Chapter 63

Paris

Alisaunne had slipped through the streets of Paris all night, reveling in her new-found freedom. From doorways and from under bridges she'd watched the denizens of the Paris night slowly make way for the day people. She'd purchased fruit at an open-air market and wandered down streets both familiar and strange.

Once… noticing a mortal looking at her strangely, she'd fingered her blades in anticipation. But the man had merely tipped his cap to her and murmured something like "La Belle," before turning and continuing on his way. Alisaunne had relaxed and crossed the street… making certain she became lost in the growing crowd.

When she'd found herself near the hotel once more, she'd stood across from it and tried to feel if the others were there… if Ian were even now looking down from the window at her… or had Duncan returned from wherever he'd gone. But she felt nothing… and she was not yet ready to return. Likely they were out looking for her. Turning… she chose a new direction and continued to explore.

Growing up, she'd often done this. Sometimes she'd simply needed to get away from the mundane control of others and be on her own. She'd raced up and down narrow streets as a child… seeking… she never knew what. She'd always felt she'd know it somehow when she found it. But she never had.

Passing a bookseller's stall she considered stopping. It was at one like this that she'd found Blade of the MacLeods, the book that had led her to Duncan. She'd been instantly infatuated with the cover that day… and the name… MacLeod… as if it were something she should remember. But in the delicious sharing of the purple prose with her friends… she'd lost that thought… and recalled it only now.

Deep in one coat pocket was Candide. Having only now gotten it back after so many years… she'd been reluctant to leave it behind… even for a few hours. Thoughtfully, and a bit curious, she glanced around, noting a store that catered to rare and old books… Shakespeare & Co. Slowly she entered, smiling at the elderly woman behind the desk.

"May I help you?" the woman smiled.

"I have an old book and was curious if it was worth anything," Alisaunne held out the Voltaire. She had no intention of selling it… but she did wonder at its worth.

"Ah… a first edition. It's not in the best of shape… the cover is very worn… but the pages seem intact. But I have several." The woman handed it back.

Alisaunne smiled to herself, recognizing the game. The woman was interested… but did not wish to appear so. "I was only curious if it was worth anything," the immortal said replacing the book in her pocket and glancing around with a bored expression… and wondering why this place should feel familiar to her… she could never recall ever being here.

"Perhaps Mademoiselle would like to see about trading for it… I could offer two perhaps three books of her choice?" The woman smiled a little too eagerly.

Alisaunne shook her head and wandered back through the door to the street. Across the intersection she saw an old church not far away. Once again the feeling of familiarity came over her. Shoving her hands into her pockets she walked towards the church and onto the spacious grounds. Again she could not recall ever being here. This had not been her usual area when she'd manage to lose the sisters at Sacre Couer. Vaguely she recalled though that Duncan's barge had been near this area.

Alisaunne wandered the grounds until she found a bench. Sitting there, she pulled out the small bag of fruit and began to nibble on the pears. She was tired. She'd not slept at all last night… having been too excited to be on her own for a bit. It had been far too long since she'd had private time like this. She stretched out on the bench and let the morning sun fill her with warmth. She could hear in the distance children laughing and birds singing and the sound of water splashing from street fountains. It was so restful. She felt like she never wanted to leave.

A chill went over her. Opening her eyes she stared at the man who'd paused near her. He met her gaze, with an odd smile and took a step towards her.

Alisaunne waited.

When he was close enough… she kicked out with one booted foot landing between his legs and connecting solidly. For a moment she felt a slight tremor in the earth. Ignoring it she flipped to one side and lashed out with a fist to smash his face. Blood spurted from his broken nose. The man fell to his knees.

Alisaunne smiled coldly while within her was a cackle. She reached down and dragged the man by his collar behind her while she headed for the small cemetery to one side of the church. It was overgrown in that area… and they'd be hidden from the casual view of most passersby. She tossed him to the ground over a grave and squatted down beside him.

Visions of flaying him alive filled her… and the earth seemed to protest once more. The man looked at her fearfully.

"Please… " He grabbed a handkerchief from his pocket and attempted to staunch the blood about his nose.

Alisaunne inclined her head left then right… watching him all the while. "Please what?"

"Don't kill me."

She glanced about the cemetery. "It's holy ground…" she whispered. Immediately she calmed.

"Holy ground is sacred. We cannot fight there… nor harm others… mortal or immortal." Duncan's voice seemed to whisper on the wind.

From within came another voice, "Ignore that… slice him open like rotting fruit."

Alisaunne pulled her tanto… her ceremonial knife… out and held it between her hands. She grinned. "Why are you watching me?"

"Not you… just the church. Your kind come here to talk. I was just here to make a note of it." He sat up and grimaced as he wiped his face.

"My kind? What do you know of my kind?" she continued thoughtfully… letting the edge of her blade slice into her palm. She watched the blood well up and the cut heal. Slowly she rubbed her bloodied palm across her face.

"When you stretched out on that bench, I saw your sword. I knew you were an immortal. But… we only watch… we don't interfere."

"That is a lie." Alisaunne reached out with her knife hand to slice his face open. He screamed and fell back… holding one hand to the cut. Again the earth seemed to groan and tremble.

Alisaunne looked about… feeling another immortal's swift approach. A small hand clutched hers and another grasped her chin and turned her face. Her eyes widened in recognition. "Ellie?" she whispered.

"Come with me now," Ellie pulled her along and into the church.

