FIC: Militat Omnis Amans Part 14d / 14

["Beckett, Kevin" <kevin.beckett@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Continued from 14c


"Oh, I'll talk." The demon rose up to his feet and dragged himself onto
a chair, "don't mind if I sit, do you? Now, where was I, oh yes, slayers."

The demon Talaker then began to relate the history between the demon
hierarchy and slayers. He began by commenting that the demon alliance
against what he termed human pests had held for over 400 generations,
and that they had never been seriously challenged, except by slayers.
He stated that the common wisdom amongst the demons was that slayers
were humanities defensive gesture against the might of the demons, and
that if they weren't dealt with promptly on a target world that the demons
chances for success were very limited.

He added that a world's slayers, if left unchallenged, would become an
unbeatable force for good. He also confirmed that the highest priority
the demon leadership gave to a target world was the containment, then
elimination of the slayers. 

He paused for a moment, rasping for breath, and his voice nearly mute
with pain. While he drank from the pitcher of water offered to him Buffy
commented to her lover, <Red, if even half what he says is true, its
very bad news.> 

<I agree, but what really gets me is this business about slayers, plural.
We've, or rather, you've always been told that there can only be one
slayer.> 

<We knew that was bogus, even before we came here. Remember Kendra,
and Faith there were periods of time back home with multiple slayers.>

<And a remarkable lack of concise answers from the counsel.>

<Well, they've never been 'keen' on giving us poor slayers any answers,
remember?>

<You're right. Now lets see if we can get some more out of this piece
of dog meat, before you put him out of his misery.>

"Now," continued the arch-mage, "if you are ready to continue, just what
do you mean by containment and elimination of slayers?"

"Oh, you mean how we get rid of the threat your lover, and her kin, poses
to us," sneered the demon.

He then went on to describe the battles that the demons had fought in
the past against slayers. How thousands upon thousands of demons would
die, in a vain attempt to eliminate the slayer, for it had seemed that
for every slayer who fell, two would arise in her place.

Finally, he indicated, the demon leadership determined that the only
way to defeat slayers was from within.

"First," he said, "we curtailed our activities on a world, so that demons
become legendary, almost laughed at. Then we isolate the slayers, by
setting up organizations who have the avowed purpose of 'helping, and
training' the slayers. In reality, they were, and are, our agents working
to further marginalize slayers in society."

"The counsel," whispered Buffy.

"Yes," said the demon lord, chuckling as he did so, "your precious counsel.
And what is just perfect is that even though you have defeated our plans
for this world, and you know the threat we pose to yours, there is nothing
you can do to save your own world."

With that the demon lord took one of his razor sharp talons and ripped
open his own throat, "you'll get nothing more from me," he said as he
breathed his last. 

"NO," screamed Buffy.

<Buffy, settle down!>

<Our world is doomed how can I settle down?>

<It's not doomed, love, trust me and don't believe a work that scum
said about us not being able to get home.>

"Now, continued the arch-mage, enveloping her lover in a hug, "I think
a little celebration is in order, given the double significance of this
day." 

"Huh," replied Buffy, "what do you mean?"

"Buffy, don't you remember what day this is?"

"Should I," replied the slayer.

"Candlemass," whispered Aiofe.

"Exactly," replied the arch-mage, "it was a year ago tonight that we
arrived on this world."

"You're right," replied Buffy, after thinking for a second, "how is that
part of a celebration for tonight?"

"Well," continued Willow, "we have a number of things to celebrate tonight.
First is our salvation from the demons. Second, we have the feast of
Imbolg to do. Finally, we have to give our thanks for the last year,
and the blessings that have come to us, thanks to Her favour."

<There have been a few, haven't there been?>

<Yes love,> replied Willow, <there have been.>

Willow then proceeded to get the rest of the day organized. She sent
Aiofe off to the kitchens, to have the cooks prepare a celebratory meal.
Bridie was sent to round up the other mages, to let them know that there
would be a full Imbolg ritual that night. Daithi and Padrick were sent
into town, to invite all of the villages to the inn for the meal, and
the ritual.

Soon it was evening. In every window of every building there were
lighted candles and lanterns. The town had cleaned up as much of the
damage that they could in the time available, and had set the hundreds
of demon bodies on a pyre that lit the sky for miles around. Everyone
had had an excellent meal and was relaxing, waiting until it was time
for the Imbolg ritual. Many of the residents of the village were in
the common room of the inn, intending to take part in the evening's
festivities.

Willow, Buffy, Aiofe and Bridie were seated in comfortable chairs before
the cheery fire in the common room, relaxing until it was time to start
the ritual. Both Aiofe and Bridie eyes were half closed, the combination
of the days exertions, with the advanced state of their pregnancies,
was having a very soporific effect on the young women. Buffy was sitting,
staring into the fire, and enjoying a brandy while she fed her daughter.
Willow was also feeding Kendra, and absently petting Shadow-Cat, who
was curled up on her lap.

Out of the blue, Willow sat up straighter in her chair, dislodging her
familiar, and her daughter in the process. "Damn," she said, "didn't
want to do that." 

