by carl ashmore
Chapter 24
Midnight in the Morning Room
Climbing out of the mine, Becky dusted herself down, relishing the taste of the fresh, pure air on her lips. The sun was sinking fast, leaving an orange tinged sky stippled with feathery clouds of deep crimson. For a moment, she pushed all emotions aside and savoured the view. Bruce appeared at her shoulder.
‘Some folk say Arizona dusks are as pretty as a bouncin’ baby.’
Becky nodded. ‘It’s spectacular.’
Joe didn’t even stop to look. ‘A sky’s a sky, Becks. Stop bein’ a wuss.'
Becky shook her head and followed him into the campervan.
As they waited for Uncle Percy to enter coordinates into the chronalometer, Joe nudged Becky and said, ‘D’you know what’s just occurred to me?’
‘That you’re a dweeb?’
Joe ignored her. ‘Clint Calhoune and his bullyboys have now got more than just a vase for company on Pop off Island … They’ve got a monster that likes to rip heads off, too…’
His subsequent laughter was masked by the loud bang of their departure from the Old West. Materialising in the Time Room, Becky threw open the campervan door and leapt out, delighted to be back in the twenty first century.
Barbie soared down from the viewing platform. ‘I’m delighted you’re all back safe and sound. Did you get the strongbox?’
‘We did, Miss Barbie,’ Kenneth said, leaping out and smiling. ‘And thank you for welcoming us back so graciously.’
‘I didn’t mean you so much.’
Kenneth’s face dropped.
Joe slung his arm around the little robot. ‘Barbie, you’ve gotta stop giving Kenny boy such a hard time. He’s awesome. Simple as. You should have seen him batter the Mogollon Monster.’
‘The what?’
‘This ape-like troll we came across in the Dutchman’s Mine. It was three times as big as him and he lobbed it aside like an empty can of coke.’
‘He is programmed for combat,’ Barbie replied stuffily. ‘I’m not going to congratulate him for that in the same way I wouldn’t congratulate a kettle for boiling water.’
‘That’s up to you,’ Joe replied with a dismissive flick of his hand. ‘Zammo aside, Ken’s my best mate.’ He turned to Kenneth. ‘And if she doesn’t know a good thing when she sees one, Kenny Boy, my mum’s got a well fit Dyson hoover that might be right up your street.’
Kenneth laughed. ‘Thank you, young sir. But I believe it’s best I direct my energies away from matters of the heart and concentrate on other things. Miss Barbie has made up her mind, and that’s her prerogative, so I think it’s best for everyone if I move on now.’
‘Stop being so sensitive,’ Barbie said, her tone slightly different. She paused and gave a little bow. ‘And I do forget my manners on occasion, Kenneth, so thank you very much for saving their lives. You’ve done very well.’
Kenneth beamed.
‘Now that’s more like it,’ Joe said. ‘Now come on … give him a kiss.’
‘I shall not.’
‘I think that’s enough silliness for now,’ Uncle Percy said, walking over to a table and laying down the strongbox. ‘And, Joe, I thought you were desperate to open this box?’
Everyone joined him at the table, eyes wide with anticipation.
‘Kenneth,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Could you translate the word Carew into Old Chinese for me and see if it opens the wordlock?’
‘Certainly, sir,’ Kenneth replied, reaching over and carefully rotating the Chinese symbols until the following two characters were locked in place.
卡 鲁
The lock fell away.
‘Well, well,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘I think it’s safe to say we were on the right track.’
Kenneth opened the box. Inside, positioned neatly upon purple velvet lining, was a scroll of parchment, perfectly preserved.
Uncle Percy reached inside and pulled it out. He unfurled it and laid it down on the table for all to see.
Everyone took a sharp intake of breath.
At the top of the page was a single word: Guiana. And below this a crude hand-drawn map, primarily in black ink, but with a blue line charting a distinct path, along which were a series of words: Pakaraima Mountains, Mount Ayanganna, River Potaro, Kaieteur Falls. At this point the line steered east until it reached a sentence that read:
‘The El Dorado heralds the gateway to El Dorado.’
Below this in the bottom right hand corner was Sir Walter Raleigh’s signature.
