All the characters appearing in Gargoyles and Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles are copyright Buena Vista Television/The Walt Disney Company. I'm taking the idea of the Unseelie Court from the TGS. No infringement of these copyrights is intended, and is not authorized by the copyright holder. All original characters are the property of SN.

Note: I'm disregarding the events in the "Goliath Chronicles", with the exception of "The Journey" because I do not wish to use the rest of the "Goliath Chronicles" as canon to my story. This story takes place immediately after "Searching England".

Conversations

By SN/TVfan

Email: Sam_Nary

Airfield

"What is it you want to talk about?" Chloe asked curiously.

"Many things," Macbeth answered slowly, "There is one thing that I want to ask you directly, and I want to answer me truthfully."

"Yes, what is it?" Chloe asked.

"What is the nature of your personal feelings toward me?" Macbeth asked, still looking stern.

Chloe smiled, "Um, I know you didn't want this, but I think I love you."

"What?!" Macbeth demanded angrily.

"I said 'I love you'," Chloe repeated, sounding slightly hurt.

"I told you that I would help you," Macbeth said sternly, "I'm not here to help along a young gargoyle's fantasies."

"They're not fantasies," Chloe began crying, "What's wrong with me loving you?"

"One, I'm far too old for you and two, we aren't the same species," Macbeth argued, "We do not belong together."

"You're too old for everybody," Chloe cried.

"We're still separate species," Macbeth argued, "You are to find a gargoyle for your mate. You will leave ME alone."

Chloe began to say something, but decided not to and soon began running off, sobbing as she went.

Una and Leo's Shop

"How long can we keep this Morrigan locked up?" Arthur asked as he watched the captured Unseelie sit in a small room in the basement of Una and Leo's shop.

"So long as we have her wrapped in Iron, we can hold her indefinitely," Merlin answered.

"What if her friends come looking for her," Griff asked as he came into the room.

Merlin turned and sighed, "Arthur has Excalibur. The Unseelie, despite the fact that they are not 'Children of Oberon' are still fey and vulnerable to Iron. I'm also quite sure that obtaining similar weapons should be relatively easy."

"We'd still need some form of protection against their magic," Arthur interjected, "They can strike at long range. The best we will have is only good for short range tactics."

Merlin nodded, "It will take time to prepare. I doubt we'll be attacked immediately. The Unseelie probably know our location, but not our strength. I can secure the Iron we need."

"Thank you, Merlin," Arthur replied, "I guess we should gather everybody before we truly begin anything. Where's Macbeth?"

"I believe he went to fetch Chloe," Merlin answered, "He should be back any minute."

"The two Roman gargoyles?" Arthur asked.

"They are currently on the roof keeping watch," Griff said.

"Bring them down here," Arthur ordered, "We'd best have the advantage of surprise."

Griff nodded and ran off as quick as he could.

Unknown Location

The dark figure of a human like man that had been previously been observing Arthur and Macbeth's progress remained ever vigilant at the window of his library.

"What are you sulking about know?" a voice teased, "The Weird Sisters carry off your son?"

The figure turned to see a man robed in red and hovering a few feet off the floor.

"I heard you were dead, Mage," the figure growled.

"Doesn't mean I can come back to haunt you," the Mage's ghost replied.

"What do you want?" the figure growled angrily.

"I want to know if you still honor the deal you made," the ghost responded.

"I will honor anything that puts me on the throne of Avalon and thus the world," the figure answered.

"You know of the immortal gargoyle of the Wyvern Clan?" the Mage's ghost asked.

The figure's eyes narrowed, "Yes..."

"I want you to capture her and bring her to me," the ghost instructed, "I cursed her to live as a human, but she is finding a way to break my spell. I can not allow her to regain her true form."

"I have no concern with this gargoyle," the figure snarled, "I do not have the time either."

"Ah yes, steeling the world's magical artifacts in order to gain entrance to Avalon," the Mage's ghost taunted, "If my understanding is correct, then Demona could possibly wish to stop you."

"If stopping her is so important to you, why don't you do it?" the figure questioned.

"I can not perform magic until my resurrection," the ghost replied, "I don't think she will wait that long to restore her gargoyle form."

"I am already busy with a group of individuals trying to stop me," the figure grumbled.

"I'm sure you have the means to do both," the Mage's ghost responded, "I'll be back to see to it that you follow my instructions."

The figure cursed as he watched the ghost disappear.

