Militat Omnis Amans (Every Lover is a Warrior)

By Kevin Beckett

Chapter VI - Dux Femina Facti

(A Woman Was the Leader of the Endeavour)

I sat on the mountainside with peace of mind

I lay by the ocean making love to her with visions clear

Walked for days with no one near

And I return as chained and bound to you

Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover

Sophie B. Hawkins, tongues and tails

n a brightly lit tavern seven people sit around a table eating supper and chatting softly. At a nearby table, four others are also sitting and eating, while keeping careful watch on the occupants of the first table. The tavern is located in an old four-story inn in the town of Smiths Crossing. The building housing the inn is a double-bricked post and beam structure with large windows and a slate roof. The tavern was designed to serve not only the guests of the inn but also the townspeople, and is a cheery place, capable of seating forty or so people. This night there are only people sitting at two of the tables are the only ones to occupy the common room, the other guests of the inn having eaten and retired to their rooms earlier. The trestle tables that the guests are sitting at are made of heavy pine, and their wooden captain’s chairs are padded, well worn and very comfortable. The lighting is provided by three large overhead candelabras, and augmented by two large fireplaces. Outside the late winter wind howls down the streets and occasionally rattles the thick panes of window glass. The food being served by the waitresses is hot, hearty and plentiful; the inn has a reputation for providing excellent board and bread, and being only one day from the Capital it is usually full to capacity. These are not usual times, and everyone in the inn is aware that only the night before the demon armies had struck, and were even now on the way to lay siege to the Capital.

Most of the non-combatants in the city and in the surrounding towns and villages had been evacuated South, away from the approaching army. The inn, is in the direct path of the approaching demon army, being North of the city. The inn is due to be evacuated in the morning, with the staff and most of the guests heading south; that is all but the guests eating their late dinner.

The larger group are passing the time talking about several pressing issues, primarily the impending war and their role in it. They have also been celebrating the news that two of their company are expecting, probably on or just before the Winter Solstice.

“I still can’t believe it,” Willow exclaimed to the assembled members of her strike-force, “I mean, how?”

“We’ve been over this love,” replied Buffy, who was herself still very confused by the situation.

“I know,” replied the Arch-Mage, “but just saying it has to do with the link between us still doesn’t answer the how.”

“It’s the only answer we have right now though.”

“But I’m not ready to be a mother,” Willow said, the terror of the unknown evident in her voice, “I mean, what do I do, how do I do it?”

“I’m not ready either,” Buffy said comfortingly, “but we’ll deal, like we have always done.”

Both women had woken up that morning with Willow’s unanswered question of the night before first in their minds. They had done without their usual exercise routine and had quickly bathed and gone of in search of Amana. They correctly assumed that the older woman would be the best person to discuss the subject with. Amana had not disappointed them. After a series of questions to determine if they had had any male sexual partners in the previous month, she had performed a simple pregnancy test spell, which had indicated that the two of them were somehow pregnant. After conversing briefly with Grael, the three women decided that detailed questioning would have to wait since they were leaving before noon to head north to the first hell-mouth. The rest of the morning had been spent in hectic preparation for the trip; co-ordinating with the military for the needed communication codes, collecting Daithi and the other three guardsmen and finally packing, mounting up and heading out on the Northern road. One surprise that morning had been the addition of the Sage Frankel to the party. He had asked to join them since they would probably need his specialized knowledge for some of the work they were going to do. Once they had left the city they initially travelled with a reinforced company of troops, which was going out to support the delaying tactics that were being employed by the army. Tactics that were being used to give Willow time to start closing the hell-mouths. They had met a constant stream of people heading away from the impending conflict and back into the city and as a result of this traffic had only made the town of Smiths Crossing just as night was falling.

Thinking back on their journey Willow commented, “I still can’t get over the people we met on the road today. I mean they were desperate, scared and trying to carry everything they owned on their backs.”

“War brings out the worst in society,” commented Aiofe, who was sitting between Bridie and Willow, “it is especially bad on the civilian population.”

“Particularly if your enemy has sworn to kill everyone,” commented Frankel, “the demons have never attempted to hide the fact that their goal is to have all humankind dead or enslaved to them.”

“I guess that’s where we come in,” commented Willow, “I mean we, or rather I, have to give these people enough time to get to safety.”

“That’s work for tomorrow,” Amana said, “but, I think that details can wait until we are closer to the hell-mouth. I think that we should spend some time on another subject.”

“What would that be,” asked Buffy.

“Well,” the older woman replied tentatively, “we’ve never really had the time to discuss the matter, what with both you and Willow being so sick, and then the rush to get ready for this mission and all. And in truth, we don’t even know if we have the right to bring it up.”

“And that is?”

“The ethics of your actions towards Willow.”

“What!”

“You have got to be kidding,” interjected Willow dumbfounded, “I mean she healed me, when everyone else, myself included, was thinking I was going to die.”

