CHAPTER 73
Devan grinned when he saw Methos struggling to hold his sword. He was still weak from the
effects of both the death and the dagger to the ribs, and although he would prefer to have tortured
him forever in the concrete pit … he would settle for taking his head.
"Ahh Raphael, just like old times." He taunted as he slowly descended the stairs.
Methos was careful to stay still … waiting … watching … planning his first move.
"Mac, shouldn't we do something. He's in no condition to take on Devan …" Richie said in a low
voice as he watched the ancient immortal appear to weave a little on his feet.
"That's not for us to decide." Duncan replied, but then seeing the devastated look on Beth's face
he added. "Methos may be weak, but he will not go down easily … he never has."
Richie moved to stand beside Beth, who let him put a supporting arm around her waist as she still
gripped the railing. It was all she could do to hold it together realizing Methos did not look like he
could stand for long, much less fight.
When Devan took the offensive and began to strike blow after blow, Methos appeared to barely
be able to defend himself. He was clumsy and staggered slightly.
"Duncan can't we do something?" Amanda whispered low so Beth couldn't hear. Duncan shook
his head. Even if it were allowed, Methos would never forgive him for interfering. This battle had
been a long time coming …
Devan saw his victory was at hand and began to show his confidence, wasting precious energy
by recounting all the reasons that he, Raphael, was going to pay for what he'd done to him. "The
arrogance you showed by interfering." he told him. "I was Ashmadia, feared by the Persians as
the demon of waith until you robbed me of my freedom. Virgins trembled in their wedding beds
at the thought I might strike down their intended before the sun could rise." He laughed.
"All good things must come to an end." Methos replied dryly as he warded off the side swipes
Devan sent his way.
"You should not have interfered."
"And you should have been more careful than to select my friend as your next victim."
"Bah! He meant nothing. And soon you will mean nothing." Devan countered, circling around
Methos to try and drive him toward the pit he'd had dug.
Beth let out a tearful gasp, but Methos didn't let himself be distracted. He wished she had done
as he asked, but there was nothing he could do now except be glad MacLeod and the others
were there to protect her if something happened to him.
Cassandra was starting to wake up, but when she saw the battle across the room, her face
flushed with anger. Using her sword as a prop, she pulled herself to her feet, not happy to have
been duped by Methos … almost wishing he'd slip up … but one look to where Beth watched with
the others, took away any pleasure she would receive from witnessing his demise. She'd seen
enough innocent heart break to last a thousand lifetimes. For the second time in her life she was
forced to hope that he did succeed.
Methos skirted the edge of the pit and then carefully put his back to the open end of the factory
where he would have room to maneuver. Devan's over confidence was becoming more evident
with every swing of the sword. He thought Methos was weak … he thought he was wearing down
… he thought wrong.
As if out of nowhere, Methos became the aggressor. Devan's eyes widened in surprise as he
was forced to defend one rapid and powerful blow after another.
"There is still life in the old man yet." Amanda commented as she watched their ancient friend
almost toy with Devan as he lunged and extended his way forward, the blade of his sword glinting
ominously with every powerful stroke.
Beth held her breath as she watched him, realizing now why Duncan and the others had so much
confidence in his ability. He was amazing. The balance … the dexterity … the skill, all honed
over centuries of combat. She had read about such men in her literature books and studied them
in her Ancient History classes, but nothing came close to what she saw in Methos as he forced
his opponent to retreat further and further with every well placed strike of his blade. This
unassuming man in the baggy sweaters, who many might overlook for the sheer simplicity of his
demeanor, was a warrior in the truest sense of the word. And the realization both excited and
frightened her.
Methos knew the instant the tide turned when he saw the glimmer of fear in his opponent's eyes.
He only had to be patient now, Devan would do the work for him by acting in desperation.
"You have no idea do you?" Methos asked Devan, setting him up when he sensed the man's
impatience getting the better of him.
"No idea about what?" Devan retorted as he continued to try and defend himself.
"No idea what it is like to care more for someone else than yourself … to do whatever is
necessary to protect them."
"You mean love?" Devan replied scoffingly. "Love is for the weak." He emphasized the point by
lunging clumsily at Methos and found himself falling off balance when his opponent pivoted easily
to avoid the blow.
"Meet my weakness Ashmadia." Methos yelled as he brought his blade around and in one quick
motion, severed Asher Devan's head from his body.
