Greek Warriors by Chris Blake Page B

Blackbeard?
    Did people really have to walk the plank?
    And where was Davy Jones’ locker?
    Join Tom and Isis on another action-packed
Time Hunters
adventure!
    They had landed on a perfect sandy beach in a deserted bay. Palm trees heavy with coconuts nodded in a light sea breeze. The blue sea lapped gently against the sand.
    She’s right
, Tom thought, chuckling to himself.
This place isn’t bad. Maybe Anubis has sent us on a tropical holiday
.
    Tom looked down at his linen shirt and baggy breeches. “Look! My trunks have gone!” he said.
    Isis tugged at her clothes. “What are these ridiculous outfits, exactly?” she asked.
    Tom felt the frill on his shirt. “Not sure,” he said, frowning. “I don’t like the girly ruffles, though.”
    Isis lay back on the warm sand with her arms behind her head. She looked at Tom with sparkling brown eyes that were lined with kohl. “This sunshine is just like being back home in Egypt,” she said, sighing happily. “So much nicer than cold and rainy old Britain. Never mind the Afterlife. Let’s just stay here! We can relax all day long and eat fresh fish and drink coconut milk!”
    Cleo mewed in agreement before running off to chase crabs.
    Tom leaped up. “Not a chance,” he said. “Come on! Let’s go exploring!”
    After an hour of wandering in the hot sun, Isis didn’t seem to be enjoying the heat any more.
    â€œI’m thirsty,” she moaned, grabbing her throat. “You have to find me some water.”
    But as the three of them rounded the cove, Isis suddenly fell silent. Tom stared at the row of shop fronts and inns that lined the next bay along. They were all painted in pretty pastel colours. In the distance, people hurried along the promenade.
    â€œI wonder what kind of place this is?” Isis said.
    Tom gazed out to where large ships were anchored in the deeper water. Suddenly he spotted their flags, showing skulls, crossbones and cutlasses. He gulped.
    â€œPirates!” Tom said under his breath.
    Isis’s eyes widened. “Pirates?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “We had those back in my day.”
    â€œI’m pretty sure we’re not in Ancient Egypt,” said Tom. He sheltered his eyes from the glare of the sun with his hand. “Those ships look like French or Dutch galleons,” he said. “I’ve seen them in books and films.”
    Tom was about to ask Isis if she had ever seen the film
Pirates of the Caribbean
, but he realised how silly that would sound to someone who had lived five thousand years ago.
    â€œSo where are we then?” Isis asked, as she scratched Cleo behind the ears.
    â€œI think we’re in the eighteenth century,” Tom said. “Pirates were a massive problem in those days. They were always attacking ships carrying things like gold.”
    â€œGold?” Isis asked, wide-eyed.
    â€œYou bet!” Tom said. “The Caribbean Sea was where all the big pirate battles happened.”
    â€œHow could anyone want to fight when they’re living here?” Isis said, looking at the beautiful view.
    â€œLook, forget the scenery!” Tom said. “We really need to ask your scarab ring for some help if we’re ever going to find the fifth amulet.”
    Isis nodded and stroked the magical golden scarab that sat on her finger. On it was a picture of the goddess Isis, whom Isis was named after. The ring had given Tom and Isis clues about where the first four amulets had been hidden. “Goddess Isis,” Isis began. “Please, please help us once more! Tell us where we can find the fifth amulet.”
    Silvery words flew up out of the ring and hung in the air in a riddle.
    Tom read it out to Isis:
    â€œTo seek this jewel, shining greeny-blue,
    In a Spaniard’s chest of bullion,
    First you must join the ragged crew,
    As the Teacher’s lowly scullion.
    His whiskers threaten like a