Chapter 40
"Do you want to know what really happened to them Duncan.Well I'll tell you"
California 1860
After leaving Duncan, Robert turned his horse back towards the farm. As he rode his horse hard until he reached the farm, Shaun was alarmed by the sight of the lather up horse that Robert rode in, so he walked towards him "Is there anything wrong Robert" Shaun asked as Robert walked his horse over to him "No I just forgot to get something.I thought you were going into town to make your claim" Shaun smiled up at him "I know what Duncan said but there was too much that needs to be done here.I'll go tomorrow when I pick up our supplies" Robert smiled, this had been just what he had hoped for. He removed his feet from the stirrups, as he turned the horse's head and he came in line with Shaun he kicked out sending Shaun sprawling across the dirt, before Shaun could recover from the shook of the attack Robert leaped from his horse raining blow after blow onto him until he fell unconscious, the sound of the attack brought Emily from the house, at first she smiled at Robert as she walked over to him until her eyes saw the bloody body of her husband. Robert's eyes followed her gaze "What have you done?" Emily gasped as she backed away turning her body to protect her baby, who was sleeping in her arms. She then tried to run for the house but Robert was quicker blocking her path, in her panic Emily ran towards the barn with Robert in pursuit.
She tried to close the barn doors but she couldn't move very fast while carrying the baby in her arms, it didn't take much effort for Robert to wrench open the doors. "What do you want.we don't have anything" Emily pleaded "That's were your wrong.I've watched you for months.I saw you look down your nose at me" Robert spat at her as the back of his hand slammed into her cheek sending her flying, fortunately she landed on the pile of hay just inside the door and she had managed to stop herself landing on the child. Robert strode towards her "Please.leave us alone.we've done nothing to you" Emily pleaded as she tried to back away for him, Robert leant forward and wrenched the crying baby from her arms, as Emily tried to take him back Robert hit her again, he then flung the child away like a bundle of old rags, it collided with the wooden side of one of the stalls and the crying stopped. Emily tried to get to her baby but was pushed back onto the hay by Robert "I've waited a long time for this" again he hit her but this time he ripped the front of her dress open, while she was still dazed from the last blow he pushed her arms over her head and pinned them with one hand while her raised up her skirt with the other.
The screams coming from the barn brought Shaun round and he struggled to his feet "No..Please No" came the cries again and he knew that it was Emily. He stumbled towards the barn, his head still spinning, he managed to take hold of the pitchfork that was lent up against the outside of the barn, Shaun looked in horror at his beloved Emily being attacked by this animal who they had thought of as their friend, her eyes pleading with him to help her, he raised the pitchfork and leaped towards Robert but before he could find his target Robert twisted and the gun in his hand exploded, the bullet hitting Shaun in the chest. Shaun fell a few feet away from Robert and Emily but there was nothing more he could do and the last words he heard as he lay dying was Emily's cries as Robert raped her.
After he had finished with her, he knocked her unconscious, tided himself up pulling the hay from his clothing, he then searched Shaun for the nugget and it was where he thought it would be his waistcoat pocket. He then set fire to the house and rode away towards the next town. He stayed hided in his hotel room until after Duncan had brought Emily into town and had left a few days later, after he had helped the sheriff mount a search but no one was found. Then a couple of months later he registered the claim.
Duncan took a few steps closer to Dani his hands outstretched the emotion he was feeling after hearing who had killed his friends, evident in his voice "It's not about Robert.or what he's done.it's about what your doing now.it's you I want to live.if you do this.you won't be able to live with yourself.and you know I can't let you hurt anyone else" Duncan's voice was starting to break up as he fought with his emotions "because if you take this path.you will be walking into the darkness and I will have no choice but to come for you.and I don't want to have to do that Dani.so Please.don't make me". A tear started to fall from Dani's eye "it's too late, Duncan.I have to do this I have no choice" she said as she raised the sword, "NO DANI.DON'T DO THIS" Duncan shouted as he took another step forward, "We all have a choice.Robert will pay for what he has done.I promise you.but not like this.Please Dani.put the sword down for me.I don't want to loose you" Duncan pleaded as he fought back the tears that had welled up in his eyes. Dani raised the sword over her head and time seemed to stand still as no one moved.
