Claimer: I own Deanna Fox, and Robert Blake not to mention this whole story
line. So please no copying.
Disclaimer: I don't own Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World, or any of its story's or characters. So don't sue cause I never said I did and you'll lose.
Author's Pre Notes: Sorry it took so long, but I was reading you reviews ever time you sent them, they boosted my spirits and got the some of the ashes cleared from my burnout. So I thank all of you!! With all my heart!!
And Ascamelien- of course I forgive you- sorry if I startled you. It's totally ok. Just so long as you give me an incredible review, long and specific. Hehe… Evil I am. And thank you to all my favorites hopefully you know who you are.
And I have to say Jaclyn you win my really specific review award. LOL it was a joy as was everyone else's I really appreciate it. I'll have more to say about that when I eventually get to the last chapter. But don't worry this is only the beginning of the end.
So get go' in!!!
Roxton rolled over in the warm bed and smirked looking at Malone falling off the couch on the other side of the room.
He had gotten to the bed first last night. And with good reason- well he wanted it-but last night was hard and he had to sleep off all of the hard emotions and the weaknesses and guilts from the night before.
Marguerite and him had agreed to drop the subject for a while at least and for once that seemed like a good solution.
---
Deanna rolled over and felt Marguerite still asleep next to her. She opened her eyes slightly and smirked slyly and with great stealth got out of bed.
---
Robert walked into the large sitting room to see Challenger sitting quietly looking quite bored.
"Good morning Professor,"
"Ah good morning!" Challenger replied cheerful that someone else was awake. Although he had thought he heard someone coming down the stairs earlier.
The looked around quietly for a moment when Challenger spoke.
"So" he said calmly trying to start conversation "Madam Fox said she had taken a Tyrannosaurus rex's egg for you?"
"Ah yes well I didn't ask her to- for the record, but I suppose she couldn't resist,"
"Oh?"
"Adrenaline junky in my opinion." He laughed drinking his coffee.
"Ah" Challenger chuckled and they stared again in silence "So- what were you going to do with that egg?"
"Study it- in my little makeshift laboratory,"
"Oh" said the professor, "So you have a lab?"
"Yep," Robert sighed looking around.
(Silence- both look around searching for something to say)
"You wanna see it?"
"Yes! Indeed!" said Challenger jumping to his feet and they rushed out of the room.
As they walked by the stairs they passed Deanna.
"Oh Deanna?" said Robert stopping, "Not to alarm you-not that it really would-," he commented, "It seems the albino snake I had in the lab has gone missing, you don't know anything about that do you?" he asked suspiciously
"Me? No" she tried to say innocently but her crafty smirk was telling him something.
"Deanna-" he started- then they heard screaming coming from the upstairs.
Roxton. Ned and Veronica ripped open their doors.
Deanna turned to the stairs smirking and Marguerite ran out and grabbed to the railing. "Deanna!!" she growled, out of breath
Deanna just beamed with mischief "I told you," she said softly.
Marguerite face just fell emotionless and she let her head hang over down. Then she started laughing hysterically.
"Uh-ho I think she's finally lost it" said Ned
Roxton glared slightly, "I'm confused, what happened?"
"She put –a-a snake in my bed-because I splashed her yesterday," Marguerite panted
"Wait- what? Ah! You didn't kill it did you!" said Robert startled
Deanna just laughed at him, he ran upstairs and into the bedroom.
Roxton pursed his lips into a sly smirk as he watched Marguerite.
"What?" said Marguerite finally catching her breath noticing his expression.
"Nice nightdress"
Marguerite started and looked down, "Oh!" she said crossing her arms over her chest and briskly walking back to the room and closing the door. Then there was some grumbling and the door opened and she shoved Robert out and slammed the door again. Robert sighed smiling holding the white snake that wrapped itself around his arm.
"Not a force to be reckoned with are you Deanna?" said Ned coming down the stairs.
Robert laughed exasperated
"I am a woman of my word" Deanna smirked and walking into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
"Nice," said Veronica joining Malone at the end of the stairs.
"At least she is honest. Frightening but honest."
"I suppose," said Veronica
"Is there something bothering you?" Malone asked concerned.
"No it's just being here-"
"Aren't you glad that Marguerite was found by such I suppose caring people?"
"OH-Of course I am I guess I'm just homesick, I mean this place is wonderful but it's not-"
"The tree house" he finished
"Yeah" she shrugged
"I know what you mean, as much as this reminds me of my home in London, I miss the wonderful view from the tree house."
