The History Makers

By Neil Methven

Tess was just an ordinary girl, working day to day in a little coffee shop, idly watching the days go by. She had never thought of herself as important, and certainly didn't think that she could in any way change the world around her.

Boy was she wrong.

Discovering that she was the most powerful human in existence, with the power to influence time and change the course of history was almost more than she could handle. So how will she react when she discovers that she is the most important link in a chain that goes back to the start of time itself. And that she will be the person who ultimately decides the winner of the eternal struggle between good and evil.

Read the adventures of Tess and the League of Writers, and never look at that girl who works in your coffee shop the same way again.

She may well decide the fate of mankind.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Neil Methven
• Release date: Sep 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370529766

Neil Methven

As you look at the gallery on this web site the first thing you will notice is that he obviously likes martial arts. His first introduction to this came in a Judo class when he was only 9 years old. Neil has continued to train in martial arts since this time, training primarily in Karate but also in Ju Jitsu, Wing Chun and Escrima.Although he loves martial arts, the truth is that Neil has always felt that there was something else in his life he REALLY wanted to do.And that was write.He had toyed for many years with the idea of writing a book on Martial arts, but always believed that his real passion for writing fell into the area of fiction. Primarily Science fiction, but as Neil loves most types of fiction, he felt that whatever he would be writing there would be an element of more than one genre involved. And so an idea was born, and from it came his first Novel Those Who Would be Gods.It didnt happen in a day, or a month or even a year, for as many people who have tried to write know, sometimes although you have an idea, putting it on paper is only the start, it often takes a little bit more. But in March of 2016, Neil submitted Those Who Would be Gods to Kindle and published.What else is there to say? He has two wonderful children that he loves more than life. He has always loved literature, and he loves writing.If you want more information on the Those Who Would Be Gods Series, please click on the icon to the left of this column, this will also give you a tab that will talk about upcoming projects that Neil is working on.Oh yeah, there are many more books to come, and so many ideas in his head that it is possible that he will never stop. So keep watching this site for his continuing adventures!

Book preview

The Masters of Time

Copyright © 2016 Neil Methven

Published by Neil Methven at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Foreword

Vol 1: The League of Writers

Vol 2: The Game

Vol 3: Adversaries

Vol 4: The Masters of Time

Vol V: Hostile Acts

Vol VI: The End of Time

Foreword

For those that have read items by me before, I will not apologise for putting you through my terrible stories again. Its your own fault, you bought it, so you pay the price!

For all that though, thank you for supporting my book. you would not believe what it means to aspiring authors when someone buys the work that they have spent so much time and effort on. For those of us who aspire to have that one bestseller, it is an incredible comfort to know that someone out there is prepared to take a chance and read that which has taken us so much of our precious time.

Someone recently asked me why why I write, my reply was simple, I cant understand any reason why you wouldn't want to.

In this age of technology that people say brings us closer but seems to drive us further apart, the written word is surely one of the last great personal joys for anyone who wishes to either write, or read.

And if you have no idea what I'm talking about, read something by Sir Terry Pratchett. He REALLY understood what writing was all about. And if you don't like his books, I'm sorry, you’re doomed!!

Neil Methven - May 2016

For my children.

Make your lives your own, and write your own story.

Vol I

The League of Writers

The glasses slipped down his nose as he wrote. This would be his epitaph he knew. His last words in this world. He smiled,thinking that perhaps there would be an opportunity for more in the next.

He had lived for many years, those around him had no idea how long. He had seen the rise and fall of empires. He had seen his children born, become adults, grow old and die. The same for all those he loved. It was a terrible thing to be one of the Cursed. There were fewer and fewer now, he knew. Some had lived as though they were actually immortal, which of course was just delusions of grandeur.

More coffee Charlie?

He looked up from his paper. That was something that he knew Tess liked about him. He had been coming to this Cafe for over five years now, and Tess had been here for three of those. He was here in the same seat, same table, every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am. And for all that time Tess had been fascinated by the fact that he always used pen and paper. Every other writer that frequented the cafe (And there were many. The coffee was cheap and very good, a perfect combination for hard up, would be successful authors.) used a computer for their work. But not old Charlie.

