JUNE 31ST 2012
6:55 PM
Thomas Matthews stared into the crackling fire in front of him as he waited with the others for Sam, Emily, Kim and Jared. The Elders and his fellow Alpha's along with their mates and some of their other friends were already in the gazebo that he had built around the site where they had the meetings. Thomas had gotten permission from the Elders to build it and hired local carpenters to over see the construction of it. It was made of redwood and was circular with a big roof above it which had it's ceiling decorated with artwork from Jughead Jones. There was a skylight in the center of the roof so the smoke had somewhere to go. There were charmed mirrors that hung from the ceiling. They were used so they could communicate with those who lived on the other side of the treaty line. In the center was a pit were they put their fire wood. It had a ramp for Billy on one side by his spot where he normally sat before the gazebo was built. There was only one other entrance and the rest of it was closed off to give them privacy.
Thomas had come up with the idea for this because he thought that it would be better to have some place dry to have meetings in case it rained or something. He thought that no matter what they should always be able to come here and listen to their stories. After it was complete, Thomas asked the magic users if it was possible to make sure that the gazebo couldn't be vandalized or destroyed. They applied the necessary charms even though Thomas never actually asked them to do so.
This wasn't the only thing that he had built. He asked Carlisle as the head of his family if it would be possible to build sort of halfway house on Cullen land for all the wolves who either got kicked out of their homes or left because they couldn't deal with their parents trying to deny them their birthright of running with the pack. Carlisle quickly gave his permission and Esme helped design the house which was almost four stories tall and was dubbed 'Wolfe Manor' though Emmett liked to call it the dog house.
Thomas thought over what happened in the last five days including the 'trial' for the De Luca's.
Thomas and Embry were sat in two chairs in a coliseum like structure as many representatives from all around the world peered down at them. It was the middle of the day but there was an enchanted ceiling that showed a scene of the Aurora Borealis.
Fifteen guards were standing behind them making sure that they didn't get any bright ideas. The head of security's words, not theirs. Thomas fought the urge to roll his eyes at the man's attempt at being threatening. Embry didn't bother fighting and did roll his eyes. The head of security tried further prove that he was intimidating by poking his finger into Embry's chest as he began to rant. He had no idea that Embry's skin was dense and broke his finger on the first poke. He wailed like a little girl as he fell to the floor clutching his hand. The other guards shifted nervously or laughed at their fallen comrade while Thomas and Embry just stood there and waited to be called in front of the I.C.W.
Their families were off to the side, offering smiles of encouragement when Embry and Thomas looked over.
"Mr. Matthews, Mr. Call." The American representative of the I.C.W. and Supreme Mugwump, Norman Bell, said, making Thomas and Embry look at him. "You know why you are today correct?" He asked them. Receiving two nods, he continued. "For the record please state your full names,"
"Including whatever titles we may have?" Thomas asked him and Norman adopted a thoughtful expression.
"Are they magical titles?" He asked back and Thomas shook his head.
"Mundane titles." Thomas replied.
"You may include them if you wish but it's not entirely necessary." Norman told him.
"Well in that case, my name is Thomas James Nakoa Matthews." He turned to his fellow Alpha.
"Embry David Call." Embry murmured and Norman nodded before asking another question.
"For the record, could either one of you state in your own words, why you are here."
"We are here to give our statements as we were apart of the group that disrupted the potential attack on an ancient and noble family." Thomas replied. "Is that good enough for the record?"
"It is Mr. Matthews," Norman nodded at him before addressing the others. "My fellow representatives, the American ministry has interviewed these two men before you and confirmed their story but I will open the floor to any of you so you may conduct your own line of questioning." A woman stood up after Norman finished speaking. "This body recognizes Diane Schmidt, representative of magical Germany."
The woman nodded curtly to Norman in thanks before setting her gaze on Thomas and Embry.
"Could either of you tell me how you were able to subdue two wizards despite not having any wands?" Diane had read what was written in the report that they were all given so she already knew how it happened but she wanted to hear it in their words and possibly see a demonstration.
