Night of November 19

by rann

Disclaimer and other notes:  See Chapter 1

Chapter 2

The ground shook a bit as the great head struck just a few feet away.

"Look at the color of its skin.  It does not appear to be very healthy.  Of course given our prior observations, that is entirely plausible.  A saline dependent animal would not have the protections against fresh water parasites."  The red-headed scientist couldn't resist the opportunity to instruct, even under the most dire circumstances.

"It seems healthy enough to look for a meal," put in Malone.

The group edged away, backing up slowly.  Marguerite stumbled and fell.  Her foot tangled in the blanket that she was still wrapped in.  Keeping his eyes on the threatening water monster, the tall hunter reached down to tug her back to her feet staying between her and the riverbank.

The others were now a few yards back and to the side.  This portion of the clearing was filled with dense vegetation.  It formed an impenetrable barrier.  A break in the trees allowed the sunlight to encourage the heavy growth.  Veronica's next step took her into a patch of sunlight. As the plesiosaur poised to strike again, her arm went up in an instinctive gesture.  Her hand still held the gem.

A flash of blue lit the riverbank as sunlight hit the gemstone. 

A t-rex formed in front of them in the fading blue light.  Shock held the explorers still. 

"As if there weren't enough of the blasted things already."  Marguerite's comment jarred the explorers into movement.  They stumbled back, as the t-rex took a step.  The impact tremor caused Veronica, who had suddenly paled, to stumble slightly and drop the gem from nerveless fingers.  She had trouble keeping her balance.  Malone reached out to steady her.

The plesiosaur roared at its newfound enemy.  The t-rex answered the vocal challenge.  As the water monster dove at its target, the t-rex struck and gripped the neck. The explorers watched with morbid fascination.

Roxton surveyed their position.  Their only retreat was cut off by the battle in progress. 

The t-rex hung on. The plesiosaur twisted in the land beast's grasp, unable to pull away. The growls and howls of pain were deafening.  The plesiosaur made another bid to escape.  The t-rex tightened its grip.  Water splashed onto the riverbank as the aquatic dinosaur thrashed futilely.

"That was quick."  Malone kept a supporting hand on the jungle beauty as the t-rex defeated his watery opponent.  The gruesome carcass lay partially on the riverbank.  "I thought the plesiosaur was tougher than that."

"Perhaps it's weakened by living in fresh water or our unexplained phenomenon has unusual strength."  The scientist offered, taking a step forward in his eagerness to investigate the occurrence. 

The motion caught the attention of the t-rex as it wheeled back towards the group of unwilling spectators.  The ground shook slightly. A roar split the air.  The t-rex split the explorers into two groups.  The dark haired couple was the nearest.

"Any ideas on how to get rid of this thing, Challenger?"  The hunter called as the t-rex swung its attention towards them.  Roxton readied himself to make a move, pushing Marguerite further behind him with one hand.

"The phenomenon might possibly be linked with the gem."  The scientist was always reluctant to hypothesis without sufficient data.

"No kidding.  Now find the off switch!"  The linguist knew what her companion would do to protect them.  With no response forthcoming she yelled, "Veronica!"

"I dropped it.  It's over there."   The gem winked tantalizingly at them from near the t-rex's feet.

"I'll distract him." 

"Malone! No!"  Ignoring the jungle beauty's shout, Malone dashed to the side of the t-rex away from Marguerite and Roxton.

"What's he trying to do?  Get himself killed?"  The hunter growled as the t-rex wheeled toward Malone.  "You stay back!" he ordered Marguerite.

Veronica dove toward the gem, her normally surefooted movements unsteady.  Once again the movement caught the t-rex's attention.  The hunter was ready for him.  As the dinosaur moved towards the jungle beauty, Roxton fired the rife he held, hitting the creature in the face.  Yelling and moving he distracted it from Veronica who had gone still in the grass.  A patch of wet grass proved treacherous, however, and the British nobleman slipped.

"Anytime, Veronica."  Marguerite's voice held a note of panic as she saw the t-rex cornering the hunter. 