“I understand,” replied Grael, “but the fact of the matter is that she used magic on you without your permission, and that is against the laws of the council.”

“The council be dammed,” replied the offended slayer, “I did what needed to be done. Its not like I knew what I was doing.”

“We understand,” Amana said, “and we are not trying to reprimand you.”

“It certainly sounds that way,” replied a hurt Willow. It was looking like another group of people were trying to meddle in her life, again.

“Don’t take us wrong Willow,” pleaded Amana, “we are not angry that you were healed, its just that as a result of Buffy’s actions we have been rethinking some of our premises.”

“Huh.”

“We realised that our prohibition against using magic without the other person’s consent had to have this situation as an exception,” replied Amana, “and we are going to train other mages to become healers, since Buffy has now demonstrated that it is possible. That is if we ever get the opportunity to do so.”

“Oh,” said Buffy, “well as long as they don’t have the side-effects Willow and I had. I can’t see any harm in having other people who are able to heal.”

“There is one other thing,” said Grael, “that we would like to see happen.”

“And that is?”

“We would like to see you initiated as soon as possible,” replied the older man, “we think that it will help you and Willow in the upcoming work.”

“Ok,” replied the Slayer, “when?”

“Tonight,” replied Amana, “ we will have to wait another four hours till the moon is right, so I suggest that the four of you bathe and get some rest.”

“Sounds good to me,” commented Willow, “after all before we crossed over to this Earth that was our plan.”

“Okay by me,” agreed Buffy as she stood up from the table, “lets go dears, to the baths.”

With that the four young women, followed by three of the guardsmen from the other table, left the tavern and headed upstairs to their lodgings for the evening. Grael had previously arranged for the eleven of them to have four suites, however, with the rush of people trying to leave the area and head to safety the inn was over-booked so they had to make do with only two rooms. The four young women were staying in one of them, with Amana, Grael and Frankel in the other. Daithi had decided that he and his guardsmen would sleep in the hallway, in front of the doors to the rooms, as guards and as a precaution against any otherworldly intruders. The suites were luxurious, and in addition to a small sitting area, each had its own private bath. The four women quickly bathed and headed off to their large king-sized bed. They decided that sleep was going to have to take a priority and therefore settled for snuggling into each other as they drifted off to sleep.

<How’s that?>

<It’s just different, that’s all. I mean that when you were going to initiate me at Imbolg it was going to be with all of our friends and be something special. Here it’s like rushed and almost an afterthought.>

<I’ll make it special, I promise.>

<Okay, see you in a couple of hours, love.> Buffy mentally caressed her lover with gentle loving emotions and was able to boost Willow’s endorphins, just a little bit, <Oops, bad Buffy, didn’t ask permission first, will you forgive me?>

<Always, for anything.>

With their brief mental conversation concluded, the two young women drifted off to sleep. Meanwhile the three older mages were deep in preparations for the upcoming ritual. They had discussed matters with the innkeeper and had arranged for the use of the tavern’s common room. Currently two of the cooks were clearing out tables, while the waitresses were busy washing the floors.

“How are we going to proceed,” Grael asked Amana as they were arranging candles and other items on a table that they were going to use as an improvised Altar.

“I think the best method is for us to set-up and then let Willow proceed,” she replied after a moments pause.

“I agree,” replied Frankel who was helping to set up the room for the evenings work by arranging improvised candle stands in the four quarters, “after all Buffy is unlikely to fully trust anyone else other than Willow, given that either you or I will have to be in the centre with them.”

“You’re right,” agreed the other man, “with Aiofe and Bridie as our only other mages we are going to have only a half circle anyways, the less distractions we have to work with the better.”

“Do we have everything we are going to need,” asked Daithi who had just come into the tavern, after arranging security with the other guardsmen for the ritual.

“Yes,” answered Amana, “what I don’t have in my travel kit, I will be able to find in the kitchen here.” She paused for a moment, “given the potential for interference tonight I trust that you were planning on acting as the Summoner for the ritual?”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Daithi replied, as he sat down by one of the fireplaces signalling to one of the waitresses for a beer, “I’ll keep watch for now, why don’t you three go on upstairs and grab a quick nap, since I have a feeling you are going to need the energy.”

The other three quickly agreed that a nap would be useful and headed upstairs. Daithi then sat quietly thinking about the events that had happened, and what the group of them was planning to do. He thought over their chances and decided that they would have a good chance to close the first transfer portal, but after Willow closed it, things would get rough. He figured their chances, and by extension humanities, was about one in six in surviving long enough to close all of the hell-mouths.

-----------------------------------------------

Later that evening, about a half-hour to the moon’s zenith, Willow felt a soft, feather light caress on her cheek. Brushing it off with a “Shadow-cat, go away, I want to sleep,” was not successful, as the touch returned. Half waking she opened her eyes, and although she still felt the touch could not see what was causing it, <Buffy! Where are you, and what are you doing?>

<Okay, okay, I’m up, but what are you doing?> Willow was being driven to distraction since she was still feeling the light touch on her cheek and neck.

