Part 25 Preparing For Armageddon
Connor moved to help his brother against Methos' apparent threat but Duncan looked him off, "You know I don't want to fight you, Methos."
"Then make up your mind about who you want to fight!"
"I . . . I will. Give me a minute."
Methos turned toward Connor, "Forget it, Horseman; I'm challenging the Kurgan."
"Fine. Spend good time with your brother, MacLeod, for this day is his last." At that, Methos stalked out.
Duncan took the words to heart, "Connor, are you sure?"
"Yes. The only reason I would hesitate is that, if I lose, it will allow the Kurgan to come after you one day sooner. But I won't lose." The Connor smile Duncan had missed so much was back. "What about you?" Duncan knew Connor had opinions about who he should fight and was holding back because he wouldn't listen to Duncan's own views about choosing the Kurgan.
"I don't think it's going to be Kell. With Ramirez' quickening, he's either too tough for me at the moment or insane. I might take his head but I'd lose, one way or the other." Connor grunted agreement and Duncan continued, "Kane will want you, but he'll be satisfied with me, I'm sure. What do you think about my chances against him?"
"You're the better swordsman. But you haven't had much experience with his kind of mystical abilities. It's a toss-up. I'm sorry to say that, Duncan, but I have to be honest. Clay is the easy choice."
"It just feels wrong, Connor. I already don't feel exactly like myself after the last quickening and killing Clay like that would be just as bad as having to absorb Kane."
"Then Cassandra or Methos or Kell will get him. He may not have taken an ancient quickening last night but he's still powerful."
Duncan's face tightened. If he chose to fight Kane and Cassandra was successful in getting to Methos, Kell would kill Clay. That was an extremely unpleasant thought on more than one count. Clay was going to die and preferred that Duncan take his head. But he was acting like the child Methos always accused him of being, putting his nobility ahead of responsibility. "I'll do it. I'll give Clay what he wants."
Connor smiled his old smile again and clasped his brother on the shoulder. "Good. Now that we can be sure one of us will live to fight another day, let's go see what our ancient friends have in mind."
They emerged from the would-be dormitory to a spectacle. Connor chuckled, "You know, Duncan, I think we're underdressed."
The Kurgan had matched Methos in mask and armor, in his case looking most like a giant vulture. From stories, Duncan knew this to be the way Connor had first seen him closing on 500 years ago. Cassandra was dressed entirely in white, shrouding even her face and hair. Either the clothing or some power she had caused her to glow. The three were closest to each other and stood against the backdrop of the hills of the Old City. Something close to awe grew in Duncan. This exact scene could just as easily have taken place 2500 years ago.
Given the others, it was no surprise that Kane was dressed as a Mongol warrior of eight centuries ago, complete with helmet and bone jewelry. Most Mongol warriors, though, were not surrounded by flame. Clay actually looked worse than Connor and Duncan, at least they had changed into new clothes. Perhaps most ominous, Kell had emerged in drab gray and black and was clearly unfocused. But he had tattooed or even carved on his face the multiple crosses he used as symbols. Jacob Kell's persona was obviously still in there, somewhere.
Half-a-kilometer away, Joe Dawson and two other Watchers tried to avoid unnecessary attention from the locals in the light of day, while maintaining surveillance of the remaining immortals. The sight of Methos as Death had unnerved Joe and the adjacent views of the Kurgan and Cassandra terrified him.
No one had any idea what the Prize was, or even if there was one other than simply more power, but the fate of the world could be decided as soon as the next few hours, if the immortals choose to abandon caution and duel in daylight. The ancient immortals seemed so much more formidable; not surprising, given how much longer they had to prepare. With the Death mask on, Joe could no longer even be sure of Methos and the rest of the Watchers certainly were not. The world needed Duncan or Connor MacLeod to win, and they looked outclassed.
Since the Gathering began, there had been a vicious power struggle inside the Watcher organization. One group demanded that the Watchers assault the winner of the Prize, regardless, and another wanted to decide on an assault based on who won. The second group was larger, but itself divided over who deserved to be attacked. At this point, it was Methos, Cassandra, and Clay provoking dispute.
Another problem was this was a highly security-oriented country; automatic weapons and explosives could be smuggled in but no heavy weapons would escape detection. And certainly no team could fly in from offshore without being blown to pieces. If the Watchers on the ground in Jerusalem went after the last immortal, they might not have the firepower to do more than anger him or her.
To compensate, the full Watcher files would, if it were deemed necessary, be transmitted to various national governments. There would be disbelief and hesitation but at least the world would have immediate knowledge of what it faced if the winner turned out to be as dangerous as Joe feared.
