Leo sighed as he looked over the docks from his vantage point on the deck of The Messenger, a long merchant ship destined for some foreign nation. The ship was due to set sail the following day and he was left alone on deck to welcome the newer members of their travelling party. The two sides had, due to time constraints imposed by the ship's schedule, independently arranged their own supplies and briefings. The voyage itself was expected to take slightly more than a month to reach their destination, excluding any stops along the way, and he would rather spend that last night on land indulging in the worlds finer pleasures than wait for some pious priests to arrive.

Luckily it did not take long for the priests to arrive, boarding the boat with their group of six men with varying stature. Only two had any measure of confidence about them when they casually stepped onto the boat, the rest were spineless advisers ignorant of the world seemingly nervous boarding onto the ship. They all wore heavy dirt-brown monk's robes, although only the more pronounced members showed any wear on the simplistic adornments, while the others appeared in near-pristine condition.

“This way,” Leo called directing the clergy to the main stairway. “Thank you, Leo” the more senior priest warmly said. “William told me about your travels, I am sure that your experience will help greatly in this endeavor.” “Aye, but my experience is in survival. The last time I tried to save a client from themselves I was assaulted and thrown in jail. At least this time they might be sober when they cause an incident.” This comment seemed to trigger joyous laughter from the younger man, “I like this gentleman already. I thought this trip would be dull with those pansies following us around with scraps of paper. I can already see the adventures lying ahead.” Leo and the senior priest shared a look, both recognizing that his bravado and confidence came at the cost of some of his sanity.

In the ship's medical room, illuminated by various fiery sconces that cast shadows on the wooden shelves that contained all manner of herbal remedies and medicinal books. Victoria sat on the doctor's stools with her two familiars, reviewing a booklet of nondescript bound papers that was quickly put away once their guests entered. She directed the men to the nearby hammocks and barrels to sit down as the meeting would likely be a long one. The experienced priests quickly took the barrels while the more clerical members squabbled over the slightly softer hammock for some unknown reason. “Thank you, Miss Worm” the greying priest humbled greeted, “for agreeing to escort our priests around the region.” “You are welcome, Bishop Clarke.” The title did come as shock to Leo, but the high-ranking official was seemingly accepting of his earlier informalities and seemed to be far more lenient than his post suggested.

“Let me introduce you the people you will be escorting through the foreign lands.” The Bishop began, seemingly regretting his choices as the scribes quickly settled their petty power struggles. “Our expedition leader is Arthur Armstrong, his team was recently disbanded, and he is not exactly suited for the more restrictive lifestyle with-in the church. Take any issues you have with the other members to him, he may not be entirely sane, but has enough sense not to initiate hostilities. He will be the leader of this mission.” Arthur bowed his head and seemed to acknowledge the situation, although it appeared that he was sizing everyone in the room up with a non-so-hidden desire to spar against them. The man's entire being, from his ragged brown hair was tied back with scared to his muscular body, showed his desire to best anyone he came across. Beneath his humble church robes, Arthur wore thick leather armour with a long sword not so subtly poking out his hood. “If the lord's angels say you are welcome among our ranks, who am I to judge?”

“The scribes are Crispin Friar, Benedict Shaw, Peregrine Tait and Randi Chapman.” The bishop continued, indicating which of the clerics was which as their name was called. “They are tasked with recording: supernatural beings, plants, local customs and trades respectively. Each should,” he paused emphasizing that last word, “be focused on recording the lands inhabitants. The only information we currently have is based on a battered book that detailed an Islamic Scholar's trip* to the empire below the Saharan Desert, that we obtained during the crusades” Only with the not-so-subtle prompting did the clerics bring their attention fully to the meeting at hand.

None of the designated scribes looked particularly pleased with their assigned mission, preferring the safety of the cathedral to camping in the unknown wilds. Each had the same dome-shaped cut on their greasy hair, although their individual colours varied from blonde to brown. Despite supposedly living a life of humility and simplicity, they all had some weight about them and the only muscle they had was built during their regular climbs up and down the stairs during their various tasks. Only the most junior of the three, Benedict, could be considered in reasonable physical shape, as he was recently rejected from participating in a more active role. Unlike Bishop Clarke or Arthur, the four men wore only comforting padding underneath their robes and carried only religious idols. Leo assumed they believed that it was to be a diplomatic trip and could review their briefing documents on the boat trip to their new posting. Only now, when they realized the type of vessel and the quality of their companions, did their dream mission suddenly become nightmarish.