Thomas tried very hard to keep the reluctance out of his voice for potentially sharing more information along with the annoyance of why this question was asked.
"They may be wizards, but not that much magic was used by them." He said. "We fought with weapons." And our powers, but you already knew that. He added silently.
"Oh?" Diane raised an eyebrow. "What sort of weapons?"
"I have a Sicca that I call Joe Bob." Embry answered honestly, gaining many bewildered looks when he mentioned the name. He ignored them completely.
"And I have a spike that I call Alika." Thomas added. He also ignored the looks he was getting.
"And your opponents?"
"A sword, a tomahawk, a bow, and some really nasty arrows." Embry drawled and Thomas muttered a warning in Quileute to him. Several people chuckled at Embry's words while Diane narrowed her eyes.
"And your training?" She asked.
"Independent." Thomas said curtly.
"From what?"
"Any sort of traditional establishment," Thomas said. "We train with our friends and family."
"And their qualifications?"
"Forgive me madam," Thomas said coolly. He had already known that this 'trial' was just going to be posturing and 'going through the motions' but he did not appreciate them trying to fish for information about his family who winced at his tone. That tone was a sure sign that someone was about to get bitched slapped without mercy if they didn't back off. Physically or verbally; it depended on how offensive the person on the receiving end was and if they were human or not. Thomas was not one who was quick to get angry but if you pushed him hard enough you better hope that you can defend yourself. "but I was under the impression that this 'trial' was for the De Luca siblings and not us. Did I get the wrong impression?"
"No you did not." Diane replied in a similar tone and many people narrowed their eyes at Thomas since they didn't miss his almost sarcastic tone when he said the word trial.
"Warum sind Sie dann Informationen über meine Familie Angeln?" Thomas said in German and Diane looked slightly surprised, she was not expecting him to speak in her native tongue. (Then why are you fishing for information about my family?)
"Sprechen Sie Deutsch?" She asked him. (You speak German?)
"Ein bisschen." Thomas nodded. (A little). The truth was that Thomas was damn near fluent in German thanks to lessons he had with his niece's imprint. "Sie haben meine Frage nicht beantwortet." (You haven't answered my question).
The other representatives had switched their translator spells into German to follow the conversation as the two seemed to have decided not to switch back to English. Those who already knew the language listened intently.
"Ehrlich Herr Matthews sein," Diane said. (To be honest Mr. Matthews) "Während ich nichts gegen diejenigen, die keine Magie haben habe, finde ich es fast lächerlich, dass zwei keine magischen Benutzer zwei Assistenten besiegen konnte, die auf magische Weise sowohl in verschiedenen Kampfkünsten ausgebildet haben, da sie Kinder waren." (While I have nothing against those who do not have magic, I find it almost laughable that two none magic users could defeat two wizards who have trained both magically and in various martial arts since they were children)
"Fordern Sie uns Lügner?" Embry scowled at the woman, adding his two cents into the mix. (Are you calling us liars?) "Während magische Berichte gefälscht werden können, bezweifle ich, dass jemand wie Detective Stone Arbeitsplatzverlustes über etwas wie das riskieren würde." (While magical reports can be falsified, I doubt someone like Detective Stone would risk losing their job over something like that)
"Ich versuche nur, alle Fakten sammeln," (I am merely trying to gather all the facts) "Es scheint, dass einiges aus dem Bericht blieb und es gibt Dinge, die nicht vollständig erklärt wurden." (It seems that quite a bit was left out of the report and there are things that were not explained in full).
"We value our privacy," Thomas said with ice in his voice and switching back to English. "You can understand that, yes?" Without waiting for an answer, he continued. "As for what wasn't explained in full, you'll have to explain that one because I'm pretty sure that we answered the questions thoroughly."
"You claim to be a seer." Diane murmured and several people snorted with contempt. Thomas turned to them and eyed them all for a long moment. He knew why they all did that; they thought anyone claiming to have prophetic like abilities were frauds. True, most of them were, but Thomas was anything but a fake.
