Rainy Days
"This…Adric…was all your idea."
The young Alzarian rolled his eyes and glanced back at his older female companion. Tegan Jovanka stood in front of Nyssa, partially shielding the young girl from the view of those around them. The tiny crevice of a cave into which the trio of travelers had stumbled was filled, in her estimation, from floor to ceiling with angry men. None of which, her mind supplied, that were under 7 feet tall.
"Don't argue," Nyssa whispered, grabbing at Tegan's hostess outfit. The girl's eyes were wide, taking in the advancing men. "Let's just get out of here."
"I agree…" Adric muttered.
The three companions backed toward the door, their bodies colliding with each other as they huddled. When Nyssa felt the cool air from the entrance against her neck, she turned, grabbing for Adric's tunic with one hand and Tegan's hand with her other. All of them ran the length of the hallway, holding onto each other until they reached the entrance to the cave.
"Go…" Tegan muttered, pushing on Nyssa's shoulder. "It's only wide enough for one at a time. Go!"
Nyssa, her face twisted in indecision, was bundled through the entrance. Adric was pushed bodily through the entrance as their pursuers neared. Tegan glanced behind her and then began to edge through the opening. Adric waited on the other side, his hand extended to her. She reached for his hand, but was grabbed from behind. Her outraged shriek filled the cavern. Nyssa screamed and reached back through the opening to her friend.
"Get out of here!" Tegan screamed as she was torn back through the small entrance. "Adric…get her out of here!"
Adric grabbed Nyssa, wrapping his arm around her waist and drawing her backwards, away from the rocks. "Come on…" he pleaded. "There is nothing we can do for her now! We've got to get back to the TARDIS. The Doctor will know what to do!"
Nyssa sobbed. "We can't leave her. Those men are pirates…"
Adric swung his friend around, setting her feet on the ground, pushing her from behind to run toward the daylight up ahead. "And if we get caught, no one could tell the Doctor where we are so he could help her and us…"
Nyssa shook her head and took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. After the space of a breath, she found her feet moving quickly, running down the smooth rock. Nearby she could hear the crash of surf and the smell of ocean. As they burst out into the sunlight, she took a deep breath, looking down the beach toward a small settlement. "The Doctor will not be happy that we left the TARDIS."
"And that won't help save Tegan…" Adric supplied. He reached back and grabbed his friend's hand, pulling her along the wet cold sand toward the small lighthouse at the edge of the beach. "Come on."
**
The Doctor tilted his head back, staring at the sky. His smart Panama hat was jammed tightly on his head and his lips were tightly pressed together. He closed his eyes and sighed. Nyssa's hand pressed against his lower arm. "Doctor…"
The Time Lord raised his hand to his head and squeezed the bridge of his nose. "I should have known you would leave the TARDIS."
"There isn't time for this…" Adric whispered, his voice raising.
The trio of travelers stood at the entry way of the Hill End's Inn. It was a small two story building with thatch roof that had housed patrons for well over a century. The wood entry way stoop was low, barely clearing the Doctor's fair head, but the soft rain that fell around them made it necessary for them to stand as they were. Around them, nestled in the rolling emerald hills, was the small town of the same name as the Inn. It was peaceful and warm, inviting.
Adric wondered what had been so important that the Doctor had left him, as well as the two girls, in the TARDIS. Hill's End was a wonderful. All around him were houses of thatch and wood, livestock and people going about their daily business. The smell of a clear spring rain permeated the air.
They had found the Doctor in the village, deep in conversation with the elders. He had disengaged from the conversation and retreated to the inn to chastise his young friends.
"Adric…how many times must I tell you," the Doctor began, his voice adopting a patronizing tone. "There is time for everything…if one properly plans. Now…why did you leave the TARDIS?"
"Doctor…Tegan…"
"I suspect that there is a problem with her," the Doctor muttered to no one in particular. "There usually is. What's the matter?"
