Chapter 26
“You call yourself a man of God, yet you side with a demon. What would your brother Knights say?”
“They would say that I was a fool for not seeing your true purpose in seeking the Grail. Where are the Grail and the Seal?”
Randall laughed.
“You are fool. The Grail offered you peace. In that peace you would have found your heart, it would’ve been made whole. Instead, you rejected the gift and as a consequence you will be damned. Damned to live out your eternal life suffering. Your revenge will not bring you peace.”
“No, my cause is just. When I’ve finished I will be rewarded, I will be reunited with my Becca.”
“No. You will be even further away.”
“Vengeance is mine says the Lord. Your sword has killed in the name of God.”
“In His righteous name, not for my own vengeance or gain. Those who kill under His mantle for their own evil purposes are damned as you will be. But your redemption is still possible, if you turn away from the path you have chosen. Angel will find his seer; allow him to find her alive. She is an innocent. The Righteous do not wage war on the innocent.”
“God allows for the death of innocents constantly. Haven’t you kept up with the news over the last several centuries.”
“God’s ways are mysterious, yours are obvious. And your arrogance will be your damnation.”
“Whatever. If I’m truly damned than I’ll be damned satisfied that Angelus is suffering. The girl will die and I’ll be happy. But if for some reason Angel finds her alive, then I’ll do it again. I will have my revenge.”
“You are lost and you will not leave this room.”
“I’m immortal.”
“You should have listened to Angel, there is always a loophole, God is the only real immortal.” With resignation, Joseph raised his sword. “You will not interfere with the Warrior’s path any longer. His mission is that of the Light. And he has enough problems.” Randall’s head tumbled from his shoulders. “May God have mercy on your soul.” Joseph sheathed his sword.
A dim glow led Joseph to a cabinet by the bed. With great reverence he pulled out a simple goblet and a small round stone disc. The Knight did not glance at the headless body of Randall Montgomery as he left the room.
***
Angel circled the expanse of the lawn. Wesley, Gunn and Fred hurried quietly behind him, unsure of the vampire’s actions. They had been searching the house when all of a sudden Angel took off for the outside.
Angel tried to capture the sense of Cordelia. He had heard her in the house; the presence had been weak, too weak. But he had sensed it and it drew him outside. But then it was gone. A shift in the wind brought him hope. Her scent floated in the air. He ran ahead, falling to the ground besides freshly disturbed earth. “Cordy.” The sound of his cry vibrated through the silence of the night.
“Wesley.” Fred grabbed at her friend’s hand as she saw Angel kneel beside the mound of dirt.
“No.” Wesley pulled away from Fred’s grip and ran towards Angel. He fell to his knees helping the vampire dig at the earth.
“Angel?” Wesley asked quietly. So far, Angel had always been able to reassure him that Cordelia was still alive. He needed for Angel to do it once more.
“I…I can’t tell anymore. She has to be.” Angel didn’t look up, his hands a blur as they dug.
Gunn and Fred hurried up, their hands joining the others. Dirt flew, as the hole got bigger.
Angel’s hands stilled. “Wood.” His fist smashed into the ground, his fingers pulling at the broken shards. “Cordy.” His hands brushed up against flesh. “Wesley, Gunn.”
The two men grabbed at the wooden planks that showed through the dirt.
“Cordy.” Tears flowed freely down Fred’s cheeks. Cordelia’s hand was clearly visible, her fingers broken and bloody. Broken straps were dangling from her arms.
Angel pushed the others aside as more of Cordelia’s body became uncovered. He reached down, pulling up her body drawing it close to his chest.
Wesley fell back, sitting on the ground. “Angel?” Fred and Gunn joined him. Fred’s face damp with tears.
“The ambulance is on its way.” Gunn whispered, putting the cell phone back in his pocket.
Angel didn’t hear. His head was pressed against Cordelia’s chest. Nothing, he heard nothing. Angel placed her on the ground, his fingers clearing the debris from her mouth. He took in a deep breath, forcing air down Cordelia’s throat, his hands pressing against her chest. He repeated the procedure over again, pleading for some response.
Joseph stood unnoticed watching intently. God did work in mysterious ways. Things that seemed to have no meaning did have a purpose- God’s purpose. Was it God’s plan to have the seer die or was it God’s plan to bring the Grail to the Warrior of the Light.
That was the difficulty with faith. Sometimes one just didn’t know. But Joseph had faith. And he didn’t believe that God allowed Randall to corrupt the Grail just to have the seer die, that course would surely weaken the Warrior. And that really wouldn’t make any sense.
It made much more sense, if God desired Angel and his seer to be strengthened by the power of the Grail. Sure in his faith, Joseph tossed the stone disc on the ground.
The ground glowed, a ring of energy surrounded Angel and Cordelia. In a flash they disappeared along with Joseph.
“Okay, what just happened and whose going to explain it to 911?” Gunn blinked.
