FF: Guardians of the Veil part 3

["belgin_tei" <belgin_tei@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Title: Guardians of the Veil. Part 3
Sequel to: A New Beginning.
Author: David A. Knapton.
E-mail: belgin_tei@xxxxxxxxx
Archive: Any and All, but drop me a line so I can see my name in 
lights!
Spoilers: Set after the end of S5. Then it follows along different 
lines.
Rating: Probably 18 overall
Pairings this part: Buffy/Willow/Tara Louisa/John Sarah/James 
Olivia/Giles Giles/Maggie (implied).
Disclaimer: I own none of the people in this story, but if I did the 
show would probably never be shown again!
Special Disclaimer: See part 2.
Summery: Buffy finds herself in a police cell, Jimmy has a plan to 
get her out but won't tell anyone what is involved and Maggie gives 
Giles a history lesson. <> = Thought.
Notes: I have twisted the legend of King Arthur for my own reasons. 
RUH is the local abbreviation for the Royal United Hospital. 
A Very Special Note to Any Pagans: I am using different aspics of the 
Goddess for my own ends not to offend anyone, may the lady forgive me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------

Sarah and her three sisters had dispatched the four vampires and were 
returning to the pub. As they rounded the corner they pulled up short 
just in time to see Buffy in handcuff's being placed in the back of a 
police car, getting into the front was someone all to familiar to all 
the sisters.

Sarah pulled out her phone and pressed the speed dial, she turned to 
the others, "Kim take Gail and go and watch the police station just 
to make sure they take Buffy there, but stay out of sight."

They both nodded before turning and running through the back streets 
that they knew would get them into place before the car carrying 
Buffy could get to its destination.

It seemed to take a long time for anyone to answer the other end but 
in reality it was only seconds.

"Hello Sarah are you ok?" She could hear the worry in her boyfriend's 
voice.

"Yeah Jimmy I'm fine but we gotta problem the police have arrested 
Buffy... Jimmy the Warlock is with them," Sarah informed him.

"What! Are you sure?" She could hear the shock in his voice.

"James Smith I am of the Sisterhood her face is the first thing we 
learn," stated Sarah a flash of anger entering her voice.

"I'm sorry lover," there was a short pause before Jimmy asked, "What 
do you want me to do?"

"I think you better let me speak to Maggie."

"Okay I'll see you later, love you." 

Sarah could hear some mumbled conversation before Maggie was 
speaking; "Yes dear what can you tell me?"

"My Lady the Warlock has taken Buffy to the police station I sent Kim 
and Gail to observe while I get instructions. The Warlock was just 
bringing Buffy out when we got back she appears to be using the 
police to help her, should I go to the police and try and get Buffy 
out?"

"No Sarah not yet, if she is having to use the police I think Buffy 
is safe for the moment, in fact it may be useful in getting some 
information on what the Warlock is really up to. What happened to 
your other sisters?"

"Jane is with me I think Jackie is dead as for Mary, Wendy and Kelly 
I don't know but there are Paramedics inside... Wait there bring some 
people out... Yes its Mary, Kelly and the barman Jake," Sarah 
informed Maggie.

"Ok dear their probably taking them to the RUH follow them and get a 
report on your sisters conditions then meet us at the mine. Oh and be 
careful dear Steve said our cars are being watched."

"I will My Lady," said Sarah closing the flap. She turned to 
Jane, "Steve told Maggie that our cars are being watched go and get 
your car and see if you can draw them out so I can spot them. Drive 
around the block then stop just down there," smiled Sarah pointing to 
a spot about a hundred yards away, "Keep the engine running while I 
have a talk with them."

"Okay but next time you can be the bait," laughed Jane as she ran 
towards the car park.

Sure enough just as Jane pulled out a dark coloured estate car just 
down from where Sarah was hiding pulled away following her. Sarah 
waited about five minutes before seeing Jane's car come back around 
the corner followed a few seconds later by the dark estate, which as 
she hoped stopped next to her hiding place. Smiling as she walked out 
she went around to the driver's side she elbowed the window grabbed 
the driver's head and bashed it into the steering wheel, she smiled 
at the passenger "Oops sorry about that. I think I'll keep these," 
she finished, pulling the car keys out before running to Jane's 
car. "Lets get to the Hospital and see how our sisters are doing.

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

Maggie handed the phone back to Jimmy before turning to Giles and the 
others, "Buffy appears to have been arrested, the Warlock seems to be 
using the police as part of her plans whatever they are! But it does 
explain the police's attitude to the deaths and disappearances."

"My Lady if she has finally come out of hiding her plans must be 
close to completion," mused Olivia.

"What is going to happen to Buffy My Lady," asked Tara holding onto 
Willow.

"I think she will be safe for now, we'll discuss what's to be done 
when we get to our destination."

"Very well My Lady," nodded Tara.

"Why do you keep addressing Maggie by that title she's not our High 
Priestess Tara," Willow asked looking at her lover.

"But she is Willow, she's THE High Priestess of the Goddess."

Willow went white as still in Tara's arms she turned to face 
Maggie, "I'm sorry My Lady I didn't know, I always thought you were a 
myth well not you yourself of course but the position because you 
obviously exist because we wouldn't be talking would we and...."

