Chapter 4
It had been nearly a week since Duncan had started training Sandi and she had to admit he had improved her technique and to her surprise her reactions were also getting faster. They always worked in the early morning so that members of the dojo wouldn't interrupt them and as their matches became more intense it might have been a little dangerous for others to be there with them.
Duncan had raised the amounts of hits needed for a win to 10 and it was taking longer and longer for them to reach it. As hard as she was trying it seemed that it was always Duncan that finally would win.
The dojo seemed alive as the sound of metal striking metal echoed around it, as attacks were parried again and again. Then an attack would manage to get through until the score was 8 to Duncan and 6 to Sandi. Her breath was hot on her face, as the mask wouldn't let it all escape. Sandi smiled to herself as she thought that she had seen an opening and she lunged forward only to find Duncan's blade there. Duncan then managed to slip his blade around hers to hit her on the shoulder.
"Damn it!" Sandi exclaimed as she turned away from Duncan beating the air with her blade.
"Hey, calm down. You nearly had me" Duncan replied. Sandi pulled her mask from her head as she walked over to where the towels were hanging on the wall bars. "Maybe it should be you in this tournament and not me".
Even from behind his mask Duncan could see the frustration in her eyes. He took his mask off as he walked over to the wall bars, reaching for his towel. "You're concentrating too much on attacking, you have to think about defence at the same time. Watch your opponents moves think about their weaknesses"
Sandi just nodded as she took a drink from her water bottle. As Duncan reached for his water bottle Sandi slipped her mask on "Ready to go again?"
Duncan smiled "If you are?"
Sandi walked back to the centre of the dojo and waited for Duncan to finish his drink and take up his position opposite her. Sandi raised her blade in salute then in a sweeping motion she pointed it to the floor before bending her knees as she took up the 'on guard' position. Duncan did the same and there they waited, neither wanting to make the first move. Sandi then fake an attack that drew Duncan to try the same move he had just won his latest point with, but this time Sandi knew what was coming. She jumped back and Duncan's blade found only air. Sandi easily beat his blade away as Duncan was slightly off balance and as fast as she could Sandi lunged forward, her blade hitting Duncan squarely in the chest.
"Hey Now that's better," she said out loud. Although she couldn't see it a broad smile broke across Duncan's face as he remembered that had been just the words Charlie had used when he had managed to throw him, the first time they had met, when he had been distracted by Joe's entrance into the dojo. "So it's 9, 7. Feeling better now?" Duncan said slightly trying to goad her.
"I'll show you" Sandi replied as she again took up the 'on guard' position. As he settled into position Duncan couldn't be sure but he thought he could see her eyes flash with excitement, as she felt she now had a chance to win. It took nearly half an hour and 2 breaks before Sandi had managed to level the score. They had just started again when Duncan noticed Joe open the door; his friend never came to the dojo this early unless there was something wrong. With his attention focused on the door Duncan's blade dropped slightly and it was easy for Sandi to lunge taking the last point.
"YES" Sandi shouted as she leaped into the air in triumph. As she pulled her mask from her head Duncan could see the delight in her eyes, even though her face was flushed and dripping with perspiration. Sandi turned as she heard Joe's footsteps as he walked towards the office.
"Everything alright Joe?" Duncan asked as he took off his mask but as his friend weakly smiled he knew that it wasn't. Sandi had seen the look on both faces "I'll grab a shower"
"Oh no, you still have those exercises I gave you to do, then you can hit the shower" Duncan said as he nodded for Joe to go to the office. Grabbing his towel and water bottle he followed Joe "Go on".
Sandi took a drink and wiped her face on the towel before starting her exercises.
Duncan sat down in the chair behind the desk, as he wiped his face with the towel he was carrying he watched Joe looking out into the dojo at Sandi. "She's pretty good, Mac".
"Yes she is or she will be when she calms that temper of hers but you didn't come here to discuss the finer points of fencing. What's up Joe?"
Joe turned slowly around and walked over to the chair in front of the desk. He sighed as he sat down "Yolanda Juarez Medina"
"What about her?" Duncan said as he set his bottle of water on the desk.
"She was killed last week in Madrid" Joe watched as Duncan ran his hand over his face "Who was it?"
"Rodolfo Montoya Hernandez" as he spoke the name Joe watched his friend's body tense up and his eyes become distant.
1830 Barcelona
The sound of a women's laughter drifted over the hedges of the maze "You'll never find me Duncan".
Just as she had spoken an arm reached around the corner and grabbed her around the waist.
"I think I just did" Duncan said as he pressed her against the hedge his face only inches from hers.
