Time of Change

Chapter 11: The House of Ares, part 3-First Ones revisited

Parseltongue

Thought sending

# Language translation

Beast Speech

A/N: I do not own Vampire: the Masquerade. It is the property of White Wolf Publishing.

"We need to get in touch with an old acquaintance of yours."

"What acquaintance?"

"Dimitri Rastov."

Romania

January 11, 1997—

"The message has been sent."

"When we get a reply send the signal." Harry told Ron. Charlie and the twins watched the group carefully. He knew they'd be older but to see it was shocking. These changes that had been made to them were not just physical but mental as well. In Charlie's opinion it was disconcerting, to say the least, to hear Harry and his younger brother talking politics and strategy like old soldiers. But that is what they were, with every adventure and every near miss they had slowly been moving towards what they were now only recent events had sped up the process. No matter what the papers said he could see that they weren't evil, maybe a little darker than he would've liked though.

Charlie and the twins had been sitting in the cave for hours it seemed but neither Ron nor Harry had spoken to them since their initial revelation. So Fred chanced it his voice sounding weird to his own ears. "So what's with the tattoos, Harry?" This time Harry looked to Ron. Charlie caught a flicker of something in their eyes before Harry answered.

"They're the warrior brand."

"Do they mean anything?" Everyone smiled at his question.

"Yeah!" Ron said. "My beautiful and intelligent girlfriend along with several of our creative friends came up with it during their research on wards."

"Why were you doing research on wards?"

Harry took over speaking as if he hadn't heard the question. "They may look like a wicked design but they're really layers of rune wards, charms, and protection spells that make up the 'warrior brand'. We got the idea that if you can ward a building then why not ward a person. Tattoos seemed like the best way to go about it. The designs come from several warrior tribes around the world."

"It took some time to get the group used to the idea of tattoos but there are some benefits." Their similarity to the Dark Mark was not lost on Fred and George.

"What spells?" "What benefits?" The twins said together in their dual-minded way.

"Well I'm not sure about all of them. The best minds of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff did the rune work. I assume they were pretty thorough. You'll have to ask Lavender and Hannah." Harry said giving the ladies a heart-melting smile.

"There are several active and passive spells woven into the rune work. For starters, there are cooling, calming, silencing, and balance charms that allow for the enhancements to work."

"What enhancements?"

"We placed a ferus charm into the mix. It was used by hunters and ancient Aurors to hunt prey by enhancing the senses to that of an animal. The rest of the enhancements include a celer agilis, strengthening, glamour, element resistance, healing, lifeline and life's-blood charms. The last two will stop a person from bleeding to death and monitor their magic and life force. The warrior brand actually encompasses most of our body and there are many more charms."

"Whew!" Fred and George let out a long whistle. "You guys are like super wizards."

Ron quickly squashed this thought and had a go at Fred and George. "Far from it little brothers. It's just enough to keep us alive give us an edge." The twins glared at Ron before realizing that he was actually older than the both of them were now.

"They're helpful but we're not super wizards. Many of the charms are minor ones. There are more powerful variations of the ones we used but they are incompatible when arranged the way we did. We're lucky the brand works as well as it does." Lavender closed the conversation with a cold dose of reality. 'It wasn't easy and there was a fair amount of pain involved.' She thought as she recalled the cool feeling of the rune die before the incantation and its searing heat as the runes were permanently bonded to her body. She now played host to a magical entity whose tendrils of power caressed her magical core.

The silence stretched out before them interrupted only by the occasional thump. Harry and Ron tossed a blue ball back and forth between them. Just as Charlie was about to get up and strangle the two men a crow flew into the cave dropped a letter and left. Harry read over it quickly and handed it to Ron.

Lord Ares,

A mutual friend informs me that you are an honorable being and I trust his judgement. My sire, Lord Nakris Eldridge, wishes me to inform you that he will grant your audience. However, Lord Eldridge is hosting a ball this tomorrow evening at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna. You are required to attend. Thereafter the conclave will convene. The ball will begin in 8 p.m. As you are mage-kine and not some simple mundane the time should be adequate enough for you and yours to make it on time.

Dimitri Ivan Rastov

"Okay Ron." Ron flicked his wrist lazily a light golden web of energy wrapped round the blue ball as it burst into flames and disappeared.