Dani suddenly threw the sword aside as she pushed Hamilton away, he crumpled to the ground unconscious, Methos let out the breath he was holding, for a while he really thought that Duncan wouldn't manage to talk Dani round. Dani looked over at Duncan tears cascading down her face, she started to walk towards where her sword was impaled into the highland grass, but she had only gone a few steps when she crumpled to her knees sobbing, her head in her hands. Duncan strode over to her kneeling down in front of her and put his arms around her, Dani laid her head on his shoulder "Oh Duncan.what have I done?" Duncan smoothed her hair, he watched, over her shoulder, as Methos walked over to Hamilton's crumpled body and turned him over with his foot, when he was certain that he was unconscious he retrieved Hamilton's sword. "Thank you.it's going to be all right now" Duncan said as he lifted her face so that he could wipe away the tears "now I want you to listen to me.I want you to go with Methos back to the Inn.I will deal with Robert" Duncan said as he beckoned Methos over.
Dani shook her head "No Duncan.that's what he wanted and he might." Duncan placed a finger to her lips stopping her from speaking "I have to do this Dani.this is how it's meant to be" he said as he helped her to her feet "Now please go with Methos.Rachel is waiting at the Inn" he cradled her face in his hands, he gently wiped away the tears with his thumbs, he kissed her lightly on the lips "now go".
Dani slowly walk over to her sword and pulled it out of the ground "that was a close one.you know MacLeod.you don't have to do this.he's out cold.we can all just walk away" Methos said as he walked up to Duncan. Duncan put his hand on Methos's shoulder "thanks.but this is something I have to do" Methos nodded and handed Duncan Hamilton's sword "you know he's as good as you" Duncan nodded, Methos shook his head "take care my friend.I'll see you in the bar later.and you had better be there.it's your round" Methos patted Duncan on the shoulder before he jogged up to Dani, putting his arm around her. Duncan watched as they walked over the ridge before turning back to Hamilton, he walked over and looked down on the man he had thought of as his friend before settling down on a pile of stone, leaning on Hamilton's sword to await his revival.
The sky had darkened as the rain became heavier; rainwater ran down Duncan's face as he rested his forehead on the hilt of Hamilton's sword. A gasp from Hamilton made Duncan look up. Hamilton pulled himself up into the sitting position shaking his head "feeling better?" Duncan asked Hamilton spun round to face him "Duncan.how long have you been here?" Duncan smiled as he spun the sword in the wet grass "long enough Robert.long enough.why Robert.why did you do it?" Hamilton got to his feet "you can't believe what that little witch tells you Duncan.she's gone mad.I saw her come up here with that girl from the Inn.I followed them here.I heard the girl scream and when I got here she attacked me.she wanted my head Duncan" as he spoke he noticed his sword in Duncan's hand, Duncan had followed his gaze and got to his feet, he threw the sword to one side, he then brought out his Katana and shrugged off his coat "I suppose your going to tell me that Joshua and Shaun attacked you as well" Duncan noticed the look of confusion on Robert's face as he wondered how Duncan could know "the witch!" he exclaimed "No more lies Robert.or your version of the truth".
Hamilton held out his hands "Duncan you're my friend.I wouldn't lie to you" Duncan swallowed hard " I want the truth Robert.did you betray Joshua and his family for a few gold coins?" Duncan watched Hamilton's face as he waited for a reply but none came "You drank with me a week later knowing you had Joshua's blood on your hands.tell me Robert wasn't Shaun your friend.you work with him.ate with him.and then you killed him and his son.for what.Gold.you weren't just passing through Seacouver were you.you came for me.but then you found something you missed out on years before when you took Li Tse head.he was your friend too wasn't he" Duncan said pointing his sword at Hamilton "but Duncan I am your friend" Hamilton pleaded as he inched towards where his sword was embedded in the ground, Duncan didn't move to stop him "your no friend.a friend wouldn't have sold free slaves back into slavery.or killed a child just to fill their own pockets".
As his hand reached his sword "it was nothing personal.just surviving MacLeod.as I always do" Hamilton smiled as he pulled the sword out of the ground, pointing it at Duncan. Duncan brought his sword up to meet Hamilton's challenge "Not this time Robert.I can't let you go after Dani or any of my friends.you see I know what being a friend is.this ends here.no more lies" Duncan said as their sword clashed in a spray of sparks.
