[center][i]“I can hear your whisper and distant mutter. I can smell your damp on the breeze and in the sky I see the halo of your violence.
Storm I know you are coming.”[/i]
[sup][color=silver]- Robert Fanney[/color][/sup][/center]
[color=lightgray]As the convivium convened the echoing voices of whispered conversation purred around the chamber, filling the little empty space there was with rumours, gossip and secrets. At one time the chamber had been nothing more than a stairwell in the great fortress, but at some point in the last few hundred years an enterprising Sister had realised that the unique acoustics combined with the solid stone walkways connecting multiple levels for easy access made the location perfect for the informal gatherings of the Council, and since that time any major gathering was called to the well.

Standing on the lowest level, at the very base of the staircase, the Triplets let the sound of conversation wash over them. Where they stood the three women could easily eavesdrop on almost every word echoing above them, even those whispered at the very highest level of the tall, thin chamber. Listening carefully each took note of the news filtering in through the network of believers, agents and followers scattered across the fallen kingdom, taking note of items of interest as they drew the elder Sisters' attention.

Several floors up a Sister stepped forwards, taking a bold position on the very edge of the ancient staircase before raising her voice above the general hubbub around her. [color=white]"Sisters,"[/color] she pronounced, drawing many hushed whispers to order as she waved a sheaf of parchment over her head. [color=white]"I have a matter which must be brought to your attention. A grave matter which potentially threatens the very bedrock of our order."[/color]

Pausing for a moment to let the gravity of the proclamation sink into place even as the handmaidens loyal to the Sister made their way through the crowd distributing copies of the pamphlet in question to the gathered ladies. [color=white]"This vile document strikes at the heart of our honour, deriding the respect and social position many of us have worked for years to establish amongst the faithful, and I call for immediate action to be taken to quash its intent with all due speed."[/color]

Conversations burst around the chamber as the gathered masses began to debate the issue, the copies of the document in question being passed between the Sisters as they quickly perused the content before handing it along for others to consider. Some became enraged as they read the words contained in the pamphlet, while others covered their mouths to try and supress a chuckle at the same content. One or two slipped the parchment into their robes for more detailed perusal later in the privacy of their quarters, preferably with a glass of wine.

After several minutes another Sister stepped forwards, only a few levels above the first. [color=white]"I'm sorry, but the story of Sister Lascivious and her comforting ways don't seem to be an issue which needs to be taken too seriously. It is, after all, just an erotic novel with none of the details about our order being correct in anything but the most generalised way."[/color]

As the conversations around the stairwell broke down once more, Sister Evangeline stepped back and made her way over to Sister Brokentusk's side. [color=00aeef]"You have to enjoy the cut and thrust of debate, don't you find?"[/color] She asked her orkish friend.

[color=00a651]"I find it all a little tedious,"[/color] the green-skinned elder responded, glancing down at the pamphlet she'd been handed for a moment with casual disdain, before tucking it away inside her robe for later. [color=00a651]"It keeps the younger Sisters in order though, which is always a good thing."[/color]

Sister Brokentusk was one of the oldest of the Council, and but for her race would've been named as a Triplet many years earlier. Her insight and wisdom was still called upon by her colleagues often enough for her to understand her true place amongst her fellow Sisters, and many looked to her for leadership in troubled times.

Moving closer Evangeline reached inside her robes and pulled out another piece of parchment, carefully unfolding it before handing it to the elder. [color=00aeef]"I think you might find this missive more entertaining,"[/color] the younger Sister said, handing the message over. [color=00aeef]"It seems the vampires are looking for a little assistance once more."[/color]

Turning her gaze to the document, while still keeping an eye on the proceedings around her, Brokentusk quickly read over the proposal before handing the parchment back to her colleague with a nod. [color=39b54a]"Mirabella. We've had dealings with her before I recall, but not for quite some time. Can she be trusted in upholding her side of the bargain, do you think?"[/color]

Nodding her head Evangeline tucked the document away once more. [color=00aeef]"I see no reason to doubt her,"[/color] the Sister replied, [color=00aeef]"She has no reason to act against us, and Rotwatch is less important to us than a stable relationship with the Alliance, even one held at arm's length."[/color]

Waving her hand Brokentusk smiled at her fellow Sister as she turned away to listen to the brewing debate filling the chamber around her. She was beginning to wonder how long it would take before anyone asked where exactly the erotic novel had been written, and wondered if anyone considered that one of her favoured handmaidens had been the author. [color=39b54a]"Send word to our people and have them make preparations. I'm sure they know how best to act so as not to draw too much attention."[/color]

[color=00aeef]"Certainly Sister,"[/color] Evangeline smiled, plans already unravelling inside her head as she calculated which agents would be required to not only aid the vampires but also to filter off the sufficient number of 'survivors' to pay the levy for the rest's miraculous escape. There was also the matter of where the new followers would be housed after the attack, with various settlements throughout the low lands within easy walking distance for the peasants springing to mind.

Taking her leave Evangeline stepped back from the well, quickly making her way out into the connecting corridor and along the passageway to her quarters. There were many letters to be written this night, the first to the vampire to accept the offer, along with the maps and garrison details of Rotwatch which would make the assault all the easier for the bloodsuckers.[/color]