The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis (8 page)

Treena smirked. “So much for being a genius.”

Lilith laughed softly. Then, her angelic face took on a serious expression before she said, “There is something else that must be told. The date Amanda Sault recorded is the exact day the Timekeeper mission is to occur. Not before. Not after. You will always arrive prior to the written date in order to prepare yourselves.”

Jordan groaned. “Why does she have to make it sound like cramming for final exams?”

A milky white light suddenly flooded the area where everyone stood. Amanda knew it was the same radiant light that had pulled them into the Arch of Atlantis because her body felt relaxed and calm. Lilith placed her hands together, bowed before them, and took a step into the shimmering light. In that moment, Lilith’s body started to vibrate so fast that her face became a blur. Then came the creepy part—Lilith gelled into the floor—sinking fast, like a slab of ice melting into boiling water.

Before Lilith completely disappeared, Amanda yelled, “But, Lilith, I still don’t understand what it is that we’re supposed to do!”

“You will know soon enough, Amanda Sault. Remember, all of you have special gifts you bring to each Timekeeper mission. You will know when you are required to give. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.”

As she disappeared, the marble floor they were standing on swallowed them whole.

Rainbows. That was all Amanda Sault saw swirling around her.

Then she caught a glimpse of the opening of the Arch of Atlantis straight ahead. It happened so fast she could barely take a breath.
Whump!
She bounced off the soft ground and rolled several feet, just missing a deformed root. Someone landed on top of her, then another, and another, until she could barely breathe. Something sharp in Jensen’s backpack jabbed her in the shoulder blades. She tried to move but couldn’t. Hoping her lungs wouldn’t pop, Amanda smacked her open hand against the earth again and again in a silent bid for getting everyone off of her.

Amanda heard Jordan laughing as he walked up behind her. She stopped her pummeling.

“What’s so funny, Jockstrap?” Amanda hissed under the pressure.

Jordan bent down and grinned. “Seeing you kiss dirt.”

Amanda growled. “You’d better start running, Jensen, ’cause when I get outta here, I’m gonna give you something to kiss!”

“That’s quite enough!”

Amanda craned her neck. “Who said that?”

A drooping tree rustled wildly until branches were pulled away to reveal a face within the leaves. It was Melody.

“How’d you get up there, Melody?” Treena asked as she rolled off of Ravi. He groaned.

“I really have no idea,” Melody replied. “All I remember is being shot out the arch and at the last moment, I flung myself upward so that I didn’t smash into any of you.”

“Do you need any help getting down?” Professor Lucas asked, stretching his back.

Melody shook her head, then grabbed the thickest branch within reach and swung off of it like Jane trying to outdo Tarzan. She landed with the grace of a gymnast.

“Wow, Melody, you never told us you could do that!” Drake shouted, as he stood up.

“Melody never told us that she had a kid, either,” Amanda added, grunting to stand last.

Melody froze. Jordan gave Amanda a look that told her to go to the penalty box.

“That’s not our business, Amanda,” Professor Lucas said. “We all have ghosts in our closets. Let it be.”

Melody nodded to the professor. “Thank you for respecting my privacy, Professor Lucas.” Then she glanced back at Amanda. “You’d best do your job and retrieve the crystal trident from the keystone as Lilith instructed, Amanda.”

Melody sounded curt and to the point. It was best not to offer her any comeback. She turned and ran toward the Arch of Atlantis. Climbing up one side as she had done before, Amanda reached over and grabbed the crystal trident. She had just enough time to jump down before the arch started to vibrate at such an accelerated speed that it disappeared within seconds.

Jordan rubbed his eyes. “Did you see that? The arch vanished!”

Treena moaned. “Now we’re really stuck here. Doesn’t Lilith know my hair can’t take this kind of dampness? I’ll need a hot oil treatment for sure.”

“You need more than that, Mui,” Ravi added. “A face lift would do for starters.”

“Zip it, both of you,” Professor Lucas said. “My guess is that when the crystal trident is removed during a Timekeeper mission, the arch cloaks itself until our task is completed.”

Melody nodded. “Yes, your theory seems to make perfect sense, Professor Lucas.”

“Look, if we’re going to be fellow Timekeepers, I’d like you to call me John. Sounds less formal, don’t you think?”

Melody blushed. “Yes, well then, please feel free to call me Melody, John.”

Good. At least the grown-ups won’t be at each other’s throats.
Amanda heard a bird whistle in the distance and turned toward it. Green. All she saw was the leafy green canopy of a forest. Arrows of sunlight pierced through some of the foliage, but for the most part, they were standing in a large pocket of shades and shadows.
A great setting for a slasher movie.
Ravi should feel right at home here.
Amanda took a deep breath and realized how heavy and moist the air seemed, like being in her grandmother’s sweat lodge without the perspiration dripping down her face.

“So, besides being in a forest, where are we?” Treena asked.