"Do what," asked her lover, "coming back from her wool-gathering." 

"I think I have a solution to solving Amana and Grael's injuries." 

"Say what," asked a semi-conscious Bridie, as she rubbed sleep from her
eyes, "what do you mean by solving their injuries?"

"Simple," replied Willow, "we bring them home, and get them the specialized
medical treatment they need."

"Now, I'm confused," said Buffy, "just how are we going to get home.
Amana and Grael are both out for the count."

"It's like this, lover," replied her spouse, giving Buffy a quick, feather
light kiss, "Amana told me all about the ritual that brought us here,
and tonight is one of the best nights for it."

"And," added Bridie, suddenly alert and cognisant of the import of Willow's
idea, "Aiofe, Frankel and myself were at the ritual last year."

"And," continued Aiofe, "we have all the mages we need for the work."

"So, do you understand," said Willow, the eagerness evident in her voice.

"So, we can go home," replied the slayer, "when did this idea come to
you?" 

"While I was mentally reviewing what that scum prattled on about earlier
today," replied Willow, "remember that the Goddess came to me, and said
that I would find the answers within me?"

"Yes, but," said Buffy, "what answers, and to what questions?"

"The questions and problems we both have been having. The homesickness
we've had, and the worry that we've had over our friends and family.
Not to mention finding a way to heal Amana and Grael."

"Okay," said Buffy, "we can go home. Just how do we do it, and what
does it mean for the rest of the evening?"

"Well," replied Aiofe, "if its anything like last time, a lot of work."

"And a very short time to do it in," said Bridie.

"Well," said Willow, "lots of work or not, it's what we're going to do.
So, find Frankel, and lets get the mages working on what we are going
to do. Buffy, you get some of the villagers to clear out this room,
we'll do the ceremony here." 

Three hours later everything was ready. The common room had been cleared
and scrubbed. The ritual circle had been marked on the floor, waiting
for the final symbols to be inscribed. The mages had all had their ritual
baths and were assembled together, dressed in their working robes over
their heavy winter clothing, waiting for the work to begin. Willow,
Frankel and Aiofe had spent the better part of an hour working out the
details of the transportation ritual with the other mages. Now Willow
was sitting with her command group, working out the final details of
the evening's work.

"Ok," she said, "we have about an hour to go, and this is how I think
we should do the work tonight. First, we go ahead with the regular working
for tonight. Then, we will do the transfer spell. Hopefully I'll be
able to contact Susan or Carol, or maybe even Giles, and they will be
able to complete the counter-point spell back home."

"If not," asked Aiofe, "what then?"

"Well," replied Willow, carefully choosing her words, "when I talked
to Grael about this, a couple of months ago, he thought that if needed
I would be able to cast the spell myself, given that my, and Buffy's,
essence resonates from our world. The difference would, he thought,
be enough to force the completion of the transfer spell."

"Rather not to have to trust to mage musings," said Buffy, "let's hope
that you can contact someone back home."

"I agree," said Willow, "now, to something very important."

<What's that love?>

<Shush, dear, don't be rude, we've talked about this.>

"That is," continued the arch-mage, "who comes with us?"

"What do you mean," asked Aiofe.

"Well," answered Buffy, who had clued into what Willow had been thinking,
"both Willow and I are now deeply attached to you and Bridie, so, if
you were willing, we would be happy to have you come along."

"That goes for the rest of you also," said Willow turning to Frankel,
Daithi and Sonya, "it goes without saying that the children and Amana
and Grael will be coming."

The other members of Willow's command team were speechless. They had
known that their leader would be taking the two gravely ill mages with
her, however, they had not conceived of the idea of their going along.

After a few minutes, Frankel stood up and said, "Willow, Buffy, thank
you for your kind offer, however, with both Amana and Grael gone I think
that it would be best for me to stay back. There is still a lot of demons
around, and we are going to have to do a lot of work to rebuild the mage's
counsel." 

Sonya turned to her friends and mentors and then said, "likewise, I cannot
take you up on your fine offer. I, rather we are going to be sorely
needed for the conceivable future. I can't leave them."

"I understand, and agree, with how both of you feel," said Willow, "Daithi,
how about you?"

"I sorry, Lady," said the guardsman, "I would love to see and experience
your world, but my place is here, rebuilding this one. I do not wish
you to think that I think you should stay, I know that you must go home,
but I must remain." 

"Thank you," said Buffy, "for everything. We would have been lost without
your support."

Everyone turned to Aiofe and Bridie, who had remained in silent
contemplation
until that point not looking at anyone, even each other. Bridie looked
up at her lover, and saw her answer mirrored in her eyes. She whispered
softly, "we'll go. Both of us have become very close to you, and we
would be lost without you." 

Willow and Buffy stood up from the table and went over to the friends
and lovers and embraced them. Buffy whispered, "thank-you, thank-you
for agreeing to come, we would also have been lost if you had not."

"Lady," said Sonya, once Willow had regained her seat, "there is one
thing I would ask of you."

