Chapter 1
It was a wonderful morning and Marguerite felt like listening to some music. With her back turned to the door, she put on a record and closed her eyes as Roxton walked in. Roxton stood behind her and slid his hand from her shoulder to her hand. He rested his cheek on her brown locks and whispered to her, 'May I have this dance?'.
Marguerite turned around implying the answer being yes and for the first time since being here, Marguerite felt she was where she belonged, in Roxton's arms. They flowed across the floor, as their eyes never did once wonder beyond the others.
Soon, they forgot about the music as the rhythmus of their hearts overtook, coming to a stop and froze there for a minute. Not a word was spoken but her eyes said it all. She felt his hand grip her tight each moment as their lips drew closer.
But the magic moment was stolen by the sound of the elevator. The two separated, breaking off from that mysterious spell. It was the others but this time with a visitor, Hippolita! Marguerite watched as Roxton moved with such joy towards her. Her greatest fear was alive.
Roxton: What brings you here?
Hippolita: I need your help.
Veronica: If it was within our ...
Hippolita: You can't refuse!
Challenger: What is it?
Hippolita: Help us to fight the Centaurs.
Marguerite: The mythical creatures?!
Melone: The half man half horse creature? They are only in legends!
Hippolita: So are we but we are real. They are real too! We need your help against all of them.
Roxton: Start right from the beginning.
Hippolita: The Amazons and Centaurs never got along. But recently, through an agreement, an Amazon was sent to their village to learn medicine. There was an accident and she killed an elder centaur. She was innocent. It was self-defense. And now, the Centaurs will not rest till they kill us all! Half of the village is all gone, poisoned by their arrows. The women with children need protection. We tried everything but their archery is beyond perfect. But there's one thing that can beat them...your weapons.
Roxton: We don't want to support war.
Hippolita: this is not war. We need your help. Just protect us.
Hippolita looked into Roxton's eyes with such charm that made Marguerite incensed. She went and stood in front of Roxton.
Marguerite: The expedition is not his to decide what to do. It's mine.
Hippolita: So be. Then I beg you, help us.
Marguerite: No! After what you almost did to them, helping you is a joke!
Roxton: Marguerite can I speak to you. (Roxton drags Marguerite to a corner)
Roxton: What's the meaning of this? They need help.
Marguerite: They need help to fight their wars for them. In case you forgot, we are trying to survive too!
Roxton: I'm going to help.
Marguerite: Fine She got you wrapped around her legs...literally!
Roxton: That's enough!
Marguerite: No it's not! She almost killed you and you still help her.
Roxton: It's called being human.
Marguerite: It's called being blind to the truth.
Roxton: I don't care what you say!
Marguerite: Fine and while you are at it, why don't you and your Hippo have a roll on the hay!
Roxton: Maybe I will!
Roxton goes out and announced that he is going and the others agreed.
Melone: Marguerite?
Marguerite: Let me see, Veronica is obliged to help, Challenger goes anywhere science takes him, you will follow your story, Lord Roxton....anyway me? Well I won't be much of help! I'll just stay here and amuse myself with a diamond!
Marguerite watched with fury in her eyes as the others got ready and left.
Will Marguerite hide her jealousy or will she betray her heart for revenge?
Chapter 2
The explorers reach the Amazon village only to find the whole place in ruins. The injured lay on the floor suffering, as there is no antidote for the poison while others bury the dead. They meet the queen who explains the situation. Challenger volunteers to put all the science he knows to help to find an antidote, while Roxton work out a security plan. However, Challenger needed some chemicals from his lab so Veronica volunteered to go.
She reached the tree house to find Marguerite idling around.
Marguerite: Well well well. Back so fast?
Veronica: I came back to get something. Are you coming?
Marguerite: No! I don't trust scanty clad women. (Looks at Veronica) No offence!
Veronica: None taken. I don't thrust well-dressed women either!
Marguerite: You never trusted that Spanish girl or grandma for that matter.
Veronica: It was different, I did not know her.
Marguerite: And you know our little Hippopotamus?
Veronica: It's Hippolita. And I do thrust her. I have known her for about five years now.
Marguerite: Only five years?
Veronica: yes. Marguerite, it's okay.
Marguerite: No it's not. There she is hiding something. And I will prove it!
Veronica: To Roxton?
Marguerite: NO! Centaurs are swan enemies of the Amazons. There is no way they could have come to an 'agreement' let alone invite an Amazon to Kallipolis.
Veronica: Kallipolis?
