CHAPTER 4
Wyngarde Castle, Welsh-English border
Morgana could not control the anger in her voice. "What do you mean, they are dead?"
"We went to the Merrick house as you requested to ascertain what had become of Margaret and her two guards and we found them lying in what was the study. They had been shot with a large caliber weapon, most likely a shotgun. From the atmosphere around them, Margaret had attempted to use magic in her defense and had failed."
"Margaret was one of my most adept pupils. No one should have been able to combat her magically, except for myself of course".
The man who was giving the report cowered slightly. He was well aware of Morgana's temper and more aware of her magical prowess, and he did not relish the news he had brought. "Our contact within the Watchers' Council has provided us with a possible source for this".
He handed Morgan a small photograph. On it was an image of Willow Rosenberg, smiling succinctly. "Her name is Willow Rosenberg. She is a Watcher but more importantly, one of the most adept users of magic the Council has. She once resided in the town of Sunnydale, in America. Her power was so great that once, in a dark magic-fuelled rage, she nearly destroyed the town and the world with her. Our contact says that she is an old friend and pupil of Rupert Giles".
Morgan smiled at the photograph. "Finally, a worthy opponent. Her presence here cannot be mere coincidence. She must be…. Send out a call to our contacts. I want her closely monitored. Tell them to use the crystal shard. I must know her mind. She could yet be placed on our side of the chessboard. We may yet turn white to black". Morgan's eyes burned with exuberance.
"We have done some research on her already, my lady. We believe there is one who could help us. One who is tainted with dark power." He produced another photograph for Morgana to see.
"Make the contact. This one could well be the one we need to send to bring this Willow down and will be a perfect replacement for Margaret."
"Very well, My Lady. Anything else that is required?"
"Yes. Send in two of the servants, I need to build up my strength".
"As you wish, My Lady."
London, England
The Watchers Council was in session when Giles and Willow returned from their encounter at Merrick's mansion house. There arrival was greeted with serious faces and few smiles, and the mood of the gathered throng was one of palpable intensity.
Willow hadn't said much on the journey back. The shock of the situation hadn't fully registered with her and moreover, she did not want to further alarm David. Although she had been witness to countless acts of violence from one species to another, and indeed had caused some of that violence herself, it still made her feel uncomfortable. The single mindedness of Giles as he had shot the attackers, seemingly without hesitation or a glimmer of emotion, had unsettled her too. It had been all too easy to forget that Giles was as willing, and capable, of violent acts as anyone. She had glanced through the rear view mirror at David and Whittaker and in a single expression tried to alleviate their mounting fear. They had heard the shots of course, and the screams of pain and rage that had come with them. Willow felt sad that David had had to listen to the sounds of death again, so soon after losing his parents so callously. Willow reminded herself that this was a war, one that it seemed the Merricks' were both aware of and had prepared for.
Giles too, kept conversation down to a bear minimum. He had called the Council and demanded a meeting with the most senior members immediately. Roger had been less than happy with such an order, but Giles had convinced him of the urgency of the situation. He knew his request would be treated with cynicism, as he knew some members of the Council still resented his re-instatement. But he had no time to consider other people's feelings about him or anyone else, he had the mission to consider.
Since Buffy's spell to awaken each Potential as a Slayer, he had seen his role change from a Watcher to a teacher. He, like his Slayer, had been afforded the luxury of semi-retirement. Since that day, his duties had become less demanding, and he was enjoying the relative quiet of his new position. But the events of the last few days had re-awoken long unused muscles, both physical and intellectual, and they ached from lack of use. Giles knew he would sleep tonight, regardless of the situation, as his body and mind would seek rest to recuperate.
Roger Wyndham-Price stood up from his chair and motioned for all in attendance to sit on the soft chairs around the large conference table that furnished the room. "Everyone, please. As you know, Rupert Giles has called this meeting to bring us up to date on what has been happening and to discuss how we intend to respond. Mr Giles, you have the floor."
"Thank you. As we all know, The Merrick household was attacked two days ago and the mansion reduced to rubble. Merrick and his wife, along with a great deal of their staff, were murdered. The attackers were, according to the only survivors, two men and a woman. The men were highly skilled swordsmen and the woman seemed to be highly adept at magic. The survivors, Merrick's son David and their butler Whittaker, were housed here in our hospital for their safety as well as for medical treatment. Yesterday morning, an unknown demon attacked us in the hospital room with the sole purpose, in my opinion, of eliminating the child."
