The big, red, furry beast leapt into the air, over the fence, and flew toward the treehouse. Marguerite and Malone fired at it, but the bullets were merely absorbed in the creature's thick hide. Not slowed down a bit by the gun fire, the creature reached the edge of the treehouse floor, hanging on with its front paws, and pushing itself up to peer in on the explorers.
"The bullets didn't even scratch it!" Malone exclaimed.
"I bet this knife will leave a mark," said Veronica, moving in to strike.
"Wait," the creature, to everyone's surprise and amazement, spoke.
"Am I losing my mind," Marguerite sputtered, "or did it just start talking?"
"Who are you — your people," Veronica asked shakily, slow to pick up that she could communicate with this "animal," "and what do you want here?"
"I am a Bexnen," it said, "I am looking for another of my kind. His name is Qiv."
"Well, he's not here," Veronica said.
"We have a telepathic link," the Bexnen revealed, "I've received images from him of humans and a treehouse. Explain this!"
"We can't," Malone replied, "but we have never seen him."
"Okay," the Bexnen said, "I sense no deception from you, but if I discover that you have lied, I will return."
Qiv, with Roxton and Challenger walking beside him, slowly shuffled his way across the jungle. He had never moved so slowly, but these human companions he had stumbled into were extremely slow, in both thought and motion. Qiv was starting to get annoyed, but he knew he was in no position to demand anything of anyone. The fact is, his gut did tell him that this particular group of humans were very resourceful, and some of the more intelligent humans on this plateau. And if he was to be discovered, it might be nice to be with friends who had these guns. Although Qiv could not shelter himself from the great reservations he had as to just how powerful these guns really were. He was chomping at the bit to see a demonstration, but he didn't want to arouse suspicion by asking. The way he had presented himself was with a demeanor of someone who would have no interest in guns. And the last thing Qiv needed was more weariness directed toward him. He knew that the humans, especially Roxton, had many doubts as to the convenience of him, a big, strong, intelligent being, dropping in and escorting them off of this plateau, which had only hidden exits, and many easy to find entrances. That's how it trapped so many treasures in time. Of course, Qiv would gladly escort them off the plateau, and moving this slow would actually turn out to be advantageous. He knew that if he could guide the humans to their way off the plateau without confrontation that he was safe here, and if trouble intercepted them, at least he'd have a little aid in fending it off. Again, though, Qiv was quick to question the human's true resilience against his own kind. Still, "safety in numbers" is a logical concept recognized by Bexnens and humans alike. Qiv was very comfortable with this help each other scenario he had set up with the humans. Even though the humans didn't know that they were doing anything for Qiv, Qiv knew that sometimes it's better not to know. The bottom line was, Qiv would honor the friendship he had established with Roxton and Challenger, and the friendship he was sure to forge with their friends, even if his reasons for befriending them weren't established, Qiv saw nothing wrong with keeping that to himself.
"I still can't even see this treehouse of yours," Qiv mused, not nearly expressing the true frustration he felt due to the slow journey, "I'm beginning to wonder if it even exists."
"Oh, it's there," Challenger assured him, "we've just wondered rather far from it this time."
"I should think that would be unwise," Qiv shared, "after all, the plateau's jungles are full of dangerous predators."
"We can defend ourselves," Roxton shot with a sarcastic twinge present in his words, a twinge that was enough to bring a scowl to Challenger's face, "but it's so nice to see you care."
"Indeed I do," Qiv said, his friendly demeanor shining with a brilliance that could light up the night sky, "we Bexnens have no interest in seeing harm to any living being."
"How noble," Roxton muttered underneath his breath.
"Well," Challenger said, "we do still have a pretty long walk ahead of us, and the sun's pretty much down now. I'd say this is as good a time as any to call it a night and set up camp."
"That looks like a secure location," said Roxton pointing to an area that was fairly clear and wide, but surrounded by many big trees.
"Good eye," said Qiv admiring him.
"Why, thank you very much," said Roxton, tipping his cap.
