AN: I do not own anything, thanks SM for sharing.
New section of chapters :) Introducing a lot of characters so some chapters are shorter than usual to avoid over complicating things. A quick thank you to my lovely beta for her continued support in making my scrawl legible :)
1668, MARCH- PLANNING
"Where are Magnus and Freyr, they should be here by now!"
Basileus paced around the library at such a speed that he pulled books from the shelves with the force of his passing.
Aro sighed to himself. "I haven't seen them ... " he said, adding under his breath, "but this is the first time you have let me out of the tower in two fucking months."
"What was that?" Basileus shot to his son from clear across the room.
"Nothing, my lord," Aro replied sweetly. Yeah, that wasn't going to work.
"I could hardly let you out when you refused to walk, could I?" Basileus said slyly.
"Refused to walk?! You left me unable to walk - again!" Aro replied, glad that only his brothers were there so he could make the reply. "One of these days you are going to do me permanent damage," he muttered, feeling he'd been treated unfairly.
"One of these days you may grow up and stop requiring my correction."
Basileus was much louder than Aro, so loud in fact that Aro was sure the town folk would have heard him if not at least the guards in the castle. Deciding his reputation was hanging on him shutting his mouth, he didn't reply.
Eleazar rolled his eyes to Aro and went to collect the discarded books before his father crushed them underfoot. "Dad, you need to relax, Aro has everything under control," he hissed from the floor.
"I do!" Aro agreed. "Magnus and Freyr have all their guards back, I'm sure they will be along soon."
Basileus shook his head to his son. "I'm not comfortable with filling our coven with potentially hostile vampires."
Carlisle sighed. "Yes, we know, you have said so repeatedly."
Basileus was in his youngest son's face before Carlisle had even realised he'd spoken loudly enough to draw any attention. As his father loomed over him with a hand on each of the armrests, Carlisle shrank into his chair. Their faces were so close that Carlisle could feel Basileus' breath on his forehead.
"You have given me your word that I can trust you to behave appropriately whilst we have guests in the castle."
Carlisle nodded rapidly. "I will, I will!"
Basileus looked ready to breathe smoke out of his flaring nostrils. "Then let me clear something up for you, son. Answering back with cocky comments is NOT behaving appropriately."
Carlisle continued to nod. "Got it," he replied, very quietly.
"Carlisle will be fine, my lord. He knows how delicate this situation will be," Eleazar replied.
Aro raised a questioning brow to his father instead. He most definitely did not agree with Eleazar!
Basileus was seriously toying with the Aro's idea of locking Carlisle up in the dungeons for the next week or so. "We have invited the seven strongest covens in the world to come and convene in Volterra and we are on friendly terms with NONE of them. This is not a delicate situation, El ... it's damn well dangerous!"
Well that's going a little far! Aro thought. "Sit down, please," he urged his father gently. "Magnus and Freyr will be here soon, so will Marcus and Caius and I could do with you being on my side."
Basileus sat in front of his son. "I am on your side, Aro. If anyone else in the world had suggested this idiotic plan we wouldn't have gotten so far with it."
Aro scrunched his face up. "Thank you, I think."
Caius strode into the library, quickly followed by Magnus and Freyr, with Marcus bringing up the rear.
"Finally!" Basileus called out, his annoyance obvious by his tone.
"I apologise, my lord. We were waylaid speaking with the guards. The last of them arrived this morning." Magnus spoke for them all, except Caius, who had been waylaid with only one guard ... Heidi, his willing play thing.
Basileus welcomed them in and asked everyone to sit, willing himself to relax, at least for their meeting.
Seeing that his father was agitated to hell, Aro decided to take over before the man combusted. "We must be prepared for the arrival of the covens, I cannot stress enough how imperative it is that they are all treated with the highest courtesy whilst they are with us. Have the guards been drilled?"
Magnus nodded, as did Freyr.
"We have spoken with them all, Aro. They know what is expected of them," Freyr confirmed for the group.
"I have had a quiet word with a few individuals who I thought may pose a threat to peace with our visitors. Safe to say, they are now under no illusions as to proper decorum," Magnus added.
Aro smiled, knowing who Magnus would be talking about.
"Who?" Caius asked.
Nosey bastard. Couldn't just let it go could you, Aro thought.
From Magnus' face it appeared that he agreed with Aro.
"Ashanti, for obvious reasons," Magnus offered. No explanation was needed for the Volturi temptress. "Renata. She is keen to couple again after Antonio and I thought it wise to issue an embargo on choosing her new mate from our guests."
Everyone agreed.
"And then there is Phillipe ... he came from the French coven many years ago, I was there when we took him from Henri. He has never expressed a wish to return, but I hoped Phillipe could be useful in negotiations with his old coven leader, if required, so I wanted to brief him."
