As night falls, Greg halts the magical boat and departs with a summoned group of horses, leaving the coterie to manually transport the vessel. Upon reaching a creek, Istvan hears a mysterious voice, prompting the group to pause. Theodosia senses an ancient, unfamiliar magic permeating the area.

A woman named Deverra appears beside Istvan, speaking in broken Latin. Through a series of linguistic exchanges—Polish, Lithuanian, and magically altered speech—she conveys that the land possesses its own consciousness and autonomy. Deverra introduces herself as part of a coven that binds themselves to the land through ancient rituals, aiming to become one with it.

The group follows Deverra to a grove where four hanged men serve as conduits for magical energy. Deverra offers a ritual involving the blood of these men. Zemislav, Katherine, and Eliska partake in the ritual, each experiencing profound visions. The coven explains their philosophy of unity with the land, contrasting it with the Tzimisce's approach of domination and control.

Istvan presents his sword, seeking guidance on its uncooperative nature. Deverra suggests that feeding the sword a blood point daily from another coterie member may appease its spirit. Theodosia inquires about removing the Vicissitude from her blood; Deverra mentions a cult to the northwest that might assist in purging it.

Deverra also reveals the presence of a Tzimisce in Vilnius who, despite his ancient blood, lacks the ability to commune with the land's spirit. This information hints at potential future encounters and challenges as the coterie delves deeper into the mystical and political complexities of the region.

This session enriches the narrative by introducing elements of ancient pagan magic, spiritual symbiosis with the land, and the ideological conflicts between different vampire philosophies, setting the stage for deeper exploration and potential confrontations in the chronicles ahead.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avorial.substack.com