"We have to talk."
As Raoul and his cat gets into the car, Einar says something in Norwegian to the woman and they will drive off.
"Remember our conversation in Sugar Grove?"
Raoul slowly nods. "Yes of course. I don't think I'll ever forget it."
Einar grimaces.
"Shane and I spoke to Randall. We have decided on a rough plan with which to go forward."
Einar is all but squirming in his seat, whether from nervousness or suppressed homicidal tendencies is up for debate.
Raoul nodded carefully in response to Einar's jitters.
"I thought as much. I noticed the three of you disappeared at the end of the gathering. Tell me."
Einar begins to talk in rush as if he's in a hurry to get it all out.
"The Nosferatu have agreed to support the removal of Vlad and to support Ellen Peters to replace him."
He pauses for a moment.
"She does not know, and she must not until after it is done. We will give Vlad the opportunity to step down, but in the end Shane, Randall and I are willing to sanction his death, though it may mean Lin Wu Kwan's wrath."
Raoul gasped, which was absurdly human but he couldn't help it.
"Ellen? That's a surprise. She could be good for the job but I don't know if she would want it."
"How did you ... what was the tipping point that made you decide to go all the way and decide to kill him?"
Raoul paused after his outburst and then leaned forward. "Just so you know, you can trust me Einar. And I would be willing to risk everything to help you out."
Einar looks at Raoul coldly.
"*I* decided the moment he killed that child."
He continued in a more detached voice.
"We have the standing to seize Praxis. If Ivanovich opposes us he will rally the Invictus from neighboring cities. We agreed that it was simpler to tell Lin Wu Kwan that we gave Ivanovich every opportunity to step down but it had to be done."
After that Einar visibly calms.
"Peters can accept or not. That she does not seek praxis is what Randall cited as her virtue in this matter. She is a compromise choice."
"Understand this is not without risk. Lazarus and Lin Wu Kwan are dangerous, not only for their power, but for their allies. I am protected because I am an Acolyte, while Ivanovich is Invictus. You are not."
Raoul shook his head. "Nothing will protect you or me when Master Lin finds out his childr is dead. He's not going to sit down calmly and listen to reason. He's going to react. I've seen what he can do. It will be memorable."
"Ivanovich will oppose you and if he can find you, he'll try to kill you. The other Invictus might listen to reason but I doubt it. So you will need to deal with them as well."
Raoul took a breath. "None of that matters because he's wronged me in a way that damaged me beyond repair. I believe this is the right thing to do and maybe I just want to take someone down who thinks they are so much better than me."
Einar shrugs.
"Tribulation is not how long you can hang from a wall, or how many lashes of the whip you can take. Tribulation is when you challenge yourself. Part of being in the Circle is accepting Tribulation and gaining enlightenment or perishing in the attempt. For too long with Vlad I took the easy path of being his strong arm. I am the great-grand childe of the Unholy. Let them all come."
Einar's eyes take on a manic intensity.
"Let the false Hermit dare to strike at another Acolyte. Let me reclaim the blood debt that bastard Evengii owes my cousin. Let that pathetic russisk try."
"I created Vlad. More than any other I made him Prince. I did it because I was afraid to face my Tribulation, and it is my duty as a Hero of the Circle to set it right."
"We have to wait until the gathering in the city. Parker will be there, as will others. Do not tell anyone of this."
The raw passion from Einar was contagious and Raoul smirked darkly, all claws and fangs. He didn't know about Einar's prodigy. How fasinating!
"I also seek to gain enlightenment through risks taken and lessons learned. I could learn so much from you, I know I can and that's why I'm here.
"Thank you for taking me into your confidence. Let me help you and you will not regret it. I swear on my parents grave that I will not tell a soul."
"For now I will curse him and I will curse later when I stand face to face with him. I'll do it as he looks me in the eye."
Einar nods in agreement. "Excellent. Let us face our Tribulation and make right what I made wrong."
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