Convivencia - Cordoba Winter 1236/1237

Extracts from the Journal of Subject Gaius Menas Pelagius of the Obertus

Extract 98-100

My Dearest Anna,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. While it has only been a few short years since we last met and talked with one another I do miss your presence rather sharply. As you may have heard times in Cordova are rather hard, the experience of being Christians within a hostile population has opened my eyes to a lot of truths about the difficulty of missionary work and my current attempts at preaching have also informed me of the relative stupidity of the mortal populace at times. My experiences here have also shown me once again that even supposedly righteous men can perform actions of great evil and ill, I do my best to protect those even of the more heathen religions from those evils, and to work within the community to provide food and shelter for those whose homes were destroyed in the recent uprising. Sometimes I begin to feel that maybe Xavier has a point, but these moments are fleeting, after all Xavier Hugo when he rests from the sun does not see what I see. I know for a fact that Perdition is real, I know that my sins will be punished unless I find a way to avoid being dragged into that foul pit, it is this that gives me the strength to know that I must rise beyond my past sins and beg the lords forgiveness, that I must work within the world as best I can.
The assaults upon the abbey here continue, I hope that you are having better luck than I am in Carcassone. How goes the expansion into the surrounding towns and Villages? I've had to recruit guards these last few months, and I've been had to develop a couple of warhounds and some warghouls of my own, Oh, if they could see me now, sometimes I worry that I'm morphing into one of my Carpathian brethren. Currently I feel that the only way I'm going to discover the truth behind these attacks will be meeting with the Assamites as has been suggested, I have heard that there are sorcerers among their number that could be responsible and I will be enquiring soon if other places of worship have been suffering similar assaults. I still suspect that Victor Nage may be responsible, those damnable Tremere are almost always behind the matter somewhere, and I will have to begin asking people who brings in the coin that Alias saw him using, I am hesitant however to use information gleaned through peoples minds as evidence as I have learned before this can be easily altered as necessary, if matters continue I may have to beg the Nosferatu a favour on the matter.
Recently Anna I have been having dreams, dreams of walking under the sun and not being burned by its righteous blaze, of drinking water from the fountains and being refreshed, of walking through the orangery and being able to actually eat and taste the oranges, I have had dreams of Muslims and Christians living side by side in peace. These dreams have been so vivid, and struck such a cord within me, a cord of peace that I had not felt even in my mortal days that they seemed so real and when I awoke tears of blood did stain my cheeks. I wonder if I have found the dream anew? Or if I am being sent visions by the Lord himself. I have began research on these dreams, and I will start to ask others next Elysium if they have heard similar. I was originally planning to see if I could enter the Muslim Elysium by petitioning prince Hlail, but matters have become so much worse of late that I have my doubts that this would be sensible, it is a shame, as I would have wished to speak to some of their scholars on various subjects in depth.
As for matters growing worse, I will have to warn you of the Inquisition, there are individuals within it who can apparently draw on powers of faith that I have never before seen, granting themselves speed and strength like Cainites and drawing upon faith that wards them from Kindred. Further, more worryingly, there are those who can sense our presence, the lead inquisitor was a friar of the Dominican order whose nose bled most profusely in our presence. We were ordered to slay him and the others, and so, while we could have used poison they have displayed miraculous powers before, so we decided to wear the forms of the Muslim and gather a mob to burn the church, this sadly ended up in storming the church as we did not have enough oil to start fires to smoke them out, and many mortals died before we brought those enhanced with the lords might down. I still feel the pangs of guilt of this action, why should we be extinguishing the righteous hands of the lord to save our own damned skins? If I am supposed to be damned for a reason, why does the lord send his servants against me? But I know that I would have had to lift a hand against them eventually, as I have been given a task, and I must complete these tasks as best I can, I cannot fail the Obertus or my lord God.
May God watch over you and protect you my Childe,
Your Sire,
Gaius Menas Pelagius

Extract MS Lyon

And so it came to pass that order was once again restored to the city. The perfidious rebels, hating God with bile and spite in their hearts, were condemned to death and there by the fires of Hell. Many were placed in Gibbets at the gates and squares of the city to act as displays, warning others lest they follow in their follies. Others still were hanged from the city gates and walls.
It was at this time that the holy statue of Mary Magdalene in the Church of the Magdalene, ceased to cry blood. May took this as a sign of Gods displeasure. A mob ran through the streets calling out prostitutes, attacking heretics and beating Jews and Muslims about their heads.

