Chapter 11
The phone on the desk rang and Lazarski entered the room from the bathroom, wrapping a towel around his waist, he had been taking a shower when the phone started ring, water dripped off his body onto the carpet as he crossed the room. He leant over the desk to pick up the phone "Yes?" he asked the irritation he felt at the phones intrusion evident in his voice "I think we might have a bit of a problem" replied Claude.
"and that would be?" Lazarski replied moving some papers on the desk aside to prevent them getting wet. "I was watching MacLeod's barge from a distance, as you told me, when he left her alone I was about to call you when it was clear he wasn't coming back.but then she decided to take a walk and I wasn't the only one to follow her.the Immortal I fought the other night and two other men" Claude waited for a reaction from Lazarski but there was just silence at the other end of the phone, so Claude continued "I don't think they are working together as they both followed her to the café in Rue du Javel.unfortunately Du Pont was there.she followed him to your office"
"So her memory is starting to return.you'll have to keep a closer eye on her.if she goes off again alone we will need to act fast" Lazarski replied, the sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line caught his attention "Is there anything you haven't told me?" On the other end Claude wished he didn't have to tell his boss anything about this as it would make him angry but not as angry as if he found out from another source "well, the two other guys I mentioned tried to snatch Alex but MacLeod and his friend stopped them.MacLeod took her off in his car I tried to follow but he lost me in traffic" Claude held the phone away from his ear "Well you had better find her.because if you don't I'll hunt you down like a dog.IS THAT CLEAR?" Claude only managed to say 'clear' before the line went dead.
Claude had ran into Lazarski just a little over 10 years ago, just after he had died the first time and he knew that if he hadn't been of use to him then, his head would not still be attached to his body. Claude had seen first hand what happened to people who failed or became no longer useful, Claude swallowed and ran his hand around his neck; if he didn't want to die he had to find Alex.
Duncan by passed the young woman at the reception desk and went straight up to Methos's room; he was in no mood for idle conversation. The door was ajar when Duncan reached the room, he knocked "MacLeod come in" Duncan pushed the door open and entered the room. He had only taken a few steps into the room when he realised that Methos was not alone "Joe? What are you doing here?" Duncan asked his silver hair friend who was sitting in one of the easy chairs "I asked him to come" Methos replied from the other chair. Joe had been out of town dealing with a Watcher problem but after receiving a call from Methos he had quickly returned to Paris. Duncan walked across and sat down on the couch "Why?"
"Because I think there's a connection between what took Joe out of town and what brought Alex to Paris" Duncan leaned forward "Ok I'm listening" Joe pushed himself to his feet and walked over to where a small black bag was leaning against the bed, he picked it up and returned to his seat, out of the bag he pulled a laptop computer and set it up on the coffee table in front of Duncan "have you ever heard of a man by the name of Lazarski.Gregor Lazarski?" Duncan thought for a moment "nope.should I have?" the screen in front of Duncan lit up and the watcher database front- page was displayed "What are you doing?" Duncan asked as he went to get up but Joe held his hand up "sit down Mac.I'm not going to show you anything you don't need to see.do you know why I left town?" Duncan sat back down "No, but I guessed it was Watcher business"
"It certainly was.one of our Watchers was killed, his body was only discovered last week.can you guess who he was watching?" Duncan moved to the edge of the couch "Lazarski? But I don't see what this has got to do with what's happening here" Duncan replied. Methos got up and went to the bar taking three glasses from behind it with one hand while he picked up a bottle with the other "you know I said that I followed Alex to that café and then to the old office building" Duncan nodded as he watched Methos pour them all a drink "well, when Alex started back I waited you see I had felt the presence of one of us" Duncan narrowed his eyes "that's not like you"
"I know I surprised myself but I did keep well out of sight and I'm glad I did.you see the Immortal in that building was Lazarski"
"So what is the big deal about this Lazarski guy?" Duncan's impatience was beginning to show "you know what evil is MacLeod, you've faced it enough times.well Lazarski is way beyond any evil you've seen before.he doesn't care about anything, anyone.he kills without a thought.men, women, children nothing matters to him" Duncan picked up his glass "Ok I get it but what has this got to do with Alex?"
Methos handed a glass to Joe "the man Alex was following came out of the building with Lazarski, he must work for him.so Alex is linked to Lazarski in some way so you had better be careful my friend" Duncan wiped his hand across his face "So do you think those two guys that we met earlier work for Lazarski?" After taking a drink Joe put his glass onto the table before tapping the keys of the computer "I don't think so but I can't be sure Lazarski's Watcher was very detailed in his reports and from the description Methos gave me I couldn't find anyone that fitted" Duncan was watching the computer screen when he saw a name he recognised D'Aubigne, Claude D'Aubigne "Stop" Duncan put his hand onto Joe's stopping him from scrolling further down the list "what is it Mac?" as he looked up with surprise at his friends reaction.
