A/N: Don't worry, it'll start to make sense soon! By the way, had the absolute pleasure of meeting Peter Davison the other day and he was so sweet and so gorgeous. He was my 'first' Doctor that I remember when I was little so I have a very strong affection for him. Anyway, onwards…
A Simple Girl
'If someone like you found someone like me, then suddenly nothing would ever be the same. My heart would take wing and I'd feel so alive, if someone like you found me.' – Someone Like You, Jekyll and Hyde.
The soft babble of the stream was the only sound amidst the peaceful silence of the village. Far too early for any of its inhabitants to be up, the sun barely peeping over the top ridges of the mountains to the East, casting a faint red glow over the snow capped tops that would soon catch the silver leaved trees of the high slopes, turning them to flame before gently caressing the greenery below and waking the village at last. One tiny house stood apart from the small settlement, its walls and pitch roof covered with tendrils of climbing plants, their flowers waiting to open in the morning sun, framing the small windows and door. The garden surrounding was an elegant patchwork of
flowers, two large trees standing at the back and bending into an archway, one supporting a small rope swing long since neglected from daily use. The peace of the scene was not interrupted as one lonely figure exited the door to the house, a basket under her slender white arm as she headed to one of the wind bent trees.
Setting the basket at her feet she set to collecting the fruit it bore, humming softly to herself as she went about her task in the dappled sunrise. As the sun finally broke the mountains she looked up to watch the spectacle of the leaves as they changed from silver to russet in the light, a sight she was sure she would never tire of despite having seen it every morning that she could remember. She raised a hand to cover her cerulean blue eyes from the glare, taking the opportunity to push back a few stray wisps of hair into the scarf she had tied around her mass of brunette curls. When the sight was over she turned back to her task, picking up the now weighty basket and carrying it over to the window ledge that offered a view into the simple, quaint kitchen. Collecting up a large, metal jug she wandered bare foot across the dewy, green grass, one or two flecks of red meeting her feet where the seeds of the fire grass of the mountains had blown down and mingled with the green that covered the valley. She reached the small stream, not resisting the urge to dip a toe in and finding the water pleasantly cool as it rushed passed. Kneeling down she held the jug in the flow until it had filled before heaving it out of the water and onto the bank beside her.
The bustle of the waking village reached her ears and she looked down from her seat by the stream to see windows opening, hear people begin that slow mumble of talk that always accompanied the small settlement. They were called the Outsiders, people who had chosen to live outside the confines of Time Lord society in the giant citadel behind. There were many similar settlements to theirs, not just outside Capitol Gallifrey but all over the planet outside any of the great domed cities. Outsiders was a harsh term of old when people had first chosen to live outside the order of the Time Lords, now the two communities worked side by side, children attending the cities academies if seen as being capable by the Time Lords and men and women working the lower ranks of the order, none of them Time Lords but respected Gallifreyans. There remained some bigotry but it was too be expected, Danashanoseimuron used to the occasional bad glance if she ventured into the citadel to visit her father, a Time Lord and teacher at the Prydonian academy.
Jaralen, as he was informally called by those who knew him well, was the exception to the rule of Time Lords not living outside the city but his reasoning was valid. Not only a teacher at the academy but also a young senator in the
Council and representative of the Outsider settlements of Capitol Gallifrey he decided years before that if he was to represent them well then to live outside the citadel was the most beneficial option. So he had moved twenty years before from the Capitol to the smallest of the villages bringing with him a child born to him two years before, a young girl whose mother had made the ultimate sacrifice to bring her into the world, death and then regeneration sickness taking her into the Matrix at the Presidential Palace. That child had grown at one with the mountains and forests surrounding her, more in touch with the natural world than the technology and riches of the Capitol. Jaralen had spared her the trials in her eighth year and she had taught herself from books he brought home rather than at one of the Time Lord Academies. He sometimes regretted his decision, the child often flighty and wandering unchecked in the hills when he was away and her dreaming not improving with her age but to see her settled amongst the trees in the woods or nursing a neglected foundling animal to health he was glad he had kept her home.
"Dana! Dana are you outside child?" came the deep voice, pushed out from behind a bushy white beard trimmed nowhere near as neatly as it should have been for his position.
"Coming Father," said Dana getting up from her place beside the stream, casting one final glance up to the mountains before picking up her jug and carrying it over to the window ledge, placing it next to the full basket. She hurried back around to the door, brushing aside a falling vine before stepping over the threshold. The warm, musty smell of books was the first scent to hit her senses, mixed with the familiar smell of her Father and herself, mingling as it did for every occupant in every home. Her bare feet padded soundlessly along the flag stone entrance hall and through a small archway into the simple kitchen, marked her and there by some wonderful technological device Jaralen had brought home that Dana refused to ever use. She was far more accepting of the old ways than that of the new.
Dana smiled as she saw her father sat by the simple wooden table, already dressed in the robes insisted on by his position as teacher at the Academy, the orange of his robes marking him out as a Prydonian scholar rather than any of the other houses. In true fashion his head was buried in a heavy tome of work that Dana had always found cumbersome and boring. He looked up at her entrance and offered her a soft smile before extending his hand to her. Dana stepped over to him, her hand slipping into his as she bent down to kiss the wiry, grey mop of curls on his head.
"Good morning Father," she said, straightening but not releasing his hand.
Jaralen raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it, "Good morning my dear," he said, "You were up early this morning."
"I wanted to see the sunrise," said Dana, as he loosed her hand, allowing her to return to her task. She went over to the window and lifted in the items she had placed there, "Besides, I always find the water cooler before the sun has hit it first thing, before the fire of the mountains reaches the valley."
A small huff of laughter came from the table and Dana turned to her father with a smirk, almost able to predict his next words.
"Such a dreamer," said Jaralen fondly, as he pushed his thin framed glasses further up his slightly over sized nose, "So like your mother."
Dana offered him a small smile as she saw the pain on his face even after so many years since the loss of her mother. She understood why, even though she had no memories of the woman who had given her birth she had heard stories of her from all who had known her. Shanoseimuron, Shan affectionately to her friends, had been a singular creature, a member of the Senate and yet more of a free spirit than could often be tolerated, often speaking out against the others openly and denouncing their belief that a Time Lords' purpose was merely to observe and not interfere with the universe. She had survived any political struggles however due to her kind nature and sharp intelligence, she had been a useful asset to Gallifrey and her unrivalled beauty had made her a favourite with the President. She had left it all behind however when she had met the young Senator Jaralen and agreed to be his bride. Those who sought to harm Jaralen often spoke that it was Shan's loss of the Senate to the position of wife that had caused her to succumb to the Regeneration sickness that had taken her life, marrying beneath her status ruinous to her hearts and mind. There marriage for love rather than arrangement had been a scandal, marriage more of a business arrangement on Gallifrey than a declaration of affection and the fact that their child had been naturally conceived rather than engineered through the genetic filtering system that now gave life to any new Gallifreyan was beyond shocking. It had brought with it much hateful prejudice. It had taken Dana many years not to believe the lies but she had overcome them, knowing in her very deepest soul that her parents had been truly happy in their brief span together.
