Chapter Three

Roxton wakes up still on the beach, he sits up and looks around confused at his new surroundings the he remembers, Marguerite, Samun, they're both gone. Not far from the beach he hears voices and gunshots, he retrieves his rifle and tuns back towards the hill.

Veronica, Malone and Challanger are surrounded by six remaining slavers. Roxton fires the rifle into the air to get their attention, they aim their guns at him as he continues towards them.

ROXTON: Lets even things up a bit shall we.

The distraction gives the others enough time to reverse the situation, Challanger hits one of the slavers over the head with the rifle knocking him to the floor. The other slavers turn their attentions back to Veronica, Challanger and Malone. One of the puts his gun to Challangers head.

SLAVER #1: That's my brother you just hit.

Roxton joins them, he looks at the fallen slaver.

ROXTON: We feel so sorry for you.

He aims the rifle at the slaver.

ROXTON: Dirkon is dead, you have no more business here, leave.

SLAVER #1: Proove it.

ROXTON: He's over the hill see for yourself.

Slaver #1 motions to the others to lower their guns.

SLAVER #1: If you're lying...

ROXTON: I'm not.

They leave the explorers who wait until the slavers are out of sight before they put their weapons away.

MALONE: Marguerite?

ROXTON: She was right in front of me, she saved my life and then Samun took her, he took her and I couldn't do a damn thing!

CHALLANGER: I thought you said Samun was dead.

ROXTON: Well he's back and he's gone.

VERONICA: Then we'll just have to find him.

* * * * * *

Samun is pacing up and down, glancing every minute or so at the sleeping Marguerite. He's growing more and more impatient as she still hasn't woken up. He kneels down in front of her watching and waiting, a nearby torches flame lights up his face causing his pupils to look a deep orange in color.

Marguerite rouses from her sleep she see's Samun in front of her and tries to get away, she's held back by ropes that are attatched to the wall. She pulls at the ropes trying to break free but without success. Samun smiles at her wasteless efforts.

SAMUN: I thought we were friends.

MARGUERITE: Friends don't try and kill each other.

SAMUN: But Roxton tried to kill you.

MARGUERITE: I'm betting you had something to do with that.

SAMUN: Look at you, so confused, mixed emotions and all alone.

MARGUERITE: Roxton killed you once, he'll do it again.

SAMUN: You're trusting someone you don't even know.

He looks into her eyes trying to read her thoughts. She looks away and he turns her face towards his.

SAMUN: You're remembering, the druids interventions are working...Pity it won't help them.

MARGUERITE: Where's Bokrah?

Samun looks at her surprised.

SAMUN: You've been informed! Don't worry about Bokrah you'll be joing him soon.

MARGUERITE: Are you going to kill me?

SAMUN: Yes...You, Bokrah, you're people and you're friends aswell for all the trouble they've caused.

MARGUERITE: You won't get away with this.

SAMUN: And whose going to stop me? You? I don't think so, the druids? Their power is weakening and you're friends, they'll never find us.

He stands up and walks away, Marguerite pulls the ropes as far as they will go.

SAMUN: Save you're energy high priestess, you'll need it for the journey.

He walks to the cave entrance and stares at the snow capped mountains, their destination.

* * * * * *

Samun sits at the cave entrance watching the full moon and the stars shining in the dark nights sky. But soon sleep takes over.

Marguerite watches him as his head droops forward, she quietly stands and reaches over for the torch. Her hand edges closer and closer until she gets a firm grasp on it, with relief she begins to burn the rope that fastens her to the wall. As soon as she's free she edges towards the mouth of the cave. As she walks past Samun her rouses from his sleep, she picks up a rock and throws it into the cave the hides. He wakes up and walks into the cave. Marguerite picks up the gun and dagger and sneaks out.

SAMUN: I can see you.

She turns round and see's him standing right behind her.

SAMUN: Going somewhere?

MARGUERITE: Just getting some fresh air.

He pushes her back against the wall.

SAMUN: You don't escape.

He reaches for the dagger she's holding.

SAMUN: That's mine!

MARGUERITE: Keep it!

She plunges the dagger into his stomach, he falls back in surprise, he takes out the dagger and it drops to the floor clattering on the ground. Marguerite picks it up and runs, Samun begins to laugh and he watches as the wound heals itself within seconds.

SAMUN: Fine, we'll do this you're way.

* * * * * *

Early the next morning Roxton wakes up and being careful not to wake Veronica and Challanger he walks over to Malone whose on watch.

MALONE: What are you doing?

ROXTON: I'll be back soon, I'll see which direction the tracks lead us in next.

Roxton walks into the trees while Malone resumes watch. Ten minutes later Roxton suddenly stops and listens he can hear something, hurried footsteps, laboured breathing, he hurries to where he hears the sounds. He surveys the area and then he see's her, running throught the trees, looking like an angel.

ROXTON: (Shouts) Marguerite!

She stops running and turns to face him, still unsure of her new found feelings for this man, she stands as still as a statue as he runs towards her. The she begins to walk towards him as if an unstoppable magnetic force is pulling them together. He pulls her close holding her tight as though he'd never let go, he caresses her face and she looks him deep on the eyes. He looks at her not doing anything as if he's worried she might break, then he kisses Marguerite passionately and she doesn't push him away. He moves a few stray hairs away from her face.

ROXTON: Do you remember?

She studies his face and smiles knowingly at him, this man, Lord John Roxton is her friend, her companion, he'd never lie to her.

MARGUERITE: How could I ever forget...

ROXTON: Don't ever leave me like that again.

MARGUERITE: All the evil in the world couldn't tear me away from you.

She puts her hand to his face as if to make sure he's real.

ROXTON: The gap in my heart has just been filled...

He takes her hand and leads her away.

ROXTON: The others are going to be happy to see you.

He keeps hold of her hand as they make their way toward the camp, never seeing, never knowing that the evil that would soon tear them apart is watching as they walk away.

To be continued...