Chapter Thirty Seven
The gray morning dawned without rain but the clouds remained thick and cold. The two kings stared at each other across the bowl of the small valley. On the ridge above the battlefield, there stood the immortal witnesses to the epic combat. The tension deepened with each passing minute.
His thoughts encompassed all and nothing; his focus narrowed and directed all his energy upon Maldred. Duncan held his katana up with both hands and made ready. It was at that moment his sword seemed to radiate from all the previous victories won by their side. The power was not lost!
Maldred sensed a change with his sword. His Flamberge now smoldered red with the energy won by his side at the gathering. Would he have enough power to defeat the highlander?
Each held up their sword briefly touching their forehead in salute. The energy beneath the earth seemed to pulse with each step Duncan took as he came forward to attack.
With the first strike, Maldred blocked hard and the metal between the two swords threw up sparks and repulsed as two polar opposites. Duncan could feel the energy channel through him and into his sword.
Maldred felt it too and with it the realization that with each strike the energy escaped back into the ether. The two immortal kings locked eyes, their understanding grew and with it, the knowledge that the other man's death must come quickly.
Turning away and breaking the trance, he brought his katana around and moved it over his head then struck down with all his strength.
With a loud war cry, Maldred met the killing blow with his own upward force that would surly shatter bone. Both men held strong and neither one giving ground. Sweat poured from their faces until the energy threatened to overwhelm them.
Duncan sidestepped allowing the force to give way. Maldred followed every step back and to the side, every sword clash, Katana and Flamberge, white metal, black metal.
With a loud cry of his own, Duncan continued to pummel Maldred back until he stood positioned near the boulder. However, Maldred blocked every one of MacLeod's attacks and he smiled with the assurance of victory.
With his arms moving across side to side, then up and down striking with precision, Duncan shuffled his feet and tapped out a rhythm. The energy in his sword soon depleted.
Maldred surged forward with a sudden urgency kicking out at Duncan with his foot and grabbing a dagger from his belt with his free hand. He said, "You're finished!"
Duncan saw the cursed dagger in time avoiding its cutting edge. Maldred fought with two weapons now and he pushed hard his advantage. Duncan deflected and beat him back harder until his opponent had to side step or trip over the boulder with the pieces of meteorite still on it.
With all his strength, Duncan used his sword to maneuver Maldred back towards the boulder. Maldred struck back in turn missing Duncan's neck with the dagger as he fell. The katana rode down the length of Maldred's Flamberge and struck the boulder causing sparks to fly. Duncan yelled out, "Check mate."
Struggling to get up, Maldred shifted his gaze in reaction and in that instant, Duncan beheaded Maldred before he could block. The head stayed in place, his eyes blinked in surprise as the sword dropped, the body rolled over. The power of good overcame evil and sent Ahriman back into the realm of torment.
Duncan moved away from the fallen corpse as the mist seeped from it. The silver lightning generated a powerful force. All the other immortals that stood as witness ducked and shielded their eyes.
The Champion once again felt the surge of the quickening as it pulsated inside making him yell and groan. Just before it ended, another light appeared and he was not alone.
The immortal guardian Cyrus stood beside him and said, "The disturbance to the Gathering failed. The demon did not conquer over all. Your friends must track down and eliminate the followers."
In reverence, Duncan questioned him, "If the demon is defeated, what strength will the followers have?"
His light seemed to envelop them both and Cyrus explained, "If those immortals are left here, then Ahriman's seeds will grow and its return may come sooner than permitted."
Duncan shielded his eyes against the brightness until it faded. When he dared to open his eyes again, Cyrus was gone. Now the gathering was truly over except to deal with the immortals still left.
He called to Methos, "Attack!" Waving his sword over his head, he included the rest of the immortals in this order.
Their number was smaller than five days ago and the two sides rushed together in a clash of swords. Without the demon influence, some immortals began to run and escape the fighting. The chase was on but others turned to fight one last challenge.
Methos confronted Enrique as he ran onto the field in an attempt to retrieve Maldred's sword. He said, "If you pick that up, you're going to have to fight me."
Enrique stopped with his hand just above the hilt and looked at Methos with terror in his eyes. He said, "I don't want to fight anymore. I just wanted the sword."
Methos reached down, grabbed the young man by the neck, and pulled him up to face him saying, "You participated in the biggest event in immortal history and all you want is a souvenir?"
Enrique looked down embarrassed. He said quietly, "I hate the game. What have I got to live for?"
With a moment of compassion Methos told him, "There is so much still worth living for." He pushed him away from the fighting and said, "Don't pick up a sword and stand over there."
In the commotion, Frank spied an old enemy, Vischet. He chased him down and the confrontation between them seemed to explode.
Holding up his sword challenging him, Frank accused, "You have manipulated the history for mortals for the last time."
Vischet advanced with his sword. He enjoyed telling McFadden, "I have orchestrated all the best wars."
Frank attacked the man with strength sending him back several feet. Then Vischet countered holding his sword parallel sweeping up and moving forward he blocked and struck continually forcing McFadden to defend.
Frank came back with a combination of sword maneuvers saying, "I'm still in charge of keeping mortals safe from you!"
