Chapter 25 - Resistance is Feudal
Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who, but it still never ceases to make me happy.
"Why does armor have to be so clanky?" Eleven complained.
"And why did we have to put him in it again?" Ace complained right back.
"Because it wouldn't do to arouse suspicion," One said.
This much was true. Once the Doctors had been freed and the situation explained - specifically that they'd been invited to the victor's banquet and were now very much expected to make an appearance - it had been decided that one of them should take Ace's place by appearing as the knight who'd won. After all, they were hoping to lay lower, and a lady knight would certainly turn heads, no matter how much she did or didn't want to. Seeing as Rory and Ian had been seen on the tournament pitch, they were out, which left the appropriately-aged (well, in appearance) Eleven to take up the reins.
This sounded like a reasonable enough plan to most everyone (the exception being Ace, who felt she'd earned her glory), until it was remembered just how difficult getting Eleven to actually wear the stuff was in the first place. (Since they wanted everyone to assume he'd been the one wearing it before as well). In fact, he was making a noise that sounded very near whimpering at the moment.
"Doctor, it's not that bad!" Amy said. "We've just got to get in and out and then we can start the investigation up again."
"Unlikely," Seven admitted. "I've the feeling you're going to garner a bit of attention. Do try to not to make a fool of ourself."
Sure enough, as the approached the meeting green and adjacent banquet tent, a page ran out to meet them.
"Sirs!" he said, panting. "Ah, and ladies. Sirs, your presence is requested by the court officials."
"Court officials?" One asked. "Why, we haven't done anything wrong, not to my knowledge."
"It's requested all the same," the boy said, adamant.
The party of travelers exchanged glances, but there was a general consensus of nods. They boy sighed in reliefe.
"Right this way, sirs," he said, beginning a brisk walk towards the other end of the field.
"These court officials," Ace began, "why have we not seen them yet?"
"They... erm... keep to themselves."
"Why?" asked Amy.
"Well..." the boy hesitated, seemed to decide they'd be seeing them soon enough. "They're not exactly... normal. Even of this land. I've heard rumors they came from..." he trailed off, pointing up.
"From up there?" asked Eleven, perking up. "Now that's more like it!"
"Not these kind, sir," said the boy.
"Why?" Eleven questioned, "What do they look like?"
As they rounded the corner, his question was answered for him. Waiting in the tent in the back was their welcoming committee.
"INTELLIGENCE IS CORRECT," one screeched. "TARGET IS THE DOCTOR. THE DOCTOR IS THE VICTOR. THE DOCTOR MUST BE EXTERMINATED."
A/N: Tom Baker days to the 50th, everyone! Which he's apparently involved in? Dear Gallifrey, the rumors are flying fast, and after McGann I just don't know what to think. Saturday will be interesting indeed...