Night of November 19
by rann
Disclaimer and other notes: See Chapter 1
Chapter 3
"Don't!" The taller man warned as Roxton made a move towards his Webleys. "I don't know how you escaped the guardian but we can finish it here if we have to." The men's clothing was the male equivalent of Isadore's, colorful, loose.
"All right, what do you want?" The hunter took a casual step away from Marguerite's side. If he provoked their fire, he didn't want them hitting her by mistake.
"What belongs to us. And you can stop moving or I can put an arrow in your leg. You have the Protector's Stone. We're taking it back." The spokesman kept eye contact with the tall hunter, responding to the challenge there.
"Fair enough. Challenger, let them have the stone."
The scientist held the gem out, still ensconced in the handkerchief. "I found this most curious. Can you tell me more about the stone's history?"
"We don't confide in gadje."
"Outsiders – it's Romani." Marguerite translated at a look from her companions, drawing a venomous glance from the slighter Rom.
"How do we know that you'll return it where it belongs?" Veronica's voice was a little stronger
"You'll be with us, rakli. You can see for yourself."
"Outsider – girl, specifically." Marguerite's interjection once again drew sour looks from the Rom.
"No, she won't." Ned started forward. The slighter man lifted his crossbow. Challenger put a hand on Malone's arm.
"Move, rakli."
"What do you want with her?" Malone was tense against Challenger's restraining hand.
"It's not your concern. Now get up." The last was directed toward Veronica.
"She can't get up with out help." Marguerite shot a look at Veronica. The blonde met the brunette's eyes in acknowledgement. "I'll have to give her a hand."
The slighter man looked Marguerite over, assessing the threat she posed. He exchanged a look with the taller Rom who nodded. "All right, help her. How much trouble can you be, after all." Challenger's eyebrows went up at that assessment.
Marguerite turned to Veronica.
Roxton took an involuntary step forward.
"Stay there." The taller Rom kept his eyes fixed on Roxton. It was Marguerite's look that gave the hunter pause, though.
Marguerite held her hand out to Veronica. As the jungle beauty stood, she made a show of leaning heavily on the brunette. They limped over behind the two Rom's. Challenger, Roxton and Malone tensed. The intruders kept their attention on the men. Two women, one injured and the other slightly built did not give them cause for concern. The jungle beauty eyed the crossbows and then caught Marguerite's eyes. The linguist's nod was barely perceptible. Veronica stood away from Marguerite. The male explorers began to shift. The men's slight movements kept their captors attention focused on them.
An arm shot out knocking the crossbow up in the air. A foot went to the back of the knee. The tall Rom struggled to get his balance. Suddenly he was face to face, unarmed, against Roxton's fists. Marguerite stumbled back.
Veronica's foot nimbly kicked the crossbow away from the slighter Rom at the same moment Marguerite began her attack. Malone was there with a powerful right to the jaw. In short order the two Rom were subdued.
"Now maybe we can get some answers." Veronica looked at their prisoners coldly. "What did you want with me?
"You can control the mulani."
"Great, just what we need, ghosts." Marguerite ignored the look of hate from the taller Rom. Roxton didn't.
"Don't even think about laying a hand on her, now or ever." The Rom stared at the cold steel of the gun, then looked at the even colder eyes in the hunter's face, swallowed and nodded.
"Are you saying this stone contains a t-rex's ghost?" Challenger was intrigued with the legend.
"I'd say it was a fairly substantial ghost, Professor." The reporter was still running on adrenaline; pacing, shooting venomous looks at their two captives. "These two have a lot of explaining to do."
"Oh, I quite agree. I think the first question must be is how did the 'Protector's Stone' as you called it, get to the bottom of this river?"
The Roma stared at each other reluctant to talk.
"Maybe they need some convincing." Malone was short on patience.
"Easy, Ned." The scientist looked closely at their captives. "Perhaps if they understand that we have no interest in keeping the stone."
"Then free us, we'll take the stone, but we must have the rakli. Once bonded to the stone, no one else can control it."
Marguerite found herself the center of her companions' attention. "Don't look at me. I didn't know I couldn't interfere."
"I thought she was the one who controlled the stone." The slighter Rom pointed at Veronica.
"Veronica held it when the t-rex appeared and it seemed like it drained her. Marguerite put it back." Challenger watched the Rom closely to judge their reactions to this information.
They exchanged looks and frowned. "That should not be possible. We must take both of them."