The blonde jungle beauty grasped the stone and held it out.  It gleamed in the patch of sunlight tantalizingly.  Nothing happened.

The journalist shouted at the t-rex, but it would not be tricked this time.  It ignored him in favor of its trapped prey.

The t-rex's head lowered

Malone charged the dinosaur.

"Ned!" Veronica's voice pierced the clearing. "Stop!"

The dinosaur froze.

Unable to breathe for a moment Malone and Roxton glanced at each other.  The others stood stunned by the sudden immobility of the beast.  The two men scrambled back to the others.  Marguerite automatically grasped the hunter's arm, assuring herself of his safety.  The hunter's hand stroked her cheek and slipped into her hair.

"How long is it going to stay like that?"  The journalist stared in amazement at the t-rex, who stood poised like a statue.

"There's no way of telling," Challenger had assisted Veronica in standing.  "May I?"  He held his hand out to Veronica.  She obliging dropped the stone into his hand, trying to still the trembling of her own hand.

"You could have been killed, Malone!"  Anger lent strength to Veronica's voice.

"But I wasn't.  Not even close."

"You keep this up and you will be." 

"Most intriguing, this water sapphire of yours, Marguerite.  If I recall it's also know as cordierite after the P. Cordier, a French geologist."  The linguist nodded her agreement.  "But it has another name as well.  Viking's compass."

"Why is it called that, Professor?"  Malone looked back from studying the t-rex.

"It has the ability to determine the sun's direction on an overcast day."

"It certainly caught the sun this time."  Veronica pointed out.

With a cautious look at the stationary dinosaur, Roxton stepped in closer to retrieve the boots, gunbelts and other garments he and Marguerite left when they took their swim.  Snatching up the clothes he handed Marguerite her pants and blouse.  He pulled his shirt back on and glanced around to see her struggling with the blanket and her trousers. 

"Allow me."  Roxton took the ends of the blanket.

"Not on your life."  With an effort Marguerite forced a bantering tone.

"I promise, I won't watch."

"I've heard that before."

"I'll admit to looking forward to another glimpse of that most intriguing mole."

"Roxton!"

"All right."  He turned his head to the side.

Keeping one eye on the hunter, the dark haired beauty assumed her trousers and pulled her blouse on.  Roxton began to fold the blanket.

"How did you know I was done?"  Marguerite demanded suspiciously as she finished buttoning her blouse.

"When hunting it always pays to be aware of what's going on around you."  With a grin, Roxton noted the light blush on her cheeks.  "Better get your boots on in case we have to run for it."

Veronica was surreptitiously rubbing her hand, as she looked at the magical gem that Challenger still peered at so intently.  "You know the color looks different, now."

"Cordierite is prized for its pleochroism"

"Its what?"  Malone asked.

"The stone gives off different colors when viewed from different directions."  Marguerite explained as she tugged on her boots.

Ned commented  "Guess the spirit beast in the gem wasn't such a legend after all."

"I sure there's a rational scientific explanation for this extraordinary occurrence."

Four pairs of eyes looked at the scientist in disbelief.

"This I want to hear." There was a momentary pause as Marguerite considered what she said. "On second thought save it for when we're back at the treehouse."

"This must be the gem of the Zanga legends."  Veronica tilted her head to look at the stone from another angle.

"The next question is: How did the gem get here?"  Marguerite usually got to the heart of the matter.

"Those two Zanga warriors we found."  Roxton frowned as he remembered their fate.

"What Zanga warriors?"  Veronica became concerned as Marguerite and Roxton exchanged a look.

"On the way up river, after we reached Hagan territory, we saw a Zanga dugout floating downstream."  Marguerite began reluctantly.  "When we got close we saw two Zanga warriors, dead, courtesy of Hagan arrows."

"You didn't stop to help?"  The accusation colored Veronica's tone, anger lending her strength

"There wasn't anything we could do for them.  We were on our way to help you.  And you were still alive."  Her voice was defensive.

"Couldn't be bothered."  The jungle girl's pallor might have been due to her fury.

"It was my decision as well, Veronica."  Roxton put in firmly, unwilling to let Marguerite be held responsible for this one.

