Chapter Thirty One
There was silence as the sun rose and fog still draped the ground. Appearing as ghosts, the Immortals moved as one accord towards the ceremony dais where Frank McFadden stood wearing the dark green robes that signified him as The Grand Immortal. He held the staff with the meteorite attached at the top covered with a heavy cloth.
Deahna was there in the background and she broke the stillness with the sound of a gong. McFadden spoke with authority to those gathered around and instructed them on the rules they were to follow.
He said; "There must be control so that chaos will not take hold of us. A challenge becomes set when two from each side accept. There is no time limit. There will be no interference from anyone on your side. Because that match will become forfeit. There will be No exceptions! The Game must continue until all have met the obligation. All must acknowledge the Quickening."
The fog lifted showing confused faces intent on doing battle.
"This is the path before you our first day is one of acknowledgement and no challenges will be made."
McFadden continued saying, "Right now you are not enemies or friends. Do not choose with pride of whom you wish to fight." As he looked out on the sea of faces and eyes showed bright with barely contained excitement as they kept their adrenaline in check.
Cassandra spoke quietly, "The virtuous must defeat corruption."
Duncan MacLeod stood nearby and watched the gathering ceremony. It was not yet his time to speak. He could sense Beth's time was near and the babe might be born without him being there.
The gong sounded again and McFadden pulled the cloth from the meteorite. As he struck the staff into the dirt, the vibrations began cascading around the immortals and throughout the area. At once people were moving and shifting their place on the field.
The immortals began lining up in front of Duncan MacLeod. They were; Connor MacLeod, Carl Robinson, Ceirdwyn, Cory Raines, Matthew McCormick, Derek Worth, Kassim, Katya, Kit O'Brady, Walter Graham, Robert and Gina Valicourt, Claudia Jardine, Constantine, Michelle Webster, Amanda, Steven Keane, Gregor Powers, Everett Bellian, Terrence Coventry, Alex Raven, Reagan Cole, Katherine, Kyra, Jade, Jeremy Dexter and many others.
The other immortals lining up on Ahriman's side had a formidable leader by the name of Maldred. Their queen was Donelle, a woman of great malice and evil deeds. Next were; Quan, Annie Devlin, David Keough, Krieg, Krom, Willie Kingsley, Warren Cochrane, Benny Carbassa, Kenny, Felicia Martins, John Kirin/Kage, Enrique Grimaldi, Thane, Sorrell, Monaca, Jakob, Hazari, Suyukan, Jovana, Chiang, Vischet and other faces unknown.
The last one to step forward was Methos. He stood in the middle between the two groups searching in his heart for which way the urging would take him. The voice of Kronos and his brothers sounded in his ears, "Fight for us brother and win back our honor."
Methos fell to his knees with the agony of conflict warring in his soul. Maldred looked on with a sneer and although he wanted another soldier on his side, he recognized that this man might replace him as king.
Amanda looked at Duncan asking him, "Can we call to him? He must want to side with us?"
Duncan held his peace but looked over to Frank McFadden hoping to see a signal. But Frank only shook his head no. Still they watched him shuffle on his knees one way then another.
Nearby under a cover of trees in a camouflage tent were the watchers. Using high-powered binoculars, they all wrote down the names and which side they aligned with. Several notations made for immortals that had fallen off the radarscope of the Watcher organization.
They all held their breath to see which way Methos would go. A man standing on Ahriman's side caught Dawson's attention. He recalled Duncan had known and met with John Kirin. He wondered why he would change sides. Asking to use the computer laptop, he typed in the name and found this entry by his watcher.
"May 5, 1997. John had been traveling a lot lately. He seemed to be trying to avoid this immortal following him. I looked him up and discovered an old nemesis had found my assignment. Akazi is very old and very evil immortal.
June 6, 1997, Akazi had John trapped in this warehouse and they were arguing intently. Akazi drew his sword and challenged John to fight but John kept denying him and tried to leave. Forced to face him, John Kirin took out his sword and they began fighting. I could not see very well but John was backing down when Akazi pummeled him. Then John was fighting back harder than I ever saw him. John beat Akazi and took his head without hesitation. The quickening was harsh and long. A fire started so I went outside and waited for John. When he came out I saw his face briefly, his eyes were angry and hate filled. I fear he may have turned but only his actions will tell me for sure."
"This is bad," thought Joe, "I wish I could send word to MacLeod."
