"I lost count," Rose commented casually. She stopped her restless pacing and came to rest against the wall. The coolness of the stone bricks seeped through her thin, tattered shift and caused her to shiver.
"Of what?" the Doctor asked. Rose could tell by his voice that he was located just on the opposite side of the wall, likely in the same position.
"How many times we've been arrested. I was trying to keep count," she explained.
"Since when?" he asked curiously.
"Don't know. Something like four to six months ago. That's the problem. I should have marked it on my calendar."
"You have a calendar?" he asked incredulously. "Since when?"
"Since January 1st. I just started it one day. I thought it might be neat to try and keep track of time for once. It's September 7th, if you're curious."
"That doesn't even make any sense," he puzzled. "We've gone on for ages without keeping track. Why start now?"
"'Cause I don't know how old I am anymore. I doubt I could even guess the right decade. You can't even guess the right century for yourself."
"How would a calendar help you with that? No, no, don't tell me. You just want to make sure you get enough Christmas celebrations."
Rose laughed. "I guess that's part of it. Just thought it'd be interesting, that's all."
"Your arrest record, too?"
"No, that's to prove a point. We've always dealt with arrests, but this is getting ridiculous," she said seriously.
"Hey, I told you not to touch it," he reminded her.
"Yeah, and I told you not to open it," she replied.
"You touched it after I opened it."
"Well, I told you that we shouldn't have been there in the first place," she argued.
"That was after I opened it!"
"And before we even entered the room!" Rose sighed heavily. "It doesn't matter. I know you don't blame me, and I don't blame you either. I'm just sick of spending so much time in prison."
"Yeah, I'm sorry. Not exactly the vacation I wanted it to be." The Doctor looked about his small cell with a frown. It was another sticky mess that he wasn't sure how to get out of.
"So what do you think the punishment will be? I highly doubt we'll get a trial. You don't think it'll be worth execution or anything, do you?"
"No, it shouldn't be that bad. Some time in prison or some time in the stocks," the Doctor suggested with a shrug. "Whatever it is, we'll get out of it before the sentence is through. We always do."
"The stocks…" Rose sighed again and shook her head. "This place is so strange, you know. Reminds me some of Japan."
Though Rose was on the other side of the stone wall, the Doctor still looked over his shoulder at her quizzically. "How's that?"
"Well, you know. Japan cut itself off from the rest of the world for ages, developing independently in culture and tradition. All of a sudden, America kicks down their door and the country becomes flooded with modern culture and technology. Japan adapts quickly, taking everything in. They even take it a step further, not just accepting technology, but improving it. And through it all, they hold onto their culture and tradition.
"That's like here. It's more like King Arthur meets space man than east meets west, but same principle. This planet sort of had the entire galaxy thrown at it. It's rebuilding everything with new technology, but they've still got their traditions, festivals, and temples. New buildings, but same old architecture. The music's changing, but still played with traditional instruments. Art…"
"Dungeons," the Doctor chimed in. "Shiny metal barred doors with high tech locking mechanisms, paired with a stinky pile of straw for comfort."
"Exactly," Rose acknowledged. With her legs tired and aching, she gave up and decided to take advantage of that small comfort. She jumped back up the moment she sat down. "Urgh! It's moldy!"
"Yeah, I guess I should have warned you about that," the Doctor said apologetically.
"Yeah, would've been nice… Anyway, when do you think we'll get our sentence?"
"Probably not today. It's getting into evening and the King will need his dinner."
"So we have to wait 'til the lord of the land gets his kingly arse up in the morning?"
"And has had his breakfast."
Rose groaned and slid down the wall to sit on the cold stone floor. "So… wanna play the alphabet game?"
"Sure," the Doctor slid down his side of the wall so that they were sitting back to back. "Which one?"
"I'm going on a trip and I'm taking with me... an Anteater."
"An anteater? Again? Can't you get creative? Why would you even want to bring an-"
"Just shut up and pick something for 'B'."