Una and Leo's Shop

Griff had just arrived on the roof as Chloe landed. Tears were still pouring down the young female's face.

"What's got you all upset?" Griff asked.

"And where is Macbeth?" Octavia added.

"Yes, he had gone to fetch you," Julia commented.

"I don't care where he is," Chloe growled.

Griff traded looks with both of the two Roman gargoyles.

"What's this about?" Griff asked, "You seem pall around with him an awful lot."

"He doesn't love me," Chloe answered without thinking.

Octavia and Julia raised a brow ridge, but said nothing. Griff looked flabbergasted. This was the first he had heard of a gargoyle having romantic notions toward a human.

"Does that matter?" Griff asked.

Chloe instinctively nodded, "Yes. I... I... I love him."

Griff's jaw dropped.

"You love him?" Griff questioned, "But he's human."

"That's what he said," Chloe snarled as she descended the stairs.

Griff sighed and motioned to Octavia and Julia to follow and said, "Come on, Arthur wants to talk to everyone."

Elsewhere

Lucian Sevran sulked out of a local London club. His eyes narrowed as he heard the taunts and jeers of several other people still inside.

"Stupid morons," Lucian mumbled.

"I'd quite agree," came a new voice.

Lucian turned to see a man standing a few blocks behind him in a heavy overcoat. His skin was rather pale, almost blueish even, but Lucian supposed that this man had simply been kept in an office throughout his life.

"I'm sure they couldn't recognize talent or intelligence if it bit them," the man said.

"You got that right," Lucian mumbled, "Who are you?"

"I am merely a man who seeks to help you," the man replied, "My name is Maddox. Tell me, what were you talking about in there that got them so upset at you?"

"Ancient culture," Lucian answered, "Those fools think that the Celts founded everything that is important in Britain. They also talk a lot about man named Pendragon."

"Arthur Pendragon? Legendary King of all Britain?" Maddox asked, "According to legend he was a great man. Who do you think was the most important to Britain?"

"Everyone knows it was the Romans," Lucian answered.

"A good answer," Maddox smiled, "Especially considering your personal ancestry."

Lucian turned to face this man.

"What do you know of my ancestry?" he asked.

"You're an indirect descendent of the Severans, the Emperors who came after Commodus," Maddox answered, "You are quite possibly the last of the Romans."

"How do you...?" Lucian asked startled.

"I know a good many things," Maddox answered, "I also know that Arthur Pendragon was not merely a myth. He truly lives, and is even awake right now."

"Awake?" Lucian asked.

"Awakened from his enchanted sleep on Avalon," Maddox replied, "The legends were more accurate than anyone ever imagined."

"Just what I need to hear," Lucian mumbled, "Arthur Pendragon really exists and the legends are true. That's only going to make those morons think they're right."

"You can still prove you're right," Maddox offered, "I have the means to help you."

"What can you do?" Lucian asked, turning to Maddox, looking interested.

"Arthur Pendragon stands in the way of several plans that I have in motion to bring greater stability to Britain," Maddox said, "I, however, have other matters I must attend to, but since you already have a grudge against Pendragon, I was thinking that we could maybe help each other."

"Such as?" Lucian asked.

"I will give you the power and means to crush Pendragon and establish your own Empire, and you will rid me of one of my enemies," Maddox said calmly.

"Call me Lucius," Lucian said as Maddox smiled.

Una and Leo's Shop

"Why doesn't he like me?" Chloe sobbed into her hands.

"Things like this aren't simple to answer," Una said nervously.

"Macbeth does have a point though," Leo sighed, "You're different species. I think he does like you, but can't because he doesn't feel it's right."

Chloe didn't answer.

"Regardless of what Macbeth's personal feelings are, we need to get him back here," Arthur said, "Something bad is coming. I can feel it in my bones."

"I'll get him," Merlin offered, "I can move a bit faster then the rest of you."

Merlin quietly used his magic to alter his clothing and then left the shop. The shop remained silent with the exception of Chloe's crying.

"We ought to do something to ease the young one's troubled heart and mind," Julia said, breaking the silence.

Octavia and the others soon nodded in agreement.

"How do we do that though?" Griff asked, "This is the first time that I've ever heard of a gargoyle loving a human. I don't know what to say."

"This is a new occurrence, and on top of it all, the human turned her down," Leo added, "And from the looks of it, rather roughly."

"Macbeth has his pride," Arthur commented, "More than likely he is still mourning the loss of his wife and refuses to truly let go of her."

