[This message has been edited by Dr.G (edited November 09, 2001).]
by Dr.G » Thu Nov 08, 2001 4:03 pm
[This message has been edited by Dr.G (edited November 09, 2001).]
by wizpup » Fri Nov 09, 2001 9:16 am
quote:
Originally posted by Dr.G:
Ah this is really wonderful Forrister, you've got me spellbound.
Feeling the need to agree…
After all, I need to start posting sometime, cannot lurk forever.
Just wanted to say “loving this”
I have only just stumbled across this fic, and have read all of the story so far in a single sitting, (it’s my lunch break – honest guv).
Great to read an original story and not know what’s coming up next. Plee-ea-ase, don’t keep us waiting too long for the rest!
by Forrister » Wed Nov 14, 2001 1:18 pm
House of Cards
by Forrister
Email address: forrister@hotmail.com
Feedback: Please – I really appreciate some constructive feedback. (Not necessarily positive feedback, but definitely constructive.)
Distribution: Please don’t distribute or archive my story without asking me.
Rating: PG –13
Disclaimer: I know Joss owns them all. I know I don’t. (A little knowledge can be so damn frustrating.)
Note: Post “The Gift”. Sequel to “Little Miss Nobody.” (Set about eight weeks after ‘The Gift’)
Thanks to all the usual suspects. I’m sending the main one a set of elf ears for Xmas.
Chapter 10
The meeting at the Magic Box went much longer than the usual meetings. Giles presented the information he had on the enigmatic Miss Buchanan. His friend in London, Winston, hadn't contacted him since the last fax over a day ago. Tara's research into Liches was of slight value. Apparently, when a sorcerer chose to grasp power and immortality they performed some ritual involving lots of human sacrifice - often of people close to them, like family or friends. This resulted in them becoming and immensely powerful form of undead. Unlike vampires who were dead shells of people with a demon instead of a soul, Liches willingly gave their soul over to total evil. There was little information on how to defeat a Lich. There was a folk tale of how true love could destroy a Lich, but as the Lich usually began their careers by brutally killing anyone they ever loved this may well have been an old wives tale. It seemed that they were immune to normal and magical weapons and for the most part destroyed themselves in some act of overwhelming pride, when they called on power that was too much for them to handle. Tara was privately convinced that there really was a Lich about, despite the doubts of others. It was a worry to her as to how they could beat it with so little information to go on.
Willow's search for information in the police databases proved more useful. There had been five similar murders in the Sunnydale area over the last five days, only the two found in the parking lot of the Sunnydale Inn had received any publicity. All five were unmarried women between the ages of twenty and thirty, and each woman had been drained of blood and found with their hearts, livers, and spleens removed. None of them were killed where they were found and there was no evidence of any sexual assault. There was a half of a tarot card in each of their hands, the bottom half, Giles couldn't make out which card or cards from the descriptions but he thought that they were from the major arcana. Unfortunately pictures of the cards weren't included in the reports.
Giles went on to describe the other murders that had occurred in other parts of the world. As Willow widened her search she found a similar set of murders in a little town in Canada. In that case there had been nine women killed with the same mutilations and half a tarot card. These were from the same period a year ago. A year before that there were eight similar murders in Scotland, again at the same time of year. None of the murders were ever solved, although the cases still remained open.
Tara remained silent throughout the discussion on what all these things might portend. For all the evidence to the contrary, she still felt in her heart that Siobhan was to be trusted. It was obvious to her that Spike and Giles thought that she was responsible for the killings, even though they were careful not to say so directly. Anya and Xander were more interested in the practicalities, what needed to be done, rather than the question of Siobhan's guilt or innocence. She thought that Anya did lean a little to her way of thinking but that may have been a purely mercenary reaction to a good customer. With Anya, it was sometimes hard to tell. Only Willow supported her fully and that was because she trusted her love, not because it was logical to do so. She wished that Willow could see what she had seen, but lacking that first hand knowledge made her love’s faith in her so much more precious. Tara had to pull her mind back to the discussion and force herself to focus.
"So we'll be patrolling every night until this is over." Giles gave his glasses a last polish and replaced them on his nose. "Are there any questions?"
"Apart from the usual vamps, what are we looking for exactly?" Xander asked.
"Anything out of the ordinary." Giles replied. A raised eyebrow and contemptuous look from Spike caused him to modify his statement. "Out of the ordinary for here at any rate."
Xander nodded. He wrapped one arm around Anya and pocketed a stake from the table.
"If we come across anything that attempts to use magick against us then Willow and Tara will throw up a barrier and we run. No heroics, no fighting, just get out of there." Giles was insistent. He didn't want to see any of the group hurt. "None of us have any idea of what is out there but it is likely to be a powerful magick user and shouldn’t be tackled without more information."
"Terrific." Spike looked thoroughly disgusted. "We go out looking for the unusual and when we find it, what do we do? We bugger off with our tails between our legs!"
"Not all of us are as immortal as you Spike." Giles replied.
"It's a wonder that this big, brave, undead loudmouth wasn't made permanently dead years ago." Xander commented.
"It'd take a better man than you, monkey boy." Spike sneered.
"Shall we set out then?" Giles asked, not wanting another round of taunt and counter taunt between Spike and Xander. He passed out the hand axes and stakes that were the weapons of choice for the Scoobies.
Willow tucked a stake into the back of her belt and turned to see Tara waiting, apprehensively. She took her by the hand. "Together?"
Tara's face tightened with resolve. "Together." They walked out hand in hand.
**********
The streets of Sunnydale were unusually quiet. It seemed that the population had somehow sensed that the danger was different and more threatening than normal. Even the Bronze was nearly empty. The gang moved through the streets slowly, watching for trouble. It wasn’t until they reached the outskirts of the cemetery that things began to happen.
They’d spotted the pair of vampires slinking back to their lair. Spike stepped out of the shadows and confronted them. He took a long drag of his smoke and then looked them up and down. “Not a good night to be out, boys. There’s trouble on the way.”
“We can take care of ourselves.” The first one claimed contemptuously.
“Yeah, tain’t no sech thang as them thare witches.” The second one added slowly, with a thick accent.
Spike snorted. “And what makes you think that, country boy?”
“I don’t hold with what them fellers at Willy’s say. There jist ain’t no sech critter.” He didn’t look quite so sure of himself though.
Spike dropped the cigarette and ground it under his boot. “Next you’ll be telling me there are no such things as slayers.” He walked over and stood in front of them, sizing them up.
“Slayers?” The first one sounded puzzles. “What’s a slayer?”
“Funny, I said the same thing once. Pity you’ll never get to meet her.” Spike pulled out a stake and slammed it into the first vampire’s chest. The other, seeing what was happening, turned to run but received a stake courtesy of Giles who’d moved in behind.
Spike raised an eyebrow and gave a nod in acknowledgement of the assist. Giles took the recognition silently as the rest of the group came out from where they were hidden, ready to act.
“At least somebody was where they were supposed to be.” Spike complained. “Where were you? Off snogging in the bushes with you’re little gal pal?”
“I was about to jump out and help!” Xander protested. “Giles just got there before me.”
“I think that someone should take a little swing by Willy’s. Anyone up for it?” Spike asked, ignoring Xander’s protests and the little guilty look on Anya’s face.
“Why Spike, not game to go yourself?” Xander was careful to stay out of arms reach. “Hang on, didn’t they beat the hell out of you last time you were in there? I guess the monkey boy will have to take care of this himself.”
“Ahem.” Giles cleared his throat and tucked the stake he was holding back in his coat pocket. “I’ll be going too. Nobody should be wandering around alone.”
“If my man is going, I’m going too!” Anya exclaimed as she wrapped an arm around Xander’s waist.
“Well, I guess that leaves me to escort the ladies home.” Spike grinned. Xander looked puzzled until he realized that Spike had wanted that all along. He shot Spike a dirty look, shook his head and turned to go, Anya in tow.
Giles waited for a moment. “Be very careful on your way back. It might be quiet but there is something out there. Just take care.” He followed after Xander and Anya.
Willow nodded and took Tara’s hand. The three of them set out for home.
*********
There wasn't a single light on at Willy's place. The doors and windows were shut and locked. They went around to the alley in back but that door was locked too. Giles looked around to make sure they were alone and then took a small silver tool from his pocket. After a moments fiddling with the lock Giles gave the door a gentle push and it opened.
"Where did you learn to do that?" Xander whispered as he looked around the room. It was relatively clean for a shady bar.
"Never you mind." Giles softly replied as he checked the other rooms. He came out and shook his head. "No one about."
"That is not a good sign." Xander said as he watched Anya check behind the bar. "Willy would keep this place open in the middle of an apocalypse."
"He emptied the cash register before he left." Anya observed.
