t think of any other way.”

“I could just not go.”

“And risk the safety of us all? Or did you plan to leave the city, and Isabella, behind?” she countered.

“I do not like this.” Stephan said, his hands clenching and unclenching.

“Neither do I. I don’t want to do this at all, but it’s the only way I know that will protect us all. I have no intention of making this permanent though. If we do this, I will put everything right on Sunday night, I swear.”

“How do I know you will not do anything else? Or change your mind? How do I know I can trust you?” Stephan debated. John was taken aback by Stephan’s sudden paranoia.

“You don’t Stephan.” Emma responded with a heavy sigh. “You’d have to actually trust me blindly on this, because when I’m finished neither of you will know it’s been done. If you feel the need for an insurance policy on this you have Lolli. I’m not changing her at all, so she’ll know if I keep my word or not. If I don’t she has my permission to kill me.” Emma looked at Lolli when adding her punishment and what she saw frightened her. Not only would the Malkavian kill her, but it promised to be a slow, painful death.

“I still do not like this.” Stephan voiced as he finally stopped pacing.

“Have I ever lied to any of you? Have I given you any reason to believe me dishonest? Trust has to start somewhere, Stephan. Give me this chance, and I swear to you, I will return your memories this Sunday evening.”

“I’ll only change the memories regarding your regnant. I won’t those involving your feelings for Lolli. Sunday, we meet and I put everything back as it was, including your knowledge of what I’ve done.”

Stephan was still hesitant, his mind still working alternative methods for this façade.

“I’ll go first.” John volunteered, hoping that witnessing what was to be done would help ease his friend’s reservations.

..~~~**~~~..

“I’m not asking for Haven-rites, or even any business rites. Heck, I’m not even asking for the whole area, just this small adjacent area.” Lolli said pointing to a highlighted section on her map of Las Vegas.

“Why would Clan Tremere agree to share their hunting grounds?”

“To be nice?” she asked hopefully.

“What benefits would Tremere receive in exchange for allowing Malkavian to share a portion of our hunting grounds.” He clarified with a sigh.

“As long as I am Primogen I will share the business rites with Tremere. Allow Malkavian to use 2% of your land and Tremere will be rewarded with 5% business interest.”

Lord Caperilli looked interested, while Malkavian held the smallest portion of land; it is a very profitable portion, second only to the Ventrue and Giovanni. “That is tempting, but I am not certain that will be enough.”

“So we are at an impasse?”

“Tremere prefer privacy.”

“Unless the Chantry is near the southern border, Tremere’s privacy will still be secured. Any Malkavian, who ventures beyond this border…” she point to the line drawn in purple marker “…forfeit their existence.”

Duncan still did not look entirely sold on the ides of sharing his land.

“How about if we settle it with a game?” She asks.

“I will not play a silly child’s game.” He said his back straightening.

“Chess? Is chess an adult’s game?” she asked. Frank’s ears perked up at the sound of a Malkavian challenging a Tremere to Chess. He’d been watching the conversation between the two from across the room. Lolli was spoken to several clans, obtaining feeding-rights from those clans with the largest territory. Her clan’s feeding ground now covers almost the entire Vegas Valley; although, their havens are restricted to a small section in town, and areas within the Gangrel, Brujah and Giovanni land. Frank was particularly impressed that Lolli

“Do you know how to play chess? I would not want to be accused of taking advantage of a weaker Kindred.”

“I know how the pieces move…it that the same?” she asks, in her normally bubbly tone. Frank bit his lip to keep from smiling. He’d seen her pull this façade on many.

“Are you sure you wish to challenge me to a game of this intellectual nature?”

“Why not? If you win Malkavian leave your territory and your clan alone. If I win, you share feeding rites on the preselected area on the map. Agreed?” she extended her hand. Lord Duncan Caperilli readily shook her hand, sealing the deal.

“May I watch?” Frank asked.

“Sure!” Lolli exclaimed, knowing a witness you be valuable. Duncan merely waved his hand as he rose to his feet.

“There’s a chess set over here.” Duncan said, leading the party to a small private room, which held a small collection of books, a stylish couch and a chess board.

