A/N1: This chapter picks up approximately 6 hours after the last – around 7 p.m.
A/N2: Information on Roman Sword found at Some of the dialogue is taken from episode "End of Days" - transcript found at 16 – The Guardian and a Quickening
Crawford Street Mansion – Library
They'd taken pictures of the sword and emailed them to Conner. They still hadn't heard back and so far had only found limited information on the possible origins of the sword.
The vineyard hadn't always been a vineyard; a hundred years ago it had been a monastery. Not much was known about the obscure sect of monks who'd lived there. They were still searching for information on what had happened to the monks but so far had found nothing.
Finally, Methos' cell phone rang. "Connor, what have you found? Okay, I'll tell Bella. Me to."
Bella closed the book she'd been flipping through. "Did he find anything?"
"He's emailing us what he could find."
Bella walked over to the computer and quickly logged into her email and opened the message Connor sent. "Hmm. He says this type of sword is commonly known as the gladius Hispaniensis. Typically carried by high ranking officers. Based on the level of craftsmanship the sword was probably made in Toledo or perhaps one of the more skilled craftsmen in Rome or Pompeii. He's sorry he can't find anything else – but a sword of this quality and in this condition was well cared for. He's never seen a sword from the Roman Era of this quality."
Bella closed the computer with a snap, "Damn, Damn, Damn! We're getting absolutely no where. I need a break! I'm going to find Duncan, Faith and Spike and see if they want to patrol. The rest of you take the information we have and see if you can find anything – I know it's not much to go on. Maybe you can find something on a mystical swords made in one of the three locations Connor suggested."
Bella walked out of the library toward the ball room. The potentials had taken a break from training and were eating dinner. Andrew had gone out to the grocery store and brought back as much food as he could get into Duncan's car. By the looks of what the potentials were eating he'd have to go back tomorrow. Bella had thought that slayers ate a lot – slayers had nothing on the consumptive powers of teenage girls.
Duncan looked up from where he was talking to Faith, Robin, Amanda and Spike. He could tell by Bella's eyes and the set of her jaw line she was frustrated. "Did you find anything?"
"No, Connor was able to give us a few basics on the type, quality and possible location for the creation of the sword but nothing else. I don't know where else to look. I was thinking about going out and killing things. Wanna come?" Bella's eyes included Faith, Robin and Spike in her last statement.
Amanda said, "That's my cue to see what's going on with the research. Maybe I can hack some museum sites for more information on ancient swords and their makers."
"So are you guys up for a little death and mayhem of the demon or at least Bringer variety."
"I'm in B. These teenagers are making me crazy. You should see they way they've been ogling Robin, Spike and Duncan. At first it was hilarious – really made the men folk squirm – but now they're giggles and shy smiles are driving me over the wall."
At Faith's statement Bella laughed out loud.
"Now pet it's not nice to laugh at other people's expense. We can't help if we're devastatingly handsome. But these girls – they beat me, even Angelus, at torture."
Now Bella and Faith were practically rolling on the floor at the scared looks on Duncan, Robin and Spike's faces. "Don't worry boys we'll protect you from the evil teenagers. Don't think I'm so crazy now – with my whole First sent them to destroy us theory – do you? Come on boys – let's get you out of here." Bella then turned and walked back toward the library laughing.
"Love, dinna be so mean," said Duncan as he followed her out of the room.
"I want to take the sword. Get some practice with it."
Sunnydale Cemetery
Faith, Spike and Robin had headed to the east side of the cemetery while Duncan and Bella patrolled the west. They'd agreed to meet back at the gates in two hours. Since the town had been deserted Sunnydale Cemetery had been one of the only ones to still have any type of demon activity. Most likely because it was the oldest in town and the one closest to the hell mouth.
Ever since they'd neared the west wall of the cemetery Bella felt as if the sword was pulling her toward something. She hadn't said anything to Duncan yet because she wasn't sure if she was actually feeling something from the sword or having a severe case of wishful thinking.
Toward the back of the cemetery in a grove of trees Buffy and Duncan observed a soft light. As they approached Bella observed a small temple of Roman design that she'd never seen before. The light was coming from two torches at the entrance to the temple.
Bella turned to Duncan. "Do you think it's a coincidence – Roman sword, Roman temple," she said waiving the sword in her hand.
"I dinna believe in coincidences. We'd better see what's inside."