"That will be his failing," Octavia commented, "He is holding on to the past. In doing so he will miss much of the future."

"Miss Chloe," Arthur began, "It's no one's place to judge you decisions on who you want to love, but as a man who was once married himself, may I give you some advice?"

Chloe looked up.

"Macbeth's heart still mourns the loss of someone he loved right now," Arthur explained, "He is afraid that if he decides that he loves someone else he will betray the one he lost."

"His wife?" Chloe asked.

"Yes," Arthur nodded, "I wouldn't be disheartened by what has happened recently. If you truly desire Macbeth to love you, you must be patient and try to help him help himself."

Chloe began whipping the tears from her eyes.

"I can try," Chloe sniffled, "I guess I just went to fast."

"Thanks," Arthur replied, "Now I hope that Merlin can collect Macbeth and get back in time."

Macbeth meanwhile sat on the edge of one of the major bridges crossing the Thames River. His thoughts were dwelling on his past and what he had lost.

"A penny for your thoughts, Macbeth?" a voice asked.

Macbeth turned to see Merlin standing behind him.

"What do you want?" Macbeth asked.

"Arthur and I think something pretty bad is coming," Merlin answered, "We need your help."

Macbeth nodded and got up slowly.

"If I may say something, Macbeth," Merlin commented, "If you truly don't love Chloe, you could have broken it to her a little better. She came back in quite a fit."

Macbeth sighed in an annoyed manner, "It's not that."

"You do love her then," Merlin said.

"She's just... Why are you asking me this?" Macbeth demanded.

"It is obvious that she loves you, and you seem to tolerate a lot more than one would think," Merlin replied, "It seems to me that what is bothering you is something other than the reasons you gave to Chloe."

"We are a different species," Macbeth said sternly, "We do not belong together. A human and a gargoyle could never have children together. You do know, Merlin, that gargoyles have some of the strongest maternal and paternal instincts in the world. That's why gargoyle clans raise their hatchlings collectively."

"There are many families who never have children of their own," Merlin countered, "Besides is there anything truly wrong for you to love someone? Even if that someone is a gargoyle?"

Macbeth gazed out over the Thames.

"Was it wrong for the gargoyle named Goliath to love Elisa Maza when she was human?" Merlin asked.

"How did you?" Macbeth stammered in surprise.

"I am a wizard," Merlin replied, "Now answer my question."

"It is not morally wrong," Macbeth answered, "Unusual, but not wrong. Even if I didn't think our species would be a barrier, I'm still far older than she is and I will never die while she will age and eventually die herself."

"As I, myself, have seen many a king or queen die of old age, while I had never aged a day," Merlin replied, "You can't let these things be a barrier to you."

Macbeth said nothing.

"Chloe, being a gargoyle, will not age as quickly as humans do," Merlin added, "There are also various spells in existence that could grant her immortality under certain conditions."

"Like the way I am liked to Demona," Macbeth muttered.

"Yes," Merlin nodded.

Macbeth then looked at the old wizard, "What do you think of all of this?"

"It is interesting," Merlin chuckled, "It has been ages since I've seen a gargoyle and human 'date'."

"What?" Macbeth asked out of reflex.

"When the Romans controlled Britain and before them when the Celts were the island's only inhabitants, gargoyles were well respected in Britain," Merlin began, "In fact the Romans encouraged them to join their local Praetorian and militia units. When the Romans left Britain, the Celtic tribes that they guarded decided to continue the practice. There was one gargoyle who lived at Camelot, and he aided Arthur and the knights frequently. He was also madly in love with a young peasant woman. That was the last gargoyle/human couple that I saw. Once Arthur 'died', and the Saxons took over, the gargoyles of Britain were practically wiped out."

Macbeth then sighed and then asked slowly and in a voice indicating great embarrassment, "What should I say to Chloe, then?"

"Admit to her and to yourself that you think of more than as a friend," Merlin answered, "And trust me, the others will remain either silent or supportive."

Elsewhere

Lucius strode quietly into the pub that he had earlier been thrown out of. He was wearing Roman style armor, similar to those worn by the Praetorian Guard, and was colored a bright gold and purple. Four men similarly clad followed him.

"Man Lucian, you take these things way too seriously," one man at a booth laughed.

"He quiet," another said, "Caesar is going to enlighten us on how Rome made the world."

Lucius looked at the two men with a greatly arrogant look and then turned to the four men behind them and said in a cold voice, "Crucify them."

