It had been quite the day, they had fixed the boat, set sail, and quieted a rather sea sick toddler. Roxton, Marguerite, and Willie were all safely ashore on an island they figured was home. They had taken a short cut through the in-land sea, and had managed to reach the dry seabed within the hour.

"Roxton?" Marguerite beckoned from half-way up a mango tree.

...Roxton?"

Yes, Marguerite?"

"Catch this so it doesn't smash" Marguerite threw a handful of small ripe fruit at her favourite hunter.

You be careful up there. Where's Will?"

Where do you think he is?" Marguerite said as she shifted her weight to show the distressed hunter the toddler tethered to her back.

Marguerite smirked at the look of pure horror on Roxton's face. The little man giggled as he snatched a piece of rotten fruit and flung it at the victim below.

The heiress laughed slightly and then realised her fault.

"William John... that wasn't very nice."

The child continued to laugh as the heiress attempted to scold the child behind her. When she gave up, Marguerite dismounted her spot from the tree and climbed down. A couple steps from the ground her grip faltered and Marguerite slipped slightly. Luckily the hunter was quick to the stride and he held her up and against him by the hips.

"You have to be more careful"

Really John, we're fine. Oh, and William apologises, now don't you Will?"

The heiress was placed back on the ground, and she took out a handkerchief. She leaned up against Roxton, and lifted one hand delicately to his face. Marguerite wiped the spoiled fruit off Roxton's face and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"All better"

You've got to stop taking chances like that, Marguerite."

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, and William, Lord Roxton.

Look Marguerite... just."

I know John, I know." When the tense and rather terse conversation was over, the toddler began stirring.

Just another day on this damned plateau, isn't that right Willie?"

The heiress said as she lifted the small boy out of the sling. As soon as Will was comfortable in his mother's arms, the hunter shifted slightly and tensed. Marguerite was already behind him and against the tree when his arms motioned her to move. Marguerite held her breath as a party of raptors were clear in their sights, feasting on some rather gruesome remains. Roxton shielded the child from the view, while Marguerite attempted to keep him quiet. The raptors came clearer into view, their deadly talons poised to strike as they sniffed out the intruders to their little party. Even the boy seemed to tense as the beasts drew closer. The hunter was positioned with his back protecting his family, and his miniscule weapon drawing no fear. They had one gun and only a few scarce bullets. Cleante just couldn't spare another, and even if she had three guns Marguerite wouldn't have taken them.

William sensed the danger. He hid his face in the clothes of his mother, willing the world away. Roxton stood dumbfounded as the heiress spouted out some other nonsensical words to soothe the frightened child. Surely she would be conscious of this one. Even the hunter felt comforted as he bathed in the delicious warmth of her musings.

A short popping sound and the greenest of flashes erupted into the darkened skyline. The hunter swore he could feel the wind stop, the birds were no longer chirping, and plateau life had all but stopped. It was an eerie feeling and it coursed through his veins like a poison. They all maintained the odd tableau until the repeated flashings had stopped. In the blink of an eye the raptors were gone. A mist had taken their place, removing them from existence with a touch of fog. Roxton did not like this at all.

The child was the first to sense all was back to normal. He spoke to Marguerite and certainly not in English. The hunter half-turned, still expecting danger to return, and watched as Marguerite answered Willie in the same language.

"What did you just say?"

Really Roxton this isn't the time to play games. Not with the day we've been having."

I'm serious Marguerite. You just said something to Willie."

I did not." The heiress said with stout determinism in her eyes. She would here no more about this topic; it was eerie and frightening to say the least. Losing control of either her mind, or her tongue frightened the hell out of her.

They locked eyes for the briefest of moments, all seriousness and earnest.

"I swear I heard you say something."

I know John. I know you did."

And with that the conversation was ended. A change of clothes for all, a brief but cold stint in the pond, and they were off for the next leg of the journey. Staying the night in that place was not in question. All wanted to gain as much distance as possible before they succumbed to sleep. But the toddler of course, was fond of sleeping on the road.

"Roxton, How long have we been walking?"

Wouldn't know, Marguerite. Challenger's the one with the timepiece."

Right well...," the heiress said as she stared into the dimly lit sky, "looks past dusk."

"Indeed. Here's as good as any."

Spoken like a man."

The hunter grunted his reply. Their campsite was small, and well protected. They were situated on a river bed that looked strangely familiar. It was similar to the Summerlea River, however the placement was wrong. The explorers just chocked it up to the ever changing plateau and their weird extravagant surroundings. Or "Just another day in this godforsaken place."

They bedded down in safety but by morning their situation would freakishly change.