"I wish I could be more like her," said Dana softly, as she carried the jug over to the fire side, "Then perhaps I could be more useful to you, help you with your books and your duties."
"You are of such great use to me Dana, who else keeps me so well fed that I have to ask her to let out my clothes another inch every year?"
Dana laughed, the sound accompanying the rush of water from the jug into the pot beside the fire before she swung the iron arm over the flames, leaving the water to boil, "Indeed," she said, "And who too would be so patient with you when you chose to announce only the night before that I am to welcome a Senator of the Presidential Council into our house tonight."
Jaralen got to his feet, collecting up various books necessary for his days teaching, "If Senator Kaybanarn had given me word of his visit sooner then I would have told you sooner my dear," he said, "But he only confirmed his intentions yesterday and I cannot refuse him, he is greatly influential in the Council and if we can ensure his support we may gain more of a voice for the Outsiders at the Panopticon. You will be able to have everything ready in time, won't you?"
"Everything will be ready," said Dana, "I have made arrangements for some food to be brought from the city this morning and I have enough money to buy whatever else I need here in the village. I will even prepare the guest room in case our dear Senator chooses to prolong his visit to us."
Jaralen opened his arms and enveloped his daughter into a warm hug, "See, whatever would I do without you Dana, you think further ahead than I have the foresight to. We shall be home after sunset, I'll send word if the Senate continues later than planned. Are you sure you don't need anything?"
Dana shoved him playfully to the door, "I am quite prepared and quite capable, now go!"
"Now you sound like your mother," said Jaralen as Dana continued to prod him backwards through the hallway and to the door.
"Go!"
"Going! Going!" said Jaralen as he stepped out into the morning sunshine, "Oh Dana, now before you shout listen to me, I have heard recently that young Netax's eye has fallen on you…"
"Father don't…"
"Dana I cannot expect to keep you forever, you are young and you should at least give marriage a chance, love has been known to follow an arrangement. Netax is not such a bad creature, you could do far worse than a man who dotes on you as he does and he has a promising position in the lower Senate house."
"Why can you not understand that I am content here with you?" said Dana, "Nothing could compel me to leave you, or to marry anyone. Netax is sweet in his attentions but I do not love him, I could never love him. If anyone has my hand in marriage it will be for the purest love alone not a business arrangement. You can rest assured that you shall not be giving my hand to anyone yet. Now go before the school bell sounds and those brats of yours are left without a teacher."
"I'm going!" said Jaralen, "Now take care and don't wander too far in the woods when the sun begins to set."
"Yes Father," said Dana.
"And don't open the front door to people you don't recognise."
"I'm closing the front door now Father," said Dana playfully as she began to push the heavy wood home, "And I'm not five!"
"You're still my baby!"
"Go to work old man!" giggled Dana as she closed the door before hurrying to the window waving at her father as he walked backwards down the path, waving back. She smiled as he finally turned away and began his morning walk into the city, the village choosing not to allow the transports from the Citadel into the unspoilt beauty of the valley.
Dana had barely turned back to the kitchen when there was a sharp rap on the door. She sighed and hurried to open it.
"I'm sure you have everything with you Father, you…Fira?" said Dana recognising her friend as she opened the door.
"Of course," said the girl, the sun glinting off her long gold hair as she tossed it absently over her shoulder, "I'm not too early am I?"
"Early?" said Dana bemused before her eyes widened, "Our day out! Oh Fira I'm so sorry I forgot, Father has this dreadful dusty Senator coming to stay tonight and he only told me yesterday and I've been so preoccupied. Would you think terribly of me if I postponed until tomorrow?"
Fira smiled warmly, "Not at all," she said as Dana ushered her into the house, "Can I help you at all though?"
"Well if you wouldn't mind?" said Dana.
"Not at all," said Fira, "Where should I start?"
XXXX
Many hours had passed since Fira's arrival and the two young Gallifreyans had worked tirelessly to prepare the house for the guest's arrival. Now as the light began to dwindle over the city both flopped unceremoniously onto the cushioned seats of the small front facing room that gave a perfect view of the road into the village. The appetising smell of fresh bread and a warm meal wafted invitingly from the kitchen but both were too exhausted from their work to notice.
"I never thought there would be so much to do in this little house," said Fira laying a hand on her brow, "When did you last clean that guest room?"
Dana laughed, "Before my grandfather died, he was the last one to stay there."
"But Dana that was…"
"Seven years ago," said Dana, "You must think me a terrible housekeeper."
Fira shot her a appeasing smile, "I could never think that of you, how patiently you keep this place. I know I shan't have the patience with mine when I am finally in it but then I fear I shan't have any patience with anything."
"Oh Fira," said Dana, "If you are so very unhappy with the arrangement then why not talk to your parents, ask them to speak to the Senate and dissolve the agreement."
Fira raised an eyebrow, "And have them publicly shamed for breaking my engagement when the Senate have been so gracious to break with tradition to grant it? We don't all have Time Lords for fathers Dana, my father needs me to marry well to secure ourselves to the citadel and Achea is a good man, he'll make a good husband and a good Time Lord when he finishes the final training."
Dana snorted in a most unladylike fashion, throwing her feet onto the low table before her, her simple black dress swishing noisily against the stone work of the floor, "But you don't love him and you are agreeing to spend all your regenerations with him, every life you have even if your mindset and desires change with each passing incarnation. It shouldn't be allowed."
Fira sighed, she had great patience and affection for her friend but suffered for it, "Dana I know you disapprove but it's the way things are and it's a good system. My brother's marriage was arranged and he is happy, he does well and he is good friends with his wife. Their children do well and the genetic filter means that they could make sure they would be healthy all their lives. Imagine with all our lives, all the changes we go through, if we married for love. A heart changes from one regeneration to the next, what if the love doesn't survive that? Broken marriages? Resentment? Children torn between warring parents. The arrangements work Dana."
Dana nodded, "You're right of course," she said, "I just…it just seems wrong to me. My parents were censured for loving one another but how can it be so wrong that we shy away from it? I've read many studies of other planets where there is sentient life, where the explorers have travelled to observe and so few accounts speak of planet wide arranged marriages. From one set culture to another maybe but love…how did Father say it in that strange tongue…Amor Omnia Vincit? Something like that."
"And for those of us who only speak 'Freyan?"
"Love conquers all," said Dana, schooling a serious expression before bursting into peals of laughter as Fira fell into mirth beside her.
"Oh Rassilon what a silly phrase," said Fira composing herself after a moment, "I must remember that one to tell my brother when I next go to the city, he'll be in fits. So tell me anyway, who is this great Presidential Senator you have coming to stay?"
"Lord Kaybanarn I think my father called him. Used to be a Cardinal at the Prydonian Academy when my Father was a junior teacher there. He was one of my Father's sponsers to enter the Senate I think although I've never met him. He got promoted a few years ago to the Presidential Council and I think my Father intends to use the old acquaintance to gain more of a voice for the people he represents."
"And you have no idea who he is?" said Fira with a mischievous smile, "Do you ever read the periodicals?"
Dana got to her feet as a cloud of dust further up the road proceeded the coming of a carriage convoy, even Senators not welcome to bring their fuel propelled vehicles into the village, "The gutter press of Gallifrey?" she said, the distaste obviously, "Rassilon no I wouldn't touch them. Why? Is there some vile, salacious gossip I should know of?"