Behind them the Watcher continued to press the handkerchief to his face and whimpered from the pain. Finally he rose and entered St. Julien Le Pauvre. But there was no sight of either immortal. The women had vanished as if they had never existed. Thoughtfully he left. He needed medical attention and he needed it now. He'd make his report later.

-----

Alisaunne followed Ellie through the church and through the opening in the of the storage room. Once it was shut… Ellie turned on a small flashlight and led the way down into a cavern.

"Watch your step… they're uneven," the tiny immortal said and shown the light on the steps. "This way." Ellie pulled Alisaunne along into another tunnel and out into what looked like a storm drain where water rushed by. "Hurry!" Ellie led the way across the drain and into another small tunnel. From there the ground rose in a gentle slope until another opening appeared. Ellie motioned her through it.

Alisaunne stood in a grove of trees surrounded by high walls. Overhead, screening covered the sky, and the tree limbs spread beneath it. In the center was a small spring where water bubbled over a stand of rocks.

Ellie led her to the rocks… and motioned for her to sit. Alisaunne did so. She felt lost in a dream. Ellie dipped a cloth under the water and then softly wiped Alisaunne's face… washing the blood away. She smiled warmly into her eyes. "There… that's better." Then she ran her fingers through Alisaunne's dark hair… loosening some of it from the braid. "Look at you. You have your father's eyes. I didn't notice that before."

Then she began to wash the blood from the young immortal's hands. Alisaunne looked at her numbly and then glanced around. "Where are we?"

"Home… at least what I've always called home," Ellie said with a smile. "Although it's not… My home I mean. I grew up in Scotland a long time ago." She rinsed the cloth in the water, spread it on the rocks to dry and sat back on her heels as she seemed to gaze at Alisaunne in wonder.

"I've been here before," Alisaunne said as she gazed up at the budding tree limbs. Long ago."

"I'm not surprised. Come along," Ellie laughed as she rose and motioned to Alisaunne to follow her up some narrow stone stairs that seemed carved from one of the walls.

Alisaunne hesitated. "No… I'm not allowed up there."

Ellie laughed again, and Alisaunne thought she heard bells tinkling on the wind. "It's all right. He won't mind." She held out one small hand.

Alisaunne thrust her hands into her coat pockets and felt the Voltaire. Idly she pulled it out and rubbed her fingers over the cover. When she saw Ellie's solemn glance at it, she held it out to her. "Is this yours? Are you my mother?"

Ellie chuckled and reached for the book, opening it and slowly turning the pages. "Apparently so." She pulled out the envelope. With pursed brows she tucked the book under one arm and pulled the photo out.

"That's you…" Alisaunne said. "Who are the children?"

Ellie ran her fingertips softly over the snapshot and then brought it to her lips as she kissed it with closed eyes. "My children," she whispered with a sob. "Oh… not really mine… but the only ones I ever really raised. Darius helped me save them from the Germans during World War II." Tears filled her eyes. She turned the photo over and glanced curiously at the date on the back. "That's not my handwriting. And it's certainly not the date the picture was taken." She shrugged and replaced it in the envelope, put it back in the book and held it out to Alisaunne.

"Why did you abandon me?" Alisaunne asked as she reclaimed her book.

Ellie shook her head. "I didn't. I never knew. There is a huge blank spot in my mind about you… when you were born. I have no memory of any of it."

"Then how do you know?"

Ellie glanced up the stairs. "Darius wrote me a letter before he died that I only recently received. I'll show it to you. Come!" She turned and climbed higher.

"He wasn't my father?"

Ellie halted and turned. A sad smile crossed her face as she shook her head. "No… not physically."

"Dr. Pierson then?"

Ellie nodded. "Yes," came the soft admission.

"How? Duncan said we don't have children… ever."

Ellie sighed. "We don't."

"Then how? Why?"

"I don't know for certain… Now come along." She climbed the stairs to the small landing and opened the door. "Come on…" she smiled.

Alisaunne hesitated and then began to climb.

-----

Derrick had been slightly startled when Ellie had raced from her room… thrown open the door and left… slamming it behind her. When he'd followed her to the door he'd seen her crossing to the hidden entrance.

"Wait for me… I'll be back."

Derrick closed the door. "Sure. I'll wait here. Never mind how bored I am. Never mind how much I don't want to be here. I'll wait!" he'd shut the door again, a little more forcefully than he'd intended and returned to the computer game. It had been on his mind for the past few hours.

He became lost in it until he heard Ellie return and open the door… softly beckoning to someone. He leaned back in the chair and raised one eyebrow when Alisaunne entered. She hadn't changed much since the last time Derrick had seen her eight years ago. But he noted there was a hard edge to her he hadn't noticed that day.

Alisaunne looked around. "Shouldn't the shelves be filled with stuff," she asked idly.

Ellie nodded and laughed. "Yes, they were filled with things once… long ago."

Alisaunne stared at Derrick. "Who are you?"

Derrick said nothing. He watched as she shed her black coat. He could see the swords hidden within it. A knife was still at her waist. She folded the coat and lay it on the counter as she wandered through the room. As she glanced into the other room, Ellie set about heating some water. Derrick just watched. He was very uneasy around this immortal. Waves of danger seemed to assault him.

Alisaunne came closer. When she saw what was on his computer she laughed. "Duncan plays that game. He's always playing it." She leaned over to get a better look.

Derrick shut the laptop off and closed the screen. "I'll be downstairs." He rose and shivered in the coldness of the air about her. Brushing past her he flung open the door and descended the stairs, grateful to be away from her. He was halfway down the stairs before he recalled his sword was still upstairs… and leaning against the wall.