The Time Hunters (Book 1 of the acclaimed series for children of all ages)

by carl ashmore

  Becky’s angry voice filled the room. ‘HOW DARE YOU!’

  ‘What?’ King Minos replied with a mixture of surprise and amusement.

  Uncle Percy held up his hand, gesturing her to stay silent.

  She ignored him. ‘HOW DARE YOU TALK OF CLIPPING HER WINGS! AND DON’T DRAG HER LIKE THAT, YOU’RE SCARING HER.’

  ‘Are you really addressing me in such a manner, child?’ King Minos said, his voice rising.

  ‘Yes, I am,’ Becky said. ‘Shame on you! Some King you are -’

  King Minos glared at her. ‘SILENCE!’

  ‘Quiet, Becky.’ Uncle Percy.

  Becky looked desperately at her Uncle. ‘But -’

  And for the first time, Uncle Percy raised his voice to her. ‘BECKY, ENOUGH!’

  Becky was about to object, but her uncle’s angry tone and a sharp shake of his head made her think otherwise.

  ‘Muzzle the child,’ King Minos roared at Uncle Percy. ‘If she speaks again, I will have your heads where you stand.’ With an angry breath, King Minos returned to his throne. ‘Castor,’ he snapped. ‘Take the beast to the Hall of the Colonnades.’

  The boy nodded dutifully. He dragged Pegasus through the rear door and into the far room. The small horse arched its head sadly towards Becky and then disappeared.

  Becky boiled with anger. Then, as she stared at the spot where Pegasus had stood, something very strange happened. She experienced a very strange sensation, as if a droplet of water had trickled onto the top of her head, then she saw something move in the opposite room - a cloaked man, his back pressed against the wall, his hooded face twisted left and right as if watchful of an unseen enemy. She blinked to double-check, but the man had gone. The strange sensation had gone too. She turned to Joe, then Will, and finally Uncle Percy, but their faces were as expressionless. Even though they were looking in the same direction, they hadn’t seen a thing.

  How could they not see him? The man was right in front of them.

  Becky was baffled now.

  Meanwhile, King Minos continued his rant. ‘Now, look what you’ve done. You have vanquished my fine humour.’ He huffed loudly. ‘Very well, face the Minotaur … Helladius, make an announcement in the marketplace, Daedelus’ Gate is to be opened. Now … Get them out of my sight!’

  ‘Weapons,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘We’ll need weapons.’

  The King hesitated. ‘Very well, Helladius, arm them. I will join you at the Gate in one hour. Now … leave me.’

  ‘I trust you know what you’re doing?’ Will whispered to Uncle Percy as they left the Throne room.

  ‘Haven’t the foggiest,’ Uncle Percy whispered back.

  All the while, as a much happier Helladius led them through the Corridor of Processions, Becky’s eyes remained fixed upon her Uncle. Eventually he noticed and said, ‘Is something the matter, Becky?’

  ‘It’s nothing,’ she said, looking away.

  ‘Something happened in there, didn’t it?’ Uncle Percy probed, lowering his voice so the Argonauts were out of earshot. ‘Something you can’t explain?’

  ‘Why’d you say that?’ Becky said. ‘Did you see something?’

  ‘No,’ he replied. ‘But I saw your face.’

  Becky sighed. ‘I thought I saw something in the far room.’

  ‘What?’

  Becky’s face creased. She knew her suspicions were unbelievable, but then the unbelievable had become commonplace lately.

  ‘Well, at first, I thought I saw - well – you.’

  ‘I think he was with us,’ Joe mocked.

  ‘I know he was, Dimpling,’ Becky snapped.

  ‘Let your sister speak, Joe.’

  Becky faced her uncle and said, ‘I mean … another you! ’

  ‘Another me?’ Uncle Percy replied.

  ‘Yes, or -’ Becky said, ‘- or someone that looked like you. I mean, whoever it was wore a hood, I didn’t see their face, but - well, it was either you - or -’ Becky paused, ‘- can I ask you something?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Your brother,’ Becky said quietly. ‘Was he a time traveller, too?’

  ‘Yes.’ An odd expression crossed his face. ‘But he’s dead.’

  ‘But so was Bernard Preston, yet he was here an hour ago.’

  ‘True. Perhaps your mysterious stranger was Bernard, then?’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ Becky said assuredly. ‘No, the more I think about it, the more I’m certain it was you.’

  ‘Or maybe you’re just seeing things?’ Joe said.

  Becky cast him an angry look. ‘Why don’t you just go and eat your own bum!’

