GEN II: Chapter 10

After what felt like an eternity on board a plane, Hayden and Isabel landed in Champs Les Sims, France. Since it was a last minute flight they were unable to get two seats together, and had been split up during the trip. They were very happy to be reunited at the airport.

Even though the flight was long, Hayden and Isabel were not tired when they arrived. They were so excited to be there, ready to take on anything.

"Let's take a walk around, and see some sights." Hayden suggested.

"That sounds lovely." Isabel replied, "Let's go."

Hayden and Isabel made there way around the city, just looking at everything there was to see. At one point they came up a hill and saw in the distance the Eiffel Tower, in Paris.

"Here we are, not in it, but next to the most romantic city there is." Isabel said. "It is even beautiful from here."

Hayden laughed at his fiance' and told her he loved her. That she was more beautiful to him than some silly iron lattice tower. They stood there for a few minutes just looking around. Taking in the scenery. Then Hayden suggested they take a drive. He had reserved a car for them before they took off from home.

Hayden drove while Isabel gazed out of the windows, just looking at everything she could. They passed fields and fields of grapes. It was a lovely countryside. Eventually the road they were on came to an end. It put them right at a nectary. They stepped inside just to have a look around and found themselves surrounded by bottles of nectar, all kinds. Hayden and Isabel browsed through the racks. Isabel suggested they buy one to take home to the family.

Hayden thought that was a great idea, but was unsure of what to pick. So they both did some nectar tasting. They finally settled on a simple Apple Nectar, aged just a few years. It was sweet, yet had a slight tang in there as well. They paid for the bottle and went to see the vineyard. As they left the building the cashier told them to help themselves to any grapes on the vine.

"Thanks." Hayden and Isabel said in unison.



Isabel started at the front of the garden and Hayden in the back. They were to meet in the middle with their finds. There were various kinds of grapes growing, and both tried each one. They even picked some to bring home. Isabel seemed right at home picking grapes and tasting them. She seemed to have more of a sensitive palate, and detected different flavors than Hayden did. Isabel decided that a soon as she had the extra money she would buy herself a nectar maker. That would be a hobby of hers, and she could sell her wares. Maybe.

Isabel and Hayden met in the center of the field and showed each other their grapes. Hayden packed them all away and they left to find something else to do. They walked this time though, for at least most of the way. Isabel walked a little faster than Hayden, she was just so giddy. She reached the top of a high hill and had to stop. The view was breathtaking, literally. She gasped from the sight and held her breath.

Hayden paused too, but not because of the view, he hadn't even gotten that far. He thought the sight of Isabel smiling like she was, was beautiful. Something came over Hayden right then. He walked up to Isabel took her in his arms and held her close.

"Marry me." He blurted out, "Right now."

Isabel looked shocked for just a moment, then smiled. "Yes. Of course, but what about the rings?"

"I have them, don't worry." Hayden told her.

"I promise to be your companion for ever, to make sure you have someone to share your life's experiences with. I promise eternal love, commitment, hope and comfort when ever you need it. I give myself to you." Hayden vowed.

"When the world hurts you, or makes you feel vulnerable, I can not protect you. But I promise to be there for you when you need me. I promise to share the sunshine and the shadows throughout our life together. Just know you will always have someone who truly cares." Isabel promised.

With the promises spoken and the rings exchanged, Isabel and Hayden were forever joined in love and marriage.

As newlyweds, this was now considered their honeymoon. Isabel wanted to do something fun and exciting with their time alone together. Hayden had the idea to check the bulletin board by the hotel. There were a few opportunities there, and the couple just picked one. They didn't even read what they needed to do, just that they needed to meet with Gerard Morel.

The post had his address listed, but also stated that he worked at the market and would be there all day should someone try and contact him. Hayden and Isabel went to Gerard's place of work and offered their help with his request.

"Beneath the Celtic Ruins is a tomb. I dare not go myself, even if I had the time. An old friend of mine hid an object down there, and I will not seek it out. Will you go find it for me? It is precious and I would like it back." Gerard told them.

"Yes we will, we'll leave right away." Hayden replied.

Gerard gave them some dried food and sent them off. He told them that they would know the item when they see it, for it does not belong in a tomb.

Hayden and Isabel entered the tomb beneath the ruins. Isabel was truly excited, she had never done this kind of thing before. Hayden had a couple experiences in tombs and catacombs, so was going to give Isabel the pleasure of doing most things herself.

When she pulled out a map, Hayden chuckled. "You don't think that is going to help you do you?"

"It's a map of course it will...." she glanced at the map. They were just in the first room, and the map was already wrong. She huffed and crumpled it up. "Okay maybe not. Let's go." Laughing together they walked through the first door. In the second room Hayden watched as Isabel figured out that stepping on the switch embedded in the floor is what would open the door.



The next room contained piles of rubble and another locked door. Hayden offered his help this time so they could get the clearing done. From his educated guess a key would be hidden in the rocks. Just starting to clear the debris, Hayden got some rocks in his pants. They really bothered him. Isabel giggled as she saw him trying to scratch and jiggle them out of his jeans.

Hayden uncovered a key and Isabel found a jewel, also a bag of money. She picked up everything while Hayden went to examine a suspicious wall. He found and activated a small switch which revealed a secret door. Isabel went inside.

