“What about you, Mr Beauchamp?” asked Poppy.
“Much the same except they were looking for the Keeper’s sword,” he sobbed. They went through the entire collection of old swords in my garage and dragged me to the pond when they couldn’t find it.”
“We’ll get you home,” said Luther. “I’m sure we can find a way.” He winked at Poppy and pulled the Book from his pocket. Luther explained that he couldn’t leave it under the trough and had snuck it out when Tom wasn’t looking.
“Matthews is here too!” exclaimed Wonky.
“Well he’s in Egypt,” laughed Poppy. “He got away and is probably planning our escape as we speak.”
“I wouldn’t trust him to sit on a toilet the right way round.” said Beauchamp. “What has he got with him that will get us out of here? Another tatty old book?” Once again he buried his head in his hands and began sobbing.
“This tatty old book could save us all!” said Luther. He opened it and asked Poppy what the clock meant on the map. Poppy explained that it showed where they needed to be, and at what time they needed to be there in order to get back home.
“Well there are three of them all with different dates and times.
“Never heard Felix say that before,” she whispered to herself. A loud bang from one of the tunnels shook her from her thoughts.
“Ah! Silver service again. Dinner is served,” declared Wonky as he disappeared into the dark. A few minutes later he returned with a handful of flat bread. He separated the measly offering into four and each of the prisoners ate in silence. They took a drink of water from the jug and Wonky announced, “It’s time to go to the land of nod!”
“How do you know it’s night time?” asked Luther.
“We don’t!” snapped Beauchamp. “We just sleep after food, it’s the only routine we have.”
Luther opened the Book and asked, “What time is it?”
Time to go to the land of nod! :)
Luther giggled, “The Book agrees, time for sleep.” The others curled up on shelves cut into the walls of their prison and tried to sleep. Luther took the candle to his bunk and began reading the Book. He was amazed at the tales of Ancient Egypt and what was actually happening outside. He didn’t believe a word of it and before long he had fallen asleep with the Book on his chest and the candle flickering in the slight breeze that swept through their cell.
34
The deafening explosion threw Felix, Tom and Curly down behind the ridge of the dune. They crawled back up and peered into the valley below. A plume of black smoke billowed into the bright blue sky. Felix looked at Tom, “The Brethren!”
A massive roar came from the town as the slaves and the Brethren soldiers left their stations and ran towards the river. There, jutting out into the water sat a gold pier. Three Brethren monks flew out of the water and on to the jetty. The amassed crowd began cheering loudly as the warriors returned from wherever they had been causing mayhem.
Suddenly, there was silence and the whole crowd turned towards the white buildings with the flat golden roofs. Like a ballerina from a music box, a figure emerged through the gold. It walked to the roof’s edge of the building closest to the gathered hoard and raised its arms. Everyone dropped to their knees before the figure. It lowered its arms and the crowd roared in adoration. The returning Brethren made their way to the building through the ecstatic Egyptians.
“Now!” whispered Felix. “Let’s go while nobody is looking.”
The three weary travellers stumbled and rolled down the huge dune towards the river. Tom dived straight in. Felix took off his shirt and, remembering his life saving training began to tie up the sleeves to form a buoyancy aid. He filled the shirt with air and tied the bottom. He handed it to Curly and laughed.
“Just hold on and kick!” shouted Tom from half way across the river.
Felix pushed Curly into the water. Curly grabbed Felix and pushed him under the water in panic. Felix kicked him away and handed Curly the makeshift float.
“Kick you muppet!” screamed Felix. Curly followed the instruction and slowly kicked his way out into the current. The float was slowly deflating and panic once again set in. He let go of the shirt and began to flap around like a dying fish. Felix tried to get him but Curly kept dragging him under the water. Felix had to swim away. Just as Curly was about to disappear below the surface Tom appeared on the bank.