"Sweetie calm down before you start to hyperventilate," said Tara 
stopping Willow's babble as she gently rubbed Willow's back.

Willow took a deep breath "Ah yeah thanks sweetheart," she said 
smiling at Tara before returning to look at Maggie, "Sorry My Lady 
but I tend to babble when I get frightened or excited."

"That's all right dear I reacted in much the same way when I found 
out when I was about your age," smiled Maggie.

"Will someone please tell me what is going on here," asked Giles 
between clenched teeth finding it harder and harder to keep 'Ripper' 
under control.

"Very well 'Ripper'" nodded Maggie "But lets go below and we'll give 
you some details," she smiled remembering the man he use to be, the 
man she had once thought she would marry.

"Ok after you," said Giles.

"Olivia, Louisa you two better come as well," said Maggie looking at 
them.

"As you wish My Lady," nodded Olivia as they fell in behind Maggie.

Taking a seat at the dinning table next to Willow and Tara Giles 
turned to Maggie, "All right Maggie what the hell is really going on 
here?"

"Well before I can tell you that I'll have to give you a history 
lesson, a history that no outsider has heard in over 1000 years," 
Maggie began. "Before time the One came into being, the One was 
alone..."

"Maggie I know the legend can we skip a few million millennia." 
Interrupted Giles.

Maggie smiled, "If you wish Rupert I'll skip as much of the 
background as I can," she said giving a little laugh, he may have 
become a watcher but his Ripper was never far below the 
surface. "Very well Rupert when the demons entered this reality the 
Goddess saw the danger they posed to mortal animals both after birth 
and after death she spoke with the One who seeing its children's 
children were in danger allowed the Goddess the chance to provide aid 
to the dead as well as the living. For many days the Goddess 
contemplated the actions that needed to be done, she realised that 
the greatest danger was to Summerland and the souls that rested 
there. If anything was to happen to them there would be no rebirth 
and mortal animals would cease to exist so joining with the God they 
used magicks no mortal or demon could ever hope to master the they 
created the Veil between the living and death realms. The Goddess 
then instructed her most devoted followers in how to maintain the 
Veil and also how to cross it if they ever needed too. The greatest 
of these followers was chosen as the first High Priestess, her name 
is Brighid. When her sister Morrigan a warrior of note found out that 
her beloved sister's life would always be in danger she went before 
the Goddess beseeching her that she be given the opportunity to 
protect her sister. Seeing the love that existed between them she 
granted her wish, for them to fulfil their destiny the Goddess 
infused some of her essence with them. The Goddess then called before 
her those lovers and family members of the other priestesses most 
devoted to them she gave them the same chance to protect their loved 
ones, that was how the Sisterhood came to be." Maggie paused to take 
a sip of water.

"My Lady are you saying that Brighid and Morrigan were human?" Asked 
Tara.

"They were but when the Goddess gave them part of her essence they 
became far more, in some ways they became part of the Goddess. It is 
they who choose the Priestesses and those of the Sisterhood like 
Sarah and Mary, although only those who except it freely become 
members," explained Maggie.

"So you are Guardians of the realm of the dead? Who are the Guardians 
of the Living?" Asked Giles.

"The Watchers Council and the Slayer," answered Maggie smiling at the 
gasps coming from Giles, Willow and Tara.

"I'm sorry Maggie but I have heard none of this, if this is true and 
at the moment I can't dispute what you are telling us, why was I or 
my predecessors never told these things?" Frowned Giles.

"It is simple Rupert over the last Millennia or so the rise of the 
followers of the god of Abraham suppressed the knowledge of the Lord 
and Lady in favour of their own teachings, at first they had very 
little success. But when the Normans finally conquered Saxon England 
they brought with them their feudal form of government which changed 
the role of women, which I will not go into now but anyway because 
the Watchers council feared that the Norman Kings would destroy their 
growing influence because of their connection with the Goddess they 
suppressed that knowledge. Our information is that only the very top 
people within the Watcher's Council know the truth."

"Very well I will believe you mainly because I and a few others have 
suspected for some time that the Council was corrupt but this amount 
of deception is unforgivable," said Giles between clenched teeth.

"My Lady Willow and I appreciate the things you are teaching us but 
what has any of this got to do with the present situation?" Asked 
Tara.

"Well dear the present situation began around 1500 years ago," sighed 
Maggie pausing to collect her thoughts. "Okay at the time of the 
Roman withdraw from what is now England and Wales there was great 
turmoil. The great landholders attempted to hold things together but 
with the Saxons, Angles and Jutes beginning to settle in the east of 
the country these landholders began to fight among themselves for a 
smaller and smaller area of land even hiring mercenaries from among 
the invaders. This was one of their biggest mistakes as those same 
mercenaries on returning to their homes told of the wealth to the 
west. The Angles and Saxons joined in an alliance against the 
Briton's; with the aim of conquest they raised an army of thousands 
and began the attack. At this time a great leader arose in what is 
now Winchester, he lead his fathers men against a Saxon army many 
times their number and routed them."

"Your not talking about King Arthur are you My Lady," asked Willow.