For the first time in three years, and for reasons beyond her understanding, she finally asked him why. He took a moment, slowly removed his glasses, and looked at Tess with a serious look his face. Tell me Tess, do you have anything that is special to you, an object that reminds you of a special time in your life, that means so much to you that nothing could ever convince you to part with it?

Tess nodded An old hairbrush of my mothers, a mother of pearl hair brush, very old, passed down through the family. Probably worth a fortune. I could never ever imagine parting with it though.

He nodded Such things remind us of who we are, of where we come from, and ultimately what we are worth, not so much to others, but to ourselves. As if we are worth nothing to ourselves, how can we ever be worth anything to those we love, or those who wish to love us?

He passed his pen to Tess. As she took it from him she felt a slight resistance as he passed it, as though it was difficult for him to let go, and then it was in her hand.

She looked at it, suddenly fascinated. It was old, obviously, and it had slight wear on the barrel that showed it had been held in exactly the same place for many years. it was a combination of wood and metal in construct, and it had obviously once had a symbol or design upon the barrel, but this had long since worn away. It was quite beautiful, and incredibly delicate in design. She felt as though she were holding something incredibly precious, and she couldn't shake the feeling that the pen was very special in some way. She started to hand it back to Charlie, but for a brief moment felt as though it would be wrong to let it go, then the feeling passed and she pressed it into his palm.

She found that Charlie was suddenly looking very hard at her, almost as though he was seeing her for the first time. What’s wrong?

He paused for a moment then spoke Nothing. I just wondered what you thought of the pen.

Its beautiful. What company made it? I couldn't make out the company symbol on the barrel?

Not a company. Just one man. He made only a few. He was a real craftsman of his time. Something rarer and rarer these days. He said taking a disgusted look around the cafe at everyone typing at their laptops. Then his attention once again was drawn to Tess. He died many hundreds of years ago, and this is one of the few examples of his work remaining, I could no more write with anything else then I could sprout wings and fly around the room. He said smiling.

It must be very valuable. Don't you worry that carrying it around with you everywhere, you might lose it, or worse someone might realise its value and try to steal it?

He laughed loudly suddenly. The sound suddenly harsh and out of place in the cafe. He stopped and looked at Tess I’m sorry, but it is impossible for me to lose it, and it would be unlikely that anyone would recognise its value. And unwise in the extreme for anyone to try and take it. A cloud seemed to pass across his face at that point, and for a moment he seemed much younger and very different to the Charlie she had come to know. She shivered. It was as though for a moment someone had walked over her grave. Are you ok? He asked. She nodded, shaking her head, feeling more than a little stupid for her misgivings. Sorry, just a bad feeling all of a sudden.

Charlie smiled at her Have you ever done any writing yourself? he asked only you seem very comfortable here?"

She grinned suddenly, and Charlie was reminded of just how beautiful she actually was, and that the coffee wasn't the only reason that so many young aspiring writers used this particular cafe.

I used to, after I finished school I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do. I could have gone to university, but it just didn't seem to fit me at the time, so basically I started doing odd jobs here and there, never really settling down anywhere or doing anything, just enjoying the freedom. I always enjoyed writing at school so I just started doing odds and ends, short stories really. Never published, just lots and lots of ideas running around my head that just ended up on paper. And then I just decided not to carry on any more.

Why?

I had written well over a hundred stories that I suddenly realised no one would ever read. It didn't bother me to stop. It just seemed the sensible option.

No regrets at all?

Not really. I loved writing, but in light of ever increasing bills, paying work seemed more practical. So here I am.

He nodded, suddenly seeming very distant Yes. Here you are. In this place at this time. Odd indeed.

What do you mean odd?

He stood suddenly, and began putting his things away in his bag. Sorry Tess, I have suddenly remembered that I have some urgent business to attend too. He turned away, starting to walk towards the door and then turned and looked at Tess in an incredibly sad way. You know I really have enjoyed our talks Tess, they have been a great pleasure to me. And then he turned and left.

Tess was incredibly confused. And she felt for a moment as though something was terribly wrong and that she had just in some way missed out on a great opportunity, but she couldn't figure out why. She shook her head. Silly. Then she started to clear the table.

2

She started to worry when he didn't return over the next few weeks. She felt as though something had gone terribly wrong. She had never understood her feelings for the old man, he was after all just another customer in the cafe. But she couldn't shake that feeling that he was somehow special.

