Of love and hate

"Tell me Xavier, how is it that you are not a politician?
"I find no need to use subversion to succeed in my Requiem. To confuse my personal agenda with the greater goal is a mistake."
"That is why you are so loved by so many... and hated by so many more. You are incorruptible."
The words of my sister, Roxanne, rang deep within me with a resonance I could not shake.

You will be disappointed to find that my words this evening are not a synopsis of our last court... if such an event could conceivably bear that moniker. I have found my Requiem to continue to grow more complex in a negative way. There is a certain loss of control, a loss of security that comes with knowing your place in society, and more importantly, among those who are close to you.

On a somewhat tangential note: I have turned a substantial amount of my attention away from local affairs, toward the betterment of our covenant through heavy investment in The Munificent Society of the Scarlet Aegis. I am met with praise for the pursuit of this project, which is largely considered a noble cause. Nonetheless I face a series of problems. The kindred condition demands a certain degree of selfishness. We are territorial creatures who first ask "what is in it for me?" before we fathom to think "what can I do to better myself through the betterment of our society?". It is a problem I had not taken into account, which will cost me a great deal more attention to ensure that the Aegis succeeds. I note this largely to show my priorities, but also to preface issues I am facing locally surrounding a sudden and inexplicable bout of chaos.

Father Sabaska of the Lancea Sanctum is dead, or is indisposed to such a degree that he is unable to attend court nor answer a summons. To aggravate the situation, no less than a month's time has passed since we sat down to celebrate our time at peace.
Now, it is my understanding that Bishop Sabaska reached out prior to his end and gave three names- Father Cade, Alder Aleksandr Murdoch, and Prince Romero Maladante. It appears as though Prince Maladante escorted Sabaska to a meeting between Alder Murdoch and Father Cade to discuss an illegitimate childe, and disappeared afterward.
Earlier this evening, I spoke to Prince Sullivan on the matter. We came to the accord that Prince Maladante was likely supernaturally compelled to obey Alder Murdoch in this scenario. Prince Sullivan informed me that she had information I was not made privy to, but that she would not be so quick to speak without having both confirmed the information as fact and the source present.
I was impressed and pleasantly surprised that Prince Sullivan did not claim what I expected her to. I firmly believed that Prince Sullivan would view the attack not as an issue amongst the lance, but rather as an attack on her Court, and thus an attack on her personally. Instead she explained to me that some time ago, she gave her word to Prince Maladante that his citizens would be treated with respect and allowed free reign to come and go to her city. Prince Maladante expressed a similar desire. The loss of Sabaska was seen not as a personal attack but rather a violation in spirit of the hospitality extended to members of our praxis. I myself am not so foolish as to believe that Father Sabaska would ever agree to participate in a duel. One of Father Sabaska's more prominent attributes was personal cowardice. He was quite vocal about avoiding a duel during the last gathering in Phoenix, where the Lance's issues were also brought into the public eye. Father Sabaska would have been much more comfortable speaking to his superiors in the hopes that they would destroy Cade for him. It is uncertain to me whether Sabaksa was forced into the ritual of recontre or if he was outright killed.
I am deeply disappointed with Prince Maladante's lack of communication with me. He once stated that should Alder Murdoch return, he would strike him dead for what he made him do while in his fealty. How is it that he can feel such rage toward this man, and then a year later not only welcome him, but toady to his personal issues. If only the rest of us had the luxury of having him grace us with his presence for every petty philosophical argument.
Alder Murdoch broke the tradition of Progeny,and got away with it. Alder Murdoch maintained his status within the city. These factors do not add up to hate, and it seems to me that Prince Maladante has become a pawn once again. What is to be done with a Prince that is unable to stand on his own two feet? What is to be done with a Prince that shows no integrity for his own word nor the principles of the Traditions? I will confront him and get to the bottom of this breach of trust. I have served him as his liege, protected his interests, and nurtured his growth as a member of the Unconquered. When will I see him do the same for his Lord? I grow tired.
I was equally perturbed by the behavior of Bishop Morgan Vaughn. She has been given an opportunity to prove herself and become something more. I see within her such potential, yet my faith in her is shaken. During mass, Bishop Vaughn casually laid across several chairs. The only component missing from an overt display of disinterest would have been for her begin filing her nails. What sort of example does she serve to her diocese? I was shocked when she attempted to kill Maladante's childe, seemingly unprovoked in the middle of a room full of witnesses. All of that progress lost. I war with myself because I care for her. Do I protect her and encourage this behavior, or allow fate to run its course? Will Maladante stand idle while Bishop Morgan undermines his very public edict? Either way... I lose.