CHAPTER EIGHT

When Neville made it to the pub, he remembered it was his night off. So many things had been happening, that he lost track of what day it was,

“Why would they need me at the Pub today?” he thought to himself.

When he opened the door, he could not believe his eyes. There was rolls of paper that looked like old maps, and charts over all the tables. Then there were several large boxes on the bar, and some smaller ones on the floor. Conner came in from the back room.

“Ah, good you made it.” Conner said in a pleasant tone.

“What is going on here?” Neville said as he waved his arms around.

“All these things are items that Mr. Chambers will need for tonight’s meeting. I need you to help me get it all organized and put out of sight until tonight?” Conner asked as, he picked up some of the rolls off one of the Tables.

“Where did all this come from, and just where do you suggest we put this stuff?” Neville grumbled, as he gathered some of the rolls.

“You never know with Mr. Chambers. they were all in this room, just as you saw them, when I arrived this morning, along with a note asking me to put it all away until tonight.”

Conner paused a moment and slid a heavy box that was on the floor in the back room off to one side. Neville was amazed. He had tried to move that box several times, with the aid of many different tools, as well as using the aid of two of his stronger rugby team mates. It would never budge an inch. What was a bigger surprise was the trapped door that was under the box. Conner opened it and motioned for Neville to follow him.

“I never knew this place had a basement.” Neville said in amazement.

“It didn’t until recently.” Conner replied.

“What?”

“That is a long story. We need to keep busy.” Conner replied.

As they were making trips back a forth, Neville got curious.

“How is it that you came to work for Mr. Chambers?”

Conner laughed,

“Work for? Well, I guess that is one way to look at it. That too is another long story. Let me just tell you this much, in human terms, Mr. Chambers and I are related. Now we got to get a move on if I am going to be able to open the pub for lunch on time.” Conner stated.

Working steady for the next hour they got everything out of sight and the normal set up done before opening time. Around noon Kattie walked in and sat down at the Bar next to Neville. There lunch date was rather quiet. Kattie tried to start a conversation a couple of times but could tell Neville was distracted.

“Did I make a mistake by coming here for lunch?” She asked, a little hurt.

“What? No, I am sorry. Listen Conner called and asked me to come here this morning, and when I got here the pub was full of rolls old maps, and all sized boxes. He said it was things needed by Mr. Chambers for tonight’s meeting.”

“He knows about Mr. Chambers, and those meetings too?” Kattie asked surprised.

“Yes, I just wish I knew what was going on for sure, and why you and I are involved.” Neville stated.

Conner, who had been at the other end of the Bar waiting on customers, now walked over to be in front of Neville and Kattie,

“Mr. Chambers only gives out information to those involved when he feels they are ready for it.”

“What do you mean?” Kattie asked.

Conner chuckled.

“Mr. Chambers has been at this for an extremely long time. He operates on a need-to-know basis. No offence, but when it comes to this situation, the less you know, the better off you are. Besides, he never does anything the same way twice. I have been with him a long time now, and I have never seen him handle any two situations the same. However, no mater what, in every case, things have always gone exactly to plan.”

Conner paused a moment and smiled.

“Two more beers?” He asked.

“Sure, why not?” Neville replied.

When it was time for Kattie to go, Neville asked if she would like him to pick her up around eight for dinner before their “night meeting.”

“That would be splendid,” and she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek as she left.

Neville’s life had been so crazy lately that he had trouble keeping up with what day it was. He totally forgot that he had to work that night. He contacted Kattie and apologized. He recommended her not come to the pub until about an hour before the pub closes.

Kattie was late getting to the pub, but Neville had been so busy, he had not noticed the time.

“Sorry about being late, but Bruce insisted on being walked before I left.”

“That is okay we have been swamped tonight.”

Neville would have had more trouble clearing out the bar if it weren’t for a bad storm that showed up, and that helped clear everyone out. Kattie helped Neville clean up. As soon as they had shut off the outside lights, and dimmed the inside ones, Mr. Chambers walked out from the back store room.

“I am going to need to update my contract with the pub. I might need more storage space in the future…future, that’s a good one,” Mr. Chambers mumbled to himself.