"Well if its gutter press then you shan't want to know," said Fira in a sing song voice as she rose to her feet and made for the front door, "I shall just wish you luck for tonight and wish for Rassilon to keep you until morning."
Dana left the window just as the Council marked carriage came into view of the house, hurrying across the stones and catching her friend around the waist, giggling, "You shall tell me what you know Fira," she laughed, "Am I in such very grave danger?"
"Of a telling off to put your father's to shame," giggled Fira, struggling in her friend's grip, "Kaybanarn is a stern, grumpy old man who scowls down at all who pass him in the citadel. If only he were not married, he would make you a wonderful husband for he would have great political debates with you all day long and read you long passages from the book of the Senate every night."
Dana released her friend, straightening her dress and her hair as the sound of the coach pulling up outside came through the door, "I'm sure I shall swoon at his feet," she said sarcastically, "Come rescue me tomorrow morning would you?"
Fira frowned, "I can't. I promised Achea I would visit him in the city tomorrow."
"I'm joking Fira," said Dana as she opened the door amazed to see that it was not the normal plain carriage that had arrived but a jet black, elegant affair, pulled by two large beithioch, there thick shaggy coats and curled horns nearly the same jet of the carriage, even the driver was dressed head to foot in black, only his eyes exposed, almost as dark as the clothes he wore. The only colour was the silver mark of the Council on the door of the carriage which she hurriedly stepped forward to open.
"I'll see you soon," whispered Fira in her ear before hurriedly scuttling away, never happy to be around the diplomats who visited the village, "Have fun!"
Dana shot her a warm smile before turning her attention to the carriage. She smiled as her father was the first to descend, having to crouch on the step to avoid catching the ornate collar that decorated his robes, denoting a quick journey from the Senate. He shot her a slightly pained glance, full of apology before turning back to the carriage and offering his hand inside. For a moment Dana wondered if she had heard him wrong when he said Lord Kaybanarn as a thin, pale woman's hand rested into his grip. With the rustle of expensive cloth Dana watched the woman descend the carriage, her dress an elegant gold silk, decorated with hanging beads of crystal and cut in the latest fashion of the time. Her hair was a fiery auburn, flawless and shiny as it was swept up into intricate curls at the back of her head. Her eyes were a deep sea green but the look she shot at the skinny, brunette girl in a plain black dress marred her perfect beauty. She turned her eyes away as she stepped onto the dusty ground, casting a critical eye over the house.
"You have a…modest home Senator Jaralen," she said haughtily, "Quite quaint though I wonder how you manage in such, surroundings. This girl I assume is your daughter?"
Dana looked set to protest at the term but a look from her father silenced her and she dropped into an elegant curtsey, casting her eyes to the ground as was custom.
"This is Danashan, Lady Chanema," said Jaralen, "My only daughter, named for her mother."
"My lady," said Dana softly making to rise, schooling her expression to one of quiet obedience but burning inside. She was shocked as she straightened to find Chanema had been replaced by burnt orange robes she was more used to on her father. She raised her head and found herself gazing into a pair of twinkling kindly deep brown eyes, set under bushy grey eyebrows and a face that passed her father in age by at least a generation in first incarnation reckoning. She curtsied once more but this time kept her eyes raised, staring down the man before her and seeing his mirth at her blatant faux pas.
"My Lord," she said offering him her hand as she had witnessed the ladies of the Senate do on many occasions when visiting her father. Instead of waving her away the man before her raised it to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it. Dana had to hide a smile as she heard her father's flustered breath.
"Lord Kaybanarn," he said quickly, removing Dana's hand from his grip and holding it close to his side, "May I present to you my daughter Danashan, our hostess for this evening."
"An honour," said Kaybanarn, his voice cracked with age but still warm, its accent far more pronounced than that of his wife, "You must forgive us young lady for not informing you we would have an extra guest for dinner this evening, I hope it does not put you out too far. My wife was anxious to see the beauty of one of the outlying villages."
The high pitched huff that echoed from the Lady Chanema seemed to disprove her husband's words but Dana simply smiled sweetly, "I am not at all put out Lord Kaybanarn, I am quite prepared. Please, won't you come inside."
"If you would but lead the way," he said gallantly.
Dana stepped turned back towards the house only to have her step blocked by a flurry of gold and crystal as Lady Chanema stepped before her. She stiffened but felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up into her father's imploring eyes. She smiled in her sufferance and followed the step of the Time Lady before her, knowing in her heart that it would be a long night.
XXXX
Swearing at inanimate objects had never been proven, scientifically or otherwise, to produce any sort of effect on the universe but that did not prevent Dana from firing several impressive expletives that would make even the citadel guards blush at the harmless pot she was currently scrubbing in the over flowing kitchen sink. It certainly made her feel better as she imagined the scorched edges she mercilessly scoured was a certain Time Lady's haughty face and bigoted mind.
"Poor little village girl," hissed Dana to the dark room, "I'll give her poor little village girl."
Night had fallen several hours before and her father and her guests had retired to their bed, Dana obediently giving up her room for Kaybanarn custom denoting that even married couples could not share a bed in a stranger's house. The night at least had brought quiet from Chanema's barely veiled criticism but Dana still fumed. The men had soon turned to political talk leaving Dana at the Time Lady's mercy and Chanema knew none. She had smiled sweetly of course, complementing the food, the house, the village but always in comparison to the technology and wealth of the city. She had commented upon Jaralen's neglect of his daughter in the sun kissed look of her skin, insisting that he should have taken her into the protection of the dome and away from the sun's rays especially in the summer months. Dana had countered that to leave the village in the summer months would break her heart for it was far more beautiful to watched the silver trees on the mountain side than anything the citadel could offer.
Chanema had almost choked on her food much to Dana's concealed amusement and she was further pleased when Kaybanarn agreed that the spectacle he had witnessed only now and then of a midday sun on the silver leaves was indeed a sight that could not be recreated with any technology. Dana could almost hear Fira's disbelief when she told her that the reportedly humourless Kaybanarn was in fact quick witted and charming when away from his political seat. He had been an attentive guest, clearly embarrassed but used to his wife's behaviour, his bad humour only coming whenever Chanema chose to be particularly cutting about their hosts or the village. Despite his praise of the village however Dana could not allow herself to become totally fond of him, his opinions completely contrary to her own. He was a fervent advocate of the social situation on the planet and of the interstellar policies her mother so rebelled against.
Dana was roused from her latest tirade when she heard faint footfalls on the stone work of the hall.
"Father?" she called in the dim moonlight of the kitchen.
"I am afraid that in your offer of a room I have deprived you of your rest," said a voice in the darkness.
Dana couldn't help but startle, only just saving the dish from dropping and shattering on the floor. She glared through the darkness as she heard the crisp, deep laughter.
"I apologise if I startled you," said Kaybanarn stepping into the moonlight, "Can I be of any help?"
"No," said Dana quickly, not knowing why she suddenly felt so flustered, "Thank you, I'm quite alright. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"I am afraid you caught me out," said Kaybanarn, "I did not expect anyone to be awake, I was hoping to step outside for a while, it has been too long since I have been outside of the city at night."
