I'm so sorry it took me this long to get to chapter 5; I had a bit of a
writer's block. Here it is, read, review, you know the deal.
The disclaimer is in chapter 1 if you're looking for it.
Chapter 5
No!" John screamed as he sank the floor. "We've got to save them" He ran around the tree house like mad man. "John, calm down, we don't know where they are" Challenger tried to stop him. "I don't care. That is my family out there. I lost William; I will not lose Marguerite or the kids. Either you come with me or I go alone" he threatened.
"If there is anything I can do, I would be glad to help," Andrew said. "Roxton, we need a plan," Veronica said. "Veronica, you go to your mother, see if she can give us any information. Ned and Finn, you two take Arthur and Abby to Assai and see if can be of help. Andrew, do you remember anything about your encounter with Sinthar?" Challenger directed the group. "I could try" he replied. "Be back by sundown, we'll leave at sunrise, with or without you" Roxton said.
Hours later, Roxton paced. "Where are they?" he couldn't calm down. "John, have a drink" Challenger offered. "Do you remember what happened the last time we were offered a drink?" Roxton shot back. "Have some tea," Challenger offered. Reluctantly, he sat down. "Andrew, could you hand me the green canister and the honey?" Challenger asked. "What's this?" he replied as Challenger mixed the concoction. "It's a sleeping potion that Veronica's parent's discovered" the scientist replied.
Within minutes, John was fast asleep. The two men carried him to his bedroom as Veronica returned. "Well?" Challenger asked as Veronica returned hours later as Roxton woke up. "Mother says that only Marguerite can kill Sinthar" Veronica informed them. "Veronica, there has to be something else, when Roxton wakes up, he's going to want to leave" Challenger replied. "Can we do something to slow him down at least?" Finn asked. "She did say that Andrew's presence could slow him down, I completely forgot" Veronica pulled the Verando Pendant out of the crevice she had previously hidden it in.
"What is it?" Ned asked. "It's called the Verando pendant. It's supposedly the only thing that can stop him" Veronica replied. "Did your mother mention anything about how to get to his lair?" Challenger asked. "Mother said that the pendant is a compass" Veronica replied. "What are we waiting for?" Roxton asked, running into his room for his gun and pack. "John, it'll be dark soon," Ned said. "At first light we move" Roxton agreed.
"If this is a compass, how does it work?" Finn. "I'm not sure" Veronica replied as they stepped out of the gate. "Look" Challenger pointed out as the symbols began to glow. "If this is a compass, then this must be north, south, east and west" Andrew concluded. "Let's go" John said.
*********************************************************************** The world became clear as her head felt like it would explode. "Where am I?" she asked out loud, slowly standing up. "Mum?" she heard a voice call out. "Will? Kate?" she asked as two small figures ran toward her. Sinking to her knees, she hugged them both. "Are you two ok?" she asked, checking them for bruises. "Mummy, the bad man..." Will started to say. "I know, baby, I'll get you two home safe, I promise. Then we'll go swimming in the pond and we'll collect leaves..." Marguerite lifted her children into her arms as she searched for an exit.
"You're not going anywhere, Marguerite" Sinthar appeared. I don't know what your problem is, but if it's me want, take me. Let my children go" Marguerite pleaded. "Marguerite, it's not you I want, though it's a tempting thought. You are a beauty, just like your mother was. She should have been mine. Together we could have ruled the plateau, every tribe and creature at our beck and call. But no, she had to marry that mortal. You could have been my daughter; I would have given you everything" his story made her shiver.
"I'm sorry that my mother turned you down, but I didn't have anything to do with that. I am innocent, as are my children. Please, take me if you wish, just let them go" she again pleaded. "See, that's problem. Your are your mother's daughter and therefore, you and your children must die. If I can't have the chosen one alive, then I'll kill the entire line" raising his arms, light flew out. Marguerite tried to protect her children as she hit the wall, pain spreading all over her body as the world again became dark.