Their swords locked together and Vischet pushed back grunting with effort. He suddenly gave way trying to cause McFadden to stumble. As he gained his balance, Frank saw fear in Vischet's face.
He jumped forward slamming his body into Vischet sending him back until he tripped. Vischet turned and spun out of the fall then ducking away from another swing of Frank's sword.
The clouds broke loose sending rain upon them. Vischet began to run away but Frank chased him down saying, "You cannot escape this execution."
With the pronouncement given, he sliced Vischet's neck from behind in one stroke. Frank dropped to one knee and watched the mist move towards him with a white glow.
The quickening flowed like water as he braced for the impact. Energy struck him sharply lifting him several feet up into the air. He saw the clarity of Vischet's orders from Ahriman meant to lead mortals down a dark path. He felt satisfaction in sending this headless pawn back to its master.
The intensity faded as he fell to the ground released from the control of another man's thoughts.
Frank stood up and looked around, surveying the battlefield where other immortals locked together in combat. Nearby, he saw David Keogh approaching Everett Bellian.
David stopped Everett and challenged him, "I'm going to have one win today!"
Holding his weapon ready, he questioned, "You once were friend to Duncan. What happened?"
Everett engaged swords with metal on metal pushing David back until he fought back harder blocking with his sword then attacking. All the anger Everett kept in reserve with the guarantee from a demon seemed to fuel his rage. He yelled in defiance, "I had the promise of power!"
Soaked through to the skin, Everett met each strike harder and parried all the blows while keeping his feet moving forward. David swung his sword around in a wide sweeps. In the soft earth, he lost his footing. Everett followed through when David hit the ground, his body and head parted with a shower of blood.
The quickening began slowly showing white streaks and struck Everett with hallowed intensity. A feeling of curiosity pervaded his thoughts. He joined in spirit to those before and after, the beginning and the end of the world.
Through the rain, Everett looked over and saw a glow around the champion. He finally understood the sacrifice Duncan made and the new life that was born. When the quickening finished, he joined the other side.
A few fights finished abruptly and the rest of the evil immortals scattered until Duncan called his small troop back asking them to gather round him.
He told them, "You are very brave today. There will be time enough to hunt them and discreetly finish the immortals that fought on Ahriman's side." He set his sword back in the sheath. He looked with weary eyes and gave the order, "Know that it must be done."
The finale from a week of fighting and emotional strain, the battle fatigued immortals walked from the muddy, blood soaked field just as the rain tapered off. The sun peeked out between the clouds. Although, they were tired mentally and physically, all looked up at the sun and the promise of a better future.
After a day of rest, Frank gave the command, "It is time to pack up and leave quickly. Make sure you leave nothing personal behind."
The immortals went about the task with a somber heart grieving for the friends that died or turned to the other side. Watcher cleaners arrived to take care of bodies from both sides. The packing continued until evening. Back at the church in Glenshee, Frank McFadden called one last meeting and invited only one watcher to attend.
Everyone took a seat in the pews and Frank asked the old watcher, "How far along is the cleanup crew?"
Joe Dawson answered, "One more day will be necessary. They have already begun the clean up in the other camp."
Duncan walked into the room to where the group was sitting. He was holding Evan while preparing mentally what to say. Joe watched him suspiciously and then asked, "Where did you find a baby?"
He answered, "This is Elizabeth's child."
"What are you saying?" Joe exclaimed, "This is your son?"
Duncan explained, "I couldn't tell you right away because by the time I knew, you were Egan's prisoner."
Joe looked around seeing some reaction on the faces of those gathered. He asked, "Did everyone else know?"
"No," Frank answered, "Only the inner circle knew and now only the closest friends here know and this has to be kept secret."
Joe shook his head in disbelief saying, "I don't know how I'm going to write this one up."
"You're not," Frank told him. "The other watchers don't get to know about this event. I allowed you to be the only witness for them and that is all."
Joe looked to Methos asking him, "Did you ever think that an immortal birth was possible?"
Methos narrowed his eyes thinking, then he explained, "I've lived longer than anyone here and yet there were two things I was sure of; there was no such event as a gathering and no chance of an immortal birth. As crazy as it sounds, both have happened."
Grace spoke up to tell Joe, "I was there and helped deliver the baby and watched her die."
Joe looked with sympathy to Duncan and said, "I'm sorry Mac. I didn't see her during the gathering and I was afraid to ask."
Frank McFadden told Joe, "You will have a chance to question me later back in Paris and I will allow you to write in your personal journal only certain details."
He spoke to everyone in attendance with the seriousness of the position he still held. "The next gathering of immortals may not happen for several thousand years if ever again. Cyrus, the guardian for immortals gave this request. Seek out new immortals and guide them in the ways of honor. While we sleep, evil does not. Righteousness must always be the One to win and end the end there can be only one…" he held his hand out to the highlander giving him the floor, "Let it be Duncan MacLeod."
Everyone started cheering and clapping loudly making Duncan blush. He handed the baby to Amanda and cleared his throat. With emotion in his voice he said, "It has been a privilege to watch you battle for what is good in this world and I know you will continue to do so. Our paths will lead us to different places but we will always carry in our hearts the courage and strength from this day forward until we meet again."
More clapping sounded followed by hugs and promises. The unique fellowship that formed over the past week would last for many lifetimes.
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