.
When Malone entered the cave, he found Marguerite was still asleep. Unhooking the canteens from his belt, he laid them aside and went over and put some more wood on the fire. Malone then went and gathered all the firewood and stacked it against the cave wall not too far from the fire.
Malone heard the rain when it came. He went to the entrance and looked out.
It�s raining so hard out there I can�t see anything, Malone thought. It could slow up the search party, if there is one. Who am I kidding? Marguerite is right. It will probably be tomorrow before anyone comes looking for us.
Malone decided to eat something while Marguerite was still sleeping. He went over to the packs and pulled out some of the food. He ate some of the dried meat. He cut a piece of mango in half and began to eat it. He wrapped the other half up and put it away for later. Malone knew he had to conserve the food they had.
After he had eaten Malone went over to check on Marguerite. She was flushed and hot to the touch. He realized her fever had gone up which could only mean one thing; at least one of her wounds were infected. This was not good. The only medicines they had there in the cave were willow bark and Challenger�s anti- infection powder. Malone realized he would have to change all her bandages and find out which wound was infected and try to treat it.
Malone put on some willow bark tea to boil. Then he started to gather up the medical supplies. He took them and went over to where Marguerite lay. Starting with her head wound, he slowly unwrapped her bandage until he revealed the wound. While it did not look any better, it did not seem to be any worse. Though there were no signs of infection, he still put a small amount of the infection fighting powder on her wound and applied a clean bandage. Then he wrapped it and moved on to her arm. He repeated the process with her arm wound and the one on her side.
Malone then turned his attention to the gash on Marguerite�s leg. When he removed the bandage, he took a deep breath. It was red and looked slightly swollen. He could also feel the heat radiating from the wound. Malone applied a liberal dose of the anti-infection powder. He then put on a clean bandage and secured it.
Malone went over to the fire and took the medicinal drink off the flame. He poured a little into a cup and then added some cool water. He took it over to Marguerite and laid it down. Lifting her head he tried coaxing Marguerite into drinking some of the medicine, but she refused. She was still in the grips of the fever. Malone opened her mouth and poured a small amount of the liquid in and then forced her to swallow. He only managed to get her to take a small amount but hopefully that would help. Malone leaned back against the wall. It was going to be a long afternoon and even longer night.
A few miles away in the tree house, Veronica was in the kitchen cleaning up the remnants of a late lunch. Roxton sat at the table, cleaning his guns. From the look on his face, she would guess he was still angry. Veronica actually felt sorry for the hunter. She knew his anger was just a mask to cover his anxiety. His concern was for Marguerite and her safety. Frankly Veronica thought he worried too much. Marguerite was more than capable of taking care of herself. The fact that Roxton was very much in love with their hot tempered housemate was probably the reason for his fear.
Shouldn�t I be more worried about Ned? Veronica thought. I love Ned so why am I not overly concerned? It�s because I know that both Malone and Marguerite are able to take care of themselves. But even as she told herself this, she began to doubt it. The truth was Ned no longer seemed to be the man she fell in love with. The man she loved was full of innocence and wonder. He was neither cynical nor selfish. He was always concerned for the others. The new Malone seemed different. He was more arrogant, defiant, and headstrong, not qualities she admired in a man.
Veronica left the kitchen and went to join Roxton at the table. She could hear the rain beating against the tree house. It was a bad storm and would probably last all night. She was glad they had beaten the storm home.
�So how long do you think this storm will last?� Roxton asked as Veronica sat down at the table.
�It will probably rain off and on for the next few days,� Veronica replied. �It is the rainy season.�
�Rain or no rain, if Malone and Marguerite are not home by midmorning, I will be going to the Zanga Village and bring them home,� Roxton stated
�You cannot expect them to make the trip home in the rain Roxton,� Veronica said impatiently. �You�re being completely unreasonable.�
�Perhaps,� Roxton said standing and placing the cleaned and oiled rifle on the rack on the wall. �Nonetheless, I intend on going in the morning.�
Veronica realized she was wasting her time. She decided to take a nap and make up for the little sleep she got last night.
�I�m going to take a nap Roxton. I�ll talk to you later.�
Roxton nodded to show the blonde that he had heard and began cleaning Challenger�s rifle. He knew Veronica was right and he was being unreasonable, but he couldn�t help it. Where Marguerite was concerned, rational thought went right out the window. He knew he had to see her before he could relax. Roxton had to know for sure she was alright.
________________________________________________________________________
Malone was awakened from a light sleep by the sound of his name being called. He realized it was Marguerite.
�Malone!� Marguerite screamed out the name. �Hang on I�m coming.�
Malone watched as the dark haired woman tossed and turned, reliving the nightmare of her fall. He laid his hand on her forehead. She felt very hot. He spoke softly to her, trying to calm her, telling her they were both alright.
