by Paul Moxham
Joe didn’t get angry often, but this time he did. He stormed out of the farmhouse and climbed onto his bicycle. He wasn’t angry with Christo or Nadia, but with himself.
But it wasn’t just anger. It was frustration, annoyance, and anger all boiled into one. However, by the time Joe returned to the farmhouse an hour or so later, he had calmed down.
As he walked into the living room, Nadia comforted him. “I don’t want you thinking that we’re just going to sit back and do nothing. We’re going to do everything in our power to get the others back. It just might take a little time.”
Joe managed a glimmer of a smile. “Thanks. I know you will.” He left the room and headed upstairs to think.
By the time Joe came downstairs, he had thought of the only possible solution. He entered the kitchen where Christo was talking to Nadia. “Why don’t we contact Max? Maybe he can help.”
Christo nodded. “That thought did cross my mind but, knowing how busy he is, I didn’t want to bother him. However, since neither of us can think of a way to get the others back, I’ll telephone him now.”
~
The next morning, as Joe entered the kitchen, he caught sight of Christo talking to a good looking man with sandy coloured hair. He frowned. The man looked familiar. It wasn’t Max, but it was someone he had seen talking to Max.
The answer dawned on him as he walked over. It was Captain Williamson. The man who had helped capture Chang at the end of their adventure in Monrovia last summer.
As the captain saw Joe approaching, he smiled. “Hello there! I wasn’t expecting to see you again so soon.”
Joe nodded. “Same here, although I must admit I was expecting to see Max.”
Captain Williamson sighed. “I wish he was here too.”
“What do you mean?” Joe asked. “Has something happened to him?”
The captain nodded as he sat back down. “He was on a secret mission in Zakova and it’s been just over forty eight hours since we last heard from him.”
“That’s the country where the others probably are,” Joe exclaimed.
Williamson nodded. “Yes. Christo informed me of that fact. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Golden Dragons are keeping them all imprisoned at Eagle’s Nest.”
“Eagle’s Nest? What’s that?” Joe asked.
“It’s a castle overlooking a large lake and it’s the headquarters of the Golden Dragons,” Williamson replied.
“What was Max doing in Zakova?” Joe questioned
“The British government wanted to put an end to the Golden Dragons,” Williamson explained, “but before doing so they needed to know more about them, such as how large the organization was and who was in charge. So Max was sent undercover and pretended to be one of the Golden Dragons. He made daily contact with another undercover agent in Zakova until recently. I can only assume he’s been captured because they found out who he was.”
“Are you going to rescue Max?” Joe asked.
The captain sighed. “We don’t have any plan to send in soldiers because we don’t want to create an international incident. One captured British agent is bad. But it would be much worse to have a whole squad of men captured. Besides, Max was on a secret mission and, therefore, the British government doesn’t want any official team going in to rescue him. However, they still want to try something, so they have assigned their best person to get him out.”
“Do you know him?” Joe asked.
Williamson smiled. “I should do, it’s me. I was trying to think of a plan when Christo contacted me and told me about your sisters and Will being captured by Chang. So now I have to rescue four people and not just one. If only there was a way to get into the country without being recognised.”
Joe suddenly grinned. “I think I might have the perfect plan.”
Christo gazed at Joe in astonishment. “You do?”
Joe nodded. “Yes. Last night, when I was tossing and turning in bed, I suddenly remembered that Gringo’s Circus, the circus that performed for the king of Monrovia is going to be performing in Zakova.”
Williamson looked across at Christo. “How much do you know about Gringo’s Circus?”
“It’s one of the most famous in the region,” Christo stated. “And now that I think of it, Joe is correct. It is performing in Zakova. There was an article in the newspaper about it and the countries it’s going to be visiting were mentioned. I’ll go and get the paper now and just confirm what the date was.”
Christo left the kitchen and returned a minute or two later with the newspaper. He spread it out on the table and flicked through the pages until he found what he was looking for. “Ah, here we are. They’re performing in Zakova tomorrow and, not only that, they are actually performing at Eagles Nest.”
Captain Williamson thought for a moment or two. “If we were able to pretend that we were part of Gringo’s Circus, we wouldn’t have any problem getting into Zakova. We could then carry out a rescue right under the noses of the Golden Dragons. It would be the perfect opportunity. They wouldn’t suspect anything at all. The only thing that might stand in the way is if the circus folk don’t agree to help us out.”
“Yes, that’s quite possible, but if the folk are anything like the people around here, who hate the Golden Dragons, I’m sure they will,” Christo replied.
“Well, let’s have a talk with them,” Williamson stated. “Where are they camped now?”
Christo studied the newspaper. “They’re in Sukova, the country situated between Monrovia and Zakova. In a village called Rudnick.”
Captain Williamson nodded. “Let’s get going before they set off for Zakova.”
Chapter 15: Disguise Time
By the time evening had arrived, everything had been finalised. It hadn’t taken long for Captain Williamson to convince the ringmaster to help him. Once he had agreed, Williamson had contacted his headquarters in London and, within a number of hours, seven soldiers had parachuted down and made contact with them.