  Uncle Percy frowned. ‘What a delightful image,’ he said with distaste. ‘Anyway, Becky, why did you think it was me?’

  ‘The same thing that made her convinced she saw George Clooney in Kebabland last year,’ Joe sneered.

  ‘Will you … SHUT UP!’ She turned and looked at her uncle. ‘I don’t know, it just felt like you. It was actually the strangest feeling I’ve ever had, like - ’

  ‘Like you had when you saw George?’ Joe interrupted. A moment later, he nursed a very sore arm.

  Becky never did finish the sentence.

  Chapter 14

  Edgar

  Thirty minutes later, Becky stood before a huge iron gate in the Central Court. The gate merged into solid rock behind them. Will stood to her right, fully armed with a sword, bow, and a quiver of arrows. Thousands of eager eyes watched them as if lined in a bizarre beauty pageant. Word had travelled fast that Daedelus’ Gate would be opened.

  Uncle Percy had obviously decided to not go quietly either. Waving madly at the crowd, he acted like a very desperate, aged rock star, trying unsuccessfully to start a Mexican wave and, every now and again, launching into a dance routine that looked suspiciously like the hokey cokey.

  ‘What’s he got to be in such a good mood about? Joe whispered to Becky. ‘If this Minotaur is as vicious as everyone tells us then what chance do we have?’ He looked at the Argonauts and sighed. Phineus looked deathly white; Theseus stared blankly at the ground; Jason looked as though he’d wet himself, and Hercules had just vomited for the fourth time in as many minutes. ‘Let’s face it … they’re a waste of space.’

  Becky nodded. ‘I’m sure Uncle Percy knows what he’s doing,’ she said as he broke into an Irish jig.

  A hush rippled through the crowd. King Minos mounted a podium. ‘FAIR CITIZENS OF KNOSSOS, SALUTATIONS TO YOU ALL! AS YOU WILL HAVE HEARD, DAEDELUS’ GATE IS TO BE OPENED.’ The crowd roared with pleasure. ‘THESE EIGHT PRISONERS WILL ENTER THE MAZE OF KYROS TO FACE THE GREAT BEAST THAT RESIDES WITHIN. TODAY, SO THEY INFORM YOUR KING, THEIR VALOUR, THEIR METTLE AND THEIR LETHAL SKILLS WILL PURGE OUR CITY OF THE DREADED HORNED BEAST THAT HAS PLAGUED OUR NIGHTMARES FOR SO LONG.’ King Minos snorted. ‘THESE ARE TO BE OUR CHAMPIONS? HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A MORE DISMAL BAND OF WARRIORS?’

  Hercules threw up again.

  ‘ANYWAY, I SHALL DELAY THE PROCEEDINGS NO MORE…LET THE SPECTACLE - ’

  His speech was interrupted by a distant snapping noise, like a popped balloon. Slivers of silvery smoke billowed out from a window in the west wing of the Palace. A collective gasp echoed through the courtyard.

  Becky glanced at Uncle Percy, as a curiously satisfied expression crossed his face.

  King Minos huffed. ‘Is that a fire?’ he snarled at the guard on his right. ‘Put it out and find out who’s responsible. I want them flogged. DO NOT FRET, GOOD PEOPLE,’ he yelled, even louder than before. ‘THE MATTER IS IN HAND.’ He waited until all eyes returned to him. ‘WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET THE SPECTACLE COMMENCE … OPEN DAEDELUS’ GATE!’

  A dozen guards scurried to the gate, lifting a heavy chain off the ground. The guards heaved it and the massive gate inched open.

  Becky whispered in Uncle Percy’s ear, ‘Promise me, whatever’s in there won’t eat us.’

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘If the Minotaur exists it will rue the day it messed with us
.’

  ‘Why do you say that?’ Becky asked.

  ‘Because I have a Tracker Pack strapped to my chest!’

  Becky remembered the bumps and bulges under his tunic. ‘A what?’

  ‘A Tracker Pack. It’s worn by Trackers when they go on rescue missions. It’s got all sorts of exciting stuff.’

  ‘What sort of stuff?’

  Uncle Percy grinned. ‘A range of devices - K17 stun bombs, memorasers, squid grenades, spatial vaporisers, smoke pellets, a temporaliser and suction balls. I’m positively a lethal weapon.’

  ‘You have bombs strapped to your chest?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘W-what if you went off?’

  ‘Well, then none of us have to worry about being eaten, that’s for sure?’

  Becky regretted asking.

  The hum from the crowd rose to fever pitch as King Minos turned to the prisoners. ‘You will now enter the Maze of Kyros, and may the fortune of Hermes shine upon you.’

