Chapter Fifteen – The Man in Black
"I take it Kennedy was a little annoyed about not being asked to come on this little excursion?"
"No," Willow answered. "She understands the reasons. Faye was the first Slayer to have a dream about these wand wielders. That gives her the strongest claim. Besides Kennedy has to get ready for the new Slayers coming in and figure out which members of her team to let Buffy pull out."
Eric shrugged his shoulders and returned to navigating the car through the countryside. Faye sat in the passenger seat studying the view. In the backseat Dawn and Willow returned to discussing the upcoming meeting with former Brigadier General Sir John Graham.
Eric admitted to himself being a little nervous about the upcoming meeting. From the briefing he knew that Sir John was one of, if not the senior mystic in Britain. Dawn found evidence of his involvement in countering some the Nazi's more esoteric plans. He also had a hand in reforming British intelligence after the war and was most likely responsible for the creation of the Special Projects division of MI5 and formalizing the position long held by Lady Aydin's family.
He certainly knew about the Council. When they relocated to England in the twelve-century the Council sought permission from the representative of England's old religion, the Man in Black. It was he who granted the Council leave to establish their headquarters in London. Sir John was this generation's most senior Man in Black whose traditions dated back before recorded history.
Willow paused in her conversation with Dawn. She felt a brush against her shields. Nothing threatening. Just a probe. As they approached Oakwood she sensed the powerful wards surrounding the estate. She was not surprised to find them even more powerful then the wards she placed around the Council's headquarters.
Eric maneuvered the car through the massive iron gate at the estate's entrance. Flanking the gate were two stone lions. As they crossed the threshold Willow could sense the full power contained behind the wards. Willow nodded her head and turned her attention back to Dawn.
"Yes, he has the power to do what we require," she said. "All we need to do is ask for his aid."
"You're sure Willow?" Dawn asked.
"She's sure," Faye replied. She also felt the power of this place. There was nothing ominous about it. Nothing that called forth the Slayer. Just a feeling of peace.
They rounded the last turn in the long driveway and pulled up to the manor. An elderly man waited at the end of stairs leading up to the entrance. He looked to Dawn like the classic gentleman's gentleman. Eric pulled the car to a stop and the four got out. Willow took the lead.
"Good afternoon," she said. "I assume you're Linton. We spoke on the phone. I'm Willow Rosenberg."
"Good afternoon Ms Rosenberg," he replied. "Sir John is expecting you. If you will follow me around the house, he will be meeting you in the Gazebo."
With that Linton led them around the manor house to a well maintained garden. He then led them to the entrance of a hedge maze. They could just make out the white top of a gazebo at the center of the maze.
"Sir John and Miss Caitlin are in the gazebo. He reminds you to keep to the right."
Willow nodded her head and reached out with her senses. The maze was configured for magic. Designed to both the shield the rituals done inside from outside observers and prevent the power drawn up from those rituals from escaping. She felt the correct path through the maze and turned back to the others.
"Follow me guys." She then proceeded to lead them directly through the path of the maze. After a few minutes she made a final turn and they entered a cobblestone courtyard. At its center was a magnificent gazebo.
A woman, who appeared to be in her late twenties, stepped out the gazebo and greeted them, "Hello, my name is Caitlin Jordan," She said. "Sir John is my great-grandfather. If you will just follow me we can do all the formal introductions at once."
She led them into the gazebo. There they saw a man sitting comfortably on a bench. Dawn knew from her research that Sir John was at least 98 years old. From his appearance she would have guessed him to be much younger. He stood up and smiled at the approaching group. He reached out to shake Willow's hand.
"Ms Rosenberg. It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person."
Willow took the offered hand. "It is pleasure to meet you as well Sir John. If may introduce my companions. This is Dawn Summers, head of the Council's research department. Faye Haughton and Eric Travers."
Sir John shook each person's hand as Willow introduced them. He paused when he reached Eric.
"Mr. Travers. I met your grandfather on several occasions. My condolences for your loss."
"Thank you sir," Eric replied.
Sir John then motioned for everyone to take a seat at the table in the center of the gazebo. "Now that the introductions are over. I insist that you all call me Gray. I know much of your accomplishments over the years. Please tell me how I may be of assistance."
Willow took her seat across from Sir John. "We recently discovered a group of mages living in England and elsewhere in Europe. They are hidden behind protective barriers. Barriers crafted with the magic of the Crown. Here are the locations we have discovered in London." She laid out a copy of the map marking all the enclaves discovered in London.
She continued. "These people are facing a great threat and we wish to aid them. But in order to aid them we need the help of the Crown's representative. Unfortunately she is under a spell that prevents her from telling us anything about those who live within these enclaves. We seek your assistance in removing that spell so we can learn what we need to know in order to help save these people."
