"Why do you even bother coming in here anymore, MacLeod?" a voice whispered
in Duncan's ear as he sat in the pew. About the two Immortals, the sound of
the brother's chanting Kyrie hung in a cloud of resonance. The chant was as
old as their lifetimes, easily. "Their singing to something that doesn't
even exist," the voice said in a curt tone, the loathing was thinly veiled.
Duncan sat stone still, his head inclined slightly, his hands folded in a
composed gesture of stillness. He focused on the singing, but the Immortal
behind him distracted him with their discordiant presence. "I mean, it's
rather morbid ." the other started in their hissing whisper.
Duncan turned, his eyes opening as he turned. They took in the aged stones of the columns supporting the barrel vaulted ceiling, the glittering beauty of the stained glass, and the contemptious expression of the man sitting behind him. He was younger then Duncan, by many, many years. In apperance, he seemed only a few years his younger. Dark hair tied back in a ragged pony tail, greasy with some unknown grime that the younger Immortal had acquired, framed a narrow, sallow face. His eyes were bright, to some it would be with vigor, but it was actually burgeoning insanity. Cat green and glittering behind a pair of narrow eyeglasses, they were the only thing that stood out about this dingy figure with a sallow face and a lean build. Dressed in dark colored clothes, he seemed to be a much dirtier and exceedingly repugnant impersonation of the Highlander.
"You mock what you have no hope of understanding," Duncan said quietly, "They live their lives with something that most of our kind have lost. If you're trying to goad me by this mockery of their lives, you really can't." The younger Immortal's scornful expression became one that was closer to anger. "If you're going to challenge me, then do it. Otherwise, leave me alone," Duncan continued, turning to face the time worn altar. The noise of the other standing and then the echo of their steps as they left was cacaphony to the singing of the men of the monastery.
Duncan left the church several hours later. As he got into his car, his cell phone rang. He opened it and then nearly dropped it when he heard what Joe had to say. Some one had slaughtered several individuals at the Buddhist monastery in the next town over. The method was beheading. None of the deceased were Immortals. A chill settled in the pit of Duncan's stomach. This was another in the wave of killings through out the state.
Duncan turned, his eyes opening as he turned. They took in the aged stones of the columns supporting the barrel vaulted ceiling, the glittering beauty of the stained glass, and the contemptious expression of the man sitting behind him. He was younger then Duncan, by many, many years. In apperance, he seemed only a few years his younger. Dark hair tied back in a ragged pony tail, greasy with some unknown grime that the younger Immortal had acquired, framed a narrow, sallow face. His eyes were bright, to some it would be with vigor, but it was actually burgeoning insanity. Cat green and glittering behind a pair of narrow eyeglasses, they were the only thing that stood out about this dingy figure with a sallow face and a lean build. Dressed in dark colored clothes, he seemed to be a much dirtier and exceedingly repugnant impersonation of the Highlander.
"You mock what you have no hope of understanding," Duncan said quietly, "They live their lives with something that most of our kind have lost. If you're trying to goad me by this mockery of their lives, you really can't." The younger Immortal's scornful expression became one that was closer to anger. "If you're going to challenge me, then do it. Otherwise, leave me alone," Duncan continued, turning to face the time worn altar. The noise of the other standing and then the echo of their steps as they left was cacaphony to the singing of the men of the monastery.
Duncan left the church several hours later. As he got into his car, his cell phone rang. He opened it and then nearly dropped it when he heard what Joe had to say. Some one had slaughtered several individuals at the Buddhist monastery in the next town over. The method was beheading. None of the deceased were Immortals. A chill settled in the pit of Duncan's stomach. This was another in the wave of killings through out the state.