CHAPTER 13
It was early in the morning before Methos found what he was looking for … a Watcher's report
filed about six months prior …
-----------------------------------------------------------
SUBJECT: Asher Devan
LOCATION: Atlanta, Georgia
Convicted of Murder in the First Degree. Serving Life Sentence in Atlanta Prison.
Asher Devan found guilty of slashing musician Craig Ralston to death with a sword. Leandra
Ralston, wife of the victim, testified Devan and his accomplices abducted she and her husband,
drug them into an alley, where the murder took place. According to Mrs. Ralston, Devan bound
her husband before slashing his body over and over with a sword. Defense attorneys attempted
to enter her sworn statements given to police immediately following the incident in an effort to
negate her testimony, however the motion was denied and that evidence suppressed.
During sentencing, Devan made a statement in court threatening to "finish the job he began on
her husband". Before being silenced by Fulton County deputies, Devan warned Mrs. Ralston that
she could try and hide from him, but he had his ways and one day she would pay in blood for
among other things … her testimony against him. He said that she of all people knew that there
was nothing he couldn't do. She had witnessed his power and he could not be stopped.
------------------------------------------------------------
As soon as Methos saw the photo of Asher Devan he immediately recognized him and groaned
out loud.
Duncan, who had been dozing on the nearby sofa, awoke to find a worried Methos glued to the
screen.
"What did you find?" he asked, rubbing his eyes and moving to stand behind the older immortal.
"Does this sound familiar?" Methos asked, scrolling the text back to the top of the entry and
letting Mac read for himself.
"That's got to be it … I knew she said she was in the Witness Protection program … I hadn't
thought about her using an alias … I should have guessed."
"Well you were right about one thing … it was one of us … and unless something or someone
intervenes … her nightmares will come true." Methos said flatly.
"You know this Asher Devan?" Duncan asked, moving to lean against the window sill next to the
computer.
"Asher Devan is probably best known by the name Ashmadia." Methos replied. "I'm sure you've
read about him."
"Ashmadia? The demon of the Apocrypha?" Duncan was shocked to say the least. "Are you
sure?"
"One in the same I am afraid." Methos leaned back in his chair as his mind moved back in time
…
Ecbatana, Persia
"Tobias … are you certain you want to marry this woman?" Raphael asked his friend. "Seven
husbands … SEVEN … and none of them make it to the marriage bed."
"Raphael … I don't have a choice … you know it is my Father's wish that I marry Sara."
"Is it his wish that you should die at the hand of your bride?"
"You know that is a foolish story … the gossip of hand maids with too much time on their hands."
Tobias rebuked his friend.
"Then you believe the other story … You believe it's a demon who has killed these men?"
Raphael asked.
"I don't know. But I do know God promised my Father that he would be rewarded for his
obedience … and I must marry Sara."
"Agh!" Raphael threw his hands up in desparation. "At least if I can't talk you out of this
marriage, give me a few days to try and solve this mystery before you announce your arrival."
Tobias thought about what his friend was offering to do, and he knew that if anyone could solve
the mystery … it would be Raphael. He carried his friend's secret … and knew that he would not
fall to foul means because he had special powers.
Raphael trusted Tobias and owed him a debt of gratitude for giving him a place of importance in
his father's household. It was at a time in Raphael's life that he had been without means … and
Tobias' friendship had proven to be invaluable. His friend had stumbled upon his secret of
immortality when he'd been thrown from a horse into a deep ravine. Tobias could tell he was
dead before he began the climb down … and Raphael was cold when the man made his way to
where his broken body lay … but then before his Tobias' eyes, Raphael had miraculously revived
… it had been their secret ever since.
Raphael slipped into the town of Ecbatana unnoticed and made his way to the home of Raguel,
the father of Tobias' betrothed, Sara. For two days he investigated the deaths of the seven
husbands, and could find no answer … only the rumor that it was a demon who preyed on
newlyweds who wanted Sara for himself. On the third day as preparations for the wedding feast
were underway, he felt the familiar buzz … the presence of another immortal.
Drawing his sword, he followed the sensation behind the stable.
"I am Raphael … show yourself."
A tall man with dark hair and a powerful build stepped from the shadows. "I am Ashmadia … and
this hour is your last."