Extracts from the Journal of Enam al-Dimshaq, taken from Tangiers Archive 2
Alvar is acting the fool. He plays straight into the dissident’s hands. War can not be stopped now, there is but one chance then to limit what damage will be done. Junius was once so amenable to us. How he has changed this past century. Saiph al-Labib will be mourned, though I hope his final death has made a few of the neonates wiser and more cautious.

November 26th 1236.

Letter 4 between Subject Lucita of Aragon and Subject Ambrosio Luis Moncada

Sire
I have a request to make, and I do not make these very often so I hope you shall grace me with your beneficence. I know that you have many longstanding friends in holy mother church. It is necessary that a certain statue in the Church of the Magdalene here in Cordoba which has until most recently been seen to be weeping blood, be investigated and perhaps removed, lest it be a forgery and lead members of the flock astray. This I ask not for myself but for other. Those other matters of which you spoke to me about are now being advanced upon.
Lucita of Aragon
November 30th 1236.

Proclamation 5 by Subject Alvar Cardona.

Be it known that for the next week, and for the next week only, a cessation of all hostilities will be proclaimed. Within this week I invite all Cainites who have yet to swear fealty to come before me in my court and pay homage that is due. Those who follow the so called Prince Hilel will be given priority in their new confessions. All shall be forgiven, all past errors and grievances will be forgotten. After that, all who have failed to profess their loyalty shall be considered enemies of not only me, but also God.

Alvar Cardona.
Prince of Cordoba

December 4th 1236.

Extract from MS Lyon.

As the season of Advent began, the young prince Alfonso, son of King Ferdinand, came to the city of Cordoba, so that he might worship at its new churches and Cathedral. So that he might be celebrate the Nativity and enjoy the many sights and sounds of the city with its numerous baths.

Letter 1 between subject Alvar and subject Junius.

Junius, we have a problem as I am sure you are now aware. Step up the campaign, the matter must be concluded by Epiphany at the latest.

Alvar.
Prince of Cordoba.

December 7th 1236

From the journal of Xavier Hugo, of Clan Cappadocian, Cordoba 1236.

As suspected, it has been proven that our little 'divine miracle' was a fake. It was magic - not my own clan's practices, nor that of Clan Tremere (from what I was able to divine). Viktor Nagy claims its Assamite work - but then, how far can Viktor be trusted?

Gaius was sent by the Prince Alvar to deliver a message to the Muslim court - specifically, the severed head of that court's own messenger. Fortunately, Gaius bargained with Khalidah to give us safe passage. Both messages were the same: one week to choose one's side.

I find myself... somewhat lost in these nights. The deaths of the knights, that damnable Friar... shook me, more than I would have suspected. Nor or this imbalance merely restricted to my inner nature; several people have noted that my appearance, my bearing has... shifted. The Man grows weaker, while the Beast grows stronger. I am not the only one, either - Gaius has become noticeably more - well, more noticeable.

I must talk with Irenie and Dolphus.

MS Lyon

The year turned and the feat of the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ approached. Hateful to the true word of the saviour, some within the city did attempt to kill the young Prince Alfonso. A man waited on a roof overlooking the Church of St. Maria. Waiting for the Prince to leave the church after Vespers he shot repeatedly at him. God saw fit to save the boy, and nobody was killed, though many of the Prince’s friends were injured. The man then fell from the roof to his death, punished by God and condemned to Hell for his treachery.

Letter 2 between subject Alvar and subject Junius.
So the heathens have slain our brother Juan de Gandia has fallen to the fell blades of the Banu Haqim. I urge you in your post to as Dux Bellorum to prosecute the campaign to it fullest. I desire that the matter be resolved by the feast of the blessed virgin.

Alvar Cardona
Prince of Cordoba
December 14th 1236

Letter between subject Raymon de Pamplona and an unknown Subject in Barcelona.

Brother,
The Saracen is strong here and has threatened the blood royal itself. The Prince of this city, a most pious and forthright man has asked for our Order’s assistance in this matter. The pagan must be pushed back from this city. I beg that you dispatch some of our brethren as soon as possible. I await your deliverance. God be with us.

