They are not mine just borrowing them for a bit!
Chapter 4 The Wake
Tree House Main Floor, Following Marguerite's Departure
Five pair of eyes watched the heiress disappear back to her room before they turned toward each other to gage the others' reactions to this new development. All the eyes displayed shock and inquisitiveness, but that is where the same emotions stopped. Malone's eyes showed a dawning, Veronica's displayed empathy, George's exhibited mystification, Finn's were of compassion, but Lord John Roxton's were a puzzle to all because they consisted of a mixture of emotions, it was hard to tell what all were there (disappointment, compassion, heartache, annoyance, sympathy, longing, anger and despair all rolled into one pair of eyes). Roxton turned toward the staircase again, and proceeded to walk the distance to the landing to gaze in the direction of Marguerite's door (to avoid the eyes of the others that had turned sympathetic toward him, and to distance himself from the group before one of his emotions took over; and, anger seemed to be winning right now, and an outburst would not due when some questions needed to be answered/heard).
It was Challenger that spoke first, "Well, that is interesting! Veronica you knew about the child?"
"Yes, but only because Marguerite let it slip eight days ago, after we woke from the shifting plains incident, and Margaux was not here. I would have wondered if it were actually true had I not noticed the small satchel Marguerite was holding tightly in her hands before you arrived here," replied Veronica.
"But, she didn't say a thing when we were all going over our accounts of what happened to us that day," added Finn.
"Now, that I think about it, Marguerite, didn't actually talk that much at all," Challenger pondered out loud, "she seemed very subdued and restrained while we all contributed to the shifting plain theory. Veronica, you actually did not see the child?"
"No, when I woke up, Marguerite was about ten feet away as if she was reaching for something or more like someone, with only the satchel tightly grasped in the hand of the arm furthest from her body. We were both 'wigged out' as Finn put it that day, but she stubbornly pushed on in her desperate search for her daughter. I didn't realize what she was looking for until the elevator was ascending to the main floor, when she whispered it under her breath."
"I didn't mention it because I knew Marguerite would not take kindly to a secret of hers being reveled without her approval first; and, when she made no mention of it that night I took it as sign not to say anything about it. As I said, she said it under her breath, I don't think she realized that I knew, until tonight when I tried to help her."
"Why, did you try to help? I mean …" asked Malone.
"Well, Malone, you and the others were all very engaged in your homecoming that you failed to notice that Marguerite was not part of it. She was very absorbed in the elevator, when it appeared that the two were about to reunite without a thought of what we would all say, because they were in their own little world, you swept the little girl away from Marguerite. Ned it was very gallant of you to try to save the little girl from the wicked witch, but Marguerite has continued to grow and we all forget that she isn't as vile as she used to be, we need to 'cut her some slack,' right Finn?" continued Veronica.
"Right Vee," agreed Finn. "What I didn't get was why she all the sudden changed her mind about your plan. Obviously she caught onto what you were trying to do, and agreed."
"Well, Finn as Veronica has pointed out Marguerite has grown a lot in the past three years, she's let us in on several of her secrets such as the oraborris. She may have felt that it was too big of a secret to hold until she was really ready to tell us. After all it wouldn't have been fair to the child to keep a secret like that. More likely she knew that the child would want to start calling her mother, mum, mummy, etc., and to ask her to keep a secret that she doesn't understand would be cruel. She may have had other reasons too," Challenger said the last part while looking in the direction of Roxton. "This secret is going to affect us all in some way or another, a child is a big responsibility. Ned, how did you come across her?"
The group took Challenger's lead as he proceeded to sit down at the table, after asking his last question to Ned. "Well, I actually found her in a pile of dinosaur dung," replied Malone with a chuckle. "She was in fact in the middle of a meadow, and her tan pants were a contrast to the brown dung. After taking a second glance I realized that it was a person. Thus, I went to investigate, there could have been numerous reasons the person was there, especially after the ripples of time, which appears we all experienced about a week ago."
