XI

Two days later, the group got off a rented van and smelt the air of the Highlands of Scotland. The green hills mesmerised Rachel. In all her years with Connor, he had never brought her there. She noticed Duncan was moving away towards a lodge nearby, and looked for answers in her friends. Connor did not know what it was about. Oliver seemed to, but was silent. Duncan was returning with a dark-haired beautiful woman, who was laughing at some comment the younger Highlander had made.

"Rachael MacLeod, these are my friends Connor MacLeod and Rachel Ellinstein." Rachael shook hands kindly with both of them. "And this is Oliver MacLeod." Rachael smiled and embraced the younger MacLeod.

"Long time, Oliver." She said giggling.

"A couple of years only."

"You know each other?" Duncan asked.

"Sort of." Rachael looked away. "He came looking for something, and found a lot more." She smiled in a way that unnerved Rachel. She understood the subtlety of the words. The Scot woman had bedded him. Jealousy was quickened inside of her.

"We are looking for something too."

"That is?" Connor opened his coat and produced the ancient claymore from the left part of his coat. The katana was motionlessly clung to the other part. Rachael eyed the sword with amazement, guessing instantly. "The sword of Duncan MacLeod."

She returned inside and a minute later, she was upon them again. Duncan was holding a magnificent claymore.

"Looks well, Duncan." Rachel commented.

"It does. Now there's something else to find." Oliver added.

Connor turned and began to look at the horizon. Duncan joined him. Both in silence as the younger ones regarded them with concern. These two had been pushed away from this land. Returning was always hard, as painful memories surfaced.

"You know something?" Rachael asked trying to be nice. "These two seem to like to have the old swords of their long-time ascendants... who are called like them. Weird, eh?"

-----

Walking across the green, Connor joined Rachel, who was by Oliver's arm. The boy understood that he was out of place and released her, moving behind to exchange words with Duncan. She smiled at Connor as she grabbed his arm.

"He's a fine boy. I... I think I was too..."

"Overprotective, Connor?"

"Yes... I should have let him..."

"Don't start torturing yourself. Done is done. Thinking about it won't lead us anywhere."

"So you met Methos?" he changed the topic.

"Methos? What is that name?"

"Benjamin Adams?"

"No... who is that?" Rachel thought about it. "Oh... you mean Adam Pierson."

"That one."

Rachel's face frowned with disgust. "Yes. I did not like him much. He struck me as a person always looking for an advantage."

"It's a way of surviving. He's been around for a while. He taught you."

"Yes..." Rachel stopped. "And I want to show you."

She unsheathed the blade from the cane and stood on guard. Connor stood silent for a second and produced his katana. The Highlander struck forward. Rachel blocked as she stepped back. Connor retrieved his sword and Rachel slammed. Connor parried the attack easily and sliced her arm. Rachel gasped as she delivered a blow at Connor's side. He dodged and hooked her sword in his and sent it away. He smiled at his adoptive daughter.

"Nice." Connor said... nicely.

"I don't stand a chance against you, Duncan... or Kell." She said sombrely.

"But you're young. You must train hard... how many heads have you...?"

"Only one." She said embarrassedly, as if beheading someone was an object of pride rather than an abomination.

"You have time..." he blurted before silencing.

"What was that?" Duncan asked joining them.

"A little exhibition." Connor replied gaily.

"Let's move on. We should be getting there soon." Oliver broke in, speaking bitterly.

He moved past them, walking heavily towards a row of trees. Connor regarded him before glancing at Duncan and posing his eyes on Rachel. Both shared the perplexity he felt.

"What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know." She replied worriedly.

"Well, the sooner we get there, wherever it is, the sooner we'll know." Duncan spoke as he followed Oliver.

-----

Ten minutes later, they had got past a row of trees and were by a pond. Oliver was looking around for something, while Duncan stared with recognition at the pond. They all could feel someone around, but they did not know where that immortal could be. They had weapons in hand: Rachel, her unfolded cane; Duncan and Connor, their respective katanas and claymores. All but Oliver. He was unarmed, as if he knew who was there.

From the pond, something erupted and darted towards Rachel. She instinctively put up her blade and blocked an upward blow aimed at her head. Her eyes met with the ones of a beautiful dark-haired woman who was almost naked. Her breasts were behind her long hair that fell over her chest, and only a small cloth covered between the legs. Her eyes gave away nothing. Rachel pushed forward and that woman did likewise.

"Cassandra!"

The woman stopped upon hearing Oliver call. She ceased the struggle and lowered her weapon. Caring nothing about her nudity, she stared at the newcomers, fixing her eyes on Duncan, who smiled. Oliver approached, his face slightly blushed. Connor was grinning at the magnificent view before him.

"What are you doing here?"

"You know who we are?" Connor asked.

"Oliver and Duncan MacLeod. I know both of them. You must be Connor MacLeod. A bloody clan MacLeod reunion... only Quentin and Colin are missing."

"They're fishes always hard to find." The reply was charged with a trickle of amusement.

"And she is..." Cassandra studied Rachel, then shot a glance at Oliver. "Rachel Ellinstein."

"Good guess, sorceress. Your powers must have something of truth." Connor spat up sceptically.

"Oliver talked a lot about her. I know her as if I had actually met her a long time ago."

"Cassandra..." Oliver broke the chat. "This is important."

The tone of urgency the youngest MacLeod used puzzled Cassandra, who regarded the American with intrigue.

"What is it?"

"The Gate of Power."

"You can't go there."

"I have to. We all have to."

"Oliver..." she said with a little pain. Oliver and Cassandra stared at each other. A secret silent conversation seemed to go on between them in a split second. "Aye. I will lead you."