Disclaimer: I do not own Trinity Blood or its characters. They are the creation of Yoshida Sunao. I do, however, own my own characters.

Epilogue

Ion curled up as the train thundered on through the German countryside. He yelped as a goat butted him. The minor inconveniences of travelling in the goods car, thanks to their limited finances, were starting to get to him. A hen fluttered into Abel's face. "Get it off! Get it off!" the priest screeched frantically. The annoyed hen flapped and squawked. Ion muttered a small curse in Imperial and batted the hen aside and stuffed it back into its basket.

"Abel, are you sure we're on the right track?" It was like a slap in the face, losing Ana the way they did. And Ion hated that.

Abel cleaned his glasses and spat out a few stray feathers. "It's the only lead we've got. A father in Bohemia recognized Ana from the posters Cardinal Niall helped send out. She was with a man who fits Ivan's description and hopping on a train for Byzantinum." Then again, Father Karl's poor eyesight and fanciful imagination were legendary. Still, the Vatican had no other leads for them to follow. Seth might be able to help…

"Her August Majesty, Augusta Vradica. All rise!" Baybars' voice bellowed. There was a wave of activity as her children rose to greet her entrance, all except Mirka who was confined to her wheelchair. Seth acknowledged their greeting. "Please take your seats," her electronically-altered voice boomed out. The Crusnik let her eyes roam over the assembly. Here a young countess was too overdressed. There a baron's attention was on the ample bosom of the viscomtess next to him.

Astaroshe was present but she was uncharacteristically subdued. She had not recovered from her experience in Rome. Seth noted that Mirka was motioning to the nurse next to her for more painkillers. It must have been sheer willpower that brought her to the assembly. There were a number of empty places. The Duke of Belarus hardly ever attended an assembly if he could worm his way out of it. Someone had taken advantage of his absence to express his sentiments towards the duke by placing a broom on his seat.

In the Barvon's section, the Baron of Karnak had never attended any assembly since his so-called nervous breakdown. His distant aunt placed her tea hamper on his seat, clearly expecting a long drawn session. Minsk's seat was in the obscure corner of the hall, half-hidden in the shadows. It was empty.

"Where is Ravenchild?" she asked. The count was expected to give his testimony as a key witness to the incident. Ion was nowhere in sight and it was Ravenchild's statement that might decide the fate of Astaroshe's diplomatic career.

"Sorry I'm late!" The great doors burst open and the raven-haired count strode in. At his side was a large white wolf. Unlike most nobles who brought along a servant to wait on their needs during the long court sessions, Ravenchild brought a semi-wild wolf instead.

"Ravenchild, please come forward and relate the events as witnessed by you on the night of…" the inquest was on.

The whole incident stank of her brother's Orden. Seth knew it. Without concrete proof, Asta was doomed to take the fall for it, despite Ravenchild's repeated assurances that his tovarisch had acted out of character and was in an apparent daze. After a painful three hours of examination and cross-examination, it was time for the Empress to announce a course of action that would satisfy both the Empire and the sentiments Outside.

"As Duchess of Moldova," Mirka ventured. "May I humbly suggest that both Lady Asran and her tovarisch be suspended from active duty until further notice? In addition, it is obvious that that… that half-bred count…" Seth winced. She should have seen this coming. Mirka would gladly use this as an opportunity to remove what she has long perceived as a potential threat to her grandson Ion. Ravenchild snarled, but stayed rooted to his seat. The wolf, as if sensing his companion's rage, licked his hand.

"That is enough, Mirka! Your concerns will be addressed," Seth cut in. If Ravenchild was provoked into attacking her, Mirka could ensure his ruin in the imperial nobility. Not even the nobles would tolerate an attack on a defenceless, crippled old lady.

"As I was saying, Minsk is a bad influence on all. He has acted on many occasions outside proper channels and protocol, as we are all well-aware of. He should not be allowed to…" Mirka continued her goading. "Mirka! That is quite enough!" Seth snapped. There was a flash of movement in the direction of Minsk's seat. It was followed by a fit of giggling.

"Kons! Quit it! It tickles!" The white wolf had bounded onto the slight-build count and was covering his face with slobbery licks of its tongue. The wolf's tail wagged enthusiastically. Whatever pent-up anger set to explode was harmlessly defused in a fit of giggling. There was a murmur of disapproval from some of the nobles at this, but wiser heads only smiled and nodded, recognizing that a potentially explosive confrontation had been headed off. Seth pounced on her chance and continued delivering her decision.

"Duchess of Kiev, Astaroshe Asran, your health of is of utmost importance to us. In light of this, you will be relieved of your duties for the time being. Please rest and regain your strength. The duties of ambassador at large will be covered by the deputy ambassador, Viscount Nikol of Albania." A murmur of approval ran through her children. The young Viscount was a promising young man who had carried out numerous successful diplomatic and trade missions before.

"Thank you, Empress…" Asta's relief was obvious to all as she bowed before the Empress.

"As for Ravenchild, Count of Minsk, you are advised to return to Minsk and get down to rebuilding it, at once." Sending Ravenchild off to Minsk would allow him a chance to cool down. Whatever words Rav may have had were drowned out by squeals and excited yelps as the wolf and Methuselah wrestled on the broad bench that formed their seat.

"Mirka, you should return to your mansion and rest," Seth added. Mirka looked awfully pale. Seth wondered if the painkillers were losing their effect. "Court is dismissed. Thank you for your time, my children."

Later, Asran mansion

"Cecil, I'm finished," Asta sobbed over the phone. "Asta, don't say that. It's a temporary setback," Cecil reassured her. "Look, why don't I go over…"

"Cecil! Whatever will your mother say?" News of Virgil's elopement with a mysterious woman had reached the Empire. Cecil laughed. "Don't you worry, Asta. I told mother about us…"

"You what! Isn't it a bit too soon?"

"Not really. Just treat it as a vacation or something… I'll get on the next flight and-"

"Not now, Cecil," Asta protested with a smile. Talking to Cecil always improved her mood. Her tigress kitten, Bathsheba, a direct descendant of her Venus, purred and butted her knee as she lay back on the cushions. For the first time since losing her fiancé Reniya, Astaroshe was feeling sure of a relationship. It has been a very long time indeed. She brushed her fingertips fondly against the faded photo of her and Reniya that sat on her table.

"Father, it is beautiful!" Ana called out and ran towards the dacha's balcony. The waters of the lake it overlooked were a clear blue. Ivan laughed and unpacked his bag. The place was a bit musty but a bit of airing would sort that out. Ana spun around, giggling, the sunlight glinted off her flame-like hair. She looked so much like her late mother. Her smiling eyes were ice-blue, like her father's. She stopped to look at a portrait of a brown-haired woman. "Who's that?"

"It's your grandmother," Ivan replied. "Grandma doesn't look like that…" Ana frowned. A hazy image of a frail, white-haired woman came to her mind. The portrait did not resemble her idea of grandmother one bit. The woman in the portrait had a cruel-looking smile on her lips as she clutched two distracted-looking young boys to her side. Ana walked away and saw the Star peeking out from the suitcase Ivan was unpacking.

Instinctively, she reached for it… It seemed to be humming. "Don't touch that!" Ivan shouted. Alarmed, she drew her hand back. "It's dangerous!" Quickly, Ivan took the Star and slipped it into his pocket. That was close. As long as his niece failed to regain her memories, he could keep up his charade. He looked out over the lake. Somewhere out there was the only thing that could destroy the nanomachines that sustained the life of a Crusnik.

Author's Notes:

A little bit of tying up loose ends. Rav has effectively been exiled for the time being. Everyone's heading for Minsk.