Veronica smiled.
They walked into the sunroom together.
Deanna smiled from the kitchen.
About an hour later. .
"All of this looks wonderful," said Ned
"Thank you I'd like to say I had help but I didn't!" she scolded out to the hallway.
"Where is everyone else?" asked Veronica
"Her highness is still getting ready and I don't know where Robert and George are?" Roxton said looking around.
"Probably in the lab," said Deanna an annoyed tone in her voice.
"You have a lab, oh boy-," said Ned rolling his eyes
Veronica chuckled.
"Yeah tell me about it," said Deanna "I'll get them" she said walking out of the room. They followed her.
"Where is the lab anyway?" Roxton asked
"I don't know I didn't see it." Said Ned, Veronica shook her head.
Deanna walked out of the kitchen holding a few glasses to be brought into the dinning room as she passed she turned and stopped next to the stairs and pounded her foot on the floor.
Roxton noticed there was a handle on what looked like a trapdoor in the floor.
Then there was a loud boom like an explosion and they felt the floor shake slightly. Deanna rolled her eyes and opened the trapdoor a crack smoke seeping from it.
"We-we w*cough* will be right up- *cough*" came Roberts shaky voice.
"Uh-huh" she smirked dropping the door.
The explorer's nodded, typical "Challenger". Explosions like that were characteristic at the tree house. So where he was concerned this was no real surprise.
"Yo! Marguerite! What do you want me to do? Ring the breakfast bell!" Deanna yelled up the stairs.
"I'm coming!" Marguerite snapped back coming out of the room and sauntering down the stairs.
Deanna rolled her eyes and walked back into the dinning room with Ned and Veronica.
Roxton smiled slightly as Marguerite gracefully but carefully walked down the stairs.
"Good morning Marguerite"
"Good morning Lord Roxton" said Marguerite in the same tone.
They walked toward the dinning room.
"I see you are better attired to start your day,"
"I should say so"
"Not that I didn't think it did became you," he commented slyly
"Why Lord John Roxton what are you implying!" she said pretending to be startled.
"Nothing just that I think you are most becoming in anything you wear"
"Thank you"
"As transparent as it may be" he remarked with a smirk as he walked into the dinning room.
She gasped surprised and closed her mouth it being slightly pursed in an embarrassed smile and entered the room.
She gave Roxton a look he just jumped his eyebrows.
Deanna and Veronica just glanced at them both and then at each other and smirked.
Challenger and Robert entered the room their clothes still modeling soot from their previous bungle with science.
Robert still had soot on his nose. While Challenger's beard looked a bit more russet rather than it's usual light red flare.
Deanna smiled slightly and wet a cloth and gave it to Robert.
"What?"
"You have soot on your nose,"
"Where" he played
She sighed not being in the mood and grabbed the towel
"Right here" she laughed scrubbing it off in a harsh manner.
"Do I dare ask what the two of you were doing down there?" chuckled Roxton
"Do you really want to know?" said Robert
Roxton looked like he was in deep thought, "No" he said chuckling.
"Sulfur-that's all I have to say, fickle as that stuff is," Challenger grumbled
"Of course George" laughed Marguerite
"Ok enough science now we get down to the real study," said Robert
"What?" said Ned and Challenger
"The dissection or what Deanna has created" he said in a matter of fact tone
"That was terrible Robert, if your going to put down my cooking at least do it well" Deanna snickered
'Well I try" he shrugged
"And fail" she retorted
They sat down and had an enjoyable meal, speaking about whatever came to their minds.
"So is there anything particular on the agenda today?"
"Yes" Deanna said sternly "We can go to the village and see about the location of the Zanga village with Veronica's help I have no doubt we will find it in no time at all."
"Deanna?" said Robert
"What? And besides Marguerite and the others can shop or something, and I'm sure you have business there that needs attending, plus that I'm convinced everyone could use a change of scenery." She said gathering some plates and taking them to the kitchen. Robert did the same.
"Change of scenery or change of trail?"
"I don't know to what you refer," she said not looking up from what she was doing.
"Fine" he said throwing the dishes in the sink.
"What was that about?" said Marguerite coming in.
"Nothing" Deanna replied annoyed.
"So off to the village?"
"Yep"
"No horses this time, huh"
"Sorry Marguerite" Deanna smiled
"Well alright, I'll go pack" she said
A half an hour later everyone was finishing their packing and Roxton walked outside expecting to be the first ready to find Deanna down in yard leaning on a tree, arms and ankles crossed looking as though she was in deep, serious, thought.
