Chapter 6: Crash Landing Again
Buffy stared out the window while Spike started the Desoto’s engine and shifted
into gear. Once they’d pulled out of the alley and into the light traffic
flowing back into downtown Sunnydale, she twisted around in the seat so she
could see his expression.
“Spike, what do you really think of
Margot’s plan?”
He took a long drag from his cigarette and considered the
question. “It’s a tempting idea. It’s true that it would tip the Hellmouth power
structure in the white hats favor for a good long while, but she hasn’t
convinced me yet that her plan will work. In fact, I think there are several
valid reasons why it’s really pretty rash.” His expression wry, he added. “And
I’m an expert on rash plans.”
Buffy acknowledged the joke with a slight
smile. “Okay, so what are some of the reasons?”
Spike glanced at the
Slayer. She gazed back at him, her hazel eyes large and solemn. Buffy was
requesting his opinion, deferring to his greater knowledge of the demon
underground. Maybe the past couple days had helped the Slayer see that he could
stand at her side. Maybe she was actually beginning to see him.
Tamping down the sudden ecstatic feeling, Spike gathered his
thoughts and continued his line of reasoning. “The Gashi Chieftain is ruthless
and incredibly smart. You have to be to control that much power. I think she’s
severely underestimating him.”
Spike stubbed out his cigarette and
tossed the butt through the open window. “As much as the Thesa want the Gashi’s
turf, they’re going to be extremely cautious. It’s not every day an offer like
this gets dropped in their laps. It’s too bloody unusual. Even the slightest
hint of doubt, the lightest whisper of a double cross, and the wizard’s bloody
plan is blown; she’s goin’ to be in serious trouble and us along with her. You,
me, Rayne and anyone else she’s involved.”
He rolled his window up.
“Personally, I think the wannabe Imperial Wizard has a very large ego and I’m
wonderin’ if she’s even really telling us everything.”
He watched Buffy
chew her lip while she thought about what he’d said. “I get the feeling that
there’s more to this than she said, too. But until we figure everything out,
we’ll need to help strengthen her position against the demons in some way.”
She shifted, turning back around to face the front. “I’ve got to talk
with Giles, get his take on what I need to do.”
She hadn’t said we. The
chasm yawned open between them again. “This is more complicated than we thought.
I hope Rupert doesn’t feel compelled to spill to the bloody
Watchers.”
Buffy heard the tenor of Spike’s voice change. He sounded
upset over something. Surely he wasn’t that concerned about the Council and
Giles. Had she said something else?
Buffy tried to think through their
conversation, but Spike interrupted her thoughts. “There’s someone else you
have to consider in this, too.”
“Kyle.”
He nodded.
Buffy
sank against the soft leather seat and sighed. “Believe me, I haven’t forgotten
about him. It would be so much simpler if Margot would let us give him some
hope, maybe relay some small message. I know he’s freaking out and it’s going to
be hard lying to him.”
“Then don’t.”
“What do you
mean?”
“Well, you promised to call him and tell him about Ethan Rayne.
Tell him that we found Ethan but we’ve got to follow him and see what he’s up
to. That’s all true; just don’t mention his mum. A sin of
omission.”
Buffy nodded thoughtfully. “That’s a good idea. I can do that.
I’ve got to report back to Mr. Chaplaine at some point, but I can wait awhile to
speak directly with him. Once I talk to Giles, I’m going to try and find out
more about Ethan by visiting that apartment. Then I’ll meet you back at your
crypt just before sunset.”
Spike parked in front of Buffy’s house. “If
you need me sooner, Slayer, you know where I’ll be.”
He idled at the curb
until the Slayer shut her front door. Smacking the steering wheel with a
clenched fist, Spike pointed the Desoto toward Restfield and gunned the motor.
*****
Ethan stumbled again. Reaching out, he scrambled to grab at the
rough cave wall. Leaning against the wall to catch his breath he tried to peer
farther down the path to check for any more obstructions. Unfortunately the
minimal light thrown by the sconces hammered into the wall at such long
intervals cast more shadow than actual light. Giving up the attempt, he wiped
his hands on his pants and continued cautiously picking his way.
