A Time for Peace

[destiny]

She felt his approach as he walked silently up behind her. For such a leanly muscular man, he had the grace and fluidity of a panther, stealthily padding across the terrace floor. With a sigh of contentment, she felt his strong arms come around her, pulling her close to the comforting strength of his chest. His chin dropped down to her blonde head, just touching it as he spoke, “So, Kara, my love, what are you thinking?”

Kara turned to him then, moving so that she faced him, and could look into those mysteriously dark eyes. There were times when she felt she knew this man, Duncan MacLeod, better that her own heartbeat, and yet, there were times when she felt he kept a part of himself hidden. She knew it was a deep, dark part of his past, filled with pain, secrets and grief beyond compare. If only she could breach the wall he erected every time to conceal that pain, she might be able to help him...to heal him. Deep in her heart, she knew she wanted to try.

“I was thinking,” she said as she reached up a hand to caress the dark stubble that grazed his lean jaw, “that, maybe, it’s time we got out of here for awhile. Let’s go on a trip. You choose what you like; just make sure it’s good for our souls,” she smiled up at him and saw some of the tenseness leave him as he relaxed.

“Good for our souls?” He smiled as he tucked a curl behind her ear with a gentle caress. “I only know you are good for me, good for my very being.” Looking directly into her eyes, he softly said, “I love you.”

For a moment, Kara was taken by surprise. She had known in her heart that this extraordinary man cared for her, but to hear him say those words aloud was almost more than her heart could bear. Tears came to her eyes and Duncan softly brushed them away. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her cheek against his chest as he drew her near. “I love you, too, with all my heart.”

Held in the comfort of his arms, Kara had never felt safer, and, yet, as she looked out over the horizon, watching the wondrous glory of the sun as it set just beyond the sea, she couldn’t help feeling that they were on the edge of something. Something dark and dangerous and something that would change their lives forever. What is it they say about the calm before the storm?

[pukkie]

Good destiny !;):)

[destiny]

Thanks, pukkie. I'll try to write more in the next few days. Tomorrow is pretty busy since I'll be ushering at our local cultural center for a sports celebrity reception, induction ceremony and meet and greet. Though, I'll only be ushering during the ceremony. Most of the other time, we volunteers just mingle. :)

Thanks for keeping up with Duncan and Kara's story. More soon, I promise.

[destiny]

He swung the blade in a glistening arc, the sun glinting off the cold steel as it sliced through the ever increasing drops of rain. His heart raced as his thoughts ran rampant, devouring what was left of his soul, and leaving behind an emptiness that was a raw, burning abscess. Richie! He anguished as he sliced downward in a vicious move. Connor! His one, true brother. The pain at the thought that he had been the one to end their existence was almost more than he could bear. His muscular body, encased in the black clothes that clung to his rain slicked skin, moved with deadly precision as he whipped his katana in an ever widening arc, attacking a silent foe, one he knew he could never defeat. Yes, his conscience was a powerful warrior, determined to destroy his very existence.

“Duncan, you must release the anger that is in you. Only then will you find the peace you seek.”

He came to an abrupt stop, breathing hard, his hazel eyes wild with the feelings coursing through him. With a grimace of disgust, he dropped his sword on the rain soaked ground, and watched with a small smile as it skittered along the muddy brown dirt. If only, he thought, if only it were so easy to be rid of this aberration that had followed him all his days.

“Peace? I don’t think I will ever know peace. It’s something that is unattainable for me.”

Master Chen walked towards him, as always, his movements concise and controlled, yet flowing as softly as the stream in the nearby valley. Watching him, no one would guess the power contained in his compact body. Though, Duncan had seen him knock a student off his feet with the power of his mind and only a slight movement of his hand. Wise beyond his years, Duncan had come to depend on this calm soul when his spirit was weary beyond redemption. “Peace is not something that is to be fought for. You will attain it once you open your mind and let go of the past.”

Duncan reached down and picked up his katana, pushing the dark, wet strands of his hair out of his eyes as he did so. “I carry my past with me; it is a part of me, of what I am. And, no matter what I do, I can’t change that fact,” he said bitterly, the painful truth of his words evident on his handsome face.

“I understand, Duncan. I know what you are, the things you have done, and the things you must do to survive. But, for now, stop; look around at the beauty that is there, ready to unfold for you. Embrace this small moment of peace that is offered you.”

