Chapter Thirty

Scotland

The morning after the truck explosion and news story, three immortals arrived at the Spittal of Glenshee. Covered in dust, the car slowly drove around the evacuated zone barriers. It looked like a ghost town.

Carl Robinson remembered seeing a real ghost town once. It was soon after he was a free man. He travelled to the mountains in California and found a once thriving mining town. When he stumbled upon it, the place had been empty of people for a year. He went from shack to shack collecting some belongings and tools left behind.

It was an eerie feeling just like now looking upon the small ski town of Glenshee. Carl began honking the horn in a code hoping to get the attention of anyone still living there. Amanda put her hand out and stopped him saying, "Wait, I'm listening."

All three strained their ears to hear any faint sound above the rustle of a breeze through the trees.

There was music playing somewhere so Carl drove slowly until the music got louder. Stopping in front of a house, Amanda got out and went to the door, knocking loudly she called out, "Is anyone there?"

Opening the door, she discovered it was empty. Going back to the car, she said, "They left the radio on." Getting her bag she told them, "I'm going to go inside and wash up."

Jeremy asked, "What do you want us to do?"

Tiredly she replied, "Do whatever you feel like."

Getting out of the car, Jeremy looked around and said, "An empty town and I am in need of a few personal things."

Carl told him, "Just stay out of my way." He left Jeremy and Amanda there and drove farther down the road.

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When Methos, Deahna and the other immortals docked in Kirkcaldy, most of the rental cars were gone. In order to obtain the last ten passengers Charter bus to Glenshee, Methos had to buy it. Their group now numbered nine. Arriving near their destination, Methos personally tossed Felicia, Benny and eight other immortals overboard for fighting. They were only two hours away from their goal.

With the scenery passing by, Methos drove with one eye in the mirror. Turning the radio on, everyone heard this announcement:

"All residents and visitors have been warned to stay from the evacuated zone. Repeat: There is a Twenty-kilometer radius around Glenshee and the Spittal of Glenshee as the result of a chemical spill that has evaded the water and atmosphere. Animals are sickened and people have reported symptoms of nausea and vomiting. There is a road block set up and no one will be allowed in."

Everyone on the bus began to grumble about having to dodge toxic gas.

"That's just great!" Methos said, "How are we supposed to get in?"

Deahna told him, "This must have been a set up by Frank to keep mortals out."

She instructed, "Stay on A93 when we get there. We will pass by the roadblock and stop when the road is clear. Then everyone can hike the last few miles."

This brought on more grumbling but Methos told them, "A few miles hike will be good for those who are out of shape."

Looking back a moment he commented, "Which is most of you."

They retaliated by throwing their empty drink containers at his back. Saying, "You're one to talk."

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Duncan, Beth and Grace finally arrived at the town of Glenshee. They got past the roadblock just in time and hid out until the officials and residents all pulled out leaving the area empty.

Getting back on A93, they continued on to the Spittal and found a lodge to settle in. They took their luggage inside and Beth picked a room on the ground floor near the kitchen.

She looked like her time would come at any hour of the day.

Setting her luggage down near the bed, Duncan asked her, "How are you feeling?" he hugged her gently.

Hugging him back, she told him, "Since the internal battle and meeting Cyrus again, I feel pretty good."

Grace asked, "Are you still having labor pains?"

She replied, "No, it stopped already."

Grace sighed relief, "Just false labor that's a good sign Duncan. She could still have a few days."

He looked into Beth's eyes and brushed the hair from her face. She sighed and leaned up to kiss him saying, "I know you have a lot to do before the ceremony but don't take too long."

He kissed her lips again saying, "You are my first priority. I'll be with you soon." He reluctantly let her go and he went back outside.

Grace helped Beth to her room and cleaned up from the occupant's hasty departure so she could lay down for a rest. Afterwards, Grace went outside to see Duncan as he checked around the lodge and waited for Frank to show up.

She asked him, "How much longer?"

Looking at his watch he replied, "They should be here in ten minutes."

"Look," she said, pointing to scattered groups of immortals that were driving, walking and riding up the road like a weary caravan.

"No one else gets in this lodge," he told her, taking out his sword as a warning to anyone thinking of even stopping to ask.

All kept driving past him and continued up the slopes to unpack and set up a makeshift campsite on the hillside.

The vehicle with Frank McFadden, Cassandra and Connor drove up next and all got out to greet Duncan and Grace.

Duncan greeted them warmly and seeing Cassandra get out of the car as well, he said, "Seeing you three have made me stronger. Now I feel ready for anything."

Frank commented, "Anything can happen." Then he asked, "May I have the meteorite?"

"Yes," Duncan replied, "I have it locked up."