Dana smiled at his admittance, "Do not let me detain you sir," she said turning back to the sink and its contents. She felt a tentative hand on her arm and turned to the man behind her.
"Perhaps, if you are not too busy you would take a turn about the garden with me? You have put many thoughts in my head tonight and although your arguments are greatly flawed, you spoke with such passion this evening that I would like to talk more with you."
Dana curtsied lightly, her expression confused at the half reproach, half praise of his tone, "I'd like that," she said, taking his offered arm as he led her to the back door of the kitchen. He tested the handle, grunting in annoyance as it refused to budge. He looked down to her as he heard her giggle.
"You don't happen to have a key about your person do you?" he asked.
Dana shook her head, "It has never had one as far as we know. Since we moved the door has never been opened and it has always been one of those jobs forgotten with the running of the house."
"Well then," said Kaybanarn, releasing his arm from her grip and reaching into a concealed pocket inside the coat of his robes and extracting a strange, cylindrical device, "Perhaps this may be of use."
He held the device to the lock a it hummed for a moment before the sound of the bolt sliding from home echoed in the quite kitchen. He returned the device to his pocket and pushed down on the handle, the door opening without protest onto the garden beyond. Kaybanarn stepped over the threshold and offered his hand to Dana to help her down the step. She stood, dumbfounded at what she had just seen.
"What was…?"
"A little device I have been working on in my spare moments," said Kaybanarn taking her handed and coaxing her down, leaving the door open behind her, "I call it the Sound Wave Key."
"And what's it for?" said Dana, "I can't imagine with all the technology in the city that many keys are required let alone lost, all the doors I have seen are scan patterns or coded."
"Its not really for anything, just unlocking things that are locked."
"Pretty useless then really," said Dana before looking up at the Time Lord's shocked expression and blushing, "Forgive me, I spoke out of turn."
To her surprise Kaybanarn began to laugh, "No you are right, it is useless really."
"No, no," said Dana hurriedly, letting go of his hand she didn't even realise she had been holding as they walked and stepping in front of him, "It could be used for all sorts of things if you improved it, sort of a 'do everything key'."
"A 'do everything key'?" said Kaybanarn archly as they came to walk alongside the stream.
"Oh I don't know, you're the one who sat there and made the thing," said Dana, "Seems to me its up to you to give it a name."
"If my Madam President orders it," said Kaybanarn, barely concealing a laugh at the look of horror on Dana's face as she realised that her openness was not the social expectations of her situation.
"You must forgive me My Lord I forget myself at times."
He reached for her lost hand, running the pad of his thumb over the back of it absently, "Not at all. I find it quite refreshing to hear someone speak freely around me, I have a reputation I am afraid that often frightens people but it seems to have emboldened you, I realised the second I stepped out of the carriage."
"My Father often tells me I should be more guarded but I take far too much after my Mother I hear."
Kaybanarn smiled warmly, seemingly lost in a memory, "I remember your mother well," he said as they followed the meandering path of the stream, "We were both at the Academy together, she beat me hands down in the final exams and then we met later in the Senate. We spent many years as worthy adversaries to one another before she met your father. She was a wonderful woman."
"You knew my Mother at the Academy? But you're…"
"I am on my fourth incarnation, my wife her third. Your mother was far older than your father in years if I remember, he is only on his second incarnation I believe?"
"Yes," said Dana unable to believe that the man before her was as old as he proclaimed to be, her mother had she lived sure to be approaching her fourth century. Dana couldn't help but feel the inadequacies of her youth, "He was far younger although they were both considered old to be having their first child. I cannot believe that your wife is on her third incarnation though, she seems…"
"Woefully arrogant and immature?"
Dana blushed causing Kaybanarn to chuckle lightly.
"Spare your blushes Danashan, I am well aware that she is a shocking individual. She was lucky with this regeneration, while I grew older in appearance she grew younger and very beautiful but unfortunately her prejudices remained the same," said Kaybanarn, "I must apologise for her conduct this evening, I only hope you do not believe all of us who live in the Capitol have such opinions."
"Of course not," said Dana, amazed at the ease of their conversation, "Although judging by your accent I do not believe you have spent all your life in Capitol Gallifrey."
"A quirk of this regeneration but a genetic throw back if you will, I was born in the Northern territories but I am still a city dweller even then. Oighearcathair, the ice city, born and bred," said Kaybanarn, his smile widening at Dana's reaction, her eyes widening in awe of the thought.
"Is it true?" she said breathlessly, "Is it true what they say that it was carved out of a great glazier in the time of Rassilon?"
"It is partly situated on a glazier but the majority is as you see the Capitol before you, another domed city but it is beautiful. We have the same trees there as in the mountains here but they grow nearer the ground and when the sun is high the light hits both the ice and the leaves and makes as if the whole city is shining like a star and then in the summer the gate way to the city is ringed by sparkling waterfalls where the ice melts just enough and it is like walking into a palace under the ocean when you step finally from the cold to beneath the dome."
Dana felt her heart still at the image in her mind, almost able to see the fall lined walkway to the great crystalline gates, the rush of the foam as it hit the small channels at the base that would take it safely away, "I should love to see it one day," said Dana, her mind still half in a dream.
"It is no more beautiful than your mountains here," said Kaybanarn glancing up but only able to see half way up the sides of the great peeks as they were shrouded in darkness.
Dana shook herself from her imaginings, "I know," she said, "But I have grown used to them over the years and I am sure I have explored every inch that I can safely reach. We have no secrets from each other the mountains and I. When I was small and my father was working he would leave me in the care of a woman in the village but when she was not looking I would run away and clamber above the tree line and find caves and look outs and all sorts of places. I would pretend I was Dierfiur Tine, chasing down the evil creatures that plagued Gallifrey before the time of Rassilon's coming."
"Who is Deirfiur Tine?" said Kaybanarn as they turned at the fence that edged the property and returned towards the house, "I have never heard of her mentioned in the histories of Gallifrey."
"She would not be spoken of in any of the official histories," said Dana, "She was a Time Witch, one of the great saviours who assisted Rassilon to power."
Kaybanarn bit his lip to stop himself laughing, "Time Witches? Oh child they're fairy stories, nothing more. My Father told me of the Coven when I was child but I soon learned. Gallifreyans are Gallifreyans, there are none proven to exist on one life alone for the years that those hags lasted. As if there was ever such a thing."
"They were as real as you or I," said Dana, feeling an anger grow inside her at his tone and denial, "You know of the ancient ways, the old magic so to speak, it is even practised still in places. My Father is a great advocate of it."
"Your Father practices some ancient superstitions and speaks of old pagan rituals before the time of Rassilon. You will find Danashan that many of us inside the cities know of the old ways and have proven time and time again than none of that hocus pocus works or exists. The Time Witches are an ancient myth. They are merely stories of average Gallifreyans with natural abilities that have been given mystical reasoning over time."
They walked on in silence until they reached the back door, Kaybanarn locking the door once more with his device before turning to the girl beside him, seeing her displeased expression.
