Chapter Thirty Four

During the night, a small figure crept upon the tent with a sleeping immortal inside. A sharp undersized sword rose above Alice Moran's head. As her eyes opened it came down as fast as a guillotine.

Kenny stood back and his face changed and contorted with the quickening that followed him as he made his escape.

Other immortals nearby became alerted to the event and summoned The Grand Immortal to the scene. There were footprints and a charred tent. All he said was, "We will deal with this at first light."

When dawn approached, all combatants assembled before the Grand Immortal as he stood on the dais and announced, "An atrocity has been committed. This was a crime against the rules of the Gathering and the game."

He pulled the cloth off the meteorite and held the staff high. Calling out, Frank instructed them, "The immortals not guilty, step forward."

All the immortals moved forward as one accord except one. A boy standing next to Maldred did not move. He looked startled when McFadden called his name.

"Kenny, stand before me and be judged."

All the immortals moved back as Kenny moved towards the dais with a sneer on his face.

Frank McFadden said, "You are accused of an unwarranted killing of Alice Moran without the rule of fairness. How do you plead?"

Standing before the Grand Immortal he said, "I'm innocent."

Frank looked thoughtfully at the boy and asked him, "So you gave Alice, the chance to pick up her sword and defend herself?"

Kenny angrily said, "It's always been this way!" He looked around at all of the immortals gathered and gave an impassioned plea, "I have done only what all of you did. Some would kill me because all they see is a victim. But I killed first and grew stronger to stay alive and in the game."

The Grand Immortal gazed at him sadly and lowered the staff commanding him, "Touch the meteorite."

Unaware of the meteorite's control Kenny brazenly reached out to grasp the rock so sure in his right to survive at all costs.

"No," said Amanda quickly coming forward she implored, "Sir, he is not responsible I am. I was his teacher."

McFadden told her, "He has taken enough heads to know what you tried to teach him was true. The meteorite will decide."

Amanda saw no way out for him and nodded for Kenny to proceed. All the immortals strained forward to see what would happen.

When Kenny grabbed hold of the stone, the power of the meteorite pierced his soul. He cried out and let go dropping to his knees haunted by those he killed. Their voices crowded his mind and the ones who were truly innocent showed him the horror of his deeds. Lifting his head up, he cried out for mercy.

The Grand Immortal said, "He has been judged and the execution will now take place." He looked at Amanda and ordered her, "You must be the one."

Amanda looked at him with shock saying, "No, I won't do it."

As a friend, McFadden stepped closer to her and said, "If you will not do it than Duncan MacLeod must."

Kenny grabbed her leg pleading, "Please Amanda you must. I don't want to be with anyone else."

With tears in her eyes she requested, "Is there no other way? Is a Trial by combat possible?"

He shook his head saying, "No, this is not part of the Gathering. His quickening will gain nothing for your side."

She looked next to Duncan imploring, "You are King for us. Can you do nothing to spare him?"

Duncan came up to her and said, "This is a kindness you must do for him. Can't you see how Kenny is suffering?" He reached down to the crying boy touched his head lightly and then took away the small sword still dark with Alice's blood. "Do it now." He quietly told her walking away.

Kenny knelt there sobbing his anguish and his eyes pleading for Amanda to forgive him.

She brought her sword up and with tears streaming down her face, swung straight at his neck. Kenny head fell forward and his spirit finally released from his lifelong torment, his quickening glowed white.

The lightning struck Amanda as she shook and cried with the energy and power. She saw his memories and felt his presence. She saw what he would have become if his first death had been later in life. She saw where she had failed him as a teacher. Last, she felt his soul now protected and completely at peace.

Weak with sorrow, Amanda stumbled towards her place; Duncan caught her up in a hug holding tightly giving her strength. Whispering comfort, he said, "I'm sorry you had to do that."

She held firmly onto him sobbing until her emotions spent. At last, she could release him and stand on her own. The chosen sentry took the body aside and covered it up.

With the morning marked by the betrayal and an execution, a somber mood now spread through the arena. The Grand Immortal waited long enough until he felt the gathering could continue. He went back to the dais and held the staff up calling for order. Pulling the cloth from the meteorite He announced, "This is the third day of the Gathering and the next challenge must continue."