“Can I be black?” Lolli asks, raising her hand high in the air.

“Yes.” Duncan answers with a sigh.

Lolli sits and takes a moment to make certain all of her pieces are in the exact center of their squares and facing towards the white army. She watches as Duncan picks up the King’s Bishop’s pawn and moves it one square. Without hesitation she moved her King’s pawn up two spaces. After a moment of thought Duncan took his King’s Knight’s pawn and moved it two places forward.

A quizzical look filled her eyes, as she looked at Duncan’s move an then back at him. “It is within the rules, that a pawns fist move can be two spaces.” He explains as if he were talking to a small ignorant child.

“Checkmate.” She declares, sliding her Queen across the board. Frank burst into laughter as fury filled Duncan’s face. Magic began filling the small room, as the Tremere slowly rose from the chair.

..~~~**~~~..

Emma, having just finished her meeting with Chris, had dismissed most of her other ghouls and was addressing Stephan and John, when Peltier made it clear that neither man was allowed to leave before the Primogen Meeting.

“May I ask why?” Emma questioned.

“There was an incident to which they were witnesses. I plan to call them before the Council.”

“As their Regnant, I would like to be present.” Emma politely requests.

“That is your right, and it will be respected.”

Emma was about to ask what incident John and Stephan witnessed when a loud crashing sound demanded their attention.

The boom that filled the house was deafening and pulled people from every corner to see what was happening in the small guest library. Lady Peltier, Emma, John and Stephan rushed towards the commotion, much to Stephan’s suggestion to the contrary. A large cloud of dust billowed from the small library as a silhouetted figure begins to emerge. John and Stephan placed themselves between the potential threat and their new Regnant. The figure is soon revealed to be Frank, carrying an injured Lolli.

“Hold this.” he orders, passing her off to Stephan, before he returns to darkened, dust filled room, this time dragging out the Tremere Primogen by the scruff of his neck. Stephan looks at the unconscious Malkavian in his arms, the right side of her neck and face are bright red. Her clothing is singed, but it is her right arm that seems to have caught most of the damage. Third degree burns covered her arm from shoulder to fingers.

“Frank! What the Hell is going on?” Chris demanded.

“Lord Caperilli was attempting to kill the Malkavian Primogen.”

Duncan immediately shrugged off the Brujah and rose to his feet denying the charge.

“So that wasn’t a fireball I saw you lob at her?”

“It wasn’t a fireball, and technically I wasn’t throwing it at her.” Duncan explained.

“Then let’s not speak technically.” Frank growled, taking a step towards Duncan.

“Enough!” Chris snapped “Lord Caperilli, Frank we will discuss this in my office. Katherine!” Chris waved over a younger Brujah. “Please escort Emma and her ghouls to a room where Lolli can recover. Gentlemen follow me.”

..~~~**~~~..

Katherine led the small group, up one flight of stairs and down a long hallway to a small guest room. Stephan carefully laid Lolli on the twin size bed, resisting the urges to place her damaged arm across her chest.

“Katherine, would you please find Dr. Mike and let him know we need him.” Emma asked, watching Stephan carefully set Lolli on the bed.

“Sure.” Katherine said, closing the door as she left.

“She’s healing slowly.” Emma comments as she studies the burns on the Malkavian’s face and right arm. “John, she needs blood.”

“What?” John asks, startled by Emma’s willingness to help the Malkavian.

“Please.” Stephan asks softly, pained by the knowledge that the abnormality in his blood would only cause her more harm. She had been working to build a resistance to his poison blood but she could take small amount, nothing like the quantity she would need to heal these wounds. Stephan’s anxiety was thinly veiled behind his emotionless mask as he watched John press his bleeding wrist to Lolli’s lips.

“Why isn’t she healing?” Stephan asked after a moment.

Before Emma could answer there was a small knock at the door. “Stephan, please get the door.” Emma said, helping John into a nearby chair. Stephan regained his composure and opened the door for Dr. Mike.

“Oh my.” He says upon seeing Lolli’s charred arm and John’s weakened state in the corner.