"I made no such claims," He murmured as those who snorted looked him with narrowed eyes. "Did any of you read the report or did all of you skim through it and just decide to execute the De Luca's so some of you wouldn't have to pay the bounty's that they have on their heads?" Thomas smiled as some of the representative's gave indignant squawks and furious denials.
Norman Bell hid a smile as he took a long swig from his glass of water. I like this kid -man- I like this young man, He thought. He's got a good head on his shoulders. He smile threatened to break his face in half as he saw many of his 'colleagues' basically confirm what he, and many other people thought with their quick denials. Something that a few of them noticed as they shut their mouths and glared at Thomas who looked unimpressed. When they turned their attention to his family, his eyes began to glow bluish white along with Embry's.
"Oh children," Embry called over to them in a sing song voice. "Do avert your eyes or we'll do it for you." He and Thomas gave them very fixed smiles that showed off their sharp teeth. Those who glared at Thomas started yelling obscenities at him and Embry.
"You dare to threaten us?!" The representative from Bulgaria snapped at them. He would have said more but Thomas appeared right in front of him in the blink of an eye still smiling that fixed smile. Embry appeared in front of the representative of Russia, a woman named Belinda Borodin, who had a very malicious glint in her eye when she looked over to Thomas and Embry's mates and children. Both representatives gulped while the others who couldn't follow their movements looked at their empty chairs then to Thomas and Embry then back again.
"We made no threats," Thomas said venomously while still smiling. Norman Bell waved the guards off as they reached for their wands. Really, what are they going to do? These two would have already done something by now and the guards wouldn't have been able to stop them. He thought while shaking his head at the guards. "People like us don't need to make threats but we do give warnings. This will be your first and last. Never, look at my family like that ever again. Your problem is with me, not them. While they don't necessarily need me to be there to defend them, you can be damn well sure that I will until I take my last breath." He hissed through his teeth before leaning closer to the Bulgarian and whispered, "Дори ако мисля за следващите след нас, ще приключи ви.." (If you even think about coming after us, I will end you).
Without another word, Thomas flashed back to his seat leaving a very pale, and shaken man behind. Embry followed not too long after and both of them sat in their chairs with their hands on both arm rests, waiting patiently for the proceedings to continue.
"If there are no further questions," Norman Bell said into the now quiet area. Receiving no response, he pressed on. "Bring in the accused." He told the guards near the doors. They inclined their heads and left the room. Thomas and Embry smiled at their family ignoring the looks of hostility or consideration from many members of the I.C.W. A few minutes later, the guards came back with two men who looked emaciated beyond belief. Their eyes, which were yellow, were sunken in and they looked like walking skeletons with skin. Their necks, wrists, waists, and ankles were covered in what looked like iron restraints that were connected by chains. They all had markings engraved into them.
Thomas and Embry never got a good look at their opponents faces before and they could see all the scars that marred their faces. Both of them had short hair which was falling out. Despite their appearance, and the fact that they were moving slow, they held their heads up high. The paused in their walking when they spotted Thomas and Embry before straightening their postures and bowing to them at the waist. The two alpha's slowly got out of their seats and did the same.
While they didn't like the fact that they fought for the house of Nero, Fabrizio and Giorgio respected the two men in front of them. They felt saddened that they could not finish their fight. It would have been glorious, they thought wistfully. Maybe we would have finally met our betters though it seems that we have. After all, we are about to die while they will continue to live.
Thomas and Embry respected them to an extent as well. They respected the fact that they were warriors; fighting for what they believed in. Their own beliefs may have conflicted with theirs, and they didn't sell their skills to the highest bidders, but they could respect the conviction these two had even if it brought them against their families.
Many people were puzzled by what took place if their frowns were anything to go by. They thought something fishy was going on but didn't say anything as Norman Bell began to speak.
"Fabrizio Giuseppe De Luca, Giorgio Alfredo De Luca, both of you stand accused of the following," Norman pulled out a scroll and began to list their crimes. Most of which had the people listening balking at the amount of damage the De Luca's had caused both directly and indirectly. After what felt like an eternity, Norman put the scroll down and looked over to the two brothers. "How do you plead?" He asked him and Thomas closed his eyes at the stupidity of all of this. They already decided on killing them barely a minute into the meeting prior to this one but tradition dictated that they follow through with procedure. Something Thomas thought was irritating and could tell that some members of the I.C.W. including the Supreme Mugwump felt the same way.
