Chapter Thirteen

Scotland

Rain fell relentlessly on Jamestown but inside the inn, no one cared. Sipping her tea, Beth felt the herbs comfort and strengthen her body as she sat on the bed waiting for Duncan to speak first.

Finally, he seemed ready and quietly said to her, "I want to tell you about our son."

"Weeks ago when you had your last nightmare and woke up screaming, that same night I had an encounter with our son. It was like a dream or vision of the future."

She remained silent thinking back over those weeks. Duncan sat next to her and touched her face. He smiled and said, "He has your face. He was about six years old in my dream and he was so smart."

She asked him, "How do you know that it wasn't some dream by Ahriman to trick you?"

Duncan did not need to think twice. He said, "I knew the difference. Your son knows what is going to happen to you and he said," pausing to see her face react, "He says he loves you."

Her heart skipped a beat at hearing his words. She asked, "Why couldn't he come to me in a dream."

Duncan answered, "He thinks you don't want him."

She stood up with a need to move around saying, "That may have been true weeks ago but now there's nothing else I can do except to wait. Duncan sometimes when I feel him move, I'm so scared."

Outside they could hear the storm getting louder and rain was lashing the windowpane. He stood beside her to stop her pacing and asked, "What are you afraid of?"

She answered with concern in her voice, "Sometimes I'm just afraid of dying and sometimes there is this fear that I won't be able to bring him into the world."

Holding her and kissing her head he asked her, "What would help you feel better? I don't want to see you so upset."

Brushing the tears from her eyes, she looked into his and said, "I have felt forced to concede because the watchers are interfering, the gathering is here and I am so confused."

"But I'm with you now and I will do my best to control the outcome," he told her quietly calming her with his touch.

Drying her eyes again she said, "I would be happy if we could pretend for a while that we're on vacation and no one is after us."

Holding her in a bear hug, he said with quiet seduction, "If that is your wish."

Elaborately he began to describe their adventure, "All day it's sunny and we are walking through the festival. We have eaten too much food and danced until we were spellbound." He stroked her face and then whispered, "I hold you all night with just the moon to cover us and you will never doubt my love."

He then excited her passion by kissing her deeply while his hands explored her body. Little cries of ecstasy escaped her lips. All her focus was now on Duncan and the feelings her gave her so generously.

Falling into bed, they felt their passions as strong as ever until sunset became midnight. With her body satisfied, she let her mind go and held his arms tightly around her. She whispered sleepily, "I'm never leaving you again."

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Deep into the night there was fog hugging the ground but the sky was clear and full of stars. Beth walked in the garden perplexed by her surroundings.

The moon showed bright upon a dirt path. She walked a few more steps trying to get her bearings. A figure appeared before her and stood there.

She instinctively reached for her sword but it was not there. She took a step back called loudly, "Who are you?"

"Please don't go," the voice called out, "I want so much to talk to you."

The young boy came closer and said, "Please listen because there is not much time. I can only appear to you once. The demons are advancing because they sense a victory is only months away."

She asked him, "Are you human or a something else?"

He replied, "I was a part of Ahura Mazda centuries ago. I am the enemy of Ahriman."

She questioned, "You are in my dream?"

"I am real," he said stepping closer reaching out to her. Taking his hand, she felt his skin was warm. He announced, "My name is Evan. I am to be your son."

Beth looked upon his face startled by his maturity. He was her height and wore a dark blue shirt, denim jeans and tan boots. His hair was dark brown and his eyes were brown in the moonlight.

They heard an animal howl in the distance and quickly he told her, "You must defeat the demon. It will still try to keep me from being born."

She hesitantly answered, "I don't know how to defeat it."

He spoke earnestly, "Father knows the secrets," he smiled at her with confidence, "You both must defeat it again.

With doubt on her mind, she asked him, "Why have none before you survived?"

Evan looked sad saying, "Because the other immortal women were not as strong as you," he smiled and touched her cheek, "They tried but they feared too much."

She held onto his hand, feeling the bond with him. She now understood the future and her fate.

He heard the howl closer and looked over her shoulder. "Erebus is here."

Beth let go of his hand, turned around, looked back up the path and saw red eyes in the darkness. She felt alarm and then anger surged within her heart with the protectiveness of any mother.

She spread her arms wide with Evan behind her saying loudly, "You will not touch him!"

Evan put his hands on her shoulders and said, "Don't ever be afraid."

Searching the darkness, she sensed the danger and she commanded him, "I see the red eyes. Evan you must go back."

Duncan sat there shaking Beth to wake her up saying, "It's alright you are safe. I'm here with you."

She opened her eyes wide. Looking at Duncan she said, "I saw him. I talked to our son…His…name is Evan."

Watcher Compound

Joshua stood outside the cell door. This was not just a visit this time he brought freedom. He unlocked the door and went in.

Standing there smiling at Steven he said, "It's time."

Angrily Steven asked, "What does he want?"

Handing his brother the papers he answered, "The policy has changed. Immortals are not to be targeted anymore for gain or profit."

Steven asked, "Why? What happened to change Egan's mind?"

Joshua sat on the small bed next to his brother and said, "The Gathering. A few Immortals have joined and we are going to send an army to take control and make sure there is more than one left."

Reading the papers, Steven's eyes gave no hint to his thoughts. After more than three months locked up and given only half rations, he felt more resentment than hope.

The document spelled out an oath of loyalty to Egan Lasco on pain of death and to aide his immortal army to attend the gathering.

Steven sat back and surveyed his brother with skepticism. He finally asked, "If I sign this and walk out of here then it means I'm agreeing to all this propaganda?"

Joshua stood up and answered, "Yes, well it's not that bad." He pointed at the open door and said, "Out there you'll have better food, your old room back and a better position."

Steven looked from the paper to Joshua and said, "Father would have been ashamed."

Joshua replied, "Father died in vain and you know it."

Steven stood up and hit him across the face shouting, "You weren't there!"

Joshua regained his composure and wiped the blood from his mouth. He took a step back and said, "You were his back-up and you didn't get there in time."

Steven threw the papers down saying, "You have your answer. Now get out! I'll serve out my sentence."

Joshua picked up the papers and looked at Steven. Tears welled up in his eyes, he said in earnest, "I respect you Steven as my older brother. I would not ask this of you but I need your help. I need you to be with me again."

He reached out and held Steven's shoulder with love. He asked him, "All you have to do is ride out the storm."

Steven said, "Josh, I really don't want any part of this." Looking out the door at the potential freedom that lay ahead, he sighed preparing himself for what lay ahead.

Embracing his brother, he whispered into Joshua's ear, "I'll do this favor but only for you. Because I know Egan's days are numbered."

Embracing him back, Joshua added, "We are stronger together than apart."

Handing the orders to Steven, he commanded, "You are to report to Methos."

Walking from the dingy room together, two brothers united in spirit for a cause that could mean dying for immortals.

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