Duncan then told them about the sword he had just bought and that it was sold by a man named D'Aubigne "It belonged to another Immortal, Akira Shinohara, a good friend, when I met him he was a Buddhist monk but he would never give up his families sword.unless" Joe was already typing in Akira's name into the computer, it took a little while for the result to appear, Duncan didn't have to finish the sentence both Joe and Methos knew what he meant. The Akira's Watcher file appeared on the screen, the last entry was dated 10 years ago, Joe read it out loud.
"Yesterday, a young boy bleeding and badly beaten found his way to our door, Akira tended to his wounds, I couldn't hear all that was said between them but it disturbed Akira greatly. It had taken the boy two days and night to reach us he brought terrible news from the village in the valley. After the boy died in his arms I watched from a distance as Akira went to the his room he sat in front of the black chest that had been in the corner of his room for as long as I can remember, he sat there for about an hour silently his eyes fixed on the chest. When he opened it he took out something rapped in red silk, slowly he unwrapped the silk, inside was the most beautifully carved sword I had ever seen. I have been in this monastery watching Akira for the past 30 years and I have never seen him open the chest before, I slipped away before he saw see me.
Later I found Akira practicing in courtyard I had seen him practice before but always with wooden poles never a sword, he used it with grace and great skill. I have never seen him in battle but he had kept his skills with days of practice. He stopped and smiled at me as he saw me watching him, I don't know if he knew I was there because of him but he approached me and asked me to go with him to the village to tell the family of the young boy about his great courage, he said that it would save me following him."
Duncan stood up and walked to the window "do you want me to continue?" Joe asked as he looked over to where Duncan was standing, without turning round Duncan nodded. "The next entry was made two days later" Joe announced before continuing.
"We arrived in the village just after dawn on the second day Akira had taken off his monk's robes and dressed in the clothes of a warrior I had never seen these clothes before they must have been in the chest with the sword. As we walked through the streets there were broken windows and doors, there were still some people in the houses but they must have been too frightened to come out. Akira walked down the middle of the street I stayed a little behind leading the horses, his eyes might have been looking forward but I knew that he could see all that I could.
He seemed drawn to the largest house in the village it seemed untouched by the devastation that surrounded it, as a man came out of the house Akira stopped he turned back and told me that I had to leave him, I tried to argue but he raised his hand and said that it was no time to have a debate so I did as he asked. I found a place out of sight to watch. The other Immortal introduced himself as Gregor Lazarski, Akira bowed and introduced himself, he then said "but you already know who I am.you didn't have to do all this to challenge me"
"I didn't just do this to get you here.I did it because I enjoy it" Lazarski replied. Then the battle started they were both handled their swords with great skill but Akira finally got the better of Lazarski, when he dropped to his knees I nearly cried out with joy but then the gunshot rang out and I watched as Akira crumpled to the ground. Lazarski then got to his feet raised up Akira's head to look into his eyes, he then said something but I couldn't hear what before taking Akria's head. I watched the quickening and was about to leave when a young man came out of the house, a gun in his hand, Lazarski took the gun from him and gave him Akria's sword, I had hoped that they would leave it behind. I then watched as they stripped the village of everything of worth before leaving with most of the village ablaze.
I buried Akira at the edge of the village and mark it with a pile of stone, I then found the young boy's family what was left of it and told them of his great courage.
My heart is heavy as I write this my last entry on the Immortal Akira Shinohara, the village is in ruins but they can rebuild it but Akira is gone forever. This is my last report for the Watchers as I humbly request my retirement be made effective immediately and my resettlement used to rebuild the village Akira loved, he might not have been able to save it but he can help to rebuild it, as for me I will return to the monastery to live out my days"
When Joe had finished speaking he turn to Duncan, who was still stood looking out of the window, several minutes past before Methos broke the silence "Mac?" Duncan turned round they could both see the emotion in his eyes "and you think that Alex is involved with Lazarski?" Duncan said as he walked back over to where Methos and Joe where sitting, Joe tapped on the keyboard again "I don't think she is involved with him as much as she's after him.there is an entry from his Watcher about two years ago.Lazarski was shot and killed by a woman and from what the old man told me the description fits Alex". Duncan sat down on the arm of the couch "but if she killed him two years ago why would she be in Paris looking for him?" Joe scrolled further down the page "there is an entry just before his Watcher disappeared.it seems that they ran into the woman again at a ball at the Australian Embassy, from what it says here there was quite a scene.that was the last report we received".
