Date: Sun, 2 Jul 1995 18:16:01 -0700 Reply-To: Alan Murrell Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Alan Murrell Subject: End Game? pt 3 of X-cc: Amanda Spencer ************************************************************ * * * * * * * * H I G H L A N D E R * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * End Game? * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Part 3 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * By Alan Murrell * * * * * * * * * * ************************************************************ SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS - TWO DAYS LATER Duncan was driving slowly through the land he had once called home. Of course, it was much more beautiful back then, but there was still something about the Highlands which took his breath away. It had been years since he had last been here. He had been away much too long. Finally, he reached his destination: the village of Glenfinnan, on the shores of Loch Shiel. Here is where he decided to start his search for Connor. He checked into the local inn, and went up to his room. He opened his bag, took out his katana, and placed it in a corner of the room. >>I hope you're here, Connor. If not, I'm not sure where to go from here<< Duncan thought to himself. He had to admit, though, that if Connor *was* here, he hadn't felt him. This worried him. Oh well, plenty of time to look for him tomorrow. PARIS, FRANCE Kalas sat at his desk in his club. He was waiting for his people to arrive and report to him. Finally, they came in, carrying envelopes. "I was starting to think you weren't coming," Kalas said. The two men just wordlessly handed him their envelopes. Kalas opened on of them, and took out the contents. They were pictures of Richie. Kalas looked at one of the men. "And where is MacLeod's cub now?" Kalas asked the man. "He received a phone call, then immediately booked a flight to Madrid. He's there now," the man replied. "This is better than I had planned," Kalas mused to himself. Then he took the other envelope's contents out. They were pictures of Amanda, Michelle, and Duncan, taken only a few days ago. "Where did MacLeod go?" asked Kalas. "He went to Scotland," the man replied. "And the other two? MacLeod's lover and her 'ward.'" "After MacLeod left for the airport, they went to a convent." >>Hmmm, Holy Ground. Very smart MacLeod. And sending your student to keep an eye on them<< Kalas said to himself... Then he looked at one of the men. "I want you to bring those three to me - now. And watch out for MacLeod's young cub - he has teeth." Then he looked at the other man. "As for MacLeod, keep an eye on him, and report to me on a regular basis on what he's doing. I have a trap to set, and I don't want any unexpected surprises." The two men looked at each other, then left the room, leaving Kalas alone. >>What are you doing in Scotland, MacLeod? You can't hide from me by going home. Soon, very soon, I will have your head and your power. Then I will truly be unstoppable, and it will only be a matter of time before the Prize is mine.<< GLENFINNAN, SCOTLAND - NEXT DAY Duncan awoke from a fitful sleep. His dreams - if that's what you wanted to call them - were disturbing at best. He kept dreaming that everyone he cared for most were killed by Kalas, and he was totally powerless to do anything. "Time to get up anyway," Duncan said to himself. He got up, and dressed. His thoughts drifted towards Amanda for probably the hundredth time since he left her. >>She better not do anything stupid<< he said to himself. Then he smiled. >>What am I talking about - this is Amanda I'm talking about. Well, I'd better get myself focused on the task at hand. There's plenty of time to contemplate life with Amanda afterwards - if I survive , that is.<< Later, after a hearty traditional Scottish breakfast, Duncan went for a walk - to where he hoped Connor would be. >>He *has* to be there. The date--<< the tug of a nearby Immortal stopped his thoughts. Duncan smiled, and continued up the hill he was climbing. Finally, he saw a man kneeling with his back to him. "Whoever you are, it can wait," the man said. "Even your favorite clansman?" Duncan asked. The man turned around. "Duncan!" Connor exclaimed. "What are *you* doing here? How did you find me?" "I *had* to find you Connor; we desperately need you. I knew today was Heather's birthday, and that you always tried to be in Scotland to light a candle at her grave," said Duncan. "What's happened that you had to seek me out?" Connor asked. "I'll let you finish here, then we'll discuss it on the way to the village. It's *very* important." "So this Kalas person escaped from jail, and he's coming after you. I can't fight your battles for you Duncan," Connor said, after Duncan had told him about the events of the past few months. They were sitting in a pub in the village, talking over a couple of scotches. "There's more," Duncan said. Connor looked at him questioningly. Duncan took a deep breath. "He has Methos' Quickening. With the knowledge and experience a man such as Methos would have--" "Methos? I always believed he was just a legend; a myth," Connor interrupted. "So did I, until I met him. How did you hear of him?" asked Duncan. "Ramirez spoke of him once. I got the impression that Ramirez had been his student, but everything I tried to find out about him was vague at best. I guess he's done a good job at staying hidden all these years. I wonder how Kalas found him," said