Chapter Eight
Back at the Inn, all four Immortals were in Connor's room. Beth sat in the chair in the corner feeling the swelling of her abdomen. She knew her energy was nurturing the fetus. Her thoughts dwelt on one thing, "How am I going to bring a baby into the world at the expense of my life?"
"There isn't much time," Frank told them. "Duncan I need you to look for an artifact that brings all immortals together." He explained, "Only the champion can locate and unearth the exact place where it is buried."
"How will I know what it looks like?" asked Duncan.
"The look is not what is important. It will emit an energy wave that only immortals can sense," said Frank. "When you find it, you must encase it or you will have every immortal within a hundred miles following you." Frank continued, "I have a map and my notes are in the car if Deahna packed everything."
Connor suggested, "I'll go with Duncan and help with the search."
Frank spoke up, "I need you with me Connor."
He shook his head to disagree, "Duncan needs to get an artifact and take care of Elizabeth. He needs me more."
Frank explained, "I appreciate your concern but Duncan will have the car and supplies. While I need to secure the place for the Gathering. It will be dangerous and difficult."
Duncan said, "Frank is right, you need to go with him. We'll meet up again soon enough."
Connor picked that moment to confront all three immortals demanding, "You haven't told me yet how Elizabeth is with child."
Breaking her silence Beth spoke up, "Because I'm a freak of nature that's how!" Out of frustration, she got up from her chair and left the room banging the door behind her.
Looking at Connor, Duncan said, "She's not as freak of nature," hesitantly he added, "Well maybe I'm not sure about that part."
Changing the subject he went to the door and said, "Frank, I'm going to get the car and we'll get our own room. You get to tell Connor the rest."
Connor sat back in the chair and requested, "Yes Frank, tell me the rest of the story."
Frank replied, "I should get manuals printed up for this." Looking around the room, he sat down before requesting, "Do you have a bottle with you?"
"As a matter of fact I do," said Connor and he rummaged around his backpack and brought out some whiskey. Handing it to Frank he speculated, "How big a story is this going to be?"
Taking the bottle, he opened it and saluted Conner. Frank replied, "Oh, it's a doozy."
Duncan found Beth downstairs sitting alone near the entrance. Going to her he told her, "I need to get the car it has all our things in it. Will you be alright?"
She nodded her head yes, but stayed silent.
"Until I get back, can you get us a room?" suggested Duncan. He leaned down and kissed her lips, she kissed back and gave him a smile of trust, squeezed his hand for a moment before letting go.
Once outside, Duncan focused on the next task. He needed gasoline for the car. Locating the gas can, Duncan filled it up and the nearest gas station. He kept his sword hidden under his coat as he hiked the miles back to the rental car.
The afternoon was waning as he found the way back to the car. It was where he left it in the rain with the broken window. Now the interior wet.
Duncan quickly poured what fuel he had into the gas tank and put the can back in the trunk. At least all their clothes were still safe. It took just a minute to prime the carburetor and start the engine.
As he drove back to the Inn, his thoughts went to Frank's request. He had to find a talisman in Scotland with miles to cover and Beth in her condition.
By the time Duncan returned, Beth had taken a room and already washed up. She wrapped a towel around her and waited for Duncan to bring fresh clothes. She did not have to wait for long before he came bumping up the stairs with their luggage.
Beth let him in and helped take her bag. "I'm glad to get my things back," she said with relish.
"I'm going to tell Frank to get his luggage." Duncan told her with a smile at seeing her happy for the first time since they got the news.
Going to Connor's room, he knocked and then opened the door to find both immortals drinking in the afternoon trading stories.
Duncan informed him, "Frank if you want your bags along with Deahna's, the car is outside."
"Thank you," Frank said standing up. He handed the bottle back to Connor and told him, "You should put that away. I'll be back soon."
He quickly went to the door with Duncan and closed it behind him. Duncan asked, "Did you tell him everything."
"Yes," Frank replied, "As you can tell I had to get him sufficiently drunk."
Even with the door closed, Frank could hear Connor singing a Scottish tune in his Gallic tongue. Duncan smiled a little recognizing the words.
Back in her room, Beth tried on some clothes to her dismay only one pants and shirt fit. When Duncan walked in, she said in an exhausted tone, "I have nothing to wear."
