�What makes you think that Veronica?�
�Who else could it be from, Marguerite? It�s a map, it has the symbol from my mother�s pendant on it, and it only appeared after I got near it. It was meant for me! My mother sent it, I�m sure of it. And I think that map is going to lead me to her. To Avalon.� Veronica kept walking to various places in the treehouse and grabbing things and shoving them frantically in her bag.
�But Vee, you don�t know that for sure. You could be walking into a trap for all you know.� Finn had listened to Veronica�s explanation with an open mind, but she couldn�t help but feel skeptical. She still wasn�t too sure about all this protector stuff and she didn�t want Veronica to get hurt.
�Well, I�ll never know if I just sit here. I have to go find out for myself, and I�m going with or without all of you!� Veronica walked by her friends and started placing some fruit into her bag.
Malone glanced worriedly at his friends. �Veronica, you know we all want you to find your mother and we�d do anything to help you.�
Veronica paused her packing and looked at Malone and smiled. �Thank you, Ned. I�m sorry, but if there�s any chance of finding my mother, I�m going to take it.�
�What about the Zanga? Aren�t you going to try to find them?� Roxton asked.
�Challenger already finished his calculations and he thinks he knows where they are. And it just happens to be on the way. I can stop and check in on Assai and everyone and then I can go find my mother.� Veronica grabbed some water, along with her bag, and slung them over her shoulder. �Now, are you coming with me, or am I going by myself?�
They all shared a quick look and nodded. Challenger cleared his throat briefly. �Well, let�s all get ready. We have quite the journey ahead of us.�
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It took them nearly two days to reach the Zanga Village by foot even with Veronica�s hurried pace. Using Challenger�s calculations as a guide, they made their way slowly through the jungle looking for any signs of life from their once-be neighbors.
The sun had nearly gone down and Roxton was getting ready to call it a day and find a place to set camp when he heard a branch snap up ahead. He threw up his hand in warning and everyone moved to find some cover.
Roxton pulled up his rifle and started scanning the area for anything that moved. There! Far to the right, he saw shadows in the distance. He motioned for the others to stay back while he moved closer. He crept slowly forward the whole time his rifle kept ready for anything.
�Roxton!�
Before he had a moment to react, Roxton found himself engulfed by two powerfully long arms. He managed to break free and recognized the face immediately. �Jarl! You have no idea how good it is to see you!�
�Likewise, my friend, it has been too long!� Jarl reached over and shook Roxton�s hand. �Is everyone else with you?�
Roxton nodded. �Yes, in fact-�
�Jarl!�
Roxton turned and saw Veronica rush over and hug Jarl with the rest of the explorers following. �I thought I told you to wait back there for me.�
Marguerite mockingly bowed. �We are so sorry your lordship. Please forgive us.�
Roxton rolled his eyes and turned back to listen to Veronica talking to Jarl.
�How�s Assai and the rest of the Zanga? I was worried when I couldn�t find you.�
Jarl nodded his head. �Everyone is fine. Assai too has been beside herself with worry. After the storm, she went to the treehouse to see you and returned upset. It took a lot of effort to calm her down enough for her to tell me that the treehouse was missing. I took several warriors with me and looked everywhere but I could not find anything. Assai will be pleased to see you and all our friends are well.� Jarl turned and led the way. �Come, the jungle is no place to be in at night.�
Veronica picked up her pace and fell into step with him immediately, which caused Malone to speed up as well. Finn walked with Challenger and listened to his excited babbling about how finding Jarl proved his theories correct leaving Marguerite with Roxton.
�So do you think she�ll find Avalon and her mother?�
Marguerite barely managed to step over a broken branch in her path when she felt Roxton�s arm at her elbow to balance her. �Thank you.� He nodded his head slightly. �And as for your question, yes I do.�
Roxton raised his eyebrows. �Really? You? You�ve been the most adamant over the years that Veronica would probably never find her parents.�
�Well things have changed over the years, John. She found her father and she knows where her mother is. Well, in a sense. And Challenger found the Zanga, so if we follow the map and his calculations, all we can do is hope that she finds her mother too.�
Roxton smiled at her answer but didn�t comment on it. He hoped they got to the village soon. If it got any darker they were going to have to stop and light torches. Sure enough, as soon as he was getting ready to ask Jarl if they were there yet, he saw the familiar village ahead and smiled. It took them longer than they thought it would, but they finally found the Zanga.