The next day was filled with more meetings in the Council, and these meetings were closed session. No Kindred, or Vassals allowed within the Council Chambers while they were in session. Which meant I spent my day outside of the Aerie itself, enjoying the first break in the unseasonable heat wave which had swept through the area for the last few days. I was not alone out here, many of the other Kindred had stepped outside to enjoy the beautiful weather while the Council was in session. I spent some of my time talking to a few of the older Kindred, since none of the younger ones dared approach a Cloudkill until our fate was decided it seemed. The rest of my time was spent walking about the paths which were near the massive block of stone that was the Council Aerie. There is such beauty in this place, and it never ceased to amaze me. The gently rolling hills around the Aerie hid such delights and wonders. Small private places were one could, and often did, wander away to think and ponder.

     It was in one of these little private places that I spent the rest of the day, resting. I had not wished to upset Lord Sutton but I was becoming more and more fatigued as the days passed. The trip had sapped my strength, and I was far from the young Kindred I had once been. I dozed through part of the afternoon, and took my time returning from the small stream I had rested near.

     It is nice to see that my timing has not gotten rusty over the last two and a half centuries. I made it back to the entrance of the Council Chambers in time to see the first of the Grand Councilors emerge. Then came the Councilors, followed by the Dominates, and finally Lord Sutton.

     To my surprise we did not immediately head back to our guest chambers. Instead we waited the span of a candle mark and headed towards the chambers of Mykell herself. In answer to my questioning glance all that Lord Sutton would tell me was that she had requested our presence that night. Once we reached the lower levels and headed down the corridor towards Mykell's chambers I should have known that something was wrong. No custodian guards were stationed outside of her chambers, but the two of us were tired, and drained. Perhaps there was a dark force involved in keeping our minds preoccupied, and our bodies tired, I doubt we will ever know.

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     Lord Sutton and Laureine, after a pause outside of the chamber doors, hesitantly knocked. Or, to be more specific, Jean tapped one of his massive claws against the center of the double door's, respectfully. When the only answer was the slow inward swing of the door that Jean had knocked on, both frowned slightly. It seemed that they were expected, which they were, but it seemed odd. Pushing the door open further with his claw, both Jean and the elf next to him saw why it seemed odd to them.

     Laying crumpled against the far end of the magnificent chambers was the form of Mykell, her amethyst body sparkling in the light, even though it didn't move. Laying closer to the door was the form of her Kindred, the elf had collapsed in a pile of his own intestines. A pool of crimson blood was rapidly spreading about the still elf, his hand outstretched as if he were trying to crawl towards Mykell.

     Both elf and dragon paused at that scene, it being not what they had expected at all. When it finally sunk in what it was that they were looking at both moved quickly inside. By unspoken agreement Laureine rushed to the dying elf's side, even as Jean nearly bounded over to the still form of Mykell.

     "He's dead Lord Sutton, but he's written something on the floor in his blood. It looks like Taltrop, or maybe Taltros?" Even as she spoke Jean was trying to check over Mykell, an annoyed snort as he looked back towards the elf.

     "I can't check her wounds, she's in some sort of protective stasis I think. I don't even see where she has been hurt. But I think..." Whatever Jean had been about to say was drowned out by the roar of outrage from the open doorway. A handful of Custodian guards stood there, behind which an enraged Copper dragon roared again in outrage.

     "What have you done Sutton?!"