by carl ashmore
Uncle Percy’s eyes dimmed. ‘Trust me, the less you know about Aribert Heim, the easier you’ll sleep at night. I can assure you of that.’ He activated his wrist portravella and vanished into nothingness.
All went silent again.
Becky looked at Joe. ‘Maybe he’s right, maybe we shouldn’t check up on Heim.’
‘Becks, we’ve fought Jack the Ripper, Otto Kruger, Zombies, Harpies and Sea Serpents. I ain’t gonna be scared by Doctor Doolittle, no matter what he’s done.’
Before Becky could reply, Will’s low voice met their ears. ‘But fear should be your companion, boy. Fear inspires caution. Caution spurs accuracy. Accuracy ensures victory. Aye, from what I’ve been told, it is right you fear this man. Should our paths cross, it may be the only way to defeat him …’
*
Becky and Joe stayed with Will for the next hour and then returned to the Hall. Entering the kitchens, it was Joe who said, ‘Shall we get crackin’ with some research, then?’
‘Into Heim?’ Becky replied hesitantly, keeping her voice to a whisper in case Maria was close by.
Joe shook his head. ‘Forget him for a moment. There’s loads of other stuff we can look into: Atlantis, The Sonchis Scroll, The Gadeirus Tablet, The Chamber of the Ancients? Let’s just see what’s out there.’
For the next few hours, they sat in Joe’s bedroom, trawling dozens of websites and getting progressively frustrated at how little information they could find; although there were endless conspiracy theories about Atlantis, they found no conclusive proof it had ever existed in the first place. Furthermore, there was no mention whatsoever of The Sonchis Scroll, The Gadeirus Tablet or The Chamber of the Ancients. By the time nightfall had descended, they were feeling dispirited, exhausted and fed up. Just as Becky was about to suggest they stop and continue the next day, Joe glanced at her and said, ‘I suppose we should check out the Deadly Doc then?’
Becky looked nervously back at him and said, ‘Go for it.’
Joe inputted the following letters: H – E – I – M and hit the return button. His eyes flicked to the left where he read:
Showing results for: Heim
Aribert Heim – Noledge, the online encyclopedia
www.noledge.com
Tentatively, he hovered the cursor over the link and double clicked. Straightaway, text and imagery peppered the screen. In the top right-hand corner, a young, undeniably handsome dark-haired man, with a long, pointed face smiled back at them, his piercing brown eyes scorching the screen.
Becky gave an involuntary gasp. There was something about Heim’s face that raged with a cruelty the smile couldn’t conceal. Hesitantly, half wanting to slam the laptop lid shut, she began to read.
Aribert Heim – ‘Doctor Death’
Aribert Ferdinand Heim (28 June 1914 – 10 August 1992?) was an Austrian doctor, also known as Doctor Death. A member of the Waffen-SS, he was a physician in the Nazi concentration camp at Mauthausen, and was involved in the murder and torture of hundreds of men, women and children under the guise of scientific advancement. Indeed, his experiments on camp inmates, particularly children, were some of the most horrendous to have ever been performed. He lived for many years in Cairo, Egypt, under the name, Tarek Farid Hussein and it is reported he died there on 10th August 1992, although there has been no evidence of it and a body has never been recovered...
The article left nothing out, Heim’s sickening deeds being detailed with a detached, brutal honesty. With each word, Becky felt ever more appalled, but forced herself to continue.
…. Following the war, Heim was captured by American soldiers and sent to a prisoner of war camp. He was released and avoided immediate prosecution due to the mysterious omission from his file of his activities at the Mauthausen camp. After this, he worked as a practicing doctor at Baden until, following a tip off a warrant had been issued for his arrest, his disappearance in 1962. Heim escaped to Spain, Libya and Morocco before finally locating to Egypt.
In spite of international efforts to find him, he has always eluded capture. Always an enigmatic figure, even his death remains a mystery, with many believing he didn’t die in 1992, and could even be alive to this very day …
By the time she finished, Becky’s eyes leaked tears. She wiped them away quickly as she heard Joe’s voice, which was small and flat.
‘So he was a doctor at a concentration camp during the war?’
‘Yes,’ Becky replied.
Joe exhaled heavily. ‘And he experimented on kids, too? The bloke was a sickoid.’
‘Deffo.’