"Guilty," Giorgio rasped and laughed shakily at the looks of surprise on some people's faces. His brother joined him. "Why so surprised?" He rasped again. "Were you expecting us to fight? We know what we did was wrong; we just never anticipated on getting caught. We know that this will not change your judgement of having us killed. Though, I'm sure most of you were hoping that these," He held up his hands as best as he could to show his manacles. "Would have killed us by now. So sorry to disappoint." He spat bitterly at the ground. "I do believe that we are entitled to one last request, Supreme Mugwump." He said to Norman after a moment.
Before Norman could respond, several members of the I.C.W. leapt out of their seats to say that he should deny them this request before he even heard it. He had to fire off a few spells along with the guards to get everyone who started talking all at once to be quiet.
"Enough!" He roared at those who still tried to tell him what to do. "In case all of you forgot, they are entitled to make a request and it is I who will deny or approve it. You all know this, after all it is procedure and we agreed to follow procedure when we took our oaths to represent our respective magical communities," He sneered at them while inwardly smirking. He knew he had them with that fact and there was nothing that they could do to stop him. They all sat down angrily and glared at Norman who curled his upper lip at them in disgust. He turned back to the De Luca's. "Yes, the both of you are entitled to a last request and if it's within my ability to grant it, and if it is with in reason, it will be done."
The De Luca's nodded before Fabrizio spoke.
"My brother and I have no children," He began. "And we have never named our heirs or successors. We wish to do so now." The I.C.W. sat forward and listened intently. Thomas adopted an impassive expression because he knew what was about to happen and he could do nothing to stop it. "The Italian ministry may be reluctant to accept but your word will nullify any opposition our heirs may face. All we ask is that no one but those we name as our heirs will have what we leave behind."
Norman contemplated for a few moments before speaking.
"The only problem I have with that is your wealth and potential items you wish to give," Norman said slowly. "The money in your vaults will be going to the victims of your crimes or be used to pay for all the damage you have caused. Whatever artifacts or devices you have in your vaults and your homes will also be seized and studied by members that will be hand picked by this body. If they are clean, they will be given to your heirs along with everything else."
Thomas tried very hard not to groan out loud as Norman basically left a gaping legal hole for the De Luca's to use but technically there was nothing more that he could do. The I.C.W. could only seize known accounts and properties, anything else had to be reported in. Thomas could not tell them anything now because he had no physical evidence to provide and the De Luca's had them hidden with nasty traps that only a blood relative or whomever their named as their heirs could enter. The other problem was that in order for there to be any investigation by the I.C.W. there had to be a complaint filed by the minister of the country hoping to get investigators to come to their country. That was never going to happen as a few of those countries could care less about what happened to the De Luca family fortune and assets because they were going to be executed later on in the day. Thomas couldn't file the complaint because despite having powers, he was a none magical and many of the countries in this room do not deal with none magicals and they were the ones with the secret stashes.
Giorgio and Fabrizio smiled widely. It looked like it took a lot of effort but they showed off their pearly white teeth that was filed down into points.
"That is acceptable," Giorgio nodded, "we wish to announce our choices."
"By all means," Norman gestured for them to do so. The De Luca siblings smirked before turning to Thomas and Embry. The former narrowed his eyes at them while the other looked startled. The De Luca's then said a single word that caused a massive amount of chaos to erupt.
"Them."
Fabrizio was wrong, the Italian Ministry was more than reluctant when Norman gave his okay; they were unreasonable. The I.C.W. member jumped out of her chair and made her way down to the De Luca siblings shouting at them in her native tongue and demanding that they stop playing games and announce a proper heir for each of them. When they didn't she drew her wand but Thomas stood in front of her and told her to calm down. She fired a stunner at him, thinking that because he was close to her that he wouldn't be able to dodge. He didn't, he instead let it hit him. It had very little effect on him; all it did was make him wobble. He glared at the paling witch before dropping to the floor as two stunners were sent her way. The witch broke a very important rule when she fired that stunner; members apart from the Supreme Mugwump were not allowed to use magic unless in self defense or if they had permission from the Supreme Mugwump. The rule was implemented back in 1769 when the Chinese representative attacked the German representative over a misunderstanding. No one knows exactly what the misunderstanding was about because apparently the two magicals were too embarrassed to say anything.