"Do you want to know what really happened to them Duncan.Well I'll tell you"
California 1860
After leaving Duncan, Robert turned his horse back towards the farm. As he rode his horse hard until he reached the farm, Shaun was alarmed by the sight of the lather up horse that Robert rode in, so he walked towards him "Is there anything wrong Robert" Shaun asked as Robert walked his horse over to him "No I just forgot to get something.I thought you were going into town to make your claim" Shaun smiled up at him "I know what Duncan said but there was too much that needs to be done here.I'll go tomorrow when I pick up our supplies" Robert smiled, this had been just what he had hoped for. He removed his feet from the stirrups, as he turned the horse's head and he came in line with Shaun he kicked out sending Shaun sprawling across the dirt, before Shaun could recover from the shook of the attack Robert leaped from his horse raining blow after blow onto him until he fell unconscious, the sound of the attack brought Emily from the house, at first she smiled at Robert as she walked over to him until her eyes saw the bloody body of her husband. Robert's eyes followed her gaze "What have you done?" Emily gasped as she backed away turning her body to protect her baby, who was sleeping in her arms. She then tried to run for the house but Robert was quicker blocking her path, in her panic Emily ran towards the barn with Robert in pursuit.
She tried to close the barn doors but she couldn't move very fast while carrying the baby in her arms, it didn't take much effort for Robert to wrench open the doors. "What do you want.we don't have anything" Emily pleaded "That's were your wrong.I've watched you for months.I saw you look down your nose at me" Robert spat at her as the back of his hand slammed into her cheek sending her flying, fortunately she landed on the pile of hay just inside the door and she had managed to stop herself landing on the child. Robert strode towards her "Please.leave us alone.we've done nothing to you" Emily pleaded as she tried to back away for him, Robert leant forward and wrenched the crying baby from her arms, as Emily tried to take him back Robert hit her again, he then flung the child away like a bundle of old rags, it collided with the wooden side of one of the stalls and the crying stopped. Emily tried to get to her baby but was pushed back onto the hay by Robert "I've waited a long time for this" again he hit her but this time he ripped the front of her dress open, while she was still dazed from the last blow he pushed her arms over her head and pinned them with one hand while her raised up her skirt with the other.
The screams coming from the barn brought Shaun round and he struggled to his feet "No..Please No" came the cries again and he knew that it was Emily. He stumbled towards the barn, his head still spinning, he managed to take hold of the pitchfork that was lent up against the outside of the barn, Shaun looked in horror at his beloved Emily being attacked by this animal who they had thought of as their friend, her eyes pleading with him to help her, he raised the pitchfork and leaped towards Robert but before he could find his target Robert twisted and the gun in his hand exploded, the bullet hitting Shaun in the chest. Shaun fell a few feet away from Robert and Emily but there was nothing more he could do and the last words he heard as he lay dying was Emily's cries as Robert raped her.
After he had finished with her, he knocked her unconscious, tided himself up pulling the hay from his clothing, he then searched Shaun for the nugget and it was where he thought it would be his waistcoat pocket. He then set fire to the house and rode away towards the next town. He stayed hided in his hotel room until after Duncan had brought Emily into town and had left a few days later, after he had helped the sheriff mount a search but no one was found. Then a couple of months later he registered the claim.
Duncan took a few steps closer to Dani his hands outstretched the emotion he was feeling after hearing who had killed his friends, evident in his voice "It's not about Robert.or what he's done.it's about what your doing now.it's you I want to live.if you do this.you won't be able to live with yourself.and you know I can't let you hurt anyone else" Duncan's voice was starting to break up as he fought with his emotions "because if you take this path.you will be walking into the darkness and I will have no choice but to come for you.and I don't want to have to do that Dani.so Please.don't make me". A tear started to fall from Dani's eye "it's too late, Duncan.I have to do this I have no choice" she said as she raised the sword, "NO DANI.DON'T DO THIS" Duncan shouted as he took another step forward, "We all have a choice.Robert will pay for what he has done.I promise you.but not like this.Please Dani.put the sword down for me.I don't want to loose you" Duncan pleaded as he fought back the tears that had welled up in his eyes. Dani raised the sword over her head and time seemed to stand still as no one moved.
