Chapter Thirty Six

That morning the clouded sky parted briefly showing the young woman's remains dumped near the other campground. Duncan's inner circle drove from the church and approached in separate cars. Duncan got out of the lead car and heard the same news Amanda told him upon waking. He hoped it was just a nightmare.

Seeing the covered body, Amanda choked back a sob. Duncan consoled her saying, "We will avenge her death."

"They're all dead. First Steven, then Kenny and now Michelle," Amanda ranted, "I feel like it's after me."

Duncan made clear the implication. "Think about it Amanda. I found her as a baby, took her to a friend of mine, and watched her grow up. We will all grieve for her." He held her at arm's length looking into her eyes, "It wants you to lose. You must prove you are stronger."

These words had a powerful effect. Amanda's eyes went hard and she said, "It's going to have a long wait."

As a united force, they walked the final yards to the arena showing the better Immortals came ready to battle. The moment of the meteorite influence came with anticipation. When it released, Methos felt an urging like never before.

He moved forward saying, "Let me pass."

His name became a chant. Buoyed by the cheers, Methos strode towards Maldred's army and glared at them with a glint in his eye daring them to answer the call.

For several minutes, no one moved. Methos looked at the Grand Immortal and asked, "Do they forfeit?"

McFadden replied, "Patience old one, I feel an answer coming."

Hidden behind the others, held in reserve, this ancient warrior came forward.

Chiang Shih lived and fought for over two thousand years during the most violent times in Chinese and Japanese history. Changing his name and fighting on both sides, he killed for pleasure and profit.

Methos held up his Ivanhoe and stood before the dais. Chiang Shih came to stand on the other side and held up a wicked looking Katana that flashed in the early morning light.

Both men declared, "I accept this challenge."

Chiang eyed Methos measuring his talent by his stance. With a sweep of his blade, he attacked determined to keep this fight a short one. Methos easily parried the blow. He moved back and to the side as Chiang followed. Methos struck back high then low as Chiang blocked and returned the attack with the same precision.

Their attack and counter-attack continued for several minutes. Everyone watching could see the even match.

"Agh!" Chiang yelled as his sword missed Methos and hit the ground sending dirt flying.

Methos' Ivanhoe came back as quickly as grazed Chiang's neck causing a small red line to appear. Beginning to tire, Chiang retreated and put his hand to the cut feeling the depth.

He mocked Methos and said with distain, "Your sword is clumsy."

Methos replied, "I meant to do that."

Then with a series of foot movements and sword slashes, Methos came after Chiang causing more injury making his blood flow freely.

In a finale of sparks from the steel confrontations, the katana fell from Chiang's bloody hands.

Holding the Ivanhoe with both hands, Methos told him, "I fought and killed men like you before you were born." His sword dipped and then came up quickly beheading Maldred's top fighter.

Methos took a step back away from the spray of blood. The mist from the quickening appeared around the body. The silver energy bolts came from the sky and struck him reverberating to his soul. He fought the power feeling it burn into him. Before his eyes, he could see that this immortal killed as many innocents as he did and in less time. Duncan felt his sword absorbing this energy as it bumped on his side.

Torn with anguish, he waited for the darkness to end. Breathing deeply he picked up the katana, held both swords up and shouted, "I am unbroken! I win the prize to stay in the game."

The cheering surrounded him as he walked away with his soul intact. Amanda moved to intercept him and without a word, put her arms around him. He hugged her back and said, "I don't know why I won."

She released him and looking into his eyes, simply told him, "Because you are the best."

Turning to MacLeod, Amanda felt it was her time. She asked him, "Any last words of advice?"

Handing her Hazari's dagger he said, "Use it and let them see you have it."

Amanda smiled at the psychology revealed and said, "Mac, you are a genius." She took it from him, tucked it away and went to stand before the dais. Cheers followed her and looking over she caught the eye of Bernie Crimmins. "He must have been late," she thought and saw him draw a line across his throat.

"Don't give me ideas Bernie," she said aloud.

She waited with a feeling of calm and utter confidence gained from the last two days of training.

A low murmur grew into a crescendo for Donelle as the group of immortals surrounded her cheered until she had to push them aside shouting, "Out of my way!"

She approached the dais eyeing Amanda saying, "I accept this challenge."

Amanda nodded her acceptance while keeping her focus upon the goal before her and blocked out the surrounding commotion.

Both women walked to the center of the arena with the cheers and shouts still ringing loudly. They measured each other intently and waited for the noise to die down.

