Chapter 3
As the men began to finish with their women, more drinks were consumed, and the men stationed at the door took their turns. Others replaced them on the bench, while a few took women into the back of the building. Gorrob stepped away from Elara and pushed her toward the fireplace. She tugged her skirt and vest downward with her hands.
The Doctor held Tegan slumped against his chest as he adjusted his clothing. Finally he turned toward Gorrob, lifting Tegan over his shoulder as he did.
"She pleased me," he said hoarsely, then nodded toward the hallway.
Gorrob's eyes swept over Tegan. Her arms hung over the Doctor's back, and her legs dangled over his chest. His hand rested on her thigh possessively.
Gorrob nodded in approbation. "Go," he said.
Vandak pushed the dark-haired woman away and grumbled, "I get her later."
"When I'm quite finished," the Doctor said firmly, walking toward the back doorway without a second glance at the men.
The hallway was dim and longer than the Doctor had anticipated. Next to the large common room was a kitchen, where the serving woman worked over a fireplace. There were several doorways along the hall, and with relief the Doctor noted a door that appeared to lead outside. He could see the twilight through the cracks. However, one of the men who had left the common room minutes ago now sprawled on the floor in front of this door with the woman he had chosen. Apparently the Aseylians had little desire for privacy, even for the most intimate of acts.
With considerable revulsion, the Doctor stepped into an empty room. The furnishings were simple, merely a cot constructed of wooden posts with an animal skin stretched across it and a rolled pelt at the top; and a table that held a candle, a large bowl of water, and a coarsely woven rag. There were no windows, and the room was growing dark.
The Doctor gently lay Tegan on the bed and pulled her skirt down over her legs, then he shut the door. He exhaled deeply and rested his forehead against the wall for a moment. There was a peculiar feeling in his stomach, one nearly unrecognizable to him: He was nauseous. He took a deep breath then turned back to the bed.
He withdrew a matchbook from his coat pocket and lit the candle, then he removed his cloak and spread it over Tegan. He rested his fingers against her cheek; her skin was cold. Wearing only her skirt and a light wool sweater, the chill had quickly enveloped her. He tucked the cape securely around her arms.
The Doctor watched his companion's face for a moment. Her eyes remained closed; she would not regain consciousness for several minutes. Yet even in her unconscious state her face appeared drawn. He pulled the candle closer to the bed so that the light fell across Tegan's head and shoulders. Bending forward slightly, he could see the cut that split her swollen lower lip. With the lightest touch, he ran his thumb over the injury, frowning as he felt the degree of swelling. She had been dealt a hard blow.
Cautiously the Doctor lowered the cape from her arm and pushed her sleeve up over her elbow. Deep, scarlet bruises had already begun to form on her fair skin where Vandak had clutched her. The Doctor carefully felt about the arm; fortunately the man's harsh grip had not done any permanent damage.
"I'm sorry, Tegan," he uttered softly, easing her sleeve back toward her wrist.
A bit of blood was still smeared across Tegan's chin and cheek. The Doctor removed a handkerchief from his pocket and dipped it into the bowl of water. As he moved it over her lip, her eyes fluttered open and immediately widened in fear.
"Tegan," the Doctor assuaged, "it's all right." He tried to smile, but his forehead wrinkled in concern.
She appeared confused for several seconds as she looked around the room.
"We're alone now," the Doctor told her. "We'll stay here for a short while until it's safe to get away. Just rest for now."
Tegan blinked. "Did I faint?" she asked.
The Doctor shook his head slightly. "No, not exactly."
"What then?" He noticed that her gaze remained on the other side of the room; she did not look at him.
"There is a particular point on the human carotid artery which, given the correct degree of pressure, will lead to immediate loss of consciousness."
"You knocked me out?" She still averted her eyes.
"It was quite safe--" he began.
"Why?" Her voice was flat, but her eyes moved toward him.
He lifted his hand as he began to speak; he still held the handkerchief. "I didn't want you to experience-- what I knew had to happen. There was no possibility of getting away unless we could come back here-- there were men with spears in front of the door-- and I couldn't bring you back here unless I told them that... you pleased me." He had rarely felt so inarticulate.
Tegan stared for a moment at the stained handkerchief then squeezed her eyes shut. "What did you do to me?"
The Doctor hesitated. "Tegan, it's not important--"
Suddenly she sat up with a slight gasp; the cloak fell away. "Is that my blood?" she asked sharply, lifting a shaking hand toward the kerchief. The color had drained from her face.
The Doctor looked down at the cloth. "Yes, but it's not serious. You're going to be all right."
Tegan's entire body shook as she pushed the cape to the floor. The Doctor saw her grimace in pain as she bent forward and pressed her hands to her thighs. When she looked up at him, tears glistened in her eyes. "You made me bleed," she said tonelessly.
With sudden comprehension, the Doctor reached for her arm. "Tegan, the blood is from your lip."
She frowned. "My lip?"
"Yes. The result of a blow, wasn't it?"
Tegan took a deep breath. "That bastard hit me."
"Vandak? I thought as much."
"So you didn't-- really hurt me," she said in a small voice, her fingers pressing more deeply into her thighs, "I don't... I don't feel--"
The Doctor placed his hands on her cheeks and looked directly into her eyes before she could finish speaking. "Tegan, out there, with the others, when I told you that they had to believe what I was doing was real, I meant exactly that: They had to believe it. I never meant, I never intended, that it would be anything other than an elaborate ruse. I did have to move your clothing and handle you more forcefully than I liked, but other than that, absolutely nothing happened."
"Then why did you knock me out?" She watched his face now.
"I believed it would be easier if you didn't have to participate. I could tell that you had been treated cruelly, and I didn't want you to experience any more fear or distress. Do you understand?" His eyes were as earnest as she had ever seen them.
She nodded. "Yes."
She still trembled, however, and the Doctor drew her forward into his arms. "I would never willingly harm you," he said with deep conviction., "under any circumstances. What those men expected-- I could never do that to you. I should have made that clear to you out there. I thought you knew."
He felt her quiver sharply, then the trembling subsided. He reached for the cloak, still keeping an arm around her. As he brought the wrap up around her shoulders, she winced in pain. She hunched forward and held a hand to her side.
"What's the matter?" the Doctor asked with concern.
"That barbarian, Vandak, he was the one who carried me here. He threw me over his shoulder, and he held me so tight that I couldn't breathe."
The Doctor sighed. "Oh Tegan, you shouldn't have come here--"
She looked up. "I didn't by choice. I never meant to be here, but I couldn't get Turlough back to the TARDIS with those rocks in my pockets; they were just too heavy. So I left them about a half a kilometer from where we landed. After I got Turlough inside, I went back for them. That's when the men found me."
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize that the ore would be so difficult for you to handle."
"It wouldn't have been if I'd had just myself to worry about. But Turlough could barely breathe by that point, and I practically had to carry him."
"I see. Is he all right?"
"He seemed much better when I left him. I turned up the oxygen like you said, and he was breathing pretty well."
The Doctor nodded. "I'm glad to hear that."
He watched her face carefully; it still reflected pain, and she continued to hold a hand to her side. "I think I'd better have a look," he said, nodding toward her ribs. He guided her shoulders back until she lay against the simple pillow.
He reached for the hem of her sweater, but he hesitated. "May I?" he asked, his unwonted actions from the greatroom still fresh in his mind.
She nodded in assent, and he moved the sweater up until her ribs were exposed. "Which side?" he inquired.
"The right," she responded. "I think I heard something crack when he held me."
"Any trouble breathing?" he asked as he lay his palm against her ribcage; she shifted slightly at his touch.
"No."
"Good," he said, then added with a glance at her face, "I'm going to be as careful as I can, but there will be some pain."
"I could've guessed that," she rejoined. "Anyway, there's already more than some pain there."
The Doctor carefully ran his hand over her ribs. He felt her twitch and heard her sharp expiration of breath, but she did not complain. He moved his hand toward her back, allowing his sensitive fingers to perceive any irregularities in the bones. His head was bowed over her , and his brow furrowed in concentration.
After a minute he raised his head. Tegan saw that he was worried. "Well? How bad is it?" she asked.
"Three of your ribs are fractured."
"Great," she sighed.
"Hairline, not compound, fortunately," he continued with a hint of cheer. Then his voice became deadly serious. "Tegan, why didn't you tell me you were hurt when we were in the common room? I might have injured you further by my actions."
"You told me not to speak!" she exclaimed with some exasperation.
He opened his mouth, but shut it, then said, "Yes, I suppose I did."
A noise from the room next door drew their attention momentarily. It sounded as though the bed had slammed against the wall; this was accompanied by loud breathing and a few groans.
"God, they're just pigs," Tegan said with disgust. "Doctor, how are we going to get out of here? What are we going to do?"