The click of the safety being released resounded over the clearing. "You don't understand. You're not taking either of them." Lord Roxton's face was absolutely calm, his voice quiet. His companions knew this was Roxton at his most dangerous. Marguerite placed her hand on the arm not holding the gun. Defusing the situation was a priority.
"Easy, John. Veronica and I are still here."
"And I'm making sure they know you're staying here." Marguerite's hand stayed on his arm, reassuring him wordlessly of her presence. After a moment the tension in his stance eased, but the hunter did not relax his vigilance.
"We're not going with you." Veronica might be weaker than usual at the moment, but her voice still held its normal determination.
"I still want to know how your Protector's Stone ended up at the bottom of a river." Challenger never lost sight of his goal.
"We heard there is a magician in the Hagans' city called Rice. He can call down fire from the heavens. We wanted … to test him."
"More like make a deal with him." The looks on the Roma's faces confirmed Malone's words.
"They used the Zanga as errand boys." Veronica was furious.
"I doubt they were innocent dupes, Veronica." Marguerite spoke up, trying to calm the jungle girl.
"Of course, you wouldn't think they were."
"Be logical. They had to know the story about the stone. They knew what they had and whom they were supposed to deal with. When they were attacked they probably tried to use the stone. Or maybe they tried to use the stone and that's why they were attacked. When they were shot the stone must have dropped into the water." Marguerite's voice was firm.
"It makes sense, Veronica." Challenger's voice was gentle. "The Zanga are people like any other, some good, some bad."
Veronica looked away stubbornly, unwilling to accept the culpability of two of the tribe.
"Why were you watching us?" Roxton's question was as much to change the subject as to find out why he and Marguerite were under their scrutiny.
"We needed to make sure that you didn't find the Protector's Stone. We saw you travel up river, but we lost you. When we saw the remains of the dugout we thought you had been killed by the sea serpent guarding the stone."
"Sorry to disappoint you."
"Do you mean that the stone attracted the plesiosaur to the river?" Challenger looked for clarification.
"The stone always finds a guardian."
"That could explain how the plesiosaur got there." The scientist was musing to himself. "And why it attacked us even though we made it to shore."
"How did you find the stone?" The slighter Rom looked at Veronica.
"I didn't."
Roxton looked at Marguerite who seemed unwilling to talk about recovering the water sapphire or her part in controlling the stone. "We're asking the questions. How did you get hold of that gem in the first place?" The hunter pushed the question back into their captives' court.
The Roma looked at each other and said nothing.
"We seemed to have reached an impasse. Let's make a decision about our next course of action. What do you know about the Roma, Veronica?" The scientist preferred to pursue a logical approach to any problem.
"Not much. Isadore was the only member of the tribe I ever met. I don't recall anything in my parents' journals either."
"So we track down Isadore." Malone pointed out what should be obvious. "What else can we do?"
Veronica looked at Marguerite and saw she shared her dismay at thought of another encounter with the Queen of the Travelers.
"Why don't we ask these two?"
"I really don't think we can rely on what they say, Veronica." Challenger tried to reason with her.
"We won't be taken in again, Veronica." Roxton reassured her, ignoring Marguerite's rolling eyes.
"We should start out in the morning." Ned was intrigued with finding their former adversary/ally.
***
It was full dark, the two Rom were tied to a tree. Veronica and Marguerite were asleep on the opposite side of the fire.
Roxton pulled his blanket out from his pack and tucked it in around the sleeping Englishwoman. Malone mirrored his actions making sure the jungle-raised girl was warm and snug.
"We should let them sleep through the night." The hunter and reporter nodded their agreement to the scientist's words. "They've been drained by whatever yet unexplained phenomenon has occurred."
Roxton and Malone exchanged grins at Challenger's attempts to force a scientific explanation out of the occurrences of the day.
"We can divide up the watch between the three of us. Just make sure to keep a close eye on those two." The hunter nodded toward their captives.
By unspoken agreement, Malone and Challenger bedded down near their sleeping housemates. Challenger tactfully left room beside Marguerite for the hunter.
***
The aroma of coffee caused Marguerite to stretch. Surprised she noticed an additional blanket. Realizing who was responsible she bowed her head to hide her pleased smile. Another surprise awaited her as she saw Veronica still sleeping. She could count the times on one hand that the blonde jungle beauty was still asleep in the morning when she was awake. Turning she felt for a pulse at the neck of the blonde jungle girl.
"How is she?" Malone handed her a cup of coffee as he knelt on one knee; his attention focused on their sleeping companion.
"Her pulse seems steady and her color looks better today. Maybe sleep is all she needs." Marguerite gratefully sipped at her coffee. She watched, inwardly pleased to see Malone tucking back the blonde's hair. "I know just the little bit I did left me drained. Don't tell Roxton that!" Her tone was firm on her last point.