"A penny for your thoughts?" Roxton quipped sneaking his way near her.
"It would cost a lot more than that Lord Roxton," she remarks wryly but lightheartedly not looking at him. Then she straightened up and turned to look at him putting her hands on the back of her hips then she straightened back to look out into the scenery.
"I wanted to thank you," said Roxton plainly
She looked at him.
"For helping Marguerite and taking us in-especially after-"
"Yes well, I like Marguerite besides haven't you ever heard of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer" she said acumen (wisdom) and tenderness in her voice.
"Are we enemies?"
"No but I had to decide that for myself, how was I to know you were to be trusted."
"You wouldn't I suppose"
"Damn right, especially with you coming in guns blaring" she laughed and again leaned against the tree.
Roxton chuckled to, "yes I suppose that was more than uncalled for"
"But it is done and is not to be talked seriously of again"
Roxton nodded in agreement
"But we-I am grateful" he said seriously
She looked at him and studied his face a minute, "Then you are welcome" she said her tone mysterious and distinguished. She sighed and looked out on the plateau in its grandeur of the morning. "You care for her deeply," she stated
Roxton was startled a minute but nodded sincerely
"You would do anything for her?" she said more of a question this time
"And everything" he stated in a firm tone still looking of into the distance.
"Good" said Deanna straightening and fixing her hat seeing the others come out from the house she walked over to them.
Roxton didn't think about their strange conversation and he didn't' feel the need to; something just told him it was a good thing and good things aren't meant to be tampered with. So he just left and continued on seeking out the person his strange conversation had been about.
"Marguerite,"
"Yes, Lord Roxton" she said cheerfully letting him help her off the last step.
The village . . ..
They were nearing the village when the explorers were met by the sound of whispers and laughter. They could see the children running around about the trees.
"Oh look how cute they are," whispered Veronica
"Yeah" said Ned looking at her, romantic thoughts clearly running through his mind.
"Friends of yours?" asked Roxton smirking
"What?" said Marguerite confused. (She doesn't know that they saw her with the children)
Then the second they entered the village the chief was upon them, scooping Marguerite and Deanna up in a large embrace.
"My girls!" he cried with delight hugging them both lifting them off the ground.
Roxton and the other explorers had jumped back slightly caught off guard and Roxton had raised his rifle but Robert just chuckled and lowered it.
The others looked at him confused.
The chief released the two women; Deanna laughed it off slightly used to it, while Marguerite almost fell over.
"Well my friends" he laughed patting Robert on the back
"What brings you here! Shopping Deanna? I must say there are- oh well now!" he said his tone if possible getting more cheerful "these must be Marguerite friends!! Come-come!!!" he said to the little panic stricken explorers. He looked at each of them Veronica shrank back a little bit, afraid he would hug her.
"And Marguerite you leg has healed, so wonderful to see you so well and up and around."
"Thank you" she smiled still recovering her breath.
They all walked into the village and were met with many enthusiastic and pleasant people. The children darted about their legs.
"There there!" one little boy shouted, "Is that the one?"
"Yeah didn't I tell you he was huge!" remarked a boy pointing to Roxton. One he recognized from their first morning at the house.
Marguerite laughed hearing the comment.
A few off the younger ladies waved at Ned walking by causing him to blush. While some of the warriors took their time walking by Veronica.
The children darted about talking to the specific children who had briefly met the 'strangers' before and chatting and spreading small rumors to who they all were.
"I bet they're married," said one little girl walking by Veronica and Ned, which made both people turn a bright shade of red and walk a bit faster.
The chief smiled at the hospitality and civility of his people and turned to Deanna.
She had a small smile of bliss and satisfaction on her face as she watched the lovely scene before her. But she was serious and her eyes told all, she looked at him and moved her head slightly.
His face grew somber. "Shall we walk together?"
"I think so" and she took his arm and they walked.
"I hope this isn't a walk we have taken before" he asked calmly
"I fear it is the most worn road in the park" she replied sorrowfully as they walked onward.
------------
Arthur's Mid notes: The next chapter is so short so I figured I'd add it to this one. Enjoy!
------------
The explorers had been searching with dead end results for a few days for a path home.
"I still think we should go south," complained Marguerite
"Marguerite I am telling you south goes to the small mountains by the Cyzan village, there are no hills where the tree house is. We have never seen them" Challenger tried to explain again.
