At all costs (The Legend of Tarzan)

The Dark Man

'Well, well, Bowman, looks like you made it.'

Christopher heard the deep, devious and somewhat raspy voice of a man echo through the caves, as they walked closer to the light. It was odd to have light so deep into a cave, so Christopher suspected there must have been a large number of torches, or other lamps lighting the space in the cave.

'And we got your delivery.' The white man rumbled, pleasure obvious in his voice. His chest shook as he laughed softly.

Within seconds, Christopher and Elizabeth were thrown onto the cold, hard and damp floor of the cave and stared into the face of a man, who seemed to be around the same age as their father. The man was about 6 foot tall, his dark hair was beginning to grey; he had a stubbly, short beard and a thick moustache. His hair on the long side, though not as long as their father's was, but looked like it had not been combed in a long time. He laughed evilly at the children in front of him, his gaze lingering a little longer on Christopher, and the volume of his laughter rose. Christopher felt Elizabeth move closer towards him, likely unsettled by the look on the man's face.

'Well, well. I finally got my hands on the famous Greystoke children.' He laughed loudly but coldly, the deep sound constantly echoing against the walls of the cave.

'Greystoke children?' Jombo asked, looking slightly confused. 'Wasn't Greystoke the name of that British Lord who claimed to be Tarzan?' Surprisingly, Jombo once again sounded scared. But, the devious, dark haired man just laughed at him.

'If you fear Lord Greystoke, you are a fool!' The dark man yelled. 'He is just a savage orphan who was raised by gorillas, and probably still has fleas in his hair. He is a threat to no one. No one!' He seemed almost mad while delivering his speech. His hands shaking ever so slightly, and his voice trembling in his yell.

The white man, apparently called Bowman, scoffed. 'So where is our money?' he asked as he got up and walked over to the man. 'You promised us a £1000 each for bringing you the children. We're here, they're here, so pay up!'

'Patience my friends. I promised you that money if you could deliver me these children, and guarded them until their family shows up. For it is their father who I really want. The children, are just currency' He grinned evilly.

Christopher gasped and glared at the man. 'You're Jeffrey Latimore! You want to steal my father's inheritance!' He never really knew his father's cousin. But he had been told the man wanted nothing more than to bring their father down and take his title and money.

The man's face immediately turned grim. He became angry. 'I have a right to that inheritance!' He screamed. 'Your father is a savage man who does not deserve the money or title! All my life I have been told I would become lord Greystoke, and then that savage came in and stole it from me! It is my inheritance, and mind alone!' He had moved closer and closer towards Christopher, until his face was only inches away.

Christopher shook his head, slightly smiling, knowing that the man's madness would be his down fall when facing their father. 'You will get punished for your actions. Our father is coming for you, and when he finds you, you will regret everything you've done.'

The man bent down and gripped Christopher's hair, pulling him closer. Christopher could smell the man had not washed himself in many days.

'Shut up you little twat. Or I will make you.' The man set Christopher down again and walked towards an arch in the wall. 'Watch those two, warn me if anyone else comes in.' And then he left.