The three lit a fire in the mini-clearing, and prepared themselves for sleep. However, sleep wouldn't come easily to Roxton and Challenger. For Challenger, the dull night gave him time to think about the thrill of finally leading his expedition home. As for Roxton, it should come as no surprise that he was not willing to entrust the duty of standing guard to Qiv alone. Nevertheless, nighttime travels were risky, so they remained near the campfire for the remainder of the night, with no conversation whatsoever.
Shortly after the Bexnen left the treehouse, content that those there had not encountered Qiv, Veronica and Malone sauntered off.
Any chance to be alone, Marguerite toyed, oh, what am I going to do with them?
However, Marguerite quickly regained her focus. There was something in the voice of the Bexnen. Something more than just casually looking for somebody and it certainly wasn't the concern for a friend that she heard. No, the Bexnen visitor needed this one called Qiv; probably because Qiv had something it wanted, or did something that wasn't tolerated in Bexnen society. No matter what it was, Marguerite had learned from experience that it never hurt to be in on what was going on.
So, as Malone and Veronica went off, she scrambled to the elevator. Then, she ran off, trying to catch up to the Bexnen.
"Wait!" she called.
He heard her immediately and ran up to her.
"What is it?" he asked, looking like he might kill her if she said something he didn't want to hear.
"This Qiv fellow," Marguerite said slyly, "you and he our good friends I bet?"
Not able to contemplate what Marguerite was getting at, it played along, "Yeah, something along those lines."
"Oh I'm sure," Marguerite baited.
"What's that supposed to mean?" the Bexnen asked of her.
"I don't know," Marguerite said, "what could I mean?"
"Answer me!" the Bexnen demanded.
Marguerite slowly stepped closer to it, brushing by and running her fingers through its fur. Seeing that it was not impressed, she promptly stopped.
"Well, I'm willing to bet your friendship isn't as deep as you'd like us to think," Marguerite played.
"I don't care what you believe," it stated firmly.
"Don't play games with me," Marguerite's charm started to twist into a dark threat for a moment, but only for a moment, "I can sense the urgency about you. For some reason, you need to find Qiv, and it is most definitely a matter of utmost importance."
"You're perceptive, human," said the Bexnen, impressed by his tone.
"Well," Marguerite smiled, "I like to think I know what people are up to."
"I gather you have schemed to manipulate those around you yourself," observed the Bexnen, sounding bored.
Marguerite smiled again, "Who's perceptive now?"
"You are correct," the Bexnen admitted, "Qiv has stolen the Shareb Crystal."
"Shareb Crystal," Marguerite questioned, "what's that?"
"The Shareb Crystal is sacred to my people," the Bexnen explained, "it is the pivotal icon in our religion. It has been for millennia."
"Your species is that old?" Marguerite whispered to herself.
"Yes," the Bexnen confirmed, "and Qiv is one of the few who believes that we can worship whether we are in the presence of the sacred crystal or not."
Marguerite was amused, "You mean you can't pray unless you're standing in front of a crystal?"
"Do not mock us!" shouted the Bexnen; "the Shareb Crystal is missing! Qiv has taken it, and is blocking our ability to telepathically communicate. We can't find him, and as we speak, the Bexnen people are losing our way! Without prayer we are weakened in mind and spirit. Our society is shutting down."
"That's…" Marguerite was not faithful to any God, and didn't know what to say to provide comfort to this distressed thing before her. "That's too bad, but my friends and I have never encountered your kind before, and don't have a clue as to where this Qiv person you are looking for is."
"Then why did you pursue me to acquire this knowledge?" the Bexnen wondered.
"Well," Marguerite said, putting on her charm once more, "I saw there was more to what you were saying, and it… perked my curiosity. Besides, knowledge is power isn't it?"
"Yes," said the Bexnen, who was not used to having to spend this much time to communicate such simple ideas, and thus its patience were tried, "now I suggest you go back to your little safe haven before your 'knowledge' gets you killed. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal," the word trickled from Marguerite's tongue, and she cringed, realizing the pun. Then, she turned and walked away, not even looking to see if the Bexnen picked it up.
