Chapter Six

The three occupants of the room froze for just a moment. Then Dyson came to his senses and whirled around so his back was to the two women. Buffy, clothed at least from the waist up, swung her legs back under the covers. "I'm so sorry… I didn't…. I'll come back later. I didn't think." The wolf reached back into his jacket and took out the red shard of stone. He held it to his chest and closed his eyes, whispering "home". Nothing happened. He cocked his head, still such a wolf even in his human looking form. Faith would have thought it was amusing in any other situation. As it was, she knew where his confusion came from. He looked into the stone and squinted, as if to look into its depths. He held it to his chest once more and muttered the word home once more. Again, nothing happened. He let out a sigh and tried a different tack. "Bo… Lauren… Tamsin." No portal opened. Not even a shimmer of light. The stone would not be transporting him anywhere any time soon.

"Buffy, what's happening? Is Dyson there with you?" Lauren's voice through the 'phone snapped the slayers to attention. "Dyson is here Lauren. It's okay," Buffy answered. Beside her, Faith threw off the sheet and quickly began collecting her clothes that had been strewn around the room as a prelude to their lovemaking the previous evening. She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as she threw Buffy's jeans over so that the blonde could finish dressing. Buffy's reply was merely to roll her eyes and tip her head towards the still flustered Dyson who was muttering at the stone but most decidedly turned away from the sight of both women. Pulling her jeans on, Buffy continued to speak across universes to her friend. "We're okay here Lauren. Dyson is okay. He'll be a help once we're dressed…"

"You aren't dressed?!" Buffy chuckled at the sound of Bo's voice. "He didn't see anything Bo. And we're all done now. He's being a total gentleman. I promise."

"Tell him to get his arse back here and give you some privacy."

"Yeah, about that… He seems to be having some trouble with the stone."

"Trouble?" Bo's voice quivered slightly with nerves. Dyson turned back at the sound, not meeting the eyes of the two women he'd seen almost naked. "As soon as I saw… Well, when it was clear it wasn't convenient I tried to come home straight away. But nothing. It's…" His eyes darted to the now clothed slayers, unsure whether to voice his suspicion. Meeting Faith's determined gaze made the decision for him. "It's as if the stone wants me here," he continued. "As if I'm supposed to be here." Both slayers nodded at him and a momentary silence was heavy from the other end of the call. "Okay then," Bo's voice was steady over the speaker now, the familiar decisiveness cutting through. "Tamsin and I will be right there. We'll gather some weapons. Cos Wolf boy didn't think of that when he made his impulsive jump… right Dyson?" The shifter rubbed the back of his neck and shifted his feet like a little boy caught out without his school books. "Bo, you don't have to…" The succubus interrupted the slayer's protests. "We're coming. If Dyson is that panicked about this Wild Hunt, it's serious. And you said there were about fifty of these vamp cultists, right? Tell me you couldn't do with a Succubus and a Valkyrie by your side?"

"I'd love to have you here Bo…but if you can't get back…I would never forgive myself." She heard her friend chuckle. "Stone or no stone. I always find my way back to Lauren. So we're coming."

"I'd come too, except I'm the size of a house right now and my wife will likely have kittens if she has to watch me waddle through a cadre of vampires while I'm so close to my due date." A smile broadened across Buffy's face. "You two are expecting again? That's fantastic!"

"Twins no less. When you are all done with your emergency, you should come visit us… when the babies are born. Izzy would love to see you. So would I." Glancing at the wistful look crossing her girlfriends face, Buffy nodded, even though Lauren couldn't see her. "We'd love that."

"Great," Lauren's voice exuded affection. "Bo and Tamsin are on their way now. See you soon Slayers." The line went dead. Moments later, the swirl of the Caron stone portal appeared once more in their room and the two Fae women stepped through; Bo carrying her grandmother's cane with the hidden sword within; Tamsin a holdall, clearly filled with weapons. Both slayers leaped up from the bed and embraced the Fae, each in turn. "God Bo, it's so good to see you," Buffy murmured into the succubus as the taller women squeezed her close. "You too Summers," Bo said softly with a smile. Behind them, Dyson leaned on the table across from the bed. "Hmmph, I didn't get a hug," he grumbled with a pout. Faith released Tamsin from her embrace and stepped over to him, clapping his shoulder affectionately. "Yeah, me and B were kind of busy with the whole being naked, so…" He grinned in response and winked at her. "Fair point Slayer. Fair point. Now, where's this cave in the woods?"

