by carl ashmore
Becky frowned at him.
‘What do you mean?’ Uncle Percy asked.
‘You once told us Heim supposedly died in Egypt,’ Becky said grimly. ‘In turns out there might be some truth in that.’
Uncle Percy nodded, sensing he shouldn’t pursue the matter. He looked down at Adma. ‘And the animals?’
‘They’re free.’
‘And won’t need feeding for a while either,’ Joe muttered.
Becky crouched down and pressed her hand softly against Layla’s arm. ‘And your dad?’
Before Layla could answer, excitable cheers erupted all around; workers were chanting their admiration for something just out of sight at the far end of the square. Gradually, the crowd fell silent and parted, forming a thoroughfare ahead. A tall, raven-haired man in a bloodstained raggedy tunic hobbled into view, his pale, ravaged features scarred by dozens of cuts and lacerations. On seeing Layla, his face exploded with joy. ‘Neffy?’ He quickened his pace, his broken body invigorated with each step.
Layla looked over at him. ‘Papa …’ She scrambled to her feet and began to run. ‘Papa… Papa…’ Speeding into his open arms, she buried her head against his chest. The embrace seemed to last an eternity, before Hannu pulled away.
‘Neffy, what are you doing here?’
‘I came to save you, Papa.’ Looking up at her father, Layla gasped with dismay when she saw the extent of his wounds. ‘You’re hurt, Papa.’
Hannu smiled down at her, and shook his head. ‘These wounds are nothing a day by your side cannot repair.’
Layla smiled back at him. ‘Come with me, Papa. You must meet my friends.’ Beaming from ear to ear, Layla gripped Hannu’s hand and walked over to Becky. ‘Becky, this is my Papa, Hannu … Papa, this is my best friend, Becky.’ Then she pointed at the others. ‘And these are her family. It is because of these good people we are here. It is because of these people that Memphis is saved.’
Hannu’s astonished gaze lingered on Edgar, who gave him a little wave, before finding Becky. ‘Then I thank you, Becky. I thank all of you. I don’t know all that has happened, but I thank you. You have brought the light back to a city, a kingdom cloaked in darkness…’
‘No sweat,’ Becky said with a warm smile. ‘Layla’s a great girl.’
Hannu looked shocked. ‘Layla? But my daughter’s name is Nefertiti.’
Becky’s face dropped. Nefertiti? Surely Layla couldn’t grow up to be Queen Nefertiti? She glanced at Uncle Percy to see a strange realization dawn on his face.
Hannu smiled at his daughter. ‘Why did you tell them you were named Layla?’
‘I’ve never liked the name Nefertiti, Papa. I like Layla.’
Hannu looked back at Becky. ‘Layla was the name of my late-wife, Nefertiti’s mother. And a finer woman has never graced these lands. But whether she approves or not, my daughter’s name is Nefertiti … my darling Neffy.’
Uncle Percy smiled at Layla. ‘Nefertiti, it’s nice to make your acquaintance … finally.’
‘And you,’ Layla smiled back at him.
‘Well, it appears our time here is at an end,’ Uncle Percy said, turning to Becky and Joe. ‘Perhaps it’s time we thought about going home. After all, there’s still plenty to do if we’re going to make this a Christmas to remember. And I do want to make a couple of stops on the way.’
‘Where?’ Joe asked.
‘All good things come to those who wait,’ Uncle Percy replied.
‘Would you care to feast with us before you leave?’ Hannu asked. ‘Many of us haven’t eaten in some time, and I’m certain we can locate ample puncheons of barley beer somewhere in the city.’
‘Barley beer?’ Joe said. ‘Yeah, I could go with that.’
‘I don’t think so, young man,’ Uncle Percy said, to Joe’s visible dissatisfaction.
‘Oh, come on, Uncle Percy,’ Joe replied. ‘It is Christmas.’
‘Then I’m sure Hannu can find you something else to drink.’
‘Of course,’ Hannu said. ‘The children can have Kharoob.’
‘What’s that?’ Joe asked eagerly.
‘It is the juice of the Locust bean,’ Hannu replied. ‘Quite delicious.’
‘I’ll have a pint of that then,’ Joe muttered sourly.
Uncle Percy couldn’t help but smile. ‘Ignore him, Hannu. I’m sure we’d all be delighted to join you and your comrades. How about it, Will? Would you care for a glass or two of barley beer?’
