Veronica explored the little hovel, trying to learn all she could about their mysterious host. It was a veritable museum. An Egyptian papyrus lay unrolled on a table against a wall, a suit of armor stood in the corner, and there were even Zanga relics hanging on the wall.
The house itself was ancient, older than anything she had seen on the Plateau, much like the trees outside. There didn't appear to be any other people in this misty valley, just lots of animals, and they were afraid of nothing. A deer had walked into the house and plucked one of the leaves Veronica was preparing right out of her hand. Roxton was continually shooing a monkey who wanted to share Marguerite's pillow.
Veronica was curious to explore the outside, but respected their host's request.
Voices drifted in from beyond the door and Veronica went to see who was coming. Ned and Challenger followed their the woman across the clearing to the cottage, looking around in wonder. "This place is amazing. There is a fawn over there, and a Raptor is sleeping in the sun next to the house," he pointed out.
"It is fascinating," Challenger agreed energetically.
Veronica's wave caught their attention and they waved back in greeting.
"Veronica! We've been looking everywhere for you guys," Ned called as he jogged toward her. "What happened?"
"We had a mishap," she answered cryptically.
"What kind of mishap?" questioned Challenger as he caught up.
Veronica glanced over her shoulder. Their eyes followed to Roxton and the sleeping form of Marguerite.
"Oh, is she alright?" Challenger asked.
"She'll be fine thanks to our benefactor," Veronica indicated Kinari.
"We owe you a debt of gratitude then, Miss..?"
"You may call me Kinari," she stated as she brushed passed them. She was very dirty, her white dress soiled and spattered with droplet of blood. She picked up the bowl with the poultice. "Excuse me, I have work to do." She went back outside and called into the woods.
Wide eyes, they watched the T-Rex and the only Raptor left walk into the clearing and stop directly in front of her, not the least bit disturbed. She dipped her hand into the bowl and began to smear the goop on bite marks all over the T-Rex's legs and across the raptor's back where the Lizardmen had chewed on them.
"What happened?" Veronica asked Challenger
"She and her friends were fighting Lizardmen. Does anyone else find it fascinating that we understand what she is saying, but we all know what she is not speaking English. The animals seem to understand her as well. It must be some kind of universal language," Challenger changed the subject.
A moan came from the corner of the room. Everyone turned and went to see how their friends were doing.
"Take it easy, Marguerite. How do you feel?" Roxton asked as he felt her forehead.
"Sore," was her simple answer. "I had a dream that I was on fire."
"You screamed like you were. Do you remember what happened?" Veronica inquired.
Marguerite's face screwed up in confusion as she thought back. "I remember we were heading back to the Treehouse and we saw some T-Rex's walking into the Valley, then we were attacked by Lizardmen. We fought them off and that huge cat showed up. I was shot with an arrow," Marguerite's hand automatically went up to her shoulder as she gingerly touched the wrapping Veronica placed there. "I don't remember much else besides waking up here just now. The only thing I can remember of the treating of my shoulder is the pain."
"That's enough excitement for now, you need to rest," Roxton commanded as he pulled the blanket up to her chin.
"She should have some tea first. I already have it made. It will help her heal more quickly, you all may have some as well." Kinari went to the open fireplace and removed a large kettle. She then proceeded to spoon out the concoction into earthen cups. "This tea is made from the same leaves as the poultice I used on your friend. It has remarkable healing properties and a great many uses. Enjoy, I must go bathe." She left her guests to help themselves to the drink.
When she returned Marguerite was fast asleep on the bed and Roxton had joined his friends at the table in the middle of the room. Kinari immediately went to prepare a meal, and Challenger attempted to strike up a conversation. "So, were are the rest of your people?"
She regarded him a brief moment before she answered. She would not lie to them, but she also would reveal as little as possible. "There are no other people, I live alone."
"How long have you been alone?" To say he was intrigued would have been an understatement.
"Many years," was all she said. Challenger studied her. She looked to be not much older that Veronica, but not quite as old as Ned, but when he glimpsed her eyes she saw centuries behind them.
Ned had yet to notice this and continued the barrage of questions, "How could you survive on your own for so long? And what about the animals, why don't the raptors attack, and the T-Rex?"
She looked at them in confusion. These names were foreign to her. She was wise though, and discerned his meaning. "I survive quite easily, I have nothing to fear from the animals, and the animals have nothing to fear from me. As for the dragons, here they do not kill unless provoked by a Child of Cain or a Child of Seth." She shifted under their gaze. Children of Seth were always too inquisitive for their own good.
"Why, what prevents them from killing?" Ned persisted.
"This is a safe haven, there is no death here unless it is brought by outsiders."
Challenger decided that a change in subject was in order, "I was noticing your decorations, you have quite a collection or artifacts, where did you get them?"
"They were brought by outsiders who attacked this Valley, I keep them as a reminder that Sons of Seth are destructive. That is why you must leave tomorrow, before you can cause any trouble."
"There are things from hundreds, even thousands of years ago, did your ancestors defend your Valley before you?"
"No one but me has ever defended this Valley," she replied harshly, cutting off any further interrogation. She served them, then gave them a place to sleep. First thing in the morning she personally guided them out of the Valley. As if by some miracle, Marguerite was up and walking, feeling as almost a good as new. All that was left from her wound was a white scar and a bit of tenderness.
Challenger and Veronica agreed to go directly to the Zanga Village to talk to Assai, and maybe the shaman. The artifacts proved they had been there before, maybe they had the answer to the mystery of the Valley of Mists.