The phone on the desk rang and Lazarski entered the room from the bathroom, wrapping a towel around his waist, he had been taking a shower when the phone started ring, water dripped off his body onto the carpet as he crossed the room. He leant over the desk to pick up the phone "Yes?" he asked the irritation he felt at the phones intrusion evident in his voice "I think we might have a bit of a problem" replied Claude.
"and that would be?" Lazarski replied moving some papers on the desk aside to prevent them getting wet. "I was watching MacLeod's barge from a distance, as you told me, when he left her alone I was about to call you when it was clear he wasn't coming back.but then she decided to take a walk and I wasn't the only one to follow her.the Immortal I fought the other night and two other men" Claude waited for a reaction from Lazarski but there was just silence at the other end of the phone, so Claude continued "I don't think they are working together as they both followed her to the café in Rue du Javel.unfortunately Du Pont was there.she followed him to your office"
"So her memory is starting to return.you'll have to keep a closer eye on her.if she goes off again alone we will need to act fast" Lazarski replied, the sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line caught his attention "Is there anything you haven't told me?" On the other end Claude wished he didn't have to tell his boss anything about this as it would make him angry but not as angry as if he found out from another source "well, the two other guys I mentioned tried to snatch Alex but MacLeod and his friend stopped them.MacLeod took her off in his car I tried to follow but he lost me in traffic" Claude held the phone away from his ear "Well you had better find her.because if you don't I'll hunt you down like a dog.IS THAT CLEAR?" Claude only managed to say 'clear' before the line went dead.
Claude had ran into Lazarski just a little over 10 years ago, just after he had died the first time and he knew that if he hadn't been of use to him then, his head would not still be attached to his body. Claude had seen first hand what happened to people who failed or became no longer useful, Claude swallowed and ran his hand around his neck; if he didn't want to die he had to find Alex.
Duncan by passed the young woman at the reception desk and went straight up to Methos's room; he was in no mood for idle conversation. The door was ajar when Duncan reached the room, he knocked "MacLeod come in" Duncan pushed the door open and entered the room. He had only taken a few steps into the room when he realised that Methos was not alone "Joe? What are you doing here?" Duncan asked his silver hair friend who was sitting in one of the easy chairs "I asked him to come" Methos replied from the other chair. Joe had been out of town dealing with a Watcher problem but after receiving a call from Methos he had quickly returned to Paris. Duncan walked across and sat down on the couch "Why?"
"Because I think there's a connection between what took Joe out of town and what brought Alex to Paris" Duncan leaned forward "Ok I'm listening" Joe pushed himself to his feet and walked over to where a small black bag was leaning against the bed, he picked it up and returned to his seat, out of the bag he pulled a laptop computer and set it up on the coffee table in front of Duncan "have you ever heard of a man by the name of Lazarski.Gregor Lazarski?" Duncan thought for a moment "nope.should I have?" the screen in front of Duncan lit up and the watcher database front- page was displayed "What are you doing?" Duncan asked as he went to get up but Joe held his hand up "sit down Mac.I'm not going to show you anything you don't need to see.do you know why I left town?" Duncan sat back down "No, but I guessed it was Watcher business"
"It certainly was.one of our Watchers was killed, his body was only discovered last week.can you guess who he was watching?" Duncan moved to the edge of the couch "Lazarski? But I don't see what this has got to do with what's happening here" Duncan replied. Methos got up and went to the bar taking three glasses from behind it with one hand while he picked up a bottle with the other "you know I said that I followed Alex to that café and then to the old office building" Duncan nodded as he watched Methos pour them all a drink "well, when Alex started back I waited you see I had felt the presence of one of us" Duncan narrowed his eyes "that's not like you"
"I know I surprised myself but I did keep well out of sight and I'm glad I did.you see the Immortal in that building was Lazarski"
"So what is the big deal about this Lazarski guy?" Duncan's impatience was beginning to show "you know what evil is MacLeod, you've faced it enough times.well Lazarski is way beyond any evil you've seen before.he doesn't care about anything, anyone.he kills without a thought.men, women, children nothing matters to him" Duncan picked up his glass "Ok I get it but what has this got to do with Alex?"
Methos handed a glass to Joe "the man Alex was following came out of the building with Lazarski, he must work for him.so Alex is linked to Lazarski in some way so you had better be careful my friend" Duncan wiped his hand across his face "So do you think those two guys that we met earlier work for Lazarski?" After taking a drink Joe put his glass onto the table before tapping the keys of the computer "I don't think so but I can't be sure Lazarski's Watcher was very detailed in his reports and from the description Methos gave me I couldn't find anyone that fitted" Duncan was watching the computer screen when he saw a name he recognised D'Aubigne, Claude D'Aubigne "Stop" Duncan put his hand onto Joe's stopping him from scrolling further down the list "what is it Mac?" as he looked up with surprise at his friends reaction.
