14.
Ionay scrambled backwards instinctively as the Vola advanced. They were less than ten yards away. All the memories of exhaustion were now forgotten as the adrenalin started to course through her veins. She looked around her in desperation. "Which way?"
Owain pointed into the night. "We'll try around the edge of the lake and pick up the track that leads to the Academy." He took her hand. "Come on."
The two fugitives sprinted from the lake and away from the terrifying creatures.
Ionay gripped tightly to Owain's hand as she heard one of the Vola behind her scream in rage.
Suddenly a bolt of fire roared past her shoulder and struck a rock in front of her. The rock exploded into hundreds of fragments that flew through the air in all directions.
Ionay threw up a hand to protect her face as she was hit by a shower of sharp stones. Luckily, she avoided any serious injury but besides her Owain gave a cry of pain and crashed to the ground, pulling Ionay with him. Ionay struggled to her feet and then looked down at Owain. Blood gushed from his temple where he had been hit by a large stone and his eyes rolled in a daze.
"Owain," she screamed, "you've got to keep running!"
She glanced up and her blood went cold Not only were there four Vola following them, another two had now appeared ahead. They were trapped.
Ionay struggled with Owain, trying to drag him to his feet, but he was too heavy.
But then something suddenly clicked inside her head. Her frustration and fear were replaced with boiling anger as a terrible realisation swept over her. The breath stuck in her throat.
These were the creatures that had killed her parents and destroyed her home; her life.
Ionay dropped Owain and stood her ground as the creatures advanced on her.
Her head lowered, she clenched her fists as her chest rose and fell heavily – panting with raw aggression. Ionay's heart hammered, the blood rushing in her ears. She closed her eyes and then a heartbeat later, opened them and lifted her head.
Her eyes suddenly glowed with an incandescent, brilliant blue.
A circle of incandescent energy that rippled outwards suddenly appeared around Ionay as it had done previously at the ruined farm.
The attacking Vola roared with fury as they were staggered backwards from the shield of energy. They raised their arms and a volley of fiery bolts was loosed. All exploded harmlessly on the shield that now sparked and glowed with a myriad of colour.
15.
Ionay watched with her heart in her mouth as the Vola continued their attack on the strange shield of energy that she had somehow created. But on each attack, Ionay felt a shooting pain behind her eyes and as the attacks continued the pain was getting worse.
One Vola held up both arms and shot two fireballs at her with a rage-filled scream. They exploded off the energy shield in a shower of sparks and flame but the pain in Ionay's head became so intense that she cried out and fell to her knees.
She knew she couldn't maintain the energy shield for much longer – it was only a matter of time before the pain became too great and she would succumb.
Ionay realised with a cold sinking feeling, that although she had delayed them, the end was inevitable.
More fire bolts struck the shield and Ionay screamed in pain, closing her eyes and clutching at her head that throbbed with unbearable agony.
The blue energy shield rippled, faded and then vanished.
With a roar of triumph, the Vola advanced on the now helpless Ionay.
Suddenly there was the hum of something that flew low overhead.
Ionay looked up and to her relief saw two of the floating platforms that the priests had used to bring her here. As the platforms turned in the night sky, she could just make out several robed figures standing on each platform. Owain's people must've sent reinforcements from the castle!
As she watched, a beam of red light lanced downwards from one of the platforms and struck one of the Vola creatures. It blazed with a brilliant white light for a moment and then with a scream was vaporised into nothing. Another beam of light shot fro the other platform and a second Vola was instantly destroyed.
Three of the four remaining Vola turned from their attack on Ionay to confront their new aerial opponents. They pointed their flaming arms up at the night sky, shooting fireballs up at the swooping platforms.
But the creatures were too slow this time, and three more beams of red light struck and killed all of them within seconds as the platforms dived about for another pass.
The fourth Vola however ignored the attacking platforms and advanced on Ionay.
Ionay opened her tired eyes and watched the creature coming towards her. There was nothing more she could do.
She took a deep breath, preparing herself for the end.
16.
But the moment never came.
Instead the Vola had stopped moving and instead seemed to be shaking on the spot.
Ionay glanced down at Owain and gasped. He had opened his eyes and held out his hand with his palm towards the creature. His teeth were clenched with the exertion, and sweat poured from his brow, but he was keeping the Vola at bay using the same strange powers that she had somehow used.
"That's it," she urged. "You can do it!"
The humming of the floating platforms had ceased and Ionay glanced to one side to see several figures, all dressed in scarlet robes and carrying long staffs, gliding towards them.
Owain gasped and his arm dropped, his head lolling to one side.