"Before we start parceling out blame, we still have one very large problem."  Malone stared at the t-rex.

Veronica went down on one knee, resting, unwilling to admit to the others the overwhelming fatigue she was suffering.

"We could just slip away while it's frozen." Marguerite offered the suggestion without any real hope the rest would take it.

"We can't just leave it here.  Who knows when it might start moving again and judging by the way it took down the plesiosaur, I don't think there's anything on the plateau that can stand up to it."  The blond jungle beauty assessed the creature, stopped in its tracks, poised to attack.

"I suppose if we put rational explanations on hold for a while, we might assume that the gem caused the t-rex to appear."

"Good assumption, George."

"Go on, George." Roxton frowned at Marguerite's interruption.  They needed answers.

"Yes, as I was saying, if the gem caused the beast to appear we need to assess the fundamental circumstances surrounding the occurrence.  Analyze each individual action and consider its effect on the ultimate outcome."

"Veronica was holding it."  Malone offered.

"The sunlight hit the gem."  Roxton added.

"True, but both of those things had occurred prior to the t-rex forming."  Challenger frowned remembering the actions.

"Then what was different this time?"  Malone put forth the question.  There was a slight pause as his companions considered the question.

"The plesiosaur was attacking."  Veronica's eyes were serious.

"The 'great need so that the spirit beast is called forth'." The journalist quoted.

"Then will it work whenever we're being attacked?  And can it be controlled so it only attacks whatever the threat is?"  Marguerite posed the anxious questions to Veronica who shook her head; her knowledge of the legend exhausted.

"We need to experiment to determine the exact cause and effect on this phenomenon.  Of the circumstances we've noted, are all required?  Or just one or two?  Or possibly there may be an additional factor we haven't taken into account."

"Lovely.  Just how do you propose we begin this little laboratory exercise of yours, George?"  Marguerite was getting edgier about the situation.

"We'll start by changing one condition at a time.  We've identified three conditions so far.  Is there anything else to be considered?" 

The explorers and the jungle-bred girl exchanged looks and began to shake their heads.

"Wait! There is one thing."  The reporter had been replaying the events in his head. "Veronica, shouted at the moment that this overgrown lizard came to a halt."

"Which, I for one, am very grateful."  The hunter remembered feeling the hot, revolting breath of the t-rex in those last seconds.  Had she waited any longer he'd be digested now.

"What did you say, Veronica?"

Veronica looked at Marguerite blankly for a moment as she tried to recall her words in the stress of the moment.  "I didn't say anything to the dinosaur.  I was yelling at Malone."

"That's understandable, I frequently want to yell at Malone.  But do you remember what you said?"  Marguerite probed.

"I was upset because he was running toward the dinosaur."

"That's seems to be a common failing among the men here."  Roxton met the linguist's reproachful glance with a half smile.

"I think I told him to stop."  The five exchanged looks.  "You don't … can't possibly think…there's no way."  Veronica stumbled over her words in her anxiety not to have the power.

"As much as I hate to admit it, I can not find any reasonable explanation for the appearance and behavior of our friend here.  For now, we will proceed on the empirical evidence before us.  Later on I'm sure there will be an underlying scientific principle that will account for the corporeal manifestation of the image."

"If anyone can find it, George, it'll be you."  Roxton smiled.  "Let's gather our things and be ready to move when we try this next."

"Yes, It wouldn't hurt to take precautions.  Although I have every reason to think that we will be perfectly safe." 

"Where have I heard that before?"  Marguerite's low-voiced rhetorical question drew smiles from Ned and Veronica as their eyes met.

In a few minutes, the explorers were poised at the path that would lead from the clearing.

"If we're all set, let's determine an appropriate plan.  The four actions we have associated with the behavior of the apparition, are Veronica's holding the gem, sunlight hitting it, the attack of plesiosaur, and Veronica's shout."

"You have two separate events to consider, Challenger."

"That's a good point, Marguerite. Veronica didn't say anything when the apparition appeared, and the plesiosaur was dead when the T-rex was halted so abruptly."