Brother Raymon,
Order of the Cid.
December 19th 1236

Extracts from the Journal of Enam al-Dimshaq, taken from Tangiers Archive 2.
Word has reached me of the concentration of armed men in the villages to the South. Is it Nazirah, has she summoned her minions from Seville? The situation is hot enough already, I must seek out Naima and hope that an accord can be reached with Alvar. I hope he is not as stubborn as his clan are rumoured to be. If only I knew who was responsible for that foolish assassination attempt! They will be the death of us all!

Letter 3 between Subject Rafi and an unknown recipient.

Lord,
I write to you to express concern, an unknown presence has entered the libraries and is searching for something. I ask you to clarify that you and the other elders know nothing of this.
Rafi al Walid
December 22nd 1236

Letter 5 between Subject Lucita of Aragon and Subject Ambrosio Luis Moncada
Sire,
I have spoken now with our brethren; they are concerned as much by the events in this city as any. Rebelious elements are at odds with those loyal to Prince Hilel. It shall soon become common knowledge that the Knights of the Cid are on their way to the city. Once they arrive Junius will use them efficiently, the streets will flow with blood. I must also ask of you, the Tremere Viktor Nagy has gained some ground with the Nosferatu here in the city. He seeks something called the Table of Solomon.
Lucita of Aragon
December 24th 1236

From the journal of Xavier Hugo, Cordoba 1236.

I find myself... unfocused, in these nights. The baths are faring well enough - business is good, but not overly taxing. The Inquisition are no more. Even the relentless civil war seems far away, for there is little incident in this part of the city.

And yet, I cannot concentrate. I feel I have lost my - my drive, my impetus. Eternal life, for the first time, seems without purpose.

For all of my mortal life, I felt... strained, put upon. For as along as I could remember, I could hear the voices of the dead - those spirits who had departed their bodies, but not the world of men. And, for the most part, I ignored them as best I could - the priests preached against the foul arts of necromancy. My very existence was a sin, but I was not sinful. I attended church, always; I honoured my father, and my mother. I took no false idols, and bore no false witness. I was pure until my marriage, and loyal to my wife. I was a good father, and taught my children the virtues of faith and humility. I was a good man - and this is not a matter of pride, merely an observation; in all things, I adhered to the words of the priests, of the Bible. The Word of God.

And then, there was Gregorius. He came upon me, one night, as I dug the graves for the funerary rites of the next day. I know now, of course, that he must have known to whom I was talking when I demanded to be left alone, but he pretended his ignorance.

"Who are you talking to, grave digger?" he asked me. "I am... talking to no one," I told him. As much as I tried to be a good man, I bore false witness - else the priests would have denounced me, my family would have abandoned me. Perhaps that in my sin, more than anything.

It was almost a month later when I saw him again. I heard strange things in those days, those nights - ghosts whispering half-seen shadows, queer and hollow-eyed men who watched me as I walked down the street. I realised later, of course, that Gregorius was having me watched, judging my potential, my abilities. And then, there was another late shift, another night-dig that required my attention. They came out of the night - shambling, rotting cadavers, serving the voice of the man who walked the graveyards at night - the voice of Gregorius himself. They set upon me and dragged me away; one threw himself onto the cart, dowsing himself in lamp oil and setting himself alike. Gregorius spoke to my companion that night of how I had clumsily dowsed myself in lamp oil and set myself alight.

And Xavier Hugo - man, husband, father - was dead. As simple as that. One old corpse, and one man's mind altered. And I was no more.

But that fear, that outrage, was nothing before the horror of my embrace. Gregorius imprisoned me, told me what was to become of me: that I would become one of the immortal damned. I railed, of course - I argued, and shouted, I threatened and begged and cajoled. But my sire was never one to have his mind changed. Three nights after my abduction, he took my life, and gave me a life anew...

There is a tradition among my clan, and most clans have some tradition of this kind, I have heard. Newly embraced Cappadocians are sealed away in a place of the dead, a tomb or a crypt, and left there for several nights, the better to appreciate the nature of death. Thus it was with me; I was left sealed in a tomb, my only bedfellow a long dead, withered husk of a man. That was my introduction in my new, dark world.

And in those early nights, I fumed - I burned, and ached, filled with a blazing conflagration of hatred, loathing, rage and vengeance. I would - I swore I would - have revenge on Gregorius. I would raze his home, and his precious library to the ground. I would take his head from his shoulders, and rip his heart from his chest. And when I found out about the foul practise of amaranth, I swore I would visit that upon him, as well.

