CHAPTER FIVE
To Friends Reunited

Cantaria walked a few steps in front of Heylo, but a few steps behind Vilona. Noticing the increase in pace, she hastened her own. Turning to look at Heylo, she realized that something was awry. But her lack of energy made it hard to concentrate on anything, for a long period of time. Wondering what was awaiting her, she felt excited at the prospect of spending time with Heylo and Vilona. She was also a little nervous. So much had happened since her departure, several years ago. There had been name changes, appearance changes, an embracing and a marriage. She tried to keep focused as they walked.

After a short while, they arrived at a house, which, from the outside, didn't look like much. Vilona opened the weather beaten old door, and ushered Cantaria inside. Then again, the foyer was something else. The small country cottage had been fully refurnished and renovated ONLY on the inside. Most of the furniture was early Victorian covered in maroon velvet with carpet embossed with the Ventrue symbol. There was one curious rocking chair in the corner. It seemed to be from the original furnishings of the old cottage. There must be some kind of sentimental value attached to the old chair. It had been restrained and varnished, but it still didn't quite fit in. The simple, hunter green throw, that draped the back of the chair, seemed to imply hours of rocking by the fireplace. How very curious.

Off to the left, a tiny kitchen had a simple oak table with four high back chairs. The kitchen was bare of any appliances, other than the refrigerator and stove. There was not a pan or cutlery set to be seen. The glass front cabinets housed only an assortment of glasses, goblets and a bone china tea set. There were no plates, bowls, or storage containers. There was, however, a small, indiscrete stain on the center island, as if a red liquid had been spilled there recently.

Cantaria's eyes traveled to the right side of the room and saw two doors. One door was partially opened and, what appeared to be, a stair case railing, was the only thing visible. The other door was closed with no hint to what might be behind it. It lead to, possibly, a bedroom or closet.

Vilona watched Cantaria carefully as she surveyed her surroundings. She walked across and sat in the Rocking Chair, draping the wrap across her lap and curling her feet underneath her as she reclined. Nodding to Heylo and Cantaria, she silently invited them to join her on the sofa or loveseat adjacent to her position. Heylo smiled at Vilona and walked quietly to the loveseat, pulling her cloak around her before she sat. Cantaria followed them into lush livingroom.

The three of them sat around and chatted, about what had been going on, in Cantaria's absence. The subject quickly turned to the Abyss Fire.

Cantaria asked, " So any idea who would want to torch it and why?"

Vilona's eyes turned cold and her words laced with the bitterness of a betrayed friend, "I know who did it. I was hoping YOU could give me some insight as to why!" The uncomfortable silence that followed penetrated to the very core of each in the room. Vilona felt almost ashamed for voicing such anger to this dearest of friends, but the sick feeling, inside her, grew. She could barely hold the betrayal she felt. Knowing now, this was the woman she had seen with 'him'. How could Ress take something as precious as her HOME, when she knew, oh so well, how devastating it is to be betrayed and abandoned. Vilona quickly looked at Heylo and it seemed obvious that Heylo was confused about Vilona's unnatural behavior. Vilona, herself, knew this was not her normal responses to a beloved friend, but the deep coldness could not be masked.

Heylo, feeling quite uncomfortable at this point, turned to Cantaria, trying to change the subject, hoping to simmer the feelings of unrest. She asked, "Cantaria, what have you been doing all this time, since we last saw each other?"

Looking at Heylo, Cantaria said, " I chose to live the life of an independent, but after a while, the isolation affected me. I missed the feeling of being part of a family. I began to seek out our kind again, stopping in small towns all over the country. Eventually, I met a clan of Brujah and they took me in. Their ruler was Clave Mordon and he made me his own. He encouraged me to change my hair color to red, as red was more 'Brujah'."

