River stood under the hot water letting it wash away the events that had just transpired. Rolling her shoulders in the hot steamy air she let her thoughts wonder…
Who were these boys that her future-self had sent? Their names surely weren't Rem and Philo. Shaking her head to dispel speculation about their names River began to rub soap over her bruised and battered body. And why did she say 'You have some attitude, young man. What would your Mother say?' What had gotten into her? Is this what it felt like to be 'motherly'? River shuddered.
Stepping out of the shower, steam curled around her. She bent over to grab a fluffy blue towel. Wrapping it around herself she continued her musing. What am I supposed to tell them? The note wasn't exactly telling. They are only boys and they obviously knew her when they were younger if 'Mrs. Song' was anything to go by. She was going to need to be careful with what she told them.
River sighed as she stepped out into the hallway. She could hear the boys talking quietly to themselves. "You boys can go ahead and make some tea! I'm just going to get dressed now." Scowling at herself River made some gagging noises. What had gotten into her? …make some tea? You boys?
Walking into her bedroom River grabbed a pair of jodhpurs and swore softly as she tried to pull them up over her tender skin. With a sigh, she picked up a light shirt and slipped it over her head.
Every muscle screamed as River descended the stairs. The sound of Rem and Philo talking floated up from the kitchen. Walking through the doorway River schooled a smile and took in the sight of the boys laughing.
"Mrs. Song! How are you feeling?" Philo smiled gently at the older woman.
"M-." Rem began earning an elbow in the side. He glared at Philo before starting again, "Mrs. Song are you ready to talk now?"
"Yes, but we don't have much time."
Sitting down at the small wooden table and nursing a hot cup of tea River began, "Two men came into the class I was teaching and used one of my grad students as a hostage. Shortly after, we were all transmated up to a space ship. Solomon was then carried off to a cell."
"Wait, sorry." Interrupted Philo, "Who is Solomon?"
"The grad student I mentioned."
"Right."
"Anyways, I got into a fight with one of the men who brought us up and long story short the man in charge of the two thugs told me that he was holding the Doctor hostage and if I don't do as he says then he will kill the Doctor."
"But isn't it hard to kill a Time Lord?" Philo questioned.
"What did he want? What did the man in charge want?!" Rem leaned forward and shouted over Philo.
River looked between the two boys and smiled. Shaking her head a little she chose to answer Philo first, "Yes, they can be hard to kill. I should know." River smirked before turning to Rem. "He said that I had to find the Promise Keeper. He said that I had some sort of special relationship with this person and that I could persuade the Promise Keeper to back away from him."
The colour drained out of Rem's face, even Philo looked paler than he had a moment ago.
"Wait… Didn't you say you were called the Promise Keeper?" River turned to look at Rem. "Who are you?"
"Uh…. um…. I'm….." Rem stumbled.
"Mrs. Song. Maybe we should focus on how to rescue Mr. Song? Obviously the guy who is trying to control you isn't up to any good and that's why he wants this Promise Keeper person to back off. If this guy who has Mr. Song was a good guy, then he wouldn't have to kidnap Mr. Song and blackmail you to make this Promise Keeper back off. He could have just asked you or Mr. Song to help him."
Rem finally got his tongue in control, "Who did you say that the man who has – the Doctor was?" Rem nodded, getting the words out.
"He didn't say." River began. "But I could describe him. He had short cropped black hair and wore a red velvet cloak. His teeth were sharp and he was as mad as a hatter. I mean really, really mad."
Philo and Rem looked at each other and exclaimed, "Vanmore!"
"Vanmore?"
Rem nodded, "We've come across him a couple of times but he must be up to something pretty big if he's kidnapping…. people. And trying to make you stop… well…. Us."
"So, you are the Promise Keeper?" River frowned with a smirk.
Rem rubbed the back of his neck, "Yeah. What do you think of the name?"
River laughed, "I don't know yet. Does it suit you?"
Philo laughed along, "It does Mrs. Song. His parents really taught him how to keep a promise. He's as loyal as a dog."
Rem pushed Philo lightly and laughed, "Stop that!"