"Now you have me what are you going to do with me?" she playfully questioned. Duncan let his hand run gently over her olive skin as he stared into her brown eyes.
"This" Duncan said before he crushed his lips against hers and he felt her chest heave under his embrace. He then picked her up in his arms causing Yolanda to squeal "Ohh Duncan"
As she wrapped her arms around his neck Duncan started the walk to the small summerhouse in the centre of the maze.
They had met when Duncan had decided to stop at the town's festival for some rest and relaxation as he had been travelling for a few months. He had just entered the square when a slim, young raven hair woman appeared at the doorway of the church. He walked over to her "We are in a public place."
Duncan could see the fear in her eyes. He smiled "Not to mention you're on Holy ground".
"So I am" Duncan looked around and waited for a few people to pass by "I don't want your head. I like it just where it is. I'm Duncan MacLeod".
"Yolanda, Yolanda Juarez Medina. Now that we have been introduced and I know you don't want my head, maybe you would like to escort me to the ball tonight?"
Duncan looked down at his dusty clothes "I would like that but I need somewhere to clean up." Yolanda linked her arm through his and led him down the street filled with celebrating people towards the Taverna. "They should have a room for you and you can pick me up at 8, Juan will be able to give you directions"
Yolanda had kissed him lightly on the cheek before disappearing into the crowd. Duncan had only meant to stay for a few days but after that night he had been captivated by her and soon a few days became a few weeks to several months.
Duncan had found that Yolanda had only been Immortal for 50 years and her sword skills were limited. He helped her train by day and by night they found pleasure in each other's arms.
Everything that summer had been wonderful until the ball at the Mayor's house in late September when Rodolfo Montoya Hernandez had shown up. He was a tall man by Spanish standards but his face had been marked by disease in his childhood and a scar from duel ran the length of his face. The scar pulled at his left eye seeming to twist his face.
As soon as his eyes had fallen on Yolanda he dogged her every step. Everywhere she went Rodolfo would follow. At first it seemed harmless enough but as his interest in her grew Duncan could see that Yolanda became scared and even with him promising to protect her she would hide behind him as soon as Rodolfo appeared.
Then 2 months later Duncan had to go to Barcelona on business for a few days and even though she had pleaded with him not to go, Duncan had said he had no choice. With Duncan out of the way Rodolfo managed to force his way into Yolanda's home. He had professed his love for her and tried to take her in his arms. All he received for his trouble was a slap across the face.
Yolanda had watched in terror as with his face red with anger he had drawn his sword, swearing if he couldn't have her then no one would. Her maid had summoned the gamekeeper after hearing the shouts of the butler as Rodolfo had hit him. As they entered the house Yolanda's screams brought them rusting to her side. Seeing Rodolfo with his sword drawn and inches from his mistress's neck the young man shot him.
It wasn't seeing a man dead at her feet that scared Yolanda it was what would happen if she allowed him to awaken. Duncan had told her the rules of the game and that she shouldn't take his head like this but she had to do something. The gamekeeper found so men at the Taverna who would do anything for money. So she had paid some men from the town to weigh down the body and sink it in the sea.
Duncan was furious with her when she told him what she had done. "To take his head is one thing but to leave him on the bottom of the sea is just too horrible to think about"
"But I could not beat him I didn't know what else to do" Yolanda had pleaded through her tears as she watched Duncan pack his things. He had left her that night and it was one of the hardest things he had ever done, but he couldn't stay when all he could think of when he looked at her was the living death she had consigned Rodolfo to. After all his only real crime was that he had fallen in love with her just as he had done.
Duncan's dojo
"So why are you telling me?" Duncan said as he stood up and walked over to the door, he knew that Joe would know all about his summer with Yolanda. Joe lent his chin on his cane "Because I've just been told he's on his way here"
Duncan watched Sandi fighting an invisible opponent "you think he's coming for me?"
Joe twisted in his seat to look at Duncan "Yeah, and he's not the man you knew. After what happened to him it would be enough to send any man mad"
"Go on. What happened to him?" Duncan asked as he walked back to the desk perching one the edge in front of Joe. "The men Yolanda paid to get rid of him weigh him down did really well but where they threw him into the sea, the area wasn't quite deep enough at low tide and it was remote enough for his cries not to be heard. He spent nearly a hundred years reviving only to drown again a few hours later."
Duncan closed his eyes at the thought. If only he had found the men that had done this maybe he could have rescued him but the men had been drinking and couldn't remember exactly where they had dropped him. "But why would he come after me?"