The four men advanced on the booth and grabbed the two men sitting there. Surprised yells and screams erupted from many of the other people in the pub. Once Lucius's earlier acquittances were fully outside the bar, a chaotic death scream was heard. The bartender grabbed a shotgun he kept under his counter and charged out the door, only to be horrified by what he saw.

"Bloody..." the bartender began to curse as he looked on the two crucified corpses.

Una and Leo's Shop

The door chime made a bright ringing sound ans Merlin and Macbeth entered the small shop.

"We're back," Merlin announced casually.

Chloe looked up to the two men and said nothing. Macbeth barely paid her a glance.

"Very good," Arthur nodded from across the room, "Now, once Griff gets up from the basement, we can decide what to do with our guest in the basement."

Suddenly Griff's voice echoed through the building, "Come quick you guys! You got to see this."

"What's going on?" Leo asked as the group began to hurry for the stairs.

Griff appeared at the bottom of the stairs and then said in a nervous voice, "Some group of people have nailed to crosses."

The eyes of everyone, particularly the Roman gargoyles widened considerably. The group then gathered around a small television.

The screen showed several police and paramedics moving around two figures that looked like they'd been crucified. The reporter looked positively disgusted. Another man stood near him.

The reporter began speaking, "We have here Maximilian Roman, a detective historian and expert on Ancient History, who was just passing by. Mr. Roman, what do you think of this?"

"Sir, these two were quite obviously crucified," Maxim Roman said, "What makes this act so despicable, is that these men were crucified exactly the way the Romans crucified their condemned prisoners. This guy either knew what he was doing or had help."

"Are you saying there is more than one murderer?" the reporter asked.

"Not only that," Maxim Roman answered, "But that the people who did this are dreadfully twisted in some fashion. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

"The Legionnaire is here," Julia said, as Macbeth shut the television off.

"That was disgusting," Chloe commented, "I hope he catches those sick people."

"I agree," Merlin muttered.

Meanwhile, Maximus Victus Romus, currently known to the outside world as Maximilian Roman, stood at the crime scene, looking at the two bodies. Other policemen had already cut the bodies down, and one was busy talking with the bartender.

Maximus silently remembered the previous people that he had seen crucified. Sparticus and Christ were among them. Both died honorably and for a cause. These poor men died with out reason. Maximus also growled inwardly. Like most of people of today, he believed that Rome's predominant method of execution to be a cruel method of execution.

"I will catch this man or men, if it takes me the rest of the year," Maximus muttered to himself, "This dishonorable act will not stand."

Elsewhere

Lucius stood on the roof of a building outside Una and Leo's shop. With him were six other men. Four dressed like Praetorian Guardsmen, and two others dressed as Roman Auxiliaries and looked astonishingly like the two men he had earlier crucified.

"That is where Pendragon lives," Lucius said.

The men nodded.

"How can such a great king live in such a poor establishment?" Lucius asked in a mocking voice, "He deserves less than a fourth of what he's received. We are going to change that!"

"Yes Caesar," the six men answered.

"Good," Lucius smiled, "We will take our leave for now. Once we are ready we will attack that little shop and finish Arthur Pendragon once and for all."

Meanwhile, inside the shop, the group was discussing what to do with their Unseelie prisoner.

"All we need to do is give her simple orders," Merlin said, "So long as she is wrapped in Iron, she must do as we say and can not use her magic unless we command her to."

"There is the problem however that she could try to pull some sort of trickery," Macbeth pointed, "One of Goliath's clan had told me of a similar altercation involving Demona and Titania's Mirror."

"We shall have to be careful in any situation," Arthur warned, "If she doesn't try to trick us, we will still be moving into unknown territory. We don't know who or what will be waiting for us."

"There is danger in everything," Leo said, "I'm confident that we'll be fine."

Then the door to the shop opened in the main area above them. Una and Leo immediately got up.

"Customers!" Una said in a nervous voice.

"We'll be right back," Leo said to others as they headed for the stairs.

The two British gargoyles came up to find a relatively young looking man standing near the cash register. He was wearing a heavy cloak.

"May we help you?" Una asked as she and Leo came forward.

"Yes," the man answered, "I see you are member's of London's Night Guard. I have business to discuss with Mr. Macbeth and Mr. Pendragon. Are they in?"

"May we ask WHO you are, sir?" Leo asked skeptically.

The man removed the cloak's hood, revealing the well kept Roman style haircut. The cloak itself also dropped a little, and both Una and Leo could see parts of what looked like a suit of armor underneath it.

