I am in my laboratory when the sensation starts.  A knocking at the door, if you will. I immediately finish my work and on the way to my office tell Jiles I will be busy and he is to seek Mr. Meade should anything occur.  He knows the routine, it happens once a month. The day usually varies by the whim of the Lord, you are allowed to miss one occasionally. I have never missed one in 200 years.  I check over my wardrobe, best to not appear shabby to ones peers. I start concentrating on the large dressing mirror in my office; I also carry a few hand mirrors on my person should I ever be caught away from the Chantry. After about an hour of studious murmuring I exhale a moist breath upon the mirror and it starts becoming a fog. Faces appear within the surface and I can hear them….

I draw upon the image of my Lord, Erin Ostergard and his image forms within the mirror. He is a picturesque Scandinavian, with long blonde hair and cold blue eyes. He has always been our Lord, He choose me from amongst the apprentices to serve as one of his Regents. “Hale and strength Lord Ostergard, I am Thaddeus your humble servant here to report of my endeavors and of the chantry you have so graciously entrusted into my safekeeping.” It is a ritual we have practiced throughout our relationship. I know not if the others follow such a procedure, I have never asked. “Rise honored Thaddeus, you are known to me. I have called for this council and it should begin within a quarter of the hour.” It appears there are some others that are much later than I.  The mirror shifts and I can see my fellow Regents, sensing them as if they were within the room. Claudius of Norfolk, Jonathan of Raleigh, and Malachi of Atlanta whom appears a bit worse for wear. There are quite a few others, they have contributed little as they are new to their relative positions. I myself only spoke when addressed for the first 75 years, but now I am amongst the upper rungs of the Regents. I nod at my fellow brothers in acknowledgement, they know me and quite a few would love to see my failure. They bear me no ill personally, but should I fail, I would advance their perspective careers. Such is life in the pyramid, we have all succeeded in our own way and we now face only those whom share our ambitions. It is quiet, as we stare at each other, sizing our opponents and diagnosing our allegiances. After what seems only a few minutes and two younger members finally joining our group, the Lord finally calls our coven to order.

 We discuss numerous issues including the recent Sabbat invasions. My only statement is that Sanfield is as prepared as we can possibly be. I explain the tactics we have recently witnessed as well as descrïptions of any active Sabbat agents that have eluded capture. I listen intently to the words of Malachi, he and I have a knowing agreement to share information due to our proximity and shared sieges. After a few more mundane topics, we move onto our apprentices. I give my report starting at the most accomplished in the circles to the lowliest. I fail to mention Sebastion’s debacle at our last court, my lord belongs to a house that has guided him for his entire career. He knows nothing about this; it would only complicate his learning.  I was asked personally to accept this apprentice, the Lord had heard he was gifted.  I ask Jonathan to return Jillian to the chantry, her having been lent to his Chantry to teach some of her paths. He has supported my positions in the past and is a strong ally. I can see the sneer from Claudius, he asked for her months ago and I denied him. He is a very calculating Regent and my largest direct competition. The lord draws our attention to making all the preparations should our cities fall under the siege, and we listen intently. I would never say that these issues were addressed a year ago when there were first whispers of an invasion.  

 The lord finishes the meeting after about an hour and a half. It accomplished some things and we have seen our competition. I believe this is some of the reasoning behind these covens as we are so isolated they reinforce the idea that we are still amongst the Regents and should the Pontifax decide to appoint another Lord, one would be decided from our ranks. I have heard whispered rumors throughout some of my studies that these meetings take place at all the respective ranks and as one ascends you can utilize certain powers upon those in attendance. I do not believe our illustrious lord has ever perpetrated this upon me, but I have seen such powers worked upon mortals and they seem to justify it, quite possibly I have as well.  We conclude by our Tremere oaths, and of our loyalty to the clan.
 
As the mirror returns to its previous state I think of what has transpired and how this shall affect me and my chantry in the future. I sit in my office for quite some time, envisioning pawns, knights, and queens upon a chessboard that makes up our region.