Sully's chest heaved and sweat poured from his brow as he laid Fiona and himself both down to rest. "That was way more than a few."

Nate shrugged as he and Elena sat down by Sully. "Not my fault if you can't keep up, old timer."

"You ever going to get tired of the age jokes?"

"Is Apple going to quit releasing new phones every year?"

"What? I don't know."

"Exactly."

Elena rolled her eyes. "I cannot envy Fiona enough for being knocked out a this moment. Being around you two… it's like being out on the schoolyard all over again."

Nate stood up and spread out his hands. "Show me one schoolyard that looks like this." He was right; Elena had to admit it. The exquisite beauty of Avalon was like nothing she had ever seen, and she had seen a lot. They spent a moment drinking in the view one last time before venturing towards the cave cut into the summit of the mountain.

Fiona awoke and called out to them as they were about to enter. "This is my responsibility, and I cannot thank you all enough for your aid. However, I should go first."

Nate handed her a glow stick. Its bright green glow illuminated the ancient staircase carved into the rock. "After you."

Sully brought up the rear. "Are you kidding me? After an hour of climbing upstairs, all that just leads to a staircase going back down? What would have been wrong with just putting the cave at the bottom of the mountain?"

Elena was also displeased. "That would have been too easy, Sully."

The staircase was of a very unusual design. The stairs were carved into the outer edges of the cave and they were extremely narrow. This meant that the descent required the utmost patience, or it would mean that falling was a certainty. Furthermore, it was a long way down.

"Everyone watch your step," Fiona cautioned. "This is not going to be as easy as we thought."

"You've got that right!" came a feminine voice from behind them.

Nate turned his head to see a young woman along with a half a dozen armed guards surrounding her. All of them had taken up a defensive position at the entrance to the cave.

"Shit." Sully was getting sick of the consistent barriers to his treasure. "Who the hell is it this time?"

"My name is Laura Stewart. It is my destiny to—"

"Geez. Give it a rest, lady. Yes, you need Excalibur. Yes, you must find Avalon. Blah blah blah. We've heard it all before."

Fiona stopped in her tracks at hearing that name. She turned to face the woman. She was young and beautiful, much like herself. Her long brown hair flowed down against a skintight black suit of some kind that was clearly designed for stealth. The symbols and markings upon it looked familiar, but she could not quite place them. "Laura Stewart? You are descended from Bailloch Stewart, grandfather of the traitorous John de Menteith! Your family represents the darkest mark on Scotland's history!"

Laura pulled a small handgun from her hip. Nate could not infer the make in the darkness. "Excalibur and Avalon belong to my family, you unruly bitch!"

Sully shook his head. "Nate, why are we always in the crossfire between two women?"

"Not as bad as that time in Monte Carlo."

Sully laughed. "Ha. Maybe not, kid."

"You two, shut up!" Laura yelled. "We have you surrounded. You have nowhere to go; no cover to hide behind. Give me the sword and stand down."

"Nate. She's got us." Elena said, her heart hurting for him. "Give it to her. It's not worth it."

Fiona protested. "Nate, if you give Excalibur to this traitor, Scotland is done for. And, she won't stop at Scotland; I can promise you that."

"And if I don't give it to her, then she'll kill us and take it anyway." Nate slowly pulled the sword from its sheath. "Laura, I'm coming over. Let the rest of them go."

"Come to the end of the staircase and toss it to me."

Nate pressed his back against the wall. Sully and Elena guided him slowly past them towards the top stair. He held the weapon with the blade pointed down. A host of firearms were still pointed in his direction. He held it out, ready to toss it. "Just let them go, and I'll toss this right over. I know you must have climbing gear. Send some guys to bring them across safely, and you will have it. I promise."

"You're not in a position to make bargains, Drake. Hand it over!"

Nate smiled. Oh, I'm in a great position to make a bargain. All I have to do is—" Nate dangled the magical sword over the deep abyss and mimed letting it go.

"No! Don't you dare, you smarmy American bastard!"

"Tsk. Tsk. You've got quite a mouth on you."

"I'm calling your bluff, Drake! You wouldn't dream of giving up such a priceless artifact so easily."

"Sorry, Laura. Nothing is more priceless than the ones closest to me." Nate bent over the side of the stair, letting Excalibur hang off the edge. Then, he let the sword drop.