Devan grinned when he saw Methos struggling to hold his sword. He was still weak from the
effects of both the death and the dagger to the ribs, and although he would prefer to have tortured
him forever in the concrete pit … he would settle for taking his head.
"Ahh Raphael, just like old times." He taunted as he slowly descended the stairs.
Methos was careful to stay still … waiting … watching … planning his first move.
"Mac, shouldn't we do something. He's in no condition to take on Devan …" Richie said in a low
voice as he watched the ancient immortal appear to weave a little on his feet.
"That's not for us to decide." Duncan replied, but then seeing the devastated look on Beth's face
he added. "Methos may be weak, but he will not go down easily … he never has."
Richie moved to stand beside Beth, who let him put a supporting arm around her waist as she still
gripped the railing. It was all she could do to hold it together realizing Methos did not look like he
could stand for long, much less fight.
When Devan took the offensive and began to strike blow after blow, Methos appeared to barely
be able to defend himself. He was clumsy and staggered slightly.
"Duncan can't we do something?" Amanda whispered low so Beth couldn't hear. Duncan shook
his head. Even if it were allowed, Methos would never forgive him for interfering. This battle had
been a long time coming …
Devan saw his victory was at hand and began to show his confidence, wasting precious energy
by recounting all the reasons that he, Raphael, was going to pay for what he'd done to him. "The
arrogance you showed by interfering." he told him. "I was Ashmadia, feared by the Persians as
the demon of waith until you robbed me of my freedom. Virgins trembled in their wedding beds
at the thought I might strike down their intended before the sun could rise." He laughed.
"All good things must come to an end." Methos replied dryly as he warded off the side swipes
Devan sent his way.
"You should not have interfered."
"And you should have been more careful than to select my friend as your next victim."
"Bah! He meant nothing. And soon you will mean nothing." Devan countered, circling around
Methos to try and drive him toward the pit he'd had dug.
Beth let out a tearful gasp, but Methos didn't let himself be distracted. He wished she had done
as he asked, but there was nothing he could do now except be glad MacLeod and the others
were there to protect her if something happened to him.
Cassandra was starting to wake up, but when she saw the battle across the room, her face
flushed with anger. Using her sword as a prop, she pulled herself to her feet, not happy to have
been duped by Methos … almost wishing he'd slip up … but one look to where Beth watched with
the others, took away any pleasure she would receive from witnessing his demise. She'd seen
enough innocent heart break to last a thousand lifetimes. For the second time in her life she was
forced to hope that he did succeed.
Methos skirted the edge of the pit and then carefully put his back to the open end of the factory
where he would have room to maneuver. Devan's over confidence was becoming more evident
with every swing of the sword. He thought Methos was weak … he thought he was wearing down
… he thought wrong.
As if out of nowhere, Methos became the aggressor. Devan's eyes widened in surprise as he
was forced to defend one rapid and powerful blow after another.
"There is still life in the old man yet." Amanda commented as she watched their ancient friend
almost toy with Devan as he lunged and extended his way forward, the blade of his sword glinting
ominously with every powerful stroke.
Beth held her breath as she watched him, realizing now why Duncan and the others had so much
confidence in his ability. He was amazing. The balance … the dexterity … the skill, all honed
over centuries of combat. She had read about such men in her literature books and studied them
in her Ancient History classes, but nothing came close to what she saw in Methos as he forced
his opponent to retreat further and further with every well placed strike of his blade. This
unassuming man in the baggy sweaters, who many might overlook for the sheer simplicity of his
demeanor, was a warrior in the truest sense of the word. And the realization both excited and
frightened her.
Methos knew the instant the tide turned when he saw the glimmer of fear in his opponent's eyes.
He only had to be patient now, Devan would do the work for him by acting in desperation.
"You have no idea do you?" Methos asked Devan, setting him up when he sensed the man's
impatience getting the better of him.
"No idea about what?" Devan retorted as he continued to try and defend himself.
"No idea what it is like to care more for someone else than yourself … to do whatever is
necessary to protect them."
"You mean love?" Devan replied scoffingly. "Love is for the weak." He emphasized the point by
lunging clumsily at Methos and found himself falling off balance when his opponent pivoted easily
to avoid the blow.
"Meet my weakness Ashmadia." Methos yelled as he brought his blade around and in one quick
motion, severed Asher Devan's head from his body.