"You are yet young and your education lacking. I shall make it my priority, Danashan, to see that you become better versed with the true stories and histories of our people," he said, "For I cannot believe a girl such as you with intelligence and wit can allow herself to be so blinded by a fairytale."
"You will not have time to convince me, thank Rassilon," spat Dana, a venomous tone creeping slightly into her voice, "It is far too late now and I know you leave early tomorrow for the Citadel. Perhaps you will find more comfort there, amongst those who have lost faith and who see all of life as nothing more than a state of existence, no feeling, no love. If in believing in fairytales I find greater solace than in arranged marriages and pointless exploration then I shall to continue to believe. Your very attitude sickens me. That you will sit there with a wife you don't love, have children through science rather than mutual affection, will speak of times and places visited but of the people there, no names, no memories. I ask you which one of us is truly misguided."
Kaybanarn's expression hardened, "You forget to whom you speak child."
Dana felt her hearts flutter in her chest as she stared into the deep brown pools of his eyes, seeing the power there but she steeled herself, "I speak to the same bigot I have faced many times before, each with a different face."
Kaybanarn looked close to a retort but shook his head, "Its late," he said quickly, "And you are very tired. We will wake the house if we talk much longer. Please madam, I will trouble you no longer and return to my room."
Dana was perplexed at the change in his countenance, expecting more of a fight than he gave. Instead she offered him a brief curtsey and a cold word of goodnight, before he hastily exited the room. Trembling she turned to the window over looking the mountains, the moonlight glancing off the confusion on her face.
She waited until she heard the interior door shut before placing a hand over her racing hearts, wondering what had made her feel suddenly so jumpy. Something in the turn of his countenance had frightened her, perhaps it was the power of his rank. She had realised when they had reached the house that she had spoken far too freely with someone far beyond her station and her father's and she feared she may have effected her father's chances of support in the Senate and yet she could not calm herself for something else had woken beside the fear but for her life she could not see what.
XXXX
The ornate black coach rocked slightly as it raced along the rough terrain of the road leading out of the village causing its female occupant to shout a command of care out to her driver. Kaybanarn fought the urge to lean out of the window and look back at the house they had left, hoping to catch one last glimpse of the hostess who had quickly excused herself before the official goodbyes, leaving her father to bid farewell to their guests.
"Well at least that silliness is over," said Chanema, fanning herself with an ornate, black lace contraption from one of the Eastern Realms, "And you can tell the Senate you need not bother themselves any more with these peasants."
"Actually Chanema I was planning on recommending a greater connection with the Outsiders to the Senate when I return to the city," said Kaybanarn knowing without having to take his eyes from the mountains beyond the window the look of repressed rage on his wife's face.
"You are joking!" she shrieked folding her fan and slamming it down next to her, "Attach ourselves further to this place and it will be us, mark my words for there'll be none other in the Presidential Council who will volunteer. Need I remind you that you not only drag down our names with such a ridiculous idea but Habta and Mihar as well."
Kaybanarn balled his hand into his robes, finding himself once again despising his decision of nearly three and a half centuries before when he had agreed to take a wife, "You make it sound as if I am forcing you to crawl on your hands through the mud, these people are the same as us Chanema, Gallifreyan."
"Outsiders," hissed the Time Lady, "Who choose to ignore the works of Rassilon."
"I am not having this fight with you again," said Kaybanarn before leaning out of the window and calling the driver to a halt before opening the carriage door and getting out.
Chanema hurried across the seat, gold gloves gripping onto the ledge as she stuck her fussy tressed head out of the window, "Where are you going?"
Kaybanarn nodded to the mountains, "A walk," he said before looking up at the driver, "Move on, Meda. I shall make my own way back."
The carriage started up, once again kicking up clouds of dust from the road, masking Chanema's face if not her shrieking reproach from her husband. Taking a well worn path at the edge of the village, Kaybanarn followed it up one of the lush green hills and into the lower forest. He walked for a good three hours upwards before breaking the line of greenery for the glittering silver leaved trees above. He reached out to the smooth bark of the nearest trunk, running his hand over it before reaching up and tugging several of the cool, silvery leaves from their stem. He rolled them between his fingers, watching the play of the dappled light on the surface of them, reflecting what was above and below. Laying them flat in his hands he blew gently, the leaves jumping from his palm before dancing gracefully down to the floor. With a contented sigh he pushed on upwards, pausing now and then to admire the scenery around him but more content for breaking onto the red grass and craggy rocks that denoted the true start of the range.
It wasn't long before he noticed a few ruddy shoots beneath his boots and the trees clearing ahead. He looked down at his outfit, heavy orange robes over a simple black shirt and trousers, hardly adequate clothing for mountain climbing. Gathering up the base of his robe he broke into a run towards the nearest clearing, feeling the midday sun hit him full force as he broke from the trees into the lush, tall red grass of the mountains, rocky outcrops sitting happily here and there. He clambered up onto the nearest one and looked down at the site before him.
Opposite him, nestled amongst the mountains on the other side of the valley sat the city, its dome glittering and the towers shining pinnacles of metal and glass against the landscape. The mountains themselves stood like silent red and white sentinels against the burnt orange of the sky above, the peace now and then disturbed by a flying transport, or the sound of a TARDIS taking off from one of the open landing plateaus and taking its owner on another observation assignment. Kaybanarn allowed himself to remember his last time at the helm of one of the great ships, a team of six able scientists with him as they made there way to a tiny blue planet a good journey from Kasterborous. He had written a good study on Earth when he had returned, the simple little planet he had found in its most basic stage of development showing so much potential. That had been years ago, further scientists having been since to different time periods and each piecing together further the history of the place, adding their studies to those of the predecessors and those who had visited other planets in the vast universe beyond.
Below him he could just make out the tiny little settlement he had been resident of the night before. Squinting in the sunlight he could just make out the tiny cottage set slightly aside from the others with its little water wheel and glittering stream he had stood beside the night before. His thoughts soon turned to its occupants, realising in alarm that he focused more on one than the other, his mind filling with images of a warm smile and challenging eyes. He shook his head to clear it, dragging his eyes away from the valley to look up at the climb behind him. He could not go much further up in the clothes he wore but he wanted to at least reach a height that would allow him to see the crest of the dome of the city. Turning his feet he began to climb once more stumbling here and there on the rocks but enjoying the rush of warm, clean air in his lungs as his two hearts worked a little harder than usual, glad he only appeared older and that his fitness remained good. He soon reached his goal and stood up on one of the solid, rock plateaus, looking over to the city. Shrugging off his jacket he let it fall into the small, dry ditch behind him, feeling the sun permeate his thin shirt.
He was alarmed as a flock of large black birds rose up when the fall of his cape disturbed them, whirling round him in their anger and rush to escape. Without thinking Kaybanarn stepped back, finding nothing but thin air beneath his boot but it was too late to stop the movement. He fell, flailing wildly for something to catch hold of but nothing presented itself and he crashed downwards, his head impacting painfully with the stone beneath, hard enough to draw blood. When he could breath again, he squeezed his eyes tightly to try and shake off the blackness that threatened to overwhelm him. He struggled to his knees, trying to drag himself back onto the rock he had fallen from but failing, falling back down and seeing the black flock flying happily off into the distance.