‘Interesting,’ Uncle Percy replied, his brow furrowing. ‘Very interesting.’
‘Why?’ Becky asked.
‘Because the Pakaraima Mountains are in South-western Guyana and no European had ever visited that part of the country prior to the mid-nineteenth century. If Sir Walter had made it that far he would certainly be discovering things no one else from his age ever discovered.’
‘So is the blue line the River Potato?’ Joe said.
‘Potaro,’ Uncle Percy smiled, studying the illustration closely. ‘It seems Raleigh’s journey begins at the river’s source at Mount Ayanganna, and then proceeds forty miles or so to the Kaieteur Falls, from there trekking east on foot until reaching El Dorado.’
‘What is the Kaieteur Falls?’ Becky asked.
‘It’s the largest waterfall in Guyana. I went there once … remarkable views.’
Joe’s fingers hovered above the map. ‘And what about the sentence: The El Dorado heralds the gateway to El Dorado. What’s that supposed to mean?’
Uncle Percy fell silent. Then his expression changed as an answer presented itself. ‘Very amusing, Sir Walter.’
‘What’s amusing?’ Becky asked.
‘Becky, do you remember your future vision of us in a jungle?’
‘Yes.’
‘You said we found a statue of a king... a golden statue.’
‘Yes.’
‘Well, that is literally an El Dorado … the statue is Sir Walter’s gateway.’ When Becky and Joe returned confused looks, he continued, ‘The literal Spanish translation of the term ‘El Dorado’ is ‘gilded one’ or ‘golden one’. The golden one is the gateway to El Dorado.’
‘So that’s it,’ Joe said jubilantly. ‘We know where El Dorado is. We just need to get to that waterfall and head east. Piece of cake.’
‘Nothing is ever a piece of cake with our adventures.’
‘Maybe, but let’s get going, anyway,’ Joe replied. ‘Why don’t you go and get your bird and we’ll hit the road?’
‘My what?’ Uncle Percy replied, confused.
‘Walt’s old lady… Mrs Raleigh,’ Joe said. ‘You promised to take her to El Dorado … just before you snogged her.’
Bruce cast Uncle Percy a look of disbelief. ‘What?’
Uncle Percy looked affronted. ‘I did not snog anybody.’
‘Maybe it wasn’t a full snog but it was close.’
‘It was a peck on the cheek.’
‘Both cheeks. And they were long pecks.’
Uncle Percy wasn’t amused. ‘In all fairness, it was she who did the pecking.’
‘You say Potaro and I say Potato,’ Bruce said. ‘Anyway, forget the tongue tennis, I’m more freaked you promised to take her on a time trip. That’s breakin’ all kinds o’ rules.’
‘I agree but I was caught off-guard,’ Uncle Percy replied.
‘So what does she look like?’ Bruce asked. ‘Is she a babe?’
‘Like an older Anne Hathaway,’ Joe said.
‘Catwoman Anne Hathaway?’
‘Yep.’
‘Meowwww,’ Bruce grinned, before looking at Uncle Percy. ‘Good for you, bud. It don’t surprise me none, though. I always figured you for an English Mack Daddy.’
Uncle Percy was getting infuriated now. ‘What the hell’s a Mack Daddy? Actually, I don’t want to know. And there is nothing going on with me and Bess Raleigh … nothing at all. And I assure you there never will be …’ He said these last few wor
ds with a hard edge.
‘Not yet,’ Joe said.
‘Not ever.’
‘We’ll see,’ Joe said. ‘Anyway, are we going to El Dorado now?’
Uncle Percy looked relieved for the change of subject. ‘No, we’re not.’ He pulled out a gadget from his pocket and pressed a button. The Time Room doors opened, revealing the darkness outside. ‘As you can see it’s night-time, and I think you and Becky should have something to eat and get some rest. It’s been a busy day.’
‘What are you doing?’ Becky asked.
‘I have a few errands to run,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘Would you care to stay the night, Bruce?’
‘Nah, reckon I’ll pop back to the Old West and collect Sweet Sue from her hidin’ hole. I get the feelin’ I might be needin’ my trusty chariot soon.’
Becky detected a strange nuance to Bruce’s voice.
