The Time Hunters and the Sword of Ages

by carl ashmore

  From his blank expression it was clear Joe had no intention of discussing the matter further. ‘Cheers for that, Tuck,’ he said, taking the friar’s arm and leading him to the door. ‘We’re a bit shattered, so we’ll see you in the morning. Make sure you don’t fall down the stairs.’

  ‘Aye, my fair prince.’ Tuck patted Joe’s hand and stumbled out the room.

  Joe hadn’t even made it to the bed when a chorus of loud bangs and a single loud shriek sounded below.

  ‘I did warn him,’ Joe said, shaking his head.

  ‘You don’t think he’s hurt, do you?’

  ‘Nah,’ Joe replied. ‘With all that padding, I’m surprised he didn’t bounce right back up here.’

  Becky smiled. She watched Joe join her on the bed. ‘Anyway, how’re you feeling … my fair prince?’

  ‘I’m okay,’ Joe replied. But if you call me that again I swear you won’t be…’

  ‘Why?’ Becky replied playfully. ‘Will you send me to the tallest tower in the tallest castle and have my head cut off?’

  ‘I just might…’ Joe paused, and for the first time in hours a twinkle flashed in his eye. ‘Actually, maybe I should stop stressing about all of this and just go with it. After all, with King Richard gone, I’m next in line to the throne of England. Maybe I should be King … it could be a right giggle.’

  ‘A giggle?’ Becky snorted. ‘How could it possibly be a giggle?’

  Joe looked deadly serious. ‘Yeah, think about it ... I could do whatever I wanted and no one could stop me.’

  ‘And what would you want to do?’

  ‘Dunno,’ Joe replied, thinking hard for a moment. ‘If I fancied a holiday, I could just raise an army, invade Spain, seize a castle with a private beach and there you go … free all-inclusive accommodation.’

  ‘I think some people might have a problem with that,’ Becky said.

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Err, the Spanish.’

  ‘It’d only be for a few weeks.’

  ‘Doesn’t matter … working on your tan would probably start a massive war!’

  Joe flicked his hand dismissively. ‘I doubt it.’

  ‘That’s what tends to happen when one country invades another.’

  ‘Well there are lots of other things I’d do if I were King.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘Err, make it a two day school week.’

  ‘It’s the twelfth century. I don’t think they have schools.’

  ‘Even better,’ Joe replied. ‘I’d ban sprouts, runner beans, rhubarb, and carrot sticks.’

  Becky laughed. ‘What’s wrong with carrot sticks?’

  ‘I don’t like carrot sticks,’ Joe replied. ‘I’d also make Meat and Potato Pie the national dish.’ His brow creased as he continued, ‘I’d ban rugby, detentions, chavs, salted popcorn, power walking, novelty slippers, traffic wardens, bullies, bobble hats and beards. Oh, and I’d make sure all Man United supporters were put in stocks for everyone to throw rotten veg at.’

  ‘Again, it’s the twelfth century, Joe. Football hasn’t been invented yet.’

  ‘Then I’d invent it,’ Joe replied. ‘I’d also invent skateboards, hot dogs, mars bars, microwavable rice and wotsits.’

  ‘Microwavable rice?’ Becky spluttered. ‘There’s no electricity, never mind microwave ovens.’

  ‘I’d invent electricity.’

  ‘And how would you go about that?’

  Joe opened his mouth to reply, but closed it again almost immediately. ‘I’ve not really thought it through.’

  ‘You do say.’

  ‘Anyway, with all these ace ideas I’d definitely go down in history as the best king ever.’

  ‘Or the dumbest.’

  ‘Perhaps,’ Joe grinned. ‘But either way I’d be remembered.’

  ‘And probably murdered about a week into your glorious reign.’

  ‘Maybe,’ Joe yawned. ‘Well, I need some sleep, so night night, peasant.’

  ‘Good night, Prince Charmless.’

  Joe turned over and closed his eyes.

  Becky stood up and extinguished the candles before returning to bed. It didn’t take long before Joe’s snores vanquished all other sound. She turned over and stared at him. A ribbon of silvery moonlight fell on his face. She had a sudden urge to hold him, to kiss him – he’d been so fearless, so courageous - but she knew if he awoke she would never hear the end of it. Instead, she just lay there in silence, watching his chest rise and fall in a steady rhythm, all the while unable to shake the feeling more trouble lurked just around the corner.