XXXX
Dana nimbly picked her way over the rocks, able to keep a good distance between her and her pursuer even as the skirts of her long blue dress caught around her ankles. She glanced over her shoulder, giggling at the red and breathless face of Fira as she struggled to keep up with her, intent on retrieving the letter Dana had stolen from her grasp. Clambering up onto a rock Dana stopped and began to read the letter aloud, barely out of breath from her run up from the trees they had paused under to shade from the midday sun.
"'My dearest Firamashu,'" she read, putting on her deepest 'boy's' voice, "'Forgive the lateness of this note but I am afraid I must cancel our meeting tomorrow for I am called away to Solas Greine to visit my father who has recently regenerated and requires certain re-association with family further a-field. I shall return in two weeks and hope to resume our acquaintance then. Yours ever faithfully, Achealho.' Ugh! He even writes to you like it's a business transaction. He even only gives you your official name."
Fira reached her friend at last and snatched the letter back from her, huffing out a reproach between gasps of breath, "That's…that's not fair Dana…he barely…knows me…can't expect him to call me Fira can I?"
"He's going to marry you!" said Dana flopping down on the rock and kicking off the blue slippers she wore, scratching her foot against the roughness of the stone. A mischievous look came over her countenance, "Do you think you'll go to bed with him? I wonder if he will call out your full name!"
"Dana!" cried Fira blushing, "Don't say such things. Why would we even consider it? With the genetic processing there is no reason for anything so…messy to ever pass between us."
Dana shot her a cheeky grin but didn't push her friend further, instead staring out over the city that glittered amongst the mountains opposite, the crest of the dome almost visible from where she sat. The second Fira had arrived at her home with news that her fiancé had been called away from the city she had suggested a climb to the red grass level of the mountains. Fira had agreed and had drunk in Dana's tales of the pompous Chanema and her prejudices, causing at times both girls to near fall about laughing with mirth.
Fira flopped down beside her, carefully folding Achea's letter and placing it in the pocket of the white apron she wore over her russet coloured dress. She leant back on her hands, staring up at the sky above her, "You still have told me nothing about Lord Kaybanarn though, was he as vile as they say?"
"He was a senator, nothing more but then we had little conversation, he was talking politics with Father all night," said Dana keeping her eyes on the horizon.
Fira smiled to herself as she saw a light blush come to her friend's cheeks, "I would have thought you would have had at least one debate with him. Did you not argue that arranged marriages were wrong or that the interaction restrictions for the TARDIS pilots was no way to get to really know the universe?"
"We never really spoke," said Dana colouring further, "I barely saw him."
"Then why are you blushing?"
Dana swallowed hard, looking up at the sky and seeing the smoky, yellow clouds sweeping across the orange of the sky, "We should get back down soon, there's a rain storm coming over."
"Does he call you Dana yet?"
"Firamashu!" cried Dana, "Don't say such things!"
Fira broke into a fit of giggles, "You…you like him!"
Dana snorted, pulling on her shoes once more and hopping off the rock, "Don't be ridiculous!" she snapped walking several steps away from where they were sat, glancing up again at the gathering clouds and then noticing with confusion several Lon Dubh birds circling nearby, "Looks like the Faolchu strikes again."
Fira came to her side and looked up at the birds she was pointing to, "I wonder what poor animal those vicious things have got to now? The Faolchu must have left it alive otherwise they'll be on it. They'd best not get brave again like they did last summer and come down to the village. I swear I saw one looking in through my window one night, all red eyes and snapping white teeth."
"I think you'll find that image was better attributed to the summer wine rather than the Faolchu," said Dana heading to where the vile, scavenger birds were circling, hearing their vicious squawks as she moved in on their prize, "Oh go find a dead animal to haunt!"
"Be careful Dana," said Fira, "It could be dangerous if its frightened."
"Don't be a baby!" said Dana over her shoulder as she clambered onto the rock preventing her from seeing what was below. She nearly fell as her eyes landed on the black silk clad back, curled protectively, the desperate rise and fall of shuddered breath apparent, "Fira!"
Dana jumped down off the rock and ran round to the front of the body, laying a hand on the man's shoulder to push him gently onto his back. She gasped as two familiar brown eyes looked up a her, one marred by a great black bruise spreading from his temple.
"By Rassilon!" she exclaimed, "Lord Kaybanarn, what happened to you?"
"Fell," came the weak response.
Fira scrambled over the rocks to Dana's side, recognising the man Dana was hurriedly trying to lie more comfortably on the ground, propping him up against one of the smooth sided rocks of the small ditch.
"Is that…"
"Fira run down to the village and fetch help," said Dana, her attention focused on the deep laceration at Kaybanarn's temple and the listless look in his eyes, "And hurry, that storm's blowing over faster than I thought."
"Can't we help him down?" said Fira.
"He's too tall, at least a head taller than you and I and the climb down is too steep," said Dana, "Run now and fetch someone please."
"What about you?"
Fira's questioned was answered not by Dana but by Kaybanarn as he reached out and took firm hold of his nurse's hand, his eyes cloudy but pleading. Fira nodded in understanding before rushing for the path down the mountain, glad years of chasing Dana had made her more sure footed than most people.
Dana watched her patient's eyes close with concern, tapping his cheeks with her suddenly sweaty hands and forcing him to stay awake, "Come on now," she said, "Stay with me, Firamashu has gone for help and I won't let anything happen to you. How did you get up here?"
Kaybanarn seemed to grow a little more coherent at the feel of her cool hands on his bloodied brow, "I climbed up, wanted to see the city. I fell and…"
"Its alright," said Dana as the man before her winced as she examined the cut on his forehead. Not caring for modesty she hitched up the now dusty skirt she wore, ripping the base of the petticoat all the way around, the material enough for a makeshift bandage. She wrapped the length around his head, only able to tuck the ends when she had nothing to secure it with. Wishing she had brought the basket she and Fira had carried up to the silver wood to the top of the mountain with her. She looked up, alarmed to see the sun almost totally obliterated by the now deep, dark clouds gathering above, the easterly wind bringing them in faster than she had predicted, the weather above the tree level unpredictable at best.
"Kaybanarn," she said catching his attention as he became listless again, not even realising she had lost all formality, "I need to leave you for a few moments. I have some supplies just down from here. I've got a rain sheet we can use but I need to leave you."
The hand reached out once again for hers but she pulled back quickly.
"Danashan," came the plea.
"Just a few moments," she said, hurriedly picking up his discarded robe and settling it over him. Without thinking she bent over him and pressed a kiss to his forehead, "Just a few moments I promise."
Without looking back she scrambled back over the rocks, losing a slipper in her hurry but not bothering to retrieve it as she retraced her steps. The worry gathered in her mind with each step. Kaybanarn had said he was on his fourth incarnation, still many to go before his regenerations failed but to regenerate high on a mountain side with a storm coming in would be too dangerous. Regenerations, although natural, were never straight forward, memory loss, psychosis, regeneration sickness, all were risks and without anyone nearby to help death was a constant threat, the body to weak after one regeneration to manage another if anything went wrong. Hurrying downwards Dana broke into the trees, diving down the steep slope to the place she had left the basket her father always insisted on her carrying when she went to the mountains, his concern for once proving useful when it was usually more of a hindrance.
