The Book of Not: The Book of Illumination

"You may come," he intoned, rising from his contemplation spire's only chair.

Two figures entered, one a Ventrue knight and childe of the lord. The other was a pale, gaunt thing, and the lord's Cappadocian advisor. Saluting briskly, the more martial of the two began, "Sire, we have routed the fools and have three Brujah staked in cells beneath the keep. The remaining peasants have fled, of course."

The more scholarly of the two continued, "Noble lord, shall I have the carpenters prepare burning poles for the morrow?"

Smiling cynically, the Ventrue Lord, replied, "Of course. But release the Brujah. And inform them that they are to present themselves back at this keep when they awake tomorrow."

Both surprised at this announcement, the two lieutenants look at each other askance. Finally deciding to speak, the knight ventures, "Are you sure this is wise, Father? (For his sire treated him like a son.) Won't they see this as a sign of weakness and merely attack again in the future?"

Sighing once more, the elder Venture breathed out, "Of course they will. They always will. But tomorrow, they will learn. As will you both. Now, Alexander (for that was the knight's name), you will bring to me this night our two resident Malkavians. Go."

With a confused look on his face, Alexander sped off to obey. Trying to puzzle out what his patron was thinking, the Cappadocian queried, "Milord, are these Children of Malkav the same Kindred who were philosophizing so intently with the Brujah at the Feast of Caine last week?"

Pleased with his advisor's memory, the lord nodded. "Yes, the same, Salidus (for that was the advisor's name). Now, as to your task. You will instruct all of my subjects of the Blood to attend a feast to be held tomorrow night. Attendance is mandatory. Go."

Also confused as to his liege's intentions, the Cappadocian hurried off to perform his task.

On the next night, the keep was filled with curious Kindred, happy for any reason to feast with their lord. Along with the dozen or so regular subjects were the disgraced Brujah and a handful of travelling Kindred, pleased that such luck had befallen them as to feast with the local nobility. Seeing that all were present and accounted for, the Ventrue Lord sent off his progeny while he signaled that the feast was to begin.

Still in the dark as to what his enigmatic master had in mind, the Cappadocian vizier stayed close to his lord, trying to glean the evening's proceedings from the Ventrue's actions. About a half hour into the feast and merriment, the Venture Lord bid Salidus to call the assembly to order. Doing so, he led the assembly in looking at their liege lord expectantly. At this time, Alexander returned with two captives-- the Malkavians he had been instructed to retrieve the previous night. Both were smiling benignly and greeted their liege with the greatest courtesy. At a nod from his sire, Alexander led the two Kindred to the pre-set burning poles and fastened them there. Satisfied as to their secureness, he placed himself at the side of his lord.

Stepping up upon the feasting table, the Ventrue Lord announced, "And now, my subjects and visitors, you will witness the price of treachery." And with this, he jumped down from the table, walked over to a wall, picked a lit torch from its mount, and moved himself to stand in front of the trussed-up Malkavians. Making sure to look them both fully in the eyes first, the Ventrue Lord then proceeded to light the kindling at each of their feet. Replacing the torch in its original location, he returned to stand next to his seat, ignoring the horrified looks of the assembled Kindred.

Tugging his lord's hem assiduously, the Cappadocian advisor urgently whispered, "But my lord, it was the Brujah who assaulted you! What are you doing?" Turning to gaze down at his distraught companion, the Venture Lord calmly replied, "I'm burning books, my friend."

And the Malkavians died smiling, knowing they would be the light by which others would read.

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