Marguerite stealthy skipped through the dark jungle and glided back up the elevator and into the treehouse. Since Malone and Veronica weren't standing there waiting for her, she gathered that they hadn't noticed her absence. She had already decided that the Bexnens were so powerful, and would so easily be able to crush them that it was best if the explorers steered clear of them. Marguerite also decided not to inform the others of her private conversation with the Bexnen. All that would do is perk the curiosity's of the others; curiosity's that, under the circumstances, Marguerite knew were better off dormant. So, she headed back to her room, and decided that a little sleep would do her good.
Malone and Veronica were together in Veronica's room again. They wanted to get away and be alone after the strange Bexnen creature nearly shattered the treehouse. They chose Veronica's room so that Marguerite wouldn't go sneaking in to discover the gems that they had gathered for her and thus spoil her birthday surprise.
Malone sat calmly on Veronica's bed, but Veronica had been pacing frantically around the room, and was working up a storm.
"You need to calm down," Malone told her.
"Calm down!" Veronica exclaimed, "Ned, do you realize how easily that thing could have torn us apart if it wanted to?"
"Yes," said Malone slowly and soothingly, "but it didn't."
"But it didn't," Veronica repeated, and then went on, "Well, that's a small comfort."
"Veronica," Malone told her frankly, "it's obvious that the potential of the Bexnens hurting us worries you, but you don't have to turn that fear into anger all the time."
"What else can I do, Ned?" Veronica asked, putting herself out there in front of him, "fear is what gets people killed."
"If you're alone maybe," Malone said comfortingly, "but we're all here together. Everyone gets afraid once in a while, and the five of us are here for each other."
Sensing that Veronica was finding a way to let her true feelings show through, Malone rose and walked toward her. Veronica put her arms around him and began to cry.
With tears streaming down her cheeks she said, "This is the first time I haven't felt safe in the treehouse, Ned, and that does scare me."
"I know," said Malone, "and I know that this place is special to you because your parents built it. But even if the worst happened and the Bexnens came to attack us and destroyed the treehouse, we can escape — all of us I mean, and together we'd be able to find a new place to be safe; safe from the raptors, the Bexnens, everyone. As long as we're not alone, we will prosper."
"How can you not be afraid, Ned?" Veronica asked, "Since when have you had such a cool head?"
Malone sat Veronica down, and wiped her tears away.
"This plateau has changed me, Veronica," Malone explained, "I am worried about what the Bexnens might do, but one thing I've learned living here, is that there are a lot of things that I don't know about, and that I don't understand. I've learned to accept that. But I think that's why you are so distraught here. Because for most of things we have encountered, you had already encountered and you understood them already and you had a pretty good idea what we were going up against. But here and now, you don't. You've never seen a Bexnen before, and not knowing what they're like, and what they're capable of, morally and physically, is a scary thought."
Veronica smiled, comforted more by the fact that Malone showed her that he cared than his words, but comforted just the same. She gave him a kiss, got up and walked to the window in her room and looked out.
"Nightfall," she said with some comfort.
"Yep," said Malone, who followed her there. Without thinking they allowed their arms to slip around each other as they looked on at the full moon.
At first it seemed totally natural, but then Malone noticed that even a few weeks ago, well, a few weeks ago he wouldn't even be with Veronica at a time like this. But now, now they were together almost all the time. When did we get so close? he asked himself, I mean, there was always that potential looming there, but suddenly we've both grabbed at it. I don't how to explain what it is that's drawing us closer, but I like it. He relaxed himself and just took comfort in being with her. That was good, he thought again, I should work that into my journals.
"That means by this time tomorrow," Veronica was saying, still on the topic of nightfall, "Roxton and Challenger will be back, and I'll feel better when they get here."
Malone gave Veronica a good night kiss, which she thought was very sweet, and went off to his room to retire for the evening. Soon after, Veronica's light went out too. The treehouse fell silent, all the lights were put out, and it became blanketed by night.
To Be Continued…