Chapter Four

Jamestown, Scotland

They sat down inside the warm Inn while Beth looked around the quaint interior and felt the mood of the room calm her.

Connor ordered a drink and dinner for himself and his new companion. He decided to be as charming as possible and win her over.

"Can we start over again?" He asked looking at her and saw her nod to continue.

"Hi, I'm Connor MacLeod what's your name?" He stated while holding out his hand to her.

With obvious surprise she answered, "Elizabeth Windsor and I should have known."

Connor laughed at her remark asking her, "Whom else do you know?"

Shaking his hand, she let it go and then answered, "I know Duncan MacLeod. Is a clansman of yours?"

Connor nodded and replied, "Yes he is but tell me is he in Scotland right now?"

She nodded slowly and told him, "But I haven't seen him in two weeks."

He lowered his voice as he told her, "Well I'm a lot nicer really."

Their drinks and food arrived so they began eating. That is when Connor noticed the ring she wore. He recognized it from the assortment of jewels that Duncan had in his collection from the antique store.

More questions surfaced in his mind. Where was Duncan and why does she search the countryside alone looking for a challenge?

He decided not to ask right now and perhaps he could discover her motives in time. He watched her eating quickly showing how hungry she must have been.

Connor continued to eat slowly savoring the rich flavor that the native Scotland dishes held and the memories that came with them.

When they finished with their customary meal, Beth smiled at Connor and said, "I want to thank you for being a gentleman and for dinner."

Connor tilted his head giving acknowledgment to her compliment. His expression became serious as he questioned her, "You haven't told me how you know Duncan?"

She looked down and fidgeted with the small ring then clearing her throat she said, "It feels like I met him a lifetime ago."

Resting her elbows on the table, Beth looked Connor in the eye to judge how much she could tell him. He smiled at her giving the impression he knew his cousin all too well.

She began with, "I traveled to Paris to find my friend Richie Ryan. It was then I learned that he was killed by his mentor and friend Duncan MacLeod."

Connor held up a hand to ask, "Duncan killed the boy? Why?"

Beth felt some pain when she thought of it but told him, "He was influenced and deceived by a demon. Richie happened to get in the way. He told me it was an accident."

Connor could not guess what Duncan went through. The murder of a student was unforgivable. He had more questions but gestured for her to continue.

She picked up her train of thought, "After Duncan told me the truth, I challenged him. We fought one time but…"

Then a tingling began on the back of her neck that went to the pit of her stomach. She felt herself turn cold.

Looking quickly at the doorway, an immortal stood at the entrance of the room. He glanced over to the two sitting at the table. He gave a grunt of surprise and then his cruel eyes narrowed.

Beth inhaled quickly as her head swam with the horrible memory.

Connor looked at her and guessed that she recognized this ugly immortal.

"Who is he to you?" Connor asked.

"He is my enemy." Beth intoned.

The immortal paused on the threshold as his thoughts came into focus.

Yes, he remembered her now. Two hundred years had passed but still she had not changed.

That day near Brighton, England stood out in his mind like a moment in time forever there. He and the others tracked the Templar Elders to that little blood bath of a village.

During the battle, a crazy man came up behind him and pierced his back with a red-hot searing blade. The pain had been unbearable and it nearly cut him down the middle. With the bloodlust upon them and the power of the quickening, they began to behead all the mortals as well for sport and prevent any pre-immortal from coming back. All of them that is, but one. He could not remember why they did not behead her like the others but Malden stood over her and stabbed her with his sword.

He could see that even now she was alive and an immortal. She wore that sword on her back like a trophy. Becker had found her hiding in the snow outside the village boundary just before dark. She had been a tender sweet morsel to play with. A sneer then came to his lips.

They both watched as the immortal walked past them to sit at the small bar. He ordered a drink and paid for it. Korbin held the drink up to Beth and Connor drank it in one gulp and drew his thumb across his throat. Giving a gruff laugh, he turned back to the bartender and ordered another drink.

Seeing her reaction, Connor looked closely at the man to recognize a possible foe of his. Connor whispered to her, "Do you think you can take him?"

"Yes, he's mine!" she whispered fiercely back.

Connor questioned, "Are you sure because if not…"

"NO, you don't get it," she insisted while staring at the man, "I have to fight him." Her eyes turned to him pleading as she whispered, "He was one of those who killed me."

