The Grand Illusion - ElevenpBR
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(Disclaimer: Characters from The Lost World belong respectively to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Telescene, et al. This is for entertainment purposes only. Any original characters belong to the author and cannot be used without permission.)p
"Malone! Veronica!" Challenger muscled his way through the crowds along with Roxton and Marguerite. Summerlee was already there.p
"This isn't real is it?" Veronica asked, her voice filled with sadness as she looked at her parents in the distance.p
"The Professor just told us." Malone said shortly, nodding his head at Professor Summerlee.p
"We've got to get out of here.." Challenger said with a frown. "We are in some sort of dream state, an elaborate illusion that is feeding upon our minds, our memories - and in Veronica's case, perhaps her parents."p
"Brought on by herbs, no doubt." Summerlee waved away a waiter who had instantly appeared with more drinks.p
"But it doesn't explain why we're all sharing the same illusion." Ned shook his head.
p
"Look we can talk about it all we want." Marguerite interjected. "But if we ARE asleep then HOW do we wake ourselves up?" p
"The rope!" Roxton held up the rope in Marguerite's hands. "We must be tied up somehow and you - " p
"Concentrate on the rope, Marguerite." Challenger's eyes gleamed. They were onto something!p
"I'll try." Marguerite looked doubtful. She concentrated on the rope, staring at it and instantly on her wrists she felt the roughness of it - and the sharp angle of something as it cut into her wrist.p
"Ow!" Marguerite looked at her wrist as it began to bleed.p
"Good girl!" Challenger beamed. "Our reality is forcing itself into this illusion we're under! Hurry, all of us MUST concentrate!"p
Veronica couldn't help it. She cast one more look at her parents as Summerlee put a gentle hand upon her shoulder.p
"My dear, you know that this is but an illusion. They're not real."p
A tear escaped Veronica's eye and she wiped it away. p
"I - know. I just wish that - they were real."
p
"You'll find them - WE'LL find them.." Ned gave her a reassuring smile.p
"Not if we don't get out of whatever THIS is." Roxton interupted them. p
"Exactly right, Roxton. Now everyone concentrate. If Marguerite can do it.."p
"Hey!" Marguerite glared at Challenger.
p
"No offense, Marguerite. You seem to have the strongest will out of everyone present."p
"Hmmm, well that's better.." Marguerite rubbed her wrist.p
"You mean she's stubborn." Roxton quipped.p
"I'm ignoring YOU." Marguerite gave Roxton a look of disdain."Now let's get out of this whatever it is.." Marguerite closed her eyes and the rest followed suit.p
****p
iFor what the gods have brought us, let us rejoice../ip
Stirring..p
The old priest held up his hands to the skies above the dense trees.p
iWe return these willing gifts to the gods so that they may rid us of the Sickness../ip
Eyes fluttering..green, the striking green of the jungle..p
iMay this sacrifice be acceptable in the sight of the Holy Ones../ip
The orchestra went into another endless waltz, and the group felt themselves being swept into it..p
iProfessor Challenger, your discoveries are the most singular in the twentieth century!...Summerlee, old boy, tell us of the adventures you embarked upon..Lord John Roxton, do you take this woman, Marguerite Krux, to be your lawful wedded wife?...Ned Malone, the winner of the prestigous award for writing..Lady Roxton, those jewels ARE divine!..Veronica, we'll never leave you. We'll always be a family../i
They gasped, hanging on to each other for support.p
"It's not REAL!" Summerlee cried out. "No matter how much we wish it to be, we MUST resist!"p
"Come on!" Challenger looked beyond the ballroom. "Look beyond this illusion and see what is real!"p
The soft rhythm of the drums resumed as the old priest retrieved the sacred blade. He went to where the six sacrifices were tied up and frowned as he saw them twitch and move a little in their restraints. However, this could not be helped. They dared not give any more of the elixir for fear of killing them. The gods would not accept a sacrifice already dead. Such would be an offense and might kill them all. His old eyes looked at each one, until he stopped to the one in the middle - one of the young males. He raised the knife and then gently placed the tip where his heart would be and then raised it again.p
iAccept this one to forever dwell with the Gods../i
Roxton's eyes fluttered as he saw beyond the ballroom. An old man, with something shiny in his aged hands..p
The knife went downwards, the old priest's hands swift and sure in his task..p
"NOoooooooooooooo! Roxton!!" Marguerite's eyes came open at once and then - p
Pain..p
"Marguerite!" Roxton's eyes were open and he looked horrified as he saw Marguerite slumped in front of him, a spreading red stain on her blouse. The old priest looked surprised. No one had ever broken the bonds before, nor had they blocked the sacred blade with their own body. This was an omen or perhaps it was a sign.p