"The first order of business is to attend to your ribs. I don't want you to move until I've bandaged them." He glanced around the room. "I'm afraid we'll have to do this the old-fashioned way here. The only question is what to use."
The cloth on the table was small, and he thought that the rough fabric would be uncomfortable against Tegan's skin. He touched his shirt sleeve, but Tegan said, "Check under the bed."
The Doctor knelt beside the cot and peered underneath, but all he saw were cobwebs and several dead spiders. He stood then removed his jacket and vest and began unbuttoning his shirt.
"Won't you be cold?" Tegan asked.
"No," he said, "you know that I'm not affected by environmental conditions to the same degree that you are."
He quickly slipped out of the shirt and put his vest and jacket back on. Adroitly he ripped the shirt into several strips then helped Tegan to sit again.
"Put your arms on my shoulders," he said, sitting next to her. She obliged, and he began wrapping the fabric around her torso. She was quiet while he worked, but when he looked at her he saw that she bit her lip, and sweat stood out on her brow.
When he had finished and tied the material securely with a knot, he gingerly pulled her sweater down then stepped toward the door. He opened it a few inches and stood quietly for a several seconds, then he poked his head out into the hall. The man who had blocked the exit earlier was gone.
He closed the door and returned to the bed. "This seems an opportune time for us to depart," he said.
Tegan nodded and said, "I'm ready."
She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and placed her bare feet on the floor. With a slight blush in his cheeks, the Doctor said, "You may want these," as he pulled her tights from his coat pocket.
"Thanks," she said, but when she began to bend to put them on her feet she cried out in pain.
The Doctor knelt before her. "Allow me."
Tegan looked back at the adjoining wall. "I guess all my groans are good -- it sounds like you're really having a grand time in here with me," she said ruefully.
The Doctor scowled at her comment; it was anything but humorous to him. Without responding, he placed the left stocking over her foot; her toes felt like ice. "Where are your boots?" he asked as he wriggled the stretchy fabric toward her ankle.
"I think Vandak took them. I didn't have them on when I woke up in the other building. I wish I had-- they made a good weapon out there."
The Doctor glanced up at her. "I rather imagine they did. Ah, there we go." He gestured with both hands toward her knees, where the tights rested.
"Thanks," Tegan said shortly, standing with a grimace.
The Doctor turned away politely as she managed to pull the stockings up toward her waist. When she had finished, he wrapped his cape around her, saying, "We'll go out through a door just down the hall. Once we get outside, we'll have to find the wagon in which they brought the molybdenitic rock here. We'll need to move quickly. Can you manage?"
She nodded. "Whatever it takes to get out of here."
"Good. When we return to the TARDIS, I'll treat your ribs properly; the pain will diminish immediately."
Tegan still held a hand to her side. As the Doctor stepped toward the door, several more groans were audible through the wall. Tegan also heard a low whimper of pain.
"Doctor," Tegan said, standing still, "we have to help them."
Already preoccupied with the task ahead, the Doctor absently asked, "Who?" His senses were focused on the door and the hallway outside.
"The women. We can't just leave them here like this."
"Tegan, it's not possible--" he began, but she continued.
"They're kept like animals, just waiting for the men to come for them. They have no choice, and you've seen what happens to anyone who resists." She pointed toward her swollen lip. "It's not right."
The Doctor stepped toward her. "Tegan, I know that this is difficult for you to accept. But we cannot interfere in the development of this society. Our goal now is to find and remove the rocks and return to the TARDIS as quickly as possible. We haven't time to waste."
"But the women don't even get to raise their own babies--"
"We can discuss this further once we've made it back to the TARDIS. At the moment we need to focus our efforts on getting away."
Tegan took a few steps toward the doorway then paused. "But Doctor, what if we were meant to be here, to help these women?"
The Doctor stood with his hand on the door. "What?"
"What if the malfunction of the cylinders and the need for molybdenum were just a way to get us here? How do you know that's not what happened?"
The Doctor seemed to sigh. "Tegan, our arrival here was purely chance. You must believe that. Now we really haven't any more time to discuss this. Come."
He opened the door and stepped out into the hall, taking Tegan's wrist as he did. "Quiet," he said firmly.
They walked quickly toward the heavy door. The Doctor lifted the wooden bar and swung the door open. He leaned out into the frigid air then pulled Tegan forward. They stepped outside into the dusk.
"I saw the wagon pass in front of the building," the Doctor said, looking about as he spoke. "We'll have to find out where it's been left."
Tegan hesitated near the door. The cold had permeated her immediately, and her ribs throbbed beneath the snug bandage; however, the discomfort that kept her from moving stemmed from her mind. She felt that something had to be done for the Aseylian women, despite the Doctor's protestations.
"We need to go," the Time Lord urged, taking her arm again.
"It's not right--"
"Tegan," the Doctor's voice contained growing perturbation, "I don't disagree with you. But allowing yourself to come to further harm over this isn't right, either. Come on."
Tegan stepped forward; it was difficult to argue with the Doctor's logic and her aching ribs. They walked around the building, keeping vigilant for other villagers. Lights began to glow through cracks in the buildings, and smells of cooking drifted through the air. The village grounds appeared quiet.
Peeking around the corner of the public house, the Doctor saw that the cart was gone. However, he could see the tracks and followed them with this eyes to the far edge of the wall. He could not discern the wagon in the growing darkness, though.
"This way," he said, moving back toward the rear of the building. He planned to go behind the houses where there was less chance of being seen.
He and Tegan had just walked past the back door of the public house when light flooded the ground at their feet. The Doctor stepped back quickly, wrapping his arm around Tegan's waist and pulling her with him. She gasped in pain; he had momentarily forgotten her injury. He felt her legs buckle, but he continued his movement until they were behind the building. He reached up to cover her mouth with his hand, afraid that she might cry out again.
They stood still, then, Tegan fighting against the surge of pain the Doctor's arm had brought. She could focus on little else; she closed her eyes and leaned into the Time Lord.
Voices passed within a few feet of them. Light from a candle fell across their feet, but they remained immobile. Two men walked past them, apparently heading for their homes. One held a woman by the arm; she stumbled behind him. As Teagan's vision cleared, she realized that it was Elara.
The Doctor's hand remained over her mouth. She moved her head, but the Doctor bent his chin toward her ear and whispered, "Keep quiet."
Tegan relented as the men and Elara passed out of sight. The Doctor lowered his hand then took her shoulders gently and bent to look at her face. "Are you all right?" he asked in a low voice.
She nodded slowly; her ribs were still terribly painful.
"Tegan, I'm sorry-- I shouldn't have grabbed you like that."
"No," she said huskily, "you shouldn't have."
"It was just that I didn't want those men to catch sight of you."
It was too dark for her to see his eyes clearly, but she felt that he watched her with deep sincerity.
"I know," she said quietly. "I just wish you could say the same for the other women."
She heard him sigh before saying, "Let's find that cart." He took her arm lightly and walked toward the next house.
As they passed several dwellings, Tegan heard various sounds from within. In one home a baby's cries met her ears, while in another a man spoke harshly as dishes seemed to clatter to the ground. Soon they reached the wall, where they found the cart. The twilight had faded, and darkness surrounded them. The Doctor reached into the wagon, feeling about with his hand. He climbed up onto the wheel then leaned inside, withdrawing his flashlight as he did. He shone the beam into the bed and said, "I was afraid this would happen."
"What?" Tegan asked. She leaned against the wall with her arm around her ribs. She felt inexpressibly tired.
"They've taken the rocks."
"What do you mean?" Her voice was still lethargic.
"The rocks aren't here any more. The villagers have taken them somewhere else."
"Where?" asked Tegan.
"Unfortunately," the Doctor replied, hopping down from the cart as he switched off the torch, "I don't know."
"Where would they put them? What do they use them for?"
The Doctor looked around at the buildings; all appeared similar in size and shape. "I'm not entirely sure. This culture would have no need for molybdenum in its elemental form. They've barely mastered the use of iron for simply weaponry and utensils."
"So what else could they use the rocks for?"
"That's a good question, Tegan-- one which we will have to answer before we can obtain the molybdenite." He stepped toward her; she still allowed the wall to support her slumping body.
"We'll need to check each of the buildings," the Doctor said. "They probably have one devoted to storage."
Tegan nodded tiredly. "All right." She leaned forward with a small grunt. He put an arm around her shoulders to help her move toward the wagon.
"I think, however," the Doctor began, "that I should return you to the TARDIS first."
"I'm all right." Her voice was less than convincing.
The Doctor shook his head slightly. "No, Tegan, you're really not." His tone was somber, but with more cheer he added, "However, I can remedy that quite easily once we're back in the TARDIS."