Marguerite: That's the Centaur village. There is something else going on. I must say, Centaurs would make great cavalry for the Amazons not forgetting their heeling powers.
Veronica: Well Marguerite. I'm impressed! We can really use you, you know.
Marguerite: That's why I'm not coming!
Veronica goes back to the Amazons where Roxton make Ned get information about Marguerite from Veronica!
That afternoon, Marguerite heard a struggle as she was coming up to the tree house. It was a cry of a boy. She ran towards the lake to find a boy Centaur of about five years attacked by a scavenger! She shoots at the beast and manages to save the boy. She stood there for a moment in utter awe on the creature. Slowly she made her way to the boy and helped him. The flesh had ripped right off his hind leg and was bleeding profusely. Marguerite tied the wound with her scarf but as she turned, her head was hit with a hoof of some sort as she dropped unconscious.
Marguerite wakes up in a strange village. In Kallipolis!
She looks around as a she-Centaur calls for the leader. The leader, Ures, came and spoke to Marguerite.
He explained that she saved his son, Ursa, which earned her immunity against the Centaurs. Otherwise, she would have been killed at that moment. But there is a catch. Marguerite can never return to her own people. She is now the property of the Centaurs. They believe she is a gift of the Gods.
The boy is well again, cured by a powerful shaman Centaur as Marguerite from her otherwise deadly blow to her head. Marguerite gets up as the servants brought her clothes (a bronze breastplate and scarlet silk skirt with slits running from he ankle all the way to her thigh.) Marguerite knew her only way out was to win the thrust of the Centaurs. And the only way to do that is to plot against the Amazons.
But what will she do?
Will she sacrifice herself?
Or will she sacrifice her friends...and Roxton for freedom?
Chapter 3
While the worriers at the Amazon village prepared for battle, at Kallipolis, Marguerite was arranging her own battle plan. Only way was to win the trust of the Centaurs. With her eyes clearly showing her artfulness, she made conversation with Ures.
It seems that Kallipolis was hidden here in the plateau, just like El Darado. But the reason for the battle between the Amazons and them are different here. It seems that the Amazon woman had deliberately killed the elder Centaur and now they all must die. Marguerite knew there was more to this. There was something Ures was not telling her. However her priority now was to stop this war and get out. She then tried her charms.
Marguerite: Surely a man er...centaur of your genius would not resort to war.
Ures: There is no other way. The Amazons need to be dead.
Marguerite: Yes but will it please the Gods? (Ures gets interested)
Marguerite: You believe I was sent from the Gods. So my words are too from the Gods. Listen to me...we can win this war without bloodshed.
Ures: Not even the Gods can make that happen.
Marguerite: Gods can't but I can. I know all what the Amazons are going to do. They got some outside help...from humans. These humans...
Ures: Humans are powerless against us.
Marguerite: They are but their weapons are not. They can rip your flesh apart, faster than your arrows. Nothing can save you then. It's foolish to go against them when they have such power! But if you steal the weapons first, they will be helpless. Then you can have the whole Village... and the murderess at a trial.
Ures: All this for us?
Marguerite: Well now I do have a little price. When you capture the village, the outside humans go free as well as me. Your Gods sent me for a purpose -to help you against the amazons. And when I fulfill it, I go free. Trust me!
Ures: I don't trust humans after what Hipp...never mind.
Marguerite: I don't trust them either! And what was that name again.
Ures: It's of no use for you! Go!
So the Centaurs neared the Amazon village at night, 8 of them including Marguerite (she wore a helmet which covered her face). Some of them went in and stole the guns.
This was possible as the Centaurs were shape shifters and they disguised as Amazon women. They used a sleeping powder on the explorers so they would fall into a deep sleep where only water can wake them up again. Unfortunately, one of the Centaurs spilled water, causing the explorers to wake up.
Half of the village woke up and the Centaurs dashed their way to Kallipolis as Roxton, Hippolita and some others chased. The Centaurs were ready in Kallipolis to attack them and Marguerite knew Roxton did not stand a chance against the centaurs. There was only one thing to do- to attack Roxton herself. She grabbed a sword and attacked Roxton who, without his gun settled for a sword.
Marguerite managed to hold off Roxton as hard as she could but was caught off guard and Roxton sent her sword flying across. He pinned her on the ground and took off the helmet.
Roxton: Marguerite!
Marguerite: Nice to see you too! (Marguerite takes a knife from her boot and gives one knock on Roxton's head. Roxton falls on the floor and then Marguerite pins him on the ground.)
