"Excessive love of money and power"
(Of Greed, Dante in the Divine Comedy).

Chapter Three
- Avaritia

"Any news of your creatures' status, Sir Hellsing?" Sir Islands asked, glancing at her. He was not the only one who had been watching her intensely; everyone was attentive to what she intended to do now without her supernatural servants.

But I still have their respect, she comforted herself and put down her cup of tea and the smell of the remains of her last cigar on the ashtray locate to her left. "Not yet, Sir Islands. I plan to send several spies to Romania without alerting the Vatican," she assured him. Her eyes fell on the empty chair on Islands' left, Sir Penwood's former place. She felt a pang, how she missed the old man, she would need his favours in a moment as delicate as this.

"The Vatican's power is fading," a male voice interrupted from behind her. She turned around to see a young man no older than thirty with chestnut hair and grey eyes. He was dressed in a black suit of the same fashion as hers and had a small goatee on his chin. "I wouldn't worry about them, Miss Hellsing and focus in fulfilling our expectations instead," he added, shooting her an arrogant look. There was a murmur among the knights, Integral heard them whispering to themselves. "My apologies for the delay, Sir Islands," he bowed.

"Who is this?" Integral demanded, very nearly rising. "Why do we allow his insolent presence among us?"

"This is Shelby Penwood's replacement," Islands explained and shook his head, sighing deeply. "Take your place, Sir William Bannerworth," he gestured to Penwood's chair. "Don't keep us waiting again."

Bannerworth? Integral observed the man quietly as he went to sit down. "Pardon me Sir Bannerworth, but I met the Bannerworths when I was young and I don't recall any William among them."

"Because, Miss Hellsing, I lived in Canada for my childhood," William explained, lips curled in a smirk she wished to wipe away. "I have been overseas as one of the members of MI-6 taking care the Empire's foreign political investigations when I was called."

"And none of your family ever spoke about you to me?" Integral inquired, unconvinced. She was dead set to unmask this insolent charlatan.

"Perhaps they did and you don't remember," Sir Bannerworth pointed out, his smirk widened. "A proof you don't know as much as you fancy, Sir Hellsing. Not even your aces' locations."

The murmur among the knights increased, Integral searched their faces, and they were stunned by the newcomer's defiance. She gritted her teeth and forced herself to remain quiet, Islands will put him in his place. But he did not.

"Sir Integral," Islands chided, "Are you questioning Her Majesty's and my choice for General Penwood's replacement? Shelby had no children or living family to inherit the title."

"No, Sir Islands," Integral answered, her tone was strained and her features hardened.

"Then, ask forgiveness for your rudeness to good William."

Integral had difficulties to not stare agape at Islands and glared at Bannerworth, who in return gave her a haughty look. The room had grown quiet, observing the exchange in silence. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut. She would not ask forgiveness to that young noble, not when he had mocked her first.

"With your permission, Sir Islands. I need fresh air," Integral excused herself and rose suddenly, storming out the meeting room. She did not wait for Islands' response. She would not stay and be humiliated by a rookie.

"On the way, Sir Hellsing," William spoke aloud, making her pause in her path. "Can you bring more tea when you return? It seems to have run out, and I wish to fill my cup."

She had to restrain herself from slamming the door when she exited.

----

You made her mad at us! Anderson accused, watching Integral stride out the room rather irritated. I thought you said we could aid her as a fellow knight. That was the only reason he acceded to this ridiculous plan to pose as 'William Bannerworth.'

We are helping her, Dracula assured him with a devilish mental chuckle. His words did not soothe his concern. She must realize what condition Hellsing is in without us or the Police Girl in its ranks. Our act is what some of these foppish old men think deep inside.

I want to talk, demon.

You aren't a very good politician, Judas Priest. What are you going to do? Stab them with your bayonets mid-discussion?

Better than impaling them! Anderson shouted. He denied being a puppet. His anger made 'William' slam the table with both hands.

"Sir Bannerworth?" Islands asked, glancing at him strangely. "Is there something you want to share with us?"

See what you did? Dracula accused and Anderson withdrew, sulking in a corner of his mind, allowing the vampire to take the lead, for now. William pulled a handkerchief to wipe the fabricated sweat on his forehead. "No, Sir Islands, I am sorry for that."

"I suggest that you not antagonize Integral Hellsing," the head of the Twelve Conventions warned. "It's in our best interest to not make enemies among ourselves."

William smiled handsomely, he sensed Integral's return, her heartbeat steadying. She was near, her faint footsteps were right outside the door. She was waiting, eavesdropping. "With all due respect, Sir Islands, I believe Miss Hellsing's role with this Table has ended. Without her powerful servants, her organisation means nothing." William heard a slam and feigned shock to see Integral entering. Anderson was stunned himself. What on earth was the vampire doing?

"Sir Hellsing," Islands cleared his throat. "We were just speaking about you."