"I'll take you shopping," he told her. "We need to get more supplies too."
She looked at him with an intensity that brought his attention on her. She said, "Duncan I heard the call."
"When did it start?" he asked her.
She answered, "During your last quickening I heard a strong humming. I can feel it even now like it's pulling me."
Duncan held her face while her hands rested on his. He told her, "Whatever happens we must stay together. I will protect you."
She looked at him with doubt telling him, "I can't shake this feeling of doom." She squeezed his hand tighter asking, "What if this threat kills you beforeā¦"
"It can't," he answered with assurance, "My fate is at the gathering."
He kissed her face then let go to pick up her blouse and said, "I hope you can wear this one."
Beth smiled and took it from him saying, "This is the only one that fits." She finished dressing and together they walked the short distance to a small clothing store.
Once inside she began to look through the clothing racks for rugged pants that could expand. The sales woman came up to offer help.
She asked, "Can I help you?"
Beth answered, "I just need some loose pants and shirts that I can use for several months." She put her hand on her belly to make clear her condition.
"In that case we have good selection of maternity clothes over here." She offered indicating a display nearby.
Beth and Duncan both said, "NO," she explained, "I don't want it to look like maternity clothes."
The sales woman replied, "I see you want to keep it hidden. Then you might want to look at the larger sizes here."
"I think that would be better," Beth answered.
"Would you like to know the sex of the child?" she suggested, "There is a midwife in our town that is very good at reading the sonogram."
"No thank you," said Duncan, "We already know after the last doctor visit." He steered Beth away from any further conversations to the clothing rack to help her choose quickly.
Holding up a chemise for her to try on he recommended, "How about this one? It matches your eyes."
Beth took it and said quietly, "Yes its fine but Duncan how do you know what this child will be?"
He whispered back, "Just keep nodding and picking clothes and as soon as there is time, I'll tell you."
Beth just looked at him with deep furrows on her forehead but did not ask any more questions. They left the store with a few outfits for each.
It was mid-day when Duncan and Beth had finished buying their food supplies for the trip ahead.
Duncan then suggested, "Let's take these packages to our room because I need to have the car serviced."
"You're not putting me off," she said, "We're having this discussion."
Touching her lips with his finger, he replied, "I agree it's something I need to tell you about but preparations are a priority right now."
Once everything was in their room, she watched him go. She said aloud as he shut the door, "I'm not sure I want to know."
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Mark Kalpak finished his meeting with Egan Lasco via webcam, which did not go very well. His cell phone rang and as he suspected, McFadden was calling him.
"Hello," he answered, "Why are you calling Frank?"
"I'm sure you know why Mark. Don't make me beg for information." McFadden replied with impatience.
Mark defended his position saying, "I just found out that he wanted her so I don't know very much."
"Why did he do it?" Frank demanded, "Does he want me?"
Mark replied, "As far as I know Egan just wants to ask her some questions."
Frank pondered this then asked, "Is she alright?"
Mark tapped his fingers thinking of how to reply. He told a lie, "She is in no danger and there has been no indication of her impending death."
McFadden gave a sigh of relief, he asked, "What can be done to get her back?"
Mark said emphatically, "Now is not the time to conspire on getting her back. If Egan want to keep her close to distract you from the Gathering, then do not let him succeed. I will do whatever I can to make sure she comes to no harm."
"How can you do that if you're here in Scotland?" asked Frank.
Mark looked at his watch trying to wrap up the conversation. He queried, "Egan has been asking me about this immortal you're traveling with. Apparently she's going to die without a quickening."
"Yes," Frank said, "Tell Egan that if an immortal goes for too long without their first quickening they can die."
Mark told him, "This has never been recorded. Are you making this up?"
Frank quickly explained, "This has always been a possibility but so many young immortals get killed or if they are lucky, they have their first quickening a few years after becoming immortal. There never has been one to go so long. Now are you going to ensure Deahna's safety?" He demanded.
Mark promised, "I swear I will do everything in my power to make sure she will be protected." Then he asked, "Can I get back to work now."
Hearing Frank acquiesce, he hung up the phone and continued to write up his reports.
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