Basileus smiled. "I spoke to Phillipe a couple of months ago, myself," he said.
Magnus laughed. "Yes, my lord, he mentioned it!"
Oh, I bet he did, Basileus said to himself.
"Wonderful Magnus, perfect in fact," Aro commented, pleased to see his master of the guards taking the initiative to fix problems before they occurred. "Have you spoken with Lev? Aro asked. "He worries me a little."
Basileus and Magnus caught each other's eye and laughed.
"I take it you have both had the pleasure, then?" Aro surmised.
"Lev would consider it less of a pleasure, but yes, we have," Magnus confirmed.
"Don't worry about Lev. He's given me his word that he will be cordial," Basileus added.
Cordial... I could do with Lev being more than cordial, Aro thought, though he knew he couldn't really expect anything more from Lev.
"What about Felix and Demetri?" Caius asked Aro, bringing him from his thoughts.
"What about them?"
Caius shook his head and scowled. "Those two are more likely to cause ructions than the rest of the guard combined."
Aro returned his covenmate's scowl. "You have no need to worry about my sons, they are not your concern. They have been briefed, also."
Briefed, Aro repeated to himself. If you can call 'slamming the pair of them up the wall with a hand curled around each of their throats threatening to lock them in the dungeons if they so much a rolled their eyes', briefed, then yes, they have been briefed.
"I don't understand why it is so dangerous. They wouldn't all come if they weren't interested in joining forces," Carlisle spoke calmly, he didn't want to piss Basileus off and he was intent on using this 'convening of the covens' event' to prove he was part of the grownups again. I've been sat at the kids table for too damn long, he told himself as he attempted to join the conversation.
Eleazar smiled nervously to his little brother. "They don't know why they are coming here, Carlisle, and I know the Egyptian coven, at the very least, will be tricky to handle."
Basileus sighed. "Amun is a miserable bastard at the best of times."
"If I can get Amun to agree to my terms, the others will follow, I am sure of it," Aro said confidently.
Trouble was, Basileus has access to Aro's thoughts and he knew that his son was far less confident than he sounded - that's why he was so bloody anxious about the whole thing!
"We may have less to contend with than first thought, Aro." Magnus broached. "Netty and Jennifer didn't return, I assume they were taken out by the African coven."
Basileus shot a worried glare to his middle son who returned a withering look in response. "That is most unfortunate, but we should not assume anything so quickly. Tao and Xola have always been difficult customers. It may be that they are holding our guards there as a safety precaution. The guards were all drilled to expect such treatment before they left. I selected Netty and Jen specifically because they are so affable and adaptable. If anyone can make it back from Africa, they can."
Aro scrubbed a hand through his hair. He was really feeling the stress of trying to keep his coven together and he knew that stress was only going to continue to rise for the next week or so.
"If the Africans do not show, we could use it to our advantage … Amun and Tao are allies, I believe," Marcus offered the small gathering.
Aro nodded along, as did Basileus.
"Amun will be the hardest nut to crack, any leverage we can use against him will be welcome."
Aro agreed with that too, the old Egyptian leader was his biggest concern going forward.
"We could give Demetri back to him ... " Caius said with a smirk to his co-leader.
"Over YOUR dead body, brother!" Aro returned pointedly, digging his elbow into Caius' ribs.
"When do they arrive, Aro?" Marcus asked, sounding thoroughly bored.
"Sunday. I imagine they will be arriving through the night, so we all need to be in the throne room from tomorrow at sunset. The conference will begin Monday at sunrise. Between those hours, all visiting coven members will need to be supervised and I want our guard in the guard hall throughout so we can rally them easily in the VERY UNLIKELY event that we need to defend our coven."
Aro watched his father's reaction and he could almost see the cogs turning in Basileus' mind about how he could ensure his family's safety in that 'unlikely event'.
"I suggest you take the Egyptian coven, Marcus. I know some of Amun's members are young and they will no doubt need to make use of your quarters."
Marcus nodded his understanding to his covenmate. Young ones need to sleep, of course. He had looked after Aro's children enough times to know that.
"You will be able to temper Amun better than the rest of us, too," Aro added.
"Of course, Aro. I would be happy to."
Aro turned to Caius next. "You should take the French coven. Don't let Henri out of your sight, he's a sly bastard."
Caius laughed. "Is that why I am getting him?"
Aro smiled. "No one knows evil like you, brother. It may be worth your while to take him down to the dungeons. Knowing Henri, he could give you a few tips."
Caius scoffed. "I doubt that!" He was looking forward to the covens arriving, It will be quite enjoyable to spend some time with a like-minded fellow.