Out on the arena, the morning waned as Methos groaned with pain looking at one side then the other, searching out faces and some kind of impulse to continue. Pushing himself back up to his feet, covered his face with his hands and cried out, "Kronos, You never really had any honor!"
Taking his hands away from his face, everyone could see the determination in his eyes as he painfully made his way towards Duncan MacLeod's group. When he got close enough, Amanda ran out and grabbed him in a hug. He hugged her back and said for her ears only, "I almost didn't make it."
Suddenly a cheer started out small then grew. Joe looked back onto the field to see Methos walking with Amanda. Joe Dawson gave a smile and said to the people in the tent, "I knew he would go to MacLeod's side."
The ceremony was ending for the afternoon after the long hours of standing and talking while all of the immortals aligned. When the final gong sounded across the bowl shaped field, one immortal detached from the group and ran full speed towards the lodge out of view.
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Beth felt her labor pains come and go. Just to turn over in the small bed was difficult. "Grace," she said, "I can't do this."
Grace sat there and held her hand reassuring her saying, "Your body knows what to do the baby will be born."
A bang on the front door made both women start. The door shattered inward as Korbin came into the foyer with his sword ready. His eyes were red with anger and he shouted, "I've come for you bitch! You can't beat me this time!"
Grace grabbed her sword and stood in the bedroom doorway blocking his entry, she said with deadly promise, "You'll have to deal with me first."
The setting sun shone through the far window lit up Grace like some angelic being.
He sneered at her saying, "You must be ready to die!"
Grace moved towards him and maneuvered around the room keeping Korbin from Elizabeth's room. Korbin's anger unleashed upon the woman standing in his way and he attacked with wide sweeps of his blade.
Repeatedly his sword smashed through furniture in his way and Grace deflected any swipe that came close to her head.
Beth struggled to her feet and saw from the doorway the combat going on. Urging Grace on, she felt almost like her old self again. Grace was fighting for her life.
Korbin had Grace cornered and brought his sword high to strike her down, at that moment Duncan MacLeod arrived at the lodge and went through the broken door with his katana swinging at Korbin with a vengeance that would not be stopped.
The surprise and fear that showed in Korbin's eyes was enough to stop his actions. He said loudly, "I've already engaged this woman, you can't interfere Macleod."
Mac replied, "Conceder this tag wrestling. The gathering has changed the rules Korbin. I can kill you if I want to." Looking at Grace, he commanded her, "Go back with Beth."
Grace quickly ducked past Korbin who looked like he would kill her but the presence of Duncan kept his blade still.
With both women safely inside the next room, MacLeod turned his attention to Korbin, he dared him, "Well, aren't you going to attack me?"
Korbin hesitated thinking it over. The first woman would have been an easy kill and then that abomination of an immortal carrying an ill-omened child would have been next. As he edged towards the open door he said, "I'll wait for you in combat in front of the others."
MacLeod moved to intercept him saying, "No, I won't fight a coward on the field of honor. You will never see that place."
A scream came from the other room signaled the time getting closer. As Duncan looked away, Korbin jumped to the door and almost succeeded in escaping. MacLeod's sword came down hard and broke Korbin's hand that held his blade.
His yell was one of defeat. "You bastard, go ahead and cheat. Take my head and see what honor you'll have then."
Duncan held the man tightly to the floor put his sword on his neck informing him, "I'm not going to kill you, but Elizabeth is. It's her right to avenge her village and the life you destroyed."
Korbin laughed and said, "In her condition, she will never do it."
"We'll see and then you'll be the last to know." With that said, Duncan struck Korbin across the jaw knocking him out.
Going to the room, he opened the door and asked, "How close is it?"
Grace was just checking the progress of the birth. She nodded her head and replied, "Very close now, I could use your help."
"I'll be right back," he told her.
Duncan hunted around for a rope but settled on an electrical cord and cut it from the lamp. He dragged Korbin to the center of the room, tied him up hog style. He picked up a cloth from the floor and effectively gagged him. Taking both swords with him, he went to wash up. Minutes later, he sat on the bed holding Beth.
Grace instructed him, "First sit behind her and hold both of her hands."
Duncan did as she asked leaning Beth against his chest. He reached around and held her hands. By this time, her strength was almost gone. She could not look at him or speak. The contractions now measured her life and made her gasp and squeeze Duncan's hands harder.
