~Pretty Wicked Things~
People were going mad? Clara glanced back at the stunned stall owner. He was trying to put his spice baskets back in order. Several people had stopped to help him pick up the wares his attacker had knocked down.
"I take it that man is not normally homicidal then?" Clara asked the woman.
"Goddess no! Mal owns the bakers stall an aisle over. He works with his wife and two sons. You couldn't find a more pleasant man. He even gives out biscuits to the street children."
"Then what do you think caused him to change?" the Doctor inquired.
He stared at the woman intently, his brow furrowed. She seemed taken aback by his intense curiosity. It hadn't taken Clara long to realize he had that effect on most people. The Doctor looked at you like whatever you said was the most important thing in the universe. And people just felt compelled to tell him anything he wanted to know. He was like a hypnotist.
"It's been happening for a few weeks now." the woman said, "People just change. They become angry, paranoid. I heard one lady beat her husband to death with a garden shovel, because she thought he was sleeping with the girl next door."
"Just before this started did anything significant happen in Amentiae?"
"We signed the peace treaty?" said the woman's friend. It sounded like a question. She was obviously unsure why the Doctor wanted to know. "Three weeks ago the King signed a peace treaty with the King of Calumina. He even presented the King Gurun with the Nyu Ruby as a sign of good faith."
"Thank you, you've been a great help!" the Doctor called over his shoulder as he took off running down the street dragging Clara along behind him.
Clara couldn't say she felt the same. "Where are we going?" she cried.
The Doctor grinned, "To see a man about a ruby."
Clara and the Doctor raced through the streets towards the great ziggurat at the end of the city. The closer they got the more Clara could make out of the carvings on the monumental steps. They seemed to depict the events in the life of one particular goddess.
At the base of the temple was a sprawling mansion. The roof held aloft by sensually curved columns. Between some hung sheer curtains which billowed in the warm breeze. The whole building appeared to float on a pond of flowering lily pads. It was magical in its simple beauty.
The only detraction were the armed guards standing around the entrances. They each carried ceremonial looking spears with curved blades and large guns. Clara thought they all looked very menacing.
The Doctor marched up to the main doorway with confidence. She put on what Russell called her 'Do you work or else face'. Clara couldn't believe that he was just planning to walk into the palace. Surely the guards would stop them.
Almost as if they were responding to her thoughts, two of the men stepped in front of them blocking their path with spears. Clara glanced nervously at the Doctor.
"State your business." grunted the taller of the two men.
The Doctor whipped out a leather folder from his jacket pocket and waved it at the man. "I think this should explain things."
Both guards jumped to attention turning red. "I'm sorry your Highness! Princess. We were not informed that you would be visiting."
"It's a bit of a covert matter." the Doctor said tapping the side of his nose. His eye's twinkled mischievously.
"Right sir." nodded the shorter guard.
The men bowed formally, letting Clara and the Doctor passed. She waited until they were out of ear shot before snatching the leather folder out of his hands. Inside was an official looking document that stated that the Doctor was the Prince of some country she'd never heard of.
"Psychic paper," the Doctor explained, "It shows people what they want to see or what you want them to see. Never need tickets to get into the theater."
"It says I'm your wife."
"Does it?" he said in strained voice. He pinched the psychic paper back refusing to look at her. Clara smiled to herself and didn't say anything. She could see the Doctor's ears turning red.
Inside was a labyrinth. Corridors twisted and turned endlessly. And to add to the optical confusion there were little windows every few paces looking into other corridors. They were cut in geometric designs like artwork.
"Doctor what are we doing here?" Clara finally asked in exasperation.
He stopped in surprise. "I forget." the Doctor muttered, "It's been so long since I've been around another person for any length of time. So long since I've had to explain things to anyone else."
Clara placed her hand on his arm, a gentle reminder he wasn't alone anymore. He wasn't going to get over 23 years in isolation overnight, she knew that.
"So why are we here?" Clara repeated softly.
"Crystals are great transmitters." the Doctor said. "A giant ruby shows up in town and then perfectly normal people start murdering each other. Something to investigate, if you ask me."
"Well I hope you know where you're going, because I certainly don't."
He glanced around the endless maze of opulent hallways. "I'm sure we'll find it eventually."
"It's always going to be like this with you isn't it?"
The Doctor made a face, "Not always."
Clara giggled.
After several minutes walking they came across a courtyard. It had more vegetation than Clara had seen anywhere on the planet. An oasis in the desert. A man of indeterminate age sat on a bench next to a small fountain. He wore purple robes embroidered with gold. The patterns mimicked those on the ziggurat.
"Hello." Clara said quietly, not wanting to startle the man.
He looked up from the water. "Oh hello, my dear. Who are you?"