About three weeks after her last discussion with Charlie, one of the regulars, a local reporter, walked over to her, a sombre look on his face. Hello Peter, can I get you another coffee?

He seemed to falter for a moment, then spoke, a serious look on his face No thanks Tess. Look, why don't we sit for a moment. He said, motioning to the nearest table.

She smiled I don't really have time Peter, I have plenty to do without being chatted up again by you. Tess said, suddenly smiling, but her smile faded as she looked at his face. Whats wrong?

Please. He said, once again motioning to the chair.

She sat, and he joined her at the table. What is it Peter?

He pulled a newspaper out of his bag and passed it to her. Page fifteen, about halfway down.

She took it, and opened it at the appropriate page, and found herself looking at a picture of Charlie. The heading was simple Local writer passes away peacefully in Sleep.. It then went on to explain Charlie’s writing history and his past accomplishments in the field of literature. But Tess didn't seem to notice. She just stared at his picture, that familiar melancholy look she had come to love seeing every week was even present in the picture in the paper. She had no idea why but she felt an incredible sense of loss. He was after all someone she only knew in passing, but the tears began to flow, and she couldn't even begin to stop them. Peter stood, Im sorry, I truly am. I know he meant a great deal to you. He looked at her sadly, realising that she hadn't even heard him, patting her lightly on the shoulder, he turned and left, the sound of her sobs following him as he left the cafe.

3

The weeks passed, and slowly Tess found her mood improving. She still couldn't understand herself getting so emotional about his death, but maybe it was just the fact that he was an old man who was obviously alone, and she felt sorry for him. She just couldn't work it out. Then out of the blue the man came to the cafe.

It was just any other day at work, she came in, started her normal routine, then about halfway through the morning a man came in who was totally out of place. He was impeccably dressed, three piece suit, dark blue tie in a windsor knot. Wearing a heavy beige overcoat, brightly polished black shoes, and carrying a dark black briefcase. She suspected that the entire ensemble was worth more than everything she owned in the world. He seemed military in bearing and strode in as though he was completely in control of his surroundings. He looked around briefly, then strode straight over to where Harry used to sit, and sat down. For some reason this really bothered her. She walked over to him.

Can I get you something? She said, more curtly than she had intended.

He looked up at her with the clearest brightest blue eyes she had ever seen, and smiled. You must be Tess. I must admit that his description of you did not do you justice.

She was confused Whose description?

Forgive me for not introducing myself. He stood My name is Benjamin Paul Frobisher the First, and I am a Senior partner of the firm of Frobisher and Jennings Solicitors, the proud executors of the last will and testament of Charles Winthrop Stanley Denning's. A man I believe you simply knew as Charlie.

He sat down and motioned her to do the same. I never knew his full name.

Yes, well, Charles was a very private gentleman. And kept his affairs very much to himself.

She looked at Benjamin, appraising him. He stared right back, not saying a word. Finally she spoke Why have you come to see me Mr Frobisher?

For a moment Frobisher looked perplexed then understanding crossed his face. I see. Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, it was always his way, to never really let others know what he was thinking. One second. He opened his briefcase and after a moment produced a plain white envelope There we are, perhaps this will explain. He passed it to her and she looked at the front surprised to see her full name written across the front in Charlie’s handwriting, she didn't ever remember letting him know what it was. She opened it and began to read.

"My Dear Tess,

By the time you read this I will have been gone from this world for some time, and I can only apologise for not having the courage to explain myself, or for what will now begin to happen to you because of me. I have lived for many years and been privy to many terrible things about this world. And because of this I have suffered a great deal personally. But the last three years have, for me, been a revelation. You see Tess, you have restored my faith in human nature. For these past years I have watched as you have been nothing but polite and decent to myself and the many people that have passed though the cafe on their way through this less than pleasant world. Your smile and continuous good humour have lightened the load of both myself and my fellow writers. You are one of those all too few people that exist in this cynical and awful age. You are a person of good character, a true samaritan and humanitarian who is at this moment wasted in your present occupation. It is a lifestyle that I know you enjoy, and that I hope in some way you will wish to continue, but I know that once you have learnt the secret of my life you will choose to follow in my footsteps, in the same way that I chose, all too many years ago.

