Chapter Twenty Four
Watcher Compound
Davis showed Riggo the inner office of Joshua Gibbons who was now the acting president of the France Chapter of the Watcher Organization. Davis then went on to his next meeting.
Joshua stood up and reached out his hand in greeting. "Nice to meet with you Riggo, shall we get started?"
Riggo shook his hand and stated, "I'm happy to be working with you. Now tell me how can this damage be undone?"
Indicating the sofa chairs across the room, Joshua went to sit down. He made himself comfortable and began.
"For starters, I plan on giving back the finances where possible. Next concerning the gathering, I have ordered the release of many immortals that were kept here under Egan Lasco's command."
Riggo nodded his head agreeing with the current course of action. He said, "That's a good start but what I'm also concerned with is the apparent imprisonment of innocent watchers and threats against their life."
"All have been rescinded," Joshua quickly countered, "Everyone is free to speak."
Expressing his approval Riggo stood up and said, "I'll be conducting interviews starting right away."
Joshua stood up with him and replied, "That can be arranged. Right now everyone is attending a mandatory debriefing that should clear up all the instances that were unpleasant."
Riggo's eyebrow went up, he questioned, "Unpleasant? I heard about death threats and that is something The Watcher Organization will not tolerate."
In an attempt to smooth it over he replied, "A misunderstanding. No one was threatened and no one has died."
Appearing persuaded, Riggo said, "I'll conduct the interviews when the debriefing is over."
"Of course," Joshua replied, "If you will excuse me, I can have someone show you to a room to unpack. I assume you will be staying for a while."
Riggo nodded, "Yes, I will be staying for a long time."
The guard at the door showed the ambassador out and looked for hidden instruction but Joshua dismissed him.
Meanwhile two floors away…
Davis was leading the orientation with Steven Gibbons. The meeting opened with reciting of the watcher oath.
"To be observant without being observed.
To always keep absolute notes on the Immortals.
To never interfere in their fight.
To stay out of harm's way in the course of the battle.
To never speak of our mission to outsiders."
Davis waved the group to sit down and then he began, "Announcements are as follows, the importance of this gathering is history in the making. Only a small circle of watchers will be going."
At that moment, the back door opened and all eyes turned. In walked Joe Dawson with his cane. As he made his way forward, a single clap started and soon more applause filled the room. Joe smiled and waved to acknowledge the kind gesture.
Jude went quickly to help Joe up the small steps to the stage. He nodded thanks and went to stand with Steven. Davis turned back to the room and said, "I'd like to introduce Joe Dawson and thank him for being able to be here in our time of need."
Clearing his throat he continued, "Steven will set up the video to show a brief description on what the gathering could resemble and what to expect."
The lights in the room dimmed and the far wall flickered with the DVD projector. Egan Lasco was speaking, "This is a difficult time for watchers. If immortals gain supremacy, the ones that know about us could turn against us and hunt us down. If we remain true to the plan, evil immortals will not prevail and we will not fear them."
The projector turned off and the lights came back on. All were silent taking in the information until Davis spoke up.
"As you can see observing this gathering could be dangerous. But to ensure that it goes our way is necessary."
At this statement, the group of watchers talked and murmured their disapproval. "Why should we go?"
Joe Dawson came forward and said, "I know Duncan MacLeod will face this gathering with honor in his heart. He will not let a demon win to enslave us."
Steven spoke up and said to Davis, "Joe and I will not follow Egan Lasco's last orders."
Davis instructed them, "It's too late. This is out of our hands. The order has been given and soon immortals will be only an historic bookmark."
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The secret briefing was lead by Methos. Previously he met and talked with Deahna in private and she told him about the real gathering. He began telling all immortals this information.
"There was a time when certain immortals had an advantage in tactics and strength. During the time of the gathering when all are called and are driven by a need to fight, the field of battle will be neutral."