Jordan shrugged. “I dunno. Ask the mighty Scribe.”

Amanda’s guts clenched. “Look, I’m new at this Scribe thing, Jensen, so lay off.” Then, she yanked out the Timekeepers’ log from the bib of her overalls, released the clasp, flipped open the cover, and carefully inserted the crystal trident inside.

“Please, let me see the log book, Amanda,” Melody asked.

As soon as it was in her hands, Melody rifled through the log until she found the correct page. She scanned the riddle, and arched a brow. “Well, we must be standing somewhere in Sherwood Forest because Nottingham is mentioned.”

“Sherwood Forest?” Drake asked. “Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest?”

“It appears so, Drake,” Melody said. “Amanda wrote,
So that an English legend may give to the poor
, which can only mean one historical figure—Robin Hood, who was suspected to live around the time of 1214. But I don’t quite understand the first part of the message.”

“May I see that, Melody?” Professor Lucas asked.

She passed him the log, and the professor perused it. “Hmm.
Games and songs and revelry
, probably means a festival and coincidently, May first—May Day—was one of the biggest holidays during the Middle Ages.” He closed the log and returned it to Amanda.

Jordan raked his hair with his fingers. “Okay, let’s replay the game plan. We’re outside Nottingham, standing somewhere in Sherwood Forest, and there’s gonna be a big medieval party happening soon. Belial is obviously gonna use May Day as diversion to smoke out Robin Hood. What I want to know is how are we supposed to
even the score?”

Treena scratched her double chin. “Well, in all the movies I’ve watched about Robin Hood, there’s usually an archery contest involved. So maybe we’re here to help Robin win.”

Ravi snorted. “Help
Robin Hood
win an archery contest? What’s wrong with that picture, Mui? I don’t know about you, but I can’t remember the last time I picked up a bow and shot an arrow.”

“Fine, cobra breath, I admit I’m not up to speed on archery lingo, but what about Jordan?” Treena asked. “Surely, White Pines’ wonder-jock knows how to use a bow.”

Jordan put up his arms. “Don’t look at me. The last time I shot an arrow it went through the kitchen window and pierced the dining room table. I was grounded for a week.”

“Great. So what now?” Amanda asked.

“Now we start walking toward Nottingham,” Professor Lucas said, pointing to an old signpost, half-covered with vines, next to the tree Melody had jumped down from. The sign was marked
Nottingham
in bold red letters and pointed southward.

“Well, that’s a start, John,” Melody replied. “Lilith did say that Timekeepers observe first and then act. So let’s follow the path and see if anything jumps out at us.”

It was a bad choice of words. Something did jump out at them. All Amanda saw was fur and fangs charging out of the forest. A strong odor of rotting garbage followed it. Jordan dived behind the nearest bush as a huge brown dog bounded directly into his uncle and knocked him over like a bowling pin.

“Hey, mutt, get away from my uncle!”

The dog suddenly turned on him. It was mangy with dark brown eyes, a wet nose, and long gangly legs. Amanda covered her nose. The dog stank like spoiled fish. With a long pink tongue bobbing like a fleshy yo-yo, it started to advance on Jordan. He held out the stick as if it were a magical sword as someone crashed through the thicket. It was a boy, roughly Jordan’s age, but shorter. He wore a dark green hood over his head, a long grubby shirt, and dirty brown pants that ended above the knees. Worn hose covered the rest of his legs, while a pair of leather ankle boots acted as clumsy medieval sport shoes.

The boy positioned himself between Jordan and the hairy beast. Facing the dog, he wagged a finger at it. “Bad dog, Tuck! Bad dog!”

The dog’s long tail collapsed between its legs, and it shrunk to the ground in apology. The boy turned to face Jordan. “Thou canst put yon stick down. Tuck won’t hurt thee, unless thou art a rabbit or a deer.”

Amanda giggled. “That makes you safe, Jensen. By the way you jumped in those bushes I’d say you’re more like a chicken!”

Jordan clenched his teeth. His ears went pink. He turned toward Amanda and balled his fist. “Look, Sault, shut your face or I’ll—”

Jordan stopped his tirade. The boy who rescued Jordan from that furry monster was now aiming a loaded crossbow at his throat. Jordan’s breathing was getting raspier by the second. Not taking his eyes off Jordan, the boy reached back and pulled off his green hood. A mass of reddish-brown hair tumbled out to frame his grimy face, while a pair of steady, hazel eyes never wavered from Jordan.

“Hey, kid, drop the crossbow and move away from my nephew!” Professor Lucas demanded, advancing upon both boys.

It happened in a flash. The end of a staff appeared from a bush and tripped up Professor Lucas, flattening him instantly. Another person emerged from the forest. Amanda’s eyes widened. He was gigantic and had the arms of a gorilla. He must be close to seven feet tall. The giant’s clothing closely matched that worn by the medieval juvenile delinquent sticking Jordan with the arrow, except that a hooded, dark-gray cape with scalloped edges covered his massive shoulders. A small white fleur-de-lis was embroidered on the left side of his cape.

