Diary: 9.21.2000 I have been convinced of the necessity of the choice. I must confess, in truth, that I am rather giddy with the prospect of adventuring far from these familiar halls. It reminds me of my flight from Greece so long ago. I feared that the agents of whatever it was I had disturbed would find me on that dirty steamer -- the Aphrodite, as I recall. (I did not, of course, realize they would become my life's work!) When they did find me, it was only by my wits that I escaped unscathed, and though my body has aged a bit since then, I am certain my wits have not dimishished despite the passing of so many years. Thomas has assured me of this as well. He took me aside after I left the conference in such a state. He is correct, there truly is no one else and the chance must not be lost. We owe that much to the art and science that we practice. He told me as well that we are not without resources in the New World. He has done much more ground work than I had imagined, and all quite under the nose of the justly feared Sabbat. The girls have secured a flat of some sort in one of the outlying counties, and have compiled a quite adequate list of the books available in the libraries of the city. Thomas can be ever so clever about these practical things.     Transcribed and maintained Elizabeth Kent