ACT I: Celebration of Union; Mourning of Loss
Scene I: Welcome to Burka
Two days earlier…
Roxton sighed in exasperation as he passed his binoculars over to Malone. "Yes Marguerite, we are finally there. No less than an hour I'd say."
"Really?" Malone asked as he took the offered binoculars. "That's a relief! I thought we'd never get there the way some people went on." Once he was finished, he handed Roxton back his binoculars and continued muttering under his breath, "and on and on and on."
It was very obvious that Malone's last muttered comments had not escaped Marguerite's acute hearing. She immediately rounded on Malone and gave him such a fierce glare that he involuntarily took a step back. While she wouldn't resort to physical violence, she loved watching him squirm. After a few moments of pleasure on an otherwise miserable journey, her spirits were considerably higher. Just as suddenly as she turned on Malone, she turned back to continue walking leaving a stunned Malone in her wake. "The next time one of these little trips comes up," she called over her shoulder, "I'll stay home and lounge about instead of Veronica and Challenger. They have a hundred maps of the plateau already, how many more could they possibly need?"
Malone jogged and caught up to Marguerite. He feigned a look of shock and placed a hand on his chest. "Why Marguerite, I would think that you of all people would jump at the chance to get off this 'Godforsaken plateau.' "
"Nothing would please be more."
"Would you rather we did all the hard work and called you when we found the way home?"
Marguerite smiled sweetly at Malone and patted his shoulder. "That would be lovely! But don't let me distract you, Malone. You still have a little bit of time left to write some final thoughts in your diary before we reach the town."
Malone balled his fists at his sides and began to fume. "It is not a diary! It's a journal!"
Marguerite smirked as she watched Malone's face turn slightly pink. "Is there a difference?" she asked innocently.
Roxton shook his head and sighed. "Children, children, please! We are almost there and I would prefer to get there before I lose my sanity. Can we get a move on please? And can we walk more than five minutes without arguing or do I have to separate you two?"
"Yes, mother." Marguerite shot a smug look at Malone as she walked ahead of him and Roxton.
Malone fell into step beside Roxton and shook his head. "One day her mouth is going to get her into trouble."
Roxton raised an eyebrow. "One day?"
Malone could only chuckle as he felt the tension seeping from his body. He appreciated the opportunity to cool down. He honestly couldn't understand how Marguerite could cause him to lose his temper so easily. After a year, he thought he would have been used to her by now, but she always managed to find a way to get beneath his skin.
"I'm sorry, Roxton. But she's been complaining for the entire four days. I just can't take it anymore. I don't know how I'm going to make the return trip."
Roxton clapped Malone on the back. "Don't worry about it. If she starts up again, I'll set a nice brisk pace; then she won't have the energy to speak."
Malone laughed again and grinned. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
When Assai had told them of rumors of a nearby town with access to the outside world Roxton was worried about having to make a four day journey with Malone and Marguerite. At the best of times the two were always bickering, although he had to admit they were very amusing at times. After listening to them go at it again, he had to bite his lip to keep from laughing and forced himself to keep an eye on their surroundings.
As Roxton had promised, they arrived at the walls of the town within an hour. They were very surprised to see how big it was close up.
From their previous view at the top of the hill, they could tell the town was large. Larger than any other civilization they had found on the plateau so far. There was a large wooden wall extending along the borders of the town which was aged, yet strong, giving the town the appearance of having been around for a lengthy amount of time. The tall wall itself would probably have kept most of the dinosaurs and many dangers of the plateau at bay, but there were guard towers on the corners as well as guards posted at the gates into town to protect against problems of a man-made nature. When the group first approached the gates into the town, they expected resistance from the guards on duty so they approached cautiously. They were surprised when they were met with none and allowed to enter with no problems or questions asked.
Once inside, they found the streets teeming with people. The buildings were fairly sophisticated as well. On the outskirts of town there were several wooden cabins, but as they moved further inside they found the buildings became larger and more complex. The homes of the citizens seemed to be segregated towards the center with another similar wall protecting them. In between the inner and outer wall, there was the market place as well as the barracks for soldiers where Marguerite, Roxton, and Malone saw men swapping posts as they went off duty.
The people themselves were very pleasant and welcoming to the newly arrived group. It was very obvious to the group of three that armed strangers weren't a new experience to the town, nor were they something to be feared. The ones that didn't directly approach the group simply watched them from a distance. Not enough to make the group nervous, but just enough to see that the town was interested in them.
Malone eyed the small clusters of people going about their daily business or simply gathering for a chat. A short dark haired man nodded pleasantly at them as he turned back to his taller red headed companion as they strolled towards what seemed to be the town center. A vaguely Asian looking woman continued her conversation with a middle-aged blond woman unperturbed by the children of all sizes and colors dashing about them in an elaborate game of tag. Malone commented out loud, "Have you noticed how different the people are around here?"