Vilona's eyes narrowed, but she held her words. She began to chew the inside of the right side of her bottom lip. It was a nervous habit, held over from the days of when she was mortal. As she listened to Cantaria and Heylo chatter about things in such a light way, she unconsciously bite her lip to the point of bleeding. As the metallic taste ebbed onto her tongue, she calmed with the pleasure of the taste, but the fire didn't leave her eyes. The timing did not feel right. Cantaria seemed to be somewhat ashamed of the story she is telling. "I must wait and be sure. I do not wish to spill blood, undeservedly," Vilona whispered to herself, or maybe it was just a thought. She was utterly consumed with the hatred that brewed within her, at the thought of her very own beloved Empress being party to the demise of The Abyss.

After a short pause Cantaria continued, "But I soon grew tired of the drunkenness and their utter disrespect of life. They would, indiscriminately, kill mortals, often, just for the sheer pleasure. I never really understood that mentality. Mortals are our food source...so we should preserve them. It's in our best interests really. These Brujahs committed acts of senseless vandalism, too. I couldn't tolerate it any longer. One night, almost a year ago, I left and haven't seen any of them since. I traveled on my own, once again."

Vilona arched an eyebrow and stopped chewing her lip, careful to lick it clean, so that the injury was not visible to either Cantaria or Heylo. She leaned forward, out of the partial shadow that the side of the fireplace had cast over her face, and more curious than ever, inquired, " How long ago did you leave the Brujah?" She had heard Cantaria, but needed clarification. "And just how did you come to hear about the Abyss? "

Cantaria answered, "I left their company a little under a year ago." She paused a moment then continued. "I stumbled upon a deserted cabin in the woods about 10 miles from here. I went into a nearby town and found this." She reached into her trench coat pocket and pulled out the newspaper article she had found and handed it to Vilona.

Vilona read the article without expression or word. She simply handed the article back to Cantaria. Her eyes looked directly into Cantaria's for the first time since coming upon her tonight. She searched for Ress, in those lovely eyes. Vilona thought, "The red hair did suit her, but the memory of her with Clave pierced her heart and she wondered if his cruelty had infected her. Was she being genuine? Or was this a clever ploy to infiltrate and take us down." Vilona and Cantaria stared at each other for a bit. Vilona finally eased her gaze and smiled. She felt no malice in Cantaria. In fact, she saw a deep sorrow, and a longing that does not accompany betrayal.

After a period of awkward silence Cantaria spoke again, "Vilona? When we were at VA and I showed you both the package that had been left there, you said something...'Natashia', if my memory serves me correctly. Who or what is that?"

Vilona lifted a hand to stop Heylo's possible response and graciously smiled at Cantaria. "We've had enough 'catching up' for one night. Explanations will come, in due time. I have much to think about. You are very familiar with the games of the clans and the masquerade our Kind, must maintain. Let me think for the evening, of the best way to ... include you in our knowledge." Vilona sank back into the shadow and seemed to retreat from Heylo and Cantaria to let them commune as the friends, that they, obviously, still were.

Cantaria saw the first signs of the rising sun and mentioned the impending daybreak to Heylo and Vilona. At Cantaria's observation, Vilona quickly ushered Heylo into the open door. As the doorway opened, a large stairwell, leading underground, is revealed. Vilona hesitated, then motioned for Cantaria to follow them.

Cantaria is led down a narrow corridor and is shown to a room, which has a large wooden door. She faced Vilona and Heylo and said goodnight to each of them and thanked Vilona for her generous hospitality. Vilona stepped forward and hugged Cantaria tightly. Then stepped aside for Heylo's approach. As Cantaria and Heylo said their goodnights, Vilona vanished back up the stairs.

Cantaria and Heylo paused and listened, as a dead bolt clicked into place in the door behind Vilona, and then a strange sound of something scraped along the wall, then clanking into place. Again, there is the sound of wood scraping on wood, then a thud of a closing door. They heard the creak of the old rocking chair as Vilona began to rock, and the sorrowful song that she sang. She began to meditate and summon Cham...