XXXXX

The forest was different in the daylight. The slopes carpeted with moss and fallen leaves; the pathway dappled with sunlight peeking through the canopy; the melody of the blackbirds, the hammering of a woodpecker and the shriek of a Jay. Buffy had even caught sight of the blue flash of the Jay, as if the bird was following them. Thankful that her girlfriends had excellent directional memory, the blonde slayer followed Faith closely through the woods.

Suddenly pulling up, the brunette slayer turned and signalled for them to crouch. Buffy followed the line of Faith's finger as she pointed to the sight that had stopped them in their tracks. There in the underbrush, exactly in the way of their path was a huge dog. A hound, to be more precise. It stood still, head cocked looking at them. It was dark grey, with a short coat, long haunches and powerful muscles. Its breath was warm enough to be visible in the cool autumn air, but what sucked the breath out of all of them was its eyes. They were a deep amber, a shade of gold that put a shame to Dyson's. And then there was its size. Dyson in wolf form was not small. But this animal would easily dwarf their friend. Easily. And yet Dyson stood straight.

"I guess this is where I come in," he murmured stoically. Taking off the backpack he had borrowed from Buffy's room he started to take his clothes off in preparation for his transformation. Satsu stared at him wide eyed. "Ope… should have warned the junior slayer about this part," Faith muttered before slapping her hand over Satsu's eyes. By the time Satsu had knocked Faith's hands away, grumbling that 'I am not a baby!' Dyson had shifted to his wolf self. The wolf stretched as if he had just woken up and inched up closer to Bo who scritched him behind the ears and then patted his flank affectionately. He flashed that strange look that always seemed like a wolfy grin and trotted bravely towards the giant hound.

The women watched as the two canines met under the great oak. Both growled and had their hackles up. They circled one another slowly; growls and snarls being exchanged almost like conversation. Then the giant hound stopped moving and simply sat, his golden eyes staring imperiously at the wolf. As if in answer, Dyson flopped down and rolled over, exposing his belly to the larger dog. The huge head bent down and sniffed at Dyson's throat, the teeth being bared and the mouth hanging slightly open as if about to take the shifter's throat in its jaws. Faith could feel the tension in the two Fae women beside her and she placed a calming hand on Bo's arm. The Succubus nodded but grabbed Tamsin's hand and squeezed it all the same.

The great hound lifted its head to look at the five women once again. Blinking those great golden eyes, it bent to Dyson once again and sniffed at his throat once more. And then licked the wolf's face. The wolf jumped up like an excited puppy, gambolling around the other animal like a lamb round its mother. The four women who knew Dyson well just stared open mouthed at his uncharacteristic behaviour. But as long as it meant the massive hound now approaching them wasn't going to eat them all, they were all somewhat relieved. Once the animal reached them, Dyson beside it, now having calmed down a little, it stood before them, looking from one to the other. Faith sensed an intelligence within it; knew deep within herself this was more than an ordinary animal. It was so large that its head was almost level with hers. But if Dyson trusted this beast, so would she. Reaching out, she tentatively touched its head. The hound closed its eyes and leaned into her palm. Was its tail now wagging? Faith couldn't help but let out a surprised laugh. "Well, I suppose another pair of… teeth will be very welcome." She pulled her hand away from the animal and tipped her head toward the oak that sheltered the back entrance to the cave. The other women nodded and followed her into the tunnel.

The cavern filled with the swirling mass of vampires was just as they three slayers had left it. Faith exchanged a look with Buffy and the blonde slayer nodded. "They won't have been able to finish their ritual, so we have that in our favour…"

"What makes you think that?" Bo interrupted. Faith nodded towards Buffy and Satsu. "Well, they didn't manage to bag a slayer, so no super charged blood."

"Yeah but they probably have the priest." Tamsin said flatly. Faith's forehead creased in confusion. The Valkyrie continued in answer to the silent question. "Even if they don't have slayer blood, a priest's blood has at least some power in it." The three slayers exchanged even more confused glances. "How'd you figure that?" Buffy asked. Tamsin looked between the two slayers and raised an eyebrow. "You honestly don't know?" They shook their heads. "Their cult of the Christ ascribes to them sole power over their magick rituals. Invocations, ritual clothing, sole control over the weekly blood rite? None of this ringing a bell? Geez, I thought you two were bright." The slayers exchanged an incredulous look. "Trust me. The dark powers have no interest in the blood of those who partake in a communal meal of equals. Him on the other hand… He's been consecrated, set apart and transforms wine into blood – whether in reality or symbolically, it doesn't matter; it is their magick. And so his blood has power." Buffy huffed in frustration. "Fine. The ritual of binding may or may not have been completed. It changes nothing."