Marguerite just rolled her eyes as they walked into the village again. "I bet we have and probably fell off them once or twice with our luck too!" she grumbled following behind them.
----------
A man off in the village sneered and a woman hissed with horrid delight snatching the piece of paper from the man's hands.
"A promise" she smirked
" An oath" he replied sneering still.
She licked her teeth and ran off.
----------
Deanna handed Marguerite a drink and they started talking briefly.
Then a little girl game running over, "Deanna! Deanna!!" she panted
"What? What?!" Deanna smiled kneeling down.
"There-there is a wom-woman a new merchant-and-and she knows where the Z-z- za"
"Zanga!" Marguerite said earnestly
The little girl nodded taking a breath, "Uh-huh she said she knows where their village is"
"Take Me," said Deanna swiftly and she took off running after the girl.
"Hey! Wait for me!" said Marguerite bolting up after them.
The men watched as they ran across the village.
"Now what are they up to?" said Roxton
"I don' really think we want to know" said Robert
"Follow them anyway," said Roxton
"Of course" Robert shrugged, same old, same old.
----
Later that evening glasses clanked together and people laughed and cheered.
"We're going home!" Veronica applauded with relief
They were to set out in the morning; the woman had kindly drawn a map for them and they would be home in three days.
That morning was sad, the children hated to see their new friends go- most likely forever, and Marguerite would be gone, who would play with them, and whom would they give the shiny things they found to.
The chief had also grown fond of the explorers and hated to see them go especially Challenger who he would spend long hours conversing with about everything under the sun.
But soon everyone had said their good byes and were off.
Deanna and Robert had told their friends they would take them home safe and sound.
"Besides" said Deanna "I want to see this house in the trees."
They did not take horses for easier maneuvering and packed relatively light.
The next night at the fire . . ..
Deanna sat down next to Marguerite "A day and a night and you will be home my friend,"
Marguerite smiled "Seems to good to be true"
"It's what we've been working up to since we met"
"Yeah" Marguerite sighed "Not much of a way to start a friendship working for its end"
There was silence a minute, "I hope that's not what this is Marguerite- an end"
Marguerite sighed how had she ever become so attached, she was getting weak. She never let people get so close so quickly, but Deanna she had just walked through the iron doors and barriers of her defenses like she knew the locks to them herself. No one had ever done that before not even Roxton, he was beating and pulling the walls down with his bear hands. "How did this ever happen?" she said thinking she was thinking again when she was really speaking.
"Well you fell out off the side of a mountain and got a bit roughed up and oh! Screamed your arrival throughout the entire plateau I think that covers it." Deanna said wryly
"I'm- glad it did" Marguerite said hesitantly looking at her sincerely
Deanna smiled with amusement
"Well! Not the raptor thing!!" she scolded pushing her slightly.
"I know-I know" she chuckled "Me to" she nodded
"We'll keep in touch you know- I mean give him the challenge I have no doubt Challenger would build us a telephone- and besides the second you taste the Zanga espresso you'll never shop anywhere else" Marguerite laughed
And Deanna laughed to.
The next morning they were up early and marching through the jungle teasing and joking as they always did.
"Roxton! Now give that back!" Marguerite protested trying to grab the canteen from the hunters upheld arm.
"Now if you were to be so careless enough to leave it behind I don't know if I should."
"I-I didn't leave it behind" she whined, "I was coming back for it"
"Uh-huh" Roxton smirked "Malone catch!" he laughed throwing the canteen
"He-y!!" Marguerite protested
Deanna laughed turning when she stopped. Something wasn't right. She looked around; something was strange and yet oddly familiar. The light was to gray, or the air to crisp something wasn't right, there were to many sounds or there were not enough sounds.
She continued vigilantly from where the others stopped to have their spat. Something was in the middle of the clearing ahead. Her brow fixed she continued curiously.
Robert had seen she had gone and watched her she was looking at something.
Deanna stopped, her brow relaxed and her mouth opened with alarm.
(The woman who had sold them the map was dead on the ground before her, she was tied around her neck and wrists, she had been beaten and a strange symbol somewhat resembling a stretched 'H' was carved next to her eye. Haiton's symbol- it was a trap)
"Deanna?" Robert questioned cautiously taking a step foreword.
"Run!! Run Run!!!" Deanna yelled turning to them, "Run!!!"
Author's Notes: So this is the beginning of the end, but whose?
I hope to get the next chapter out soon but no promises just keep checking and keep reviewing.