After listening to Vilona hum her song for a minute, Cantaria said goodnight to Heylo again, seeing her out of the corner of her eye, as Heylo disappeared into another room, a short way down the hall. Then, she turned to her bedroom door and opened it. The weight of the door took her by surprise. It took all of her strength to push it open, even a little. She stepped through the small opening she created. She looked in awe at what she guessed was the guest room. There was so much to look at, but she decided that rest was more important. She made her way to the king sized four post Edwardian style bed. It was made from mahogany. The posts were turned and formed a canopy, high above the bed, which was covered with red brocade material. The bed was surrounded by sheer net curtaining, which had an opening at each side. She moved the curtain and turned down the thick, luscious blood-red brocade bedspread, which matched the canopy, and slipped between the crisp sheets. She placed her head on the fluffy duck down pillows and closed her eyes. In seconds she drifted off to a deep, deep sleep.

When the sun began to sink down past the horizon, Cantaria's eyelids snapped open, like a blind, with an over-wound spring. She stared up, at the red canopy, above her, for a few minutes, before sitting up. She reached out to turn on the bedside lamp. Wriggling to the edge of the bed, she placed her feet on the magnificent, polished Jarrah floorboards and stood up. Stretching, she surveyed the room. It was magnificent and its opulence was unlike anything she had ever seen before. Making her way to the door, she turned the ornate handle and pulled it open, stepping into the hallway. She looked left up the hallway and then right. Suddenly, Heylo appeared.

"Good Evening, Cantaria," Heylo said, in an Alfred Hitchcock accent. Heylo giggled and asked Cantaria how she had slept, as she continued to walk past her, heading up the steps, at the end of the hall.

"I slept magnificently, thank you," she said, giggling at Heylo's greeting.

Cantaria followed Heylo down the hallway and up the steps, where Vilona was standing, awaiting their arrival. "Good Morning, Vilona," Cantaria said grinning. Vilona's face was softer and visibly more kind, than she had been the night before. She extended a hand to Cantaria, taking her hand and folding it over hers. She escorted Cantaria back into the sitting room, where the fireplace was lit.

There were three goblets on a silver tray, with a bottle of aged, red wine resting next to them. The label had traces of dust around the edges and a bit of grit on the bottom, which could be heard, as Vilona picked it up. Vilona decided to clean the bottle, so she disappeared briefly into the kitchen, before returning with a cork screw and a wash cloth to clean the mess that the bottle had made on the tray. She handed the cleaned bottle to Heylo for assistance. Winking at Cantaria she says," I was not as grateful for your presence last night as I should have been, but these are trying times." Cantaria smiled warmly at Vilona responded,"I understand completely. As you say, these are trying times." Vilona continued, "Today I wish us to toast to old friends refound, and I hope to use your knowledge to rescue yet another friend!"

"To friends refound", Cantaria said as she raised her glass. She was still curious, as to who and where Natashia was, but she knew better than to raise the subject again. She would wait until Vilona mentioned it.

As Heylo poured the wine, Vilona smiled into her face, and reassured Heylo that she was ok now, and that last night's ill tempered episode, was over. Cantaria watched Vilona and Heylo, smiling as she thought to herself these are nearly like old times. As Vilona wriggled in next to Heylo, on the couch, with her chin lightly placed on her shoulder, she slipped her arm around Heylo, to touch Cantaria's shoulder. With the other hand she held up her goblet, as did the other girls, for their toast. Vilona began to speak, but then grinned widely. With a twinkle in her eye, she looked at Heylo. "I have a surprise for you. For both of you."

A slight breeze whipped through the room. Heylo turned her head to see if someone had opened the door. But no, it was closed. Heylo felt Vilona stand up from beside her, but her attention was still focused on finding the origin of the breeze. As she was looking, she turned and noticed Cantaria's expression change, as Cantaria was looking in the direction of where Vilona was now standing. Heylo turned back, following the path of Cantaria's eyes...and there stood Priest of Death, next to Vilona, with his empty goblet outstretched to Heylo.

"I'd like to get in on that toast, too, " he said.

Priest of Death wrapped his other arm around Vilona's waist and pulled her close. He and Vilona grinned, and waited for Heylo's reaction...


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