"Agreed, the plan is still the same," Faith said sternly, drawing the attention of each of her companions. She continued, making eye contact with each of them as she laid out the plan of action. "Okay, this is how it's going to go down. There's around fifty or so vamps here. That's easy enough pickings for the six…sorry seven of us. Fewer than ten each. And we have some of the greatest warriors across universes. So… yeah, we can do this. But we also have to destroy that altar and find our missing priest…"

"You mean over there?" Tamsin asked, pointing to a far corner of the cavern where there was an improvised cage made from branches and a disconsolate looking man in black. Faith surveyed the area around the cage and the man inside. "It's gotta be him. Tamsin, you're on priest retrieval. Fly him out if you can. Bo and I will smash the altar and retrieve the horn. B, Satsu… You up for dusting as many vamps as possible?" The other two slayers nodded eagerly, the blonde smiling with pride at her lover taking control. Faith turned and looked over the natural parapet. Allowing herself a smile, she glanced back down to their animal companions. "Dyson and… friend. Rip some throats out." And with that she raised the crossbow in her hand, took aim and let her arrow fly.

The bolt struck true and a vampire exploded into dust. The vamps either side followed suit, her fellow slayers looking with grim satisfaction along their own crossbows. Faith flashed a smile at Buffy and leaped over the natural low wall into the swirling mass of vampires. The rest followed her and the fighting began in earnest.

With a great deal of effort and determination Faith and Bo cut their way through the mob to finally reach the altar. Faith stood still for a moment before it, almost mesmerised by the standard bearing the image of the golden haired man. Then shaking herself she reached forward to grab the artifact they had come for. Close up it was now obvious that it was a horn, the gilding at the narrow end clearly shaped like a mouthpiece. It was lighter than she expected and it had a leather strap so the bearer could easily carry it and still have it available for use. She slung the strap over her shoulder and felt its weight against her side. With the horn now safely in their possession all that was left was to destroy the altar and regroup with the others. She glanced at Bo beside her and nodded. The Succubus used her grandmother's sword and cane that acted as both scabbard and weapon to sweep the altar clear of the remaining ritual trappings. Then they both reached up together to pull the standard to the ground. Faith pulled out her trusty Zippo and the ancient material caught on fire almost instantly.

Bo tugged on Faith's elbow and pointed to a natural low arch in the cavern wall that looked like it led upwards. "That must lead to the front entrance. The others seem to have the fight in hand, let's see if that's an easier way out." The brunette slayer nodded and stepped towards and then through the archway. What the two women saw on the other side made them both gasp. The short passageway opened up to a cavern much bigger than the one they left, one with a high roof and an underground river running along one side. It was almost cathedral like in size and held their death. The fifty or so vampires that had milled in the smaller cavern housing the altar of Aurelius were just a drop in the ocean. A vast array of what must have been easily three or four hundred vamps swirled like a cauldron. And every one of them was aware of the two women emerging from what was, it now appeared, their most sacred place. Or considering the nature of the members of the cult, the most profane of places.

The vampires surged.

Bo pushed Faith behind her, back towards the smaller cavern they had come from. "Bo, wait! You don't…" The Succubus turned her gaze on her friend, those mesmerising eyes snapping to Succubus blue and the red iridescence beginning to creep over her skin. She took an inward breath and closed her eyes, ready to unleash her blood sage power on the veritable army of vampires. Reaching out her arms and letting the blood rise, she heard a sound that gave her pause. The most perfect and beautiful sound she had ever heard. It was somewhere between Lauren's voice and Isobel's laughter, but more musical. She would follow that sound anywhere. Whipping her head around to see the source of the sound her eyes went wide as she saw Faith lowering the Horn of Arawn from her lips. The look on Faith's face was as surprised as her own, almost as if the slayer had not anticipated her own actions. The glow of power along the succubus' skin receded and her blue eyes faded away as she turned fully and stepped towards Faith.

