Chapter 12: The Primogen Battle

Sean stared out the bay windows of the Admissions Office as rain joined the snow. From the college he could see the lights of his home town shining brightly, and when he concentrated he could just barely make out people in the streets. The tops of Mount Equinox and Anthony were obscured by clouds, blocking out the blinking signal lights of the broadcast towers.

The campus was almost completely devoid of students now except for the ones waiting for rides home. A month long Christmas break awaited the young men and women who had been slaving away at their desks and computers, struggling to make their parents hard earned money worth spending.

Sean remembered a time when college seemed like a real possibility. Back before his embrace and before he'd ever heard the word vampire or Kindred. Though he was never very good at math and he just barely pulled a D- or a C+ in his core classes, he had a love for the unusual and the untold. History was his favorite class. Whether it was Western Civilization or US history specifically, he enjoyed picking apart what he was told and trying to find the more complex truth hidden beneath the simplicity of the text books and lectures. He also had a love for drama, which of course, lead him to the Theater Arts class where he'd met Eric Peterson.

Thoughts of the old days made him think of Trent and Kyle, and it renewed the pain in Sean's heart. Their mortal families were still alive, and Sean knew that Trent at least kept tabs on his.

That'll be my gift to you old friend, Sean said, half praying. I'll watch your family for as long as I live.

The pain became easier to bear when Sean thought of how he'd honor Kyle's death. It wasn't like he could bring himself to steel MP3's and bootlegged movies for all eternity. Sean laughed at the thought of it, and at the memory of all the arguments he'd had with Kyle over the years about the morals of piracy. The laughter sparked even more fond memories with Trent and the laughs they brought made it infectious. Sean wasn't even aware of Zarius, standing in the door of the admissions office. When he did he stopped suddenly, embarrassed.

"Forgive me my Prince." He said, unable to suppress a few more chuckles. "I was just…well I was just…"

"Mourning," Zarius said with a sympathetic smile. "It comes in many forms."

"Yeah," Sean returned the smile. "I guess I was."

"May I join you?"

"Of course."

Zarius took a space next to Sean, fixing his gaze on the sleet.

"Edgar tells me he will know Amanda's location in a few hours," He said in a casual tone. "Of course the Malkavians want to know if they will be punished for Tanith's actions. I told them they wouldn't, but that they would have to select a new primogen."

"Another night in the unlife of the Kindred," Sean commented wryly.

"Yes." Zarius turned his attention to the young Gangrel. "I'll leave Amanda's fate in your hands. Whatever you choose to do I will respect."

Sean was silent for a moment. His eyes were focused on something now, and Zarius knew it was the way he thought about things.

"I wonder if I have any right to judge her fate," he said. "She's hurt the Brujah, the Ventrue, and the Assamites as well."

"Whatever you decide," Zarius repeated, ending the matter. He gave Sean a few minutes to think about it. "After this, I'd like you to take some time off."

Sean looked up at Zarius questioningly.

"You've worked hard for me for the last seven years," Zarius explained. "And you've come along way from the Kindred hunter James Reed embraced. I want you to take a few weeks off and rest yourself. Leave the state if you wish, or remain here at the college and make use of the library, see movies. Mary has offered to give you the room she was reserving for Trent at the ski lodge if you should decide to go there for some time."

A few moments had gone by before Sean finally nodded. After all, he couldn't disobey an order from the prince.

"She's somewhere in a town nearby," Edgar informed Sean a few hours before sunrise. "Hiding...near a lake."

Sean arranged a search party. The nearest lake in Vermont was Lake Paran in Shaftsburry, and it was closed for the season. Forty-three Gangrel knew the location well, and the entire state of Vermont would have gladly participated in the search. Bastian insisted that he and ten of his most powerful Brujah join them. Sean agreed that their speed would be helpful in dealing with an experienced Tremere.

