Methos watched couples stroll
hand in hand along Stutterers Lake as he sipped his beer. Seacover
reminded him of Paris in the fall when the locals had the run
of the place. Perhaps that's what MacLeod liked about it. The
sun would set soon and he wished Edie would return so they could
share it. He would have met her at Joe's Place but it was closed
for remodeling. Methos chuckled lightly. In reality the refrigerator
was out and the repairman couldn't get there until Monday.
He felt the buzz of an approaching
immortal and waved as Edie approached. He pushed out a chair for
her with his foot.
"Thanks. Don't you just
love it out here, old man?" She sighed as she seated herself
across from him. Before he could answer, the waiter, a gruff sounding
middle aged man took Edie's order, a Shiner Bock and a chewy pretzel
with mustard.
"So," She continued.
"have you had a chance to talk to Joe about the Kinsmen?"
Methos shook his head. "There
hasn't been time since I've been back. I haven't even told a soul
about you."
Her dark eyes widened in mock
suprise and she held a hand dramatically to her chest. "Say
it ain't so."
"Sorry."
"You pig." She winked
as the waiter placed her order on the table.
"I could've told you that."
A familar voice said.
Methos looked at the sheepish
smile on Joe's face.
"How long have you been
here?"
Joe seated himself. "Long
enough to know that you've been holdin' out on me."
"You must be Joe Dawson."
Edie said.
They introduced themselves and
Methos told him about the Kinsmen, a clan of ancient Immortals
whose intentions are to send the earth into chaos. He wondered
if Kronos had anything to do with this. But to tell Joe and Edie
about his under dealings with him would be revealing too much.
He had pushed the shame aside many, many years ago. Methos decided
to let it rest and pulled out the newspaper article that Edie
had shown him and gave it to Joe.
"What's this?"
"A week ago an immortal
by the name of Erastus was shot in the head on national television
and sat back up announcing that he was the new Messiah. I'm sure
you read about it."
Joe nodded. "Yeah, it was
all over the place."
"Eden and I know him."
"We met him before he knew
what he was." Joe gave them a hard look. "Tell me about
it."
***** 600A.D. Methos wondered
why he even bothered to avoid Galen. For the past year he had
tried to avoid the immortal Roman Soldier to no avail. Apparantly,
Greece wasn't far enough. They both stood face to face outside
Athens, with swords drawn and ready for battle.
Galen's reddened face hardened
with a scowl, sword high above his head. Galen's eyes glinted
with hate and Methos knew this would be the last time he'd play
marriage counselor. "So Christian," Galen said between
clenched teeth. "you have decided to take me on, huh?"
"Didn't have much choice."
Methos shot back as he took the first swing toward the soldier's
neck. Their swords clashed with a fury next to the Parthenon.
Methos knew that one day he'd have to bone up on his sword playing
skills. They fought what seemed like days when actually, afternoon
had melted into early evening. Methos had often wondered who made
up the, 'there be can only one', rule of the game. Probably a
mortal with a really bad sense of humor.
Galen pushed him onto the steps
of the Parthenon and charged at him as Methos rolled away like
a cat. Galen screamed and lunged for Methos' gut. Again, Methos
proved too quick and darted away as Galen landed flat on his face.
Methos took the opportunity and kicked the sword out of his beefy
hand and smiled while placing the tip of his sword beneath the
soldier's chin as he rolled over. "You sure that you don't
want to change religion?" Methos scowled.
Galan merely shut his eyes as
Methos delivered the final blow.
Methos watched as the swirling
clouds gathered at the approaching storm. He grabbed Galen's sword
in one hand and raised both swords in the air, reaching into the
quickening. He couldn't be certain that he'd ever get used to
this raw and powerful feeling. He screamed as the lightening went
through him, absorbing memories of past enemies, lovers, and all
of Galan's life's ebbs and woes all in a monumental rush. What
he really wanted was Galen's power of persuasion which the Roman
Soldier had not mastered, but for an old Immortal like humself,
it wouldn't be a problem. He slowly rose to his feet as the sky
cleared, he soon would lose the throbbing of his aching bones.
