Seven
It had taken a while, but the Prince had gotten his Primogen gathered from around the area. Since he controlled a territory of hundreds of square miles, moving out over fifty miles in every direction from the center of Riverton, it took a little time for the vampires to come together. Now, though, they were gathered and they were loud.
"How in the hell can you ask us to take the word of a….Garou…that we're under attack?" asked Luci Delgado, the Gangrel Primogen. It was obvious she'd wanted to use a different word, but restrained herself since the Garou in question was in the room and a guest of the Prince.
"Why would the Sabbat want Riverton?" said Jack Straeter. He was the Brujah, who believed he was much more high-class than the thug he truly was. He did run a lot of the industrial operations in town, though, so his views were respected.
Max Herring, Toreador Primogen and Alyx's friend, was silent, as was Neha Pandya of the Ventrue, Oberlin's right hand and de facto Prince of Cardiff Hill, the small town about twenty-five miles to the south. There she acted as Oberlin's surrogate, enforcing his rules in her own way.
"The Sabbat has always envied the Camarilla's grasp on the center of this country," came a voice from a shadowed corner. The sound was like two concrete slabs sliding against each other, grating and growling at the same time. This was Demitrius, the Nosferatu Primogen. "If it were me, I'd target the relatively vulnerable area – a crossroads of sorts for major metropolitan areas, especially among Kindred – and I would start weakening the area from the core."
The arguments and discussions continued for a time until Oberlin knocked on the coffee table to get everyone's attention.
"The debate is over, ladies and gentlemen. We have a self-confessed Sabbat in custody who attacked the resident Garou with the intent to 'get him out of the way' and we have two of our number missing and presumed dead. I've asked Marie Haughey here to act as the interim Tremere Primogen, so until I say otherwise, her voice will count the same as anyone's. The Sabbat, whatever their reasons, are coming, and we need a united voice to stop them."
With that, Oberlin stood up and walked over to Alyxandra, sitting in the corner near Karrde.
"Alyxandra, the Malkavian Primogen is to be presumed dead. As the remaining Malkavian in my territory, I would like you to take the position."
Alyx looked taken aback, and then after a moment, a little horrified.
"I don't think so. It's not like I'd be representing anyone. And chances are, if another one of us does move in, they're going to be older than me and swat me down like a bug, and I've got enough to worry about. Besides, I'm completely the type of person who would abuse any sort of power available. Just ask Puppy, I abuse him every chance I get."
Oberlin chuckled, taking her hand in his.
"I can understand your reluctance. Based on the rules set down in this town, any declaration of a Blood Hunt must be confirmed by the entire Council. As Prince, I could change the rules, but I'd rather follow the forms. For the duration of this crisis, I'd like your voice to be heard."
Alyx still didn't look sure, but she nodded her acceptance.
"Very well," Oberlin said. "We have a full Council. I wish to present the council with a request for a declared Blood Hunt against any vampires who have not been announced or accepted in my territory. Ventrue?"
"Agreed," said Pandya.
"Toreador?"
"I approve," Max responded for his clan.
"Gangrel?"
"Aye, let's take the fight to them, Sire!"
"Brujah?"
Straeter nodded without saying a word.
"Nosferatu?"
"We must eliminate this threat," Demitrius answered.
"Tremere?" Oberlin said, looking at the young woman who had gotten a sudden promotion within her clan.
"Agreed, my Prince."
"And Malkavian?"
"I'll agree under on condition," Alyx said, absolutely serious for a change.
Every eye turned to her. The Prince was hardly one to be questioned, and a temporary Primogen was hardly in a position to make demands.
"Name your condition and I'll meet it if I can," Oberlin said.
The rest of the council seemed stunned, but no one said anything.
"I want you to let Mike lead the battle. I'm willing to bet he has more battle experience than anyone else here, and I'm certain he knows how to protect his territory."
The debate roared back to life again, voices getting louder and more heated.
"Silence!" Oberlin roared. It was the first time Karrde had seen him with real anger. "You've all given your votes. If Karrde will take the challenge, I'd be glad to have him at my side."
"You want a Garou to defend you and your city? I mean, won't that look bad to the other Kindred?" Karrde asked.
"A Prince must know how to use his resources. Like it or not, Mr. Karrde, you are one of my resources."
"Well, since everyone else is setting conditions, I'll set mine. If I'm going to do this, I'll be in command. We'll do it my way, my orders."
"I'd like to at least be consulted, but you'll have my support. We don't have the numbers to repel a truly focused Sabbat assault."
"You guys rally the troops," Karrde said to the Primogen. "Get anyone in town who can fight – vampires, personal assistants, whatever – get them all together downstairs. Alyx, honey, stay up here. I've got a few calls to make."