"I won't lie to you," he told the gathered assembly who sat in the theater of the college. "Amanda is a skilled Tremere sorceress with many abilities and disciplines to call upon. Next to Zarius and Edgar she is the third oldest vampire living in Vermont. She will have the upper hand on some of us. But what from what little I know of the Tremere, I also know she has broken her oath to her clan, and her power is going to dwindle without their support. The Tzcimizse will also aide us with what spells they can summon on such short notice and the Ventrue will see to it that no other Tremere interferes with the blood hunt.

"Nevertheless, I want her alive. Though the will for vengeance is strong in all of us, the will for justice is stronger in me. Our clans have been wronged and Amanda will pay with her Final Death, but not before we exact retribution from the Tremere."

There was a chorus of agreement and cheers from the audience. Sean held up his hands to silence them.

Sean took to the air along with the few Gangrel who could also become birds. Those who could not fly took to the road in motorcycles, trucks, and RV's. The Gangrel on the police force were going to keep the human officers from getting interested in Lake Paran for a while.

The flight took about half an hour. Even in the snow the vampires could see the big red reflectors on the large sign that said, "Welcome to Lake Paran". Sean dived towards the lake, aiming for the farthest side from the beech. He and the other Gangrel scanned the empty campgrounds, the lake side cabins and the boat docks. His preternatural sight pierced the wetness of the falling snow and saw through the glass patio doors of the cabins. He saw vehicles in the driveways of some of the cabins, indicating that the owners were home. After an hour of searching he noticed "wolves" had taken to the ground to search from below. Sean swung around once to check the entrance of the lake, and noticed that some of the vehicles carrying Brujah were starting to arrive. The Brujah carried hunting rifles and handguns.

I hope we can do this quietly, Sean said, almost relishing in the pure irony; Brujah and Gangrel working together for the first time and towards the same goal. They'd be talking about this for centuries to come.

Sean returned to his search, into the woods this time and searching the grounds. Past a certain point there was no sign of human life. Squirrels and raccoons slept soundly in their burrows and non migratory birds slept in warmth of the fir and pine trees. A fox darted across the slippery grounds, desperately hungry and searching for prey. Sean saw a small herd of deer stripping bark from trees and caring for their winter born fawns. Further on but fully aware of the deer herd was a male black bear. He followed the scent and tracks of the deer, knowing he would get something for his diligence.

How wild this place was, Sean thought. How amazing that Vermont was considered such a beautiful place year round, and yet people still got lost in these very woods and were never found until they died of exposure. Only the most skilled hunters dared to tread these woods and the mountains surrounding them, and even they were humbled by the awesome power of Mother Nature. Not even Kindred were above the untamed fury that was Vermont's wildlife. Something in it all stirred his primal urges making him enjoy this hunt as much as it was work. He had been sired in the woods near Beach Street in Bennington. The location was different but Vermont's soil was still there.

No doubt about it, he thought, ascending to the ground. Vermont is Gangrel territory.

Sean assumed the wolf form and flew across the ground leaping over branches and dodging trees. Nature seemed to respond to his fury, and a fierce wind howled above the canopy. The rain and snow fell in full force and the ground was cold and muddy. Sean didn't care.

The scent of Kindred caught his palette. Not Gangrel nor Brujah…but Malkavian. Tanith! Sean followed his snout never losing his momentum as he turned in the direction of the scent. He followed it into a small clearing and slowed to a stealth like pace.

Sniffing the air tentatively he could sense the Malkavian's presence was strong. He stalked slowly into the clearing, searching with both his ears and eyes. A low growl resonated from his throat.

A flash of pale white fur leapt from a clump of bushes. Sean circled around to avoid getting bit and bared his fangs. He didn't waste time circling and instead lunged for a vulnerable spot. Tanith may have been insane as a human but she was a pure rabid killer as a wolf. She writhed on the ground and twisted to get free of Sean's jaws. She reached out with her only free paw and swiped at his belly managing to tear enough flesh to force him to let go. She then forced her head into his stomach knocking him onto his side.

Sean scrambled to his feet in time to prevent Tanith from locking onto his stomach. Instead she bit a chunk of fur on his left side and yanked hard. A few tufts of fur came out along with a sizeable chunk of flesh.