Dani suddenly threw the sword aside as she pushed Hamilton away, he crumpled to the ground unconscious, Methos let out the breath he was holding, for a while he really thought that Duncan wouldn't manage to talk Dani round. Dani looked over at Duncan tears cascading down her face, she started to walk towards where her sword was impaled into the highland grass, but she had only gone a few steps when she crumpled to her knees sobbing, her head in her hands. Duncan strode over to her kneeling down in front of her and put his arms around her, Dani laid her head on his shoulder "Oh Duncan.what have I done?" Duncan smoothed her hair, he watched, over her shoulder, as Methos walked over to Hamilton's crumpled body and turned him over with his foot, when he was certain that he was unconscious he retrieved Hamilton's sword. "Thank you.it's going to be all right now" Duncan said as he lifted her face so that he could wipe away the tears "now I want you to listen to me.I want you to go with Methos back to the Inn.I will deal with Robert" Duncan said as he beckoned Methos over.
Dani shook her head "No Duncan.that's what he wanted and he might." Duncan placed a finger to her lips stopping her from speaking "I have to do this Dani.this is how it's meant to be" he said as he helped her to her feet "Now please go with Methos.Rachel is waiting at the Inn" he cradled her face in his hands, he gently wiped away the tears with his thumbs, he kissed her lightly on the lips "now go".
Dani slowly walk over to her sword and pulled it out of the ground "that was a close one.you know MacLeod.you don't have to do this.he's out cold.we can all just walk away" Methos said as he walked up to Duncan. Duncan put his hand on Methos's shoulder "thanks.but this is something I have to do" Methos nodded and handed Duncan Hamilton's sword "you know he's as good as you" Duncan nodded, Methos shook his head "take care my friend.I'll see you in the bar later.and you had better be there.it's your round" Methos patted Duncan on the shoulder before he jogged up to Dani, putting his arm around her. Duncan watched as they walked over the ridge before turning back to Hamilton, he walked over and looked down on the man he had thought of as his friend before settling down on a pile of stone, leaning on Hamilton's sword to await his revival.
The sky had darkened as the rain became heavier; rainwater ran down Duncan's face as he rested his forehead on the hilt of Hamilton's sword. A gasp from Hamilton made Duncan look up. Hamilton pulled himself up into the sitting position shaking his head "feeling better?" Duncan asked Hamilton spun round to face him "Duncan.how long have you been here?" Duncan smiled as he spun the sword in the wet grass "long enough Robert.long enough.why Robert.why did you do it?" Hamilton got to his feet "you can't believe what that little witch tells you Duncan.she's gone mad.I saw her come up here with that girl from the Inn.I followed them here.I heard the girl scream and when I got here she attacked me.she wanted my head Duncan" as he spoke he noticed his sword in Duncan's hand, Duncan had followed his gaze and got to his feet, he threw the sword to one side, he then brought out his Katana and shrugged off his coat "I suppose your going to tell me that Joshua and Shaun attacked you as well" Duncan noticed the look of confusion on Robert's face as he wondered how Duncan could know "the witch!" he exclaimed "No more lies Robert.or your version of the truth".
Hamilton held out his hands "Duncan you're my friend.I wouldn't lie to you" Duncan swallowed hard " I want the truth Robert.did you betray Joshua and his family for a few gold coins?" Duncan watched Hamilton's face as he waited for a reply but none came "You drank with me a week later knowing you had Joshua's blood on your hands.tell me Robert wasn't Shaun your friend.you work with him.ate with him.and then you killed him and his son.for what.Gold.you weren't just passing through Seacouver were you.you came for me.but then you found something you missed out on years before when you took Li Tse head.he was your friend too wasn't he" Duncan said pointing his sword at Hamilton "but Duncan I am your friend" Hamilton pleaded as he inched towards where his sword was embedded in the ground, Duncan didn't move to stop him "your no friend.a friend wouldn't have sold free slaves back into slavery.or killed a child just to fill their own pockets".
As his hand reached his sword "it was nothing personal.just surviving MacLeod.as I always do" Hamilton smiled as he pulled the sword out of the ground, pointing it at Duncan. Duncan brought his sword up to meet Hamilton's challenge "Not this time Robert.I can't let you go after Dani or any of my friends.you see I know what being a friend is.this ends here.no more lies" Duncan said as their sword clashed in a spray of sparks.