Chapter Thirty Five

The next morning bright sunlight brought a promise of good weather. The mood was better as Duncan MacLeod's friends prepared for battle. They stood around outside the lodge waiting for him to emerge. Meanwhile they speculated on some secret weapon against Ahriman.

Inside Duncan was holding Evan and instructing Grace, "Yesterday it looked like they might be arranging for an all out attack."

Cassandra suggested, "Let me stay with him today."

He thought it over for a minute then agreed, "Yes, it might be better for two immortals to guard him."

He kissed the babe before handing him to her and took his sword going quickly out the door. Mentally he prepared for the day ahead. The group quietly surrounded him and together they walked to the combat arena.

From across the bowl shaped valley, they could see the opposition waiting for them. The Grand Immortal was slow to take the dais, but when he was in place, he removed the cloth and struck the staff in the ground causing a ripple effect.

From Maldred's side Suyukan strode forward with the confidence of age and experience. Then Kyra stepped out between the front rows causing a surge of excitement. Both sides cheered loudly feeling they would win a victory.

Tall, dark haired Suyukan glanced at Kyra and went closer to the Grand Immortal, she said, "I accept this challenge."

Kyra came up behind her and stated, "I accept as well so let's fight."

She turned to walk to the center of the battlefield when Suyukan drew out her sword. The noise rang out and Kyra drew out her sword equally fast turning back around. Suyukan's long arms reached out farther and her sword tip brushed her hair as Kyra dropped down and deflected the attack.

Then she danced her way to the center of the arena tapping Suyukan's sword side to side. Almost even in stature and strength the two women fought but Kyra appeared the most experienced and precise keeping ahead of Suyukan's blade. She used all her techniques on practicing defense tactics as if she were having a workout session. Then tiring of the match she began to attack in earnest.

Suyukan's weakness became immediately apparent. Kyra commented between blocks and assault, "Your training has been lacking don't you think so?"

Perspiring with effort, Suyukan gave no reply as she parried Kyra's attacks with slower reaction every minute.

Her final strike brought Suyukan to her knees and Kyra knocked the sword from her hands. Spinning around for momentum, she beheaded Suyukan in one quick stroke. The body fell over and the mist of the quickening began.

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The sound of breaking glass startled Grace and Cassandra. Taking up her sword, Cassandra went to investigate. The immortal intruder stayed just out of her sight as she went from room to room searching.

A scream from Grace made Cassandra turn back and she ran towards the nursery. The scene inside that room chilled her. Across the space, Grace had her sword but the intruder stood over the cradle with his dagger raised above baby Evan and his sword in the other hand.

Taking a step closer Grace told him, "You will never leave this room alive."

Hazari declared, "I have the advantage and you cannot stop me." He raised his dagger higher to bring it point down into the infant.

Behind him, Cassandra lunged forward to run her sword into Hazari's side and just as quickly Grace jumped to attack and chopped his head off.

"Hurry!" Grace commanded her and pushed the body out of the way.

Cassandra grabbed Evan out of the cradle and left the room as the quickening began. The lightning went around the small room exploding objects and blowing out a window.

Grace yelled and convulsed with each hit of electricity. She saw the evil through this immortal and sensed the demon's anger.

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At the gathering arena, Frank McFadden turned his eyes to the lodge in the distance. Duncan looked away from the combat long enough to see McFadden's interest shift. Frank whispered to his wife and she left the area. Duncan went to follow her but a shout from Frank brought him back.

He shook his head saying, "It's being taken care of."

The silver lightning struck Kyra elevating her off the ground. It went up her body and around her head like a crown. In the distance, she could sense another quickening and felt something important take place. More energy flowed into Duncan's sword. As the mist lowered her to the ground she said, "I am unbroken! I win the prize to stay in the game."

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The end of the quickening left Grace unsettled. She felt emotionally sick from the experience. Cassandra came back into the blood-splattered room asking, "Who was that guy?"

Grace answered, "It doesn't matter now. I don't want to talk about it."

Cassandra laid the quiet baby on the only clean furniture there and went to pick on the sword of the departed. She looked at it closely and said, "I recognize these marking."

Next, she looked at the dagger and her sharp intake of breath made Grace glance her way. "What is it?" she asked.