Marguerite: Are you enjoying this as much as me?
Marguerite thought that this would save Roxton but she taught wrong. There stood Ures ordering his guards to drag Roxton back to Kallipolis. This was double trouble for Marguerite, not only was her plan ruined now she has to save Roxton too. And they kill ALL prisoners!
The Centaurs gag Roxton and takes him back to the village and ties his hand behind a pole as Ures order Roxton to be killed! And guess who gets that honour- Marguerite! Ures tells Marguerite that this was her ultimate test Marguerite is given a bow and an arrow and she aims it at Roxton as he tries to get out of it.
Marguerite pulls the bow and releases it as Roxton shut his eyes tight. The arrow strike the pole between Roxton's legs, mm away from his you know where. Roxton stare in utter shock as all the Centaur men go, 'Ooh' in a very painful tone.
Marguerite: I'm not a murderer unlike the Amazons, Ures. I promised you victory without bloodshed, I'll give you just that.
Ures: You proved yourself well Marguerite. I trust you and your judgement.
Marguerite (as she walk near Roxton): Its no use just killing them...(Looks at Roxton) You need to hit where it hurts most! (removes the arrow) Besides, he will make a fine hostage in honour of his amazon lover!
Marguerite looks at Roxton with her devilish smile. What is she going to do now? Will her jealousy get the better of her?
Chapter 4
That night was colder than the other nights as Marguerite toss and turn in bed. She could not stop thinking about Roxton. So, slowly taking one of her blankets, she went out to Roxton. He was still tied to the pole but was now sitting down on the floor asleep. Marguerite goes to him quietly and covers him with the blanket. While returning back to her tent, she heard little Ursa still playing in his tent. Marguerite goes in and volunteers to 'tuck him in' and also to get some information about Ures strange behavior about the Amazons. Little by little, the conversation drifted to the topic of mothers.
Marguerite: Where is your mother Ursa?
Ursa: I' don't know. My father says she is in mother's land.
Marguerite: Mother's land?
Ursa: Yes. Father says that's where all the mothers are.
Marguerite: Where is it, do you know? (He shakes his head)
Ursa: I know something about my mother though!
Marguerite: O what is that?
Ursa: Her name was Ursalla so my father named me Ursa. But I think she changed her name when she went to the mother's land. (He stays quite for a while)
Ursa: Do you have a mother?
Marguerite: I do, but I have never seen her.
Ursa: Maybe she is in the mother's land with my mother!
Marguerite: Maybe.
The next morning, Marguerite takes breakfast was about to go to Roxton when she heard a commotion. She goes out to find that a new addition had been added into the hostage party-Hippolita!
One part was glad that she was caught while the other did not want Roxton to be together with Hippolita. However, Marguerite could not help but notice the attention, mixture of concern and hate, that Ures gave Hippolita.
But she did hit jackpot when she overheard a conversation between the two.
Meanwhile the explorers and the Amazons had figured out a plan to attack the Centaurs. The Centaurs were caught off guard as the fighting erupted. Marguerite quickly went and hid the guns. She did not want any bloodshed. But as she was coming out, she saw Hippolita make her way into Ursa's tent. She followed her in.
Marguerite: Looking for something...Ursalla? (Hippolita turns in shock)
Hippolita: I don't know what you are talking about?
Marguerite: I'm talking of your past...your little secrets. I know it all now.
Hippolita: You...
Marguerite: I know you have a son, Ursa. I know you are not Hippolita, you are Ursalla.
Hippolita: Your game does not work here, Marguerite!
Marguerite: I know you sent that woman to kill Ursa!
Hippolita: NO!
Marguerite: YES! You knew that if your people and Centaurs found out Ursa was half Amazon, the Centaurs would be able to rule the Amazons as Ursa is the heir to the throne. The queen did not like that, did she? So you all planned to destroy evidence!
Hippolita: NO!
Marguerite: And your little plan failed when the elder found out and the amazon killed him. You wanted to kill your own flesh!
Hippolita: (Covers her ears as she cries) NO!
Marguerite: How could you?! You grow him in you for 9 months only to bring him into the world without a mother! You make his father raise him up only to kill him!
Hippolita: Never!
Marguerite: You could have just ripped him off you when he was still unborn! (Marguerite starts to cry too)
Hippolita: No, I would never harm him. I would never!
Marguerite: then why did you cause so much pain to your people?! To the Centaurs?!
