Matthew 25:35 (11/25 De La Cruz)

He had been given the phone number of Father De La Cruz by his mentor with the knowledge that the Lasombra would soon be a bishop. As he sat on a bench in the gardens of the monastery he pulled a cellphone from his jacket pocket and made the call.

The plain ring of his cellular phone echoed in the hall where he stood. He retrieved the square of technology from under his robe. "Yes?" Is all he answered.

"Hello. I appreciate the attendance. Is there anything I can do for you during your stay?"

"I am here longer than just a pit stop. Providence has brought me here and I hope that soon I will be met with revelation."

"I am glad that more come to strengthen the Sword. What do you seek here, Brother?"

"I often awake early in the evening, many times with enough time to attend services. In the winter months I am up many times before my flock takes supper," he explained.

"When the Father preached about this upcoming Advent he spoke of Proverbs 22:6 and Jeremiah 29:11... Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.... For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

I saw the divine in him... and saw a vision of the beacon that is the Cathedral of Learning and knew that the message was for me.

Providence has led me here."

"If you seek the path that has been chosen for you, that is admirable. But do not forget that the sword needs bolstered in this time of change."

"Your path is for you to walk, but if you need guidance, do let me know. But there must be a reason you have called me directly?"

"Oh.. yes..."

There was the briefest pause before he explained, "I was studying with your clan in Spain... learning the ritae... I was given your name and contact information and told that you would be the best point of contact to get hold of the Sword in this city... so that I could offer my services to the Sword in Pittsburgh."

"If you have come to serve, than serve you will. We face many threats now, and we can use every devout cainite among us.

Our next esbat is December 14th for the bloodbath, but we could meet prior to that. Do you bring with you a pack?"