Dana's heart leapt with joy when she finally located the basket, snatching it up quickly as the first rumbles of thunder began to echo overhead. The gravely ground bit into her feet as she once more hit the exposed rocks and rough red grass but she paid it no mind, scrambling over rocks like a born mountain beast back to the Time Lord's side. She dropped back down beside him, seeing the relief come to his face as the first drops of rain began to hit. She lay the basket down in the small ditch, rifling through until she found the thin, strong rain sheet her father had bought her for her more and more frequent expeditions into the mountains. Collecting up several heavy rocks loose on the ground around her, she covered the small ditch, pinning the sides down with stones to stop it flapping in the wind. Leaving a small gap open she slid inside, the ditch almost dark now it was covered. She hunted for a small lamp, glad to see her father had put several extra power cells in with it and for once in her life blessing the technology of the city.
The make shift tent illuminated but she found herself feeling darkness would have been better as she noticed the pallor of Kaybanarn's skin. She shuffled over to him, her arm wrapped around a proper bandage and a flask. She released the bandage around his head, discarding the blood soaked rag before rebinding his head. His eyes blinked blearily at her, consciousness coming and going from the man before her.
"Stay with me," she said softly, opening the flask and pressing it to his lips, encouraging him to take at least a few sips of water, "Help will come."
Her words lost their effect when the thunder clapped above her head and the lightning flashed beneath the gap she had left in the rain cloth. She huddled Kaybanarn's robe tighter around him as his shivered in the falling temperature. She watched his eyes close and his breathing grow heavier and was at a loss. There was no more she could do for him with her meagre supplies but to allow him to regenerate with no way of help reaching them if the weather grew worse or night drew in and the Faolchu began to prowl making the search too dangerous. She heard Kaybanarn gasp in pain, noticing the eerie golden glow that always accompanied a regeneration begin to tinge at the edges of his form.
"No," she said desperately, "Kaybanarn fight it, don't give in to it, not here. Just a little longer, help will come I promise you."
"Turn your eyes away Danashan," Kaybanarn gritted out as a spasm of pain took him, "It can't be helped now."
Feeling tears in her eyes Dana turned herself away from the sight, huddling close to the cold surface of the rocks at the back of the ditch, curling her legs up beneath her and covering her head with her arms as she heard the eerie sound of the process occurring behind her, gold flickering beneath her closed eyelids. A gasp of breath was the first sound she heard before several more panicky exhalations before the person behind her settled. She slowly removed her hands from her head and turned back to the man behind her. Her eyes widened in surprise at the sight that had greeted her. Where there had laid a man more like her father there now sat a man closer to her in appearance. His face was pale but showed the chances of warm tones when fully well, unlined and fresh. His lips where once thin and cracked were now soft, full and almost pink in colour and his hair once a dusty grey now a sunlight blond like Fira's, straight and reaching his shoulders in its length. It was his eyes however that caught Dana's attention, gone were the dark orbs that she had stared down the night before, replaced by a deep forest green, flecked here and there with the gold that lit his hair.
"Danashan?" he said questioning.
Dana hurried to his side and took his outstretched hand, "That's right," she said, remembering how she had seen her neighbour comfort her husband in a shock regeneration, "Danashanoseimuron, daughter of Senator Jaralen, I found you injured up here. Do you remember who you are?"
"Kaybanarn," he said with a small smile, "Senator on the Presidential Council. I remember. Did I frighten you?"
Dana tried to school her ragged breathing, "No I'm fine, just never been that close when its happened before. Any pain? Any confusion?"
Kaybanarn shook his head, "Just very tired."
"Then sleep," said Dana, tucking the robe around him tighter, realising that he had grown thinner. She shivered as the wind blew through the gaps in the sheet, "I'm close by."
"You're cold," said Kaybanarn.
"I'll be fine," said Dana, "Tough country girl me."
Kaybanarn lifted the side of his robe, beckoning her over and sighing as she stayed kneeling beside him, "Forgive my lack of decorum but I can hardly allow you to freeze to death can I?"
Dana wanted to resist but a sudden unexpected crash of thunder above them soon had her readily accepting the offered warmth and protection of another person. She stiffened as she felt the weight of his arm about her shoulders.
"Relax, Danashan," said Kaybanarn softly.
"Sorry sir," she mumbled.
"Kay."
"Sorry?"
"Not sir, my name is Kay."
Dana blushed, "My Lord I…"
She was cut off by the soft sigh of breath next to her and turned her face to see the Time Lord half asleep, his head resting back against the rock. She smiled and tried to mimic his pose but the arm at her shoulders proved too uncomfortable to lean back on, the only option for a pillow being his shoulder. She bit her lip in apprehension before pillowing her cheek against him, finding him cool but comfortable.
"Tell me of the Time Witches," said Kaybanarn.
Dana nearly protested but then realised that the confusion of regeneration had perhaps taken him for a brief span, "Not until you've slept."
"Is that an order?" said Kaybanarn, his voice betraying a smile.
"Sleep well…Kay," said Dana softly, closing her own eyes.
"Sleep well Dana," came the response against her hair.
Dana smiled.
XXXX
It was several hours before the silence of the storm ending roused Dana from her slumber. She was confused at first at the arm around her but then her memories came to her and she smiled. Closing her eyes for a further few moments, the odd scent of her own clothes mixed with someone else came to her senses and she breathed it in, heat rushing to her cheeks. She fought the urge to giggle and gently extricated herself from the sleeping form beside her and the heavy robes he had wrapped around her. The rain sheet dipped in the middle where a puddle of rain had formed in the storm and she gently pushed up on it, hearing it rush down the sides and onto the ground outside. She found the gap she had left and peeked out from beneath it, shocked to see the sky dark and the stars beginning to glitter as the clouds cleared away.
She heard a shuffling to her right outside the tent and the growling exhalation of breath, an acrid scent joining the smell of the rain. She hurried back into her make shift tent, loathed to wake the sleeping Time Lord as he recovered but able to do little else as she heard the slap of heavy paws as they clambered down the rocks beside the tent and began to circle, the sound of sniffing echoing in to her.
"Lord Kaybanarn," she said softly, taking hold of the front of his shirt and shaking him, "Lord Kaybanarn wake up."
Kay woke with a start, blinking in the dim light of the lamp and taking a moment to focus on her. His expression lighted but failed as he saw the fear on her face.
"Dana what's…"
"Sshh!" said Dana holding a finger to his lips, "Listen."
A low growl echoed in from outside and then a harsh bark, echoed back from somewhere nearby and followed by the sounds of heavy paws on the gravely ground.
"A gathering," said Dana trembling, "The brute is calling its gathering to us."
Two strong arms came around her shoulders, hugging her close to a firm chest, "You're safe," said Kay as Dana forgot all decorum, turning to him and burying her face in his shoulder as her arms came about her waist. Her breath, his hearts and the low growl seemed to be the only sounds she could hear as the gathering of Faolchu approached. She shut her eyes tight as she heard the smack of a long, slathering tongue against vicious teeth as the sniffing and growling grew closer to them. She turned to see a dirty brown muzzle work its way between a small gap in the rocks, lips pulling back into a snarl, the stench of rotten meat and blood on its breath.