Duncan then told them about the sword he had just bought and that it was sold by a man named D'Aubigne "It belonged to another Immortal, Akira Shinohara, a good friend, when I met him he was a Buddhist monk but he would never give up his families sword.unless" Joe was already typing in Akira's name into the computer, it took a little while for the result to appear, Duncan didn't have to finish the sentence both Joe and Methos knew what he meant. The Akira's Watcher file appeared on the screen, the last entry was dated 10 years ago, Joe read it out loud.
"Yesterday, a young boy bleeding and badly beaten found his way to our door, Akira tended to his wounds, I couldn't hear all that was said between them but it disturbed Akira greatly. It had taken the boy two days and night to reach us he brought terrible news from the village in the valley. After the boy died in his arms I watched from a distance as Akira went to the his room he sat in front of the black chest that had been in the corner of his room for as long as I can remember, he sat there for about an hour silently his eyes fixed on the chest. When he opened it he took out something rapped in red silk, slowly he unwrapped the silk, inside was the most beautifully carved sword I had ever seen. I have been in this monastery watching Akira for the past 30 years and I have never seen him open the chest before, I slipped away before he saw see me.
Later I found Akira practicing in courtyard I had seen him practice before but always with wooden poles never a sword, he used it with grace and great skill. I have never seen him in battle but he had kept his skills with days of practice. He stopped and smiled at me as he saw me watching him, I don't know if he knew I was there because of him but he approached me and asked me to go with him to the village to tell the family of the young boy about his great courage, he said that it would save me following him."
Duncan stood up and walked to the window "do you want me to continue?" Joe asked as he looked over to where Duncan was standing, without turning round Duncan nodded. "The next entry was made two days later" Joe announced before continuing.
"We arrived in the village just after dawn on the second day Akira had taken off his monk's robes and dressed in the clothes of a warrior I had never seen these clothes before they must have been in the chest with the sword. As we walked through the streets there were broken windows and doors, there were still some people in the houses but they must have been too frightened to come out. Akira walked down the middle of the street I stayed a little behind leading the horses, his eyes might have been looking forward but I knew that he could see all that I could.
He seemed drawn to the largest house in the village it seemed untouched by the devastation that surrounded it, as a man came out of the house Akira stopped he turned back and told me that I had to leave him, I tried to argue but he raised his hand and said that it was no time to have a debate so I did as he asked. I found a place out of sight to watch. The other Immortal introduced himself as Gregor Lazarski, Akira bowed and introduced himself, he then said "but you already know who I am.you didn't have to do all this to challenge me"
"I didn't just do this to get you here.I did it because I enjoy it" Lazarski replied. Then the battle started they were both handled their swords with great skill but Akira finally got the better of Lazarski, when he dropped to his knees I nearly cried out with joy but then the gunshot rang out and I watched as Akira crumpled to the ground. Lazarski then got to his feet raised up Akira's head to look into his eyes, he then said something but I couldn't hear what before taking Akria's head. I watched the quickening and was about to leave when a young man came out of the house, a gun in his hand, Lazarski took the gun from him and gave him Akria's sword, I had hoped that they would leave it behind. I then watched as they stripped the village of everything of worth before leaving with most of the village ablaze.
I buried Akira at the edge of the village and mark it with a pile of stone, I then found the young boy's family what was left of it and told them of his great courage.
My heart is heavy as I write this my last entry on the Immortal Akira Shinohara, the village is in ruins but they can rebuild it but Akira is gone forever. This is my last report for the Watchers as I humbly request my retirement be made effective immediately and my resettlement used to rebuild the village Akira loved, he might not have been able to save it but he can help to rebuild it, as for me I will return to the monastery to live out my days"
When Joe had finished speaking he turn to Duncan, who was still stood looking out of the window, several minutes past before Methos broke the silence "Mac?" Duncan turned round they could both see the emotion in his eyes "and you think that Alex is involved with Lazarski?" Duncan said as he walked back over to where Methos and Joe where sitting, Joe tapped on the keyboard again "I don't think she is involved with him as much as she's after him.there is an entry from his Watcher about two years ago.Lazarski was shot and killed by a woman and from what the old man told me the description fits Alex". Duncan sat down on the arm of the couch "but if she killed him two years ago why would she be in Paris looking for him?" Joe scrolled further down the page "there is an entry just before his Watcher disappeared.it seems that they ran into the woman again at a ball at the Australian Embassy, from what it says here there was quite a scene.that was the last report we received".