by carl ashmore
Becky nodded. ‘I’m sure Uncle Percy knows what he’s doing,’ she said unconvincingly as she watched him start breakdancing.
A hush rippled through the crowd.
King Minos mounted a podium, took a mighty breath and bellowed, ‘Fair citizens of Knossos, salutations to you all! As you will have heard, Daedalus’ 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 lurks within. Today, so they inform your King, their valour, their mettle and their lethal skills will purge our great city of the dreaded horned beast that has plagued out nightmares for so long.’
King Minos sniffed scornfully. ‘These are to be our champions. Now have you ever seen a more dismal band of warriors?’
Hercules retched loudly.
King Minos pointed at Hercules and laughed wildly. ‘Witness for yourself the courage of our defenders.’ His dampening eyes returned to the crowd. ‘Anyway, I shall delay these proceedings no more. Let the - ’
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 strangely 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 DAEDALUS’ GATE!’
A dozen guards scurried to the gate, lifting an enormous iron chain off the ground. The guards heaved it tight and the gigantic 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. Trackers wear them when they go on rescue missions. It’s got all sorts of exciting stuff.’
‘What sort of stuff?’
Uncle Percy gave a mischievous grin. ‘Oh, a veritable smorgasbord of devices: K17 stun bombs, a memoraser, 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 faced 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, taking a flaming torch from a servant boy and waving merrily at the crowd. ‘Cheerio then, everyone. Have a smashing day.’ Then he turned briskly and entered the gateway.
One by one, the rest followed.
The temperature fell sharply as Becky placed her foot on the first step. She saw Uncle Percy ignite a series of torches set on the wall, which revealed hundreds of steps that led deep underground.
‘Well, thanks a bunch, white-hair,’ Theseus growled to Uncle Percy. ‘Our deaths are on your hands.’
‘Ah, don’t worry, Theseus,’ Uncle Percy said with a wink. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if you, in particular, didn’t come out of this as something of a hero.’
‘I’ll come out of this as Minotaur dung,’ Theseus replied sourly.
A few seconds later, Becky heard a shattering clang from above. Daedalus’ Gate had been closed again. She felt sick. They were off to battle the infamous Minotaur! Terrific, she thought sourly.
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 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 a glittering 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 and an animal’s head with two long, twisted horns that jutted from either temple. It was carrying 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, a gigantic bull’s head and lifeless ebony eyes.
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, grinning from ear to ear.
The group was 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 evaporated. Soon the tunnel rang with laughter.
‘See, isn’t that better,’ the Minotaur said. ‘These are for you, little lady.’ He presented the flowers to Becky.
‘Er, thank you very much,’ Becky replied.
‘My absolute 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.’ Risi
ng 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 was the sixty or so people gathered there, some basking on leather towels, others swimming in the lagoon, the rest cooking 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 Disc in a lagoon.
Edgar lowered Joe to the floor.
‘Where do you get all this?’ Uncle Percy said with amazement, nodding at the tables buckling under the weight of huge piles of food.
‘There’s a direct path to the surface,’ Edgar replied. ‘Actually, there are three paths, including one to the sea. Ionoclus, over there runs a farm on the surface so we never run short. And do you see Darius …’ He pointed at a large man whose cloth apron barely covered his generous tummy. ‘He’s an excellent chef. He’s even invented something he calls the Doner Kebab, which I am assured is an excellent delicacy following a goblet of ale. Anyway, enough of my chitter-chatter, 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 contented faces as they talked, laughed, and swapped stories, and she came to a single conclusion.
It really was the happiest of homes.
- Chapter 24 -
The Minotaurs Mark
‘Why don’t you all stay?’ Edgar said to Uncle Percy, polishing off his last baked mushroom stuffed with soft cheese. ‘It would be so much fun to have you live with us.’
‘I’m afraid we can’t,’ Uncle Percy replied.
‘But why?’ Edgar replied. ‘Your friends seem very happy.’ He pointed a giant finger at Phineus, who was swimming with two girls in the lagoon, his face beaming like a cat with a bucket of cream.
Uncle Percy smiled kindly. ‘I’m sure the Argonauts would love to stay, but I’m afraid we must move on. We’re looking for something.’
‘How exciting.’ Edgar’s eyes glistened. ‘What are you looking for?’
‘Information.’ Uncle Percy removed the Theseus Disc from his cloak.
‘Where did you get that?’ Edgar said, sounding alarmed.
‘That’s a long story,’ Uncle Percy said.
‘You know what it is?’ Becky asked Edgar.
‘Of course I do,’ Edgar wheezed, becoming more and more distressed. ‘My grandfather made it - but, how did you get it? Oh, Lordy! It’s out isn’t it? It’s free!’ His gigantic body began to tremble.
‘What’s free?’ Uncle Percy asked.
‘The dragon with nine heads. The Hy -’ His voice failed him.
‘The Hydra!’’ Joe exclaimed.
Becky shivered as she recalled her dad’s book. The Hydra was a fearsome nine-headed monster and supposed guardian of the Golden Fleece.
‘You know of the great beast?’ Edgar whimpered. ‘I thought that -’
‘Only from stories,’ Uncle Percy interrupted. ‘Listen, Edgar, it’s rather difficult to explain, but the Hydra may not be free.’
‘But this is the key.’ Edgar said, nodding at the disc. ‘Well, part of it ... ’
‘The key?’ Uncle Percy said. ‘The key to what?’