Glancing at the luminous dial of his wristwatch he grimaced. The
protocols of any meeting with the Thesa Overlord were known and rigidly
enforced. The image rose in his mind of being nailed to the throne room wall
crucifixion style, mouth open in a wordless scream. He started
jogging.
*****
Buffy
hung up the phone. “Well, that wasn’t of the fun.”
Giles poured more tea
in his cup and added a small lemon slice. “I assume Kyle wasn’t satisfied with
your abbreviated version of last night?”
Sinking back into the couch, she
replied morosely. “I know how I’d feel if it was me looking for info on my
missing mom and the person supposedly helping just came up with a big fat
zero.”
“It’s perfectly understandable to feel that way. However we must
abide by Ms. Chaplaine’s wishes. The situation has become very convoluted and we
dare not place her child in danger.”
Buffy scowled as Giles sipped from
his cup. “Yeah, but Giles, it’s her fault it’s so convoluted.”
“I
would like to know more about her relationship with Ethan. What hold could she
possibly have over him that would pressure him enough to act as an
emissary?”
Buffy bit into a pecan Danish. Swallowing, she replied.
“That’s what I want to know. I’m going to check out that apartment building.
Maybe we can get some answers.”
“I think that would be the prudent course
of action.” Giles set his cup down. “Just do be
careful.”
*****
“Overlord,
the emissary has arrived.”
The Thesa Overlord, compound eyes glowing in
the twilight of the throne room, motioned for the human to enter.
Ethan
cautiously stepped forward into the cavernous room. Speaking in the Overlord’s
native tongue, Ethan introduced himself. “I am Ethan Rayne, emissary for the
High Wizard Council.”
The Overlord raised one of his six arms and waved
negligently. Speaking in English, he replied. “I know who you are.” He motioned
to one of the Clan members clustered nearby to close the heavy door. Ethan made
a conscious effort to appear calm as the sound echoed throughout the rocky
chamber.
The Overlord’s voice rumbled again. “Why would an emissary
representing the White Council dare stand before me?”
Ethan swallowed
the lump forming in his throat. Remember the agreement with Margot. You have
to get through this in one piece. Although it was barely possible for him to
glance at the Overlord without grimacing, Ethan straightened his shoulders and
looked directly into the demon’s face. “I have been requested to offer a
proposition to the Overlord of the Thesa Clan.”
“This proposition of
which you speak is not from the entire Council. This I already know.” The
Overlord leaned forward and his iridescent wings spread wider, shimmering in the
flickering light. “Yet I will deign to listen.”
“You have a mighty friend
in the successor Imperial Wizard. She wishes to offer an allegiance that will
benefit the Clan.”
The Overlord gazed at Ethan impassively. “Continue.”
“She has the means to offer death to an old enemy, the Chieftain of the
Gashi.”
The gentle murmuring that had been background noise rose until it
threatened to drown out their conversation. The Overlord paid no attention.
Continuing to stare at Ethan, he queried . “And in return?”
“She wishes a
certain portion of the gain.”
The murmuring grew louder.
The
Overlord jumped to his feet and thundered. “I am First Overlord of the Thesa
Clan. I will not pay tribute!”
Ethan shrank back. “Forgive me, Overlord,
for I’ve misspoken. The Imperial Wizard merely wishes a small one time
compensation. There is something that the Gashi Chieftain has within his
possession that she wishes to obtain, but otherwise all land and activities
associated with the Gashi would clearly be yours. She has no interest in
either.”
The Overlord retook his throne and motioned the hall to quiet.
“What does the White Wizard seek?”
“I am sworn not to reveal that
information unless you choose the alliance.”
The demon inclined his
head. “I will consider this alliance. Return in one day.”
Ethan nodded
and backed away from the throne. “As you wish.”
When Ethan had left the
room accompanied by several of the Clan, the Overlord turned to one of his
guards. “Send a tracker. I want to know everywhere the emissary goes until his
return.”
Pulling his wings close to his body, the Thesa Overlord settled
comfortably within his chair to consider the ramifications of allegiance with a
white wizard. He questioned the motives of a leader who would covet something so
badly that she would align herself with a known enemy to acquire it. He began to
think of possible ways to exploit that lust.
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enigmaticblues . J-I
just don't know where you find the time to edit my little attempts while putting
out the spectacular fare you grace us with every day. Thank you.