FIC: Royalty: Chapter 10 (Inner Fires: William Blood)

["cilia" <cilia@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello all...

Alrighty it Chapter 10 and boy are you in for a treat.
No B/W in this one as Spike takes center-stage as he has to claim the
throne, either by force or diplomacy.
The spotlight will be on Buffy next chapter.

Enjoy!

Stefan Cilia

Royalty
By: Stefan Cilia
Chapter 10: Inner Fires: William Blood

Now how in hell am I gone pull this thing off. Spike thought as he strode
down the corridors. I can't just burst in there shooting. Although that's
not such a bad idea. Don't even go there Spike! Good point alright. I'll
walk in sit down and ask for the word. Can't be that hard, can it? Ah!
Bloody hell I royally screwed. He now stood outside the double door leading
into the conference hall. The argument echoing loudly out into the hallway.
He fixed his tie, buttoned his jacket, checked his sword and gun and made
his neck crick. Lets get this show on the road. Wait I need a proper name to
go by. These are snobs and business types in there, can't just go in there
and say Hi my name is Spike, damn that sounded too cheerleader like. William
the Bloody, no to aggressive, William Smith, nope, William Clinton, dear
Satan no, William Blood, hey not bad okay William Blood it is. Now lets get
busy. He thought and flung the doors open. Impulsive but effective. Bloody
hell when this is over and done with I'm getting myself a shrink.


"Ladies and Gentlemen! If I may have your attention please!" He called out
as the doors slammed into the walls.
"Who the hell are you?" One of the fifteen clan leaders gathered around the
conference table demanded as the secretaries and assistants, lined up behind
the them, looked up over their notebooks and palmtops.
"My name is William Blood" Spike said as he stalked around the table.
"I'm here to make sure that none of you clan Royals do anything stupid." He
said and came to rest behind the Prince's chair at the head of the table. He
went on as he removed his coat. .
"As my associate Rupert Giles has no doubt informed you of, the Prince has
been kidnapped and as we speak Rupert and a number of the Prince's guard are
out looking for him." He said and draped his coat over the chair.
"What of the Slayer?" A dark haired woman, with gray eyes, asked.
"Regent Luna is it not?" Spike asked and the woman nodded.
"The Slayer was badly injured in attempting to protect the Prince and is
currently resting." Spike answered and sat down. There was a shocked and
almost collective gasp at the table and from the secretarial staff.
"May I ask why you're sitting in the Prince's chair Mr. Blood?" The First of
the Elders asked from the far end of the table. Seemingly not taken back by
Spike's actions.
"Daniel often told me that keeping the peace and keeping the balance between
the clans was a prince's foremost duty." Spike said.
"That is correct." The man stated.
"What I heard when I stepped into the room were not signs of peace and
balance." Spike said.
"What exactly do you mean?" A silver haired woman asked, which Spike
identified as being one of the Chroniclers, asked.
"Daniel had not sired any childe and has no natural children of his own, so
there are no obvious candidates. Therefore there will most likely be inner
fighting among the clans about who will govern the city until the Prince is
found which were seemingly well under way when I entered. So I ask you this:
Who will be the regent prince in Daniel's absence?" Spike asked.
"That would be up to the council."
"And has a decision been reached?" Spike asked.
"No we were in the middle of a discussion." A young looking man said,
frustration and anger in clear in his voice.
Spike held up his hand. Keep calm. He reminded himself.
"I've heard enough. It is obvious that some of you are more then ready to go
toe to toe over who will be regent prince and to tell you the truth I don't
have much faith in the fact that when the Prince returns."
"If the Prince returns." Someone said, but earned a piercing glare from
Spike.
"Like I said I don't believe that "when" the Prince returns that that person
will stand down quietly."
"Just who the hell do you think you are?" The young looking man demanded.
"Viktor." Luna pleaded.
"No I want to know what right he has to come marching in here and insult us.
He's not royalty, he's not even undying." The man spat out.
Spike looked calmly at the man. Keep calm and reasonable, it won't help
anything if you clean the floor with this prick. He reminded himself.
"He's right I'm not undying and I'm not of blue blood." He stated in a calm
voice.
"There you see he admits it himself." Viktor said with satisfied smile
"I'm not finished." Spike said and the smile on Viktor's face died.
"I am here to uphold the balance and the peace. I know from what I've seen
during the last few weeks that the peace between the clans is fragile at
best and this is no time for internal fighting among you. So this is my
proposal: I will serve as regent prince until Daniel either returns or is
confirmed dead after that point I will step down. I'm willing to sign a
declaration, or perform a blood oath regarding this if that is what you
wish."
"What if I refuse?" Viktor asked.
"Viktor, his claim is reasonable and he's right we can not afford a drawn
out fight amongst ourselves." The First of Elders said.
"Shut up old man. I ask you again William Blood: What if I refuse your
proposal?"
"Lets put it to a vote first shall we and if the vote is in your favor I
will stand down and allow you to slug it out and should the council choose
to back me, you may challenge me for the throne." Spike said. I just hope he
doesn't have the skills to back up that mouth. He thought to himself.
"Very well lets put it to a vote." Viktor said.
"All in favor?" The elder asked and raised his hand. There were ten more.
"All apposed." Viktor alone raised his. Only two other leaders raised theirs
alongside him.
"The Chroniclers abstain." The woman with the silver hair said.
"Very well since my own sister betrays me." Viktor said and glared at Luna.
"You leave me to choice." He stood. "I challenge you, William Blood, for the
position of regent prince."
"I accept your challenge Viktor Argent." Spike said and stood. Thank good I
remembered his name or else I would have lost some serious face. I'm
definitely going to see a shrink when this mess is over. I even think like
them.
"Lets take this outside shall we don't want to mess up the furniture." He
said and took out his gun and placed it on the table, as Viktor strode out.
Everyone else, including the ones that had voted against him remained
seated. At least I have some respect. That's good.
"Ladies and gentlemen if you would be so kind as to step outside and I shall
be with you shortly." Spike said and the leaders and their secretaries
walked out leaving Spike and Luna standing at the table. Spike started
removing his jacket and then placed it on the table.
"I will not kill if that's what you're wondering." Spike said taking his
sword out of the coat and strapping it onto his back. "Humiliate him maybe."
He added with a grin.
"I was going to congratulate you on how you convinced the council, but thank
you anyway."
"I take it there is some sibling rivalry between the two of you?" Spike
asked as he rolled up his sleeves. Use the charm mate, you need all the
allies you can get right now. His mind reminded him.
"I'm half human." Luna answered.
"Ouch!" Spike said. Half-breeds weren't actually the most loved ones of the
children of the night.
"Got that right." She muttered and then smiled. "You sure you're a demon
vampire?" She asked.
"Honestly, I don't know anymore." Spike said and paused. "Come now lets not
keep your brother waiting."