"Is this it?" Ned asked as they stopped at the entrance. "Looks like it" Challenger replied. "John, where are you going?" Veronica asked as he charged in. "Getting my family back" he replied, "Catch" Finn called out, throwing the pendant. "I'm going with you" Andrew said. "You may need this" John handed him a pistol.
"Look" Andrew pointed out an unconscious Marguerite still holding her children. "Marguerite" he roused her. "John?" she asked, her eyes fluttering open. "Daddy?" Kate asked. "Your all right" He drew them together. "Bad man" Will pointed out Andrew. "No, Will, he's not evil" John said. "We meet again" Sinthar appeared before the group. "Get them out of here" Marguerite handed the children to John. "What fun, not only do I get to kill the chosen one, her children and her guardian and I get to feast on the soul of my former host" he eerily laughed as he began to raise his arms.
As the light began to surround them, Marguerite called out "Mother!!!". Expecting to die, the group pulled closer, but instead they heard a female voice. "Stay away from my family, you bastard" Lady Dalphton forced Sinthar to the floor. "Elise, you look lovely" Sinthar fought back, but he was unable to. "I thought I told you to stay away from my family" her anger could be felt throughout the cave. "I just wanted to see the family, that's all" he tried to explain "No buts, you will stay away from my family or I will turn you to dust" she hovered him as she seemed to explode and Sinthar fell unconscious.
Turning her back to a seemingly dead Sinthar, Marguerite asked "Mum?". "You're more beautiful than I ever expected" Elise folded her only child in her arms as she became human. "Mummy?" Will asked. "Who are these angels?" Elise asked, her eyes lovingly focused on her grandchildren. "This is Will and Kate and my husband John. And that's Andrew, he saved us" Marguerite introduced them.
"I've heard good things about you, John Roxton. Abigail speaks highly of you" Elise looked back at John before focusing on the children. "Grandma?" Will asked. "Yes, my darling. If only your grandfather was still alive to see his grandchildren" Elise said. "My lady" Andrew bowed. "Thank you, Andrew for saving their lives" she replied. "After being trapped in that cave, it was the least I could do" no one noticed Sinthar moving.
"Mum!" Marguerite called out as Elise fell to the floor. "I am stronger than I ever was. I am unbeatable. You had your chance, now you die" Sinthar again raised his arms, not seeing Andrew running at him, Vernado Pendant in hand. "No you don't, you bastard" they collided as Sinthar screamed "No!".
"Mum, you can't leave now, please" Marguerite begged her dying mother. "Marguerite, it is my time. I can rest now, I have been in limbo too long, you are the chosen one" she explained. "Mum please" Marguerite again begged. "Your father is waiting for me, we love you, never forget that" Lady Elise Dalphton took her last breath before disappearing. "Mummy?" Kate pointed out Andrew, who lay dying. "Thank you" Marguerite gently kissed his forehead. "What I would give...." Andrew took one last breath before finally closing his eyes.
"Marguerite, look" a silver light revealed Elise and Jason, smiling and waving goodbye. "Daddy, is the bad man gone?" Will asked. "Yes, Will he is" John replied. "Let's go home," Marguerite said as they walked away, not noticing the dark figure. "I will get you chosen one, and I will take everything and everyone you hold dear, as you took from me," the figure threatened.
"That's quite a story" Ned commented as they eat dinner later that night. "It's the plateau, remember?" Finn asked. "I think they're ready for bed" John said picking up Kate. "I think I'll turn in too, it's been an interesting day" Veronica said, picking up Arthur and heading toward her bedroom. "Are you ok?" John asked Marguerite as they out the children to bed. "I'm just tired" she replied. "I know, it's been an interesting day" he replied.
"What?" he asked. "I was so scared today, John, I thought I would loose you and children" he wrapped his arms around her. "Do you remember the promise that I made when we came here?" he asked. "You promised to go to hell and back if I meant protecting us" she replied. "And I will always will" he kissed her, forgetting the tree house, the plateau, the world.
