Ned's daughter Thalia arrived the next morning. She was the child he had with the Amazon woman Phoebe. She was raised in the Amazon village, but she often visited Avalon, so she could spend time with her father and half-siblings.
William was immediately drawn to her. She was about two years older than him, with tousled blonde hair that fell in wild waves, framing her face in a way that highlighted her features. Dressed in a classic Amazonian outfit, she wore a leather belt with a pouch, likely carrying a knife. What truly caught William's attention, though, were her bushy eyebrows that emphasized her piercing green eyes. This created a look that was both fierce and mesmerizing.
He carefully approached her.
"I've never seen a girl like you before."
She replied nonchalantly, "There are a lot of girls like me where I come from."
"Did you come here alone?" William asked.
"Of course." Thalia said, a sense of pride evident in her voice. "I know the jungle."
"You travel through the jungle by yourself?" William asked, his admiration growing.
"Yes, my parents encourage independence." she explained.
"Lucky you." William admitted, a slight frown forming as he added, "My parents do the exact opposite."
Thalia shot him a playful, yet piercing look. "That's not a surprise. You're an outsider." she teased, turning to walk away.
William, intrigued and not ready to end the conversation, followed her. The contrast between them was stark - she, with her ease in the wild, and he, still learning the ropes of adventure.
"I heard you had killed a man. Is it true?" William blurted out, the question escaping him before he could weigh its implications.
Thalia stopped in her tracks, turning to face him. Her eyes held a depth that spoke of experiences far beyond her years. She measured him for a moment before replying.
"I had killed a little boy... who looked exactly like you." Thalia said, her voice steady but with a glint of mischief in her eyes.
For a moment, William felt a chill run down his spine. His eyes widened, and he took a half step back, unsure how to respond. Thalia, noticing the alarm on his face, couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
"I'm only joking. I did kill a cannibal once, but we don't consider them as people in my village."
William let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Thalia's sense of humor was as wild and untamed as her upbringing, he thought. But despite her joking, she did kill a person, and a cannibal one at that.
However William's fascination with Thalia soon shifted to a mild jealousy. As John, Veronica, and Ned began their preparations for the jungle expedition to investigate the strange occurrences, William realized that Thalia would be joining them, while he was to be left behind. Watching the group bustling with excitement, checking their gear, and discussing potential dangers and discoveries, William felt a growing sense of exclusion.
"Dad, take me with you. I didn't come all this way to just sit around in Avalon. I want to explore the jungle." William insisted.
John listened to William's plea with a father's understanding but maintained his firm stance.
"Son, I am going with Veronica and Ned to explore a serious matter," John explained. "When we return, we'll go and explore the jungle together. They have all sorts of activities planned out for you."
William, unimpressed, replied, "That's children's activities... This is the real deal."
John, trying to be patient, responded, "I know you're eager, William, but this isn't a typical exploration. It's potentially dangerous, and we need to assess the situation first."
"But why are you taking this funny looking girl with you?" William protested, referring to Thalia. She shot him an angered look, because until a few moments ago, he was all over her. "She is no tougher than I am."
John explained, "Thalia is an Amazon, William. She's been trained to survive and navigate the jungle since she was very young. It's not about being tough; it's about having the right expertise for the situation."
Seeing he was getting nowhere, William reluctantly backed down. However, his mind was already racing with another plan. He knew his mother had a way of bending his father to her will, often with seemingly little effort, and he planned to involve her in the negotiations.
While the group was making their final preparations, Marguerite made her appearance, with the grace and leisure that signaled a different kind of day. She was elegantly attired in a way that whispered freedom and ease. She was wearing white swimming suit, sensual and liberating. Large, stylish sunglasses shielded her eyes, adding an air of mystery and glamor, while a delicate lace cardigan draped gracefully over her shoulders. She also carried a knitted bag with her, the perfect accessory to her ensemble.
She addressed her family. "Alright, listen up, everyone. I would really appreciate it if you could give me one day of peace and quiet. Two would be ideal. We are in Avalon and you are free to run wild here. Whatever you need, you can ask the Avalonians. They are more than happy to help. And if you find yourselves having arguments among each other – just don't." Her words were gentle yet firm, clearly setting the expectations for the day.