The others asked Thomas if he was alright and he said he was fine. Tanya smacked him upside the head for scaring her and the kids but he told her that he didn't mean too though he was glad that it had no effect on him. When asked why he said it proved that the bond between he and Tanya was growing stronger. He explained that he had a conversation with his wolf when he said that it wasn't fair that he could heal from getting burned but she couldn't. His wolf, Takodah, had told him that the bond works both ways. Meaning that Thomas would get her speed, her strength, and her ability to stop aging. Likewise, Tanya would able to heal from being burned. They never noticed because Thomas never asked until then and they never tested it out.
Not that they were willing to do so.
According to Claudius, the Italian Minister, one Franco Clericuzio, raised hell at the American Ministry. He refused to acknowledge the Supreme Mugwumps decision and wanted retribution for what he thought was a blatant attack on his Ministry. That is until it was shown to him that his chosen representative broke one of the rules did he withdraw that statement. He still didn't want to acknowledge what Norman chose but really, he had little choice and was mostly being stubborn about it. In truth, the De Luca's could have named anyone or anything that was capable of rational thought and it would have been accepted. The Italian Ministry just didn't want foreigners getting control of a prominent Italian family's wealth and assets.
Thomas was less than pleased about getting their assets but there was little he could do about it. Embry was in shock for a while before he snapped at Thomas for not telling him about that but Thomas said that it didn't matter if he told him or not; nothing was going to change the outcome. They couldn't really refuse what was given to them because Fabrizio and Giorgio wanted only those who were named to receive what they left behind. No distant relative could lay claim to it and the Ministry could not refuse the word of the Supreme Mugwump no matter how much they wanted to.
Thomas and Embry agreed that whatever was left from the seizures would be divided evenly along with whatever was hidden. They also agreed that Embry should take up the title of Lord De Luca as Thomas already two and didn't want any more. The De Luca siblings had left them notes with hidden messages so they could find these hidden places. Most of which, were in Romania not that far from the house or rather mansion, that Vladimir and Stefan left to Thomas in the Transylvanian Alps.
Thinking about that place made Thomas inwardly smile and frown at the same time. He loved the place and so did his family; that made him smile. What made him frown was the fact that many vampires tried to destroy it about a month after the final battle with the Volturi. They didn't know that Vladimir and Stefan were dead but they did know that there wasn't very much activity in the area so they decided to investigate. When they found no opposition, they decided to kill the villagers nearby. They would have succeeded had Thomas not shown up and drove them away from the village. He killed most of them and let two leave to spread the word that Romania was off limits.
Thomas shook his head slightly as he heard footsteps approach the gazebo. The four people the group was waiting on walked over to them. Greetings were exchanged as they all sat down. Sam nodded to Thomas and all the other Alphas as a sign of respect even though he was a member of the tribal council and they were not.
"Now that the last of us has arrived," Billy Black spoke softly before turning to his nephew. "The floor is yours Thomas."
Thomas nodded to his uncle before standing up and tapping one of the mirrors. They all glowed briefly and began to grow into full size mirrors before Thomas spoke into it.
"Carlisle, can you here me?" He asked and Carlisle Cullen's face along with the others appeared. After receiving an affirmative, he continued. "Honored Elders," He nodded to Billy, Sue Swan, and Old Quil all of whom, nodded back. "My fellow Alphas, shifters, imprints, friends and family." He nodded to them and they nodded back. "I asked for this meeting so we could discuss something that...is mostly unknown to us but will not put us in any immediate danger."
He paused and looked at the group before him. They looked at him curiously and waited for him to continue.