Nyssa tired of the banter and pressed her hand into the Doctor's arm again. "Doctor…we left the TARDIS because Adric read up on the planet. He said it was known galactically for its beauty so we decided to take a short walk in the trees by the TARDIS. Adric found the creek and we followed it to the sea…by the old lighthouse."
The Doctor blanched slightly. "What?"
"We found a collection of caves and did a bit of exploring…but we found a bunch of men-"
"Pirates." Adric helpfully added.
"And when we tried to get away…"
"Tegan was taken," the Doctor finished, frowning. He pinched his nose again and sighed heavily. "Of all the…."
Adric rolled his eyes. "If you had taken us with you in the first place, this would not have happened."
The Time Lord rounded on Adric, his face showing his anger clearly. "The reason why we are here is because of those pirates, Adric. I did not bring you along because I knew it was going to be dangerous. They engage in female slave trading. That is why I left Nyssa and Tegan in the TARDIS. For once I wish you would listen to me; I do have a reason for my actions, you know."
Nyssa paled at the mention of female slave trading, but kept her face as calm as she could. "Then…"
"Yes, Nyssa. I do know possibly where they would take Tegan. And I know what they will do with her. The problem is…this little…accident of ours is going to force my hand before it was ready."
"Why are we here?" Adric asked, suddenly. "Why are you researching those…"
"Those pirates have stolen a good many people, Adric. And a few of them have been Gallifreyans, some humans, the most fellow Epsilonians. They take prisoners, sell them and use whatever gadgets or knowledge that they get from them as added collateral. Some pieces of a type 56 temporal stabilizer were taken from a Time Lord who was here a short time ago. The TARDIS picked up the readings when it landed….the stabilizer, when not in use internally in a TARDIS, will release a homing beacon type communication. Does that so whoever lost it can find it…it is necessary for the use of a TARDIS. I heard it…found no other TARDIS on this planet through a check and this is not a time mechanics fluent society. A little investigating led me to the pirate ring." The Doctor shoved his hands in his pockets. "It is not a good idea to leave mechanics of that level lying about a non time traveling world. And it is not a good idea to let them sell it to someone who should definitely not have it."
"So you were going to collect the stabilizer?"
The Doctor nodded, answering Nyssa's question. "And find out what else they have. I have a feeling they are in possession of a lot of technology that when sold to the wrong people would cause a large problem."
"So…" Adric began.
"So…this little problem means that I am going to have to venture to their selling area earlier than expected," the Doctor bit his lip and shook his head. "I haven't had the time to properly infiltrate the seller's circle. " He took off his hat and slapped it against his thigh. "Why does she never listen to me?"
Nyssa arched an eyebrow. "What can we do to help?"
The Doctor shook his head and looked at the ground. "You can go inside and get yourself and Adric a proper meal. I'm going to have to do some thinking." He turned to Adric and held his finger up. "No arguments…"
Adric nodded mutely and trudged into the Inn behind his friend. The Doctor watched them go, shaking his head. That was the problem with youth, he supposed. Always out for adventure and thinking they were immortal and impregnatrable.
He slipped his hat on his head and stepped out into the light rain to walk to the far town meeting hall.
**
Kilred glanced up at the Lord of Time, the Doctor as he called himself, as the man entered the meeting hall. He did not know why he wanted to trust the man; usually he distrusted mages and jesters. Currently he didn't know which this man was, but he did know that he was no elder. As a sign of greeting, he banged the hilt of his sword against the ground. The Doctor stopped and bowed at the door.
"Greetings again, Kilred."
The warrior nodded and glanced meaningfully at the space next to him on the floor. "You return quickly, Time Lord."
"Yes…well…it seems that my plans have taken a different route than I expected." The Doctor rocked forward on his toes, his hands deep in his pockets. "My friends have returned."
"The young boy and the child woman?"