Showing off a gold necklace around her next, Donelle bragged, "She called your name just before I killed her."

Amanda gave little indication of the taunt that hurt her. She continued adjusting the gloves on her hands. Satisfied, she pulled the dagger out of her belt and held it in her left hand saying, "Pretty, isn't it?"

Looking with dread upon the cursed dagger, Donelle came at her quickly attacking with the two handed Falchion striking at her opponent.

Amanda stepped aside, guarded with the dagger, and struck with her Dark Sentinel sword.

Donelle anticipated and repositioned her body to take the attack and turn it away from her vital organs but left her limbs open to the dagger's cutting edge. She screamed and pulled her arm close.

"That was from Michelle," Amanda said and in a flash, moved the dagger higher and sliced across Donelle's face giving her a deep cut. She added, "That was from me."

Donelle cowered out of range of Amanda's dark sword but her wounds did not heal. Amanda pursued her relentlessly saying, "You are Maldred's queen? I expected better."

Her resolve kicked in and Donelle went from defending to attack mode with two hands swinging her falchion side to side in wide sweeps. Amanda turned and ducked with each pass.

Her blood still flowed as Donelle jumped forward missing Amanda's heart but the sword tip burned into her shoulder. Stars flashed before Amanda's eyes from the pain. She twisted free from the impalement and this time Donelle pursued her.

Amanda's left arm hung limp barely grasping the dagger and blocked with her dark sword until she fell to her knees. Donelle came down hard and knocked her sword away. Bringing up the falchion high she said, "I will always be the queen." Then she went for the kill.

With courageous effort, Amanda held the dagger tightly with both hands fell forward face down and stabbed Donelle in the foot causing her to miss. Amanda rolled to the side, stood up, and stretched out to slice open Donelle's throat with the dagger of fatality.

Donelle dropped her weapon and held the wound on her throat. Her blood gushed out in a rhythm. Her eyes wide open knew the inevitable.

Amanda picked up Donelle's sword and finished the job. Their queen was dead. She dropped the dagger and sword to welcome the quickening with open hands. The mist seeped from the open neck wound and enveloped her until the silver lightning cascaded around. The sparks fell like rain and she felt vindicated and whole. Amanda had paid the price and won. Duncan felt an amazing sense of calm and energy emanating from his sword.

Facing the opposition once more she called out, "I am unbroken and I win the prize to stay in the game!"

When she picked up her sword and turned to join her friends, a movement went unnoticed until it was too late.

In a loud war cry, an attack overwhelmed the dais where the Grand Immortal stood. He fought with the staff in one hand and his sword in the other. Duncan's immortals joined in to defend the dais and Frank McFadden.

The mêlée between both sides brought chaos that disrupted the order of the gathering. Continuously Frank defended until a sword swung straight towards him and cut off the top of the staff.

The meteorite fell and the powerful wave that emitted out brought on more fighting. A domino effect began with beheadings and quickenings following in quick succession.

Their victory was short-lived as Maldred's side killed Alonzo who lost to Krieg. Katherine lost to Monaca. However, Duncan's side retaliated when Walter Grahm beat Krom, Cory Rains beat Magyar Kagen, Robert De Valicourt beat Warren Cochran and Terrence Coventry beat Quan Sahibs.

Duncan and his immortals fought back the evil horde but before he could retrieve the meteorite, Maldred snatched it up with a piece of leather. He hurled it high over the crowd and called out to a huge immortal named Krieg, "Smash it!"

The large immortal caught it with a gloved hand then placed it on a half-buried boulder. Using a war hammer, he began to pound upon it chipping away the amber covering.

With each strike of the hammer, it sent out more shock waves until all the immortals stopped fighting and shouted for him to stop. With one final blow, Krieg broke through to the center. When he struck the metal core, an electrical impulse went up. In a matter of minutes, it rode the magnetic field around the world and at last dissipated into the atmosphere.

Everyone stood still looking astonished. The influence of the meteorite was gone. The two groups stared at one another knowing that the blood spilled called out for retribution.

Duncan commanded, "Everyone retreat. The gathering is over!"

As Maldred's immortals began to withdraw, someone reclaimed the dagger from the ground and the demon plotted the next devious act.

]]]][[[[

Watching the monitors, Joe Dawson saw the attack that overwhelmed the dais. When the stone shattered, he knew it was the end of this assignment.

A young watcher asked him, "What does this mean?"

Joe told him, "Keep recording but start packing up everything else because this might get uglier."

They did as he instructed quickly packing up equipment and personal belongings. Joe watched the retreat and took out his personal cell phone hoping MacLeod would call him when it was possible.

