The Time Hunters

by Ashmore, Carl

  For a brief moment, even Uncle Percy was at a loss for something to say. ‘May I ask what you are doing?’

  ‘I was foretold by the gods of your coming, sire,’ Jason said, his eyes never leaving the sand. ‘But I didn’t believe it. Please, forgive me.’

  ‘There is nothing to forgive,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Please, stand.’

  Jason ignored him. ‘We are your humble servants, my master.’

  Becky glanced at Joe, then Will. She had a sudden urge to laugh, but resisted it. Something very strange was going on.

  ‘You were foretold?’ Uncle Percy asked curiously.

  ‘The stranger told me. The messenger of the Gods. He came to me as I slept. He said that I would meet you - the silver haired one, the traveller from Brit - ain, that you - you are his envoy - the rightful owner of Nephele’s Fleece. He said we must beg to be your servants.’

  A curious look crossed Uncle Percy’s face. ‘Then it is my wish that you stand.’ Leaning over, he guided Jason to his feet. ‘Let us move to the shade, you must tell me everything...’

  Becky wondered whether to laugh or not. Then she glimpsed her uncle’s expression and a sense of dread washed over her. Any thoughts of how amusing the situation was instantly vanished, because, for the first time since she’d met him, she saw utter confusion and perhaps even fear in his eyes.

  Chapter 10

  In the Shadows of the Past

  A puzzled silence engulfed them. The Argonauts gathered their possessions and moved to the sheltered cluster of trees where Theseus lay, snoring like a bagpipe. All the while Becky couldn’t take her eyes off Uncle Percy. She knew he contemplated the identity of the messenger. It had to be a time traveller. But who? Friend or foe? And why visit Jason?

  And then the real complexity of time travel struck her. The messenger could even be Uncle Percy - an Uncle Percy from the future travelling back in time for some, as yet, unknown reason. What a bizarre thought!

  By late afternoon, the smell of cinnamon filtered pleasantly on the heavy air. Becky and Joe sat on the trunk of a fallen tree, Phineus and Hercules sat opposite them, cross-legged, on the ground. It was obvious from their baffled expressions they’d not heard Jason mention the messenger before.

  Uncle Percy removed his cloak. ‘Please, Jason, I need you to tell me everything about this messenger. Every detail. Leave nothing out.’

  Jason surveyed at his captive audience. ‘Seven day ago, the first night of the full moon, I was asleep in my hut on Iolcus having an enjoyable dream about very tall women, when I woke to find the earth growling and a noise like the snap of an ox-skin whip cut the air.’

  Becky glanced at Joe, who gave a nod of recognition. He was describing an operational time machine.

  Jason took a deep breath. ‘Then the door opened, and a man stood before me. A tall man, like yourself.’

  ‘What did he look like?’

  Jason pondered for a moment. ‘I could not see. He remained in shadow. He wore a cloak, much like yours, his face hidden.’

  Uncle Percy hesitated. ‘Now, I want you to take your time answering this. You said the messenger wore a cloak like mine, that he was a tall man like me. Could it have been me? Was I the messenger?’

  Jason’s head jerked up sharply. ‘Is this a test, sire?’ he said, sounding confused. ‘Are the Gods testing me?’

  ‘Yes,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘It’s a test. Now, think back. Was it me?’

  Jason paused again. ‘It may have been you, Master. It was too dark to be certain.’

  ‘Very well,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Did he sound like me? Was the accent the same as mine?’

  ‘A week of sleep has blurred the event, sire. But his accent was unfamiliar to me - it may have been your voice. Was it you who visited me that night, Master? Have I passed the test?’

  ‘You’re doing well.’ Uncle Percy smiled kindly. ‘Now, please, tell me what was said.’

  ‘He said I was to embark on a great journey. A mission decreed by the Gods. I was to gather a mighty crew and go in search of the Fleece of Gold, the divine prize presented to Queen Nephele by the God, Hermes. He told me to first visit Crete where he would send his herald, a silver-haired man from a distant land called Brit - ain. He said that I must assist the herald in finding The Golden Fleece.’ Jason stopped, dreading his next words. ‘And the messenger ordered I bestow upon you a message. He said you must leave Crete before two moons passed. That should you remain, your lives would be taken, and the Fleece of Gold lost forever. Then he left.’