A young man, with dark hair tied in a small pirate's pigtail and sporting a grey suit, placed his hand in the air and coughed, causing all to look at him in unison. "Er, we have been able to identify the demon, Mister Giles. It is a Salnash Beast. They were rare in their day and had thought to be extinct. No records of any existing have been recorded since a purge of the beasts happened in 296 B.C. in jungles of what is now modern Zimbabwe."
"You're sure of this?" asked Giles.
"Absolutely. There are only a few descriptions of the beast from the archives, but those descriptions are very accurate."
Roger smiled at the young man. "Excellent work, Alan. Your Demon Research Team have done themselves proud".
Giles stared at the Council members around the desk. "And, could this creature have evaded our detection systems naturally, or would it have required help?"
"We have studied its physiology and it's defences exhaustively. We can say, categorically, that it would have been unable to do so without help from a third party". The young woman who spoke tried her best to look competent, but she knew that what her report indicated, and it saddened her.
Giles sighed, knowing what her answer meant. "In that case, we must accept the real possibility that we have a traitor within our ranks, perhaps even within this very room. That traitor could also be the reason that assailants were waiting for us when we returned to the Merrick house this morning to ascertain the scale of the damage. We were attacked, again by two men and a woman. The two men were possibly very good with a sword. Fortunately for Willow, and myself, they weren't particularly good with firearms. The woman however, was very skilled with magic and I was lucky that Willow is as strong as she is, or you would have been hunting for our murderers too."
Willow looked at the glances of the Council members as Giles spoke her name and the hushed conversations that followed his mention of their escape from death. She was well aware of the fear in which the Council members viewed her, and it upset her again as the looks seemed more frightened than respectful.
Diane Morgan stood up, her black hair flowing down as if it were alive. "The question we must all ask is whether or not this attack is due to Mister Merrick being a Watcher, Mrs Merrick being a witch, or due to the long running beliefs that Mr Merrick and his lineage held regarding the legend of Avalon and the power that is supposedly held there?"
Giles looked at the young woman, she had a commanding presence and an authoritarian voice that could only mean one thing in his eyes. "And how long have you been a part of the library team, Miss…?"
"Morgan, Diane Morgan and, in answer to your question, only for the last two months. Enough time for me to overhear enough phone calls to know he and his wife believed in Avalon."
Alan Carter, head of Demon Research, snorted his disdain. "Avalon does not exist. The Merricks, may they rest in peace, were foolish to believe in such a concept and even more foolish to be willing to die for it. As far as I am concerned, Merrick was one of ours and that's why he was attacked."
"I disagree." Giles voice was filled with calm but firm authority, and it silenced his audience. "From all I have worked out at the moment, the Avalon legacy is the reason that Merrick was killed. I still have more investigating to do, but it seems to have been his last wish that we, the Council of Watchers, take on the responsibility of protecting Avalon. However, it seems that all their private papers from the safe in their study have been stolen, along with a few choice volumes from the library. That last part is speculation, but I consider it a legitimate line of thought to take."
"Well, if it is Avalon and its protection that is the cause of this havoc, then I would suggest that Althanea Harkness should be placed at the centre of things. No offence to Miss Rosenberg but she is not the most stable when it comes to harnessing magic." Diane Morgan's voice was matter of fact and direct, which made her words seem all the more cold.
"I assure you all", said Roger, "that Miss Harkness will be kept up to speed regarding this matter but the main source of our magical expertise in this crisis will rest on Miss Rosenberg's more than capable shoulders. Now, Mister Giles will continue to be the front man on this investigation, aided by Miss Rosenberg and several of our key personnel, including our newest Watcher, who graduated yesterday after scoring some of the highest marks ever recorded for the written and practical parts of the exam. You will be introduced to her after this meeting. As for the protection of the boy and the manservant, I suggest a Slayer would be most effective so I had one called for you. I don't think she will give you any trouble." He touched a small intercom button in front of him. "Rachel, please send in the Slayer that has been assigned to Mister Giles."
The door opened, and Giles smiled as Buffy Summers entered the room. He was happy to see his Slayer and close friend and knew that he had the one person whom he trusted above all others if the conflict became physical. "Hello Buffy. I'm sorry you have been called in on this, and at such short notice, but I am glad to see you."