"If the person was hurt, I wanted to help him or her out in the open like that could have ended in unwanted trouble from several treacherous sources. As I drew nearer to the person I realized it was too small to be an adult, and became quite concerned that a child appeared to be alone out in the open. I nudged the little girl with my walking stick, not wanting to startle her right away. She then proceeded to flip over asking for a few more minutes of sleep, and in hind sight that characteristic definitely replicates her mother's," continued Malone with a small chuckle. "However, unlike her mother's grumpiness until she has her coffee, Shorty's disposition changed instantly after five minutes of stretching and grumbling."
"Why do you call her Shorty?" asked Finn.
"Well, she never spoke to me even when I knew she yearned to talk to me. I think someone, maybe Marguerite, taught her not to talk to strangers. When she did not give me her name, I gave her the nickname, Shorty. I had to call her something it actually became a game as we traveled. I began to try to guess her name each day going through the alphabet, and rattling many names that started with each letter. It kept us entertained on our journey, and that brings me to her facial expressions which often stirred a feeling of 'déjà vu.' I also told her many stories, and she especially liked the escapades that involved Marguerite and Roxton. Going back to the 'déjà vu' I feel quite inane that I did not put two and two together before, but there is no mistaking it now Shorty is definitely Marguerite's carbon copy."
The small group continued to talk of Malone and Margaux's trek back to the tree house, as Roxton continued to grip the top of the railing. Malone was happy to report that they did not run into to much trouble. After about an hour the group chose to call it a night, and resume their discussion at a later time to include Marguerite and Margaux, to maybe get more answers. As Challenger passed Roxton, he brought the young man out of his musing, when he bid him goodnight, and began to descend the stairs to his room.
Roxton continued to stand at the top of the steps way after the others had retired pondering his next move and what all this meant for his future. He was upset to say the least, instead of retiring to his bedroom he walked to the pegs that held their bags. He hastily packed a bag full of a few days worth of supplies, then grabbed his two revolvers and a rifle, and with a vigorous step to his gate walked to the elevator. With one last look around he stepped into the elevator to leave the tree house for a few days to adjust to the new development that threw a wretched wrench into his life.
Five Days Later
Lord John Roxton, returned to the tree house with a renewed bounce of determination to his step. He had come to terms with most of his feelings that came with the new … Margaux. Margaux the little replica of my beloved, well I certainly did not expect this. Who would have guessed Marguerite was a mother. She never showed any interest in children before.
Ha, and you wanted Marguerite to get to know the little girl for your own selfish purpose to show her, her maternal side! Deep breathes, control your anger, yes your hurt has definitely fueled your anger quite well this trip! Remember, Marguerite had her reasons to keep Margaux a secret. Her bloody secrets! STOP, STOP, STOP!
Remember you've told Marguerite when she's ready that all her secrets would be safe with you when she was ready. Well, obviously she was ready six nights ago. She could have kept that one in for awhile, after all Veronica gave her a window of opportunity, and how do you reward her for her honesty, YOU BLOODY WELL LEAVE! Alright, get your anger toward yourself under control, that's right last night you realized you were not angry with Marguerite anymore, but yourself. Oh, you are still hurt that she did not confide in you with this life altering information, but understand as well.
No, this trip was a catch twenty two, you needed to get away to clear your mind and take stock of the changes to your life with Marguerite; but, you knew if you left without saying goodbye to her, she would think it was over between you. AND that is how you wanted her to feel when you left; you wanted to hurt her as much as she had just hurt you!
How could you not think that she would not have a child? That's the question that continues to float in your head, what an idiot, after all the possibility was definitely there, she has been married at least three or four times (she's the Black Widow of Vienna). Then of course your haste to leave, left you with more questions such as how did the child wind up here, how long was she missing, etc.?
HOME SWEET HOME! How this tree house has grown on me, I could not imagine living without one person in that house; we have definitely developed into a wonderful family. Hmm, it seems very quiet … DON'T PANIC … there's a reasonable explanation for the stillness that surrounds the tree house. Take it step by step to the elevator, alright your doing fine, patience! Alright your on the main floor, DON'T PANIC, glance around the room, see anything? Ah, a note … from Malone … that's my boy, always thinking of others!
