Chapter Ten

Jamestown, Scotland

It was early evening when Duncan returned to the quiet Inn from having the rental car fully serviced.

He met Beth upstairs in the hallway near Connor's room and asked her, "How are you feeling? Do you want to go have supper?"

She answered, "We've been summoned by the Grand Immortal to make an appearance."

Duncan smiled at her dramatics. He said, "Then I won't keep him waiting any longer. After you milady," holding her hand, he kissed it.

Frank McFadden opened the door just before Duncan could knock. Connor was still dozing on his bed with a quiet snore escaping his lips.

Duncan went over to shake him saying, "Wake up cousin." He said, "Time to eat."

"I know," said Connor rubbing his eyes. "I was just waiting for you." He sat up on the bed looking around the room.

Duncan sat down next to Connor put his hand on his shoulder and said, "I'm very sorry about Deeva. Please forgive me."

Connor looked back at him and said, "She made her choice Duncan. There's nothing to forgive."

A knock sounded and this time the door opened again to admit a cart piled high with food.

Frank told them, "We have much to discuss without dinning downstairs speaking pleasantries."

Everyone took plates and food off the cart in a potluck fashion. Finding a place to sit around the room, they began eating.

Frank started with this warning, "There's been a surge of bad immortals this past year and very few good ones. The best we have are the ones that have been here for hundreds of years."

Frank said, "Duncan is my first choice as king and leader for our side."

"Wait a minute," said Conner, "Why does he get to be king?"

Beth answered, "Because he was a champion, Connor."

"But I could still beat him." Connor replied.

"Maybe you could," Frank questioned, "Would you beat him then take his quickening and his place as king?"

Connor replied, "On second thought, I'd prefer another position."

Frank smiled and said, "I'm glad to hear it because I need you as second in command."

"I'm beginning to understand you," said Duncan, "This is set up like a royal court."

"Loosely based on chess maneuvers in that each side will have one battle at a time." explained Frank. "But don't underestimate the power of each position because many games have been won by the least expected opponent."

"So, will I be directing the gathering?" asked Duncan between bites.

Frank answered, "No I will be in charge of the Gathering and all the challenges. As the king you must watch and wait for your turn."

"That's going to be the hardest part for me," he replied, "to watch my friends do battle knowing I can't help them."

Frank insisted, "That is what makes you the perfect choice. You must urge your companions on with your words and strength of character."

With only remnants of food left on the cart, Beth pushed it into the hallway and closed the door.

She asked Frank, "Where do we journey to next?"

"Now we look at the map," he answered, "Help me unroll this."

There was just a small table to set the map on so everyone took a corner. Frank opened his tattered notebook and read the latitude and longitude. He instructed, "Mark this place on the map."

Duncan asked, "How do you know about this place."

He answered, "This area is full of meteorites that fell thousands of years ago. After Tyron died, during my travels here, I felt a strange pull. I stayed in that area for several months and over time, several immortals happen to challenged me. So I made notes and dug around but I couldn't get the one meteorite or relic that gave off the highest concentration."

Frank paused for a moment then continued, "It was then, I heard Tyron's voice in my head telling me that I cannot touch the meteorite because I'm not a Champion."

"Why not have the gathering there?" asked Connor.

Frank replied, "It's just not a good area for a hundred immortals to have battles and not be discovered by others who know nothing of our existence. It is better to move the relic to a location where we can have complete control."

Connor stated, "Then I should go with Duncan and assist him and for protection."

Frank agreed with him saying, "He will have help that much I know."

Beth confronted McFadden with this question, "How do you know the best immortals will reach that area first and be willing to aide Duncan?"

"I wish I could tell you which immortal would be there to aide both of you," answered Frank. "But I am going on faith and instinct. And my instinct tells me there will be someone that you can trust meeting up with you on your journey."

Then he remembered a note and told Duncan, "You must encase the meteorite when you find it or you have any immortal in a two mile radius following you."

Beth remarked solemnly, "I wish I had that kind of instinct. My dreams only foretell of disasters."

Duncan asked her, "What have your dreams told you lately?"

She answered, "Nothing. The dreams have been very quiet for the past two weeks. I thought it was because I made the right choice to have a quickening and I would be free of this fate."

Frank said, "The choice has been made Elizabeth don't regret it now. Your baby needs you."

With tears coming to her eyes, Beth pointed her finger at Frank, "Stop telling me that! Look, I am doing my best to deal with it and I don't need you throwing it up in my face!"

Duncan came to her side telling him, "Yeah Frank just back off and give me the map and I'll plan our route."

Her annoyance came upon them with full force; Beth said angrily, "I'm going out."

"Please don't go outside alone." Frank told her, "It's getting dark."

A dagger look from her eyes shot back then Connor suggested, "I'll go with her." He took his coat and slid his sword beneath. "You still like me right?"

Beth seemed to change mood just as quickly and she almost smiled saying, "Sure, you can come with me."

Duncan gave her a quick kiss assuring her, "Everything will be alright." Looking at his cousin he said, "Don't start anything."

Connor gave a look of mock surprise, "What? Duncan you worry too much."

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