  A tense silence hung in the air. Only Uncle Percy, who looked somewhat relieved had something to say. ‘Thank you, Jason. That was most helpful. Now, shall I make everyone a nice pot of tea?’ He walked off in the direction of the cave, leaving the three Argonauts baffled as to what a pot of tea was.

  Becky watched Uncle Percy leave, countless questions filling her mind. Was the messenger Uncle Percy or someone else? Were they really in danger on Crete? If so, why? And from whom? Then her thoughts were interrupted by a loud groaning noise. Staring out, she watched as the Argo disappeared from view, swallowed by the hungry sea.

  *

  After deciding they would camp there for the night, Uncle Percy spent the rest of the afternoon finding reasons to isolate himself from the rest of the group. He would go for lengthy walks along the gorge admiring the griffon vultures and scribbling in his notebook about the countless varieties of wild orchid he found. He would paddle in the shallow sea, gathering shells and placing them in a small leather pouch, claiming to be a keen conchologist.

  Becky knew this was a front. He needed time to consider Jason’s story and consider their next step. As she watched him pluck the umpteenth shell from the damp sand, she couldn’t help but feel helpless.

  Joe, on the other hand, oblivious to Becky’s concerns, decided to lighten the mood by teaching the Argonauts how to play cricket. He found a stained cork ball in the campervan (which judging by the deep scratches in its surface, belonged to Milly) and whittled some stumps out of olive branches, whilst Will carved a makeshift bat.

  Joe soon came to the conclusion the Argonauts were the worst cricketers he had ever seen. Phineus stood more chance of catching the ball with his ears than his hands. Hercules was even worse, and Jason launched himself with such gusto at his first delivery that the bat flew off and crashed into Hercules’ forehead, knocking him out cold.

  By the time Uncle Percy returned daylight had bowed to a comfortable dusk. The solitude seemed to have rejuvenated him and he joked with Becky as they lit a fire and watched as fine wisps of smoke slithered into the sky.

  Dinner was a jovial affair, and Becky found herself enjoying the company of the Argonauts immensely. She watched as Theseus, his condition much improved, Phineus and Hercules, (Jason remained oddly quiet) took centre-stage and entertained them with folk songs and fantastical tales of the Gods. Before long the sun set and the full moon cast a silver flush over the camp.

  An hour later, Becky lay under a blanket, taking in the glittering night sky. Despite the day’s revelations, she felt remarkably at peace. Listening to the crackling embers of the fire, her eyes searched out Uncle Percy. She found him sitting on a rock, staring blankly out to sea. She walked over, her bare feet welcoming the coolness of the sand.

  ‘Mind if I join you?’ Becky said.

  Uncle Percy looked up. ‘I believe this rock was made for two.’

  ‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it?’ Becky said, sitting down and gazing out at the water.

  ‘The sea is always beautiful,’ Uncle Percy replied softly. ‘It’s one of life’s constants. No matter when or where you are, the sea remains the same - wonderful, elegant, dangerous and vast.’

  Becky hesitated for a second. ‘The messenger’s worried you?’

  ‘Well, granted, it was unforeseen,’ Uncle Percy replied, ‘but when travelling you come to expect the unexpected. After all, it is we who are the trespassers. You must never forget that.’

  Shocked to hea
r him use a word like trespass, she said, ‘I prefer to think of it as visiting…visiting the best museum in the world.’

  ‘But you can’t take museum exhibits home with you. Visiting a museum is a passive activity. Time travel is as active as can be. That’s precisely why it’s the most deadly power the world has ever known.’

  ‘You sound like you wish it didn’t exist?’ Becky said.

  ‘Age changes a man.’ Uncle Percy said, without a hint of sadness. ‘Believe me, I have enjoyed every journey - well, almost…’ His eyes dimmed. ‘But I have devoted my life to travel, and that’s not always a wise thing to do. Sometimes it’s too easy to dwell on the past and ignore the present.’

  ‘But look at the life you’ve lived,’ Becky said. ‘It must’ve been brilliant. You’ve seen things people would kill to see.’ As the words left her mouth she knew she’d said the wrong thing.