Roxton,
Veronica wanted to visit Assai, Jarrel, and the other Zanga. On my journey back, I noticed that the Zanga village was now two days distance from the tree house, and with this new information Challenger wanted to remap the area. Finn insisted on going as well, to assist Challenger; boy, is she different, but entertaining to say the least!
Marguerite and Mari (Margaux), also, came along. Mari is infatuated with Finn, and her jargon, which has left Marguerite in a silent tiff. Mari has now started to use the words 'cool' and 'awesome' to describe anything she feels is amazing or remarkable around her; so when Finn said she was going to go, her new shadow insisted on coming too (don't worry Finn is getting a 'kick out' of it, she said).
This next part I am telling you as a friend and brother! Marguerite has come along too, she pointed out that she could trade for some fabric to make new clothes for everyone, since many of our clothes are becoming thread bare. We were all not fooled with her charade, she does not want to be left alone; she has missed you terribly, and has withdrawn within herself. The part of her heart that was yours is broken again, the other part that belongs to Mari has mended quite beautifully. When Mari is around, her whole disposition changes, her smile lights up the room, but when Mari leaves (to follow anyone of us around) a dark cloud positions itself around Marguerite. In the words of Finn, 'you need to get your shit together, now!'"
That woman loves you, and you screwed up when you left that night without saying goodbye. You'll have a lot of ground to recover, my friend, if you want her heart again! I leave you with that tidbit.
Sincerely,
Malone
P.S We left on Monday.
That was two days ago, if I leave now I will surely catch up to them in a day and a half, hopefully sooner. Their little entourage will take them probably two to three days, especially if Challenger is going to start to remap the area. Alright, need to shower, repack, and get underway! Then start to form a plan to win Marguerite back, YOU DID IT AGAIN OLD BOY, hurt Marguerite. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO EVER LEARN! Alright, you have at least a day and a half to brood about your stupidity some more.
Jungle, Thursday Night Half A Day From The Zanga
It's my two hours to stay alert for possible predators in the area, and it's near impossible to keep focused. Oh, how I wish it were because of sleep, NO now that I am out of my first trimester, my energy has bounced back. One whole trimester, it has been THREE BLOODY MONTHS SINCE THAT DAMN CAVE, WHERE I GAVE MY… HEART AND SOLE TO … LORD JOHN … BLOODY… RICHARD ROXTON!
I was about two and a half months pregnant, before the shifting plains, I didn't know how I felt. Part of me was overjoyed that I was pregnant with Roxton's baby, it only happened once before and this time around I knew my baby's father. BUT, the other part of me felt guilty, extremely guilty, like I was going to be replacing my other child, Mari. Oh, Mari, how I wish you would tell us how you got here, and where you stayed all this time!
After the oraborris was taken by Calhum, I thought my last chance to find her was gone. Little did the others know, that my real reason for the oraborris was to get my daughter back, where MY heart most desired, it was where my daughter resided. Then realizing that cave left me with a little souvenir … OH, THE BLOODY CAVE … bring that up, you are already aroused. PUSH IT OUT …
GOD … I have never felt so valued in all my life! As, Roxton continued his assault on my sensitive neck his hand went to my hair, and slowly released it from its binding. 'I love your hair down' he murmured against my neck as he continued kissing then nuzzling it. Oh, how my hands began to work, the pent up sexual tension that had been building since the day we met in Challenger's study, exploded.
He and I could not wait any longer, I had to be one with him … HE HAD JUST REVEALED HIS UNDYING LOVE TO ME AGAIN … 'John make love too me now! I want to be one with you just once before we die, I want to know!' As I began to undo his pants and long johns while attacking his mouth with passionate kisses, he began to hike up my skirt, as he slowly backed me up against the alter. His hands stilled when the skirt reached my rear when he found that I was wearing NO UNDERGARMENTS! He broke our passionate kiss, when oxygen was required for both of us, 'Oh, you little minx! Had I know you were without, underwear, I would have had my way with you long ago!'