"Okay, let's get in position.  Marguerite, Malone, you start up the trail."  Roxton shot a look at the reporter, who nodded his understanding that he'd take point, providing protection on the trail. "George, get ready to follow them.  Veronica and I will bring up the rear."  Having planned their retreat, Roxton then looked to George. 

"I think we'll have Veronica try telling the T-rex to go back.  If that doesn't work, we'll have her step into the sunlight."

Veronica shook her head to clear it.  She was feeling increasingly lightheaded.

"Veronica, are you all right?"  Roxton looked at the blonde with some concern. 

"I don't seem to have much energy left.  I don't know what's wrong?"  A panic-stricken note entered her voice.  This was not a condition she was accustomed.

"We'd better finish this."  Ned looked worriedly at the jungle girl.  He started forward, but stopped at the slight shake of Roxton's head.

"Are you okay, Veronica?  Can you go through with this?"  Roxton's voice was calm, steadying her where sympathy would have weakened her.

"I think I have to."

"I believe she's right.  That t-rex must be drawing energy from somewhere.  To manifest itself like this it would require a great deal of power."  Now Challenger was beginning to look more worried than curious.  "Try now, Veronica."

Taking a breath, the blonde nodded.  "Go back!"  She held the gem aloft.  The dinosaur's head began to move slightly.

"Go into the sunlight, that's another source of energy."  The redheaded scientist kept an eye on the beast. 

Edging a little further away from the path to where the sunlight streamed into the clearing, Veronica held her hand up again.  "Go back!"  The T-rex took a step backwards.  Veronica went to her knees. 

The T-rex began to turn towards the explorers.  Roxton edged away in the opposite direction from Veronica, pulling the T-rex's attention toward him.  Rifle ready, Malone was suddenly at his side.

Veronica raised her hand again, but collapsed without a sound.

"Veronica!"  Marguerite's voice rang through the clearing.  The t-rex was released.  It turned toward the two younger men of the expedition.  The dark-haired beauty ran to the jungle girl's side and grabbed the gem.  "This had better work."  She held the water sapphire aloft into the sun.  "Return!"

The dinosaur loomed over the men.  Blue light streamed from the gem, striking the T-rex.  For a split second it was bathed in the light.  The light faded taking the dinosaur with it.

Marguerite dropped her head, shivering.  Challenger had been a step behind Marguerite and was already on the ground supporting Veronica's head and shoulders.  Ned knelt at the jungle girl's side, smoothing her hair back.

"Try giving her some water."  Challenger instructed the reporter.

Roxton was beside Marguerite, his arm around her encouraging her to lean against him.  "How are you?" 

"That bloody rifle had better have been worth all of this."  Her words pulled a slight grin from the hunter.

"What happened?"  Veronica eyelids were fluttering.

"We're all okay for the moment." Malone reassured her.  "The t-rex is gone.  How are you feeling?"

"Better."  She sat up a little straighter.  "We've got to get that gem back to where it belongs."

"Let's talk about this some place else.  Without our rather large deterrent, our dead friend over there may start attracting a crowd."  Roxton kept his eyes on the surrounding area.

"Take it easy standing up."  Challenger warned.  "Your color seems to be coming back, but you shouldn't over exert yourself."

"Let me help you."  Ned supported her as she stood and swayed a bit.

Ned insisted that Veronica lean on him.  It was a measure of how exhausted she was that she agreed to it. Roxton set a slower than normal pace.  Challenger kept a worried eye on Veronica.  Marguerite took the rearguard position.  The usual banter that marked their hikes was missing. Roxton called an early halt for the day judging they were far enough away from the dead plesiosaur.

Challenger drew a blanket out of his pack and spread it on the ground.  Ned lowered the jungle beauty onto it.

Challenger took her wrist and felt for her pulse.  "Steady, but weak." 

"Do you think it's the cordierite that's causing the weakness."  Marguerite knelt by the jungle girl's side and offered her a canteen.

"That's my first hypothesis."

"Why can't we just throw it back."

