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“Nikki!” The calls woke Jagger from a dead sleep. Hearing Kelly call her youngest child was not unusual but there was something about Kelly’s voice that bothered him. He jumped off the couch and headed for the garden.
Darkness was falling and garden was full of people. The Castle was holding a medieval festival. It had turned out wonderfully. Unfortunately, that much activity would provided numerous ways for Nikki to get into mischief. Jagger found Kelly, CC, Jennifer, and several of the other Castle Ladies standing in a group. Kelly was visibly upset.“What’s wrong.?” Jagger asked.
Jennifer responded softly. “Nikki’s missing. We’ve searched everywhere. We can’t find her and no one is completely sure when they last saw her.”
Jagger frowned. As much as Nikki liked to wander, she was also usually easy to locate.
“Have you checked the woods?” He asked.
Kelly paled even more and her grip on CC’s hand tightened. “She can’t be in the woods. She can’t be.”
Jagger jumped up on a table so he was at a better level with Kelly. “Kelly.” he waited until she met his gaze. “I will find her, I promise.”
“But the woods, Jagger...” her voice trailed off.
His eyes held hers firmly. “Do you trust me, Kelly?” She nodded. “Then believe me when I tell you that if Nikki is in the woods she is safer than she has ever been.” Kelly hesitated, then nodded again. Jagger jumped down from the table. “I will be back. With Nikki.” He raced off towards the woods.
Methos searched the darkening woods. He devoutly hoped Nikki had not wandered into them. If she had, however, his ability to sense her should help him find her. He could feel another Immortal approaching rapidly. He wondered idly if it was Jagger.
A second buzz, slightly different from any other, washed over him. Methos stopped to get his bearings. Yes, it was definitely coming from his right. He turned and headed in that direction.
“Nikki!” He called. The buzz was getting stronger. There was a slight rustling from the bushes. A white dog raced out and hit Methos just below the knees. The old Immortal went down with a grunt.
He landed on his hands and knees. The sound of growling brought his head up slowly. Four large dogs stood a few feet away, extremely sharp looking teeth bared.“No!” Methos was sure he had never been so glad to hear Nikki’s voice. The little girl ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. “No, he is my friend.”
The dogs relaxed. “He does not smell of the sickness, either. It appears the humans have come in search of you, little one.” The voice appeared to be coming from the German Shepherd.
Methos answered him. “Her mother is very worried about her.” The Shepherd looked surprised.
“You can hear us?”
“Methos is a man of many talents.” The amused voice came from Methos’ left. Jagger stepped into the slight clearing. “He also belongs to the Castle. I would not have appreciated finding your tooth marks on him, Ramen.”If the dogs could have paled, they would have. Ramen cleared his throat before responding. “My apologies, Jagger. We have been on the lookout for a human with the sickness.” he nodded toward Methos. “One of his kind.”
Jagger cocked his head to one side. “An Immortal with the sickness? In the woods? What can you tell me?”
“Jagger, shouldn’t we get Nikki back to Kelly?” Methos asked.
“Yes, but this must be dealt with. It will only take a moment.” Methos nodded.
“He came to woods to dispose of a feline and her litter. The mother was already gone as were most of the kittens. She had obviously put up a fight. What he had done to her..” Ramen paused. “was not pleasant.”The claws on Jagger’s left front paw dug into the dirt, but the feline controlled his emotions. He nodded. “Continue, Ramen. What of the kittens?”
“He had them in a sack. As I said, most of them were gone. He threw them in the river. We pulled them out. Only one survived. She is like you, Jagger.”
Horror crossed Jagger’s face. “No.”
Ramen hastened to reassure him. “She did not pass into her Immortal life. I meant only that she is of your kind.”
Jagger relaxed. He would not want the kitten condemned to Immortal life so soon.“She’s so cute, Jagger. But she’s so scared. Can we take her home with us?” This came from Nikki, still holding tightly to Methos.
“Perhaps, Nikki.” Jagger looked back at Ramen. “Where is she?”