Grace looked Duncan in the eye and indicated with her head towards Beth. He took the hint and began to talk in a low voice. "Beth, I want you to breathe in a pant. Keep breathing and don't push yet."
She nodded her head and tried to breathe in a pant that would help lessen the pain. Grace said, "That's good, now keep going like that and I'll get more towels."
Grace left the room for a moment and Duncan whispered in her ear, "Don't be afraid my darling, you're going to live through this. I'm going to help you live."
Beth's voice quivered with fatigue, she asked, "Can I have some water?"
Grace came back in the room and hearing the request, went back to the kitchen and found a bottle of water. She returned and told Duncan, "Small sips only."
Beth took the bottle and greedily gulped the water down. Duncan held her back, saying, "Don't drink so much, it could make you throw up." He took the bottle away and Beth said, "It was enough."
"It's time." She said and pushed her back against Duncan harder and screamed a long breath and with such force, Grace rushed forward to receive the baby as it slid out between her legs.
Still holding her, Duncan looked at his son with sadness and happiness. He told Grace, "Don't cut the cord yet."
Wiping his face to help the babe breath, Grace wrapped a towel around his tiny body and laid him on Beth's stomach. "Look at your child," she commanded, "Look and tell me you will live for him."
Beth put her hand on his head and spoke gently, "Hi my little man, meet your father."
Grace kept the ties and knife ready but she was more concerned with how much Beth was bleeding. She kept changing the towels and packing fresh ones but it did not stop the flow.
Looking at Duncan she said, "Whatever you have planned, do it quickly."
Duncan nodded and said, "Alright, cut the cord now."
Beth pulled the baby higher to her and kissed his forehead saying, "I love you Evan and my spirit will always be with you."
With that moment finished, Grace tied and cut the umbilical cord. Duncan told her, "Take the baby and go as far as you can."
Wrapping the baby tightly in a blanket as it cried out, Grace looked at both immortal parents and understood what was to come. She took the infant and left the room.
Duncan slid out of the bed; wrapped Beth in a sheet picked her up in his arms. She felt so light that he doubted she was the same woman he held in his arms on all those nights of passion. He held her closer, willing her to live. Going into the next room where Korbin lay bound and awake now, his muffled voice was one of terror.
Beth opened her eyes and looked up at him saying, "Duncan, I don't know if I can do this."
"Yes you can, sweetheart," he reassured her, "Think of your son and how much you want to see him again."
Duncan knelt near Korbin and sat Beth on his knee. He took her sword from the floor and pressed it into her hands, urging "Come on now, here is your sword bring it down hard on his neck."
She said in a faraway voice, "I don't feel right. I can't sense you anymore." She struggled to stand but sank back to her knees.
Duncan commanded her, "You can do it Elizabeth quickly now while there's still time."
With the last of her strength, she raised her sword and let it drop on Korbin. The blade cut him but not deeply. "It won't work," she answered back "I have no strength left."
"Then I will help you," Duncan said kneeling behind her. He wrapped his hands around hers willing her some of his might. Raising the sword over Korbin's head he whispered into her ear, "Please baby, do this for me, I don't want to live without you in my life."
Korbin struggled in his bonds like a snared fish, his eyes wide with fear and defeat.
Finally, Beth gathered strength from Duncan, she said, "Korbin, for what you did to me and my people, you must die." Together they brought the sword down harder and it severed Korbin's neck.
Duncan jumped back and stood as far away as possible. He debated whether he should leave the room entirely. Beth fell over but held onto her sword. She looked up and said, "Duncan, I see the lights."
Slowly the quickening started, the body glowed, and the air seemed to dance around them, an electrical snake creped around the floor going around Elizabeth and sought out the nearest Immortal.
Duncan cried out, "No, no, not me." Going to Beth, he held her tightly and urged her, "Please Beth pull the quickening to you and will it to come into you."
The lightening hit him full force almost yanking them apart. Duncan held on for her life, screaming harder than before. His yell blended with her dying screams until the moment subsided and all became silent.
Grace heard the explosions and then the stillness that followed. She went back to the front room of the lodge still holding the crying infant. He was a hungry baby and she was prepared with formula but right now, she wanted to see if Elizabeth lived.
The sight of Duncan holding her and crying such tears of sorrow broke her heart. Grace knelt next to Duncan and holding little Evan, they grieved her passing. The light was fading outside and when Grace looked up at the sky, a star flashed brightly and stayed.
.
