Chapter Eight
It was just past sunset when two figures hid outside the compound observing the guards. The Watchers were using a one hundred year old Chateau' they had acquired eight months ago.
One man was almost bald had a paunch and an easygoing manner for a middle-aged man. The other had short dark hair, did not look a day over 38 and had a rather large nose.
Jonas and Methos had been friends for the past three years. He took over after Dr. Amy Zoll left and did some of the jobs that Adam Pierson no longer did in the Watcher organization.
Jonas whispered, "It's like an armed camp."
"How did you sneak out?" asked Methos equally quiet.
"Before dark I made excuses to be out and didn't come back." He confided, "Now they'll be looking for me."
"Will you be restricted?" asked Methos.
"You better believe it," replied Jonas not even the least bit nervous.
"What will you tell them?" Inquired Methos worried for his friend.
"The usual story about getting drunk, forgetting the time, passing out." He smiled in the dark, "I'm a very convincing."
Methos pulled out a small paper he had copied from the larger schematics, held up a miniature light for Jonas to see, and asked him, "Do you see these lines? Are these secret passages?"
Jonas studied the paper and replied, "I think I know where this is." Pointing past the main gate he said, "Over there is a rock wall that appears pretty solid. But if you hit it at the mossy crack with a dagger until you hear the "click" you can push it open."
"Does it go both ways?" asked Methos.
"I did not follow it very far before I had to turn back but it did go in the direction of the courtyard," answered Jonas.
Methos questioned, "Who else knows about this?"
"I can't say who else knows. It must be a secret," said Jonas with the emphases on secret.
"I've seen enough let's get back to my place." Methos told him.
"You'll be safe there. You are not going back inside. It's better if you just disappear."
"Methos, Joe wanted me to stay inside. He says there are bigger arrangements he needs to know about." Jonas insisted.
"That may be so but I have plans too," replied Methos, "and right now what I say goes."
As the two men quietly departed, the guards were none the wiser.
In the dark behind the two parting figures, another shadow detached itself from the hedges and followed at a distance of twenty yards. His breathing was slow and heavy. His concentration was intense.
Methos and Jonas began moving erratically throughout the city making sure no one could guess their true destination.
After a while, Methos told Jonas, "I know we're being followed by an immortal. Be careful so we don't split up."
They hugged the buildings and eventually made for the underground train.
Down below they paid to go on the next train. Methos turned around as the immortal that was following caught up and boarded the same car.
Methos said to Jonas, "We need to get clear of this crowd."
He pulled the watcher with him past the passengers from one compartment to the next one until they found an empty car in the rear of the train. The menacing immortal followed them not even slowing down as he joined them and drew out his sword.
The man said quietly, "I'm Keven Santiago and I challenge you."
Moving in the empty car Methos took out his sword and said, "This is a mistake I don't want to fight you."
Keven said, "I'm going to kill someone tonight and it might as well be you." He began his attack without hesitation.
Methos brought his sword up quickly and nearly broke his opponent's sword with the impact. He pushed himself off the seat and used the pole to shield him.
Jonas watched the two men battle but he wished he could be farther away this time.
Keven used his attack with short quick strokes keeping Methos from being able to attack in return. Nevertheless, Methos met every stroke all the while waiting for an opening.
They moved up and down the aisle hacking off anything not metal. A window was shattered and the wind blowing in made it harder for Methos to see.
Keven laughed at him punctuating every word with his sword he said, "Your power will soon be mine old one. I've searched a long time to find you."
Methos answered back, "Don't think I've survived this long to be taken by the likes of you." Swinging his sword harder and cutting through some of his opponent's thick jacket.
Attacking first right-handed then left-handed Keven had pushed Methos back until he was against the door. Jonas was just behind him and off to the right.
Keven bragged, "Of all the Immortals I swore to get you!"
Methos held tightly to his sword as the battle turned into a test of strength. Keven was only slightly stronger and slowly his sword crept closer to Methos who was straining with the effort.
Jonas saw his friend in trouble and kicked at Keven's kneecap with all his might. Keven buckled and went down hard.
In a rage the dark immortal shouted, "I'll Kill You!"
Before Methos could bring his sword up to take his head, Keven lunged forward driving his sword through Jonas twisting it and cutting him to the spine.
In that moment, Methos did not react fast enough to stop the senseless death of Jonas.
Keven recovered and this battle was not over. A fury filled Methos and he channeled it through his sword coming at Keven chopping quickly making him retreat.
Keven expected rage and countered with intensity of his own. He wanted the power of a very old Immortal and that greed overcame any fear he might have felt.
Jumping back onto a seat Keven loomed high in an attempt to come down on Methos head. Methos slipped on the blood that was running down the aisle.
The sword missed his head but cut into his side and Methos struggled to squirm out of close range. Keven laughed harder and advanced on the prone man.
Methos appeared frightened but waited for his chance, holding tightly to his sword.
Keven said, "This is the end of your reign Methos. I shall enjoy your Quickening!"
Bringing his sword point down Keven ran Methos through in the middle before he could withdraw and strike at the neck, Methos grabbed with one hand the blade piercing him and swung his sword quickly slashing at Keven's exposed neck.
Pushing the blade off him, Methos could not move as the body dropped onto him and sprayed blood everywhere. He remained trapped as the Quickening began and his last sane thought was of Jonas, his friend. Then, the lightning struck with power.
The force picked up the dead body and threw it against the window. It blew through and fell onto the tracks.
Methos twisted and turned with each impact of energy making the lights on the train explode.
He fought the blackness as his eyes closed. The roar went through him and vibrated his soul.
The electrical impulses interrupted the train's speed but it did not stop as the engineer tried to figure out the problem. After five minutes, he was able to start the engines again.
An intense humming came at him worse than an immortal buzz. He felt it grab his heart. Methos sat up screaming with pain, "NO! It can't be!" Knowing he could not deny the truth.
The intensity almost choked him. He stood up in a daze and tossed the head out the shattered window and the opponent's sword as well.
Looking at Jonas laying there cut nearly in half; he knew what he had to do. He had to leave his friend behind as he picked up his sword and said good-bye. He quickly departed the train when it stopped.
.
