Holiday on Helarth

Chapter Seven ~ Sixteen

Buffy brought the spoon to her mouth and stared past it, letting her gaze fall on Laird Duncan across from her at the dinner table. She wanted to observe him without detection, but was finding it difficult with the man continually staring at her as if she were a swimsuit model. The only time he took his eyes off Buffy was when Spike would reach over and take something off her plate.

She smiled at the vampire now as he chewed thoughtfully on a slice of bland mushroom. He'd been offered blood, but declined it while everyone else was eating. She loved how he got a kick out of confounding others with his actions. Laird shook his head and turned his attention back to Buffy.

"So, you were fighting an army of Turok-Han and the amulet just started glowing?"

"Sort of," Buffy said after she swallowed another bite of potato. "Spike was wearing it."

Spike snapped out of his intent staring at Onisal, who had been shoveling her food in with gusto. "Uh, yeah. The amulet went crazy, a crack in the ceiling opened up, and a beam of sunlight hit it. Next thing I know, I'm giving off the light of thousands of torches, and the Turoks were bursting into dust as soon at the light hit them."

Laird Duncan turned to Onisal and nodded. "That explains where all the Turok-Han went."

"We'll have to send a message to the other slayers and let them know they can call off the search," Onisal said.

Nessie cleared her throat and tapped Buffy on the shoulder. "You should have seen it. The keeper of the dungeon came barging in here a few weeks ago, talking crazy about a legion of Turoks disappearing from locked chambers. That they somehow had escaped unnoticed."

"We didn't believe him," Onisal added, "but I journeyed tae the dungeon and saw it with my own eyes."

"Unfortunately, we've had tae end training early and send the young slayers off tae work the mines with other volunteer species, in place of the Turoks," Laird said, frowning. "We gathered the last of the Turok-Han many years ago and they had been put to work. We'll have to come up with another plan for how to keep the mines going and the under-dwellings dug out, because school will be in session soon."

Spike glared at Laird. "So, the Turok-Han were slave labor?"

"We had no choice but to confine them and put them to work," Laird said, staring right back at Spike without an ounce of shame.

Onisal touched her watcher's arm in a show of solidarity. "Many of the demon species here on Helarth dinnae get along with each other. Territories have been mapped out and with the slayers' presence amongst the segregated demon clans, we are able to keep peace. The clan of Turok was the only one to refuse to comply. Their bloodlust is just too strong. If we left them to roam free, our Corvain herds would be diminished and many losses would occur in the other clans."

"They are dumb creatures, only existing for their next kill," Laird said, glaring at Spike. "We could have rounded them up and done away with their kind, but we dinnae do that. Instead we gave them purpose."

Buffy could feel the animosity coming off Spike in waves beside her. After the pleasant evening they'd spent together in their room, she didn't want to end on a bad note, so she spoke up to steer the conversation away from the subject.

"This dungeon… There must be a portal—an Earthmouth—located there as well, right?"

"Yes. We dinnae know that at the time," Laird said with a nod.

"We have more than one option to get home," Buffy said to Spike. "That's good."

Not trying to be discreet, Spike took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "It's very good."

She'd been dealing with enough baddies over the years to recognize the sheer rage in Laird Duncan's eyes as he watched them, but she filed the thought away and smiled at Spike.

Laird cleared his throat. "I've been doing some research, going through my journals. It looks as if you two will be stuck here for a little while."

Sending him a withering glance, Spike asked, "And why are you so sure of that?"

"Each time someone or something has come through the Earthmouth, it's happened during a perfect alignment of the four moons, including when you two came through."

Onsial nodded her head. "And according to the legend passed down about Desnia, it was during a perfect alignment that the Earthmouth opened. Only that time it was said to have stayed open for six full cycles.

"When is the next alignment?" Buffy asked, hoping that it would be soon, even if she was enjoying her time alone with Spike. She had to know if Dawn was okay.

Laird hesitated, stealing a glance at Onisal, before answering, "Sixteen nights from now."

