The shot from Marguerites pistol was still echoing through the jungle as the raptor fell at Roxton's feet. Kneeling down he admired the bullet hole through the animal's eye. "Nice shooting" he said smiling up at her. "Makes me wonder what kind of games you played as a child" "Mostly dolls" she smiled back at him as she walked up next to him. "Interesting" he said as he stood up. "Speaking of dolls," she began, "What ever happened to that voodoo doll?" He looked down at her and cooed "Wouldn't you like to know?" Then leaning in closer he said "If there is something you want me to do, all you have to do is ask" Their faces were merely inches apart when a shot rang out. "Damn it!" Marguerite said under her breath as Roxton grabbed his rifle and spun around toward the sound. "It came from over there" he said pointing into the tree line. And then he was gone. Marguerite reluctantly followed him into the jungle.
After a short walk they came upon a man and a woman in a clearing. They too had just killed a raptor but not before it had taken a bite out of the mans arm. The woman was helping the man to his feet as Roxton and Marguerite approached them. She stood up smiling wildly as they came near. "I don't believe it," she whispered. "We've found them!" As she walked toward them, Roxton couldn't help but smile back at the beautiful young woman. She took hold of his hand and cried "Lord John Roxton, I can't believe it is really you!" Looking over at him, Marguerite said "Why is it the beautiful ones always seem to know your name?" Roxton gave her that "I have no idea" look and replied "Just lucky I guess." The girl looked over at Marguerite as she let go of Roxton's hand and grabbed hers. "Marguerite Krux, I am so honored to make your acquaintance." "Um.... thank you" smiled Marguerite. "And forgive me for being rude but.....who are you?" The girl let go of her hand and looked at them both. "I'm so sorry. My name is Kayla Rigby. My grandfather sent me to find you" she said, still smiling. "Your grandfather?" asked Roxton looking more than a little confused. "Yes," she replied. "Arthur Summerlee." Roxton and Marguerite looked at each other then back to Kayla. "He's..... not dead?" asked Marguerite a little surprised. "Oh, no, he was pretty banged up from the fall but he recovered quickly. He is at home, in London" Kayla smiled. Suddenly, remembering her partner, she turned and walked over to him. "Oh, and this is...." "William Marshal!" exclaimed Marguerite. Roxton and Kayla looked from Marguerite to William and back to each other with a confused look on their faces. "Well, hello Marguerite," said William. "It's been a long time." Marguerite looked at him with a slight smile on her face. "Yes,...yes it has." "You two know each other?" Roxton asked looking at Marguerite. But before answering him, she looked at the gash in Williams arm and said, "We really must get you two back to the tree house. The smell of blood drives the raptors crazy." Then taking William by the arm, she led the little group back toward the tree house. Roxton and Kayla exchanged confused glances and then fell in behind them.
As they made their way home, Roxton couldn't help wondering just who the hell this William Marshal was and what kind of connection he had to Marguerite. He believed Kayla. She favored Summerlee and she had some of his characteristics. She had to be his granddaughter. He looked over at her and caught her staring at him. "I'm sorry," she said. "It's just that I can't believe I've actually found you." "Well, you have" he smiled. "I am curious as to HOW you found us though." "Oh,... well I'd rather tell everyone at the same time, if that's ok" she said. "Are we close to the tree house?" "We don't like much farther." he said as his thoughts drifted back to Marguerite and William.
"It's so good to see you" William said. "I didn't think I'd ever get the chance again." "Nor I" Marguerite replied. "So, why did you come to the plateau?" she asked. "I came here looking for you" was his answer. "How did you know I was here?" " Oh, well, ever since you funded the expedition that Kayla's grandfather was part of, you and your friends are all she talks about." he smiled, glancing back at Kayla and Roxton. "So, when her grandfather returned home and begged her to come and find all of you, I had to tag along to see if it was really you." "Well" she said smiling at him," It is me." "Yes it is, and I'm glad I found you because there is something I need to tell you." She stopped walking and looked at him. "William, it was a long time ago. We were very young, too young and...." But before she could finish, Kayla was beside them. Grabbing William's good arm she exclaimed, "There it is! The tree house!!"