The large man drew his sword and propelled himself at Raphael, who was thankful his more lithe
frame made him quicker and agile than his powerful opponent.
Their blades clashed and for several minutes, the blows rained steel upon steel. Raphael could
feel his arms weakening under the strength of his opponent and knew he would have to use his
quickness to it's best advantage if he was to have a chance. Spinning quickly, he vaulted up
onto the wall and managed to land a blow to his opponents shoulder … but at that moment, a
group of young men from the house came around the stable to retrieve some of the barrels of
wine that had been stored there. Raphael had to quickly jump from the wall and Ashmadia
disappeared into the shadows.
"Don't make the mistake of being here for the wedding." Ashmadia hissed as he walked away.
"Or I will make quick work of you when I am done with the maiden's latest betrothed."
Raphael met Tobias outside the city, but since he hadn't shared the complete story of his
immortality … or the fact there were others, he had to come up with some story that would satisfy
… and a plan to keep his stubborn friend from becoming the eighth victim of "the demon".
Tobias believed Raphael was some kind of other world being … so it was easy to play on his
religious superstitions. He convinced the young man that if he placed the heart and liver of a fish
on the embers of the fire in the marriage tent, the demon would be repulsed by the stench.
Tobias willingly believed the story. Raphael couldn't help but laugh to himself at his friend's
willingness to substitute the fish guts for incense on his wedding night … but he was thankful he
bought the story.
Unknown to Tobias, Raphael waited outside the tent for Ashmadia to make his move … Knowing
Ashmadia was powerful and would be better prepared, Raphael took no chances. He convinced
Raguel, the father of the bride, to dig a deep pit near the marriage tent … to trap the demon.
When Ashmadia appeared, Raphael only had to battle him long enough to send the unsuspecting
immortal falling backwards into the pit. Raguel and his servants were ready and immediately
began filling the pit with rock and dirt … covering the demon to save the happy couple.
"Wait a minute." McCloud interrupted Methos story. "You are saying that you are the Angel
Raphael in the book of Tobit?"
Methos smiled wryly.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't it say in the book of Tobit that the demon was chased into the
remotest part of Egypt by Raphael … where the angel bound him?"
"That was the cover story. In actuality Ashmadia was buried alive … I sort of hoped he was still
there … I suppose someone dug him up." Methos replied. "I wonder if there's a chance he's
forgotten about me?" he added hopefully but without conviction.
Duncan covered his face with his hands and groaned. "This is worse than I thought."
"Worse for whom?" Methos asked. "One thing is for sure … if Asher Devan finds out I am still
around … and in Seacouver no less … Beth won't be his primary target." He paused for a few
seconds and looked at his suitcases. "At least I haven't unpacked yet … I can be on the first
flight to Paris in the morning."
"What do you mean? Are you going to run out on me? … on Beth? … are you that self-serving?"
"Calm down McCloud … I wasn't planning to run out on you … not really. I've dropped out of site
before … but I thought this time when I did, you could find a way to let Damon find out I am alive
… and point him in the direction of Europe or the Orient or anywhere but here." Methos was
pretty sure that he could stay ahead of the man, and become the decoy … and who knows … he
might be able to keep him on the hunt for decades … certainly long enough for Beth Parker to live
out her life in peace.
"No … no way." Duncan argued. "If something goes wrong and he gets to you … then he will be
right back here … and he'll have the added advantage of your quickening."
"You're assuming I couldn't take him?" Methos feigned indignation.
"I'm not saying that." Duncan replied. "But I think we all stand a better chance of surviving this
bastard if we stick together … "
Methos didn't argue … If truth be told he wasn't looking forward to leaving town. He liked
Seacouver … and free beer at Joe's … and having Duncan McCloud around. He sat back down
at the computer and scrolled to the bottom of the report. "hmmmm." He groaned.
"What?" McCloud asked.
"I was just wondering what was in that statement she gave that didn't make it into the court
record." Methos replied.
"Do you think it's important."
"It must have been or the defense wouldn't have tried to enter it … I mean what could the wife of
a murder victim who witnessed her husband's slaying, say that could help their client beat the
wrap?"
Duncan found himself wondering the same thing.