Buffy was about to ask if they had any ideas on how to open the Earthmouth when Laird firmly changed the subject.

"How is Nessie's training coming along, Onisal?"

Onisal glared at the younger slayer from across the table while Nessie focused on her plate, pushing the food around beside Buffy. She mumbled, "I don't learn well when I'm bein' shouted at."

"Insolence," said Onisal with a growl. "This is what I have to put up with. And she wonders why she's still here and nae out there wielding her scythe."

Buffy couldn't help but have empathy for Nessie. "What do you still need to work on?"

With a shrug, she said, "I don't know. Ask Onisal."

"She's impulsive and has slow reflexes." Onisal tore off a piece of Corvain meat and shoved it in her mouth.

"It would help if you actually tried to teach me something once in a while."

"Enough grumbling, Nessie!" Laird slammed a fist on the table and glowered at the slayer. "I will nae tolerate blaming others fer your own shortcomings."

Buffy had to bite her tongue to stop from butting in and telling Laird Duncan off. It seemed as if Spike could sense her tension, because he reached under the table and gave her knee a squeeze. The satisfaction on Onisal's face as Nessie stood and stomped out of the hall made Buffy want throw something at the older slayer.

"My apologies," Laird said, as he watched Nessie disappear from sight. "She's been a handful since she came tae us."

"So," Spike said, dragging out the word while he stretched and put an arm around Buffy's shoulder, "let's get back to discussing how we're getting out of here."

Buffy inched closer to him on the bench and avoided Laird's angry stare. "Yeah, let's do that."

Laird continued to glare at them while Onisal shifted uncomfortably beside him. His words were clipped and brief when he finally decided to speak. "The next step is tae find a catalyst. Something that would open the Earthmouth on the next night of alignment. I'm working on that now." He stood and addressed Onisal. "I'm going tae my study tae do some research. You should start your patrol."

Spike stood when Onisal did. "We should go with her. We need to get out, get some fresh air, see some of Helarth."

"I advise against it," Laird said as Onisal nodded her head in agreement. "There are some species of demons that you would be unfamiliar with, and it could be very dangerous. Plus, Onisal will be more alert when she's alone."

Buffy pushed the bench back and got up to protest. "We'll go crazy here without something to do. Spike and I can help, really."

"Why don't you two head down to the training room and work off some of that boredom?" Laid said, framing it as a suggestion, but clearly conveying with his eyes that it was a command.

"Maybe you can patrol with me tomorrow night, after Laird and I map out some sections that are less dangerous. I could give you a tour," Onisal said.

"Fine," Buffy said, deciding that it might work to their advantage if Laird and Onisal thought they were occupied for the night. "I am feeling a bit restless and a good workout will do me some good."

"Shhh," Buffy said over her shoulder while prying Spike's hands off her hips.

She turned in the dark passageway to plant a kiss on his lips. They'd kept themselves busy in the training room for hours, taking turns sparring and engaging in more gentle foreplay. They were both wound tight, but sticking to the plan was what they'd agreed on. Plenty of time had passed, and they were sure Laird Duncan would be in his private quarters by now.

"Focus," Spike said, his eyes glazed over with lust. "You make it so difficult when I have to walk behind you, and I can see your arse swaying back and for—"

"Stop!" she whispered, trying not to laugh. "We'll check out his study, see if we can find a journal or notes. Something, anything. And then we'll do a walk around to see if I can sense my scythe."

"And then we'll go back to our room and get in bed, yeah?"

"Yeah." The one-word reply came out breathlessly, and she kissed him again, letting herself enjoy the new turn their relationship had taken. When she broke off the kiss, she slapped his shoulder and clamped down on it. "Now, focus."

"Yes, Mum."

Around one more curve in the passage and they stopped near the brown curtain to Laird Duncan's study. Spike shook his head to indicate that he didn't detect a heartbeat, so she tentatively pulled the curtain aside. The room was well lit, and once she realized no one was in it, she slipped inside with Spike close behind her. Spike fumbled at the opening until he found the lever and within seconds, the barrier was up with a whoosh.