The others awakened, realizing at once where they were and what had happened to Marguerite.p
"Untie us, man!" Challenger yelled at the priest, who mumbled something in a foriegn language.p
"Veronica, do you know their language?" Ned asked as he struggled with his bonds.p
"No, I've heard of these people - the Urquiza - they keep themselves isolated, believing in the sacredness of their tribes. They're supposed to be peaceful.." She too, worked at her bonds. Marguerite might be dying!p
"Marguerite!" Roxton looked anguished as Marguerite leaned against him. "Speak to me."p
"Ow..I think I'd rather be in London.." She mumbled.p
"That's my girl. Can you speak to him?" Roxton whispered in her ear.p
"I'll - try.." Marguerite ignored the pain in her shoulder and by dint of determination, pulled herself away from Roxton.p
iYou must release us or suffer the wrath of your gods./iMarguerite said in their language, not really thinking about what she was doing.p
The old priest's eyes widened. The outsider spoke their sacred tongue! Surely this was a sign from the gods!p
iWe do not wish more of their wrath upon us, O'One Sent From The Gods../i The old priest bowed. i We only wish a cure from the sickness brought upon us./ip
Marguerite's eyes looked upon the priest steadily. i"Then release us. There are wise ones who will help to cure you."/ip
iAs you command."/i The old priest nodded and then barked out orders to his warriors who untied them. Marguerite had moved away to sit upon a rock while this was being done, trying not to give into the pain she felt. As soon as Roxton was released, he ran to her and immediately pulled at her blouse, exposing her shoulder.p
"Really, John, if you wanted to get my clothes off, you COULD have waited till we were alone." Marguerite smiled slightly, a hint of her usual amusement in her voice.p
"Very funny..although your wound isn't." Roxton probed the knife wound, which piered her shoulder. p
"Ow!" Marguerite winced. "I'm glad you're not a doctor!"p
"Doesn't look life-threatening, but we'll have to treat it."p
"When will I be receiving your bill, Dr. Roxton?" p
"Wouldn't you like to know." He winked and then called for Summerlee.p
*****p
It turned out that between Summerlee and Challenger, they were able to treat the sickness among the villagers using Summerlee's knowledge of the plants around the village and Challenger's varied experiments with the same. It took some days to see the results, but the explorers were treated as if they were ambassadors of the gods themselves - at least that was what the old priest - Tibrukik - had told them. When it looked like the sick villagers were responding favorably to the medicine, the explorers bid their farewells, but not before Summerlee taught the village medicine man how to duplicate the cure. Tibrukik, in gratitude, gave them an ancient map that supposedly led to the world beyond, which excited Challenger and the others. When they at last returned to the treehouse, the map was laid out on the table.p
"So, do you think this is a way off the plateau?" Roxton studied the map.p
"Are you so anxious to get back to London then, Roxton?" Challenger joked.p
"Well, not in the way we just went through, no." Roxton grinned as Marguerite came into the living area.p
"Humph. *I* was the one who went through a ghastly experience. I think you owe me your life, Lord Roxton."p
"I'm just glad to be back home.." Veronica mused. "Although.."p
"There, there, child." Summerlee patted her shoulder. Veronica smiled at Summerlee and then at the others. "I know that one day I WILL find my parents - but I consider you all my family."p
"That is a wonderful sentiment, Veronica.." Ned said with a smile as he closed his journal.p
"I suppose I could be Aunt Marguerite and there's Uncle John.." She gave Roxton a cool look.p
Roxton only laughed which irritated her. p
"OLD Uncle John.." Marguerite added as she walked out of the room.p
"HEY..." Roxton stood up and followed her out of the room. Summerlee chuckled as they exited.p
"I wonder what that would make US, eh, Challenger?" Summerlee raised a brow at his old rival.p
"Bite your tongue, Summerlee." Challenger gave him a glare. p
Veronica went to the open 'window' of the treehouse and watched the light of day fall into dusk. Ned, sensing her mood, went over to her.p
"Are you all right?" He placed his hands on her shoulders.p
"I - yes - no. I suppose that I'm afraid to be alone again - once you leave." Her eyes looked sad.p
"You won't be alone. You'll have me. Wherever you are, there I'll be." Ned smiled as he looked into her eyes.p
"You mean that don't you?" Veronica eyes glimmered with unshed tears.p
"Scout's honor. London wouldn't be anything without you - nor this lost world for that matter." Ned looped an arm around Veronica's waist as they contined to look at the world beyond the treehouse.p
Summerlee and Challenger watched the two for a moment and then Challenger said, "I have to admit, Summerlee, that as much as I feel London calling..p
"You're glad to be back home, my friend. So am I." Summerlee smiled as he settled back in his chair.p
The Endp
