The Time Hunters (Book 1 of the acclaimed series for children of all ages) (13 page)

Chapter 19

Capture

With a gentle
swish
, an arrow sliced 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 it at the small man’s throat.

‘P - P - Please
don’t
kill
me,’ Jason whimpered.

Will drew back the bowstring, fury creasing 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.

‘Forgive me.’ Jason curled into a quivering ball.

‘I think you can lower the bow now, Will,’ Uncle
Percy said assuredly. ‘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 am sorry.’

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

Reluctantly, Will complied, but never once took his
steely gaze from the tiny man.

‘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 shone with 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...’

‘But only a God could foretell your coming.’

‘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.’

‘Can this be 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 then 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, who responded with a derisory grunt.

Jason seemed unable to continue his admission.

‘Please, go on,’ Uncle Percy said.

Jason hung his head. ‘I cannot.’

Uncle Percy’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. ‘What was
to happen to Becky and Joe?’

‘He ordered they remain unharmed.’

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

‘He said I was to take them with me.’

‘Take them where?’

‘To Hypatia Point in the Grey
Mountains.’
Jason pointed into the distance.

Everyone turned to chart the direction of the
finger. The night was lifting and in the early morning light they could just
make out a sprawling mountain range. One mountain towered above the others.

‘The messenger said that there would be an olive
grove at the base of the mount. He said he would meet me there. He would take
charge of the child from then on.’

‘Child?’
Uncle Percy asked. ‘You mean children?’

‘If possible, both children, yes …’

‘Go on,’ Uncle Percy pressed.

‘The messenger demanded I deliver both children to
him, but if they became troublesome …’ he faltered, ‘then only the girl
mattered.
I was to kill the
boy…’

*

Becky watched as Joe’s face turned white.

Kill the boy!

Joe took a moment to digest this. Then he exploded
with rage, his hands balling into fists. ‘I’d like to see you flippin’ try!’

‘But I couldn’t have seen it through. I could never
harm a child.’

‘But you could kill Uncle Percy?’

‘But I couldn’t -’

Joe was about to shout again when Uncle Percy held
up his hand and stopped him. ‘Please, calm down, Joe. Jason was fed a pack of
lies.’

‘I don’t care if he was fed cabbage,’ Joe roared.
‘He was going to kill you, then Will, probably me, and kidnap my sister.’ His
eyes flicked to Becky before returning to Jason. ‘If you ever lay a hand on my
sister … I’ll - I’ll come back when I’m fifteen and kick your - ’

‘That’s enough, Joe,’ Uncle Percy said firmly.

Becky placed her hand gently on Joe’s arm. Then she
shuddered as an alarming thought entered her mind. It was
definite
now: the traveller wanted
her
.
And
only
her.
But why?
What possible use could she be? Uncle Percy didn’t
seem to know either …
or
did he? Perhaps he had known
the whole time? Had this been why he invited her to Bowen Hall for the summer, for
her protection? Then something else occurred to her: they could use this to
their advantage?

‘Let him have me!’ Becky said.

All went silent.

Joe stared blankly at his sister. ‘What’re you
talking about?’

Becky stared at Uncle Percy. ‘It makes sense. Let
the messenger have me. Let Jason take me to the Grey Mountains. You can
use
me...’

‘Oh, no way, Becky,’ Uncle Percy blustered.
 
‘Not - a - chance!’

‘No, this
is
the
chance,’ Becky said.
‘The chance to finish it.
To stop all this
for good.
Let’s have Jason take me to Hypatia Point, and have
Will
follow us. When the traveller comes into the open, it
will only take Will one shot - one shot and this whole thing is over.’

‘
I am not
using you as … as bait
!’ Uncle Percy said with disbelief. ‘That’s the
most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.’

‘Why is it?’ Becky replied. ‘You know what’s at
stake here. Give me one good reason we shouldn’t do it?’

Uncle Percy looked flustered. ‘There are a thousand
reasons, all of them involving your demise.’

But Becky wasn’t about to give up. ‘That’s not going
to happen.’

‘And how do you know that?’

‘Because I’ve got Will on my side and he’s the best
there is.’

‘Well - err - what if
Will
misses?’

Becky glanced proudly at Will. ‘Will never
misses
. Your words not mine. Come on, you know it makes
sense. This man has to be stopped.
 
If
this stupid Fleece is as powerful as you think, then imagine what he’ll do if
he gets it. Besides, if anything does go wrong, you can always use the -’ she
scanned the Argonauts’ faces, ‘-
the you
-know-what and
change things.’

Uncle Percy sighed heavily. ‘I’ve told you about the
Omega Effect. You can’t
always
change things. It doesn’t work like that.’

Becky held firm. ‘It’s worth the risk…’

‘Listen, Becky,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘I appreciate
what you are suggesting. Your proposal is very brave, but I am not prepared to
risk your life. Besides, we’re not here to kill anyone. We’re the good guys
remember. We’re just here for the Fleece.’

