"Tegan!"
She shushed him, shaking her head to him in the gloom. "Doctor…they are my friends too…and we are in this together, you know."
Tegan rolled her eyes as she felt him lean toward her. She could always tell when the man was gearing up to give her a lecture. "Look Doctor…"
"What were you thinking, Tegan? Do you even know how to use a weapon…we are going into a small war…"
"I was not going to let you go without me. End of argument, Doctor. Now we should be quiet, don't you think?" she stated. The Doctor blustered for a moment and then sighed. She could feel him squeezing the bridge of his nose. "And believe me, I can defend myself easily. You needn't worry about that."
A huntress from the doomed village of River Fall turned and voiced her opinion. Tegan had befriended her at the camp. "Time Lord…she is more than capable."
"Enough," the Doctor sighed and then edged his errant companion back against the wall of the moving cart. "Stay behind me, Tegan. And do as I say, when I say…no arguments. One of these days I am going to put a lock on the TARDIS door to seal my companions inside. I rather think that is a good idea. It will save me aggrevation at least."
"If you had gotten me to Heathrow…" she returned, hissing.
"Adric would have still left the TARDIS to explore," he sighed.
"Brave heart, Doctor…we will get them out," she gave him, with a voice that betrayed her nervousness. He smiled and returned the sentiment.
"Now…do be quiet, Tegan. Please."
**
The lonely wagon entered the keep, amidst horses, men and armor. Women and small children delivered gourds of water and wine, food and cheese. There were supply wagons of every type and every size. The one from the rebel camp had the correct credentials and was led to a place off to the side. It finally came to a rest amidst the encouragement of several warriors' yells and a symphony of whoas and the horses snorts.
As they stopped, Tegan began to sputter a cough and the Doctor pressed his hand against her mouth to quiet her and when that didn't work, he turned her harshly so that her face was pressed into the material of his shirt. She snorted a few times, but stemmed the full sound of her coughing. He held her there until the men outside had welcomed the new wagon and its wares and stumbled back to their ale. The other women and two men that had squeezed on board the wagon eased from its back slowly, glancing around them. As they did, the Doctor peeled Tegan away from his clothes and glanced at her face.
"Are you all right? Good…don't do that again, please," he urged. "The object is, of course, stealth…in case you missed the class, Tegan."
"There is no need to be rude about it," she eased back and shuffled to the exit. The Doctor jumped down, bringing his sheathed sword with him and reached back to catch his friend as she jumped behind him. She had two small daggers in her belt. He glanced her over and hummed, suddenly fresh with an idea.
Where have the others gone?"
"They have their mission, we have ours."
"But…I thought…"
"Yes, Tegan…I know. But as a Time Lord, I cannot interfere…not on that level. I will explain it to you, I promise," he answered, holding his hands out as if to appease her. "But not now. I simply need to find out who is or did support the King and reason with them. But primarily, I want to make sure Nyssa and Adric are safe. Now…are you with me or do you wish to remain here?"
Tegan held out her hand to usher him ahead of her. "You first, Doc…I'm right behind you."
"Yes. Thank you. And do stay with me…no running off."
He nudged her arm and nodded to the side and then two of them crept along the side of the stable and toward the large stone building at the center of the camp.
**
Elrind sat at the table next to the man who called himself the Master. He was a Time Lord that was all that the elder knew of his guest. To him, the Master seemed a small man, slight of build compared to the warriors but on equal with the Doctor. He was dressed completely in black with a serpentine silver motive about his collar. His hair was dark, signifying probably more than anything else, his off-worlder status. But as Elrind allowed his trencher of ale to be filled, his eyes centered on what made him the most unease about the diminutive figure: the purple mantel of the King about his shoulders.
Although Lazotan had been corrupt, Elrind knew that the Master was pure evil. It was with a sinking feeling in his gut that he knew his world was to be lorded over by a man such as this. But, unless several legions of men from the Lords arrived, the Nightyearners, and the other pirate clans that had been rallied to their side during the fight. His main hall was filled to the rafters with drunk, excitable and thoroughly criminal pirates, slavers and stealers.