"Arrrrooooooooo!" He cried in pain. Blood splattered everywhere. He tried to retreat but Tanith lunged for his throat, throwing her weight on his back and forcing him onto his stomach.

Sean groaned in pain as the Malkavian gripped his throat. He knew would feel every painful second until torpor finally claimed him. He had to get up, he couldn't let it end like this. The blood rush was fast as he began to lose more of it. Suddenly…his eyes glowed.

Summoning strength from some other source Sean forced himself to his feet, shoving his body into Tanith's gut. She yelped, letting go of his throat and Sean spun around grabbing her exposed belly with his own jaws. Another tough yank and her intestines were now exposed.

"Arp! Arp!" She yipped.

Both Kindred returned to their human forms. Sean's clothes were wet and soiled but as he struggled to keep control of the frenzy he couldn't have cared less. The two primogen tried to put some distance between each other, crawling on their knees before turning around.

Tanith gripped her stomach with one arm and supported herself with the other. The scent of blood was stronger and a pool of it was forming between the two. Sean knew she was close to frenzying herself, and few survived a Malkavian frenzy. Tanith leaped, Sean got to held out his arms to defend.

POW! POW!

The first bullet whizzed past Sean. The second hit Tanith square in the shoulder. The phosphorous exploded burning Sean in friendly fire, as the Malkavian's body crashed into his, sending him back. Blood poured into his mouth and in his hunger he forgot where he was. He fed upon Tanith's blood, gaining strength from the powerful vampire.

A tingling sensation rippled throughout his body as the wounds healed with each draught. Time seemed to stop and the universe was little more than a space he was occupying as Sean drained the primogen's blood. He didn't even notice when someone came to his side, until that person ripped Tanith from his grip and threw her body across the clearing. Sean's frenzy ended and he got his bearings again. Bastian stood over him with the phosphorus rifle ready to fire again.

"Well, well, well," Bastian gloated, taking a step back and keeping the gun trained on Sean. "It appears as though you owe me a favor now. After all, you extracted quite a few from my clan."

Sean sat up and slowly itched his way back, glaring defiantly. He cursed himself for not knowing.

"I could kill you here and now and blame it on Tanith. But what good would that do us?"

"That's why you came out here," Sean said, accusingly. "You were hoping to have a crack at me."

"Don't be so selfish. It had nothing to do with you specifically. I lost Brujah helping your clan with your problems, and now the lion is getting tired of lying down with the lamb."

"This isn't about clan rivalry Bastian. Why can't we just settle this bullshit once and for all?"

"I'm perfectly willing to let this slide, "Bastian said. "But for my help to the Gangrel, I want something from you."

Before Sean could respond something leapt over his head. A flash of robes and blond hair slammed Bastian to the ground. Amanda then stood up and turned to Sean, pulling a knife from a sheath beneath her clothes. Bastian slammed the butt of the rifle into her back, causing her to lose balance. Sean got to his feet and rammed Amanda head first, taking her by surprise and pushing her off of Bastian. His hands were full with keeping one arm from stabbing him and the other from hitting him. Strangely enough, this all reminded him of the knight he had been sired.

Amanda brought her foot up, kicking him in the groin. Sean lost his grip, dropping to his knees as she got ready to impale him. Bastian had all ready got to his feet and was ready to take aim. She quickly dropped the knife and pulled the rifle from his hands with telekinesis. She turned it on Bastian before he could act.

"And I thought all Brujah were supposed to be fast," She chided.

Sean grabbed the knife, and ignoring the pain in his groin, drove it into her stomach. Amanda lost her grip on the rifle as he pulled it out and pressed it to the heart.

"That was for the girl you ordered killed." Sean took another swipe at her arms, forcing her to drop the rifle all together. "That was for all the Gangrel you killed including Kyle." Sean pulled the knife back and held her with his free arm. He looked her straight in the eye as he said his final piece. "And this one's for Trent." Then, he plunged the knife into her heart, paralyzing her body.

Sean let her drop to the ground. Gangrel were appearing from the woods along with Brujah.

"Take her back to Bennington," Sean ordered them. "Don't revive her yet, but give her enough blood to keep her from torpor."

