#87 The Gargoyle of Barfunweltz Cathedral
"Bukligger!" called Lady Beauvoir, her irritation not entirely disguised by her sing-song tone. "Come Bukligger - I have gold for you!"
A small dark shape descended from above and thudded onto the steps of the Coven Throne, the force of its impact indicating it was unexpectedly heavy for its size. A small and very ugly statue appeared had to have fallen from the sky.
Then it spoke: "Gold, mistress?" Granite eyes glowed green with greed as the gargoyle lifted his head to stare hungrily at his vampiric mistress. A stone arm reached up towards a wooden chest that Lady Beauvoir held before her. But just before the fingers reached it, she deftly withdrew it from Bukligger's reach.
"News first, gold after."
The gargoyle glowered, somehow making his face even uglier. He tried a quick snatch, aided by a flutter of his carved wings, but the vampire was too swift and he thumped back down again empty-handed. His sigh sounded like a pebble sliding over rock.
"Tell me Bukligger, what news from Barfunweltz?"
He shrugged. "The Archbishop drones on." His voice was unpleasant: shrill as shingle, and sulky. "And his servants fill the crypts." His visage suddenly brightened. "They leave me the gold! They prefer bones and old meat."
"Has Countess Heisenberg visited the Archbishop yet?" asked Lady Beauvoir, "You know, the cat lady?"
"Cat Lady?" He shrugged again.
Lady Beauvoir gritted her pointed teeth. It was like trying to get blood - or rather, information - out of a stone. She shook the casket of gold to remind the gargoyle of his reward and steeled herself for a long interview.
Bukligger was not her most loquacious spy, but he was exceptionally well-placed as a literal part of Barfunweltz Cathedral, the spiritual home of the Society of the Sanguine Rose. Exactly how the grotesque little statue had gained consciousness was a mystery known only by Lady Beauvoir. The magnificent cathedral had been reduced to ruins long ago by the hated Gravewalkers, but had remained a profoundly significant site. It was currently under the control of the Baby-Eating Archbishop and his Raptured Court of flesh-eating mordants. This suited Lady Beauvoir for the time being, but she was ever wary and suspicious of her old rivals the Heisenbergs: Lady Beauvoir knew the Count and Countess would seek to take advantage of her absence as she worked to infiltrate Salas Nova.
After hours of coaxing, threatening and cajoling, Beauvoir finally felt she had extracted all the information the gargoyle had to offer. The Vengorian primogenitor of the Cinquefoil, Elohiim had taken up residence at the Cathedral. Bukligger said the ghoulish Raptured Court of the Sanguine Rose had welcomed his presence but were often away on their own crusades.
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