  And if that were the case, if trouble did find them again, there was one thing she felt certain about: she and Joe would deal with it together, unified as one, inseparable to the end.

  As a brother and sister should …

  Chapter 25

  Dreams Never End

  The next thing Becky knew her surroundings had changed.

  She was walking down a narrow footpath in the dead of night, rain hammering the ground, forming deep puddles that gleamed gold, reflecting light from a single streetlamp. A ruthless wind wrestled the trees that flanked the roadside. She felt alone, frightened, until a soft voice met her ears.

  ‘Not far to the car now, Becky.’

  Feeling a hand squeeze hers, Becky glanced up to see her mother smiling down at her. ‘Yes, mummy,’ she replied in a high-pitched voice that didn’t quite seem her own.

  ‘And your father’s on his way.’ Mrs Mellor sighed. ‘I don’t know, why do we always seem to break down when I’m driving? I must be cursed.’

  ‘You’re unlucky, and – ’

  A stomach-churning roar cut short Becky’s words. Horror-struck, Becky looked back. Two silvery orbs materialised through the blackness. She was in no doubt about it: they were eyes. The monster had found them again.

  ‘Mummy … RUN!’ she screamed.

  They ran.

  Terror flooding her, Becky glanced back again. A giant black cat, as big as a car, was powering towards them, its toxic breath thickening the air in clouds.

  At once, Becky knew they didn’t stand a chance.

  With a further roar, the cat’s jaws stretched open, its curved teeth gleaming like barbed steel. And then, claws extended, it pounced …

  Becky screamed.

  Suddenly, her body was shaking wildly. Hands gripped her shoulders, followed by the sound of another voice.

  ‘Becky … Wake up!’

  Becky’s eyes shot open. Leaping up with a start, her face damp with sweat, she saw Joe staring back at her, alarmed.

  ‘You had a nightmare,’ he said. ‘Are you okay?’

  ‘Yeah,’ Becky said, calming herself.

  ‘What was it about?’ Joe said. ‘You were well freaked.’

  ‘It’s just this weird dream I get every now and again,’ Becky replied. ‘I’ve had it a few times this year. Mum and me are being attacked by a monster - this massive black cat – and, well, that’s it really. It’s not like a normal dream though … it’s always so real.’

  Joe gave an empty smile. ‘We’re a right couple of basket cases, aren’t we?’

  ‘I s’pose so,’ Becky replied. ‘What time d’you think it is?’

  ‘Dunno, two … three.’

  ‘Then we’d better get some more sleep,’ Becky said. ‘Something tells me we’re going to need it.’

  ‘Okay,’ Joe replied. ‘But gimme a shout if Hello Kitty attacks you again.’

  Becky curled up beneath the blanket. ‘My hero…’ she mumbled.

  Becky woke to find the bedroom bathed in the first rays of morning. At once, all the previous night’s revelations returned to her. She felt nauseous. Sitting up, she saw Joe was already out of bed. Searching his face, she saw dark circles beneath his eyes, the whites of which were inflamed. She knew straightaway he’d barely slept. ‘Hiya.’

  ‘Hi.’

  ‘Did you actually get any sleep?’

  ‘Not much.’

  J
ust then, two sharp knocks rattled the door. Uncle Percy walked in. ‘Good morning, all.’

  Becky could see from the lifeless pallor of Uncle Percy’s skin that Joe wasn’t the only one suffering from lack of sleep.

  ‘We’re leaving for Scotland in about half an hour,’ Uncle Percy said.

  ‘How’s Lady Anne?’ Becky asked.

  ‘She’s still with us, if that’s what you mean,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘Please don’t feel too sad for her. She’s lived a very good life, she’s well loved, and she’s ready for what’s to follow.’

  ‘Are Tuck and Marian coming to Scotland?’ Becky asked.

  ‘Tuck’s joining us,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘Marian’s staying here with Lady Anne.’ His eyes found Joe’s. ‘And how are you today, young man?’

  ‘Sound.’ Joe’s blunted tone made it clear he had no wish to discuss the night before.

  ‘Very well,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘I’ll see you downstairs.’ And with that, he turned and left the room.