The End
The disclaimer is in chapter 1 if you're looking for it.
Chapter 5
No!" John screamed as he sank the floor. "We've got to save them" He ran around the tree house like mad man. "John, calm down, we don't know where they are" Challenger tried to stop him. "I don't care. That is my family out there. I lost William; I will not lose Marguerite or the kids. Either you come with me or I go alone" he threatened.
"If there is anything I can do, I would be glad to help," Andrew said. "Roxton, we need a plan," Veronica said. "Veronica, you go to your mother, see if she can give us any information. Ned and Finn, you two take Arthur and Abby to Assai and see if can be of help. Andrew, do you remember anything about your encounter with Sinthar?" Challenger directed the group. "I could try" he replied. "Be back by sundown, we'll leave at sunrise, with or without you" Roxton said.
Hours later, Roxton paced. "Where are they?" he couldn't calm down. "John, have a drink" Challenger offered. "Do you remember what happened the last time we were offered a drink?" Roxton shot back. "Have some tea," Challenger offered. Reluctantly, he sat down. "Andrew, could you hand me the green canister and the honey?" Challenger asked. "What's this?" he replied as Challenger mixed the concoction. "It's a sleeping potion that Veronica's parent's discovered" the scientist replied.
Within minutes, John was fast asleep. The two men carried him to his bedroom as Veronica returned. "Well?" Challenger asked as Veronica returned hours later as Roxton woke up. "Mother says that only Marguerite can kill Sinthar" Veronica informed them. "Veronica, there has to be something else, when Roxton wakes up, he's going to want to leave" Challenger replied. "Can we do something to slow him down at least?" Finn asked. "She did say that Andrew's presence could slow him down, I completely forgot" Veronica pulled the Verando Pendant out of the crevice she had previously hidden it in.
"What is it?" Ned asked. "It's called the Verando pendant. It's supposedly the only thing that can stop him" Veronica replied. "Did your mother mention anything about how to get to his lair?" Challenger asked. "Mother said that the pendant is a compass" Veronica replied. "What are we waiting for?" Roxton asked, running into his room for his gun and pack. "John, it'll be dark soon," Ned said. "At first light we move" Roxton agreed.
"If this is a compass, how does it work?" Finn. "I'm not sure" Veronica replied as they stepped out of the gate. "Look" Challenger pointed out as the symbols began to glow. "If this is a compass, then this must be north, south, east and west" Andrew concluded. "Let's go" John said.
*********************************************************************** The world became clear as her head felt like it would explode. "Where am I?" she asked out loud, slowly standing up. "Mum?" she heard a voice call out. "Will? Kate?" she asked as two small figures ran toward her. Sinking to her knees, she hugged them both. "Are you two ok?" she asked, checking them for bruises. "Mummy, the bad man..." Will started to say. "I know, baby, I'll get you two home safe, I promise. Then we'll go swimming in the pond and we'll collect leaves..." Marguerite lifted her children into her arms as she searched for an exit.
"You're not going anywhere, Marguerite" Sinthar appeared. I don't know what your problem is, but if it's me want, take me. Let my children go" Marguerite pleaded. "Marguerite, it's not you I want, though it's a tempting thought. You are a beauty, just like your mother was. She should have been mine. Together we could have ruled the plateau, every tribe and creature at our beck and call. But no, she had to marry that mortal. You could have been my daughter; I would have given you everything" his story made her shiver.
"I'm sorry that my mother turned you down, but I didn't have anything to do with that. I am innocent, as are my children. Please, take me if you wish, just let them go" she again pleaded. "See, that's problem. Your are your mother's daughter and therefore, you and your children must die. If I can't have the chosen one alive, then I'll kill the entire line" raising his arms, light flew out. Marguerite tried to protect her children as she hit the wall, pain spreading all over her body as the world again became dark.