He set me to the task of study and learning. Particularly, he gave to me the task of learning, and mastering, the arts of Giovanni necromancy, so that he could have access to their spirit magics. And so I studied, and learned, and even mastered, in time - and I resolved that it would be only one more weapon I would bring to bear against him. One night, after he was, I felt, particularly intolerant of me, I stole many of his books, as well as a few trinkets, and left. I was somewhat encouraged, I feel, by his own sire, Fabio - a wraith that resulted from Gregorius' own failed attempt at amaranth. I set up in the very crypt I was sealed in, making it my haven, plotting my revenge.

Then, of course, I met the others. In time, my wife died, and my children were taken in by the church. I left Jerusalem; still sure I would return in glory, to visit fiery destruction on my Sire, should he ever show his face again.

Then I went to Constantinople, and saw the fall of the dream. I went to Carcassone, and observed the predations of the Lasombra in the Courts of Love. I saw the start of a war between the Ventrue and the Tzimesce in Magdeburg. I have seen false miracles, Inquistions, Lupines, and Demons.

And I find, after it all, that my desire for vengeance against Gregorius is... gone. Faded, washed away by time. Nor is that the only of my passions that have faded. I find even my loathing of Vykos is growing dull - he is like a child in a man's body - a child with too much power.

Perhaps it is my age. I am 78 now - older than most men ever reach. And I will never age, nor grow sick, nor will my mind dull. The actions of one Cainite - even one who perpetrated a personal wrong against me... it all seems without meaning. Or rather, the anger I felt, seems without meaning.

I am growing colder, and I seem to be cooling faster now than ever before. I cannot but see the faces of the dead knights, of the Inquisition, when I close my eyes. Men who believed they were doing God's work, defending the innocent from the predations of demons. And now they lie dead, at my hand - and at that of others. Why? They were a threat.

Perhaps that is why I cannot concentrate. Perhaps I am thinking about the wrong problem. The nature of death is not confined to the Underworld; death affects those who remain in the world of the living as well.

I think I will retire early tonight.

Xavier Hugo.

Letter 1 between Subject Rafi and and Subject Jakeem.


A presence has been in the Library again, none of the clerks have noticed it, but I have sensed it. I have consulted with others and none of the Elders or officers of the realm have any knowledge of who this trespasser is. He, though She for all I know, has apparently been looking in the Egyptian texts that were salvaged from Alexandria. Greater security measures will have to be put in place.

Rafi al-Walid

December 30th 1236

Letter 1 between Subject Raymon de Pamplona and Subject Alvar.

My Prince,

My Brethren have arrived in the city this evening and are housed with my friends. After a nights rest they shall be able to take the fight to the heathen. Their leader is a Nosferatu by name of Raphonse of Zaragossa. He has brought VI Knights of the Cid with him, and some C men at arms. Im sure they will be of great use in the coming conflict.

Raymon de Pamplona

Knight of the Cid

January 3rd 1237.

Letter 1 between Subject Junius and Subject Raymon de Pamplona.

Brother Raymon,

Now that you and your brethren are here and are keen to be at the enemy of God, I suggest that you ride out to the south o the city. Word has come to me that our foes amongst the Assamites have gathered a small army of some MM to MMM in the village of al-Gavir. The village has no real defences to speak of and the heathen seems self assured. I can grant you the assistance of some XXV ghoul knights and some CC men to add to your force. If you can catch them by surprise, which seems likely, then victory will be assured.

Junius,
Dux Bellorum

January 12th 1237.

Extract from MS Lyon.

Rebels against the just rule of the Lord gathered in numbers against his deputies on earth. Thousands assembled to throw back the righteous conquests or the Lord. Yet God in his divine grace saw fit to aid his followers in battle, and the enemy after little fighting was put to flight. The victorious warriors returned to the city of Cordoba welcomed as heroes. Words against the rule of God were not heard again in those parts.


Extracts from the Journal of Enam al-Dimshaq, taken from Tangiers Archive 2

Hope has appeared once again. Junius is a warlord and nothing more. His desire for conquest is but a mask for his true and personal intentions. Alvar while determined might be convinced to make peace if Junius were not whispering in his ear constantly. I can only hope that those I have placed my faith in can live up to expectations, enough have passed into the final death already.

January 19th 1237

Letter 1 between Subject Nazirah and Subject Satuf.