“John donated too much. I can take care of him. Please see to Lolli.” Emma said, pulling her cell phone from her purse and calling one of her other ghouls to request a some orange juice a few cookies. Dr. Mike moved to Lolli’s bedside and carefully examined her scorched arm.

Stephan forced himself to remain in place as he watched the doctor work, desperately hoping for good news. He found himself wishing the doctor would reach into his bag and pull out a miraculous cure-all that would restore Lolli’s health and take away her burns.

“All of the minor burns have healed…” He said, examining her face “…but there is nothing I can do for her arm. If it heals it will take a long time. Decades, perhaps centuries, If it heals at all.” He sadly reported.

“If?” Stephan found himself asking before he could stop the word.

“As I’m sure you are aware, Mr. Villos, fire is very bad for us Kindred.” Dr. Mike slowly rose to his feet and turned to face Stephan. “And fire damage of this severity almost always scars.”

“When will she come around?” Emma asked.

“I don’t know, could be minutes…could be days. She’s gone into herself.

“What does that mean?” John asked.

“It means she encountered something she could not or was not ready to face, so she removed herself from the situation, leaving her body to deal with whatever was happening.” Stephan answered.

“I’m impressed, Mr. Villos.” Dr. Mike said with an approving grin. “I would not recommend she be alone when she wakes, and I do not recommend anyone weaker than her be present either. I’ll see if Frank is willing to wait with her.”

“Frank? Is that really necessary? I mean…Frank? Isn’t that a little overkill?” Emma asks

“Doctor’s orders.” Dr. Mike responded, his tone more serious than normal indicating that he was not going to answer anything else regarding his decision. “Has she been unconscious the whole time? Does she know what has happened to her?” Dr. Mike suddenly asks.

“To the best of my knowledge, she does not know.” Stephan answered after a pregnant pause.

“Given her choice of occupation, I do not think she will receive the news well.” Dr. Mike advised with a soft, sad sigh.

Dr. Mike turned towards the door. “I’m sorry I don’t have good news.”

..~~~**~~~..

“You’re the leader of your clan. They look to you as an example.” Chris lectured “What message are your sending to Clan Tremere by attacking the Malkavian Primogen?”

“War.” Frank growled, restless pacing back and forth.

“Are you declaring a clan war against Malkavian?” Chris calmly asked.

“Of course not.” Duncan protested. “I admit I lost my temper. I admit I acted out of emotion and did not think. I admit I intended harm on the Malkavian. But I am not declaring a clan war, nor is it my intention to see any more harm to the Malkavian Primogen.”

“Lord Duncan, what provoked your attack?” Chris asked.

“I can answer that.” Frank said, finally settling into a chair. “Lolli was trying to negotiate feeding rites with Lord Caperilli. When no decision was reached, Lolli suggested they settle the matter over a game of chess.”

“Chess? The Malkavian plays chess?” Chris asks.

“Yes. Lolli plays chess, and had Lord Caperilli in checkmate within 2 moves. That’s when he threw the fireball at her and I pulled her out of the way. Well, most of her. If she had died…if she does die..I will personally tear you apart.” Frank warned.

“You can’t allow that! I’m a Primogen!” Duncan protested.

“I don’t give a fuck if you’re –”

“Lord Caperilli,” Chris quickly interjects, cutting frank off mid-sentence “…attacks on Primogen are a serious matter, regardless of the perpetrator.”

“I think his fate should be tied in with Lolli.” Frank interjected. “If she dies, his existence is forfeit.”

“That is my decision. That is the law.” Chris said.

Lord Caperilli’s protests were interrupted by a polite knock at the door and Chris invited them in.

“Please forgive the intrusion, but there is a ghoul out here waiting to see you.” A young Brujah politely informed.

“I thought I met every Regnant. Who’s the Regnant?”

“Umm…He’s looking for her.”

“What? Send him in. I agree with Frank. If Lolli survives her wounds, her fate is in your hands Lord Caperilli, and our meeting is adjourned. Please show this ghoul in.”

A tall man with silver white hair and stormy blue eyes walked in. Without hesitation he knelt down on one knee, removing his western style hat and holding it over his heart as he spoke.