"I'm just annoyed you didn't contact me straight away when it all went pear-shaped." Buffy was relaxed and happy. Her semi-retirement had allowed her the benefit of being able to value her powers without feeling the loneliness of being the Slayer. It had allowed her to be closer to her friends, closer to Giles and closer to her sister Dawn.
Roger was grinning from ear to ear. "I knew you would be uncomfortable with anyone else looking after David and Whittaker so it seemed the perfect solution to send for Buffy. I do apologise for the fact that this assignment is really nothing more than that of glorified bodyguard, Miss Summers, but the situation really does warrant a Slayer."
"That's okay. Was feeling the need for a workout anyway. And DefCon 1 seems to be my exercise level."
Willow rose up from her chair and walked over to her best friend, huge grin on her face. "Hey Buffy. Strange place for a High School reunion, don't you think?"
Buffy hugged her friend. "Well, considering where our school probably is right now, I reckon any place is less strange for a reunion."
"Buffy, I think it best if we go along and meet your charges and I can bring you up to speed with what has been happening here." Giles was back to business mode, taking charge of his Slayer and the Scoobies again.
"What about me?" Asked Willow.
"Althanea has a small office & meeting area on our fourth floor, Miss Rosenberg", replied Roger, "she had come to see me but I am sure she will be delighted to see you".
The news that Willow's teacher had arrived filled her with both happiness and sadness in equal measure. She loved Althanea and was forever grateful for the help she had given her in gaining control of her magic, but she also knew that this meeting was about the death of Althanea's daughter and that made her worry about whether the kind woman she knew would have the same inner radiance.
The elevator that carried her down from the fifteenth to the fourth floor seemed to take an eternity, as if fate itself had decided to delay the meeting. Eventually she arrived at the office door. It was ajar, not enough to be seen but enough to hear the voices within the room.
One voice was that of Althanea Harkness. It was mature and soft, yet there was a sternness about her tone, something Willow had never heard in her voice before. The other voice was male, and had a distinctly soft Scottish accent.
"I wasn't expecting things to happen this way, Gabriel. Michelle prepared me but I wasn't ready, not for this." Althanea's voice was tinged with sadness but also, ever so noticeably, with fear.
"I knew it was going to happen soon. I wasn't ready for them not to be here to help the transition." Answered the man that Althanea had called Gabriel.
"Is the house ready?"
"It's ready. Fully refurbished and awaiting occupancy. The rest is nearly taken care of. Dash has a few phone calls to make and all will be set. Are you sure it's her? What if Michelle got the signs wrong?"
"She was never wrong about these things. She and Joseph always believed in the Entwined and after everything I've seen Michelle predict come true, I am sure about this."
"I hope so. A lot of people are going to die over this. Will you tell her?"
Willow knocked on the door. She felt guilty to do so, but she felt even guiltier about eavesdropping on a woman she regarded with great affection and respect. "Sorry to disturb you, Althanea, but they said you were here and I wanted to say hello."
Althanea greeted Willow with a warm, almost motherly, embrace. "Of course you are not disturbing me, Willow. This is Gabriel Caine, and old friend of Joseph's and Michelle's."
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Rosenberg. I've heard so much about you and the alumni of Sunnydale. Nice to finally meet a living legend."
"Pleased to meet you too, Mister Caine."
"Please. Call me Gabriel, or Gabe. Most people do. I was never much for titles and hierarchy."
"I hear you used to be a Watcher here. How come you left?" Willow saw the man flinch slightly, as if the question had opened up some gaping wound.
"Long story, Miss Rosenberg. One I will not proceed to bore you with. Suffice as to say, we had a parting of the ways." His tone was serious and sombre, as if the memory had triggered long held grudges.
Willow liked him. She had made mistakes about a person's character before but she saw in Caine's eyes a sadness that she herself knew only too well, and she wondered if that had anything to do with his parting from the Council. She made a mental note to ask Giles when she had the opportunity.
Her gaze drifted back to Althanea. Willow could see a tiredness in her eyes and her expression, whilst trying to be warm and welcoming, betrayed all too easily her inner feelings of loss and sorrow. Willow knew that feeling all too well and embraced her mentor.
"So, Willow, what can you tell me about the assailants that attacked the house?" Althanea's voice was now one of determined resolution.