"What have you done?" The question was almost a whisper. "I know what it costs you Bo. And this way we get to see what this Wild Hunt is all about." The two women shared a strained smile, Faith feeling the gratitude roll off her friend. She could also feel the approach of the vampires from the cathedral cavern. "The vamps are still coming," she hissed and grabbed Bo's wrist to pull them back towards the smaller cavern where their allies were finishing clearing up the smaller group of vampires. Tamsin had her arm around the dishevelled looking Reverend Morgan, Dyson and the giant hound were standing over a pile of dust and Buffy and Satsu were both moving towards the arch where the two brunettes stood. Running up to Faith, Buffy skidded to a halt by her side. "You got the horn?" Faith nodded. "There's a bit of a hitch." Bo said with a raise of her eyebrow. Buffy peered towards the throng of vampires headed for them. "I can see that. Why aren't we running?... And what's that noise?"

"It sounds like… hooves. Horses' hooves. And…"

"The voices of hounds sounding the hunt." Tamsin's voice was flat, but Faith could still tell there was some trepidation in the Valkyrie. She didn't blame the blonde; she was not entirely together herself.

The noise of hooves grew louder until it became a thundering noise. The vampires heading their way slowed and stopped, the noise dominating the enormous space. And then it wasn't just the noise that drew attention. The women watched in amazement as the vampires before them began to explode into dust, as if beheaded or staked.

A group of vampires nearest to the women deemed facing the slayers a safer proposition than facing whatever invisible force Faith had summoned with the horn. They surged forward once again but were met by three slayers and a succubus who were in no mood to be toyed with. Even Tamsin, restricted as she was by holding up their rescued priest took aim one handed with a crossbow and took out her share. Just as she was reloading, one of the vampires went for broke and leaped towards her, fangs ready to bear down on her throat. The strong arms of a blonde slayer wrapped around her middle and pulled her down and then the same slayer sprang up to meet her foe. Buffy lifted her stake up to strike, but she was instead met with the explosion of dust. A sword swung through the air, pulling back after its death strike to the vampire. She ducked to avoid the blade but was amazed when it passed right through her. Gazing up, she saw a spectral warrior on horseback; leather armour, slicked back hair and the aforementioned blade gripped in hand completed the picture. He flashed what could have been a smile or a grimace at her, pulled at the reins of his horse and spun away to continue the slaughter.

He was not the only one of their ghostly allies now visible. Nor was he the only one to seem to be immune to the laws of physics. There were men and women on foot, men and women on horseback and great shaggy hounds. All weaved among the hundreds of vampires, some passing through rock, some floating above ground level, some even coming up from the earth below them. All were ephemeral spectres, visible yet transparent. All had answered the horn's call. All were bent on sending each and every vampire back to the pits of hell. Not a single one could be fought off, their attacks could not be blocked, none had blood that could be drained. It was simply a vampire massacre. A holy massacre.

Before long, it was all over. Not a single vampire had been left standing. If any had survived they had fled down long tunnels deep in the earth. The slayers and their Fae friends watched as the Wild hunt swirled around the enormous cavern. Buffy leaned in towards Faith and whispered, "So is this a better or worse situation for us than having to fight hundreds of vamps? Cos I'm not so sure I feel entirely safe."

"You are safe as long as your lover lives Queen of the Slayers."

The voice came from behind her. The five women turned to see not only Dyson transforming to his human form but the Great Hound that had accompanied them was transforming too. Moments later stood a tall man with golden hair, scratches from the fight still discernible along his back, side and legs. His full muscled chest glistened with sweat. He eyed them from where he stood, flashing quick glances to the horsemen behind them, unbothered by his own nakedness. Swallowing her own embarrassment at talking with such a well-endowed naked man, Buffy stepped slowly towards him.

"As long as Faith lives?" He nodded. "The horn is bound to its sounder until their death. And we are bound to the horn."

"We?" He bowed low to her then, sweeping his arm downwards. "I am the Prime Hound of the Hunt. Gwyn Ap Nudd at your service. One of the first of all Fae, bound in honour to the Lord Arawn of Annwn, bound to his descendant, Ysabeau Queen of the Fae." With this comment he nodded at Bo. "And now, bound in honour and by magick to Faith Queen of the Slayers and sounder of the horn. It seems I am destined to be tethered by obligations." Bo stepped closer to him, standing in solidarity beside Buffy. "You have no obligation to me. You helped us today and that makes you an ally if not yet a friend. But I will not have anyone in servitude." The uncertainty was clear on his face, an odd look on one of such apparent power. "Regardless, by destroying the altar of Aurelius, you have freed me from being trapped in my hound form for eternity. For that, you have my gratitude at least."