"I suppose that would be an accurate description of them," the Doctor agreed. "Yes…Adric and Nyssa. I have one other friend…a woman…Tegan. It appears that when my friends explored, they misplaced her."
"Misplaced her?" Kilred looked perplexed.
"They rather innocently stumbled onto a slaver's den and had to leave Tegan behind."
"A slaver's den? The devil, you say." The warrior slowly rose to his feet. Behind him, another door swept open and an older man of similar beefy build entered the hall.
The Doctor inclined his head and waved his hands in the air. "I'm afraid the situation has been come much more complicated with this news. I will unable to accompany you to the seller's circle in Tyler's Creek. My instincts tell me that retrieving my friend is of the utmost importance."
"Your 'material'," the older man began. "Is indeed at the seller's circle, Doctor. The small piece of silver with knobs…about so big…" the man held out his hands to indicate the size.
"That was what I was afraid of…" the Doctor said, leaning back on his heels and biting his lip. "You're sure, Elrind?"
"Absolutely, my son has seen it with his own eyes."
The Doctor turned in a tight circle with his eyes squeezed shut. "This is all I need," he complained lightly. "I can't leave that temporal stabilizer lying about here. Not if your king is as corrupt as the off- worlder's say."
"Our king is not to be trusted," Kilred growled.
The Doctor nodded. "No…with that I agree."
"The power and money that he generates from selling…"
"Or keeping…" the Doctor offered.
"Those pieces of technology increase his power and position within the triplanet range. He will be unable to be stopped if it continues."
"Yes, Elrind. You are quite right about that."
"We fight him?" Kilred offered, leaning on against a supportive pole.
The Doctor shook his head. "As I told you years ago, Kilred…when you were a child…fighting gets you nowhere. We will remove the source of his power…and all else will come out in the wash."
Kilred shook his head in disbelief. Elrind laid a hand on his shoulder. "You know it is true. The Doctor is a Lord of Time. We have seen his kind before…they do change. He was here twenty years ago…and he was different and yet the same."
The Doctor held up his hands. "Yes…yes…there is no time for this explanation, however. I need to get that temporal stabilizer and I need to rescue Tegan. I have a plan for this…if you would be so kind as to help….I think we can solve both problems."
**
Adric carried back two trenches of some refreshment that the bartender called ale to the table at which he and Nyssa sat. His young friend was leaning on the table staring out the dirty glass window. There was very little to see out the musty glass, but she still stared. He knew that she was worried about Tegan. He was as well. As he put down the trenches, she turned and glanced at him solemnly. "I don't like the sound of this situation."
With a shrug, he sank down onto the bench. "It's not the worst one we have seen."
"I know. But there is something about this place that is…well…there is evil in the air," the girl shook her head, sending her brown curls into a riot. "Female slave trading."
"That is the least of the worries, I suspect, Nyssa," Adric offered. "If a temporal stabilizer is indeed up for sale somewhere on this world and someone can get it and USE it that is not supposed to have it…"
"I know. Gallifreyan technology is dangerous in the wrong hands. As is anything else that is too advanced for this race. But there is something more…something…" she shivered. "I have felt it since I left the TARDIS."
"Its your empathy again…"
"Its more than that…" Nyssa emphasized.
Adric spilled his ale as the Doctor suddenly appeared, sliding onto the bench next to his young friend. "There you are. Good heavens, what are you drinking?"
"Ale."
The Doctor raised an eyebrow and then gently removed the two trenches from his friends. "Ah yes…well…" When the glasses were removed, he started again. "I have a plan."
Nyssa sat forward, but Adric sighed. The Doctor seemingly ignored the both of them. "I have made two friends here that will help us with both problems that we have. Just to clarify, for you, Adric…that would be our missing Tegan and the presence of the temporal stabilizer where one just should not be."
"Yes, Doctor."