John, catching sight of Marguerite's attire, couldn't hide his interest. "It looks like you're almost baiting me to stay," he commented with a playful tone, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe, absorbing every aspect of her form with an appreciative eye.
Marguerite, unimpressed by the remark, responded. "Darling, I love you, but what I just said applies to you as well. You go have your adventure and I'll have mine."
Then William approached Marguerite. "Mum, they're all going to the jungle, and they're taking Thalia with them, but not me. A girl. I don't care if she's an Amazon; she's no stronger or smarter than I am. It's so unfair. Please, talk to Dad."
Marguerite looked down at her son through her large, stylish sunglasses. She didn't say anything in response, her expression unreadable behind the dark lenses. Then, gently, she kissed him on the head and said, "Be a good boy and listen to your father, okay?" With that, she walked away, leaving William a bit perplexed.
"What just happened?" William murmured to himself, still trying to process his mother's nonchalant response.
Marguerite made her way towards a more secluded area of Avalon. She walked with an unhurried elegance, each step reflecting her desire to soak in the tranquility of the day. The Avalonians, ever attentive to her needs, had prepared a perfect spot for her to relax and enjoy.
She gracefully settled onto a lounge chair, comfortably positioning herself before reaching into her knitted bag. She pulled out a bottle of sunscreen, gently opened it, and began carefully applying the cream to her arms. One of the Avalonians started fanning her with a large green leaf, creating a gentle breeze that was both refreshing and soothing. Others brought her an assortment of delights – a platter of fresh, exotic fruits that seemed to capture the essence of Avalon in their vibrant colors and flavors, and a glass of delicious red wine. Other attendants moved around her discreetly, ensuring that every need was met without intruding on her peace.
William sought out his sisters, curious about how they were spending their time. He found them in a picturesque spot, each engaged in their own little world of enjoyment.
Juliette was perched high in a large cherry tree, her laughter ringing through the air as she munched on cherries. She playfully spit the seeds out in front of her, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Nearby, on a lower branch, little Tommy sat, his eyes wide with wonder as he watched Juliette's antics.
Beneath the tree, an Avalonian woman played childlike melodies on a flute, creating a fun atmosphere. Annie sat on a small table, her attention captivated by the music. Isabelle, in her element, was dancing by herself, lost in the rhythm and her own world.
"What are you doing?" William asked.
"Cutting loose. What are you doing?" Isabelle replied without missing a step in her dance.
"I'm bored. This place sucks." William confessed, his frustration about being left behind still evident.
"Are you kidding me? This is the best place in the universe!" Isabelle exclaimed.
William leaned on the table next to Annie, still not convinced. "What's so good about it?"
Isabelle stopped dancing and looked at him as if he'd asked the most obvious question.
"Seriously, Will? Daddy's in the jungle. Mummy is enjoying herself. There's no Nanny, no Granny. We can do whatever we want here. I'm never going back."
William laughed and shook his head, knowing all too well his sister's tendency for dramatic declarations. "You say that now, but wait until you miss the comforts of home," he teased, fully aware of Isabelle's love for the familiar luxuries they had back in England.
In the dense heart of the jungle, John, Veronica, Ned, and Thalia moved with a purposeful stride, their eyes scanning the surrounding landscape.
As they navigated through the thick underbrush, John expressed his amazement at the changes he witnessed. "Look at this," he said, gesturing towards a cluster of unfamiliar plants. "I don't remember seeing these the last time we were here."
Veronica nodded in agreement. "The flora here seems to be evolving. These species... they're completely new to me. It's as if the jungle is reshaping itself."
Ned added, "It's not just the plants. The very layout of the land seems altered. See how the stream has carved a new path? It's as if the entire ecosystem is in a state of flux."
There was another, almost invisible change in the air, a detail that might have gone unnoticed by a less observant eye. John had been the first to sense it the moment they arrived. While the midday heat remained the same, the mornings and evenings were crispier and John was sure there was a slight drop in the average temperature.
If one paid close attention, another change was obvious. The leaves of some trees were slowly taking on hues of amber and crimson.
John, with a sense of disbelief coloring his voice, turned to his companions. "I think… Autumn is coming."