Marguerite began to mumble in her sleep. He could barely make out what she was saying, but he did hear her say Roxton�s name.
Malone stood up and walked over to the packs. He retrieved Marguerite�s blouse from her pack and picking up his knife cut it into four pieces. He knew she would be angry later, but he felt he had no choice. Grabbing a canteen and some of the cloth he returned to Marguerite. Malone folded the cloth up and saturated it with the cool water from the canteen. He laid the cloth on Marguerite�s forehead. He took another piece of the cloth and after soaking it, began to rub her face and neck, trying to cool her down. After a few minutes he stopped. He took another piece and wet it and replaced the warm one on her forehead. He then went over and got the rest of the willow bark tea. Returning to the feverish woman, he lifted her head and forced some of the medicine down her throat until she swallowed it. He did this until she had drunk most of it.
Malone spent the rest of the afternoon and night alternating the cloths, trying to keep a cool one on Marguerite�s forehead. He had been forced to make several trips in the driving rain to refill the canteens. Between the cold compresses and the willow bark tea, Marguerite�s fever seemed to be going down. She wasn�t as hot as before and she did not seem to be delirious. In fact she was sleeping. Malone knew this was the best thing for her and made her as comfortable as possible. It was going to be a long night.
Dinner had been quiet. Everyone seemed lost in their own world. Challenger was mentally listing the properties of all the plants they had gathered. Veronica was reading one of her parents� journals and Roxton had gone down to his room. Challenger knew the younger man was unhappy because the woman he loved was not there. Logically Roxton knew she was safe, but in his heart, well that was a different matter.
Challenger turned his attention to Veronica. Even though she seemed engrossed in her book, he suspected her mind was elsewhere. Veronica seemed to be uneasy the whole trip. The incident with the raptor probably upset her more than she is willing to admit, Challenger thought. Roxton had mentioned earlier, when Challenger had resurfaced from his lab for a few minutes that Veronica was resting. It seems she must not have been able to fall asleep, Challenger thought. She certainly looked as if she was very tired. Well I�m sure a good night�s sleep and she�ll be good as new.
Veronica was trying to read but she couldn�t concentrate. That gnawing feeling that something was wrong was back. It had started when she had tried to take a nap. Although she had fallen asleep, she had been awakened by a horrible nightmare. She couldn�t remember the details, but she could still hear Malone�s voice calling her name. He had sounded like he was in trouble.
Veronica told herself it was just a dream but that feeling wouldn�t go away. She had decided to go with Roxton in the morning. The sooner they retrieved their missing two housemates the better. She was sure these feelings of dread would go away once they were all back together.
Roxton came up the steps from the sleeping quarters with his pack in his hand. He laid it on the floor by the elevator.
�Are you going somewhere Roxton?� Challenger asked.
�Yes the Zanga village at first light,� Roxton replied.
�I thought we agreed to wait and see if they returned,� Challenger said. �It could just be a wasted trip.�
�Nonetheless I am going,� Roxton replied.
�I�ve decided to go with you,� Veronica said.
�Just as long as you�re ready,� Roxton said.
�I will be.�
�I think I�ll accompany you on this journey,� Challenger stated. �Maybe I can learn some things about this festival celebrating the equinox. This will be a splendid opportunity to do so.�
�Be ready at sunrise Challenger,� Roxton said. �I want to get an early start so we can be back by early afternoon. I need to do some hunting.�
�I will be ready Roxton,� Challenger replied, �but I think I will retire for the evening.�
�Goodnight Challenger,� Roxton said, while pouring himself a drink. He then sat down at the table.
�Goodnight Challenger,� Veronica said softly. �I hope you sleep well.�
�You too, my dear,� Challenger replied. He then walked down the stairs to his lab. He needed to check his calculations on an experiment and then he would turn in.
Veronica watched Roxton as he drank the whisky he had poured.
�Are you planning on getting drunk Roxton?� Veronica asked with a smirk.
�No of course not,� Roxton replied defensively. �Just having a drink before bedtime. Nothing wrong with that.�
�No I suppose not,� Veronica said. She considered telling Roxton about her dream and the feelings of dread but then decided against it. He was a man of reason but he had learned from past experiences that Veronica�s and Marguerite�s intuition could be deathly accurate. There was no need to worry him needlessly.
�Well I�ll see you bright and early in the morning,� Roxton said standing. He took his glass over to the sink and cleaned it and put it away. �Goodnight Veronica. Sleep well.�
�You too,� Veronica replied. �Goodnight.� She watched as Roxton went down the steps and to his bedroom. She laid her book down and stood up. She extinguished the lanterns and all the candles but one. She took the single candle and headed to her bedroom. She would be up early. A good night�s sleep would be the best thing for all.