"So…Nyssa…" he leaned across the table and tapped the girl on the arm. The burgundy velvet that she wore showed his hand print. "You will go back to the TARDIS and get the alpha coder…if you tune the wavelength into the radio wave frequency, you should be able to use it as a proximity meter. Then you will come back here. Adric, you will come with me and meet with Eldric. He is a village elder and will serve as a guide/protector for you and Nyssa."
"We are going looking for the temporal stabilizer?" the boy asked, quietly, surprised.
"Yes…it is going to be the simpler of the two tasks. Eldric knows of a selling ring for the merchandise approximately two shires away. It will take you four days traveling to reach there. Once there, however, Eldric has told me that he can assure your safety. I want you two to take the funds that I have to secure the temporal stabilizer. Then…you should come back here." He pulled out a small octogonal key and held it out to Adric. "Here is the spare key for the TARDIS. I don't have to tell you what to do when you get back here, I should think."
"No, Doctor," Nyssa answered, smiling. "Stay in the TARDIS."
"Right!" the Time Lord smiled. "Eldric has clothing for both of you. Blending in is your best bet."
"And Tegan?"
"Yes…well…that is my mission. Although it seems that it might help me to find other technology if they have it and find out more about this particular ring and its relationship with the King. I'll explain later about that. I am going to have to leave rather quickly, however…in the next few minutes, actually. Kilred has informed me that there is to be a selling auction for women in three days about four shires away, at a cave." The Doctor picked up one of the trenches and looked into it for a moment. "He is going to guide me there."
"But Kilred is a warrior…" Nyssa said.
"Yes. He has a personal stake in this…he will guide me."
The door banged open and a large man filled the portal. The Doctor glanced up and nodded, humming quietly. "It seems that my 'ride' has arrived. I must go, then." He rose, glancing down at his friends. "Nyssa…remember the alpha coder and radio waves frequency. Adric…stick to Nyssa…keep her safe. I would rather not separate us…but there is nothing for it. Eldric will keep you both safe…I have his blood oath. Now…come with me and meet him."
As the two friends rose, he glanced at them fondly. "And keep safe."
**
"This…Adric…was all your idea."
The young Alzarian rolled his eyes and glanced back at his older female companion. Tegan Jovanka stood in front of Nyssa, partially shielding the young girl from the view of those around them. The tiny crevice of a cave into which the trio of travelers had stumbled was filled, in her estimation, from floor to ceiling with angry men. None of which, her mind supplied, that were under 7 feet tall.
"Don't argue," Nyssa whispered, grabbing at Tegan's hostess outfit. The girl's eyes were wide, taking in the advancing men. "Let's just get out of here."
"I agree…" Adric muttered.
The three companions backed toward the door, their bodies colliding with each other as they huddled. When Nyssa felt the cool air from the entrance against her neck, she turned, grabbing for Adric's tunic with one hand and Tegan's hand with her other. All of them ran the length of the hallway, holding onto each other until they reached the entrance to the cave.
"Go…" Tegan muttered, pushing on Nyssa's shoulder. "It's only wide enough for one at a time. Go!"
Nyssa, her face twisted in indecision, was bundled through the entrance. Adric was pushed bodily through the entrance as their pursuers neared. Tegan glanced behind her and then began to edge through the opening. Adric waited on the other side, his hand extended to her. She reached for his hand, but was grabbed from behind. Her outraged shriek filled the cavern. Nyssa screamed and reached back through the opening to her friend.
"Get out of here!" Tegan screamed as she was torn back through the small entrance. "Adric…get her out of here!"
Adric grabbed Nyssa, wrapping his arm around her waist and drawing her backwards, away from the rocks. "Come on…" he pleaded. "There is nothing we can do for her now! We've got to get back to the TARDIS. The Doctor will know what to do!"
