The Necromancer: Part Eleven
by J Jericho Born
Giles emptied a bag of paraphernalia onto the Sunnydale High library table. Buffy studied the equipment while Xander and Willow looked on.

"What's this?" asked Buffy as she picked up a finely finished dagger.

"That is a Dagger of Tzeenclach," answered Giles.

"Nice name. Sounds like a football player clearing his nose," commented Xander.

"I wonder how you spell it," wondered Willow curiously.

"I don't care how you spell it just tell me how you use it," Buffy said.

"According to lore if you stab a zombie with it the aethereal bonds that its necromancer has on it get cut," explained Giles.

"It also slices, dices, and julian fries," wittingly said Xander.

"Now this is an Amulet of Celindra," Giles said while picking up a small, polished back stone attached to a simple string.

"Giles, you renegade! Snooping through Celindra's jewelry box again," said Xander.

"Xander, this would go a lot easier if you didn't endeavor to make jest at every object we discuss," chastised Giles.

He continued, "This amulet is very important because it provides protection against the primary means of a assault utilized by necromancers: hellfire."

"Is that as nasty as it sounds?" inquired Buffy.

"Tenfold," answered Giles.

He explained, "Although no manuscript was particularly certain on the subject of hellfire. It was speculated to be the life force of those who have fell victim to the undead."

"What are these?" questioned Buffy while picking up a variety of long, slender nails.

"They are the Nails of Schlounge," replied Giles.

All heads turned to Xander in expectation of a timely quip.

"I'm not saying a word," uttered Xander as he shook his head and kept back a grin.

"Legend has it that once a necromancer is nailed down to a surface with one of these he can never brake free," said Giles as attention returned to the matter at hand.

"Wait, is there anything in here that will actually kill these guys?" asked Buffy.

"Well, there is this," quietly said Giles as he picked up a regular looking ax.

"Is that some kind of magic ax?" inquired Willow.

"No, I purchased this at local hardware store," replied Giles as he was given an array of dumbfounded looks.

"The only documented method to kill a necromancer is to injure him beyond his capabilities of recovering. Dismembering is perhaps the surest way," Giles explained further.

"So let me get this straight, you want me to chop this guy to pieces until he can't put himself back together anymore?" asked Buffy in dismay.

"Basically, yes. I suggest you'd start with decapitation," benignly answered Giles.

"Ok, so when do I head down there and do my best Lizzy Borden imitation?" queried Buffy.

"On the contrary, necromancers are most lethal in their own lairs. You should wait for him to emerge before you strike," counseled Giles.

"But, if we wait for him to make the first move chances are he'll be the one doing all the striking," observed Xander.

"Nevertheless, it would be deathtrap to walk into a necromancer's lair," said Giles.

"I suppose you want me to patrol every night, too?" questioned a slightly irritated Buffy.

Giles responded with a look of consolment as he began to say, "Well. . ."


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