Now Connor did understand. He finally got his chance to kill the Kurgan. That bastard had given him his first death, killed Ramirez and raped Heather. Later the Kurgan had tried to end his life again. He understood and knew what revenge felt like.

Connor approved, "If you want him then wait," he advised her, "Now is not the time."

Beth nodded in agreement but kept her eyes on him. The pain she was feeling threatened to overwhelm her. She knew she would need that pain and anger to fight and kill him.

Connor watched her concentration and wondered what was in her mind and memories. He could see the raw emotion on her face and it told a disturbing story.

Attempting to distract her, he asked, "Elizabeth what happened after the combat with Duncan?"

Without looking away Beth said, "I found my anger was gone. Then I looked into his eyes and lost my heart."

Connor quietly chuckled at this and said, "That sounds like him. Can you tell me more of your story?"

She had studied her enemy long enough so she replied, "We'll talk about the rest of the news in private."

"It is time to secure a room." Connor agreed as he stood up indicating that she should also.

Beth asked, "What about him?"

Connor remarked, "I imagine he is staying here in town. After seeing you he seems to want a fight as much as you do."

He led her away and wondered if he should try to call Duncan number. Later, they sat in a room together and talked until late into the night. Beth felt so at ease that she told him the rest of what had befallen Richie Ryan. Connor was very upset by this news, that Duncan could be fooled by a demon and then to kill his young student.

She told Connor about meeting the Grand Immortal and even Methos who was the oldest living immortal. Connor had playfully argued with her that both were just legends. Beth stopped short of telling him everything and Connor sensed it. Nevertheless, he thought he had heard enough to give her some guidance.

]]]][[[[

Evening of the same day

Duncan MacLeod was driving a rental car on the rough winding roads between Glasgow and Glenshee. Keeping the interior light switched on as Deahna focused on a map book when Duncan pulled over to look for himself.

He questioned, "I thought you said to keep going on this road? We should have found them by now."

Deahna commented, "From the last sign Frank left for us to follow we should be right behind them."

Duncan remarked, "Unless Beth cut across here." He pointed to a small twisting line that was a river.

Deahna questioned, "Why would she go that way?"

"She will need food and rest here at Jamestown. That's what we need right now." Duncan insisted closing up the map book.

He started the engine and glanced at the petrol gage. He brought it to her attention saying, "We're getting low on fuel and there will be rain soon."

Remaining quiet, she glanced at Duncan's profile as he steered the car. This whole journey he drove at times with care and at times recklessly. She felt he had begun to change his mind about the child and maybe even want it.

They had traveled another ten miles and were getting close to the town where they were hoping to find both Frank and Beth. The car began to sputter with the unmistakable sound of the engine running on fumes. Feeling discouraged Duncan pulled the car over. Looking at his watch it was a few hours from dawn and the smell of rain was stronger.

He unfolded the map and checked the road marker visible in the headlights. Tracing with his fingers how much further it was he said, "It's about another two miles. I can buy some gas and come back for the car."

Deahna told him, "I'll wait here. I don't feel like walking."

"Lock the doors then," he requested as he got out of the small rental car.

Taking his sword and a container for fuel, Duncan began walking towards the next town.

Deahna locked the doors and then leaned her seat back making it more comfortable. She closed her eyes and thought of Frank. Her husband and lover for more than twenty years she had a feeling they would see each other soon.

As Duncan climbed the small ridge, he stopped and looked around. Above him, the rain clouds covered the approaching dawn. Below him, it flattened out to the grassy plane. His eyes stopped at the tree where a woman was standing. The hairs on his neck stood out and his skin tingled with the knowledge that he was facing an immortal.

Duncan MacLeod walked slowly down the slope with his fingers holding onto the hilt of the Katana.

She strolled forward with the grace of a cat. The woman was tall and beautiful looking. The simple clothes she wore only accented the curves of her flesh.

She took her sword out and swung it around once. It was wickedly long with a dark metal blade. It gleamed as she held it before her prepared to use it.

Duncan brought his sword out and stood his ground saying, "I don't know who you are but I don't want to fight you."

Coming closer she said, "But you must fight me."

Duncan repeated, "No I won't fight you not like this. The Gathering ceremony is soon and we will battle on the fields by Glenshee."

"Yes I'll be there but you won't." She declared moving forward to attack.

