Dearest Harriet,
It is good to hear from you again after so long. However did you track me down? I thought grandfather had thoroughly convinced the family of my death. I'm pleased to here that you have finally been embraced by the family, I only wish that I could have been so fortunate myself.
I don't know what you may have heard from grandfather. So, I suppose, I had best start from the last time we spoke; I believe you were ten years old at the time. Grandfather had long before selected me to join the 'family'. Grandfather bestowed the Proxy Kiss upon me after I completed my undergraduate studies in 1960.
I must confess that at the time I held little interest in the family's traditional powers. Nonetheless I displayed a peculiar aptitude for other arts. It was never really death that interested me, but blood. I must admit that even as a mortal the powers attributed to blood have always fascinated me. In time I became quite skilled in several forms of mortal sorcery, and even began researching my own path of blood magic. That would prove to be my undoing.
Grandfather forestalled my embrace. He knew it would destroy my abilities and ruin my research. It was always my intention to join the family eventually, but I had important work to finish first. I hope that the family found my abilities useful in the interim, at least.
My sire, one Jonathan Walker, was a Tremere, foolishly granted the right to take a childer before he was truly prepared. Officially I was a junior professor performing medical research for the university. He discovered me through my research, and with a minimum of observation was able to determine that I also possessed some occult talents. He felt that my intrusion into 'Tremere Territory' needed to be rewarded with membership in their 'family'.
I pity him sometimes, as much as I loathe him. A wise sire should have put more effort into researching his prospective childe. My embrace was fast, he came to me in my lab one night and drained me of my life. I was then taken to the local chantry. Although I did not wish too, I was forced to drink of the blood of their elders and swear their bloody oath for the sake of preserving my own life.
It is common Tremere practice to take the childe from his sire and have him trained by the clan rather than the sire. I saw my sire once or twice after that, but he soon disappeared from the chantry. After that I never saw my sire again. As I understand it, grandfather was quite cross with Mr. Walker upon discovering of my embrace.
If you found me through grandfather then you know that he spread rumors of my demise - I never did find out who he framed for it - and he alone has kept in touch with me through these years. Although I have been forcibly removed from my family I've done my best to continue being of what service I can. Oddly it seems that all those years of the Proxy Kiss have left my blood something less than purely Tremere. My kiss bestows as much agony as that of any of our 'family'. Needless to say, much like the rest of our family, I've found it necessary to foster a number of good contacts in the local medical community.
I've heard little news of our immediate family over these last 20 years. I await your next correspondence.
Matthias Milliner III
Clan Tremere
Boston Chantry
Dearest Harriet,
I was glad to receive your last letter. I am saddened, although unsuprised, to hear of our parents' passing. Further I am regretful that none of our other siblings were deemed worthy of greater service to the family, but such is the way I suppose. I am appreciative of your birthday wishes, I celebrated the day of my 67th birthday with quiet study; none in the chantry keep track of such trivialities.
I'm quite happy to hear that your pursuit of the family's art has proceeded well. As for your inquiries into my own studies, they have remained much the same as before my embrace. I have pursued the arts of the blood with a single minded focus, and have finally mastered all those arts which deal directly with the vitae.
Unfortunately I find that mastery of the blood doesn't hold as much accomplishment as it once did. Had I attained such mastery before Mr. Walker's interference I would have been the first mortal to achieve it, now I only follow in the footsteps of my clan.
Although I appreciate your offer to visit - and your company would certainly be welcome - I fear that now may not be the best time. The House has been having some difficulties within a domain in Arizona and I am to be transferred there. I have been made to understand that the Chantry there will provide me with living accommodations, however, not being sure of their quality in Ahwatukhee I have contacted grandfather, and he has seen fit to bestow something of a loan upon me so that I might be able to secure appropriate accommodations once there.
After I have had some time to settle in, and if things there seem safe enough, I will happily extend an invitation to you.
Matthias Milliner III