Cassandra took a spare cloth and picked it up near the tip of the blade. Pointing to the handle and cutting edge she said, "See the runes? This dagger is of an evil nature created to cause great harm to anyone stabbed by it. It can kill both mortal and immortal"

Grace picked Evan up and took the diaper bag with her saying, "I'm moving him to another room."

Cassandra agreed, "I feel that this is just the beginning."

At once, an alarm went through them as another immortal approached the lodge. Cassandra went to the shattered window and looked out. She called to Grace, "It's Deahna."

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As Ahriman's side raged in anger and held their swords high, Duncan's side cheered back in defiance. The Grand Immortal shouted for order calling out, "The next round of combat will commence."

The cheering and shouts continued as Carl Robinson and Nyklus Goyavich came forward simultaneously to stand before the dais and declare their acceptance.

Nyklus saluted and then said, "It will be an honor to kill you."

Carl laughed at him and said, "By all means Niki, I've been waiting for you." He swung his sword around once and beckoned with his free hand saying, "Come and get it."

Nyklus circled him sneering and taunting, "I have a slow death planned for you." He jumped at Carl bringing his sword down hard enough to cause him to drop to his knee absorbing some of the force and to keep his sword from shattering.

Down on one knee with his weapon pushing back, Carl held his own against the immortal as tall and strongly built. The two men pushed back against the other until Carl gave way again and rolled backwards out of range.

Nyklus followed aggressively swinging his weapon around and side to side. His feet turned towards him and Carl blocked him again. He held Nyklus at bay hilt against hilt, then kicking out against his opponent's ankle, tripped him up.

As Nyklus went down rolling on the ground, he pulled his sword away then pointed it up as Carl bent down to attack. Unfortunately, he took a blade between the ribs. He heard Amanda yell for him to give ground. Grunting with pain, he backed away watching Nyklus get up and advance.

"You cannot beat me!" Niki yelled in anger.

Looking at his hand to judge the flow of blood, Carl ignored the pain and focused on the immortal before him. He backed away until the bleeding stopped. Wiping his hand clean on his trousers, he held his sword with both hands. He shouted, "Come on! Come on!"

Nyklus ran at him and brought his sword around for the kill. Carl sidestepped and blocked at the same time. He spun around and backhanded his sword cutting off Nyklus's head in one quick slice.

Carl closed his eyes to wait for the quickening. His arms spread wide and he took it all in. The silver energy struck him with a power he had never felt before. It made him euphoric and sensitive to all immortals. As the energy flowed towards Duncan's katana, it shocked him causing him to let go as it levitated and fell to the ground.

Carl raised his head and shouted, "I am unbroken! I win the prize to stay in the game." Returning to his place behind the others, he reached out and touched Amanda's cheek saying, "Thank you." His eyes met Duncan's and he nodded approval.

At once, the atmosphere changed and electricity filled the air. The opposing forces chanted, "Quin, Quin, Quin!"

A tall and hard-bodied immortal stepped forward from the horde of evilness. He held up a large war axe advancing on the dais.

Methos went to meet him, but Connor held him back. "Not this time, my friend." He said in a raspy voice, "I claim this challenge."

Methos argued, "I know his style of fighting and I can beat him."

Connor moved quickly past him and said with a grin, "So can I."

The figure of Quin towered over Connor while they stood before the dais ready to accept the challenge.

Duncan said to Methos, "He wouldn't agree to the fight if he didn't think he could win."

Methos grunted and replied, "He just wants all the glory."

The Grand Immortal questioned Connor, "Are you sure this is the battle for you?"

With his distinct laugh, he answered, "Why not? I feel like a good work-out."

Quin said nothing and circled Connor swinging his heavy axe side to side in a pendulum motion.

Connor held his katana ready and watched his opponent. Studying which hand he favored and his footing preferences.

With a roar, Quin brought his axe closer to Connor with each swing. Then he ran right at him making the highlander back away. Connor dodged the axe knocking it off target until he saw a clear shot. He ducked lower and lunged with his weapon under Quin's guard to score deeply into his flesh.

The axe changed direction and sliced downward cutting Connor's arm. Both men stepped back and showing blood on their garments. Connor moved closer, and then out of range, his katana guarding his side and neck as he blocked the axe making and sparks fly. Quin waited until Connor came close enough to feint attacking his torso then he brought the axe slicing the air above Connor's head.

Connor dropped then rolled to the side and cut deeply into Quin's knee as he stood up. The large man began to crumble but even on his knees, Quin still blocked all of Connor's frontal attacks. Connor jumped back then lunged forward when the axe missed him again.

