Horsemen's Camp
Kronos watched Methos as he walked toward his tent. His brother had been showing disconcerting tendencies of late. He had all but withdrawn from the circle of brotherhood it had taken so long to induct him into. He was spending more and more time with his books, and with the woman they had captured on a recent raid. When they rode, Methos kept his customary place at Kronos' side but his focus seemed lacking. It concerned Kronos greatly. Since he had captured and broken Methos, almost one thousand years before, he had felt secure in the knowledge that the man who had become his lieutenant would retain his loyalty in preference to losing his head. Survival was what he did best after all. Now , however, it seemed that Methos' loyalty might be in question. It was a situation that Kronos could not allow to develop any further, any dissension among the ranks of the Horsemen was simply not to be tolerated - and from Methos least of all.
Handing the reins of his horse to one of the camp slaves he strode after Methos, determined to confront him and test his loyalty. On entering the tent he took in the sight of Methos tenderly stroking Cassandra's cheek as she held up a cloth to wash the grime of the day from his face. A perfect way to test his brother presented itself to him prompted by that one simple gesture.
"So brother, you taught her well in everything it seems." He said , the menace in his voice not veiled at all. "And it seems she keeps the best fruit for you."
Methos went still, cautious , knowing that any false move on his part could prove disastrous for either Cassandra or himself. "It's no different from the rest." He countered.
Kronos smiled to himself. Oh this was good..to see his brother so defensive ..just like old times, it made his blood warm just to think of how he had subjugated this elegant and graceful man in the past..the sight of him made him catch his breath still..and the memory of his first sight of him, on his knees, pleasuring the senator with his tongue and his hands...to have had such a slave in the brothel must have been the crowning glory for the owner.
To intimidate Methos by threatening him now was likely to be less than successful though, to take the woman ..now that would be a real test. Smiling he asked the question he knew Methos could not answer...'tell me you love her..admit it' he thought. But Methos retained his dignity and refused to be drawn into Kronos' web. 'No matter brother..I know the truth and we'll see how well you learn this lesson.' Kronos thought as he took Cassandra by the wrist and dragged her screaming from the tent.
Methos watched Cassandra , taking in the look of disbelief at his betrayal. The tension he felt still visible in his eyes. A tension that belied his words to Kronos and that he felt sure had not gone unnoticed.
'What kind of monster am I?' He thought 'How can I allow even the woman I love to suffer in order for me to survive?'
Unable to bear the sound of her screams any longer he gave up all pretence of nonchalantly slicing the apple in his hand and instead he grasped the blade in his palm and cut through to the bone, gritting his teeth against the pain. 'Coward,' he thought, and a flush of shame crept over his face. 'Why should I always be the one to survive? What is it about me that makes me think my life is worth more than any other?'
Logic told him that it was the strongest instinct in man to strive to survive, but his heart told him that there were other things to value and that protecting his woman should be primary amongst them. Sucking in a deep breath he began to walk toward Kronos' tent, uncertain as to exactly how he would challenge his brother - only sure that it was the right thing to do. He had been slave to Kronos long enough and this was his bid for freedom, a bid he would not have felt brave enough to make were it not for the sake of another.
Half way there he stopped, hearing movement behind him he froze, crouching and then scanned the area to ensure that no one was following him. All seemed to be well within the camp. He sighed with relief but then he heard it..a blood curdling scream from the area of Kronos' tent. He rose, concern showing on his face, to see Cassandra run from the mouth of the tent and take flight into the darkness beyond the circle of fires..out beyond the protection of the camp. Methos was torn between following her and escaping with her and making sure that Kronos would no longer pose a threat to either of them. In the end he chose the latter, and it was almost the last mistake he ever made.
Seacouver, The present:
Methos bowed his head until it rested against Duncan's chest. "May God forgive me for betraying her." He muttered.
Duncan tightened his grip on Methos' shoulders. He was still harbouring anger toward Cassandra and found Methos' last utterance difficult to understand, but then again he realised, he knew nothing about their relationship except for what she had told him and it seemed that there may have been a few things left out of that account. He was determined, however, that whatever the facts of Methos' and Cassandra's past truly were his friend should not be torturing himself over any failure imagined or real that had occurred so long ago, not given the fact that he had actively protected her in Bordeaux..his concern to persuade Duncan to get her as far away as possible had been real enough..then there were the new discoveries he had made about Methos' past since the Horsemen. If none of that served to redeem his friend in any way then there was no hope of forgiveness for any of them. And for all his judgmental behaviour he believed absolutely still in the forgiveness of sins..in the possibility of redemption through one's own actions. It was about time he told Methos some of these things he decided.
"You should learn to forgive yourself Methos." He said. " After all three thousand years have passed since then. You can't continue to beat yourself up over the past..you can't change it and neither can she..but you can make amends for it..and I think you did that when you saved her from Kronos in Bordeaux."
Methos raised his head wearily and gazed at Duncan almost as if he wasn't really seeing him. "It's a pity that Cassandra doesn't agree with you Mac. " He said. " Who can blame her though, after all she was the victim, surely she has the right to judge?"
He wavered a little as his knees began to give way. Duncan gripped him under the arms and pulled him closer. " You are dead beat Methos. Come it's time we went back to Joe's and got you to bed. Plenty of time to discuss things further when you have your strength back."
So saying he lifted the lightweight of his friend and carried him like a child out to the car. Joe and Catriona following behind.
When they had managed to get Methos into bed the three of them sat around the kitchen table, an air of gloom settled there with them. Catriona was the first to speak.
" I think we will hear from Cassandra again, though maybe not for a while. My vision was not symbolic..those things will happen what we need to do is decide how that affects what we do now..or if it affects what we do now. For my own part I think that it will not be changed by anything we do now."
"So what's the point of the vision then?" Duncan asked. "Why were you sent the vision if we can't do anything to change what Cassandra will do?"
"I can change many things that Cassandra can or will do, but I can't prevent her from having Methos at her mercy , the purpose of the vision was to forewarn me of her intentions and allow me to plan for the battle ahead.
"But why you? You aren't even immortal. How can you hope to challenge Cassandra?"
Catriona sighed. "I may not be immortal Duncan, but - and I should have thought you'd noticed this- Cassandra was very much affected by my intervention earlier. Unfortunately it means that she is now also forewarned of an adversary and to some extent of my abilities. I shall not be challenging her for her head Duncan, I shall be challenging her for her misuse of power and that is something only I can do. If it comes to a challenge for her head I am willing to admit that there are others who have prior claim and more right than I to take it..not that any such challenge had ever occurred to me. Now, however, all I really want to do is get some sleep. I'll call a cab."
Joe looked at her, taking in the tired slump of her shoulders and her pale countenance. "Why not spend the night here?" He offered. "You are worn out and I think we owe you some hospitality after all you did. Besides perhaps we should all stick around for a while until we are sure that Methos is really OK."
Catriona eyed Joe gratefully. "Thanks Joe..I'd like to take you up on that , but are you sure you have the space?"
"Absolutely, Mac can take the spare bed in my room and you can take the couch..it folds out to a bed so it's quite comfortable."
Nodding her head Catriona yawned widely. "OK then you got yourself a deal Mr Dawson I'll stop here and we can talk in the morning."
"Mac? You got any objections?"
"Not one Joe..I'll get the spare bedding for the couch." Duncan offered.
Satisfied, Joe grinned. "Haven't had a sleep over party for quite a while. Brings back good memories."