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Post by colin on Jan 26, 2008 15:50:12 GMT -5
Stonehenge, 125 AD.
'Moya, I've failed you.'
These were the thoughts of the barbarian dying on the alter. He was tired and ready to die. After all, seeing half his clan and his army slaughtered and his own wife crucified, he had nothing else to live for. The roman..Marcus Octavius had won.
The barbarian felt his heart slowing and his vision blurred, his breathing getting more shallow with each passing second. He knew he was going to die; he expelled his last breath while his blurred sight transformed to blackness, the surrounding environment that he could hear ceased also, his body growing cold and his heart finally stopping as death overcame him.
'So be it.' He finally thought.
It was the lightening he saw first. He wondered if he was in Hell? When the second bolt flashed and the roar of thunder filled his ears only then did he spring to life. Gasping for air and coughing at the same time. He looked around at the scene around him, stone pillars everywhere, a black and cloudy sky overhead. Torches lit the area. The barbarian was frightened, where was he and what was happening.
"Well, it took you long enough-" The other voice called from the darkness. "-I was about to give up."
The barbarian turned to the direction of the voice. He couldn't make out the figure shrouded in the hooded robe. He stood a few paces away from the barbarian, for the moment keeping a respectful distance.
"Who-who are you?" the barbarian asked.
"My name is Amergan." The hooded man said, lifting the hood to reveal a man of elderly age. He was bald and wore a long white beard. "I was once a druid priest in these parts. Now I live as a hermit in a cottage not too far from here."
"Where am I?"
"On a sacred spot." Amergan replied. "That has stood from the very beginning of time and will probably remain so. What's your name, friend?"
"Colin Mhic Leòid, of the Clann Mhic Leòid."
Amergan nodded and appeared to think to himself. "I see." He said. "And what brings you to Holy Ground?"
"I lost a fight, with a roman." Colin replied. "Which reminds me..."
Colin walked over to the broken gladius and retrieved it, he began to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Amergan asked.
"To kill a roman." Colin answered, menace in his voice.
"Aren't you at least mildly curious as to why you still live?"
Colin stopped dead in his tracks, he put his left hand to his face to find the wound gone.
"I'm healed." He exclaimed ,a smile appearing on his face.
"You my friend are Immortal, as am I." Amergan stated. "You will live forever, unless someone cuts off your head. And I'd lay down that sword if I were you."
"Well if I'm Immortal-" Colin asked, not believing the elderly man and raising his gladius to eye level. "-then what have I got to worry about?"
"Pain." Amergan simply replied.
Just then a bolt of lightening struck the sword, electrocuting Colin. He screamed in pain and was thrown back, hitting the stone alter. Amergan walked over to Colin and helped him get to his feet.
"Pain still hurts." Amergan informed the new Immortal. "Now-" He continued. "-are we ready to listen? We have much to discuss. You have been given a rare gift, you will see civilizations rise and fall. You'll know a thousand joys and a thousand heartaches."
Colin rudely pushed himself away from Amergan, continuing not to believe. "Just take me to the Romans."
"My friend, the romans are gone." Amergan answered.
"What?" Colin wondered in disbelief. "Gone where?"
Amergan went on with trying to introduce Colin to his new life.
"There are other Immortals like yourself, when they draw close you'll feel them just as you felt Marcus."
Colin looked at Amergan. "Where is he? Tell me!"
Amergan shook his head disapprovingly. "He'll take your head and your quickening."
"Where is Marcus? Colin pressed.
"He was part of your mortal life, that life is over."
"It'll be over when he's dead." Colin growled, then sprinting away from the place where he resurrected and towards the Roman encampment where he first Met Marcus Octavius.
"Your life has just begun, why are you in such a hurry to die?" Amergan wondered as he watched the foolish scotsman disappear into the darkness.
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Post by colin on Jan 31, 2008 17:41:01 GMT -5
It had taken a few days, but Amergan had caught up with Colin.
He found the young immortal living in a small hut...probably newly made. It had been raining and Amergan's horse was plodding through the mud. The landscape was pretty enough, or it might have been except for the bad weather. As Amergan got closer he felt Colin's presence. The young man ran out of the hut with the still broken sword in his hands.
He looked at Amergan as if Colin were face to face with a python.
"What do ye want?" Colin growled.
Amergan remained seated on his horse. "I wasn't finished teaching you about your new life, there are still a few more things you need to know."
"I don't care." Colin replied. "Just leave me alone." Colin turned his back to Amergan and walked over to a freshly covered grave with a sword sticking in the ground.
