Ethshar of the Sands - Two weeks after the arrival back in town
Alexander had rearranged the room in the attic, having workmen expand the area out of the tapestry 'view' into a full room in which to consider a possible return to Sunnydale, but as he was present, he'd restored everything so it WAS possible for someone to come through. He really wasn't expecting anything, but he and Tobas decided to monitor the area and see if any magic would eventually manifest itself, if even a fly came through they could test for changes…anything.
They'd gone through the spells in the book, save those still to be considered a bit dangerous or excessive. And it wasn't like they had a major demon or godling to practice the banishment upon—such beings usually were unhappy at best when such happened.
Lady Sarai and her family had come over for dinner a few times, the entire family except Sarai had been stripped of their noble status and were now considered commoners. Because of his apparent importance as a Mage of Multiple Magics that was being asked to consider a contract for tapestries to link the Overlords of the Hegemony, as well as similar ones for the Wizard Guild and Witch Houses, Xander with Tobas found himself being maneuvered into lunch with the young woman on an almost daily basis. He could clearly see the hands of the women of his family trying to pair him up. But as his work did require him to be there…it sure wasn't an odious experience.
He'd actually been interested in her work, and drawing on both his magical and television-crime-show knowledge, was able to ask questions such that soon Okko, a recovering Kalthon and Captain Tokri began sitting in with them. This seemed to reassure both young people that they weren't going to be pressured into anything, but at the same time, the fact that they had so much they COULD talk about that also drew in their friends and peers, made their budding relationship move from friendly attraction to something more.
And to his surprise, as he and the others attended Sarai's swearing in as the new Minister of Justice, the Overlord, Edard, asked Xander to serve as Acting Minister of Investigation if the local Wizard Guild would permit it, as they hadn't found a non-mage of proper qualification yet. Serem the Wise gathered a few of the senior members together, and made the stipulation that Xander must not use any magic when serving in the capacity of Minister, except to defend himself or others from harm. And that he serve no longer than one year.
Xander looked at his friends, "I'd planned to take on an apprentice from each of the cities and back home; I guess I'll add a forensics apprentice.
"Guildmaster Serem, I intend to take an Apprentice toward this position, with the approval of that choice by the Overlord. As I've discovered, Lady Sarai has in the course of her informal education developed quite an excellent knowledge of the particular magic used in investigations and such, though she doesn't wield power. My intention is to instruct this Apprentice in such matters, but that person will already be an adult, and not of known magical ability. At the end of one year, if not sooner, I will gladly step down from this Acting position. Does this meet with your approval and consent, that I might officially present this option to the Overlord?"
After a moment of discussion, including the fact that Xander was in fact deferring to the local guild as authority in the matter, and clearly establishing a path for self-removal from the position in question, the wizened heads nodded.
"The guild gives it approval and consent Alexander of Terra, as discussed."
Xander turned toward Edard and respectfully bowed, "Your Lordship, does this meet with your acceptance, approval and consent?"
"Yes it does, Minister Alexander. And I hope you might have someone to present to me within the fortnight." And with that, the man simply stood, waited for the Oath to be administered, and left the room. Wizards, family and Sarai's group moved forward to congratulate both in their good fortune. Though Sarai herself was a commoner now, her title of address and consideration would remain the same as to not diminish the office itself.
"So what now, Minister of Justice?"
"Now, Minister of Investigation, I turn over first rights of access to Captain Tikri and the rest of the Guard, and look forward to a slightly less-hectic work schedule. At least, I hope not to have to run down information myself now that you are assuming that role, Lord Alexander."
"Lord?" he replied with some confusion, "Even though the position might have such attributed to it, as a Wizard only filling the role, Minister Alexander is probably more appropriate."
"Well said, Alexander," Serem the Wise agreed as he and the others came up to make their good-byes, "Hope to see you at the next guild meeting, then."
"I'm actually looking forward to it, Guildmaster. Though I have no real idea what goes on at one."
"Ah, worry not. Just the usual gossip…"
The next week and a half went well. Xander had found a sharp mind in Captain Tikri himself; the man had not quite been horrified, but was soon drafted as the next Minister of Investigation after his year of training was declared over. The Captain's wife, on the other hand, was delighted to find out that at that time they'd be considered minor nobility and swore up and down that should a male child be born to them in the next year its name would be Alexander in his honor. Blushing a bit, but quite happy with the barrage of fresh baked goods with preserves he'd received from the woman as a result, he managed to get the Captain to accept his fate.
"Why would I want to be Minister?"
"Not a matter of want, but the fact that you are older and have the practical knowledge of the city and how things are currently done, will mean I actually get to turn this job over to you in the promised time—perhaps even sooner."
"But I've been comfortable helping out Lady Sarai, and now I'll be required to be brilliant as well."
"No worry of that," Xander joked, causing Tikri look vaguely wounded until he realized the jest, "After all, I'm really going to just come up with a bunch of ways of investigating the various crimes, and you make them work. After that, you'll be happy enough to just handle the investigation. And that guy you had show me around last week—Captain Deru? I think we should get him transferred over so he'll be ready to become YOUR chief of staff when you're Minister."
"Deru's a good choice, Minister, but why wouldn't you want to keep the position?"
"My agreement was just for the time we talked about—and I'm already a magic type and merchant on top of that. To do a good job, you can't take on too many different ones."