What she found made her wince just a little bit. There was a skeleton, apparently he or she had gotten trapped inside and passed away there. This person did leave behind a pretty nice jewel. Isabel looted it off the decayed bones. Hayden had to laugh at her squeamishness getting close to the dead though.










The next area was a hallway, with just one puzzle. Hayden watched as Isabel stepped on the panel, unlocked the door and went to it. When she stepped off of the switch the door resealed itself though. Admiring her persistence, Hayden offered his help after Isabel's third attempt at trying to reach the door quicker. She was hoping speed would get her through this one.

"Maybe you should try to put something on the floor switch that won't move." Hayden suggested.

Isabel stood there for a moment dumbfounded, "Of course, why didn't I think of that?" She looked the statue next to her and said "that'll do." She pulled it onto the switch, the door unlocked for the fourth time. They both walked through.

Isabel and Hayden came to a room with multiple puzzles, though not too complicated. They both worked together to move statues onto each switch that needed them and stepping on the final panel. A set of stairs opened up in the middle of the room.


They descended into a wonderful looking maze. Unfortunately, they were way to tired to go on. Not wanting to leave, they had a problem to face. Hayden only had a tent with room for one. Isabel looked around. Right in front of them was a room that had what seemed like, another tent. She squealed at the sight of it. Her abrupt noise made Hayden jump, it had been so silent as they looked around that her small squeak sounded like a shout.

Neither really wanted to sleep alone this night, but with two one person tents they had no choice. Hayden placed his tent right at the top of the staircase, and Isabel slept down in the maze.

When they woke, they realized they did not know if it was still night, or if it was daylight. They did happen to get up at about the same time though. Hayden packed up his tent and ran down the stairs to check on his wife.


"Ugh, I did not sleep very well, this ground is hard." Isabel said to Hayden, "And I really need a shower." Hayden smiled at her and handed her a shower in a can. He had purchased them on his last trip out, thankfully he remembered to bring them this time. Isabel sighed with relief, having something to wash off with was a small miracle in a place like this. They showered together.

Going their seperate ways but staying within sight of one another, Isabel and Hayden explored the maze's every corner and crevice. They each found multiple piles of ancient coins, and treasures. Isabel found a secret door to a room filled with coins. She also found a key to another door, that door lead to a treasure chest. Hayden found a secret room as well, which had a pile of rubble in it. With clearing the rubble, Hayden found a chest beneath containing a bottle of nectar and some more ancient coins. Finally, it seemed after many many hours in the maze they found themselves together at the end of it.

Isabel and Hayden entered what seemed to be the last room. It was cluttered with tombstones and riddled with urns. This was the actual tomb. It seemed very impressive. Isabel picked up the obvious treasures and started to think about what she could do with some of the things they have found. How much money they could have from all these items.

While she was contemplating their new found wealth, Hayden explored an adjoining room. He found there a statue of a gargoyle and stashed it away for their keepsake. In the center of the room was a hole in the ground. Isabel stated with finality that she was not reaching her hand in there. Hayden laughed at her and stuck his hand into the darnkess.

They he screamed "Ooooow oh my gosh!!!"

Isabel jumped back like something was coming after her and started to yell. Then she noticed Hayden doubled over in laughter. He had tricked her. First she looked at him sternly and said that wasn't nice, but Hayden didn't stop laughing. The laughter was contagious, soon they were both hysterical.

When the giggles subsided, Isabel was finally able to tell Hayden that he really did scare her. He apologized but also said that she had the funniest expression when she got frightened. He hugged her close and kissed her.

He reached in the hole again, with all seriousness and pulled out a baseball. "This is it? This is what he wants back, this is precious? Oh well, let's go return it."



They walked out of the tomb together and returned the baseball. Gerard was very happy to have it back, though did not state why it was so important to him. Hayden and Isabel didn't ask either.

Hayden told Isabel that he was starving and asked if she wanted to get something. She nodded and admitted she was hungry as well. The local cafe was right next door. They went and ordered themselves something. During the meal they talked about the events in the tomb, and lauged together. Isabel then whispered to Hayden that she felt kind of uncomfortable at the moment because there was a man watching them eat.
They finished their meal quickly and went back to the hotel since it was getting late.










Thankful to have a bed to sleep in together, Hayden and Isabel cuddled up close. They stayed that way for hours, just talking. Then they each gave in to each other and completed their honeymoon cycle. The exhausted couple fell fast asleep after sharing pleasures.










In the morning, Hayden woke first, he showered and then went downstairs to make them some breakfast. When Isabel woke, she noticed that Hayden was gone, and without showering she ran down to find him. She smiled when she saw him cooking and sat down to wait. They ate their waffles and offered their fellow adventurers in the hotel to share some breakfast.

There was only twelve hours until their flight. Nothing else was planned for them to do, so they took this time to relax and just be with each other. Hayden lit a fire in the common room of the hotel and they both sat down to read for a while. After finishing their books, Isabel challenged Hayden to a game of chess.

Pretty soon they found themselves at the airport again this time heading for home. It had been fun, but both of them were ready for their own beds and to see the rest of the family.