You all know how it goes!!
Remember Reviews are motivating . . . . ..
Disclaimer: I don't own Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World, or any of its story's or characters. So don't sue cause I never said I did and you'll lose.
Author's Pre Notes: Sorry it took so long, but I was reading you reviews ever time you sent them, they boosted my spirits and got the some of the ashes cleared from my burnout. So I thank all of you!! With all my heart!!
And Ascamelien- of course I forgive you- sorry if I startled you. It's totally ok. Just so long as you give me an incredible review, long and specific. Hehe… Evil I am. And thank you to all my favorites hopefully you know who you are.
And I have to say Jaclyn you win my really specific review award. LOL it was a joy as was everyone else's I really appreciate it. I'll have more to say about that when I eventually get to the last chapter. But don't worry this is only the beginning of the end.
So get go' in!!!
Roxton rolled over in the warm bed and smirked looking at Malone falling off the couch on the other side of the room.
He had gotten to the bed first last night. And with good reason- well he wanted it-but last night was hard and he had to sleep off all of the hard emotions and the weaknesses and guilts from the night before.
Marguerite and him had agreed to drop the subject for a while at least and for once that seemed like a good solution.
---
Deanna rolled over and felt Marguerite still asleep next to her. She opened her eyes slightly and smirked slyly and with great stealth got out of bed.
---
Robert walked into the large sitting room to see Challenger sitting quietly looking quite bored.
"Good morning Professor,"
"Ah good morning!" Challenger replied cheerful that someone else was awake. Although he had thought he heard someone coming down the stairs earlier.
The looked around quietly for a moment when Challenger spoke.
"So" he said calmly trying to start conversation "Madam Fox said she had taken a Tyrannosaurus rex's egg for you?"
"Ah yes well I didn't ask her to- for the record, but I suppose she couldn't resist,"
"Oh?"
"Adrenaline junky in my opinion." He laughed drinking his coffee.
"Ah" Challenger chuckled and they stared again in silence "So- what were you going to do with that egg?"
"Study it- in my little makeshift laboratory,"
"Oh" said the professor, "So you have a lab?"
"Yep," Robert sighed looking around.
(Silence- both look around searching for something to say)
"You wanna see it?"
"Yes! Indeed!" said Challenger jumping to his feet and they rushed out of the room.
As they walked by the stairs they passed Deanna.
"Oh Deanna?" said Robert stopping, "Not to alarm you-not that it really would-," he commented, "It seems the albino snake I had in the lab has gone missing, you don't know anything about that do you?" he asked suspiciously
"Me? No" she tried to say innocently but her crafty smirk was telling him something.
"Deanna-" he started- then they heard screaming coming from the upstairs.
Roxton. Ned and Veronica ripped open their doors.
Deanna turned to the stairs smirking and Marguerite ran out and grabbed to the railing. "Deanna!!" she growled, out of breath
Deanna just beamed with mischief "I told you," she said softly.
Marguerite face just fell emotionless and she let her head hang over down. Then she started laughing hysterically.
"Uh-ho I think she's finally lost it" said Ned
Roxton glared slightly, "I'm confused, what happened?"
"She put –a-a snake in my bed-because I splashed her yesterday," Marguerite panted
"Wait- what? Ah! You didn't kill it did you!" said Robert startled
Deanna just laughed at him, he ran upstairs and into the bedroom.
Roxton pursed his lips into a sly smirk as he watched Marguerite.
"What?" said Marguerite finally catching her breath noticing his expression.
"Nice nightdress"
Marguerite started and looked down, "Oh!" she said crossing her arms over her chest and briskly walking back to the room and closing the door. Then there was some grumbling and the door opened and she shoved Robert out and slammed the door again. Robert sighed smiling holding the white snake that wrapped itself around his arm.
"Not a force to be reckoned with are you Deanna?" said Ned coming down the stairs.
Robert laughed exasperated
"I am a woman of my word" Deanna smirked and walking into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
"Nice," said Veronica joining Malone at the end of the stairs.
"At least she is honest. Frightening but honest."
"I suppose," said Veronica
"Is there something bothering you?" Malone asked concerned.
"No it's just being here-"
"Aren't you glad that Marguerite was found by such I suppose caring people?"
"OH-Of course I am I guess I'm just homesick, I mean this place is wonderful but it's not-"
"The tree house" he finished
"Yeah" she shrugged
"I know what you mean, as much as this reminds me of my home in London, I miss the wonderful view from the tree house."