“Grab this!” Tom shouted. He threw a rope into the river. Curly lunged towards it and missed. Tom tugged the rope back into the riverbank and tried again. This time the rope landed straight in Curly’s hand. He grasped the rope tightly and Tom heaved him to safety. Felix rescued his shirt and joined them on the sandy shore. The three exhausted boys lay in the sun drying off.
“Thank you,” muttered Curly.
“You’re welcome!” Felix and Tom said together. They both thought that Curly would listen to them now that he owed them his life. They crawled into a wheat field to shelter from the sun and rest before making their way to the town.
35
The noise was deafening. Sand fell on their heads as the entire underground cell system shook.
“What the hell was that?” cried Luther.
“The Brethren!” replied Poppy.
“That’s been a regular event since we got here,” added Wonky. “They must be doing a lot of building work.”
“Trust me, I don’t think they’re building anything,” said Poppy.
“Anyway, did you sleep well?” asked Wonky.
“Yes thank you!” replied Luther. “Except for the cold breeze and the spiders it was fine.”
“Wait until the snakes come!” croaked Beauchamp.
“You’re a cheery soul Mr Beauchamp. Great company for our young guests!” Wonky chuckled.
Mr Beauchamp was once again sobbing into his hands. Wonky shrugged his shoulders, rolled his eyes and asked, “Well, with what excitement will we entertain ourselves today?”
“I spy,” replied Poppy. Luther and Wonky burst out laughing and even Beauchamp managed a little smile.
The loud crash of a door closing meant breakfast was served. Wonky shuffled off down the tunnel and once again returned with flatbread and a jug of water. The four prisoners sat quietly while they ate.
“Have you thought of escaping?” asked Luther.
“Where would we go?” replied Beauchamp. “Into the desert to die? At least we get fed here!” He began sobbing into his hands - again!
“If we can get out of these tunnels, Luther can get us home,” said Poppy.
“How?” asked Wonky.
“Trade secret,” joked Poppy. “But trust me he can.”
“How can we get out?” whimpered Beauchamp. “We can’t reach the trapdoors. We’re going to DIE!”
“Stop being a drama queen!” spat Wonky - his head for the first time going to the left. He too was fed up with Beauchamp’s moaning.
“It’s made of sand!” exclaimed Poppy. “Digging would be easy!”
“Where does that breeze come from?” asked Luther. “There must be an opening there.”
“We were told not to go down that tunnel,” Wonky replied.
“Have you always done as you’ve been told?” laughed Poppy. “Finish the bread and we’ll go exploring.”
“We can’t go down there - it’s dangerous!” cried Beauchamp. “They told us that we would die if we go into that tunnel.”
“Come on,” cried Poppy. She grabbed the candle and strode purposefully into the tunnel entrance. As she was carrying the only light source, she knew the others would soon follow.
The tunnel narrowed as they got deeper into the underground maze. They had to crouch as they walked but Poppy ploughed on. The breeze was getting stronger, she knew there must be an opening somewhere. Poppy turned round to check on the others. She burst out laughing as she saw Wonky and Beauchamp on their hands and knees.
“We’re too big for this,” said Wonky.
“We’re going to be buried
alive,” whimpered Beauchamp.
“Not much further,” Poppy reassured her adult companions. “We’ll see the sun before long.”
Luther was at the rear giggling at the grown-ups’ fear.
“Let’s rest for a while,” suggested Luther. “We don’t know what we’ll find when we get out.”
They sat in the tunnel, Wonky and Beauchamp panting like dogs trying to get their breath back, and Poppy and Luther wondering how they could escape.
36
Tom led the way through the crops towards the rickety bridge across the river. They evaded the farmers and before long the boys had reached the irrigation channel. On the other side lay the donkey enclosure where Tom and Poppy had hidden their weapons.
“I can’t do that again!” cried Curly. The thought of being in the water once more filled him with dread.
“One push and you’ll be across,” whispered Felix reassuringly. “Keep your voice down, we don’t want any attention.”