<Don’t shout love, I’m using an extension of the shield thingy that Amana taught me. I figured it might be useful to have a tool to do things like open doors and stuff, where I might get hurt if I opened it myself.>

“Yes sleepy head,” Buffy answered, entering the bedroom, “only you are left.”

“Ok then, I hope that they will let me lead tonight,” Willow said, as she stripped off her sleeping attire.

“They will,” Buffy replied, drying off and looking for her ritual robe in her luggage, “Aiofe was talking to Amana and was told that you will lead, and that you get to choose who else to work with you.”

“Cool, I think.” Willow jumped into the tepid bath and began to wash with the ritual herbs and oils, “I don’t think they are going to like my choices though,” she continued cryptically.

“How’s that?”

“You’ll see,” Willow replied, with an impish smile crossing her face, “now scoot downstairs and get ready.”

“Yes massa.” <Love you.>

<Yes, don’t worry, everything will be fine.>

Downstairs, waiting for the two principal participants, were the other five members of the group who would be taking part in the ritual.

“Evening Buffy,” Aiofe called out, as she crossed over to kiss her, “where’s Willow?”

“Witch girl will be down in a minute, she was just finishing up in the bath as I left.” Buffy was wearing only her ritual robe as Willow had instructed. She was just a little cold and immediately went over to stand in front of the fireplace.

“I’m here,” Willow said, as she joined the other, “how much time do we have?”

“About fifteen minutes,” Amana replied, “I trust that Buffy told you that you will lead tonight?”

“Yes,” Willow said, “and I think that I’m going to break with tradition in my working partner.”

“How’s that?” Grael asked, wondering exactly what they were getting into.

“Well the way I was looking at it, I want to balance things as best I can,” she replied as she motioned for everyone to join her in the centre of the tavern, “so the way I’m going to work it is as follows: I’m going to put you in the North Grael, with Amana balancing you in the South. With the importance of tonight’s work, and that Buffy will be invoking the guardians of the East, I need to have Frankel in that quarter. Bridie, you will take up the West. Aiofe will join me in the centre. This way I think that I have the best balance of power, gender and experience.” She looked around at the others, and seeing no obvious signs of opposition continued, “okay then, lets get to it. I trust that everything has been cleaned,” seeing an answering nod from Amana, “right, I’ll ask Frankel and you Bridie to see to the candles, while Amana and I take care of the runes.”

“That leaves me to brief and ward the Summoner,” commented Grael, “while Aiofe prepares Buffy. Good plan Willow.” Grael was seeing Willow coming into her own as the arch-mage, and that she was quickly learning to take command of situations, becoming the leader that they would need in the days to come. This was one of the reasons for the initiation tonight, and he was happy to see that he and Amana were correct in their assumptions and decisions.

They quickly got to work and within a few minutes had all taken up their appropriate places. Daithi and Buffy were outside of the circle, waiting for their part in the ritual. Willow and Aiofe were in the centre with the others at the quarters. Willow, looking to Amana for confirmation of the timing, began the ritual as the moon was reaching its zenith, starting with the preparatory breathing exercises and chants. After very little time she was able to sense that the six of them were ready to proceed. She and Aiofe then cast the circle and returned to centre to draw in the energy. The energy she collected was tremendous, far more than she had ever collected before, and she paused to think, “if this is what I’m collecting from a half-circle what would the energy from a full or double circle be like?”

Willow grounded herself, and cast the sphere that would protect them and the mundane world from potential harm due to the magic they were about to perform. As she was casting the sphere she was able to actually see the manifestation of her abilities when a blue-tinged transparent dome appeared over them. Willow began to pour the collected power into the sphere, and as she did so, the dome started to become opaque.

“This is new,” she commented aloud, “I’ve never seen the shield become actually visible before.”

“It’s new to us too,” Amana said, with the awe in her voice very evident, “I’ve never even heard of it happening.”

Willow then took up Grael’s sword, which she had borrowed for the ritual, and began the process of invoking the guardians. Starting in the East she raised the sword and called out for the Guardian of the East to attend her in her work, “Guardian of the Air, I beseech you to come near and watch over our work tonight. You are the strength that is subtle, the giver of life sustaining air; you are the one without whom we would perish. You who are the herald of Autumn, in whom we trust the bounty of the Earth.” Willow used the sword to etch in the air the symbol for the Guardian, as she did so a pale yellow flame briefly followed the tip of the sword and for a moment the symbol hung in the air, visible to all.