"I know," Marguerite agreed, "these people are much more advanced than any of the people we have come across so far. Look at their clothes. Never mind the fact that they are wearing clothes that you would find on any European, but look at the quality. They couldn't possibly each make their own clothes and have them turn out so well. They must have some type of a textile industry here! And notice the guards, all of them are wearing similar armor and are each carrying swords and spears! They are not simply natives with sticks!"
Malone nodded in silent agreement as he looked more closely at the people surrounding them. "I see your point, but I wasn't looking that closely. Look at all the different ethnicities. No two people look alike, skin tones are different, and if you listen to the bits of conversation as we walk by, there are words from several other languages mixed in with their English that I don't recognize."
Roxton had up until that point been silently observing while listening to their conversation but this time spoke up. "I have heard bits of Spanish, Italian, French, and even the Zanga tongue."
Marguerite was silent as she listened to a few snatches of conversation herself. "I agree. I don't believe they even realize when they shift from one language to another. It happens regularly when people know several languages. When they are searching for a word, they will usually use the first word that pops into their mind that fits."
"Fascinating!" Malone exclaimed. He quickly shirked off his pack and dug around inside for his journal and pencil and began immediately taking notes on his surroundings. "You know what this means don't you? Such a mixture of languages is proof of what Assai told us. If these people know a way off the plateau, it only makes sense that they've met with various cultures on the outside and have picked up on their language and incorporated it into their own."
Marguerite rolled her eyes at his enthusiasm. "I wouldn't get my hopes up just yet."
Within minutes, the town elder had been told of the arrival of strangers and had personally come to greet the visitors. He was an older man of average height, slightly balding, and a protruding belly. Practically charging the group of three, he approached with his arms extended and gave each of them a hearty handshake all the while with a grin plastered on his face.
"Welcome to Burka!" he boomed. "My name is Aldaz. You must excuse my people. I hope they have not disturbed you too greatly. We are very curious by nature, as you will no doubt find out for yourselves. Will you be joining us for some time?"
Marguerite frowned and looked around. She gave the older man a tight smile as she pulled Roxton and Malone aside. "I don't like this," she whispered, "no one is that nice without wanting something in return."
Malone scoffed. "Come off it, Marguerite. Not every person we meet is out to get us. Is it so hard to believe that nice people exist in the world?"
"Yes!" Marguerite hissed.
Roxton shook his head. "There is no reason to suspect anything Marguerite." When he saw her begin to open her mouth, he held up his hand. "However, there's nothing wrong with being cautious when dealing with people you know nothing about. So far we have no choice. We need these people as long as we're here looking for a way off the plateau. So be on your guard for anything out of the ordinary and try not to get yourselves into trouble." Roxton turned back to Aldaz, "Excuse the interruption. Yes, we were planning on setting up camp just outside your town."
Aldaz chuckled and waved away their protests. "Nonsense! You will each be our honored guests and we will provide you with accommodations. Will that be suitable?"
Malone nodded his head. "Yes, thank you. That's very generous."
"Bueno!" Aldaz clapped his hands while several of the other people cheered. "Please follow me and I will show you where you may place your things."
While Roxton walking ahead chatting with Aldaz, Malone and Marguerite followed behind. Malone was eagerly looking around, trying to memorize as much information as he could to write in his journal later giving Marguerite the chance to make some observations of her own. She noticed that they were being lead back the way they came and mentioned it to Malone. Remembering the cabins they passed on their way in, she figured that was their final destination. "So much for being trusting of strangers," she muttered under her breath causing Malone to give a soft chuckle. Sure enough, within a few moments, they came to a stop in front of the very same cabins. Roxton walked back towards them alone.
Marguerite couldn't resist the opportunity. "Roxton, did you lose papa bear?"
He smiled at Marguerite's question. "No, he had duties to tend to. He's certainly a pleasant, talkative fellow. These cabins here," gesturing to his left, "are for our use while we are here. Aldaz invited us to a feast tomorrow night. Apparently, his granddaughter has received an offer of marriage and as head of the family, as well as the town, he is throwing a celebration and invited us."
"Sounds like fun." Malone smiled as he looked around. "That should be a good opportunity for getting to know the people and their background. It's a good thing that I brought my journal with me, this seems like-"
"I hate to put a damper on the mood, but as much fun as a party sounds," Marguerite interrupted, "that's not what we came for. Why don't we just see if they know a way off the plateau and then go home? There is no point in staying here longer than necessary."
Malone frowned. "What's the rush? Besides, you don't walk up to people you don't know, ask for a way off the plateau and then leave. It's not very polite."
