Chapter Twenty Three

The swordplay is my Sword dance. I am bare but for my sword as my skin glistens, I go through my paces and feel the rotation of earth 'round Sun! My opponent is there though I sense only his presence. I close my eyes hold up my sword for the dance is all there is.

Amanda fought her opponent in a battle to the death. She knew she was winning and felt poetic movement in everything she did. Her sword continued to slash the air in front of her driving the opponent back.

She chased him over a bridge and down an empty street until he could go no farther. He held his sword up but Amanda knocked it from his hand. He knelt down asking her to spare his life. Amanda said, "No you have betrayed me for the last time." She brought her sword slashing across his neck separating the man's head from his shoulders. Amanda felt satisfied and waited for the quickening.

At that moment, she woke up to the phone ringing. "Shit!" She exclaimed, "Just at the best part. I told them not to let any calls through." Amanda reached over to answer it.

"Who is it?" She demanded.

Vumali answered, "Amanda this is your friend why are you so rude?"

"I'm sorry Vumali I was asleep." Amanda recovered her composure to turn on the charm.

He told her, "I wanted you to come with me today to see the sights."

She answered, "I would love to go. Can you give me a couple of hours to get ready?"

He said, "For you anything. Kiss, kiss until then."

"Kiss, kiss dear," said Amanda as she hung up the phone. "The things I do to have a good time." She complained getting out of bed.

Going into the impressive bathroom, she started the water in the spacious tub. Pouring in the scented bath salts Amanda contemplated what she could accomplish today.

With the tub full, she slid into the water and sighed. She lay there for an hour thinking of all the money she could get from Vumali.

She did not want to give it to Egan. She planned on going as far away from here as possible. Until it was time for the gathering, she would lay low.

Amanda knew how ruthless men could be so women have to be twice as ruthless back. "I've become too soft hanging around Duncan MacLeod."

Tiring of the bath Amanda got up and dried off. She took her time finding an outfit to wear something daring and elegant. She had cut her hair short and had it lightened again.

What sights were they going to see anyway? She applied her make-up with great care.

"There, all ready." She looked at her watch it read 10am. Vumali was probably waiting but Amanda knew he would not question her when he saw how good she looked. Glancing into the mirror one last time she went out her door and locked it.

In the front lobby of the hotel Amanda spied Vumali and waved. He came over to look at her. This dark hair Grecian man was handsome and rich enough for her.

His eyes showed his pleasure as he told her, "You look lovely it's like we're going to an opera not on safari."

Amanda wrinkled her nose and said, "I'm not going on any safari there's nothing there but dirt," emphasizing the last word.

Vumali insisted, "Yes we are. So I'm going to take you to get proper clothes and then we're going."

Taking her arm, he guided Amanda to the waiting car. She let him take her to a clothing store for a safari outfit.

She complained to herself, "This guy is pushy and I'm going to have to dump him as soon as I get something." Changing her clothes, she came out to get his approval.

He said, "You look better. Now we can go."

The drive into the outback of Australia did not take very long and Vumali chatted the whole time about the wild animals they would see. Amanda pretended interest but she was so bored. When they reached a desolate area, the driver stopped the jeep and they looked around.

It was so quiet. Except for dry vegetation and a few animals, there was nothing around. They climbed out of the jeep.

"Amanda what do you think?" Asked Vumali breathing in the fresh air, "Wild beauty there is nothing like it."

She replied, "I'm not impressed."

He told her, "Too bad because this will be your resting place."

Amanda looked sharply at him. The driver was in on it because he pulled out a gun and pointed it at her.

She questioned him calmly, "What are you doing?"

"My dear you have become a problem for some of my friends. And Egan is an important friend so I've decided to do him a favor." He walked over to stand by her.

"I know who and what you are." He whispered in her ear then seeing the look on Amanda's face he continued, "I know that bullets cannot kill you so a friend of mine is going to be coming along to take care of you shortly."

Vumali stood back took a sword out of the jeep and tossed it at Amanda's feet. Signaling the driver, he got into the jeep. The driver fired several shots into Amanda when she tried to run. She went down and did not move. The driver got in and they drove off as Vumali lit up a cigar commenting, "So much for that one."