She then moved to the South and called for that Guardian to attend to her with, “Guardian of the Fire, I beseech you to come near and watch over our work tonight. You are the strength that burns, the giver of life sustaining heat; you are the one without whom we would perish. You who are the herald of Summer, in whom we trust the growth of the Earth.” As before, when Willow traced the symbol in the air a pale red flame followed the tip of the sword and briefly hung in the air before her.

As she approached the West she felt just a little bit apprehensive, very unusual things were happening in this ritual, and she was not at all certain of where it might all lead. However, she knew that she would have to finish what she had started and so called to the Guardian of the West with, “Guardian of the Water, I beseech you to come near and watch over our work tonight. You are the strength that is fluid, the giver of life sustaining water; you are the one without whom we would perish. You who are the herald of Spring, in whom we trust the rebirth of the Earth.” A blue flame hung in the air as Willow traced the symbol.

Finally Willow travelled to the North to call out the last Guardian with, “Guardian of the Earth, I beseech you to come near and watch over our work tonight. You are the strength that is solid, the giver of life sustaining reserves; you are the one without whom we would perish. You who are the herald of Winter, in whom we trust the renewal of the Earth.” With this final invocation a green symbol was traced in the air.

Willow returned to the centre of the circle and prepared to ask the summoned Guardians to bring forth their power for the work she was going to do. She had given this some thought, and had decided to initiate Buffy as more than a priestess, she was going to attempt to bind Buffy’s magic with her fighting abilities. She was going to initiate her as a warrior-mage, a difficult procedure, but one she innately knew she would be able to complete. She had not discussed this with Amana or Grael, since she figured that they would be against it, and since she was not feeling all that charitable to them just now, decided they would learn when she started the ritual.

She gathered in the power and called out to the Guardians, “Guardians, I beseech you to lend me your strength as we work together to initiate this supplicant into the mysteries of the great work. May you help us to bring to her the knowledge and understanding she will need in order to complete her responsibilities here. For she is to be that which is whispered, that which is feared by all enemies and that which is the curse of demon kind everywhere. She is to be the Demon-Bane, the Slayer, the Warrior-Mage.”

Both Amana and Grael were startled by the invocation, and by the events that had happened so far in the ritual. They knew the power that Willow had, and had been prepared for an intense ceremony. However, the visible manifestation of the shield, and the visible symbols of the Guardians were beyond their expectations. They were surprised by Willow’s decision to initiate Buffy as a Warrior-Mage, a near mythical figure in their histories, but, unlike what Willow had been thinking, were not against the idea and were willing to wait a little longer before asking any questions.

As Willow finished her invocation four pillars of light appeared outside of the circle; in the North a pillar of green appeared, in the East a translucent yellow one. To the South, a pulsating crimson pillar, and in the West a shimmering blue pillar joined the others.

At this point all of the participants in the circle paused, and Amana decided that waiting for answers was no longer an option asking,

“Willow, what is going on here?”

“I don’t know,” the equally confused arch-mage replied, “has this ever happened before?”

Not in recent history,” replied Frankel, “only in our legends has this ever happened before.”

“Oh,” Willow replied softly, “well, I’ve started and I guess we had better finish. Is Daithi ready with Buffy?”

“Yes he is,” replied Grael, “I hope you have no other surprises for us tonight dear. I mean seeing actual manifestations of the Guardians is surprising enough.”

“I’m not planning any, and to be truthful, I am as surprised as everyone else.”

Willow began to centre herself again, in order to focus her mind on the task ahead. When she felt ready to continue she took Aiofe by the hand, went over to the Northeast edge of the circle, and called out, “Summoner, is the initiate ready?”

Buffy and Daithi had been standing quietly by the fireplace meditating in preparation for their parts in the ritual. Daithi had watched with surprise the visible demonstrations of the power being raised, and wondered briefly if all of this was a good idea. The disruptions being made in the magical universe was certain to be a flag to any demons in the area that something was going on. He tightened his grip on his sword, and kept a closer eye on the windows and doors to the tavern. He also hoped that his guardsmen were also alert and keeping an eye on things outside.

Buffy had been quietly watching the proceedings, thinking about the upcoming ritual and trying to remember all that would be required of her. She and Willow had had several discussions both here and in Sunnydale about the initiation. But at no time had Willow mentioned anything about visible domes or pillars of light. She wasn’t worried as she had complete faith and trust in her lover and in her abilities. Still when the call came to the Summoner she felt her heart race, just a little bit.

“Yes,” he replied as he first blindfolded her, and then bound her hands in front of her; he then grasped her by the arm and brought her before the circle. Willow cut a gate in the circle saying, “then bring her forward and allow her to enter our sacred circle.” As she did so, blue flame chased up the edge of the sword and remained visible in the air, outlining a door in the shield. Daithi pushed Buffy forward so that she was standing on the edge of the circle, when Willow suddenly raised her sword and placed the point of it at Buffy’s heart. “Better for you to fall upon my sword now if you come here with anything but love in your heart. Do you come in peace and love?”