  Uncle Percy frowned. ‘And people are being killed. And if we don’t put a stop to this, more will die. That is why I’m prepared to take the risks I’m taking.’

  ‘Good,’ Becky said resolutely.

  ‘But it’s not just me who’s in danger is it? There’s you, Joe, Will, Maria and Jacob to consider too. The people I care most about in the world. I’m growing old, it doesn’t really matter what happens to me.’

  Becky gripped his hand. ‘You’re not that old. And you shouldn’t worry about us. We’ll be okay. I just know we will.’

  Uncle Percy turned his head towards the water. ‘I don’t know, perhaps it was a mistake inviting you to Bowen Hall. Perhaps you should have stayed at home with your mother. At least you’d be safe.’

  ‘Please, don’t say that,’ Becky replied. ‘And besides, you don’t know that. After all, it was our rooms those men trashed.’ She hesitated. ‘To be honest, I didn’t want to come and stay with you at all. I thought it was going to be the worst summer of my life. And I was wrong. It’s been the best.’

  ‘That’s very kind of you to say.’

  ‘But I am angry with you…’ Becky looked stern.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because I’m thirteen.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘And it’s taken you all this time to let me back into your life. And that’s not fair...’ She could feel her entire body begin to shake.

  ‘I know,’ Uncle Percy said quietly, ‘and I am very sorry.’

  But she hadn’t finished. ‘So, if Joe and I are your only family, why didn’t you want us around?’

  Uncle Percy sighed. ‘You’ve got every right to be angry with me, Becky. The reason I’ve not seen you is -’ He paused, unable to find the words.

  Becky stared at him impatiently. ‘Well?’

  ‘The reason is complex…’

  ‘Okay.’ Becky found her temper rising. ‘I’m not a child. You might think I am, but I’m not. I can handle it. What was it?’

  Uncle Percy took a grave breath. ‘It was your father’s wish. He ordered me not to see you …’

  The words hung in mid-air like the echo of a bell. He ordered me not to see you! Becky whirled with shock. ‘I - I don’t understand.’

  Uncle Percy’s eyes found hers. ‘How could you understand? In retrospect, I’m not sure I do. There was a time when your father and I were close, you see.’ He smiled fondly. ‘Anyway, a while before he died, we had a disagreement - a particularly heated disagreement. And, as often happens in the fervour of the moment, we both said things perhaps we shouldn’t have said. Anyway, the upshot was he asked me to never to see him or his family again. I had no choice but to respect his wish.’

  Becky’s brow furrowed. ‘Mum told me about your argument. I mean, she didn’t know what it was about, but she knew dad really regretted it.’

  ‘As did I. Of course, you always think you have time to fix these things. Unfortunately, in this instance, time was the one thing we didn’t have. Anyway, after he died, I didn’t know how to introduce myself back into your family. Naturally, I offered your mother some financial assistance, but she wouldn’t take it. I invited her to bring you to live at Bowen Hall. Again, she declined. She’s an honourable woman. I respected that.’

  ‘What was the argument about?’

  ‘I can’t say,’ Uncle Percy said sadly, breaking eye contact.

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘I just can’t. It was merely a difference of opinion. He thought a situation should’ve been handled one way. I thought something else.’

  Becky remained satisfied. ‘Well, I can’t see how any argument was worth having nothing to do with us when dad died.’

  ‘I said I didn’t know how to introduce myself back into your family. I didn’t say I had nothing to do with you.’

  ‘What - what do you mean?’

  Slowly, Uncle Percy turned to Becky; his eyes found hers. ‘I was always there for you and Joe. You just didn’t know it.’

  ‘I don’t understand?’

  ‘I used my time machines to journey back to see you and Joe as you were growing up. To ensure you were both safe and well.’

  ‘You did?’ Becky whispered.

  ‘Countless times. I was there on your first day at Brierley Street Junior School when you made friends with that small, freckly girl who was crying because she was cold. You gave her your duffel coat. ’

  Stunned to silence, Becky remembered the incident well. She was seven years old. The girl’s name was Kelly Martin.

