A turn of events 1204

[Sokrates Salonikas]

"Of course, good Reeve." Sokrates settles back into his chair, catching Fia's eye and giving her a sensuous growl on a frequency only her finely tuned Gangrel ears can hear.

[Sokrates Salonikas]

"My good duke, please feel free to correct me if my account is wrong."  Sokrates addresses the rest of the room.  "I was present for the initial events up to and including the staking, though I was not aware of the shameful aftermath until some time later. Much of Laibach was present if I recall, Baron Raqa, the Tremere and his gargoyle servitor, others may have been present in the shadows as well. I was called there to bear witness that proper prestation was followed, as they sought to call in a Blood Boon on Duke Antonio in order to compel him to stake himself. I did not intervene at the time as I felt that could have been interpreted as refusal and caused my duke to be labeled a boonbreaker. To that end, I even sought to assist when the initial attempts met with...difficulties. I was able to calm mad frenzy and eventually the duke was subdued and taken away. This was the last I saw of him until we met later at home, where I saw what you have just witnessed.

It would seem that your vassal is freelancing on the side, Duke Raetus. I know you to be an honorable lord and cannot believe you had any knowledge of this, or that you would have allowed it to happen if you did. However, since he currently resides under your aegis and his conduct does reflect upon you regardless, it is firstly your prerogative to address this as you see fit should you so wish. I can act further if you require, and I will sanction any censure or punishment you wish to impose within reason, but I leave your man in your hands at this time.

The problem is I do not believe they stopped there. There is much about this situation that smacks of the whole Tyr affair, although I have no proof at this time. If I had to proffer a theory, I would say they are systematically subjecting all their perceived enemies to this treatment as a means of insurance, surety against continued good behaviour so long as they possess their hearts.

However, in Duke Antonio's case, this is where they have vastly overstepped. While the Blood Boon was fulfilled to my satisfaction with his staking, (after all, blood was quite liberally spilled on Baron Raqa's behalf) the continued leverage they now enjoy in perpetuity is more akin to a Life Boon. In effect, the duke was tricked into overpaying, as it were. To dangle his unlife over his head like some twisted sword of Damocles for all eternity is utterly beyond the pale. While we will have strength and unity in these lands, we will not be a domain ruled to such a degree of fear and intimidation. I know trust does not come easily to our kind, but there is yet room for honorable men and women to come to binding agreement without the need for such base and crass incentives. Those who would deal in such will be dealt with accordingly."

[Antonio Galanzia]

"Yes that is the correct count and as the boon had non issue with my assault by amon ka I purposely left that out

Now here's what else happened behind closed doors as you will, I came to in a furious rage at the edge of a frenzy as was the state I was in when I was finally staked... Amon ka is standing over my body with my heart in his hands I was completely unable to move or react in anyway ... It was as if I was still staked but completely aware and coherant to my surroundings, I had no idea where I was so I left and returned to klagentfurt to prevent myself from breaking any laws at that moment.

Don't get me wrong I wanted to rip his head off but he told me his ritual comes with some heafty penalties.

I'm told if he is to meat his final death I die. If I attempt to personally harm him I die. He said something of his clan having it in their possession with I sincerely doubt as I would like to assume raqa has control of it in another plain of existence under the control of God knows what.

Raetus when and if my heart is returned to me before I am undoutably killed I do not seek a boon bit your permission to personally beat his ass into a torpor under your supervision as to ensure he is returned to you if you still choose to keep him as a vassel and to hold him in my service for one years time"

[Gunnar Voldemon]

At this moment Gunnar stands again and shakes his head. "Social punishment is not my duty, so I leave this in your hands, Sokrates. I do not wish to overstep my reach." His head bows slightly.

"Though during the course of our investigation of the stables, domain of Jaak, Fia and I have found that there was no infernalism involved. Though wish to confirm with Lady Morrigan, as Mother Isis claims you have proof that there was no infernalism. Please present it to me." He asks the fine lady.

"Tyr is safe, alive, and free of any infernalism. " he states flatly.

"And once this is concluded, I will be hitting the hunting paths again."

[Fia]

Fia stands, " like Gunnar my talents are better suited to the hunt, but I do wonder about the events surrounding Tyr in the stables. It would seem the same folks involved in the theft of Antonio'so heart were in the stable at the time of Tyr'so frenzy. I cannot help but wonder if similar activities were attempted on Tyr and without Sokrates to calm the frenzy things did not go according to plan. While on the road Tyr did mention a life boon so..." she shrugs and returns to her seat.

[Raetus]

"The matter of Amon Ka is certainly settled if you wish to beat him and request his servitude for a year. I would ask that his life not be ended nor have him bonded with blood. If you must use extreme measures to convince him to return your heart then do so; though I would appreciate his mind not be broken. If it can be proven that others convinced Amon Ka to perform this travesty then I believe they are just as complicit in this assault and should be punished accordingly please know that I will support your findings regardless."

Turning towards Gunnar

"However I do not believe that the matter of this infernal nonsense is finished.  Herald and Reeve I say this false rumor is a wild goose chase that takes us away from the real matter of pursuit of the real infernal menace within this realm. Such a callous use of a serious matter should be treated severely for the crime of wasting the Reeve's and half the courts time and resources with this rubbish. I believe an example should be made of the guilty party to remind all that court politics are one thing but this is quite another. I will leave the decision in both your hands but know that I expect the punishment to be severe. I doubt that the Ard Rhi will be amused if it is not addressed properly.  Demonstrate to me and the Ard Rhi why he has put confidence in your placement and you will continue to have my  support in your actions and judgments."    

[Morrigan]

Morrigan listens intently to all that is said, waiting for a good time to speak so as to not interrupt those with more status. During a longer lull she speaks up.
"I do wish the Doge had consulted with myself before making such promises Reeve. I have yet to wrestle the secrets from those infernal gems. However, I am slowly becoming more knowledgable of the infernal forces massed against us and could provide testimony."

[Gunnar Voldemon]

Gunnar nods at the words of Raetus. "It has taken a half year from my hunt to track down the missing Tyr and come to the conclusions that we have. We will look further into the events of Amon Ka and his dealings with Laibach. A simple check of the boons list should determine if any have been passed between the two to purchase services. If we find nothing, we will press the investigation further and question each individual involved. Separately, so that we may hear each individual story of events." he says as he considers what to do.

"Domination of their minds would be the simplest way to achieve said goals. To find the truth and pry it from the minds of those involved. But I would require someone with great skill in the arts of domination." pausing, he looks over to Sokrates. "Suggestions, Herald? As this is our investigation now and in our hands."

[Gunnar Voldemon]

Looking over to Morrigan, you can see his shoulders drop slightly and a twinge of anger in his eyes. "Then Mother Isis, Doge of Triest, has held up our investigation further, and our findings harder to prove." Pausing a moment as he composes himself mentally. "This is not your fault and I will be conversing with her about these claims."

[Sokrates Salonikas]

"Well, good Reeve, one problem as I see it is that the Duke Galahad outstrips us all in matters of Dominate, unless I am much mistaken. We would never know if our efforts had actually worked or whether we only saw what he wanted us to see. I do have some ideas regarding possible rituals and such, but I may need some help. I will think on this."