Chapter 19


The sun warmed her face, waking her and she opened her eyes. Birds sang overhead welcoming a new day. Buffy awoke sore and confused.

Panicking, she tried to quickly get up, but her body refused to move at the speed she wanted. Slowly, she sat up and saw that she had made it to the cave, only to have collapsed at the entrance.

Groma had been tending to her wounds; the bandaging was definitely her work. The day had started around her. Clan members were going about their day, working, hunting and gathering. And the sentries, who normally guarded the entrance, were guarding her.

She heard someone shout within the cave that she had woken. Why am I out here? No one would carry me inside? Where is Groma? Why are the guards surrounding me?

She started to call out for Groma, but Hourak rushed out of the cave, ordering the sentries to allow him to speak with her.

They lowered their spears long enough to let him through, but quickly resumed their position as he sat down next to her. It was then that she realized, they weren’t guarding her, they were protecting the others from her.

They know. They know I am a murderer, and I am to be punished.

Tears threatened to spill as the memories and the reality of her past twenty-four hours suddenly replayed in her mind.

“Kaia, do not cry. Groma will be here soon, and she says all of your injuries are healing very fast. Can I get you a drink? Or some food?” Hourak was struggling to comfort Kaia, afraid she would break down and he would not be able to console her. The clan members looked on, watching his every move. He wanted nothing more than to cradle her against his chest until her mother could arrive, but he was afraid. Afraid for his own safety. Afraid the members of the clan would see him as foolish and weak. He looked at her wounds; some from the previous night were now completely healed. How could this be? Groma’s medicine was very effective, but I’ve never seen anyone heal as quickly as Kaia. Is this a sign of her transformation?

Rushing out of the entrance, carrying as many sacks as she could manage, Groma dropped them, pushed the sentries aside and did what Hourak could not. She carefully swept the young girl into her arms, and held her close.

Buffy allowed herself to be cradled against the woman’s shoulder. Beaten, exhausted, and afraid, she fell apart. Groma rocked her back and forth, smoothing her hair, encouraging her to let it go. Buffy sobbed, releasing all of her sorrow from the recent events, for the homesickness she felt, for the loss of her own mother, for Spike. Groma let her cry.

Hourak watched, overwhelmed by emotion. Whatever Kaia had been through had been terrible. He’d never known anyone to enter the forest at night and survive an attack by the blood drinkers, but had she? Had she been turned? Or had Kahn done this to her?

Groma allowed Buffy to still before she spoke to her.

“Child, can you tell us what happened?” Groma asked carefully. “Kahn’s body was found, the blood drinkers' attack must have been frightening.” Groma knew that the wounds on Kaia’s body were not from blood drinkers, but Kahn. She wasn’t sure what Kaia or Buffy wanted or felt comfortable to say in front of Hourak.

“Blood drinkers?” Buffy’s mind swarmed with questions. What did they think happened with Kahn?

Hourak spoke up, “Kaia, Kahn’s body has already been destroyed. The blood drinker attack killed him.” He scooted closer so others who were eavesdropping wouldn’t be able to hear. “Your wounds, are they from the attack…” he looked over his shoulder, then whispered, “…or Kahn?”

Both women looked at him, surprised.

“Kaia, Kahn’s wounds are very different than yours, and I am not blind. I even suspect Kahn followed you with the intent to do you harm.” A sad expression covered his face. “I wanted to protect you. Had I known about the cave, that you were leaving alone to go there…” Hourak paused to collect his thoughts. He had more to say, so both women remained silent, allowing him to continue. “I am sorry, Kaia. I do not know, nor do you have to tell me who attacked you. Just know that I am sorry. I spoke with the Elders last night, against your wishes, Groma, and you were right. They will not allow Kaia to enter. The fear among the clan is great. They fear you will attack them if you are allowed to stay here much longer.”

Buffy figured it out. Being outside, the sentries, all the stares. They didn’t think she was a murderer, they thought she was a vampire. No one other than Groma or Hourak suspected Kahn of attacking her. The sacks Groma had been carrying… they were filled with their things. They were leaving. Only not by choice, but because of fear. The clan knew of vampires, but not how to tell if someone was one.

