Here it is. . .Enjoy.

The time had come.

It had felt more like years that he had been gone, instead of months. Now he was on the shores of his Saxonia, his murky heart stirred and burned in his chest. He wanted his mate back and he was going to get her. He didn't care who he had to kill, or maim, or completely destroy. If any harm had been done to her there would be rivers of blood.

The last burst of feeling he had gotten from his estranged mate was confusion, hate and anger. He wanted to know why. He mounted his horse while still on the ship and as soon as the gang plank was in place the men had barely enough time to jump out of the count's way. He didn't care about leaving anything behind, all he needed was his sword and with it strapped to his back he had rode onward. His beast pounded away over the rolling hills, through the wooded forests, it had just as much passion as its master.

The energy and power radiating from the Kurgan actually fueled his steed to go faster and last longer.

While he rode he neither thought about their future or their turbulent past, none of that mattered. It didn't matter she was a being from an entirely different dimension. It didn't matter that he was evil at heart and she was good. He loved her, yes he could tell himself that now. He craved her, yearned for her. That taunt he made to the Highlander after raping his woman was now true for him and his mate. He had killed for her, sent armies marching, torn men apart. He was keen on anarchy but a side to him was also calculating.

The Immortal knew he could ride into his castle sword drawn and ready, and go into a complete rage. He could let it all out, or. . .he could ride to the front gates and see everything. To observe your surroundings and keep a level head in the face of danger was what truly defined a warrior. And he was the ultimate warrior.

He knew exactly what he was going to do, no matter what horror faced him at his own domain, whatever had happened to her. . .

His horse suddenly surged forward and the landscape became a blur. The power coming off the mighty fighter engrossed even the animal he rode. Such power, from far away even MacLeod felt the Kurgan and looked up from where he was. He silently prayed for Arielle's soul, and sanity. The Highlander knew someone was going to die a very bloody death that day, one of the three who were going to meet.

Belfeiro too felt his enemy's emotion and power. His grip tightened on the arm of the chair he sat in. A lithe figure noiselessly entered the study. The woman was dressed completely in black and stood in the shadow of the doorway, it helped that the sun was covered by substantial grey clouds. The figure said not a word but instead waited for the Italian Immortal to say something.

He kept looking at the floor, a view just past his knees. "When he arrives I will go first. Then I will call you and you will do what I command." He suddenly whipped his head up to face the person in shadow. His eyes flashed from fury to pleading empathy. "I know I said you'd be free but this is your first battle. You have to listen to your old master if you wish to live. Remember he comes to kill you."

The shadowy person said nothing as they slipped away back into the depths of the castle. The servants watched apprehensively. Mel was so anxious it pained her.

It wasn't long before Belfeiro could hear the clattering of hooves in the courtyard. He arose from his seat and made his stately way to the front steps. He pushed the doors opened slowly, savoring the feel of good craftsman ship in the solid, dark oak. Thankfully the sun was still blind and it helped that he wasn't left to blink stupidly in brightness, he could stare down at the enemy who had come to kill him.

The Kurgan was as fierce was ever. His one sleeved battle attire was as black as his eyes. His sword was drawn but his stance was relaxed, too relaxed for Belfeiro's state of mind. He had expected the Kurgan to come crashing up the steps and attempt to gut him on sight, but the beast before him was so still and deadly. Calculating.

"Enough time has been spent with you gone so I won't waste time with formalities and tricks to stall." He didn't grin or give some sarcastic remark, he knew what was going to end up happening. He simply clasped his hands behind his back and began slowly pacing. "I was, however, surprised by the degree of her connection to you."

The Kurgan looked at him coldly and didn't need to ask how or when Belfiero had found out.

The other nodded. "I found out quite early actually. She would look right through me in a way than was unnatural and unsettling. I know she isn't one of us, nor is she human any longer. But she is from the human world. So I got to wondering what could have possibly drove you to her at all. I won't claim to understand you had some strange pull, I know you did but don't understand why or how. But you did and doing that did something to the both of you." He stopped where he had started and faced the giant. "And now here you are, I assume I now own the land. In turn I will give you what I took," he snapped his fingers. "Here is your woman Kurgan."

He didn't need to step aside as the woman came out. The very clouds above seemed to darkened with the anger he gave off. His woman was not herself. The Arielle who came out before him looked cold, vile. She had shaved half of her head* in a sort of declaration of her new status as warrior. She was dressed entirely in black, her eyes covered by a streak of black coal dust, a wicked sword was strapped to her side. She drew it and looked him dead in the eye when she did, he knew she would kill him.

*Anyone remember how the priesty from the movie shaved his head? That's what I was going for. I don't know if it meant something else but I made it a warrior thing.
I've been super busy and a tad bit stressed lately (no excuse all the same) which is why I've been falling behind. BUT the creative stream is flowing and I'll have the next chapter up by tomorrow! I'll also be continuing with WCB. Another reason for my absence is my work on a collaboration story with a friend for an LOTR story. . .it's been crazy writing but so much fun x) Until tomorrow!