Hi everyone! Look I updated! Yippeee for me! Sorry it took so long but I got it up so that's all that matters:) Hopefully the next one will not take nearly as long. Anyways, hope you enjoy, and after you read please drop me a line and let me know what you thought. Now on with the show!
"Lost but Now Found"
Chapter 4
It was around midnight and Malone had only managed to get about ten minutes of sleep in the past couple of hours. He got up knowing it was time to put his plan into action. He was anxious to get going, but wasn't nervous. Malone knew that what he was doing was the right thing and he had no plans of turning back. He had faced death several times before and he knew he was going to face it again tonight. Marguerite always says that I have an absurd amount of luck to have escaped death so many times. I just hope it hasn't run out.
He grabbed his pack and started to prepare to leave on what could very well be a suicide mission. He turned to say goodbye to Ilaya. "I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done. If it wasn't for you, I would have been dead already. At least, now, I stand a chance" Malone said with a laugh.
Ilaya was not amused. "This is not a laughing matter. You do not realize what you are doing. This is insanity! I did not save your life so you could throw it away needlessly! Do you understand Malone? You are going to DIE if you do this. Please, do not do this. I can hide you here for a few days until they have stopped searching for you. They will think you escaped and will give up, and then I can sneak you out of the city. You do not have to do this!" Ilaya was slowly approaching hysteria.
Malone was touched at the amount of worry an almost perfect stranger was showing for his well-being. "I appreciate your concern and trying to protect me, but I have to do this. I have come too far to turn back now. Besides, I'm not a little boy, I can look after myself." He gave Ilaya a big smile to ease her worry and turned to leave.
"Be careful Malone."
He turned back around to face her, "Aren't I always?"
His big grin made Ilaya smile. "From what I've heard about you and your adventures so far, I respectfully decline to comment" Ilaya chuckled. Malone smiled at her again and left.
Malone stuck to the winding alleys of the city as he made his way to the palace. It was a quiet and relatively cool night. The streets were dark but the sky was clear with the moon shinning brightly, enough to light Malone's way.
Even though it was dark and the streets would be empty, he could not risk being caught by patrolling guards. He was still a wanted man. The journey to the palace using the alleys would take him a little longer, but the anxiety caused from the long wait was well worth it against the risk of being caught in the streets.
As he was mindlessly shifting through the empty alleys, Malone's mind started to drift. He started thinking about the last few years of his life on the plateau and it seemed to ease his apprehension.
When I first came here, it was to impress Gladys and to get a good story. I felt I wasn't a complete man unless I experienced some sort of big adventure and I felt that I would find it here. Well, I think I covered the adventure goal pretty well. Malone smirked and shook his head in bemusement.
At one point I thought I loved Gladys, I'm not sure if I ever loved her or if it was some sort of idealized crush. But I realized that whatever I had felt for Gladys was no longer there. The life that I was dreaming about with Gladys, I started picturing it with Veronica instead. I learned early on that she wasn't anything like Gladys or any other women I'd find in London. She is not only beautiful, but strong, independent, and one of the most courageous people I have ever met. The fact that she survived so many years on her own is a testament to her strength and courage.
I also knew that she would not ever want to leave the plateau until she found her parents. The first time we all tried to leave, I stayed behind with her and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Even IF I found out what happened to her parents and even IF she was willing to come back to London one day, I wouldn't leave. This is where I met Veronica, fell in love with her, and this is where I want to stay. This place has grown on me. It's home.
When we were stranded in the Hollow Earth she said we should be just friends and if she still wants that, I'll be content with her friendship. But I've always regretted not telling her how much she means to me, how much I love her.
Hopefully by now, she'll have made her way back and if…no when…think positively…when I get back, we can have the talk we have put off having for so long. Life is too precious here and can't be taken for granted. I've learned this the hard way. I don't want to leave this place without her knowing how I feel, even if she doesn't feel the same way I do.
I have no regrets about coming here. This place has taught me so much and it gave me things I never thought possible. It helped me become a better person and I found the love of my life and a family that I didn't think I'd ever find here.
In the beginning it was rough. Sharing such a limited space with six other people was trying to one's patience. We slowly learned and tolerated each other's habits and moods and got along really well. These past few months away has given me lots of time to think and realize even more how much they all mean to me.