"Is this it?" Ned asked as they stopped at the entrance. "Looks like it" Challenger replied. "John, where are you going?" Veronica asked as he charged in. "Getting my family back" he replied, "Catch" Finn called out, throwing the pendant. "I'm going with you" Andrew said. "You may need this" John handed him a pistol.
"Look" Andrew pointed out an unconscious Marguerite still holding her children. "Marguerite" he roused her. "John?" she asked, her eyes fluttering open. "Daddy?" Kate asked. "Your all right" He drew them together. "Bad man" Will pointed out Andrew. "No, Will, he's not evil" John said. "We meet again" Sinthar appeared before the group. "Get them out of here" Marguerite handed the children to John. "What fun, not only do I get to kill the chosen one, her children and her guardian and I get to feast on the soul of my former host" he eerily laughed as he began to raise his arms.
As the light began to surround them, Marguerite called out "Mother!!!". Expecting to die, the group pulled closer, but instead they heard a female voice. "Stay away from my family, you bastard" Lady Dalphton forced Sinthar to the floor. "Elise, you look lovely" Sinthar fought back, but he was unable to. "I thought I told you to stay away from my family" her anger could be felt throughout the cave. "I just wanted to see the family, that's all" he tried to explain "No buts, you will stay away from my family or I will turn you to dust" she hovered him as she seemed to explode and Sinthar fell unconscious.
Turning her back to a seemingly dead Sinthar, Marguerite asked "Mum?". "You're more beautiful than I ever expected" Elise folded her only child in her arms as she became human. "Mummy?" Will asked. "Who are these angels?" Elise asked, her eyes lovingly focused on her grandchildren. "This is Will and Kate and my husband John. And that's Andrew, he saved us" Marguerite introduced them.
"I've heard good things about you, John Roxton. Abigail speaks highly of you" Elise looked back at John before focusing on the children. "Grandma?" Will asked. "Yes, my darling. If only your grandfather was still alive to see his grandchildren" Elise said. "My lady" Andrew bowed. "Thank you, Andrew for saving their lives" she replied. "After being trapped in that cave, it was the least I could do" no one noticed Sinthar moving.
"Mum!" Marguerite called out as Elise fell to the floor. "I am stronger than I ever was. I am unbeatable. You had your chance, now you die" Sinthar again raised his arms, not seeing Andrew running at him, Vernado Pendant in hand. "No you don't, you bastard" they collided as Sinthar screamed "No!".
"Mum, you can't leave now, please" Marguerite begged her dying mother. "Marguerite, it is my time. I can rest now, I have been in limbo too long, you are the chosen one" she explained. "Mum please" Marguerite again begged. "Your father is waiting for me, we love you, never forget that" Lady Elise Dalphton took her last breath before disappearing. "Mummy?" Kate pointed out Andrew, who lay dying. "Thank you" Marguerite gently kissed his forehead. "What I would give...." Andrew took one last breath before finally closing his eyes.
"Marguerite, look" a silver light revealed Elise and Jason, smiling and waving goodbye. "Daddy, is the bad man gone?" Will asked. "Yes, Will he is" John replied. "Let's go home," Marguerite said as they walked away, not noticing the dark figure. "I will get you chosen one, and I will take everything and everyone you hold dear, as you took from me," the figure threatened.
"That's quite a story" Ned commented as they eat dinner later that night. "It's the plateau, remember?" Finn asked. "I think they're ready for bed" John said picking up Kate. "I think I'll turn in too, it's been an interesting day" Veronica said, picking up Arthur and heading toward her bedroom. "Are you ok?" John asked Marguerite as they out the children to bed. "I'm just tired" she replied. "I know, it's been an interesting day" he replied.
"What?" he asked. "I was so scared today, John, I thought I would loose you and children" he wrapped his arms around her. "Do you remember the promise that I made when we came here?" he asked. "You promised to go to hell and back if I meant protecting us" she replied. "And I will always will" he kissed her, forgetting the tree house, the plateau, the world.
The End