"He blames you for poisoning Yolanda against him" Joe watched as Duncan ran his hand over his face "So what are you going to do?"
Duncan sighed heavily "Nothing. If he comes looking I'll deal with it"
Joe was about to speak when he saw Duncan look towards the door. He swivelled in the chair to follow his friend's gaze. Sandi appeared in the door way her hair that had been pulled back in a ponytail fighting its way lose of the hair band. Her face glistening with perspiration "Is ok if I take a shower upstairs?"
"Yeah, sure, you know where the towels are" Duncan said as he forced a smile onto his face. Joe waited until he heard the rumble of the elevator before he continued.
"Mac if you think you can talk to this guy, think again. Most of the time he's beyond reason."
"Then he'll die".
Joe pushed himself to his feet "He might show up anytime and you have company most of the time at the moment."
Duncan thought before he answered, "Then he'll have to wait until I'm alone, he knows the rules"
Joe looked up at the ceiling "Mac that is what I'm trying to tell you. He doesn't care about the rules now. He shot Yolanda and then dragged her from Holy ground."
Joe watched as a look of horror came across Duncan's face as he stood up "When will he get here?"
"Today or tomorrow depending on his connecting flights but he doesn't know where exactly you are so you have a few days" Joe replied. Duncan thought of the last time he had met Yolanda it had been in Paris, he was with Tessa visiting her family. Slan Quince hadn't brought him fully back into the game yet.
Time hadn't dulled her beauty but it had dulled his feelings for her. They had all had dinner and he had told her all about the Antique store. She had been really interested in Tessa's art as she owned a gallery of her own in Madrid. Tessa and Yolanda had talked most of the evening, as Yolanda wanted to show some of Tessa's work. So she would have been able to tell Rodolfo that much. So if he was in the city Duncan knew he would start looking at the antique store, so that could buy him some time. Joe walked towards the door. "Mac, you be careful"
Duncan smiled weakly "Always am".
With Joe gone Duncan sat back down, his chin resting on his hands as his elbows rested on the desk.
'When will the past stay in the past?' Duncan thought as he watched some of the members of the dojo walk in. They waved towards him "Is OK if we use the large mat?"
Duncan stood up "Yeah, shouldn't be problem".
He looked back down at the desk at all the paperwork he hadn't touched for the last week.
"I'll deal with you later" Duncan said as he walked out of the office.
It had been nearly a week since Duncan had started training Sandi and she had to admit he had improved her technique and to her surprise her reactions were also getting faster. They always worked in the early morning so that members of the dojo wouldn't interrupt them and as their matches became more intense it might have been a little dangerous for others to be there with them.
Duncan had raised the amounts of hits needed for a win to 10 and it was taking longer and longer for them to reach it. As hard as she was trying it seemed that it was always Duncan that finally would win.
The dojo seemed alive as the sound of metal striking metal echoed around it, as attacks were parried again and again. Then an attack would manage to get through until the score was 8 to Duncan and 6 to Sandi. Her breath was hot on her face, as the mask wouldn't let it all escape. Sandi smiled to herself as she thought that she had seen an opening and she lunged forward only to find Duncan's blade there. Duncan then managed to slip his blade around hers to hit her on the shoulder.
"Damn it!" Sandi exclaimed as she turned away from Duncan beating the air with her blade.
"Hey, calm down. You nearly had me" Duncan replied. Sandi pulled her mask from her head as she walked over to where the towels were hanging on the wall bars. "Maybe it should be you in this tournament and not me".
Even from behind his mask Duncan could see the frustration in her eyes. He took his mask off as he walked over to the wall bars, reaching for his towel. "You're concentrating too much on attacking, you have to think about defence at the same time. Watch your opponents moves think about their weaknesses"
Sandi just nodded as she took a drink from her water bottle. As Duncan reached for his water bottle Sandi slipped her mask on "Ready to go again?"
Duncan smiled "If you are?"
Sandi walked back to the centre of the dojo and waited for Duncan to finish his drink and take up his position opposite her. Sandi raised her blade in salute then in a sweeping motion she pointed it to the floor before bending her knees as she took up the 'on guard' position. Duncan did the same and there they waited, neither wanting to make the first move. Sandi then fake an attack that drew Duncan to try the same move he had just won his latest point with, but this time Sandi knew what was coming. She jumped back and Duncan's blade found only air. Sandi easily beat his blade away as Duncan was slightly off balance and as fast as she could Sandi lunged forward, her blade hitting Duncan squarely in the chest.