Then, he heard the familiar buzz from an approaching Immortal.
"Oh no..." He managed as a woman approached riding a
black stallion.
She was a vision in white. Long
dark curls were swept away from her angular face, brown eyes held
a wisdom he had only seen with the ancients. The horses' saddle
was equipped with a scabbard that held her sword, her strong arms
and legs seemed powerful enough to use any means necessary to
take care of an approaching rival. "I saw you from the cliff,
" She said. "you're not bad."
"Thanks." He panted.
She pulled her sword from it's
scabbard as a man approached and kneeled before Methos. "It's
an honor to kneel before the mighty Ares and Athena; both wise
and powerful."
Methos wanted to explain the
misunderstanding but the woman interjected. "Stand, mortal.
What is your name?"
The man stood and stepped back
as the woman dismounted. His fair hair clung to his perspiring
face.
Methos lay down his sword and
sensed that this man was destined to become immortal.
"Erastus, kind lady."
She winked at Methos and said
to the now quivering man. "Not many live after seeing Ares
defeat an enemy, but you Erastus, are destined for greatness.
Go in peace before you lose your head."
"I came bearing a gift to
your alter, never believeing that I'd find you. Dear lady."
She caressed Erastus' cheek and
smiled. "What a kind soul. I require no gifts, only your
faith."
He kissed her hand and disappeared
into the shrubbery from where he came.
"Was that really necessary?"
"Would you have him think
we're demons, instead?"
Methos shook his head in defeat.
"Of course not. But..." She held out her hand. "Eden."
"Methos."
**********
"I see. " Joe said.
"Now he's the one playing God."
Methos nodded. "He's disappeared.
Since I'm not with the Watchers anymore..."
Eden rose and excused herself.
"I'm sorry to do this fellas, but I have to run. It was nice
meeting you, Joe."
Joe waved as she left. "You
too, Eden."
"Bye Edie."
"I'll see what I can find
on the Erastus." Joe ran a hand over his face as if hesitating
but continued, "There's another thing."
"Well?"
"You've been assigned a
new Watcher. Sarah Pembleton. She wanted to ask Adam some questions
about what he knows about Methos."
Methos smiled ironically, suprised
that it took them this long to find a replacement for Adam Pierson.
"Well, I'll see what I can do to help."
"She's been with us for
around 5 years and always had an interest in the Methos watch.
I'd be careful."
"Is there something you're
not telling me?"
"Tracking Methos had been
a bit of a hobby. She's even convinced that Adam Pierson and Methos
are the same."
Methos couldn't help but smile.
Someone was bound to figure it out. He was suprised it had taken
so long. "It's a shame the other Methos dying didn't convince
her."
"She had figured him a fake,
anyway. I can probably figure out what's going on with The Kinsman.
You need to make tracks."
Methos shook his head. "I
can't run any more. Besides, what proof could she have?"
"She claims to have seen
Kristin's quickening."
He felt a surge of sudden panic
and it was gone. "And she hasn't said anything about it until
now? Why?"
Joe shrugged. "Who knows.
There's something else about her that doesn't add up. She claims
to be from Toronto. No records on her exist before she joined
the Watchers."
"I don't know how to say
it, Joe, but Watcher records have always stunk as far as keeping
the non trusted out."
"We're workin' on it and
keeping an eye on her."
Methos shook his head. "Right."
Joe looked over Methos' shoulder
and nodded. "Speakin' of the devil..."
Methos turned and saw dark haired,
attractive woman, with the longest legs he'd seen since Lady Godiva
paraded through the streets of Mercia, claiming she had no clothes
to wear. She had on a purple silk jogging outfit and walked with
a graceful confidence. he didn't hear the faint buzz until he
shook her hand.
"Hi!" She said brightly.