'Well,' I asked in a teasing manner, 'what are you waiting for take me?' As I pulled Roxton back down for a searing kiss, and rubbed our junctures together just near my entrance.
'Marguerite, wait! I want to do this right, I don't want you to think this is just too get you finally into bed …' I placed a finger on his lips, to silence him.
'John, I know, but a girl does have some precedence to stay somewhat clean! PLEASE JUST ENTER ME … I AM ALREADY WET WITH WANT … NOW JOHN, NOW!
Roxton needed no more encouragement, he hoisted me up on the edge of the alter, wrapped my legs around him, then did the most amazing thing … instead of pushing into me right away like most men … he stuck a finger into my vagina and began to pump it in and out, then flick my clitoris, then pump in again! 'OH, GOD … JOHN …' I heard come from some where within the cave.
John then pushed another finger in me and continued his administration nearly sending me over the edge then and there. I had to do something, to return the pleasure so I reached down between us, and grabbed his penis. I began to pump him to the rhythm he was assaulting me with, I heard an animalistic growl come from deep within his throat. That sound and the constant assailment to my clitoris sent me into the depths of a heavenly flashing abyss, and my senses become completely and wonderfully overloaded. However, somewhere I heard a woman screaming 'GOD … I NEED … YOU … DON'T … STOP … NOW!'
I then felt something wonderful as I was coming down from my high! John had penetrated me in one slow deep push, with glazed passionate eyes I met his; his bestowed all the love his sole possessed for me, and also the acknowledgement that it had been along time for me and my walls were very tight. Oh, how could anyone not love this man, who has showed me so much compassion and consideration over the years. 'Marguerite, I want our first and last time to be remarkable for you, I love you and I want you to know how desirable you are to me because you are it for me, my one true love!' With that said I could not stop the overflow of tears that streaked down my cheeks, with my love reflected back to him.
He then began to pump in and out of me, slow at first. His hands were not ideal either, one hand was running through my hair, the other began its on administration on my left breast under my shirt, and his mouth … OH, HIS MOUTH … was everywhere on my neck, on my mouth, back on my neck, to my nose, to my mouth… GOD I HAD TO FEEL HIM TOO! I slowly lifted the shirt to where I could begin my own assault on his bare skin, I began to stroke up and down his back to the rhythm his penetrating penis continued to keep. My right hand slowly wound around to his front, and tweaked his left nipple, his groan, of pleasure, spurred him to thrust hard and deep into me, then withdraw almost completely.
'ROXTON … WHAT …' the words of protest I was about to give died on my lips, as I looked up into his teasing eyes. 'YOU BETTER BLOODY WELL … FILL ME UP AGAIN …' I command. Roxton continued to hold his ground, so I took it upon myself to use my legs that were wrapped around him to thrust myself into his penis that remained at my entrance, which again sent him deep to my core. 'DON'T … YOU … EVER … STOP … AGAIN … YOU … HEAR … ME!' I warned. I felt Roxton's deep chuckle begin, at his lower trunk before it came forth from his lips. He never stopped, and soon his pumping increased as another wave of ecstasy began to bubble up within me. 'OH, GOD, OH, GOD, JOHNNNNNNN …' as I fell over the edge of the heavenly abyss again. My cavity walls gripped his penis as a I rode out my organism as he continued to drive his penis harder and deeper into me, to bring forth his release … and he did with a shout of my name as the warmth of his seed spread through me!
As he began to pull out of me, I gripped him with my legs and arms tightly, 'NO, NOT YET … I WANT TO STAY ONE WITH YOU!' And on its own accord I felt his manhood slowly rise up again …
"Mummy, I have to go potty, now!" Mari whispers into my ear as, she nudges and startles me out of my lustful musings. "Mummy, you ok, I told you two times before that I had to go potty, before you finally woke up? You were moaning a little too, are you feeling ok? Has that stomach bug, comeback?"