“I do,” replied the Slayer.

“Then enter of your own free will, for once upon this path you may not return. Summoner, remain behind to protect us and guard this gate in the sacred circle.”

Willow stood aside to allow Buffy to enter into the circle, and as she did so Daithi turned so that his back was to the circle so that he was blocking the gate with his body.

Willow now prepared to administer the blessings and the oaths, while she did so the other members of the group silently meditated and prayed for their new sister on the path. Willow cut off Buffy’s ritual robe and led her to the centre of the circle. She then knelt down in front of her while Aiofe took up her place behind Buffy with the sword resting on Buffy’s shoulder, the edge pressed hard against her neck. Willow kissed Buffy’s feet and said, “Blessed be, these feet, for they will walk the path of the Goddess. Do you willingly take up this path?”

“I do,” replied Buffy.

Willow then kissed Buffy’s knees saying, “Blessed be, these knees, for they will bend in supplication to the Goddess. Do you willingly take up this path?”

“I do.”

Kissing Buffy’s stomach, just at the navel, she said, “Blessed be, this womb, for it will bring forth life as the Goddess wills. Do you willingly take up this path?”

“I do.”

Willow stood up and kissed the hollow above Buffy’s breasts saying, “Blessed be, this heart, for it will beat in service to the Goddess. Do you willingly take up this path?”

“I do.”

Willow removed Buffy’s blindfold, and kissed her between the eyes saying, “Blessed be, these eyes, for they will see in the light of the Goddess. Do you willingly take up this path?”

“I do.”

Finally, Willow kissed Buffy on the forehead saying, “Blessed be, this mind, for it will seek knowledge in the name of the Goddess. Do you willingly take up this path?”

Buffy replied for a seventh time, “I do.”

“Then know this,” continued Willow, “you have sworn seven times that you will willingly taking up this path. If you fail to do as you have sworn, you will be cursed for all time, and you will never know the joy of re-birth or the never-ending love of the Goddess. I ask you one last time, do you willingly take up this path?”

“I do.”

Willow went over to the alter and returned with her ritual knife, she stood in front of Buffy and as she cut the rope that bound her hands said, “You have accepted to act and work with the Goddess always first in your mind. I therefore release you from your bounds and welcome you into our fellowship.”

While she was saying this, Aiofe went over and re-sealed the circle, after inviting Daithi into it. After the circle was re-sealed Willow said to everyone, “Blessed be, I ask you all to now welcome our sister on the path, show her that her love is returned and shared by all.”

Everyone else now took the opportunity to come up to Buffy, each congratulating her and giving her a hug and a kiss. When they had all finished, they returned to their places as Willow began the next part of the initiation ritual.

“Initiate, you who are called Elizabeth, are you ready to proceed into the mysteries of our path?”

“I am.”

“Then,” she said handing Buffy a new robe, “re-clothe yourself and prepare to take your vow.”

Buffy dressed in her new plain white robe and wrapped the silk cord once around her body. Turning to the East she then said her vows, “Blessed be, Guardian of the Air, hear my vow, and grant my request. I swear that I will always follow the path, use my gifts for the good of humanity and never bow to the temptations of evil. You are the source of my power, you are the giver of life sustaining air. Grant me the wisdom to use my skills wisely. Grant me the understanding to find my way on the path. Grant me the strength to fight the enemies of humanity.”

As Buffy finished her vow, the column of yellow light that was standing in the East solidified and created an extension that reached out from it, going through the shield, to touch Buffy on the head. Buffy would have collapsed to the floor if it hadn’t been for Willow and Aiofe reaching out to support her. As they held her up, everyone noticed that Buffy’s hair had turned white where the Guardian had touched it.

“You ok,” Willow asked her lover softly.

“Yeah,” Buffy replied shaking her head gently, as if to clear out the cobwebs, “that was… intense.”

“Are you able to continue,” he soul-mate asked, “we can take a break if you need it.”

“No, its ok. Let’s go on.”

“All right then, on to the home stretch.” Returning to the alter she sat down on the floor, indicating to Aiofe and Buffy that they should sit on either side of her. The others gathered in front of the alter and sat down waiting expectantly, since none of them had ever been involved in the initiation of a warrior-mage.

Willow paused for a moment to collect her thoughts then began her discourse with “Blessed be.”

“Blessed be,” replied the others.

“We are gathered in this place and time as participants in the making of a warrior-mage, this is a difficult and perhaps dangerous undertaking. We must ask the Guardians to bind Buffy’s power to her slaying abilities, and to give her the knowledge and strength to use them. Do you have any questions?”

“Yes Willow,” asked Grael, “why didn’t you talk about this before?”

“Good question Grael,” Willow replied, “primarily because I didn’t really think about it till tonight, and second, I wasn’t certain if I would be leading tonight, nor what your response would be.”