Ned smiled but felt a bit envious inside. While Marguerite chafed under Roxton's protective streak, at least Marguerite didn't push him away. Every time he tried to protect Veronica he ended up feeling superfluous or she handed him his head. Perhaps it wasn't so surprising; he wasn't the man of action that Roxton was. Why would Veronica depend on him?
"Speaking of which where are Challenger and Roxton?" Marguerite was draining the cup without delay.
"They went to gather some fruit for the trail."
"I need to wash, why don't you sit here with her."
"Don't go too far."
Marguerite looked at him incredulously. "I don't need anyone else telling me what to do."
"It's not like you'd listen anyway. But it's me I'm worried about. If you wander off and something happens, I'd be better off back at the riverbank with that t-rex than with Roxton."
***
"How should we go about finding Isadore?" Challenger looked at his companions as they prepared to take to the trail.
"We were about due west of here when we first encountered her." Veronica didn't bother to keep the reluctance from her voice. She looked over the tangle of growth trying to spot the easiest path. The long night's rest seemed to have restored her energy.
"And then?" The scientist persisted.
"And then we follow the trail of stolen goods." Marguerite interjected.
"I always do look forward to these fond reunions." The hunter spoke in a tone meant only for Malone as he prodded their captives forward.
"Let's hope this one doesn't get too emotional."
Roxton chuckled in response.
"Just don't drink anything she gives you this time and the reunion should be fine." Marguerite turned while walking to toss the comment back.
Malone and Veronica bit back smiles at the disgruntled look on the hunter's face.
***
A day's travel later they began to find signs that Isadore had been this way.
"It's not like her wagon's inconspicuous." Malone pointed out after Marguerite and he had a conversation with a passing family. The younger members of the family spoke English, but the parents hadn't.
"Nor are her habits. Lost beads, a misplaced tool." Veronica added dryly.
"And she certainly still has a talent for finding someone gullible enough to fall for her flattery." Marguerite looked from Roxton to Malone as she spoke.
"At least she didn't pick them clean." Roxton busied himself checking on their captives.
"They still have their horse and their tents."
"Probably because his wife didn't let her linger." Veronica knew on this issue she and Marguerite were in agreement.
"What did you find out about the family?" Challenger decided to rescue Malone and Roxton from the women's verbal arrows.
"The most talkative one was Mara, the oldest daughter." Marguerite glanced at Ned and smirked.
Ned covered his discomfort by looking at his notes. "From what they said, it sounds like that Mara's grandmother may have been with the Roma. She was apparently somewhat important to the Roma."
"Why did they leave?" Veronica grew more curious about the family.
"Mara's mother married an outsider and they decided to try a different life. The grandmother apparently regarded Mara as her heir or some such thing; but no one really wanted to confide the details to us."
"Did Isadore make any predictions for them?" Challenger had been fascinated by the stories of the psychic phenomenon.
"She told Mara, she'd meet someone who would change her fortune." Malone read from his journal notes.
"Yeah, her. She just didn't say it would be for the worse." Marguerite's dry remark brought smiles to her companions' faces. She hoped she distracted Veronica from the blush that had covered Malone's face as he talked about Mara. The attractive young woman had made her interest in the reporter plain.
Roxton studied a worn dirt track through the jungle that seemed promising. "It's not like she can take that wagon through a footpath. These wagon tracks are only a day old at most."
"Let's go." Shepherding their prisoners forward Malone fell in behind Roxton and Challenger.
"I wish I felt this was a good idea." Marguerite's mouth twisted in agreement with Veronica's comment.
***
"She's slowed down considerably, we should catch up with her soon." The hunter crouched surveying the ground.
"If that's to whom these tracks belong."
"The distance between the wheels is right. There aren't that many wagons on the plateau, Challenger. And I remember tracking this one quite clearly."
"At least this time we have our guns." Marguerite was not forgiving. "Let's hope Kaysan's bandits haven't gotten back together." The tension in her voice reached Roxton.
Veronica moved forward to take point. Ned brought his rifle to bear. Challenger was minding their captives and fell in behind them. Marguerite tried to step past the hunter to follow the others. His hand on her arm stopped her.
"We survived them before, Marguerite."
"I nearly killed you that time."
"You did everything to not kill me. Stalling Kaysan. Refusing to pull the trigger."
"But I –"
"Only pretended to go along with the charade after Kaysan said he was going to give you a gun. And I thought that was our best chance at getting out of there as well."
