The Time Travelers' Club -- Chapter 111: Spying

“They’ve docked.  They’re getting off the boat.”  Tinean held the sailor’s spyglass up to his good eye.  “I see the boy.  And there’s the old lady.  She’s hugging her satchel close.”  Tinean crawled back from the edge of the cliff where he had been looking down over the side.  He got up, with snow and ice plastered to his chest.

Dr. Herkeimer stood further back, holding tight to a walking stick he had pushed into the ground to help stabilize himself.  Each time the wind swept across the flat surface of the island; he would grasp it even tighter.  The Isle of Straffa was barren. No trees or brush grew there, unable to survive the gusts.

Standing next to a large weatherworn boulder, the rest huddled to keep each other warm.  All were dressed in warm clothes, waiting for the next blast of cold ocean air.  The dark storm clouds loomed, slowly moving inland to bring more snow and ice.

Dreda stepped forward and shouted to be heard over the wind.  “What’s going on?  It’s freaking cold out here.”  She pointed her finger at the ominous western sky.  “And that storm’s coming this way.  We’re going to be icicles in these temperatures.”

“We must wait until they're inside.  We cannot risk being seen.”  Dr. Herkeimer yanked his walking stick out of the ground and walked over to them.  “Remember to get the boy and the books.  Kill the rest.”

Vincent and Dreda looked at each other.  Without saying anything, they both knew this would not be a successful mission. Dreda held her tongue as best she could. She wasn’t sure whether to break out laughing and say “Yeah right.”

Nearby, Fan was stoic.  He had his orders.  Try and talk to the old lady or the boy.  He wasn't sure which and would have to make a last-minute judgment.

Vincent thought to himself.  The first sign of an orb coming at me, I’m surrendering.  I’m going to surrender before you know what’s happened. You madman…  I hope you’re the one that gets it first.

“Tinean!  Go down and signal when it’s time.”  Dr. Herkeimer shouted his orders.  “When you see that they found the entrance, let us know.  We’ll be waiting here.”

As always, Tinean followed orders and scuttled down the cliff on the curved pathway to the cave's walkway.  Making sure not to be seen, he crept along as best he could as icy water splashed up over the dock and up on him. Tinean grabbed the railing to keep from slipping on the ice.

The tethered fishing boat rocked back and forth, bumping against the dock.  Tinean crept along its side to make sure no one was on board.  Over the boat's edge, he could see into the cave's entrance. It was dark. He couldn’t see any movement.  Working his way around the boat and further down the walkway, he got a better view.  Now he could see the group making their way deeper into the cave.