Marguerite: You have the power to stop the war! Admit your part! Please, I beg you! (A gunshot runs through the air)
Marguerite whisper's Roxton's name and runs out to look for him. She saw him aiming his gun, which he had found, towards Ures who was about to kill an amazon. Marguerite screams and runs to Ures so as to shield him when Roxton firs! The battle stop as Veronica screams Marguerite's name. Roxton looks with utter horror. Marguerite stands there for a while, shocked at Roxton's reaction. She raises her hand and touches her left breast to feel her warm blood as it oozes out. She felt her whole life pass and then she breath her last breath and collapsed.
Did Roxton lose Marguerite forever?
Chapter 5
The whole village had an air of shame and grief floating above them. However it was Hippolita and Ures that felt the much blame lay upon them. The guilt of romancing this battle which had left a precious life being taken away by another of similar worth. But Challenger carried the grief of the only person knowing that Marguerite was gone.
Marguerite was gone!
Veronica felt the sadness pierce her heart as she supported Marguerite's head on her lap. Melone as helpless as he is, tried to find comfort in asking for anything and everything possible that might bring back his friend.
But there was hope as Hippolita pleaded with Ures to allow an elder to heal Marguerite. Yes heal Marguerite. The Centaurs had the gift of healing but the energy to bring back the dead was far more than what an elder can bear.
So be it that Ures, risking his life, set his mind upon heeling Marguerite, the gift of the Gods. The limp body was laid upon an altar as Ures started his heeling process but only to fail several times. With almost all his energy wasted, Ures set upon his last effort.
Challenger: Why can't you save her?
Ures: She had become the property of the Gods. They will only give her back, if she wants to come back.
Veronica: You mean Marguerite does not want to come back to life?!
Ures: No!
Melone: I know just what she wants. Challenger, come with me.
Melone and Challenger set out towards the lake where Melone knew Roxton would be. His assumption as proved as they heard the noise of a knife slashing the canopy with blinding range. There was Roxton, exhausted of energy and life. The flesh in his hand was torn and his eyes gaped with such guilt and sorrow for what he had done. He continued his fit despite the pleas of his friends to stop. But how could he? How could he calm himself down when he had taken the very essence of his life? How could he? As the last resort, Melone crept behind his back and held Roxton's hand down firmly with an embrace as Challenger freed the knife off his hand. He shouted words of fury, of anger of himself, which then turned to sobs, as he dropped to his knees. Burying his shameful face in his hands, he cried. He cried for Marguerite, he cried for himself he cried for his sin.
Challenger slowly whispered to his ear the need of his presence near Marguerite but he just shook his head. As a last resort, Challenger grabbed him and shook him uncontrollably so as to bring him to his senses. Roxton calmed down. One part of him could not understand why Marguerite would want him and the other celebrated that same fact. Finally, he nodded and they were off to the village.
They reached the village and go into the tent. Veronica seeing Roxton's grief does not comment on it but gives a slight smile to show her support. The others leave the tent as Roxton slowly kneel before Marguerite's head. His once handsome hands slowly reach her's, still so dainty and small. He clasps it tightly as his trembling lips part to speak.
Roxton: O Marguerite what have I done? Come back to me, I beg of you. Ever since I met you, my whole life had changed. Ever since I met you, the hunter became the hunted. I built a world around us, just us. I need you now. I will die in body if you leave me. I am already dead in sprit. Don't leave me. Please don't....
That was all he could whisper his energy all wasted upon grief that his very life was draining away as his hope of her recovery. Ures came in and tried again but all in vein. But Roxton now stood strong. He could not show his fears to Marguerite. Failure after failure left his wall tumbling down. He pressed her hand against his own breast and rested against hers. He heard his heartbeat through the silence of death. But then what is that? What's that other rhythm, joining so harmoniously with his? It's hers! She is back!
Roxton lifted his head, sat beside her, and looked at her eyes never once letting go of her hand as the handsome youth of his face came back. Ures ran outside to tell the others. Roxton watched with greatest of joys as Marguerite's bosom fill once again with life. She is back. God gave Roxton what was his.
Although Marguerite was alive, her health had not recovered. Most of the time, she had been unconscious waking only to murmur a few words the others barely understood and fall back to sleep. This had gone on for almost 3 days however, Roxton, never did he once leave Marguerite's side. He had moved his bedroom to the floor beside her bed. That's where he slept, on the hard wooden floor. All his meals were taken by her side- right hand holding the spoon while the left held on to Marguerite's hand. The sleepless nights, little food and even less peace of mind had taken the toll on Roxton too.