Rose and the Doctor had just gotten to the letter 'Q' when light flooded the dim hallway. They both pressed their faces up to the bars to see what was happening. Quiet words were exchanged at the dungeon entrance and a guard quickly made his way down the passage. When he caught Rose staring, he knocked at the bars with his staff. Rose quickly pulled back to dodge the potential blow, but went back to staring when she saw the long skirts of a woman pass next. They stopped just outside the Doctor's cell, and the Doctor quickly got to his feet.
The woman held herself in a stiff proud manner, but she twisted her fingers nervously. Likewise, her speech was regal, but tinted with anxiety. "They say you claim to be a Doctor."
"The Doctor, yes," the Doctor affirmed.
"You are a physician then? An off-world physician?" she asked.
"That depends…" the Doctor said hesitantly. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
"A very good thing, but you must be truthful. Are you a physician?" the woman persisted.
"Then, yes. I think I'm a pretty good healer. Dealt with many global plagues, common colds, and-"
"Wonderful. Let him out," the woman ordered.
"And her, I need her," the Doctor insisted, pointing at Rose's cell. "I can't go anywhere without her."
"I'm sorry, but I can only pardon you. Now we must hurry." The woman began sweeping away, but the Doctor didn't move.
"I'm telling you, I don't go anywhere without her!" Before the Doctor had even finished his sentence, the large guard had him by the arms and was forcing him down the passage. "No! No! I won't leave her here. I'm telling you-"
"It's okay, Doctor!" Rose shouted back. "We'll sort it!"
The moment the Doctor reached the top of the dungeon steps, he was released by the guard and shoved into the custody of two others. Each man took one of his arms and immediately set pace behind the woman.
Now that they were in the light again, he could confirm that the woman was an Oktosani, a native of Oktosar, as were their accompanying guards. They were a stunning people with golden skin, white hair, a panther-like nose, and wide-set, cat-like eyes. Rose had declared them beautiful and dared him to find an ugly one. As irritated as he was with them now, not any of them were looking quite so pretty.
"As nice as it is to have your support," the Doctor said in mild irritation, "I can walk quite well on my own."
The guards pretended not to hear him, but the woman responded with a wave of her hand. "You can let him go."
"Yes, your highness," one of the guards replied. As the Doctor was released, the guard muttered darkly, "You better watch yourself."
The Doctor ignored the threat and stumbled when they let go. "Your highness?" he asked in surprise.
"My father is ill. Our healer has done everything he can think of but we've never seen anything like it before. We must assume it is from another planet and therefore need the advice of an off-worlder," she explained.
"If you're a 'highness' that would make your father the king?" the Doctor checked.
The woman merely nodded.
"Good. That's fine. I always like meeting kings. Not sure I'm really dressed for the occasion…" The Doctor looked down at the ratty blue cloth that was wrapped around his waist, hoping it covered him well enough.
He saw the princess laugh and couldn't help but chuckle himself. His smile faded when he glanced at one of the guards who didn't look the least bit amused.
When they came upon a large set of doors with guards on either side, the princess pushed the doors wide and gestured for the Doctor to enter. The Doctor glanced briefly at the people in the room, but moved straight toward the bed, the two guards still at his sides.
"Who is this?!" One of the men cried in outrage. The Doctor ignored it completely and began assessing his patient.
"Alright. Two blankets. That means chills. Prickly rash…"
"This is the off-world doctor that I mentioned," the princess explained.
"The one I forbade you to retrieve?!" the man demanded.
"The one you 'advised against', yes. He's our only chance at this point-"
"Open your mouth and stick out your tongue," the Doctor quietly ordered the patient as the angry man continued to argue with the princess.
"You put your faith in a prisoner."
"A Doctor."
"A thief!"
"Not a thief. Didn't steal a thing," the Doctor chimed in. "What about your vision? Can you follow my finger?"
"Our father never trusted off-world physicians-"
"It's our last hope! And he seems to be trusting one now!"
"What about your glands?" The Doctor gently placed his hand around the king's throat and three swords came to rest threateningly on his forearm.
"Just checking his glands," the Doctor said gently as he pulled back his arm. "Quite swollen. What about speech? Can you talk?"
The king shook his head and his children chorused "No."
"Alright then. Easily diagnosed. It's the pondtalino virus."
"Are you sure?" the princess asked hopefully.
