Episode Three

Place: Geneva, Switzerland

Location: Oculus

Time: Vernal Equinox, Present Day

 The Sept gathered. There was to be an announcement from the current gladio. During his tenure, he had served two families and one Dominus. As the representatives of each of the Noble Families filed in and took their seats, the gladio entered the chamber and came to stand at the center of the Oculus. The spring sunlight streamed in through the eye of the vaulted chamber. He faced his Dominus, the youngest in recorded history! He was also the most powerful Dominus since Alister of Madron! 

 "Jedediah Lee," The Dominus began, "The Chamberlain has called us here because you have news for us." 

 "That is so, Dominus," Jedediah said bowing first to the Dominus and then to the family he had served for over thirty years as gladio. "I've asked you all here to tell you I will be stepping down as gladio." There were murmurs and more alarmed exclamations from the gathered families. Jedediah turned back to his Dominus. "I have served my time and now I relinquish my post to a more powerful gladio."

 "I understand," the Dominus said. "You have served us well."

 "I have the lists of names for each of the families. But only three will be suitable Potentials." The gladio responded. "The search must be called as quickly as possible."

 "Do you know which families the three potentials will come from?" Asked one of the Sept representatives.

 "I do not," Jedediah answered. "The Chamberlain has all the lists, and he will deliver those lists to the Indago Master. I ask to be released, so that the Search may begin immediately." 

 There was silence in the Oculus. As it grew in intensity the young Dominus came forward and met Jedediah at the center of the chamber. The aging gladio drew his sword from the worn leather scabbard and he went down on one knee, the tip of the blade resting on the center tile of gold that made up the fiery sun at the center of the Oculus. The Dominus reached out and placed his right hand on the bowed head of the gladio. "Blessings upon thee, Jedediah Lee, and may our Lord God and true Master deliver to us as humble and as dignified a gladio as you have been to us." 

 Jedediah smiled and he rose to his feet, the sword still standing upright on its tip as he and the Dominus stepped from the center of the room. From the opening up of the Oculus, a brilliant shaft of sunlight beamed in upon the pommel of the sword, and the blade was gone!

 The heavy brass Oculus doors swung open, and the Chamberlain waited for the now retired gladio. Jedediah backed away then turned and walked out. As the doors whispered closed the young Dominus returned to his seat and looked around the chamber. "It appears our Huntsmen have a new mission: to find the Potentials Jedediah spoke of."

 "I move that until a new gladio is in place," came a female voice from the right of the Dominus, "we suspend any of our Sept workings and tend to our familia portas." 

 "I agree," The Dominus responded. He looked around, "The Indago working currently as our counsels will now move into their roles as Seekers. Jedediah believes there will be at least three Potentials searched, so we will reconvene as soon as they are identified."

 There were multiple sounds of agreement from the assembly and the Dominus picked up the ceremonial gavel and banged it on the wooden disc three times and everyone rose and began to file out. Only the Dominus remained in the chamber after everyone had left. He rose from his chair and walked out to the center of the Oculus. He stood at the center and glanced up at sunlight streaming down on him. He closed his eyes and let the warmth of the sun seep into his body. Suddenly there was a psychic force that struck him like a lightning bolt! He was down on his knees; a sudden flow of extraordinary power flowed through him! He opened his eyes and there standing before him was a woman of light! Then the wings of white and platinum unfurled and arched upward into the streaming beams of sunlight. She looked down at him with the most magnificent set of clear blue eyes he had ever seen! She smiled and held out her hands to him. Then the vision disappeared and Vanderau was still kneeling at the center of the Oculus. He could feel the power thrumming at the center. 

 Vanderau stumbled to his feet, backed out of the eye of the Oculus, and tried to make sense of what had just happened to him. Who was this woman of his vision? The next gladio? Was she his blade? Slowly he moved back to the table, gathered up his portfolio, and walked out the open brass doors. The Chamberlain waited for him. He bowed regally and the Dominus returned the acknowledgment with a nod of his head. "Has Martine been notified?"

 "He has, Dominus," the Chamberlain replied. "Your Indago waits for his orders."

 "Thank you," The Dominus replied, and the Chamberlain fell into step next to the Dominus. 