"Anything," replied Willow, "I'll do anything that time and my powers
permit." 

"I would ask you to take Sam with you," replied Sonya, "with what I'm
called to do, and the risk that that duty entails, I would not be able
to provide for her properly."

"No problem, from my perspective," said Willow, "but would she agree?"

"I think yes. She has no family left here, and staying would only bring
back painful memories of how they were slaughtered. Maybe if she goes,
her nightmares would also."

"Well," said Buffy, "go ask her. If she agrees, pack some personal items,
no clothing, and we'd be happy to take her."

"That goes for you two also," added Willow, addressing Bridie and Aiofe,
"go, you have twenty minutes to get packed and get back here."

"Frankel," said Buffy, "I'd ask that you and Sonya do the same for Amana
and Grael. Pack their personal books and keepsakes, but nothing else."

Finally everything, and everyone was ready. The symbols had been marked
on the floor, the watchtowers lit. Amana, Grael, the children, Sam and
even Shadow-Cat were all in the circle, before the altar, waiting for
the second part of the nights work. 

Willow took one final look around, reassured herself that everything
was in place, and then started the evenings work with, "Blessed be."

"Blessed be," replied the assembled mages, and the villagers who were
watching the evening's events.

"We have come to this time and to this place," said Willow, "to celebrate
the impending birth of spring.

"It is the time of year that we celebrate initiations and rebirths, and
tonight we give thanks for our salvation.

"We have also gathered tonight to bid farewell. Buffy and I will be
taking our leave from your community to return to our own world. For
we have found that although we have struck a mighty blow against the
enemies of mankind today, those same enemies still threaten our home
and world. Therefore, we must return, to do what we can to help.

"We are also going to bring with us our friends, sorely injured today.
Injured beyond my, or my lover's, skills to save. The help they need
is on our world, and I owe it to them as their friend, and student, to
bring them to the medical aid they need.

"Also, two of our company have agreed to come with Buffy and me when
we return. They have become very close to both of us over the past year,
and their absence from our lives, and ours from theirs would be
devastating."

Willow paused for a moment then proceeded to work with Frankel in casting
the circles, raising the protective sphere and invoking the guardians.
She then continued with the rest of the Imbolg ritual, thanking the Goddess
for her gifts, and asking for her assistance in the year to come. It
was the time to look forward to the promise of spring, and to welcome
the Goddess in her role as maiden. 

Once the formal, cyclical, portion of the night's work had been completed
Willow moved onto the special work that was to be done. She looked around
at the group of skilled practitioners assembled and said, "Blessed be."

"Blessed be," they once again replied.

"It is time for departure," said the arch-mage, "time for us to perform
the work which will open the portal from this world to mine.

"I wish to take this chance to thank all of you. You have become a
community
to me, and I sorely wish that I could be both here, and home."

Buffy then addressed the assembly by saying, "I too am going to miss
you all. I've come to see many of you as family, and I will always think
of this place as a home."

On Willow's signal the mages then began the complex chant that would,
the arch- mage hoped, bridge the void between this world and her own.
Willow cast out her second site into the void; following the thread of
the magic she was weaving to look for her own world. She followed the
thread, until it was barely viable, and once she was certain that she
had found her home, and had received a confirming signal that she had
made contact, she returned to the physical world. 

<Found home.>

<Ready for this?>

<Yep. Will miss this place, but our place is at home, especially since
we are bringing some of our friends.>

<Mom is going to freak. I've been gone for a year, and I return with
a wife, lover, a child and half of another one.>

<I'm going to be so lectured,> agreed Willow. She took a deep breath
then yelled out, "dorrys brishey magh!"

Once again, a blue-rimmed portal of darkness appeared before the altar.
Willow sighed with relief and thought, <thank the Goddess, it worked.>

She then looked at the assembled travellers and said, "ok folks, ready
to go?> 

Everyone picked up his or her belongings. Willow and Buffy had their
babies in chest carriers, and they were helping to support the near-comatose
Amana and Grael. Aiofe and Bridie were also supporting the two senior
mages, while Sam tightly held on to Bridie's free hand. Shadow-Cat had
been securely ensconced in Willow's backpack. 

As one they stepped into the void, as soon as they did it disappeared
in a flash of light.

Once again Buffy and Willow travelled though the vast expense of darkness,
before rushing to, and through a blue portal, which had suddenly appeared
in the darkness.

"Home," said Buffy, as she looked at the astonished faces surrounding
her. 

----------------------------------

Back in Willow's workroom, in the California town of Sunnydale, her coven
was just winding down from an eventful Imbolg celebration. Suddenly
the air above the altar was split with a blue-white bolt of light, which
rapidly expanded to portal, larger, by far than the one that had appeared
there before. 

"What the..." asked Giles, wanting to get the night's work over with,
and into a nice warm bed, as soon as possible.

"What are we," said Xander, "portal central?"

The black space in the portal was suddenly filled with bodies, numerous
bodies, who were all wearing heavy winter clothing and with packs slung
over their shoulders.

(Continued in part 14e)