“We would have given it some thought,” answered Amana, “but we would have agreed. In fact, we would have suggested it ourselves, if we had thought about it.”

“Alright, I apologize for not telling you sooner,” Willow said to the group, beginning to realize, just a little bit, that with true leadership comes responsibilities; one of those responsibilities is to keep your followers informed about your decisions and about your plans. “I am a bit worried about what has been happening tonight,” she continued, “but lets hope that everything turns out ok.”

“Now,” she continued, “we come to the next part of the ritual, we are going to start by having Buffy lie before the alter, on an East-West axis. Then we will perform a binding ritual with the sword. Grael, I’m going to ask you to sacrifice your sword, ok?”

”Fine with me, what is going to happen to it?”

”If everything works, it will essentially become part of Buffy’s essence.”

“What?” asked a surprised Slayer.

“It’s just that you will be able to draw on its strength, and by extension the strength of the Guardians when you face the demon hordes.”

“Ok, then,” Buffy replied, “just as long as I don’t become some sort of ‘bionic slayer’.”

“No,” Willow replied, “we had enough of that with Ted.”

“Ted,” amana wordlessly asked Grael, who replied with a shake of his head and a hunching of his shoulders.

“Now, Buffy, lie on the floor,” Willow asked softly, “everyone else back to your places.”

Once everyone was ready Willow took the sword and set it on top of Buffy with the pommel resting between her breasts and the blade pointing towards her sex.

Willow centred herself, and the circle, and once again drew up the power from the others. When she felt ready she began the spell that would give to Buffy the powers of a warrior mage.

“Mighty Goddess in your role as the warrior maiden,” Willow began, “I ask you and your Guardians to grant me my petition. It is only due to our great need that we seek to have this initiate transformed into the role of a warrior mage,” as Willow began her spell the four pillars of light flared, then solidified, “give to her the ability to combine her great strengths and abilities to be a force for good, and to aid our civilization in its struggles against the demons who plague us.” Willow turned to Buffy and began the litany:

“Initiate, do you promise to always use your strength in the service of the Goddess and her Guardians?”

“I do.”

“Do you promise to uphold the rights of all against tyranny and oppression?”

“I do.”

“Do you promise to think only of others, and not yourself when exercising your powers?”

“I do.”

“Do you promise to do all that you can to eradicate the enemies of humanity?”

“I do.”

As Willow was reciting the litany the Guardians began pulsating, and it appeared that the elements themselves were rising up against the inn. The occupants of the circle could feel the wind shake the building, the rain pounding against the windows, the earth tremble and the fireplaces flared up with the flames dancing to music only they could hear.

“Do you promise to only tell the truth,” Willow pressed on, trying to ignore what was happening outside of the circle, “when asked about the Goddess and her servants?”

“I do.”

“Do you promise to teach others on their journey on the path, if you are called to do so?”

“I do.”

Just as Buffy finished speaking the wind which had been rattling the shutters over the windows forced open the windows and swirled into the tavern, causing the four pillars of light to flare up in response. The wind forced its way into the circle and under Buffy. Suddenly Buffy was levitated into the air and crucified in mid-air, ten feet above the heads of the others, on an invisible cross. Somehow the sword stayed where Willow had placed it, it appeared as if it was welded to Buffy’s body.

Everyone stood speechless at this latest spectacle, Willow, very worried now, sent a tentative, <you ok Buff?>

<Fine, I should be terrified, but somehow I feel nothing but peace.>

<Wishful thinking I guess,> looking over at Grael, she asked, “you have any ideas?”

“None,” he replied a little fear creeping into his voice, “this is beginning to scare me though.”

“Me to,” Willow agreed, “I guess we have no choice but to finish.”

Suddenly everyone felt an invisible presence with them in the circle, they instinctively genuflected and bowed their heads.

Willow said tentatively, “Goddess, you grace us with your presence, how may we serve?”

The presence replied mentally to all in the circle except Buffy, <YOU SEEK TO MAKE A WARRIOR SERVANT FOR ME FROM THIS INITIATE?>

“We do,” replied Willow.

Buffy suddenly felt an overpowering presence in her mind and body. She knew that she should be terrified, but was overcome with a blissful peace. Suddenly the presence started to ask questions.

<Initiate, you seek to serve me?>

Buffy replied, realising that this was the ultimate test, that there was no way to be untruthful, for the Goddess was reading every nuance in her body and her voice.

Everyone in the circle was then addressed, <THIS IS MY AVATAR, SHE WILL BE MY AID TO YOU IN YOUR TIME OF NEED. SHE MAY BE HARMED, FOR THAT IS THE FATE OF HUMANKIND, BUT SHE WILL HAVE THE ASSISTANCE OF MY GUARDIANS. I SO MARK HER, SO THAT ALL MAY KNOW HER AS MY FAITHFUL SERVANT.>

There was an intense flash of light surrounding Buffy, which was so painful that everyone had to avert their eyes. Buffy felt a searing pain where the sword had been resting on her body, when the pain ended she could see that her robe was burned away, and that the sword was gone. On her chest and stomach there was a burn in the shape of the sword, and she heard in her mind, <Child, the burn will heal, but you will carry my mark forever. When you have a great need, call forth and my sword will be your tool.> Buffy had been gently lowered to the floor as the Goddess had been speaking. When her feet touched the floor, she collapsed.

