Bonne Fête Nationale à tous mes lecteurs dans la belle France! :)
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As mentioned before, it makes me sad to think that I have disappointed some readers, and I sincerely hope you will stay with me nonetheless.
Happy Sunday everyone, and thank you! :)
XX
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
WAR COUNCIL
She wouldn't tell anyone, but Caroline had not been entirely sure just how far Klaus would take things and was therefore actually a little relieved to find Damon alive when they arrived at the Beach Park. As alive as someone could be after being kicked to the moon by the Original Hybrid. They had all seen Damon fly through the air, and Elena had had to clasp a hand over her mouth to keep herself from screaming at the sight. Caroline had put an arm around her friend's shoulders, whispering that everything would be fine and that Klaus would never truly harm Damon. Which is what I really, really hope, she had thought to herself. The consequences for Elena would be as devastating as the loss of Klaus would be to her, and that was something she wouldn't wish on her worst enemy, let alone her best friend.
Salvatore the Elder looked like a drowned rat, and Caroline saw Stefan suppress a huge grin at the sight of his brother who was soaking wet and carried his shirt over his shoulder. Elena hurried to Damon's side, taking his face in her hands and examining him closely, pulling him into his arms and sighing with relief. Elijah looked completely relaxed and Kol had a big smirk plastered all over his face. He seemed somewhat pleased about not being on the receiving end of Klaus' tantrum for once. Caroline kept noticing how he never left Davina's side, and she was beginning to ask herself whether something serious was actually developing there.
She walked up to Klaus, taking a good look at him. His denims were wet up to his knees but other than that, there was not a hair out of place. She tried in vain to suppress the thought, but somewhere deep down inside her, the girl who had been compelled, used and almost killed by Damon Salvatore stood in her cheerleading uniform and applauded like crazy. She didn't want Damon to die, but she couldn't bring herself to feel sorry for him having been beaten up like that. There were two events in her life she knew she would never truly forget – what had happened between her and Damon, and the fact that she had been tortured by her own father. Yes, she had forgiven them both, but nothing would ever erase these particular occurrences. Thank you, my love. Well done.
Klaus kissed her forehead and looked her in the eyes for a short moment before he motioned for everyone to sit down. Caroline had to stifle a giggle at how the disgust was plain on Elijah's face at having to expose his precious suit to the vicious sand. Silv caught her eye and winked before putting on a sympathetic expression for her poor husband.
"All of you know that something has been brewing for quite a while. Everything that has happened as of late, including Caroline's absence, is in some shape or form related to a plan our dear friends Marcel and Bonnie have devised. It is no secret that they are behind what is going on, but what has been a puzzle so far is the nature of their plan, and it concerns each and every one of us in one way or the other." Klaus looked at all of them before he went on.
"They have the intention of extinguishing the supernatural world as it is in existence today, enabling them to establish a new world order with the two of them as leaders."
Silence descended on the group, and for a while, all that could be heard were the comforting sounds of the sea. Then Stefan shook his head.
"They would need to kill all four of you to annihilate the worldwide vampire population, but that would also mean Marcel's death. So he is willing to die for this plan?"
Inclining his head, Klaus explained. "Yes and no. It would seem that Miss Bennett has found a way to refine the resuscitation spell Prelati used on Henrik and Mikael. You remember that this particular spell was of a temporary nature?" Stefan nodded. "Well, it no longer is. Bonnie has enhanced it in such a way that whoever is resuscitated by her can stay on this plane indefinitely. So yes, Marcel will die, but it will not be for long. The same will happen to his hand-picked followers, whom he has apparently put on that weird list."
Davina was sitting very closely to Kol. Caroline could see the girl shivering at the news, and she was feeling no different herself, even though this was of course not news to her anymore. Still, the impact of the thought remained the same. The witch looked at Klaus and asked, "What about the witches and warlocks? They can't all be killed the way vampires can, by ending the Originals. What will happen to us?"
Clasping his hands behind his back, Klaus began to pace. "Here is where we come into play. I told you that Vicq Samedi, your ancestor, bargained his death for an object he deemed utterly dangerous. That object was a document. A manuscript describing how to create Original Vampires, Witches and Werewolves."