"Dana," whispered Kay, "Dana what else do you have in that basket of yours?"
"A loaf of bread and a compass," said Dana, choking a despairing laugh, "Suppose Father never intended for me to have to face down a gathering of Faolchu. Oh Rassilon!"
The muzzle that had been pushing between the rocks had sniffed out the small gap in the sheet, running along the edge and pushing in now and then, trying to get enough leverage to clamber inside with its great, hulking form. Dana began to shake. Regeneration relied upon the body being whole when the process happened but a Faolchu gathering could rip apart a Gallifreyan in seconds, no time from the onset of death to even engage regeneration.
"We're going to die," said Dana gripping tighter onto Kay's shirt.
"Nonsense," he said, "I won't let it happen."
"Now I'll never get to tell you about the Time Witches," said Dana shocked at her attempt at humour in such a situation.
Kay kept one arm around her as he scooted them back away from the snarling, snapping muzzle, "Of course you will. I'll learn about Time Witches, you'll see Oighearcathair in the summer festival, you'll fight politics with your father and become as well loved as your mother, and you'll learn to trust that all Time Lords are not all useless old Senators."
In a movement too quick for Dana to follow Kay caught up the lamp at behind them and threw it directly at the beast, catching it squarely on the muzzle and causing it to yelp in pain. The lamp smashed on the rock, immediately catching fire to the sheet. Striking upwards, Kay broke through the covering, scattering Dana's carefully placed stones and revealing them to the open air. The fire terrified the eight strong gathering of Faolchu and they stepped back, jaws still clashing and slobbering with vicious greed. Taking Dana's hand he pulled her roughly up the steep side of the ledge the had rested against, the Faolchu growing braver and following, great wide paws finding the terrain easier than the two Gallifreyans. Following Kay's lead Dana began to hurl the loose stones down at the Faolchu, a well practised aim from years of childhood games with Fira making her a good shot, sending several of the beasts whimpering back down the hill but even their combined effort did not slow the onslaught as more joined the gathering at each others call.
A shot rang out from the trees below followed by a shout and the Faolchu balked, running for the sanctuary of the woodland and away from the sound that had frightened them. Light came from the trees below and the sound of voices calling out. Kay scrambled down the rocks, holding his arms out to help Dana down from their perch. He was still over a head taller than her she noticed as she lowered to her feet. Her hands still on his shoulders she looked up into the fresh, new eyes.
"Danashan, Lord Kaybanarn?!" came the call, causing them to spring apart.
"Here!" called Kay to the forest.
Seconds later a large party broke the trees, villagers and foot soldiers from the city coming to the rescue of the stricken pair. Dana left Kay's side, running to her father's outstretched arms. Hugging him close and feeling his tears soak through her dress as he wept with relief for her safety. She felt Fira press herself close to her back, almost forcing the air from her lungs with the ferocity of her embrace. With a little effort Dana escaped the choke holds upon her and turned back to see several soldiers surround Kaybanarn, checking him for injury and fussing as they were wont to do whenever anything upset the status quo. She smiled warmly at him but her face fell when all he gave her in return was a gruff nod before settling himself on the medical chair the soldiers had brought and allow them to take him down the mountain side. Dana sucked in a sob that threatened to escape but Jaralen noticed.
"Its all over now Dana," he said softly, "Let's get you home."
"Yeah," said Dana taking his arm and wincing as she stepped onto her bloodied foot, "I want to go home."
Leaning on her father for support she made her way down the mountain side, unable to look back to the sight of their camp and the memories it held, a pain in her chest she could never remember ever feeling before and having a terrible notion that her heart was broken.
XXXX
Dana found herself something of a celebrity the next morning and indeed for the next few days, well wishers from the village coming and going all the time much to her Father's dismay. Fira was constantly at her side, insisting on nursing her despite Dana's assurances that nothing more than fright had effected her from the night on the mountain. The third afternoon brought a welcome lull, leaving Dana with the two people she held dearest. Her father shooting her relieved glances every few moments and her friend force feeding her tea and cakes until she felt she would die from the attention.
Fira groaned as a knock came at the door, "By Rassilon, who can that be now. We have had every family in the village at least twice already. Perhaps the President himself is come to see you."
"Don't be ridiculous," said Dana from her place on the low recliner in the front room, fussing with the strands of the blanket over her legs. She heard Fira's muffled conversation with the person at the door before the girl returned alone but with a letter in her hand. She walked over to Dana and handed it to her.
"To be delivered to the hand of Danashanoseimuron," she said formally, exacting a mocking curtsey as Dana took the letter, "Read it aloud."
Dana broke the seal on the letter and gazed done at the elegant hand that had written the intricate circular script of her people.
"'Honourable Danashanoseimuron,' " she began, trying not to giggle at the formality, " 'It is my great honour to write to you on behalf of my Father Senator Kaybanarn of the Prydonian order in thanks of your great care and bravery surrounding the incident of my Father's recent regeneration. My Father begs your forgiveness that he has not written to you himself but I shall express his sentiments as best I can. In light of your great service to our family we would kindly ask you to acquiesce to an invitation to join our family for the Summer Festival in Oighearcathair. All expenses shall of course be met by my Father and may your family be assured that you will be well cared for whilst in our charge. I have instructed the servant who brought this letter to wait for your response which we of course pray shall be favourable. I remain Madam, faithfully yours, Habtanesnarn.' "
"Oh Rassilon, Dana!" cried Fira, "You must answer them at once. How lucky you are to be invited to the Ice City."
Dana frowned, rereading the letter in her hand, "I'll have to turn them down."
"What?" said Jaralen, "Why would you do that? Dana the honour of such an invitation. If Lord Kaybanarn had invited you to the Capitol then it would be rude to decline but to invite you clearly to his family home in thanks you cannot possible say no."
"I can say as I please," said Dana, "I do not wish to go, what place should I have amongst them."
"You must accept," said Jaralen, "If not yourself then for me, for the village. You have your mother's grace and wit, you can show them that not all outsiders are what they believe them to be."
Dana opened her mouth to protest but shook her head at her father's expression, "Bring me a pen."
Fira hurriedly brought the necessary items over, placing them in Dana's lap. With a shaking hand Dana picked up the pen and began to write.
'Honourable Habtanesnarn, Thank you most kindly for you invitation which I most happily accept. I am ready to travel at your family's leisure. Please send word of any preparations and please pass on my grateful thanks to your Father and wish him a speedy return to full health. Obediently yours, Danashanoseimuron.'
Sealing the letter Dana got to her feet and made her way over to the door. Opening it she saw the familiar black beithioch that had pulled the carriage before but this time it was saddled for a solo rider. The messenger was dressed head to toe in black as the driver of the coach had been days before, his face covered save for a small gap for his eyes. Dana handed the letter to him.
"For the hand of your master," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
The rider gave a brief nod before kicking the beithioch into movement, the beast grunted and tossed its horned head before turning and galloping from the village. Dana closed the door but soon threw it back open again as the rider's cloaked face came back to her mind, the emerald pools of his eyes burning her consciousness. All she could see was dust.