"Ah," Gray leaned back. "So you have discovered the Wizarding world."
Eric reacted with surprise. "You know of these wand wielders?"
"Yes," came the reply. "Such a spell could not have been cast on this isle without the permission of the old Gods."
Dawn smiled. "That's ten pounds you owe me Willow."
"We'll add it to the tally Dawn. I'm still ahead for the year."
It was Caitlin's turn to be surprised. "You made a bet on whether or not grandfather would know of the Wizarding world."
"It helps keep research sessions interesting," Dawn replied. "We only bet on the small stuff, never on anything related to an apocalypse."
Eric leaned over to Caitlin. "Trust me, we've all learned its better not to ask. Just nod your head and go along with it." Eric turned his attention back to Gray. "Can you tell us what you know about these mages?"
Gray looked amused at the exchange. He shifted his attention. "I know very little save for the reasons why the Crown granted the wizards their petition. Tell me do you know why the barriers were created?"
"Your show Dawn."
"We know there was a shadow war between these wizards as you call them and several other magic groups. A war they were losing. They came to England for protection. Protection the Crown granted them. As for the reasons for the war or why the crown agreed to provide them with protection, that we don't know," Dawn shrugged her shoulders.
"Much of the history of those days has been lost," Gray began. "What little I know tells me that the agreement between the Crown and the Wizarding world struck a very delicate balance. The magic practiced by the wizards is not the same as the magic practiced by those outside the walls."
"There are many varieties of magic. Your tradition is quite different from my own but I can still sense the same roots beneath them," Willow replied.
"I do not mean that it is simply of a differing tradition," Gray answered. "It interacts with the world much differently than the magic you and I practice. It was believed to be at odds with our magic. That conflict was inevitable unless the two varieties were kept separate. Such a conflict would be destructive to both sides. Your history may say that the wizards were losing but remember it was a history written by those on one side of the conflict. Written by those who took the disappearance of the wizards as a sign of victory."
Gray paused for a moment. "I have seen the Crown's account. Both sides suffered losses. Losses that threatened the balance of magic in the world. If the conflict had continued many of those who are key to keeping this world safe from threats from demons and the forces of darkness would have been caught up in it and destroyed or distracted from their true duties. Other evils would have been able to enter this world unopposed. If you will recall the latter part of the first millennium was a very active period for demonic forces. There is a reason it is often called the dark ages."
"I'm not certain what you mean Gray," Dawn seemed puzzled. "Why is it necessary to keep them selves so isolated now? It's been almost twelve centuries."
"As I said it is believed that conflict between the two is inevitable. We would perceive in their magic a threat and they would perceive the same in our magic. The two groups cannot co-exist in peace. It was for this reason the old Gods granted leave for the spell to be done and the barriers to be crafted."
"That's ridiculous," Dawn said. "War is not inevitable. These people are facing a threat now. People are dying now."
"I understand your frustration Ms Summers," Gray said. "Micah faced much the same dilemma thirteen years ago. But the barriers are all that keep the magic separate. Something decreed by the Old Gods."
"We're not asking to destroy the barriers," Willow joined in. "We're asking for the knowledge needed to help these people. A way to remove the spell on the Crown's representative so she can provide us with knowledge to stop a killer without destroying the barriers. Otherwise we will be forced to go in blind."
"I know the Wizarding world has its own means for controlling threats," Gray replied. "They have managed to keep the balance for twelve hundred years. Whatever you may have stumbled across I can assure you there is no reason for you to get involved. Unless there is a clear sign from the Masters of the Inner Planes I have no reason to aid you."
"That's why they brought me along," Faye spoke for the first time.
"Ms Haughton."
"Just Faye please. As you might have guessed I am a Slayer."
"Yes."
"One the powers of a Slayer is visionary dreams. A month ago I had a dream about these wizards. Since then eighteen of my sisters have shared similar dreams," She looked Gray directly in the eyes. "We are being called by the Powers that Be to help these people. It is a call a Slayer cannot ignore. One way or another we are going after this killer. The only question is how many obstacles are going to get in our way."
Gray took a moment to study the young women in front of him. She had changed from the quiet unassuming women who had first entered the gazebo. One who was content to let the others speak. Now he saw the Slayer in her eyes. A power even more ancient then his own.
"Tell me of these dreams."
Faye proceeded to describe the dream she had the day Dawn announced her findings. She then described several of the dreams the other Slayers had reported. When she finished Gray nodded his head.
"My apologies for misunderstanding your intent. It would seem the old Gods are seeking a change in the balance. I will of course assist you in any way that I can."