"Since when?" Marguerite retorted. "We do it all the time. Besides, you only want to stick around in order to write some more of your romanticized rubbish. If you want to waste your time, that is fine with me. In the mean time, I am going to look around and see if I can find anything useful here. You two can go socialize and look around, and if you find the time, ask about a way off the plateau. But in a more polite way of course." Walking determinedly to her designated cabin, she gave them no chance to reply as she walked in and closed the door behind her with a little more force than necessary. Before they had a chance to move, Marguerite popped her head out through the doorway. "It seems the town is always prepared for visitors. There is a jug of cool water here and some towels. I'm going to take the opportunity to freshen up a bit before I look around," she paused as she looked over Roxton and Malone, "I'm sure if you look you'll find some in your cabins as well."
Roxton took the ribbing with his usual good nature while Malone on the other hand was annoyed.
"Why does she always have to do that?"
"Come on, Malone," Roxton chuckled, "we are a little worse for wear. We have been on the road for a few days."
Malone sighed and took a brief look at himself. "Okay, well I admit it, I'm a little travel worn. But why does she always have to push my buttons? If I were to have commented on her hygiene I wouldn't have heard the end of it."
Roxton took a moment to picture the scene before he burst out laughing. "I would advise against it for your better health, Neddy-boy."
"You're probably right," Malone said with a rueful smile. "I'll meet you back here in a few then."
"All right."
Roxton entered his cabin and closed the door behind him. After throwing his pack on a nearby chair, he found a pitcher of water on a stand and poured some of it into a basin. The wet cloth on his skin was refreshing and he felt much better after having removed the dirt and grime of the journey off of himself. That task out of the way, Roxton took a look around at his lodgings. It wasn't anything spectacular, but it was much better than sleeping on the floor of the jungle. There was a bed, a table and chair, as well as a stand where he had found the pitcher of water. The cabins offered to them were on the edge of the town, probably made especially with the intention of offering them to guests seeing as how they were too small for practical usage.
After his look around, Roxton replaced his hat on his head and moved for the door. He contemplated leaving only with his Webleys but decided against it putting on his rifle and extra pistol. The people seemed friendly enough, but he wasn't going to take any chances and be caught without enough firepower at a later point.
Stepping outside, he was surprised to find someone standing in his path and barely had an opportunity to stop before colliding with the person. "Excuse me, I didn't see you there."
The young man looked abashed and stepped backwards quickly. "Lo siento! I did not expect you to be coming out. I was about to knock and introduce myself. Mon nom est Rani."
It took Roxton a while for him to register the shift between Spanish, English, and French, but he understood at least the very basics. He smiled at the young man and took his offered hand. "John Roxton."
After the handshake, Rani smiled broadly and Roxton couldn't help but smile in response. His enthusiasm was infectious. He was young, probably not much older than seventeen or eighteen years of age. Roxton decided he was a handsome young fellow with dark hair and eyes to match, as well as a tall, lean figure.
"So what can I do for you, Rani?"
"No para mí, Señor Roxton, but what I can do for you. Grand-père Aldaz told me we had visitors in Burka and sent me along to make sure someone was able to show you around and had everything you needed."
"Well, that was very nice of him. I'm just waiting for my friend Malone, he should be out any minute. Our other friend decided she would take a look around by herself. We'll find her later and I can introduce you then." Roxton looked in the direction of Malone's cabin and not seeing him emerge, decided to take the opportunity to get to know Rani better.
"Grand- père?" Roxton asked, remembering his French, "So Aldaz is your grandfather?"
Rani looked confused for a moment before he smiled and shook his head. "No. El no es mi abuelo, I only call him grandfather. Most of us do. My own parents died when I was a un ragazzo piccolo, a small boy that is, and Aldaz took a special interest in me." Rani was quiet for a moment as he recalled forgotten memories.
"I'm very sorry, I did not mean to bring up the past."
Rani shook his head and smiled. "C'est bon. You could not have known. Cela est la vie, non? That was long ago and even though I lost my parents, I cannot complain. One of the families here took me in and because of that, I grew up never wanting in anything and also found a good amigo, Jun, who has always taken care of me like an older brother would. And I spent so much time in Aldaz's home, that he might as well have been my real grandfather. I have truly been blessed for soon I will be wed to his granddaughter Kalee and then we will truly be una familia. I hope to be able to introduce you and your friends to her, è una ragazza fantastica!"
Roxton shook hands with Rani and found himself grinning at the young man's genuine happiness. "I am sure she is. So you are the lucky man, congratulations!"
"Grazie! But I am sure you did come all this way to hear about me." Rani was about to speak but stopped when he noticed something behind Roxton causing him to turn as well.
"Ah, there's one of my friends. Allow me to introduce you to Ned Malone. Malone, meet Rani."
Malone took the offered hand with a smile that mirrored Rani's. "Nice to meet you, Rani."
"Rani was kind enough to offer to show us around Burka. We were just waiting for you."
