Chapter Sixteen –Surprise Meetings

"My Lady. We will be arriving at Oakwood in five minutes."

"Thank you Monty," Lady Aydin replied and then turned her attention back to the phone. "Ian, we'll be arriving shortly ... No I don't know why he wants to see me ... Yes I know we have much to do, but one does not lightly refuse an invitation from Sir John ... I know our resources are stretched thin dealing with matters in Wizarding world ... If he asks for help in some manner we can hardly say no ... Ian I really must be going. Have a pleasant evening."

Lady Aydin hung up her cell phone and switched it off. The invitation from Sir John had caught her off guard. She hoped it did not signal some new problem on the horizon. Special Projects had already been forced to divert most of its available resources to finding Black and preparing for a confrontation with Riddle. They really could not afford to get caught up in any more firestorms.

As the Bentley entered Oakwood estate she felt the familiar presence of power that permeated the grounds. Sir John's family had spent centuries involved in the esoteric arts and steeped in the old ways. The grounds reflected that tradition. It had been over a year since she last visited with Sir John. At his age he did not socialize much outside his chosen peers.

The Bentley pulled up to the manor and Montgomery let Lady Aydin out of the car. They made their way up to the entrance and Montgomery pulled the cord to ring the bell. Linton answered the door in his usual prompt manner.

"Lady Aydin if you will accompany me, Sir John will meet you in the library with his other guests. Montgomery, feel free to pull the Bentley around to the carriage house, I will join you shortly."

Montgomery nodded his head and took his leave to deal with the car. Lady Aydin followed Linton to the manor's library. As they entered the library Linton announced her coming. "Sir, Lady Sophia Aydin."

Sir John rose from his chair and crossed the floor to greet her. "Sophia, always a pleasure. I believe you have already met most of my other guests." He made a gesture with his other hand and Lady Aydin stopped short at the entrance, surprised by who she saw there.

She recognized Rupert Giles of course. Seated next to him was Dawn Summers. In the chairs opposite them were Willow Rosenberg and Eric Travers. There was a young woman standing just behind Eric Travers that she did not recognized.

"So that's the look Robert was talking about," Dawn smiled. "He's right, a camera really couldn't do it justice."

Giles gave Dawn a look then turned his attention back to Lady Aydin. "Sophia. A pleasure to see you again. Robert sends his apologies for not being here but his son has a football match this evening and he decided to attend. His duties with the Council give him few opportunities to spend time with his family."

"I understand Rupert. I must confess though, I am rather surprised to see all of you here," Lady Aydin looked over at Faye. "I don't believe I've met the young lady."

Faye smiled, walked over and held out her hand, "Faye Haughton, I prefer just Faye. It's nice to meet you Lady Aydin."

"A pleasure to meet you as well Faye. Please call me Sophia. I assume you are a Slayer."

"Yes. Eric's my watcher."

Lady Aydin raised an eyebrow at that comment and turned her attention back to Eric. "Eric I thought you would be running one of the field offices."

"Man's gotta walk before he can fly," Eric replied. "Working in the field is good experience and the lack of such experience was one of the major flaws in the old Council's leadership. Besides taking orders from Faye keeps me on my toes."

"Not that he does a good job of following those orders," Faye teased back.

"If I may interrupt before these two launch into one of their more tiresome routines," Giles said. "Perhaps we should move on to the reason for this meeting."

"Thank you Rupert," Sir John said. "If you will take a seat Sophia, I will explain why I asked you here this evening."

"Given your other guests I suspect this has something to do with the conversation I had with Robert a short while ago," Lady Aydin took a seat next to Sir John.

"Perceptive as always Sophia," Sir John replied. "Yes the Council came to me for help in removing the compulsion spell that prevents you from revealing what you know of the Wizarding world to people not party to the Covenant."

Lady Aydin again looked surprised. "You seem to know a great deal more then should be possible Gray."

"Your family crafted a remarkable spell Sophia," Sir John replied. "But it would never have been possible without the consent of the Old Gods. The senior members of my line have known of the existence of the Wizarding world from the first. We cannot see past the barriers to learn what is happening within the enclaves but we know they are there and the reasons they were crafted."

"And what do you intend to do with that knowledge?" asked Lady Aydin.

"Ordinarily nothing," Sir John glanced at Faye. "But the Council recently informed me of a change in the situation. Willow and Dawn have also discovered a viable means to remove the compulsion spell that was placed on you."

Lady Aydin felt a sudden desire to leave but found she could not stand up. Sir John studied her for a moment and then looked over at Willow who nodded her head.

"I apologize Sophia," Sir John favored her with a smile, "but we cannot allow you to leave just yet. We suspected, or rather Dawn suspected, that the spell would have a few protective measures built in. That is why I did not inform you of the reason for this meeting or tell you who else would be attending."

Willow took over the explanation, "When I sensed the spell grow active," she looked a little embarrassed, "I sorta stopped you from being able to move. Sorry."

Lady Aydin felt the truth of what Sir John was saying. It was the binding magic that made her want to leave. She found herself speaking, "I really must insist that you allow me leave Gray."

"I am sorry Sophia," he said. "But I am certain you would approve if you were able to speak for yourself."

"You don't have the power to change things Gray."

"Sophia if removing the compulsion was simply a question of power, then Willow could remove it with ease. For that matter, I could as well," Sir John glanced over at Willow. "Although not as easily."

Dawn joined in. "The problem is the compulsion spell is tied to rest of the Covenant. Removing it risks damaging the rest of the spell. Either weakening or destroying the protections around the enclaves. So Willow decided to go a different route. We didn't seek out Sir John for his power but rather for his position. The senior Man in Black can render judgment on actions taken by the Crown. At least in matters related to the mystical."

"Although to exercise that authority I require a valid petition," Sir John looked at Faye. "Something I was rather surprised to discover they had. I suspect many old men in my position are going to be spending the next few years having to cope with a very different world than the one we have come to know."

"What are you going to do?" Lady Aydin asked.

"We intend to petition the Powers to grant a modification to the Covenant freeing you from the restrictions placed on you," Giles Answered. "Gray, I believe Caitlin should have everything prepared in the Gazebo by now."

"You are correct Rupert. Now is the time to begin."