“Come on,” beckoned Tom who was already on the other side of the obstacle. Felix pushed Curly in before throwing his guitar case over to Tom. Curly splashed his way across to Tom who hauled him up onto the hay. Felix climbed up to join them.
“It stinks!” said Curly.
“Shhhhhh!” replied Felix holding his finger to his lips. Tom, keeping low, made his way to the water trough. He pulled out a pile of clothes, two Guardian sabres and the Keeper’s broadsword.
“It’s gone!” he exclaimed.
“What?” Felix asked.
“The Book of Words!” whispered Tom.
Felix rummaged through his guitar case, “My sword’s gone because Luther’s is here. But that doesn’t explain The Book! Just hope Luther has it and it hasn’t got into the wrong hands.”
Curly sat there shaking his head, “You and that flaming book. I don’t believe in magic, I know this is just a dream.”
Tom and Felix laughed as a donkey began chewing at Curly’s ear. Curly punched the donkey, which caused mayhem. The animals began running around the wheel at speed, causing the temporary repairs on the machinery to break. This time the Shaduf fell to pieces. The farmers came running from every direction. Felix stuffed the clothes into his guitar case. He handed Curly Poppy’s sabre and said, “I’m trusting you. Only use it when we do!”
They slipped quietly back into the Nile. Curly clung tightly to Felix’s guitar case as Tom and Felix dragged him across the expanse of water. The farmers’ attention was firmly on the donkeys and the broken Shaduf as the boys crossed the river, then slipped quietly up the bank and into the town through the opening in the large soil wall. The town seemed deserted. All the people were still in the large courtyard in front of the white buildings.
“Where are Poppy and Luther?” asked Felix.
“In there!” Tom pointed across the courtyard towards the huge, heavily guarded door. Felix let out a large sigh as he realised they would need to find another way in.
The crowd in the courtyard began to disperse and head back to their daily routines. The boys quickly ran around the edge of the town to the rear of the huge white buildings. Tom pointed back to the courtyard. The lines of slaves were once again taking up the ropes. The Brethren stood over them, cracking their whips. The three boys sat in the shade. Felix was thinking hard on how they could get in and rescue Poppy and Luther. He opened The Book of Words. The red sword that represented Poppy was just inside the door on the map. The other marker showed his current position between the town wall and the building.
“Why is she just inside the door?” wondered Felix.
“Why are there no foot marks in the sand around here?” asked Tom. “Nobody has been here for ages judging by those piles of sand.”
Curly stood up and stomped round in circles, “When can I go home?” he asked. “It’s been ages and I miss my mum!” Felix and Tom once again burst out laughing. They were seeing the school bully in a totally different light.
“I’ll get you home but you need to stay with us,” Felix whispered. Curly gave them a two fingered salute and kept kicking piles of sand everywhere. Suddenly, as if he’d been hit by a sniper, his left leg sank into the ground. Curly let out the highest pitched scream the boys had heard for a long time. They ran over to rescue Curly from whatever monster was eating him alive.
37
Beauchamp let out a loud scream as the ceiling above them gave way. Poppy grabbed the object that had caused the collapse and pulled on it with all her might. Luther ran quickly to give her some help. Wonky beat the intruding object with a stone he had picked up off the floor. The animal stopped struggling.
Poppy stepped back and examined their attacker. It was a leg. Not just any leg but a leg wearing Doc Martin boots and school trousers. She was staggered by her discovery. The leg began wriggling. Poppy resumed her struggle, she wasn’t going to let go until she knew what was going on.
“Let me go,” shouted the familiar voice in English.
“Never!” replied Poppy. She could hear giggling coming from above. “Felix? Tom? Is that you?”
“What are you laughing at? I’m being eaten alive!” screamed Curly.
“Shhhhh!” said Tom. “We’ll have guards all over us if you keep on.”
“It’s a monster!” shouted Curly as tears poured down his cheeks.
“It’s Poppy!” laughed Felix. “Poppy Field!”