Marguerite immediately stood up, grasped Mari's hand, before her questions woke someone else up, and she had to explain her flushed face. In mid-step twenty feet away from the camp, she heard a twig snap, she immediately grabbed Mari and pushed her behind her as she grabbed her pistol from her side belt and swung it in the direction of the sound. Mari began to hop up and down and pleaded in a whispered voice, "Mummy I really have to go!"
"Mari, shhh!" Marguerite sharply whispered back as rustling of leaves was heard off to her left side. She halfway turned in that direction with her pistol directed between the two sounds, as she used her other arm to pull Mari toward her backside, and held her there. Marguerite continued to glance in both directions, steadying her pistol, while holding onto a now trembling Mari. Just as she started to console her daughter, a shadow emerged from the area toward her left, she swung her pistol in that direction, only to be shocked to see Lord John Roxton, appear from the jungle's darkness, and pointing his rifle in the direction of the snapped twig.
"Tribune, show yourself!" commanded Lord John Roxton, as he marched his way in front of Marguerite and Mari to shield them from Tribune. "I said show yourself, I know its you, and I smelled your lizard's breathe twenty feet from here!"
Roxton heard whimpering behind him, he assumed it was Mari, after all he knew she had to go to the restroom. He had come across the group's camp right as Marguerite took her two hour watch, which gave him the chance to watch his beloved without her being aware of his presence. It was also a good thing that he came at the time he did, because it soon became quite obvious, to him, that Marguerite was not as focused as she should have been while on watch. He did not miss the flushed look, the soft moan that left her lips, or the embarrassment that washed over her face as she raised herself up from her position to take care of Mari. He treaded softly behind them to not alert Veronica or Finn to his presence. He wanted to continue his silent observation without interruption for just a little longer, because he knew he had hell to pay for his actions, and it would be awhile before he was back in the heiress's good graces.
However, from his position, he too heard the twig break in front of Marguerite, and the soft hiss that followed. It could only belong to one being, Tribune, or one of his cohorts!
"My dear Lord Roxton, is this how you treat an old friend? Pointing a rifle at his heart?" asked Tribune in a melodramatic voice, as he emerged from the darkness to where Marguerite and Roxton could see him. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, and what do we have here, a little waif? Marguerite you surprise me, who could imagine a woman as cold as a lizard would bestow such lioness tendencies!"
"Go, to hell, Tribune!" replied Marguerite.
"I'm gonna loose it!" Mari half sobbed half shouted to the group. Marguerite slowly side stepped, with Mari still behind her, toward the group of bushes she was headed toward before this rude intrusion by both males. When her back was two feet from the bushes, she let Mari slip from her grasp to attend to her needs, while she kept watch from her position, and listened to Tribune and Roxton continue their annoying tête-à-tête.
"Well, I'm waiting for an answer, whose the child?" Tribune asked with more authority to his voice. By this time the rest of the camp had stirred from their slumber due to the commotion twenty feet from where they all slept; and, now they stood listening and watching Roxton and Tribune on the outer edge of camp.
"It's none of your business, but she's mine and Marguerite's daughter," growled Roxton in a manner that dared Tribune to question him on the matter.
"Ha-ha, I find that hard to believe," replied Tribune in his usual sarcastic matter. Roxton glanced from his peripheral, to see how Marguerite responded to his little announcement. To his surprise it was not Marguerite's reaction that caught him off guard, it was Mari's. She had emerged from the bushes, and Marguerite must have pulled her to her side; but what he saw was delight and love mixed with pride that radiated from her sole. Marguerite, on the other hand, had hid her shock well behind her impartial expression, but he could see it in her eyes.
Roxton returned his full attention back toward Tribune, "And why not? We left her with Veronica's friend Assai during our little excursions."
"I find that very hard to believe, when there is a bounty out for her! It seems someone wants the child from Avalon, who helped stop the ripples of time with the inexperienced Protector and Chosen One, who reside in your tree house," clarified Tribune with a hint of his twisted lizard grin.
"What do you mean a bounty for the child from Avalon?" questioned Veronica as she appeared from the edge of their camp. "Mari, you lived in Avalon?"