Amanda came awake after only 10 minutes. The injuries were not bad. She got to her feet and brushed off the dust. She hated being dirty. Remembering the threat, she went and picked up the sword. Inspecting it, she saw that it was not an excellent sword but it would have to do. Amanda started walking in the direction the jeep went.

"I'm going to kill Vumali when I see him." She promised with vengeance.

The strange feeling of another Immortal put Amanda on alert. Ducking behind bushes, she looked out ready to pounce. Hearing some whistling as he approached Amanda decided this must be a joke.

The man that came into view was wearing leather pants and a vest. His hat was cowboy style. She could see his blue eyes from where she hid.

He called out, "Come out now and I'll make it quick." He then looked right at her.

Amanda felt afraid but she hid her fear as she stepped away from the bush. Deciding to stall she called out, "Can I ask you a question?"

He told her, "Ask away." Standing there watching her.

She inquired, "I saw no tattoo on Vumali he isn't a Watcher and why should you an Immortal want to work for him?"

Royce tilted his head up as he laughed and then looked at her to answer. "I work for the highest price and Egan pays very well. You had your chance but passed it up so now you'll die." He said now advancing on her.

Holding up her sword to show she was ready Amanda closed her eyes. "Remember the dance." She told herself.

Drawing on all the training she had undergone when she was with Duncan MacLeod, Amanda focused all her energy on this opponent and opened her eyes.

Taking the offensive she said, "I am Amanda and I challenge you."

Making his sword ready he answered, "My name is Royce and I accept your challenge."

Amanda brought her sword around herself and spun a few times to test her balance.

Royce thought, "I can take this girl without much effort." His sword pointed at Amanda like a divining rod, he advanced closer and then attacked.

Knocking his sword aside Amanda drove under his defense and nicked him as she stood back. He looked down then laughed.

Royce said, "Now it's my turn to nick you." He smiled wickedly. Swinging his sword, he continued to press forward.

Amanda was ready by crouching lower she faked moving right then cut back. Royce was right with her jabbing where she was then he quickly countered and cut Amanda's arm. She jumped back and circled around a small tree glancing at the wound, she then ignored it.

"Focus on your opponent's weakness." She heard Duncan's voice say, "Don't let him see yours." Amanda held herself straight and looked Royce in the eye.

She saw his weakness and she took a gamble. Turning around she started running away from him. She dodged large bushes and trees as she went for better ground.

Royce only saw his prey getting away. He had gone without a quickening for two years and wanted this one badly. He followed her tracks and guessed where to go and head her off.

Jumping a small stream Amanda saw her opportunity. Staying along the edge of the water, she made obvious marks in the mud for a quarter mile stopping at a large boulder.

Smiling to herself, she hid behind it making her body small against the massive rock. Closing her eyes, she concentrated to feel when Royce was near.

Royce had to doubled back and pick up her trail again after losing it. Seeing the stream, he followed it looking at her footprints.

"Ah there she is behind the stone." He guessed. Inching around it Royce kept his sword up and ready to strike neck high. He did not need to see her to behead her.

Amanda came from behind and coughed right as Royce turned. She chopped with the sword quickly completing her objective. Royce's head fell in slow motion as his blood sprayed the rock in a brilliant pattern. Amanda stepped back to receive the Quickening.

No clouds were in the sky but the thunder echoed for miles. Amanda felt the first strike hit her hard and knocked her off her feet.

She landed in the water and could not get up as the second bolt snaked along the stream and hit her again. The Quickening intensified the call she clearly heard it now. She cried out in pain trying to get up again.

Instead, she had to crawl away from the body as bolts flew out and followed her. Amanda began sobbing. A small bush caught fire and several more bolts spun Amanda around as she struggled to stand. The fire started to spread as the sound faded.

The essence of the call lingered as a ringing in her ears.

Amanda stood up breathing in painful gasps until she was in control again. She whispered, "The Gathering."

Looking down at the ground, she searched out, picked up both swords examining them, and decided to keep only the good one so she threw the other one into the bush.

Walking along the small stream Amanda did not look back as the fire consumed the battleground.

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