Malone could barely keep the excitement off his face. Any chance to learn about another culture was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. "Lead the way!"
Rani had taken them through most of the town and was reaching the end of his tour. "And this is our town square which doubles for our market place. The celebrazione will be held here tomorrow night. Of course all of the stands will be cleared out, but-"
"Hello boys! Don't just stand there give me a hand!"
Rani stopped mid-sentence and followed the voice to match it with a person. Roxton and Malone both smiled and shook their heads when they saw Marguerite staggering towards them, arms laden with supplies.
All three of them hurried forward and grabbed a few things until they were left holding everything and Marguerite's hands were free. "Thank you very much fellows. Oh," she said noticing Rani, "who is your friend?"
Roxton pointed his head to his left while trying to keep his hold on all of Marguerite's packages. "This is Rani. He has kindly offered us a tour of Burka and recently turned pack mule as well. Are you sure there isn't anything else you've forgotten to trade for?"
"Yeah," Malone grunted as he almost dropped a few things, "and how could you afford all of these things anyways? I see once again, you've managed to keep the shirt on your back."
"Pity," Roxton added under his breath.
Marguerite raised an eyebrow at their comments but chose to ignore them turning to Rani. "Nice to meet you, Rani, and thank you for helping, but you don't have to carry those, why don't you hand them back to me? I am sure I can find some more room in my pack if I rearrange things."
Rani shook his head quickly. "Igualmente, señora. And that will not be necessary. Let us go back to your cabins, and drop off these packages, bon?"
Marguerite smiled. "Such a gentleman, you could learn a thing from him boys." Roxton and Malone rolled their eyes as Marguerite led the way back.
"Mi Dios," Rani whispered to Roxton and Malone, "your friend must be une femme super to have carried all these."
Roxton and Malone silently agreed but weren't very surprised. If it was worth Marguerite's while, she'd carry anything no matter what the weight.
Rani grunted as he collided into something causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground. "Scusarme," he said as he began to stand and gather his things but stopped as he recognized the person he collided with. "Aku, forgive me. I did not make sure my path was clear."
Roxton and Malone had stopped when they heard him fall and even Marguerite several strides ahead stopped because of the commotion. They immediately noticed a difference between Aku and all the others in town they had seen so far. He seemed to be the same age as Rani and had the same physical attributes, but it was his disposition that made him stand out among all the other pleasant folk of Burka. The frown he wore on his face seemed to be a permanent one as evident by the lines surrounding his mouth and eyes.
Aku frowned as he quickly readjusted his attire. "Excuse me," he said gruffly. With a curt nod of the head, he was quickly on his way.
"Charming," Marguerite commented as she watched him until he disappeared behind a building.
Malone nodded his head. "I guess we can't be popular with everyone."
Rani turned to face his companions and wore a look of regret. "I apologize for Aku. He has had a very troubled life, and he has not turned out the better for it."
"What do you mean?" Malone asked.
With a deep sigh and a look of sadness on his face, Rani continued walking while the others followed. "Muitos anos há, outsiders such as yourselves came to Burka and they carried the same type of weapons as you now do. We were young children then and did not understand how dangerous they were. We had all seen them demonstrating them to some of the people in town.
"Aku and one of our other friends, Soren, wanted to go into one of the cabins and play with the weapons. I was supposed to go along with them that day, but my mother needed help bringing water from the river so they went without me. Aku accidentally shot and killed Soren while they were playing and he has never been the same. Shortly after, my own parents died and I was lost in my own sorrow." Marguerite felt more than saw Roxton tense beside her and risked a sideways glance at him, but by then his face was impassive as he listened to Rani continue his tale.
"Aldaz and my friend Jun both advised me it would be better for my own good that I did not associate with him. I am sorry to say that I myself have added to his misery. I could not be the friend I should have been. Aku became an outcast in Burka and people shunned him though he was only a boy and did not know better. His own family did not look at him the same. It is not surprising that he has turned out the way he has. Looking back now, I regret that I listened to them and I have tried to make amends with Aku for my behavior, but I fear he has gone past the point where he will accept my apology." Rani smiled sadly and shook himself out of his reverie. "Lo siento, you did not come here to listen to past tragedies. S'il vous plait, let us continue."
They followed silently as he led them back to their cabins. "I must now take my leave. Supper will be brought to you soon and I am sure you must be tired from your journey and our walk. Hasta mañana. Bon jour." With a small bow, Rani turned and left.
"He's a nice kid. You wouldn't think by looking at him that he's been through so much." Malone commented.
Marguerite nodded. "Yes, he is. Some people are like that. No matter what you throw at them, they refuse to let it beat them."
Marguerite and Malone were quiet as their thoughts wandered to memories of their own past. Roxton, however, was still thinking about Aku.
End Scene I
A/N: Next part coming on Monday, stay tuned!