For the second time since they had arrived at the beach, everyone except Elijah, Silv and Caroline was stunned into complete silence. They looked at Klaus, they looked at each other. Then Rebekah spoke up.
"How long have you known about this manuscript, Nik?"
He gazed at his sister evenly. "Since 1718."
"And you didn't deem it necessary to tell us about this?"
"The answer to that is rather obvious, is it not, sister?" He raised his hand when Rebekah began to speak again. "We can discuss this later, if you wish. The document has been well hidden over the last three hundred years and no one on the Plane of the Living knew of it. However, its existence has has now been revealed to Bonnie and Marcel, although they remain ignorant of the exact contents, which works in our favour. They want the manuscript, incidentally called The Original Grimoire, in order to obtain the instructions necessary to eventually turn Bonnie into an Original Witch and Marcel into an Original Vampire, once he has been resuscitated. There is a little catch, however. The one who performs the respective ritual will lose the person he or she loves the very most. If they do not have a loved one, they will lose their own life. Apart from the fact that the existence of the Original Grimoire has not been known to many over the centuries, this is the one reason why it has not often been attempted to create Originals of any kind. Our own mother found death – at my hands, as a matter of fact – for creating us."
"Which means she never truly loved any of us, as none of us died after she created us," Kol interjected stiffly.
Klaus nodded. "Exactly. Now, I have collected the Original Grimoire from its hiding place and have it with me. We will be using it as bait. I would most definitely not want it to fall into their hands, but should that be the case at any point, they will still not be able to perform the rituals. I have omitted one ingredient per recipe from the manuscript, and I am the only one who knows what they are. This is an additional security net. Furthermore, there are three White Oak stakes left, stored in a hidden vault in Marcel's house, protected by an invisibility spell. So here is what will have to happen." He gazed at the group who was listening attentively.
"Elijah and Silv will return to New Orleans, together with Bekah, Elena, Stefan and Damon. After laying low for a day or two, you will all meet at Remy's, sometime around dusk when the place is at its most crowded. You will openly discuss how you have not yet found Kol and that you suspect he has completely fallen off the wagon or whatever it is you can think of. Bekah and Damon, during the course of said conversation, the two of you will begin to argue about how Damon is tired of continuously being pulled into our family feuds, how he will no longer play either babysitter nor private investigator and so on. You will have to fight long and arduously enough for someone to have the chance to inform Marcel. Some of his minions are always at Remy's. Elena will take Rebekah's side, saying that she likes it in New Orleans and wants to stay, Originals or no Originals. Damon will subsequently storm out of the place and appear to be wandering around aimlessly, ending up in whatever bar. Not Rousseau's, though, for that would be far too obvious. Once Marcel finds you, and he will, be your usual obnoxious self. Only very gradually must you allow him to wheedle some comments out of you as to how the Original family is the worst thing that ever happened to the planet, if only there was a way to get rid of us all without killing the entire vampire race etcetera."
Damon shook his head. "Everyone knows I've been herding you for weeks. Why would he believe that I suddenly made a hundred and eighty degree turn?"
"I compelled you to watch over Niklaus," Elijah interjected. "You can let that slip into the conversation at some point, or even into the fight with Rebekah, making it one of the reasons why you are so upset."
Giving his brother a quick grin, Klaus went on. "You need to attempt to somehow get into his good graces and work on prying all the information you can from him. You do share the same preferences, namely alcohol, blood and a certain tendency towards boisterous celebrations. Marcel is not stupid, but he can also be surprisingly blind when it comes to reading people. It has always been one of his greatest weaknesses. More than once has he fallen for skilled acting, and I believe you are up to that task."
Caroline saw Elena look at Damon with worried eyes, clutching his hand. She understood that her friend didn't like the idea of her man in the middle of the lion's den. He was no indestructible Original. But then again, he was Damon. He always managed to come out on the other end.
"Elena, you will spend as much time as possible at Remy's. You are upset about Damon's rapport with Marcel, and you will audibly complain about it. Befriend Remy, let him introduce you to the other patrons and try to overhear their conversations for anything of interest, no matter how absurd it may sound."