The soldiers had then changed out of their uniforms and into circus clothes. Christo, Max, and Joe also had to do this since they had to make certain that, if the Golden Dragons glanced at them, they looked as though they were part of the circus.
At first, Christo had been reluctant to allow Joe to join them, but Joe had argued that if something happened and they needed someone small, he could be very useful to them. Plus, if it hadn’t been for him, none of this would have happened. And so, Christo had said yes.
It was a long drive to Zakova and, even after they had crossed the border, they still had another three hour drive ahead of them before reaching the capital city which was where the castle was.
By this time it was dark and so, as they arrived at a large field, the circus folk stopped and bedded down for the night. The ringmaster walked over to Max. “Our performance is at three in the afternoon, but we’ll need time to drive there and set up, so we’ll be leaving at noon. Make sure you and the others are ready.”
“We’ll be ready,” Max replied.
~
Noon couldn’t come soon enough for Joe and soon they were on their way to the castle. As they drove through the countryside, Christo told the details of the plan to Joe. “The best time to rescue the others is during the performance so, when the majority of the Golden Dragons are watching the performance inside the big tent, Captain Williamson, along with his men, will be dressed up as acrobats and head towards the dungeons. Once they rescue Max and the children, the entire group will hide in the caravans until the performance inside the big tent is finished. Then we’ll help pack up everything and be on our way back to Sukova.”
“That seems like a good plan,” Joe said. “I just hope that nothing goes wrong.”
Christo nodded. “So do I.”
Time seemed to go really incredibly slowly but, as three o’clock came and the big tent was set up in the courtyard of Eagle’s Nest, Christo and Joe, along with Williamson and his men, watched from inside one of the caravans.
&n
bsp; After the performance had been in progress for roughly half an hour, Williamson glanced at his watch. “It’s time. If we don’t return in twenty minutes you’ll know something has happened. But don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll be out before then.” Williamson patted Christo on the back and then left the caravan dressed as an acrobat. His seven men followed him.
Joe watched anxiously from the caravan window as they walked across the courtyard towards the dungeon door. As they disappeared from sight, Joe turned to Christo. “What if someone decides to check on the prisoners?”
“Let’s hope they don’t, or we’ll all be locked up,” Christo replied. “The plan is good, but it’s not foolproof.”
As the minutes passed, Joe began to get worried. He knew he needn’t have for only a short time had passed, but after ten minutes he looked at Christo. “I have a bad feeling that something…” He suddenly paused as five soldiers entered the courtyard. “That’s not good.”
As one of the soldiers pointed towards them, Christo realised they had been spotted. “Quick, let’s get out of here!”
The chase was on. Christo and Joe didn’t have much of a lead, but as they weaved between the caravans which were parked all around the big tent, they were able to stay ahead of the soldiers.
However, Joe knew this couldn’t last long for it would only be a matter of time before more soldiers joined in the pursuit. So, while they crouched behind the lion cage, Joe glanced at Christo. “What if we hid in the dungeons?”
“Are you crazy?” Christo exclaimed. “That’s the worst place to go. We’d be trapped.”
“Maybe so,” Joe admitted, “but it would also be the last place that the soldiers would look for us.”
Despite the situation, Christo let out a grim smile. “You know, you’re a smart boy. You’re right, they surely wouldn’t think of looking there. Come on, let’s get going before we’re spotted.”
The two darted across the courtyard, their feet pounding on the stone surface. All the time, Joe wondered if someone would yell out, but no shout came. They reached the door that led to the dungeons, opened it, and closed it behind them.
As Christo spotted the bolt which was on the inside of the door, he pushed it all the way down. He let out the breath he had been holding and relaxed a little. “That won’t hold them forever, but it will be something. Let’s see if there’s a guard.”
They quietly walked down the steps. As they reached the end of the staircase, Christo paused and whispered to Joe. “I see one guard.”
“Do you think there will be more than one?” Joe whispered.
Christo shook his head. “No. Stay here.”
Joe did as he was ordered as Christo tiptoed across the floor. He watched anxiously as his friend got closer and closer to the man who was sitting on a seat with his back towards them.
Then, with one swift motion, Christo raised his arm and knocked the man out. As the guard fell to the ground, Christo grabbed the keychain and rushed over to where the cells were as Joe joined him.
Will, Amy, and Sarah were in the first cell that they unlocked and were elated at being freed.
Amy wrapped her arms around Joe and hugged him tight. “I’ve never been so glad to see you.”
“Did anyone hurt you?” Joe asked.
Will shook his head. “No, but even so, it was fairly unpleasant being imprisoned down here. But at least we had some company.”
Joe nodded as he glanced around as Christo unlocked the next cell in which Captain Williamson and his seven men were locked up.
In the final cell was Max. As Max walked out of the cell, he gave Christo a bear hug. “Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Christo replied. “We’re not close to being safe yet. The soldiers are searching the courtyard for Joe and I and it probably won’t be long until they send someone to check on the prisoners.”