The final eight immortals took in the sight of each other, then merely stared. Apparently no one wanted to speak. Kane was staring especially at Kell, who still seemed unpleasantly confused. After several minutes of this, Kane grinned and approached Connor, "You're mine, Highlander."
"Sorry to disappoint you, mole man, but I'm fighting the Kurgan."
"You'll have to kill me to get to him."
The Kurgan's deep bass cut off Connor's reply, "You release me from my vow?"
This time Connor's smile was feral, "As soon as our duel begins, your vow is negated."
The Kurgan stood over Kane, who backed up half a step before catching himself, "Get out of my way, or die."
Kane did not know if his illusions could fool the Kurgan but he did know that, if they didn't, he had no chance. Connor MacLeod would very probably be killed himself, but that wasn't good enough – he had to suffer. There was one solution to this otherwise impossible situation: "I give way, then. But only if I fight Duncan MacLeod first, so that his 'brother' must watch him die."
Now Clay spoke, softly. "I've already challenged Duncan MacLeod."
Kane sneered, "Go back to crying on your pillow, or I'll kill you here and kill MacLeod tonight."
Methos stepped forward, "No fighting now. Where we are, with lightning strikes in the daytime, we could have a helicopter assault company on top of us in less than an hour."
Duncan glanced over at the detail Methos had provided, then realized the Watchers must have discussed hundreds of scenarios like this since the Gathering in Jerusalem had become unmistakable. And Methos could hack Watcher files at will.
Several of the immortals grimaced but it was too obvious Methos was right. Kane was not done, however, "I fight one of the MacLeods tonight. Those who try to deny me both of them will find my blade at the back of their neck before they even know I'm there." He took two steps away from the group, then vanished.
"Well, that makes things more interesting," Connor said cheerfully.
The Kurgan approached Connor with his hands up, showing no immediate ill intent. He spoke low, "I can see him. I care nothing about whether he fights the other one of you but you and I will meet tonight and I will be released from my vow. If he gets in our way, I'll take his head. Or I'll let you do it, if you want."
"That's very generous of you." Connor maintained a nonchalant air but the Kurgan's willingness to just let him have Kane's head was unnerving, or at least it was to Duncan. The Kurgan licked his lips for a rather long time, then headed back inside.
Cassandra, of course, was watching Methos, who was regarding Kell, who himself had been staring at Kane. She moved into Methos' line of sight, "The same applies to us. We will fight or I will simply kill you. While you're fighting him, while you're in the quickening, I don't care."
Duncan was about to say something to her when Methos suddenly grabbed Cassandra by the throat and lifted her off entirely the ground, "Didn't you learn your lesson 3000 years ago? I do what I want, when I want."
Cassandra could only muster a whisper against Methos' grip, "Until Kronos speaks, then you cower like a dog."
Duncan had been moving to stop his friend from being strangled, but halted at this. Cassandra was talking openly about her time as a slave, something she had needed to do since it happened.
Methos threw her to the ground. "That was a mistake. One I believe I've rectified." He gestured widely – Kronos was gone.
Cassandra rose and the movement revealed ugly bruises on her neck underneath the white shroud. "I will have my vengeance upon you, Methos," She said as loudly and distinctly as she could. A moment later, she thought to add, "And you'll not get the Prize, murderer."
She gathered herself and departed. Methos immediately resumed his observation of Kell, who was now staring into what seemed to be empty space on the other side of the compound. Duncan finally had the chance to say something, "It will be difficult to avoid her."
"I may not have to." Before Duncan could ask, Methos went inside as well. That left no one between Duncan and Haresh Clay.
"Have you decided yet, Duncan MacLeod?"
"Yes. I won't let Kell have your quickening."
Clay hesitated for moment, then bowed. As he departed, Connor joined his brother, "So what are you going to do about Kane? He's scared of the Kurgan but he'll do just about anything to kill you in front of me."
"I'll take Clay's head just before sundown, you'll protect me from Kane during the quickening, then I'll fight him. We'll let Methos, Cassandra, and Kell figure out for themselves who fights who."
Connor nodded in approval at Duncan's unusual willingness to be practical, "You know, there might be hope for you. You could be a decent immortal, someday."
Despite his worries about the Kurgan, Duncan had to laugh at having the old Connor back. But his reply was interrupted by an all-too-familiar accent. "Do not concern yourself with that savage, Duncan MacLeod, I will kill him for you. And you," Jacob Kell turned to the man he hated more than anything in life, "ward yourself well against the Kurgan." At that, he simply turned away from the other two Highlanders and again peered across the compound.
Duncan motioned Connor to get some distance from Kell, "Was that Kell threatening us or Ramirez offering to protect us?"
"I have no idea."
end part 25