The Oxford Set
Dylan Jones and his team of avid treasure hunters were heading towards Petra in Jordan, hoping to find the Holy Grail. The sun was scorching.
“Apparently it’s as hot as this in England currently.” Dylan said.
“I know. What has the world come to?” One of Dylan’s colleagues said.
After a while, they finally reached the majestic Al-Khazneh, carved flawlessly into the cliff face.
Dylan and his team looked up at it in awe. It was incredible in photos, but even more so in real life.
“It’s amazing what people can achieve if they put their minds to it,” Dylan said. “However, they could build this. I’ll never know.”
“It’s impressive, alright, but we’re not going to find the Holy Grail if we stand out here looking at the walls all day.”, said another one of Dylan’s colleagues.
“You’re right, mate. How are we going to do this?” Dylan said.
“The Al-Kahazneh is made up of several large chambers. If the Holy Grail is in there, it’s right at the heart of it.” Dylan’s colleagues said.
“As far as you know, there aren’t any booby traps in there designed to kill us before we reach it?” Dylan said.
Dylan’s colleague laughed. “No. We should just be able to walk in there and retrieve it. This could prove to be one of our simplest expeditions.”
“Great, mate. Let’s get to it, then.” Dylan said.
With that, Dylan’s team made their way into the cliff face. Dylan paused for a moment and took one last look at the surrounding area before making his way inside.
It was at this point that he saw him.
Just poking out from behind a rock was a man. He looked exactly like Dylan, albeit slightly older.
Dylan looked at him for a moment. He thought he recognised the man instantly, but he wasn’t so sure. After all, the rest of his family assumed this man had tragically died in a freak hot-air balloon accident.
Dylan hesitated for a moment. He had conflicting priorities: finding the Holy Grail with his team or catching up with his older brother, whom he hadn’t seen in seven years..
Making his decision, and hoping his colleagues won’t be too mad, Dylan rushed over to the man behind the rock.
Horatio Jones was minding his own business, admiring the dramatic landscape surrounding him. He hadn’t noticed his younger brother across the canyon.
But then, he was startled by a familiar-sounding voice.
“Horatio!” Dylan cried, rushing up to him.
Horatio turned round and saw Dylan reach him.
“Dylan?” Horatio said. “What on Earth are you doing here?”
“Looking for the Holy Grail.” Dylan said. “Anyway, how have you been? We all thought you were dead.”
Horatio narrowed his eyes. Oh, that was what his family thought of him, was it? He goes travelling for seven years and they assume he was dead.
“Oh, they do, do they?” Horatio said. “Despite the fact that I sent mother a text saying I was taking things a little slower than previously planned.”
“We haven’t heard from you since you left, mate.” Dylan said. “That’s why we thought you were dead. You haven’t told us otherwise.”
“Oh. Really?” Horatio said. “In which case, I will send our parents a surprise message, telling her everything.”
“Great, mate. They’ll be pleased to know,” said Dylan..
“Of course, since you now know that I am, in fact, alive, you could tell them the news.” Horatio said.
“Fine. I’ll text them when I have the chance.” Dylan said.
For the next hour, whilst Dylan’s team were busy trying to locate the Holy Grail, Dylan and Horatio caught up with each other. Dylan told Horatio that after graduating from Oxford, he settled down with his university girlfriend in Bath and now hunts for treasure, and Horatio told Dylan about his global travels.
Eventually, they parted ways, neither knowing then they’d see the other again.
As soon as Dylan returned to Al-Khazneh, his team exited the building, relieved to see that he was still alive.
“There you are! Where the hell have you been?” One of Dylan’s colleagues said.
“Sorry. Just got a bit distracted, that’s all.” Dylan said.
He was going to ask whether they’d found the Holy Grail, but the lack of a gold jewel encrusted cup told him all he needed to know.
“There wasn’t even the ghost of a Templar Knight to tell us where to go.” A member of the team said.
Dylan sighed sadly. “So that’s it then, the Holy Grail doesn’t exist?” Dylan said.
“Unfortunately, it seems likely. Although, there’s always Antioch.” Another member of the team said.
“Yeah. I suppose there is.” Dylan said.
With that, Dylan and his team walked back through the Siq towards the sunset, eager to return to their hotel.
Dylan looked back behind him, to see if he could get another glimpse of Horatio. But resumed walking forward when he realised he couldn’t.
The Robinsonverse 