But the scarlet priests had now raised their staffs and the crystals in their tips blazed with a red light.
The Vola roared once then was consumed in a hurricane of energy that lifted it from the ground and sent it crashing into the dark lake. The water seethed and boiled as the fiery creature sank beneath the surface and was gone.
The priests hurried towards Ionay and Owain, gathering protectively around them.
Ionay watched in a daze as Owain was gently lifted to his feet by four of the priests and carried away to one of the platforms that had landed nearby. Not a word was spoken by the gaunt, hooded figures and the new silence was almost deafening to Ionay. She clutched her aching head, closing her eyes wearily. The death and violence filled her mind and she began to shake and sob uncontrollably.
"Ionay, so it is you!" The voice was female.
Ionay looked up and blinked back the tears. One of the scarlet priests was kneeling next to her.
"Don't you recognise me?" The priest pushed back the hood that covered her face and smiled at Ionay
Ionay opened her mouth to speak but she couldn't form any words.
"It's alright. I was the same." The girl was no more than seventeen with auburn hair and just the last trace of freckles.
Ionay mind reeled. "Cynther!" she stammered. "But you………..you…….."
"I didn't die Ionay," said Cynther gently. "The Brotherhood found me; trained me."
Ionay held her head in her hands and wailed. "I don't understand what's happening to me!"
"I know." Cynther helped Ionay slowly to her feet. "But you will very soon. Come on, I'll take you back to the Academy. You'll be safe there."
Supported by her childhood friend as if she were an infant, Ionay staggered towards the nearest platform. After a few moments, it rose into the sky with a hum and glided towards the vast, dark castle that nestled on the side of the mountain.
17.
The platforms sailed over the great stone walls of the castle and gently came to land in a huge paved courtyard surrounded by towers and turrets.
Ionay nervously stared up at the night sky as Cynther helped her step from the platform. The castle seemed full of shadows, and childhood fears of the scarlet brotherhood suddenly resurfaced in her mind.
Four of the priests carried the prone body of Owain off the platform and across the courtyard. They opened a door to a tower, where flickering light spilled out until they disappeared inside, closing it behind them.
"Will he be alright?" asked Ionay quietly.
"We have physicians here that are very skilled Ionay," replied Cynther, "Owain will recover quickly."
Ionay nodded almost absent-mindedly as Cynther led her in the other direction. They reached an impressive set of double doors on a large circular tower that seemed to reach up into the heavens. At either side of the doors stood a hooded priest, each holding a staff like a ceremonial pike. As Cynther and Ionay approached, the priests took a step backwards and the large doors swung open in front of them.
Her strength and willpower recovering a little, and with her curiosity overriding any trepidation or fear she might have, Ionay stepped boldly into the chamber beyond.
The chamber was circular and lit by dozens and dozens of candles that burnt slowly in tall stands– their gentle flickering creating a warm, inviting ambience. The soft, yellow light illuminated what was clearly a meeting or council chamber of some kind. A long wooden table inlaid with silvery carvings dominated the room and around it stood twelve fine wooden chairs.
Cynther crossed the chamber without a word and paused at the bottom of a circular flight of stone steps that led upwards into the tower. "This way," she said, glancing back at an awed Ionay.
Ionay followed her friend up the steps, going round and round, until Cynther stopped and stood to one side.
They had reached another room, also circular, but only thirty feet or so in diameter. It was clearly a study or library of some kind with books on shelves that lined almost all of the walls. A small fire burnt in a grate on one wall and hung above the fire was a painting of a huge bronze-metal city in a giant glass dome. In the centre of the room was a low circular table with two comfortable leather armchairs either side of it.
Sitting in one of the armchairs was a man who smiled as Ionay entered.
"Welcome Ionay. I am Gavas."
18.
Gavas was dressed in the familiar scarlet robes of the brotherhood, although around his neck he wore a silver chain that held a medallion of red crystals. His hood was down revealing a completely bald man in his early sixties. His eyes were a sparkling blue, old with wisdom and yet filled with a youthful exuberance and mischief. The smile on his face also had more than just a hint of impish humour in it.
He gestured with long spindly fingers to the other armchair. "I think you had better sit down after all your adventures my dear." Gavas had a light, almost musical voice. "What a night you've had."
As Ionay sat obediently next to Gavas, he glanced up at Cynther. "Thank you Cynther. Perhaps you had best inform our other guest that we are now complete?"
Cynther nodded her head reverently. "Yes Master Gavas."
With a last reassuring smile at Ionay, Cynther turned and went back down the stone steps.
"Perhaps you'd like a cup of tea?" Gavas asked. He picked up a pot from the table and poured a hot liquid into a cup then handed it to a mystified Ionay.