“Evening sir. The name’s Jeremiah Conway. I am a ghoul to Ezekiel Jeremiah Nicodemus Morgan III, and I am looking for his childe, Lollipopp.” The man volunteered, a slight southern drawl to his words.

“Why?”

“I was sent by her sire to help find her sister, Syndey. I have been instructed that while I am here she will be held accountable for my actions and I will be held accountable if anything happens to her.”

Chris squinted his eyes as stared at the older man. “Please rise, I’m not that formal.” Chris gestured to a free chair all the while staring at the ghoul.

“You look a lot like Sam Elliott.” Chris noted.

“Yes sir, I get that a lot.”

“So why are you looking for this…Syndey?”

“Well, sir, Sydney is a rebellious childe. A couple of decades ago she caused some trouble that nearly got a blood hunt called upon her. Her sire stepped in and smoothed things over, Sydney was taken back to his haven and forbidden to leave for 100 years. Well, she recently got a bee in her bonnet, insisting that Lolli’s gotten herself in some kind of trouble and took it upon herself to come to Vegas and help. I’ve been dispatched to bring Sydney home.”

“Uh-huh. And how are you suppose to do that?” Chris asked.

“Well sire, this ain’t the first time I’ve had to rustle up this little girl.” Jeremiah explained. “I have some skill in tracking and I know how to persuade her to return with me without harming her. Besides her whole notion of Lolli being in trouble just may be all in her head.” He added with a slight chuckle.

Chris said nothing, his expression smoothed, becoming unreadable. Jeremiah; however, is no spring chicken, he knew how to read people.

“What’s happened?”

..~~~**~~~..

“Everybody out.” Frank ordered as he walked into Lolli’s recovery room.

“I think Stephan should stay, he’s had the most experience in dealing with her and may be of assistance.” Emma suggested, helping John to his feet.

“I will not be responsible for his safety.” Frank said.

“Stephan it’s your decision.” Emma said.

“With your permission ma’am, I would like to stay.” Stephan said.

“Very well. Once the situation here is under control please report back to me.” Emma said, still providing John with support as they headed towards the door.

“Yes, ma’am.”

The door closed with a quiet click, leaving Frank and Stephan to watch the unconscious Malkavian. Only the sounds of Stephan’s breathing can be heard in the silence.

“So, when did she stop being an assignment to you?” Frank suddenly asks, his eyes still on Lolli’s still form.

Stephan’s startled silence betrays the truth. He quickly slips behind his familiar mask of an emotionless ghoul. “I am not sure what you mean. My job is to ensure she is protected. You misinterpret my actions of duty as concern.”

“Really?” Frank scoffs “Is that why you haven't taken your eyes off of her?” Frank’s attention is now on Stephan.

“I.... I am making sure there are no unnoticed changes. No matter how small.”

“And I'm suppose to believe that? I saw the look in your eyes when I handed her to you.”

Stephan finally pulls his gaze from Lolli to look Frank in the eyes as he spoke. Stephan did not hide his emotions as he spoke. “I am not sure what I will do if she... she, does not recover from this.” He looks at Lolli again, Frank’s gaze soon followed. “No Tremere, Primogen or not, would be safe from me.”

Frank did not doubt the sincerity of Stephan’s threatt, nor did he doubt Stephan would manage to put a serious dent into the Tremere population in Vegas before he was stopped.

“And is that your ‘duty’ speaking?” Frank presses.

“No.”

“So Peltier does have reason to want her dead.”

“Lady Peltier despises her not for reasons concerning me, but rather for the fact that she has been constantly outmaneuvered by Lolli. I am a convenient excuse.” Stephan’s voice then drops, as if he is speaking to himself and not Frank. “And as long as I live my Clan will not take another from me.” A dangerous gleam flashes in his eyes.

Frank sensed that the last statement was a personal one and not something the ghoul truly wished to discuss. “That is one thing I noticed about your Malkavian, she has a clever, albeit fractured, mind. So how do you know she's is not manipulating you too? Using you like every other Kindred you've met?” Frank asks, casually indicating to Lolli.