"Hey Now that's better," she said out loud. Although she couldn't see it a broad smile broke across Duncan's face as he remembered that had been just the words Charlie had used when he had managed to throw him, the first time they had met, when he had been distracted by Joe's entrance into the dojo. "So it's 9, 7. Feeling better now?" Duncan said slightly trying to goad her.
"I'll show you" Sandi replied as she again took up the 'on guard' position. As he settled into position Duncan couldn't be sure but he thought he could see her eyes flash with excitement, as she felt she now had a chance to win. It took nearly half an hour and 2 breaks before Sandi had managed to level the score. They had just started again when Duncan noticed Joe open the door; his friend never came to the dojo this early unless there was something wrong. With his attention focused on the door Duncan's blade dropped slightly and it was easy for Sandi to lunge taking the last point.
"YES" Sandi shouted as she leaped into the air in triumph. As she pulled her mask from her head Duncan could see the delight in her eyes, even though her face was flushed and dripping with perspiration. Sandi turned as she heard Joe's footsteps as he walked towards the office.
"Everything alright Joe?" Duncan asked as he took off his mask but as his friend weakly smiled he knew that it wasn't. Sandi had seen the look on both faces "I'll grab a shower"
"Oh no, you still have those exercises I gave you to do, then you can hit the shower" Duncan said as he nodded for Joe to go to the office. Grabbing his towel and water bottle he followed Joe "Go on".
Sandi took a drink and wiped her face on the towel before starting her exercises.
Duncan sat down in the chair behind the desk, as he wiped his face with the towel he was carrying he watched Joe looking out into the dojo at Sandi. "She's pretty good, Mac".
"Yes she is or she will be when she calms that temper of hers but you didn't come here to discuss the finer points of fencing. What's up Joe?"
Joe turned slowly around and walked over to the chair in front of the desk. He sighed as he sat down "Yolanda Juarez Medina"
"What about her?" Duncan said as he set his bottle of water on the desk.
"She was killed last week in Madrid" Joe watched as Duncan ran his hand over his face "Who was it?"
"Rodolfo Montoya Hernandez" as he spoke the name Joe watched his friend's body tense up and his eyes become distant.
1830 Barcelona
The sound of a women's laughter drifted over the hedges of the maze "You'll never find me Duncan".
Just as she had spoken an arm reached around the corner and grabbed her around the waist.
"I think I just did" Duncan said as he pressed her against the hedge his face only inches from hers.
"Now you have me what are you going to do with me?" she playfully questioned. Duncan let his hand run gently over her olive skin as he stared into her brown eyes.
"This" Duncan said before he crushed his lips against hers and he felt her chest heave under his embrace. He then picked her up in his arms causing Yolanda to squeal "Ohh Duncan"
As she wrapped her arms around his neck Duncan started the walk to the small summerhouse in the centre of the maze.
They had met when Duncan had decided to stop at the town's festival for some rest and relaxation as he had been travelling for a few months. He had just entered the square when a slim, young raven hair woman appeared at the doorway of the church. He walked over to her "We are in a public place."
Duncan could see the fear in her eyes. He smiled "Not to mention you're on Holy ground".
"So I am" Duncan looked around and waited for a few people to pass by "I don't want your head. I like it just where it is. I'm Duncan MacLeod".
"Yolanda, Yolanda Juarez Medina. Now that we have been introduced and I know you don't want my head, maybe you would like to escort me to the ball tonight?"
Duncan looked down at his dusty clothes "I would like that but I need somewhere to clean up." Yolanda linked her arm through his and led him down the street filled with celebrating people towards the Taverna. "They should have a room for you and you can pick me up at 8, Juan will be able to give you directions"
Yolanda had kissed him lightly on the cheek before disappearing into the crowd. Duncan had only meant to stay for a few days but after that night he had been captivated by her and soon a few days became a few weeks to several months.
Duncan had found that Yolanda had only been Immortal for 50 years and her sword skills were limited. He helped her train by day and by night they found pleasure in each other's arms.
Everything that summer had been wonderful until the ball at the Mayor's house in late September when Rodolfo Montoya Hernandez had shown up. He was a tall man by Spanish standards but his face had been marked by disease in his childhood and a scar from duel ran the length of his face. The scar pulled at his left eye seeming to twist his face.
As soon as his eyes had fallen on Yolanda he dogged her every step. Everywhere she went Rodolfo would follow. At first it seemed harmless enough but as his interest in her grew Duncan could see that Yolanda became scared and even with him promising to protect her she would hide behind him as soon as Rodolfo appeared.
Then 2 months later Duncan had to go to Barcelona on business for a few days and even though she had pleaded with him not to go, Duncan had said he had no choice. With Duncan out of the way Rodolfo managed to force his way into Yolanda's home. He had professed his love for her and tried to take her in his arms. All he received for his trouble was a slap across the face.