  Becky climbed out of bed. She pulled a comb from her pocket and began to untangle her hair. ‘I feel rank,’ she said. ‘What I wouldn’t give for a hot bath, a face pack and some conditioner.’

  ‘You’re such a girl.’

  Becky gaped at him, bewildered. ‘And is that supposed to be an insult or are you just demonstrating your powers of observation?’

  Joe changed the subject quickly. ‘I’m starving.’

  ‘Great comeback,’ Becky said sarcastically. ‘But I must admit I’m – ’ Just then, a strange, familiar sensation swept the crown of her skull.

  A sensation she’d not experienced for some time.

  And then the scene before her changed again. No longer was she in the bedroom at Wulvern House, she was somewhere different entirely.

  And furthermore she knew it wasn’t a dream.

  She was wide-awake.

  This was really happening.

  Jungle surrounded her on all sides. Great trees speared the sky, their branches ringing with the discordant chatter of monkeys. Sweat clung to her body like glue, making it difficult to move. To her right, she heard an eager voice.

  ‘We must be close!’ Joe gasped, pointing ahead.

  Bewildered, Becky trailed his finger. What she saw made her jaw plunge to her collarbone. A giant golden statue of a king sitting on a lavish throne surfaced from the thick undergrowth. The king wore an ornate headdress, his eyes gazing down with awe at an object cupped in his hands.

  Another voice floated on the heavy air. ‘I think you’re right, Joe.’

  Becky glanced left to see Uncle Percy dabbing his brow with a silk handkerchief, a wide smile curled on his mouth.

  ‘Is that – is that solid gold?’ Joe asked, nodding at the statue.

  ‘Unquestionably,’ Uncle Percy replied.

  Becky heard Joe’s voice again. But this time it seemed distant, far away … and it wasn’t just him speaking – he was shouting. And he sounded terrified.

  ‘UNCLE PERCY … WILL … IT’S BECKY! GET UP HERE NOW!’

  As the words bounced off the insides of Becky’s skull, the jungle, the statue vanished, replaced by the bedroom at Wulvern House and the sight of Joe’s anxious face.

  ‘Becks, are you okay?’ Joe asked, his voice shaking.

  ‘Err, yeah.’

  ‘What the hell’s going on?’ Joe said, studying her closely. ‘You had one of those weird moments again. Your eyes went white, your skin changed. It was just like when you first got your googly powers.’

  Becky didn’t have time to reply when Uncle Percy and Will burst through the door.

  ‘What is it, Joe?’ Uncle Percy asked, anxiously.

  ‘It’s nothing.’

  ‘But we heard you shouting.’

  ‘Everything’s okay now,’ Joe replied. ‘It was Becky. Remember how she used to freak out when she first got her powers … how she turned into that demon witch type thingy with creepy white eyes and pale skin? Well … she just did it again.’

  Uncle Percy looked stunned. He stared anxiously at Becky. ‘You did?’

  ‘He’s exaggerating,’ Becky replied.

  ‘I bloody well am not,’ Joe replied resolutely. ‘You looked like something in a horror movie. A zombie queen or summat…’

  ‘I did not look like a zombie queen.’

  ‘You didn’t see yourself,’ Joe replied. ‘Seriously, Uncle Percy, she was the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.’

  ‘Err, shut your gob!’ Becky barked. She turned to Uncle Percy, her eyes pleading for sympathy. ‘Something happened … something strange. I did have one of those … moments.’

  ‘Was it your telekinesis?’

  ‘No, it was something else.’ Becky paused. She struggled to mouth the next words. ‘I saw something … I can’t explain it.’

  ‘What did you see?’

  ‘We were in a jungle,’ Becky replied. ‘Like the one they use in ‘I’m a Celebrity.’

  ‘I’m a celebrity what?’ Uncle Percy asked, clearly with no idea to what she was talking about.

  ‘It’s a TV show. It doesn’t matter,’ Becky replied. ‘But it was a really dense jungle, like the ones on documentaries about the Amazon rainforest.’

  Uncle Percy nodded. ‘Okay, so who was in the jungle?’

  ‘I only saw you, Joe and me. It only lasted a few seconds. Anyway, we were in this jungle and we came across this massive golden statue … a statue of a king or something. I think he was sitting on a throne and holding something. I’m not sure what. But that was it really. Then suddenly it all disappeared and I was back here … with Joe.’