“I don't. Love is about faith and the willingness to trust because of it.”

“Do you really think this will last when you still consider yourself to be Ventrue?”

Stephan’s body visibly tensed, it was obvious Frank struck a nerve. “I am willing to find out” Again Stephan looks at Frank “It is not something I would expect you to understand.”

“Because I’m Kindred?”

“Yes. Most Kindred I have met are too paranoid to trust anyone. I can count on one hand the exceptions to that rule”

“Paranoia is part of what keeps me alive.” Frank retorted.

“And love is what makes being alive worth anything.” Stephan countered.

“Then why haven't you decided to be with her? To be Malkavian? Your indecisiveness may get you both killed. Or is that not important to you?”

“It is not that simple.”

“Not that simple?! Your master is missing and you for all intents and purposes are free to choose a new Regnant. And what do you do...you turn to the Ventrue instead of the woman you 'love'. It could not have been more simple. The Prince would have honored your decision. And I enforce the Prince’s will.”

“And it would also put her at risk of retaliation from the Ventrue. They cannot allow such an action to go unanswered. If it is one thing I have learned in my years among them it is appearances mean everything to them.”

“And yet you continue to associate with her, knowing how ‘bad’ it makes the Ventrue look. And how serious Peltier her Clan image. You, more than anyone, know the extremes the Ventrue will go to protect their image.”

Again, Frank’s words hit a nerve, but before Stephan could retaliate Lolli’s scream pierced the air.

Lolli’s arm was screaming with pain, a scream that escaped from her lips when her eyes snapped opened. She scrambled back, bumping into the wall. The movements of her arm caused the skin to crack allowing blood to seep out, sending wave after wave of pain through her. She screamed again and looked at the arm that was causing her such pain.

“Lolli you’re safe.” Stephan tried to sooth, sitting on the edge of the bed.

She screamed again, her eyes still locked on her mangled arm. This time her scream was more fear than pain, her eyes not recognizing her own appendage. Stephan slowly and carefully cupped her face, pulling her eyes from her arm. The look in her eyes was dangerous and foreign.

“You were attacked. Do you remember the attack, Lolli?’ Stephan continued to gentle coax her back to reality.

Attacked? No, don’t want to remember that. But He’s here. He can keep me safe. Her mind fought against itself, part of her wanted to hide deep within herself and another part that wanted to stay with Stephan

“Lolli, focus please.” Stephan gently commanded “What is the last thing you remember?”

“I…I…” her eyes blinking, struggling through the voices and fog. “Chess.” She whimpered. “I remember playing chess.” She stammered, her fractured mind torn between working and fleeing.

“What happened during the game?”

“I won.” She answered, her voice still small and her eyes distant. “Fire. Why is there fire?”

“Lord Caperilli lost his temper.” Frank answered.

Lolli’s glassy eyes turned back to her arm. “Will it heal?” she asked, her mind slowly filling in the blanks.

“Dr. Mike says it could take centuries. If it heals at all.” Stephan answered solemnly.

“What?” Her eyes wide with disbelief as bloody tears run down her face. “No. He’s wrong. It has to heal. It has to!” Stephan would have given anything to take away the hurt in her eyes.

The door quietly opened and Chris slipped in, followed by Jeremiah. Stephan gets off the bed and stands between Lolli and this new man.

“Cowboy?” she blinks in confusion, peering around Stephan.

“Howdy little girl. I hear you got yourself in a bit of a tussle.” He said, stepping past Stephan.

“You’re really here? Please tell me you’re real.” Tears continued streaming down her cheeks, she reaches out and grabs his arm.

“I’m really here little girl.” He answered, sitting on the bed next to her and pulling her into his lap, as though she were a frightened child. Resting her head on his shoulder she cried.

“Stephan you should report back to Emma.” Frank said, satisfied that this situation had been resolved.

Stephan wanted to stay, but knew better than to argue with the Sheriff of the city. “Yes sir.”

“Frank, come with me please, I think we need to let the Council know that the meeting will be rescheduled.”

“No!” Lolli suddenly exclaimed. “Just…give me an hour…please.”