The Time Hunters and the Sword of Ages by Carl Ashmore

Author:Carl Ashmore [Ashmore, Carl]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Children's Books, Action & Adventure, Children's eBooks, Science Fiction; Fantasy & Scary Stories, Science Fiction, Time Travel
Amazon: B00JNU0WGA
Publisher: Addlebury Press
Published: 2014-04-12T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

The Long Trek

It was then Becky realised just how little she knew about Will’s past. At once, she wanted to sprint to his cabin, wake him and hold him until morning. Instead, she remained absolutely still, her breath forming silvery orbs in the chilled night air. ‘How did it happen?’ she asked quietly.

Little John took another slug from the flagon, froth lingering on his lips as he struggled to find the words. ‘Prince George must’ve only been months old.’ He gave a cheerless smile. ‘A waggish rascal, he were. Ne’er a moment passed when there weren’t a grin fixed to his face. And in passing over charge of the child, the King asked but one thing of Will, and that were every Sunday, if fortune allowed, he wanted the boy to attend church. And Will did his rightest to comply. Hindrance was, Will had a face known to all … and the Sheriff’s eyes were everywhere. But there were a buxom lass friendly with Alan A Dale from a nearby village, Adela Fernyhough her name were…’

‘Each Sunday, Adela would take the baby to the Church of Saint Mary in Edwinstowe and pass him off as her own. Will would always chaperone them to Edwinstowe, but then stay hidden by the forest ‘til she returned from the service. Anyhow, on this one Sunday, a swelterin’ July morn it were… Adela didn’t return. Will waited, but heard nowt. Bothered, Will went into Edwinstowe and found poor Adela’s body on the village green. Poor girl’d been stabbed. The baby snatched. He raked the village but to no avail. A villager declared he’d seen a band of the Sheriff’s men attack the girl and seize the child. Will searched and searched the area for hours but nowt … The trail went as cold as the grave. Anyhow, by the time Will returned to us he were a changed man.’

‘And he never found Prince George?’

‘Nay.’

‘So he could still be alive?’

Little John gave a glum shake of his head. ‘Nay. There be no prospect, poor little scamp. Thenceforward, Will were a shadow of himself, didn’t speak to a soul. Twas only days after that, he vanished for good. And we ne’er saw him for three summers, ‘til he appeared with yer uncle.’

‘And that was three years ago?’

‘Aye.’

Little John’s jaws tightened and his next words came out as a hiss. ‘The Prince and the Sheriff have much to pay for. And one fair day they shall, if only for that little Prince who breathes nay more…’

*

Becky felt numb as she returned to the cabin. As she entered, torchlight wakened the room, sending long shadows against the timber walls.

‘Where’ve you been?’ Joe asked.

‘Talking to Little John.’ Becky replied, slumping onto her bed.

‘Is everything okay?’

‘Yep.’ Becky hesitated. ‘And no. Turn the light off, Joe, there’s something I need to tell you…’

She spent the next ten minutes explaining all she had been told. Even in the darkness, she could feel Joe’s shock emanating outward like a wall heater. After she had finished, the resultant silence threatened to choke them both.

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