----

Integral could not believe this. Were they speaking behind her back? Even Islands? Were they scheming in secret to strip her of her position? No, I have power still, she thought. A half destroyed Mansion, a few soldiers and medals of war. She shut her eyes tightly, she had nothing to compete now that her servants were gone but she tried to replace them in the battlefield the best she was able to.

"I heard everything," Integral confessed, scanning their faces. Most were blank and the Bannerworth fellow's was one of pure smugness. "Whatever Mister Bannerworth has to say about me, I rather be here to listen."

"You forgot the tea, Miss Hellsing," he pointed out, waving his hand in a dismissive manner. Her temper once again was spiking.

"And you forgot to say please," Integral retorted, locking her gaze with his. "And to bring to this table more than immature taunts to be of use. Such as experience and feats."

"I bring the future, Miss Hellsing," William told her, spreading his arms wide. It was strange that no one spoke, no one complained about his outburst. Were the other knights on his side? "The future of the Hellsing Organisation is grim. The Crown is too busy rebuilding London to aid you financially."

Integral's pupils dilated, she forced her head to stay high, no matter how his words rang true and stung her. She knew her Organisation was in near bankruptcy, silver was expensive, the life insurance for her soldiers as well. Administrating the trip to Romania would probably leave her in financial ruin. "And what do you have then?"

"Money and international contacts," Bannerworth said, rather showing off to her face. "I could supply an army, my family knows how to exterminate vampires. We were immortalized in literature as well."

"And your own vampire servant? Do you own Varney by any chance?" Integral asked, crossing her arms. She saw his points but this cowardly fop had not proved himself on the battlefield or with real experience outside his bravado.

"No, but at least I didn't lose mine," William said in a condescending tone. "Those vampires are so dangerous and now are free… You'll need help to recover your precious monsters." He raised a hand towards her. "You'll need my funds."

"And why would you let me borrow a penny of your so-called fortune?" Integral approached her seat, the audience of knights lost importance compared to William. She did want more money for supplies and she thought of her position, she had to maintain it. She would not be replaced; she refused to lose all the power she had fought to accumulate. That was one of the few things she still possessed intact.

"Because, my dear lady, spouses share their riches, don't they?"

Integral gawked at the repulsive man. He had just proposed? She would not be tied to this disgusting individual. But my position, she mused, pondering what other exits she had. I would share my wealth but not my power with him in any case.

"What if my men are able to locate my servants?" she inquired, waiting for his answer. He had a troubled expression, displaying in his facial expressions some kind of brief inner struggle.

"Then our engagement would be over," William assured her. "What is your answer?"

"I shall keep my maiden name," Integral stated, taking a seat to the incredulous looks of the Round Table. He had her answer and inclined his head. For a second, she saw some sorrowful glint reflected in his green eyes. Green? She paused and looked again, they were that calculating grey. Shaking her head, she addressed the man sitting across her. "Sir Islands, we should renew our discussion from before the interruption," she suggested.

Islands took the suggestion and the debate about which bridge should be rebuilt first renewed. She was not interested in it. Integral stared at the man she would most likely marry and watched how he also analysed her. She made a mental memo to find information about the Bannerworths and this William in particular. Pity Walter had to be killed in battle; he would be handy in moments like this.

----

"What did you do!" Anderson shouted at the top of his lungs once he – they – were safe in the basement. His body cracked, shifting to a scarecrow-like figure with long blond hair and red eyes. His arms were unnaturally long, spider-like. He collapsed on his knees, gnashing his sharp fangs for control.

Helping her, of course, Dracula pointed out simply. She wanted money and to retain her power. You have listened to her words and peered at her thoughts. Greed, avarice, rotten inside her soul.

"Because of her duty!"

Not anymore, her duty could be in our hands. She knew but refused to forsake her place, Dracula reasoned, Alexander cringed at the truth in his malign speech. Integral Hellsing despised William Bannerworth and only accepted wedding him out of convenience. Power is alluring and difficult to forsake, Judas Priest, isn't it? Why else do you struggle against me? Knowing I could set things right with your body. Why else do you want to expel me from this body but to steal my power?

"That's not true!" Anderson snapped. He summoned a bayonet, ready to strike his ears in a vain attempt to be deaf, forgetting the voice was echoing inside his thoughts. The silver burned his hand and he was forced to drop it. "I am fighting you because you are a monster!" he hissed in a lower tone.

Oh really? And what are you, Judas? But a monster as well? His speech was accompanied by memories of the night he sealed his fate to live in this hell with Dracula. Anderson saw himself through Alucard's eyes, how after wallowing in the pleasure of blood drinking, a maniacal expression shadowed his features. The same expression that Enrico Maxwell had borne while he murdered civilians in his Crusade. A power-hungry all consuming thrill. He felt it now, to employ his blood, his might to his best interests. So you see now, Judas Priest. How deep your sins run?