Becky left soon after that. She needed to be alone. She had a shower, dried herself off, and then promptly jumped back in, desperately hoping the water would wash away all of the repellent things she’d read. It didn’t work. At seven thirty, she and Joe joined Maria and Jacob for dinner. Maria questioned them incessantly about Uncle Percy’s whereabouts, but much to her frustration they remained tight-lipped and evasive, thinking it better to receive the odd scowl and dismissive tut, than to inform Maria that a Minotaur was recuperating in the grounds of Bowen Hall.
As expected, Becky couldn’t sleep. Each time she came close to dozing off, Heim’s smirking face assaulted her mind. Giving up on sleep altogether, she spent hours staring at the hologram receiver, longing for a message from Uncle Percy to say Edgar had fully recovered, but still no message came.
The next morning, feeling groggy and bleary-eyed, Becky threw open her curtains to see a liquorice black sky was turning stony grey. Feeling the need for fresh air, she decided to visit Peggy and Gump. Dressing quickly, she left her room and exited the Hall. Walking at pace, she negotiated the rear path, careful not to slip on the icy ground. Soon, Bowen Lake extended on the horizon, a thick layer of ice covering its surface like a silken tablecloth. It was then she glimpsed a recognizable silhouette in the distant archery field. Walking over, she watched Joe pull back his bowstring, take aim, and release an arrow, which struck a straw target. Her eyes scanned the archery field to see all ten straw targets had arrows embedded in their centers. ‘Hey up,’ she shouted over.
Joe looked up and lowered his bow. ‘Morning.’
Up close, Becky could see Joe’s eyes were inflamed, the bags beneath them puffy and black. ‘You couldn’t sleep either, eh?’
‘Nah.’
Becky inclined her head towards the bow. ‘It physically hurts to say it, but you’re brilliant with that thing now.’
Joe shrugged. ‘I’m all right,’ he said modestly. ‘You heard owt about Edgar?’
‘Nope,’ Becky replied. ‘How about you?’
‘No,’ Joe said glumly.
‘Hopefully that’s a good sign,’ Becky said. ‘I mean, if there was something wrong then we would’ve -’
A stale wind brushed her face and a small globe of light appeared to her right; growing rapidly, it exploded with a SNAP, to reveal Barbie looking up at them. Panic shot through her. ‘Barbie, what is it?’
‘Your uncle requests your presence in the medical wing,’ Barbie said. ‘If you would each take a hand I shall transport you there.’
‘Is it Edgar?’ Becky asked at once. ‘Is he dead?’
‘Quite the opposite,’ Barbie replied. ‘He’s in excellent spirits. I do believe he’s eating his seventh bowl of Cornflakes as we speak.’
Becky looked at Joe, who was grinning. ‘Cornflakes?’
‘Yes,’ Barbie replied. ‘I offered him Weetabix but he said it looked like Harpy Glubba, whatever that may be. Anyway, he’s asked to see you both.’ She offered out her hands. ‘He’s really very nice, isn’t he?’
*
Becky felt herself shake as she took Barbie’s right hand, Joe taking the left. A moment later, ragged forks of light were spiralling up her arm, before encircling her entire body. Her stomach lurched as a shattering crack sounded and the scene changed.
A dim light above illuminated a wide, lengthy corridor with countless doors on either side of its bleached white walls. Sh
e knew at once she was somewhere in the vast complex beneath the Time Room floor. The temperature rose notably and a sour smell of disinfectant met her nostrils. She turned left and saw a set of double-doors, above which was a sign that read Medi-Room 1; standing beside it, a broad smile lighting his face, was Uncle Percy.
‘Thank you, Barbie, you found them okay then?’
‘Indeed, sir,’ Barbie replied. ‘The Alto-radar is fully operational now and working effectively.’
‘Excellent.’
Becky, however, wasn’t in the mood for small talk. ‘Is Edgar in there? She pointed at the double doors. ‘How is he?’
Uncle Percy gave a relieved sigh. ‘He is, and he’s going to be fine. Ahmed, Emily and Terry have left and feel confident he just needs rest from now on. And he must be feeling much better – he’s certainly got his appetite back.’
Becky smiled. ‘Good.’
‘Can we see him?’ Joe asked keenly.