“All is well, Robyn?” the giant asked calmly, as he pushed the end of his staff into the professor’s chest.

“Yea, Jean,” the boy replied. “I wait to hear this knave utter an apology to yon lady.” He dug his arrow deeper into Jordan’s skin.

Jordan winced. He dropped the stick.

Treena jumped. She stared at the huge man with her wide, almond eyes. “Did you just call him Robin? Robin—as in Robin Hood?”

The giant thundered out a laugh that shook the leaves. “Nay, nay. Robyn Hodekin is what he is called among friends. He shares his namesake with the devilish forest elf who seeks revenge on those who cross him. Isn’t that so, Robyn?”

Robyn gave his titanic friend a scowl and then nudged Jordan again. “Apologize!”

“I suggest that you apologize to Amanda, Jordan,” Melody advised. “It appears the only way out.”

Jordan clenched his teeth. “Okay, okay! Sorry, Sault!”

Amanda’s lips curled with pleasure. “Apology accepted, Jensen. You may release him, Sir Robyn.”

Robyn blushed. He removed his crossbow from Jordan’s neck. “I am not a knight, milady. But one day I shall be one.”

Melody cautiously stepped forward. “And a fine knight you’ll make I’m sure, Robyn. Please allow me to introduce everyone. My name is Melody Spencer. Behind me are Treena Mui, Ravi Sharma, and Drake Bailey. The girl you defended so gallantly is Amanda Sault, and the young man with such wonderful manners is Jordan Jensen.”

“Such strange names and odd clothing,” Robyn said. “Where art thou from?”

“White Pines,” Ravi blurted.

“White Pines? I have not heard of such a place,” Robyn said, scratching his chin.

“Yeah, well, it’s sort of off the beaten trail,” Treena replied. “Takes time to get there.”

Robyn shot Treena a puzzled look.

“Uh, we came for the May Day celebrations,” Amanda added.

“May Day? Then thou art a day early, milady Amanda,” Robyn replied.

Amanda’s jaw dropped. So did most of the others. They were a day early? What were they gonna do until tomorrow? It wasn’t as if they could go hang out at the local library or rent a movie from the corner store. The only thing going for them was that they’d found the famous Robin Hood before Belial. Amanda sighed. This Timekeeper thing wasn’t going to be easy.

“Excuse me, but do you think you could get Goliath to back off?” Professor Lucas grunted.

Melody giggled. “Oh yes, I almost forgot, the dog lover is John Lucas.”

Amanda watched Robyn’s dog lick the professor across the face. He winced as gobs of doggy drool dripped off his cheek.

Robyn laughed. “Leave off, Tuck! Let the man up, Jean.”

Jean spun his staff around like a seasoned pro and offered a huge hand to Professor Lucas. He took it with a little hesitation and was launched back on his feet in under a second.

The professor checked over his hand. “Thanks. Uh, Jean, is it?”

The big man smiled. “Jean le Nailor.” Then he pulled back his hood to reveal short black hair, dark blue eyes, a long nose, and a strong, square jaw.

“Are you from France, Jean?” Melody inquired, pointing to the fleur-de-lis on his cloak.

Jean turned, bowed toward Melody, and said, “Yea, milady Melody. ’Tis where I met Robyn. We marched in the Crusade together.”

Professor Lucas was busy brushing himself off when he abruptly stopped. “Crusade? Do you mean the Children’s Crusade of 1212?” he asked in astonishment.

Robyn nodded. “My father was killed in the Crusades when I was but a child. When I became of age, my mother sent me to her relations in France to be trained as a knight. While I was there, a young man called Stephen rallied the children to take up banners and join him to recover the Holy Land. I felt it was my duty to my father to follow this brave lad.”

“But didn’t that Crusade end in disaster with many children losing their lives or being sold into slavery?” Professor Lucas asked.

Jean banged his staff into the ground. “Zounds, ’tis true! Many times I saw death on a child’s face. Robyn and I made the journey to Marseille, only to find out that most of us were to be shipped to the east as slaves. We escaped with the help of a kind French monk called Tuck, who gave us his dog to see to our protection.”

Amanda stifled a giggle. It figures. The story of Friar Tuck got all twisted around by the local rumor mongers of the middle ages. She looked down at Friar Tuck’s namesake, who appeared content licking his furry privates. Amanda rolled her eyes and looked elsewhere.

“Why would you guys need Tuck for protection?” Jordan asked sarcastically. “You do just fine waving that stupid crossbow and staff around at people.”

Robyn’s face hardened. He tightened the grip on his crossbow. “Why dost thou ask many questions? Art thou the sheriff’s spies?”