Date: Sat, 11 Jun 1994 02:41:23 EDT Reply-To: Highlander TV show stories Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Hobert@AOL.COM Subject: CHANGES, Part 5 of 5 (Third Third) The two men in sweats moved in a circle, their swords weaving about them. Perspiration ran down their faces, only with small rivulets of blood from several nicks on their faces. Gasping for breath in the respite, Connor broke the silence. "Would you do it again?" "What?" The clang as the two swords met echoed in the room, as did sparks. "Laura. Mako. Felicia." Richie stopped and dropped his sword from a ready position. "No." It took all his control not to break into tears, for to go back and change things was his wish every night. "I've learned a whole bunch, and got a lot from it. But the price... it was too much." In a burst of noise, several black clothed people burst from the doors at all corners of the room. Within seconds, the Immortals were circled by... [Quiet. Back to back with Connor. And concentrate.] The fight lasted less than a minute. A dart, loaded with deadly poison, was sunk into Connor's neck. Richie was quickly subdued by the twenty fighters and knocked unconscious. They dragged the limp bodies through the kitchens and into the back of a waiting van. The oriental man in a suit and tie smiled as the doors were shut, and the van sped off. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - It was dark and clammy. Richie hung suspended, chained by his wrists between to two columns. Next to him, Connor's unmoving body hung between the next two. Before him was a brazier filled with glowing coals. A sickly sweet smell permeated the air as the smoke wafted into his face. He faded in and out of consciousness, his head moving about. Two orientals approached, one the young man that had been following them. The other was older, dressed in an exquisitely detailed robe of orange and gold. "You are right, it is Duncan MacLeod's friend. How fortunate. Our trap worked better than expected. How long has he been breathing the quandrothene?" the elder asked in precise, clipped tones. "All afternoon. He should be ready." "You have done well, Tsu Lin. Leave us. Prepare the young man's gear." "Yes, Master." was the reply as he left. "Mr. Ryan, can you hear me?" After an eternity, Richie quietly answered, his lips slurring the word. "Yes." "Good. I wish you to perform a small service for me. Will you?" "Yes." "Duncan MacLeod has taught you to use a sword?" "Yes." "You have fought with him before?" "Yes." "You have wounded him before?" "Yes." "When you hear my voice say 'Pawn takes Knight', I wish you to attack Duncan MacLeod. You will amputate his arms and legs. You will then disembowel yourself as he watches. Do you understand?" "Yes." "You will do this?" ". . . Yes." "I desire you to forget this discussion. You will forget meeting any Immortals on your trip. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened in the last few days. You have had a pleasant journey. You will continue on your pleasant journey. You will remember nothing until you hear my voice again. In a while, you will follow my assistant to a place you will camp at tonight. You will sleep, and awake refreshed. You will not return to Dallas. You will remember nothing. Do you understand?" "Yes." "Drift now, and forget." Inside Richie's drugged mind, the conclave of voices yelled, getting softer by the second. Within moments, all that was once Mako, Phillipe, and the others was locked tightly away in the recesses of his mind. Slowly, the images and experiences that had affected his life disappeared into dark corners, hidden from him. His turmoil and recent acceptance washed away, leaving an empty hole filled with false peace. And that very special part of him, that knew and understood, was shut in a small box in his head, waiting for his new master's call. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dawn rose Richie's campsite, his bike and pack near the line of trees. Yawning, he stretched and greeted the sun. He ran two miles up and down the highway and went through the kata before washing himself in the cold stream. Putting on his riding clothes, he banked the remains of his camp fire. Within minutes, he was ready to ride, north to Oklahoma, wishing something exciting would happen. Into the sun he rode, not caring where he went. Not knowing where his destiny would take him. Maybe he would look for his father. Maybe call and see how Charlie was doing, and subtly ask about Duncan. Who knows? * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Two figures watched the scene in the smoke from the brazier. "A very devious pawn you have played, Kiem Sun." "Do not think Richard Ryan is merely a pawn in this game." "What do you mean?" "You are a pawn, Tsu Lin. Ryan is much more. A rook or bishop, perhaps. Not the gallant and honorable knight that MacLeod is. I don't know how, or why, but it works very well to my advantage." "Shall I have him followed?" "No. All the opening gambits have been played out. We are now settling into the mid-game. I can wait to play this piece. It would make a splendid end move, don't you think?" "I still think Duncan MacLeod will see through your plans. How can anyone think you would simply cower on holy ground forever? Do they not know you are the one?" "That is why I am the master. Duncan sees what he expects to see. Your brother's death. My fear. I have not worked for centuries without understanding my opponents. And he is my greatest." "He will not be so forgiving, next time." "He will have too much to worry about. And then he will be dead." "Connor has awakened." "Then we return to the task at hand." The two left, neither noticing the abrupt glow of the coals, sending a small cloud of smoke billowing from the brazier. Silently, the smoke rose, hovering below the ceiling. There it slipped through tiny cracks, making its way to the outside. Buffeted by the winds, it scattered, moving around the globe. Dispersed. But it remembered. And it waited. The Game had only begun. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Author's Note: Praise God Almighty, I'm free at last! Special, special thanks to Claire! And to Marla, Steven, Bob, & Rikie! And coming in mid July... "Circles" =========================================================================