  ‘Thank you, so much.’ Uncle Percy said. A servant boy passed him a torch and he waved at the crowd. ‘Cheerio.’ Then he turned briskly and entered the gateway. One by one, the rest followed.

  As Becky placed her foot on the first step, she saw Uncle Percy light a series of torches fixed on the wall, revealing hundreds of steps which led deep underground.

  ‘Well, thanks a bunch, white-hair,’ Theseus growled to Uncle Percy. ‘Our deaths are on your hands.’

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Uncle Percy said. You’ll come out of this as heroes.’

  ‘We’ll come out of this as Minotaur dung,’ Theseus replied.

  They heard a loud clang from above. Daedelus’ Gate had been closed again. By the time, they reached the final step they were at least two hundred feet below ground. It was damp, musty and very cold.

  ‘It must lead under the Grey Mountains,’ Uncle Percy whispered.

  Becky didn’t care where it led.

  Five minutes passed and Becky found Arthur Evans’ words ringing in her head. “I found a remarkable tunnel that connects the city of Knossos to the Aegean Sea.” Hope filled her. Perhaps they would just walk to the sea without incident; perhaps there would be no Minotaur at all. Then, just as she began to relax, she heard a rumbling sound, as if the tunnel walls had woken from a heavy sleep. The group froze. Hercules squeaked.

  They were not alone.

  *

  Becky watched as Uncle Percy reached into the folds of his tunic. He pulled out two tiny objects, no bigger than marbles. Will loaded an arrow and aimed into the darkness. The noise rumbled through the tunnel again. Becky felt her stomach flip.

  Uncle Percy pointed the torch ahead. The light showed the tunnel forked right; whatever was coming was round the corner.

  WUMP. WUMP.

  They were footsteps. Becky felt sure of that. Heavy footsteps. Just how big was this creature? Then she saw shimmering orange light. Will pulled back the bowstring and took aim.

  WUMP.

  Becky muffled a scream as a very definite silhouette swelled on the far wall. The Minotaur did exist. The outline was clear: an enormous human body, an animal’s head with two long, twisted horns jutting from either temple. It carried something in each of its massive hands.

  The Minotaur turned the corner and drew to a halt. It was colossal - at least fifteen feet tall, with a muscular physique and a massive bull’s head with a long black snout. Its lifeless ebony eyes bore down on them.

  Frozen, Becky watched the Minotaur approach - in its mighty grip, a flaming torch and a bunch of flowers.

  A bunch of flowers?

  ‘Good afternoon,’ the Minotaur said. And, as far as Becky could make out, he broke out into a wide, toothy grin.

  The group were stunned to silence. The Minotaur moved forward. Suddenly his footsteps didn’t seem as loud or scary. ‘Oh, please, do lower your weapons.’ He spoke softly, rather like a well-mannered country vicar. ‘What’s the matter with you lot, anyway? Never seen a giant with a bull’s head before?’ He let out a belly laugh. At once, the tension of the moment disappeared. Soon the tunnel filled with laughter. ‘See, isn’t that better?’ he asked kindly. ‘These are for you, little lady.’ He bowed down and presented the flowers to Becky.

  ‘Er, thank you very much.’

  ‘My pleasure.’ The Minotaur resumed his full height. ‘First of all, I’d like to welcome you to my home. It’s not much but we like it. I do so hope you do too. Anyway, I’m Edgar.’

  A long pause followed. Everyone stared at each other with astonishment.

  Uncle Percy stepped forward. ‘Thank you, Edgar, we’re delighted to be here. My name is Percy Halifax, this is my niece, Becky, my nephew, Joe, my friend, Will, and these are the Argonauts: Phineus, Jason, Hercules and Theseus.’

  ‘Welcome,’ Edgar said. ‘I’m dreadful with names, but please give me time. I’m not a completely mindless Minotaur.’ Edgar let out another very loud chuckle. ‘Now, you must all be ravenous? We’re just about to have a spot of afternoon tea. It would be an honour if you’d join us.’

  ‘We?’ Uncle Percy said.

  ‘Yes,’ Edgar said. ‘My friends and I. I’m sure they’ll be keen to meet you. Now, personally, I’m a vegetarian, but there’s plenty of meat for those that prefer it. Anyone hungry?’

  ‘I’m starving,’ Joe said.

  ‘Terrific,’ Edgar replied. ‘Now, it is a bit of a hike so would anyone care for a piggy-back?’

  ‘I will,’ Joe said eagerly.