Duncan could see how serious she was at the same time he knew he should not fight her. He dropped the fuel container behind him.

"All right then I am Duncan MacLeod." He said while removing his coat with his left hand and held tightly to the Katana with his right hand.

She smiled briefly and said, "I know who you are. I am Deeva Benson and there shall be only one!"

]]]][[[[

Beth awoke with a start in the early morning before first light. She quickly got up to prepare for the challenge.

Throwing a blanket over her shoulders as a cloak, Beth tucked her sword underneath feeling the cold naked blade through her clothes against her side.

Walking slowly past Connor's bed, she mentally said a prayer that he would not interfere.

Outside, she smelled the damp air and just then felt a drop on her head.

They sensed each other across the courtyard just before sunrise. Beth could not see him clearly but she knew who it was.

The immortal took out his sword and circled around coming closer. Beth threw off the blanket showing she was ready and circled as well.

Beth called out to him, "Follow me."

She turned and walked out the small gate to the forested area nearby.

Korbin followed her so compelled by the power he wanted. He would kill her and have her quickening.

]]]][[[[

Deeva jumped into her attack with almost an anticipation of Duncan's first move. He blocked her sword and felt her strength.

She was as strong as he was and she knew it. Her moves followed his with quick precision.

As they fought with attacks and countermove, making Duncan wonder how she knew all his abilities. "How could she know?" He asked himself jumping back a fraction too late.

A dark metal edge cut his shirt and then scored his skin. She mirrored his pirouette and was ready with another swing and attack.

He knew he had never encountered her before. The idea of her watcher giving her vital information about his personal style came to rest in his mind. This had to be a trap.

]]]][[[[

Connor awoke to find her gone from the cot next to his. He guessed she went to fight that immortal and could possibly win. He wanted to be there just in case. Dressing for warmth in the cold dawn, he took up his sword and went to look for her.

The raindrops fell on the two immortals now facing each other in the small arena making the mood somber and exposed hands becoming numb.

Time seemed to stop as she studied the man before declaring, "I am Elizabeth from the house of Windsor."

The immortal saluted saying, "I am Korbin from the house of evil. This time you will stay dead."

He began moving forward attacking viciously by slicing the air in hopes to catch her off guard.

Beth easily countered his attack and pushed him to the side using his strength to unbalance him.

As he passed, her sword continued and cut into his back. Screaming with pain at the memory of that sword Korbin turned with fury on his face.

A flashback came to her at that moment and time again stood still. She saw the ground covered with snow and in the distance her father attacking Korbin. She heard the same scream and that look of fury on his ugly face.

"YOU!" she exclaimed, "You killed my father!"

That knowledge filled her with rage and she attacked him with both hands on the hilt of her father's long sword. She swung it repeatedly towards his head.

Their weapons clashed and the metal vibrated down to the hilt, but Beth kept advancing on him beating him down.

]]]][[[[

Duncan blocked and brought his attack around with a move that Connor taught him but she was ready. She KNEW everything!

Deeva's eyes looked fanatical and she laughed as she danced around him. Again, her sword slashed at his flesh.

Deeva called out, "Hey MacLeod you made it too easy for me to find you. There's nothing in these Highlands except your death."

Ignoring her taunts, Duncan cleared his mind and thought only of who and what he fought for.

The rain was coming down harder now and Deeva's sword beat down on Duncan trying to knock him off his feet. He was like a tree withstanding it all. He could feel his arms becoming numb but he kept moving beyond himself. The stains on his shirt showed many small cuts but still he would fight and survive.

]]]][[[[

Korbin backed up to use the trees to block her attacks. "You're a little spitfire," he said, "I should have never killed you and then let you come back."

Beth refused to waste her breath on answering him and chased him around the tree-lined clearing. Then finally catching up to him, she blocked his swing then sliced downwards into his leg at the knee.

Korbin fell hard and Beth brought her sword high and then brought it down with full force upon his head.

Korbin rolled on his back bringing up his sword and blocked her swing and a loud ringing sounded as his sword broke in two. Fear showed on his face as he scooted backwards on the ground holding the hilt of his broken blade.

Beth advanced on him knowing he was beaten. She intoned, "Now I will know what a quickening feels like. My family and village are avenged at last."

The rain could not cool her wrath and the child inside her, forgotten as she continued to advance on him. Korbin crawled backwards and cowered in fear at the sight of her vengeance.

.