At that moment a Rottweiler appeared caring a small ball of pure black fur. The kitten was indeed scared, Jagger saw. She was trembling uncontrollably.
The Rottweiler put her down and Jagger walked over. She backed herself as close as she could get to the dog.
“Hello. I am Jagger. What name did your mother give you?” What the kitten whispered to Jagger would have been completely unintelligible to the humans if they could have heard her. Jagger nodded. “There is nothing to be afraid of. We will take good care of you.”
Startling blue eyes met Jagger’s green ones. He listened to the kitten for a moment. “Yes, the human feels similar to the one who took your mother but he is very much to be trusted. Actually we have a very good selection of humans at the Castle. I imagine the Ladies will spoil you rotten.”
He turned to Ramen. “We must return the child to her parents. Rest assured that the Immortal bothering you will be dealt with.”
“My thanks, Jagger. Anything we can do for the Castle, you will let us know.” Ramen responded.
Jagger picked up the kitten by her scruff and handed her to Nikki. “Methos can carry you both back to the Castle. We should get moving. We are to far away for me to reach Jennifer.”
Nikki held the kitten tightly to as Methos lifted her up. Jagger and Methos left the clearing. The kitten stared up at Methos, wide-eyed.
They walked quite for a while in silence. Jagger glanced over his shoulder at Methos and his precious bundle.
“None of you will ever be able to pronounce her real name. What else is new? I think that the closest we will get is ‘Ming’. What do you think?”
“Oh, I like that name. Ming.” Nikki squeezed the kitten tightly and Ming squealed.
“Not so hard, Nikki.” Methos said, then tested the name. “Ming. Yes, I think...”
Both Methos and Jagger stopped as the buzz of another Immortal washes over them.
“It could be Duncan or Conor or Richie.” Methos whispered.
“It could be.” Jagger responded. “But it’s not. I can smell the sickness.”
Ming was trembling uncontrollably. Methos set Nikki down just as the other Immortal stepped from the trees. He was tall and well-built. At first glance, a handsome man but closer inspection revealed the unholy light in his eyes.
“I am Kalidan.” He roared, pulling his sword free.
“Well, whippidy-doo-da.” Methos replied sarcastically as he pulled his own sword out.
“I have no fight with you. Leave the evil ones to me and I shall not take your head.” Kalidan moved forward.
Methos blocked his path. “I don’t think so. I’ve grown rather attached to them...and my head. I’m not letting you have either easily.” Sparks flew as their swords connected.
Jagger tucked Nikki and Ming safely into some bushes. He stood between them and the fighters ready to take action if necessary.
Kalidan was an excellent swordsman. He and Methos performed an awesome dance of Death. In the end, however, there can be only one. Methos’ sword slipped under Kalidan’s guard and sliced cleanly through his neck. Jagger moved away as the Quickening began.
Conor, Duncan, and Richie had joined the Castle Ladies in the garden. Now the group watched in horror at the Quickening in the distance. Everyone started to talk at once.
“Be quiet!” Jennifer snapped. They all looked at her in surprise. “Sorry. I can reach Jagger, but I need to concentrate.”
CC stepped forward, concern clouding her eyes. “He’s to far away. You can’t.”
“I can.” Taking a deep breath, Jennifer gave her a shaky smile. “Wish me luck.” With that she closed her eyes and called. The pain began to build almost immediately. It threatened to overwhelm her but she held on stubbornly. Then faintly, she heard him. He was yelling, she could tell but it was still difficult to hear.
It took great effort to open her eyes. The world was spinning and her head was screaming. She forced herself to smile and meet Kelly’s eyes.
“They’re okay. They’re fine. He and Methos are bringing Nikki home.” Jennifer never saw Kelly’s tears of relief. The world tilted to one side, her eyes slammed shut, and she began to fall. Duncan caught her just before she hit the ground.
More of Jagger's adventures will be posted soon. Join us :) and see what our Favorite Fur Person (don't you dare call him the "C" word) does next!
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