"You've lost someone important, haven't you?"
Colin sighed. "She was my wife, her name was Moya. Marcus Octavius had her crucified then he attacked my tribe."
Colin told Amergan how Moya drugged him, and how COlin must have thought Moya went to Octavius to beg for the life of not only Colin but her people. Of how he awoke to find his tent in flames and heard the sound of his army being slaughtered, recalling the flaming wooden beam crashing down on him and other debris.
Amergan listened carefully to Colin's story. When Colin got to the part of how he infiltrated Octavius' encampment and felt strange when he got close to Marcus' tent, it clicked in Amergan's mind that Colin felt his first buzz. Colin finished the tale by explaining how he got caught, Marcus' supposed 'deal, and how he ended up reviving on the alter of Stonehenge.
"I see." Amergan answered thoughtfully. "You were caught because you didn't know the feeling Immortals get when they're close by. That buzz in your head and the feeling in your stomache."
Colin turned to Amergan, wide eyed. "Aye! I felt..."
"Sick?"
Colin nodded. "You already knew Marcus is...Immortal?"
Amergan frowned. "Yes. He is."
"And how old are you?"
Amergan cleared his throat. "I was born 1,046 years ago, in what was once Pompeii."
"How did you become Immortal?" Colin wondered.
"I was robbed." Amergan said easily. "I put up a good fight but in the end I was stabbed in the ribs, when I revived I was just as scared as you are now."
Colin remained silent as Amergan went on.
"I met an Immortal named Tak Ne. He taught me the skills I needed to survive. Just as I'm going to teach you."
Colin was puzzled. "Teach me?"
Amergan nodded. "Your life has changed Mhic Leòid. And if you want to keep living you're going to have to learn to fight with a sword."
"How can a sword kill an Immortal?"
"By beheading them and absorbing all their intellect and power. It's called The Quickening, and every Immortal posses it, including you."
Colin was dumbfounded. "Me?"
Amergan sighed. "Yes, it's what drives all the Immortals to kill each other. You have to learn skills to survive, and harness your power; until the time Of The Gathering."
"What gathering?"
"When only a few of us are left-" Amergan informed Colin. "-we'll feel an unavoidable pull towards a faraway land, to fight for The Prize."
Colin didn't know whether to believe what Amergan was saying or to tell the crazy old man to get away. However something deep down iside him suspected that Amergan was telling the truth.
"Now my friend-" Amergan asked. "-do you see why you must be prepared?"
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Post by colin on Feb 1, 2008 20:51:58 GMT -5
The following weeks saw Colin getting in shape before he even handled a sword. Amergan put Colin through a series of painful workouts. From him trying to keep speed running alongside Amergan...who was on horseback, to carrying jugs of water up and down long staircases, to teaching Colin the basics of hand to hand fighting. Colin proved to be an adequate student but Amergan was detirmined to work out the rough spots to the young Immortal.
"You're doing well, still a bit rough in some parts but we'll sort that out." Amergan told Colin. The two of them were sitting outside of Amergan's hut, a small fire burning beteween them. Amergan was preparing dinner for the two, cooking a rabbit he had caught earlier. Colin sat near to the fire as he could. He was cold and bruised and hoped there would be no more lessons for the day.
"When do I get to use a sword?" Colin asked.
"Soon." Amergan said, doing his best to sooth Colin's anger. It was the one part of Colin that Amergan hadn't reached yet. "Learn the basics first."
"I feel like I'm wasting time." Colin stated, angry. "Marcus is out there and I have to find him."
"Oh? And where would you go? India...Greece...Rome? It's a big world out there Colin. You might never even meet him again."
"I'll find him." Colin said, gritting his teeth. "Even if it takes eternity I swear I'll find him."
"And when you do find Octavius? What them?"
"I make him pay for what he's done."
Amergan laughed.
"You're very sure of yourself aren't you?"
Colin stared at the ground.
"If I were you I'd forget about Marcus until the fates decide you should see him again. He's much stronger..and dare I say smarter than you. You told me that Moya didn't want you seeking revenge."
"So?"
"Why don't you honor her wishes? Don't you see? She sacrificed herself to protect you Colin. Even someone as thickheaded as you can realize that."
"You don't understand!" Colin exclaimed, tears welling up in his eyes. "You've probably never have loved someone as I loved Moya. She was everything to me and Marcus took her away!!"
Amergan took the rabbit off the fire. He cut up a few pieces and walked over to Colin, handing him a makeshift plate from leaves.