Veronica smiled.
They walked into the sunroom together.
Deanna smiled from the kitchen.
About an hour later. .
"All of this looks wonderful," said Ned
"Thank you I'd like to say I had help but I didn't!" she scolded out to the hallway.
"Where is everyone else?" asked Veronica
"Her highness is still getting ready and I don't know where Robert and George are?" Roxton said looking around.
"Probably in the lab," said Deanna an annoyed tone in her voice.
"You have a lab, oh boy-," said Ned rolling his eyes
Veronica chuckled.
"Yeah tell me about it," said Deanna "I'll get them" she said walking out of the room. They followed her.
"Where is the lab anyway?" Roxton asked
"I don't know I didn't see it." Said Ned, Veronica shook her head.
Deanna walked out of the kitchen holding a few glasses to be brought into the dinning room as she passed she turned and stopped next to the stairs and pounded her foot on the floor.
Roxton noticed there was a handle on what looked like a trapdoor in the floor.
Then there was a loud boom like an explosion and they felt the floor shake slightly. Deanna rolled her eyes and opened the trapdoor a crack smoke seeping from it.
"We-we w*cough* will be right up- *cough*" came Roberts shaky voice.
"Uh-huh" she smirked dropping the door.
The explorer's nodded, typical "Challenger". Explosions like that were characteristic at the tree house. So where he was concerned this was no real surprise.
"Yo! Marguerite! What do you want me to do? Ring the breakfast bell!" Deanna yelled up the stairs.
"I'm coming!" Marguerite snapped back coming out of the room and sauntering down the stairs.
Deanna rolled her eyes and walked back into the dinning room with Ned and Veronica.
Roxton smiled slightly as Marguerite gracefully but carefully walked down the stairs.
"Good morning Marguerite"
"Good morning Lord Roxton" said Marguerite in the same tone.
They walked toward the dinning room.
"I see you are better attired to start your day,"
"I should say so"
"Not that I didn't think it did became you," he commented slyly
"Why Lord John Roxton what are you implying!" she said pretending to be startled.
"Nothing just that I think you are most becoming in anything you wear"
"Thank you"
"As transparent as it may be" he remarked with a smirk as he walked into the dinning room.
She gasped surprised and closed her mouth it being slightly pursed in an embarrassed smile and entered the room.
She gave Roxton a look he just jumped his eyebrows.
Deanna and Veronica just glanced at them both and then at each other and smirked.
Challenger and Robert entered the room their clothes still modeling soot from their previous bungle with science.
Robert still had soot on his nose. While Challenger's beard looked a bit more russet rather than it's usual light red flare.
Deanna smiled slightly and wet a cloth and gave it to Robert.
"What?"
"You have soot on your nose,"
"Where" he played
She sighed not being in the mood and grabbed the towel
"Right here" she laughed scrubbing it off in a harsh manner.
"Do I dare ask what the two of you were doing down there?" chuckled Roxton
"Do you really want to know?" said Robert
Roxton looked like he was in deep thought, "No" he said chuckling.
"Sulfur-that's all I have to say, fickle as that stuff is," Challenger grumbled
"Of course George" laughed Marguerite
"Ok enough science now we get down to the real study," said Robert
"What?" said Ned and Challenger
"The dissection or what Deanna has created" he said in a matter of fact tone
"That was terrible Robert, if your going to put down my cooking at least do it well" Deanna snickered
'Well I try" he shrugged
"And fail" she retorted
They sat down and had an enjoyable meal, speaking about whatever came to their minds.
"So is there anything particular on the agenda today?"
"Yes" Deanna said sternly "We can go to the village and see about the location of the Zanga village with Veronica's help I have no doubt we will find it in no time at all."
"Deanna?" said Robert
"What? And besides Marguerite and the others can shop or something, and I'm sure you have business there that needs attending, plus that I'm convinced everyone could use a change of scenery." She said gathering some plates and taking them to the kitchen. Robert did the same.
"Change of scenery or change of trail?"
"I don't know to what you refer," she said not looking up from what she was doing.
"Fine" he said throwing the dishes in the sink.
"What was that about?" said Marguerite coming in.
"Nothing" Deanna replied annoyed.
"So off to the village?"
"Yep"
"No horses this time, huh"
"Sorry Marguerite" Deanna smiled
"Well alright, I'll go pack" she said
A half an hour later everyone was finishing their packing and Roxton walked outside expecting to be the first ready to find Deanna down in yard leaning on a tree, arms and ankles crossed looking as though she was in deep, serious, thought.