“Let go Poppy,” ordered Tom. The grip was loosened and Felix pulled Curly out of the hole. Felix began digging down, making the opening a little wider.
Beauchamp screamed again as Felix’s head appeared upside down through the ceiling of their prison. Wonky smiled and nodded hello. Luther wondered who this strange boy was.
“Morning everyone!” whispered Felix. “The A Team has arrived!”
The hole became bigger and Tom appeared next, then Curly.
“Let’s get out of here,” said Poppy.
“No!” Felix replied, to everyone’s surprise. “We’re coming in!” Tom and Curly looked dismayed at the suggestion that they were going to put themselves in prison.
“No way,” said Curly, but before he could protest anymore he had been shoved into the dark cave. Tom jumped down after him. If there was one thing he had learned since Felix had become The Keeper, it was to obey his instructions. Felix beavered away, using his guitar and its case he made a makeshift trapdoor. He covered it in sand and slowly lowered himself into the dark to join the others.
“Great plan!” exclaimed Curly. “Bury ourselves in an Egyptian prison with Wonky and this cry baby.” Beauchamp briefly looked up before putting his head back in his hands.
“If you’d rather take your chances against four hundred soldiers in this heat then be my guest,” Felix replied. “We need a plan. A plan to get you all back where you came from and a plan to stop the Brethren getting the Book.”
Felix opened his Book. To his horror the pages were blank, “You must be Luther.” Felix stated as he shook Luther’s hand vigorously. “You’d better take out your Book and look at the map.”
“There are two red swords and six clocks, all with different times on them,” he informed the others.
“A clock for each of us to get back and the swords for you two,” Felix said pointing at Tom and Poppy. “Who got here first?” he continued. Wonky put his hand up. “Then the earliest date is for you. Where is the clock on the map?”
Luther pointed at the blank page. Tom shrugged.
“You have to tell us,” smiled Poppy at the nervous Keeper.
“The clock is just inside the main door, in a large entrance hall,” Luther nervously stuttered. “All of the times are within twenty minutes of each other,” stated Felix. “We need to go together, this is a huge test that the Book is setting for us. Take us back to the main room you’ve been in.”
Poppy took the flickering candle and led the way through the maze of tunnels back to the main prison rooms. As they arrived the familiar sound of the food delivery door slamming shut greet
ed them. Wonky shuffled off to pick up the lunchtime offerings. The bread didn’t stretch as far with three extra mouths to feed, but there was the endless supply of water to keep them all refreshed.
“When is the next feeding time at the zoo?” quipped Felix.
“We’ve lost all track of time I’m afraid!” Wonky replied.
“We’re going to die down here,” sobbed Beauchamp. Poppy gave the fencing instructor a reassuring hug. It was then that she realised that Curly still had her sabre. She snatched it from him.
“Noooo!” screamed Felix. He took the sabre from Poppy and gave it back to Curly.
“What do you think you’re doing? I’m the Guardian!” snapped Poppy.
“And a dead Guardian if you show up with a sabre on the Brethren’s map,” Felix explained calmly.
“Sorry!” whispered Poppy. “I forgot. You know how much I love a scrap!”
“The food is delivered every four hours,” stated Luther. “I’ve been timing it on my watch and I read about Egyptian routines in my Book.” Everyone turned and stared at the smiling Keeper.
“OK! We have four hours until we make our move up through the trapdoor where the food is delivered. In the meantime we need to build steps so we can all get out.”
Felix, Tom, Luther and Curly followed Wonky down the dark tunnel. Poppy stayed with Beauchamp. It took them an hour to construct piles of sand that would allow them all to reach the trapdoor. Upon their return Felix explained how they could get home. He made it clear that everyone had to keep an eye open for an object that did not fit in this time period. He used the example of the plastic bucket in Tudor England to make sure everyone, including Curly, understood. The weary group of prisoners spent the next two hours sitting in silence. They waited for the signal from Luther that the time for action was nearly upon them.
Felix Jones and The Dawn Of The Brethren Page 11