"As a matter of fact, I have been in love." Amergan said, gently. "However it's never easy to lose the ones we hold dear to us. But we can't hang on to the past . And whether you like it or not Colin you have to accept it and move on. Take comfort in the notion that Moya is in a better place."
"Bah." Colin spat.
Amergan sighed. "So young and so foolish. Eat up and get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be hell for you my friend."
Colin raised and eyebrow at the older Immortal. "Hell? I'm already in it."
Amergan laughed. "That's what you think."
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Post by colin on Feb 4, 2008 12:49:24 GMT -5
"No no no!! You're fighting like a sloppy pict." Amergan roared, then sighed in annoyance. "I guess I'll have to teach you everything. We'll start with defense."
A couple days later and Colin had his wish granted, he was being taught the technique of swordsmanship. He began teaching Colin the basics; mainly defense.
" It is essential to block-" Amergan taught. "-You must block the strike away from your body, and before it has any chance to strike you, like this..."
Amergan, with both hands on the hilt of his blade, raised his sword over his head and swung downwards. Colin raised his blade in a vertical block. Locking his arms for support.
"Good!" Amergan exclaimed. "This is your basic defense pattern. Now..remember to keep eye contact. If you concentrate, you can read the look in your oppenent's eyes and match his next move. Like so-"
Amergan swung his blade in a horizontal cut to the left. Colin swung his sword to the left and dropped to one knee. The clang of metal was unmistakable.
"-well done. Now get to your feet. This next series deals with blocking lower attacks. try to block my attacks; ready?"
Colin nodded, taking a defensive stance.
"One!" Amergan exclaimed, swinging to the lower right, Colin blocked the parry.
"Two!" Amergan swung to the lower left to which Colin's blade met Amergan's sword.
"Three!" A series of lower right and left attacks from Amergan's blade. Colin deflected two strikes and narrowly missed the third. Amergan took a few paces back, locking eyes with Colin.
Then unexpectedly to Colin, Amergan rushed towards him. Swinging his sword in a straight vertical cut. Once Colin blocked Amergan swung in a horizontal pattern to the left then the right. Colin blocked once, then deflected the other strike. Amergan spun around then performed a lower horizontal slash to the right, then the left. Colin attentively blocked both attacks moderately well.
But Amergan wasn't quite done. He put a little more speed into all the attacks. Colin however stood his ground and defended himself. Blocking up and to the left, then to the right, suddenly matching Amergan's blade to the lower right, then to the left. Out of the blue; Amergan crisscrossed his attack pattern and ending with the vertical strike. Colin kept up with the elder Immortal, aznd when the two blades were deadlocked. Amergan kicked Colin;s legs out from under him. Colin landed on the soft ground on his back with the point of Amergan's blade at Colin's throat .
"You're cheating!!" Colin quipped.
"On the contrary-" Amergan informed. "An Immortal must do whatever he or she can to gain the advantage in a fight. Remember Mhic Leòid, that what you give to your adversary in defeat is everything. Not only you'll not just be dead but also empty inside."
Amergan's last remark had left Colin confused. "Empty?"
Amergan sheathed his blade. "All the power, strength, and knowledge an Immortal possesses will flow out of an Immortal who has been beheaded and into the winner in an event known as The Quickening." He helped Colin get to his feet. "It's what drives the other Immortals to kill us."
Colin reflected on not only what Amergan taught, but also what he just said. "And you call me barbaric."
Amergan chuckled. "Mhic Leòid, you must be smarter, faster, better than the rest. Learn from many other masters of the blade, harness your power and always remember..always...that there can be only one."
Amergan patted Colin on the back. "You've done well today my friend. Later on we'll practice thorugh defense and tomorrow we'll start on offense."
Colin watched the elder Immortal start walking back to the hut."
"Wait." Colin called. Amergan turned to face him.
"I-I never thanked you, for everything. If it weren't for you, I'd probably be dead by now."
Amergan smiled. "I doubt that very much Mhic Leòid."
"What do ye mean?"
"Let's just say that-" Ametgan paused, mainly for dramatic effect, buying time to choose his words carefully. "-I have a good strong instinct you'll go far. Very, very far, that is if you can accept the negatives along with the positives that life has to offer you."
With that Amergan walked inside of his hut. Leaving Colin to wonder what the elder Immortal was trying to say.
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Post by colin on Feb 6, 2008 15:21:57 GMT -5
The next morning saw Amergan and Colin Immortals riding towards Hadrian's Wall. The sun was starting to rise, giving the sky overhead a purple-orange glow.