He was thankful that he had sent Nyssa, Adric and that girl Cassiopeia to the cellars. At least they were safe and out of sight down there. Nyssa was far too innocent in his opinion to be subject to this. Women were being manhandled and toyed with, food and jewels were being taken. His own warriors lined the walls, but were under careful watch from an equal number of pirates. It was…as the Doctor had told him once…a catch-22 situation.
"Ah…Elder Elrind, you seem…preoccupied."
He turned back to address the Master with what he hoped was a bland expression on his face. "I am sorry, my Lord Master. I was simply considering the state of my stores and kitchens and hope for enough meat and ale to please my guests."
"Equitable to the last, Elrind."
"For your pleasure, my lord. I only wish to please."
"Yes…the ale and the meat is excellent, Elrind," the Master answered, leaning across the table. "But it is the entertainment that is lacking. I notice a shortage of women. And although I do not require no wish for their presence here, my friends here do. Where are they…do you have them hidden somewhere? Perhaps with the relics of your local shrines and with the family heirlooms?"
Elrind opened his mouth, but was quieted as the Master chuckled. "Keep your secrets…it matters not to me. I have what I want…" he fingered the cloak about his shoulders. "But I would keep my loyal warriors happy if you wish for the integrity of your keep."
**
Jandar rested back against the stones next to the massive hearth and watched the interaction between the Time Lord and the Elder. The Master had offered any riches in the keep would be he and his men's but there had been blessed little to loot. As he watched the Elder closely, he saw him exchange a glance with a young man hidden in the shadows of the hall. With a smile, evil in its own intent, he pushed away from the wall to follow the man as he left the hall.
**
Nyssa sat upon a large wooden keg, her legs crossed. Adric leaned against the wall next to her. Each few minutes brought a roar of laughter or the clash of steel from overhead. Both of them were still…more from exhaustion and depression than from lack of ability to do something. Cassiopeia sat on the ledge with several baskets and contemplated her captives-innocents. She could feel the press of her father's mind. It was only a small amount of time before he would spring his trap.
**
The Doctor held his finger up to his lips and patted the air next to him. Tegan obediently pressed against the wall. For a few minutes, the Doctor silently assessed the entrance to the great hall, its occupants and the total lack of extra entrances. He, too, pressed back against the wall and hissed to his companion: "There seems to be a problem."
"Too many of them?" she asked.
"That and I cannot see the main table. I have a feeling the King and whoever is his support will be there." He bit his lip. "And I can't see Nyssa or Adric."
She edged around him and looked around the corner at the room in spite of the Doctor's angry sigh at her action. As she returned to her position, she asked: "Well, Doc? What's the plan?"
"I hadn't made one yet," he admitted. "We need to get in there to see whoever it is that is in charge. With the amount of slavers and pirates in there, I highly doubt it is Lazotan. Something must have happened that we are unaware of. Something deadly."
She nodded, understanding. "So…do you just need to know who is in the room? Or do you wish to speak to them?"
"Speaking is best done one on one, I think, Tegan. And I rather think that my conversation skills will not be on equal with the ale." He answered, whispering. "No, no. We need to find out who or what is the ruler and about Adric and Nyssa."
Tegan nodded once decidedly and pressed back further into the slight alcove by a coat of armor. The Doctor turned and surveyed the room again. "I just…wonder…if I could find a man of Elrind's that recognizes me…I might be able to get a message to him."
Tegan was silent. The Doctor turned quickly to see Tegan stripping off the last of her clothes to reveal her leather slave costume. "Tegan?" he asked his voice unsteady. "Waltzing in there…if that is what you are thinking…is not a good idea. And do you forget that they know you?"
