Chapter 10
Journey to the cave
The sun began to rise in the east over the horizon. Emerging, as if from the ground itself the red ball of molten fire illuminated the sky around it. Within seconds the full circumference of the sun could be seen lifting into the air, as though pulled from the sky above.
‘Jack. It’s time to wake up.’ Chris began to gently rouse Jack from his sleep.
Opening his eyes Jack asked ‘is it morning already?’
‘Yes it is. Come on, it’s time.’ Chris said with a hint of sadness in his voice.
‘That was the best night sleep I have had in ages.’ Jack said as he wiped his eyes. ‘Ouch.’ As Jack stood up his feet were instantly painful. Lifting them up one by one he found them covered in blisters.
‘Jack, I’m afraid we have to rush you. This morning Bill and John woke early to scout around the entrance to the cave. I’m afraid that what they saw wasn’t good.’ Chris looked towards John.
‘Sorry to have to tell you this Jack. But they have beaten us there. We saw an army of men entering the cave. It seems the odds are stacked against you.’ John explained glumly.
‘What about my Grandad? Did you see him?’ The most important thing to Jack was still his Grandad.
‘No. I’m afraid not Jack. But maybe they had already taken him inside.’ Bill explained with a pained look on his face.
‘Show me the way.’ Jack said forcefully.
‘Are you sure Jack?’ Chris asked.
‘I’m going to make my Grandad proud.’ Jack said with a look of steely determination.
‘Remember your boomerang Jack.’ Bill said.
‘I’ve got it thanks Bill. Thank you all so much for everything.’ Jack hugged each of them.
‘John will show you the way. Myself and Bill will remain to clear our tracks. Good luck Jack.’ Chris said before walking away with tears in his eyes.
‘Yeah, all the best Jack.’ Bill followed behind Chris.
‘They are finding it hard to say goodbye Jack. So am I but I need to show you where the entrance to the cave is.’ John explained.
Jack looked back at Chris and Bill walking in the opposite direction. ‘I’ll be ok. I’ll see you all when I return.’ Jack wasn’t sure himself if he would return from the cave but he knew it would help John to hear it.
John didn’t have far to lead Jack until they reached the cave entrance. Nestled amongst a rocky outcrop, in which the ground raised like a hill. Bushes and trees surrounded the area. The cave could have been easily missed if it wasn’t for one thing. The troops of men in uniform continued to file into the cave, one after the other. Looking closely Jack could see that their uniform was different from the Order of Five and more reminiscent of a normal camouflaged army uniform.
‘How am I going to get past them?’ Jack asked John as they lay in the dirt watching from the distance.
‘If you can sneak around to the top of the cave without being noticed. I will be watching. And when you do I will create a distraction. Hopefully that will divert their attention onto me and you can drop into the cave unnoticed.’ John said.
‘But if they see you they’ll kill you!’
‘They won’t see me. I’ll be ok.’ John re-assured Jack.
‘Those men look like the guys from the outback inn. The ones who chased me and Grandad.’
‘It probably was them. That bar has been empty for as long as I can remember. Nobody has visited there since the gold miners who used to prospect around these lands. I suppose Kazael and his men used it as a halfway house whilst crossing the outback. Unlike you Jack, most ordinary people wouldn’t survive out there without somewhere to rest. Somehow you have succeeded in what many have failed to do.’ John watched as the men in the distance began shouting.
‘Ssshh! What’s happening?’ John whispered. More men were arriving from amongst the bushes. Towards the back another four men arrived. The two men on the outside wore the same uniform as the rest of the army but the two men in the middle appeared differently. The shouting grew louder and a mob rallied around the two men who were pushed in to the middle of a circle of brutes.
‘CHRIS! BILL! NO!’ John cried out as he realised his brothers had been captured. His loud cry alerted the guards to their presence. Suddenly all eyes were upon John. Jack had stayed hidden, crouching beside a rock. He had been just as startled as the guards were when John had let out an involuntarily scream. John couldn’t help it. The shock of seeing his brothers captured by the enemy had jolted him like a bolt of lightning.
‘I’m sorry Jack.’ John whispered without looking in Jacks direction, before he began to rush through the bushes. Jack knew he had to move. The army began flooding towards his location, scouring the area for John. If Jack didn’t move soon he was bound to be caught.
Being careful not to alert the guards, Jack began to circle around to the top of the cave. For now was, his only chance. John had unwittingly created the diversion Jack needed and now all men were focused on capturing him. Leaving the cave entrance clear for entry.
Jack struggled to see amongst the shrubbery, as he kept a low profile. Stealthily moving amongst the large prickly bushes, Jack had to follow his instincts as to which direction to head. Without a good line of vision it was difficult to get his bearings and he could have easily ended up running into a guard or going round in circles.
With immaculate timing Jack reached the top of the cave. The guards were still searching for John. Amongst the guards Jack could see the solemn faces of Chris and Bill. Oh how he wanted to save them. His gut wrenched at the thought of leaving them, just as it had when he left his Grandad. But he knew that if he could succeed at his next task, then everything would be ok.
Moving in silence, Jack crept towards the rocks hanging over the cave. Slowly he lowered himself down, hanging precariously from the rocky outcrop. With a small thud he dropped to the ground below. Pain shot up from his heels, all the way up his legs and to his back. He wanted to let out a cry but covered his mouth with his hand instead. The guards were still too busy searching for John. It was only Chris and Bill who had spotted the small figure of Jack high above the cave. And they both smiled to themselves as they watched him disappear into the cave.