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Author's Chapter Notes:
Not mine ever except for plot.
Chapter 3

Long Way While Learning

Giles pulled a manila folder from the bottom drawer of his file cabinet and passed it to Buffy. “The photos are in here. Do you see him?”

His Slayer had shown up early this morning on his doorstep and regaled Giles with the entire story, including the fact that she'd agreed to meet Kyle at the Watcher's apartment later in the day.

Picking a photograph from the top of the stack, Buffy stared at the image. “This is definitely him, although he looks a lot older now. Giles, why haven't I heard about this Wizard's Council before now?”

Perched on the edge of the couch, Giles replied. “They are performers of white magicks; so in essence, we are all on the same side; however the Watcher's Council and the High Wizard Council have an extremely tenuous relationship. They've had serious disagreements between them in the past over how various incidents have been handled. So if needed, we prefer to use other covens.”

“Can Mr. Chaplaine be trusted?”

“I believe so. Imperial Wizard is not a political post; he would have had to pass intense scrutiny to acquire the position and he's been their leader for years. I would have heard if there were questions concerning his integrity.”

“This can't be right.” Buffy had flipped the photo over and read the handwritten inscription. “This states that Mr. Chaplaine was born in 1950.” Confusion crossed her face. “The man I met looked seventy at least.”

“The position of Imperial Wizard holds a great deal of responsibility. One of their primary functions on this plane of existence is to help restrain the forces of darkness and to counteract black magic whenever possible. The Imperial Wizard's main duty is to act as a sort of focusing lens for other wizards; it must be an incredibly taxing position and one that I'm sure would age someone prematurely.”

Giles slipped the photo back in the manila folder. “Buffy, Mr. Chaplaine is absolutely correct in one respect: if the Wizard's Council doesn't have a leader at the appointed time, the forces of darkness would be given an opportunity to cause problems. We really have no choice but to help them.”

Buffy bit her lip. “Are you going to tell the Watcher's Council?”

“No, I don't believe alerting Quentin Travers would be in anybody's best interest at this point. But I would be very surprised if he hasn't already heard that something is amiss, although he may not know the extent of the problem. Travers and the Council have always maintained a keen interest, but wouldn't get involved unless the situation degraded to the point where they felt it was absolutely necessary. Even then, I'm not sure they could really render much in the way of actual assistance. The Wizard's Council would still need to remedy the situation themselves.”

“There's another reason I agreed to do this. He said he could help my mom. Do you think he can really do it?”

“I don't know what they're capable of doing, but if he told you that they could help Joyce, then I'm sure they must have the ability. You and I both know how powerful Magicks can be in the hands of someone well trained in the arts. These white wizards are the pinnacle of their profession both in talent and training. Most are born into families that have been practicing for centuries.”

Giles looked grim. “Which means that whoever managed to kidnap the next Imperial Wizard without a struggle and right under the nose of her own Council has to be skilled, ruthless and completely unafraid of reprisal.”

Buffy slumped back against the couch. “Yeah, that's what I was thinking, too.” She brightened. “But wait until you see my awesome bracelet.”

*****

Spike couldn't sleep. Slouched in his easy chair drinking breakfast, he thought over the events of the previous night and the Slayer's decision. She had confided on the return drive that she planned to talk with Giles before her meeting with Kyle. Spike knew already that the Watcher would agree with her decision, even though it was dangerous. Going up against anyone with that much power would be incredibly risky, but if that old wizard could be trusted, they needed the Slayer for the job.

Spike lit a cigarette and his thoughts turned to Joyce. He knew the opportunity to help her mum had been the deciding factor in Buffy's decision. Spike genuinely liked the Slayer’s mum; she had always treated him with respect and kindness. Making a sudden decision, he stood up. The Slayer was going to need some help and he should be the one to do it. He would help Buffy find the missing wannabe. Not only was this a chance for Buffy to see another side of him, he wanted to do it for Joyce. She deserved every chance possible. He grabbed his blanket and started for the sewers, he needed to get to Rupert's apartment before the young wizard to persuade the Slayer and her Watcher to accept his help.

*****

“Spike?” Giles was surprised to see the vampire in the middle of the day, even as he stepped aside to allow the blanket covered figure entry. “What are you doing here?”

Spike dropped the smoking blanket in the corner near the door. Holding his chin up, he looked across the room at Buffy and spoke directly to her. “I came to help you, Slayer. You'll need someone to watch your back.”