"He must have gone to ground." Giles concluded. "He obviously wasn't in a panic because he took the time to lock up and get the cash."
“If something is bad enough to scare off Willy then I'm prepared to consider leaving town.” Xander felt the coffeepot. It was still vaguely warm.
"Are we going to run away again?" Anya inquired. "Shall I pack food?"
"We're not going anywhere." Giles closed the register and walked towards the door. "With Buffy away it's up to us to deal with this."
"Buff sure can pick her time to go on vacation." Xander commented, as he took Anya's hand and followed Giles out the door.
"I believe that she's earned this vacation, and I for one wouldn’t dream of spoiling it by getting her back early." Giles waited until everyone was out the door before taking out his silver tool and locking it again.
"You're right. I guess we can handle this. Can't we?" Xander sounded less than certain.
"We have to, and we will." Giles sounded far more confident that he felt.
**********
Willow and Tara walked carefully though the darkened streets with Spike hovering about. Sometimes he was in front, sometimes behind, always alert. They were about a block from home when a vampire stepped out into the street in front of them and stood.
Nice of you to come out tonight. I was beginning to think that I’d be all alone. The vampire seemed confident and sure of himself.
“We’re here now.” Spike sneered. “Want to party?” He pulled the axe from his belt and grasped the stake in his other hand. Willow and Tara backed up a step to give them room and prepared to cast a spell if needed.
“Only if my friends are invited.” The vampire rushed at Spike, dancing under the swinging axe and grabbing the stake from his hand. Spike jumped to one side and swung again. The vampire avoided this with ease. They settled down to a deadly dance, dodging and weaving in the street.
Willow and Tara watched the fight for an opening to assist Spike. They were concentrating so hard that neither of them heard the two that crept up behind them. One grabbed Willow around the throat while the other flung a sack over Tara’s head. Tara struggled for a bit and then slumped to the ground. Willow froze. She saw her love fall but couldn’t move. The images of another night and another alley filled her mind and played like a grotesque movie in her thoughts.
Spike saw Tara go down out of the corner of his eye and began to fight with a frantic will. His opponent was good, almost as good as he was. Almost, but not quite. As the other vampire moved in for the kill, Spike executed the perfect flying spin and lopped off his opponents head. The vampire turned to dust before the head could hit the ground.
Willow began to struggle weakly at the assailant who held her from behind. She tried to grab her axe but was unable to wrest it from her belt. The other vampire, having dealt with Tara came across to assist its friend. Spike was just finishing off his target. Then Willow heard a voice cry out “REOIGH!” and saw a card flutter to her feet.
The vampire holding her suddenly froze along with his cohort. Willow wriggled free and grabbed a stake, slamming it first into one chest, then into the other, dusting both vampires. She dropped the piece of wood and ran to Tara, ripping the bag from her head. Tara lay there, her eyes closed, her breathing steady and slow. Willow could smell the heady smell of chloroform wafting up from the bag, making her a little dizzy. She held her breath and flung the bag as far away as she could. She cradled her sleeping love in her arms as she tried to wake her. It never occurred to her to wonder what had happened to Spike until she heard that voice again. “Fuascail.” It wasn’t a yell this time but the sound echoed. She heard Spike exclaim, “Bloody hell!” and looked up to see a female figure disappear into the darkness.
Spike knelt next to her. He sniffed the air and recognised the smell. “Shit! Chloroform is old-fashioned, but effective. Not as much fun as a club to the back of the head, mind, but it works.” He checked Tara’s breathing. “She’ll begin to come around soon, but I think we’d better get her home.” He took Tara’s prone form into his arms and lifted her with ease. “Pick up that card and the sack, they could be useful. Oh, and don’t breath in those bloody fumes. I can’t be carrying everyone. I’m not a sodding taxi service.”
Willow clung to Tara’s hand for a moment before picking up the card and putting it in her pocket. She picked up the sack with two fingers and held it well away from herself and followed after Spike. They were at the front door when she asked, “Did you see that woman? I couldn’t quite make out her face.”
Spike grimaced. “Oh yeah, I saw her alright. It was that witch bitch!”
Willow stopped dead in the middle of unlocking the door. “Siobhan.”
************
To be continued.
Home stretch folks, not much more to go. It should be there fairly soon, mundane disasters permitting.
Tempus edax rerum nunc est bibendum
(Time is the devourer of all things -- now is the time for drinking.)
by Katharyn » Wed Nov 14, 2001 1:34 pm
Katharyn
------------------
She's my always
by Forrister » Wed Nov 14, 2001 2:08 pm
by wizpup » Wed Nov 14, 2001 2:21 pm
Did I mention that I don't do patience?
The pace is really picking up now and you certainly have the knack for suspense. Looking forward to the rest of the ride.
Thanks.
by Bunny » Wed Nov 14, 2001 2:26 pm
Roll out the next partl
Loved the fact that Anya noticed the till, is that girl till obsessed?
------------------
FF Meeting: - "Hi my name's Lee and I'm a Fan Ficaholic"
by emily 'first' » Wed Nov 14, 2001 2:50 pm
------------------
vive,valeque.
by the_slayers_girl » Wed Nov 14, 2001 4:19 pm
by Puff » Thu Nov 15, 2001 3:37 pm
Oh and I think you got my ho-ish ways in spoilerdom and I got your spoiler free way. Want to swap back?
by Forrister » Sat Nov 17, 2001 2:17 pm
House of Cards
by Forrister
Email address: forrister@hotmail.com
Feedback: Please – I really appreciate some constructive feedback. (Not necessarily positive feedback, but definitely constructive.)
Distribution: Please don’t distribute or archive my story without asking me.
Rating: PG –13
Disclaimer: I know Joss owns them all. I know I don’t. (A little knowledge can be so damn frustrating.)
Note: Post “The Gift”. Sequel to “Little Miss Nobody.” (Set about eight weeks after ‘The Gift’)
Thanks to the kitties who have kept coming back for more, and to my beta reader who has to suffer through this twice (the aspirin is in the mail!).
Chapter 11
Tara woke up in bed later that night, with a splitting headache. She was a bit disoriented at first but she knew that the hand holding hers and the body pressed up beside her belonged to Willow. Her movements had alerted Willow who sat up and brushed the hair from her eyes.
“Tara, sweetie! How are you feeling?”
Tara took stock. The legs and arms worked, there was no pain in the body, but her head was throbbing. “Like I was hit in the head by a bus.” She finally replied, moving slowly until she was in a sitting position.
Willow poured something out of the jug by the bed. “Poor baby. Here sip this.” She held up a glass which Tara sniffed at before tasting. It was familiar, yet had a little something extra. It took her a little while to place the unfamiliar ingredient. She took a guess. “Apple and carrot juice?”
Willow gave one of her impish smiles. “I made it special for you. I thought you might like it.” Her brow furrowed again. “Do you need some aspirin?”
“Um…” Tara tested the limits of the pain in her head and realised that it was more than a slight pain that would soon go away on its own. “Yes please. Would you mind?”
“I have them here and ready.” Willow opened the bottle and put two aspirin in Tara’s hand.
Tara was impressed. “You seem to have thought of everything.”
“Well, you were asleep and I needed something to do while I waited.” Willow’s words made light of the worry she’d felt while waiting for those blue eyes to open, and the guilt she felt at her failure to protect her love in the first place.
Tara smiled that little smile that could light up a room. “So, why is it I have all the signs of a hangover? Particularly when I know that I don’t drink?”
Willow looked grim. Tara braced herself for whatever was coming. “You were chloroformed by a couple of vampires we ran into earlier.”
This puzzled Tara. “Why would they do that? Vampires don’t generally try to knock out their prey.”
Willow gave voice to what she’d feared. “I think that they were trying to kidnap you.”
Tara’s mind was full of questions. Why? What would they do with her? Where would they take her? She knew that chasing the answers now would be pointless and just upset Willow further “Did we get them?” She asked simply, not expecting the tortured look her words put on her lover’s face.
Willow said nothing for a bit and when she spoke it was in a small voice. “Spike got the leader but the other two came for us. One grabbed me and ….” Willow’s voice faltered and died.
“Will?” Tara took Willow’s hand in both of hers.
“I froze.” Willow couldn’t look Tara in the eye, she concentrated on her hands instead. “I couldn’t move, couldn’t act, couldn’t even think really.” Willow’s voice fell to a whisper. “I couldn’t even protect you.”
“Willow.” Tara brushed away a stray lock of red hair and gently kissed the exposed forehead. “I understand."
Willow looked up to meet Tara’s eyes and saw the love shining there. “I’m sorry.” She knew that the words weren’t necessary, but she needed to say them anyway.
“You’ve been through so much lately, none of it was your fault and neither is this. Ok?” Tara waited for a reply.
“Ok.”
