CHAPTER 19
It was a dreary, cold afternoon. Beth had a few errands to run before the next day, so she and Amanda went to the mall. Peter Harris dropped by the house earlier to meet Amanda, Claudia and Joe, and the two men hit it off so well that Joe decided to go with him for a tour of the town in his pickup and a beer at The Barn.
Adam decided it was a good time to work more with Claudia, and this time as they worked MacLeod and Richie observed. Duncan warned Richie before they got started that he needed to stay out of it. "You know he's going to push her, and you won't be doing her any favors to sympathize . and he won't appreciate it either."
Adam realized from watching Claudia that she had indeed been practicing. He'd hoped she'd pick up more quickly, but she was making an effort. The biggest hurdle was her lack of upper body strength. She was working with weights, but it would take time. He hoped she had the time.
They had only been working for an hour when Claudia's attention started to drift toward Richie. She was tired and didn't really feel like training. Duncan noticed what was happening and could see Adam growing impatient. He knew his friend well enough to see a lesson was about to be learned.
Adam had been merely sparring defensively against her sword, but when her attention kept drifting he knew she needed something to pull her back in focus.
Claudia's eyes widened when instead of merely defending, Adam lunged in her direction and forced her back against the wall with one powerful blow after another.
Richie didn't like what he was seeing, but Duncan put an arm on his shoulder and warned him to stay out of it. "She isn't focusing and that could get her killed." He told his young friend. He had only just gotten the words out when Adam's sword sliced into the tender flesh of her sword arm. Duncan didn't really approve of what he'd done, but knew better than to interfere now.
Claudia had never felt pain like this. She screamed and dropped her sword as she grabbed the torn flesh in agony. Richie tried to bolt to her side, but Duncan held him fast as they both watched Adam's sword swung down and come to rest against the pulse at her neck.
The feel of the cold steel against her throat immediately sobered her. She looked up through her tears and wondered why Adam would do this to her. She couldn't breathe and she couldn't take her eyes off his.
"You do realize if you let yourself get distracted or drop your sword when you are really under attack, you would be dead now don't you?" he said as he pressed the sword a little harder against her neck and then backed away.
"You didn't have to do that." Richie protested when Duncan let him go to help Claudia. Her arm hung uselessly at her side, having been cut to the bone.
Adam didn't say a word, but cleaned off his sword with a towel and went downstairs.
Claudia thought she was going to pass out from the pain and the shock, but somehow she managed to remain conscious. "Why would he do that to me? Is that part of my training?" she asked Duncan, who showed Richie how to apply pressure to the wound until the healing began.
"You weren't concentrating. Whatever this thing is between you and Richie, you can't let him or anyone else distract you. You have to remain focused." Duncan began, a little perturbed at Adam's methods, but not going to challenge him in front of the two young immortals.
"But he could have taught her that without slicing into her Mac."
"Could he?" Duncan replied. "Claudia's never experienced real pain. She doesn't know what it would be like to need to either find a way to escape or a way to defend after suffering an injury. Yes it's a hard way to learn, but I can't say I disagree with what he was trying to teach her."
"That's cold Mac."
Claudia didn't respond. She held her arm until the healing was complete and then excused herself to clean up and change into something that wasn't torn and bloody.
Duncan was thankful the hardwood floor had a shiny coat of varnish on it as he cleaned up the mess. He wished Adam would consider an alternative means of proving a point in the future. Besides the mess, he didn't enjoy watching the young woman he'd watched grow up writhing in pain.
Richie didn't trust himself to go downstairs. He was angry with Adam for what he'd done, so he laid down on the bed and waited for Claudia to come out of the bathroom. But when she did, instead of coming into the comfort of his arms, she went downstairs to face her teacher.
Adam was a little surprised to see her come downstairs, particularly alone. Cassie's carrier had a loose handle, and he was working on that at the kitchen table when she came to stand in front of him.
"I don't think our lesson was over." she commented, her voice steady and controlled as she thought of the irony of what he was doing now compared to the lesson just a half hour before.
"You don't?" he was intrigued.
"If an opponent takes out my fighting arm. What do I do?" she replied.
Adam put the screwdriver down and nodded toward the chair.
Claudia sat down just as MacLeod appeared in the doorway. He leaned quietly against the doorframe and listened.
"Unfortunately Claudia, if a real challenger takes out your fighting arm, you will probably not survive." He replied soberly.