"No dear not quite the man was his father who became known in the 
later legend as Uther his real name was Eugenius who had served in 
the Roman legions before returning home," smiled Maggie. <Lady 
Brighid was right Willow is very quick, we may yet beat the warlock> 
she thought before continuing. "Anyway after his son's route of the 
Saxons many of the other landholders offered men and supplies to 
Eugenius' father if Eugenius would lead them against the Angle army 
that was moving from the north east. Now Eugenius's father was old 
but cunning he forced them to swear allegiance and a blood oath that 
should Eugenius be victorious he would become King of the Britons. 
Having little choice most agreed only those to the far west refused 
feeling safe from the invaders. Anyway the combined armies of the 
Britons met the army of the Angles and the few remaining Saxons in 
the area of what is now the town of Swindon. It is said that the 
battle raged for almost three days with the advantage swinging first 
towards the Britons then the invaders. Then on the last day a new 
army appeared in the west, realising that this was another army of 
Britons the invaders began to withdraw, on seeing this Eugenius led 
his mounted troops in a charge destroying the enemies rearguard and 
capturing many enemy chieftains, it took the Angles and the Saxons 
almost two generations to recover."

Maggie paused to take a sip of water that Olivia handed her before 
continuing, "When Eugenius returned that night with his troops the 
truth of the other army became apparent. A landholder from the west 
called Marcus, one that had refused to swear allegiance had persuaded 
many of the others to swear allegiance to him; he had led his army 
from the far west and kept concealed until he judged it was the best 
time to appear, then on seeing Eugenius led his mount troops after 
the invaders Marcus fell on the infantry that remained on the field 
slaughtering them to a man. Eugenius' reaction was terrible if 
predictable instead of holding the enemy leaders for ransom as was 
normal he let them go after swearing allegiance to him and then he 
swore that if they and any men they could get to join him that they 
could have their pick of any spoils. He then gathered his remaining 
forces and moved south towards his home where he gathered every able 
bodied man he could and began training them awaiting the arrival of 
his Angle and Saxon allies. On midsummer's eve he moved out with an 
army of almost 15,000 men everything went as planned until they made 
camp at Aquae Sulis as Bath was then called, one of his followers who 
followed the way of the Goddess suggested getting the then High 
Priestess to give her blessing to the campaign. So while the army 
stayed at Aquae Sulis he had this man lead him and an escort of 100 
men to the location of the High Priestess on what is now Glastonbury 
Tor." Maggie paused they were surprised to see tears begin to rundown 
her cheeks as well as Olivia's and Louisa's.

"I'm sorry for crying but this next part is very upsetting to us," 
explained Maggie dabbing her eyes, taking a deep breath to calm 
herself she continued the story. "When Eugenius was finally granted 
an ordinance he demanded that the High Priestess give him and his 
army the Goddess' blessing and also acknowledge his right to rule all 
the Britons. The High Priestess refused telling him that the son of 
Marcus's wife was destined to be the first and only King of the 
Britons. With this revelation Eugenius became crazed and struck down 
the High Priestess and with his escort killed the other 18 
Priestesses of the Goddess as well as their protectors. As the last 
died Brighid appeared before him all there except Eugenius fell on 
their faces in fear of the anger on her face. She announced his 
punishment declaring that for his traitorous act he would die by the 
sword of one of his own men but worst of all that his soul would not 
be allowed entry into Summerland, doomed to wander the land for all 
time."

"Oh Goddess that's terrible what happened next," asked Willow wiping 
her own tear's away.

"Yes it was but it was her right. Well having returned to the army he 
moved into what is know Devon and Cornwall, the encounter with 
Brighid had changed him he seems to have decided to take vengeance on 
all the followers of the Goddess. So instead of moving to attack 
Marcus at his stronghold he spread his force out along a wide front 
driving everything before him, burning crops and leaving only death 
in his wake. It took is forces a month to eventually gather at 
Boscastle and begin the siege," Maggie smiled as both Willow and Tara 
gasped at the location of the stronghold, "I see you two know what is 
now at Boscastle?"

"Yes My Lady are the two things somehow connected?" Frowned Tara.

"Only partially dear, maybe when the present situation is resolved 
you can visit the site," replied Maggie, hoping that they would 
indeed be able to visit the location and learn something's about 
their origins.

"What is so special about Boscastle as I recall it is only a small 
village in Cornwall," interrupted Giles on seeing the smiles on the 
faces of the five women.

"Boscastle Rupert is the location of the Museum of Witchcraft as well 
as what the uninformed call a mystical site as the Tor or Avebury, it 
is a place where large amounts of what you would call magickal energy 
reaches the surface," explained Louisa. 

"It is also where many of our most important artefacts and books are 
hidden," smiled Maggie, "Now where was I... Ah yes the siege, it 
lasted for months by November just when it looked like Eugenius would 
have to withdraw until spring Marcus under a flag of truce and met 
Eugenius before the gates. He told the suspicious Eugenius that if 
the siege were lifted he and all his followers would swear allegiance 
to him, Eugenius agreed and Marcus offered Eugenius and his 
commanders the hospitality of his feasting hall. That night Eugenius 
first saw Marcus's wife one Miranda, he was smitten and swore to 
himself that he would have this woman. That night he went in search 
of the hermit that was said to live in the nearby sea caves, this 
hermit was said to be the most powerful user of magic ever to have 
lived. On finding this hermit he asked for his aid in bedding 
Miranda, the hermit agreed on condition that any offspring of the 
union was given to him. To this Eugenius agreed his only interest was 
his lust for the wife of his vassal Marcus. What Eugenius did not 
know was that the hermit was the Seer of the Goddess and the future 
teacher of the next High Priestess Morganna called the Fey who also 
happened to be the daughter of Marcus and Miranda. Now it may seem 
strange that the hermit would aid the killer of a High Priestess and 
all her followers but the hermit was following the commands fate had 
laid down and had Eugenius not killed the innocent and listened to 
what was told to him all would have been different. The High 
Priestess had told him that the wife of Marcus would bare the only 
king of the Britons, Eugenius had always been fated to be his 
father." 

