Full Circle 5 of 8

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Chapter 5=20

Late into the night, Darius summoned Greyson to his bedchambers to give =
him the news of their re-assignment. "It means that we will have to find =
a way of keeping track of what is happening here, my son. It is =
imperative that we know what the king is doing and thinking in our =
absence without being obvious that we are doing so."=20

Greyson paced as he talked. "There are ways of that--perhaps a network =
of spies?"=20

"Perhaps, but even then you must find those that are willing to risk =
their lives for our cause. To go westward to the ocean through Gaul--we =
have the power now to do it but instead are forced to leave here just as =
things are ripe." Darius glanced over at Methos, who looked away, =
feigning nonchalance.=20

Greyson looked warily at him too. "I think he knows too much, father. He =
understands what we are talking about all too well, don't you?" he said =
as he directed the question at Methos. He frowned as Methos remained =
silent and his mouth tightened. "Insolence! Father, kill him; take his =
head or I will before it's too late!"=20

Methos spoke up, turning to look at the two of them. "A woman."=20

Darius cocked his head to one side, his face a mask of concentration. =
"What did you say?"=20

"A woman. If you want someone to watch Alaric, then get a woman to do =
it. Bed her beforehand; make her yours then she will do whatever you =
wish of her. Surprised you hadn't thought of it." Methos' eyes flicked =
from one to another. "It's been used as a weapon for centuries and =
probably will be for eternity."=20

Greyson drew his dagger out; in three swift strides he was holding it to =
Methos' throat.=20

"Silence!" he hissed between clenched teeth. "You have no right to speak =
here!" He turned his head to look at Darius. "Did I not tell you he =
understood what we said?"=20

Darius swiftly came over and knocked the blade out of Greyson's hand; =
both looked at one another for a tension-filled moment before Greyson =
turned and walked away. "Let be!" He turned his pale eyes upon Methos, =
as he tried to think about what this slave had said. "What do you know =
of war--of tactics and the like?"=20

"I might have had some experience in it at one time; haven't we all?" =
Methos replied evenly to him, then turned his head to Greyson. "Someday =
you will lose your head to someone. You had better pray that the cut is =
clean when it happens." His mouth curled upwards at his own small joke =
on Greyson's behalf.=20

Turning, Greyson let out a roar and charged at Methos. Both wrestled =
with one another, falling heavily to the floor where they rolled about =
with hands about each other's throats, pummeling each other with blows =
until Darius pulled Greyson off Methos and threw him to one side.=20

"Enough!" He drew his own blade just as the guards who stood watch =
outside their doors burst in, swords drawn. He looked up them and shook =
his head. "Go back to your posts."=20

The soldiers looked confused for a moment but soon shuffled off to their =
assigned positions once again. Greyson slowly got up, dusted himself off =
and left after shooting a deadly glance in their direction.=20

Methos got to his feet, warily watching Darius for any sudden movements. =
When no sudden movement was forthcoming, he walked away from him never =
letting him out of his sight. "Now what? Kill me and be done with it."=20

Darius frowned then half whispered, "How old are you?"=20

Methos lowered his head to his chest as his mouth curled in tight smile. =
Glancing at his captor, he replied, "Old enough to know not to answer =
you." Walking over to the window, he leaned out and looked at the stars =
and the multitude of campfires that were spread out over the area. =
Softly he said, "I know what you want, Darius, what you crave and hunger =
for."=20

Darius pulled his fingers through his beard as he contemplated the man =
before him. "What do I want then? Tell me so that we both know."=20

"Power--and an empire." Methos watched him carefully, choosing his words =
with care so that it would have the effect he wanted from Darius. =
Lowering his voice to a more conspiratorial tone, he continued. "Perhaps =
I had what you want, long ago. Perhaps I can give you what you want."=20

Darius' brows knitted together and his blade appeared in his hand as if =
from nowhere. "Perhaps you could lose your head too!" he retorted. "I =
will not be played a fool!"=20

Methos didn't move a muscle, but his eyes slid from the blade pointed at =
his throat to the icy blue of Daruis' own eyes. Quietly he said, "If you =
kill me, then you will not be able to get what I can provide you." =
Pausing for what seemed to be an eternity when in reality it was only =
for a couple of heartbeats, he went on. "Rome--on her knees and at your =
mercy." He paused again knowing that Darius was soaking in that =
information and was, at last, truly listening to him. "Once Rome is =
yours, then everything else beyond..."=20

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