Ok so, first off this is the sequel to Falling in the Black and it would make so much more sense if you've read that one first. I mean seriously nothing beyond that little grey line will make sense without reading it.

Second, I suppose I should warn you that there is femslash in the story, but, again if you'd read the first one you'd already know that ;P

Third, I own nothing. Except Erril, Jaime, Torin, Andraste, Dahlia and Tyrell; they're mine. The others though, they belong to Stephenie Meyer and all that jazz.

Fourth and finally enjoy the story :)

Prologue: This is War

Erril lifted the visor on his heavy metal helm and exposed his ruby eyes to the Italian sun. He had travelled far with many at his back and not even his eyesight could pick out their destination on the horizon. But this was where they would wait. Wait for an opportunity to move forwards. For an opportunity to strike. He removed his helm entirely and let the sun send shards of light rebounding from his skin.

Erril was often asked why he wore the cumbersome steel armour when his bare flesh would be enough to stop even a bullet striving for his unbeating heart. He always showed them the sword hanging at his waist, told them the story of the venom blades and give an example of how easily it would bite deep into his own flesh.
"My lord King." A voice at his elbow drew his attention from the horizon and the city lying just beyond it like a ripe fruit waiting to be picked by his mailed hand. He turned his head to see an auburn haired child who had the same ruby eyes that he did looked up at him.

"Yes, Jaime?" He made a point of learning the names of every man, woman and child of his followers. After all it was only common courtesy when he would have them lay down their lives for him.

"We found Gabriel's camp." Good, that was good. Erril had sent an advance party of thrall with two members of his personal guard. He trusted the two implicitly and William had superb control over the mindless that he created. But neither William nor Gabriel, or any of their thrall had returned to him with a report on the city, which could only mean that the city was better defended than even Erril had thought. "Or what was left of it at least." The boy hopped from foot to foot anxiously, the sun sending light arcing from his skin.

"And what is left of it?" He was curious, he had to admit, that they would leave anything behind. The pair had been under explicit orders to not be seen as the checked the defences.

"A couple of old tents and this, your Grace." Jaime gestured behind him to wear a broken chain lay in the grass like some strange snake. The steel of the links were thick and strong. Maybe strong enough to hold a vampire prisoner. "There were a lot of footprints around the chain and it looked like something had been tied up there. The footprints were dried into the dirt so you can see a path from there and towards the city, your Grace."

Erril frowned and fingered the pommel of his sword in thought. What had William and Gabriel gotten themselves into? If they had been seen, or worse captured and interrogated Erril would lose the element of surprise that gave him the edge. Finally he sighed heavily.

"Thank you, Jaime, you did well." Jaime was the best scout he had and his apparent age only made him better. For who would suspect a child of nine to be the one relaying their secrets to their enemies? Certainly no one that King Erril, Father of Thrall and Leader of the Freemen had encountered. Maybe he should have sent Jaime with William.

Erril shook his head to clear his thoughts; thinking of the past would do him no good now.

"Jaime, I have another job for you." The boy bowed low and when he straightened he was smiling crookedly.

"Yes, your Grace?" Jaime's ruby eyes glittered with enthusiasm for any job that Erril would give him and that made the king smile. The boy had been trained well.

"I want you to go to Volterra. Alone. Integrate yourself into the Volturi palace, but don't draw too much attention to yourself. Find out how much William and Gabriel told them, if anything. Report back to me as soon as it is safe for you to do so." Jaime nodded. "Any questions?"
"No, my king." Jaime bowed low and didn't see Erril pull a short, venom worked dagger from his belt.

"Here. If you have to, defend yourself. Only if you have to." Jaime took the blade and slid it into his boot where prying eyes would not see it. To anyone who did not know him he was an innocent young boy. "Good, lad."

"May I leave now?" Erril turned his gaze back to the horizon and the sun beginning to disappear behind the hills. The sun would have fallen completely by the time Jaime reached the walled city of Volterra.

"Yes. Good luck." Jaime returned his luck with a bright grin.

"I don't need luck, my king. All children spy but none of us are dangerous." Erril laughed as the boy darted away. He watched until he was a mere speck in the distance and then turned to the small army behind him.

They were milling around in a disorganised mess but he knew that at a single command from him they would snap to attention and form ranks, weapons in their fists. He allowed them their disorganisation while they marched to give a sense of comfort to them and they loved him for it. They loved him and they would die for him.

And the people of Volterra may well die too.