“I have no idea.” Wesley got up and ran to the house. Angel and Cordelia
were gone. Joseph had to have the answers.
“This I don’t even want to try to explain.” Gunn looked down at Randall’s headless corpse.
“Let’s go.”
“Go where?” Fred said.
“Back to the hotel. I need more information about the Grail and the Knights Templar.”
Chapter 27
“Warrior.”
Angel glanced up dazed. He saw Joseph standing before a large ornate alter. A grandiose gold Crucifix hung over the alter. The artisan had captured the suffering of the Christ figure hanging from the cross. Angel’s demon recoiled from the sight, Angel fought the urge to hide his eyes and run.
“Where have you taken us?”
“To the Grail’s sanctuary. If you have faith, then your seer will be able to accept its power.”
Angel pulled Cordelia’s body into his. His faith. He had none, not to this place. “I do not believe in your god.”
“You did once or your demon would not fear his symbols. It’s that faith which repels your demon.”
“Great. I’ll tell Wesley, he was right. Save her.” Angel demanded.
Joseph shook his head. “You misunderstand me, Warrior. I’m not asking you to pledge allegiance to a God you have forsaken, but to the faith you have acquired with the return of your soul to the demon.”
“I fight for the Powers.”
“You fight for the Light. I have faith in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” The Knight bowed his head and crossed himself. “But I am not so regimented that I can not see that His Divinity and goodness transcends the symbols in this blessed room. You have been chosen as a warrior. Do you believe in what you fight for, does she?” He pointed to Cordelia’s body in Angel’s arms.
Angel smiled softly. “Cordy has shown more courage and suffered every imaginable horror for the Powers. She believes enough for the both of us.”
“That is not sufficient. You must have your own faith. You ask too much of her. She cannot fight the evil of the world and save your soul. That you must do on your own. May be I was wrong. Maybe God’s purpose was not to save your seer, but to test your resolve to your soul. Will you turn from the path if she dies? Is that the test?”
Angel pulled Cordelia in tighter. She couldn’t die. Without her, he couldn’t go on. He didn’t have the strength or the will. Cordelia’s firm knowing voice filtered through his tortured thoughts.
‘If you were a loser, if you were a sick obsessed vampire then you’d go to a snod demon or whatever and get your heart cut out, but you’re not, you’re a living breathing…well, living anyway, good guy who’s still fighting and trying to help people; that’s not betraying her that’s honoring her’. Cordelia had told him that after they thought Buffy had died.
Cordy hadn’t allowed him to feel guilty for being able to move on. She had truly believed that he was honoring Buffy’s memory by continuing the fight, that he was good.
But Buffy wasn’t Cordelia. It was Cordelia’s faith in him that would make it impossible for Angel to go on without her. Angel hugged the limp body closer his lips and face rubbing against her hair, with a gentle kiss on her forehead he got up. Angel would have to face her death one day. She was mortal; odds were she would die before him, even if she lived to be old and gray.
And this decision would have to be made then. Angel smiled at the still body. He couldn’t betray her. And if he gave up, that’s what she would say, no yell that he was doing. He owed her too much; he loved her too much. Angel’s wouldn’t destroy Cordelia’s faith in him.
“What do I need to do?”
Joseph contemplated the vampire. He wasn’t sure about Angel’s faith, but he was sure about Angel’s determination. Maybe it would be enough.
“Take the Grail.” Joseph held out the chalice.
“Touch it?” Angel had visions of bursting into flames as soon as he held the holy icon.
“Where’s your faith, Warrior? If you have faith, if you are righteous, then the demon can’t stop your mission.” Joseph repeated the words that he said as the barrier blocked Angel’s entry into the house.
Angel grabbed the cup. He waited a moment. No smoke, no flames. “Now what?”
“Fill the Grail.” Joseph pointed to the water in an ornate container by the altar.
“Holy water?”
“Of course.”
Angel shrugged and dipped the cup. Wesley was going to spend the next few years buried in his books figuring this out.
“Now give it to your seer.”
Angel knelt bringing the chalice to Cordelia’s lips. “Come on baby. Drink.” Cordelia remained still. “It’s not working.” Angel made a move to throw the goblet against the wall.
Joseph placed a strong hand on the vampire’s shoulder. “Patience, Angel. Again.” Angel poured more of the water into her mouth.
Cordelia coughed. Joseph grabbed the goblet before Angel dropped it to the ground. The vampire clutched tightly at Cordelia.
“Angel, are you planning on using the Grail again after you’ve squeezed her to death.”
Angel blinked and loosened his hold.
“Angel, let her be for a moment.”
The vampire looked at the Knight as if he had grown two heads. “Angel.” Joseph held out the Grail. “Now, you drink.”
“I…”
“Would benefit from its Power. The Grail has many. Life and immortality, obviously.”
Angel jumped on his words. “Immortality. Is Cordy immortal?”