Tegan took a deep breath and rejoined him at the wall. "If I don't catch anyone's eyes, I can get away with it. And don't scare me anymore, Doc…I'm scared enough to do this already….but if knowing what is going on in that room is the only way that we have to make sure Adric and Nyssa are safe…then I have to do it. You…dressed in that excuse of a Robin Hood costume…would not last a second. I'm rather hoping the men will be looking other places on me than my face…as much as I hate to say that."
The Doctor sighed. "If you get captured, Tegan, I'll have three of you to get out."
"And if we both stay here," she said, her voice deep and forceful. "We will never get them out. Right…I'm going in. I'll meet you at the door to the kitchen."
He rolled his eyes and growled under his breath as his impulsive but sensible companion slowly walked into the hall, keeping toward the walls. With a smile, he saw that she had the two daggers tucked into the back of the leather. "She has a point," he agreed to himself and waited a few moments and then crept along the corridor towards the kitchen.
**
Tegan kept her head angled down and walked slowly and deliberately across the hall. She had found a large container of ale inside the door and crept along, filling trenches and cups as she went. The Hall was larger than she had thought it was, and she had trouble getting across the room without walking out into the open. As she entered, she saw that monster Jandar leave through a side door and breathed a sigh of relief. At least there was one less man to contend with, she thought.
Before she was a quarter of the way across, a large arm reached up and drew her down on an equally large lap. She slapped at the chest and was released as the man laid a wet and sloppy kiss on her mouth. Laughter filled her ears and then she was walking across the room again. The main table, she guessed was ten feet from her when she saw a man about whom she often had nightmares. She stopped dead in her tracks and shivered.
"Oh no."
**
The Doctor crouched in the door of the kitchen, in the shadows of the door and watched as Tegan slowed and then stopped. He could not see the table still and he fought the urge to slap the stones in anger. Tegan was seeing someone she knew and hated, that much he could tell, but who?
**
Laughter and shouts around her died and suddenly she heard: "Miss Jovanka, it is a pleasure to see you again. And so informally attired as well."
"You!" she spat. "How did you get away from Castrovalva?"
**
The Doctor groaned under his breath and gripped the wall. The Master.
"I'm an idiot…I should have realized," he said quietly.
**
Cassiopeia suddenly started and rose off of the shelf. Adric watched her movement and then knitted his brows together. "Cassie? What are you doing?"
With a smile that would have made her father proud, she produced a small knob like device from her pocket and pointed it at them. Nyssa lifted her eyes and met hers with a smile until she saw the Tissue Compression Eliminator in Cassiopeia's hand. Then confusion reigned. "Cassie? No…not you."
The raven haired girl gestured toward the door. Her father had been right. It was a thrill to hold such power in her hand, but there was a slight let down feeling that the plan had been sprung with little or no problem. She yearned for the thrill of competition. Still, there was a plan to finish and a universe to explore with her father. "I believe that my father requires your presence above stair, my friends. If you would be so good as to climb the stairs ahead of me. Adric, I would not try to be a hero either. I am quite good with this weapon, you know. I believe that you both are acquainted with it?"
Adric nodded and Nyssa groaned. "Only too well."
"Climb the stairs then."
**
Tegan began to walk backwards slowly but felt a man come up behind her and stop her.
"I believe, my dear, that you know my loyal friend, Jandar?"
"Bloody Hell," she growled as her arms were taken roughly. She tried to say more, but saw first Adric and then Nyssa appear at the head of the stair to the cellar. She felt like laughing despite her situation, but restrained as she saw a woman climb to ground level behind them. She was holding the TCE. Her eyes closed in disgust, but opened them again as she was half thrown toward her friends. Adric caught her before she could tumble to the ground and the three of them huddled in the center of the Hall.
Nyssa slipped her arms around her friend and hugged her tightly. "Tegan."
"Nyssa….Adric…am I glad to see you."
The Master gestured for silence as he rose behind the table and called out loudly. "Doctor! I believe I have something dear of yours…your friends! My daughter will not hesitate to use my beloved weapon, I assure you. Show yourself!"
