Magick Within II

The room was not lit at all, and if it wern't for the Vampires pale skin Sid would not have been able to see him at all. She saw some random shapes laying around, and noticed that dust arose from step she took. This room looked and smelled like it hadn't been used in decades. 1

"How much do you know?" Jenner started, leaning against some huge thing covered in a white blanket, then changed his mind, "No, forget all that. I'm sure the Coven has told you plenty of, ahem, one sided histories. Well I'm here to tell you history of the Nightwalkers from an unbiased prospective." Sid arched an eyebrow, "What makes you unbiased?" she asked. Jenner looked startled, "I'm study history. This is recent history mostly, but...well you can make your own decisions about what you think happened. I was told to come here and tell you these things, and you can take them as you will." 2

When he didn't get a response he continued. "So, my Lair of Vampires, which is the only relevent one as far as your concerned, has signed a treaty with your Coven. The treaty, I'm sure you are aware of the contents, was formed for reasons that are really most urgent. You see, a new power is present in our city, something we're not familiar with. We've identified them as werewolves. As far as we know they are about as old a race as we, and as longlived. They are natural enemies of Vampires, and are becoming more powerful than we would like. They are not very intelligent, but are strong and brutal canines with a taste for human and exspecially Vampire flesh. When a Vampire is killed by a werewolf, the mutt gains power and strength through the Vampire's blood. This is why we need to control their population. The truth is, so soon after the last Great War, we cannot eradicate them alone. Nor can the Coven. The treaty was a way to join forces for the great good of both of our kind. This is something our highest ranking leaders have discussed with your Trinity, I only know because I am the last remaining Historian of my lair. Most of the Lair is unaware of this, as is, to my understanding, the Majority of your Coven. Now, thats the basis of the little history lesson, take from it what you will." 3

Jenner took a deep breath, and started in again. "So the exchange proposed tonight will be fairly simply. I'm handing over this report to you." He took some folded papers out of his pocket and handed them to Sid. "These are our numbers and the locations of our gaurd outpost near the werewolves Cairn or Den or whatever they call it. Thats your area I suppose. You have full access to these outposts of course, and I'll assume the witches have given you everything else you need. They said you would be traveling to the wolves territory immediately. There's a map in there. It's quite detailed, I drew it myself." 4

There was an awkward silence as Sid started at the folded papers in her hand without opening them. The word 'exchange' echoed in he mind. Jenner continued breaking the silence, "So, you were to tell me the reason the witches have for eradicating the wolves, and hand over the daywalking potion sample, as well as the ingredients list and instrustions. We'll mix these and bring them to you to be spelled, we cannot preform clerical magic you understand. I understand that it has a high price on it and that it's potecy only last for a few hours, but that's all we need really as you'll see from our plans outlined in the information I've given you." Jenner waited expectantly. 5

Sid worked to keep her heartbeat to a normal level. If this man relized she wasn't who he was waiting for she would be dead, or worse; undead. "Right, as you know, I'm sure, the Coven hired me as an outside agent." She smiled as she lied smoothly. "I was also to analyze your plans here, and bring them to our...warlord before your are to act upon them, we want to be sure this plan of yours will be, how shall I put it, effective." Jenner look suspiciously at her. Sid reached into her pocket and pulled out her shopping list. Everything listed on it, natural ingrediants for a flea remedy as well as the ingrediants for a herbal menstral tea for her best friend. She handed him the list. "Find these things, as well as four shaman stones approximately an inch and a half in diameter, we'll need those for the spell process. Mortal blood is needed as well; witches blood obviously, of a particular type, as well as a sample of vampire blood. We'll procure the witches blood of course," she said dimming the sudden light in Jenners eyes, "If you can bring us, say, a vial or two, small, of vampire blood... Obviously, we havn't any Vampire blood," She said thinking quickly, "So we havn't brewed any potion yet." Jenners suspicious look cleared, "Ah, well, I suppose that makes sense. I can have most of these things tomorrow, but the Shamans stones, that big? I'll see what I can do. The blood is no problem. Say we meet here again, tomorrow night. Same time and place?" Sid nodded. 6

Jenner stared at her, "Right then. You were going to tell me what the Witches want with the Wolves demise?" Sid nodded again. "Isn't that obvious?" She searched frantically for something to add to it, "They gain power by slaying vampires, they gain numbers and magickal resorces by kidnapping or recruiting young witches." She hoped that would ring true. "A dead witch isn't much use, but what if they recruit a witch with knowledge of the inner workings of the coven, or kidnap one? See, they're demise is just as important to us." It was Jenners turn to nod. "I see." 7

Before the silence went on to long Jenner decided to wrap up the meeting. "So the exchange is complete. If you don't have any questions you may as well be on our own way. Your mission will be greatly aided by this information I'm sure, and what information you gather from the werewolves lair will be dire to our common purpose." Sid nodded concession, she had many questions, but didn't want to push her luck with saying anything else at all. "Good hunting witch, or Blessed Be as I've heard your sisters say." Jenner smile bordered on a sneer as he levitated to the ceiling, easily pushing the panel aside and disappearing through the hole. 8

Sid leaned against the wall, and exhaled as if she had been holding it in all that time. Sure she was Pagan, she'd seen plenty of crazy things, ghosts and spirits and such, but vampires and werewolves? Either this guy was crazy, and just happened to be able to fly, or she was in big trouble. Or big something...She stuffed the papers in her pocket, it was too dark to read anyway, and pulled a stack of chairs under the opening in the ceiling, hanging from an 8 foot drop and falling 2 feet or so was one thing, but climbing back up was another story. Last time she check flying wasn't one of her innate skills. She pulled herself onto the roof and looked around. The vampire man seemed to be gone. All she could think of was going home to her lovers simple, human arms. Who cares if he leaves his stuff everywhere and randomly wanders off without saying anything? He didn't fly around talking about magick potions. 9

Jenner flew from rooftop to rooftop. Origionally he had intended on watching and following the witch, even though the Coven had warned him against it, however she had already proved that she saw through his invisiblitly as easily as he could see the blood in mortal veins. He decided it was just as well, the further from the Mutts he could get, the better. He was a scholar, not a warrior, and while he could hold his own in fight or battle, against a whole pack of the rabid wolfmen he wouldn't fare well. Besides, some of the things the witch had said rang a few alarm bells, he needed research. 10