|
|
Ignatius Wainwright: Boston
Epilogue
Here is some epilogue fiction for our Ignatius Wainwright
BYO-storyline, written by Ben Swainbank.
Hopefully I'll be able to contribute to the fiction myself for the
next one :)
*********
He stood on the rooftop, looking out over the dark river, watching
the cars flow by on the streets below. A small shadow, that of a bird
or a perhaps a bat, came fluttering up behind him. As it neared the
form of the tall man standing near the edge of the precipice, its
form quickly changed, elongating in an instant into the form of a man
who stepped up beside him on the rooftop. The two stood in silence
for a while, looking out over the city stretched before them.
"There are rumors that you are leaving."
"For once, the rumors are true."
"I don't understand." Horrock turned to the elder. "We won. The
Sabbat leaders are long gone. All the Kindred left in the city have
taken up the Anarch cause. They are only waiting for someone to lead
them. Everyone is looking to you, Xaviar. You led us to this great
victory. Boston is a free city now. How can you just walk away?"
"Horrock, you have fought with me before. Do think I want to strut
around, every half-breed and thin-blood kissing my ring? Do you think
I'm going to move into one of those steel towers over there? Ride the
elevator every night? I can't even stand the smell of this place.
"This wasn't any great victory for our clan. It was all a game. A
trick. And we got sucked into it. Only now can I see it. There is a
spirit, a ghost, a wraith...something moves through this city. It was
he who sparked the anarch rebellion and set the whole thing in
motion. We were just along for the ride.
"I don't know what he wants. But I won't be anyone's pawn and I'm
sick of this town."
Horrock extended his hand and a grey pigeon came soaring out the
darkness and landed there. The younger Gangrel pulled the bird to his
chest and stroked its feathers.
"Well, I can't give up that easily. I too shed my blood for this
city, and I will learn its secrets. What of the massive tunnels dug
by the Giovanni and the war parties sent by the Sabbat? What were
they after? Don't you think they'll come back for it?"
Xaviar nodded. "They might try to come back. I suspect they were
drawn in by the same fiend that drew us here. Those bridges and
tunnels will be a lasting monument to their foolishness, and to its
power.
"I'll put the word out when I go. Boston is to stay a free city. I
suppose the anarch banner is as good as any, but no one may claim
domain over this place. No Prince. No Archbishop. No two-bit Baron,
either. Anyone who tries to claim Boston should expect a visit from
me. That should keep the wolves at bay for a little while. Beyond
that, you're on your own."
Horrock turned to protest, but found himself talking to a cloud of
grey mist. He watched it blow out over the water and out of sight.
|