By Randall Flagg
Summary: In the aftermath of the battle with the First, one man dedicates his life to fighting the forces of darkness throughout the world. This is the story of those crusades.
Miles Militis Candidus is latin for White Knight.
Chapter 9 - London Calling
"Mr Giles, Mr Harris, would you like something to drink before takeoff?" asked the stewardess. "We have champagne, orange juice or water, natural and sparkling."
"I think we'll both have some champagne" answered Giles for the both of them, while Xander just nodded. The glasses were placed on their seat trays and the quite attractive stewardess moved on down the aisle. Giles lifted his glass and turned to Xander, "to new beginnings" toasted Giles. "Absolutely" said Xander, "new beginnings."
The flight was uneventful. Xander tried out all 20 games available on his seat entertainment unit after lunch was served, then slept for the last four hours of the flight. Giles woke Xander for the landing, and it was a rare few minutes until they were ready to disembark.
Giles and Xander stood at the baggage carousel to collect their luggage. "So Giles" asked Xander "this Robson guy is meeting us you say?"
"That's right. Since our flight is actually on time, he may still be parking the car" confirmed Giles.
"Do you think he has one of those fancy signs, maybe one with a picture of a cow on it?"
"A cow?" Giles stared at Xander in complete confusion.
"Yeah, you know, C - O - W, Council Of Watchers. But it would be undercover because of the cow" continued Xander.
Giles simply shot Xander a withering look. He was tired after sitting in the same place for several hours, and was looking forward to his hotel room and a nice comfy bed.
Xander on the other hand was feeling fresh after his sleep on the plane. "Maybe the Council needs to change it's image. Like, say a name change. 'Association of Slayer Supervisors', or what about ...."
"Xander, please." pleaded Giles.
"Sorry, just trying to bleed off some nervous tension. It's my first time overseas and all that" Xander said. "And now I know why Buffy likes to hit things all the time".
Giles smiled at that, and spying their baggage on the conveyor gestured to Xander to collect it. He picked up both the suitcases as though they were empty and set them down on the trolley Giles had collected a few minutes before.
The duo walked through the green door, having nothing to declare, and Giles spotted Robson waiting for them on the other side of the metal barriers. Introductions were made all round, and soon they were in the car and heading into central London. Xander was a little disconcerted at being on the wrong side of the road, but that soon gave way to gawking out the window at the changing scenary.
Robson took the car onto Knightsbridge, through Hyde Park corner and onto Piccadilly. "Ahh, we're almost there" said Giles.
"Where are we staying anyway Giles. You wouldn't tell me on the plane" complained Xander. Looking ahead he could see Robson's smirk in the rear vision mirror.
"I said that I'm sure you would be comfortable with the accommodations and that there was no need to worry. And here we are" finished Giles, as Robson turned around and then pulled into the drive at the front of the ornately decorated hotel.
"The Ritz?" said Xander in disbelief. "We're staying at the Ritz?"
"Yes" said Giles "you've heard of it then?" trying not to laugh openly at Xander's reaction.
"Only in the sense of the song 'Puttin on the Ritz', that and what little I read on the plane lists this as one of the top hotels in London" said Xander as they were getting out of the car.
A porter had come over and opened Giles' door for him, while another porter came to attend to the luggage in the already open boot. The concierge had then introduced himself and then scurried off to organise their rooms and keys. All this was before they had even entered the hotel proper.
Xander walked around to the hotel side of the car where Giles was standing. "They sure know about service in this place" Xander said, clearly impressed.
"This is the Council's preferred lodging" stated Giles as if that was explanation enough of the Ritz's standards. "Now when we check in we are listed as employee's of one of the Council's front companies" continued Giles when the porters had finished their business.
"Right, secrecy etc etc.." nodded Xander, tapping his nose.
"Yes.... anyway, we check in with our real names, but as far as anyone is concerned, you and I are employee's of a personal security firm called Van Helsing Limited" said Giles.
"You're kidding right... what about 'secrecy etc etc'? Why don't we just have a t-shirt that says 'Watcher's Council - we slay vampires' on it?" asked an incredulous Xander.
"The best lies always have an element of truth to them. You should remember that next time Buffy and Willow want details of your escapades at 'The Fabulous Ladies Night Club'" said Giles, leaving Xander standing there in shock.
