Legend Chapter 4

Ned was again on his side retching what little was left in his stomach. As soon as the pains subsided he lay back down again. He had no idea how long he'd been here. He wasn't even sure where here was. One minute he had been alone with Veronica and now he was in a strange place with people he didn't know. They had been tending him during his sickness, the women incredibly tender. But he kept asking for Veronica and when she finally came, he relaxed despite his illness.

Veronica wiped his face after he expelled his stomach yet again.

"Where are we?" he asked her as she helped him drink a little water. "Who are these people?"

"I'm not sure," She replied as he lay back down. "But they claim to be descendants of Prester John followers."

Ned's eyes grew wide. "I'd say that's impossible but not after all the people we've seen. But how did we get here?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry, I allowed myself to fall asleep and when I woke up you were gone. When I came out of the rock shelter, I was here."

He nodded slightly as he closed his eyes. Veronica took his hand in hers. "Get some sleep. We can figure this out once you're better."

"The others will come looking for us," he said as he drifted back to sleep.

Zara came back into the sick room. She was carrying a tray with a bowl of hot soup, fresh fruit, and water. She set the tray down on the small stand beside the bed as she came over.

"Here, I thought you might be a little hungry," the caretaker told her. "I will look after him while you eat."

"Thank you," Veronica smelled the soup and her stomach growled. She hadn't realized how long she'd gone without eating. As she ate, she also began to wonder exactly how long they had been here. It was at least a few hours. "Can you tell me how we got here? Adrik had promised to but I haven't seen him in some time."

Zara nodded. "Adrik is a good man, but he tends to be easily distracted. He's one of our leading council members. But, I will try to explain. Centuries ago the man who became known as Prester John ruled over a small nation among many other nations. Our kingdom was based upon the teachings of the early Christians. We were a small but prosperous people intent on living in peace. Eventually like many lands built on lofty ideals we succumbed to greed and corruption. A son of Prester John gathered what was left of his family and true followers and left. They journeyed through many lands, attempting only to live in peace with ourselves and those around us. We finally established a kingdom in what was once known as Ethiopia and were able to live peacefully for many years. We grew in numbers and were prosperous. We tried to keep to our beliefs, our traditions, and began reaching out to other nations as well.

"But outside kingdoms grew jealous and wanted to conquer us. We were finally attacked by large numbers of enemy soldiers. Most of our people were either enslaved or slaughtered but some managed to escape and fled across the waters. Adrik's own great grandfather was one of the first to find this land. They settled and began the city which you are now in." Zara gestured around the room. "This hospice was one of the first buildings."

"How is it I've never heard of you?" Veronica broke in. "I've lived on the Plateau all my life and I've never heard you mentioned by any of the tribes."

Zara stared back at her for a moment. She sighed before she continued. "When Adrik's ancestor arrived this was a great jungle. There were many tribes, some very dangerous as well as monstrous beasts."

Veronica smiled. "They're called dinosaurs."

Zara chuckled. "I see you know of them as well. But, in order to protect ourselves we hid our kingdom beneath a mountain. We left markings behind in case any of our other followers ever found their way."

"We found some of the markings in a small cave," Veronica said. "That's where we encountered the spores. How did we get here though?"

Zara shook her head. "You are not the first to come through the arch. Over the years, others have come through, all ill from the cave spores. Some have not been as pleasant as yourselves. All have wanted to stay but you are the first to come in well over a hundred years."

"Once Ned is recovered we'll want to leave. And our friends will come looking for us."

Zara frowned. "Why would you want to leave?"

"Because this isn't our home and our friends will be worried."

"Well, perhaps once your friend is recovered, the council will know a way to return you. In the meantime, please, enjoy our hospitality."

The caretaker stood to leave and she smiled as she took the tray out with her. Veronica watched as the woman left. She turned back to the still sleeping journalist.

"Come on, Ned," she told him. "You need to get better so we can leave."

Roxton, Challenger, and Marguerite were up early this morning. They were up before sunrise, loading their weapons and gathering supplies. They ate a quick breakfast then prepared to leave the Treehouse.

"Do we know what direction they were heading in?" the hunter asked as Challenger picked up his own pack.

"West," Challenger said as he slung the pack over his shoulder. "They were going to watch the sunrise in the meadow."

Two days had passed since Ned and Veronica had left the Treehouse. When one day had passed with no signal, none of the explorers gave it much thought, especially with the heavy rain. But now nearly another full day had passed with no sign of the pair.

"Are we sure they didn't just want more time alone?" Marguerite asked. "Or they took shelter somewhere because of the weather?"

"Once the weather had cleared they would have tried to signal us," Roxton answered. "It would be better if we just were to make certain."

(Chapter 5 will be up in a few days. Please, if you read leave a review.)