"Now that's something I thought I'd never hear – Marguerite offering to throw away fortune."  Malone couldn't resist teasing.

The linguist stood and turned away. "I have had just about enough of curses and phantom animals and who knows what else!"  And in a deliberate tone, looking over her shoulder, "Besides it's only a semi-precious stone."  One had to keep one's reputation intact, after all.

"Before we dispose of that gem, we need to make sure that there are no lingering connections.  I'm not sure throwing it back will release its hold on Veronica.  Or you."  The scientist had not been completely unaware of Marguerite's adverse reaction to controlling the dinosaur.

Roxton stepped forward putting a protective hand on the dark-haired beauty's shoulder.  "What will make it release its hold?"

"I suspect we need to find the gem's rightful owners and see what can be done.  What more can you tell us about the gem."  Challenger looked toward Veronica

Ned reached in to his pack and pulled his journal back out.  Marguerite with great reluctance pulled the water sapphire from her pocket.  Roxton took it from her.

"Careful, we don't want anyone else caught by that thing." 

With a nod for her warning, Roxton wrapped the gem in his handkerchief and stopped as he felt something unusual on the surface.  "Challenger, what do you make of this?"

The redheaded scientist took the gem from the hunter.  He studied the etching in the surface carefully.  "It seems like the image of a wheel carved into the surface on one of the facets."

"Did the Zanga story mentioned the nomadic tribe who owned the gem by name?"  Ned had paused in jotting down the latest details about the stone to look across from were he sat on a log at the jungle beauty.

Veronica thought for a moment.  "I believe they were called the Rom."

"Rom, as in … gypsies?" Ned inquired.

"Or Travelers, like Isadore?" Roxton asked with a sly grin for his lady, who responded with a stern look.

"Now that would be most interesting to find out that a tribe of Romani found their way here."  Challenger's curiosity was piqued.

"Why shouldn't they, everyone else has."  Ned and Roxton exchanged suppressed smiles at Marguerite's satirical comment, while Veronica frowned, sure there was a criticism of her home buried in the remark.

The scientist, of course, took it at face value.  "Yes, we have encountered a remarkable number of civilizations here on the plateau.  An amazing variety, representing such diverse cultures from all parts of the world, across multiple time periods.  It's fascinating to see how the various cultures have adapted…"

"Did the Zanga tell you any more about the legend."  Malone knew as well as the rest to stop Challenger when he started in on another lecture.

"Only that the gem was the Rom's greatest treasure."

"If the treasure is that important, how did it end up in the bottom of the river?"  Malone voiced the question bothering them all.

"The Zanga are the only connection we have to this stone.  The Zanga knew about the stone.  We found two dead Zanga warriors on the way up river."  Roxton pointed out.

"Where did you find them?"  Challenger asked.

"Inside Hagan territory.   We had passed their territory markers a short while before we saw the Zanga dugout floating downstream.  Inside of it, well you know the rest."

 "Why would they be up here?  The Zanga don't trade with the Hagans.  They don't come up here at all."  Veronica was firm on that point.

"Only 'the fearless and the foolish' according to the shaman."  The dark-haired hunter added.

 "So something extraordinary had to bring them this far up the river."  Challenger pondered.  "Can you think of anything else unusual about your trip upriver?" 

"Do you mean aside from Hagan warning signs made from everything from grass and twigs to human bones, or Roxton starting at every bend and twist in the river and making me as jumpy as hell."  The thought of that part of their trip made Marguerite irritable all over again.

"What made you so nervous?"  This uncharacteristic behavior of the experienced hunter set off alarms in Challenger's mind.

"It's hard to say.  If I didn't know any better I'd say we were being watched.  The sudden flight of birds, an absence of sound.  A persistent twitch between my shoulder blades."

The hunter's description caused his companions to look around nervously.

"No ideas as to who it might be?"  Malone looked around the clearing they were camped in; holstering the pistol he had drawn as nothing caught his eye.

"At the time I thought it was the Hagans.  Now…I'm not so sure."

"You're right we're not Hagans."  Crossbows held at the ready, two men stepped into the clearing.

To be continued