"Tea?" she asked warily, sniffing the cup.
"An infusion of herbs, my dear." Gavas poured himself a cup. "Most relaxing," he smiled. Then he frowned. "I'm forgetting the correct rituals - would you like some milk or honey with it?"
Ionay opened her mouth and just shrugged with bewilderment. "I don't know," she finally managed.
Gavas smiled again and poured some milk from a small jug into Ionay's cup. "Try some milk then."
She took a hesitant sip and found the mixture quite pleasant, so took another. The old priest was right, it was relaxing. The steam from the tea curled up under her nose and Ionay released a long breath.
Gavas watched her carefully, not saying anything but seemingly content to let her adjust and make some sense of this strange new world she had found herself thrust into.
"You're their leader?" Ionay asked after a full minute.
Gavas nodded and smiled, and to Ionay it was almost a sad smile. "I do have that responsibility."
There was more silence but then Ionay heard the sound of footsteps climbing the stairs.
"Ah, our other visitor," said Gavas with a cackle.
Ionay turned to see a man had entered the chamber. He was young and quite thin with spiky dark hair and a long face. His eyes were like Gavas, and shone with both wisdom and youth. Rather than a red robe like the other priests, this man wore a brown striped jacket and trousers.
"Hello," said the newcomer, stretching out his hand. "I'm the Doctor."
19.
Ionay regarded the strange young man warily but allowed him to shake her hand. "I'm Ionay," she replied automatically.
"Oh I know," said the Doctor with a grin.
"Do you? Why should you?" Ionay could feel her frustration and anger welling up inside her again. "Why does everyone know what's happening except me?"
The Doctor watched her face for a moment without saying anything, his face unreadable. Then he spotted the pot of tea on the table. "Ooh, tea!"
Gavas smiled, putting some milk into a cup and poured the hot brew from the pot. "Some honey Doctor?"
"Oh yes. Nothing like it!"
Ionay watched the two men and bit her lip, her hands clenched onto the arms of her chair. "Tell me what's going on!"
The Doctor paused as he was about to take a sip of tea and instead put his cup down on the table. The smile on his face faltered. He glanced at Gavas who said nothing, but just raised an eyebrow.
"I think you deserve at least that Ionay." The Doctor paused. "And I am truly sorry about your parents."
Ionay nodded slowly. "Thank you," she whispered.
"But," continued the Doctor, "they'll only be the first unless we can stop it."
Ionay struggled to understand. "Stop it? You mean those fire creatures? The Vola?"
The Doctor glanced at Gavas again, but the old priest just sipped at his tea as if oblivious. The Doctor took a breath. "No, they are just the minions of something that is far, far more dangerous."
"What?"
The Doctor paused again. "Astaroth."
Ionay had never heard of a name like that before. "What is Astaroth?"
Before the Doctor could answer, Gavas cleared his throat and leant forwards. "Perhaps that is an explanation that is better left for later Ionay. Perhaps," the priest looked at her closely, "you would like to know why you are here?"
Ionay looked between the two men and nodded.
Gavas smiled. "That pendant around your neck - where did you get it?"
Ionay jumped a little. She had been playing idly with the pendant as she always had. "My grandmother gave it to me," she said quietly.
Gavas shook his head. "No," he said gently, "we did."
"What do you mean?" stammered Ionay. "I remember my grandmother giving it to me when I was small."
"My apologies my dear - a little deception on our part. A simple mind illusion, nothing more."
"Why did you give it to me?"
"We have seeded dozens of the artron crystals over the years - all to different, special children. Sometimes as a pendant, sometimes as a buckle or a ring. Your friend Cynther had one as a ring I believe. They act as a focus. They let us know when your powers have developed; let us know when you are ready"
Ionay's mind started to reel again. "Ready for what?"
The Doctor's face was full of concern. "For battle."
20.
Ionay looked at the Doctor, her blue eyes wide. "What battle?"
The Doctor looked at Gavas and neither spoke. The little room was silent save for the crackling of the fire in the grate. The Doctor started to say something, but he was interrupted by the sudden tolling of a great bell from somewhere else in the castle.
The sound of the bell seemed to galvanise the Doctor and Gavas into action as they exchanged a worried look. The Doctor jumped to his feet. "Already?"
"It seems we have less time than we thought," said Gavas gravely as he pulled himself from his chair. He picked up his ornate staff that was leaning against the fireplace and then turned back to Ionay. "Come child, I'm afraid you will have to learn more later."
Ionay stood as well. "Why, what does that bell mean?"