"A penny for your thoughts?" Roxton quipped sneaking his way near her.
"It would cost a lot more than that Lord Roxton," she remarks wryly but lightheartedly not looking at him. Then she straightened up and turned to look at him putting her hands on the back of her hips then she straightened back to look out into the scenery.
"I wanted to thank you," said Roxton plainly
She looked at him.
"For helping Marguerite and taking us in-especially after-"
"Yes well, I like Marguerite besides haven't you ever heard of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer" she said acumen (wisdom) and tenderness in her voice.
"Are we enemies?"
"No but I had to decide that for myself, how was I to know you were to be trusted."
"You wouldn't I suppose"
"Damn right, especially with you coming in guns blaring" she laughed and again leaned against the tree.
Roxton chuckled to, "yes I suppose that was more than uncalled for"
"But it is done and is not to be talked seriously of again"
Roxton nodded in agreement
"But we-I am grateful" he said seriously
She looked at him and studied his face a minute, "Then you are welcome" she said her tone mysterious and distinguished. She sighed and looked out on the plateau in its grandeur of the morning. "You care for her deeply," she stated
Roxton was startled a minute but nodded sincerely
"You would do anything for her?" she said more of a question this time
"And everything" he stated in a firm tone still looking of into the distance.
"Good" said Deanna straightening and fixing her hat seeing the others come out from the house she walked over to them.
Roxton didn't think about their strange conversation and he didn't' feel the need to; something just told him it was a good thing and good things aren't meant to be tampered with. So he just left and continued on seeking out the person his strange conversation had been about.
"Marguerite,"
"Yes, Lord Roxton" she said cheerfully letting him help her off the last step.
The village . . ..
They were nearing the village when the explorers were met by the sound of whispers and laughter. They could see the children running around about the trees.
"Oh look how cute they are," whispered Veronica
"Yeah" said Ned looking at her, romantic thoughts clearly running through his mind.
"Friends of yours?" asked Roxton smirking
"What?" said Marguerite confused. (She doesn't know that they saw her with the children)
Then the second they entered the village the chief was upon them, scooping Marguerite and Deanna up in a large embrace.
"My girls!" he cried with delight hugging them both lifting them off the ground.
Roxton and the other explorers had jumped back slightly caught off guard and Roxton had raised his rifle but Robert just chuckled and lowered it.
The others looked at him confused.
The chief released the two women; Deanna laughed it off slightly used to it, while Marguerite almost fell over.
"Well my friends" he laughed patting Robert on the back
"What brings you here! Shopping Deanna? I must say there are- oh well now!" he said his tone if possible getting more cheerful "these must be Marguerite friends!! Come-come!!!" he said to the little panic stricken explorers. He looked at each of them Veronica shrank back a little bit, afraid he would hug her.
"And Marguerite you leg has healed, so wonderful to see you so well and up and around."
"Thank you" she smiled still recovering her breath.
They all walked into the village and were met with many enthusiastic and pleasant people. The children darted about their legs.
"There there!" one little boy shouted, "Is that the one?"
"Yeah didn't I tell you he was huge!" remarked a boy pointing to Roxton. One he recognized from their first morning at the house.
Marguerite laughed hearing the comment.
A few off the younger ladies waved at Ned walking by causing him to blush. While some of the warriors took their time walking by Veronica.
The children darted about talking to the specific children who had briefly met the 'strangers' before and chatting and spreading small rumors to who they all were.
"I bet they're married," said one little girl walking by Veronica and Ned, which made both people turn a bright shade of red and walk a bit faster.
The chief smiled at the hospitality and civility of his people and turned to Deanna.
She had a small smile of bliss and satisfaction on her face as she watched the lovely scene before her. But she was serious and her eyes told all, she looked at him and moved her head slightly.
His face grew somber. "Shall we walk together?"
"I think so" and she took his arm and they walked.
"I hope this isn't a walk we have taken before" he asked calmly
"I fear it is the most worn road in the park" she replied sorrowfully as they walked onward.
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Arthur's Mid notes: The next chapter is so short so I figured I'd add it to this one. Enjoy!
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The explorers had been searching with dead end results for a few days for a path home.
"I still think we should go south," complained Marguerite
"Marguerite I am telling you south goes to the small mountains by the Cyzan village, there are no hills where the tree house is. We have never seen them" Challenger tried to explain again.