"But Doctor, then you'll have to come all the way back here, unless you can move the TARDIS closer."
"No, I can't risk the Aseylians seeing the old girl, and I'm not entirely certain she'd make it here in her current state."
Tegan was quiet for a moment, thinking. "How long is the night here?"
The Doctor considered this as he recalled the information he had read about the planet. "Just short of five hours, I believe."
"By the time you got back here, you'd barely have any darkness left. Wouldn't it be hard to search for the ore in the daylight? You really couldn't keep from being seen."
"That's a good point. However, you're in pain, and the sooner we return to the TARDIS, the sooner I can alleviate your discomfort."
"I'm okay now," Tegan said with forced energy. "Let's just find the ore while we're here. I can hold out for a little longer."
The Doctor smiled. "That's my brave Tegan. Come on, then."
They walked quietly past several buildings, listening near the walls of each and peeking through the crevices to catch glimpses of the interiors. All of the structures were living quarters. In one they saw a woman with a small baby; Tegan recalled bitterly that this child would be raised by someone other than his mother. The other dwellings contained men, a few of whom had women with them. It seemed that most of the public house group had retired to their homes.
Past the houses, Tegan and the Doctor saw a low building with larger gaps in the walls. It was dark inside. They crept forward, listening for sounds of human voices. They could hear breathing, and strong, musky odors tickled their noses.
The sound of a snort from inside startled Tegan, but the Doctor said, "I think this is a stable."
He stepped through the doorway; Tegan followed. The building was completely dark, and Tegan could see nothing. However, the smells were more pungent, and something large could be heard moving about. Tegan blinked when the Doctor's flashlight illuminated a small area in front of her.
She saw a huge, shaggy animal in a stall. Its dark eyes shone in the light, and its head moved leisurely upward to look at the intruders. It snorted again. The Doctor reached up to the tangle of hair above its forehead and patted it.
"We meet again," he said to the hairy beast. "Can you tell us where the ore has been taken? Hmm, I thought not."
"Doctor," Tegan said, looking around, "maybe it's in here."
The Doctor shone the light around the stable. There were several stalls and a few stacks of dried grass, but there was no evidence of the ore. In the far stall, though, they saw another animal. It had remained quiet, apparently undisturbed by the visitors. As the beam of light passed over its face, Tegan gasped.
"What is that?" she asked.
The Doctor had barely glanced at the creature. His attention had been focused on signs of the ore. He trained the light on the animal, then stepped toward it. "Hello!" he said. "You certainly don't belong here."
Tegan could see the animal more clearly now. It was taller than the Doctor and broad across the back. It had dense, matted hair, similar to the other creature's, but its face was long and thick, ending in an odd, snout-like appendage. The feature that had elicited Tegan's gasp, however, was the peculiar ridge across its wide nose. The ridge was corrugated and covered with large pores. Coarse hairs were interspersed among the pores, and these seemed to move about independently, appearing almost like spidery legs.
The Doctor stood before the animal without speaking for several seconds, then he rested his hand on its snout. It blinked its large, calm eyes at him.
"What is it?" Tegan asked again.
"I'm not entirely sure," the Doctor responded, moving the beam toward the creature's feet. "Hmm. It's an ungulate, and the nasal ridge is consistent with the chryrhineae species found in the Pnoruelean group of planets."
"And I have a feeling you're going to tell me that we're not in that group," said Tegan.
"No, Tegan, we're not. So the question is, how did this animal get here?"
"It must have been brought here." Tegan leaned against the stall.
"Yes, of course." The Doctor's tone was slightly impatient. "But by whom?"
He lowered the beam of light then switched it off. "The molybdenite isn't here. There aren't even any tracks from the cart."
"What does that have to do with this?" Tegan gestured toward the odd animal. It breathed a soft stream of warm air onto her shoulders.
It was difficult to see the Doctor in the darkness. Tegan could only discern his silhouette, but she knew that he had put a hand to his chin and bent his head slightly in thought.
"I believe that the Aseylians' removal of the molybdenite and the presence of this animal are related."
"How?" Tegan asked wearily.
"Don't you see, Tegan?" She felt the air in front of her stir as his hand moved in gesture. "There is an animal that doesn't belong here, and there is an ore being mined that cannot be used here. It's too much of a coincidence; the two anomalies must be connected."
"Do you know how?"
"No, not yet, but I plan to find out." The Doctor moved beside her, and she felt his hand against her back. "We have some more exploring to do." He guided her out of the stable.
They crept past other houses and found a storage shed containing grain, but there was no sign of a building which stored the ore in the village. They returned to the stable, where Tegan sat on a rough bench with her back against the stall wall. The Doctor paced the length of the room several times, thinking. Pale moonlight made him a gray shadow before her.
After his fourth pass by her, Tegan said, "So what do we do now? We can't find the ore, but we can't leave the planet without it."
"It must be here," the Doctor muttered; Tegan was not sure whether he had heard her.
"Maybe it's in one of the houses," she suggested.
The Doctor ceased his steps and stood before her, nodding. "It's possible. Yes, in fact it's quite likely. I didn't see the cart leave the village; there's only one entrance, and the cart was loaded when it arrived. You're right, Tegan, it must still be within these walls."
Tegan sighed. "That's good, I guess, but we can't very well go knocking at the doors asking if there's a pile of ore inside."
"No, of course not. And without windows in the houses, it's difficult to see what may be hidden inside. Perhaps if we looked through the cracks in the walls we could catch a glimpse--"
"That would take hours." Tegan interjected. "There are dozens of houses. And once the villagers go to sleep, there won't even be lights inside."
The Doctor began pacing again. "Someone must know where it's hidden," he said.
Tegan thought for a moment. "I might know who that is."
The Doctor's feet stopped. "Yes?"
"The women go into a lot of different houses. Elara, one of the women I waited with, told me that if a man is pleased with her, he'll take the woman to stay with him for a while. Between her and the other women, they've probably been in most of the homes-- except for the one where the children are kept." Her voice grew harsh as she finished.
The Doctor sat down beside her, nodding. "Good thinking, Tegan. Tell me what else you know about the living arrangements."
She closed her eyes as she spoke. "Elara said that the young women live together; the men each have their own home. Women who are pregnant or who have just given birth stay with each other, I think, and the children live with the old women."
"So Elara has probably seen most of the homes, or has talked with women who have." The Doctor's voice was hopeful, but Tegan interpreted his tone differently.
"You don't have to sound so happy about it," she said with some acerbity. "These women don't even get to be with their own children, and they get passed around from man to man like-- like---" Her voice had begun to tremble as she recalled Vandak's hand hitting her face and the terror she had felt thinking that she would have to allow him to touch her body.
The Doctor wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "It won't always be like that here," he said in a gentler tone. "This society will evolve into a more egalitarian and humane one."
"When? In five hundred or a thousand years? How will that help Elara and the others, and their daughters and granddaughters?"
"It won't," he responded honestly. "But the future will be better, I promise you."
Tegan was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Although she was not feeling particularly warmly toward the Doctor, she leaned into him; she needed his support. She felt his arm tighten slightly around her.
"Are you in pain?" he asked with concern, tilting his head to look at her in the dim light.
She shook her head. "No more than before. I'm just tired."
He nodded. "Then rest for a while."
She wanted to try again to convince him that helping the Aseylian women was necessary and was surely their intended purpose in finding their way here. But her eyelids were so heavy, and her mind grew increasingly dull. Within a minute she had fallen asleep.
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The Doctor sat quietly with Tegan against his shoulder for some time. He could see that she slept heavily; he was glad that she had found some relief from the pain that he knew she was suffering. However, after more than an hour had passed, he shifted and spoke her name softly next to her ear.
"Tegan. Wake up," he urged mildly. She did not stir from her deep slumber, so he rested his hand against her cheek and rubbed his thumb over her skin. "Come on, Tegan."
Her eyes moved beneath her closed lids, and she jerked, mumbling unintelligible words. Her quiet rest seemed suddenly plagued by dreams. He saw her brow crease in the moonlight, and she twisted away from him, falling to the side before he clasped her shoulders. Her eyes opened, and she gasped in pain.
The Doctor righted her, saying, "Don't be frightened, Tegan. You're safe here." He was fairly certain he knew the content of her dream.
She looked at him, struggling to see in the wan light before her eyes adjusted adequately. "Where--" she began.
"We're still in the stable, in the village." He spoke calmly and leaned forward so that his face was directly before her.
"Was I sleeping?" she asked groggily.
"Yes. But I need your help now."
She nodded then grimaced slightly as she attempted to sit up straighter. She curled an arm around her ribs.
"How are you feeling?" the Doctor asked.
She shrugged. "Like a person with three broken ribs. So, what do you need me to do?"