“Good.” Tara wrapped her arms around Wiilow and they held each other close, wordlessly sharing their love. After a minute they parted and Tara continued. “So what happened? Did Spike get the other two?”
Willow shifted on the bed and made herself more comfortable. “No. I did.”
Tara raised an eyebrow. “But you said …”
Willow leapt into the gap. “Someone else showed up and cast a spell that froze the vampires in place. Spike included.”
A flicker of hope crossed Tara’s face. “Was it …?”
Willow nodded. “I only saw her briefly and in shadow, but Spike got a good look. It was her. Siobhan.”
“So she saved us?” Tara’s voice sang. “I always knew she was on our side!”
Willow smiled at Tara’s joy. “I’m convinced that you’re right, but Giles will ask the question anyway”
“Question? What question?” Tara asked.
“Why was she there at that precise moment?” Willow said, in a creditable imitation of the British Watcher.
“I see what you mean. They’d say that she showed up to save us in order to fool us some more.” Tara shook her head. “Willow, that argument might have held water once but now it leaks like a sieve.” Tara settled into her subject. “Why save us at all? Surely she could have bound us as easily as she bound the vampires.” Willow nodded, not arguing the logic. Tara continued. “If she wished us dead then she missed her chance. But I think she was there to save us. Perhaps she’d been following those vampires?”
“I’m sure you’re right, but convincing Giles and Spike would take a minor miracle.”
Tara dismissed the thought. “We’ll worry about that when the time comes. Where’s Spike now?”
“He carried you home and left you in here so I could put you to bed, and then said something about going to see Irving.”
“Irving?” Tara couldn’t recall anyone of that name.
“I think that was the name of the graemlyn.”
“Oh.” Tara was surprised at Spike’s insistence that they help the demon. She was sure his motives were more than the obvious mercenary ones. She slipped back down the bed until she was lying down once more.
“Do you need anything else? I can make snacks if you want? Midnight snacks are fun.” Willow was in a ‘doing’ mode.
Tara pulled at her arm. “No, stay.” She drew Willow down beside her. “I just want you. Here. Beside me.”
Willow wrapped her arms around the woman who meant more than life itself and drew her body in close to lie against her. Tara snuggled down into the safety of those arms and there they lay until they both fell asleep.
**********
“Hey! Blue Boy! It’s me, Spike!”
The door to the crypt was open and there was silence inside. A bad sign. Spike stuck his head in the door and looked about. There were bits and pieces strewn about and some signs of a struggle. Spike checked all the little nooks and crannies just in case the little graemlyn was hiding. He failed to find any sign of Ervon himself, but did find a tiny satchel with several things inside. One of them was the device that he was after.
Spike went over the whole area again and was disturbed to find a few splashes of dark cobalt blue on the side of the stone sarcophagus. It seemed logical that a blue demon would have blue blood, and that blue blood would probably dry to a dark bluish colour. He was worried. He stopped a minute to think about that. Was he getting soft? Being concerned over a demon he’d just met a couple of days ago? He had the gadget he wanted, he shouldn’t give a toss about its creator, so why did he feel this way?
The scoobies were another matter. They were like his pack, his family so to speak. He had a reason to be fond of them, even monkey boy, who he stirred unmercifully. Xander was the perfect target for Spike’s taunts, but he was sure that when push came to shove he’d be there for the boy, and Xander would be there for him. It was the way the group worked. His group. Spike was never much of a loner. In the old days there was Dru, Darla, and Angelus. Later when the others had gone their ways, he still had Dru. Then he had no-one and it was the worst time he could remember in his unlife. He’d started out fighting against the scoobies, then tolerating them out of necessity, and finally making a place for himself in the little group.
So. He was getting soft. He could get a little soft if he bloody well wanted to. Mind, if anyone else suggested that, he’d have their guts for garters. He pulled his mind back to the problem at hand. His little blue mate might be dead or might be in trouble, either way he decided that it was up to him to find out. Remembering about how they had once tracked a demon by using its blood, he carefully scraped the dried blood onto a piece of paper he’d folded into a packet. He’d get the witches to do the spell in the morning.
**********
Giles arrived at the Magic Box just after dawn. It was far earlier than he usually got there but he couldn't sleep and decided to check for a fax from his British contact, Winston. He was rewarded by a sheaf of papers waiting for his attention in the fax machine. After sifting out the junk faxes and the mail orders, he had Winston's latest report.
It seemed that Siobhan Buchanan was the sister of the dead watcher, Peter Entwhistle, after all. Well, half sister at least. It seems she was the daughter of James Entwhistle's second wife who he divorced when the girl was three. Apparently the woman went back to her maiden name and her daughter was brought up under that name. Passport records showed that Miss Buchanan left England shortly after Peter's funeral, although Winston was unable to discover if she attended or not.
The records of the three women she was arrested with were more revealing. Two of the women proved to be two of the victims in the murders in Scotland that Willow's research had turned up. The third was listed as a missing person. Giles wondered, there were nine murders in Canada, perhaps there were also nine in Scotland also. The third woman being a possible ninth victim whose body was never discovered. The fact that Miss Buchanan was the only known survivor of the four didn't bode well. Particularly since records showed that she was in each country at the right time to have something to do with the murders.
There was little else of interest in the report. A small, sordid account of Miss Buchanan's relationship with the missing woman. The sort of thing Winston would find shocking but titillating. Giles dismissed it as he dismissed all such bigoted rot. As far as he was concerned, the important thing was that Miss Buchanan was in the area for all the murders for the last three years. While she had been found truthful in the matter of her brother, her movement in relation to the murders was a damning coincidence. He wondered how he was going to break the news to Tara.
**********
They had gathered at the Summer's House rather than the shop. When Giles had received Tara's call he left Anya in charge and had rushed right over. There were few preliminaries, the events of the night before were too important for the usual friendly banter. Willow had told of the attack and Siobhan's part in rescuing them. Spike had told them of what he'd found when he went to meet Ervon. Giles informed them of Willy's surprise departure. The only thing they had to decide was what to do next.
"Look, the sod the witch bitch!" Spike paced the floor in an agitated fashion. "We need to find Ervon and we need to find him now! He's hurt and he must be in trouble!"
Giles raised an eyebrow. "Spike, for a chap who's only interest in this demon is the device he offered to provide, you seem a bit upset at the idea of him getting hurt."
"So what?" Spike protested. "He was under my protection! I can't let every vamp, demon, and badass think that I can't look after one little demon."
Giles repressed a little smile. "Ah yes, think of your reputation."
"Wha…" Spike took a little while to get what Giles was implying. "Oh yeah, my reputation. I have a big rep to maintain."
Giles looked at the minute amount of blood they had to work with. "Unfortunately, this small sample of blood is woefully inadequate for the purpose. We'd need more blood or something else to use as a link to your little friend."
Spike's face was a picture of contradictions. You could almost see two thoughts battling it out inside him. Then he came to a decision. "Would this do? He made it with his own hands." He took a small grey ball from his pocket and put it on the table.
Giles picked it up carefully. "Spike, is this the …." He never got to finish the sentence.
"Yes, it is. Now can you get on with it?" Spike wanted action, not talk.
Giles shook his head. "Sorry Spike, Casting a spell on this might prove to be difficult at best and dangerous at worst."
"Why?" Spike demanded.
"It is no doubt a technomagickal device." Giles put it back on the table. "Casting a spell on it without understanding the magicks already there would be asking for trouble."
"Kablooey?" Willow asked.
Giles understood the Willowspeak. "Yes, as you so succinctly put it. Kablooey." He sat down and frowned, trying to concentrate. "Let me think." It didn't take him long to come up with a possible solution. "We could try a scrying using the pendulum method!"
"Huh?" Spike had no idea what Giles was talking about.
Giles settled down to explain. "We hang the item from a thread and move it slowly over a map of Sunnydale. If it's successful there should be an indication of the whereabouts of its creator." He paused in thought for a moment. "Tara, this would have to be down to you. You have the gift of sight. The gift off scrying is very similar. Are you prepared to give it a try?"
Tara was a bit hesitant. She'd read palms and scryed using a bowl of water, but this technique was new to her. "It can't hurt to try, I suppose."
Her reply was all Spike needed to hear. "Good, Now lets get on with it."
"Not so fast." Willow had a question of her own. "What about Siobhan's card and that smelly sack. Could we do the same thing with them?"
"I don't see why not." Giles decided. "But it can be draining on the person doing the actual scrying. Tara are you sure that you're up to this?"
"I'm fine." Tara was prepared to give it her best shot.
Willow stood behind her and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder as she sat. "I can give you my strength as well. Together we can always do much more."
The smile on Tara's face shone brightly. "Let's try."
"Finally!" Spike threw up his hands.
Giles ignored him. "We'll need a large fold out map of Sunnydale, some purple cord, and a table to work on."