Confusion colored her expression. “Why?”

Giles stood with his arms crossed and scanned the vampire’s visage. “Yes, why Spike?”

Still gazing into the Slayer’s eyes, he replied, “I like and respect your mum and this could help her.”

Spike knew he had yet to convince the Watcher. Turning to Giles he added, “The old wizard asked to keep this quiet and I already know about the situation, so I'm your logical choice.”

“Giles?”

“Hmmm.” Giles thought out loud. “Although the Imperial Wizard seems to expect you to work alone, in a situation such as this I’d be more comfortable if you had some backup. Since Spike is already involved to a degree, he is the most logical choice.”

“Alright Spike, you're part of the team.”

*****

When Kyle arrived, he didn't seem too surprised to see Spike. He shook hands with Giles, and sat down on the couch next to Buffy.

The Watcher spoke first. “Kyle, I'd like to begin by saying that I'm sorry about your mother.”

When the teen acknowledged the comment, he continued. “Secondly, I'd like to ask you for any additional information that you may have concerning her disappearance. Who else knew that you were coming here to Sunnydale?”

“Unfortunately, a lot of people, including my sister, my grandfather and the Council. My mom didn't exactly keep it a secret.” He shrugged. “Wasn't any reason to, really. Everyone knew she was going to stay until the installation ceremony. This was supposed to be her last break for awhile.”

“What about your father?”

“My father’s been dead since I was an infant. My mom remarried a couple of years ago but divorced Grant last year.” Kyle clasped his hands tightly together. “I've gone over and over all of this in my head. I don't know who could have done this to my mom. She’s an extremely formidable woman.”

Buffy leaned toward the Boy. “Is there anyone on the Council that didn't want to work with your mom?” She waved her hand. “I know what your grandfather said, but sometimes there's somebody who goes along with a change, but isn't really happy, maybe someone like that?”

“Not that I'm aware of, but I don't know many of those people well.”

Spike spoke up. “What about her ex? He a wizard, too?”

Kyle rubbed a weary hand across his eyes. “Yes, he's a wizard on the High Council, too, but I really don't believe that he had anything to do with this. If you want to check on his family, you could speak to his son. It's okay to tell him about mom, he won't say anything. You both saw him last night. His name's Drake and he's the lead singer for the band Alchemy.”

Spike smirked. “I told you that was a poncy name for a band.”

Buffy ignored him, concentrating on the boy next to her. “What do you think happened to your mom? Not what you have to say in front of your grandfather, I want your real opinion. Do you think she might have taken off on her own?”

“I’m sorry, I wish I knew more. She answered the phone and I heard her say she'll be there in twenty minutes. She hung up, came out and told me she was going out for a couple hours and then she just vanished.”

He looked at the trio and his gaze settled on Buffy. “Please Ms. Summers, you’ve got to find her,” he implored, his voice cracking.

“I'm really worried. No, this is not in character for my mom and I don't believe she left on her own. For the past three months, she’s been so excited about finally stepping forward to become the Imperial Wizard after all the hard work. She couldn’t wait to fulfill her duty. My personal opinion? I think someone wants to stop the succession and destroy the High Council.”

The young boy’s expression was glum. “My grandfather is weak; he's already having difficulty focusing power except in short bursts. His abilities are decreasing daily and will cease completely by the appointed hour.”

“If my mom isn’t there to take over control, all of the Council’s attuned power will scatter.” Kyle’s expression became even bleaker. “My grandfather won't even tell me what would happen in that case, but I know the results of such a vacuum would be devastating.”

Buffy shifted on the couch. “No one wants to see that happen.” She held out her hand. “So let's see this magical bracelet.”

Kyle pulled the small white box out of his pocket and held on to it. “As much as I want you to find my mom, there is something important that my Grandfather neglected to explain that you need to understand first.

He wouldn’t say anything because he has such complete confidence in your ability to locate and save her. However in the event that you can’t find her, the bracelet might cause some discomfort if the Council’s powers become scattered.”

Spike scowled at the boy. “Are you saying that if the Slayer can’t find her by your ‘appointed hour’ she’ll need to remove the bauble quickly or something might happen?”

Kyle clutched the box tighter. “But that’s just it, you see. Once you don the bracelet, it can't be removed unless you locate her.”

The Slayer smiled gently at the young boy and reached for the box. “I understand. Thank you Kyle.”