"I should warn you, Henri will try and undermine you. He sees it that I am the king of the Volturi, rather than the oligarchy that truly rules the organisation we have."
Caius bristled to Aro's words, as Aro knew he would. Caius wasn't stupid, he knew, everyone knew, that Aro was the king but he wouldn't take kindly to a subordinate coven thinking he was somehow lesser.
"Just be prepared to put him in his place," Aro finished, eyeing Caius's reaction.
"How far can I go?" Caius asked, darkly.
"As far as you think you can take him. Let him insult you, he will, you can be sure of that. Then set him straight. AFTER the conference, of course."
Caius nodded along.
Aro knew it would be a struggle for Caius to keep his cool with Henri's insults, but having the opportunity to take some revenge after the fact would help. Aro was playing everyone.
"El, I need you and Carmen to take the Denali's," Aro told his big brother, who smiled in return. Aro caught his eye. "They have some young ones, too."
Eleazar nodded. "Understood."
They both missed Basileus smiling quietly to himself hearing the Denali coven were coming.
"Who does that leave?" Carlisle asked, desperate for Aro to throw him a bone.
Aro looked to his brother and sighed. Am I really going to risk this?
"Carlisle, we have the English coven coming - four women."
Carlisle's eyes lit up.
"No! See, that right there is why I can't trust you," Basileus bellowed to his son.
Carlisle ducked for cover. "My lord, please."
I have everything under control, Dad, Aro said to his father in his thoughts. Jesus,a t this rate we will be putting you in the dungeons.
Basileus raised his eyebrow to that. Oh, will we now? he thought, though he knew Aro couldn't hear him.
The others in the room waited for the silent conversation to play out, all too used to the way Basileus and Aro spoke to one another in thought.
"Carlisle," Aro started again. "You will be taking the English coven and I expect you to be a perfect gentleman."
"I will be, of course I will," Carlisle replied happily, sitting tall in his chair.
"I trust you, brother," Aro whispered, patting his knee gently. He didn't, naturally. But he was hoping some positive encouragement would help keep Carlisle on the straight and narrow whilst they had visitors in the castle.
Turning to Magnus, Aro next explained what his and his mate's roles were to be. "I need you both in the throne room when we meet there later so the guard will be unattended in the guard hall ... will that be a problem?"
Freyr jumped in before Magnus could answer, she knew he would imagine an issue but she had more faith in her wards. "They will be fine, Aro. I am sure of it."
"I will stop by and ensure that they are," Basileus commented.
Aro fixed his father in his sights. "Don't scare them."
Basileus sighed. "I can play nicely when need be, son."
Aro rolled his eyes and continued to address Magnus. "You will be with the Irish coven. Liam isn't very talkative, but I have heard good things about Siobhan."
Magnus agreed, wondering if there was any Viking blood in the Irish coven.
"Freyr, I am afraid your task will be the most problematic. I need you to shadow the Amazonian coven. They rarely mix with anyone outside of their coven and the envoy reported on how skittish they were to approach. You have learned their language, yes?" Aro asked.
He had instructed everyone in the coven to become aquatinted with the Amazonian tongue but he had heard from Marcus that a few of the guards had been particularly resistant to his request.
"I have, Aro, and I will make them feel comfortable." Freyr had a way about her that put people at ease. It wasn't a gift as such, more very finely tuned social skills. Aro knew she would do him, and the coven, proud.
"Who is going to be at the conference?" Caius asked, curiously.
Aro had been expecting Caius to ask that question. "Me," Aro replied. "I will meet with the coven leaders. I want everyone else in the great hall. Get them drunk, keep them happy, don't let anyone leave unattended, be vigilant at all times."
Basileus wasn't having that. "I will be with you, Aro. I am not having you in there on your own. Anything could happen."
No Dad, you are ready to blow as it is, and I need you to be fishing through thoughts in the throne room whilst I am hashing it out with the leaders.
No one else heard Aro, but once again they were all aware of the private conversation father and son were conducting.
"I will not have you in there alone, Aro. I am not negotiating with you," Basileus replied to his son's silent statement.
"Atia can come and go as she pleases without anyone knowing - she can report back to you and you can stay in the throne room," Aro relied flatly. I'm not negotiating with you either!
He knew dealing with the coven leaders would be tricky and he was the only one he trusted to retain his composure under such pressure.
Basileus eyed his boy for a moment. Atia certainly has the talents to get in and out of this room undetected. I hope you know what you are doing, son. "Fine. I will inform Atia of the plans now, unless there is anything else to cover?"
Aro looked around the room. No one else brought up any concerns and he wanted to spend some time with his wife before the rabbles descended.