"But I can't just sit around there all day, people would become suspicious at some point," Elena argued.
Klaus acknowledged her objection with an inclination of his head. "That is true indeed. A good point." He turned to Elijah. "Speak to Remy. Ask him to take her on as a temporary apprentice. She wants to learn more about the world of the supernatural, and where better than his bar blah blah. Call in a favour if necessary, he owes me a few. And… you might want to weave in a remark about Elena being Caroline's best friend. I am certain he will want to know the minute she has been found, and he may also just have the desire to simply talk about her."
Both Elena and Elijah nodded, although Elena's eyes were puzzled. The brunette looked at Caroline and mouthed, 'Remy?' Caroline shrugged and raised her hands. She had never told her friend that she suspected the bartender to be a little infatuated with her.
"Next," Klaus continued. "Davina. I know that this will not be easy, but you will have to seek out Bonnie for advice on some complicated pieces of magic Silv will help you pick. No one will associate you with our family, so you are relatively safe. You have been seen with Kol a few times, but with no one else, and as everyone knows, Kol is outwardly no longer considered part of the family."
"Nik, she is not ready to confront the Bennett witch," Kol objected. "I don't think this is a good idea."
"I can speak for myself, thank you, Kol," Davina muttered, making him huff and pulling a grin from everyone. "What do you want me to do, Klaus?"
With a genuine, appreciative smile, Klaus replied, "Bonnie will not trust you, so it does not make overly much sense for you to attempt to get information out of her. But by asking her for advice on spells and curses, you will have the opportunity to assess her strengths and weaknesses as a witch, the spells she customarily uses and so on. Limit your every conversation to magic. Tell her you have no true mentor and that despite the fact that you are a White Witch, you want to learn the neutral magic from the most powerful witch in existence."
"And if she asks about Kol?"
"Explain to her that he has made a pass at you, and that you went out with him a few times out of fear – he is an Original, and he can make anyone do whatever he wants them to. Confess that you are glad he is gone, but do not take the topic any further. And now, Davina, this is absolutely imperative." He paused, and the witch looked at him expectantly. "Do not, under any circumstances, let her persuade you to perform any spells even remotely related to Black Magic. I will explain the reason to you in due course, but for now, remember that this is vital."
Davina nodded and wrapped her arms around herself. Caroline wasn't sure whether it had been a misperception, but it seemed to her that Kol had slid infinitesimally closer to the brunette. Watching the two of them out of the corner of her eye, she returned her attention to Klaus.
"Once Damon is admitted into Marcel's home, which might take a while, he will inconspicuously work on finding that hidden vault. Knowing Marcel, it is not an overly elaborate place, more something along the lines of bad espionage films. Paintings, tapestries, false cupboards. When you find it, Damon, do not attempt to open it yourself. Marcel and his flunkies will turn you into sawdust within the blink of an eye, and that has to remain my privilege." Damon rolled his eyes. "Remember Marcel is older than you are, therefore stronger – and he was taught by me." Ignoring a huff from the older Salvatore, Klaus went on. "You will inform Elijah once you have found the vault."
Looking at his younger brother evenly, Elijah nodded. "Golden Horde or Viet Minh?" he simply asked, a grin playing around his lips.
With a light chuckle, Klaus said, "Viet Minh."
"Guys," Caroline grumbled, shaking her head, "you know I always appreciate the NSA routine, but would you mind..?"
Giving her a tender smile, Klaus explained, "The Golden Horde was a Mongol group famous for just running over every stretch of land they wanted to conquer, not really bothering with tactics or strategies but relying on their superior force. It is one way of conducting a war when you know you have the strength and the numbers. Contrary to that, the Viet Minh in Vietnam managed to rage a decade-long war against just about everyone by mainly using guerilla tactics. Attacks from ambush, hitting quickly, quietly and effectively. This is the kind of military strategy you apply when you are short in numbers or want to avoid attention."
"You should wear a uniform," she muttered, pulling a quick laugh from him.