Malone was dreaming. Marguerite was falling and he couldn�t save her. By the time he reached her it was too late. Her lifeless body laid there, her cold eyes staring at him, accusing him.
�No� Malone screamed. �This can�t be happening! Marguerite didn�t deserve this. It�s all my fault.�
Malone awoke and sat up. The dream seemed so real. He turned and watched Marguerite as she slept. He put his hand on her forehead. She was still warm but the fever seemed to have gone down some.
Last night had seemed endless. Between feeding Marguerite willow bark tea and trying to keep her skin cooled down, Malone was soon exhausted and had fallen asleep. He was glad to see Marguerite hadn�t suffered for his inability to stay awake.
Malone stood up and stretched his aching muscles. He needed to refill the canteens and make some more willow bark tea. Luckily both he and Marguerite had carried some in their packs. Otherwise, he would be out of the precious medicine. It was necessary to relieve Marguerite�s pain and help with her fever. He just wished he had more medicines.
Malone went over and grabbed the canteens and his rifle. Taking one last look at Marguerite he headed out to the creek. He quickly filled the canteens. Malone then splashed water on his face and neck. He felt gritty and tired. He stood and looked around. If Marguerite was right it would be tomorrow at the earliest before help arrived. He hoped she was wrong. Maybe the Zanga knew another way around, although he doubted it. If they had, they wouldn�t have needed the bridge.
Malone took the canteens and headed back to the cave. When he got inside he went straight to the fire pit. He put some wood in and quickly started a fire. Then he reached for the willow bark and began to prepare a tea. While he waited for that, he decided to have a bite to eat. Malone knew he had to keep his strength up. Marguerite was depending on him.
Malone ate the other half of the mango and some grapes. He had to take it easy with the food. After all, they could be there for a few more days. When the willow bark was ready, he took it over to Marguerite. She seemed to be sleeping peacefully. He didn�t want to wake her, but she did need the medicine. He had to keep her fever down and he didn�t want to have to force it down her throat again. A couple of times last night she had started to choke on it.
�Marguerite,� Malone called. �Wake up.�
Marguerite stirred but still did not wake up.
�Marguerite,� Malone called again. �Please wake up.�
�Malone go away,� Marguerite said, keeping her eyes closed. �I need to sleep.�
�I know you do,� Malone replied, �but I need you take this medicine. You have a fever and I have to try and keep it down. Please Marguerite.�
Marguerite opened her eyes. She turned her head and looked at Malone. The young man noticed the grimace of pain and gently raised her head so she could sip the medicine. He managed to get her to drink about half a cup. She refused to take any more so he didn�t force the issue. As he laid her back down on the blanket, she closed her eyes.
�Marguerite,� Malone called. �I need you to try and eat something.�
�Can�t,� Marguerite said softly. �Not hungry. Need to sleep. So tired.�
Malone realized it was the fever and decided to let her sleep. He decided to use the wet cloths again on her forehead to help keep her cool. Hopefully she would awaken soon and he would have her drink some more of the medicine. He knew that help would soon be there. But in the end, Malone knew it was up to him. Marguerite�s life depended on him and he would not let her down.
The first thing Roxton noticed as they walked through the gate of the Zanga Village, there did not seem to be a lot of people around. He knew it was early but the Zanga were early risers.
�They�re probably sleeping off the effects of the Festival,� Veronica said, answering Roxton�s unspoken question. �The Zanga are hard workers but they also know how to relax and enjoy themselves.�
�Veronica, Professor Challenger, Lord Roxton, welcome to our village,� Assai greeted the visitors. Assai and Veronica hugged each other. �It�s good to see you again.�
Roxton looked around but there was no sign of either Marguerite or Malone. The young journalist could be around gathering notes for his journal and Marguerite was probably still sleeping, oblivious to all the worry she had caused him. The thought made him angry.
�So where is her highness? Still sleeping I bet,� Roxton said sarcastically.
�Yeah where is Malone?� Veronica asked. �We expected them back yesterday.�
Roxton walked over to a bucket of water. He took the dipper that was hanging on the side and filled it with water.
�Maybe I should wake up her majesty,� Roxton said impatiently. �Which hut is she in?�
�Malone and Marguerite are not here,� Assai said. �They left the first day with a map looking for caves.�
�I knew it!� Veronica said angrily. �Marguerite�s gone off on another treasure hunt. And this time she dragged poor Ned with her.�
�I know you�re upset Veronica,� Roxton said. �But let�s not jump to conclusions; let�s hear what Assai has to say.� Roxton tried hard not to doubt Marguerite but she did make it difficult at times.
Everyone turned to the Zanga woman. It was obvious she was upset.