Other phone calls went on behind him while the secondary watchers made travel arrangements.

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When the early evening ended, a gray cloud settled around the entire valley. The mist deepened to a constant drizzle. Duncan MacLeod and the remaining group went back to the church in Glenshee. With the breaking of the meteorite and Frank McFadden losing control of the gathering, the slip into chaos became one of despair.

Holding an umbrella, Duncan stood outside in the graveyard looking down at the unmarked grave and talking to himself, hoping her spirit would hear him.

Frank McFadden went to stand with him and said, "I will go and give Maldred the ultimatum."

Looking at him, Duncan argued back, "They could just attack and kill you."

McFadden replied, "I am not going there as a blood sacrifice." He stepped closer and insisted, "Even if I were killed delivering this message you must follow through and see this to the end."

Duncan peered at him requesting, "Will you bring someone with you?"

McFadden disagreed, "They will listen to me and I'm only taking my sword." He turned to leave the graveyard.

Duncan stopped him with a hand on his arm asking, "What does Deahna say?"

McFadden shook his head replying, "She doesn't know so don't tell her."

Duncan watched him go to the parking lot. Knowing Frank would be in danger he went inside the church and found Connor. He asked him, "Will you go with Frank while he has a chat with Maldred?"

Connor asked, "Is there a chance of danger?"

Duncan nodded saying, "Maybe."

Connor looked serious but there was a glint of adventure in his eye. He said, "Count me in. I'll bring him back safely."

He sat in the car with the wipers slapping the rain off the window. Frank McFadden prepared himself by going over the scenario in his head and possible outcomes including fighting his way out of there. Without warning, the door opened and Connor MacLeod got in the passenger seat.

He said, "I'm ready when you are."

"You can't go with me," Frank insisted, "This is too delicate a message for you to be a part of."

Connor promised, "I'll wait in the car." Indicating the time, he pointed ahead saying, "Let's go, I don't have all night."

Before turning the wheel onto the road, Frank inclined his head and said, "It's nice to have you along."

The drive over to the other camp took only minutes. When he was close enough, Frank parked the car and turned off the motor. "Please wait here." He pleaded, "I don't know kind of reception I will have but if I'm alone, I might have a chance."

Connor leaned back in his seat telling him, "Just don't get into trouble. It's not like I can charge in and rescue you."

The rain had let up enough and Frank got out of the car. Holding his sword ready, he walked carefully up a small slope until he saw a campfire in the distance.

Inside that camp, arguments rose and fell as they fought for control. Suddenly the presence of Frank McFadden took their attention off each other and onto an enemy. They began to surround him in a circle taunting, "Your job is finished."

Another one asked, "You've come to offer your head?"

Frank stood his ground and called out a truce he said, "I'm here to offer council. Where is your King?"

Appearing out of the darkness, Maldred answered, "The rock is broken. This gathering is now finished. When it is daylight, we will attack and kill the remaining immortals."

Frank stated, "If you attempt an all out war, you should be aware that right now Duncan's army outnumbers yours and he will win."

Keeping their attention, he swung his sword around in a threatening manner and gave the ultimatum, "An all out war would be a waste and more bloodshed on both sides."

Maldred weighed his words and joining him inside the circle, nodded for him to continue. He asked, "You have a proposition?"

Looking him in the eye, Frank answered, "Yes. If you agree to a one on one fight to the end with Duncan MacLeod, it will be the last challenge."

Maldred laughed and questioned, "What if I win?"

Frank answered, "Whoever wins or loses, everyone goes home and calls it a century."

"Or," Maldred said, "You will stay here as my guest to ensure my victory."

The immortals surrounding him raised their swords higher and Maldred ordered him, "Drop your sword."

From behind them, a voice called out, "Hey, what's taking you so long?"

Connor walked up with a flask in one hand and his sword in the other. Waving his weapon wildly at them, he said, "Let me pass."

He brazenly pushed his way into the circle. Standing by Frank he handed him the flask and said, "Come on let's get back to the party." He took Frank's sleeve and pulled him along as he retraced his steps back outside the entrapment.

Frank looked at Maldred and raised the flask telling him, "We'll see you tomorrow if you're not a coward." He took a drink and both men made a quick retreat to the car.

A quarrel broke out between the remaining immortals demanding, "Why are they having a party?"

"Didn't we win today?"

"You let him call you a coward and get away?"

Glaring after the retreating figures, Maldred swore an oath to create a war tomorrow that would take them all to hell.

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