 the first arrived they would see a large dining table filled with glasses of fresh blood and other more mortal foods and beverages.
At the head of the table sat Karl wearing the fine clothing of an aristrocrat, to his right sat Satsu who wore the same uniform and mask he had worn during the skirmish in the pass except these were clean and undamaged. To the Regent's left sat his wife Emilie in a elegent grey gown and next to her was her son Ademus in long wizard robes.
A small round table sat off to the side with three Sergeants of the Regent's guard in formal clothing, although less fine than their lords. These soldieres were Kelrak, Jens and Sigmund. Another man was present in rough green clothes, he was slightly shorter than average and lean with short brown hair with a bushy beard. The four men where in deep and quiet discussion at their seperate table.
Around the walls of the room stood the mortal members of the Regent's guard, but scattered amongst their number were a small handful of masked assassins.
'A Second council?' Niklaus thought. This was troubling. The first had destroyed Nagash, the Lord of Undeath. What could this second one achieve, now that the Empire was badly damaged and other distractions removed? he needed to go to the Council, see what they were doing, see if he could hinder it in any way.
Niklaus arrived at Drakenhof in time to see damaged carriages bearing the von Carstein symbol returning. So he would reach it just in time to catch a reconvening. he began approaching the castle. It was impressive, he had to admit. By the time he arrived at the gate the current Council members had gotten inside.
Niklaus entered the great hall to see all the members already seated. A pall of darkness spread across his face, but they were thin and wispy, and he detected wards inside the castle, so allowed the shadows to disperse and stopped trying to obscure himself like that.
'Greetings, Council. I have heard of your exploits, and am impressed. it was quite a feat to destroy Nagash, and for that you have my respect.' He looked at the figures sitting at the head of the table, and recognised that they looked important. Simon von Carstein, the Lord Imperator, he knew to be blond, and none of the Vampires at the head of the table were blond, so he was absent. The Vampire he was staring at must be Karl, then, based on briefings from his network, with his wife and 'child'. There was a masked Vampire eh did not recognise, although he could detect a magic similar to his. he was some kind of Shadowmancer then.
He bowed to Karl. 'Greetings, my Lord.' He bowed to Emilie. 'Greetings, my Lady.' he finally bowed to the get. 'And greetings to you, my Lord. I have come to offer my services to this council. I am proficient in the matters of spycraft and Shadowmancy, and will endeavour to aid you in whatever way I can, within my specialist fields. I ask no reward for this. The job itself is the reward, as is the bloodflow our actions will cause. As for my name...call me the Hooded One.' He could have used his other names, but Master of Shadows and Living Shadow were probably well known to apply to him.
His introduction over, Niklaus waited for a response.
Rowhaine strode into the hall, his face like stone. The recent events had struck his confidence hard and whilst he still stood tall and walked with purpose, the ice in his eyes betrayed the frustration beneath. Anya and Phahotep both were still recovering, although they were alive and would make full recoveries. Anya had argued to attend with him, but in the end she had obeyed his command, although it would not surprise him if the spirited princess would still attend unseen.
He was one of the first to arrive, walking in just the one who called himself the "Hooded One" introduced himself. Just the ridiculousness of it all caused a surge of anger, but he bit it back before speaking.
"If we are to be allies, then it is customary to to know your name," the Champion spoke as he seated himself halfway down the table to Karl, the better to be the midst of an discussion, "recent events have shown how lacking we are compared to the first Council. If we are to make any progress, our next attempt must be much stronger. Would you not agree Regent?"
The night was bitter and cold outside. The moon was full, though obscured by a ragged winged shape. It settled on a grassy plain near the walls of Drakenhof. A shadowy figure dismounted from it. He gritted his teeth and decided to make a stealthy entrance. He ran towards a currently unmanned part of the foundation of the castle, from which rose up a sheer wall. If one looked hard enough, they might be able to see a faint silhouette running up a vertical wall with ease. Soon, he had entered from a balcony into a labyrinth of corridors. The stranger in black walked upside-down on the ceiling, and entered the hall.
One mortal Carstein servant in the doorway of the great hall was waiting to guide the council members to their seats. So far, only Rowhaine had come, who had taken his seat, and a newcomer who was not part of the council, and so was not his concern. He began to grow weary, his eyes drooping. Suddenly, he was startled out of his slumber by a figure clad in black dropping from the ceiling. With a calm expression, the stranger walked up to the guide. "My name is Orzon Nightwrath. I have acquired knowledge of a powerful group of vampires banding together, much like the first vampire council. I wish to ask this council if it proposes a solution to the diminishing power of Necromancy and if it does, to join it in its endeavours." he said. "Don't worry about my mount - Klaw is waiting outside the castle. Now, do you care to introduce me to the council's leaders?"
Niklaus thought about this. Which name? He may as well use his name. A version may work, but if someone recognised him he would be gone before evening for hiding his name. 'Very well, my Lord. My name is Niklaus.' This new person, Rowhaine if his memory was correct, looked impressive, and the casual way he spoke to Karl suggested his importance. He had better treat him with respect.
And now another newcomer had arrived Orzon Nightwrath. He didn't recognise him, so he had either not been part of the First Council, or a minor member, most likely the latter. Klaw? Not a name Niklaus would have pciked for a mount, but then he didn't know what it was.
Karl nodded to the fist new arrival.
"Welcome friend, you join us at an opportune time." he greeted "The Hooded One" politely "The council is gathering and when they are here I am sure, as a whole, they will decide on your inclusion. I am merely the host of these halls."
The Regent went silent for a moment as Rowhaine spoke before nodding his agreement.
"Indeed Champion, allies should show at least that much trust. The council has much to do before it can claim to be a true successor of us who battled Nagash." he said. There was no arrogance in the vampire's words, merely a sombre observation.
Karl give the appearance of a man completely undisturbed by recent events but some of the Council, since their return, had heard stories of the Lord Regent's rage at the news of his Captain's death and how large portions of the private chambers in Drakenhof had been destroyed. If such tales were true he give no appearance of it.
Satsu didn't move but he spoke quietly behind his mask "He's a shadowmage."
Karl made no move to show that his assassin had said anything.
After a few moments the new arrival spoke and introduced himself correctly.
"Then please be seated Lord Niklaus, we will await the others."
The human recovered as swiftly as could be expected from the unfortunate servant.
"Yes...yes my lord." the mortal said swiftly, he had served the Triumvirate long enough to recognise one of the Immortals when he saw one.
However two shadows pulled away from the wall, forming dark three dimensional and vaguely humanoid shapes.
"Well will accompany you." the shadows said coldly.
After a few short seconds more the darkness broke away from these shadow-men to show masked vampiric Assassins with blades in their hands. They were quietly furious that this stranger had gotten so far.
Especially with the recent increase in security by the Lord Regent.
The poor mortal looked horrified at the arrival of the two assassins and meekly bowed "Yes, yes. Please follow me." he squeaked before half-running into the hall with the stranger and cowled men in tow.
Karl raised an eyebrow at this newcomer. He had been warned about Niklaus who had approached the castle openly, he had no idea however about this new arrival and as such considered him an unwelcome factor.
"I see we have an unannounced guest. Who, pray tell, are you sir?" he asked icily.
Satsu shifted his weight slightly, although the Arch-Assassin was unarmed he was prepared to act if necessary.