The Doctor took her hand and squeezed it. "I'll show you, come on." He pulled a puzzled Ionay with him as he dashed down the steps from the tower. Gavas followed them, his staff tapping on the stone as he went.
They reached the bottom of the steps and entered the large meeting hall. This time the hall was far from empty and each place around the long wooden table was filled by a priest dressed in long scarlet robes. Ionay noticed both Cynther and Owain, a white bandaged patch on his temple, at the table.
"The time for debate and preparation is over my brothers," said Gavas. "We must go to the portal."
The Doctor didn't even stop, but led Ionay through the chamber and up some stone steps that led to a set of double doors. Inscribed in the wood on the doors was a huge circle, half on each door, and inside the circle a swirling pattern of silver. He dropped Ionay's hand and pushed at the double doors before striding into the chamber beyond.
Ionay saw that it was dark save burning torches that ran in two lines towards the far end of the room. Then she gasped as she saw what they led to.
It was a huge circular structure that looked like a mirror. But instead of a refection, inside it was a rippling and swirling vortex of colour and light. It was hypnotic to look at and seemed to draw her in.
"What is it?" she whispered, her eyes wide in awe.
The Doctor watched as the priests filed solemnly into the chamber before answering. "It's a Schism Portal - a gap in the fabric of reality to the vortex beyond. This is just a minor one - one destination only!"
Gavas came to stand next to the Doctor. "And it seems that we must now use it my friend."
The Doctor nodded. "I'll go first – you follow." He reached out his arm towards Ionay. "Come with me?"
Ionay stared at the Portal and hesitated, her eyes full of fear.
"Please Ionay. We need you – I need you!"
Ionay gazed into the Doctor's eyes and for the first time saw something behind them – a mixture of bravery, compassion and sadness. She knew instinctively that she could trust him. She took his hand and smiled.
The Doctor grinned in return and squeezed her hand. "Ready?"
Ionay nodded and the Doctor winked at her before looking towards Gavas.
"The Scarlet Brotherhood is once again ready to fight for the Son of Gallifrey!" said the priest.
The Doctor turned towards the Portal. "Then here we go!"
The Doctor and Ionay jumped into the swirling vortex of the Schism portal and disappeared into the maelstrom of colour and light.
Next Time: The Doctor and Ionay must battle to prevent the resurrection of an ancient Time Lord foe in 'The Vengeance of Astaroth'.
The Scarlet Shadow – Confidential
No prizes for guessing that this was the Doctor-lite story for the season.
I wonder how many readers guessed that this would be the case as they went along, wondering whether the Doctor would appear in the next chapter? Or the next? Or by the time part 10 had come and gone, did people realise?
For this story I went for a traditional fantasy adventure storyline told in the classic 'mythic' structure.
The mythic structure is a fascinating piece of work that started as a book entitled "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" by a writer called Joseph Campbell in the 1980s. The book focuses on the theory that most stories can be boiled down to a series of narrative structures and character archetypes, described through mythological allegory. This was then picked up by a scereenwriter called Christopher Vogler who wrote "A Hero's Journey" and Vogler holds that successful films innately adhere to its principles. The book was very well received upon its release, and is often featured in recommended reading lists for student writers. It is now under the title "The Writer's Journey – Mythic Structure for Writers" and is WELL worth a look in my opinion.
George Lucas has often quoted Campbell in his vision for the 'Star Wars' series (particularly 'A New Hope') and J K Rowling certainly uses it to great effect in the Harry Potter series, but the structure holds true for older films and literature (The Wizard of Oz), and of course myths and legends such as King Arthur and Camelot.
Because 'Doctor Who' has an ongoing episodic nature, it has never really used the mythic structure, so for 'Scarlet Shadow' I followed the structure rigidly to see if I could pulll it off. Certainly, and deliberately, there are homages to both Lucas and Rowling in here, but I hope I haven't been too derisive and entertained readers in an episode which is (kind of) new to Doctor Who.
For casting this story, the main role of Ionay went to newcomer Niamh Perry from 'I'll Do Anything' who I thought had the most wonderful face and eyes. She also had a fantastic mixture of guts and frailty that I wanted for Ionay. The only other main part was Gavas. For the leader of the Scarlet Brotherhood I chose the amazing Richard O'Brien – why hasn't he appeared in Doctor Who before?
I should also mention my friend James who devised some great background for Ionay, her family and the culture she grew up in. Although I did mangle a lot of what he gave me, and there was much that could never be included due to the speed at which the plot must move, it certainly gave me context and helped me enormously in writing the final version. Thanks James.
But it's back to more familiar Doctor Who themes next time as the Doctor and Ionay must prevent Arcadia falling for a second time……..