Marguerite remembered the look they exchanged. The anticipation in Roxton's eyes when he heard Kaysan tell her he'd give her a gun to use. It seemed like an excellent chance. Kaysan couldn't know her skill with firearms.
"You with a loaded pistol and an unsuspecting crowd. It should have been a sure road out of there." He stroked the hair back from her face. "Neither of us knew that he would rig the setup. It was never your fault." His voice took on a lighter note. "A fine pair we are. Always finding something to be guilty about."
"Some us have a lot more reason than others." Marguerite tried to shake the self-reproach from her voice and match his lighter tone. "Come on. We'd better catch up." The hand on her arm stilled her movement.
"No need to rush." Roxton's voice was husky. He kissed her forehead. His head dropped a few more inches, took her lips softly -
A scream rent the air.
"Damn, right on schedule!" The hunter pulled his rifle from his shoulder. The pair ran forward.
Veronica had her knife on their two captives, Malone and Challenger were not in sight.
"It came from up ahead, Ned and the Professor – " A shot rang out cutting off Veronica's words.
"Stay here, keep an eye on these two." Roxton raced off leaving Veronica and Marguerite to handle their Rom prisoners.
"Get moving." Marguerite prodded the taller Rom with her pistol for emphasis.
Veronica smiled; Marguerite didn't take orders any better than she did.
More shots were heard. The women forced their captives to pick up the pace. Around a bend in the trail a couple of headhunters were fleeing away into the brush on the left. A familiar wagon blocked the trail.
"Could this day get any better."
Malone and Challenger were moving forward to check on the wagon's occupant.
"My handsome heroes and their friends." Isadore gushed. A practiced motion set the wagon's brake. Challenger and Malone were closest to the wagon and with the air of a woman who always expects a man's assistance offered a hand to each in order to descend from her wagon.
"Not again." Marguerite low-pitched voice reached only the sharp ears of the two hunters. Veronica's frown echoed the linguist's sentiments. Roxton smiled his amusement, careful to keep his head turned away from the watchful eyes of the brunette.
Touching her hand to Malone's cheek with an eye to make sure Veronica saw it, the fortuneteller purred, "I'm so very glad you cheated your destiny."
"A pleasure to see you, Isadore." Malone was grateful for the uncritical attention, particularly when delivered by a buxom, green-eyed, redhead.
"And who is this, distinguished gentleman? I'm sure with he must be equally impressive to be in such noble company."
"One does one's best." Challenger modestly proclaimed.
"This is Professor Challenger, Isadore. George, you remember us speaking of our encounter with the Queen of the Travelers." Marguerite imbued every word with meaning.
Challenger had not spent three years in Marguerite's company without learning when to hear the undercurrents of her speech.
"Oh, yes, of course." To Veronica and Marguerite's delight Challenger absentmindedly started patting at his pockets to make sure everything was there.
With a pointed glance at Marguerite, Isadore stepped forward to greet the English nobleman. "Why, Lord Roxton, no welcoming kiss for an old friend?"
"We'll settle for a handshake." The words were genial enough but the hunter didn't relish the reminder of how she played him for a fool and he wasn't about to risk the growing understanding between himself and Marguerite.
Resigned for now with the coolness of Roxton's greeting, her eyes fell on the two Rom captives.
"Whatever are you doing with Josef and Janos?" Without waiting for a response she spoke to her fellow tribesmen. "Sastipé."
"I might have known they'd be friends of yours." Marguerite eyed Isadore suspiciously.
"Let's say acquaintances at best."
"What have you stolen from them, or perhaps I should say, for them?" Veronica sized up the fortuneteller mistrustfully.
Ned got between the two women ignoring Veronica's wrathful look. "What she means is what can you tell us about the whereabouts of the Protector's Stone."
"It should be with the Kak. Our elder. What do you know of it?"
"A tribal elder and here I thought you were queen." Marguerite's mild sarcasm didn't faze the Queen of the Travelers.
"I predict you're going to be very surprised at what we have to tell you." Veronica looked at her companions then back at Isadore. "This may take awhile."
****
The campfire burned bright in the overcast night. Neither woman was pleased at camping with Isadore again. Veronica joined Marguerite in gazing out into the darkness.
***
"So, Roxton, what else can you tell me about Rice?" Malone was finding his spot in his journal and didn't see the hunter stiffen at his question. The campfire provided sufficient light for writing.
"I think you pretty much have the whole story, Malone." Roxton forced his voice to calmness, holding his body still as he leaned against a log.