"I believe we are all done here. We should make our way to the throne room to address the guards. Magnus, Caius, a word before we go."
Everyone else took the signal to leave whilst Magnus and Caius hung back on Aro's request.
"I think you have covered everything, Aro, what else is there?" Magnus asked.
"Ashanti returned today, did she not?"
Magnus nodded. "I have spoken with her already ... "
Aro's sad smile had Magnus stalling with his words. "Has she met Heidi yet?"
Caius' eyes widened as did Magnus'.
"I have been so busy with the guards, it must have slipped my mind," Magnus replied, a little sheepishly.
Aro waved his hand. "Understandable, my friend. Heidi will be with Athenodora, yes?"
Caius nodded. "I anticipate some friction between the two … their gifts are identical, though Heidi is undoubtedly stronger. Is there any way to keep Heidi in your quarters for the duration of the visits?" Aro asked. It was his last loose end to tie off.
"I will see to it Aro," Caius replied.
Caius and Aro may not always see eye to eye, but even Caius had to admit his brother-in-arms was a genius leader at times - he had everything covered.
"There is one more thing before you go," Aro said sombrely. "Heidi ... she came from the English coven."
Caius' eyes bulged. "Will this be an issue, Aro?"
Aro shook his head. "I don't believe so, but I must tell Hilda that Heidi is here, privately. You should inform Athenodora that the English coven may visit her during their time here and that she should be exceptionally nice to them if they do."
Caius smiled nervously, being nice wasn't exactly Athenodora's forte.
"Seriously, Caius," Aro pushed, he wanted a response.
"Consider it done, brother," Caius replied
…
"I need two guards at the castle entrance," Aro announced to his coven as he looked around the room. "Renata, I would like you to be one, as you will be safe with your gift. Any offers?"
"I will do it, master," Corin offered as she stepped forward. "I could make our guests feel contented before they arrive in the throne room."
"No!" Aro replied forcefully. "I appreciate your offer, my dear, but no one is to use their gift on anyone unless invited to do so and even then, only after my permission has been given. Is that understood?"
Some of the guard looked a little downcast but naturally they agreed with the coven king's decree. "I would appreciate your presence at the castle entrance though, Corin. Thank you."
Corin bowed her head and stepped back to the guard line.
"Your complete cooperation is expected" Aro sang out to the guards, all of whom nodded with 'yes, master' floating around the group. "You are to be welcoming to our guests and feel free to be honest about the inner workings of our coven. I am aiming for complete transparency - it is the only way to ensure we can join forces in an alliance."
Aro took a look around his guards. "If anyone would like to join one of the visiting covens, whether that be permanently or for a shorter duration," Aro stopped himself, should I really offer you this? he thought, but sighing, he continued, "then you should know you are free to do so. You will be missed, greatly missed. But this is your opportunity to fly the nest, if that is your desire."
Aro turned to his father. 'Do any of them wish to leave?' he asked silently.
Basileus shook his head, much to Aro's relief.
Aro asked if there were any other questions. The only one to ask anything was Basileus. "When are they getting their new uniforms, they look a state as they are!"
Aro laughed and directed the question to Freyr. She, like all the masters, was sat in her new throne, and there had been a reshuffle. Aro still took the central seat, with Magnus and then Freyr to his left, and Caius and then Marcus to his right.
"The uniforms are waiting in the guard hall, my lord. Everyone will be properly dressed for the occasion."
Basileus nodded, but his agitation was clear to all. Having their creator so unnerved by coming events unsettled everyone.
You must relax, my lord. You are worrying the troops! Aro said to his father through his mind.
Basileus heard but merely scoffed to his boy. Standing behind Aro's throne with a hand on each side of the backrest, Basileus leaned close to his son's ear. "If things turn sour, son, you will find out just how worried I have been!"
Aro sprang out of his chair, he had no desire to hear any threats from his father at the moment.
"You are all welcome, indeed encouraged, to socialise with our guests," Aro said to his rabble. He needed to divert his own attention from his father, let alone the guards. "This is the first ball we have hosted for vampires from outside of the coven. There will be plenty to drink ... and eat."
Aro heard the disgusted noises coming from his brothers and Carmen but the joy from the guard was far louder, so it was worth it. He could have told them it would be bloodwine rather than humans but his mischievous side took over and he allowed his brothers to worry about a blood bath.
"You are all to have a good time, that's an order."
A raucous cheer erupted from the guards, even the masters were taken in with Aro's jovial decree.
Though Aro stood with smiles reaching ear to ear, he knew how precarious his plans were. May the gods be on my side.
Basileus heard his son's silent plea.I am son. I am the only god you need.