Mari buried her head into her mother's side, when she nodded her head yes, to answer Veronica's question. "Well, if you would let me join you by your fire I will explain in detail the bounty," scoffed Tribune. Marguerite not knowing Tribune's true intentions, hoisted Mari up into her arms to conceal and protect her from him.
Without verbally inviting Tribune to their camp, the explorers returned and all took their places around the fire (that is Challenger positioned himself beside Finn on the far side of the fire, Malone took his place by Veronica on the left side, and Roxton sat next to Marguerite on the right side who continued to hold Mari in a protective manner). Tribune, when he emerged from the shadows, took the only place the group left for him, opposite Finn and Challenger.
"We are waiting to hear this tale, Tribune," Challenger bellowed to let Tribune know that they all meant business.
"George, George, George where are your manners, tonight? I have not met the two newest members of your group yet. There is plenty of time for my 'tale' as you call it," retorted Tribune in his mocking tone.
Finn being perturbed already from being rudely awaked, then to learn that there is a possible threat to the little squirt, answered curtly, "I'm Finn, and you already know who she is, so why don't you start now, so you can be on your way."
"Boys, boys, boys when will you teach your women folk to mind," interjected an annoyed Tribune. "Fine! The bounty is on the Chosen One's child because she will do anything to save it. The sources who have put this ransom on the child, are the enemies of the Protector's lines. Rumors say that you, Veronica, already ran into their leader, Mordren, and you were successful at eliminating him," Tribune quizzically stated, to confirm this rumor.
Marguerite instinctively clutched Mari tighter to her when Tribune spoke of the bounty. "Mummy, your squishing me!" murmured Mari into her mother's neck to protest the tight hold her mother had on her.
"I'm sorry baby!" murmured Marguerite into Mari's ear, as she nuzzled her nose into Mari's temple. Marguerite began to rub her hands up and down Mari's back in a soothing motion.
"Yes, Tribune that rumor is true," replied Veronica, "We had a run in with Mordren about four months ago, and he didn't survive. If its not Mordren then who has put this bounty on Mari's head?"
"Mari!" exclaimed Tribune in a triumphant manner, "Well, it would be Mordren's son, Malick, who inherited his father's leadership upon his death. A weasel most definitely, but not a strong leader as his father, he lacks management. He over looks the little things that are required in great leadership, he just wants the prize!"
"And you would know this because of your great leadership, Tribune," asked Malone in a mocking way. "If I remember right you lost your kingdom to a female lizard, because you overlooked the little details."
"Malone, I would watch you tongue I still am able to rip it out of your face," exclaimed an annoyed Tribune.
Not knowing Tribune's true nature, Finn interjected, "Why are you telling all of this to us. Its obvious that the others are quite hostile with you. Why would you help us."
With the center of attention back on him with a question that is easily answerable, Tribune calmed down quite a bit. "Well, I hate to be in debt to anyone, and I owe Roxton my life, so I am here to pay my debt."
"And it wouldn't hurt to have Veronica and Marguerite's protection to earn back your kingdom!" scoffed Malone.
"My, my, my look who has learned Marguerite's ability to exasperate the others around him," interjected Tribune to continue his tête-à-tête with Malone. How he enjoyed these heated conversations with these humans, they were all a match for his lizard wit, and it appeared Malone had learned a thing or two from his cohorts.
Roxton noticed in peripheral that Marguerite slightly stiffened next to him when Tribune made that dig at her and Malone. He moved somewhat in conspicuously toward Marguerite so their thighs touched to give her his silent support. Roxton knew that Marguerite silently fretted that her family still considered her a nuisance, instead of a valued member of the group. In return of his actions, the corners of Marguerite's lips slightly turned up, for a barely noticeable grin.
"To answer your rude comment, Malone, of my true motives, it did occur to me that their friendship would earn me greatness; but, you have to ask yourself this question would you rather have my help or have me take the child?" asked Tribune, as twenty of his followers emerged from the darkness. The explorers all quickly stood to their defenses, but quickly acknowledged that they were outnumbered.