"You wouldn't have done that if there hadn't been something I could have done to recover." Claudia challenged. "I know you were trying to prove a point about being distracted, but there's more isn't there?"
Adam looked deeply into her determined gaze. Maybe Claudia wouldn't be such an easy mark after all. Yes she needed to strengthen herself and train hard, but in her eyes he saw a stubbornness to survive. And it was that stubbornness that would probably make all the difference.
"Of course the first solution is not to be in that situation." He began. "But since we both know that you will eventually face opponents who are quicker and more powerful, it isn't something you may be able to avoid. There are a few things at your disposal in case you are seriously injured. First, don't let yourself be distracted or blinded by the pain. Use the pain. Channel it for your survival. The pain will let you know when you are in grave peril and should put your mind and body on edge."
Claudia focused on his words and tried to think about what the pain had done to her. It had knocked her to her knees. She had dropped her sword, and if that happened in a real fight she would be dead.
"Always prepare an escape. I know many times you won't be the one selecting the location, but if you are challenged, be aware of your surroundings and make a mental note of any and all ways to exit." He looked up at Duncan. "Surviving is the key, and no immortal who would challenge you will hold back that fatal blow simply because you face the fate bravely."
Claudia understood exactly what he was saying. "And if there is no escape?"
"If there is no escape then either you have to be prepared to fight through the injury, which will probably be no good because you would most likely lose consciousness from the pain or blood loss . or ." Adam gave MacLeod one quick look, knowing he wasn't going to like this. "you need an alternative way to protect yourself."
Duncan gave him a look of warning, but Adam ignored it. He knew what Claudia would have to do to survive and if that meant being creative, then he would teach her how.
"What kind of alternative way?" Claudia asked, not missing the look going between the two.
"He means a dagger or small derringer or some other concealed weapon to catch your opponent off guard so you can turn the tables before they know what hit them." Duncan interrupted. "Isn't that right?" he added as he glared at Adam.
"That would pretty much cover it, yes." Adam replied in a casual tone as if he'd just been read a shopping list.
"Is that allowed?" Claudia asked, the gears turning in her head.
"It's not an honorable way to fight." Duncan replied.
"Honor can be highly over rated when your opponent's blade is slicing through your neck." Adam retorted.
Claudia could see there was tension building between the two. She could understand why someone like Duncan would value honor so highly, but she was inclined to agree with her teacher since she didn't have the power or the years of experience to help her.
"As you know, there is a rule that demands you cannot fight on holy ground. That is your refuge and you absolutely cannot break it. If you keep no other rule . you must keep that one." He told her emphatically. "Another says you may not interfere with a challenge between two other immortals. You are also not supposed to have to defend yourself against more than one opponent at a time, but as MacLeod can tell you, there have been instances when other immortals just don't abide by that rule." Adam continued. "But as dishonorable or unfair as some might believe, there is no rule that says you cannot do whatever is necessary to defend yourself."
Seeing a flicker of relief in her eyes at the thought of having an alternative, Duncan felt he had to say something. "Claudia, you still need to learn to defend yourself properly and honorably. What he is telling you should only be used as a last resort." Duncan insisted and Adam did not disagree.
"Unfortunately Duncan, with my level of training and experience, anything I do to protect myself is a last resort. I'm not exactly anyone's prize pupil." She replied. Duncan started to caution her further, but she beat him to it. "But if you are concerned that I will neglect my training and try to take the easy way out by carrying a sub machine gun around my neck, don't. I know what I need to do, and I'll continue working hard." She assured him. "I should probably get back to it now."
Adam shook his head. "No. You need to rest. Your body may have healed, but it will take a few more hours before you've completely recovered your strength. We'll work some more tomorrow morning, and then you will be on your own for a few days to either work with MacLeod or Amanda."
Claudia nodded and started to get up from the table when he stopped to ask her one more question.
"I'm curious. You usually have such a quick temper. Why weren't you furious with me for what I did?" Adam asked.
"Oh I was. I was so mad at you for hurting me like that I wanted to run you through and watch your insides spill on the floor." She replied directly, her graphic image surprising both men. "But we all know that isn't likely, not with my skills. Just don't think I won't at least try next time. I didn't enjoy it, and as pathetic as I am, you are a good teacher. I may surprise you yet."
With that Claudia turned and walked out of the kitchen with her head high.
"Something tells me I better not turn my back on that one when she's really angry." Adam replied, as he reached for the beer he'd forgotten sitting on the table.
Duncan cleared his throat roughly as he shook his head and went to the refrigerator for a beer of his own.