Yolanda had watched in terror as with his face red with anger he had drawn his sword, swearing if he couldn't have her then no one would. Her maid had summoned the gamekeeper after hearing the shouts of the butler as Rodolfo had hit him. As they entered the house Yolanda's screams brought them rusting to her side. Seeing Rodolfo with his sword drawn and inches from his mistress's neck the young man shot him.
It wasn't seeing a man dead at her feet that scared Yolanda it was what would happen if she allowed him to awaken. Duncan had told her the rules of the game and that she shouldn't take his head like this but she had to do something. The gamekeeper found so men at the Taverna who would do anything for money. So she had paid some men from the town to weigh down the body and sink it in the sea.
Duncan was furious with her when she told him what she had done. "To take his head is one thing but to leave him on the bottom of the sea is just too horrible to think about"
"But I could not beat him I didn't know what else to do" Yolanda had pleaded through her tears as she watched Duncan pack his things. He had left her that night and it was one of the hardest things he had ever done, but he couldn't stay when all he could think of when he looked at her was the living death she had consigned Rodolfo to. After all his only real crime was that he had fallen in love with her just as he had done.
Duncan's dojo
"So why are you telling me?" Duncan said as he stood up and walked over to the door, he knew that Joe would know all about his summer with Yolanda. Joe lent his chin on his cane "Because I've just been told he's on his way here"
Duncan watched Sandi fighting an invisible opponent "you think he's coming for me?"
Joe twisted in his seat to look at Duncan "Yeah, and he's not the man you knew. After what happened to him it would be enough to send any man mad"
"Go on. What happened to him?" Duncan asked as he walked back to the desk perching one the edge in front of Joe. "The men Yolanda paid to get rid of him weigh him down did really well but where they threw him into the sea, the area wasn't quite deep enough at low tide and it was remote enough for his cries not to be heard. He spent nearly a hundred years reviving only to drown again a few hours later."
Duncan closed his eyes at the thought. If only he had found the men that had done this maybe he could have rescued him but the men had been drinking and couldn't remember exactly where they had dropped him. "But why would he come after me?"
"He blames you for poisoning Yolanda against him" Joe watched as Duncan ran his hand over his face "So what are you going to do?"
Duncan sighed heavily "Nothing. If he comes looking I'll deal with it"
Joe was about to speak when he saw Duncan look towards the door. He swivelled in the chair to follow his friend's gaze. Sandi appeared in the door way her hair that had been pulled back in a ponytail fighting its way lose of the hair band. Her face glistening with perspiration "Is ok if I take a shower upstairs?"
"Yeah, sure, you know where the towels are" Duncan said as he forced a smile onto his face. Joe waited until he heard the rumble of the elevator before he continued.
"Mac if you think you can talk to this guy, think again. Most of the time he's beyond reason."
"Then he'll die".
Joe pushed himself to his feet "He might show up anytime and you have company most of the time at the moment."
Duncan thought before he answered, "Then he'll have to wait until I'm alone, he knows the rules"
Joe looked up at the ceiling "Mac that is what I'm trying to tell you. He doesn't care about the rules now. He shot Yolanda and then dragged her from Holy ground."
Joe watched as a look of horror came across Duncan's face as he stood up "When will he get here?"
"Today or tomorrow depending on his connecting flights but he doesn't know where exactly you are so you have a few days" Joe replied. Duncan thought of the last time he had met Yolanda it had been in Paris, he was with Tessa visiting her family. Slan Quince hadn't brought him fully back into the game yet.
Time hadn't dulled her beauty but it had dulled his feelings for her. They had all had dinner and he had told her all about the Antique store. She had been really interested in Tessa's art as she owned a gallery of her own in Madrid. Tessa and Yolanda had talked most of the evening, as Yolanda wanted to show some of Tessa's work. So she would have been able to tell Rodolfo that much. So if he was in the city Duncan knew he would start looking at the antique store, so that could buy him some time. Joe walked towards the door. "Mac, you be careful"
Duncan smiled weakly "Always am".
With Joe gone Duncan sat back down, his chin resting on his hands as his elbows rested on the desk.
'When will the past stay in the past?' Duncan thought as he watched some of the members of the dojo walk in. They waved towards him "Is OK if we use the large mat?"
Duncan stood up "Yeah, shouldn't be problem".
He looked back down at the desk at all the paperwork he hadn't touched for the last week.
"I'll deal with you later" Duncan said as he walked out of the office.