‘To the Great Gate in the Red Caves.’ Edgar struggled to find the words. ‘To the Lair of the Beast.’
Becky’s head reeled. They were getting somewhere.
‘You said it was part of a key?’ Uncle Percy said.
‘Yes,’ Edgar replied. ‘The key was forged in two parts - the disc and the Eye of the Bull. One will not work without the other.’
‘The Eye of the Bull?’
‘It is a powerful jewel,’ Edgar said. ‘The only one in existence - a Suman Stone.’
Uncle Percy turned pale. ‘A Suman Stone?’
Becky heard the shock in his voice. ‘What’s a Suman Stone?’
‘I don’t know,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘But Bernard Preston’s last words were “Find Suman”. I always assumed it was a person, but never found anyone of significance with the name. Come to think of it, do you remember the letters ‘SS’ on his note. Perhaps now we can see what he meant by them.’
‘What’s so special about the Suman Stone, Edgar?’ Joe asked Edgar.
‘It is a magical jewel, an enchanted jewel. Its power harks back to my brethren’s earliest days, in the age of the ancients. It is the stone of my people. The Minotaur’s Mark. My grandfather used it for the key because of its mystical properties. You see, when placed in the disc’s centre the two become one – metal and jewel. Only then will the Great Gate open.’
‘Tell me, Edgar,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Did your grandfather ever mention a Fleece? A Golden - ’
Before Uncle Percy could finish, Edgar made an ear splitting squeak and his thick black lips quivered. ‘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.’
‘They must not find it,’ Edgar said desperately. ‘The Fleece is a powerful object. My grandfather said that it should not be trifled with, particularly not by manfolk. That is why he hid it in the Red Caves, with the beast as its protector.’
Uncle Percy sighed. ‘I’m afraid that’s not going to happen. These men will find it, at whatever cost. That is why we are here. We intend to find it first, and - ’
Edgar’s nostrils flared the size of golf balls. ‘NO!’ he shouted. ‘You are good people. The Fleece is a bad thing! It is not for humans! Humans cannot be trusted with that much power. Humans are corruptible. Humans are -’ His eyes glistened with tears.
‘Please lower your voice,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘What I’m going to tell you now must go no further, do you understand?’
Edgar stared ahead, miserably. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout.’
‘That’s quite all right,’ Uncle Percy replied, glancing round to make sure he couldn’t be heard. Leaning forward, Uncle Percy told him everything - of the invention of time travel, of Bernard Preston’s murder, of the failed assassination attempt. He left nothing out.
Considering the remarkable nature of this information, Becky thought Edgar took it very well. He listened intently and, save for the odd gasp, whoop and whimper, digested everything.
‘So you want the Fleece so you can hide it again?’ Edgar clarified.
‘That’s right,’ Uncle Percy said.
‘But will not the protection of the Hydra be enough?’
‘I don’t think so,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘You see, in our time we have many formidable weapons. Weapons you could not begin to comprehend.’
‘But the Hydra cannot be killed by the weapons of manfolk,’ Edgar said, sounding relieved. ‘They are akin to Minotaurs. Only a weapon built by the Gods, or one forged from the metal of the motherland can kill it.’
Uncle Percy looked skeptical. ‘I don’t know about any of that. But I do know these are dangerous men we are dealing with. They will find a way to kill it.’
Edgar didn’t appear to believe him. He blew out an enormous squall of air. ‘Lordy!’ His lopsided mouth broke into a wide smile.
‘This is a lot to take in.’
Becky smiled at him. ‘We thought that, too.’
‘Please, Edgar,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Where are these Red Caves?
‘They are on the Island of Kera, many leagues from here.’
‘Could you draw us a map?’ Uncle Percy said.
‘Indeed,’ Edgar replied. ‘But you are forgetting the real problem: The Great Gate. My grandfather was the shrewdest of our kind and an extraordinary craftsman. It would be impossible to open without both pieces of the key.’ As he scanned their faces, his mighty jaws fell open and he stopped breathing.
‘What is it?’ Uncle Percy asked immediately.
Edgar didn’t reply.
‘Edgar?’
Edgar couldn’t take his eyes off Becky. ‘B-but y-you have it?’ he stammered.
‘Have what?’ Uncle Percy replied.
‘The Eye of the Bull. You already have it. But how?’
Uncle Percy’s eyes traced Edgar’s and he, too, found himself looking at Becky. ‘What do you mean?’
‘The g-girl,’ Edgar spluttered.
Becky felt confused. What was Edgar talking about? ‘I’m the Eye of the Bull?’ she said. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘Not you -’ Edgar pointed at her neck, at her lucky pendant. ‘That is the Eye of the Bull. That is the Suman Stone.’
Becky looked down. The pendant’s stone shed a soft green reflection across her neck.
At once, for each of them, a heavy mist lifted. All recent events clicked into place: the break-in at Bowen Hall; Jason’s orders to abduct her.
Someone wanted her lucky pendant.
A pendant she had owned since she was seven years of age – a pendant given to her by her late father.
- Chapter 25 -
Uncle Percy’s Wish
Becky’s fingers trembled as she traced the central stone. How could it be part of the search for the Golden Fleece? It was just a worthless trinket she’d been given for coming last in a particularly aggressive egg and spoon race. ‘You’re mistaken.’
Edgar stared fixedly at the necklace. ‘The Suman Stone is the stone of my ancestors. There is no mistake. Where did you get it?’