After taking yet another drink of water Maggie continued, "Anyway the 
hermit gave Eugenius two potions one that he would have to get to 
Marcus and his men at dinner the other to Miranda. The following 
night at the end of the feasting having bribed the cup-barer to slip 
the first potion into Marcus and his men's cups and the second potion 
into Miranda's cup. The potion given to Marcus was a simple sleeping 
draft but Miranda's was enchanted to make the first man to enter her 
bedchamber appear to be her husband. Well everything went as they 
were meant too and Miranda became pregnant, what no one knew at the 
time was that Morganna had seen everything, seeking revenge on the 
man that had defiled her mother she went to her father who slept in 
the great hall. Using magicks that would later make her second only 
to Brighid as the most powerful High Priestess in history, she broke 
the enchantment on her father and told all she had seen. An enraged 
Marcus took up his sword and entering his bedchamber and struck down 
the unarmed rapist, having discovered she had been deceived she 
begged for her husband's forgiveness, which because of his love for 
her and seeing the truth in her eyes did forgive her."

"Well this story is not quite how I have read it Maggie," Frowned 
Giles.

"There are several reasons for that for one when Geoffrey of 
Gloucester wrote his version he did a lot of amending," she smiled 
mischiefly at him, "And another is that I have spoken to several of 
those involved."

Giles went white, "W-what? H-h-how?" he stuttered.

"May I My Lady," asked Tara when Maggie nodded she turned to 
Giles, "Don't you remember what Maggie said earlier about the High 
Priestess being able to cross the Veil."

Giles frowned at her, "Well yes but I assumed she meant that only 
Brighid was given that ability."

"No Giles all the High Priestesses are given that power but can only 
pass while we are alive, when we die that power is taken from us. 
Only Brighid and her sister Morrigan being part of the Goddess can 
move freely between the realms."

Just as she was about to continue the story Jimmy poked his head 
through the hatch, "My Lady Steve said to tell you that this is as 
far as we can go by boat so he has arranged for some cars to take us 
the rest of the way." He then frowned and whispered almost to 
himself, "It's really freaky how he always knows what to prepare for!"

"That is his function James you know he cannot reveal anything that 
the Lord or Lady have not given him leave to do so," replied Louisa 
almost sternly.

"I'm sorry my lady but it just so frustrating," sighed Jimmy.

As Giles walked towards the hatch he mumbled to himself, "With all 
these me' ladies its going to get confusing."

Louisa, who was just behind him smiled, "Not really little brother 
James addressed me as my lady because I am the High Priestess of his 
Coven but everyone addresses Maggie as My Lady because she is the 
High Priestess of the Goddess. You little brother can still call me 
Lou."

"Thanks Lou I appreciate that," Giles said sarcastically.

Patting him on the shoulder she burst out laughing, "Think nothing of 
it."

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

Buffy sat quietly on the hard bed in a police cell waiting, so the 
sergeant in charge had said, to be interviewed about the charges they 
were holding her on. It had been over an hour since they had brought 
her in she had tried telling them at the pub that she had been 
helping the people that had been hurt and killed that a gang had 
started trouble. That had been the best she could come up with at the 
time not wanting to come across as a nut by telling them it was 
vampires.

After the bond had passed on the information that Maggie had told 
Willow and Tara that the big, bad they were here to help destroy 
seemed to be using the police in her plans. Because this Warlock was 
using the police, they assured her that she would be safe for the 
moment and that two of the sisters were watching the police station.

<Tara suggests that when they take us to be interviewed that we 
demand to see someone from our Embassy, the police will then have to 
wait until someone is sent to see us before they can talk to us.> the 
bond informed Buffy.

<Why do I have to do that can't someone just come here and tell them 
I didn't do it?>

<Maggie what's us to try and find out what the Warlock is up to.>

<Okay but can you ask Tara to ask the others what the police could do 
with me?>

After a few minutes the bond relayed the information, <John says that 
because of the charges they are accusing us of they will ask a local 
judge to hold us in prison until a trial. Maggie thinks the Warlock 
was just using the incident at the pub as an excuse and that the real 
target for the raid by the police was her and the others?>

Just then Buffy heard the door being unlocked, she looked up to see 
the custody sergeant and another police officer, "Ok they're ready to 
interview you now," the sergeant informed her.

On exiting the cell she was escorted back to the room they had first 
brought her too, stood by the sergeant's desk were a man and a woman 
in civilian clothes, the woman she recognised from the police raid 
the one that was supposed to be behind all this.