They communicated silently with their eyes only as they each took a side of the study and moved things with care, making sure to put each item back where they'd found it before moving to look at something else.

Buffy was inspecting a shelf with books and small objects when Spike made a noise in his throat. Turning quickly, she gasped when she saw the amulet swinging from its chain and Spike held it far away from him and over the desk.

Keeping his voice to a whisper, Spike said, "I wonder if he was ever going to tell us about this?"

As he went to slip it in to his coat pocket, Buffy hurried to him, shaking her head.

"Don't. Put it back. Exactly how you found it." Spike frowned and began to protest. She glanced behind her, hoping that no one had heard them in the room and then lowered her voice. "He can't know that we know he has it. That is the catalyst. We need that sixteen days from now."

Reluctantly, Spike put the trinket back in the drawer he'd found it in and stared at her expectantly. "What now?"

"We found what we came here for. Let's not push our luck. We should go search for my scythe."

With a curt nod, he rounded the desk and led the way, opening the barrier and holding the curtain for her. Closing her eyes, Buffy stood in the passageway and concentrated. There was a faint buzz in the air, but which way to go? She turned left and took one step at a time, waiting to see if the buzzing would gain or lose intensity. Positive she was going the right direction, she waved Spike to her, and they slowly made their way down one passage after another, going deeper into the underground compound.

The energy only she could feel was singing to her now, buzzing so strongly she could almost feel the handle in her hand. She pointed at the dirt wall to the right. "I'm sure it's on the other side of this wall, but I don't see a way to get to it."

Spike inspected the wall, but there didn't seem to be another passageway with a curtained door. He walked off and turned left, out of sight, only to back track a second later.

"What's wrong?" Buffy asked, coming to him.

He didn't have time to answer before Nessie rounded the same corner and gasped in surprise to see them.

"What are you two doing here?"

"Um," Spike said as he glanced at Buffy, "we were bored, so we decided to take a stroll."

Buffy got over her initial shock at seeing Nessie just turn up and finally noticed the extra brown garments on the slayer in training.

"Have you been out?"

Nessie shuffled her feet and stared at the ground before meeting Buffy's gaze with pleading eyes. "Don't tell them. I won't say anything about you being in this section, if you promise not tae to tell them you saw me come in."

"Out for a stroll, too, were you?" Spike asked, amused by the slayer's nervous pleas.

"I was at the Gathering Hall." Nessie slumped against the dirt wall in the passageway. "Laird Duncan declared it off limits to slayers still in training, but I love the music and the dancing. And it's nice to chat with the other demon species that have rights to the hall." Nessie watched them with hopeful eyes. "Please don't tell them. I'll be sentenced tae more training time if you do."

Spike put on that trust-me smile and patted Nessie on the shoulder. "It's okay, pet, we'll keep your secret. But this Hall sounds like the only entertainment you've got around here. Perhaps we can come with you next time?"

Nessie shrugged, looking at Buffy who nodded in encouragement, before focusing on Spike again. "I am going again on the morrow. You both can come with me."

"Great!" Spike gently guided Nessie from the wall. "We should get back to our quarters before we're found out."

As soon as they got back to their room with the barrier up, Buffy turned to Spike, wanting to talk to him. He pulled her in close and gave her a mind-melting kiss that actually made her weak in the knees.

"Mm, that was nice."

Spike brushed the hair out of her face and stared at her with adoration. "God, I love kissing you."

Buffy sobered as she thought of their meeting with Nessie. "Should we be going out dancing tomorrow?"

He shrugged and brushed a bit of dirt from her shoulder. "We've got days to figure out how to get your scythe and you said so yourself, we can't take the amulet too soon or he'll get suspicious. Why not have a little fun while we wait?"

Watching as he shed his coat, Buffy sucked in her cheeks and admired his well-defined arms. "I think we should start having some of that fun right now."

Spike came to her and gave her a sensual hug as he guided her to the bed. "You have the best ideas, love."

tbc