Low crackling preceded the en masse apparation of the remaining DA members. Ron gathered their attention and took charge. "Alright people here's the deal we're going to Vienna. Lord Eldridge expects us to attend a ball at the Belvedere Palace tomorrow evening. That gives us plenty of time to make arrangements. Lavender, you Padma, Ernie, and Hannah will be on transfiguration detail. We all need proper attire if we're going to make an impression on the Tremere." The group nodded and moved off to converse on the subject. "The Tremere have the most rigid hierarchical system among the vampire clans. They stand on protocol, honor and respect power above all else. They alone among all the clans are the most likely to forge an alliance with mages. Legend has it they were founded by a group of warlocks. This means that besides the some odd vampire discipline and mental ability we'll have to watch for any spells being cast. When we arrive we will form trifectas."

"What about us?" The Weasleys asked.

"You three will stick close to Harry, Hannah, Lavender and myself so that we can buffer your minds. Any other arrangements can be made tomorrow. It's been a long night I suggest we get some sleep."

Vienna, Austria

January 12, 1997, 7:45 p.m.-

Dimitri stood waiting in the foyer the slight downward curl of his lip showing his distaste at playing babysitter. He liked Charlie and thought of him as a friend he was about the only Kine or Mage that Dimitri found of any worth. He didn't expect this evening to be a pleasant one. It was going to be all politics. He'd rather be in his cell going over old tomes and advancing his knowledge of thaumaturgy. He paced and mentally recited the Canticle of Sacred Blood to calm his preternatural nerves.

He stopped his pacing as the lights flickered briefly. The light scraping of silk on skin alerting him to another presence he glanced up into the eyes of Charlie Weasley. Dimitri didn't move, as his gaze drifted over Charlie's left shoulder towards the large group of people. Charlie drew his attention back as he began the introductions.

"You remember me telling you about my twin brothers Fred and George." Charlie said before side stepping and motioning in a half bow to the other members of the group. "This is Lord Ares and his companions: Ladies Ambrosia Roberts, Isabella Troy, Fiona and Fatima Kaiba, Warmasters Gideon Weston and Tiberius Alder."

"Welcome to Vienna, Lord Ares. I hope this evening's festivities are to your liking." He said hoping his voice didn't show the apprehension he was feeling or broadcast his thoughts. 'Are they kindred? They have the appearance of Tzimisce, whose looks flout the masquerade, yet they are kine. They are tainted with blood magicks especially their leader.' If the appearance of main group was startling their companions were horrifically so. No matter from which angle Dimitri looked he couldn't discern what the others looked like. From beneath their dark hoods their faces seemed to give off a dazzling light, as did their hands, it was as if they were messengers' of God. Their dark robes didn't dowse the light merely contain its intensity.

Ares watched him for several minutes before speaking. "Ancillae Rastov, my companions and I accept your warm welcome and wish you to thank Lord Eldridge for his invitation. I have noticed your interest in our other traveling companions. They are the…" Ares paused inclining his head to the side. " the Diauroris ."

In unison the group gives a slight bow as if to say that 'we finally acknowledging your presence'. Dimitri bows in return and leads them toward the ballroom. 'I must watch these people very carefully. They are unknowns and know far too much about kindred ways.'

The Diauroris?

Yes.

Where did you come up with that? The mental tingle of Fatima giggling filled his mind What's so funny?

The Diauroris is a wizard's myth, usually told to kids at bedtime, about a group of warriors who return from the dead as beings of light to defeat all evil. I just thought it was funny that when you break it down you get DA. It's kind of a play on words. The Dia-Auroris means 'through the light of dawn'. It's also where the aurors get their name. I got an O+ on our History of Magic O.W.L's.

Cool, at least we're no longer Dumbledore's Army plus the misdirection will help us in our future dealings.

The mental chatter ceased as the doors to the ballroom opened and the warriors of light entered. After the public introduction, the Diauroris subtly formed up around the House of Ares' inner circle. Gideon stood beside Ambrosia his brown hair lying wild and free against the wine colored frock coat. On the other side Ares soaked in the light of the dimly lit hall. The depth dark appearance and eerie glow of his eyes gave the illusion of the Prince of Darkness. The other vampire clans had their representatives there.

Even if Isabella hadn't known ahead of time who and what these beings were she would have been able to tell by the way they carried themselves. Charlie and the twins were silent as the group mingled among the upper crust of Vienna's vampire high society. The potential danger they were in had the hair rising on the back of Charlie's neck. He trusted his friend Dimitri and wasn't afraid of him. It's one thing to be in the presence of a vampire it's quite another to be in the presence of one hundred such beings. He was surprised to see his brother waltzing with a slender alabaster skinned woman as if he'd been dancing for decades.

Gideon set the tone for the rest of the ball and after several hours the ball had begun to wind down with very little in fighting among clans. The Brujah and Gangrel had words but Dimitri assured Lord Ares that it was to be expected whenever the two clans were in each other's presence. It seemed that the presence of the Diauroris stopped many such occurrences from happening throughout the night. Dimitri attributed it to the fact that Diauroris looked like holy creatures and stunk of blood magicks. Either one of these was enough to give any kindred pause. Crosses holy water and the things they represent were superstitions to the kindred yet no one wanted to chance it.