The Time Lord smiled briefly in appreciation of her mettle. "I need you to help me talk to Elara. She's met you, so I think that you can convince her to speak with us."
"All right." She yawned and rubbed a hand across her eyes.
"We'll soon be back at the TARDIS, and you can rest. But, as you pointed out earlier, I think that we need to find the molybdenite while it's still dark out. We should leave the village before daybreak, and at this point we only have two hours left."
Tegan nodded and stood, biting her lip with the effort. "Let's go, then."
"I saw the direction in which she and the two men went; I've noted that there are only two possible dwellings in which she could be," the Doctor explained as they left the stable.
"How are we going to get her outside?" asked Tegan. "She's probably with that barbarian who took her."
"I'm sure we'll think of something," the Doctor responded brightly.
When they reached the first of the two possible houses, the Doctor peered through the cracks in the walls carefully. He listened attentively at each small opening, then returned to Tegan, who stood several yards away huddled in his cape.
"There's only one person in there," he said softly. "She must be in the other house."
They walked the short distance to the second structure. Once again the Doctor inspected the crevices and pressed his ear against them. After several minutes he stood and walked to Tegan.
"She's in here," he said. "And I think we've had a bit of good luck. The man is in one room, and she's in the other. He's sleeping quite soundly, but she's fitful."
"Oh," Tegan said derisively, "that is lucky-- lucky her."
"Tegan, that's not what I meant, which I think you know. We should be able to wake her easily. Come on." He took her arm lightly and led her to the side wall of the house. "Say her name. See if that will rouse her."
Tegan bent forward then hissed through her teeth. "Damn ribs," she said, "and damn brute."
"Just bend your knees and lower yourself that way," the Doctor suggested, helping her sink toward the ground.
"She's right next to this wall," the Doctor said. "Listen. Can you hear her breathing?"
Tegan rested her head against the boards. "She's moving around on the bed," she said. "Elara!" Her voice was a loud whisper.
The movements from within ceased. Tegan spoke again. "Elara. It's Tegan. I have to talk to you."
There was no response. Tegan looked at the Doctor; he nodded to indicate that she should continue her efforts.
"It's very important," she persisted softly. "Please, will you talk to me?"
"What-- what do you want?" came a tenuous voice from inside.
"Have her come out," the Doctor whispered, "so that she won't wake the man."
"Elara, I need your help. Can you come out here?"
"What's wrong?" Elara asked.
"I just need you to help me. Please, come out."
There was a slight rustling, then silence from the room. Tegan looked up at the Doctor. "What if she's gone to tell him?" Tegan asked.
The Doctor helped her to stand. "Perhaps you should return to the stable," he said, already moving his body in front of her.
They heard the door open and shut softly. The Doctor focused his senses on the interior of the house. He heard only a rattling snore.
"It's all right, Tegan. He's still in there sleeping."
Elara appeared by the edge of the building. She was pale in the moonlight, and her hair, so carefully braided before, was loose and unkempt about her face. Her eyes were wide and cautious.
Tegan extended her hand and grasped the young woman's wrist. "Thank you for coming out," she said.
Elara's gaze briefly swept over the Doctor, then she looked away. "He wants me?" she asked, although her inflection barely indicated the interrogative.
Tegan looked at the Doctor. "What?" she asked, then, with sudden understanding said, "No, Elara. I didn't ask you to come out here for that. I just want to talk to you. He won't hurt you."
The Doctor quietly stepped aside as Tegan led Elara toward the stable. The Aseylian glanced back toward the house, hesitating in her steps.
"He'll be angry if he wakes and I'm not there," she said.
"I won't keep you long," Tegan assured her. "But we can't talk here. Someone might hear us."
They walked briskly to the stable, Tegan urging Elara in her slower steps. Once inside, Tegan said, "You've been in a lot of the houses, haven't you?"
Elara nodded. "Most, but not all."
"But the other women-- between all of you, you've probably been in every building in the village, right?"
"No. We haven't been in the house with the children. Only the old women can go in there."
Tegan scowled. "Have you been in the house with the babies?"
Elara's eyes moved downward. "Yes."
"How many times?"
"Two."
Tegan met the Doctor's eyes, but he shook his head slightly. "Tegan, this is not the time," he said softly.
"But Doctor, she didn't even get to--"
He stepped in front of Tegan to face Elara. The Aseylian cringed back involuntarily and averted her gaze.
"Elara," he said gently, "I won't harm you. All I want from you is some information."
She kept her eyes on the floor.
"Do you know where the men put the rocks they bring in from the caves?" he asked.
She shifted her weight but did not respond.
Tegan took her hand. "Please, Elara, if you know, tell us. It's very important."
Elara looked up at Tegan. "I can't speak of it."
"But we have to know--" Tegan began; however, the Doctor interrupted her.
"Elara," he said, his voice firm now. "You must answer me. Where are the rocks kept?"
Elara seemed to shrink into herself, but in a whisper she responded, "In Gorrob's house."
"Of course!" the Doctor exclaimed. "Where else would they be? And which house is that?" the Doctor pressed, his voice still containing a rough edge.
"It is two houses from the place where we stayed." She glanced at Tegan.
"In between that building and the one where Vandak took us?" asked Tegan.
Elara nodded.
"Thank you," the Doctor said. His tone was soft now. "You have been a great help to us. You may go back now. But Elara," his voice shifted again, "you must not tell anyone that you've spoken with us. Do you understand?"
She whispered, "Yes," then hurried away.
As soon as Elara was gone, Tegan whirled on the Doctor. "That was cruel!" she spat at him. "Even for you, Doctor. Don't you have any understanding of human feelings at all? To use her fear of men to get her to talk--"
The Doctor's expression was momentarily contrite. "I regret that I had to do that."
"Regret? Well, that's awfully nice of you." Tegan was still fuming.
"Tegan," the Doctor said tiredly, "she wouldn't have told you anything. She had been instructed by the men not to discuss the ore; that was clear. But her upbringing has also taught her that she must obey men. My questioning her was the only way she was going to give us the information we needed."
"Maybe, but it was still nasty and unkind." Tegan folded her arms over her chest and turned away. "As if she hasn't suffered enough in her life -- being used heartlessly by men, then bearing their children only to be torn away from them. You could at least have asked her nicely."
She felt the Doctor move toward her. "I'm afraid that she wouldn't have responded to that. I know that her life hasn't been easy, but remember, it's all she knows. She and the other women have never considered any other way. I'll remind you again that I do not condone the way women are treated here; I find it reprehensible. But it is not within my power to change it. Do you think it was easy for me to talk to Elara like that?"
Tegan turned toward him. "It sounded like it was."
He shook his head. "You're wrong about that."
Neither spoke for several seconds. Finally, Tegan said, "But you still won't help her."
"Tegan, please remember that won't and can't are not semantically synonymous. I can't help her; I would if I were permitted to. Now, we know where to find the molybdenite. I suggest that we get it and leave here while it's still dark. We really don't have any more time to delay."
"Fine," Tegan said tersely, "let's go. The sooner we get out of here, the better."
As they passed the odd animal, the Doctor paused. "Perhaps seeing where and how the ore is stored will give us some idea about its use, and some clue about how this fellow got here."
"Does it really matter?" Tegan asked wearily.
"It might. If this animal was brought here by someone hoping to use the molybdenite, there is a question about to what use the element will be put."
"What else is it good for besides grease?" Tegan's curiosity was triflingly piqued.
"A number of things, but missile casings and building material for ships needing resistance from intense heat have been the primary uses historically and throughout the galaxies."
"Like the ships used by the Eternals?"
The Doctor nodded. "Quite possibly. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the hulls contained the element."
"What do you know about the people who live in the system where this animal came from?" Tegan asked.
"A bit too little and a bit too much."
Tegan gave him an inquisitive look, but instead he said, "I think you should remain here. I'll get the ore from Gorrob's house."
"But you might need my help-- to keep watch or something. And you don't know the building I was in, do you? How will you be able to tell which one is his house?"
The Doctor saw a flash of fear in her eyes. He realized that she dreaded being left alone; there was always a chance that one of the men would find her. He could see, too, that she was exhausted, and he knew that she was still in pain.
"Which house is it?" he asked.
"It's the third one from the public house, on your right if you were entering through the door," Tegan responded.
He nodded and said, "You'll be safe here-- safer than at Gorrob's house. I can't imagine that anyone will come to the stable in the middle of the night."
Tegan hesitated in her response. She seemed to weigh her options for several seconds. "All right," she said slowly, the thought of facing Gorrob convincing her to remain where she was.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," the Doctor told her. He turned to walk away, but he stopped and pivoted around toward Tegan. He bent and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Brave heart. In a few hours this will all just seem like a bad dream."
She nodded morosely as he walked out of the stable, her heart beating faster with the fading sound of his footsteps.