‘I’m not saying kill him,’ Becky clarified.
 
‘Just capture him.’

‘Well,’ Uncle Percy said defiantly, ‘it’s not going
to happen. End of story!’

Becky gave a loud snort. She turned her attention to
Will, hoping for a sympathetic ear. ‘Will, you know that I’m right?’

‘I agree with your uncle,’
Will
said softly.
 
‘Tis a valiant gesture, miss,
but far too dangerous.’

‘Pah!’ Becky huffed. Why couldn’t they understand?
It was her life that was at stake.

Uncle Percy sat beside Becky, placing his hand on
hers. ‘I’m sorry, but I’m not prepared to risk losing you
again
.’

Becky, however, refused to let it rest. ‘But twenty
minutes ago I nearly lost you, and that’s all right, is it? You’re dispensable?
Well you’re not to me…’ Tears of frustration welled inside. ‘You know I’m right
about this. You should use me and -’

But Becky stopped herself. The soft shafts of first
sunlight had highlighted Will’s face. He appeared anxious, his eyes locked firmly
on the valley behind them. Swiftly he jumped to his feet, his bow raised high.

‘What is it, Will?’ Uncle Percy said as the ground
shuddered and a rumbling sound filled the air.

‘Horsemen are approaching …’

*

Everyone scrambled to their feet, their heads rising
over the dunes to see a billowing cloud of dust and sand.

Within seconds, a dozen men riding giant warhorses galloped
into view. The Argonauts panicked. Phineus tripped over, falling flat on his
face. Hercules fumbled for his sword, terrified.
 

Only Theseus demonstrated a hint of courage as he gripped
his short sword.
‘Argonauts.
Arm yourselves!’ He
raised his sword high. ‘Be brave, my brothers!’ Then –
thump
- a spear
punctured the patch of ground between his feet. His courage deserted him. ‘Surrender,
my brothers. We are defeated!’

The lead rider halted and gestured for the soldiers
to gather in line on the dunes. ‘Lower your weapons!’ he shouted, drawing his
sword.

The Argonauts dropped whatever they were holding
with a resounding
clank
.
 

Becky watched as the lead rider threw his huge legs
over his warhorse and dismounted. The horse looked relieved at shedding the
weight. He took off his plumed helmet to reveal a tangled mass of black hair
and
a
enormous cherry-red face. She wasn’t sure where
his head stopped and his neck began.

The lead rider strode self-importantly towards the
group. ‘You are now the prisoners of King Minos,’ he yelled.
 
‘I am Helladius.
Captain of
the Night Guard.’

Uncle Percy took a step forward. ‘Good morning, sir.
I’m Percy Halifax. My friends and I mean you, your king or your country no
harm, and would like to -’

‘SILENCE!’
 
Helladius roared. Then he slapped Uncle Percy
brutally across the face.

Becky gasped with horror.

Will
made
to launch himself
at Helladius, when Uncle Percy’s hand pulled him back.

 
‘No, Will!’
Raising himself to his full height, he pivoted back to face Helladius. ‘Now that
wasn’t particularly friendly, was it?’

Straightaway, Helladius hit him again. A thick smear
of blood dampened Uncle Percy’s bottom lip.

‘Leave him alone,’ Becky yelled.

Helladius swung towards her.
‘Silence,
girl!
Lest I show you the back of my hand.’

Will had heard enough. ‘It takes a big man to
threaten a young girl.
 
And there are few
bigger than you.
Or uglier.’

Helladius turned menacingly to Will. ‘You are a
brave fool to offend me, stranger.’

‘Then let me be a stranger no more. I am Will
Shakelock, and if you touch any of my friends again you will not see another
sun rise.’

At once, Helladius threw a mallet-like fist at Will.

With lightning speed, Will caught it and, teeth gritted,
crushed it powerfully in his grip.

Helladius howled.

Will heaved the huge man close and leaned coolly into
his ear. ‘Wail like a newborn all you will. It matters not how many men you
have in your little army, you will not harm my friends again. Do you
understand?’

Eyes streaming, Helladius’ legs buckled and he
tumbled to his knees, simpering. At the same time, a soldier raced behind Will.

‘Will!’ Becky yelled.
‘Behind
you.’
But it was too late. Lifting his sword high, the soldier smashed its
hilt on to Will’s skull. Will fell, clutching the back of his head.

Clasping his swollen hand, Helladius got to his
feet, glared fiercely at Will before kicking him in the face.

‘Please,’ Becky cried. ‘No.’

Helladius rounded on the floored Will. ‘A quick
death would be too easy for you,’ he growled, although his voice lacked
conviction. ‘It pleases me the last thing you will smell will be the Minotaur’s
rotten
breath
as it feasts on your innards.’