It was a dreary, cold afternoon. Beth had a few errands to run before the next day, so she and Amanda went to the mall. Peter Harris dropped by the house earlier to meet Amanda, Claudia and Joe, and the two men hit it off so well that Joe decided to go with him for a tour of the town in his pickup and a beer at The Barn.
Adam decided it was a good time to work more with Claudia, and this time as they worked MacLeod and Richie observed. Duncan warned Richie before they got started that he needed to stay out of it. "You know he's going to push her, and you won't be doing her any favors to sympathize . and he won't appreciate it either."
Adam realized from watching Claudia that she had indeed been practicing. He'd hoped she'd pick up more quickly, but she was making an effort. The biggest hurdle was her lack of upper body strength. She was working with weights, but it would take time. He hoped she had the time.
They had only been working for an hour when Claudia's attention started to drift toward Richie. She was tired and didn't really feel like training. Duncan noticed what was happening and could see Adam growing impatient. He knew his friend well enough to see a lesson was about to be learned.
Adam had been merely sparring defensively against her sword, but when her attention kept drifting he knew she needed something to pull her back in focus.
Claudia's eyes widened when instead of merely defending, Adam lunged in her direction and forced her back against the wall with one powerful blow after another.
Richie didn't like what he was seeing, but Duncan put an arm on his shoulder and warned him to stay out of it. "She isn't focusing and that could get her killed." He told his young friend. He had only just gotten the words out when Adam's sword sliced into the tender flesh of her sword arm. Duncan didn't really approve of what he'd done, but knew better than to interfere now.
Claudia had never felt pain like this. She screamed and dropped her sword as she grabbed the torn flesh in agony. Richie tried to bolt to her side, but Duncan held him fast as they both watched Adam's sword swung down and come to rest against the pulse at her neck.
The feel of the cold steel against her throat immediately sobered her. She looked up through her tears and wondered why Adam would do this to her. She couldn't breathe and she couldn't take her eyes off his.
"You do realize if you let yourself get distracted or drop your sword when you are really under attack, you would be dead now don't you?" he said as he pressed the sword a little harder against her neck and then backed away.
"You didn't have to do that." Richie protested when Duncan let him go to help Claudia. Her arm hung uselessly at her side, having been cut to the bone.
Adam didn't say a word, but cleaned off his sword with a towel and went downstairs.
Claudia thought she was going to pass out from the pain and the shock, but somehow she managed to remain conscious. "Why would he do that to me? Is that part of my training?" she asked Duncan, who showed Richie how to apply pressure to the wound until the healing began.
"You weren't concentrating. Whatever this thing is between you and Richie, you can't let him or anyone else distract you. You have to remain focused." Duncan began, a little perturbed at Adam's methods, but not going to challenge him in front of the two young immortals.
"But he could have taught her that without slicing into her Mac."
"Could he?" Duncan replied. "Claudia's never experienced real pain. She doesn't know what it would be like to need to either find a way to escape or a way to defend after suffering an injury. Yes it's a hard way to learn, but I can't say I disagree with what he was trying to teach her."
"That's cold Mac."
Claudia didn't respond. She held her arm until the healing was complete and then excused herself to clean up and change into something that wasn't torn and bloody.
Duncan was thankful the hardwood floor had a shiny coat of varnish on it as he cleaned up the mess. He wished Adam would consider an alternative means of proving a point in the future. Besides the mess, he didn't enjoy watching the young woman he'd watched grow up writhing in pain.
Richie didn't trust himself to go downstairs. He was angry with Adam for what he'd done, so he laid down on the bed and waited for Claudia to come out of the bathroom. But when she did, instead of coming into the comfort of his arms, she went downstairs to face her teacher.
Adam was a little surprised to see her come downstairs, particularly alone. Cassie's carrier had a loose handle, and he was working on that at the kitchen table when she came to stand in front of him.
"I don't think our lesson was over." she commented, her voice steady and controlled as she thought of the irony of what he was doing now compared to the lesson just a half hour before.
"You don't?" he was intrigued.
"If an opponent takes out my fighting arm. What do I do?" she replied.
Adam put the screwdriver down and nodded toward the chair.
Claudia sat down just as MacLeod appeared in the doorway. He leaned quietly against the doorframe and listened.
"Unfortunately Claudia, if a real challenger takes out your fighting arm, you will probably not survive." He replied soberly.
"You wouldn't have done that if there hadn't been something I could have done to recover." Claudia challenged. "I know you were trying to prove a point about being distracted, but there's more isn't there?"