"That can be arranged, my love. Now, Elijah – you will get the stakes once you know where they are. Waste no time whatsoever. Get out of his house, leave no traces so he will not immediately be alarmed, and burn the bloody things the second you are out of sight. Marcel's inner circle is on vervain, so you will have to kill them if necessary. And now there is an angle to this scenario that will not meet your approval, brother, but I believe it will be essential."
Elijah gave Klaus a quizzical look and considered for a moment. Then his eyes narrowed, and he pursed his lips. "I will most definitely not allow that. Find another way, Niklaus."
Everyone's gaze moved back and forth between the brothers, trying to figure out what they were talking about, when Silv's face suddenly lit up. "Of course. Do not worry, Elijah, I will be perfectly fine. Damon will be there, and knowing you, I can be certain you will not be far."
He wants to use Silv as bait? The brunette distraction?
Shaking his head, the older Original briefly cupped his wife's cheek. "I know you are brave, and I know you can hold your own, my lovely, but I will not have you step into enemy territory with no protection other than Mr. Salvatore here. No offense," he gestured in Damon's general direction without taking his eyes off Silv.
"Hey, your brother is the damn Original Hybrid! Everyone would have gone airborne after a kick like that!" Damon fired back, sounding offended after all.
"Doubtful," Elijah retorted. "Niklaus, we will need to find an alternative."
Silv straightened and folded her arms over her chest. "When exactly have you started making my decisions for me, Elijah Mikaelson? I am no longer a witch, so I can't be of much help in that department, but I will most definitely not be left out, and I will do what needs to be done. Anything in particular you want me to say to him, Klaus?"
His jaw setting, Elijah gave her a we-will-talk-about-this look, and Caroline had to suppress a grin at seeing Silv stare back at him with an expression of if-you-believe-you-can-talk-me-out-of-this-think-a gain.
"Just attempt to command his attention as much as possible, which I do not think should be too hard. We know he fancies you, and he will be delighted to grab the opportunity to make another pass at you. If he lets down his guard, all the better, but limit it to distracting him and do not try to pull information from him, for he might notice. And do not stage any fights with Elijah beforehand, just be relatively quiet and do not speak to each other much whenever you are in public. No one would believe the two of you fighting like alleycats in front of everyone."
"Understood," Silv nodded, studiously ignoring Elijah's stony face.
Klaus looked at his sister now. "Bekah, you will follow both Silv and Davina's every move. Remain close to them at all times and listen carefully to everything that happens. You cannot be seen, but you must watch over them. Kill anyone who puts so much as a finger on either of them." Rebekah gazed at the two women reassuringly and gave her brother a quick smile.
"Of course. Silv, Davina, we will need to coordinate exactly when either of you will be going out. Davina, as you do not live under our roof, you will have to notify me every time you plan on leaving the house. I assume your place is spelled against intruders, and no vampire has ever been invited in?"
"No vampire except for Kol," the witch replied, and Caroline saw a small smile on Kol's face. Something is most definitely going on there.
"Good. You will need to invite me in as well, just in case Bonnie or anyone breaks your protective spells. It is highly unlikely, but let us be thorough."
Briefly brushing a hand over Caroline's hair, Klaus inclined his head in agreement. "Now, Stefan. Would you mind heading back to Mystic Falls and have a conversation with Tyler? I need him and especially Hayley to speak to the packs in the greater New Orleans area. There is one up in Fairview, another one around Golden Meadow and an especially large one in Plaquemine. If it comes to a fight between us and Marcel's troops and it happens to be around full moon, I am not overly keen on having to watch my back because the packs consider this their golden opportunity to get rid of me. Go and see them together, and if you detect only the faintest hint of doubt in any wolf's eyes, take them down. I mean it, Stefan. I will give you sufficient supplies of my blood so you won't need to avoid any fights."
Caroline could see her friend was uncomfortable with the idea. "Why don't you just go ahead and kill Marcel… and Bonnie?" he asked warily, and there were some nods around the group.
"Bonnie will need to stay alive for the time being, for reasons I will divulge to everyone at a later stage. Killing Marcel right now would be relatively redundant, as Bonnie can resuscitate him as many times as she likes. He will die when Bonnie has accomplished what I need her to do, and we will then impede her from resuscitating him."