When the London Zoological Society goaded Summerlee into coming on this expedition, I always felt it was mistake because he wouldn't survive here. It turned out that he earned his spot on this expedition countless times. He not only saved my life but the lives of the others as well. He has to be the most kind hearted man I have ever met. He was never afraid to risk his life for others. And even though he might not have been in his prime in regards of his physical condition, he never let that slow him down. When we went on those long hikes for miles through the jungle, he never once complained or asked for a break. He just trudged along with the rest of us. He was the eternal optimist, always looking for the best in everyone and every situation. He was a great friend and never afraid to put others before himself. Summerlee I don't know where you are right now, but I hope you are alive and well and I hope to see you soon, dear friend.
George Challenger, Summerlee's one time intellectual rival. Even though those two were constantly sparring, we could all see the underlying respect and friendship that they shared.
When I first met Challenger I saw that his ego was bigger than the size of a T-Rex, Malone laughed at the mental images of Challenger from the early days. He eventually softened to us and grew closer to us than we thought possible. He actually enjoyed our friendships and considered himself one of us instead of the leader of the expedition.
And Lord John Roxton, the man who has become like a brother to me. He was once the man I aspired to be. Strong, courageous, an excellent fighter, and always knew how to act around women. I always seem to get tongue-tied, blush, and act like a child. He taught me many things, not just about women, but about courage, friendship, skills to survive in the jungle (which have come in quite handy these past few months), and even about life in general. I underestimated Roxton when I first met him. He is wise beyond his years and a great friend. I just thought he was an arrogant hunter looking to bag a trophy. When we first got here, he was distant and arrogant. He kept his distance from the rest of us. He was always cleaning his guns and made no real effort with any of us. The only person he seemed close to, if you could call their relationship close, was Marguerite. Most men would not have even bothered with Marguerite but Roxton is not known for backing down from a challenge.
And the beautiful Miss Krux, I once called her dangerous and possibly deadly and I still stick with that assessment. At first, I meant that she could not be trusted, that she would betray us at the first possible convenience in order to help herself. But I've seen that Marguerite is a great and loyal friend to have. She has many skills including gemology, geology, an uncanny ability with languages, but she can also be cunning and devious, a great strategist, and can hold her own in a fight probably with anything at hand as a weapon. I used to be afraid of these skills because I thought she would use them against us to betray us. I thought it was an inevitable fact. She proved me wrong, and she's saved my life numerous times. I'm glad that she is there to watch my back and I'm happy with the person she's turned out to be. I'm proud to call her and all the others my friends. They're all dear to me, my friends, my family. I miss you all. I'll come back to you soon, I promise.
Malone looked at his surroundings are realized that his thinking had passed the time and that he was already in front of the palace. He looked at the sky and judged that he got to his intended destination just in time. Ilaya told him that the guards of the palace change shifts in the middle of the night so that the men on duty at night would be alert. He would have only a small window of opportunity to slip into the palace undetected.
Luckily Malone saw that he didn't have to wait for the shift change. The guard at the entrance had fallen asleep. He still had to get inside before the guard's replacement came but he still had a little bit of time.
Malone crept out of the alley and made his way quickly, but quietly to the long hall that led to the palace entrance. He could hear his heart pounding loudly in his ears and was sure that the sleeping guard would hear it and wake up. He held his breath as he slipped by the sleeping sentry into the shadows of the long hall and let out the breath he was holding.
"Hey you! What do you think you're doing!" Malone almost screamed out in terror but he stood frozen in his tracks. He was afraid to turn around. I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead!
"Hey! I'm talking to you soldier! Why are you asleep at your post! Get up you worthless dog! You're lucky I don't flay you right now! Get out of here and get your replacement! I'll deal with you later!"
Malone realized that he wasn't caught and stuck to the wall and the shadows. He tried not to breathe and hoped that he would not be caught. He heard the soldier mumble an apology and walk off. Malone then realized who the other voice belonged to, it was Gressan, the captain of the guards! This guy will kill me on sight! I've got to be extra careful. It looks like I've still got a little bit of luck left.
Malone waited in the shadows of the hall until Gressan turned and stomped off in fury. He reached the palace doors and entered cautiously. He started to make his way to the room holding the old texts per Ilaya's instructions. There were not many people walking around the palace, just a couple of guards, but Ilaya specified the areas that their posts were stationed so Malone knew which areas to avoid.
Malone finally made his way to the area of the palace where he was supposed to be. He had to be careful because Ilaya had told him that even though there was not a guard posted there, they sometimes made rounds in that area. Malone waited in the shadows and when he was sure that there was no one in sight, he made his way to the door of the room and opened it. As he opened the door, he heard a creak loud enough to wake the dead. He quickly got inside and closed it. Just my luck, I wouldn't be surprised if I woke up half the city! He listened and waited. The anticipation was driving him crazy but when he didn't hear anyone, he decided he was safe and relaxed.
