Chapter 8:  Rebellion

Tessa stared back down at the trough, feeling refreshed and much more awake.  Though it was still dark outside, the almost-full moon was bright enough that she could see her reflection in the water's surface.  Much had changed in the time since she'd first met Duncan.  Physically, she still looked more or less the same as she had in her mortal life, the only real difference being the thin scar that ran along the left side of her throat just underneath the jaw--a tangible reminder of MacLeod's first lesson.  One that he'd apologized profusely for at least once a day until she finally got fed up with it and knocked him on his ass with a right hook.

Inside, however, she felt different...freer.  For the first time since I returned from California...hell, maybe even the first time in my whole life...I don't have to hide who I am.  No masks, no separate identities.  Here, I can just be me without having to worry about what other people will think.  Sure, Duncan may not be the easiest person to live with, but at least he accepts the fact that I'm not like other women and doesn't try to change me.

The months of living in these ruins with the stubborn Scot had been quite an experience.  While Duncan was a genuinely nice person, he was practically a slave-driver, not to mention overprotective.  He always had her doing something and rarely let her out of his sight.  The most time they'd ever been apart was the couple of days he'd spent in Monterrey last month.  But I couldn't even enjoy that.  He took me with him and then dropped me at Mission San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo.  Told the monks to keep me there until he came back.  And boy, was it strange to be speaking Spanish again after all the time I've spent speaking English with Duncan.  Once Tessa's training had officially begun, Duncan had immediately started schooling her in his language.  She'd surprised even herself with how quickly she picked it up, and now almost all of their conversations were in English.

But no matter what language Tessa spoke, there was no convincing Duncan that she could be trusted on her own...

*******************

Three months ago

"Come on, Duncan, you're being unreasonable."

"Oh?  So now my wanting to keep your head attached is unreasonable?"

"In this case, yes.  I just wanted to take Chico for a ride along the coast. There is a lot of rugged terrain and it is too rough for anyone to live in. It is almost as good as riding in the desert.  Key word:  desert.  As in deserted.  As in no one else around for miles.  I think I can handle it."  Tessa tried to lead Chico past Duncan, but the stubborn Scot grabbed hold of the reins. "No. You could fall and hurt your horse."  "I could go over the mountains into the flat lands." "Right...perhaps you want to ride the El Camino Real. The only place you could possibly ride alone is in the valley below the Sierra Nevadas."  He smirked.  "Problem is, you'd never be alone.  The Indians there keep the Spaniards out. You know the only Spaniards who go there are deserters and they are never seen again."

"Well, I can't exactly ride him around here.  Chico's a big, powerful stallion.  That tiny little cove doesn't have nearly enough room, and the poor guy hasn't gotten any proper exercise since his injury."

"Fine."  He snatched the reins out of her hand.  "I'll take him."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."  She attempted to take them back, but was unable to break Duncan's grip.

"Is that a threat?" he asked.  His eyes narrowed, and the tone of his voice suggested that she was treading on very thin ice.

"Not a threat, Duncan, merely a warning.  Chico is very particular about who he allows on his back."

"I was practically born on a horse, Tessa, and I've yet to meet the one I cannot ride."  He put his foot in the stirrup and in one swift motion swung himself up into the saddle.

She let go of the reins and backed off a few paces.  "Fine.  You want to try and ride him, be my guest.  I just hope you can fly."

"What's that supposed to--"  Duncan didn't even get to finish his question as Chico reached back and bit his hand.  With a cry of pain he let go of the reins long enough for the horse to buck and send him airborne.  He landed in a heap several yards away, and the sickening crack that sounded upon impact told Tessa that he wouldn't be getting up anytime soon.

"Ouch...that'll leave a mark.  Okay Chico, let's do a quick run and, with any luck, we'll be back before he revives."  Quickly, she mounted up and urged her horse into a gallop.

******************

Unfortunately, she hadn't made it back before he'd recovered, and had spent the next week mucking out the stables.  Duncan had eventually let her take Chico for long rides, but never without him right by her side.  If only he'd just stop acting like some kind of mother hen...  Tessa stood up, having noticed the sky beginning to lighten.  Speaking of which, I'd say it's about time to go catch that blasted rooster.  That bird had been a thorn in her side for months now.  Between it and Duncan, she couldn't remember the last time she'd been able to sleep past dawn.  So far, none of her attempts to get rid of the thing had been successful.  But she had a good feeling that today would be her lucky day.

She went into the stable and, using Chico as a boost, climbed on top of the wall.  Once she'd found her balance, Tessa noticed her stallion giving her the strangest of looks.

"Don't worry, boy.  I know what I'm doing."  He snorted.  "I know.  Famous last words, right?  Trust me, Chico.  This time, that bloody bird is mine."  The sun peeked out over the horizon and, right on cue, the rooster landed on the wall, just inches away from her.  It opened its beak to crow and Tessa leapt forward.  The bird started to take off and all she got was a handful of tail feathers before it had flown out of reach.  And the rooster's forward momentum combined with her own was enough to send her right over the side of the building, where she met the ground head-on...

