The Time Tunnellers

By David Ross Wood

Three brothers and their little sister discover a mysterious box in a hidden cave near their home. Inside, four pieces of gold that unite to form a magic medallion that transports the children to Ancient Greece. There they meet one of the greatest rulers of all time, Alexander the Great. Desperate to return to their own time, the children must find the secret to the mysterious medallion and discover how to control it to make sure they can get home. But an evil wizard has other plans for he wants the magical pieces of gold for himself to increase his own power and reputation. The children follow Alexander across strange lands becoming a part of history as they join the great general on his amazing exploits all the while trying hard to make sure the evil wizard does them no harm for if he gets his hands on their medallion they will be trapped in time forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Ross Wood
• Release date: Jan 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463140437

David Ross Wood

David Ross Wood lives in Adelaide, South Australia. He began publishing his work in 2012 and has now published four novels. David is currently working on a fifth story which he hopes will be out by the end of 2019. He lives with his wife and two of his three sons and enjoys reading, movies and sport, (at least when he can find the time.) He also enjoys taking his writing buddy, a Miniature Schnauzer called Tex for long walks.

Book preview

The Time Tunnellers

A Time Tunnellers Novel

David Ross Wood

Published by David Ross Wood at Smashwords

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Acknowledgements

To my three heroes, Thomas, Timothy and Nicholas

Alexander the Great was the King of Macedonia 300 years before the birth of Jesus. His empire was huge covering lands from Greece to India. Alexander, the Persian King Darius and Alexander’s General Admetus were all real people.

All other characters in this book are works of fiction however their adventures in battle are based on true events.

Contents

ONE- A TIME LONG PAST

TWO - THE EXPLORERS CLUB

THREE - THE DRAGON BOX

FOUR - THE GOLD MEDALLION

FIVE - A DISTANT LAND

SIX - A MEETING WITH A KING

SEVEN - NEW FRIENDS

EIGHT - OLD ENEMIES

NINE - THE SEIGE

TEN - THE WIZARDS PLAN

ELEVEN - THE FALL OF TYRE

TWELVE - A LONG WAIT

THIRTEEN - THE RESCUE

FOURTEEN - RETURN OF A KING

FIFTEEN - THE WIZARDS LAST TRY

SIXTEEN - BATTLE OF THE KINGS

SEVENTEEN - ANOTHER TIME

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FROM THE AUTHOR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR

CONNECT WITH DAVID ROSS WOOD

ONE

A TIME LONG PAST

Two hundred years before the first white man set foot on the shores of the land later to be known as Australia, huge ocean going Chinese merchant ships called Junks sailed the waters in search of opportunities to trade. It did not take them long to realise that the large unfriendly land had nothing to offer and was inhabited by natives who had very little to trade and who ran away into the bushland at every approach.

One of the very last of the Chinese ships to sail into these dangerous waters was hit by a fierce and savage storm as it tried to make its way back to its homeland. Below its timber decks, there was stored a huge selection of valuable goods and wares. The most magnificent Chinese silks in a rainbow of brilliant colours sat next to large wooden chests of the finest Chinese green tea. Carefully packed in straw to prevent damage, delicate jars and vases made by the most skilful pottery craftsmen in all of China shook and rattled as the winds became stronger and the seas became more violent. Hidden between the wooden boxes and chests was a treasure greater and more valuable than the whole of the cargo put together. In fact the small-carved wooden box held an item that was far greater in value than the contents of one hundred such ships.

With the wind at its strongest, the captain of the vessel, Jin Wu, looked toward the strange and unfriendly coastline, hoping to see a safe harbour where the Junk could ride out the worst of the storm. The rain lashed his face like a whip as wave after wave washed over the timber decks, soaking him to the skin. The savage waters battered and clawed at Jin Wu’s body, the ocean like a living thing, trying to drag him overboard into the cold, dark waters. The Junk rolled unsteadily as each wave hit the side of the ship, the dark green sea turning to a foaming white as the waves washed over the decks and streamed over the sides in a torrent of violent water. With no safe harbour in sight, the captain shouted the order to take down the sail that was already showing the first signs of tearing in the strong wind. Just as the order was shouted over the shrieking wind, there was a loud crack as if lightening had struck a tree.

The wind had caught the soaking sail, the strong ropes fixing it to the mast had snapped like strands of sodden string and the large piece of canvas was ripped away from the rigging and flew away from the ship like a monstrous bat. Over the sound of the howling wind, the captain heard one of his men scream out in agony and he turned to see the sailor at the wheel gripping his arm in pain. With the loss of the sail, the wheel had spun around sharply, its spokes breaking the unfortunate sailors arm.

Jin Wu raced to the wheel, shoving the sailor roughly aside but without the sail to maintain control the wheel was sluggish in his hands and the ship refused to respond. A crewman shouted something in the captain’s ear but the wind was so strong he could not understand what the sailor was saying. The crewman, his face a mask of horror, pointed fearfully toward the coastline that was hidden in the rain and Jin Wu’s gaze followed the sailor’s outstretched arm. Even above the shrieking of the wind, the sound of the surf crashing against the reef could be heard like a never-ending series of cannon shots.