What Mr Frobisher is about to tell you will change your life, I hope for the better, but like so many things that we choose in life, that will be for you to decide. I hope that as the years pass you will look upon me kindly, but my fear is that the opposite will be the case.

May your writing be from the heart Tess, and may the truth of it guide you in a far better way than mine.

Your Friend, always,

Charlie."

Tess looked at Frobisher with obvious confusion. What on earth is he talking about?

Charle’s had no heirs Tess. In the last three years that he had been coming here you had made an astonishing impression on him. He saw you as a remarkable young woman who had nothing but love in her heart for her fellow man, and it touched him in a way that I am fairly sure no-one could have ever believed possible. To put it bluntly, he has left his entire estate to you.

Tess was stunned, and confused. She remembered the threadbare coat he always wore, and the tired old shoes. She couldn’t imagine that Charlie had more than a few pounds to his name. Well that’s very kind, but I am sure that whatever Charlie had would be more useful to a better cause than me. Why don't we just arrange for whatever he left to be given to a worthwhile charity?

Frobisher looked at Tess with amusement. Very well. In that case, why don't we go to Charlie’s home and we can begin discussing properly how to make those arrangements?

I need to finish my shift first.

Frobisher grinned suddenly Let me speak to the manager, I am sure I can convince him to let you off early today, after all, this is a quite unusual set of circumstances, and I am sure he will be very understanding. Without another word he went over to the counter and motioned the manger over. They talked for a moment and the manger looked over at Tess, then returned his attention to Frobisher and nodded. Frobisher walked back over to Tess. There, all done. He has no problems with you joining me, so shall we? He motioned to the door.

Tess looked over at the manger confused about the turn circumstances were taking, but he smiled, nodded, and she realised that whatever Frobisher had said, her boss seemed to be happy. She went to the back of the cafe and grabbed her coat. Lets go then Mr Frobisher.

They left the Cafe to the confused looks of the regulars, but Tess chose not to explain her early exit, deciding instead that she would simply explain everything once they got back. After all how long could this take?

4

Once outside Frobisher motioned to one of the most beautiful cars she had ever seen. It was obvious it was a Rolls Royce, and she could not believe it when a Chauffeur got out and held the door open for her. She got in and could not believe that it was just as beautiful on the inside as it was on the outside. I see that your company has only the very best at your disposal Mr Frobisher. He looked at her and simply smiled. The Chauffeur opened the partition window Where to ma’am? he said addressing Tess. She was confused for a moment then Frobisher answered Drive to the Talbot house Thomas. Thomas nodded and closed the partition.

Why did he ask me?

Oh I’m sure he was just being polite. And once again he smiled. That smile was beginning to irritate her she realised. What aren't you telling me Benjamin? she said using his name for the first time.

I can assure you that everything will become clear in a little while Tess.

As they drove she could see they were leaving the more built up area of the city and slowly entering the area that could only be called wealthy. And then they entered the area that she knew could only be called uber wealthy, and then suddenly they were entering that area of town that could only called wow.

She watched through the window as they drew up to a pair of old wrought iron gates, that slowly opened as they got close, and then they were through. As she looked behind her she saw the gates close, and couldn't help but feel as though something else was closing as well, but she wasn't sure what. They drove for at least another five minutes, before they finally pulled up to the front of one of the largest and oldest houses she had ever seen. How big is this place? she asked.

The grounds are well over one hundred acres, and the house itself has some twenty five bedrooms and assorted living areas. It is one of the most valuable properties on the planet. And probably the least known, outside of a very exclusive group.

Must be wonderful to have offices like this for a law firm.

Frobisher coughed suddenly, and laughed through his hands Oh Tess, you have no idea! and laughed again.

Thomas once again held the door open for her, and as she exited the vehicle she thanked him. He looked perplexed for a moment and glanced at Frobisher who simply shook his head. You’re very welcome Miss Hamilton.

She started How did you know my name?

Frobisher spoke. I told him on the way to your place of employment Tess. Now shall we go inside. He waved towards the front of the mansion.

They slowly walked up the huge stairs at the front of the house How old is this place?

As far as I know the original architecture dates back to the 1500’s, other than that I am afraid you will have to ask Carlton. He replied, as they approached the huge main doors, that had began to open as they drew near.

Who’s Carlton?

That would be me, Madam. Said a voice from the doorway.

She turned and looked at the origin of the voice.

He was