Tessa returned to life with a loud gasp, sucking precious air back into her lungs.  Once she was able to breathe normally, the first thing she noticed was Duncan standing over her, looking quite amused.

"Having fun?"

"Oh yes, I'm having a bloody marvelous time.  This is just how I plan to spend every morning."  Slowly, Tessa climbed back to her feet.  She noticed Duncan staring at something in her hand and realized she was still holding onto the tail feathers.

"Enough with the sarcasm, Tessa.  What is your obsession with that damn rooster?  I swear, if you'd put as much energy into your training as you do trying to catch that thing, you'd probably be a match for Amanda by now."

Tessa cracked her neck to get the kinks out, tossing the feathers aside as she did.  "And who is this Amanda, exactly?  You've mentioned her once or twice, but have never gone into any detail."

"She's...um...well...let's just call her a bad habit and move on, shall we?"  Duncan turned and started walking away.  Tessa ran to catch up and, as soon as she was able, moved in front of him to block his path.

"Oh, no...you're not getting off that easy, Duncan.  Who is she, an old girlfriend or something?"

"Or something.  Look, you won't have to worry about her as far as the Game goes, but she does have this nasty habit of stealing large amounts of valuables and leaving you with the bag.  Personally, I'd recommend staying as far away from her as possible."

"Speaking from personal experience?"

"You could say that.  Our last encounter ended rather badly and...well, I really don't want to go into it.  Let's just say I'll be happy if I never hear that name again for at least another century.  Now, why don't you go grab something to eat and then we'll get started on your drills."

"Fine."  His rapid change of subject meant that Tessa wouldn't be getting anymore out of him this time.  She grabbed a quick bite, as Duncan had suggested, and the two quickly settled into what had become their usual routine:  sword drills in the morning, chores, hand-to-hand in the afternoon, more chores, and, if she managed to get through the first two sessions without a lot of major mistakes and there was still time left in the day, they'd spar until the sun set.  Evenings usually consisted of them sitting around a fire eating dinner as Duncan regaled her with tales of his and Connor's past exploits.  Occasionally, she'd get to tell a story or two, but he had far more and his were, admittedly, more interesting than anything she could ever dredge up from her past.

Today had been no exception.  Tessa managed to get through her drills with few problems and had gotten her chores done pretty quickly, which gave her and Duncan plenty of time to spar.  And, as usual, he was winning.

"So," she asked, ducking a swing that might have taken her head off, "Just how good is she?"

"Who?"  Another swing.

"Amanda."  Tessa quickly parried the attack, following up with one of her own.  Duncan was barely able to avoid being skewered, his mind obviously no longer on the fight.

"I don't think that's any of your--"  Taking advantage of his distraction, she dropped down and swept his legs out from under him.  Her blade was at his throat probably before he'd even realized what had happened.

"I win."

"That was a dirty trick, Tessa."

"I know...but it worked so well."  Smiling, she sheathed her sword and held out her hand as a sort of peace offering.  He took it, and she helped him back to his feet.  "By the way, when I asked how good Amanda was, I was referring to her ability with a sword, not...whatever it was you were thinking."

"Well, you got lucky this time."

Her smile faded.  "Luck?  I beat you for the first time in...well...ever...and you call it luck?  You don't think there was even the slightest hint of skill behind it?"

"As I said, you got lucky.  One win doesn't mean you're ready.  We've still got a long way to go."

"Oh come on, Duncan, can't you loosen up even a little?  I mean, aside from the time you dumped me at that mission in Carmel so you could run off to the city, I haven't been able to see or do anything outside of this place without you looking over my shoulder.  It's like you don't trust me."

"Of course I trust you, Tessa.  I'm just trying to keep you safe."

"Bullshit.  If you actually trusted me, then you'd let me have at least a little more freedom.  You're not my teacher, you're my bloody jailer!"

"I'm sorry you feel that way.  But, until either I say you're ready or you somehow manage to take a head, you WILL follow my rules.  End of discussion."  The sun was starting to set, so Duncan walked away from her and got to work starting a fire.  Without a word, Tessa started back up to the ruins.  "And where do you think you're going?  It's almost time for dinner."

"I'm not hungry," she said, too angry to even look at him.  "I think I'll just turn in for the night."  Not even waiting to hear his answer, she continued up the hill and headed right for the stables.  Taking off her sword belt she tossed it violently, sword and all, into the corner of Chico's stall as soon as she walked in.  "That's it, Chico!  I've had it!  Duncan MacLeod is the most cruel, stubborn, unreasonable horse's ass--no offense--that I have ever met!  I try, and I try, but nothing is ever good enough for him.  I'll probably be a hundred before he even lets me take day trips without supervision.  I just can't take this anymore!  If only there was some way I could just, I don't know...take off and--"  Her eye fell on the saddlebags, and Tessa suddenly remembered her disguise.  Slowly, a plan began to form--a way to finally show Duncan that she could handle herself out in the real world.  It was risky, but if it worked, the stubborn Scot wouldn't have much choice but to loosen up.  Having worked out all the details in her head, Tessa lay down in her usual spot next to Chico.  All she needed to do now was wait for MacLeod to go to sleep so she could put it into action.

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