Ocean reefs are a sailor’s greatest hazard and the captain felt the fear in the pit of his stomach as he realised the wind was slowly pushing the uncontrollable ship toward the razor sharp coral. Within a matter of minutes the ship would hit the jagged teeth of the reef, its hull ripped apart and smashed into a thousand pieces. Everything would be destroyed, the boat, its crew and its cargo. Jin Wu let go of the wheel in a panic and it spun around uselessly as he made his way below deck. The junk was rolling violently now as it came nearer and nearer to the treacherous reef and the captain grunted as he lost his footing on the wet deck, his head hitting a timber beam with a dull thud.

Minutes later the captain awoke to cold seawater lapping at his face and he realised the ship must have hit the reef while he had been unconscious. It was very dark in the hold of the Junk and Jin Wu felt around blindly for the little timber box hidden amongst the rest of the valuable cargo. Many minutes passed before he eventually found what he was looking for, his fingers lightly tracing over the carving on the lid of the box. Terror gripped him now and he realised with a dreaded certainty that he would most likely never see his wife or his baby son ever again. With his head throbbing mercilessly in the darkness below decks, he focussed on the job at hand, saving the wooden box that was held tightly in the grip of his freezing fingers.

The sound of his ship breaking up around him was frighteningly loud and the captain fought his way back up to the top deck, slipping more than once on the wet timber floor that was now awash up to his knees. Lightning lit the scene around him and he squinted painfully through the curtain of driving rain, looking for his crewmen but only seeing his ship, now very low in the water and close to sinking. Incredibly very few of his men knew how to swim and those that did found themselves thrown against the razor sharp edge of the reef where they found it impossible to keep their heads above water and were cut to pieces by the sharp coral. Suddenly a huge wave hit the ship, raising it high before flinging it savagely onto the exposed reef. Jin Wu was flung high into the air landing in the calmer water on the other side of the reef, closer to the beach but separated from his drowning crewman by the barrier of coral. With his ship in pieces around him, the captain held on tightly to a length of the timber decking with one hand, his other incredibly still holding the small timber box that he had saved from below decks as he kicked his feet hard and swam toward the strange shore.

How long he lay on the beach, cold and shivering he could not tell. For a moment Jin Wu dreamed that he was at home with his wife and child, far away from this strange and lonely land that he did not know. He did not think he would ever have the energy to rise and get out of the water that washed over his body in small waves, increasing his cold so that his whole body continued to be wracked by violent shivers. His eyes opened painfully, stinging from the salt water and he saw the box, half buried in the sand by his face. With a great effort Jin Wu stood, his clothes heavy with sand and dripping wet as he picked up the box and studied the shoreline.

A deserted beach that in the darkness seemed to go on forever. The sand was littered with pieces of the timber decking and useless lengths of rope but no other survivors that he could see, not on the beach and none in the water. Through squinting eyes, Jin Wu looked at the bushland around him and he felt very scared and alone. A huge cliff caught his attention and he walked towards it with a simple plan in mind. Perhaps from a high position he could see if any of his men had survived, perhaps there may even be shelter where he could rest and warm himself. With the box held firmly under his arm, the captain made his way toward the cliff face, his footprints the only marks on a beach in a land that didn’t even have a name.

TWO

THE EXPLORERS CLUB

The twins strolled down Hartley Lane on an overcast Saturday morning. Nick Young carried a loaf of fresh bread under his arm while his sister Kate held the carton of milk firmly in both hands. The bright purple blooms of Jacaranda trees above their heads created a canopy which gave the impression of walking along the sidewalk inside a long and colourful tunnel. The twins slowed down slightly as they approached number twenty-eight Hartley Lane. Nick peered over the front hedge in an effort to see if its only occupant, Mrs McCackney was up and about and in her front yard. The children weren’t afraid of Mrs McCackney, not really. It was just that they had never met anybody that always seemed to be in a frightfully bad mood. The children’s mother always said that Mrs McCackney was just a lonely old lady but the children thought that she was just plain mean.

Seeing that the coast was clear, Nick signalled to his sister to join him and they quickly picked up their pace so that they could pass the house as fast as possible. About half way across the house, Mrs McCackney lifted her head from behind the hedge, startling the children so much that they stopped dead in their tracks. Mrs McCackney was tall and thin and towered over the twins. Her grey hair was piled up on the top of her head and was looped around into a tight bun making her seem even taller. Tim, one of their older brothers, always said that her hair was so tight it stretched all the wrinkles out of her face!

Her long nose dominated an even longer face that was perfect at looking down at people, which she seemed to do at every opportunity. Today she was wearing a plain grey dress and a plain red cardigan, the same thing she wore yesterday and probably the same thing she would wear tomorrow.

Mrs McCackney looked down at the two children with distaste. A look that most people would associate with sighting a rat or perhaps some filthy cockroaches. Nick held the old ladies stare while his sister nervously played with her blonde pigtails that stood out from each side of her head like the handlebars of a bicycle, staring at the sidewalk as if she had just found something there of immense interest.