Getting the box from the car, he handed it to McFadden saying, "I'm glad to give it to you."

Opening it briefly, Frank judged the size and shape. Even that instant of exposure all eyes on the street turned and looked their way.

Closing the box again, he told Connor, "I will need your help, if you can?"

Connor replied, "Sure what do you need?"

Pointing at the ski lodge he said, "Can you find me some kind of sturdy pole or stick to attach the meteorite to. No one else but Duncan can safely touch it."

Connor agreed they both went into the lodge to look for a pole. Just then, Carl drove up and seeing the small group, he stopped the car and got out.

"Duncan MacLeod!" he said loudly. "I am glad to see you."

Duncan reacted with a handshake that turned into a bear hug. He asked him, "What have you been up to?"

"Well," Carl explained, "First I had to go clear across the world to save Amanda, drag her here and put up with a friend of hers the last fifty miles."

Duncan laughed, "You had it rough, man. Where is she right now?"

Carl thumbed back over his shoulder and said, "I dropped her off at a house in town to clean up with her friend, Jeremy. Mac," he said, "Watch out for that guy he is very irritating on the nerves." The two men reminisced about past events while watching the caravan of immortals continue to arrive.

Inside the lodge, Connor soon found a walking stick standing in the corner with a split near one end. Handing it to Frank he said, "This should fit."

Frank set the box and walking stick on the table and said, "We just need some strips of leather."

Hearing voices, Beth came out of her room. Seeing Connor and Frank she smiled and told them, "It's great to see you again. I feel my journey is complete."

Frank went to her hugging her warmly and said, "You have the countenance of a queen."

Connor put his hand on her arm asking, "How are you feeling? Should you be resting?"

She answered, "I was resting but I wanted to see you two."

Briefly she related to McFadden her encounter with Ahriman and what she learned from the immortal being Cyrus. Connor took her hands in his asking, "You really defeated that demon on his turf?"

Beth gave a shy smile and nodded her head replying, "Yes, I think so. But there are still other dangers I must face."

Methos and his group had to hike several miles to the Spittal of Glenshee. Sensing the end of a long journey, they picked up their pace. At last, the small buildings came into view and other immortals still arriving. All sensed each other and the need to fight.

Duncan looked over to see his friend coming their way bringing immortals with him and most of them he knew.

Sensing Frank inside, Deahna ran past everyone and went to look for him.

The talk with Cyrus that night had brought a change in Duncan MacLeod. Methos greeted him first grasping his hand saying, "I told you I would see you again."

Duncan countered with, "But in Scotland? Methos, I thought you weren't coming."

He admitted, "I changed my mind and decided I wasn't going to let you have all the fun." He then asked, "Are there rooms in this lodge?"

Duncan replied, "No, sorry but this one is off limits."

With a sigh of irritation, Methos demanded, "We've traveled a long way and unless the Queen of England is in there, I want a room."

Together Frank and Connor emerged from the lodge while Deahna stayed inside with Beth. Frank said, "Methos you can't stay here right now. Set up camp with the rest on the hills or go back to town and stay there."

Pointing an accusing finger at him, Methos stated, "Don't start with me Frank, I know how you got the position of Grand Immortal."

"Because you didn't want it," Frank said back in warning tone.

Methos said, "You're damn right. So don't think I'll step in if something happens to you."

McFadden sighed heavily and said, "I would be honored if you did."

Walter Graham turned to McFadden asking the question everyone wanted to know, "When is this gathering going to start?"

Gesturing for Walter to follow, Frank walked towards the rest of the immortals and made this announcement, "Tomorrow will signal the start of the Gathering but no battles will take place yet. There will be a ceremony to begin the alignment process and then a short few hours to know who and what you are fighting for and against."

Methos leaned over to Connor and said, "A meet and greet, that's just great."

Connor gave a quiet chuckle and replied, "The only thing missing will be the beer and sandwiches."

McFadden finished announcing, "Now set up your camp and get plenty of rest." The weary immortals went in different areas to rest mentally but also preparing for what was to come.

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The chosen watchers who were to observe the historic event made their way to Scotland. That evening the last flight into Perth brought Joe Dawson. His bones felt tired enough to dissuade him from attending but the significance was too great to pass up. The relief that Amy was safe made his heart lighter.

He missed being able to record what Duncan MacLeod was doing and what transpired to change world events. The whole group traveled together and helped each other. One car remained for rental and they all piled into it and drove to Glenshee.

They wearily got past the blockade and made it near the town. They took great care from disturbing any immortals not yet aware of their existence.

The watcher group found a house in the town of Glenshee and enough rooms to be comfortable. Joe looked at the phone number for Frank McFadden. The instructions were to call no one else.

It was now time to call him and seek an audience.

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