In the huge gardens behind the mansion the clan leaders were waiting. Many
of them trying to talk Viktor out of his decision.
"Last chance to stand down." Spike offered as he stepped down the steps with
Luna by his side.
"Is this how you treat family?" Viktor demanded as he saw his sister.
"He has every right. His intensions are honorable, when yours are selfish as
always." Luna answered and kissed Spike's cheek.
"Was that really necessary?" Her assistant asked.
"He's cute." Luna answered with an impish grin and the woman sighed.
Spike waited for Viktor to draw his sword. Then Viktor attacked without a
warning, but Spike side stepped and they circled each other.
"Oh! I'm impressed!" Viktor mocked. Spike just cocked his head and the
sparing began. Viktor being lighter and quick moved in and out while Spike
blocked. Let him think I'm on the defensive. Spike thought and began to
back step. The boy is arrogant use it. His mind taking on Giles voice
reminded him.
Viktor stepped up the pace of his attack. But Spike deflected each strike.
"This is a rather one sided duel don't you think." Luna's assistant
commented.
"Wait." Luna said.
Viktor scored a hit on Spike's arm
"That was my best shirt." Spike said calmly and soon Viktor was on the
defensive. Spike stepped up his attack and soon Viktor found himself pressed
pretty hard. A hit to the thigh, another to the ribs. Not enough to kill,
but enough to draw bllod. Another one to his forearm and then his side.
"Death by a thousand cuts." Luna whispered to her assistant. The silver
haired Chronicler nodded when she heard Luna's comment. The leaders where
also gaining respect for Spike, young as he might be.
"Had enough?" Spike asked as he pushed Viktor away after their swords had
locked. Viktor just growled and scored a hit on Spike's hand.
"As a dear friend of mine would say, you are so paying for my next
manicure." Spike said, spun around, went into a crouch and swept the legs
from underneath Viktor.
Viktor was on his back with the point of Spike's sword at his throat. I'm
definitely, positively getting me a shrink.
"That wasn't fair." He said through glanced teeth.
"Who said I was fair?" Spike asked and withdrew the blade, saluted and then
stepped onto the steps leading into the mansion.
"Now if we can return to the conference hall. There are some issues that
need to be discussed regarding what measures should be taken regarding the
save return of the Prince. Also let it be known that I bare no ill towards
Viktor and that he is free to return to his seat at the table." He looked
around, but Viktor was gone. Spike looked out over the yard, sighed and then
walked back into the house, followed by the clan leaders and their
secretaries, all talking among themselves.
"He'll come around. You hurt his pride and he'll probably go somewhere and
mope." Luna said as she fell into step next to him.
"I was hoping he'd stay. I don't bloody need another unstable factor." Spike
said. Some of the calmness fading from his voice.
"You sound almost like Daniel." Came a weak voice from the hallway.
"Buffy?" Spike asked and turned around.