It was early in the morning before Methos found what he was looking for … a Watcher's report
filed about six months prior …
-----------------------------------------------------------
SUBJECT: Asher Devan
LOCATION: Atlanta, Georgia
Convicted of Murder in the First Degree. Serving Life Sentence in Atlanta Prison.
Asher Devan found guilty of slashing musician Craig Ralston to death with a sword. Leandra
Ralston, wife of the victim, testified Devan and his accomplices abducted she and her husband,
drug them into an alley, where the murder took place. According to Mrs. Ralston, Devan bound
her husband before slashing his body over and over with a sword. Defense attorneys attempted
to enter her sworn statements given to police immediately following the incident in an effort to
negate her testimony, however the motion was denied and that evidence suppressed.
During sentencing, Devan made a statement in court threatening to "finish the job he began on
her husband". Before being silenced by Fulton County deputies, Devan warned Mrs. Ralston that
she could try and hide from him, but he had his ways and one day she would pay in blood for
among other things … her testimony against him. He said that she of all people knew that there
was nothing he couldn't do. She had witnessed his power and he could not be stopped.
------------------------------------------------------------
As soon as Methos saw the photo of Asher Devan he immediately recognized him and groaned
out loud.
Duncan, who had been dozing on the nearby sofa, awoke to find a worried Methos glued to the
screen.
"What did you find?" he asked, rubbing his eyes and moving to stand behind the older immortal.
"Does this sound familiar?" Methos asked, scrolling the text back to the top of the entry and
letting Mac read for himself.
"That's got to be it … I knew she said she was in the Witness Protection program … I hadn't
thought about her using an alias … I should have guessed."
"Well you were right about one thing … it was one of us … and unless something or someone
intervenes … her nightmares will come true." Methos said flatly.
"You know this Asher Devan?" Duncan asked, moving to lean against the window sill next to the
computer.
"Asher Devan is probably best known by the name Ashmadia." Methos replied. "I'm sure you've
read about him."
"Ashmadia? The demon of the Apocrypha?" Duncan was shocked to say the least. "Are you
sure?"
"One in the same I am afraid." Methos leaned back in his chair as his mind moved back in time
…
Ecbatana, Persia
"Tobias … are you certain you want to marry this woman?" Raphael asked his friend. "Seven
husbands … SEVEN … and none of them make it to the marriage bed."
"Raphael … I don't have a choice … you know it is my Father's wish that I marry Sara."
"Is it his wish that you should die at the hand of your bride?"
"You know that is a foolish story … the gossip of hand maids with too much time on their hands."
Tobias rebuked his friend.
"Then you believe the other story … You believe it's a demon who has killed these men?"
Raphael asked.
"I don't know. But I do know God promised my Father that he would be rewarded for his
obedience … and I must marry Sara."
"Agh!" Raphael threw his hands up in desparation. "At least if I can't talk you out of this
marriage, give me a few days to try and solve this mystery before you announce your arrival."
Tobias thought about what his friend was offering to do, and he knew that if anyone could solve
the mystery … it would be Raphael. He carried his friend's secret … and knew that he would not
fall to foul means because he had special powers.
Raphael trusted Tobias and owed him a debt of gratitude for giving him a place of importance in
his father's household. It was at a time in Raphael's life that he had been without means … and
Tobias' friendship had proven to be invaluable. His friend had stumbled upon his secret of
immortality when he'd been thrown from a horse into a deep ravine. Tobias could tell he was
dead before he began the climb down … and Raphael was cold when the man made his way to
where his broken body lay … but then before his Tobias' eyes, Raphael had miraculously revived
… it had been their secret ever since.
Raphael slipped into the town of Ecbatana unnoticed and made his way to the home of Raguel,
the father of Tobias' betrothed, Sara. For two days he investigated the deaths of the seven
husbands, and could find no answer … only the rumor that it was a demon who preyed on
newlyweds who wanted Sara for himself. On the third day as preparations for the wedding feast
were underway, he felt the familiar buzz … the presence of another immortal.
Drawing his sword, he followed the sensation behind the stable.
"I am Raphael … show yourself."
A tall man with dark hair and a powerful build stepped from the shadows. "I am Ashmadia … and
this hour is your last."