�You are wrong Veronica,� Assai began. �It was Malone who had the map. It was supposed to be a map to some ancient caves. Legend is they lead to a way off this world. I told Malone it was worthless. The legend was just that, a tale passed on from generation to generation, but he would not believe me.�
�Why didn�t Marguerite try and stop him then?� Veronica asked angrily.
�She did,� Assai replied. �She tried everything. Finally Malone told her he was going with or without her. She decided to go with him and try to keep him out of trouble.�
Roxton and Veronica looked at each other. Once again she had misjudged Marguerite. She realized it was her anger that made her doubt the dark haired beauty. She didn�t really believe Marguerite would intentionally endanger Malone but her emotions kept getting in the way. Her uncertainty about Malone was making her irrational. Also these feelings of dread were still with her. Now she was really worried. Marguerite and Malone were out there somewhere.
�They were supposed to be back yesterday morning,� Assai continued. �They have not returned. I promised I would send help if they failed to return on time.�
�That�s good,� Challenger said. �I�m sure the Zanga rescue party will find them. They probably lost their way. Neither one of them are very adept at finding their way around the jungle.�
�I�m afraid there is no Zanga search party,� Assai said, her head bowed low.
�What do you mean?� Roxton asked, worry clearing showing in his face.
�My father refused to send one,� Assai replied. �He said it was a waste of time. The trail to the caves is overgrown and the only way across to the caves is an old rope and wood bridge. He says it�s probably rotted away by now.�
�Do you know the way to these caves?� Roxton asked Assai. She shook her head. �No I have never been there. As far as I know the only ones who have are the tribe�s elders.�
Roxton shook his head in frustration.
�Well we�re not going to just sit here,� Roxton said angrily. �I am going to find them one way or another.�
�Roxton be reasonable,� Challenger said. �We�d be traveling blind.�
�He�s right,� Veronica chimed in. �The storm has destroyed any trail that we might have followed. The only hope we have is that someone here knows the way and can lead us or at least draw a map.�
�Assai do you think your father would see me?� Challenger asked.
�Of course he would Professor,� Assai replied. �He considers you to be a friend of the Zanga.�
�Let me discuss this matter with the chief,� Challenger said to Veronica and Roxton. �Perhaps I can convince him to help us.�
�And what are we supposed to do?� the hunter asked clearly agitated. �Just stand here and do nothing?�
�That�s all anyone can do now,� Challenger said quietly. �I will be as quick as I can.�
Challenger walked off with Assai. Veronica sat down on a wooden bench. Roxton just walked around the camp. He was too restless to sit. He was worried. They should have been back yesterday morning. There could only be one reason why they had not returned; something had gone wrong.
Veronica was thinking similar thoughts. The bad feelings had gotten stronger the closer she got to the Zanga Village. Now she realized these feelings weren�t warning her of danger to herself. They were trying to tell her Ned and Marguerite were in trouble. Her dream was obviously a sign and she hadn�t connected it.
Veronica and Roxton had waited impatiently for a little over an hour when Challenger returned. Veronica jumped up and Roxton walked over to join her and the professor.
�Jacoba is going to send a guide with us.� Challenger said. �The warrior was taken to the caves as a child by his father.�
�Challenger it�s highly doubtful he can find them if he hasn�t been there since he was a child.� Roxton protested. �I am sure the trail doesn�t even look the same.�
�Well you are probably right Roxton,� Challenger said. �The elders have drawn a map, but it is from their memory so I don�t know how accurate it will be. I am afraid it�s the best we have.�
�Well we need to get started,� Roxton said. �It will probably take us a while to get there.�
�Assai is bringing us some food and the warrior is getting his things together for the trip,� Challenger said.
Roxton could tell Challenger felt ill at ease. Something was bothering him.
�You think they�re hurt don�t you?� Roxton asked. �That�s why they have not returned.�
�I do not know that,� Challenger replied. �But we do have to be prepared for any eventuality.�
The Zanga warrior joined the explorers. He carried a handmade pack on one shoulder and a stretcher made from skins and wood. It was folded and hung from his other shoulder by a rope strap. He carried two machetes in his hand. He gave one to Roxton.
Assai joined them with fruit and dried meat and bread wrapped in cloth. She handed these to Veronica who quickly put them in her pack.
�I wish you luck my friends,� Assai said. �I hope you find the others safe and return quickly.�
�Thank you Assai,� Veronica replied. �So do we.� The two women hugged.
Everyone looked at the warrior who nodded. He began walking to the gate of the village. He pointed the direction and then they were off on their journey. Would they be able to find their friends? And would they be too late? These were the questions that haunted them as they began their journey. One thing was for sure, Marguerite and Malone needed them and no matter what it took they had to find them.