Nevertheless, Marguerite was his priority not because he was the one who caused it but because she was his everything. Roxton had sat beside her bed, still holding her hand, and rested his head on the mattress. He too slowly dozed off. He was woken up by a slight tug on his hand. It was Marguerite! She opened her eyes asking for Roxton. Filled with joy, he sat up and looked at her.
Marguerite: Roxton?
Roxton: I'm here...I'm right here.
Marguerite: O thank God!
The explorers were having breakfast the next morning when Marguerite walked in.
Challenger: My look who finally decided to join us! (Roxton gets up and helps Marguerite to a chair)
Marguerite: Thank you ...John. (Roxton smiles, as a way of saying that she was welcome)
Marguerite: I thought some walking around would make me feel better. I dread sleeping! O please tell me all that happened.
Veronica: Well after you decided to pull a 'sleeping beauty' on us, Hippolita rather Ursalla and Ures decided to patch up. She never wanted to leave her son. A mother would never do that. The feminism of the Amazons just got her at the wrong time. She is thankful to you for reminding it again.
Marguerite: They are back together, that's all that matters.
Melone: They wanted to thank you personally but they had to vanish into Kallipolis. But they did give you this.
Melone went and brought a bow and arrow. Marguerite looked at in delight.
Marguerite: Well what about you all? Did you guys miss me?
Challenger: O Miss Krux I was devastated!
Veronica: I never thought I'd say this but I was so....I just can't explain it!
Melone: Not like our Lord Roxton over here.
Everybody: Ohhhhhhhhh
Roxton was peeling a banana and instantly put on a baffled face to deny every word.
Roxton: me? ME?!....Over HER?!...What....!
Melone: Yes you. O you should have seen him Marguerite! He ran away when you died and he was in a fury. Just look at his hands!
Roxton: Thank you Melone but everything can be well explained!
Veronica: Well?
Roxton: Well what?
Veronica: Well explain it!
Roxton: Fine, the simple thing was that I did not want to lose another member of this expedition.
Melone: And?
Roxton: There is no and!
Melone: You are telling me that Lord Roxton, the man went into a frenzied fit when you died, cried when we calmed him down (Marguerite eyes widened as he said this as Roxton covered his blushing face with his pride), shot up over the moon when you were back, who slept by your bedside, who ate by your bed...
Challenger: never letting go of your hand
Melone: And never letting go of your hand did not feel anything. Why Veronica, is it me or is Lord Roxton denying his innermost love for...
Roxton: for your absolutely far fetched, absurd imaginative story!
Challenger: Is that what you call love these days?! (Everyone started to laugh)
Challenger: I'm just so glad you are back. This was my expedition and I never want anyone to get hurt because of me. It was horrible to know that you were dead!
Marguerite: Horrible to know I was!
Veronica: How did it feel?
Marguerite: I can't remember but I know it felt very peaceful and calm.
Veronica: Well I'm so glad you are back but I have to go meet Asai.
Challenger: And Melone volunteered to help me with some specimens.
Melone: O yes.
The others leave the tree house. Roxton still had his head turned against Marguerite. Marguerite gets up and walks closer to Roxton. She saw his hand on the rail and reached for it. Seeing this, Roxton quickly took his hand away. Marguerite somehow took a hold of it and looked with pain at the wounds.
Marguerite: O Roxton...
Roxton: It's nothing. Just and accident....
Before Roxton can finish his sentence, Marguerite took his hand up to her lips and pressed it hard against it.
Roxton watched mesmerized at her concern. Marguerite closed her eyes as she brushed his hand against her cheek. Amazingly, a record started playing. The same record that they were playing when Hippolita first came in.
Roxton: May I have this dance?
Marguerite: I'll be delighted.
Roxton slid his hand around her small waist, holding it tighter each minute so as to protect her from harm. They moved slowly as their eyes met each other's.
Marguerite: When I was dead, an angle spoke to me. He told me to come back to me, he beg me. Ever since I met him, his whole life had changed. Ever since I met him, the hunter became the hunted. He built a world around us, just us. I need you now. ....
Roxton: I will die in body if you leave me. I am already dead in sprit. Don't leave me. That was me.
Marguerite: Really! (Acting as she was surprised)
Roxton: I hated to do this again. I took my own brother's life, I did not want to take yours.
Marguerite: No John....Look at me, I am NOT William! I am not a substitute for him.
You never killed him. It was an accident. Same for me, it was just an accident.
Roxton: I couldn't imagine life without you!
Marguerite: Then don't.
Marguerite drew her face close to his and they kissed.
The end.