Will smiled. ‘It would not go to waste.’
‘Excellent,’ Hannu said. He turned to the mass of beaming faces before him and shouted, ‘Then let us gather provisions for a banquet. And let the Goddess Hathor preside over the most joyful of celebrations…’
*
The next few hours passed in a whirl; laughter was shared, food eaten, tears shed, hugs exchanged and goodbyes declared. Throughout, Becky couldn’t help but feel a mixture of joy and sadness at leaving such a beautiful and spectacular country. Uncle Percy located a military truck stocked with sufficient Gerathnium to get them home and drove it into the courtyard.
It was dusk when everyone gathered at the time machine. A welcome breeze had freshened the air. A half sun descended on the horizon, painting the empty sky in thick brush strokes of tangerine orange.
Uncle Percy walked up to Hannu and extended his hand. ‘It will take some time for you to rebuild your city again, Hannu, my friend, but I know it can be as magnificent as it was before.’
Hannu returned a warm smile. ‘Thanks to you, Percy Halifax, there are still the hands to do the building.’
Becky turned to Layla. ‘Goodbye, Layla.’
‘Farewell, Becky Mellor,’ Layla replied. ‘And may the light of Ra shine down on you now and always. I shall never forget you. Your face is burned into my soul for all eternity.’
‘And I’ll never forget you,’ Becky said, leaning over and embracing Layla.
After more final goodbyes, Uncle Percy, Will, Joe and Becky boarded the truck, cries of gratitude filling their ears from all sides. It was only then they realised that Edgar hadn’t joined them.
‘Edgar,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Are you coming?’
‘I don’t think so, Perce,’ Edgar replied sadly. ‘I think I should stay. My Atlantean brothers and sisters may need assistance in forging new lives. I should like to be the one to help them.’
Uncle Percy cast him a kindly smile. ‘Very well, my friend.’
Edgar approached him and they embraced.
‘I refuse to weep,’ Edgar said, his lower lip wobbling madly, ‘as I do not believe this will be the last time we shall meet.’
‘I know it won’t be,’ Uncle Percy replied, pulling a small device from his cloak pocket. ‘And, fortunately, I found this in the truck.’
‘What is it?’ Edgar asked.
‘It’s a pagidizor.’ Uncle Percy held up the gadget and pointed at a central green button. ‘If you ever need me, if you’re ever in trouble – heck, if you’re just lonely and want a nice chat and a cup of tea, then press that button and I’ll be with you in a heart beat.’ He passed over the pagidizor.
Edgar took it, a smile curling on his mouth. ‘I shall…’ He turned to Will. ‘Until next time then, William.’
‘Until next time, my friend,’ Will replied, shaking Edgar’s hand.
Then Edgar opened his massive arms and pulled Becky and Joe into a giant hug. ‘I will miss you both. And I shall always be your servant, your friend and your ally.’ His eyes found Joe’s. ‘Joe - your bravery, your integrity, your courage is worthy of the most noble King.’ He looked at Becky. ‘And Miss Becky - your kindness, your compassion, and your beauty would rival that of Artemis herself.’ He paused. ‘And I love you both very much.’
‘We love you, Edgar,’ Becky and Joe said at the same time.
Mopping his eyes, Edgar drew a deep breath. ‘Now be gone with you all, before I break my vow and weep like a Calfan...’
Uncle Percy entered numbers into the
truck’s time-pad.
Becky felt a wave of contentment as she scanned the hundreds of weary but happy faces staring back at them, before her eyes found Hannu, Layla and finally Adma, who was nodding contentedly at Layla’s side. Of all the remarkable things she’d witnessed in Ancient Egypt, she knew seeing an actual unicorn would be the one image she would cherish above all others. Just then, crimson light shot all around, engulfing them. She heard Joe’s voice.
‘So, Uncle Percy, are you gonna show us where you’ve buried the Spear of Fate?’
Uncle Percy grinned back at him. ‘I am, indeed, Joe. But first we’re going to make an unscheduled stop.’
‘Where?’ Joe asked.
‘Oh, not very far away at all,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘It seems Becky has been unwittingly involved in changing the face of the Ancient World.’
Becky’s ears pricked up. ‘What d’you mean?’