Uncle Percy nodded. ‘Of course. I’ve attached a pair of transvocalisors to him so we can all communicate. But before that, please bear in mind that he’s suffered a terrible ordeal. He’s exhausted, he’s weak and he may look slightly worse for wear. However, I assure you the injuries are only superficial. In time, he’ll make a full recovery.’ Leaning forward, he pushed the door slowly open. ‘Now I’ll be working on a time machine in the Auto-Hall. But there’s a Hologramophone situated next to Edgar’s bed. Call me if you need me.’
Becky nodded and took a hesitant step through the doors. Entering the Medi-room, a lump formed in her throat. Looking over at the far wall, she saw eight machines surrounding a succession of mattresses placed parallel to one another to make a gigantic bed; each machine was connected to an intricate network of wires and tubes which fed into the giant figure below. Edgar lay there motionless, his eyes closed, like a corpse.
Becky gave a dismayed squeak.
Upon hearing this, Edgar’s huge ebony eyes shot open and he jolted up, turning his giant head to face them. ‘Lordy … fancy seeing you two here!’ His voice was as soft and melodic as ever.
Becky’s heart soared. ‘Edgar!’ she screamed, sprinting over to him, Joe following a few feet behind.
Edgar gave a hearty chortle. ‘My, my … haven’t you both grown?’
Becky was about to hug him when she froze with shock. Up close, she could see huge cuts and grazes all over his face and torso; his long, curving horns, usually so polished and gleaming, were scratched and dull.
Edgar noticed the shock on Becky’s face. ‘Don’t worry about my appearance, Miss Becky. I am healing and will soon be at full health.’
‘I know,’ Becky replied quietly.
‘And seeing you again can only hasten that recovery,’ Edgar said. ‘Now, where is my snuggle?’ He extended his giant arms and Becky fell into them, squeezing him tightly. ‘And you, Master Joe. Snuggle, please…’
Joe grinned and joined in the embrace.
Becky released him and saw the towering stack of empty cereal bowls by his bed. ‘So you like cornflakes?’
Edgar chuckled. ‘Very tasty. I think I might enjoy twenty first century food.’
‘Then you just wait until you taste a cheeseburger and chips.’
Edgar looked puzzled. ‘And what is a cheeseburger?’
‘It’s cheesy heaven on a bap.’
‘It’s also made of beef, dungbrain!’ Becky growled under her breath, making sure Edgar couldn’t hear. ‘He’s half Bull!’
The smile fell from Joe’s face.
‘Don’t forget Edgar’s a vegetarian, Joe,’ Becky said loudly.
‘Oh, yeah,’ Joe said. ‘Actually, veggie burgers are even better.’
‘Then I shall look forward to devouring many of them,’ Edgar replied. ‘Anyway, how have you been keeping? From what Perce tells me you’ve been continuing your relic quests with some success.’
‘Yeah,’ Joe replied. ‘After we buried the Golden Fleece, we went back and in time and found The Box of Eternity. It was pretty hair-raising stuff, but we got it in the end. And now we’re looking for the Spear of Fate.’
The second the words left Joe’s mouth, Edgar’s face dropped. ‘So I gather. And you are not the only one, I can assure you of that …’
Seeing Edgar’s change of expression, Becky felt terrible. For someone so huge, so powerful, so formidable, Edgar looked as fragile as a scolded child. Not knowing what to do or say, she decided to follow her heart. Reaching forward, she placed her hand tenderly on Edgar’s. ‘We’re very sorry about your brothers.’
Edgar nodded and managed a smile. ‘Thank you, Miss Becky.’ His thick black lips quivered. ‘Yes, Gergo and Gergan were noble in their deaths.’ His gaze angled down, before looking up again, into Becky’s eyes. ‘I would beg you not to go searching for the Spear if I believed you would listen. You could not possibly comprehend the evil you will be up against.’
‘You mean Aribert Heim?’ Joe blurted in such an insensitive tone it made Becky scowl at him.
‘Not now, Joe,’ she said firmly. ‘I’m sure Edgar doesn’t want to -’
Edgar raised his hand. ‘Please, Miss Becky. I can talk about him. After what he has done to me, to my brothers, I refuse to dread him.’ He turned to Joe. ‘Yes, Joe. I mean Heim.’
‘What was he like?’ Joe asked.
‘He is a devil in human skin,’ Edgar said without emotion. ‘A demon. He walks as you do, he breathes as you do, but he is not as you are.’
Becky was processing everything Edgar had said. ‘And what did he want with you?’
Edgar inhaled a deep, rattling breath. ‘He knows of my heritage. He knows my people descend from the lost island, the motherland, the isle of the Ancients.’