"As we all know, magic, while possessing a lot of rules and laws, can be a near limitless force," Thomas continued. "It can help achieve many wonderful things. We also know, that the events in the Harry Potter series did actually happen and the people in those books and films do exist." Everyone nodded. Some of them actually met Harry, his family, and their friends and the others were told about it. "We know that time travel is possible but to most people it is limited." He sighed through his nose. "Artorius, Bertram, and Wilfred have found a way to go back a long way in time and they are going to use it."
No one said a word and the only sound that was made came from the crackling fire in the pit and most of both groups stared blankly at Thomas. Those who didn't were his mate, Embry and his mate, Alice and Jasper. They already knew before hand. When nobody spoke up, Thomas continued.
"They want to make sure that the war that broke out never happens," He said. "They also think that they maybe wizarding Britain can have a chance to move on if they were to help influence them. Some of the people staying with them have already decided to go back." And the others will follow, He added in his mind.
"You wish to go with them," Old Quil Ateara spoke up. It was worded like a question, but he said it like a fact.
"I wish to help them," Thomas hedged. In truth, Thomas did want to go with them but only if this council, and the one in the spirit world gave their blessings. "Neither of them have officially asked me or anyone here but they didn't need too; I could see it in their eyes." He hesitated. "But I don't think I could be of much help."
"And why is that?" Sue Swan asked him softly from her spot next to her husband Charlie. "You have more than enough power to help them. You are a very intelligent young man who can handle himself in a verbal argument. I'm not seeing a problem here."
"The problem," Thomas said slowly, "Is that I am not a wizard and that community is riddled with prejudice against those who have no magic and who are not human. I happen to be both; if anything I might end up hindering their cause." Though I doubt they would care. He added mentally.
"But we would be untouchable," Leah Clearwater, more commonly known as Tempest to her fellow Alphas spoke up. "We would be able to stop whatever plans the opposition may have."
"We?" Thomas asked quietly. "What we? Leah, you're hardly in any condition to travel anywhere let alone through time." He looked at her protruding stomach with a pointed expression before locking gazes with he and raising his eyebrows. Leah shot to her feet and glared at him.
"So what, you were going to leave the rest of us behind?!" She demanded in a shrill voice. Nahuel tried to get her to sit back down but she shrugged him off. "Well?!" She snapped at Thomas.
Tanya gritted her teeth to stop her from lashing out a Leah. She did so because she knew that Thomas could take care of himself; especially against Leah but she didn't appreciate the she wolf's tone.
"I was not going to leave anyone behind," Thomas said calmly. "But we have to look at this logically. If too much of us go; we would be leaving everyone else at a severe disadvantage. Especially if I were to go because of my shield and future seeing ability." Thomas gave up calling his power a force field or field because he felt it was too stiff so he called it the technical term. "We would be down one seer and a defensive talent. We'd lose more power if any of us left really. But then again; this is mostly talk because I'm not going to do it without the ok of both council's."
Leah's shoulders slumped as she sighed and sat back down. She nodded her head apologetically to Thomas who nodded back. He sat down next to his mate and took her hand in his. She squeezed his hand in reassurance. A shimmer of spirit energy appeared into the gazebo, shining brighter than the fire. When the light dimmed there stood the figure of Jason Matthews.
"Dad." Thomas said quietly with a nod. "What are you doing here?"
"I need a reason to be here?" Jason demanded with mock indignation. "I can't just pop in unannounced?"
"Well it is very rude," Thomas said with a wave of his hand and his dad huffed but smiled none the less. Jason turned to his wife and mother and smiled at them before saying hello to everyone else.
"I'm here as a spoke person for the spirit council; who has been monitoring the situation." Jason said. Of course they are, Thomas thought, not unkindly. He could never use his gift in the spirit world nor could he use it to see into it. If he didn't know or trust the council there, it would have made him feel uneasy but luckily he did know them and he did trust them. "They said that whatever your decision, they will support you. However, should you chose to go, you won't have to worry about your link, it will still be there."
"How?" Thomas frowned. "If we go back, we would be in a time before the links were established."