As the men began to finish with their women, more drinks were consumed, and the men stationed at the door took their turns. Others replaced them on the bench, while a few took women into the back of the building. Gorrob stepped away from Elara and pushed her toward the fireplace. She tugged her skirt and vest downward with her hands.
The Doctor held Tegan slumped against his chest as he adjusted his clothing. Finally he turned toward Gorrob, lifting Tegan over his shoulder as he did.
"She pleased me," he said hoarsely, then nodded toward the hallway.
Gorrob's eyes swept over Tegan. Her arms hung over the Doctor's back, and her legs dangled over his chest. His hand rested on her thigh possessively.
Gorrob nodded in approbation. "Go," he said.
Vandak pushed the dark-haired woman away and grumbled, "I get her later."
"When I'm quite finished," the Doctor said firmly, walking toward the back doorway without a second glance at the men.
The hallway was dim and longer than the Doctor had anticipated. Next to the large common room was a kitchen, where the serving woman worked over a fireplace. There were several doorways along the hall, and with relief the Doctor noted a door that appeared to lead outside. He could see the twilight through the cracks. However, one of the men who had left the common room minutes ago now sprawled on the floor in front of this door with the woman he had chosen. Apparently the Aseylians had little desire for privacy, even for the most intimate of acts.
With considerable revulsion, the Doctor stepped into an empty room. The furnishings were simple, merely a cot constructed of wooden posts with an animal skin stretched across it and a rolled pelt at the top; and a table that held a candle, a large bowl of water, and a coarsely woven rag. There were no windows, and the room was growing dark.
The Doctor gently lay Tegan on the bed and pulled her skirt down over her legs, then he shut the door. He exhaled deeply and rested his forehead against the wall for a moment. There was a peculiar feeling in his stomach, one nearly unrecognizable to him: He was nauseous. He took a deep breath then turned back to the bed.
He withdrew a matchbook from his coat pocket and lit the candle, then he removed his cloak and spread it over Tegan. He rested his fingers against her cheek; her skin was cold. Wearing only her skirt and a light wool sweater, the chill had quickly enveloped her. He tucked the cape securely around her arms.
The Doctor watched his companion's face for a moment. Her eyes remained closed; she would not regain consciousness for several minutes. Yet even in her unconscious state her face appeared drawn. He pulled the candle closer to the bed so that the light fell across Tegan's head and shoulders. Bending forward slightly, he could see the cut that split her swollen lower lip. With the lightest touch, he ran his thumb over the injury, frowning as he felt the degree of swelling. She had been dealt a hard blow.
Cautiously the Doctor lowered the cape from her arm and pushed her sleeve up over her elbow. Deep, scarlet bruises had already begun to form on her fair skin where Vandak had clutched her. The Doctor carefully felt about the arm; fortunately the man's harsh grip had not done any permanent damage.
"I'm sorry, Tegan," he uttered softly, easing her sleeve back toward her wrist.
A bit of blood was still smeared across Tegan's chin and cheek. The Doctor removed a handkerchief from his pocket and dipped it into the bowl of water. As he moved it over her lip, her eyes fluttered open and immediately widened in fear.
"Tegan," the Doctor assuaged, "it's all right." He tried to smile, but his forehead wrinkled in concern.
She appeared confused for several seconds as she looked around the room.
"We're alone now," the Doctor told her. "We'll stay here for a short while until it's safe to get away. Just rest for now."
Tegan blinked. "Did I faint?" she asked.
The Doctor shook his head slightly. "No, not exactly."
"What then?" He noticed that her gaze remained on the other side of the room; she did not look at him.
"There is a particular point on the human carotid artery which, given the correct degree of pressure, will lead to immediate loss of consciousness."
"You knocked me out?" She still averted her eyes.
"It was quite safe--" he began.
"Why?" Her voice was flat, but her eyes moved toward him.
He lifted his hand as he began to speak; he still held the handkerchief. "I didn't want you to experience-- what I knew had to happen. There was no possibility of getting away unless we could come back here-- there were men with spears in front of the door-- and I couldn't bring you back here unless I told them that... you pleased me." He had rarely felt so inarticulate.
Tegan stared for a moment at the stained handkerchief then squeezed her eyes shut. "What did you do to me?"
The Doctor hesitated. "Tegan, it's not important--"
Suddenly she sat up with a slight gasp; the cloak fell away. "Is that my blood?" she asked sharply, lifting a shaking hand toward the kerchief. The color had drained from her face.
The Doctor looked down at the cloth. "Yes, but it's not serious. You're going to be all right."
Tegan's entire body shook as she pushed the cape to the floor. The Doctor saw her grimace in pain as she bent forward and pressed her hands to her thighs. When she looked up at him, tears glistened in her eyes. "You made me bleed," she said tonelessly.
With sudden comprehension, the Doctor reached for her arm. "Tegan, the blood is from your lip."
She frowned. "My lip?"
"Yes. The result of a blow, wasn't it?"
Tegan took a deep breath. "That bastard hit me."
"Vandak? I thought as much."
"So you didn't-- really hurt me," she said in a small voice, her fingers pressing more deeply into her thighs, "I don't... I don't feel--"
The Doctor placed his hands on her cheeks and looked directly into her eyes before she could finish speaking. "Tegan, out there, with the others, when I told you that they had to believe what I was doing was real, I meant exactly that: They had to believe it. I never meant, I never intended, that it would be anything other than an elaborate ruse. I did have to move your clothing and handle you more forcefully than I liked, but other than that, absolutely nothing happened."
"Then why did you knock me out?" She watched his face now.
"I believed it would be easier if you didn't have to participate. I could tell that you had been treated cruelly, and I didn't want you to experience any more fear or distress. Do you understand?" His eyes were as earnest as she had ever seen them.
She nodded. "Yes."
She still trembled, however, and the Doctor drew her forward into his arms. "I would never willingly harm you," he said with deep conviction., "under any circumstances. What those men expected-- I could never do that to you. I should have made that clear to you out there. I thought you knew."
He felt her quiver sharply, then the trembling subsided. He reached for the cloak, still keeping an arm around her. As he brought the wrap up around her shoulders, she winced in pain. She hunched forward and held a hand to her side.
"What's the matter?" the Doctor asked with concern.
"That barbarian, Vandak, he was the one who carried me here. He threw me over his shoulder, and he held me so tight that I couldn't breathe."
The Doctor sighed. "Oh Tegan, you shouldn't have come here--"
She looked up. "I didn't by choice. I never meant to be here, but I couldn't get Turlough back to the TARDIS with those rocks in my pockets; they were just too heavy. So I left them about a half a kilometer from where we landed. After I got Turlough inside, I went back for them. That's when the men found me."
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize that the ore would be so difficult for you to handle."
"It wouldn't have been if I'd had just myself to worry about. But Turlough could barely breathe by that point, and I practically had to carry him."
"I see. Is he all right?"
"He seemed much better when I left him. I turned up the oxygen like you said, and he was breathing pretty well."
The Doctor nodded. "I'm glad to hear that."
He watched her face carefully; it still reflected pain, and she continued to hold a hand to her side. "I think I'd better have a look," he said, nodding toward her ribs. He guided her shoulders back until she lay against the simple pillow.
He reached for the hem of her sweater, but he hesitated. "May I?" he asked, his unwonted actions from the greatroom still fresh in his mind.
She nodded in assent, and he moved the sweater up until her ribs were exposed. "Which side?" he inquired.
"The right," she responded. "I think I heard something crack when he held me."
"Any trouble breathing?" he asked as he lay his palm against her ribcage; she shifted slightly at his touch.
"No."
"Good," he said, then added with a glance at her face, "I'm going to be as careful as I can, but there will be some pain."
"I could've guessed that," she rejoined. "Anyway, there's already more than some pain there."
The Doctor carefully ran his hand over her ribs. He felt her twitch and heard her sharp expiration of breath, but she did not complain. He moved his hand toward her back, allowing his sensitive fingers to perceive any irregularities in the bones. His head was bowed over her , and his brow furrowed in concentration.
After a minute he raised his head. Tegan saw that he was worried. "Well? How bad is it?" she asked.
"Three of your ribs are fractured."
"Great," she sighed.
"Hairline, not compound, fortunately," he continued with a hint of cheer. Then his voice became deadly serious. "Tegan, why didn't you tell me you were hurt when we were in the common room? I might have injured you further by my actions."
"You told me not to speak!" she exclaimed with some exasperation.
He opened his mouth, but shut it, then said, "Yes, I suppose I did."
A noise from the room next door drew their attention momentarily. It sounded as though the bed had slammed against the wall; this was accompanied by loud breathing and a few groans.
"God, they're just pigs," Tegan said with disgust. "Doctor, how are we going to get out of here? What are we going to do?"