The Goddess then addressed Willow directly,

As suddenly as it had appeared, the presence was gone from the circle. The elements, which had been howling outside of the inn, subsided and the four pillars of light standing outside of the circle, disappeared.

“Dramatic,” commented Willow.

“See to Buffy,” Amana said, “Frankel and I will collapse the circle, and banish the shield.”

Willow went over to where Buffy was laying on the floor. She could see that her lover was shivering, and called out, “blankets, something. I need to get her warm, she is freezing.”

Amana and Frankel had by then collapsed the circle and had banished the shield, so Aiofe ran to the fireplace and grabbed a couple of the house blankets that were kept there for cold guests. She quickly returned to Willow and helped her to wrap them around Buffy, Willow was a little frantic and called to her soul-mate, <Buffy are you ok?>

<Cold, so cold.>

<We’ll have you warm soon love,> Willow said, the relief evident in her mind.

“Let’s get her seated by the fire, and some hot cider into her,” she said aloud as she bent down and picked Buffy up in her arms.

“I can walk,” Buffy whispered, “after all I’m a big girl now.”

“You’re my big girl,” Willow replied as she carried Buffy over to the fireplace and deposited her gently into an overstuffed armchair, “and I want to take care of you.”

“Yes love,” Buffy answered, as she accepted a mug of hot cider from Bridie.

Everyone drew up chairs around the fire, and began to discuss the extraordinary events that they had witnessed. Daithi stayed for only a short while, excusing himself to go check on the other guardsmen. Within twenty minutes the others all headed upstairs, it was very late and they had a hard days travel ahead of them in the morning.

-----------------------------------------------

Later that night, four young women were asleep in bed. Spooned together they slept dreamlessly, they were far too exhausted to dream. As dawn began to creep over the horizon, one of the women stirred and carefully detached herself from the others. Buffy went into the bathroom, and striped off her robe to take a look at herself in the mirror. Since the evening before she had changed, spectacularly. She started her examination at the top; the most striking change there was the three-inch stripe of snow-white hair that started at the roots where her hair parted. However, overall the most dramatic difference was the red brand on her body, in the shape of a sword. The vivid burn from the night before was gone and in its place the mark had changed its appearance, it now had the appearance of a tattoo. Other changes were subtler, she had always been in excellent physical shape, now she looked like an Amazon. Her muscles were superbly developed, they were not grotesque, but perfectly in proportion to her body, they were also well defined, almost sculpted. She heard the soft rustle of someone getting out of bed and softly walking across the floor to the bathroom. She thought to herself, “my hearing has also improved, I wonder what else has changed?”

<Missed you,> she said as she came up behind Buffy and firmly hugged her.

Willow proceeded to run a bath for the two of them. The tub wasn’t as large as the one back at the castle, so there was no room for extended play. They had to settle for quick snatch and grabs, and extended back washings. As they were finishing up rinsing each other’s hair, Aiofe and Bridie joined them in the bathroom.

“Morning loves,” Aiofe called out as she went over to the sink to wash, “how are we all doing?”

“Fine,” replied Willow, “you two cool with what happened last night?”

“It was weird,” replied Bridie joining her lover at the sink, “having your Goddess appear in the circle with you, “but I’m ok with it, in fact honoured.”

Aiofe and Bridie finished up washing and turned to leave.

“We will head downstairs and get things ready for the trip,” Bridie said as they finished dressing in their armour.

“Daithi said last night that he was hoping to head out about two hours after dawn,” added Aiofe, “that’s in about thirty minutes.”

<No time for jollies this morning I guess,> commented Willow as she was drying off.

<Not in the conventional sense anyway,> agreed Buffy, <but I do have an idea, if you are willing.>

<I’m always willing to try something new, with you,> Willow replied excitedly, <what do we do?>

“Lie down on the bed,” Buffy said, “and close your eyes.

“Now, what,” Willow asked, as she did as Buffy asked.

<Now you let me concentrate for a second,> she said, as she joined Willow on the bed.