‘The clue was in that sentence,’ Uncle Percy replied in a mischievous tone. ‘And we’re only travelling twenty years into the future to find your answer.’
With the customary BOOM, the truck vanished.
*
Becky was even more confused when she saw they had returned to the Giza plateau, and were facing the Pyramids. Looking to her right, she saw the red and black painted torso of The Sphinx.
‘What are we doing back here? Joe asked, surprised.
‘You’ll see,’ Uncle Percy said, opening the driver’s door and leaping on to the sand. ‘Come on everyone, you’ll like this.’
Will, Becky and Joe followed him out.
Uncle Percy flattened his silver hair and took a long deep breath as he surveyed the Sphinx. ‘Isn’t she beautiful?’
But Joe didn’t want small talk. He wanted answers. ‘Seriously, what’s going on?’
‘Well,’ Uncle Percy said with a smile. ‘As you may have guessed, we have spent the last twenty-four hours in the company of royalty. Young Layla or Nefertiti, does indeed grow up to be Queen Nefertiti, perhaps the most beautiful, compassionate and beloved Egyptian queen to have ever lived.’
‘How do you know?’ Becky asked.
‘Well, first of all let’s think about it. Our first connection to Ancient Egypt was a certain carved wooden double-decker bus left in the tomb of Tutankhamen. It just so happens that Queen Nefertiti was Tutankhamen’s stepmother. Apparently, they had a wonderful relationship and she loved the future boy Pharaoh very much. It doesn’t take a great leap of faith to assume she may have had a toy carved for her stepson, particularly when her father was such a notable carpenter, does it?’
‘Okay,’ Joe agreed. ‘I can see that. But why do you think that Becks has summat to do with, what was it you said – changing the face of the Ancient World?’
‘I was aware that The Sphinx as we know it, the one with human features, was fashioned some time during the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten. Now Queen Nefertiti was Akhenaten’s favourite wife, and by all accounts they had a wonderful marriage. He would have done anything for her. And you know what? I think he did…’
Uncle Percy continued talking as he tracked the Sphinx’s torso, Becky, Joe and Will trailing close behind.
‘You see, historians have always assumed the Sphinx’s face was that of a male Pharaoh, perhaps Khafre or Djedefre - it certainly had a beard - but many have indeed commented that The Sphinx’s face had a distinctly feminine quality.’ Reaching the Sphinx’s head, he pointed up. ‘Judge for yourself…’
Becky’s gaze shifted upwards. Her first thought was that the newly sculpted head, the human one she’d seen a thousand times before, was a considerable improvement on the chilling cat-like original. Painted in vivid, realistic colours, it was striking in its grandeur, its magnificence. However, upon close inspection she received an even greater surprise.
‘Bloody hell!’ Joe panted. ‘That’s you, Becks!’
And Becky knew he was right. Although there had been some attempt to masculinize it, the overall impression was that it was a woman’s face; furthermore, she recognised her own features chiselled into the limestone – her forehead, her lips, her nose, her eyes.
‘Yes, Becky,’ Uncle Percy said softly, walking over to her. ‘It seems you made quite an impression on the young Nefertiti. Indeed, I believe you are the basis for one of the great monuments in world history. Perhaps we have solved the true riddle of the Sphinx, and that is who was the model for its human face.’ His hand curled tenderly around Becky’s shoulder.
‘It seems, my dear, it was you …’
Chapter 32
Katanga
Becky’s face was like a photograph, frozen in time, masking the fact her mind was spiralling in all directions. She stood looking at herself, immortalized forever in solid rock, not knowing what to say or how to feel. She only snapped from this trance when she heard Joe’s excitable voice.
‘I am lovin’ the beard, Becks. You have to grow one.’
Becky frowned at him, but she couldn’t hide the smile fixed to her face.
‘Seriously, it’d suit you,’ he continued. ‘Or maybe a goatee?’
‘Shut up.’
‘Or what about one of those big handlebar moustaches?’ Joe giggled. ‘You’d look like a Hairy Biker. You could grow it for Movember.’
‘Why don’t you shut your gob until you’re old enough to have facial fair.’
‘Now, now, you two, enough of that,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Personally, I think it’s a splendid testament to a true friendship. Now would you like to find out where I’ve buried the Spear of Fate?’
‘Yeah,’ Joe said.
Becky nodded.
Within minutes, they had returned to the time machine.
