"Don't you think it's a touch too soon, Marguerite?"
I'm fine, don't worry about me. Like it said,"
You've had worse." The hunter interrupted.
Exactly. Now I'm all patched up and ready to go. You can't get a better offer than that."
How are we to keep that wound dry?"
Well, you'll just have to carry me, Lord Roxton." Marguerite replied with a wry smile and a slight smirk for her worrisome hunter.
It had been three days since she was shot. The first day he cauterised the wound, effectively returning the gruesome favour, then she sewed herself back up using a spare needle and thread. Ladies Home Journal would be proud. The second day Marguerite couldn't entirely remember since she was sleeping most of it. And the third she spent convincing Roxton that she was okay.
During her stint recuperating, the hunter had only left late at night to gather food and firewood. He never left her side otherwise. He was on a constant vigil that was irritating to say the least to Marguerite. He wore a mask of equal parts concern and utter curiosity. The latter part Marguerite required staying a while.
"Best you put that warrior outfit back on, Marguerite."
Oh really, John."
It's... It's for camouflage, I'll put back on my guard's uniform and re-entering should be a snap." the hunter replied rather hastily.
"Well then, you'd best be turning around."
The hunter's eye quirked as he obeyed and turned, allowing the heiress a moment's peace and privacy. He'd do anything to revive their banter. She had been silent on him for nearly four hours and it scared the hell out of him. Now they avoided the subject of just what to do once they re-entered the Lizard City like the plague. Roxton wasn't a curious sort, but he damned well wanted to know what could get him killed. He questioned her motives, if not her interrogation techniques. But he knew she wasn't ready to open up a portal to the past, and with her current health, he sure didn't push.
He strained to pick up her movements, and he was rewarded by scuffling and small moaning noises. He turned when the moans were laced with pain. She was dressed in the warrior outfit a pale blue dress and was struggling to reattach the black and purple lightweight armour.
Roxton let out a low whistle at the sight. When he inched further, checking her eyes to make sure they weren't deadly, or as deadly as they could be, he attempted to help her.
"Wouldn't be starting something you can't finish, John?"
Just being a gentleman, Marguerite. A Lady should never dress alone."
Marguerite scoffed," You said the same thing about bathing."
"And I was right about both."
The heiress rolled her eyes, as the hunters own eyes leered at her figure.
"Something you want?"
Roxton smiled at the seemingly familiar statement. But he wouldn't take the bait. His face fell when he eyed her injuries once more.
"What did they do to you?" he breathed out low and full of mixed anger and pain.
"I am fine, John. Really." Marguerite answered trying to reassure the hunter.
Don't you tell me 'All's fair in war' Marguerite. These things shouldn't happen to you, you don't deserve this."
It's not a question of deserving Roxton. It's a question of accepting."
What do you mean?" the hunter asked with a look of clear ignorance of his face.
"What do you think would have happened if I didn't take the rap? Huh? They'd have strung up Challenger or worse you. Challenger wouldn't have survived an hour, and I... I just couldn't have it any other way." The heiress replied with a hint of tension in her voice. Opening up wasn't her forte.
I'd have protected you, Marguerite."
I'd rather protect myself, John. Besides, its over and done with now isn't. You can take out the next crazy bastard that tortures me okay?"
Marguerite's voice cracked as she tried to alleviate the situation with a light-hearted joke, but failed as tears threatened to spill.
The hunter just adjusted her armour, rechecked her bandages, and kissed her softly on the forehead.
Any further conversation was killed instantly when they heard shouts from below.
"Roxton!! Marguerite?"
Cal-um?" Roxton inquired quietly as he fingered his rifle's trigger.
No, John. Challenger."
"We're up here, Challenger. There's sturdy rock holds leading up, Old Boy." Roxton shouted into the simmering roar of the waterfall.
They could hear his grumbling before they saw the peppery-red hair of the scientist.
"What a geological marvel. A dry crevasse sheltered by a waterfall. Wonderful!" Challenger exclaimed upon entering the small compartment.
"What are you doing here?" Marguerite asked as Roxton shot her a warning glance. They didn't need more causalities to worry about.
"My congratulations to you both, my dears. I don't want to intrude upon your little celebration, but I've got some rather exciting news of my own." Challenger answered in gleeful tone.
Congratulations?" Marguerite questioned the hunter, and was met by a rueful smile.
Why yes of course. Seems that Assai and Jarl are expecting. Due sometime in the dry seasons. We'd hope you might accompany us back home for the ensuing party of course."
That's lovely Challenger, and I'm sure we'll be happy to attend. Now what is this about "congratulations?" Marguerite said to Challenger, but she addressed Roxton.
On your wedding err elopement, of course. But shall we shift the conversation to where we are with our Lizard Brethren?"
Marguerite's eyes grew wide, and held a secret hint of pleasure. She drew beady arrows at her hunter with an eyebrow raised. He returned the glance with a wide-brimmed smile.
"Really nothing to worry about Challenger. Tribune merely sold us for information regarding gunpowder to a higher power. Thankfully we've all escaped, and been living the high life ever since." Marguerite flinched inwardly as Roxton lied to a faithful friend. She knew this would eat him alive. Deception was better left up to her sorts. She buried the entire conversation in her mind for later analysis.
Who's there with you, George?" Roxton said quietly as he heard commotion coming from outside of the crevasse.
"Oh, Assai was nice enough to lend some warriors for the trip. Can't be alone in the jungle for too long. I took the liberty of explaining all I could to Veronica and Ned. They seemed to take it well." Challenger replied.
"Yes, we all know Veronica's feelings about our lizard friend." Roxton said wryly. He admired Veronica's views on good and bad. Everything was black and white to her. Nothing seemed to blur.
Indeed. If I could take a look at that leg, Marguerite?" The scientist revealed a small first aid kit from his pack, and addressed the sitting Englishwoman.
Not that it'll do any good, but have at it George." Marguerite said with a slight hint of happiness in her voice.
Challenger had noticed the blood-soaked bandages in the corner of their small paradise, along with the crippling over-protectiveness exuding from John; Marguerite was bound to be injured. Challenger noticed that the hunter hadn't move from her side their entire conversation, and his riffle was cocked and ready. At the thought of intrusion, by Assai's warriors, Roxton had shifted to cover her. All and All, Marguerite was taking this well.
"You'll excuse my hands, Marguerite." Challenger said mainly to guard-dog Roxton, as he bent down to examine the injured woman. "Wonderful stitching John, you should do the mending from now on."
"She sewed it when I was sleeping. Damn woman never gave me a chance." Roxton replied to the bewildered scientist.
A sheepish grin escaped from the mask of Marguerite. She blocked out the pain the mere probing was delivering. She'd show no pain in front of her friends.
"Damned is right, Roxton." Marguerite uttered low, and arched an eyebrow. "Will I live, George?"
Oh, I'm quite sure of it, Marguerite. Quite the healer you are." The scientist replied in a jovial tone.
"She'll be just fine, John." Challenger said as he patted the younger man on the shoulder. "You've done a good job."
A brisk nod from the hunter was the only reply. After the warriors helped get Marguerite onto dry lands unscathed, the three friends said their goodbyes. Challenger needed to return to the tree house to attend to a rather pressing experiment. Years of experience told Marguerite that the elderly scientist had bought their ruse. She'd bet on it and indeed she would.
"Guess we've got a party to attend."
Just what was on that note, John?" Marguerite inquired with a deadly look to her eye.
"Wouldn't you like to know." The hunter answered back, a mirthful laugh framed his eyes as they walked hand in hand towards the Lizard City.