"I have some purple cord upstairs." Willow offered.
"Good. I have a map in my glove box." Giles added. "Could you fetch it for us Spike, while Tara and I clear this table?"
Spike folded his arms and just stared at him.
It took a moment for Giles to realise his mistake. "Oh. Sorry. Forgot about the sunlight." He managed to look suitably embarrassed. "You help Tara, I'll get the map."
It ended up taking nearly an hour to get organised. Spike's constant pushing wasn't making the work go more quickly either. Giles finally had to resort to threats to get him to sit quietly while preparations were going on. Finally all was done. The house was dark, every blind was drawn. Only the living room was lit with many candles. Tara sat down at the table with the map in front of her. Willow took up her position behind her love and laid her hands on Tara's shoulders.
Tara began to breathe deeply, letting herself fall into a light trance. When she felt suitably prepared she took up the grey orb as it hung from a purple cord. She began to move it with painful slowness over the map, back and forward in a systematic fashion. It took about five minutes of painstaking work before she felt the slightest pull from the makeshift pendulum. She allowed the orb to move freely where it wanted to go. It moved towards a part of the map that showed one of the industrial areas of Sunnydale. Finally it began to move in a circular fashion over one area. Giles made a careful note of the location before gently taking the pendulum from Tara's hand. She leaned back against Willow and rested her head on her love's chest.
"Are you alright, sweetie?" Willow asked, concerned at the tired look on Tara's face.
Tara nodded. "Just let me rest for a little bit, I'll be fine."
Willow gave Spike a commanding look. "Spike, there's some juice in the refrigerator, bring in a glass. Please."
Spike nodded. He was a bit worried about Blondie himself. He didn't understand all this witch stuff, but he appreciated the effort it took. He returned with the requested glass of juice.
"Thanks." Willow handed the glass to Tara who drank, slowly at first but finishing it off in one big drink.
"Thank you Spike." Tara began to look more like our usual self.
"Willow, could you come in here a minute, I need your help with this blasted box." Giles was making hard work of his research. His computer skills had improved from the old days but he was still uncomfortable with the devices.
Willow pushed a few keys and got him into City Records. "Here you go, just do a search and the information should come up."
"I have it!" Giles said, triumphant. "There are two warehouses on this block. One is used as storage for building materials, the other is unoccupied."
"So that's where they've got him. Right lets go!" Spike jumped up with enthusiasm.
"Hold on. Have you forgotten? It's the middle of the day out there!" Giles pointed out.
Spike sat down again. "Sodding sun!" He cursed.
"We should try the card next. If Tara is recovered sufficiently." Giles turned to Tara who nodded confidently.
Tara took up the card on its purple cord. Willow moved back to her position behind the chair and once more placed her hands on her love's shoulders. Tara put herself back into the light trance and began to move the card over the map. She had just started when the card began to blacken and smoke. "Tara!" Willow cried out. Tara dropped the now flaming card on the floor and Spike stomped on it to smother the flames. When he had finished there was nothing left but a few blackened flakes and ashes.
"Well, it seems Miss Buchanan knows how to prevent her tools being used against her." Giles got a dustpan and brush and cleaned up the mess.
"Tara?" Willow's voice a little unsteady.
"I'm fine. Just a little surprised, that's all." Tara replied. "I wasn't expecting that to happen."
"None of us were." Giles commented. "But now that I think about it, it's a logical precaution for the Buchanan woman to take."
Willow was busily fussing over Tara for the next few minutes while Spike had begun to pace the room once more.
"Tara, do you want to call it a day or do you think you can go on?" Giles asked cautiously.
"I can do it, as long as Willow is with me." Tara replied with confidence. Willow wrapped her arms around her love and placed a kiss on her forehead. Tara took up the piece of sacking which had been weighted with a small brass ball and tied to a cord. Willow got back into position.
This scrying went much the same as the first one and to no one's astonishment, directed them to the same area.
"Well, well. So those three bastards had a busy night last night." Spike commented. "I take it that we may have found a lair?"
"It rather looks that way." Giles replied. "We should scout the place out tonight." Spike began to protest but Giles cut him off with a look. "We need you, and you're useless to us until the sun goes down. I suggest we get some rest and meet at the shop at sundown to set out. Any questions?"
Spike sighed and turned away. Willow and Tara shook their heads.
Giles looked grim but determined. "Tonight it is then."
**********
To be continued.
Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est.
(Knowledge is power. [Lit: For knowledge too is itself power])
by Katharyn » Sat Nov 17, 2001 5:36 pm
Okay Kerry.. seriously... you want to know if people are getting frustrated? Only in the best possible way I think. Because you write it so damn well and break off at the most cliff-hanging points without giving too much away.
Do I want to know? Heck yes. Do I want it to end? Heck no. But that is the way of things... Oh I sound like Yoda. Never the Twain and now this to shortly end? All winding up. Guess I will have to find shiny new fics to have long term obsessions about! But until then I can live with frustration when it is well done like this - so if you want to frustrate you go right ahead.
Katharyn
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She's my always
by wizpup » Sun Nov 18, 2001 5:46 am
I so want Siobhan to be on the side of the angels (yay lesbian witches!) but you just don't want me to be sure do you?
by emily 'first' » Mon Nov 19, 2001 11:36 am
------------------
vive,valeque.
by Forrister » Sun Nov 25, 2001 4:43 am
House of Cards
by Forrister
Email address: forrister@hotmail.com
Feedback: Please – I really appreciate some constructive feedback. (Not necessarily positive feedback, but definitely constructive.)
Distribution: Please don’t distribute or archive my story without asking me.
Rating: PG –13
Disclaimer: I know Joss owns them all. I know I don’t. (A little knowledge can be so damn frustrating.)
Note: Post “The Gift”. Sequel to “Little Miss Nobody.” (Set about eight weeks after ‘The Gift’)
The kitties who inspire and support me and Katharyn who gave me one or two naughty ideas (For the fic! lol)
Chapter 12
The Magic Box was closed, but inside it was a hive of activity. Giles was checking the strings on the crossbows, Xander was a putting a razor sharp edge on each axe. Anya helped by sharpening stakes and Tara was putting together packages of ingredients for quick shot spells. Willow was gathering items for the first aid kit, some of the usual mundane items such as bandages and antiseptic as well as the more magical remedies. The only person not working was Spike. He was conspicuous by his absence. The sun had gone down over an hour ago and there was still no sign of him.
Finally all the preparation that could be done had been done, yet still there was no sign of the blond vampire. Anya didn't mind waiting, she used the time to cuddle her man and whisper in his ear. Giles had a passing curiosity as to what was being said because the expression on Xander's face was a study in itself. Time passed. Willow was beginning to get impatient, and even Tara's gentle humour wasn't enough to keep her mind distracted. Giles knew about waiting. He simply got out a book and settled down for a read.
It was nearly three hours after sunset when Spike finally showed up. He walked in, sat down, put his feet on the table and lit up a smoke.
Giles passed over a saucer for him to use as an ashtray. "I do wish you wouldn't do that in here." He complained.
"Yes, I have to burn incense to get rid of the smell and to restore the mystical ambience." Anya added unexpectedly. "The customers go for that witchy sort of smell." She explained.
Willow looked at Tara. Tara looked at Willow. Both women started to giggle. Xander simply looked puzzled while Spike sat there and leered at them both.
"So where have you been?" Willow asked, a little annoyed with Spike's casual attitude.
"I've been saving you all a lot of trouble." Spike replied smugly.
"How so?" Giles inquired.
"I went and checked out that warehouse." Spike stubbed out his cigarette in the saucer.
"On your own? That might have been dangerous." Tara was concerned at the risk he had taken.
"Hey Sunshine! Do I look damaged?" Spike positively preened. " I did find out some stuff though."
"So are you actually going to tell us anything? Or did you just stop by to be your usual charming self?" Xander dripped sarcasm.
"You could learn a thing or two from me, monkey boy." Spike gave a wicked grin and leered at the women.
"Ahem." Giles cleared his throat. "Could you boys drop it for the moment? Spike, what did you find out?"
"There's only one entrance. The back door has been bricked over."
"That’s bad." Xander commented from the corner. "Crashing in the front door seems like a great way to get into trouble."
"That’s why I checked out the roof." Spike smirked. "There is a skylight which opens into a small office. We could get in there, but you lot of wusses would have to get up onto the roof."
"We could climb up using ropes." Willow mused. It wasn't that hard when they'd climbed down the shaft into the initiative.
"We've done that sort of thing before." Xander put an arm around Anya. "Don't worry honey, I'll get you up ok."
"I'm sure we can rig up something for Anya and Tara." Willow offered, knowing her sweetie wasn't big on the climbing herself.
