sparkysparky | New Fic: Dealing with Demons 1/? WIP

Ok, just started this thing this morning, have three parts ready to go, but would like some feedback before I continue, just incase this thing sucks. It's an AU fantasy based on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel, with inspiration taken from Patricia Wrede's Dealing with Dragon Series. Am just posting part 1 for now. Let me know what you think, ok? Thanks!

Sunnydalevale was a large kingdom, just east of the Mountains of Lost Angels, where prophets were highly respected and the number five was fashionable. The climate was unremarkable. Heroes kept their weapons brightly polished, (mainly for show—it had been decades since a demon had come east). There were the usual periodic problems with royal children and uninvited prophecies, but they were easily cleared up by finding the proper Champion to circumvent the prophecy a few years later. All in all, Sunnydalevale was a very prosperous and pleasant place.

Sunnydalevale was ruled by a wise and noble man, King Giles, and his lovely Queen, Joyce. It had been foretold that the King and Queen would have five children, daughters, whose destinies would save the Kingdom from demons from the Mountains of Lost Angels. (The fact that the demons seemed satisfied keeping to themselves in their mountain was largely ignored by the Court Prophets.)

The eldest daughter was named Buffy. She was undeniably beautiful, with long honey gold hair and cornflower blue eyes. From the time she could walk she was most comfortable in the training yard, learning the secrets of the sword and battle axe. With grace and skill befitting of a true Warrior, Buffy would be named Champion of Sunnydalevale by the time she turned fifteen.

The second daughter was Cordelia. Also beautiful, she had long chestnut hair and deep brown eyes. Cordelia, with her sharp wit and cutting tongue, showed signs early on of becoming a Seer. With her Second Sight, Cordelia would be able to warn Buffy against incoming invaders before they attacked. (Mostly though, Cordelia’s gift would come in handy when her favorite pair of golden slippers was missing.)

The third daughter was the lovely Tara. Slender and pale, Tara’s quiet demeanor made her the mediator between her sisters. Tara always felt most comfortable outside, with the trees and grass for comfort. Her calm and sensible nature helped as she learned the secrets of Magic.

Dawn was the second youngest child. Slim and boyish, Dawn had none of her sisters’ supernatural gifts. Instead, she would excel in deception and trickery. She would have the ability to get in (or out) of any locked room in a matter of minutes. Her stealthy skills would soon surpass tat of the Court Thief, and her father would often ask her to retrieve sensitive information that neighboring kingdoms had stolen.

When Dawn was three years old, the King and Queen learned that soon the fifth and final child would be born. The birth was highly anticipated by the entire kingdom, for this was the child they had been waiting for, this child was to be the most special of all the King and Queen’s children. For she would be—

“A boy?” King Giles looked at the midwife in shock. “But—I mean—are you sure?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The midwife looked as confused as King Giles felt. “Queen Joyce has given birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy…” she trailed off as King Giles rushed past her into the birthing room.

Queen Joyce lit up as she saw her beloved husband. She had a small, swaddled bundle cuddle to her chest. “Darling, come and meet your son.” She held the baby up for his inspection.

Giles gently took the child and cradled him closely. He gently traced the perfect nose, round red cheeks, petal soft lips. “He’s perfect,” Giles whispered reverently. “What will we call him? Anna would not be appropriate for my son.”

“I like Andrew, after your father’s grandfather.”

“Andrew it is. Shall I bring the girls in to meet him? They’ve been asking all morning to see their baby.”

“Their baby is it?” Joyce accepted her son back. As soon as she settled him to her breast, he started wailing. “I think our little Andrew is hungry. Why don’t you bring the girls in after luncheon?”

“As you wish, my love.” Giles left his wife in privacy to feed the baby and went to tell the girls the happy, but shocking news, of their brother’s birth.

As Andrew grew it became clear that the court prophets were right in saying that the fifth child would be the most special of them all, for Andrew was certainly special. He didn’t have Buffy’s prowess with weapons, or Cordelia’s sight. He didn’t have Tara’s affinity with magic, or Dawn’s natural stealth. But he did have one thing his sisters lacked, a deep and abiding respect for the demons that populated the Mountains of Lost Angels.

Andrew spent most of his free time learning the languages and histories of demons. He was especially fascinated with vampires and werebeings. By his sixteenth birthday, he had mastered more then a dozen demon languages, and could understand a dozen more. He also had a knack for summoning needed demons for Tara’s spells, or Cordelia’s visions.

The morning after he turned eighteen, Andrew got in Idea. He wanted to go into the Mountains of Lost Angels and get to know the demon population. All he had to do was convince his father to let him. It wasn’t going to be easy, he knew that, but he had always been able to wrap the King around his little finger.

He cornered his father in the library, knowing that King Giles was usually in a pleasant mood after spending a morning with his books.

“Daddy, can I ask you a question?”

“Always, Andrew. You know I am always available for you.” King Giles put down his treatise on Magical Dealings with Demons and peered at his young son over his glasses.

“Well, I’ve been thinking lately of taking a trip.”

“Where to? Oxnard City to view the library?” Oxnard city was the kingdom west of Sunnydalevale and was rumored to have the best library in seven leagues.

“Not exactly.”

“Well, where then?”

“The…” Andrew said the rest so low King Giles could barely make out the intended destination.

“The Mountains of Lost Angels?” King Giles shot out of his seat and glared at his son. “Out of the question!”

“But, Daddy—“

“No I don’t want to hear any more of this ridiculous notion!”

“I’m eighteen years old. I think that I’m old enough to make my own decisions!”

“It’s too dangerous for you to go alone!”

“Then I’ll take someone with me.”

“No.”

“Will you at least think about it?” Andrew tried flashing his innocent eyes at his father, hoping to soften him up a bit.

“No. Now, aren’t you late for a lesson?”

“Fine.” Andrew stormed out of the library, furious that his father still insisted on treating him as a child. He would just have to go on his own then, without letting his father in on the secret.