The man took hold of her arm guiding her towards another 
corridor "This way Elizabeth, this shouldn't take to long to sort 
out," smiled the man as he walked on one side and the woman on the 
other, as if trying to reassure her.

"I don't think it will be that simple sir," said the woman looking at 
him briefly.

The man's face went blank for a second before his whole demeanour 
changed and he turned an angry stare at Buffy, "Of course if I have 
my way you would get life for what you did tonight."

<Tell Tara and Willow this Warlock or whatever she is seems to be 
using some kind of mind control but it doesn't last for long and only 
when she is with the person.>

Opening a door and switching on a light they entered a small room 
with a table and four chairs, the man guided Buffy to one of the 
chairs on the far side then took a seat opposite her, while the woman 
seemed to be placing tape cassettes in a machine.

<Maggie said to tell us that that is a very interesting piece of 
information.>

The woman pressed a button on the machine and turned to Buffy, "This 
is a taped interview, the time is 21.30 those present are DS Fey," 
said the woman.

"And DI Haines," added the man.

"Also present is, please state your full name for the tape," said the 
woman looking at Buffy.

Buffy cleared her throat, "Buff... I mean Elizabeth Anne Summers."

"You have the right to remain silent, but anything you do say maybe 
giving in evidence in a court of law, if you fail to give evidence 
that you later rely on in court it may effect your case," said DS Fey 
a smirk on her face.

Buffy returned the smirk, "I think I would like a lawyer but first 
I'd like to talk to someone from my embassy."

"I don't think you want that, I think you want to confess now and 
save yourself anymore problems," said DS Fay.

Buffy suddenly felt a pressure in her head almost like a headache, 
she shook her head and as quickly as it came it disappeared, "No I 
think I'll talk to someone from my embassy first."

For the briefest moment DS Fey's eyes darkened, "I see," anger 
crossed her face, "It seems I underestimated you," she hissed before 
turning the machine off before turning to the man, "Sir why don't you 
phone Miss Summers embassy while I escort her back to her cell."

"Yes excellent idea," nodded the Inspector with a bemused look on his 
face as if he was trying to remember what he was doing here.

As he left DS Fey turned back to Buffy, "I don't know how you managed 
to shield your mind from me slayer, but no matter I know you're here 
to interfere with my plans but I don't think you will be a problem 
from a prison cell."

"I wouldn't count on it DS Fey or can I just call you Morganna?" 
Buffy smirked as the Warlock's eyes darkened once more.

"Somehow I don't think you will be getting a visit from your embassy. 
I think I'll turn you over to the Watcher's council, I understand 
that some of them are not very pleased with your attitude over the 
last few years and have been pressing the others to bring you to 
England for 're-education'." It was the Warlock's turn to smirk at 
Buffy as her face went pale. "Of course if you were to co-operate and 
tell me where the remaining priestesses are hiding I could get you 
released?"

"I don't know where they are," lied Buffy, "And even if I did I 
wouldn't tell you."

The Warlock returned her to custody without saying another word, from 
there she was led back to her cell, the door making an ominous 
echoing sound as it was shut behind her. She sighed as she sat down 
on the bed <Tell Will and Tara that the Warlock is planning to turn 
me over to the council for re-education.> Buffy instructed the bond.

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

As they left the boat and began walking towards the waiting cars 
Willow and Tara let out a whimper and hugged each other, Giles could 
see tears running down their cheeks; "What is it has something 
happened to Buffy?" he asked.

Willow turned towards him and Olivia who was walking by his 
side, "The Warlock plans to turn Buffy over to the council for re-
education, she told her that some of the watcher's council don't like 
the way she has undermined them over the last couple of years. Giles 
we have to help her, she's very frightened about what the council 
will do."

Jimmy who was just behind them looked over to where Maggie had been 
just about to get into a car when Willow and Tara had cried out, "My 
Lady with your permission I may know some people who could help."

Maggie arched an eyebrow at him before turning to look at 
Steve, "Well Steve what do you advise?"

"He should be allowed to try, if the council get hold of Buffy all 
maybe lost," advised Steve.

"Very well James you have my permission, but no outsider must know 
about us or what is really going on," said Maggie the authority in 
her voice clearly evident.

"We want to help," said Tara turning to Jimmy.

"That would not be advisable Tara, the two of you are very important 
in our fight against the Warlock, you two and Buffy are the only ones 
that seem to be immune to her mind powers," said Olivia.

"And you really don't want to met some of the people that James is 
going to get to help, at least not yet," added Steve, he then turned 
to Jimmy, "That car is for you," he smiled pointing at the red one at 
the end.

"You know I really hate your link to the Lord and Lady," sighed Jimmy 
shaking his head as he walking towards the car.

"Oh James when you get Buffy you will need to persuade her to trust 
your friends," Steve called out.

"What's that suppose to mean Steve," asked Willow stepping to his 
side.

"Believe me at this moment you do not want to know, you must trust me 
this is meant to happen."

"All right we'll trust you but if anything happens to Buffy we won't 
be very happy," stated Willow.

Steve smiled, "As you told Dawn sometime ago as long as one of you is 
alive nothing can happen to the others."

"How did you know that?" asked Tara.