"We must fight, until only one remains-" Amergan instructed. "-you are safe only on holy ground."
"Why holy ground?" Colin wondered.
"Tradition or superstition, take your pic. Either way No Immortal can fight within it's boundaries."
Colin said nothing, taking in the information. "Can Immortals have children?"
"No." Amergan answered, sadness within his voice. "As long as you're Immortal you cannot have children."
"I wanted to have children with Moya, and now you tell me that I couldn't from the start?"
"Oh no." Amergan said quickly. "If you were still mortal you might have had the opportunity. You would have aged and died a natural mortal death perhaps. But now-"
"I know." Colin interrupted.
Amergan sighed and stopped his horse, then casting a glance to look Colin in the eyes. "Mhic Leòid, you were chosen for this life because you have the ability to play an important role in the destiny of humankind. An Immortal's power is like a slice of pie, Understand?"
"Alright." Answered Colin. Slowly beginning to understand.
Amergan continued. "Some Immortals..like me, have a small slice of that pie. Others like you have a much bigger piece. You may not feel the power that dwells inside of you yet, but I recognize it."
"What do ye mean?"
"I know that my time is almost up." Amergan said, gravely. Colin studied the face of the elder Immortal. "I know that I shall die and probably soon by the look of it, and that's fine with me."
"Why do you think so?" Colin demanded, wondering why Amergan decided to share this little crazy thought with him. "You have as much a choice to live and die as I do."
"Then you understand, Mhic Leòid."
Colin opened his mouth to reply, then the realization of what Amergan was teaching finally dawned on him.
"Don't be saddened Colin. I've lived a great life. I've done and seen things that you wouldn't believe. When it ends for me I'll be glad of it and I'll always be with you. But for you, you must go on and seek other teachers. Learn and live."
"I'll find Marcus Octavius first."
"You will do no such thing!" Amergan scowled, he pointed a finger directly at Colin's face. "You are not ready to take on someone of Marcus' strength and skill. You find him without having a few centuries under your belt and he'll kill you instantly. Do you understand me boy?"
Colin was taken aback by Amergan's anger. He cast his gaze to the ground, fearing the looks of his mentor.
"I'm...I'm sorry."
"Revenge never brings redemption Colin. Always remember that, and that pain heals." Amergan paused for a few minutes to calm down. "Trust me when I say that you'll meet Marcus again. The fates insist upon it. But as I've said before; until that day comes you train, you learn, you get stronger. Most importantly Mhic Leòid you live. Do I need to be any clearer today?"
Colin shook his head no.
"Good. Now to the wall to find you a good sword. I have a few more things to teach you and I hope that small head of yours can retain everything I'm teaching you."
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Post by colin on Feb 12, 2008 20:46:28 GMT -5
Inside Hadrian's Wall.
"You need a blade that cut down any man that dares to come across it." Amergan informed Colin. The two Immortals were walking towards a friend of Amergan's called Varrus. Amergan told Colin that Varrus was a solid swordmaker who could craft a sturdy blade.
"A blade for our kind is like an extension of himself." Amergan taught. "So make it a part of you."
Colin felt wary being at Hadrian's wall, but soon enough the people he came into contact with put him at ease. They were just trying to live thier lives the best way they knew how to. The soldiers stationed at the wall didn't act hostile towards him.
"Who the commander here?" Colin wondered.
"Lucius Artorius Castus I think." Amergan answered. "He's a fine man and a decent commander."
"You've met him?"
Amergan shook his head no. "I know of his reputation. He's stopped the Picts and Hibernian Scots from sacking Hadrian's and maintained peace throughout the region."
They had reached Varrus' establishment. After a while Colin decided on a Celtic war sword for further practice. It reminded Colin of the sword he used for Moya's gravesite. Amergan paid for the sword and then the two set out for a late lunch at a nearby pub.
However, as they left; both of them felt the presence of another Immortal.
"Marcus." Colin growled, gripping the sword and waiting for the unknown person to show himself.
"No." Amergan scowled. "Even if it was him..you wouldn't be ready. Come now Colin, we're leaving."
"But-" Colin interjected.
"Don't argue Mhic Leòid. You still have a busy day of training ahead of you. Fight now, and you'll lose your head."
Colin sighed. Knowing it was useless to argue any further. ..............................................................................................................
The Next Morning.
Amergan sent Colin to the north, instructing him to chop trees for firewood. He gave Colin both horses to accomplish his task. Amergan had sent Colin out at sunrise.