"I am Maximus Victus Romus," the man said with a smile, "I am the Legionnaire, guardian of honor and justice."

"You're the man who helped Macbeth and Arthur in Rome," Leo said in surprise.

Maximus smiled weakly, "Yes. I need to speak with Mr. Macbeth and Mr. Pendragon. Are they in?"

Una looked to Leo and then nodded, "Yes they are, if you will follow us."

Maximus followed them down the stairs into a fairly cramped basement.

"This man needs to speak with you," Leo said to Arthur.

Arthur looked at the man that Leo and Una had led down to them, "Maximus, what are you doing here?"

Maximus stepped forward, "I am to be addressed as the Legionnaire in this situation. I am here because there is a great problem. Are you aware of what has happened tonight?"

"The crucifixions?" Macbeth asked.

"There is something about them that is not natural," Maximus sighed, "The body's are emanating some form of magic. Fey magic specifically."

"We don't know anything about what happened," Griff commented.

Maximus turned to the olive green colored English gargoyle, "I know, but the crime involves more than we'd all think. You came to me for help finding the Holy Grail. Now I come to you for help defeating this villain."

Unknown Location

Maddox once again stood calmly at his library window.

"I trust now that I have filled your requirements," Maddox growled.

"That is yet to be seen," the Mage's ghost answered as it floated into view, "This 'Lucius' has not done anything to deal with Demona and neither has he done anything about Macbeth and Pendragon. In fact he's more interested in showing off."

"It will take time," Maddox answered, "Lucius is just building up his strength. Soon the foes that vex me will be dead and your precious apprentice will be in your hands."

"What do you intend to do on that front?" the Mage's ghost inquired, "Demona will not be defeated by some medieval gargoyle wanna be. And I doubt that Pendragon and Macbeth will be defeated by a Roman wanna be. Especially since the Legionnaire has just joined your enemies."

"Lucius will win," Maddox said confidently, "Demona will be dealt with easily as well."

"Like your other project in the mortal realm won? Morgan Le Fey, I believe she was," the Mage's ghost retorted, "Remember, I expect success."

"There's nothing you can do to me if I do," Maddox growled back.

"Not for a thousand years," the Mage's ghost warned as it faded out again.

Una and Leo's Shop

"Who do you suppose it could be, Legionnaire?" Octavia asked, stepping toward the ancient soldier.

"It's someone who obviously knows much about Roman culture and practices," Maximus answered, "I'm tempted to suspect the Mage as the only living being from that time, but crucifixion was never his style."

"The Mage is also dead," Macbeth interrupted.

"Dead?" Maximus asked.

"Killed while attacking the Eyrie Building in New York," Macbeth finished.

Maximus nodded, "Good. I believe it is someone who is mentally unstable and is dwelling to far in a past that can no longer exist."

The assembled group looked at each other.

"I also believe that this person or group of persons has some connection to the forces of magic," Maximus continued, "They're either sorcerers or people who have been touched by some form of magic."

Macbeth turned and walked to a small door at the end of the room. He moved as politely as possible so not to really offend anyone and then pulled a young woman out of the room behind the door. The woman was wrapped in Iron.

"I don't suppose our little friend here couldn't be of help," Macbeth said.

"The Morrigan?" Merlin asked, "How can we tell that the Unseelies are involved in this?"

Maximus placed a hand on Merlin's shoulder, "They are. The magic that emanates from her mirrors that which emanated from those poor souls who were just recently murdered."

Macbeth began shaking Morrigan heavily, "What do you know of this?"

"I know nothing of which I haven't seen," Morrigan teased, "A pleasure to see you again Legionnaire. How fares Rome?"

"Far better than you would suspect, Unseelie," Maximus growled, he then turned around and asked his own question, "Why do you have a member of the Unseelie Court here, much less, alive?"

"We are still looking for the Holy Grail, Legionnaire," Arthur answered, "Morrigan here attacked Macbeth while he was searching for it. She knocked Chloe, here, out and Macbeth was barely able to get her wrapped in an iron spear. We are holding her prisoner for the moment."

"The Unseelie Court has the Holy Grail, Legionnaire," Merlin answered, "That's all we've got from her. Other than that we don't know anything. We were actually discussing what to do with her when you arrived."

"I could think of something," Maximus muttered to himself, "Very well. The Morrigan is in your custody, and is outside of why I am here. At least we now know that something bigger than just your average Unseelie trouble making is going on here."