"You can repay that gratitude with information." This came from Faith, now completing the trinity of women that equally faced him. At his nod, she continued. "You look remarkably like the figure on their standard. The golden haired man riding a bear. Are you him? Are you this 'Aurelius' they follow?" A sadness spread over his face and he shook his head. "The golden one they worship is my twin brother, Gwydion. A powerful Light Fae and warrior for good. Until he was turned by the first vampire and became a tool of corruption and destruction. I have not seen him for millennia. I am not even sure he is alive, or rather whether he remains undead upon this plane. The order that follows him was once led by a very old and powerful vampire, one that he sired himself. What happened here today has eliminated much of the Order's numbers. But do not underestimate them. They are insidious. And if my brother is still alive, he will ensure they continue on. If he is not… then it is for you to discover who revived the order following The Master's demise. Though now you have the Hunt at your beck and call, so things will be somewhat easier for you." Faith was quiet for a moment, her hands balling into fists and then releasing. She raised her head to meet Buffy's green eyes and held them for what seemed like forever but must have only been a few seconds. With a quick glance to Bo before looking back to the veritable god naked before them she slipped the strap that held the horn over her shoulder. Wrapping her hand firmly around the horn, she held it out towards the Fae. "I don't want that kind of power. I don't need it. That kind of servitude or slavery or whatever you wanna call it?" She glanced again at Bo. "It's not how we operate. If we stoop to using these kind of magickal 'obligations', we're no better than those who we fight against. You can't say no and I don't vibe with that. So here, take the horn. Control your own destiny. If you still want to help us, I would be privileged to fight by your side. But not like this."

He blinked at her with incredulity, eyes flicking over her companions who stood with her in solidarity. He read determination and support in each face and not a small amount of pride at the dark haired woman's words. He tentatively held out his hand and let her drop the horn into his calloused palm. Looking between the horn and the slayer's face in disbelief he shook his head. "You would set the Wild hunt free to fulfil what they are truly called to do? To guide souls to the next life, to comfort survivors in loss and to choose our own side in the final battle?"

"I would free you to live the lives you choose. I would have no power over another being. Human, Fae or otherwise."

He bowed his head to her and closed his eyes in acceptance. "The horn is still bound to you. But surrendering it to us in such a way… It is not known. Thank you. You truly are a Queen of Slayers." She blushed and bowed her head, waving her hand as if to wave away the compliment. He pulled himself taller, as if that could have been possible, every rippling muscle and tendon defined in the lamplight of the cavern. "Obliged to serve or not. Know that in the direst need, if those of the hunt will not come to your aid, I at least will. As a friend. No matter which world you inhabit, The Wild Hunt exists across all worlds and so will my gratitude." He held out his hand and she took it in a firm shake, holding his gaze so that her eyes did not stray elsewhere. Retrieving his hand, he bowed to them all once again. "It was very much a pleasure to fight alongside you all. My queens, sister Valkyrie, brother wolf. Fair journey home and many blessings to your paths." And with that he turned and faded away, becoming at first ephemeral like the others of the hunt, and then disappearing completely along with every horse, hound and warrior.

A serious kind of silence surrounded the group of six and their rescued priest. Then the spell between them was broken by Dyson. "Tamsin, you have the backpack with my clothes in?" The Valkyries laughed as she threw the backpack to Dyson. "Thank God, I've seen enough of your junk for the time being Dy," Bo teased beside him. "It's a wonder you even noticed the wolf, did you see the absolute Adonis we were just talking to?"

"B, I would really love it if you didn't refer to any Adonises ever again." Buffy smiled at Faith's faux scowl and leaned into her, arm snaking around her waist. "Adonis who now? Anyway, you know you'll always be my Aphrodite."

Beside Faith, Satsu let out an exclamation and then leaned against the wall. "I must say, between him and your wolf friend here, that is the most cock I have ever seen in my life… or ever want to see. If I wasn't a lesbian before…" The others laughed, Bo draping a comradely arm over her shoulder. "My wife would most certainly agree with you." Looking over the group, Dyson now fully dressed, Bo tipped her head towards the exit. "Speaking of my wife, I should get back to her soon. Let's get you back to your hotel and this poor man to his home. And I have a feeling that our shards of the stone will happily portal us back to our world now." Her companions nodded and followed her out of the cavern into the sun dappled forest.