Steve's face darkened momentarily, "I am privy to many things, many I 
would give almost anything not too know," he sighed "We should go you 
still need to hear the full story of the Warlock and time is 
pressing."

Willow and Tara shared a car with Giles and Olivia.

As they followed the other cars Olivia turned to Giles who occupied 
the front passenger seat, "Am I forgiven for keeping secrets," a 
mischievous smile on her face.

Giles chuckled, "I suppose I deserve that after asking you the same 
question after the gentlemen appeared in Sunnydale. Yes your forgiven 
but now we are both being honest with each other did your visit have 
anything to do with those demons or the present situation?"

"No Louisa had not heard from you for several months so Maggie asked 
me to check on you," Olivia smiled and looked at Willow and Tara 
through the rearview mirror, "Although the demons arrival did help 
with one thing I had been instructed to try and accomplice."

"And what exactly was that Olivia?" Asked Willow noticing the sly 
look the older woman was directing at her and Tara.

"I was instructed by the goddess via Steve to make sure that a 
certain couple of witches who were meant to get together did so. 
Those demons saved me some problems helping to get you two together," 
she laughed at the two blushing in the mirror, "Willow fate has a way 
of stepping in when something needs to be achieved."

"S-so you-re saying that th-those people got killed so we would find 
each other?" sobbed Tara.

"I weep with you sister, but try to remember that fate can be a hard 
taskmaster it does what it needs too, I think that before this is all 
over there will be a lot more heartache," sighed Olivia.

The rest of the journey was spent in silence.

As they drove through the gates of some kind of Transport Company 
Giles frowned "Where exactly are we going?"

"One of our last havens that no one outside the inner circle is aware 
of," she replied as she drove into an empty warehouse and stopped 
next to the other cars. Olivia turned to the others, "We have to walk 
about a mile from here I'm afraid, there is no road access," she 
explained.

They followed Olivia and the others out of the yard via another gate 
into a field with what looked like a barn in the centre.

Willow turned to Olivia as they got to the double doors, "I thought 
you said we had to walk for a mile? That wasn't even 200 yards."

"Ah but we haven't got to where we are going yet," she smiled and 
pointed into the back of the building as someone switched the lights 
on.

On looking into the back they could see the floor sloping down into 
utter blackness, they followed the other inside and the doors were 
closed behind them.

"You want us to go down there?" Asked Willow.

"It isn't as bad as you might think," Maggie reassured them. "This is 
an old stone mine, the passages extend for over 28 miles, most is now 
unsafe but the main passage and one or two of the side sections are 
okay, in fact it has its own generator and toilets as well as cooking 
and sleeping areas. As long as you stay in the lit area you will be 
perfectly safe."

There was some steps on one side of the mineshaft they had to walk in 
single file, the stairs seemed to go on forever but eventually they 
got to the bottom. The passage continued on into the distance, they 
occasionally passed a large steel door that Olivia told them led to 
sections that could be unstable. After about half a mile they came to 
a side passage that didn't have steel doors like the others, they 
turned into this passage. It was well lit they could see lots of side 
passages branching off, the ceiling was also lower Willow was 
surprised that it was pleasantly warm she commented on this, being 
told that the mine stayed at the same temperature all year round. 
After another quarter of a mile they entered a large more open area, 
to the left was a panelled off area through the windows they could 
see was a kitchen/dinning room and in front of them a dozen alcoves 
that had beds in with curtains in front.

"Let's go and sit in the dinning room, I don't know about the rest of 
you but I could do with a drink," smiled Maggie.

"Yes an excellent idea, then you can finish telling us about this 
Warlock," smiled Giles following Maggie through the door and with 
Willow and Tara took a seat at the same table as the High Priestess.

"So what happened after Marcus killed Eugenius?" Asked Willow.

"Well things pretty much went back to the way they had been before 
Eugenius united the Britons except that without the outside threat 
from the invaders they battled against each other. Within six months 
of Eugenius death Marcus and many of his followers were also dead, 
Miranda now heavily pregnant fled Boscastle with Morganna, seeking 
sanctuary in a nunnery on the south coast. There just after her baby 
was born to the anger of Morganna she converted to Christianity, when 
her mother and the nuns tried changing Morganna's path away from the 
Lord and Lady she used her growing powers against them," Maggie 
sighed. "That was when the hermit appeared at the gates demanding to 
see Miranda and Morganna, had he been able to find them sooner many 
things that happened later may have been avoided, but the Lord and 
Lady forbade him to interfere. Anyway he met with Miranda and 
Morganna telling them that Eugenius was the father of Miranda's baby 
and that Morganna was destined to be the next High Priestess, he told 
them of the baby's future and the agreement that the baby be handed 
over to him as payment for Eugenius' night of passion."

"My Lady how could the hermit be so cruel to demand the baby," asked 
Tara.

"You must try and remember that the times were different then and the 
hermit like Steve deal with primal forces they serve the Lord and 
Lady almost totally, always having to do what is required and not 
what they would wish. Several times throughout history whenever a 
Seer has tried to go against their vows it has turned out badly. 
Anyway as I was saying the hermit demanded the baby but Miranda 
refused going to the mother superior and telling her what was said. 
Now the mother superior was a devious woman and thought to kill two 
birds with one stone, so to speak. She wished to be rid of Morganna 
who she feared and saw a way of getting a christen king, so she 
eventually persuaded Miranda to hand over the baby to the hermit on 
the conditions that he take Morganna and that the baby be raised a 
christen," Maggie stopped to take a drink.