Master Chen’s calm words flowed over Duncan like a quiet meditation, and, almost against his will, he looked out at the mountains in the distance. Nearby, a hawk floated on the currents of wind, his flight graceful and balanced, unmindful of the rain that was slowly coming to a stop. He closed his eyes, willing his heartbeat to slow, his breathing to become deep and controlled. After a few moments, he opened his eyes to look into the dark ones of his teacher. “When will I learn that you know better than I?”

A knowing smile was his only answer.

[pukkie]

I say it again ,good !!:)

[destiny]

Thanks, pukkie. You're feedback is greatly appreciated. More of the story to follow soon. :)

[destiny]

Duncan walked slowly along the path that led to the villa he now shared with Kara during their time here. The villa was far enough away so that Kara could have some time alone, yet close enough that Duncan could join in the temple’s classes. But, at the moment, all he wanted was to be with his love. After what they had endured at the hands of Armando Santiago, an Immortal who had rescued Kara from what Duncan had surely thought was her death; Duncan had vowed to keep her near to his heart. He had found her on Santiago’s private island, suffering from partial amnesia, yet still a part of her couldn’t let his memory go. In the end, Kara had remembered everything, but also witnessed, for the first time, his fight with another Immortal. Kara had interfered, and stopped Duncan a moment before he would have taken Santiago’s head. Her fear, and his love for her, had brought him back from the edge, and he had left Santiago whole, but with the warning to never bother Kara again. Santiago’s last words had given Duncan the impression that what had passed between them wasn’t over. He believed, also, that Santiago had no intention of letting Kara go so easily.

Suddenly, Duncan trod on a jagged stone, the sharp edge cutting through the thin soul of his slipper and into his foot. He grimaced in pain and bent to remove the slipper. Knowing that the small wound would heal quickly due to his Immortality, taking the pain with it, he examined the cut. But, knowing that didn’t stop the ache that was throbbing through the sole of his foot right now.

Throwing the thin slipper aside, he moved his fingers over his foot. As quickly as the pain had begun, it ended, as the healing powers of his Immortality surged through him. The feeling was indescribable, and, if asked to explain it, Duncan would have said it was as if he received a small portion of the essence of life. It was such a feeling of renewal and power. He placed his foot on the ground, and, stretching his arms over his head, relished the feeling pulsing through his body.

“There’s nothing like it, is there, Mac?” The low voice, with its softly melodic accent, echoed throughout the silent valley, and he turned to see, Methos, his Immortal friend, leaning nonchalantly against a nearby tree, his leanly muscled, lanky frame the epitome of laid back grace. Mac laughed as he turned to greet his friend, happy, for once, to see a familiar face.

[pukkie]

:)
I look forward to read soon more Destiny !

[appeace]

Good work, Destiny---!

[EvanStar4506]

Nice work destiny! I like the way you describe scenes and thoughts.

[destiny]

Thanks, pukkie, appeace and EvanStar. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. More coming soon. :)

[destiny]

"Must not be, since I didn't even 'feel' you as you approached," Duncan replied, laughing again as he removed his other slipper, retrieved the damaged one, and walked over to the other Immortal. He hadn't realized just how isolated he had been feeling here until he saw Methos smiling at him as he unfolded his lanky body from its relaxed position.

"Yes, it seems even that Immortal Buzz couldn't penetrate your moment," Methos said.

Duncan smiled, suddenly feeling free, and realizing that a person, Immortal or not, needed a friend or two in their life. "So, what are you doing here? Please, don't tell me it's something earthshattering that I must attend to, because, right now, I don't want to hear it. I am determined to attain my moment of peace, somehow."

"No, nothing like that. I had a feeling," Methos commented softly, "you needed a friend right now."

Duncan motioned to Methos to follow him as he started, once again, in the direction of the villa. Deep inside, he felt the comforting companionship of this ancient Immortal, who was sometimes too wise. "You are so right, my friend, so right."

[irishunicorn65]

This is the first time I've read your stories Destiny and I enjoy them!:D I will be looking for more! You have a vivid way of telling a story. You capture Ducan's soul and essence well.:)

PEACE,
Kellie

[kbyarb]

Destiny
I'm fairly new to this list and just discovered your fantastic writing! Characters, scenes, mood - all captured beautifully. I hope to read more soon. Kara is very intriguing, and Methos always adds a bit of mystery!

[destiny]

Hi, Kellie. Thanks for the kind words. It makes the effort I put into writing worthwhile. I'll try to write more soon, but these last few months have been a very trying time for me in RL, and my writing has suffered. Maybe in the next few weeks, my muse will come back to me and I can finish Duncan and Kara's story. :)