The veil is lifted

The newspapers are reporting on the explosion that took place at the castle. All theories are on the table, but the one that keeps cropping up is: ‘It’s the English up to their old tricks again!’. The police, controlled by the Prince, aren’t causing too much trouble, but there is a palpable tension in the town. The Fair has been closed for 48 hours, just in case. Incidentally, that is where the Prince is receiving the coterie for their report.
They explain that Egyptian spirits have poured into the city as a result of Mages’ experiments. They do not know what the Mages’ aim is, or even whether they know what they are doing, but Paris and London are not to blame, and they have let the Tremere in on the secret. The Prince would like to prevent the Marquess from using this incident against her, or even to make a fool of him. To this end, they have carte blanche to draw on the city’s resources. If the Mages won’t talk, she can deal with them, and if they can turn the tables on London and the Marquess, she’ll be all the happier for it.
Meanwhile, James puts in a fine performance against the Prince’s ghouls.

In the Mages’ laboratory, recently set up in the sanatorium, Cornie finds the research journals and deduces that

• the Mages want to find an unlimited and cheap source of energy
• They are also seeking to infuse this energy into human beings; Dr. Murie has even given them permission to use the patients for this purpose
• They found the artefact in Oxford and have been studying it ever since

Pidge wants to know what magical blood tastes like. He goes to Adler’s room and, dodging the flying guard spheres, plants his fangs into the Mage’s neck; she wakes with a cry of pleasure.
The blood flows through the Nosferatu’s veins, and his vision reveals the molecular structures and energy flows. It is beautiful but unsettling. He can analyse the artefact, which seems to absorb energy, whatever its form. And with Cornie’s help, he realises that the Mages were using it to transform energy into ether.

The next day, the group went to see Theo, who had taken the Blood Dolls, Mary and Lizzy, under his wing. They were still possessed by the Egyptian spirits. Meical acted as interpreter, and they learnt that:

• They had been trapped in Limbo
• They come from the same region as the artefact
• They died after the cult of Imhotep was established
• They remember their deaths as perfectly normal, except that certain details don’t add up.
• The gates of Limbo have opened and the prisoners of the unjudged have rushed towards a new ‘life’.
• The giant jackal has been chasing them ever since
• They sensed the veil thinning and people who were weak enough to allow them to hide, though with a slight delay; thank you for protecting them.
• They hope to enjoy their newfound freedom.