Taking the opportunity to query something Willow looked around the 
table, "A lot of what you have told us tonight reminds me of a movie 
Xander dragged me to see some years ago called 'Excalibur'?"

Maggie smiled, "That's because Steve's predecessor had a hand in the 
script making the odd suggestion to the writer, he felt that it was 
time the truth started to come out, we have been slowly revealing 
things so that it doesn't come as such a shock when the whole truth 
is revealed," she explained.

"You mean a bit like what happened in the old movies where the native 
Americans were always the bad guys and the cowboys the good guys? 
Then they started changing showing a more realistic position," asked 
Willow.

"Yes dear something like that," nodded Maggie.

"What do you mean by 'when the whole truth is revealed'?" Asked Giles 
not liking the sound of that.

"Steve as told us that very soon, for those who wish to see it, the 
truth will be revealed very soon. What that means I have no real idea 
he will not tell any of us anymore about it, but I think I can guess 
what he maybe talking about!" Smiled Maggie the smile on her face 
seeming to light up the room.

"Now on with the story. Morganna was more than happy to leave the 
nunnery but when she heard the hermit agree to her mother's demand 
that her half brother be raised a Christian she had what we would 
call a tantrum, had it not been for the hermit's greater knowledge of 
magick the nunnery would have been levelled..."

"That must have been some tantrum," laughed Giles.

"It was," said Maggie returning the laugh.

Willow frowned at Giles, ever since they had met Maggie; Giles had 
been acting very un-Giles like? She made a mental note to speak to 
him about it later.

"As I was saying Miranda handed over her children to the hermit, she 
never saw them again. The hermit asked a wealthy landowner he knew to 
take the baby in and raise him as his own, the nobleman's wife had 
just lost her own baby son and having Arturus as they named the baby 
helped with her loss. The hermit then left the area with Morganna; 
they travelled into mid-Wales where the Goddess had instructed the 
new Priestesses and the sisters to gather. There the hermit spent a 
dozen years teaching Morganna and the other Priestesses their duties 
as the guardians of the veil. Morganna's power and knowledge soon 
surpassed that of the hermit as the Goddess had decreed it would but 
not her wisdom. She was ever hateful of the Christians as more and 
more of the Lord and Lady's followers seemed to turn from the path. 
What she did not have the wisdom to see was that even as they 
seemingly turned from the path the old beliefs became part of the 
Christian faith, it was not until the time of the Norman Conquest 
that things really changed. Only one thing the hermit refused to 
teach Morganna and that was the words of power, this, as many thing 
seemed to, angered the High Priestess. All the hermit would say 
whenever she confronted him was that he would reveal them when the 
Goddess willed. Just before Morganna's 22nd birthday the hermit 
informed her that it was time for her to accompany him to the home of 
her half brother and to reveal his destiny. In the years since the 
hermit had left Arturus with the landholder and is wife had been hard 
for the child his stepmother was killed by raiders when he was three, 
then when he was thirteen his stepfather was mortally wounded when 
another local landholder besieged his stronghold. That incident was a 
catalyst for the young Arturus he rallied his fathers men and led a 
sortie against the besiegers routing them and capturing the leaders 
but instead of killing or ransoming them he talked them into swearing 
allegiance to him. Over the following year, before the hermit and his 
sister arrived Arturus had talked almost half the landholder into 
pledging their loyalty. When the hermit revealed Arturus's true 
lineage, he realised that because of the nature of the oaths that had 
been pledged to Eugenius before and after the siege of Boscastle all 
the landholders and their descendants owed fidelity to him." Maggie 
stopped when she saw Willow try and stifle a yawn, "Maybe I should 
finish the story in the morning, you've had a really long day."

"No My Lady I'll be okay I don't think I could sleep at the moment 
with Buffy in a police cell, please finish the story," said Willow 
stifling another yawn.

"No I'll see you in the morning, if you don't get some sleep you 
won't be of any use to us tomorrow, now go to bed, Louisa will show 
you which is yours," Insisted Maggie.

"Very well My Lady," sighed Willow as she and Tara rose, "Night 
Giles," they followed Louisa out the door.

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

Buffy was trying to get some rest but found it hard with the light 
on. She rolled over on her side pulling the blanket over her head 
trying to block out the light, having good night-vision may help her 
fight the forces of darkness but it did have a downside. She just 
wished that she was with Willow and Tara, she couldn't even get 
reassurances from them as the bond informed her that they were asleep.

<It's so not fair they have a nice warm, soft bed to cuddle in and 
what do I get? I get a depressing cell with a hard bed and a nice 
view of a toilet.>

<Would we really want one of our loves here in our place?> asked the 
bond.

<Well duh of course not, but its still not fair.>

Just then she heard the key in the cell door, she threw the blanket 
aside and sat up facing the door, when it opened she was confronted 
by the Warlock and a sergeant she didn't recognise, "Well Miss 
Summers it seems there are some people that wish to talk to you," 
said the Warlock an smirk on her face.