Colin couldn't figure it out. During the ride back to the hut and throughout the evening Amergan had seem distracted and depressed. He even caught Amergan mumbling to himself...during either cooking or when Colin was sleeping...about not having enough time.
If Mhic Leòid knew the truth, Amergan had sent him out for two reasons: the first being strength training and the second being that he didn't want Colin around for what was about to happen.
Amergan had been writing on parchment when he felt the presence. He put his quill back in the small bottle of ink and walked outside to meet the stranger.
The other Immortal was a bald man, portly, but appearing well fit. He was dressed in chain mail with armor of a roman infantryman. His war sword strapped to the side of his brown horse.
"I am Boar." He announced. "I've traveled all night for your head. And I'm here for the boy's as well."
"He's gone." Amergan lied. "Out of Britannica and onto Gaul to receive better training."
Boar smiled. "Lies do not become us old man." He stepped off his horse and retrieved his sword. "I'll give you one last chance, where is he?"
Amergan turned his back on him and fell to his knees. "Strike me down, and I shall become more powerful that you can ever imagine."
"A foolish gesture." Boar spat, raising the blade of the war sword over his head and then severing Amergan's neck from his body.
Boar absorbed Amergan's quickening. He speculated that Colin would return, perhaps in a few days time. Boar would spend it preparing himself.
He wiped his blade clean by using Amergan's robe..still on his body. Then returned to Hadrian's wall.
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Post by colin on Feb 15, 2008 12:15:48 GMT -5
Amergan's letter to Colin read like this:
"Forgive me for leaving you this way my friend. But I want you to know that I'll always be with you so don't ever feel alone. You have a great destiny before you Colin Mhic Leòid. Yes, I've seen it. I am sorry that I couldn't teach you more so this letter will be my final lesson for you. After you read this I command you to cremate my remains and scatter my ashes to a strong east wind. Afterwards I want you to travel to Gaul and seek out any Immortal who will continue to train you. And since I know your nature Colin you will doubtless return to Hadrian's Wall and seek out the Immortal who has slain me. At the moment I am powerless to prevent you from taking such action but don't think for a minute that I approve of it.
Read my words well Mhic Leòid, others will come. Learn all that you can and don't seek out Octavius either. In time you shall find him and fate will decide the outcome. Living is what matters Colin Mhic Leòid and I demand you live fully and happily. So don't give me any of that Hibernian attitude of yours.
Do as I charge you Colin and always remember: There Can Be Only One.
Amergan"
After reading the letter a third time, it was hard for Colin to accept Amergan's death. He had rode back to the hut to see Amergan's headless corpse right outside. The scene took him completely by surprise that he felt a shortness of breath and almost fell off his horse.
Colin entered the hut hoping that the Immortal would still be around but the hut was empty of any other presence. He found Amergan's letter on the table beside his bed neatly folded.After Colin read it the first time did he finally realize the importance of the words.
Amergan had known. He had sent Colin away because he didn't want Colin to both witness Amergan's death and for Colin to be beheaded himself. The old man had saved his life.
Colin folded the note and placed it back on the desk, walked out of the hut, surveyed the scene before him, took a few deep breaths then cursed, loudly.
He wished the Immortal had stuck around to fight. Whoever he was Colin wanted him to know that murdering Amergan...yes it was murder...was a big mistake. He clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to keep a level head. He wanted to avenge his teacher's death, to make the Immortal pay, Colin wanted blood.
But first there was work to be done.
He spent the rest of the day wrapping Amergan's body up in the sheets from his bed and making a funeral pyre. He dug a semi big oval shaped hole in the ground and placed twigs and braches in it then carefully laid Amergan's body on the pile. Colin then went to the nearest tree and cut off a branch and some smaller branches. He returned to the hut and found pieces of stone that Amergan had used to build the campfires with.
Colin took the stones and sticks and made a small fire then put the larger branch to the small fire. As soon as once of the end pieces caught flame, Colin walked over to the oval ditch and set it aflame.
The next day Colin gathered up the ashes in a small earthen jar and rode out tothe very spot where he had first met Amergan. He stood as close to the face of the cliff as he could then opened the jar and released the ashes.
Colin could barely see the wind scatter the ashes. Afterward he closed his eyes and said a small prayer, something that Moya had taught him.
"Thank you Amergan, for everything." Colin whispered. Wondering if Amergan had heard.
With it finished Colin got back on his horse and slowly began the journey back to Hadrian's Wall to settle other matters.
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