Elsewhere

Lucius arrived at a large manor five miles north of London with his soldiers close behind him.

"It is not the best, but workable," Lucius said, "Now, open the gate."

His six soldiers grasped at the heavy metal gate, and with strength not expected of any human, tore the gates from their hinges. Lucius then calmly walked through the opened gates.

"Come along now," Lucius commanded, "Let's see what barbarian lives here."

Gregory Mellory was quite tired, and had just settled down with a glass of wine to watch the fire in his fireplace burn, when there was a knock at the door. The man who had made millions in the stock market slowly got out of his easy chair and growled as he went as the knocking grew more insistent.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Gregory yelled, "Keep your pants on!"

Gregory opened the door to see seven men dressed in Grecco-Roman style clothing standing at his doorstep.

"Yes," Gregory said, "May I help you?"

The lead man smiled and answered, "Why yes, you can give us your house!"

Gregory had no time to react before the man shoved a dagger into his chest.

Una and Leo's Shop

Chloe stood on the roof of the shop, staring out over London's skyline.

"Lovely view, eh?" came a voice.

Chloe turned to see Macbeth leaning against the door that led down to the shop's main level.

"It's alright," Chloe sighed.

"Listen, Chloe, I'm sorry for what I said to you earlier," Macbeth said looking down.

"I'm sorry too, I kinda brought this up too quickly," Chloe answered.

Macbeth placed one hand on Chloe's shoulder, "And it is quite possible that I over reacted. A while ago a friend of mine to 'look for that love'. I should admit that you are the first 'woman' since Grouch to speak with me truthfully."

"So you do love me?" Chloe asked.

Macbeth shook his head, "I'm not sure 'love' is quite the word for it. I will admit that you are more important to me than merely a friend. Maybe we could as they say in these days, 'date'."

Chloe jumped up and hugged him, "Thank you."

Inside, Maximus continued to converse with Arthur and Merlin. Griff, Octavia and Julia both remained with them, providing suggestions and their thoughts, but there was little that could be done. Maximus's powers as the Legionnaire prohibited him from being 'all knowing', and therefore he could only wait until he sensed something similar to what he had sensed before. Suddenly, Maximus's head snapped up and a flame flashed in his eyes.

"This guy is at it again," Maximus said in a horrified voice, "I just got the same feeling that hit me when those men were crucified."

"Where?" Griff asked, "We'll help."

"Somewhat north of here," Maximus answered slowly.

A wall of flames soon erupted in the region and when they died down the shop was empty. The roof was empty and nothing was burned, not even singed. The group then found themselves outside torn gates of a mansion.

"This is where the evil and dishonorable one has come to hide," Maximus said slowly.

Inside the house, Lucius lounged in the chair that Gregory Mellory was earlier sitting in. His soldiers and removed the body of the rich man and his now enslaved spirit stood before him in his best suit.

"Now, Mr. Mellory, I want you to understand this," Lucius commanded, "You are no more than a spirit and you are bound to serve me."

"Yes sir," Gregory Mellory answered.

"I want you to maintain this house as if you still owned it," Lucius commanded, "I want the best food and anything else you can offer. No one is to know that I am now the owner, do you understand me?"

"Yes sir," Gregory Mellory answered.

"Good," Lucius smiled, "You are dismissed for now."

Merlin eased himself down from the window that he and the others had snuck up to.

"I've never seen anything like that before," Merlin said, "That guy looked entirely like he was in a trance."

"A 'spirit slave'," Maximus muttered angrily, "This is definitely an Unseelie plot."

"What do you mean?" Chloe asked.

Maximus looked toward the young gargoyle, "I've faced a few Unseelies in my time. This is a common tactic of theirs. When they kill someone, they use an enchanted weapon, like Excalibur. However, this Unseelie weapon is designed to trap the person's soul and bind it to the weapon."

Octavia and Julia's eyes flashed red and the two growled in unison, "Why would they do such a thing?"

"Probably to save themselves from having to fight their own battles," Macbeth muttered, "They're using trapped and enslaved souls as cannon fodder."

Maximus nodded, "It allows them to gloat in their victory."

"I'd also say that your idea that this guy is living in the past is correct," Merlin added, "The man that commanded the spirit slave was wearing a toga."

"Great," Maximus mumbled, placing his hand on his head, "A man obsessed with the Romans. Can I trust you all to deal with the spirit slaves? I need to talk with that man."