As the large man stood up, Connor swiftly went behind him and made another cut to his back. Quin yelled in pain and shifted his body to counter attack. However, the highlander was already two steps ahead.

Without hesitation, Connor spun around to the front, struck upwards, and beheaded him with the razor sharp katana. He stepped away as the head came off and the quickening began.

At once, the mist surrounded him and Connor yelled out when the silver lightning struck him many times. The power radiated over the good immortals and their cheers began cascading through the valley.

He landed on his feet abruptly, bent his knees in a bow and stood up. He looked with piercing eyes at the opposition and said, "There can be only one."

The cheers from his side overwhelmed Maldred's army and their shouts of scorn.

Connor took Quin's axe with him walking from the battlefield. It took four immortals to drag the body away. The sky began to cloud over but parted allowing a ray of sunshine to penetrate illuminating an immortal.

She came forward walking to the Grand Immortal and said, "I am chosen." She wore clothes from an ancient time when she fought with the Iceni tribe. Her hair plaited in a long braid with ceremonial lines and symbols painted on her face.

The Grand Immortal called out, "Who will challenge her?"

From the ranks of Maldred soldiers, a woman stepped out between her brethren wearing a chain mail shirt and canvas slacks. With short stocky white hair, she painted her face with circle tribal markings.

She advanced with purpose on her face and spoke up, "I accept this challenge."

Ceirdwyn agreed and saluted. They moved to the center of the arena and circled each other while swinging their swords and stretching their arms.

Jovana asked her, "What tribe are you?"

Ceirdwyn answered, "Iceni tribe, and you?"

She replied, "Avars from Dagestan."

Ceirdwyn touched her blade to her forehead and said, "We come from honor but fight on different sides."

Jovana intoned, "My honor is sacred," and then she attacked.

In a ballet of steel, they joined blades pushing against each other. Then Ceirdwyn scrapped her sword down the length of the other blade causing sparks to emit.

Jovana stepped back and swung her scimitar again at her opponent, which she parried and countered another attack. Screaming her war cry, Jovana held her sword tightly attacking furiously driving Ceirdwyn back until she accidently tripped and went down.

Regaining her balance, Jovana came at her slicing the air as Ceirdwyn blocked her every transition. Feeling the momentum shift, Ceirdwyn moved against Jovana with quick cuts until she fell from the skillful onslaught.

"This fight is finished," she said and knocked the scimitar from her hand.

"No!" yelled Jovana.

Ceirdwyn did not waver and followed through with her sword and quickly beheaded her. Freed from her body, Jovana' quickening circled Ceirdwyn in a tribal war dance sending sparks and lightening up to the clouds. It began to rain. Duncan's katana glowed in the sheath.

The other combats went by in quick succession. They carried the loser off the battlefield and the winner celebrated. The evening ended and Duncan's side became stronger by all the power gained through the quickenings. Their mood was one of victory.

The opposing side glowered from across the expanse showing their displeasure at the corpses piled up behind them. As the final gong sounded, they turned their backs and together swore vengeance against Duncan MacLeod.

Late into the night, Maldred held court with the favorites and Ahriman's influence urged them to attack and get back the dagger of fatality.

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The chosen inner circle made their way to the lodge after dark. When they looked inside, they saw a lot of damage. Grace and Cassandra gave an account of the attack.

Duncan sat down looking ghostly white with the visual image of a man holding a dagger above his son's body intent on killing him. When he touched the dagger, he could feel the negative energy.

Methos went to the room Deahna assigned him shortly after Evan's birth. He came to understand why the lodge remained off limits the first day.

His back was to the door when he heard someone enter. Turning around he saw Cassandra standing there holding a sword pointed at him. For a brief moment, she looked like she might attack him.

He calmly asked her, "What is it, Cassandra?"

She walked forward pushing the sword at him and in a demanding tone said, "Look at this. The markings, do you recognize it?"

Methos tried not to flinch and took the sword from her closely examining it under the light.

Then he remembered and nodded saying, "Yes, this was used by an immortal that I rode with after…the others."

"You rode with him," she accused, "and you didn't even know he was here?"

"I didn't scrutinize the other side," he answered. "Or," Methos speculated, "He could have taken it from someone I rode with."

She opened the door and commanded, "See his face and tell me."