‘You mean Atlantis?’ Becky said. ‘You’re talking about Atlantis.’
Edgar nodded. ‘I am,’ he said in a quiet voice. ‘And since Heim slaughtered my brothers, I am the last of the Minotaurs, the last of my race. He wanted me because he believes I know the secrets of the old guard. He believes I know the location to the Chamber of the Ancients, the gateway, lost to time and legend, that will lead to the Spear of Fate.’
‘And do you?’ Joe asked. ‘Have you heard of it?’
Finally, the glimmer of a smile returned to Edgar’s face. ‘I’ve done more than heard of it, Master Joe. I’ve been there….’
Chapter 17
The Chamber of the Ancients
‘I don’t understand?’ Joe asked. ‘Have you seen the Spear of Fate?’
‘Oh, Lordy, no,’ Edgar replied.
‘But you’ve been to the Chamber of the Ancients?’ Becky pressed.
‘I’ve been to the Chamber’s marker, to the Tauri Stones. My grandfather took me as a Calfan, a young Minotaur, in my seventh year.’
‘What are the Tauri Stones?’ Becky asked, intrigued.
‘It is an ancient tradition of my race that, at least once in your time on earth, you must place a stone at the entrance to the Chamber of the Ancients. The stones are symbolic of our wish to maintain the ways and beliefs of our ancestors, the customs of the motherland and our oneness in protecting the Chamber. These are the Tauri Stones. And it is to these stones I have visited, but never have I ventured inside the Chamber. And never would I. No Minotaur would.’
‘Why not?’ Joe asked.
‘It is forbidden,’ Edgar replied. ‘To remove the Tauri Stones and enter the Chamber would be a sacrilegious act. The Chamber of the Ancients is a revered place, a place that should remain concealed forever from human eyes, corruptible eyes that may plunder the countless treasures beyond its walls.’
‘What do you mean beyond its walls?’ Becky asked.
‘According to legend the chamber is a doorway…’ Edgar replied. ‘Open it and a path is revealed, a great path that leads to the last surviving vestige of the old world: a perfect replica of the great Temple of Poseidon...’
At once, Becky remembered what Uncle Percy had said about the location of The Spear of Fate: - Th
e most intriguing legend is that it ended up in Egypt many thousands of years ago, hidden in an underground temple.
‘The Temple of Poseidon?’ she breathed.
‘Yes,’ Edgar nodded. ‘She was said to be the most magnificent edifice in all of Atlantis, dedicated to the God who fashioned her. And after Atlantis’ fall, she was reconstructed to the last detail by the finest craftsbulls to have ever lived … It is within the Temple’s hallowed walls that the Spear of Fate is said to reside.’
‘So where is the Chamber?’ Joe asked eagerly.
‘In Ta-Mehu … Lower Egypt, on the outskirts of the city of Memphis, the capital of the old Kingdom.’
‘Does Uncle Percy know about all of this?’ Joe asked.
‘He does,’ Edgar replied.
‘Good,’ Joe replied determinedly; just then his expression changed as if struck by a sinister thought. ‘And what about Heim? Did you tell him when he … when he captured you?’
Edgar raised his snout proudly and said in a firm, defiant tone, ‘I told him nothing. I would rather my tongue be torn out by its roots than divulge anything of the secrets of my brethren.’ He looked over to see that Becky looked distressed; his voice softened. ‘Pardon my harsh language, Miss Becky. It’s just the very mention of Heim unleashes the brute in me.’
‘I understand,’ Becky nodded sympathetically.
Joe, however, wasn’t fazed in the slightest. ‘We should make a move,’ he said to Becky. ‘Get Uncle Percy and Will, get the Gadeirus tablet and –’
Edgar’s face crumpled with shock. ‘You know of the Gadeirus Tablet?’
‘Know of it … we’ve got it,’ Joe replied.
‘B – but how?’ Edgar stuttered.
Joe shrugged. ‘Some German bloke nicked it from the Nazis, then kicked the bucket, and a Yeti dumped him in a cave. Uncle Percy knew the Yeti.’ He grinned. ‘Stroke of luck, eh?’
Edgar’s nostrils flared. ‘Yes,’ he puffed. ‘The Gadeirus Tablet holds the key to opening the Chamber of the Ancients. I thought it had been lost in the mists of time. Lordy, this is a surprise!’