She shushed him, shaking her head to him in the gloom. "Doctor…they are my friends too…and we are in this together, you know."
Tegan rolled her eyes as she felt him lean toward her. She could always tell when the man was gearing up to give her a lecture. "Look Doctor…"
"What were you thinking, Tegan? Do you even know how to use a weapon…we are going into a small war…"
"I was not going to let you go without me. End of argument, Doctor. Now we should be quiet, don't you think?" she stated. The Doctor blustered for a moment and then sighed. She could feel him squeezing the bridge of his nose. "And believe me, I can defend myself easily. You needn't worry about that."
A huntress from the doomed village of River Fall turned and voiced her opinion. Tegan had befriended her at the camp. "Time Lord…she is more than capable."
"Enough," the Doctor sighed and then edged his errant companion back against the wall of the moving cart. "Stay behind me, Tegan. And do as I say, when I say…no arguments. One of these days I am going to put a lock on the TARDIS door to seal my companions inside. I rather think that is a good idea. It will save me aggrevation at least."
"If you had gotten me to Heathrow…" she returned, hissing.
"Adric would have still left the TARDIS to explore," he sighed.
"Brave heart, Doctor…we will get them out," she gave him, with a voice that betrayed her nervousness. He smiled and returned the sentiment.
"Now…do be quiet, Tegan. Please."
**
The lonely wagon entered the keep, amidst horses, men and armor. Women and small children delivered gourds of water and wine, food and cheese. There were supply wagons of every type and every size. The one from the rebel camp had the correct credentials and was led to a place off to the side. It finally came to a rest amidst the encouragement of several warriors' yells and a symphony of whoas and the horses snorts.
As they stopped, Tegan began to sputter a cough and the Doctor pressed his hand against her mouth to quiet her and when that didn't work, he turned her harshly so that her face was pressed into the material of his shirt. She snorted a few times, but stemmed the full sound of her coughing. He held her there until the men outside had welcomed the new wagon and its wares and stumbled back to their ale. The other women and two men that had squeezed on board the wagon eased from its back slowly, glancing around them. As they did, the Doctor peeled Tegan away from his clothes and glanced at her face.
"Are you all right? Good…don't do that again, please," he urged. "The object is, of course, stealth…in case you missed the class, Tegan."
"There is no need to be rude about it," she eased back and shuffled to the exit. The Doctor jumped down, bringing his sheathed sword with him and reached back to catch his friend as she jumped behind him. She had two small daggers in her belt. He glanced her over and hummed, suddenly fresh with an idea.
Where have the others gone?"
"They have their mission, we have ours."
"But…I thought…"
"Yes, Tegan…I know. But as a Time Lord, I cannot interfere…not on that level. I will explain it to you, I promise," he answered, holding his hands out as if to appease her. "But not now. I simply need to find out who is or did support the King and reason with them. But primarily, I want to make sure Nyssa and Adric are safe. Now…are you with me or do you wish to remain here?"
Tegan held out her hand to usher him ahead of her. "You first, Doc…I'm right behind you."
"Yes. Thank you. And do stay with me…no running off."
He nudged her arm and nodded to the side and then two of them crept along the side of the stable and toward the large stone building at the center of the camp.
**
Elrind sat at the table next to the man who called himself the Master. He was a Time Lord that was all that the elder knew of his guest. To him, the Master seemed a small man, slight of build compared to the warriors but on equal with the Doctor. He was dressed completely in black with a serpentine silver motive about his collar. His hair was dark, signifying probably more than anything else, his off-worlder status. But as Elrind allowed his trencher of ale to be filled, his eyes centered on what made him the most unease about the diminutive figure: the purple mantel of the King about his shoulders.
Although Lazotan had been corrupt, Elrind knew that the Master was pure evil. It was with a sinking feeling in his gut that he knew his world was to be lorded over by a man such as this. But, unless several legions of men from the Lords arrived, the Nightyearners, and the other pirate clans that had been rallied to their side during the fight. His main hall was filled to the rafters with drunk, excitable and thoroughly criminal pirates, slavers and stealers.
