When the dusk comes again

Basingstoke October 20, 1493

Gabriel sat on a stump playing his violin. That was all he could do to calm his nerves. His Abigail had gone with Patrica and her staff to met with the Elders of the Camarilla. He had insisted he go with them but given the history between the Tzimisce and the Tremere, Abigail felt his presence would undermine the efforts to come to a mutual accord.

So for two days he waited for her. His violin granting him some solace. He knew that the ceasefire was the only option. The mortal hunters have become brazen. Attacks on both sides have left both armies weak. The ceasefire was the first step in dealing with this problem. When the carriage had pulled up to the outskirts of Basingstoke he rushed toward it. He waited like all the others to see who exited the carriage. Patrica and a few others were not among them. They didn't look like they had made a flight for their lives but there was a somber tone that Gabriel picked up immediately. His heart almost started beating just so it could stop abruptly when Abigail was the last to exit.

He pushed pass the others. She gave him a weak smile as he hugged her. He led her away to where he had set up a temporary haven for them. The twisted abomination of the Szlachta greeted them with puppy-like fervor. He closed the door behind them. She sat in the chair and sighed.

"I missed you," was the first thing out of his mouth as he kneel beside her.

"And I you," she kissing his forehead. An awkward silence covered the room for a moment before he broke it. "How did the meeting go? Did we have to give up much for them to sign?"

"An accord was reached after much arguing and posturing."

"Damnable ventrue. They always go for the jugular," he snapped, "How long is the ceasefire for?"

"Indefinite."

"Really, we maybe able to sure up our numbers. Maybe convert some of the other clans and neonates to lend support. The Assamite may be have means to contact them." Gabriel said with a toothy smile. Abigail looked away from him.

"There is more. We did we give up for this ceasefire." Abigail took his hands into hers and kissed them.

"There is no ceasefire. We were there to discuss terms for our surrender," she said. Almost immediately he ripped his hands from hers.

"You jest. Why would we need to surrender? Our numbers grow stronger each night. Our allies the Assamites have several key elders in hiding."

"It isn't enough. With the Camarilla, the elders are now working together. When they were divided we could use their own plots against them but now."

"After everything that was sacrificed and lose we are going to admit defeat after a few losses?" he screamed at her. She could see he was barely keeping his beast in check. Gabriel looked at his Abigail.

"What are the terms?"

"For our peaceful surrender and recognition of the authority of the elders of the clans, the anarch movement will be allowed to peacefully coexist as an arm of the Camarilla. We will be allowed to return to our clans without fear or reprisal. All seized property will be return as we are expected to return all properties we gained."

"Allowed to peacefully coexist? I have never been allowed to do anything. I have a right to exist. Elders be damned." He angrily punch the wooden walls.

"It isn't that simple!" she screamed as she stood up.

"It seems to me it is. We keep fighting. As long as we keep fighting we can win. There are only so many of them. As long as we keep fighting we...."

"No. You don't get it all. Patrica is trying to save as many kindred as possible," she interrupted him.

"Do you agree with her?"

"What?"

"Do you agree with her?"

"Yes. I understand that fighting two wars will only serve to lead to our defeat. We all see it. The elders can dig in and allow the hunters to wipe us out. We have to keep moving to find places to hide from the sun. Do you know where half the us are sleeping when the sun rises? In a cave. We are luck but the others aren't so much."

"So this is how the children of Carthage falls? What happened to the beautiful clan of philosphers and scholars? What happen to the high ideals of Brujah? Equality that all kindred should have? No one should be forced to serve someone because of age."

"We have tasted defeat so much that we know when it comes. It is better to beg for scraps than starve." Abigail voice went low as she spoke. She hung her head unable to look up at Gabriel. Gabriel fought bitterly for the Anarch cause because he remembered what it was like to be on the bottom rung while someone grew fat from your suffering. It wasn't the promise of equality for all kindred. As a mortal, he was forced to work the land of some noble that grew fat off his blood and suffering. Forced to beg for scraps of food he grew himself. When was embraced and he found out it was just the same thing all over again. Only a century had pass since he left that life behind. He would not return to it.

"When the dusk comes again tomorrow. We will be gone," he stated as he closed the door.