Methos followed her out the back door to the yard, to the body and head covered up. Pulling back the sheet, Methos saw and recognized the immortal that attacked the lodge that day.

Giving a quiet whistle he said, "Yeah, that's him." Turning to go back inside he explained, "I used to call him Hazari the Hundred."

He stopped short and looked closely at Cassandra asking, "Did you get his quickening?"

She shook her head and told him, "No, Grace did."

"Shit!" he exclaimed rushing inside past everyone and began searching every room until he found MacLeod. He demanded, "Where is Grace Chandrel?"

Duncan answered, "She went outside for supplies from the car. What is this about?"

Methos pulled him aside and told him, "She received Hazari's quickening and that is bad news." He went to a window and peered out in the darkness commenting, "She may be compromised."

Duncan called to Connor asking him, "Go look for Grace outside and help her if necessary."

"Sure," Connor replied going to the front door.

While he waited Methos insisted, "We should think about relocating."

A short time later, Connor came back inside with Grace right behind him. They were carrying boxes of food. Talking the box from her, Methos commanded, "I need to talk to you."

He pulled her into an adjoining room and sat her down. Studying her face he questioned, "What do you remember about the quickening?"

She looked uncomfortable and replied, "It was very sickening. I don't think I will ever be the same."

He took her arms and held them tightly asking, "What do you feel? Will you change sides?"

She put her head back laughing, "Is that all you fear?" Pushing him away and standing up she said to him, "No, I'm not changing sides." She glared at him, "Unlike some immortals, I know how to stand true."

Showing her revulsion she told him, "You should fear me killing you in your sleep." She walked away and out of the room leaving him there in stunned silence.

A shudder ran through Methos with the memory of the same thing Hazari once told him a thousand years ago.

He sat down and leaned back in the chair thinking of alternatives. Duncan came in the room and asked him, "Well? Is she alright?"

Methos sighed and said, "Yeah, she's going to be fine. But now I need to watch my neck around her."

However, Duncan agreed with his previous suggestion, "Maybe you're right. We should change to a different location."

He went room to room telling everyone his decision, "Pack what you can we are moving."

As they carried out luggage to pack the car, Michelle Webster came up to Amanda asking her, "Where are you going?"

"Sweetie, I can't tell you," she replied, "In the morning we'll be back."

"I can't stand all these secrets," Michelle complained, "You never spend any time with me and you won't tell me what's going on."

Duncan came outside next and saw Michelle. He went over and put a hand on her shoulder telling her, "I know this isn't an easy situation but we are looking out for you."

He called over Everett Bellian who walked the perimeter of the camp. Turning Michelle towards him, Duncan instructed, "Make sure Michelle gets safely back to her tent."

Amanda gave her a quick hug telling Michelle, "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Michelle allowed Everett to lead her away but looked back watching the activity knowing it was something very important.

In the middle of the night when all else was quiet, a girl stood outside the camp looking at the waning moon. She was crying and talking to someone. An unseen entity consoled her saying, "You are special but if you fight on Duncan MacLeod's side you will lose."

The red mist enveloped her and showed her a scene of a possible death. She fought at the gathering arena and fell to the sword of Donelle. Then it whispered, "Join my side and if you fight, they won't dare kill you."

It showed her another scene where she walked on the battlefield with Ahriman's immortals cheering for her. She held a bright steel sword and no one challenged her. Michelle smiled and relished the scene. She clapped and danced around inside the red fog.

It guided her closer to the opposing encampment as a snake follows the mouse into its hole. Still enthralled with the image, she disappeared over the ridge right between two sentries.

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The darkness swirled around her almost choking her as the images flashed in a strobe fashion. Amanda saw immortals she knew that were dead. The last face that appeared was a young immortal girl as she begged for her life.

The stillness of the small church sanctuary rang with a scream. The inner circle of immortals slept on cots near-by and came to her aide immediately asking, "Are we under attack?"

Amanda struggled to compose her mind and sort out the images. She told them, "No, it was a nightmare. I don't sense an attack coming here."

As they went back to their beds, Amanda got up and made her way to the room where Duncan slept. He did not awaken when she disturbed the others. A faint light came in through the windows and she opened the door to see him sleeping with Evan keeping him safe.

The baby opened his eyes and looked at her smiling. "Who is protecting whom?" Amanda wondered and closed the door choosing to tell him in the morning.

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