Marguerite just rolled her eyes as they walked into the village again. "I bet we have and probably fell off them once or twice with our luck too!" she grumbled following behind them.
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A man off in the village sneered and a woman hissed with horrid delight snatching the piece of paper from the man's hands.
"A promise" she smirked
" An oath" he replied sneering still.
She licked her teeth and ran off.
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Deanna handed Marguerite a drink and they started talking briefly.
Then a little girl game running over, "Deanna! Deanna!!" she panted
"What? What?!" Deanna smiled kneeling down.
"There-there is a wom-woman a new merchant-and-and she knows where the Z-z- za"
"Zanga!" Marguerite said earnestly
The little girl nodded taking a breath, "Uh-huh she said she knows where their village is"
"Take Me," said Deanna swiftly and she took off running after the girl.
"Hey! Wait for me!" said Marguerite bolting up after them.
The men watched as they ran across the village.
"Now what are they up to?" said Roxton
"I don' really think we want to know" said Robert
"Follow them anyway," said Roxton
"Of course" Robert shrugged, same old, same old.
----
Later that evening glasses clanked together and people laughed and cheered.
"We're going home!" Veronica applauded with relief
They were to set out in the morning; the woman had kindly drawn a map for them and they would be home in three days.
That morning was sad, the children hated to see their new friends go- most likely forever, and Marguerite would be gone, who would play with them, and whom would they give the shiny things they found to.
The chief had also grown fond of the explorers and hated to see them go especially Challenger who he would spend long hours conversing with about everything under the sun.
But soon everyone had said their good byes and were off.
Deanna and Robert had told their friends they would take them home safe and sound.
"Besides" said Deanna "I want to see this house in the trees."
They did not take horses for easier maneuvering and packed relatively light.
The next night at the fire . . ..
Deanna sat down next to Marguerite "A day and a night and you will be home my friend,"
Marguerite smiled "Seems to good to be true"
"It's what we've been working up to since we met"
"Yeah" Marguerite sighed "Not much of a way to start a friendship working for its end"
There was silence a minute, "I hope that's not what this is Marguerite- an end"
Marguerite sighed how had she ever become so attached, she was getting weak. She never let people get so close so quickly, but Deanna she had just walked through the iron doors and barriers of her defenses like she knew the locks to them herself. No one had ever done that before not even Roxton, he was beating and pulling the walls down with his bear hands. "How did this ever happen?" she said thinking she was thinking again when she was really speaking.
"Well you fell out off the side of a mountain and got a bit roughed up and oh! Screamed your arrival throughout the entire plateau I think that covers it." Deanna said wryly
"I'm- glad it did" Marguerite said hesitantly looking at her sincerely
Deanna smiled with amusement
"Well! Not the raptor thing!!" she scolded pushing her slightly.
"I know-I know" she chuckled "Me to" she nodded
"We'll keep in touch you know- I mean give him the challenge I have no doubt Challenger would build us a telephone- and besides the second you taste the Zanga espresso you'll never shop anywhere else" Marguerite laughed
And Deanna laughed to.
The next morning they were up early and marching through the jungle teasing and joking as they always did.
"Roxton! Now give that back!" Marguerite protested trying to grab the canteen from the hunters upheld arm.
"Now if you were to be so careless enough to leave it behind I don't know if I should."
"I-I didn't leave it behind" she whined, "I was coming back for it"
"Uh-huh" Roxton smirked "Malone catch!" he laughed throwing the canteen
"He-y!!" Marguerite protested
Deanna laughed turning when she stopped. Something wasn't right. She looked around; something was strange and yet oddly familiar. The light was to gray, or the air to crisp something wasn't right, there were to many sounds or there were not enough sounds.
She continued vigilantly from where the others stopped to have their spat. Something was in the middle of the clearing ahead. Her brow fixed she continued curiously.
Robert had seen she had gone and watched her she was looking at something.
Deanna stopped, her brow relaxed and her mouth opened with alarm.
(The woman who had sold them the map was dead on the ground before her, she was tied around her neck and wrists, she had been beaten and a strange symbol somewhat resembling a stretched 'H' was carved next to her eye. Haiton's symbol- it was a trap)
"Deanna?" Robert questioned cautiously taking a step foreword.
"Run!! Run Run!!!" Deanna yelled turning to them, "Run!!!"
Author's Notes: So this is the beginning of the end, but whose?
I hope to get the next chapter out soon but no promises just keep checking and keep reviewing.
You all know how it goes!!
Remember Reviews are motivating . . . . ..