"Tribune, I guess you could say, we accept your offer of help," replied Challenger as all the explorer took their seats again. Out of the corner of his eye Roxton could tell Marguerite was not alright, though she was concealing it well. He knew he was shaken up enough about the bounty on Mari's head, and she wasn't even his, though he hoped Marguerite would let him have that fatherly role in the near future. Roxton placed his hand protectively on Marguerite's knee, to caution the lizards that they would have to go through him to get to Marguerite and Mari.
"It seems you are not telling us the whole story, Tribune. I can tell in your eyes that you have more information to present to us, and you are dying to tell it," bluffed Roxton.
"Actually, if you are all willing to listen to a story, why yes, then I have more to tell you," replied Tribune.
"Story, what story, could you possibly tell," asked an edgy Finn.
"It's actually a legend of sorts, about the demise of Marguerite's ancestor Morrighan. Since the ripples of time have occurred old legends that surround the Protectors and Chosen Ones have resurfaced."
"There are legends about Vee and Marguerite's families?" Finn interrupted Challenger.
"If you humans would stop interrupting me, then I could finish the hearsay, I've heard!" interjected a peeved Tribune. Finn had the decency to look a little chagrined, for her interruption.
"Where was I, oh yes, the legend of the Protector and Chosen One. I will make a direct quote from a shaman about the most common legend about the two lines. It is said that 'the Protector and the Chosen One's jobs intertwine together. The Protector is the heart of the plateau and the Chosen One is the sole. Together they balance the plateau on a more peaceful note without the threat of evil being inflicted on the lives of those that they try to protect. Their job descriptions are as follows: the Protector protects the power of the plateau and makes sure it is used for good, and the Chosen One creates and sustains life and order on the plateau.' Is that not true Mari?" continued Tribune.
Mari peeked around her mother's hair, and softly nodded a yes to his question. It wasn't so much that she feared Tribune, she knew her powers were strong enough to shock and stun him and his followers, but it was her mother's hold and feelings that made her still. Her mother was radiating fear of loosing her again, so she had continued to stay buried in her mother's arms while she listened to Tribune tell the legend that surrounded her family.
"Is that it?" asked Veronica. "Or is there more, because Marguerite and I figured out most of that when we corrected the shifting plains, almost two weeks ago."
"Oh, well the other part deals, with the Chosen One's fertility, but that is just hearsay too. However, it maybe interesting to hear now, since Marguerite's scent is dripping with pregnancy!" Tribune was pleased to hear his news had the affect he was looking for, five stunned gasps and one choked sob from around the campfire. Only one person, the child, remained unmoved by his announcement, who actually looked quite bored with his tale. Oh, she is much like her mother!
"Mari, since you seem quite bored with my telling the legends why don't you tell the other," sneered Tribune, he was finding this all way to amusing. If he understood the explorers correctly none of them had met until their journey; and, if the legend was correct Lord John Roxton was Marguerite's Guardian, which meant his earlier statement was true, BUT HOW? His earlier reaction to Marguerite's news, indicates that he had no clue of her 'bun in the over.' This day has not turned out a waste after all, but quite entertaining. Let's hear how the little waif tells this part of the legend.
"Okkk," hesitated Mari as she slowly turned in her mother's arm to face the others, not knowing how to approach this subject, but not wanting to succumb to Tribune's goading. "Well, another legend that follows the Chosen One is that she can only have babies with, her … sole mate, her … Guardian; but, sometimes the Guardian is a girl and the Chosen One is a boy," continued Mari with a very serious expression on her face, which sent Tribune and his cohorts into a fit of laughter. The explorers stifled their own chuckles knowing that she wasn't trying to make them laugh, but it became even harder when her face contorted into a perplexed expression.
"Annnndddd, howwww doooooo youuuuu knowwww someoneeee isssss aaaaaaa Guardiannnnn orrrrr Chosennnnnnnn Oneeeeee?" Tribune asked while still laughing, he was so enjoying this spectacle.
TBC
Sorry for the delay! The delays will be longer now since school has started up again, but I got to make a living!