"So Spike, what else did you find out?" Giles asked.
Spike snorted. "They have two morons guarding the door."
"Human, demon, vampire? Specifics would help." Giles pushed for more information, the sort of details that plans could come undone on.
"Vampires, and not too bloody happy about it either." Spike had stayed in the shadows for a long while and listened to their conversation. "It seems that they were given a choice by someone they call 'The Mistress'. Either serve or die. After the first few refused and got dusted, the rest soon fell into line." He privately thought that this 'Mistress' had the right idea. Minions needed a swift kick to pull them into line.
"The rest? Just how many of them are there?" Tara asked, liking this less and less the more she heard.
"I couldn't tell you, but there must be a few, the windows of the warehouse were blacked over."
"Hell, we could be walking into a whole nest!" Xander protested. "Am I alone in saying that I'm too well adjusted to commit suicide?"
Spike looked at him contemptuously. "Stop whining kid. If we do go down at least it'll be the greatest fight you've ever had in your whole sodding life."
Anya made up her mind on the spot. "We're not going." She declared. "We're getting married and he's not dying and getting out of it."
Xander gave her a loving look. "Don't worry love, I have no intention of dying. And I'm going to marry you. I promise." Anya looked up at him with triumph and tenderness in her eyes.
"I want to throw up." Spike said to the empty air.
"Spike please." Giles intervened before the banter turned ugly. "Is there any way to whittle their numbers down a little?"
"We could lure them out in small groups and pick a few of them off, but where's the fun in that?" Spike suggested. "Look, we need to get Ervon out. I don't care what you lot think, I owe the little bastard and Spike always pays his debts!"
"Yeah right." Xander muttered. "I'm only helping because those scum tried to kidnap Tara." He said aloud. Anya gave his arm a little squeeze to show her approval.
"Right we'll go with that plan then. After we've knocked off a few we can go in through this skylight." He looked around at the rest of the gang, noting as he often did how young and impulsive they seemed sometimes. "But keep in mind. This 'Mistress' they're talking about may be too much for us to handle." He pinned his gaze on Spike who was the one most likely to get carried away. "I say we should sneak in quietly, rescue the graemlyn and get out of there. After that we might have a better idea of what we're facing."
**********
They drove down to the warehouse district in Giles' car. Everyone was tense and nervous, well, almost everyone. Spike was looking forward to a good fight. They were armed with the usual crossbows, stakes and axes. Giles carried a small crowbar, and Xander wore the backpack with the climbing gear. They parked about two blocks from the warehouse, and walked in the rest of the way. Spike took point while Giles trailed at the rear.
When they finally reached the building they waited in the shadows until Spike checked out the two at the door. He returned with the news that there were now three vampires outside. He moved silently and dusted one before it had been able to move. Giles and Xander put crossbow bolts into the other two before they raised the alarm. The group then moved to the door. Spike stuck his head in the door and ducked back out again. "Heads up!" He whispered.
Behind him came two more vampires which were dusted by Giles and Anya. Xander frowned at his sweetie who was supposed to stay behind him and out of trouble. She just smirked and brushed the dust off her shirt. Spike ducked in for another quick look. "All clear." He said quietly. "I'll keep an eye out here and follow you up." The rest of the gang made ready to climb the building. Xander tossed a small grappling hook which caught on the roof. He nimbly climbed the rope and disappeared. It was a moment before two ropes and a rope ladder snaked down the side of the building. Anya wasn't happy until she saw Xander's head pop over the edge and his arm beckon them up.
Willow helped Tara into the harness, giving her a quick caress on the cheek when she began to look worried. Willow handled her own rig, but Giles checked them both before they started up the tiny rope ladder. Tara went first with Xander keeping the safety line taut. She climbed slowly and carefully. Willow was a bit worried that she would freeze but was relieved when she was assisted over the railing by Xander. Willow followed, quickly but carefully. The harnesses were dropped back down and Giles fitted Anya with one. She found the entire process fascinating until Giles went to tighten the straps around her waist. She frowned and pushed his hand away. "I'm an engaged woman!" She whispered indignantly. Giles grabbed the straps again. "And I'm old enough to be your father!" He replied as he carefully but firmly tightened them. Anya was too surprised to protest further and Giles sent her up the rope ladder. She climbed very slowly, having to be coaxed by Xander every inch of the way. Giles followed with surprising agility, joining the others on the roof.
Giles looked over the edge but there was no sign of Spike. "Damn him." Giles cursed. "He must have gone in the front. Bother!" He returned to the others. The skylight was no real challenge. Giles pried the lock off with crowbar. It opened up on what appeared to be a disused storage room. Xander jumped down and stacked up some boxes to help the ladies climb down. When they were all inside, he carefully checked the door. As expected it was not locked and he opened it a crack and took a peek.
The door opened on a short, dark corridor which ended in another door. "This must have been the office space." Willow commented to no one in particular.
There were shouts and thuds coming from below them somewhere. "That must be Spike." Xander looked worried. "Perhaps some of us could just check if he's alright? It wouldn't take long."
Anya frowned. "If Spike's got himself into trouble then let him deal with it, you're staying here with me." She grabbed Xander's arm possessively.
"He's a blasted nuisance but you're right. I'll climb back down and give him a hand. Xander, you look after the ladies. Look for the graemlyn, but stay out of sight and out of trouble." Giles retuned to the storage room, climbed back up through the skylight and disappeared.
Xander watched him go. "Right boss!" He whispered, as he squared his shoulders, ready to lead. He turned back to the women but realised that they had already begun to check out the rooms to either side of the corridor without him. It took them a few minutes to confirm that the rooms were empty. That left the door at the far end. He hesitated but a pointed look and a gesture from Anya got him moving. He placed his ear against the door and hearing nothing but a comforting silence, opened it a crack. The door opened onto a large darkened room. Xander crouched down and opened the door a little further, trying to get a better view.
Suddenly a hand grabbed him by the collar and yanked him out of sight. Anya gasped and started to go after him when Tara, with surprising strength, held her back. Willow pulled her axe from her belt while Tara opened one of her prepared packets of spell components. Neither one of them was prepared for Spike's grinning visage peering around the door.
"Surprise!" He said quietly.
Anya shook off Tara's hand and flew through the door to Xander who was standing with Giles on the other side, pausing only to thump Spike solidly in the arm as she went past.
"Ouch!" He complained. "What was that for?"
Tara put the packet away and gave him an exasperated glance which was mirrored by Willow. They both walked past him without saying a word. "Some people just can't take a joke." He complained as he followed after them.
The main warehouse was empty but looked as if it had been occupied recently. Somebody had been over-decorating in a garish gothic style, but there was no one to be seen. They stood on a small walkway that ran all the way around the huge room, about eight metres above the floor. At the far end of the room they could see some sort of raised area which was marked with several unlit black candles. To the right of this was a low cage in which crouched a small figure. Spike had been all for going straight there and releasing the little fellow, but Giles had talked him out of it just after he'd given the vampire a good bollocking for going off on his own in the first place. They agreed to look over the area carefully first.
Willow whispered in Tara's ear and there was some nodding and pointing before Tara pulled out a jar and handed it to Willow who opened it and had a quick sniff. She thought for a minute and then nodded. Joining their hands they began to quietly chant. A sort of warm red glow lit up the contents of the jar before fading.
"Here." Willow said, showing the jar full of powder to Giles. "If you throw this in the air it should indicate the presence of any physical traps in the area where the dust falls." Spike looked impressed. "They should glow faintly." Tara added.
"So, what are we waiting for? Lets do it, get blue boy and get the hell out of here!" Spike was a study in impatience.
Willow and Tara walked slowly around the walkway, flinging small quantities of the dust in the air as they went. No one was surprised that they concentrated on the area of the cage and the dais. When they were done everyone scanned the room carefully looking for faint glows. There was nothing. Giles kept looking patiently but Spike scowled. "Either there aren’t any traps or your sodding spell is a bust."
"I'm sure we did it correctly. I researched it carefully and prepared the powder myself." Tara explained confidently.
"Which means that there are no physical traps." Willow stated the obvious conclusion. If Tara was sure then so was she.
"Fine, lets get on with it." Spike began to descend the metal stairway down to the main floor. The rest of the gang followed him and they cautiously made their way to where Ervon was in a small iron cage.
While the women and Xander kept watch, Spike and Giles examined the cage. There was no door or lock. Giles also realised that the cage may not be attached to the floor. He tried to lift it and it shifted slightly. He frowned and called on Spike to help. Together they managed to tilt the cage enough for the little blue demon to wiggle out. Giles undid the cords tying Ervon's legs and removed the duct tape that covered his mouth.
"Hurry, we have to leave this place. She'll be back any minute!" Ervon blurted out as soon as his mouth was freed.
"She?" Giles asked.
