They are led into a small village with huts and skulls. None of them like the look of it. They are escorted to a small bamboo looking cage were they find Challenger and Malone. Veronica," Fancy meeting you here. We thought you were taking care of the windmill. But I can guess what happened." Roxton looked at his old companion," Challenger who are these people?" Challenger stands up and walks to the wooden bars," They apear to be a sub-species of cannibal. they call themselves the Jiba. Marguerite can you make out what they are saying?" Marguerite peered outside and listened in deep concentration," Yes, they are speaking the same language as the canibals but a different dialect. Just give me a minute." There was no minute however. At this time the chief walked up and began sputtering an odd arangement of "words" and grunts.Marguerite spoke back to him in the same crude way. After they exchanged some thoughtshe then left and they all rushed to Marguerite who looked a bit horified," Well, no negotiating with these people. They have made that crystal clear. He shared with me a lot of his ritual information that we will be taking part in. The men are to be eaten and the women are to be breeders." There was a silence as everyone took these words in. Roxton gave Marguerite a brief hug wich she really needed and so allowed him to do it in public anyway. And sudenly a man came and started beating on the cage and yelling at them. Marguerite pushed Roxton away and shouted back at the tribal. Eventually the tribal seemed to grow weary of the fight and turned away. Roxton," Well Marguerite I didn't know you could fight off a savage verbally."Marguerite looked at the others knowingly," That was close. Too close." Malone growing with journalist curiousity spoke up," Well what was close?" Marguerite grew a little pale," Apparently they see even the most minature signs of affection revolting and evil. He said that any in this cage that love will be destroyed by the gods. By the bleeding table. It is imperative that from now on we show no sign of affection toward each other. Not so much as a friendly handshake. I convinced him this time to forget what he saw, but I can't do it again." They all stared at her until Roxton finally said," Sorry."
Agreeing to Challengers advice they made sure they didn't even touch each other. Just in case. Veronica couldn't help seeing Roxton and Marguerite wisper to each other. What were they saying. She wondered if they had been mad at her for walking in on them. She guessed not. After all she would keep thier secret. But how could she have not seen it earlier? All the signs were there. At least her friends were happy. Despite everything she still did think of them as family. Even Marguerite. Malone and Challenger were trying to think of a way out of this mess they were in but were finding no healthy solutions. Just then the cheif and three strong guards came up to the cage signalling he wanted Marguerite and Roxton to come out. When they didn't come out imediately the guards went and got them out. Marguerites face came to a sudden realization of what was happening," They haven't forgoted! This is punishment for the hug Roxton!" The others were kicked asidewhen they tried to help Marguerite and Roxton who were drug outside and beaten. When the cheif looked satisfied he threw them back in and yelled a couple of final words. Marguerite sputtered them out painfully," This is only a warning."
Roxton who had been knocked out cold wake a few hours later to see the bruises on Marguerite. He was infuriated," This is all my fault. I'm sorry. I'll kill the bloody bastards for this!" Marguerite looked up at him," It wasn't your fault Roxton. Come on. It is you who looks really bad. We just need to escape from here before they kill us all." Veronica looked up at Marguerites words," Anybody have any ideas?"
It was late in the afternoon when two of the guards that had beat Roxton and Marguerite came once again to the cage and made it known they came for Marguerite and Veronica. When the larger of the two came in and put a sturdy hand on Marguerite to pull her up Roxton jumped to his feet and had to be held back by Challenger and Malone. As they dragged the two women away he yelled," I'll kill you! Just wait and see! Come for me you gutless cowards!" But his words didn't even reach thier ears. They were dragged off too fast. Even if they had heard they wouldn't have understood. He looked ar the others. They had to escape. Had to save her like he always did. He had to be her knight in shinning armor.
The women were taken into a small hut and made to change into very skimpy cottonlike outfits that Marguerite found way too slutish for her taste. Of course it was what Veronica was used to but the cotton made her feel more naked. Marguerite put them on with as little complaint as she could manage, praying she would be saved soon. She was not going to sleep with any of these savages. That was for damn sure. If she would sleep with anyone on this plataeu it would be John. At this she felt her eyes water a bit. He deserved someone so much better than her. She couldn't allow him to care for her, to love her. She was disrupted as a brute yelled and they were taken to the cerimonial grounds. It consisted of a large circle and in the middle was no doubt were they would be preparing human dinner. Veronica and herself were placed on the sideline and left to wait with spears to their backs.