‘Very well,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘I’ll get you a Portravella. Meanwhile, Becky, Joe, I’m sure it would be nice if you spent some time with Jacob and Maria. I’m sure they’d appreciate that, and I really think you should both try and get an early night. I get the feeling tomorrow will be a very challenging day.’
Becky couldn’t help but agree. After the day’s events it seemed like forever since they had seen any kind of normality and the idea of a comfortable bed and a hot bath appealed more than words could say.
A short while later, Becky and Joe made their way to the Hall where they found Maria and Jacob sitting in the kitchen, amidst the soft auburn glow of a dozen flickering candles. They were huddled around a small portable radio, listening to a newsreader describe a catalogue of horrific occurrences from across the world.
The moment she saw them, Maria leapt from her chair and raced into Becky’s arms. ‘Thank God you are safe, child.’
‘I am. We are.’
Becky half-expected Maria to fire off a tirade about how worried she’d been, how they should stop travelling and remain within the confines of Bowen Hall, all of it punctuated by frenzied sobs and wails of melancholy, but it didn’t happen. Staring into Maria’s eyes, she could see there were no tears left.
Maria broke off the embrace and turned to Joe. ‘Did you find that which you went to find?’
‘Yeah,’ Joe replied. ‘We know where El Dorado is.’
‘Then that is good.’
‘Yeah,’ Joe replied. ‘But we’ve had one hell of a day, ain’t we, Becks? First we got involved in this Wild West shoot up with about thirty cowboys, then –’
Seeing Maria’s bottom lip quiver, Becky cut him off, ‘Joe! I don’t think Maria needs to know all the details.’
‘Err, no. Soz,’ Joe said. ‘Actually it sounds worse than it was. It was pretty boring, really.’
Maria gave a cheerless smile. ‘I am knowing you lie for me. But you need not. Things are dangerous for you. I know that. And you will not hear me say you are too young to be getting involved. Not anymore. My heart it breaks, but I know it is right you do get involved … that you were meant to get involved. And I know you will defeat this beast … this Emerson Drake. You have the support of me … and that of my husband. Do they not, Jacob?’
Jacob nodded. ‘You do.’
Becky couldn’t quite believe it. Maria had always been so adamant they should never be placed in harm’s way. ‘We do?’
‘You do.’ Maria sighed so intensely her body trembled. ‘I have been hearing this radio all of this day. I have heard nothing but death and chaos and pain from sunrise till now. Emerson Drake is the cause of it all, and his command over this earth must be no more. He must be stopped. And if it is to be you that makes it so, I can only be prouder than I can find the words to say… and I am. If my countrymen had finished Adolf Hitler before his rise, the horrors that plagued my country would not have happened, and I would still have my family …’
She reached over and tenderly traced a finger down Becky’s cheek. Then she smiled sadly, before standing up and approaching the oven. ‘For now you must eat…’
But Becky wasn’t hungry. Barely touching her food, she remained with Jacob and Maria long enough to be polite, but made her excuses to leave at the first opportunity and went for a bath. Even a long soak, however, didn’t make her feel relaxed and by the time she climbed into bed her mind was awhirl with all that had happened over the last few days. For hours she lay there in silence, thinking about Henry’s Wives, Uncle Percy’s furtive behaviour, her vision of Edgar’s attack and a dozen more things that puzzled her to the point of frustration. In truth, each time she felt close to answers, more questions rose to the surface.
By the time a far-off clock chimed midnight, Becky realised she was finally peckish and decided to get something to eat. Throwing on her dressing gown, she left her room, walked down the portrait-lined corridor and descended the stairs into the Entrance Hall. To her surprise, she saw a dim light emanating from beneath the morning room door, which was slightly ajar. Not expecting anyone to be up at this hour, she pushed the door open and went inside.
Uncle Percy was sitting at the window, staring pensively into the blackness outside. His fingers were wrapped around a large glass of whisky, its three ice cubes luminous in the glow from the Tiffany lamp in the corner. Hearing the door, he looked round, startled. ‘Becky? What are you doing up?’
‘I couldn’t sleep.’
‘Neither could I.’
‘And you needed a drink?’
‘Something along those lines.’