"No time, no time. We have to go!" Ervon began to pull on Spike's sleeve, trying to get him to go.
"Fine, we'll talk later." Giles said as they made their way back towards the stairs.
"Going somewhere?" A sultry voice called from the shadows with the barest hint of an accent.
The group stopped an turned at the sound. A female figure was standing at the other end of the room. Try as they might they couldn't make out any details. The darkness seemed to physically cling to her, hiding her features.
"I think not." The voice stated in coldly musical tones.
Appearing from the shadows were vampires. Nearly two dozen of them. All concentrating on the living beings before them.
**********
They hesitated a brief second before exploding into action. With near simultaneous movements Xander and Giles raised their crossbows and shot their bolts into the nearest of the undead, turning them to dust. Spike whirled the axe above his head while Anya readied the stake she carried and waited for an opening. Willow raised her hands and cried out "Inflammare!" A ball of fire flew from her hands and turned three of the vampires into flames which lingered briefly before being extinguished in the ensuing dust cloud. Tara pulled out the packet containing the components of the binding spell that she and Willow had prepared, chanting quietly and reaching for Willows hand.
Ervon stood, frozen in fear as the vampires went for him. Spike put himself between the little demon and his attackers. "Irving. Get out of here! Now!" He yelled over his shoulder as he swung the axe back and forth. Ervon didn't know which way to turn. There was no escape by the stairs and he couldn't fight his way through to the front exit. His keen sensed picked up the threads of power that Tara was raising for her spell. That power multiplied the minute her hand touched Willows. Ervon didn't hesitate. He grasped at the raised power with his mind and swirled it into a small blue portal which appeared before him. "Thank you friend!" He called to Spike. "I will remember you!" He stepped through the portal and was gone. The portal remained but a moment more and collapsed in on itself, disappearing into nothingness.
Tara and Willow felt the power drain from them. Tara understood what Ervon was doing and tried to shut down the power. Willow didn't see the graemlyn and had no idea why the power was draining from them. She attempted to push more power into the mix to compensate. When the portal collapsed the resulting magickal backwash flowed back into Willow, manifesting itself in a shower of sparks and oddly enough, frogs. Willow brushed the frogs from her hair and clothes with something nearing hysteria. She hated frogs. Tara moved to help her but only succeeded in getting caught in the amphibian rain herself.
The shadowy figure laughed a chilling laugh. "This has been a fine comedy but all things must come to an end."
"Cuir I bpriosun!" Three cages came into being and imprisoned the scoobies. Willow and Tara were in one, Anya and Xander in another and Giles and Spike in the third. Giles raised his crossbow for a shot but with a wave of her hand the figure caused all of their weapons to disappear. The lights came on in the room and they got their first real look at their captor.
She had a body and features that would make a supermodel look dowdy. Her waist length blonde hair provided a counterpoint to the black outfit she wore. The dress itself was floor length, slit on each side up to the thigh. The neckline plunged almost to the waist and the pale skin showed clear against its black frame. For all the beauty and sexy clothes there was a hardness to the woman. There was a coldness about the face and no hint of the inner beauty which makes the outer appearance truly magnificent.
Tara was shocked to realise that the woman's aura was all blacks and greys. Not human or vampire, but something else entirely. "It's her, she's the lich." She whispered to Willow. She realised that this might just be the last fight for them all. Her hand moved almost instinctively around Willow's waist as she tried desperately to find a way out of the situation they found themselves in.
Willow began to gather the power about her. She was preparing to use her most powerful spells, the ones that had nearly defeated Glory. The spells that marked her walk on the path of darkness. The lich sensed the shift in the flow of power and with a gesture she drained it away into herself. Willow staggered and would have fallen but for Tara's support and the bars of the cage that held them.
"Naughty, naughty!" The lich crooned. "Didn't mummy ever tell you that dark magick is a no no?" She laughed, a hollow laugh that could freeze the soul. "I mastered those magicks long ago and you are but a child by comparison."
A card spun through the air and landed at the lich's feet. A figure in fatigues stepped into the room through the front entrance, her red hair tied back and a long bladed knife in her hand. The lich was motionless as the newcomer raised the knife to strike. As the knife flashed down there was a blinding flash. Even the vampires covered their eyes from the brightness. When they could see again they saw a wooden frame in the centre of the room and the red-haired woman chained spreadeagled on it.
The Lich bent over with a sadistic smile and picked up the card that was bespelled to bind her. She walked over to the frame and tore the card with the deliberate slowness in front of her captive's face.
"Hello Siobhan, darling. It's so nice of you to come calling." She ran a sharp fingernail up the woman's arm and around the metal manacles that held her. "I was waiting for you."
**********
To be continued.
Kitties will be relieved to know that that is the last time I will be using those three little words, the next chapter will only need two.
Facies quatro Pyramidis sunt: Velle, Noscere, Audere et Tacere.
(The four sides of the Pyramid is to will, to know, to dare and to keep silent.)
by emily 'first' » Sun Nov 25, 2001 5:10 am
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vive,valeque.
by Katharyn » Sun Nov 25, 2001 5:36 am
Katharyn
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She's my always
by Puff » Sun Nov 25, 2001 10:50 am
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Bloody hell, sodding, limey, shagging, knickers, bollocks...oh God...I'm English
by KittyKo » Sun Nov 25, 2001 1:15 pm
by LeatherQueen » Sun Nov 25, 2001 2:11 pm
Great stuff!
------------------
"Honey, I'm the original one-eyed chicklet in the kingdom of the blind." -Glory
by wizpup » Sun Nov 25, 2001 2:37 pm
I was surprised that the lich was an attractive woman - whatever happened to hairy slimy demons? Not that I'm objecting to the introduction of attractive women per se, (bring 'em on) - it's just that you've surprised me again you whatsit you!
Lovin' it.
by TheFire » Sun Nov 25, 2001 4:43 pm
by mollyig » Mon Nov 26, 2001 5:49 am
And this is so typically Anya:
quote:
Anya made up her mind on the spot. "We're not going." She declared. "We're getting married and
he's not dying and getting out of it."
------------------
"But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams. "
W. B. Yeats
by Katharyn » Wed Nov 28, 2001 12:16 pm
Part 13 is so very, very, close. Kerry has lifted herself from her sickbed and a delirium fueled by Sudafed and fizzy drinks to produce something wonderful. I shall say no more other than look out for it soon!
Katharyn
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She's my always
by Forrister » Thu Nov 29, 2001 2:39 am
b]House of Cards[/b]
by Forrister
Email address: forrister@hotmail.com
Feedback: Please – I really appreciate some constructive feedback. (Not necessarily positive feedback, but definitely constructive.)
Distribution: Please don’t distribute or archive my story without asking me.
Rating: PG –13
Disclaimer: I know Joss owns them all. I know I don’t. (A little knowledge can be so damn frustrating.)
Note: Post “The Gift”. Sequel to “Little Miss Nobody.” (Set about eight weeks after ‘The Gift’)
This is the part where I thank everyone. I only wish I could name every single person who's offered me encouragement, advice, and feedback. Thank you all. There is one person I am going to name because without her careful beta reading, her suggestions, her constant reassurances and good cheer, this story would never have been written, or if it was would be far shorter and much worse. Katharyn, thank you. I know you hate it when I give you credit but in this case you deserve it for all you've done. I'd cast it in solid gold and gift wrap it if I could, but you know that the sentiment is there. Without further ado, here's Chapter 13.
Chapter 13
Tara couldn't take her eyes off the scene in front of her. She had both arms around her love but her attention was captured by the woman hanging in chains in the centre of the room. Who was this thing in the shape of a woman? How did she know Siobhan? Her tone gave the impression of more than a passing familiarity although it was obvious that Siobhan wanted her to kill her.
Spike hated being caged. While the Lich was busy with the hellwitch he pushed and strained at the bars, trying to lift them or bend them or something. Giles was keeping watch and trying to help as unobtrusively as possible.
"Bloody hell!" Spike cursed in frustration. "You can't keep us here bitch!"
The lich paused in her contemplations and focussed all her attention on the noisy blond vampire. Giles winced and hoped that Spike's mouth wouldn't get them all killed.
"You'd better let us out of here. You're not dealing with some puny sodding demon wannabe." Spike raged, thinking that he might just provoke her to let him out. One big bad to another so to speak.
"Oh really? And do tell, what was it you were planning to do if I don't?" She said with an amused grin.
"I'll, . . . I'll, . . . You just let me out of this bloody cage and find out." Spike blustered, knowing that he'd let his mouth get away from him.
"I think you have a really bad attitude. Be silent." The lich looked at her troublesome captives. "Be silent all of you."