“I will not attack anyone, Hourak. I am not a blood drinker, I was not bitten by any of them. I am sitting here in the sunlight, and I am not dust. These are things your blood drinkers would not be able to do. You have nothing to fear. I will not speak of my attack any more. Groma? Are we ready? I am strong enough to make the trip now, and I want to be settled before sundown.” Buffy stood and all watching clan members visibly flinched.


__________



Tara had unpacked the basket and watched the Oracles, fascinated. How could higher beings be so out of the loop? It never occurred to Tara that they wouldn’t recognize her gift.

The male had picked up another item. A glass vial, filled with a thick amber liquid. He was holding it to the light, admiring it.

The female was taken with the tall metallic cylinder that Tara had placed in the center of the cloth.

“These gifts I brought are a favorite among humans. A favorite with the Slayer, and her sister, Dawn.” Tara was moving the objects around arranging them on the cloth in front of each of them.

“The Key! If the Key enjoys them, surely we must. Tell us more.”

Tara opened the cylinder the female had been admiring and poured a bright orange liquid into other containers for each of them.

Tara giggled as she told more about her gifts.

“This liquid gives nutrients and nourishment to humans each day. It is harvested from the earth.” Tara picked up a half filled container and handed it to each of them, then picked up her own. Raising it to her lips, she said, “We call this orange juice.” She took a drink of hers, showing them what to do.

Both watched and mimicked Tara’s actions, swallowing the cool liquid.

The Oracles smiled as they set their cups down as Tara had done.

“Wonderful!” said the female.

“Fascinating! Please show us more," the male said excitedly.

Tara lifted one of the silver objects and began to open it. Both Oracles moved closer as the aroma wafted towards them.

“These are called pancakes. They are made from products from the earth as well. They not only provide nourishment, but Dawn finds them entertaining as well.” Tara removed one from the foil and placed it on a plate for them to see. “They can be made into many shapes, this one is a giraffe. Dawn made this one for you.”

The female took the plate from Tara’s hand and marveled at the pancake before her. “The Key has sent us gifts as well?”

“Yes, she has.” Opening another package, Tara took another pancake out and placed it on a plate for the male Oracle. “These were made by Spike. See, these he made to look like a vampire. He used strawberries slices as fangs and blueberries for eyes.” Tara giggled. She hadn’t noticed it before, but they kind of looked like Spike.

“Spike the Vampire, William the Bloody, he has been called as well. He is a great warrior too, Tara. Many may doubt him, but he will prove himself with time. We have been watching him for many years. Trust him, Tara. His destiny, along with yours and the Slayer’s are connected,” the female Oracle told her.

Opening the final foil package, “These are the kind the Slayer likes the best. Plain round, but loaded with chocolate chips. She says they look like giant cookies.”

“Amazing!” they both said in unison.

Tara went about showing them how to put on the butter and syrup and how to use the utensils she’d brought, and they ate their gifts.

“Tara, you are a powerful witch, a warrior for good. You have brought us gifts that no one in history has every thought to bring us. Gifts made with care and love, by those the Slayer has surrounded herself with. We know you seek the Slayer, and we will give you what you need to find her, but we cannot bring her back.”

An orb of swirling blue glass appeared in front of Tara.

“This orb will open a portal allowing only one to enter. Only the one who can reach her will be allowed to enter. This person will need to seek her out, and the Slayer must enter the portal of her own accord. The Slayer will not look the same. Her spirit dwells in another, the Slayer Kaia. Time has passed differently where she is. She may have only been gone a few days here, but much time has passed where she is now. Time and events may have changed her. We are sorry we cannot do more, but you have the tools you need.”

Tara packed up her basket, carefully folding the cloth around the orb, and handed a foil packet of the leftover pancakes to the female Oracle.

“Thank you both. You have been both gracious and accommodating.”

She looked around for an exit, eager to get the orb back to the house, and suddenly found herself sitting on the end of the diving board.

It was early dawn, and the sun lit her way home.

Spike paced in the living room, unable to stand at the window anymore as the sun rose. Tara had been gone for hours and he was worried.

The front door opened and Spike was there before she could step over the threshold.

“Tell me everything,” he urged, taking the basket from her and ushering her to the couch.

Tara told him of the pancakes and how they had been surprised, and delighted. Then she told him of the orb.

Spike opened the basket and carefully unwrapped the swirling blue orb.

“So, let’s get on the phone and get everyone here. Someone is going to get Buffy, and as soon as possible.”