He was thankful that he had sent Nyssa, Adric and that girl Cassiopeia to the cellars. At least they were safe and out of sight down there. Nyssa was far too innocent in his opinion to be subject to this. Women were being manhandled and toyed with, food and jewels were being taken. His own warriors lined the walls, but were under careful watch from an equal number of pirates. It was…as the Doctor had told him once…a catch-22 situation.
"Ah…Elder Elrind, you seem…preoccupied."
He turned back to address the Master with what he hoped was a bland expression on his face. "I am sorry, my Lord Master. I was simply considering the state of my stores and kitchens and hope for enough meat and ale to please my guests."
"Equitable to the last, Elrind."
"For your pleasure, my lord. I only wish to please."
"Yes…the ale and the meat is excellent, Elrind," the Master answered, leaning across the table. "But it is the entertainment that is lacking. I notice a shortage of women. And although I do not require no wish for their presence here, my friends here do. Where are they…do you have them hidden somewhere? Perhaps with the relics of your local shrines and with the family heirlooms?"
Elrind opened his mouth, but was quieted as the Master chuckled. "Keep your secrets…it matters not to me. I have what I want…" he fingered the cloak about his shoulders. "But I would keep my loyal warriors happy if you wish for the integrity of your keep."
**
Jandar rested back against the stones next to the massive hearth and watched the interaction between the Time Lord and the Elder. The Master had offered any riches in the keep would be he and his men's but there had been blessed little to loot. As he watched the Elder closely, he saw him exchange a glance with a young man hidden in the shadows of the hall. With a smile, evil in its own intent, he pushed away from the wall to follow the man as he left the hall.
**
Nyssa sat upon a large wooden keg, her legs crossed. Adric leaned against the wall next to her. Each few minutes brought a roar of laughter or the clash of steel from overhead. Both of them were still…more from exhaustion and depression than from lack of ability to do something. Cassiopeia sat on the ledge with several baskets and contemplated her captives-innocents. She could feel the press of her father's mind. It was only a small amount of time before he would spring his trap.
**
The Doctor held his finger up to his lips and patted the air next to him. Tegan obediently pressed against the wall. For a few minutes, the Doctor silently assessed the entrance to the great hall, its occupants and the total lack of extra entrances. He, too, pressed back against the wall and hissed to his companion: "There seems to be a problem."
"Too many of them?" she asked.
"That and I cannot see the main table. I have a feeling the King and whoever is his support will be there." He bit his lip. "And I can't see Nyssa or Adric."
She edged around him and looked around the corner at the room in spite of the Doctor's angry sigh at her action. As she returned to her position, she asked: "Well, Doc? What's the plan?"
"I hadn't made one yet," he admitted. "We need to get in there to see whoever it is that is in charge. With the amount of slavers and pirates in there, I highly doubt it is Lazotan. Something must have happened that we are unaware of. Something deadly."
She nodded, understanding. "So…do you just need to know who is in the room? Or do you wish to speak to them?"
"Speaking is best done one on one, I think, Tegan. And I rather think that my conversation skills will not be on equal with the ale." He answered, whispering. "No, no. We need to find out who or what is the ruler and about Adric and Nyssa."
Tegan nodded once decidedly and pressed back further into the slight alcove by a coat of armor. The Doctor turned and surveyed the room again. "I just…wonder…if I could find a man of Elrind's that recognizes me…I might be able to get a message to him."
Tegan was silent. The Doctor turned quickly to see Tegan stripping off the last of her clothes to reveal her leather slave costume. "Tegan?" he asked his voice unsteady. "Waltzing in there…if that is what you are thinking…is not a good idea. And do you forget that they know you?"