Each of them felt the constriction around their throats and each of them found that they couldn't utter a sound. Anya hid her face in Xander's chest, fearful at what might be ahead. Giles looked at Spike in annoyance, putting the blame for this new unpleasantness squarely on his shoulders. Spike himself mouthed several obscenities before moving on to rude gestures.
Willow was feeling power the like of which she had never touched before. The power pulsed and raced through the room like an electric charge. How could anyone simply create things out of thin air like that? With nothing more than a thought and a gesture? How could you fight something like that? She became very aware of how close death was to them. Then Willow became aware of the tightening grip of Tara's hand on hers. Tara was beginning to tremble. Willow put an arm around her to comfort her, but Tara's attention was intensely fixed on the drama playing out in front of them.
**********
"Caitlyn." Siobhan said softly.
The lich shook her head. "That name is long dead, they call me other things now."
Siobhan winced. "Such as?"
"Mistress, mostly." The lich sneered sarcastically.
Siobhan ignored the sarcasm. "How did you come to this, Caitlyn? How could you fall so far?"
The lich looked bored and began to walk slowly around the Siobhan. "Fall? I think not. I saw the power and I took it. It was my right."
"Your right?" A little note of hurt crept into Siobhan's voice. "To murder and maim in the name of power?"
The Lich grabbed her roughly by the chin. "Yes my right. My right because I had the will to make it so, the knowledge to shape it and the courage to do it." She turned and raised her hands to the air. "Power calls to Power and I have it in abundance."
"But it's never enough, is it Caitlyn?" Siobhan bored in hoping to reach what remained of what once was a soul. "You always want more. What happened to the woman who held me in her arms when I cried, who shared the laughter with me, who shared her love freely?"
"She died." The lich replied coldly.
"No she didn't." Siobhan insisted. "She's inside somewhere, buried by the thing you've become."
The beautiful face distorted with contempt but she wouldn't look at the woman hanging in chains. "You were always soft, Siobhan. Always the cautious one, always disapproving the use of a little magick to make our lives easier."
Siobhan was undaunted. "I was the one who reminded you of responsibilities and consequences. I was the one who helped clean up when a spell went wrong. I was the one who loved you through all of it."
The lich spun around. "But in the end you left me. What kind of love was that?" Her voice was full of pain and anger.
"The kind that couldn't stand to watch while you destroyed yourself." Siobhan replied softly.
"You just left me and stole all the light from my life." The lich accused. "You abandoned me in darkness and now you have the gall to judge me for embracing it."
"I was never far away, all you had to do was ask my help and I would have come." Siobhan insisted.
"Help?" She snorted contemptuously. "I need no help. I've done quite well on my own."
"You chose to be alone. It didn't have to be. You shaped yourself into this, but you still have free choice. Give it all up, release the power and go back to being my sweet Caitlyn." Siobhan poured all her love for the woman that was into her plea.
The lich paused a moment, her face softening briefly before the hate reasserted itself. "Caitlyn was weak. I am far stronger than she ever was. You always wanted me to be confident."
"Confident yes, power mad no. I never wanted this for you. I love my Caitlyn." Siobhan insisted.
"Love?" Sneered the lich. "Was it love then, that made you hunt me down though the world. Will you destroy me for love?" She looked at the knife that had been taken from Siobhan. "No. The days of love are gone. There is only power now, and I've grown too powerful for you to hurt me. Look!" She picked up the knife Siobhan had dropped on the floor and plunged it into her chest several times. Each time the wound healed immediately. "See, nothing can harm me now." She used the tip of the knife to clean under her fingernails and then tucked it in her belt.
Siobhan realised that there was only one thing left to try. "Then why have me here in chains. Are you afraid?"
The lich shook her head. "Fear is something I give, not something I feel." She gestured to her minions. "Bring her to me." She made a gesture and the chains disappeared. Siobhan rubbed at her wrist and then slowly walked over. The lich looked her over and began a slow, predatory circling. "Sorry Siobhan, we can't speak longer. But as you can see, I'm on a schedule. I need ten sacrifices to maintain my youth." She flicked her blonde hair back. "I'm sure my lover wouldn’t be begrudging me the gift of beauty."
Siobhan's face mirrored her disgust. "Eight the first year, ten now. What happens when it becomes twenty, one hundred, one thousand even?"
The lich smiled a brilliant, evil smile. "By then I will rule the world, and all will bow before me. By then you will be dead and dust."
"You're really going through with this?" Siobhan still found it difficult to believe that it had come to this. "Can you really watch me die?"
The lich ran a sharp fingernail across Siobhan's throat. "I can watch and enjoy it." She flicked at the woman's chin. "I'm not the girl you knew. I've grown."
Siobhan knew in that moment that the Caitlyn she knew was truly lost. Yet one thing of her lover remained and it was still treasured deep in her heart. She knew what had to be done. "Can I have one last request?" She asked, with studied casualness.
The lich was surprised. No pleading? No appeals to what once was? She was intrigued by the request. "I don't see why not. I'm not heartless." She paused a minute and then grinned. "Oh, just a minute, I am heartless. Oh well, what did you want anyway?"
Siobhan took a deep breath and hoped that this would work. "One last kiss. Something to go into the Summerland with?"
"A kiss? Just a kiss?" The lich began to laugh. A laugh that once was musical but now was thin and hollow. "You can still make me laugh. Very well, I grant you your kiss." She pulled Siobhan roughly towards her. "Come here."
Siobhan looked into the black eyes that once had been the colour of a cloudless sky. She remembered the days they had stood like this and the kisses they'd shared. She remembered the first tentative steps towards love, their first time together, and the many other times since. She lingered briefly on those bright days before her lover had begun to turn to darkness. She steeled herself for what she knew was to come and leaned in for the kiss. "Farewell Caitlyn, I love you. Always." She whispered.
She leaned in for the kiss. A rough kiss, totally unlike those they had once shared. The lich was determined that this kiss would be long and that there would be nothing tender about it. Siobhan gently pulled the blade from the belt that held it and with one stroke, plunged it into the Lich's heart.
At first there was a look of contempt for such an obvious and futile gesture, but that soon turned to panic as the first pains set in. The Lich stepped back, pulling the knife from her body and watching in amazement as the wound spilled forth liquid light. Hatred turned the once fair face into a grim mask. "No! This can't be! I am immortal!" She felt her stolen power flaring up, burning as her body could no longer contain it. "Come kiss me now then!" She wrapped her arms around Siobhan as she burst into an incandescent flame.
They stood there like that for a second. Two dark figures in a glowing crucible of light. At first that light was sullen and red, but like steel in the furnace it glowed ever more brightly as mortal imperfections were burned away. Then it flared with a pure white light as bright as the sun and went out, leaving nothing behind but a hot wind that flew through the warehouse and was gone. Somehow Siobhan's last words were carried on that wind and everyone heard it whisper. "I love you. Always."
**********
As the lich died, all things created with her magick crumbled into dust. Cages dissolved and Spike fell a to the floor with a crash. The vampire minions stood around in shock, not quite realising where they were and what they were doing there. The magick that had held them in service was broken and now their base appetites kicked in.
Spike was the first to act, picking up an axe from where it lay abandoned on the floor he swirled into action. Taking out his recent frustration on the undead horde he parted them like a scythe through grass. Giles followed closely behind him, taking advantage of the chaos in Spike's wake to dust the stragglers. Anya clung to Xander refusing to let him go despite his protests that he was needed. Finally, with an axe in one hand and Anya clinging to the other he positioned himself between the vampires and the two witches.
Tara stood there stunned. Shaking like a leaf, with tears rolling down her cheek, she held Willow's hand like it was the last anchor on earth. Willow was strongly affected by what she'd just witnessed, but she also knew that now they had a chance to get out of this alive. Spike and Giles were accounting for a fair number but still the odds were against them. She raised her free hand, gathered her magick and fired off a series of small balls of fire, burning several vampires and scattering the rest. There were too few left to make a stand and they took off into the night with Spike yelling insults and swinging his axe behind them.
"That was the best!" Spike yelled in glee. The others were silent. Spike failed to realise for a moment that nobody shared his post combat high. "What's wrong with you lot?" He lit himself a smoke. "The lich is dead, the vamps are dusted, and we live to fight another day! A perfect ending!"
Giles looked at him with sadness, Xander's glance held contempt. Willow only had eyes for Tara as she held her tight. It was Anya who finally spoke.
"She must have really loved her, even though she was an evil demon." Anya leaned into the comfort of Xander's chest.
It was a noble sacrifice that saved us all. Giles said as he cleaned the dust from his glasses.
"I don't understand. The knife didn’t hurt her at all when she stabbed herself with it. What happened?" Xander found the whole thing confusing.
"The power of true love can destroy a lich." Tara quietly commented. Willow looked at her sharply, feeling her pain at the loss of her friend, but surprised at the observation.