"Sarah Pembleton. You must be Adam Pierson." She turned
to Joe and sat down. "Well, Dawson, haven't seen you in a
while. Good to see you crawling out of that bar of yours on occasion."
She removed her sunshades. Her
gray eyes seemed to conceal a hidden agenda. To be replaced by
a watcher who would some day become Immortal was in itself poetic
justice. "Joe was telling me all about you." Methos
finally said. "I'm afraid that I don't have much more than
you. Notes and a trail that stopped at Kathmandu five years ago.
Then two months ago, it had appeared Methos had died but, that
soon proved false."
"Joe probably told you this,
but I've been on Watch for five years. Stuck behind a desk keeping
records can be dull... dull... dull... Then, I started reading
the Methos Chronicles. Often times, I found myself following you.
But, you don't seem to have the passion that I do. Of course,
if I were assigned to look after myself, the passion might not
be there, either."
Methos and Joe exchanged worried
glances. Methos tried to sound casual. "What are you talking
about?"
"I know that you're an immortal.
I saw you kill Kristin. If you're not Methos, then who are you?"
Joe was right, she just became
a threat.
"That was MacLeod."
Joe said curtly, but Sarah wasn't listening.
She cut him off with a wave of
her hand. "That was Dawson, here, coveriing your butt. I
saw it. I was there."
"Just because I'm an Immortal
doesn't mean that I'm Methos."
"Convince me."
"He doesn't have to."
Methos cut Joe off. "Stay
out of this, Joe. Why haven't you given me away?"
"You're too important to
lose."
*****
Nevada, 1899
Methos winced as the pain clutched
at the gaping hole through his chest. Without doubt, this was
the reason he swore off the game, to avoid getting stabbed, drowned,
blown up, and like. He knew there was something else to avoid.
But why did Butch have to see it? He shielded his eyes from the
blinding sun with one hand as he clutched at his chest with the
other. He couldn't see the rest of the gang from behind the rocks
but he knew Butch was close by. They were all fending off the
posse that had come for them after robbing the Montpelier Bank.
He felt himself slipping away, but knew he'd be back. Just didn't
know when. He coughed as Butch came around the rocks. The fair
haired man holstered his pistol and came to his friend's aid.
Blue eyes, deeper than the pacific showed more compassion than
he himself probably had for anyone in the last hundred years or
more. For years he wanted to tell both he and Sundance the truth.
God, he didn't want to tell them this way.
"Da... Dave..." Butch
pulled Methos close as the gunplay went on around them.
"It's not as bad as it looks..."
Methos broke into a heaving, coughing spasm.
Butch shook his head "Not
as bad as it looks...? Dave.... You're in bad shape, kid."
Methos took out his knife. "You
need to know something, but I don't want Sundance to know. Just
you and me, ok?"
Butch nodded as Methos ran the
knife along his arm. As it healed before Butch's eyes, he felt
himself slipping away. he had to tell him everything. He had to
hang on. "This is a trick, ri... right?" He stammered.
"I mean... does this mean...? You're not going to die?"
"I am Immortal. Sundance
can't take it. But you can. I need to rest so I can heal."
"I don't understand this.
what are you?"
As blackness enveloped him, he
briefly wondered how how anyone understood it.For a moment, he
thought Sarah could handle it. With all of her passion she had
potential for being one of the best. But that's what he foolishly
thought about Butch Cassidy.
*****
Methos shook his head and smiled.
"Too important to lose?" How many times had he said
it to the Highlander? How many times had he thought that about
Butch?
"All the history,"
Sarah's eyes burned brightly. maybe she had too much passion.
"and what we can learn from you and the other Immortals.
Especially the older ones."
Joe rose and let out a sigh.
"I can't listen to this. I'm going to look into what we talked
about and get back with you."
Methos leaned back in his chair.
The stories that he could tell her and knew he wouldn't. "See
you, Joe."