"Okay, then give me some details of the journey." Malone's instincts as a reporter knew there was something the hunter was keeping back. He didn't notice Challenger's shake of the head trying to warn him off. Isadore looked on curiously.
"You heard most of the details." Roxton stood and looked out into the darkness. "I'll check on Marguerite and Veronica."
***
"Do you believe her?" As far as Veronica was concerned Marguerite was her only companion with an objective viewpoint. Malone had resented her suggestion that he not believe all that Isadore said. Perhaps it was a strongly worded suggestion. But "Try not to fall for everything she says this time." pretty much covered all the bases.
"A power struggle amongst the Travelers? I suppose it's possible." Marguerite studied her hands as if the answers were there.
"What side should we be on?" The jungle girl wondered.
"Neither, I would think. We don't know enough of their internal struggles to make a choice."
"Then how do we decide what to do?"
"Make sure neither one of us is tied to that damned stone anymore, toss it up in the air and run like hell."
"Tempting." Roxton closed the distance between himself and the two women.
"I see you tore yourself away from our femme fatale."
Roxton smiled at the jealous undercurrent in Marguerite's voice, but his next statement was serious. "Do you two think we should travel to, what did Isadore call it, the kumpania?"
Marguerite and Veronica exchanged looks. Neither spoke.
"You both held the stone. Do you feel comfortable with seeking out this leader of the Rom or the Travelers?"
"No, but I don't think we have a choice."
Veronica's words echoed in Roxton's mind as he recalled his own sentiments when he and Marguerite attempted to go to Challenger and the others' rescue. "Lately a lack of choice has become a way of life."
"I don't trust Isadore with those two." Marguerite pointed to the back of Isadore's wagon where Josef and Janos were tied.
"I'll warn Challenger and Malone not to let her near them when they're on watch."
"I'll take first watch." Veronica offered.
****
"Do you think she could be leading us into a trap? The reporter wanted someone
else's opinion on Isadore. Veronica was too biased in his opinion.
"It's entirely possible, Malone, based on what you told me of your
prior experiences with this most extraordinary young woman."
Isadore bent over a marker at the side of the crude wagon trail. The sun was nearing its zenith. The prisoners were in Isadore's wagon. Roxton was handling the reins. The stops had been frequent.
"What's she looking at?"
"I believe it's called a patrin, a marker left for those who understand them. Directions or news mostly."
"Maybe Marguerite should be looking at them."
"It wouldn't do me much good." Marguerite walked up with a canteen and handed to Challenger.
"I thought you understood the language." The reporter was a bit surprised at her admission.
"Some of the patrin's message is not written." Marguerite glared distrustfully at the fortuneteller.
"Weren't you guarding the prisoners?" Challenger didn't want a confrontation between their volatile treehouse companion and Isadore. He passed the canteen to the reporter.
"Veronica's keeping an eye on the rear of the wagon while we're stopped."
The redheaded fortuneteller straightened up and mounted the wagon. She said something to make Roxton laugh knowingly. The hunter slapped the reins lightly to start the horse moving.
Marguerite eyed Isadore venomously. Exchanging looks Challenger and Malone fell in with Marguerite as she joined Veronica in guarding the rear of the wagon.
"He won't be taken in by her, Marguerite." Challenger's voice didn't reach the others who were following closer to the wagon. Having seen Roxton's reaction to Marguerite's kidnapping by Omac, the scientist was confident only a major calamity would force the hunter from her side.
"You better be right, George." Forcing a bit of humor into her voice, she continued. "Or I'll never believe anything you say again."
"Perhaps we should look some more at the stone. Maybe there's a clue as to how it works. I refuse to believe in magic or superstition."
"Or ghostly flying Dutchmen, animal graveyard guardians, or seances."
"I prefer to think of those as phenomena for which we have not yet found the governing scientific principles."
"I can't wait to read the textbook you cover those in." Malone grinned. He and Veronica overhead the last part of the conversation.
"Well be that as it may, we still should concentrate on this particular puzzle." Assuming a deliberately dignified tone at the reporter's words, he pulled out the gem from his pack still wrapped in Roxton's handkerchief. He removed it from its protective covering to once again study the apparent flaw.
"Halt!"
A pistol shot from the front of the wagon answered the shout.
"Whoa." Roxton's voice was clear as he tried to handle the plunging horse.
Nearly a dozen people ran out from the surrounding brush. Each one wore an oversized animal mask. Knives and crossbows were held at the ready.
"Not again." Malone's voice was despairing. Kaysan may have been dead, but his band was still in business.
To be continued