“Then let’s get out of here before someone comes,” Captain Williamson stated. “There are only two ways out of Eagles Nest. One is through the main gate, which I imagine will be closed now and surrounded by guards, the other is the cable car. I’m sure we’ll encounter a guard or two making our way to the cable car since the room is on the other side of the castle, but we’ll have a better chance than if we were to attempt to escape through the gate.”
Max nodded. “The cable car does sound like the best option. It just depends on how many soldiers are still out in the courtyard.”
“Let’s see what the soldiers are doing now,” Christo suggested.
The group walked back up the stairs, coming to a stop as they reached the door. Christo slowly opened it. He glanced around. “Looks pretty safe. I think we’ll be able to…” He suddenly paused as two soldiers appeared around the corner.
As the men yelled out, Christo stepped back into the dungeons and slammed the door shut. “Damn!” He pushed down on the bolt and turned to the others. “It’s not going to hold them for too long, but it’s something.”
“What’s the point?” Captain Williamson growled. “There are only two ways to escape and they both involve being on the other side of that door.”
Max’s blue eyes glinted. “Actually, that’s not true. There’s another way to escape.” He glanced towards the door as the soldiers pounded on it. “It might not work, but it’s better than staying here.”
Everyone followed Max down the stairs. As he reached the area where the unconscious guard lay slumped against the wall, he continued walking towards a door that none of them had noticed before.
“Where does that lead?” Captain Williamson asked.
“To the lake. So, as long as there aren’t any soldiers watching the lake, we’ll be able to get away without anyone seeing us.” Max opened the door and walked down the tunnel.
They reached the end of the tunnel two minutes later. A small pool of water greeted them.
“How did you know about all of this?” Christo questioned.
“My contact in Zakova told me about it just before I was captured. However, there’s a good chance there will be a soldier or two within view of the lake, so I think it’s best if we go in two groups.” Max turned to Christo. “You stay with the children and wait for my return.”
“But what if you don’t return?” Sarah questioned, scared.
“I’ll be back,” Max promised. “I never break my word.”
A few moments later, Captain Williamson and his men dived into the water and disappeared from sight. Max quickly followed them.
Chapter 16: Out Of Options
The children sat down on the nearby rocks while Christo paced back and forth. As one minute passed, and then the next, Sarah became nervous. “Shouldn’t Max have returned by now?”
Christo hesitated, and then glanced at his watch. “I’m sure nothing has happened.”
“But surely he should be back by now, shouldn’t he?” Amy questioned.
Christo raked a hand through his hair as he continued pacing back and forth. “I’m sure everything is fine. You heard what Max said. He promised he’d be back and he never breaks a promise.”
Suddenly, a shape became visible in the water below and, a moment or two later, Max rose up to the surface. As he pulled himself up out of the water, he gulped in a few big breaths while everyone stared at him.
“What happened?” Christo asked, concern clearly visible in his voice.
“The soldiers are circling the lake as we speak,” Max replied. “They spotted the captain as he and his men reached the island. So now that the Golden Dragons know that the others are on the island, there is no way we can escape that way.”
“But then we’re trapped!” Amy exclaimed.
Will nodded. “Amy’s right. If we can’t swim to the lake, and we can’t escape via the dungeon door, what are we going to do?”
Max sighed as he dragged himself to his feet and glanced around the small cave. “I’m not sure. If only there was another way out.”
“But there isn’t,” Christo stated. “We’re doomed.
”
“Hey, look!” Joe rushed over to the far corner of the cave and peered up. “There looks to be some kind of hole up there.”
“But how does a hole help us?” Amy questioned. “If we can’t escape that way—”
“Hold on, Joe might have something,” Max interrupted, hurrying over to the boy. He gazed up. “If we can make the soldiers believe that all of us swam up to the lake, they will leave the castle and search for us around the lake, therefore giving us a chance to make our way to the cable car and escape that way.”
Suddenly, Christo heard footsteps approaching. “It must be the soldiers! They must have broken down the dungeon door!”
“Into the hole!” Max hissed.
Everyone quickly hurried over to the hole. Christo and Max helped the children first, and then they too clambered up. They had just managed to bring their legs up into the hole when Chang, with a pistol in his hand, emerged from the tunnel along with five other soldiers.
As the Chinese man gazed around the cave, Joe wondered if he’d look towards the hole and see them.
Fortunately, Chang didn’t even glance in the direction of Joe and the others. He just turned to the soldiers. “They must have swum to the lake. Come on, we’ll track them down outside.”
As the men hurried back up the tunnel, everyone relaxed. Then, as the echo of their footsteps became quieter and quieter, they climbed down from the hole.
Christo looked at Max. “So is the cable car our best option?”
Max nodded. “With a little bit of luck, we can make it there without being seen. I only had a brief look at the layout of the castle that Captain Williamson showed me, so hopefully we won’t get lost. But hopefully, most, if not all of the soldiers, will be searching for us outside.”
“But what happens when the soldiers look up and see the cable car leaving the castle?” Amy questioned.
“Hopefully nothing. But let’s cross that bridge when we come to it,” Max said. “First we have to get to the other side of the castle.”