"The first order of business is to attend to your ribs. I don't want you to move until I've bandaged them." He glanced around the room. "I'm afraid we'll have to do this the old-fashioned way here. The only question is what to use."
The cloth on the table was small, and he thought that the rough fabric would be uncomfortable against Tegan's skin. He touched his shirt sleeve, but Tegan said, "Check under the bed."
The Doctor knelt beside the cot and peered underneath, but all he saw were cobwebs and several dead spiders. He stood then removed his jacket and vest and began unbuttoning his shirt.
"Won't you be cold?" Tegan asked.
"No," he said, "you know that I'm not affected by environmental conditions to the same degree that you are."
He quickly slipped out of the shirt and put his vest and jacket back on. Adroitly he ripped the shirt into several strips then helped Tegan to sit again.
"Put your arms on my shoulders," he said, sitting next to her. She obliged, and he began wrapping the fabric around her torso. She was quiet while he worked, but when he looked at her he saw that she bit her lip, and sweat stood out on her brow.
When he had finished and tied the material securely with a knot, he gingerly pulled her sweater down then stepped toward the door. He opened it a few inches and stood quietly for a several seconds, then he poked his head out into the hall. The man who had blocked the exit earlier was gone.
He closed the door and returned to the bed. "This seems an opportune time for us to depart," he said.
Tegan nodded and said, "I'm ready."
She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and placed her bare feet on the floor. With a slight blush in his cheeks, the Doctor said, "You may want these," as he pulled her tights from his coat pocket.
"Thanks," she said, but when she began to bend to put them on her feet she cried out in pain.
The Doctor knelt before her. "Allow me."
Tegan looked back at the adjoining wall. "I guess all my groans are good -- it sounds like you're really having a grand time in here with me," she said ruefully.
The Doctor scowled at her comment; it was anything but humorous to him. Without responding, he placed the left stocking over her foot; her toes felt like ice. "Where are your boots?" he asked as he wriggled the stretchy fabric toward her ankle.
"I think Vandak took them. I didn't have them on when I woke up in the other building. I wish I had-- they made a good weapon out there."
The Doctor glanced up at her. "I rather imagine they did. Ah, there we go." He gestured with both hands toward her knees, where the tights rested.
"Thanks," Tegan said shortly, standing with a grimace.
The Doctor turned away politely as she managed to pull the stockings up toward her waist. When she had finished, he wrapped his cape around her, saying, "We'll go out through a door just down the hall. Once we get outside, we'll have to find the wagon in which they brought the molybdenitic rock here. We'll need to move quickly. Can you manage?"
She nodded. "Whatever it takes to get out of here."
"Good. When we return to the TARDIS, I'll treat your ribs properly; the pain will diminish immediately."
Tegan still held a hand to her side. As the Doctor stepped toward the door, several more groans were audible through the wall. Tegan also heard a low whimper of pain.
"Doctor," Tegan said, standing still, "we have to help them."
Already preoccupied with the task ahead, the Doctor absently asked, "Who?" His senses were focused on the door and the hallway outside.
"The women. We can't just leave them here like this."
"Tegan, it's not possible--" he began, but she continued.
"They're kept like animals, just waiting for the men to come for them. They have no choice, and you've seen what happens to anyone who resists." She pointed toward her swollen lip. "It's not right."
The Doctor stepped toward her. "Tegan, I know that this is difficult for you to accept. But we cannot interfere in the development of this society. Our goal now is to find and remove the rocks and return to the TARDIS as quickly as possible. We haven't time to waste."
"But the women don't even get to raise their own babies--"
"We can discuss this further once we've made it back to the TARDIS. At the moment we need to focus our efforts on getting away."
Tegan took a few steps toward the doorway then paused. "But Doctor, what if we were meant to be here, to help these women?"
The Doctor stood with his hand on the door. "What?"
"What if the malfunction of the cylinders and the need for molybdenum were just a way to get us here? How do you know that's not what happened?"
The Doctor seemed to sigh. "Tegan, our arrival here was purely chance. You must believe that. Now we really haven't any more time to discuss this. Come."
He opened the door and stepped out into the hall, taking Tegan's wrist as he did. "Quiet," he said firmly.
They walked quickly toward the heavy door. The Doctor lifted the wooden bar and swung the door open. He leaned out into the frigid air then pulled Tegan forward. They stepped outside into the dusk.
"I saw the wagon pass in front of the building," the Doctor said, looking about as he spoke. "We'll have to find out where it's been left."
Tegan hesitated near the door. The cold had permeated her immediately, and her ribs throbbed beneath the snug bandage; however, the discomfort that kept her from moving stemmed from her mind. She felt that something had to be done for the Aseylian women, despite the Doctor's protestations.
"We need to go," the Time Lord urged, taking her arm again.
"It's not right--"
"Tegan," the Doctor's voice contained growing perturbation, "I don't disagree with you. But allowing yourself to come to further harm over this isn't right, either. Come on."
Tegan stepped forward; it was difficult to argue with the Doctor's logic and her aching ribs. They walked around the building, keeping vigilant for other villagers. Lights began to glow through cracks in the buildings, and smells of cooking drifted through the air. The village grounds appeared quiet.
Peeking around the corner of the public house, the Doctor saw that the cart was gone. However, he could see the tracks and followed them with this eyes to the far edge of the wall. He could not discern the wagon in the growing darkness, though.
"This way," he said, moving back toward the rear of the building. He planned to go behind the houses where there was less chance of being seen.
He and Tegan had just walked past the back door of the public house when light flooded the ground at their feet. The Doctor stepped back quickly, wrapping his arm around Tegan's waist and pulling her with him. She gasped in pain; he had momentarily forgotten her injury. He felt her legs buckle, but he continued his movement until they were behind the building. He reached up to cover her mouth with his hand, afraid that she might cry out again.
They stood still, then, Tegan fighting against the surge of pain the Doctor's arm had brought. She could focus on little else; she closed her eyes and leaned into the Time Lord.
Voices passed within a few feet of them. Light from a candle fell across their feet, but they remained immobile. Two men walked past them, apparently heading for their homes. One held a woman by the arm; she stumbled behind him. As Teagan's vision cleared, she realized that it was Elara.
The Doctor's hand remained over her mouth. She moved her head, but the Doctor bent his chin toward her ear and whispered, "Keep quiet."
Tegan relented as the men and Elara passed out of sight. The Doctor lowered his hand then took her shoulders gently and bent to look at her face. "Are you all right?" he asked in a low voice.
She nodded slowly; her ribs were still terribly painful.
"Tegan, I'm sorry-- I shouldn't have grabbed you like that."
"No," she said huskily, "you shouldn't have."
"It was just that I didn't want those men to catch sight of you."
It was too dark for her to see his eyes clearly, but she felt that he watched her with deep sincerity.
"I know," she said quietly. "I just wish you could say the same for the other women."
She heard him sigh before saying, "Let's find that cart." He took her arm lightly and walked toward the next house.
As they passed several dwellings, Tegan heard various sounds from within. In one home a baby's cries met her ears, while in another a man spoke harshly as dishes seemed to clatter to the ground. Soon they reached the wall, where they found the cart. The twilight had faded, and darkness surrounded them. The Doctor reached into the wagon, feeling about with his hand. He climbed up onto the wheel then leaned inside, withdrawing his flashlight as he did. He shone the beam into the bed and said, "I was afraid this would happen."
"What?" Tegan asked. She leaned against the wall with her arm around her ribs. She felt inexpressibly tired.
"They've taken the rocks."
"What do you mean?" Her voice was still lethargic.
"The rocks aren't here any more. The villagers have taken them somewhere else."
"Where?" asked Tegan.
"Unfortunately," the Doctor replied, hopping down from the cart as he switched off the torch, "I don't know."
"Where would they put them? What do they use them for?"
The Doctor looked around at the buildings; all appeared similar in size and shape. "I'm not entirely sure. This culture would have no need for molybdenum in its elemental form. They've barely mastered the use of iron for simply weaponry and utensils."
"So what else could they use the rocks for?"
"That's a good question, Tegan-- one which we will have to answer before we can obtain the molybdenite." He stepped toward her; she still allowed the wall to support her slumping body.
"We'll need to check each of the buildings," the Doctor said. "They probably have one devoted to storage."
Tegan nodded tiredly. "All right." She leaned forward with a small grunt. He put an arm around her shoulders to help her move toward the wagon.
"I think, however," the Doctor began, "that I should return you to the TARDIS first."
"I'm all right." Her voice was less than convincing.
The Doctor shook his head slightly. "No, Tegan, you're really not." His tone was somber, but with more cheer he added, "However, I can remedy that quite easily once we're back in the TARDIS."
"But Doctor, then you'll have to come all the way back here, unless you can move the TARDIS closer."