He started over towards the bar to make his usual rounds of drinks.

“Neville, be a good lad and fetch those boxes and maps that I had brought here earlier today.”

“Wait a minute, it took Conner and I an hour to get it all put away. I have worked all night, and I am surely not going to ask Kattie to help lug boxes.” Neville said sharply.

Mr. Chambers wagged his head.

“Very well.”

He waved his arms about and all of the stuff that Neville and Conner had put away was now in the pub, exactly as it was when Neville had arrived to help Conner that morning.

All Neville and Kattie could do was stare in amazement.

“Maybe, I could at least bother you two to open up the rolls that are on the tables? Mr. Chambers asked, then went back to filling several pitchers with beer.

It took the two of them to recover from the shock of everything just randomly appearing in the room. When they did, they started opening up the rolls. Some were maps, others star charts, then there were others neither had any idea what they were.

By the time they had finished, Mr. Chambers pulled together a few empty tables together, set up chairs, and place a mug at each setting.

“Come and sit,” Mr. Chambers directed.

When they had settled in, Mr. Chambers, snapped his fingers. There was the sound of a rushing breeze, and a flash of light. All of a sudden, Sir Galahad, Robin Hood, Paul Bunyan and Blue, the Lone Ranger, and Sinbad, all appeared in the empty chairs.

“Enjoy the refreshments, my friends, for we have many plans to discuss this evening.” Mr. Chambers said as he poured each of them a pint.

After all, had drank their fill, Mr. Chambers gathered all the mugs and pitchers, and sat them on the bar. He then grabbed three of the rolls of paper and brought them to their table.

The first map showed a huge area of dense forest. Robin, I will need your abilities to hide and shoot in this type of setting. I will see to it that you have a small band of your merry men available to you. I will make sure that a portion of the warriors that are sent to fight us are sent your way.

“No one will escape the arrows of Robin Hood, especial if they dare enter Sherwood Forest.” Robin boasted.

“Your confidence will be needed, however, remember, these in pursuit of you are not as easily fooled as the Sheriff of Nottingham, and his men were.” Mr. Chambers warned.

He then got one of the boxes off the bar and gave it to Robin.

“These are very special arrows that you will be needing in your battle, Use them wisely and make each one count.”

I see nothing special. They are well balanced, but I have used better.” Robin complained.

“Perhaps a brief demonstration might be in order. Neville, be a good lad and go grab three of your cast iron skillets and set them up one in front of the other next to the bar. Take a shot Robin, first with your best arrow, then with one of these.” Mr. Chambers said.

“Such a waste of time,” Robin grumbled’

He pulled out his bow and arrow and shot. The arrow shattered when it hit.

“What sorcery is this?” Robin fussed.

Mr. Chambers laughed.

“None yet, shoot again” He said and handed him an arrow from out of the box.

The arrow not only went through the pans, but it also went through the bar.

“Any questions?”

Robin retrieved the arrow and sat silently at the table.

Those in pursuit of you will be made of the same stuff, so the speed in which the great Robin Hood can fire an arrow and the special arrows that I have given you will give you the edge you will need.”

Mr. Chambers next unrolled a diagram of the robotic warriors that would be in pursuit of Robin Hood.

“What in the name of good King Richard is that?”

“That…is the reason you will need those special arrows. You will need to hit them here or here in order to shut them down.

“Kill them?” Robin asked.

“Not exactly, um injure them enough so that they can no longer harm anyone else.” Mr. Chambers explained.

“I thought I was working with this guy, what am I to do?” The Lone Ranger demanded.

Patience my friend, you too must take note of the points that this enemy must be hit. I will be giving you special bullets for you to use. You two must be aware that the weapons they will use are like nothing you have ever seen before.”

Mr. Chambers spent another hour detailing out how Robin Hood and The Lone Ranger would be able to defend themselves from these weapons.

“Now you two think deeply on what you have been told and what plan you will use. The next time we meet you will be sent to your assignment. When this adventure is all done, we will once again meet here to discuss your glorious victories.” Mr. Chambers waved his hands and Robin Hood, and the Lone Ranger were gone.