Buffy expanded her awareness, and looked with her second eyes for the now permanent link between her and Willow. She perceived it as a thick twisting rope of energy, which bound each of their essences together. Buffy was going to try to do consciously what she had experienced before as a product of her healing Willow. She was going to let Willow feel what she felt, see what she saw and know what she knew. Buffy had experienced Willow’s emotional dept already when she had healed her, and wanted Willow to know the depth of love that she felt for her. Buffy looked deep into the link, then translated into it. She followed along until she reached Willow’s conscious mind, she then altered her own personal shields and mental barriers and invited Willow in, to see everything and anything she wished. Tentatively at first, and then with greater confidence Willow explored. She looked into Buffy’s oldest memories, the emotions when she became the slayer, the pain when her first watcher died, the love she felt for Angel, the pain when he reverted, the sorrow when she killed him, knowing that he had regained his soul. Then Willow went deeper, she looked for and found the emotions and memories that Buffy had for her. She saw herself, mirrored in Buffy’s mind when Buffy first met her in High School. She saw herself, when she found out that Buffy was the slayer, and the fear and disapproval. She saw the love that grew from their friendship, and the trust that had been built between the two. She felt the confusion when Buffy realised that she loved her more than a friend, she experienced the feelings and memories of Buffy’s rejection of her true feelings, and the attempt to bury them with Parker and Riley. She experienced when Buffy tentatively approached her at Christmas and expressed her love, as more than a friend. She remembered the struggle that the admission had cost Buffy, and the fear that she would be rejected. She remembered, from Buffy’s point of view, the first time that they had made love, the explorations, the tentative caresses that increased in tempo until they had both exploded in mutual pleasure. The soft caressing that they did after they had reached their plateaus, the sweet nothings that they had whispered to each other. She remembered the conversations that they had, the knowledge they shared, that when they fell asleep they were in the arms of the one person who meant more to each other than anyone else in the world, or worlds. Finally she saw the traitorous attack on Buffy from Buffy’s eyes, she knew the anguish that had gripped her. The realization that the woman she loved was about to die and that nobody was able to help, the desperation that drove her to attempt what had never been done before, the pain that Willow had felt, mirrored, by Buffy’s desperate link. She felt the panic that was driven by love, which gave Buffy the idea to try the impossible. She saw the complete trust that Buffy had in her, evident in the faith that she had exhibited in the initiation.

Willow slowly regained her own senses, the phenomenon of experiencing everything that her true love felt was breathtaking. She knew now, for certain, that she would never be alone, that someone who had shared everything with her, and in whom she could trust with her soul, would share her journey through life.

<Thank-you,> Willow said to her soul. It was only two words but they conveyed everything; her love, her dreams, and her desires to Buffy.

<You’re welcome.>

“Come on love,” Buffy said as she gently kissed Willow, “we have to get going.”

“I know,” Willow replied as she carefully got out of bed, using Buffy for support, “what ever gave you that idea?”

“I’ve been thinking for a while about it,” the Slayer replied, “and I finally figured out a way to let you know how I truly felt about you, since I already knew how you felt about me, from when I healed you.”

The two women quickly left their room, after checking to make sure that they had left nothing behind, and descended to the common room where the others were waiting. They had a very quick breakfast and then headed to the stables, where the guardsmen had already arranged to have their horses saddled. Within minutes the eleven of them were heading North out of town. Their initial progress was slow, since they were still dodging fleeing refugees, but by mid-morning they had reached open road and were making good time to their destination, the town of Peters Forge, where the first of the hell-mouths was located. As they approached a small hill they could see and smell smoke from over the rise. Turning to two of the guardsman Daithi ordered them to scout ahead and investigate. Dismounting he suggested, “we might as well dismount for a while. Its nearly noon, and we should eat and water the horses while we wait for Padrick and Seamus to get back with their report.”

Everyone did as he suggested, the remaining guardsman leading the horses to a nearby stream. No one was very hungry, but they all walked around and stretched their muscles while eating at least some bread and cheese, since they had no real idea of when they would be stopping again. Suddenly they saw the two guardsmen riding hard back down the road towards them. When they were within shouting distance they could hear them yelling, “Demons, demons are burning the farms!”

They reached the party and quickly dismounted, their horses breathing hard and lathered with sweat. Just as they started to give their report Aiofe looked up the road and shouted, “we have company,” as a band of twenty or so demons poured over the hill in pursuit of the two guardsmen.

Everyone quickly grabbed their weapons and Daithi quickly formed a defensive perimeter, with himself and the other guardsmen in front of the others and behind some fallen trees.

Just as the first group of demons came into bow range, Bridie noticed that an even greater group, at least one hundred, had followed them down the hill.

“Oh, oh,” she said, “ it looks like we now have real trouble.” It appeared that they had found one of the main forces of demons, which had been heading to the Capital.

“Do we run, fight or wait for the cavalry,” Willow asked thinking that their trip might have become suddenly shorter.

“I hate to tell you this lover,” replied Buffy, “but we are the cavalry.”

Continued in Chapter VII

Return to Buffy’s Stories

Militat Omnis Amans (Every Lover is a Warrior)

Chapter VI - Dux Femina Facti

Militat Omnis Amans (Every Lover is a Warrior)