"Yep. Chills, rash, white-coated tongue, swollen throat and glands. I mean there's plenty of other viruses like it in the universe, but nothing that would travel all the way here. Add into the facts that you've got Pondtalinian gift basket over there, which means you've recently had Pondtalinian visitors, I'd say it's a pretty sure thing."
"The Pondtalinians did this to him?" the prince demanded furiously.
"You're a very angry person, aren't you?" the Doctor asked calmly. "No, the Pondtalinians didn't do this to him. One of them must have been carrying it when they came to visit. And before you get all upset again, I don't mean they carried it in a purse or something. It's just a virus that originated on their planet and they were likely getting over it themselves or were with someone who recently had it. It's not usually fatal, but your immune systems aren't used to the same type viruses as they are. It's acting a bit harshly on his majesty. The good news is, I have just the cure. Already cooked up and ready to use.
"The hard part is that it's in my blue box and my blue box is in town. I'm going to go ahead and assume that you aren't going to let me out of here to fetch it, so… Perhaps some of these strapping guards of yours might retrieve it for me?" The Doctor patted the arm of the nearest guard, but at the scowl he received, he pulled back. "It's located right on the corner of Main and Market Street, right beside that lovely little restaurant."
"You just left your box on the corner of the street?" the princess asked in surprise and horror. "Someone's likely stolen it."
"No, no one will steal it. Hardly anyone pays attention to it. Not to mention, it's not easy to lift. Your fellas are probably going to want to bring an open carriage. Big blue box, taller than a man, and says 'Police Box' on it."
"If you profess to be a Doctor, why does it say 'Police'?" the prince asked dubiously.
"Because that's the way my box comes. I'm rather fond of it, so I keep it as it is," the Doctor explained vaguely.
"I don't like it, Aileen," the prince spoke darkly. "I don't trust this man."
"I know, Xio, but you're going to have to."
"Do it," the prince finally conceded. "Bring the box, but be sure to search it before bringing it here."
One of the guards left to assemble a party to retrieve the TARDIS and the room was cast into silence. The prince and princess both looked stubborn and determined. The tension was tangible. Trying to place himself out of the way, the Doctor backed into a chair in the corner. It would be a long wait for his TARDIS to be collected.
The wait turned out to be even longer than the Doctor anticipated. It was approximately two hours before a pair of guards returned.
"What took you so long?" the prince demanded.
"I'm sorry, sire, but we had a hard time opening it to search it. We've tried everything. We called a locksmith and he couldn't make a thing of it. It's just outside the door if you'd like a look yourself."
The prince opened the door of the bedroom and found the TARDIS in the corridor. "It doesn't look too sturdy. Just bash in the door."
"We've tried that, too, your highness, but it's impossible to break."
"Yes," the Doctor said hesitantly. "It's really quite solid and the lock's very special. It only opens for me, you see."
"Then open it so that we might search it," the prince commanded.
"I'm very sorry, but I can't allow that. See, it's a very special box. If you'd give me just five minutes though, I can retrieve the cure. Five minutes. Maybe less."
The prince looked livid. "I don't like your games, doctor. I order you to open this door immediately!"
"I really am sincerely sorry, but I can't allow you in," the Doctor persisted.
"I am Prince Xio! You will obey me!"
The Doctor did not respond.
"He has wasted our time! Take him to the dungeons! You, doctor, will pay for your disobedience."
A set of guards seized the Doctor but he fought against their pull. "Wait! I'm trying to help! I swear to you that I'm trying to help! I can save your father if you just give me a chance! There must be another way. Your physician! He must have a lab. Allow me to work with him. He'll be able to oversee all that I do. He can guarantee that I don't mean to poison the king."
"To the dungeons, I said!"
"Xio, let him! This way you'll know you can trust his cure," Princess Aileen pleaded.
"I've had enough!"
"Sire," one of the guards spoke up meekly. "His majesty, the king."
The weak king in his bed had lifted his hand to point at the Doctor. He could not speak, but his message was clear. The Doctor was to be given a chance.
"Good. Very good," the Doctor said quietly. "I know it's probably not a good time, but I'd like to make a request. The moment the king shows signs of improvement, Rose and I are free to go."