Methos stood before a diagram on the wall explaining, "When immortals arrive within the influence of the meteorite, and the Grand Immortal, who is arbitrator, he or she will become aligned to whatever incentive that dominates their soul."
He continued, "Now as the process begins, all immortals will be facing the other side it will be a lottery of chance to which one you will fight."
Methos drew the battlefield into lines and squares designating just where the mêlée will be contained. He commented as he finished, "As you can see, this whole area becomes a combat arena."
Felicia Martians spoke up asking, "So I can now challenge anyone here?"
He answered, "No you won't challenge just anyone. The moment when the two groups align, a face or name will come to you as the one you must defeat to remain in the game."
Felicia then asked, "So if your face comes to me then I get to challenge you?"
Methos smiled indulgently and replied, "Of course if you want to end your life so soon, you can challenge me."
Turning around she called out, "Why do we have to wait, I want to fight someone now." Before she could take out her sword, Methos jumped off the stage and went straight for Felicia. Grabbing her arm in one hand, he wrapped his long fingers around her throat with the other and squeezed tighter.
He whispered in a low tone in her ear, "I've made it clear to you there would be no combats or senseless fighting until the gathering begins. If you can't wait until then, I will kill you now."
He stared her down until she nodded in agreement. Just as the door opened, he released her and she gasped air into her lungs. All eyes diverted to the newcomer.
Joshua surveyed the situation and said, "If this is a bad time, I can assure you it won't get any better."
He had the television brought in and recorder turned on. The scene was full of burning debris. The news report continued.
"A few survivors have claimed that a fight broke out on the flight to Aberdeen Scotland, and during this fight a woman was beheaded. Furthermore the plane became disabled due to lightening strikes that haven't been explained by the weather bureau."
Interviewing the fire chief, the reported asked, "How many survivors were there in total?"
He answered, "Only six survivors and two of them walked away without injury and have vanished."
The reported questioned, "How can that be?"
At this point Joshua turned off the recorder and stepped to the stage to address the group. "As you can see traveling to this gathering must be kept discreet and there must not be this type carelessness."
Turning to Methos he said, "I made the arraignments for all to leave here under the cover of darkness. If anyone disobeys these orders during the trip, feel free to toss them overboard and they can swim the rest of the way."
Taking Joshua aside Methos asked quietly, "What about Deahna?"
Joshua looked uncertain telling him, "She's still locked up. I can free her only when all have boarded the bus and you are ready to leave."
Methos insisted, "I made a promise."
With sincerity Josh replied, "I'll help you keep it."
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Mark Kalpak called Frank McFadden to apprise him of the situation, "Egan has turned vigilante and plans an attack at or near the gathering."
Standing in the yard of the small cabin, Frank swore loudly making Cassandra and Connor look sharply at him. He quietly said, "I doubt it will succeed but thanks for the warning."
Mark cleared his throat to feel more confident then asked, "We would also like a personal invitation extended to a small number of watchers to be able to observe and record the gathering."
Frank replied, "I have already taken that into consideration therefore the invite goes to each watcher chapter with room for only one."
"I'll do that right away." Then Mark inquired, "Am I invited?"
He answered with kindness, "No Mark, I don't want you here. Understand in the remote chance we do not win. I need you to be far away and to live another day my friend."
Scotland
Beth held a knife in her hand under the blanket. She heard voices talking about the baby. "Cut it out now and you will heal and live." Feeling like a puppet with no control over her body, she sat up holding the knife high. Seeing her movement Duncan turned in the driver seat and became horrified at what he saw.
"Elizabeth!" He yelled to Grace, "Grab her hand!"
As Beth brought the knife down, Grace's hand shot out between the knife blade and the baby. "Ouch!" she yelled. The knife went straight into her hand and lodged there.
Duncan stopped the car in the middle of the road with cars honking and swerving around them. Grace pulled the knife from her hand glaring at Beth, she said, "Look at her eyes."
Sitting there in a coma-like state her eyes glowed red. Duncan moved his hand in front of her face but she gave no reaction.