Adam looked deeply into her determined gaze. Maybe Claudia wouldn't be such an easy mark after all. Yes she needed to strengthen herself and train hard, but in her eyes he saw a stubbornness to survive. And it was that stubbornness that would probably make all the difference.
"Of course the first solution is not to be in that situation." He began. "But since we both know that you will eventually face opponents who are quicker and more powerful, it isn't something you may be able to avoid. There are a few things at your disposal in case you are seriously injured. First, don't let yourself be distracted or blinded by the pain. Use the pain. Channel it for your survival. The pain will let you know when you are in grave peril and should put your mind and body on edge."
Claudia focused on his words and tried to think about what the pain had done to her. It had knocked her to her knees. She had dropped her sword, and if that happened in a real fight she would be dead.
"Always prepare an escape. I know many times you won't be the one selecting the location, but if you are challenged, be aware of your surroundings and make a mental note of any and all ways to exit." He looked up at Duncan. "Surviving is the key, and no immortal who would challenge you will hold back that fatal blow simply because you face the fate bravely."
Claudia understood exactly what he was saying. "And if there is no escape?"
"If there is no escape then either you have to be prepared to fight through the injury, which will probably be no good because you would most likely lose consciousness from the pain or blood loss . or ." Adam gave MacLeod one quick look, knowing he wasn't going to like this. "you need an alternative way to protect yourself."
Duncan gave him a look of warning, but Adam ignored it. He knew what Claudia would have to do to survive and if that meant being creative, then he would teach her how.
"What kind of alternative way?" Claudia asked, not missing the look going between the two.
"He means a dagger or small derringer or some other concealed weapon to catch your opponent off guard so you can turn the tables before they know what hit them." Duncan interrupted. "Isn't that right?" he added as he glared at Adam.
"That would pretty much cover it, yes." Adam replied in a casual tone as if he'd just been read a shopping list.
"Is that allowed?" Claudia asked, the gears turning in her head.
"It's not an honorable way to fight." Duncan replied.
"Honor can be highly over rated when your opponent's blade is slicing through your neck." Adam retorted.
Claudia could see there was tension building between the two. She could understand why someone like Duncan would value honor so highly, but she was inclined to agree with her teacher since she didn't have the power or the years of experience to help her.
"As you know, there is a rule that demands you cannot fight on holy ground. That is your refuge and you absolutely cannot break it. If you keep no other rule . you must keep that one." He told her emphatically. "Another says you may not interfere with a challenge between two other immortals. You are also not supposed to have to defend yourself against more than one opponent at a time, but as MacLeod can tell you, there have been instances when other immortals just don't abide by that rule." Adam continued. "But as dishonorable or unfair as some might believe, there is no rule that says you cannot do whatever is necessary to defend yourself."
Seeing a flicker of relief in her eyes at the thought of having an alternative, Duncan felt he had to say something. "Claudia, you still need to learn to defend yourself properly and honorably. What he is telling you should only be used as a last resort." Duncan insisted and Adam did not disagree.
"Unfortunately Duncan, with my level of training and experience, anything I do to protect myself is a last resort. I'm not exactly anyone's prize pupil." She replied. Duncan started to caution her further, but she beat him to it. "But if you are concerned that I will neglect my training and try to take the easy way out by carrying a sub machine gun around my neck, don't. I know what I need to do, and I'll continue working hard." She assured him. "I should probably get back to it now."
Adam shook his head. "No. You need to rest. Your body may have healed, but it will take a few more hours before you've completely recovered your strength. We'll work some more tomorrow morning, and then you will be on your own for a few days to either work with MacLeod or Amanda."
Claudia nodded and started to get up from the table when he stopped to ask her one more question.
"I'm curious. You usually have such a quick temper. Why weren't you furious with me for what I did?" Adam asked.
"Oh I was. I was so mad at you for hurting me like that I wanted to run you through and watch your insides spill on the floor." She replied directly, her graphic image surprising both men. "But we all know that isn't likely, not with my skills. Just don't think I won't at least try next time. I didn't enjoy it, and as pathetic as I am, you are a good teacher. I may surprise you yet."
With that Claudia turned and walked out of the kitchen with her head high.
"Something tells me I better not turn my back on that one when she's really angry." Adam replied, as he reached for the beer he'd forgotten sitting on the table.
Duncan cleared his throat roughly as he shook his head and went to the refrigerator for a beer of his own.