((Alexei convenes the meeting principally for Isen and Jacques, though others can come if they want.))
"Sodales, sometimes I wish my cleverness matched my sense of honour and outrage. That my acumen for intrigue was as sharp as my aptitude for battle. This is a battlefield I am sorely outmatched in. It was only after much conversation that I was able to see past my pride and principals to realize we have been tricked...yet again. I wish to thank Laetitia for making me see, my own stubbornness blocked my vision, and I was blind to the enemies that were poised to stab us in the back...again." he pauses to take some wine.
"We have been duped again. Reynault unwittingly passed on this information, why should I doubt the word of a dying man? Lucius is not our choice for Primus. It is he that has become part of the plot against us, against our House, against our Covenant, against the Order. Why was there no alarm raised when Garus died? Why was no alarm raised after?" rather uncharacteristically, Alexei does not seem impassioned or angry, strangely softspoken. "When I wrote to him and pledged my support, he asked that I travel to the Rhine and help bring up support for hm there. It seemed obvious, I am from the Rhine, am somewhat known there, as is Isen. But with how long it takes to travel and accomplish such a thing...we wouldn't be there in person when the vote was cast. We wouldn't be able to get answers to the questions we have as Magi who are privy to this conspiracy. Even if we trusted Lucius, he'd have to know we'd talk, we'd ask questions." he heaves a sigh.
"So now...what should we do? We must oppose Lucius, but who do we support? How do we undo the support we've gathered for him already? And it's obvious that we are meant to be stopped from going to Castra Solis, so we must take steps to arrive there by magic. Not so difficult. I can go there with the connection from the Milities, but that may be a trap. We might be able to use the Hermes or Mercer portals, but those too may be trapped and would cost vis." he runs a hand through his hair. "This is all so...unmanly. I feel defeated, I feel that I am a new recruit fallen asleep on guard duty. Like the battle is already lost and I can't even cast a spell or swing a weapon to change it."