"Can't say much for the first attack other than there was a lot of magical residue in the atmosphere around the house. It was palpable, even after two days. It was also dark. Darker than any I've felt since…" Willow's voice faltered.
"I understand, Willow. But what do you mean by "first attack?"
"There was another one on us this morning. Myself and Giles that is. The woman that was with them was really strong. I couldn't hold out against her. She sent a shock blast at me that I would have died from if I hadn't rolled with the blow. But Giles killed her when she turned her attention off of him and onto me. He killed her two guards as well. I forgot how bloody-minded he could be when threatened."
"Could you describe the woman to me?"
"Yes. She was about 5 foot 8, brown hair, slim. Pale skin and brown eyes. Sound familiar?"
"Yes, she does. Sounds like Margaret Mackintosh. Former member of the Merrick staff and a servant of the Raven Lady."
Willow's brow furrowed as she heard the ludicrous sounding title. "Raven Lady? Sounds to me like you have been watching too many films about Ye Olde England, Althanea."
Althanea smiled. "Yes, I guess when said aloud like that it does come across as pompous. She calls herself Morgan le Fey, or Morgana. We are unsure if she is the infamous witch of Arthurian legend, a descendant or someone merely using the name to instil awe and fear in her servants. All we know is that she is a highly accomplished sorceress, has some sort of home hidden by powerful wards and is determined to find and access the power of Avalon for her own nefarious purposes."
"And this Margaret was a member of her order was she?" Asked Willow.
"She was", answered Caine, "I happened to be staying with Joseph and Michelle and, being a rather sceptical and suspicious soul, I found out Margaret's little secret and got her banished from the house. Always wondered if she would be a threat one day. He should have let me….".
"That's quite enough of that story, Gabriel!" Her voice was abrupt and slightly louder than was normal, or as normal as Willow had ever known Althanea's voice to rise. "The fact remains that it could very well be Margaret we are dealing with here, something I will confirm when the Council bring the body here for the autopsy. Meanwhile, my coven is attempting to find a way of protecting this building from a repeat of yesterday morning. We have asked the seers to ascertain who the traitor is amongst you but the death of Michelle has upset us all and even the seers cannot focus properly. I am afraid that a great deal of this battle will be magical in nature and unfortunately, the burden will lie with you, Willow".
"I was afraid it would be. I am scared that using magic, so close to such dark power, might have side effects that no one will be ready for".
"I have faith in you, Willow".
A knock on the door halted the conversation. Althanea turned to the door and with a small flick of her hand, opened it. "Come in, one and all".
Giles came in, followed by Roger Wyndham-Price, A smiling and radiant Dawn, David Merrick, who ran immediately into the arms of his waiting Grandmother, Whittaker, and lastly Buffy, whose smile had now turned to a sorrowed frown.
"Buffy, what's wrong?" Willow asked, concerned for her friend.
"When they asked me to do this, they didn't tell me the name of the victim. I knew Joseph Merrick's father. He was my Watcher in L.A. and helped begin my training. I saw him die. I was young, scared. I had only just begun to understand my powers and I had only really started to bond with him. I always felt that I had failed him. But I won't fail his Grandson. In some small way, I can make amends".
Willow hugged Buffy with all her strength. "You have nothing to make amends for. He would be proud of the woman you have become".
"I still feel I have a debt to pay, Will. This isn't just a lowly bodyguarding post either. Seems you guys are dealing with some pretty mean looking monsters. I got shown the demon you gave invasive shock therapy to. You guys are going to need a Slayer full time on this".
"Actually, Miss Summers, as I was just explaining to Willow, it is her skills that will prove the most vital here. The magics controlled by Morgana are not to be under-estimated. Whilst you will be able to deal with any physical threat she sends, her main weapons and power would kill you before you got near her. No, Miss Rosenberg is your best defence. But, I would trust no one more with the protection of my grandson". Althanea smiled and nodded as she finished speaking, as if it were a gesture of acknowledgement of Buffy's abilities.
"Well, you know us Summers girls. Slayers, Watchers, can't get rid of us."
Willow turned to look at Dawn, smile still adorning her. "You passed! Wonderful! I knew you could do it, Dawnie!"
Giles smiled at his three 'daughters'. "Well, we have a lot to do and not much time in which to do it. As my home is near to the coven and near to where this Morgana woman supposedly has her fortress, I suggest we make the long journey and then rest up and crack on fully tomorrow morning."