[color=brown]If you are saying that the Tytalus magi manipulate the Flambeau in Normandy, I shall not disagree. I criticize my Frankish brothers for allowing themselves to be manipulated so. You speak of reform? Those who should be champions of justice have allowed themselves to be corrupted and seduced by competition and desperation.
I believe conditions such as this led to the death of our Primus.
There are many possible reasons for why magi of your House are what they are. That isn't one of my concerns.
[color=brown]I try to not let it bother me
Late at night, there's a knock on Roberto's cabin door, the voice on the other side identifies himself as Rhesus. "I need to speak with you for a few moments. Tell you something I couldn't tell you earlier." Roberto's state room is across from Rhesus's room, at the stern of the ship, and is quiet and isolated from the rest of the ship and crew.
I Fast Cast posting a guard!
;D
just kidding
Do I recognize the voice? Whre is my robe? Hmmm...
I get my slippers on and grab my dagger off my nightstand. Unsheath it.
I go to the door, [color=brown]"enter"
Oh yes, Roberto knows it's Rhesus voice.
Opening the door, Rhesus is there and enters, "I have a spy aboard my boat. I didn't say anything earlier, but your comment about Garus will bring some scrutiny. He has a means of communicating with his master, but I haven't been able to determine who his master is, exactly. I uncovered this spy some time ago. I now use him to spread disinformation, but he doesn't know it, while also continuing to suss out who his master is. And in case you ask, I'm not concerned about this conversation being overheard, since right now no sound is leaving this compartment. When you get to Dragon's Rest, watch yourself. I expect you to now have some scrutiny. You probably would have had some before, but now you've said something openly, and without my prompting, so that will likely make you interesting."
[color=brown]I was born interesting
I thank you for the warning. I need to teach my men to ferret out spies as well.
Mid morning, the boat comes to rest close to the beach. The horses are hooded and led out of the boat and into the water by several sailors. Another gang of sailors are busy assembling something aboard the boat, and a few minutes later the cart is lifted from the ship and gently placed into the surf. Rhesus pulls out a wand and points it at the wagon and it begins to be pushed towards the beach, through the water. After the cart is on dry land, Roberto's men and the sailors form a gang and load the cart up with all the Roberto's party's equipment.
yes yes...
The Party's marching order shall be...
no wait, wrong game
Roberto and company shall seek rest at Dragon's Rest. I also ask Carlos to start trying to gather intelligence as he carouses along our journey. I should write out that conversation, but we have played the !&$k out of this thread today 
, and I shall rest at Dragon's Rest
And you're not even to Mons Electi.
Travel through the fens to Dragons Rest is slow, if uneventful. Roberto gets tomDragons rest, but the entrance is currently under water. As he and his party a redcap comes along and waits along with Roberto. He is friendly and waves, but doesn't engage. He isn't familiar to Roberto, but redcaps change routes from time to time, too.
[color=brown]Salve Sodale! I seek rest at Dragon's Rest. Whence do you travel?
(If I can manage to get his attention that is).
So, what is Dragon's Rest like?
Sorry, I described it elsewhere, should have described here, too, though.
Dragon's Rest is in a large mound in a tidal marsh, it's literally the the tallest spot in the area. The entrance is regularly sealed shut during high tide. [Extending that from what I described before...] There is evidence of settlements in the area having been abandoned, having passed one or two on the way, Roberto considers that Dragon's Rest was the original site of Confluensis, but it was relocated and moved some time ago, and Dragon's Rest remained. Dragon's Rest is a vassal of Confluensis, and a Mercere House, with only redcaps in residence, no other magi or magical Mercere are in residence at Dragon's Rest. There isn't any sign of a portal on the exterior of the covenant, and Roberto has not felt the tell-tale tingle of an Aegis yet.
"Rest? At Dragon's Rest? Surely, you must jest! You should, I think it best, continue to your final destination. Be it to the East or West." The Redcap smiles a bit at his bit of rhyming.
"If it's a matter of a place to tuck yourself in, then I shall recommend the covenant of Cunfin. If you have matters of Hermetic Justice, then you must be on your way to Confluensis. He offers a hearty laugh and then continues on, "Excuse my hearty chortle, but you may reach both by Mercurian Portal."
He walks over to Roberto and his party, "Pardon me, for my taking the opportunity to display such flare, now that it is done, before you stands Alaire." He's a very lean fellow and he has a mirthful attitude, but it's difficult to say if he's always like that, or if his bit of rhyming tickled his fancy. There's a heavy woolen cloak draped over his right shoulder, he has a knife at his belt on one side and a hatchet on the other side. Coming onto his left side he has a leather knapsack that looks rather worn, but has yet to be patched.
Roberto responds with a wry grin
[color=brown]I am on the road to Mons Electi, and I was told there was a portal here that would take me most of the way.
I was also hoping to request hospitality, a hot meal for myself and my men.
Displaying encyclopedic knowledge of the Tribunal, he offers Roberto his bit of advice. "Ahh, then let's get you checked in, for you're off to Cunfin. Dragon's Rest is not a place to dally, for those who live here do little but tally. Within the dragon's lair, you may pay your party's fare." Alaire escorts Roberto and his party within, once the water has fully receded a cobblestone path goes into the mound. At the entrance, the horses get skittish and are hooded, and have to be led in by hand, including the ones pulling the wagon. The opening appears to have been widened enough to bring in carts, and despite having been covered by water just moments ago, the mouth of the cave is dry after moving into it a bit deeper, even though they appear to be going slightly downhill.
Alaire walks them to a desk where a redcap sits quietly making marks in a book. Activity in the mound is, quiet, but it looks very mercantile. There's rooms for storing things and things get moved back and forth. Behind him there are three portals, each large enough to take the cart through, they are labeled Cunfin, Harco and Confluensis. Without looking up from the book the redcap asks, "Destination?" There doesn't appear to be much of a place to congregate for social activities. There is a table where a few Redcaps eat, but there isn't really a traditional inn, but that probably has more to do with the times that the covenant is inaccessible except at low tide.
I just had a hot meal 
An italian beef from Prtillo's on Clark & Ontario.
My belly is pleased...
Anyway,
Roberto winces as this guys rhyming starts to slack. What language is he speaking?
So I walk up to the desk, and when asked my destination...
[color=brown]I am headed for Mons Electi by way of Cunfin, via portal. I would request passage for myself and my entourage.
I'm assuming Ronerto spoke Latin to a Redcap, so he responded in kind.
He looks up from his book for a moment glances at Roberto and his entourage. "Five pawns for the lot of you. Do you require hostel services? Cunfin is at an abbey, with plenty of room and they accept honoraria." He smiles a bit wickedly, "Although you not being Gently Gifted, they will ask a bit more."
This is coming outta my pocket, ain't it.
Hurm...
Let me get back to you. Need to check something...
House Mercere does take credit. Had you spent your personal bps fully?
that will nearly break me.
Let's try something else...
[color=brown]Indeed my good man. Is it possible I can put it on account with my covenant? Or perhaps earn my passage?
"6 pawns, payable in a year. Name? Covenant of residence?". He pulls out a piece of parchment with writing already on it and fills in the answers given. "Sign here and here" he says indicating two spots on the parchment. "And now I need to see your voting sigil, unless you're Tremere" even if Roberto said he was of Flambeau, he will still say the Tremere bit.