Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Challenger stared at the guard.
"What? You say you're from Avalon?"
"Yes." Nodded Veriel.
"Isn't that where Veronica's mother is?" Malone murmured so only Challenger could hear.
Challenger ignored him and turned back to the Captain.
"And- and you were sent here for me?"
"Yes. Her Highness said to find a red-haired scientist, and that we could find you at a treehouse." As Veriel said this he made a strange face at Challenger.
"Oh, we live at the treehouse but my friend Malone and I were collecting some plants when a storm forced us in this cave." Challenger smiled. Maybe they were finally going to find Veronica's mother.
"Please come with us." Said Veriel.
"Wait." Malone finally interrupted them. "How do we know you're not lying to us?"
Veriel reached into his pocket and pulled out a locket, and a letter.
"This is for Her Majesty's daughter. You can go ahead and read it."
Malone opened the locket. Inside was a picture of Veronica's family. Her mom, dad, and her in the middle of them.
Malone nodded.
"Ok I believe you. I'll save this letter for Veronica."
"Speaking of Veronica," Challenger said, "Shouldn't we go and get the others?"
"Do not worry Scientist. I will send out a messenger."
Veriel turned to one of the guards with him.
"You, Darious. Take this map." He handed the guard a map. "And tell the others that Lady Abigail needs them at once."
"Yes sir."
After the guard had left the cave, Veriel faced Malone and Challenger once more.
"Your friends will be in Avalon with us shortly. Now we must leave."
"How did you get in this cave?" Malone asked.
"Through this wall." Veriel pointed.
"But it's solid rock!"
"Yes, but watch this." Veriel again reached into his pocket. This time he took out a small stone, about the size of a quarter. He placed it into a dent in the face of the rock. The grinding noise Challenger had heard earlier returned, and the back wall of the cave slid apart. Veriel put the pebble back into his pocket.
"That's incredible." Malone whispered.
Following the two men from Avalon, Challenger and Malone entered the darkness.
Meanwhile, back at the treehouse, Marguerite was placing a damp cloth on Veronica's forehead.
"Who were those guys?" Finn called out.
"I'm not sure." Answered Roxton. "But they weren't any tribe I've seen here before."
He turned around when he heard movement.
Veronica had come back to consciousness.
'Wha-What happened?" She sat up rubbing her head.
"You ran off when someone screamed. Remember?" Finn looked at her, concerned.
"Yeh. Someone hit me from behind."
Before anyone could say anything else, a man's voice interrupted them.
"Halloooo. Hallooo."
It was coming from the ground. Roxton picked up his rifle and went to the balcony. He saw a man wearing a reddish skirt and a few pieces of armor.
"What do you want?"
"Her Highness, Lady Abigail of Avalon needs all of you at once."
Veronica had heard his words, and she jumped up, against Finn's protests.
"Abigail?! My mother?!"
"Let's not jump to conclusions now-" Started Roxton.
"It has to be Roxton!"
He had never seen her smile so much before.
"Well let's go then!" Finn picked up her crossbow.
"I need to get a few things." Veronica went into her room. She grabbed her parent's journals that they had found under the earth, as well as a picture of Ned. As she put them into her pack, she made sure she had the Trion still on her neck. She did. Veronica stood up and went back into the main part of the treehouse, where the others were waiting. Marguerite smiled. She hoped that this wasn't another false alarm. Veronica had been led all over the plateau by people who claimed to know her mother.
She was snapped out of her thoughts by Roxton's voice.
"Come on Marguerite."
She turned around, and the explorers went down the elevator to meet the guard from Avalon.