"I suppose, and the wife HAS been baking more lately. You wouldn't mind too much if I hinted at her that it might be best if she kept it up the whole time, would you?"
"Let me think…fresh bread and jam, or resort to my own cooking? I vote you hint, Captain. Just let me know when to scowl, or whatever."
"Minister, I thank you greatly; maybe I can finally convince her to open up her own little shop nearby if she gets used to it."
"I'd be a regular customer—after the year's up, of course."
"Of course."
Sunnydale, Apartment of Rupert Giles - February 21st, 1998
The vampire Angelus was going to leave Rupert Giles a present of a dead lover, when in the darkness of the house he espied the tapestry. He remembered the annoying boy for a moment, the one that had caused William such trouble. He set the woman, still alive though unconscious, on the couch, and tossed a book across the room at the picture. He didn't throw hard enough, he thought at first, but just as it was about to miss the bottom of the picture, it made contact and passed out of sight within. Closely the vampire stared in contemplation, then smiled evilly—lost forever would do…
Rupert Giles came home to find a trail of female clothes leading from the door toward the back of the room, and after a moment he realized they were Jenny's he smiled, but it was a bit too quiet, so he turned on the lights and visually followed the trail across the room to where he'd been studying the tapestry again. A piece of paper ended the trail right in front of the tapestry. Rupert moved quickly, and picked up the note.
'Another one misplaced, Rupert. Which one next? The redheaded girl? The Slayer? Who'd've thought how much joy and happiness killing that foul-mouthed old gypsy would bring Angel-Boy, huh, Rupert?
I'll be waiting…
Rupert Giles sat heavily on the couch and stared at the tapestry.
Tobas heard a noise from the tapestry room, as they referred to the expanded attic room. Carefully, he prepared a few spells, ad gently opened the door, only to find a naked woman lying unconscious on the floor. He called out for the others, and they helped put the dark-haired woman in some clothes and move her to a bed.
"What do you think, Tobas?" Teneria asked, "Is this a kinswoman of Alexander?"
"Could be, maybe an older sister or cousin," he replied, "She seems only a few years his senior at most."
"Well, we've tended her injuries, so it is really just a matter of letting her rest until she wakes. Do you think one of us should sit with her?"
"It would probably be a good idea, and probably one of us women would seem less traumatic?"
"Alright, I leave it in your hands then, Teneria. Thank you."
Minister Alexander returned home a little on the late side; they'd fairly quickly overcome the slight case backlog, and had started to try out various ideas aimed at improving future investigatory methods. Xander smiled at the thought of being the combination of police chief and district attorney; Willow certainly would be amazed at that and the fact he was dating someone equivalent to Supreme Court Justice.
Walking into their home, the former Inn of the Blue Crab, Xander felt complete. He smiled at the name of the place as the women had decided that if things settled down soon with the addition of Kalthon as Factor for their group, then they should go ahead and reopen the place, but with a better name—what, they couldn't decide.
The smell of stew still warm over the fire increased his smile as he set the bar back on the door, and fully activated the wards around the property. Setting his pack on the main table, Xander headed toward the kitchen for some of the food he could smell; combined with the half-loaf of bread and some jam leftover from work, we would feast!
He heard the sound of encouraging female voices, surprising given the lateness of the hour, though as Tabaea's baby was due any time her hours had become erratic. He smiled as he entered the kitchen area.
"Hello, everyone, I'm finally home…" he called out in moderate voice as he bee-lined for the simmering goodness.
"Xander Harris?" a voice gasped out, using a name he'd left behind after arriving in this world. He turned, the food for the moment at least forgotten. It took a moment for him to fully remember the woman approaching him.
"Miss Calendar? Wow, what are you doing here?" he asked, then sensed the presence of healing magic on her, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Xander, and you can call me Jenny," she replied, stopping just in front of him unsure of what to do next. He smiled, then reached out and gave her a short and friendly hug, releasing her immediately.
"It's good to see you, it's been so long but you still look the same," he noted, "So did you come here willingly, or did something happen?"
"I guess Angelus threw me into the tapestry instead of killing me; for some reason it worked, I guess. And what do you mean so long? It's only been three or four months."
"Really? Time must be different here…it's been…maybe four years for me."
Karanissa cleared her throat, drawing Xander's attention, "So who is she Alexander? We tried what languages we know, but she doesn't seem to speak them."
"Ah, I guess I'll have to cast one of the language spells we learned from the book; the one that gifts the ability to speak and think in one."
"Any have the written as well?"
"Not that I recall. Kara, could you please gather what we need and bring it all here? That way we can make everyone feel more comfortable speaking the same language. I'll at least finish some supper before you learn anything embarrassing."
The woman smiled and headed out to the kitchen, Xander explaining to Jenny as he made himself up a bowl of stew and some extra vegetables. He motioned to the table.
"So, Xander, you know magic now? Does that mean you kept the abilities from Halloween?"
"Yeah, I did, and with the others we've learned most of the spells, in spite of school of magic, that exist We've started making Tapestries—something that hasn't been done since the early years of the War."
"So that's what you were doing so late? Making magical tapestries?"
"No, actually I'm Acting Minister of Investigation…" he smiled, letting his progress overwhelm her a bit, "Jenny, I had a Wizard's experience to start with and only recently have things really settled down. So who's this Angelus? Is that a name Angel's going by now?"