To Becky’s surprise, Uncle Percy was rummaging around in the back of the truck. He heaved a large silver box into the open. ‘I found this little lot in what I assumed was a quartermaster’s stores.’ He unclasped two front fasteners and opened the lid. Inside were thick black coats, trousers, fleeces, woollen socks and heavy boots.
‘We’re not going back to the Himalayas, are we?’ Joe asked, surprised.
‘Not exactly,’ Uncle Percy replied, passing out the clothes. ‘Now I’ve packed the smallest clothes I could find, but as you know, most Associates resemble Lowland Gorillas, so you’ll just have to tolerate any ill-fitting attire.’
‘Why would they have this gear in Egypt?’ Joe asked.
‘Who knows?’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘I’m just glad they did. When Edgar and I buried the Spear it was summertime. This time, we’re going in deepest winter.’
‘Why?’ Becky said, throwing on a fleece to find it fitted her like a tent.
‘Why? Because it’s Christmas …’
A short while later, Becky was sitting in the truck feeling like a trussed turkey in a blisteringly hot oven. Still, as Uncle Percy typed a new destination into the truck’s time-pad, she stared at the vista ahead and felt a wave of contentment wash over her. Egypt’s awesome, she thought.
‘So where is it we’re going, Uncle Percy?’ Joe asked eagerly.
‘We’re going to the Island of Katanga, Joe, about two hundred miles off the Philippine coast.’
‘And why did you bury the Spear there?’
‘Well, first of all it’s uncharted,’ Uncle Percy replied, ‘even in the twenty first century. It’s uninhabited, by humans anyway, impossible to get to by any conventional form of transport.’ A twinkle formed in his eye. ‘And there’s another reason, but I think I’ll keep that to myself for the time being …’
*
Seconds later, the truck materialised on a mountain ridge, overlooking a desert island, no more than a mile in diameter. An icy wind howled all around them and an angry sea crashed violently against high cliffs, which encircled the island like prison walls.
Becky could see at once why Uncle Percy had insisted on winter clothing.
It was freezing cold.
The salty air filling her nostrils, Becky glanced up at the milk-white clouds above, before peeri
ng down at a dense forest that extended to a lake in the island’s centre.
‘Why couldn’t we come in the summer?’ Joe groaned.
‘Because I want you to see something,’ Uncle Percy replied. ‘And it has to be today. As matter of fact, we need to be at that lake in precisely eight minutes.’ He jumped out of the truck. ‘So chop, chop.’
Becky and Joe exchanged curious looks.
‘Why?’ Joe asked. ‘What’s happening in eight minutes?’
‘All good things come to those who wait,’ Uncle Percy replied.
Burying herself in her coat, Becky followed Uncle Percy, Will, and Joe down the mountainside, careful not to slip on the damp, frosty ground. Soon, tall trees and thick undergrowth surrounded them. Uncle Percy wore a serene smile on his face, as he pushed branches aside, singing ‘Deck the hall with boughs of holly’ under his breath. It wasn’t long before he came to a halt before a gigantic tree, thick with age, its branches spiralling in all directions like giant snakes. Swinging right, he pointed down at a large rock, speckled with moss, which sat atop an oddly shaped mound of earth.
‘Well, that’s it,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘That’s where Edgar and I buried the Spear of Fate.’
At this point, Becky was so cold she didn’t care.
Neither, it seemed, did Joe. ‘Great,’ he said, teeth chattering. ‘Can we go now?’
‘Not just yet,’ Uncle Percy replied cheerily. ‘This isn’t the only reason we’ve come to Katanga Island.’ He turned to Becky. ‘As a matter of fact, Becky, Spear or no Spear, I always had every intention of bringing you here, to this very spot, on this most special of days. This, Becky, is your Christmas present…’
Becky couldn’t mask the disappointment in her voice. ‘Oh, err, thanks.’
Uncle Percy didn’t notice. ‘You see, I’m a great believer that a wonderful life should be about wonderful experiences. And I wanted to give you what I hoped you would consider a wonderful experience.’
‘It’s very nice,’ Becky replied, trying not to sound too deflated. ‘Cheers.’
Uncle Percy gave a hearty laugh. ‘I know you’re just being polite. But something happens any moment now that’s only occurred once in the recorded history of this island. And it just so happens that today is December 25th 1981. So it’s actually Christmas Day.’