Connor. "Anyway, you understand what a man like Kalas having Methos' Quickening means, don't you? Before, I *probably* could have taken him, but now, with all of that experience and knowledge at his disposal, and added to his own *very* powerful Quickening..." "Duncan, remember what I taught you. Knowledge and experience alone does not win a fight." "But how do I fight such a man?" Connor paused a second before echoing the words Ramirez said to him four hundred years ago. He looked Duncan right in the eyes and said "With faith, heart, and steel." He let Duncan digest that for a minute before continuing. "Look, Duncan, I will *not* fight Kalas for you; it's *your* fight. But, I *will* be there with you in case..." Connor didn't finish the sentence. "In case I fail?" Duncan finished. "If that happens, then it *will* become my fight. Kalas *will* be stopped, whether by you or me," Connor told him. He took a sip from his glass, then said "Tomorrow we'll start preparing you. There are a few things I *didn't* teach you, but it's time I did, I think. Let's just relax, and get a good night's rest tonight. We start early tomorrow." "And then?" Duncan asked. "Then we find this...Kalas person before he finds you, and remove him from the Game," said Connor darkly. "It's important that you meet him on *your* terms, and not his." MADRID, SPAIN - SAME DAY Richie arrived at the address Duncan had told him over the phone yesterday. It was the house previously occupied by Amanda and Michelle. He walked around to the back of the house, and looked to make sure no one was around before smashing the window beside the back door. He then let himself into the house. Despite his precautions, however, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being followed, despite the fact that he was sure there was a Watcher on his tail.. This felt different somehow, though. >>Probably just my overactive imagination. This whole situation has me on edge<< Richie thought to himself. Then out loud, he said "Okay, Mac, I'm here. I suppose I'll just clean up a little and then head over to the convent to check on Amanda and Michelle." After his shower, Richie opened his bag and took out some fresh clothes. After he dressed, he took out his sword and hid it. Then he left to look for the convent. At St. Mary's Convent just outside of Madrid, Amanda and Michelle were eating. "You're really worried about him, aren't you Amanda?" "Yes. For the first time in three hundred and sixty years, we admitted how we feel about each other, and now he may be taken from me before we can do anything about it," Amanda replied. "Why don't you go after him?" Michelle suggested. "Any other time, I would, but..." "But you have *me* to worry about, right? Well, I'm sure I'll be safe here. Why don't you go?" "Believe me, I've contemplated it, but for once in my life I'm going to do the responsible thing and do what I'm told. I *trust* Duncan, and I have to believe in him." Just then, the Mother Superior came to where Amanda and Michelle were sitting. "Yes, Mother Superior?" Amanda said. "There's a...young gentleman here to see you. He's in my office waiting." A puzzled look crossed Amanda's face as she got up to follow the Mother Superior. Michelle also looked puzzled, and was about to follow as well, but Amanda motioned for her to remain. "Stay here, in case it's a trap. It's unlikely, but a healthy dose of caution couldn't hurt. If I don't return, *don't* leave until Duncan comes back, alright?" Michelle sat back down and gave her a look that said "Okay." When Amanda and the Mother Superior got to the corridor leading to the office, the Mother Superior stopped short. "I will give the two of you some privacy, but please don't take long," she said quite sternly. Amanda looked at her, then continued down the corridor. As she neared the office, she felt the tug of another Immortal. Her face brightened, and she practically ran into the office, but was disappointed when she saw it wasn't Duncan. "Richie. I was expecting--" "Duncan, I know. I'm sorry to disappoint you." "What are you doing here?" "Mac called me just before he left you, and asked me to come here. He said he wanted me to make sure you and Michelle were safe, but I think he really wants to make sure *I'm* safe." "So you know about what's happening, then?" "Yeah. Mac had Joe fill me in on the details. Oh yeah, Joe told me today that Mac found Connor. They're trying to find Kalas now. The Watcher's, I mean." "Well, let's hope they're successful. Where are you staying?" "Well...Mac suggested that I stay at your house for the time being. He didn't say anything, but I'm sure he wants you and Michelle to stay here." "There's safety in numbers. Michelle and I will be packed and ready in fifteen minutes. I've never really been all that fond of convents anyway. Why do you think Michelle and I never stayed here that long the first time?" "Okay," Richie said, not all that convincingly. >>But I don't think Mac is going to like this<< he said to himself. ************************************************************ End of part 3. Stay tuned for part 4, coming soon (hopefully!) to a computer near you. (c) 1995 Feel free to send comments, questions, suggestions, improvements, and undying praise to: "Alan Murrell" All comments, suggestions, etc. will be gratefully received, read, and duefully considered. ************************************************************ =========================================================================