  ‘Excellent!’ Edgar beamed. ‘Climb aboard, then.’ And the Minotaur sank to his knees and lifted Joe on to his shoulders. ‘Just hold on to the horns. And mind your head.’ Rising to his feet, he traced his own steps back into the tunnel.

  Becky breathed a sigh of relief and watched as Joe bobbed up and down. The infamous Minotaur, the scourge of Knossos was, in reality, nothing more than an oversized teddy-bear, with sparkling black eyes and a temperament to match.

  *

  They walked for a further fifteen minutes with Edgar leading the way, when they came to an abrupt halt, their mouths all falling open at the same time.

  ‘Welcome to our home,’ Edgar announced proudly.

  A gobsmacked Becky stared at a gigantic cavern with a lagoon in its centre. Enormous stalactites, of every colour, hung from the ceiling like chandeliers, nearly touching the surface of the clear, green water. But the most surprising thing were the sixty or so people gathered there, some basking on leather towels, others swimming in the lagoon, whilst a few played musical instruments and the rest cooked food on an open fire. She knew at once these were the warriors dispatched to kill the Minotaur, the human sacrifices sent into the Labyrinth. They had chosen to stay and formed a community. A community dedicated to relaxation and pleasure.

  Becky remembered something else: Arthur Evans found the Theseus Disk in a lagoon.

  Edgar lowered Joe to the floor.

  ‘Where do you get all this?’ Uncle Percy said, nodding at the tables buckling under the weight of huge piles of food.

  ‘There’s a direct path to the surface,’ Edgar replied, grinning. ‘Actually, there are three paths, including one to the sea. Ionoclus, over there runs a farm on the surface so we’re well catered for. Would you like to eat now?’

  ‘Please,’ Joe replied.

  And eat they did. Course after course, with every taste catered for.

  Halfway through the meal, Becky scanned the mass of happy faces as they ate, laughed, and shared stories. It really was the happiest of homes.

  *

  ‘Why don’t you stay, all of you?’ Edgar said, eating an enormous baked mushroom stuffed with garlic and soft cheese.

  ‘I’m afraid we can’t,’ Uncle Percy replied.

  ‘But why?’ Edgar said. ‘Your friends seem so happy.’ He pointed at Phineus swimming with two girls in the lagoon, his face beaming like a cat with a bucket of cream.

  Uncle Percy smiled. ‘I’m sure the Argonauts would love to stay, but I’m afraid we mus
t move on. We’re looking for something.’

  ‘How exciting.’ Edgar’s eyes glistened. ‘What are you looking for?’

  ‘Information.’ Uncle Percy took the Theseus Disk from his cloak.

  ‘Where did you get that?’ Edgar said, sounding alarmed.

  ‘That’s a long story,’ Uncle Percy said, noting the anxiety in Edgar’s voice. ‘But you know what it is?’

  ‘Of course, I do,’ the Minotaur replied, becoming more distressed. ‘My grandfather made it - but, how did you -? Oh, Lordy! It’s out isn’t it? It’s free!’ His massive body started to quiver.

  ‘What’s free?’ Uncle Percy asked.

  ‘The dragon with nine heads. The Hy -’ His voice failed him.

  ‘The Hydra?’ Uncle Percy interjected.

  Becky shivered as she remembered her dad’s book. The Hydra was a nine-headed monster and supposed protector of the Golden Fleece. Uncle Percy turned quite pale.

  ‘You know of it?’ Edgar whimpered. ‘I thought that -’

  ‘Only from stories. Listen, Edgar -’ Uncle Percy composed himself ‘- it’s rather difficult to explain, but the Hydra may not be free. ’

  ‘But this is the key.’ Edgar said, pointing to the disk. ‘Well, part of it ... ’

  ‘The key?’ Uncle Percy said. ‘The key to what?’

  ‘To the Great Gate in the Red Caves. To the Lair of the Beast.’

  ‘You said it was part of a key?’ Uncle Percy said.

  ‘Yes,’ Edgar replied. ‘The key was forged in two parts - the disk and the Eye of the Bull. One will not work without the other.’

  ‘The Eye of the Bull?’

  ‘It is a powerful jewel,’ Edgar explained. ‘The only one in existence - a Suman Stone. When placed in the centre of the disk they fuse as one. Only then can the Great Gate be opened.’

  ‘Tell me, Edgar,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Did your Grandfather ever mention a Fleece? A Golden - ’

  Before Uncle Percy could finish, however, Edgar made an ear-splitting, squeak, his thick lips trembling. ‘You know of the Great Fleece? I thought that my brothers and I were the only ones who knew...’

  Uncle Percy looked grave. ‘No, there are others. And they are searching for it.’