He turned to Bastian, who was still standing dead in his tracks. The Gangrel easily outnumbered the Brujah, and Sean waited while Bastian considered this.

"That's about even." He said at last. "Consider me not telling Zarius about this a Kwanza present."

Bastian lowered his head in submission. Outwardly he was as humble as a defeated man could get. Inwardly he was burning with the same rage that had fueled Sean's anger the night before.

Lazarus was mildly irritated. The Gangrel had gotten to Amanda before he could and now she was dangling from the roof of Zarius' caves no doubt. It required him to forget the plan of extraction, and take a more diplomatic approach.

So Lazarus stood before the revamped conclave. They were back at the old building in Old Bennington. Sean sat in his usual spot to the right of Zarius. Mary and Eric were at his left. Edgar, Christopher, Bastian and Ivan sat in their places. The Malkavians had not yet chosen a new primogen so they had no representation at this table, and the Tremere were currently suspended from the conclave. To make things fair, Zarius would vote for the Malkavian by proxy.

"There has been much loss," Zarius began. "The lives of many Kindred have ended this past week. Lazarus, Prince of the city of Portland, Maine has come before us to request the release of our prisoner. Lazarus?"

Lazarus stood before the table, flanked only by his bodyguards. He addressed the table and made a gesture of respect to Zarius.

"Amanda Capron was acting on her own agenda. Her actions were not supported by the motherhouse, and will result in her execution when the time has come. Not only has Amanda abused her position as primogen, endangering all Kindred by breaking the laws of the masquerade, but she has also committed crimes against house Tremere. She has misguided and brought our initiates to harm and she has endangered the integrity of the clan before all of you. I ask of you to allow me the possession of Amanda's body, that I may revive her and see that she is properly punished for the benefit of our interests as well as your own. In return for this gesture I am authorized by the motherhouse to offer you retribution."

Lazarus bowed to show respect to Zarius again and stepped back.

Zarius looked to Sean. "Sean, since I have left Amanda's fate in your hands, I leave the decision to you."

Sean nodded and stood up.

"These are our conditions." Sean said. "In return for handing Amanda over to you, all Tremere must leave Vermont. For one whole century, or until our Prince deems otherwise, no Tremere may enter or dwell within the state of Vermont."

Lazarus studied the young Gangrel. He was a bold one for certain, a living abomination to the masquerade. Every bit as insolent as others described him.

I will take great pleasure in one day judging your fate, he thought to himself. If you and I should ever cross paths childe…

"Lazarus." Zarius said. "Are these conditions acceptable to you?"

"They are reasonable enough," Lazarus replied, masking his contempt. "Very well. I will personally see that the Tremere are removed from Vermont and assigned elsewhere."

"Then I will give you exactly a week to carry out this task," Zarius announced. "If there is no further business, I dismiss this conclave."

Sunlight glared off the fifteen to twenty vehicles parked outside the McCarthy family's property

Sean stood at the far end of the field, watching from a distance as the mortal members of the McCarthy family mourned the loss of their child. Trent's ashes were being scattered across the field where he had grown up. Mary watched from her own vantage point, careful not to be noticed.

When the ashes were spread out and the family had recited the Lord's Prayer, they dispersed. Sean and the rest of the vampires approached the site of the ceremony. Mary her husband Richard, and their childer were there along with other Ventrue who had come to pay their respects. Sean and the Gangrel who knew Trent well also came, having mourned the loss of Kyle the week before. The Rabid Monks were the only Toreadors present. Zarius and a few Nosferatu also came and stood silently in the shadows while Mary gave her eulogy.

When she was finished others got up to say a few kind words on Trent's behalf. Sean spoke quietly to Mary.

"I think I'll take you up on your offer…for the lodge I mean."

"You can come up anytime. I'll let the desk attendants know to expect you."

Sean looked out at the final resting place of one of his closest friends. "It won't be until the Saturday before Christmas though. I need to get away from…all this, at least for a week."

Mary threw her arms around Sean. Sean welcomed the embrace and cried.

Thank you all for sticking this out with me. I'll be starting Part Two after the weekend.