“From our team,” Victoria began her introductions, pointing to the parties as they arose. “I, Victoria Worm, will be leading our side of the party. This is Leo, my bodyguard and the front for many of my business dealings. These two are Rose and Julianna, they are my vampiric familiars and act as my assistants where needed.” The mention of Julianna, now changed from her sisterly uniform into a more comfortable peasant garment, seemed to spur a sudden realization with-in Crispin's brain and subsequently causing shame for his ignorance. “As far as we are concerned, we will be providing logistical support and creating opportunities to meet with various supernatural entities.” The rest of the clerics slowly recalled where they had heard the name before, having skimmed the various reports of a vampire with a similar name aiding the church with several incidents.

“Errr... Nicholas,” Randi stammered, the large mole on his cheek wobbling in the torchlight. “Can we trust her to protect us?” Leo's read of his personality was clearly mirrored by the Bishop who quickly rounded on him, “She will protect you from external threats as much as she can, however the consequences of your own actions are not of her concern. You are going to document the supernatural creatures of the region and, as there is no need for violence, you have nothing to worry about. Unless you are planning to start trouble in the name of our Lord and force others to resolve it.” There were a few grumblings about their scornful treatment compared to the diplomatic conduct towards a known devil, all of which were sternly ignored. Their murmurs of discontent only seemed to generate discreet chuckles from Leo and, surprisingly, Arthur.

Seeming to want any excuse to get away from his own embarrassment, the crook-nosed Peregrine decided to denigrate their would-be guide. “So how is this thing going to feed? I don't want her drinking a single drop of my blood!” Only Randi tried to aid his fellow priest, while the others were torn between the realization of their circumstances and feelings of lingering religious righteousness. “Why are we trusting this creature anyway? It is bad enough that it is female, the originator of sin, but it rejects everything contained with-in our teachings.” Leo watched as his patron rolled back her sleeve and dismissed her familiars into the shadows, unnoticed by the four clerics who were too focused on protesting the Bishop's judgement.

From the hairline artistic lines meticulously drawn onto her arm, a divine light manifested and quickly grew in intensity, soon outshining the flickering light from the torches in the room. Leo had seen the activated marking only once prior and never forgot the feeling of: authority, power and reassurance that flowed from the light. Arthur made the cross motion in his hands, quieting offering prayers. Initially the priests assumed that their arguments had inspired God's blessing, failing to realise the source of the newfound pressure. Crispin was the first to notice, pointing at the radiating light and slowly getting the recognition of the others.

With her point made the light quickly dimmed, letting Victoria tend to the few trickles of blood generated from the experience. Peregrine and his cohorts were now silent, having clearly had not paid any attention to the briefs beyond the words 'captured vampire' and confirming their lack of preparedness about the endeavour. Each reflected on the documents they had ignored, hand-waved or otherwise discounted that would've revealed the true nature of their trip. Both their dreams of comfortable postings with Portuguese settlers and notions of superiority were dashed in a single moment.

“Bishop... Nicholas was it?” Leo asked, bemusement laced on his words. “Go on...” he allowed, somewhat enjoying his cleric's situation. “What would be the correct punishment for insulting a representative of the Lord? It's been a while since I last heard any biblical teachings, but do I recall something about bears?**” The looks of indignant righteousness soon drained from their collective faces, realizing that the creature they disdained held higher standing with their lord than they did. Nicholas offered a conciliatory gesture towards Victoria, each seeming to understand the situation. “A long as they remember this feeling,” Victoria remarked, unphased by their attitudes. “Consider it water under the bridge. I only hope that they remember this feeling of humility when dealing with creatures who are considerably less patient.”

The Bishop wishing to move on before more damage could be done, then brought out the naval chart for their journey, showing the West European Coastlines and the major cities on route. “The ship will be leaving port tomorrow around midday, so you best be onboard. The ship will also be stopping over in Portugal to get authorisation to operate in their ports.” Explained Nicholas, “The journey will take around 30 days, so I expect that you will be upstanding representatives of the church.” “That means humility.” Added in Leo, deciding to add some verbal salt to their wounds.

With the briefing mostly done, only Arthur stayed behind while Leo guided their guests off the ship. The Clergy suddenly found they were accountable for themselves and didn't find the concept appealing, each was thinking about how to remove themselves from their current predicament. When they separated, Leo could hear some halfhearted complaining from the quartet. He could deal with their attitudes later, for now the ageing mercenary sought one last indulgence on dry land before he left for lands unknown.