Tegan took a deep breath and rejoined him at the wall. "If I don't catch anyone's eyes, I can get away with it. And don't scare me anymore, Doc…I'm scared enough to do this already….but if knowing what is going on in that room is the only way that we have to make sure Adric and Nyssa are safe…then I have to do it. You…dressed in that excuse of a Robin Hood costume…would not last a second. I'm rather hoping the men will be looking other places on me than my face…as much as I hate to say that."
The Doctor sighed. "If you get captured, Tegan, I'll have three of you to get out."
"And if we both stay here," she said, her voice deep and forceful. "We will never get them out. Right…I'm going in. I'll meet you at the door to the kitchen."
He rolled his eyes and growled under his breath as his impulsive but sensible companion slowly walked into the hall, keeping toward the walls. With a smile, he saw that she had the two daggers tucked into the back of the leather. "She has a point," he agreed to himself and waited a few moments and then crept along the corridor towards the kitchen.
**
Tegan kept her head angled down and walked slowly and deliberately across the hall. She had found a large container of ale inside the door and crept along, filling trenches and cups as she went. The Hall was larger than she had thought it was, and she had trouble getting across the room without walking out into the open. As she entered, she saw that monster Jandar leave through a side door and breathed a sigh of relief. At least there was one less man to contend with, she thought.
Before she was a quarter of the way across, a large arm reached up and drew her down on an equally large lap. She slapped at the chest and was released as the man laid a wet and sloppy kiss on her mouth. Laughter filled her ears and then she was walking across the room again. The main table, she guessed was ten feet from her when she saw a man about whom she often had nightmares. She stopped dead in her tracks and shivered.
"Oh no."
**
The Doctor crouched in the door of the kitchen, in the shadows of the door and watched as Tegan slowed and then stopped. He could not see the table still and he fought the urge to slap the stones in anger. Tegan was seeing someone she knew and hated, that much he could tell, but who?
**
Laughter and shouts around her died and suddenly she heard: "Miss Jovanka, it is a pleasure to see you again. And so informally attired as well."
"You!" she spat. "How did you get away from Castrovalva?"
**
The Doctor groaned under his breath and gripped the wall. The Master.
"I'm an idiot…I should have realized," he said quietly.
**
Cassiopeia suddenly started and rose off of the shelf. Adric watched her movement and then knitted his brows together. "Cassie? What are you doing?"
With a smile that would have made her father proud, she produced a small knob like device from her pocket and pointed it at them. Nyssa lifted her eyes and met hers with a smile until she saw the Tissue Compression Eliminator in Cassiopeia's hand. Then confusion reigned. "Cassie? No…not you."
The raven haired girl gestured toward the door. Her father had been right. It was a thrill to hold such power in her hand, but there was a slight let down feeling that the plan had been sprung with little or no problem. She yearned for the thrill of competition. Still, there was a plan to finish and a universe to explore with her father. "I believe that my father requires your presence above stair, my friends. If you would be so good as to climb the stairs ahead of me. Adric, I would not try to be a hero either. I am quite good with this weapon, you know. I believe that you both are acquainted with it?"
Adric nodded and Nyssa groaned. "Only too well."
"Climb the stairs then."
**
Tegan began to walk backwards slowly but felt a man come up behind her and stop her.
"I believe, my dear, that you know my loyal friend, Jandar?"
"Bloody Hell," she growled as her arms were taken roughly. She tried to say more, but saw first Adric and then Nyssa appear at the head of the stair to the cellar. She felt like laughing despite her situation, but restrained as she saw a woman climb to ground level behind them. She was holding the TCE. Her eyes closed in disgust, but opened them again as she was half thrown toward her friends. Adric caught her before she could tumble to the ground and the three of them huddled in the center of the Hall.
Nyssa slipped her arms around her friend and hugged her tightly. "Tegan."
"Nyssa….Adric…am I glad to see you."
The Master gestured for silence as he rose behind the table and called out loudly. "Doctor! I believe I have something dear of yours…your friends! My daughter will not hesitate to use my beloved weapon, I assure you. Show yourself!"