‘Did you get everything done you needed to?’
‘I did.’
Becky studied his face. He looked drawn, haggard and colourless, his shoulder length silver hair lacking any of its usual vitality. She wasn’t sure she’d ever seen him so exhausted. ‘You look tired.’
‘I am.’
Becky hesitated. ‘And you look sad.’
Uncle Percy said nothing for a few seconds. ‘I’m not sad. At least I don’t think I am. To be honest, I’m not exactly sure what I am or how I feel.’
‘How can you not be sure?’
‘Because, as is often the case, things cannot always be defined in shades of black and white, particularly when it comes to emotions, and it’s only in the misty pools of grey we can hope to detect something that resembles the truth.’
‘You mean in 50 Shades of Grey?’
’50 Shades of Grey?’ Uncle Percy said, baffled. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘You wouldn’t,’ Becky replied with a smile. ‘Just as I don’t understand you.’
‘Then let’s just say that I’m aware we’re coming to the end of a remarkable and perilous journey, and that brings me great happiness … If I’m somewhat contemplative it’s because I don’t know what the full cost of it will be.’
‘Then we’ll just have to see, won’t we?’
‘We will,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘I just want you to sleep tonight knowing that everything will be fine. You’ll see.’
‘How can you be sure?’
‘Because I am.’ Uncle Percy took a draught of whisky. ‘I really am.’
And then something struck her and a question tumbled from her mouth. ‘Have you visited the future?’
Uncle Percy looked surprised. ‘No. How could I have done that? You know my time machines can’t journey to the future.’
‘Perhaps a future traveller came back to get you … that’s possible. And you seem so sure there’ll be a happy ending.’
‘Perhaps the future has visited me.’
Becky was confused. ‘Explain.’
‘I don’t think I could if I tried,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘And I don’t I have any intention of trying.’
‘Then tell me why, if you’re convinced there’s a happy ending, you’re not jumping around like you’d won the lottery?’
‘It’s hard to explain.’
‘Try.’
‘Because I know no matter what the outcome you’ll see things no one your age should see.’
‘I’ve already seen a lot.�
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‘I know. And you may think me foolish, but the way I see it is that you only get one childhood and I fear for yours and Joe’s. In fact, I fear your childhood has already been lost forever.’ He paused. ‘I have to take a great deal of the responsibility for that … and I do. I truly do.’
Becky thought on this for a few seconds. ‘You really don’t get it, do you?’ She sighed. ‘Uncle Percy, my childhood was lost when Emerson Drake took my father, when I thought he’d died. For years, I don’t ever remember feeling happy … not really happy. I don’t remember joy or wonder or contentment. In the last twelve months you’ve given all of that back to me.’ Her voice fractured slightly. ‘Yes, I’ve seen some terrible things this year, but I’ve also seen some of the most wonderful things anyone could ever see and made the most wonderful friends anyone could ever make. You worry that somehow I’ve lost my childhood, well I think you’ve given it back to me…’
Uncle Percy’s mouth opened but no sound came out. ‘I’m lost for words,’ he said finally.
‘Good,’ Becky smiled. ‘That makes a change.’
‘Thank you, Becky,’ Uncle Percy said sincerely. ‘And I want you to know we will get your father back. I promise you.’
‘I think I know,’ she replied in a quiet voice.
Uncle Percy placed the glass on a side table. ‘Now I’m hungry.’
‘Me, too,’ Becky replied. ‘That’s actually why I came downstairs.’
‘Then what say I whip us up something delicious in the kitchen?’
Becky scrunched up her face. ‘I’ve tasted your “something delicious” before. Perhaps I should do the cooking, what d’you reckon?’
‘Perhaps that would be best.’
And Uncle Percy took hold of Becky’s hand and together they left the room, neither of them letting go until they reached the kitchen.
Chapter 25
Überbringer des Todes
Becky woke to the sound of heavy rain pummelling her window. She prised her eyes open, and tried to go back to sleep. But then a wave of apprehension swept over her. She bolted upright. Today they were leaving for El Dorado to find the Sacred Chalice, the last Eden Relic, and if her previous experiences had taught her anything it would be fraught with indescribable danger and abject wonder equally.