"But remember what I told you?" His dad asked him patiently. "About the spirit world not being reality as we know it? That it was sort of the in between?" When he received a nod, Jason continued, "Well it exists between time and space. Technically, if they wanted to, they could have kept all of you for a short amount of time during your ascension's but they felt what the time you spent there was enough to satisfy the bonds you all have. Plus, they didn't want you freaking out for staying there too long or not long enough."
"Ok, that's one less thing to worry about," Thomas muttered though most people heard him. He sighed loudly before speaking up. "Well the other problem with going back is the opposition itself. Despite having magic, they are still human and none of us have fought humans before or after we ascended."
"You're afraid that you might severely injure them; or even kill them out right." Sam nodded his head in understanding and Thomas nodded back. "I can see why you would be hesitant; but all of you know how to exercise restraint. I doubt anyone here will question that." He raised his eyebrows in challenge but none came. "That is not much of an issue to be honest."
"It is when we use these," Thomas held up his weapon that, while not made specifically for him, was an extension of himself. "Unless we make some sticks with some foam or some pillows filled with feathers and baby powder, these will damage the opposition; permanently," He adopted a thoughtful expression. "Although I'm sure some of them won't be missed or pitied if they are."
"The toad?" Embry asked him lightly.
"The toad." Thomas nodded. "And the death eaters as well I suppose." He added in a murmur.
"You were considering on letting them live?" Jack Wilde, more commonly known as Spectrum, asked. "Do you know what they do?"
"Apart from the murder, rape, torture, and the shameless promotion of inbreeding?" Thomas asked, sounding slightly sarcastic though it was a rhetorical question. "No Jackie Boy I don't, why don't you enlighten me." He said lightly and Jack flushed slightly but said nothing. "I know exactly what they have done but that doesn't mean we should take them head on. That would be like a teenager picking on a toddler; which is absolutely ridiculous. Yes, they have magic but wands can be snapped and none of them have ever fought without it. We would basically be bullying them not that it wouldn't be justified." He added quickly when he gained many incredulous looks; even from his mate. "But we are long lived; virtually immortal and they are not. We are stronger, faster, and our powers are practically limitless. They are mundane in comparison to us."
"So you would let them live, after all they have done?" Billy asked his nephew with a slight raising of his brows.
"I would only attack them if they struck first," Thomas said firmly. "That is how I operate. I am a descendant from a long line of warriors and Chieftains' uncle. My ancestors would roll in their graves if I ever became the instigator." He eyed everyone in the circle before him. "Make no mistake; if anyone of them means to harm myself or my family, I will fight back. If it means that I will have to kill them to protect what I love; I will do so, as I always have. I'll just be extra careful this time around because I am not facing another immortal in battle, but a human."
Billy nodded thoughtfully at his nephews answer.
"Who would you take with you?" Old Quil asked Thomas.
"Apart from my family?" Thomas asked back and the elder Ateara nodded. "Only so many people; mainly those who volunteer and maybe those practice dummies we use because they could be used to help subdue the more violent targets." He paused and closed his eyes. "Another fear that I have is that when we go back and change things; our lives will change as well. I can already see a few scenarios where things could change drastically on this side of the Atlantic. Things would change anyway, but I'm afraid things would become more pronounced this way and we won't be able to stop it or know what's going on."
"The council will help you with the knowing part," His father told him and Thomas snapped his gaze over to him. "And they may be able to help guide those who stay behind. Your fears are justified and warranted; but with something like this there were bound to be risks."
Thomas just nodded his head, there was nothing more that he could say.
"There is a massive risk here," Billy began. "But all of you have power; all of you have the means to help. That means you have a responsibility to help and I, for one, will not stop any of you from going. Though I will caution you all to be careful and to not take things lightly. Doing so would be foolish and unwise," He turned to Thomas and smiled. "You have my blessing."
Thomas nodded gratefully to his uncle and turned to the other two Elders. Sue smiled at him as did old Quil.
"You have my blessing," They intoned together. Thomas nodded to them as well and sighed in relief. That was one hurdle done, now they just had to decide on who was going back.
Not really happy with that ending but it was the best I could think of. Let me know your thoughts and critiques.