"I have to admit, I never trusted her and I never got to apologise." Giles confessed as he wavered between relief and guilt.
"You were the one who suspected her of being a murderer. It's too late to apologise now." Willow snapped, more harshly than she meant to, but she hated what Tara had been put through and couldn't let it slide. The events of the evening had shaken her badly. The power the lich displayed amazed her, but she found the evil woman herself thoroughly repulsive. She'd been reminded again of the feeling of facing her mortality and knew that Tara's fate concerned her far more than her own. There had been too much death and pain recently.
"You're right of course." Giles replied as he walked over and put one hand on Tara's shoulder. Can you forgive me for doubting her, and you? He asked contritely.
Tara nodded. "I doubted her there for a bit myself, and the evidence didn’t look good."
"I only wish that I could ask the same of her." Giles added.
"She knows, I'm sure of it." Tara replied as she hugged Giles.
"Ok, so the hellwitch was a hero after all." Spike began to gather discarded weapons and equipment from the floor. "I couldn't have done what she did." He admitted quietly.
"What happened to the little blue guy?" Xander asked.
"He used the power of Tara's spell and went back to his own dimension." Anya replied with that little gleam in her eye that she seemed to get when she knew something that Xander didn't.
Giles cut the discussion short. "I think we should leave this until later. Now we need to get out of here before those vampires come back with some of their friends."
Spike had a grin on his face and a gleam in his eye.
"If you want to stay Spike, be my guest. But we're off home now, so you're on your own." Giles had no desire for another battle tonight. He just wanted to soak in a hot bath and go to bed.
Xander and Anya began to move wearily towards the door. Giles followed after picking up the last crossbow from the floor. Spike looked at the two witches expectantly but was disappointed when Willow shook her head and with an arm around Tara's waist, made for the exit.
Finding himself alone he grudgingly decided that perhaps he'd had enough fun for one night. He gave a sigh, turned and walked out.
************
The next morning there was an early knock at the door of the Summers house. Willow staggered downstairs to answer it and was surprised to find a courier on the doorstep with a small package and a letter for Miss Tara Maclay. Her curiosity was bursting out all over and she examined the outside of the package and the letter carefully for clues. There were no stamps and no return address, but being delivered by courier there were none of these things, just a small typed label stuck with tape. Willow was briefly tempted by the idea of sneaking a peak inside but eventually decided to take them upstairs with the breakfast that she was going to make for her sweetie.
Tara was half asleep when Willow arrived back with her laden tray. "I woke up and you were gone." She protested, following her words with a yawn.
"Ah, but I came back bearing foodstuffs!" Willow replied as Tara pulled herself into a sitting position and she laid the tray on the bed.
"Mmmm. Toast, cereal, juice, and that marmalade I really like!" Tara frowned. "How come I get breakfast in bed? Are we supposed to do something later today that I don’t know about?"
Willow gave her best innocent look. "Can't I get my baby breakfast in bed when I want?"
Tara wasn't fooled for a minute. "I can see a girl who's angling for some post breakfast smoochies."
Willow really did look innocent for the half-second it took for that idea to sink into her brain, then her face lit up with a naughty Willowgrin.
"See! I knew it! There was an ulterior motive after all!" Tara's musical laugh punctuated her triumph.
Willow was glad to hear that sound. Last night Tara was really upset about the Siobhan's death. This morning she could still see the marks of sorrow around her lover's eyes but some of the sparkle shone from them as well. "I did have an ulterior motive." Willow admitted. "But it wasn't anywhere near as good as the one you suggested."
Tara smiled. "So? Come on. Tell me!"
Willow put the parcel and the letter down in front of her. "These came by courier about half an hour ago."
Tara took the letter and searched on it for some clue as to the sender. Finding none she took the next step and opened it. There were several old sheets of parchment and a white handwritten letter. She opened the letter and nearly dropped it when she realised who it was from.
"Tara? Is everything alright?" Willow cursed herself for not thinking that the delivery might mean bad news.
Tara didn't reply for a bit. "It's from Siobhan."
Willow didn't know what to say. She was unsure if she should stay and or leave Tara to read the letter in privacy. Compromising between the two she sat on the end of the bed where she could still give any comfort needed while leaving a bit of private space. Tara's uncertain smile as she sat down reassured Willow that she'd made the right choice.
**********
Dearest Tara,
If you are reading this then it's my sorrow to tell you that I have passed to the Summerlands. Last night I went to face the lich. I had a hope of being able to either destroy her or the evil in her. I really didn't expect to survive it though. If I had, I would have collected this letter and you'd not be troubled by it. I can't tell you if I succeeded but you will know if the killings stop. If I failed then you'll know that too.
In the event of my failure I have enclosed these few scraps of parchment. They describe a rite by which a lich can be made vulnerable for a short time. I'm afraid the information is incomplete, as I have not had the time to track down the rest of it. If I have indeed failed then I ask that you take up that task. This lich cannot be allowed to remain in the world as she is. Too many lives are at stake. I am sorry to pass this burden on to you and your friends, but if I fail I can think of no-one else I can trust with the job.
You have a wonderful relationship with your Willow. Take care of her and cherish her because she's very special. She has a great deal of potential but little knowledge of the ethics of it's use. It will be up to you to teach her the grounding that gives her power a moral centre. She has the potential for great good, and by equal measure, great evil. Liches start out like her. First doing good, then doing what they think might be good, moving on to acting on whatever whim crosses their mind regardless of the consequences, and finally, when they don't care anymore about the things that magick can provide, they do it for the sheer love of power. Don’t allow Willow to slide down that path. Let her know the consequences and guide her. Love her and never let her go. I once made the mistake of dealing with my love more gently than was good for her and she slid so far that I'm not sure she can ever come back. Don't let that happen to Willow, fight for her. I think she has a good and true heart, and that should serve her well. I only wish I had the courage then to fight for my own love when it counted.
I'm leaving you the enclosed parcel. It isn't much, but it's my legacy to you. I hope it will serve you well on your path. May the road rise up to meet you, may the sun be ever at your back, may the Goddess send her brightest blessings on you, and may you know love and peace.
Siobhan Buchanan.
**********
Tara was silent. The memories of the friend she'd lost were fresh and clear in her mind. She knew that they'd inevitably fade slightly with time but also knew that she'd never forget. She looked at Willow, fearing in her heart that Siobhan's words might be true. Willow's face mirrored her concern. It was hard to think of those features on an evil demon. She knew that her Willow could never follow that road, it just wasn't in her. She opened the package and found a black silk bag with a Celtic knotwork pattern embroidered on it in silver thread. Opening the bag she found a pack of tarot cards, hand painted and pulsing with power.
She turned back to Willow who was still watching her with worry in her emerald eyes. She put the cards back in the bag, folding the letter in to join them. She moved down the bed to take Willow in her arms, letting her lips show the love that she felt for this woman. As their lips parted and her head rested next to Willow's she whispered in her ear. "I love you. Always."
THE END
Thanks again. Hope you weren't too disappointed.
Forrister.
Omnia vincit amor, et nos cedamus amori.
Love conquers all, and let us yield to it.
by mollyig » Thu Nov 29, 2001 4:27 am
Are you sure Siobhán wasn't Irish instead of Scottish? Hah! When she said "May the road rise up to meet you". That's an old Irish blessing go neirigh an bothar leat"
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Anya: You think it's sensible for me to go down into that pit of
cotton-top hell, and let them hippity-hop all over my vulnerable flesh?
by nika » Thu Nov 29, 2001 9:15 am
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"Eat lot's of applesauce, preferably fed to you by attractive young lesbians." Amber Benson
by Puff » Thu Nov 29, 2001 9:56 am
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Bloody hell, sodding, limey, shagging, knickers, bollocks...oh God...I'm English
by Katharyn » Thu Nov 29, 2001 11:41 am
quote:
Originally posted by nika:
Plus that simile between the Lich and what Willow is goin through right now on the show was very well handled, I really loved it.
And all the more remarkable as Kerry assures me that she was acting only on rumours circulating about S6 before the run started. A testimony both to the accuracy of some of the rumours, Kerry's good judgement about which were correct and the quality of the writing itself - particulary as she was able to bring this all out into teh open in just one part but then you can look back at what went before and realise all the clues that you missed. Never been able to get the knack of that.
Well I have praised this already and more than just here, so I will say only this now... sad to see it over but that just leaves room for MORE!
Katharyn
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She's my always
by wizpup » Thu Nov 29, 2001 1:49 pm
I am as unspoiled as I can be for season 6 - although it's kind of hard to avoid the major themes, which seem to come out in the thread titles as much as anything. I love the idea of warning Tara about Willow's future paths (or potential ones) and can only hope that Joss realises that true love can conquer all!
Great writing - looking forward to the Christmas special :-)
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