Nyssa sobbed. "We can't leave her. Those men are pirates…"
Adric swung his friend around, setting her feet on the ground, pushing her from behind to run toward the daylight up ahead. "And if we get caught, no one could tell the Doctor where we are so he could help her and us…"
Nyssa shook her head and took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. After the space of a breath, she found her feet moving quickly, running down the smooth rock. Nearby she could hear the crash of surf and the smell of ocean. As they burst out into the sunlight, she took a deep breath, looking down the beach toward a small settlement. "The Doctor will not be happy that we left the TARDIS."
"And that won't help save Tegan…" Adric supplied. He reached back and grabbed his friend's hand, pulling her along the wet cold sand toward the small lighthouse at the edge of the beach. "Come on."
**
The Doctor tilted his head back, staring at the sky. His smart Panama hat was jammed tightly on his head and his lips were tightly pressed together. He closed his eyes and sighed. Nyssa's hand pressed against his lower arm. "Doctor…"
The Time Lord raised his hand to his head and squeezed the bridge of his nose. "I should have known you would leave the TARDIS."
"There isn't time for this…" Adric whispered, his voice raising.
The trio of travelers stood at the entry way of the Hill End's Inn. It was a small two story building with thatch roof that had housed patrons for well over a century. The wood entry way stoop was low, barely clearing the Doctor's fair head, but the soft rain that fell around them made it necessary for them to stand as they were. Around them, nestled in the rolling emerald hills, was the small town of the same name as the Inn. It was peaceful and warm, inviting.
Adric wondered what had been so important that the Doctor had left him, as well as the two girls, in the TARDIS. Hill's End was a wonderful. All around him were houses of thatch and wood, livestock and people going about their daily business. The smell of a clear spring rain permeated the air.
They had found the Doctor in the village, deep in conversation with the elders. He had disengaged from the conversation and retreated to the inn to chastise his young friends.
"Adric…how many times must I tell you," the Doctor began, his voice adopting a patronizing tone. "There is time for everything…if one properly plans. Now…why did you leave the TARDIS?"
"Doctor…Tegan…"
"I suspect that there is a problem with her," the Doctor muttered to no one in particular. "There usually is. What's the matter?"
Nyssa tired of the banter and pressed her hand into the Doctor's arm again. "Doctor…we left the TARDIS because Adric read up on the planet. He said it was known galactically for its beauty so we decided to take a short walk in the trees by the TARDIS. Adric found the creek and we followed it to the sea…by the old lighthouse."
The Doctor blanched slightly. "What?"
"We found a collection of caves and did a bit of exploring…but we found a bunch of men-"
"Pirates." Adric helpfully added.
"And when we tried to get away…"
"Tegan was taken," the Doctor finished, frowning. He pinched his nose again and sighed heavily. "Of all the…."
Adric rolled his eyes. "If you had taken us with you in the first place, this would not have happened."
The Time Lord rounded on Adric, his face showing his anger clearly. "The reason why we are here is because of those pirates, Adric. I did not bring you along because I knew it was going to be dangerous. They engage in female slave trading. That is why I left Nyssa and Tegan in the TARDIS. For once I wish you would listen to me; I do have a reason for my actions, you know."
Nyssa paled at the mention of female slave trading, but kept her face as calm as she could. "Then…"
"Yes, Nyssa. I do know possibly where they would take Tegan. And I know what they will do with her. The problem is…this little…accident of ours is going to force my hand before it was ready."
"Why are we here?" Adric asked, suddenly. "Why are you researching those…"
"Those pirates have stolen a good many people, Adric. And a few of them have been Gallifreyans, some humans, the most fellow Epsilonians. They take prisoners, sell them and use whatever gadgets or knowledge that they get from them as added collateral. Some pieces of a type 56 temporal stabilizer were taken from a Time Lord who was here a short time ago. The TARDIS picked up the readings when it landed….the stabilizer, when not in use internally in a TARDIS, will release a homing beacon type communication. Does that so whoever lost it can find it…it is necessary for the use of a TARDIS. I heard it…found no other TARDIS on this planet through a check and this is not a time mechanics fluent society. A little investigating led me to the pirate ring." The Doctor shoved his hands in his pockets. "It is not a good idea to leave mechanics of that level lying about a non time traveling world. And it is not a good idea to let them sell it to someone who should definitely not have it."