Bringing the staff down on the earth it sent a wave of energy wave out over the crowd then it came back. A summons seemed to take hold and two immortals came forward to do battle for their side.

Benny Carbassa and Claudia Jardine stood and saluted each other and then McFadden. They had never met before but a compulsion took hold and they had only the battle on their mind.

Three years ago at Duncan's request, Kyra trained Claudia to use a sword and her common sense. Benny had only his wits and cons that got him this far. His fighting skills with a sword were limited.

She held an Ichigo Tensa Zangetsu Sword. It was a simple yet elegant and deadly weapon. Benny had just a broad sword he had stolen on his trip to the gathering. In his heart, he could never measure up or even believe all the lessons Duncan had tried to teach him.

Duncan watched Claudia and was pleased with her progress and the fact that she was brave enough to enter the arena. He could hear in his mind her rendition of Claire de Lune, while he watched the combat.

Claudia advanced and tapped swords with Benny testing his strength. He just tapped back looking for a way to trip her.

As Claudia moved back and forth twirling her sword around Benny, he followed and circled her in return. She suddenly let go with a lunge and the strap woven into the handle gave her an extra two inches. The blade glided forward and neatly sliced Benny's shoulder.

Screaming and dropping his sword, he threw a dart that he kept hidden which struck Claudia in the arm. She pulled it free but some poison already injected.

With fierceness in her eyes, she switched hands and came after Benny as he bent down to retrieve his weapon. She caught him off guard and cut his neck so cleanly that his body stayed bent at the waist.

Her foot came up and pushed it over. Feeling the poison cloud her mind, the quickening now came for her with a silver intensity that almost sent her spinning. She convulsed with electricity until the poison left her body. More energy seemed to circle the arena finding MacLeod's sword and causing it to glow.

The intensity made her scream as she held up her sword and proclaimed, "I am unbroken. I win the prize the stay in the game!"

Duncan almost applauded her victory. He was so proud of her and wanted to tell her. Nevertheless, this would be a long day of battles and congratulations would have to wait.

As the noise around the arena began to quiet down, Felicia stepped forward, surveyed the other side and sneered at them.

Robert whispered to his wife, "What do you think?"

Gina whispered back, "Yeah, I can take her."

The petite woman strode into the arena holding her sword lightly while pretending to be fragile. She looked at the Grand Immortal and said, "I accept this challenge."

Felicia looked her over for a moment then agreed, "I will fight her, and win."

The two women circled each other in a cat like fashion. Felicia twirled her sword and taunted, "What were you thinking of by challenging me?"

Gina answered with her sword as she attacked. Her feet shuffled forward quickly as her blade made contact with Felicia. They traded hits until their arms grew tired, and spots of blood trickled down their bodies mingled with sweat. Felicia closed in, locked her sword up with Gina, and in a test of strength, she pushed the small woman in reverse as her feet scraped a backwards path.

Gina held strong until suddenly giving way, she allowed her opponent to pass her up. She dropped her sword in a manner Robert recognized and he cheered loudly. Remaining focused, Gina quickly brought her sword up as Felicia turned to attack. Sidestepping her, Gina chopped with a dexterity that no one could suspect.

A long cut appeared on Felicia from her chin to the back of her neck. Gina pivoted to avoid the spray of blood. She held her sword high to welcome the quickening.

The energy snaked around the body and a mist lifted her off the ground. She called out, "I am unbroken! I win the prize to stay in the game!"

As the silver lightning traveled up and down her body, she collapsed onto the ground breathing heavily.

Everyone from Ahriman's side gasped with disbelief and a roar of anger started loudly calling for Gina's head. Three men came forward with their swords out ready to attack Gina. With a heated bellow, Maldred pushed to the front and came after her as well.

Duncan looked on with horror and called to McFadden to intervene but closer to the action appeared Methos with his Ivanhoe slid out of its sheath and blocked Maldred's attack. All five immortals stood around Gina as she remained curled up not daring to look up.

Methos said with a sneer of disgust, "Maldred go back to your side."

"Or what?" he challenged, "We have gained so little for our side. This whole gathering is fixed and I will no longer put up with your rules!"

In a show of defiance, Methos pointed the sword at his throat asking him, "Then you want to challenge me?"

Maldred replied with arrogance, "Know this old one, if you kill me you will take my place as Ahriman's king."