As he turned around and examined the room, he realized that he wasn't in the right room at all! He was in the palace's armory. Damn! I must have gotten turned around somewhere! I'm beginning to think that everything that can go wrong tonight will. Oh well, as long as I'm here I might as well grab a weapon. If I have to face more guards, I might as well have something better than a dagger. Malone looked around and found a good size sword and stuck it through the belt of his pants. He went to the door and opened it carefully this time, and snuck back into the hall. He figured out where he was and slowly crept through the halls to the right room. He knew that he was running out of time and odds were he would get caught sooner or later. He had to find the book and get out quickly.
He finally got to the right room and saw that there was a guard standing in front of the door. Ilaya said that this room wasn't supposed to have a guard on duty! Now what am I supposed to do? Think, Malone, think! Malone's face quickly formed a smile as he came up with a plan.
He took his canteen out of his pack and threw it down the hall. The guard got up and ran in the direction of the noise. Malone quickly came up behind him and knocked him unconscious with the hilt of his sword. Malone congratulated himself on having a plan that worked and had someone else ending up unconscious instead of himself. He quickly tied and gagged the guard and hid him in an empty room.
He grabbed a torch from the hall and entered the room. This time he was sure he was in the right place. The room was filled with nothing but books and scrolls and they were all collecting dust. Ilaya had never seen the book herself and she didn't know where it would be, so Malone would have to search for it. All he knew was that it had to have the symbols of the old language on it. After about an hour, he found a corner of the room that had many documents containing the symbols. After searching longer, he saw that there were several books too.
"How am I supposed to know which book is the right one? All of these have the same symbols on them! It could be the right one or it could be a cook book for Pete's sake!" Malone hit the shelf in frustration and a book fell from the top shelf on the floor. He looked at it and saw that it was different from the rest of them. The outer covering of the book was a gold color and the symbols were the same, but they were arranged in a different way. He didn't know what it meant, but he had a very strong feeling that this was the book he was looking for. He put the book in his pack and made his way towards the door.
He opened the door and walked into something that felt like a brick wall and fell on his rump.
"Well, well, well," a voice chuckled, "look who we have here."
Malone looked up and saw the towering figure of Gressan standing over him with a devilish sneer on his face. He saw Gressan reach for his sword. Malone quickly jumped up and drew his own. He was very glad he made that wrong turn earlier because if he hadn't, he would have been weaponless against Gressan and most likely dead.
The two starting circling each other in the cramped hall with swords drawn, never taking their eyes off each other. Both were waiting for the other to make the first move. Gressan struck first with a strong blow that caused Malone to stagger back a couple of steps. Luckily he did not lose his balance. Malone knew that if he fell, Gressan would not show any mercy.
Malone quickly regained his balance and struck back with a lash across Gressan's chest. Gressan growled and lunged at Malone. His sword caught Malone across his arm but it wasn't too deep. Malone tried to push the pain aside and keep fighting back. He had gotten what he came for and he wasn't about to die now.
Malone blocked another blow from Gressan and landed a fist to his face. Gressan started panting and growling like a raving animal. He charged Malone again and this time he succeeded. Malone felt the cold steel rip into his side. He saw that Gressan was smiling proudly at his accomplishment. Malone was not going to allow him the satisfaction. He was steadily losing blood but he was still able to fight. He got in a couple of quick jabs and slashes with his sword, but he was slowly losing his strength. He knew he wouldn't hold out much longer. Gressan knew it too.
"Give it up, you cannot beat me. No one ever has!" Gressan laughed as his kicked Malone's injured side. Malone collapsed back to the ground and didn't have enough strength to pick himself up.
"That's enough Gressan. I don't want him dead. I need him to still be able to talk. I want to know what he was doing here. Bring him to the main room, this should be fun." Malone heard a laugh that did not sound quite human and his footsteps as he turned to leave. He looked up but only saw the shadow of the man moving down the hall.
Malone felt many hands pick him up off the ground and carry him away. He didn't know what was going to happen next but he had a feeling that he wasn't going to like it.
To Be Continued
A/N: Ok, time for a review pretty please. Let me know what you thought of this even if you didn't like it, I can take it I promise:D Thanks for reading! Until next time!