The prince looked ready to spit a venomous reply, but before he could, the king nodded.
Prince Xio turned his back to the Doctor, but Princess Aileen did not hesitate and swept from the room.
"Release the man. Doctor, follow me. I will show you to our physician."
The Doctor hurried after her. "This physician of yours, is he any good?"
The princess smiled broadly. "The best in the land."
Once ushered into the healer's lab, the Doctor stopped in stunned horror.
"This isn't a lab!" He looked around the room in dismay. The counters were new and pristine, as were the glass cupboards, but the jars were filled with berries, thick syrups, and powders. Under the suspended cabinets, both fresh and dried herbs hung from hooks. "This is an apothecary! In all the advancements you've made, I expected a pharmaceutical lab, not granny's kitchen!"
"Xio and my father do not believe in modern medicine. They believe that no good can come from putting chemicals in a person's body," Aileen explained apologetically. "Tell me, can you still cure him?"
"I don't know," the Doctor said as he scrubbed his face in frustration. "I'm not familiar with the plants of this world."
He kept his face covered as he tried to calm himself.
Rose. It only took one thought of her to firm his resolve. He would keep her safe no matter what it took and this might be just the thing to guarantee her freedom.
"It really depends on if this physician of yours is really as good as you say he is. Where is he?"
The princess pointed and the Doctor noticed the short, slightly pudgy man standing in the middle of the room. The Doctor had overlooked him while scanning the cabinets and shelves. The man's face was stern and he glared at the Doctor, not doubt offended by what the Doctor said about his practice.
The Doctor cared nothing about the offence he caused and was straightforward when he ordered, "So, prove yourself. How good are you? I need something that contains the primary constituent berberine and something with active ingredient allicin."
The healer didn't pause even a moment as he began collecting ingredients. The Doctor felt a small measure of relief. Perhaps this was possible. He picked up a mortar and pestle and began collecting empty beakers and burners.
He worked tirelessly for a couple of hours, testing ingredients on his tongue and doing mathematical calculations before adding each component. He sat back and stared at the finished product a moment before sticking in a spoon and testing it.
"Well?" the physician asked hopefully.
The Doctor scowled and pushed the beaker away. "It's no good. Dump it."
"What? Why?" the physician worried.
"Too acidic. It'll burn holes in his stomach."
"But couldn't you add-"
"I've thought of that," the Doctor cut him off. "Anything to combat the acidity will only weaken the potency. Dump it out and we start again."
"But we've run out of-"
The princess was the one to interrupt the physician this time. "Whatever you need, we will send the servants to fetch."
The Doctor and physician both listed off items and a small string of servants went to collect what was required. When the last servant stepped forth, the princess ordered for two plates of food to be brought in.
"That's very kind," the Doctor responded, "but please have mine delivered to the dungeon. Sixth door on the right, pretty blond woman."
The servant looked to the princess in question.
"Have two plates brought here, then have one delivered to his wife." Before the servant could leave, the princess stopped him. "Perhaps a blanket for the woman, too."
The Doctor thanked her with deep sincerity and began his work again. It took two more attempts before the Doctor was satisfied.
"It's done," he declared. A large bottle was quickly filled and stoppered and the Doctor and physician were led to the king's chambers.
"Will it work?" Prince Xio asked dubiously.
"In all honestly, you highness, I'm not sure," the physician confessed. "I can promise you though, it was constructed with great care and should do him no harm."
"He tested it each time on himself, Xio," Princess Aileen stated. "It is not a poison."
"It'll work," the Doctor declared. "It's not nearly as good as the other cure I could offer you, but this will boost his immune system and take care of most of his symptoms. You should start seeing improvement in the next couple days and he should be well within a week. Three spoonfuls every four hours. Now, onto the matter of my wife. Because it will take awhile to work, I'd appreciate it if-"
The Doctor was cut off by a knock on the door. The guard that entered was out of breath. "Your majesties, there's been an attack. The dungeons… some men have escaped."
"Rose! What of the woman there?!" the Doctor panicked.
The guard shook his head. "I'm sorry, sir."
"You're sorry? What does that mean?"
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