Moon Over Bourbon Street<br/>Something Wicked This Way Comes<br/>Ximen, Heirarch of New Orleans<br/>Frederick, Heirarch's Provost<br/>Malachi, Chief Sentinel<br/>'Burin' Elijah Warden, Thyrsus Free Council<br/>'Vulpes' Prof. Elliot Van Graaf, Obrimos Guardian of the Veil<br/>S.J. Jones, Acanthus Free Council<br/>'Damon Jones' Tsutomu Fujimoto, Mastigos Silver Ladder<br/>'Obsidian' Reine Valentine, Moros Adamantine Arrow<br/>Elizabeth Brown, Thysus Mysterium<br/>August 22nd, 2005<br/>Royal Sonesta Hotel – Private Suite<br/><br/><em>“I am likely singin’ ta ve choir bat if some big guy is pattin’ on vis sort of blaady shite then I am goin’ ta fink vis is not sam normal fackin’ crap.”</em><br/><br/>“As you have so bluntly stated, my dear, this is not normal 'fucking crap'. Normally Drakon attends to his business in my city and stays out of my way and we out of his. But for reasons his own, he has deemed it necessary to come to me to enlist your services. And with that storm brewing out over the Atlantic and will be making landfall in seven days, I have my hands full attempting to evacuate the city.” stated Ximen from her position behind her desk.<br/><br/><em>"Spose we don't have much choice in the matter. We gotta meet with this Drake. Hopefully he ain't out to get us. I don't think a Magister would waste his time hurtin' on us newly awakened types anyhow."</em><br/><br/>“No offense, but we're cockroaches in the greater games he plays. Pawns at best, but typically cockroaches beneath his notice, except to exterminate if we make ourselves inconvenient. And you all have a choice, you don't have to go see him or do as he asks, but when the consequences come to roost.... Don't say you were warned. Drakon is a man of impeccable manners until he's irritated. Then he's like a bear that woke up from hibernation on the wrong side of the cave and likely to rip your face off without so much as blinking an eye at you. Malachi is my Chief Sentinel and has been for years. But Malachi only attacked Drakon once. Ever since Malachi is polite and the soul of courtesy around him..... after his jaw and both of his arms were magically reattached.”<br/><br/><em>"The Magister Mundi asked for us... specifically?"</em><br/><br/>“Yes, he did. Why? I don't know. You'll have to ask him when you go before him. He did not deign to inform me why.” said Ximen quietly.<br/><br/><em>“Madame? Now why would a Magister Mundi use someone like you as a Messenger service and keep you out of the loop, if you will excuse my rudeness,”</em><br/><br/>“Because I'm smart enough not to want to know. There are reasons why I am not an Archmagus myself. There are some doors best left unopened and realms best left unexplored. Such tasks are best suited for men and women of better strength than myself. At this level, I am at the pinnacle of power. Where few mundane mages or other supernatural creatures can easily challenge me. Should I step across that invisible line into the realm of the Magisters, I would be as a newborn babe in a world ran by rabid and starving wolves. I would much rather be used as a messenger service and errand girl than know details that might shatter my sanity.”<br/><br/>It was then that Elijah spoke, had the Heirarch not been waiting for some manner of question from each of them she might have missed his question.<br/><br/>“But you have an idea of what is coming, don't you Heirarch? I noticed the flicker in your eyes and the tremble in your voice. Whatever it is, it's going to culminate and coincide with that storm that is expected to make landfall in just under a week. There is a reason why you are called Simon the Wise. It is said that you have prophetic visions of a possible future, the clarity of which depends on how strong a possibility that future is.” said Elijah from where he stood having allowed the ladies to take the seats.<br/><br/>Ximen stared at him for a moment before saying, “That is true. I do have an idea of what is coming. Thousands are going to die in the coming weeks. Either as a direct result of the storm or a side effect of the storm. But the Darkness that Rises makes the devastation of that storm pale by comparison. So dangerous is it that the Tetrarch of the Seers has sent a delegation to state quite clearly that any mages involving themselves in our affairs are rogues and that they will aide in whatever way they can.”<br/><br/>“I know not if it's because Drakon has already visited them or not but the delegation seemed more than happy to meet any and all conditions.” said the Heirarch as the door opened and Malachi opened the door.<br/><br/>“They're here.” said the man gruffly not bothering with any sort of formality.<br/><br/>“I'll be along in a minute, make sure that the Council is informed<em>not</em>to do anything rash. We don't need potential allies pissed off and prepared to rip our faces off.” said Ximen before standing and heading to the door. Pausing at the doorway, she said, “Our primary concern, ladies and gentleman is one of [/i]The Bound[/i] in seven days it is going to shake off it's prison and break free into the mortal realm. And right now there are only three beings capable of handling it. Drakon, the Tetrarch, and the Werewolf Banetender. Those three together have the strength to bind it back into it's prison before it can restore itself to full power and destroy the world. Think on that as you go to see The Drake.”<br/><br/>With that she left the office without another word.<br/><br/>Elijah hefted the pouch and shook his head. "This isn't gonna be enough. Not for what they might ask of us. Anyone know what this 'Bound' is? I remember my Master once giving an all too brief lesson on staying clear of anything involving The Bound, but nothing comes to mind aside from that."