The Grand Immortal strode forward with the staff before him saying, "Everyone return to your place. Any insubordination will be judged." Holding the meteorite closer to Maldred, he asked him, "If you doubt the fairness of this Gathering touch the stone. It will show only truth."

Maldred thought it over and declined the offer. He said, "My immortals are stronger and have every right to win."

With coolness born from thousands of years on earth, Methos told him, "That may be true out there but here you are all weak." He stared him down before returning to his place.

Maldred went back to his side and motioned for his warriors to stand closer. He urged them, "They must not gain any more power for their side." He looked hard at them and demanded, "Watch and fight as they do, with control."

Krom spoke up, "I am ready for the next challenge and I will win."

When the Grand Immortal returned to the dais he announced, "The next round will begin. Challengers, step forward." He struck the staff on the ground and an energy wave went out.

Steven Keane felt a pull and came forward. Krom jumped out of the crowd and met Steven half way to the dais. The grand Immortal looked at both men and sensed and uneven match. He asked Steven, "Do you accept this challenge?"

Standing near Krom, Steven felt his passion was strong enough. He answered, "I accept."

Both immortals saluted each other and moved towards the center of the arena. A warrior from the Netherlands, Krom stood over six feet. Steven was slightly shorter but he wore hard leather armor and lacings around his hands and arms. He held the Tritonia sword.

Krom held up his long sword and waited. Steven stood still watching his opponent. The clouds grew thicker and a mist settled upon all that watched. Amanda whispered to Duncan, "You fought Steven how good are his abilities?"

He replied, "He has a chance if his heart remains strong."

The wind blew harder as the men circled one another with their swords pointing forward. With precise timing, Steven lunged forward and Krom parried and swung back around. A clang of metal sound echoed from the impact.

Steven held on tight keeping his body and feet moving in accord with Krom. The mist turned into a driving rain running in rivulets off their bodies. Water flew off the blades as they fought harder.

Again, Steven battled and beat Krom back towards his side until the yells from Ahriman's legion distracted him. An opening became clear and Krom twisted his sword free and maneuvered under Steven's guard. The blade cut through the leather and sliced his side.

Grunting with pain, Steven dropped his arm and moved away. Krom pursed him relentlessly around the arena. Steven brought up his sword and blocked each swing with his good hand.

Duncan cried out in a loud voice, "Remember Steven what I told you."

Steven looked up briefly and nodded his head. As his cut began to heal, he took the hilt of his sword with both hands halting his retreat. He brought the sword down with his entire strength cutting through Krom's right hand.

Screaming in pain Krom willed the pain away retrieving his sword from the ground. He backed away pulling it free, he let the dead hand drop.

He circled Steven and summoned a darker power within. Charging forward with a war cry, he quickly swung parallel back and forth until pushed his challenger back. Steven parried and struck back harder in defense.

Krom brought his sword down with force and sliced through Steven's arms. In slow motion, he sank to his knees. The sword struck into the ground point down and the hilt propped up his torso in a surreal display. With one fierce swipe, Krom took the head as well.

Amanda screamed and hid her face. Methos looked on in sadness for the warrior he respected. Duncan wiped his eyes feeling the loss deeply.

Krom stood back and held out his sword saying, "I am unbroken and I win the prize to stay in the game."

The lighting shimmered and went through Steven's body and then to Krom. It lifted him up while the mist swirled around the arena. A silver shower of sparks seemed to rain down and a patch of sun briefly lit up the body. An energy snake made its way towards Maldred's sword as he touched the ground allowing it to travel up the blade. The quickening ended abruptly and Krom fell to the mud. Getting up slowly, he dragged his sword with him while Ahriman's side cheered.

Three sentries rushed forward to claim Steven's body and take him from the battlefield. Duncan pondered the words of Cyrus, "To defeat Ahriman's legion in combat you will have to command the best and risk losing those close to you." He fought Steven once so he understood and respected him. Steven's death felt like his failure.

The remaining combats did little to lift the spirits for Duncan's side. Their wins paled in comparison to the loss of friends.

The rain soon washed the blood into red rivulet's that joined with a small creek. A gong sounded as the sunset broke through and lit up the arena with a deep red glow.

Both armies retreated to lick their wounds and train for the next day. Ahriman set in motion a plan to ensure success and death for one so cherished by Duncan MacLeod.

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