They approached the door and Bella kicked it open and entered the room. The inside of the temple was lit with low braziers in a traditional Roman design. The back portion of the room was hidden by heavy tapestries. The walls were painted – but the scenes were fresh – much like the tombs and temples she'd seen in her youth. The decorations were all of warrior women fighting various demons.
Slowly the tapestry at the back of the room opened and a woman appeared. She was neither young nor old and clad in the traditional dress of a Roman noble woman. "I see you've found our weapon," the woman said in Latin.
"Who are you?" Bella asked.
"I am a guardian. I was one of many but now I am alone. Waiting." She held out her hand for the sword and without hesitation Bella handed it to her.
"You pulled it from the stone. I was one of those who placed it there."
"What is it?"
"A weapon. A sword. Forged in secrecy for the chosen warrior. Kept hidden from the Shadow Men."
"Ah yes, not the friendliest of men. Wanted to stuff a demon down my throat." Bella said with evident disdain.
"The Shadow Men became the Watchers. The Watcher's watched the slayers and we watched the Watchers. We are Guardians. Women who want to help and protect you. We forged this weapon centuries ago, half way around the world."
"Hence the Roman Forum theme."
The Guardian continued as if Bella had not spoken, "Forged there, it was put to use right here… to kill the last pure demon that walked upon the earth. The rest were already driven under. And then there were men here, and then there were monks. And then there was a town… and now there is you. And the sword remained hidden."
"Why is there no record? Why don't the Watcher's know about this?"
"We hid until we were needed. We are the last surprise. There is much I must tell you – there is one more piece you need – it is coming to you from an enemy but in the hand of a friend. Do not worry over its origins. Use it – you will know when and how. Just as the sword drew you here you will know how to use what is to come."
Bella looked at the sword in her hand and back at the Guardian, and asked, "Does this mean I can win?"
The Guardian replied, "That is entirely up to you, my dear. This is a powerful weapon. But you already have weapons. Use it wisely and perhaps you can beat back the rising dark. One way or another, it can only mean an end is truly near."
Suddenly two hands grasped the guardian's throat and snapped her neck. As her body fell Caleb appeared behind her. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that last part on account of her neck snappin' and all. Did she say the end is near… or here?"
Buffy dropped into a fighting stance and quipped, "Didn't your mother teach you it wasn't polite to interrupt or better yet not to go where you're not wanted."
Caleb lunged at Buffy and for the first time she saw his eyes were pure black as if his pupils had completely consumed his eyes.
"Has anyone told you that whole black eye thing is uber creepy. So not the way to win friends and influence enemies," she quipped and then dodged away from Caleb. She swung the sword slashed his stomach and caused a deep diagonal gash that oozed black blood.
"Oohh! Even your blood is black – keep that away from me – I bet it's a bitch to get out of clothes."
Behind her Duncan laughed, "Bella, perhaps you'd better take this seriously."
"This is me taking things seriously. I slash. I quip. I stab. I quip. They die. See all very serious."
Bella's quips infuriated Caleb and he lunged at her again. Again she dodged and Caleb's fist imbedded in a stone pillar. Duncan also circled the enraged preacher katana at the ready.
"You're not slipping out of this fight, girl. Can't you see? You can't stop me. I can just keep coming back for more. It's like being re-born. And your sword wielding Romeo won't be of any help to you. You'll be dead and I'll have that pretty weapon there. Why don't you make it easy on yourself and just give it to me and I'll make your death quick. Which is more than a whore like you deserves."
"There's that dirty mouth again," Bella said as she struck out at Caleb with her sword only to have him grab her sword hand preventing her downward stroke. Caleb punched her hard in the face sending her flying into the wall causing her to drop the sword.
Bella leapt to her feet and grabbed for the sword only to have Caleb grab it first. She deftly kicked his hand causing the sword to fly upward. As it fell she caught it and slashed downward cutting a long gash in Caleb's right arm. As he fell backward she advanced toward him and drove her sword deep into his stomach causing him to fall to his knees. She brought the sword back and swung it in an arc taking Caleb's head.
Suddenly the air crackled with electricity and a mist began to arise around Caleb's body.
Bella turned to Duncan. "Oh shit! He's immortal. How come we didn't feel the buzz?" She barely managed to get out as the first bolt of the quickening entered her body. Duncan was thrown against the wall by one powerful charge as the rest of the energy from Caleb's quickening entered Bella's body.
After several intense minutes the quickening subsided and Bella knelt on the ground panting.