Enam is up to something, She has grown either very bold or very desperate. Perhaps the time will soon be come for her to step down as Seneschal.

Nazirah,

January 25th 1237.

Letter 1 between Subject Nazirah and Subject Viktor.

Dearest friend,

I do so enjoy or little discussion and I do hope that you will join me and my other friends at the Mezquita in due course. Your talents will most definitely be appreciated there I assure you, and you will have my protection. The advancement of intellectual pursuits must not be dampened by the petty squabbles of Princes.

Nazirah

January 30th 1237

Proclamation 6 by Subject Alvar.

Be it known that the Cainite of the Assamite Clan, known as Yusuf Ibn Zahir, who with his accomplice, Faisal, of Clan Gangrel, did murder our loyal brother Raymon de Pamplona. He has been found guilty of this crime and shall be executed for this treachery, as will all those who raise their hand against the authority of my Princely position.

Alvar Cardonna,

Prince of Cordoba

February 4th 1237.

Calm Before the Storm
From the journal of Xavier Hugo, Cordoba 1237.

These nights have been quiet - the calm before the storm, indeed. There have even been no Elysiums called; everyone is preparing for the war they know is inevitable. I have been left in peace to my studies, largely. I was sent in look into a gathering army in the south; they are warriors from Seville, most probably Muslims come to aid the natives of the city. I have told... people. The Qabilat Al Mawt. Junius the Roman. The Knights of the Cid are in the city, as well.

I am more disturbed by less public matters, however - there will always be war between Cainites, there will always be war between the Muslims and Christians, and that is an end to it. But there are those who seek something bigger, something infinitely more dangerous.

It is all coming together now - the pieces fitting like parts of a broken plate. Giovanni and Nagy both seek the same goal: the Table of Solomon, no doubt planning to utilise its great powers for themselves, summoning and binding all manner of spirits to their will (assuming, of course, one does not kill the other as soon as they have it in hand). Nahmanides has been lodged in my haven because he knows something - he has an idea of where the Table is hidden, I think.

But these dreams, how do they fit in? Do they fit at all? Is Rasmi trying to tell me (us) something? Is this an unintended side effect? It is not the first time I have known a Salubri to project powerful psychic messages, although I never did discover if my experiences in Constantinople were intended. Perhaps my Clan's gifts of sight make me susceptible to these messages - but why are Kahlidah, Alais, and the Tremere not affected?

Too many questions and too few answers. And the shadows of war are gathering while Nagy and Giovanni also search - my time is growing short. Still, I have access to the great libraries of Cordoba now, perhaps the knowledge there will be enough. There are few I dare to share my suspicions about the Table with.

Xavier Hugo

Letter 1 between subject Rufina and Subject al-Wali.

The note book on Michael Scot was returned to us via the Setite Khalida, the monk Gaius and Osias. How they acquired it exactly from Nagy I do not know, but Nagy has not been seen for some night now. Given the relationship between the Tzimice and the Tremere though I do not hold much hope for him. The Tzmice are said to have long memories and can be very petty and spiteful.

Rufina

February 10th 1237


Letter 2 between Subject Junius and Subject Raymon de Pamplona.

Raymon, the Prince in his infinite wisdom has determined that you and your brethren knights must deal with the bandits and outlaws that are currently plaguing Christian traffic and pilgrims along the river and roads north of here. Our connections to Valencia and Madrid must be secured and nothing must come to threaten this. While your efforts may be put to better use in the current conflict against the infidel, I feel that the Prince’s wishes must be acquiesced to. God speed to you in this endeavor.

Junius
Dux Bellorum

February 15th 1237


Letter 2 between Subject Nazirah and Subject Satuf

Viktor Nagy has gone to ground it seems; perhaps he has betrayed us, though I consider that rather unlikely. We must find him. I hope he has not fallen into the clutches of Enam. Plans must be escalated it seems.

Nazirah,

February 17th 1237


Letter 6 between Subject Lucita of Aragon and Subject Ambrosio Luis Moncada

Sire, If you wish that your plans here go as you wish then I suggest that you send some appropriate resources to Junius of the Ventrue here in the city, he has the title of Dux Bellorum. The matter still hangs in the balance here, and though the ground has been laid for future operations, I feel it my duty to encourage you to assist our Christian brethren in this matter. The death toll mounts.

Lucita of Aragon

February 24th 1237