  Uncle Percy glanced at Will and the two of them shared a strange look.

  ‘Uncle Percy,’ Becky said in a quiet voice. What’s happening to me?’

  Uncle Percy looked miserable. ‘Nothing I don’t think has happened before, Becky.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘If you want my honest opinion,’ Uncle Percy replied with a sigh. ‘I think you’ve seen the future…’

  Chapter 26

  Past, Present and Future

  ‘What do you mean “seen the future?”’ Becky panted.

  ‘I mean precisely that,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘Unless I’m very much mistaken, we find ourselves in that jungle standing before that golden statue at some point in the near future. I think you’ve had a premonition of sorts.’

  ‘What are you saying?’

  ‘I think it’s entirely possible that, along with your telekinesis, you’re developing another power – that of precognition.’

  ‘Precognition?’

  ‘The ability to see the future.’

  Becky looked over at Joe, who looked equally shaken. ‘What?’ she spluttered. ‘Why d’you say that? I have one little episode and suddenly I’m Mystic Meg?’

  Uncle Percy looked dispirited. ‘It’s not just the one little episode though, is it?’

  ‘It is. I think I’d know if I’d had one before.’

  ‘What about that incident in King Minos’ throne room last summer?’ Uncle Percy said. ‘You claimed to see a hooded man in the far room, and you were adamant it was me. However, no one else saw him … do you remember?’

  ‘Yes,’ Becky replied. ‘And I was right. It was you.’

  ‘Yes. I was on my way to rescue Pegasus. However, and bear with me because this explanation is quite complex, I think the vision you had of me wasn’t one occurring in that present. And that’s the reason Joe, Will or I didn’t see what you saw. I believe what you saw was a vision of me in the future. Forty seven minutes into the future to be precise.’

  In truth, Becky had forgotten all about the strange incident in King Minos’ throne room, but there was something about Uncle Percy’s logic that made her think he might be right. ‘How can you be so exact?’

  ‘Because that’s how far ahead I set my portavella to give me enough time to do what I had to do to rescue Pegasus,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘Think about it, it’s just not feasible I would set
it to the moment we were standing in the throne room - I could’ve easily been captured at any time. No, I purposely set it forty-seven minutes later, because I knew by that point King Minos and his guards would’ve proceeded to the Central Court to prepare for the opening of Daedalus’ Gate.’ He threw her a sympathetic smile. ‘I’m sorry, Becky, but I’m certain I’m right.’ He fell silent. ‘And there’s something else … ’

  ‘What?’ Becky asked, suddenly worried.

  ‘Let’s just say your vision doesn’t exactly surprise me.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  Uncle Percy sat down next to her on the bed. His face looked drawn and weary. ‘I’ve never told you this … but I knew someone who developed telekinetic powers as you have. Some time later, she too experienced precognitive imageries.’

  Becky was stunned to silence. ‘Who was she?’ she asked in a whisper.

  ‘Do you remember I once told you about a tutor of mine and the inventor of the first time machine, Henry Locket – well, it was Henry’s wife, Hilary. A truly kind and gentle lady.’

  ‘Do you think I could talk to her?’ Becky asked. ‘I mean, maybe she can help me get my head around all of this.’

  ‘I’m afraid Hilary passed away a long time ago.’

  ‘We could go back in time and see her. I mean, when we get back to our time.’

  ‘I don’t think that would be a good idea,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘The fact is Hilary was always - shall we say … uncomfortable with her gifts.’

  ‘I know how she felt,’ Becky replied. She paused before speaking in a fragile voice, ‘I don’t want to see the future, Uncle Percy. That scares me more than anything else I can think of. And I’m already a freak, I can’t handle getting freakier.’

  Uncle Percy slid his hand into Becky’s. ‘You’re not a freak, my dear. You’re exceptional.’

  ‘But I don’t want to be exceptional,’ Becky replied. ‘I want to be normal.’

  But Joe had had enough. ‘Are you bloody kidding me?’ he blustered. ‘This is the best news we’ve had in ages. Stop being such a mardy bum, Becks.’

  ‘Not now, Joe,’ Uncle Percy said firmly.