Balls, said an obviously irritated Mrs McCackney.

Balls? repeated Nick innocently, even though he knew exactly where this conversation was heading.

Each time you children kick one of your sporting balls into my backyard, I have no choice but to confiscate it. You have no right crushing my lawn and destroying my trees with your violent behaviour.

Nick thought about this comment for a moment. He had never heard kicking a ball described as violent behaviour before but thought for the moment at least it was better to let it go. We’re sorry, Mrs McCackney, kicking them over the fence is just an accident, honest.

Mrs McCackney wrinkled her nose as if she had just smelt something most unpleasant. And that’s not the half of it, she continued as if she hadn’t even heard Nick’s apology. All the ball’s that I have confiscated are gone.

Gone? repeated Nick.

Yes, gone, confirmed Mrs McCackney in a voice that tried hard to show her displeasure. And don’t think I don’t know who has taken them either. You children have been sneaking into my backyard like a pack of rodents and stealing them. Yes that’s right stealing them!

Once again Nick took his time to think about his accusers comments. He was not sure that you could actually steal something that is already yours and he was certain that now was probably not a good time to point this out to an elderly lady who looked like she was about to pop a valve at any moment.

Well I don’t know anything about that, he lied, but I guess I could ask my brothers. Maybe they took them.

Yes, hum, you just do that, she replied thoughtfully. And don’t think I won’t be having a word to your mother either. And what have you got to say young lady.

Katie looked up from whatever she found intriguing on the cement at her feet. Your hair looks nice, Mrs McCackney.

My,….my hair looks nice? Have you not been listening to a single word of our conversation you silly girl?

Yes Mrs McCackney. But it doesn’t change that your hair looks nice.

Nick and the elderly lady looked at the young girl in turn. Amazingly both of them were thinking the same thing at the same time. Was Kate just trying to annoy their next door neighbour or was she being sincere? It was impossible to tell as Kate looked up at the long face and past the long nose into the eyes of Mrs McCackney and gave her one of her best smiles.

Mrs McCackney looked more confused than ever and with a huff, turned her back on the twins and walked slowly to her front door, mumbling to herself all the way. Nick looked at his sister and smiled and together the children began to giggle as they made their way to number thirty Hartley Lane.

Thirty Hartley Lane was an old timber home beautifully restored and cared for. Not the most expensive house in the street but one that was obviously well looked after with a regular coat of fresh paint and a beautiful garden that was kept neat and tidy. A row of delicate white rose bushes lined the driveway that led to an old garage that couldn’t quite hide its age no matter how many coats of paint covered it. Behind the garage stood a large willow tree, it’s hanging branches reaching all the way to the ground that was covered by freshly mown green grass. Here and there a soccer ball or cricket bat littered the damp surface and the rain began to fall lightly on the roof of the tree house that was nestled in the branches at the top of the willow tree. The twins called out to their brothers in the tree house as they made their way to the back door. Their mother was at the kitchen sink, her short dark hair framing an attractive face with large brown eyes. She brushed away a lock of hair from over one of her eyes with a hand covered in soap suds and smiled at her two youngest children. Taking the bread and milk and placing them on the kitchen table, she turned back to the sink to finish the dishes.

Thanks for doing that, she said to the children.

That’s okay mum, replied Nick. No problem.

Mrs McCackney will probably want to talk to you later, added Kate in a quiet voice.

The children’s mother turned around and looked at each of the twins in turn. What’s happened now, she said uncertainly.

Balls, said Nick, as if that explained everything.

Balls, whispered their mother nodding slowly to herself. Okay, I’ll deal with it.

It was times like these that Annie Young wished that her husband James was at home more often. But he was a busy man, a salesman whose work required him to travel interstate more often than not. He was the reason that they had their nice home and food on the table but it meant that Annie was left to deal with the little dramas that will always happen when you are raising four children mostly on your own.

Annie smiled as she wiped her hands on a tea towel. Would you two like a snack before you go out and join your brothers?

I’m fine thanks mum, answered Kate.

I could eat, replied Nick who never ever seemed to knock back a meal.

Their mother made her way to the pantry and took out four snack bars and some muffins. Here take these out to your brothers. I’ll call you when lunch is on the table."

The children opened the creaky back door and made their way onto the rear veranda. The rain was still falling lightly as the twins scuttled across the grass to the sanctuary of the low sweeping branches of the willow tree. Nick was first up the rope ladder with the food, followed slowly by Kate who always seemed nervous about the swinging ladder and the height of the climb. Thomas and Timothy accepted the food Nick was carrying eagerly and Tim leaned over and helped his little sister with the final few steps. Thomas the eldest of the four children waited until they were all sitting back down before he began to speak. What took you so long?

Mrs McCackney stopped us and asked us about the balls, said Kate.

Tim looked up from the history book he was reading. Tim loved to read and history was one of his favourite subjects. This book was rather large and was about the life and times of famous conquerors in ancient Greece. And what did you tell her? he asked.

Nick smiled mischievously, I told her maybe you guys took them.

Tom stared at his little brother. You said what!

"I said maybe you guys took them. Don’t worry Tom, she knows it was us and