"So you were going to collect the stabilizer?"
The Doctor nodded, answering Nyssa's question. "And find out what else they have. I have a feeling they are in possession of a lot of technology that when sold to the wrong people would cause a large problem."
"So…" Adric began.
"So…this little problem means that I am going to have to venture to their selling area earlier than expected," the Doctor bit his lip and shook his head. "I haven't had the time to properly infiltrate the seller's circle. " He took off his hat and slapped it against his thigh. "Why does she never listen to me?"
Nyssa arched an eyebrow. "What can we do to help?"
The Doctor shook his head and looked at the ground. "You can go inside and get yourself and Adric a proper meal. I'm going to have to do some thinking." He turned to Adric and held his finger up. "No arguments…"
Adric nodded mutely and trudged into the Inn behind his friend. The Doctor watched them go, shaking his head. That was the problem with youth, he supposed. Always out for adventure and thinking they were immortal and impregnatrable.
He slipped his hat on his head and stepped out into the light rain to walk to the far town meeting hall.
**
Kilred glanced up at the Lord of Time, the Doctor as he called himself, as the man entered the meeting hall. He did not know why he wanted to trust the man; usually he distrusted mages and jesters. Currently he didn't know which this man was, but he did know that he was no elder. As a sign of greeting, he banged the hilt of his sword against the ground. The Doctor stopped and bowed at the door.
"Greetings again, Kilred."
The warrior nodded and glanced meaningfully at the space next to him on the floor. "You return quickly, Time Lord."
"Yes…well…it seems that my plans have taken a different route than I expected." The Doctor rocked forward on his toes, his hands deep in his pockets. "My friends have returned."
"The young boy and the child woman?"
"I suppose that would be an accurate description of them," the Doctor agreed. "Yes…Adric and Nyssa. I have one other friend…a woman…Tegan. It appears that when my friends explored, they misplaced her."
"Misplaced her?" Kilred looked perplexed.
"They rather innocently stumbled onto a slaver's den and had to leave Tegan behind."
"A slaver's den? The devil, you say." The warrior slowly rose to his feet. Behind him, another door swept open and an older man of similar beefy build entered the hall.
The Doctor inclined his head and waved his hands in the air. "I'm afraid the situation has been come much more complicated with this news. I will unable to accompany you to the seller's circle in Tyler's Creek. My instincts tell me that retrieving my friend is of the utmost importance."
"Your 'material'," the older man began. "Is indeed at the seller's circle, Doctor. The small piece of silver with knobs…about so big…" the man held out his hands to indicate the size.
"That was what I was afraid of…" the Doctor said, leaning back on his heels and biting his lip. "You're sure, Elrind?"
"Absolutely, my son has seen it with his own eyes."
The Doctor turned in a tight circle with his eyes squeezed shut. "This is all I need," he complained lightly. "I can't leave that temporal stabilizer lying about here. Not if your king is as corrupt as the off- worlder's say."
"Our king is not to be trusted," Kilred growled.
The Doctor nodded. "No…with that I agree."
"The power and money that he generates from selling…"
"Or keeping…" the Doctor offered.
"Those pieces of technology increase his power and position within the triplanet range. He will be unable to be stopped if it continues."
"Yes, Elrind. You are quite right about that."
"We fight him?" Kilred offered, leaning on against a supportive pole.
The Doctor shook his head. "As I told you years ago, Kilred…when you were a child…fighting gets you nowhere. We will remove the source of his power…and all else will come out in the wash."
Kilred shook his head in disbelief. Elrind laid a hand on his shoulder. "You know it is true. The Doctor is a Lord of Time. We have seen his kind before…they do change. He was here twenty years ago…and he was different and yet the same."