"Royal Ambassadors from Doric." said the Doctor, "My father sent us in a show of support over the signing of the peace treaty."
The King, for Clara realized that's who this must be, chuckled. "It's nice to have support from the human colonies, yet I wonder what you did to anger your father enough to get this delegation."
The Doctor shrugged, "Last to inherit means first to get shipped off to attend meetings."
It was impressive. If she didn't know better Clara would swear he was telling the truth.
The King let out a booming laugh, startling a pair of birds in a nearby tree. Clara instantly decided she liked the man. He was very jovial for a monarch.
"Where are my manners? Please sit down my friends." He gestured to the bench beside his.
They sat down and the King pressed a button on his bracelet. Clara felt the Doctor tense up, but he relaxed a moment later when a servant came running into the courtyard.
"You rang Sire?"
"If you could fetch some refreshments for myself and our esteemed guests here. Raspberry cordial." He smiled at Clara. "I know it is a favorite of the human colonists."
Raspberry cordial? Clara wondered if they were actually raspberries or they just called them that.
"Now what are your names?" asked King Gurun. "I'm afraid I can never keep track of everyone's heirs."
"Prince John of Doric, but John is fine. And this is my… wife Princess Clara."
"It's nice to meet you Sire." she said, training kicking in.
"The pleasure is all mine, my dear."
The servant returned with a tray carrying a decanter of green "raspberry" cordial and some kind of tea cake. The drink was quite good even though it tasted nothing like raspberry. Clara and the Doctor chatted with Gurun for a while. He told them all about the latest events in his city, including the festival which would take place tomorrow. It was all in honor of the treaty that would end the 30 year tensions between the two cities. The King of Calumina himself was going to be in attendance.
From the way he spoke Clara got the impression that Gurun had been quite bored until they arrived. Now he was happy to have someone to talk with.
"Oh I simply must show you the Nyu Ruby." the King said. He winked at the Doctor. "After all I'm sure that's why you were really sent here, to confirm I have it."
The Doctor shrugged in a 'what can you do' sort of way.
Gurun offered Clara his arm, "And I know how beautiful women love beautiful jewels. Of course I doubt you could wear this one."
He led them to a room surrounded by guards. In the center on a pedestal rested an enormous blood-red ruby. It sparkled, scattering light around the room. Clara gasped. Nothing in the Tower of London compared to this.
"It was given to the people of Amentiae by the Great Goddess Nyu as a symbol of her love and protection." Gurun said reverently. "It used to reside in her temple but 30 years ago it was taken as a spoil of war by the Caluminians. We won back our independence but not the Ruby, not until now."
The Doctor inspected the jewel closely. He grinned suddenly. "Exquisite craftsmanship."
Clara suspected he'd discovered some clue, but for the life of her she couldn't see what. There didn't seem to be anything wrong with the crystal. In fact it was completely flawless. Of course! No stone was flawless, that was the problem. The Doctor gave her a small nod seeing she'd worked it out.
"Now my friends, you must join me for dinner! I'll have a man show you to the guest quarters, so that you may freshen up before hand. I know how tiring traveling can be." The King suddenly noticed something. "Don't you have luggage?"
"Highwaymen." the Doctor said simply.
"Why didn't you say something? Those thugs get more brazen with each new season. We keep them out of the city yet there is no one to police the roadways." he sighed. "I'll have some clothes sent up for you as well."
Another servant led the Doctor and Clara to their room. She tried to remember the route they took but soon lost count of the turns. Hopefully the Doctor remembered or they might just be lost forever.
Clothing was already laid out for them including a dinner dress for Clara. It wasn't like any kind of dress she'd seen before. Loose, colorful silk which wrapped around the waist and hung off the shoulders. The Doctor seemed more interested in helping her out of it, than helping her into it. He pulled her into an embrace and started kissing down her neck.
"We're going to be late you know." Clara sighed closing her eyes.
"Don't care." He sealed her mouth with his.
Regretfully she pulled back. "People going mad, undercover investigations, remember?"
"Fine, fine." the Doctor said in mock exasperation.
Thankfully there was a maid waiting in the hall to direct them to the dining room. Again Clara lost count of the turns, who designed this place?
They were dinning with the King and his teenage son Hector. It was an informal affair with only four of them. Glowing orbs floated above the table giving off orange light reflecting off the polished tableware.
They all chatted amiably except Hector who seemed depressed. Clara quickly realized why he looked sullen. She watched him repeatedly exchanging significant glances with the serving boy. They thought they were being subtle. Sadly, class had a tendency of getting in the way of love. She'd seen it before.
They had been talking for a while when the Doctor said in an offhand voice, "I heard there was a disturbance in the market today."
Gurun went pale.
A/N -
Yes! I managed to update by Friday like I promised. As always I love reviews! Enjoy ;D