They arrived at the Zanga Village shortly after midday, and Assai greeted them with open arms. "My friends, what brings you to visit us?" she asked.

"We came across a Valley and wanted to ask you if your people had any stories regarding it," Challenger answered.

"Which valley, there are many on the Plateau," Assai smiled as she escorted her guests into the village.

"It is very deep, covered in mist, and right now is being guarded by a very tall blonde woman," Ned volunteered. He didn't believe that only one person had lived there for all those years, but he wasn't going to contradict the woman who had saved Marguerite's life, and had put that hole on Roxton's hat.

Assai's eyes grew large. "Come with me, you must speak with Tawnoo. He will be able to answer all of your questions." She lead them to the Shaman's hut and waited to be summoned as Assai went inside and explained the reason for their visit.

An old voice beckoned them entrance and they filed in. An ancient, feeble Zanga Indian sat on a fur pelt with amazingly bright, lucid eyes, studying them expectantly. As they say he eagerly began asking them questions, as if he were an inquisitive child. "Where was this Valley that you visited?"

"It is due east of here, many miles journey," Veronica answered.

"Yes, yes, that is were it is, and you say that it was covered in mists?"

"That's correct, sir, and guarded by a beautiful woman," Roxton finished. Marguerite elbowed him in the ribs. "Ow, but not as beautiful as you."

"And did this woman speak a familiar tongue, even though you had never heard it before, and speak to animals?"

"Yes, exactly. Can you tell us anything about her and the Valley?" Challenger wanted to know.

"The Valley of Mists is the reason for the Plateau's existence, and the ancient one is its keeper. The Guardian is another being that no live creature has ever seen."

Ned looked around at the confused faces of his companions, "I don't understand."

The Shaman sighed, he wasn't sure how to explain to the outsiders and make them understand, especially since his people had forgotten most of story years ago themselves, it was little more than legend to them as well. "We have not gone to the Valley in generations, warned away by the Keeper. The Plateau," he waved his hands as he spoke, trying to make it easier, "according to legend, was created to protect the Valley, which lies at the very center, from Sons of Seth and Sons of Cain."

"Who are the Sons of Seth and the Sons of Cain? Kinari mentioned the titles, but they didn't make any sense?"

Assai interrupted with the knowledge she was able to provide. "We are the Children of Seth, humans, people, and the Children of Cain are what you call the Lizardmen."

Recognition tickled at the back of Challenger's mind, but he would have to wait until they got back to the Treehouse to investigate his theory. Instead, he turned to Tawnoo and asked, "Why do you call her the Keeper, what is down there that needs to be protected?"

"There is an ancient wall and gate that surrounds something, but the knowledge of what is hidden behind the wall is lost to us, and we prefer it that way. The Keeper wears the key to the gate around her neck. Saros knew what lay behind the wall and lead his enslaved warriors to take it. The Keeper defeated him in battle, but allowed him to live. She proved that he could be beaten and gave our people the courage to overthrow him, and he took the knowledge of what lay beyond the wall to his fiery grave. We have since left her be, but we welcome any news of her well-being. She is the savior of our people."

"But the woman in the Valley isn't the same one that fought Saros, she is a descendant, right?" Roxton asked.

"No, Lord Roxton, she is the same woman," the shaman said with absolute certainty.

"But that would mean that she's at least 300 years old," John almost laughed.

"She is much older than that, she is as old as the Valley and the Plateau, perhaps even older."

***

The five explorers were silent for most of the trek back to the Treehouse. As it came into view Challenger called back to Marguerite, "Are there any Bibles left with the pages intact."

Marguerite was puzzled by his question, but answered, "I'll have you know that I haven't touched Veronica's father's, it rests on the shelf collecting dust as we speak."

As soon as they had ascended to the Treehouse, Challenger went to shelf and plucked the book from its place. "I didn't know you were a religious man, George?"

"I'm not, but I have a theory, just give me a moment." He opened it to the beginning book and began to read quickly. "Aha, hear it is. Cain kills Abel, he's not is brother's keeper, then Adam begets Seth, and a bunch more begets until Noah and the flood."

"And once more Challenger, your going to have to go much slower and spell it out for the rest of us," Marguerite remarked.

"It is simple, it appears that this woman believes that the Lizardmen are descendants of Cain, Adam's first son, from the Bible, and we are descendants of Seth, Adam's third son."

"And how did you come to this conclusion?" Roxton asked.

"Well, have you ever read Beowulf?" Everyone but Veronica nodded. "People used to believe that after Cain was cursed his children were born monsters, lizard like creatures that stalked their human brethren and murdered them for sport, like Grendal and his mother in the story. The Bible also tells that they were very intelligent and invented things like tents, musical instruments, built cities, raised animals, and created tools."

"So you're saying that Kinari believes in a literal translation of the Bible?" Ned asked.

"It would appear that she more than believes it, she had dedicated her life to it."

"So what is she protecting, the Garden of Eden?" Marguerite scoffed.

"Marguerite!" She jumped back when Challenger yelled, and sought shelter behind Roxton. "You're a genius!"

"What's he talking about!?"

"Well, it all fits together. Cain, Seth, a locked gate. Whatever is behind it is sought after by dozens of tribes."

Marguerite began to catch on, "That's right, the Tree of Life there. It's supposed to give the person who eats of it eternal life." Everyone looked at her as if she had grown a second head, "What!? I went to convent for 10 years, I had to pick up something."

Challenger waved his hand around in a grand way, "According to Genesis, Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden for their rebellion after eating of Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Then an angel was posted inside to strike anyone down that tried to get to the fruit of the Tree of Life."

"So she is an angel then, or believes she is one," Ned reasoned.

"No, angels don't bleed, I don't know what she is doing there, but if the Lizardmen are attacking her, she is going to need some help, and much more than her animal friends can give."