The Doctor held up his hands. "Yes…yes…there is no time for this explanation, however. I need to get that temporal stabilizer and I need to rescue Tegan. I have a plan for this…if you would be so kind as to help….I think we can solve both problems."
**
Adric carried back two trenches of some refreshment that the bartender called ale to the table at which he and Nyssa sat. His young friend was leaning on the table staring out the dirty glass window. There was very little to see out the musty glass, but she still stared. He knew that she was worried about Tegan. He was as well. As he put down the trenches, she turned and glanced at him solemnly. "I don't like the sound of this situation."
With a shrug, he sank down onto the bench. "It's not the worst one we have seen."
"I know. But there is something about this place that is…well…there is evil in the air," the girl shook her head, sending her brown curls into a riot. "Female slave trading."
"That is the least of the worries, I suspect, Nyssa," Adric offered. "If a temporal stabilizer is indeed up for sale somewhere on this world and someone can get it and USE it that is not supposed to have it…"
"I know. Gallifreyan technology is dangerous in the wrong hands. As is anything else that is too advanced for this race. But there is something more…something…" she shivered. "I have felt it since I left the TARDIS."
"Its your empathy again…"
"Its more than that…" Nyssa emphasized.
Adric spilled his ale as the Doctor suddenly appeared, sliding onto the bench next to his young friend. "There you are. Good heavens, what are you drinking?"
"Ale."
The Doctor raised an eyebrow and then gently removed the two trenches from his friends. "Ah yes…well…" When the glasses were removed, he started again. "I have a plan."
Nyssa sat forward, but Adric sighed. The Doctor seemingly ignored the both of them. "I have made two friends here that will help us with both problems that we have. Just to clarify, for you, Adric…that would be our missing Tegan and the presence of the temporal stabilizer where one just should not be."
"Yes, Doctor."
"So…Nyssa…" he leaned across the table and tapped the girl on the arm. The burgundy velvet that she wore showed his hand print. "You will go back to the TARDIS and get the alpha coder…if you tune the wavelength into the radio wave frequency, you should be able to use it as a proximity meter. Then you will come back here. Adric, you will come with me and meet with Eldric. He is a village elder and will serve as a guide/protector for you and Nyssa."
"We are going looking for the temporal stabilizer?" the boy asked, quietly, surprised.
"Yes…it is going to be the simpler of the two tasks. Eldric knows of a selling ring for the merchandise approximately two shires away. It will take you four days traveling to reach there. Once there, however, Eldric has told me that he can assure your safety. I want you two to take the funds that I have to secure the temporal stabilizer. Then…you should come back here." He pulled out a small octogonal key and held it out to Adric. "Here is the spare key for the TARDIS. I don't have to tell you what to do when you get back here, I should think."
"No, Doctor," Nyssa answered, smiling. "Stay in the TARDIS."
"Right!" the Time Lord smiled. "Eldric has clothing for both of you. Blending in is your best bet."
"And Tegan?"
"Yes…well…that is my mission. Although it seems that it might help me to find other technology if they have it and find out more about this particular ring and its relationship with the King. I'll explain later about that. I am going to have to leave rather quickly, however…in the next few minutes, actually. Kilred has informed me that there is to be a selling auction for women in three days about four shires away, at a cave." The Doctor picked up one of the trenches and looked into it for a moment. "He is going to guide me there."
"But Kilred is a warrior…" Nyssa said.
"Yes. He has a personal stake in this…he will guide me."
The door banged open and a large man filled the portal. The Doctor glanced up and nodded, humming quietly. "It seems that my 'ride' has arrived. I must go, then." He rose, glancing down at his friends. "Nyssa…remember the alpha coder and radio waves frequency. Adric…stick to Nyssa…keep her safe. I would rather not separate us…but there is nothing for it. Eldric will keep you both safe…I have his blood oath. Now…come with me and meet him."
As the two friends rose, he glanced at them fondly. "And keep safe."
**