"Sounds complicated," Stefan interjected.
With a light shrug, Klaus agreed. "I am aware of it. The plan might still be amended at some point, and I have not finally decided on each and every detail. But first and foremost, the stakes will have to go."
"Then how is Bonnie supposed to kill us all? Once the stakes are destroyed, she can give up on her plan, as there is no possibility left to get rid of us," Rebekah said with a frown.
Klaus was silent for a moment, and Caroline gently touched his calf, running her hand over the length of it and seeing him smile down at her. Then he looked at his siblings one by one. "There is another way to kill us which I will explain to the two of you later on, in private. No offense, everyone else, but I would like to keep this knowledge within the family. Should the need arise, I will tell all of you, but for now, I have to admit to feeling more comfortable with not sharing this unless absolutely necessary."
It was not that she couldn't understand him, but Caroline felt a little bad for her friends. They trusted Klaus' plans, but he didn't yet seem to trust them enough to inform them about everything of relevance. And it was only now that she realized he hadn't mentioned the fact that he would be able to destroy the Other Side once their Signum turned golden.
"What about me?" Kol suddenly asked. "What do you want me to do?"
Turning towards his younger brother, Klaus clasped his hands behind his back. "You can't be seen in New Orleans for now. None of us can," he motioned towards Caroline, Kol and himself, "and we need to keep up pretenses for another while. They believe you are safely stowed away in the Everglades, so I do not assume they will come looking for you anytime soon, Kol. It is very probable that you were supposed to be used as a bargaining counter for the Original Grimoire. So now you, too, will go into a nice little round of guerilla war."
Kol's eyes were beginning to shine. This seemed to be an assignment to his liking. "Doing what exactly?" he inquired.
"As mentioned, only Marcel's inner circle is on vervain, therefore everyone else is exposed. You will compel them, one by one, telling them about the existence of Marcel's ridiculous God-Gifted List without letting them know what exactly it is. Be very vague. There have to be some rumours circulating, as was proven by Damon's conversation with the swamp vampires, but I seriously doubt anyone other than Bonnie and Marcel is aware of the true nature of this list. Be that as it may, Marcel's flunkies need to be utterly convinced that it is vital for them to be in their master's good graces, and that each and every one is a competitor for his favour, even their best friends. Make them fight one another, make them go for each other's throats. Whenever Marcel steps in or asks what they are fighting about, they will name a different reason every time. Jealousy, insults, stealing, whatever you can think of, as long as it doesn't sound suspicious to Marcel. He needs to be very busy settling the fights and reestablishing order among his flunkies." He paused and gestured towards his younger brother. "You have to be very quick, very thorough and well-camouflaged. No one must see you, no one must remember you. Get in fast, get out fast. Whenever you compel someone, do ascertain they are not on vervain. Cut their hands off, do whatever you like, but smell their blood first. Should you encounter anyone on vervain, kill them and let the body disappear. Understood?"
With an enthusiastic nod, Kol grinned broadly. "Consider it done."
Klaus suppressed a smile at his all-too-eager brother. Caroline really didn't like the thought of all the killings that might need to happen, and she tried to tell herself that any of Marcel's followers would kill each and every one of them without blinking, too. If Marcel and Bonnie succeeded, which they wouldn't, everyone would be dying anyway. She sighed and thought of Klaus' promise to put down the weapons for a while once all this was over. God, she couldn't wait! No war councils, no family and friends in danger, just the two of them enjoying each other. Would it ever happen?
"Caroline and I will be staying in Natchez. It is far enough to be off Marcel's radar but we can still be in New Orleans in less than three hours. I will craft a new copy of the Original Grimoire which will be the one handed to them eventually. It is imperative that Bonnie believes she requires an Original Witch to kill us, for reasons I will also divulge to all of you at a later stage, and I will adapt the document accordingly. There are a few more things I need to research as well, and I cannot have either Marcel or Bonnie breathing down my neck. I want all of you, every single one, to be in constant contact. No solo performances. Once I have the entire picture, we will reconvene. As always, plans are subject to adaption should circumstances change."