Before anyone could answer, Maximus vanished.

"I guess we need to find where these spirit slaves are then," Griff commented.

Maximus himself reappeared behind where Lucius was sitting. The man in the chair stirred as he heard Maximus's boots clank on the floor behind.

"I said you are dismissed," Lucius growled from his chair.

"I'm not who you think I am," Maximus answered.

Lucius stood up and turned around, and exclaimed in shock and surprise, "Another Roman! Excellent! I presume you're here to join me?"

"Who are you?" Maximus asked.

"I am Lucius Sevrus," Lucius announced, "I am the descendent of former Roman Emperors and I seek my rightful place in the world. And you are?"

"I am known as the Legionnaire, sir," Maximus began.

"Sire," Lucius corrected arrogantly, "I will rule."

"I see, and what country do you intend to rule?" Maximus inquired.

"Rome," Lucius smiled.

Maximus chuckled, "You do know that Rome ceased to exist as a nation in 476 AD? And that its only true successor that could claim to be 'Rome' ceased to exist in 1453 AD?"

"Anything can come back," Lucius said, "This world has collapsed into barbarism. I am going to end it."

"True 'barbarism' ended long ago," Maximus said, "What you're doing is deranged."

Lucius then drew a sword from the inside of his toga and yelled, "Very well, then it appears that you have decided to side against me."

Maximus easily deflected Lucius's attack with his gladius. He then through a fireball at the insane man. The toga immediately caught fire, and Maximus easily knocked the sword from his hands as Lucius rolled to put the fire out.

"Why you..." Lucius began.

Maximus aimed and fired another ball of flame at the discarded sword. It exploded in a blast of fire and emerald energy. The fire however, soon put itself out. Lucius sat in a half crouched position and watched his sword disappear.

"NO! You can't do this to me!" Lucius screamed.

"I already have," Maximus replied, "You killed those people. What you did was dishonorable and downright evil."

"I am Rome!" Lucius yelled.

"The Roman Empire is dead," Maximus answered.

Lucius tried to throw a punch at Maximus from his position. His fist only connected with Maximus's steel knee guards. Maximus then lifted Lucius of the floor and threw him through the window. Maximus however saw no one in the yard when he got to the window. Only a small trail of black smoke remained.

"Damn," Maximus muttered.

Macbeth and Chloe meanwhile entered the building through a back door. In the room were two men, dressed as Roman Auxiliaries.

"Okay, I'll take the one on the right, you take the one on the left," Macbeth said, "Our objective should be to keep them busy until Maximus destroys whatever is trapping their spirit here."

"They're not armed are they?" Chloe asked.

"I don't see any weapons," Macbeth sighed, "But that doesn't mean they have any."

Chloe lead the charge herself into one of the two spirit slaves. Chloe's sudden attack threw the other off balance. He leaped backward and right into Macbeth's attack. The immortal Scottish king kicked the auxiliary right behind its knee. The man was brought to the ground and crouched at Macbeth's feet.

The other was slightly more feisty. The slave spirit had in a timed roll, thrown Chloe into the far wall and produced a sword soon after. Macbeth quickly booted the kneeling man, knocking the ghost out and dove in front of the other spirit slave. He winced as the sword pieced his chest.

"Macbeth!" Chloe screamed as the man fell to the floor, seemingly dead.

Chloe the gave a extremely angry roar as her eyes illuminated red while she got to her feet. The spirit slave pulled his sword from Macbeth's chest, but could not bring to bear on Chloe before female gargoyle claw the spirit's face. Chloe stood growling at the two unconscious spirit slaves for a few moments until they all of a sudden disappeared. Once they were gone Chloe turned to the fallen Macbeth.

"Oh, Macbeth," Chloe cried as she let her talons touch Macbeth's shoulder.

Griff, Octavia, and Julia landed on the mansion's roof and quickly pried open a window.

"So how do we find one of these 'spirit slaves' anyway?" Griff mused to himself.

"It is likely that one or more of them will find us," Julia answered.

Just as they did so two spirit slaves armed with spears rounded two different corners carrying spears. Julia dodged one spear and then grabbed the end of the spear and used it as a lever to throw the spirit slave into the ceiling. Griff dove under the other and with a swipe of his tale tripped the other one. Octavia finished him off with a powerful cross to the face. The two spirit slaves lay unconscious on the floor for a few seconds. A few minutes later, they both vanished.

"What happened?" Griff asked in surprise.