 "Sir, are you all right?" The Chamberlain studied his Dominus, seeing that something had happened in the Oculus after everyone had been dismissed. 

 "I am fine, Lord Chamberlain," the Dominus replied. "I think I may have had an encounter with the new gladio."

 The Chamberlain nodded and as they reached the top of the staircase he faced the Dominus. "It is quite possible." He replied, "Given that you possess the same powers and abilities as a gladio. I would not be surprised if one of the Potentials were from your own family."

 The Dominus clasped the Chamberlain's shoulder, "That would be cause for celebration for some and concern for others."

 The Chamberlain smiled, "Perhaps so." He bowed slightly and continued to stroll off the hall, leaving the Dominus to continue on his way down the opposite hallway to a set of elevators. By the time the elevator had reached his floor, the vision had faded, all except the piercing blue eyes – those were burned into his mind! If he ever saw them again, he would know her immediately! 

 The Chamberlain returned to his offices and sat behind his desk. He glanced over at the telephone. He picked up the receiver and quickly punched in the number to his old friend. It rang three times, and it was picked up, "Hello Jan."

 "Pierre," The Chamberlain said. "Jedediah has stepped down. Just as you said he would."

 "It's a terrible burden being right all the time." Pierre drawled.

 The Chamberlain chuckled. "It remains to be seen if you are right about Vanderau," he thought about the way the Dominus had looked when he emerged from the Oculus, "I believe he may have begun to sense his Potential."

 "If I am correct," Pierre told the Chamberlain, "then we have a chance to finally set things right after all these years."

 "I hope so," The Chamberlain replied. "I will speak to you again when I have more information."

 "Very well, Jan," Pierre said cheerfully, "Take care!"

 Vincent Thys stood in the hallway outside the canter-levered glass doors of the meeting room of the Dominus. Until he was given entrance, he would wait outside. The elevator doors slid open, and the Dominus strolled out, running his hand through his hair in a gesture of agitation. He looked up and smiled pleasantly at Thys. "Vincent, come in."

 "Yes, Dominus," Vincent said, his throat was dry, and he was certain he was about to be dismissed. He followed the Dominus, something had happened! He dared not ask. Instead fell into step behind Vanderau and they went into a large conference room. As he walked into the room, Vanderau went over to the conference table and picked up a remote. He aimed it at the large monitor on the back wall. It lit up and Vincent saw his father sitting larger than life, at his desk staring at the computer camera in his office. He nodded to both Dominus and his son. "The Chamberlain has sent the lists. I am issuing the orders to each Indago to become Seekers."

 "Very good," the Dominus returned. He waved Vincent over to stand beside him before the monitor. "Vincent will be returning home to receive his list."

 "Everything is prepared and waiting," Martine said. "Vincent, your Dominus will give you your instructions."

 Vincent was confused as to what was happening, but he would wait until he was given instructions before he had any questions. "Yes sir," he said to his father's image on the large screen.

 Martine and the Dominus exchanged pleasantries then the video conference call ended. The Dominus looked over at Vincent and clasped his shoulder. "Nothing to worry about, Vincent. The mission is to find a new gladio. Jedediah Lee has stepped down and a search is on to find new potentials."

 "There is more than one Potential?" Vincent asked. 

 "It would appear that there are three Potentials out there somewhere. Each family in the Sept has a list of names and every Indago attached to the families will be out scouring the world to locate them." The Dominus replied, then added, "Including you."

 "I've been on searches before, but nothing like this!" Vincent cheered, then hunched his shoulders briefly as he realized he sounded far too eager to be released from his counsel duties!

 The Dominus chuckled and Vincent smiled faintly. "This search is unique to be sure. There could be a Potential from my own family – the first in a century! Pay very close attention to each individual on your list. Make sure that you have exhausted every avenue before you go to the next person."

 "Your will, Dominus!" Vincent declared. "It will be done!"

 "Good!" the Dominus returned. "Now, let me formally release you from your duties as counsel and return you to your role as Seeker. Your search has officially begun Vincent Michele Thys!"

 Vincent bowed and stepped back, and left the board room. His mission had begun!