In the early years after your Embrace, you saw almost as much of Arundel as you did Corliss. He would later become more reclusive, allowing your sire to train you as she saw fit, but when you were still a fledgling, he shared a select few skills with you. You can see him now, through the dream ether. His eyes are serious, but not cold. He wants you to succeed and survive.
It was easier to travel back then, before the Second Inquisition began to ravage Kindred strongholds, but you made the most of it. By the time you returned to Ottawa, the Prince was so impressed with your level of skill that he set up a tournament for you to prove your strength. Amazingly, you managed to beat several opponents twice your age.
Through the memory, you feel stronger, the atrophy of your bureaucratic years serving Corliss melting away.
Next
You emerge from your luxurious bed feeling refreshed, if a bit more hungry than usual. If you were still mortal, these nights would be literally killing you. How had you even managed to get back here in one piece? You get dressed and leave your private rooms, simultaneously eager for and dreading Gerard's evening update.
The ghoul is sitting at his desk as usual, thumbing through a small pile of papers before settling on one and placing a pen on it as a placeholder. "Good evening, sir," he says. "Are you feeling recovered after all the commotion last night? I'm pleased that you remain unscathed. From what I've learned so far, it sounds like most Kindred made it out safely, though there were a few close calls."
"I suppose we'll be finding out more tonight," you reply.
"I'll compile any information I receive about the bombing for you while you're away tonight," Gerard says. "I also have an important message from your sire."
"That's not surprising," you say.
"I think you should take this seriously, sir. She says an Archon has been dispatched to the city. She says you'd know what that means."
It Means Trouble