The chiming of the great grandfather clock signaled the end of the ball. The Ancillae ushered in errant Childes or Neonates from the room before rejoining the Elders. The room adjacent to the ballroom held a large conference area with an old oak table. The head of the dark table was stained black and had a large slit through its surface. It was left from when Nakris the current leader took control. He shoved a bastard sword through the chest of Gaven Orlock, the youngest childe of Tremere, before diablerizing him and wrestling away control of the council. Legend has it that sword once forged was cooled in the blood of a necromancer.

After Eldridge sat the other Primogen took their seats. Ares and the others remained standing. "My Ancillae tells me you wish to broker a treaty with us for aid in your war. Why should we deem to get involved?"

"Two reasons. The first being that your enemies have sided with our own which makes them a greater danger to you. The second is that my associates and I would make great allies in the mundane world as well as the magical world. I know that members of my government have sent hunters into your lands before. I swear by Blood Oath…" says a small glimmer of light later and blood falls upon the table. "…that this will never happen again and promise that if ever the Sabbat or any clanless vampires intrude upon your lands we will send hunters to your aid."

"And why would you do this boy?" The Brujah Primogen bellowed down the table.

"You kill only when you have to and never in such a manner or number that draws attention. Your ways are your own business. My associates and I do not see the logic in hostilities between our people. There is more profit in mage-kindred coexistence. You operate in the mundane world, blending in never making your presence known whereas many of my kind find it difficult and somewhat beneath them to interact with mundanes. In this we are flawed. We could learn from your example and you could benefit from our brand of magicks. "

"What is that?" Asked a platinum-haired lady, sitting across from the Brujah Primogen, in an ivory dress a laurel of roses in her hair. As she moved frost fell from the blushing petals.

"There will soon come many changes in my world. These changes will call for some new ways and new perspectives. I would ask the council to send their representatives to parley with the Mage Council." Damn to the depths whatever muttonhead thought up 'parley'! Ares' mentally rolled his eyes and gave a snort at Dean's comment.

"I see no problem with what you have said. I even see the sense in it. However, how do we know we can trust you? My childe trusts only one kine-mage and you are not he. I know neither of you. You will have to prove yourselves to me." Eldridge spoke once again.

Gideon took the initiative to speak this time. "How are we to prove ourselves?"

Eldridge rubbed his chin as if in thought. "A month ago my estate in Palermo was attacked and seized during a Sabbat uprising. In the resulting struggle for power my oldest childe, Edmond Roget, was killed. Edmond was in possession of a priceless heirloom."

"The Infernum Sitis, 'Hell's Thirst', is quite an interesting blade."

"You know of it?"

"Yes." Gideon answers simply.

'Hmm…interesting. They may indeed be great allies.' "I would like for you to recover what was taken, kill those responsible, and bring me proof of their death. Dimitri will give you all the information you need." Eldridge looks to his council for any comments. The other Primogen in turn look to the platinum haired woman.

"The Vienna Conclave swears by blood that we will ally ourselves with the House of Ares and honor any allegiances they might hold, if you are successful." The Primogen spilled their blood upon the dark surface of the table.

Ares bid the council farewell and strode out with Gideon and the others in his wake. Charlie didn't look happy as Dimitri handed Gideon a couple rolls of parchment.

A moment later the Diauroris were gone like dust in the wind as quickly as they came and just as silent.

A major argument ensued as they appeared in the cave. "I can't believe you agreed to this." Gideon didn't even turn around as with a gesture a table appeared.

"What other option did we have?" He asked as he unrolled the parchment on the tabletop.

"But you can't honestly think you'll just waltz in there blind and take out a nest of vampires."

"No I don't. There will be no waltzing this time. Now if you'd leave me the bloody hell alone I may be able to figure a way in. Are you going to help us or not? Because either way we're doing this with or without your help brother." Charlie didn't say anything after that only nodded his acceptance.

Ares wandered off to the other end of the cave and placed a privacy ward. He didn't want the others to know what he was up to. If they knew then they'd try to stop him. He pulled a shrunken book from his pocket and began to read through it again. He'd learned that it took three to four readings before he could retain the contents of a book thus was the extent of the ritual he'd performed. Every light side ritual was like that painful and slow going. Even with everything they'd done it still paled in comparison with Voldemort and his Death Eaters. They had knowledge but lacked power and experience. Well they'd soon deal with both of those issues if Harry, Mage Lord Ares had anything to say about it.

TBC…