"The Legionnaire has destroyed the weapon that linked their spirits to this plane," Julia answered.

Leo and Una entered through a side door.

"Any sign of them?" Una whispered.

"No," Leo sighed, "No sign of anyone."

The two British gargoyles pushed further into the mansion. As they entered what appeared to be a kitchen, one spirit slave holding a sword burst through a door and charged them. Una dove behind one counter while Leo leaped over the attacking spirit slave.

"I guess he doesn't like house guests," Una chuckled.

Leo then tackled the spirit slave from behind and held him in a full nelson.

"I agree," Leo chuckled back, "Now, get his sword before he chops my arms off."

Una carefully raised her hands, clutching a small pendant and chanted quietly in Latin. The spirit slave was completely startled when his sword vanished from his hands. Both Una and Leo were startled when the spirit slave vanished as well soon after.

"Come on," Leo sighed, "Let's go find Arthur and the others."

Merlin and Arthur were assaulted by the remaining spirit slave as they entered through the front door. Excalibur easily deflected the blow that the spirit slave intended to throw at the two. Merlin the cast a short spell. The spirit slave was soon held in midair by a magic force field.

"Who were you son?" Merlin asked.

"I... was... Timothy... Banes...man...blue... man... killed... me," the spirit slave said in a strained voice.

"We're sorry for what's happened to you," Merlin said quietly.

"Thanks," the spirit slave responded as it vanished.

"What just happened?" Arthur asked.

"I cast a spell that is designed to weaken the spell that traps them to serve the one who cast it," Merlin answered, "There is no spell that can break it, but by making it more difficult for whoever is controlling them to command them to attack us. It bought the Legionnaire the time he needed to destroy the weapon that made Timothy Banes a spirit slave."

"Okay then," Arthur nodded, "It's time to regroup."

Macbeth woke to find Chloe kneeling over him. Tears were in her eyes.

"What's wrong with you?" Macbeth asked calmly.

Chloe jumped back startled and exclaimed, "You're dead... I mean, you died!"

Macbeth sat up slowly, wincing as he did so.

"I told you I'm immortal," Macbeth said sternly, "If you expect me to 'date' you, you will need to be a lot less excitable."

"I'm sorry," Chloe said, "But he stabbed you."

"And nearly killed you if I hadn't taken it for you," Macbeth countered, "I told you before, I'm immortal until I kill Demona or she kills me. You on the other hand are not."

"I'll try to be more careful," Chloe interrupted.

"Good," Macbeth said, giving a rare smile, "Come on, let's get back to the others."

Later

"So this guy escaped?" Macbeth demanded.

Maximus slowly nodded, "The man's name is Lucius Sevrus. He is obsessed with Ancient Rome and believes he's the descendent of a Roman Emperor. I'm also quite certain that he's in league with the Unseelie Court."

Macbeth, Merlin, and Arthur were silent.

"I would also advice that you not force the Morrigan to take you to the Unseelie base, wherever it is, at this time," Maximus advised, "I think that the Unseelies are judging you to be a threat to their plans because you're looking for the Holy Grail."

"So we got to defeat them," Arthur sighed.

"It is possible," Merlin commented, "The Unseelies have lost before."

"True, but they were facing other fey at the time," Maximus replied, "You will have your work cut out for you."

"You won't help us any more?" Merlin asked curiously.

"I can not," Maximus answered, "It is my sole duty to protect honor and justice. I am needed in many parts of the world. I will try to help you when I can, but for now I must bid you farewell."

Maximus gave a polite Roman salute, turned and disappeared in a small burst of flame.

"I guess were back on square one," Arthur then muttered.

Unknown Location

Lucius threw a rather large book clear across the room.

"How dare here?" Lucius yelled, "How dare a Roman defend those barbarians?"

"Calm yourself," Maddox said politely, "The Legionnaire is a soldier pledged to defend honor. Unfortunately, he has lost his full definition of the word in his years of loneliness since the fall of the Roman Empire. Combined with great power, he is a dangerous foe to face but even he can and will be overcome."

"How can I defeat that traitor?" Lucius demanded.

"You will have to outfight him," Maddox smiled, "And I will help you, so long as you focus on Arthur Pendragon and Macbeth first."

"I will," Lucius affirmed, "But I will need some new weapons and a new tactic. I can't fight Pendragon, Macbeth, and this Legionnaire at once."

"Don't worry," Maddox smiled, "While you're with me, that will never be a problem."

To Be Continued...