As she went to exit the cell the Warlock turned to the sergeant, "You 
better handcuff her hands behind her back she is very dangerous."

As with DI Haines earlier the sergeant's face went blank for a second 
before turning to Buffy, "Turn around and put you hands behind your 
back," on doing so Buffy felt the cold steel press against her skin. 
The sergeant then grabbed her arm and guided her towards the charge 
room.

On entering the room Buffy was confronted by a middle aged man a 
little taller than her holding a see-through bag, she could see held 
her things, and three athletic type men all in suits.

The older man turned to the sergeant as two of the other men moved to 
her sides, "We'll take it from here, Miss Summers is wanted by us on 
some very serious charges," he said as the two men grabbed her upper 
arms and marched her to the exit. She heard the Warlock tell the 
sergeant that she would see them off the premises.

Outside as the other man opened the one of the rear doors and push 
her in the Warlock smiled at her, "I hope you enjoy your re-education 
slayer," her laugh sending shivers down Buffy's spine.

As one of the men got in beside her and fixed her into some kind of 
harness and snapped ankle cuffs to her legs she looked at the middle-
aged man, "Your from the council right? Look I don't know how much 
you are aware of but that bitch is not what she seems, she's a 
Warlock that me and my friends are trying to stop. You have to let me 
go before it's to late," she pleaded.

"Miss Summers for sometime now you have been out of control, 
undermining our authority and even aiding the other rogue slayer when 
a team was sent to retrieve her. You consort with vampires even 
taking one as a lover and on top of that you try and lay down 
conditions by which you will consent to re-join us," said the man 
with obvious contempt in his voice.

"Look yes I did aid Faith after your interference you only made 
matters worse but in the end she did the right thing and gave herself 
up to the police..."

"It isn't your place to question the council, all that has been 
achieved by Faith being placed in prison is that she will be 
unavailable for a number of years," interrupted the man.

"Well maybe it's about time that the slayers started questioning the 
council's motives. And as for consorting with vampires, haven't you 
heard the saying 'you catch more fly's with honey than vinegar', as 
for my love life it really is none of the council's business."

"You see that's just what the council suspected you are out of 
control," nodded the man.

"What do you intend doing to me?" Asked Buffy in a quiet voice.

"Well Miss Summers first there will be the psychological evaluations 
and then our psychologist will assess how much behavioural 
modification you will need," a small smile appeared on his face when 
he saw Buffy pale, "You don't think the Initiative and professor 
Walsh were the first to come up with the idea were you?" He turned 
back to face the front as they pulled out onto the road.

The sky was beginning to lighten so Buffy could workout that they 
were travelling in a northerly direction, the clock on the dashboard 
told her it was five in the morning very little traffic was about 
just the odd truck or car. They had been driving for about an hour 
when Buffy heard what sounded like air escaping from the tyres then 
she was thrown against the straps of the restrains as the driver 
applied the brakes. As the men went to open the doors, the car was 
suddenly surrounded by armed men in combat gear and wearing ski masks.

"On the floor," shouted one of the men, as the men were being 
searched one of the men in ski masks got in beside her and undid the 
ankle cuffs and the harness before helping her out, he turned to the 
man searching the middle-aged man, "Find the key to Miss Summers 
cuffs, after a few moments the man throw the key to the one that 
seemed to be in charge who unlocked the cuffs.

Buffy rubbed her sore wrists, "Who are you!" she asked the one that 
seemed to be in charge.

"We're here to rescue you, a couple of mutual friends asked for our 
help," he explained just as a car driven by Jimmy came around the 
corner and stopped.

The leader got into the front and one of the others got into the back 
with Buffy and they drove off back the way they had came. Buffy 
leaned forward and placed a hand on Jimmy's shoulder, "Thanks Jimmy I 
won't forget this. So who are your friends?" she said looking at the 
two men still in ski masks.

The man in front pulled his off, he had a rugged looking face with 
short brown hair, "I'm Captain Henry Jones of the Coldstream Guards 
presently attached to the Special Air Service. I'm pleased to meet 
you Miss Summers," he introduced himself extending his hand to her.

"Pleased to meet you and call me Buffy, so who's your friend here?" 
She nodded her head towards the other man that had helped rescue her, 
he pulled his ski mask off and looked at her, for a second she lost 
her ability to speak before exclaiming, "Riley."

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

Meanwhile back at the site of the ambush.

The Warlock stepped out from behind a tree with a man about Giles 
age. They watched the other men from the SAS snatch team get into 
another car and drive off, leaving the watchers on the side of the 
road, neither groups seem to notice them. The Warlock turned to the 
man, "This had better work Ethan or your punishment will be beyond 
anything anyone has suffered before."

"It will as long as you placed the spell on the slayer My Lady," said 
Ethan going pale for a moment he could feel the power radiating from 
this woman that he had rescued six months ago.

"Of course I placed the spell on her," hissed the Warlock as they 
walked into a mist that had appeared in front of them, they vanished 
without a sound as they walked into it.

Please Note: At the time of the invasion of England by the Angles, 
Saxons and Jutes mounted warfare did not really exist in Britain but 
I decided to include it in the tradition of the Arthurian legend.
Sorry if I got the wording wrong in Buffy's caution but I can't 
remember them exactly having never been arrested.