We are almost at the end of this story but please keep the reviews coming. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did in the writing of it. Jules
Chapter 106
Peter
When The Major announced he was going to Ethan's camp to talk to him I insisted on accompanying him. Bella needed to stay away until we knew a bit more about the situation. She wasn't happy but sense prevailed.
"OK but if you aren't back in a couple of hours I'm coming to get you and Ethan better watch out if I do, gift or no gift!"
She watched as we walked away in the direction of the river and out of view
"Getting touchy our Bells"
"She's afraid for us, scared she won't be able to protect us if Ethan changes sides or proves to be a traitor in our camp."
"Yeah well she's right isn't she Major, if Ethan throws us to the wolves there wont be much left to save anyway. Do you trust him?"
"You know me, I don't trust anyone I don't know"
"Fuck, you don't trust half the people you do know"
"Well its kept us alive this far."
"True. Well lets see what he has to say for himself."
"Watch my back Peter"
"Always do Major"
Ethan and his friend were sitting together talking when we appeared and got up swiftly to greet us
"So Major, Peter. You decided to talk. I thought you would. It pays not to trust strangers and I know your mate doesn't trust me, nor does your Captain."
I was busy looking round to make sure there was no one else here, then I fixed my gaze on Ethan's companion,
"Who's he?" I asked nodding at him.
"That's my Captain. Come and say hello Lance."
The younger man came over, red eyes darting around as if he were nervous. He finally fixed them on The Major and held out his hand,
"I've heard a lot about you Major, it's an honor"
Jasper looked at the proffered hand but made no attempt to touch it,
"Oh, what exactly have you heard?"
The youngster stuttered slightly as he replied,
"All good Major."
"Then it's probably lies. I'm not good at all. Where are you from Lance?"
He looked to Ethan before answering,
"I come from Oklahoma originally. I was changed in 1865 by a female vampire. She wanted me as a companion but after I changed she didn't want me any more so she left. I wandered South and got involved with some of the fighting in Mexico. That's where I heard about the legendary Major Whitlock. I wish I'd been able to see you fight. I hear you were very good."
"I still am."
"Oh I'm sure you are. I didn't mean that as an insult."
"None taken"
Lance subsided then and Jasper looked back at Ethan,
"Why is he with you? He's not a fighter."
"No not really, but he has a very valuable gift, to me at least. He sees battles before they happen, he can tell me what my opponent will do, how he'll defend himself. It makes my job so much easier as I'm sure you can see."
"Giving away your secrets Ethan?"
"Sharing with a brother warrior I like to think"
"So what's Aro's plan?"
"I'm not sure he really has one Major, he's bringing a few of those who owe him and hoping it will be enough to defeat you or at least weaken you so Chelsea and possibly Marcus will join his faction."
"Do you know who he's recruited?"
"I have my sources and they tell me he's done pretty well in a short space of time. He's got half the Volturi Guard with him, the other half are now loyal to Chelsea, not surprising really. He also has Jamie, Angelo, Ruby and Christoph.
"A mixed bunch, an interesting one too. What does he expect to gain by using them?"
Peter
Why they couldn't just have a straight conversation was beyond me. All these cryptic comments just pissed me off.
"I'll tell you what he hopes to gain, fuck all. Their gifts won't work against Bella's shield and he knows it. There's something Ethan there isn't telling you and personally I'd like to know what it is"
I turned to him,
"You gonna tell us Aro's secret weapon or do we keep fucking guessing Ethan?"
He smiled at me and then turned back to The Major
"I'd heard your Captain was a hot-headed man but an astute one.
"Yeah so fucking astute that I know shit when I hear it. Who has Aro really got standing beside him?"
Lance moved forward hearing the anger in my voice,
"Listen to me Dick Head, you may be able to see a battle plan but when it amounts to just kicking the shit out of you it won't help much, so back off before I put you in the fucking river."
He looked at Ethan who nodded and he move back a few paces
"There's no need for threats between allies Major."
"True, but are we allies? And my Captain is his own man."
"Too fucking right I am. Now spit it out Ethan"
Jasper
Peter as usual had hit the target, we both knew there was more to Aro's threat than a few lowly vampires that Bella could easily shield us from. I looked at Ethan and waited. He sighed and shrugged his shoulders,
"He was rather banking on my help I think."
"So who do you stand with Ethan?"
"A very good question Major but a hard one to answer. I'm torn to put it bluntly. Aro offers me money, a lot of money and a chance to fight The Major. He is a Volturi leader and could make my life very difficult if I cross him. On the other hand you offer me a good fight, I don't deny that, and a chance to fight alongside The Major. Something that has been an ambition of mine for some time now. You have a very strong weapon on your side too. One that I would like the chance to wield myself but that's another story. If you win, and you have a very good chance of doing so, I need not worry about Aro any longer which is another bonus I don't deny."
"Decisions decisions, just make one." Peter snapped.
We heard someone approach and all took up positions to defend ourselves when I saw it was Bella.
"I thought I'd see how the negotiations were going. Hello Ethan"
He stood from his crouch and bowed to her,
"So nice to see you again Bella. The Major and I were just discussing which way I should choose to fight."
"And have you decided?"
"Yes I rather think I have, finally."
"So are you going to tell us or do we have to fucking guess?"
"No my impatient Captain. No guessing required. I like a challenge and fighting against you really wouldn't be one. Either I would get Bella's shield and you all die or I couldn't wrestle it from her grasp in which case we would all die. On your side however there is always an element of luck. I know Bella can protect you from all the gifts Aro has at his disposal...except for one."
"Renata" I answered
"Yes. The other shield. I rather think they will negate each other, which means Aro can protect one of his fighters from Bella's shield. Who do you think he will choose Major?"
"I'd put my money on Jane or Ruby."
"Yes me too. We either get pulled towards Aro's forces by the delectable Ruby making us incapable of fighting, or we have a stalemate, we can't win because we cant destroy Jane and Aro can't win because he only has her safe. It's a pretty little dilemma."
"Aro wont protect them" Peter was confident.
"Why not?" asked Ethan.
"If he protects Jane and we kill him it gives her his position in the Volturi. Aro wont give up his shield he values his scrawny neck too much for that. If he sees you standing with us he'll turn tail and run."
"I don't want that" Jaspers voice was cold. "It needs to be over. Aro needs to die."
"Then you don't want me to stand beside you?" Queried Ethan
"No" replied Bella "We want you to stand in the shadows so Aro decides to fight. We need you to show yourself when its too late for him to run"
"Your mate is something of a tactician herself Major"
Bella smiled and put her hand in mine and moved to stand close beside me,
"We're a team Ethan. A very formidable team. So are you in?"