Hearing the honking from other drivers, he steered the car to the side of the road. He said to Grace, "She's got to fight this influence."
He had an idea. "Take the water bottle." Removing the top, he told Grace, "Throw the water at her."
When the water hit her face, Beth's eyes slowly returned to their blue-gray state. Blinking and touching her wet clothes and hair she asked, "What happened?"
Graces held up her hand and replied, "You tried to stab yourself."
Duncan asked her, "How did you get the knife?"
She shook her head in disbelief, "I don't know it just appeared. In a dream I was trying to fight them off and I felt like I had no control."
Duncan looked at Grace asking, "Where's the knife now?"
She looked at the floor saying, "I don't see it." Searching under the seat she said, "I dropped it here. Look at my hand, I didn't imagine that." Her hand still showed a jagged pink scar.
He brought his attention back to the road and started the car again. Easing back into traffic he told Beth, "We'll stop at the next restaurant so you can eat."
Grace whispered to him, "I agreed to help you but I didn't know there would be some kind of demon interference."
He told her, "Grace I can explain better when we get settled. I've reserved a room at Blackcraig Castle."
Beth insisted, "You can't tell her everything. Remember what McFadden said, no other immortals can be trusted."
"I trust her," he stated, "I've known Grace for about as far back as when you first became an immortal. She can help us because she just saved Evan from Ahriman's attack."
"Well I don't know anything about her." Beth questioned her, "You're name is Grace? Will you tell me about yourself?"
Attempting to gain her trust Grace answered, "I've been immortal since 1402. I dedicated my life to curing mortals from sickness even though I have been stoned and hung as a witch. After years of struggle, I was accepted in the medical field. Finally time caught up with me and now I hold a doctorate in medicine."
Beth listened thoughtfully and said, "Something about your name is familiar. My mother used to speak about a woman named Grace that inspired her in the art of healing."
Grace inquired, "What was her family name?"
Beth replied, "She was born into the Wallace clan in 1745. Her family was busy fighting the English. My mother Rose was an only child and became very sick. A healer woman was visiting the area heard about Rose's impending death. She asked to see her and sat with Rose day after day mixing herbs to heal her. My mother recovered and this woman was called a witch and banished."
Grace had a look of remembrance and told Beth, "Yes it was me." She continued, "After that Rose implored her family to let her see me again. She persisted in learning the herbs and healing methods and we met in secret. That was until we were found out and I was burned as a heretic."
Beth felt ashamed of her adoptive grandparents and said, "They spoke of you in hushed tones and never got over the fact that their daughter married an English blacksmith. They barely accepted me in their family after I told them everyone was dead."
Grace said, "I remember him, Jonathan Windsor. She married him soon after my death in defiance. I kept watch over my favorite student for many years."
Duncan interrupted them and asked, "Do know when Rose adopted Beth?"
"Yes I do," she answered, "I found her."
With trepidation Beth asked, "Where do I come from?"
Grace told the story, "One day in winter, I discovered you. This tiny baby girl wrapped up and lying in a basket on my front steps. You were crying so loudly. I thought of Rose and how much she wanted a child."
Beth inquired, "Didn't she know you?"
Grace stated, "I convinced her I was the daughter of the Grace she knew and I didn't need to ask. Rose wanted you the moment she saw you. I told her the birth date of Dec. 21, 1767. From that moment on you were hers and no one could tell her differently."
After the long drive, a local restaurant called McGill's came into view. Stopping in the parking lot Duncan said, "This is the place."
Grace remarked, "I can't believe it is still here."
"I have to freshen up," Beth said getting out and hurrying inside to find the restroom.
As Grace and Duncan followed her, she asked him, "How long has she been pregnant?"
From a distance, Korbin sat in his car watching them until he was satisfied to where Duncan MacLeod went and how long they stay there. Soon he was circling the area waiting for the time when he could attack.
.