She leaned forward as Joe walked
away. "If I told the other Watchers, they'd kill you. I've
read horror stories about Immortals who go around causing as much
havoc as they can. We can't interefere with them but, we'd kill
you. It's just not right. Please, say that you are Methos."
"Let's take a walk."
They went down to the beach as the sky darkened. The sound of
the water slapping against the pier helped him to relax. To think.
"I'm just a really old guy whose been around for a good bit
of time." He put on his best Adam Pierson choirboy look and
stuffed cold hands in his pocket. "I hate to dissapoint you,
really."
"He was so sure... I mean,
I was so sure."
"Methos stopped and gave
Sarah a hard look. He made certain all traces of Adam was gone.
"Who was sure about what?"
"We... well..." She
stammered. "I found out about immortals. That's how I became
a Watcher."
"That's how it normally
works." He wanted to make certain no one else was around.
Mortal or not in case he had to take her head.
"I saw a man die and come
back. He was a friend. Still is."
"So, he gets you to locate
Methos."
"Yes, but he doesn't want
your head. I mean he doesn't want Methos' head."
She suddenly seemed so naive.
Most Immortals would go to great lengths to get the prize. Hundreds
had tried to get his head and failed. What would she do if she
knew of her Immortality? "So, who is this? And how can I
find him?" But before the question was out of his mouth,
Methos felt the buzz and turned.
"What's wrong?" Sarah
asked.
Erastus hadn't changed much.
He probbably had his first death soon after he and Eden met him.
Sarah turned as the man approached. "I see that you found
him, Sarah. Good." Methos turned toward the new voice. The
big man's hands were hidden from view beneath over sized pockets
from his top coat. "Ares, it's been a while."
"Well, I haven't been called
that in a long time." Sarah walked alongside Methos as they
approached Erastus.
"Sarah, you can go. I have
a couple of private things to discuss with with my friend, here."
Sarah shook her head. "I
didn't lead you here so you could kill him."
Erastus came closer. "Never
entered my mind. Now, go."
Sarah hesitated and went up the
pier and watched from a distance.
Methos looked out across the
water, keeping a mental note on where his was. It didn't matter
that Erastus knew that he was Methos and how he knew. "What
do you want?"
"A friend of yours killed
a friend of mine. A good man."
"Acadia sought Eden. Besides,
it's all part of the game. You ought to know that."
"She doesn't understand
the power behind The Kinsman. But you would." Erastus stood
next to Methos. "The old Methos who rode with Kronos would
have understood. He would have liked being a part of the Kinsman."
"I removed the old many
years ago."
"Kronos wants you back.
And the Kinsmen need you."
Methos shook his head in disgust.
Erastus had apparently fallen under the same bad influences he
had fallen into four thousand years ago. "All The Kinsmen
need is someone willing to fight them."
Erastus' face fell. "The
mortals need to be shown whose in charge. We're like Gods."
"The only difference separating
us from them is mortality. Some immortals are just as greedy,
others have compassion... whatever. We're not Gods."
"But they don't know that."
Erastus turned and pulled out his sword. "I hadn't planned
on this. But he said to kill you if you didn't come back."
Methos drew his sword as Erastus
came for him. Their swords joined together close to their necks
and they pulled away. They both charged like two fighting lions,
unable to control the passion of the game. Erastus slipped and
fell, his sword flung out of his hand into the dark water below.
"It seems you have me at a disadvantage." Erastus snickered
unevenly. "It seems that way, doesn't it." Methos placed
his sword beneath Erastus' chin and wondered why it all has to
come down to survival. If roles had been reversed, he'd already
been dead and Erastus would have a story for Kronos. Erasrus shut
his eyes and lowered his head as Methos cut off his head, clean
into the water. The body dropped into the lake as Methos waited
for the approaching quickening. Dark clouds billowed overhead
as he waited. He screamed as he absorbed the approaching surge
of electricity and power. The wind whispered and moaned as he
went to his knees with a faint cry of relief as it stopped. He
only wished, Kronos himself wouldn't try to track him down.
******
The
End.
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