Joseph shrugged. “Randall wanted the Grail’s gift of immortality, he got it. You wanted the gift of life, did you also want her to be immortal?”
Angel stared at the young woman on the floor. He could sense her heartbeat getting stronger. “I want her with me, always.”
Joseph shrugged again. “Then God only knows. I wouldn’t suggest killing her to see, but I imagine she will stay with you as long as she wants. After all, one must consider her hopes and dreams whatever they may be. I don’t know. I don’t think you know either, but God does and so does the Grail. Now drink.”
“What?” Angel was still thinking about what Cordelia would want. What did she want? He didn’t know, except attention, she wanted attention. He would scour every magazine, every book and discover what that meant.
Joseph laughed. It had been so long since he had company. And the vampire had been interesting in his complexity, but now he was just amusing. When Angel wasn’t being so intense and closed, he was as transparent as a youth in his first blush.
“Why don’t you just ask her what she wants? I think that still works.”
Angel glowered at the Knight. “Why do I have to drink?”
“You don’t, I just thought that while you’re here and the Grail so obliging that you might want to use its power to bind your soul. It can’t bring you the redemption you seek, but I just thought that…”
“It can bind my soul?”
“It heals. Your soul needs healing. Why not?”
“You’re different.”
Joseph cocked his head. “No. Sorry if I was a bit stuffy before. Being the Guardian of the Grail is very serious business. But actually, before I was called I was quite the fun person.” Joseph shrugged. “I do believe, but your friend was right after seven centuries, it does get a little boring.”
“Then why?”
“I told you I believe.” Joseph handed the Grail to the vampire.
Angel took the goblet and drank.
“Angel?” Angel shoved the chalice back at the Knight and knelt beside Cordelia.
“Angel, where are we? What happened?”
“You’re all right, everything is fine.” He hugged the young woman as she struggled to sit up.
“Angel? I was buried. I was dying. What happened?”
“I found you.”
“Randall?”
Angel looked at Joseph. Joseph shook his head, his finger drawing across his throat.
“No longer a danger.” Angel was surprised that his demon wasn’t more enraged that he had been denied Randall’s blood.
“Oh. Well, good. Um.” Cordelia pushed herself further up. “Um, Angel why are we in an Indiana Jones movie.” Looking around to the altar and the Knight Templar. “And why don’t I hurt? I should hurt, but I feel great, really great. Are you sure I’m not dead?”
“You aren’t dead. Would I let you die?”
Cordelia scrunched up her face. “You aren’t perfect you know, just really wonderful.” She hugged him tightly. “Though, a little slow. He buried me, the bastard. I’m not dating anymore.”
“No. You’re not.” Angel pulled her to her feet.
“So, who’s the Knight Templar?” Angel raised his brows.
“I do read. Why does everyone think I’m an airhead, I’m not blonde.” Cordelia scowled.
“Lady, I’m Joseph the last of the Knights, the Guardian of the Grail. I am honored to meet you, your courage and beauty overwhelm this humble servant.” Joseph kissed the palm of her hand.
Cordelia beamed at the Knight’s gallantry. Angel growled.
“Shh, Angel. Let me enjoy this. I know I look horrible, but it’s nice to hear.”
“You are beautiful. The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Hmmph, not bad, but please Angel, I’ve been buried alive without a shower for…how long?”
“Lady, your Warrior was concerned.”
“Broody and frantic, more like it.” Cordelia turned her smile to Angel grabbing his hand. “The Holy Grail, uh. Nothing surprises me anymore. We’re not in LA are we?”
“No, Lady. Lothian, Scotland or rather a dimension of it.”
“We can get back, right? Angel can’t be real comfortable here.” Cordelia looked at all the religious relics.
“I’m fine.”
“Sure, until that big bowl of what has to be holy water tips over. We’re not taking the chance. Do your stuff.” She demanded, looking at Joseph. “I imagine there is stuff that needs to be done.”
“Yes, it is time. I imagine your friends are worried about your disappearance. And the ‘stuff’ is minimal.” Joseph held the stone disc in his hand. “This allows for the entry and exit to the sanctuary. There are three in existence. Somehow, Randall discovered one; mistakenly I thought it was given to him by God.
But in retrospect, Gawain probably just misplaced his. He was always losing things. That’s why it took so long for me to follow Randall. Joseph of Arimatha didn’t give me one. He didn’t want me leaving. If you happen to come across the other two could you send them my way? Let the next visitor enter the hard way.”
“You won’t leave?” Angel asked.
“As you, I know my duty, Warrior.” Joseph nodded his head slightly. “Lady,” The knight bowed deeply, and then threw the disc.
***
“Wesley, Gunn.” Fred shouted as Angel and Cordelia appeared before her.
Both men came running into the lobby, they stopped short as they saw Fred jumping from both Angel and Cordelia hugging them as she stopped a moment before each.
Wesley and Gunn shook off their amazement and ran towards the others. Quickly every member of the AI team was embraced in a large group hug.