"No, I can't risk the Aseylians seeing the old girl, and I'm not entirely certain she'd make it here in her current state."
Tegan was quiet for a moment, thinking. "How long is the night here?"
The Doctor considered this as he recalled the information he had read about the planet. "Just short of five hours, I believe."
"By the time you got back here, you'd barely have any darkness left. Wouldn't it be hard to search for the ore in the daylight? You really couldn't keep from being seen."
"That's a good point. However, you're in pain, and the sooner we return to the TARDIS, the sooner I can alleviate your discomfort."
"I'm okay now," Tegan said with forced energy. "Let's just find the ore while we're here. I can hold out for a little longer."
The Doctor smiled. "That's my brave Tegan. Come on, then."
They walked quietly past several buildings, listening near the walls of each and peeking through the crevices to catch glimpses of the interiors. All of the structures were living quarters. In one they saw a woman with a small baby; Tegan recalled bitterly that this child would be raised by someone other than his mother. The other dwellings contained men, a few of whom had women with them. It seemed that most of the public house group had retired to their homes.
Past the houses, Tegan and the Doctor saw a low building with larger gaps in the walls. It was dark inside. They crept forward, listening for sounds of human voices. They could hear breathing, and strong, musky odors tickled their noses.
The sound of a snort from inside startled Tegan, but the Doctor said, "I think this is a stable."
He stepped through the doorway; Tegan followed. The building was completely dark, and Tegan could see nothing. However, the smells were more pungent, and something large could be heard moving about. Tegan blinked when the Doctor's flashlight illuminated a small area in front of her.
She saw a huge, shaggy animal in a stall. Its dark eyes shone in the light, and its head moved leisurely upward to look at the intruders. It snorted again. The Doctor reached up to the tangle of hair above its forehead and patted it.
"We meet again," he said to the hairy beast. "Can you tell us where the ore has been taken? Hmm, I thought not."
"Doctor," Tegan said, looking around, "maybe it's in here."
The Doctor shone the light around the stable. There were several stalls and a few stacks of dried grass, but there was no evidence of the ore. In the far stall, though, they saw another animal. It had remained quiet, apparently undisturbed by the visitors. As the beam of light passed over its face, Tegan gasped.
"What is that?" she asked.
The Doctor had barely glanced at the creature. His attention had been focused on signs of the ore. He trained the light on the animal, then stepped toward it. "Hello!" he said. "You certainly don't belong here."
Tegan could see the animal more clearly now. It was taller than the Doctor and broad across the back. It had dense, matted hair, similar to the other creature's, but its face was long and thick, ending in an odd, snout-like appendage. The feature that had elicited Tegan's gasp, however, was the peculiar ridge across its wide nose. The ridge was corrugated and covered with large pores. Coarse hairs were interspersed among the pores, and these seemed to move about independently, appearing almost like spidery legs.
The Doctor stood before the animal without speaking for several seconds, then he rested his hand on its snout. It blinked its large, calm eyes at him.
"What is it?" Tegan asked again.
"I'm not entirely sure," the Doctor responded, moving the beam toward the creature's feet. "Hmm. It's an ungulate, and the nasal ridge is consistent with the chryrhineae species found in the Pnoruelean group of planets."
"And I have a feeling you're going to tell me that we're not in that group," said Tegan.
"No, Tegan, we're not. So the question is, how did this animal get here?"
"It must have been brought here." Tegan leaned against the stall.
"Yes, of course." The Doctor's tone was slightly impatient. "But by whom?"
He lowered the beam of light then switched it off. "The molybdenite isn't here. There aren't even any tracks from the cart."
"What does that have to do with this?" Tegan gestured toward the odd animal. It breathed a soft stream of warm air onto her shoulders.
It was difficult to see the Doctor in the darkness. Tegan could only discern his silhouette, but she knew that he had put a hand to his chin and bent his head slightly in thought.
"I believe that the Aseylians' removal of the molybdenite and the presence of this animal are related."
"How?" Tegan asked wearily.
"Don't you see, Tegan?" She felt the air in front of her stir as his hand moved in gesture. "There is an animal that doesn't belong here, and there is an ore being mined that cannot be used here. It's too much of a coincidence; the two anomalies must be connected."
"Do you know how?"
"No, not yet, but I plan to find out." The Doctor moved beside her, and she felt his hand against her back. "We have some more exploring to do." He guided her out of the stable.
They crept past other houses and found a storage shed containing grain, but there was no sign of a building which stored the ore in the village. They returned to the stable, where Tegan sat on a rough bench with her back against the stall wall. The Doctor paced the length of the room several times, thinking. Pale moonlight made him a gray shadow before her.
After his fourth pass by her, Tegan said, "So what do we do now? We can't find the ore, but we can't leave the planet without it."
"It must be here," the Doctor muttered; Tegan was not sure whether he had heard her.
"Maybe it's in one of the houses," she suggested.
The Doctor ceased his steps and stood before her, nodding. "It's possible. Yes, in fact it's quite likely. I didn't see the cart leave the village; there's only one entrance, and the cart was loaded when it arrived. You're right, Tegan, it must still be within these walls."
Tegan sighed. "That's good, I guess, but we can't very well go knocking at the doors asking if there's a pile of ore inside."
"No, of course not. And without windows in the houses, it's difficult to see what may be hidden inside. Perhaps if we looked through the cracks in the walls we could catch a glimpse--"
"That would take hours." Tegan interjected. "There are dozens of houses. And once the villagers go to sleep, there won't even be lights inside."
The Doctor began pacing again. "Someone must know where it's hidden," he said.
Tegan thought for a moment. "I might know who that is."
The Doctor's feet stopped. "Yes?"
"The women go into a lot of different houses. Elara, one of the women I waited with, told me that if a man is pleased with her, he'll take the woman to stay with him for a while. Between her and the other women, they've probably been in most of the homes-- except for the one where the children are kept." Her voice grew harsh as she finished.
The Doctor sat down beside her, nodding. "Good thinking, Tegan. Tell me what else you know about the living arrangements."
She closed her eyes as she spoke. "Elara said that the young women live together; the men each have their own home. Women who are pregnant or who have just given birth stay with each other, I think, and the children live with the old women."
"So Elara has probably seen most of the homes, or has talked with women who have." The Doctor's voice was hopeful, but Tegan interpreted his tone differently.
"You don't have to sound so happy about it," she said with some acerbity. "These women don't even get to be with their own children, and they get passed around from man to man like-- like---" Her voice had begun to tremble as she recalled Vandak's hand hitting her face and the terror she had felt thinking that she would have to allow him to touch her body.
The Doctor wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "It won't always be like that here," he said in a gentler tone. "This society will evolve into a more egalitarian and humane one."
"When? In five hundred or a thousand years? How will that help Elara and the others, and their daughters and granddaughters?"
"It won't," he responded honestly. "But the future will be better, I promise you."
Tegan was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Although she was not feeling particularly warmly toward the Doctor, she leaned into him; she needed his support. She felt his arm tighten slightly around her.
"Are you in pain?" he asked with concern, tilting his head to look at her in the dim light.
She shook her head. "No more than before. I'm just tired."
He nodded. "Then rest for a while."
She wanted to try again to convince him that helping the Aseylian women was necessary and was surely their intended purpose in finding their way here. But her eyelids were so heavy, and her mind grew increasingly dull. Within a minute she had fallen asleep.
----------------
The Doctor sat quietly with Tegan against his shoulder for some time. He could see that she slept heavily; he was glad that she had found some relief from the pain that he knew she was suffering. However, after more than an hour had passed, he shifted and spoke her name softly next to her ear.
"Tegan. Wake up," he urged mildly. She did not stir from her deep slumber, so he rested his hand against her cheek and rubbed his thumb over her skin. "Come on, Tegan."
Her eyes moved beneath her closed lids, and she jerked, mumbling unintelligible words. Her quiet rest seemed suddenly plagued by dreams. He saw her brow crease in the moonlight, and she twisted away from him, falling to the side before he clasped her shoulders. Her eyes opened, and she gasped in pain.
The Doctor righted her, saying, "Don't be frightened, Tegan. You're safe here." He was fairly certain he knew the content of her dream.
She looked at him, struggling to see in the wan light before her eyes adjusted adequately. "Where--" she began.
"We're still in the stable, in the village." He spoke calmly and leaned forward so that his face was directly before her.
"Was I sleeping?" she asked groggily.
"Yes. But I need your help now."
She nodded then grimaced slightly as she attempted to sit up straighter. She curled an arm around her ribs.
"How are you feeling?" the Doctor asked.
She shrugged. "Like a person with three broken ribs. So, what do you need me to do?"