The large man drew his sword and propelled himself at Raphael, who was thankful his more lithe
frame made him quicker and agile than his powerful opponent.
Their blades clashed and for several minutes, the blows rained steel upon steel. Raphael could
feel his arms weakening under the strength of his opponent and knew he would have to use his
quickness to it's best advantage if he was to have a chance. Spinning quickly, he vaulted up
onto the wall and managed to land a blow to his opponents shoulder … but at that moment, a
group of young men from the house came around the stable to retrieve some of the barrels of
wine that had been stored there. Raphael had to quickly jump from the wall and Ashmadia
disappeared into the shadows.
"Don't make the mistake of being here for the wedding." Ashmadia hissed as he walked away.
"Or I will make quick work of you when I am done with the maiden's latest betrothed."
Raphael met Tobias outside the city, but since he hadn't shared the complete story of his
immortality … or the fact there were others, he had to come up with some story that would satisfy
… and a plan to keep his stubborn friend from becoming the eighth victim of "the demon".
Tobias believed Raphael was some kind of other world being … so it was easy to play on his
religious superstitions. He convinced the young man that if he placed the heart and liver of a fish
on the embers of the fire in the marriage tent, the demon would be repulsed by the stench.
Tobias willingly believed the story. Raphael couldn't help but laugh to himself at his friend's
willingness to substitute the fish guts for incense on his wedding night … but he was thankful he
bought the story.
Unknown to Tobias, Raphael waited outside the tent for Ashmadia to make his move … Knowing
Ashmadia was powerful and would be better prepared, Raphael took no chances. He convinced
Raguel, the father of the bride, to dig a deep pit near the marriage tent … to trap the demon.
When Ashmadia appeared, Raphael only had to battle him long enough to send the unsuspecting
immortal falling backwards into the pit. Raguel and his servants were ready and immediately
began filling the pit with rock and dirt … covering the demon to save the happy couple.
"Wait a minute." McCloud interrupted Methos story. "You are saying that you are the Angel
Raphael in the book of Tobit?"
Methos smiled wryly.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't it say in the book of Tobit that the demon was chased into the
remotest part of Egypt by Raphael … where the angel bound him?"
"That was the cover story. In actuality Ashmadia was buried alive … I sort of hoped he was still
there … I suppose someone dug him up." Methos replied. "I wonder if there's a chance he's
forgotten about me?" he added hopefully but without conviction.
Duncan covered his face with his hands and groaned. "This is worse than I thought."
"Worse for whom?" Methos asked. "One thing is for sure … if Asher Devan finds out I am still
around … and in Seacouver no less … Beth won't be his primary target." He paused for a few
seconds and looked at his suitcases. "At least I haven't unpacked yet … I can be on the first
flight to Paris in the morning."
"What do you mean? Are you going to run out on me? … on Beth? … are you that self-serving?"
"Calm down McCloud … I wasn't planning to run out on you … not really. I've dropped out of site
before … but I thought this time when I did, you could find a way to let Damon find out I am alive
… and point him in the direction of Europe or the Orient or anywhere but here." Methos was
pretty sure that he could stay ahead of the man, and become the decoy … and who knows … he
might be able to keep him on the hunt for decades … certainly long enough for Beth Parker to live
out her life in peace.
"No … no way." Duncan argued. "If something goes wrong and he gets to you … then he will be
right back here … and he'll have the added advantage of your quickening."
"You're assuming I couldn't take him?" Methos feigned indignation.
"I'm not saying that." Duncan replied. "But I think we all stand a better chance of surviving this
bastard if we stick together … "
Methos didn't argue … If truth be told he wasn't looking forward to leaving town. He liked
Seacouver … and free beer at Joe's … and having Duncan McCloud around. He sat back down
at the computer and scrolled to the bottom of the report. "hmmmm." He groaned.
"What?" McCloud asked.
"I was just wondering what was in that statement she gave that didn't make it into the court
record." Methos replied.
"Do you think it's important."
"It must have been or the defense wouldn't have tried to enter it … I mean what could the wife of
a murder victim who witnessed her husband's slaying, say that could help their client beat the
wrap?"
Duncan found himself wondering the same thing.