After several minutes, the sewer goes quiet as Kashif's murmurings break off mid-chant and he gets to his feet, hands on shaky knees. "I've lessened the magic's effects, but even now it will be a risk for every Kindred who marches over it. And I fear there is at least one additional ward further down the tunnel. The only advantage we have is that the magics are tuned to Cainites—they won't harm our mortal companions."
The Sheriff cracks his knuckles, barely suppressing his irritation. "We've wasted too much time here; we need to figure out a way around. If the intruders can take us out before the fighting starts, they'll be able to mop up our mercs to the north without much of a problem." He turns to Bouchard. "Do you know another way into this branch of the sewers? One that other Kindred don't know about?"
The Sewer Rat makes a show of pondering for a moment. "I know of one. It's cramped, but we could make it through if we go in one-by-one."
"So they can pick us off at a choke point?" Kashif says with a sniff. "Absurd."
"Do you have a better idea?" Lucca asks. The vizier goes silent.
"The tunnel it is, then," Bouchard says. He doesn't seem all that happy about it, but you can tell that the idea of pressing forward through the main tunnels makes him anxious. Blood Sorcery wards can be deadly to even the most ancient Kindred, especially if the affected vampire is ambushed as they're writhing in agony.
Qui speaks with a contingent of his mercenaries and sends them down the original path and then joins the rest of you to take the alternative route along with the handful of remaining mortals running point.
Approaching The Hidden Tunnel