The Time Lord smiled briefly in appreciation of her mettle. "I need you to help me talk to Elara. She's met you, so I think that you can convince her to speak with us."
"All right." She yawned and rubbed a hand across her eyes.
"We'll soon be back at the TARDIS, and you can rest. But, as you pointed out earlier, I think that we need to find the molybdenite while it's still dark out. We should leave the village before daybreak, and at this point we only have two hours left."
Tegan nodded and stood, biting her lip with the effort. "Let's go, then."
"I saw the direction in which she and the two men went; I've noted that there are only two possible dwellings in which she could be," the Doctor explained as they left the stable.
"How are we going to get her outside?" asked Tegan. "She's probably with that barbarian who took her."
"I'm sure we'll think of something," the Doctor responded brightly.
When they reached the first of the two possible houses, the Doctor peered through the cracks in the walls carefully. He listened attentively at each small opening, then returned to Tegan, who stood several yards away huddled in his cape.
"There's only one person in there," he said softly. "She must be in the other house."
They walked the short distance to the second structure. Once again the Doctor inspected the crevices and pressed his ear against them. After several minutes he stood and walked to Tegan.
"She's in here," he said. "And I think we've had a bit of good luck. The man is in one room, and she's in the other. He's sleeping quite soundly, but she's fitful."
"Oh," Tegan said derisively, "that is lucky-- lucky her."
"Tegan, that's not what I meant, which I think you know. We should be able to wake her easily. Come on." He took her arm lightly and led her to the side wall of the house. "Say her name. See if that will rouse her."
Tegan bent forward then hissed through her teeth. "Damn ribs," she said, "and damn brute."
"Just bend your knees and lower yourself that way," the Doctor suggested, helping her sink toward the ground.
"She's right next to this wall," the Doctor said. "Listen. Can you hear her breathing?"
Tegan rested her head against the boards. "She's moving around on the bed," she said. "Elara!" Her voice was a loud whisper.
The movements from within ceased. Tegan spoke again. "Elara. It's Tegan. I have to talk to you."
There was no response. Tegan looked at the Doctor; he nodded to indicate that she should continue her efforts.
"It's very important," she persisted softly. "Please, will you talk to me?"
"What-- what do you want?" came a tenuous voice from inside.
"Have her come out," the Doctor whispered, "so that she won't wake the man."
"Elara, I need your help. Can you come out here?"
"What's wrong?" Elara asked.
"I just need you to help me. Please, come out."
There was a slight rustling, then silence from the room. Tegan looked up at the Doctor. "What if she's gone to tell him?" Tegan asked.
The Doctor helped her to stand. "Perhaps you should return to the stable," he said, already moving his body in front of her.
They heard the door open and shut softly. The Doctor focused his senses on the interior of the house. He heard only a rattling snore.
"It's all right, Tegan. He's still in there sleeping."
Elara appeared by the edge of the building. She was pale in the moonlight, and her hair, so carefully braided before, was loose and unkempt about her face. Her eyes were wide and cautious.
Tegan extended her hand and grasped the young woman's wrist. "Thank you for coming out," she said.
Elara's gaze briefly swept over the Doctor, then she looked away. "He wants me?" she asked, although her inflection barely indicated the interrogative.
Tegan looked at the Doctor. "What?" she asked, then, with sudden understanding said, "No, Elara. I didn't ask you to come out here for that. I just want to talk to you. He won't hurt you."
The Doctor quietly stepped aside as Tegan led Elara toward the stable. The Aseylian glanced back toward the house, hesitating in her steps.
"He'll be angry if he wakes and I'm not there," she said.
"I won't keep you long," Tegan assured her. "But we can't talk here. Someone might hear us."
They walked briskly to the stable, Tegan urging Elara in her slower steps. Once inside, Tegan said, "You've been in a lot of the houses, haven't you?"
Elara nodded. "Most, but not all."
"But the other women-- between all of you, you've probably been in every building in the village, right?"
"No. We haven't been in the house with the children. Only the old women can go in there."
Tegan scowled. "Have you been in the house with the babies?"
Elara's eyes moved downward. "Yes."
"How many times?"
"Two."
Tegan met the Doctor's eyes, but he shook his head slightly. "Tegan, this is not the time," he said softly.
"But Doctor, she didn't even get to--"
He stepped in front of Tegan to face Elara. The Aseylian cringed back involuntarily and averted her gaze.
"Elara," he said gently, "I won't harm you. All I want from you is some information."
She kept her eyes on the floor.
"Do you know where the men put the rocks they bring in from the caves?" he asked.
She shifted her weight but did not respond.
Tegan took her hand. "Please, Elara, if you know, tell us. It's very important."
Elara looked up at Tegan. "I can't speak of it."
"But we have to know--" Tegan began; however, the Doctor interrupted her.
"Elara," he said, his voice firm now. "You must answer me. Where are the rocks kept?"
Elara seemed to shrink into herself, but in a whisper she responded, "In Gorrob's house."
"Of course!" the Doctor exclaimed. "Where else would they be? And which house is that?" the Doctor pressed, his voice still containing a rough edge.
"It is two houses from the place where we stayed." She glanced at Tegan.
"In between that building and the one where Vandak took us?" asked Tegan.
Elara nodded.
"Thank you," the Doctor said. His tone was soft now. "You have been a great help to us. You may go back now. But Elara," his voice shifted again, "you must not tell anyone that you've spoken with us. Do you understand?"
She whispered, "Yes," then hurried away.
As soon as Elara was gone, Tegan whirled on the Doctor. "That was cruel!" she spat at him. "Even for you, Doctor. Don't you have any understanding of human feelings at all? To use her fear of men to get her to talk--"
The Doctor's expression was momentarily contrite. "I regret that I had to do that."
"Regret? Well, that's awfully nice of you." Tegan was still fuming.
"Tegan," the Doctor said tiredly, "she wouldn't have told you anything. She had been instructed by the men not to discuss the ore; that was clear. But her upbringing has also taught her that she must obey men. My questioning her was the only way she was going to give us the information we needed."
"Maybe, but it was still nasty and unkind." Tegan folded her arms over her chest and turned away. "As if she hasn't suffered enough in her life -- being used heartlessly by men, then bearing their children only to be torn away from them. You could at least have asked her nicely."
She felt the Doctor move toward her. "I'm afraid that she wouldn't have responded to that. I know that her life hasn't been easy, but remember, it's all she knows. She and the other women have never considered any other way. I'll remind you again that I do not condone the way women are treated here; I find it reprehensible. But it is not within my power to change it. Do you think it was easy for me to talk to Elara like that?"
Tegan turned toward him. "It sounded like it was."
He shook his head. "You're wrong about that."
Neither spoke for several seconds. Finally, Tegan said, "But you still won't help her."
"Tegan, please remember that won't and can't are not semantically synonymous. I can't help her; I would if I were permitted to. Now, we know where to find the molybdenite. I suggest that we get it and leave here while it's still dark. We really don't have any more time to delay."
"Fine," Tegan said tersely, "let's go. The sooner we get out of here, the better."
As they passed the odd animal, the Doctor paused. "Perhaps seeing where and how the ore is stored will give us some idea about its use, and some clue about how this fellow got here."
"Does it really matter?" Tegan asked wearily.
"It might. If this animal was brought here by someone hoping to use the molybdenite, there is a question about to what use the element will be put."
"What else is it good for besides grease?" Tegan's curiosity was triflingly piqued.
"A number of things, but missile casings and building material for ships needing resistance from intense heat have been the primary uses historically and throughout the galaxies."
"Like the ships used by the Eternals?"
The Doctor nodded. "Quite possibly. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the hulls contained the element."
"What do you know about the people who live in the system where this animal came from?" Tegan asked.
"A bit too little and a bit too much."
Tegan gave him an inquisitive look, but instead he said, "I think you should remain here. I'll get the ore from Gorrob's house."
"But you might need my help-- to keep watch or something. And you don't know the building I was in, do you? How will you be able to tell which one is his house?"
The Doctor saw a flash of fear in her eyes. He realized that she dreaded being left alone; there was always a chance that one of the men would find her. He could see, too, that she was exhausted, and he knew that she was still in pain.
"Which house is it?" he asked.
"It's the third one from the public house, on your right if you were entering through the door," Tegan responded.
He nodded and said, "You'll be safe here-- safer than at Gorrob's house. I can't imagine that anyone will come to the stable in the middle of the night."
Tegan hesitated in her response. She seemed to weigh her options for several seconds. "All right," she said slowly, the thought of facing Gorrob convincing her to remain where she was.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," the Doctor told her. He turned to walk away, but he stopped and pivoted around toward Tegan. He bent and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Brave heart. In a few hours this will all just seem like a bad dream."
She nodded morosely as he walked out of the stable, her heart beating faster with the fading sound of his footsteps.