The Winter of Despair
Returning to Leeds, the coterie were still unable to solve the mystery of Prince Mallrat, although she was quite anxious to come to London and meet with her old friend, Lady Anne. Thus the coterie and Mallrat returned again to London. Here they met with Copernicus and Nel; Copernicus explained that members of a secret society of mortals, responsible for the previous Kindred disappearances, had attempted to abduct Nel, but the Nosferatu Primogen had succeeded in preventing this. Requesting that Nel�s whereabouts continue to remain a mystery to everyone else in London, Copernicus encouraged the coterie to investigate the cult � which he suspects has the patronage of at least one of the city�s own Kindred.
Chapter 6: Witness Protection
The coterie, on request from Copernicus, agreed to go to an abandoned inn in the East End to watch over an abducted member of the secret society being investigated � the Order of the Red Dawn � although the task was further complicated by first an intrusion by East Enders Cappie, Mags and the psychotic Ripper, and then by a full-on ambush by assassins sent from the Order. Still, what with this and inventing the quaint board game of trade and commerce called Capitalism, the Kindred were able to keep their guest safe from harm, until Copernicus and a Tremere friend returned. The Tremere was able to get inside the captive�s mind, and glean some secrets about a grand ceremony of special significance for the society to be held in the near future.
Chapter 7: The Midnight Circus
Taking a break while waiting for the Order�s ceremony to take place, Van Cleaf and Don Ciccioso almost lost themselves to the alluring thrall of Anastagio�s Old-Time Lunar Carnival and Midnight Circus, which was visiting in the city. While visiting the many attractions the circus had to offer, the pair found that there seemed to be a darker matter behind the bright lights and grim humour; many people seemed to be going missing within the grounds of the carnival. However, the lure of the circus, in particular one attraction called Semiramis� Loft, proved too captivating, and the two Kindred were unable to solve the mystery before the circus left town.
Chapter 8: Prince of the City
The night after the Midnight Circus left London, the coterie were called to an emergency Elysium meeting, as were all the other West End Kindred. Here they learned that Prince Medwyn had been missing for almost a week, and that a ransom note had been received; apparently the captors were after the �bercheese in return for Medwyn. After Parkin�s sire volunteered the coterie to investigate this, the neonates found it to be the work of a Setite plot, led by a Setite calling himself The Master, and, although it was at the cost of Don Ciccioso�s unlife, The Master � aka the Asp � was slain. However, it turned out that the Setites did not have Medwyn after all, and thus the mystery looked set to continue.
Chapter 9: The Masquerade
The secret ceremony of the Order of the Red Dawn arrived at last, and, with an ally of Copernicus, the coterie were able to infiltrate the masquerade ball and subsequent ceremony, known as the Observance of the Crimson Heart, with Copernicus� explicit instructions that it not be interfered with in any way. Before the ceremony, Parkin met up with Marie Lacousse, who had also infiltrated the affair, completely ignorant of the efforts being made by Copernicus and the coterie. Once in the auditorium for the Observance, the coterie noted that Valerius was occupying a seat in the Royal Box. The Observance turned out to be the ritual bloodletting and sacrifice of none other than Medwyn, upon a crucifix. Marie attempted to stop this, but was in turn also placed upon a crucifix. The coterie, led by Don Cicciosio�s brother, Don Ciccioso, interrupted the ceremony themselves, using their powers of Presence, and saved Marie. However, it was too late to save Medwyn. Knowing that Copernicus would be angry about their interference with the ceremony, the coterie once again fled London.
Chapter 10: Fugitives
Heading for the city of Maiden Newton, the coterie met up with (?), a fellow Kindred. While in the city, the domain of Prince Mark Grohl, the coterie were enlisted to abduct a Lupine cub from the forest, and for this they were aided by another Kindred, a forest-dweller who did not give his name. The Lupines, however, were not impressed, and, hunted by almost everyone, the coterie buried themselves in the ground and entered voluntary Torpor. However, they were awoken two weeks later by Marie Lacousse, who said that Copernicus wants them back in London, for the Valerius, now officially made Prince in the wake of Medwyn�s demise, has gone insane with power, and must be stopped at all costs.