Buffy lifted the box top and peeked inside. Nestled within tissue paper was a thin antique silver bracelet with several charms. Lifting it from its box, she held it up for Spike and Giles to see. The light from the window highlighted the finely wrought links.

It's absolutely gorgeous so delicate and yet it must be incredibly powerful.

Spike beheld the Slayer's reaction to the elegant bracelet. Still concerned over the magicks, he held his tongue while the Watcher fastened it around her wrist. A small blue light flashed briefly when the clasp snapped closed.

Giles stepped back. “How do you feel Buffy?”

“I’m perfectly fine.” She moved her wrist and the bracelet tinkled lightly. “Okay, Kyle, I’ve got the pretty, now how does it work?”

Kyle shifted in the chair. “Let me start by saying that it will only make noise for the next hour. After that, the dampening spell will have taken effect and it will be soundless. My grandfather used almost all of the remainder of his own personal power to craft this. It's not actually a charm bracelet, but a charmed bracelet. Hold out your arm and look at each of the objects attached to the bracelet. Can you name them?”

“Don't really like the quizzing, but here goes.” She lifted her arm and peered closely at the bracelet. “This one is a moon, with an arrow through the middle.”

Kyle nodded. “That’s right. That charm will help seek my mom for you. It's tuned to her, so it will turn faintly blue if she is nearby. Since someone continues to mask her aura, you’ll need to be really close though and the deeper the color turns, the closer you actually are to her.”

“Okay, got it. This second one looks like a candlestick.”

“If you place your thumb and one finger on it and pinch, it becomes a beacon of light, roughly the same as a small flashlight. The light will last until you touch the charm again in the same way.”

“This next one looks like a hand mirror.”

“It's a glamour charm. Touch it and it will cloak you. You will automatically blend into the background.”

“A small bottle.”

“That one is a truth charm. Touch it and then someone else and they have to reveal the answer to one question. Unfortunately it only works briefly, so be quick and pose the question.”

Kyle shrugged apologetically. “It's very difficult to force people to go against their free will with this type of spell, especially when the caster is not present.” He grinned. “But it can also be a great lie detector. If someone is telling an untruth, the back of the charm will turn black.”

“This one, I'm not sure, it looks like a twisted strand of something.”

“Ah, that's the binding charm. Touch it and then someone else and they will be forced to remain quietly where they are until you touch them again. It will last for about an hour, maybe two. I helped with that one. Do you see the last charm?”

“It's a couple dancing, I think.”

“If you touch it and another charm together, you can share a power, until you touch the couple again. The bracelet is yours, so you can only share, not give the power away permanently. It takes a very strong being to harness these without being harmed and it must be someone who doesn't use magicks. A witch or wizard's personal energies would interfere with the charms' abilities. That's the main reason my grandfather needed the Slayer, or another Champion such as yourself. You haven't been trained in the arts.”

Kyle searched through his jacket pockets, pulled out a scrap of paper and handed it to Buffy.

“What's this?”

“This is the phone number from the telephone call my mother received just before she left the house. When she didn't return I hit star 69 on our phone.”

“If you wankers had the number, why didn't you check it out?”

“I tried to call the number that first morning, but it just rang. No one answered the phone. When I spoke with my grandfather later, he forbade me from trying anything else.”

Kyle reached back into his jacket pocket. “Here's a recent picture of my mom at my sister's college graduation. It might come in useful.”

Buffy looked down at the photo of a thin, pretty brunette standing next to a girl wearing a cap and gown. Kyle's mom had her arm wrapped around her daughter and both of them were smiling. Buffy suddenly felt the urge to run home and hug her own mom.

“If we need to reach you or your grandfather, how should we handle it?” Giles asked.

“I wrote my cell phone number on the back of the picture. I'll get word to my grandfather if he's needed. It would be better if you weren't seen at the house again.”

Buffy nodded. “Alright. We'll call you soon.”

“Thank you Ms. Summers.” The young wizard suddenly looked much older. “I just hope you find my mom, for everyone's sake.”

After Kyle shut the door, Buffy stared down at the telephone number scribbled on the scrap of paper. “Okay, short of going to the police or the telephone company, how are we ever going to figure out whose number this is?”

Spike leaned over and read the number. “Slayer, you just got a lucky break. I know that number. It belongs to the telephone in the back room at Willy's Bar. The kid didn't get an answer because the bar doesn't open until afternoon.”





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