  Uncle Percy continued. ‘I was there when you visited Chester Zoo and were scared by the chimpanzees. Your teacher wanted you to leave the ape compound but you stayed until you conquered your fear. You even ended up buying a book about them from the gift shop. I could name dozens of other things I’ve seen you do.’

  Becky felt her eyes dampen. She remembered these events as clearly as if they happened yesterday. And Uncle Percy had been there? Silently watching, standing in the wings like an understudy in a play.

  Becky exploded into tears. She covered her face, ashamed of her outburst.

  Leaning over, Uncle Percy placed his right arm gently around her shoulders. ‘Please, don’t cry. Just believe me when I say I was always there for you. And Joe. I just couldn’t let you know.’

  But she had stopped listening now. The sound of weeping muffled any words. All her life, Uncle Percy had been her guardian angel. It was the most touching thing she’d ever heard.

  *

  Hours later, as dawn approached, the camp lay as still as a cemetery. A cool sea breeze had extinguished the dying fire. Everyone was in a deep sleep. Everyone, except Jason. He’d been awake for hours, his stomach churning with guilt and confusion. Surely, he couldn’t do it? But he knew he must. He had no choice.

  The Gods had spoken.

  Silently, he stepped away from his bed. It was late now, and the gentle breaths from the sleeping group floated through the darkness. He eased past Phineus, Hercules, and finally Theseus, until he stood over his target. Feeling his fingers tremble, he gazed down at the sleeping man. What was he doing? Surely this was a good man? A worthy man?

  But no, he could not be what he seemed. The Gods had told him the truth. Pulling out his bronze dagger, he whispered ‘Hestia, forgive me...’

  And he plunged the blade towards Uncle Percy’s heart.

  Chapter 11

  Capture

  With a gentle whoosh, an arrow cut the air. It connected with the blade, sending it flying from Jason’s hand. Will leapt from the blackness. He loaded another arrow and pointed at the small man’s throat.

  ‘P - P - Please don’t kill me.’

  Will drew back the bowstring, fury creased his face.

  Uncle Percy’s eyes snapped open. Shocked and disorientated, he saw the dagger. He scrambled to his feet, creating a human shield between the two men. ‘WILL…NO!’

  The turmoil caused Becky to wake. She screamed. Joe, Theseus, Phineus and Hercules jolted up simultaneously.

  ‘Please - I’m sorry.’ Jason curled into a quivering ball.

  ‘I think you
can lower the bow now, Will,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘He is no longer a threat, are you, Jason?’

  ‘N-no,’ Jason whined.

  ‘You were just carrying out orders, weren’t you?’

  ‘Y-Yes … I’m sorry.’

  ‘No harm done. Will, please, sit down.’

  Reluctantly, Will complied.

  ‘Now, Jason,’ Uncle Percy continued. ‘You were told to kill me. Why?’

  Jason lowered his head. ‘The messenger said you were a cruel man. That you had travelled here to secure the Fleece of Gold and use its sacred power to destroy these lands. He claimed to be an emissary of Zeus himself. That it was Zeus’ decree that I carry out a divine mission: your execution. And if I failed, my soul would forever be condemned to an eternity in Tartarus.’

  Uncle Percy’s face emanated compassion. ‘Your soul is safe, Jason. You have been the victim of a deception, that is all. This so-called messenger is not godly in any way. He is but a man, like you or me.’

  ‘But only a God could foretell your coming,’ Jason replied.

  ‘There are other ways, believe me,’ Uncle Percy said simply. ‘The messenger was just someone that wants me dead. He tricked you into doing it for him.’

  ‘Is this true?’

  ‘I swear,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘He is the dangerous one. And that is why we have travelled a great distance to be here. We are trying to stop him. Now, tell me - what exactly did he want you to do?’

  Ashamed, Jason turned away. ‘He said I must gather a crew and boat and journey to Crete. That soon after our arrival, I would meet you and your companions, that I was to gain your trust. I was to wait until you slept, then - then slay you.’ Jason paused. ‘Then I was to kill him …’ He inclined his head towards Will.

  ‘And what was to happen to the children?’

  Jason’s looked at Becky. ‘He ordered they remain unharmed.’

  Uncle Percy nodded as if this confirmed what he already knew. ‘And what was to happen to them?’

  ‘He said I was to take them with me.’