As the men drew nearer, Elara crept further back into the cave. The Doctor stood stoically near the entrance, glancing at Tegan and the men alternately.
"Is there another way out?" Tegan asked.
The Doctor shook his head. "I'm afraid not. This is a small cave; this tunnel leads only to the cavern in which we rested."
"What can we do?" Tegan's voice was strained; the Doctor could hear the fear in it.
"I think that we shall have to take advantage of this opportunity and talk with the men about the molybdenite."
"You call this an opportunity?" Tegan lamented. "At least if we had the TARDIS in the village we could get away. Here we're sitting ducks."
"Then we shall simply have to be successful in our discussion."
Tegan looked back toward the cavern. Elara had retreated out of sight. "Doctor," Tegan said, "you can't let them see her. Vandak-- I'm afraid he'll kill her."
"Yes. Keeping her hidden is the best course of action. Here," he said, handing her his flashlight, "take this and see if you can find a nook or crevice in which she can hide."
As she hobbled away, he added, "Perhaps you should stay with her, well out of the way."
Tegan turned back to him. "No, I'll stay with you."
"But Tegan, you could be in danger from Vandak--"
Tegan's expression hardened. "I'll stay with you," she repeated, then she continued her halting steps. The Doctor saw her fists clench as she walked away.
He stood watching the men for several minutes, preparing his words mentally. He also considered other possibilities for escape. Perhaps he could use the flashlight to distract the men momentarily. However, he knew that Tegan was unable to move quickly, and he could not run far carrying her. Still, the flashlight might prove useful.
Tegan returned to his side as the men approached the cave entrance.
"Is she well hidden?" the Doctor asked her, taking the flashlight.
"Yes. She's behind a rock formation, in a small crevice. With the dim light in there, covered in the liner from the cloak, they'll never see her."
"Tegan," the Doctor began, "I will do everything within my power to protect you and prevent them from harming you. But if something should happen and you have a chance to get away, return to the TARDIS. Don't wait for me."
"You don't sound very confident in your persuasive skills," she said obliquely.
She felt the Doctor reach back and clasp her hand. "Ready?" he asked.
She squeezed his fingers in reply. They stepped out of the entrance and stood facing the men, less than six feet from them.
"There she is!" Vandak growled, pointing at Tegan.
The Doctor felt her fingers twitch.
"Gentlemen," he said in his most amiable manner, "I'm so glad you found us. It is crucial that we talk about the ore--"
"You took it!" Gorrob exclaimed with enmity.
"Yes, I did." The Doctor still spoke calmly. "But I'd like you to listen to me; I'm going to explain why I took it."
"No explanations!" Gorrob yelled. "Where is it?" He stormed forward into the cave, grabbing the Doctor's collar and flinging him against the wall. Tegan stepped back quickly but reached for her friend as he stumbled upward.
The Doctor held up a hand to her to signal that he was unharmed, saying, "It's in the cavern, just down there. But you must listen to me." Now his voice grew in urgency. "If you take it back and give it to the strangers, you will die."
Gorrob thrust his face toward the Doctor. "No, Dock Turr, you're the one who'll die. You took the ore and Elara."
"Why would you think that?" he asked in mock confusion.
"She's gone. She left the village. She would never do that on her own."
Tegan took a step forward. "Maybe she got tired of being beaten. Maybe she had enough."
"Shut up! You don't talk to a man!" Gorrob released the Doctor and swung his fist at Tegan. However, brief experience had taught her to expect this from these men, and she twisted away from his blow.
The Doctor caught Gorrob's other arm and brought it upward toward his back in a painful hold. The Aseylian grunted and tried to rotate his body out of the grip.
"Let him go," Vandak commanded. The Doctor felt something sharp digging at his own back.
He released Gorrob and stepped in front of Tegan, lowering the spear at his back with his hand. "Look, there is no reason for anyone to get hurt. You're all intelligent men. Please just let me explain--"
"No!" Gorrob shouted. He gestured to the other men; several stepped into the tunnel. "Get the ore and the woman, Elara," he commanded. The men pushed past Tegan and the Doctor toward the cavern.
"She's not here," the Doctor said. "She didn't come with us. I've already admitted that I took the ore; why would I lie about Elara? I brought the ore here because Tegan needed to rest." His eyes shot to Vandak and fixed on him. "You managed to hurt her quite badly. She couldn't walk any further. But we came alone. We did help Elara leave the house, and she followed us out the gate, but she went the other way. She said something about going to another village, somewhere warmer--"
"You lie!" Vandak said.
The men who had gone into the cavern returned with the ore; each held several chunks in his arms.
"Where's the woman?" Gorrob demanded.
One of the men said, "She's not in there."
Gorrob grabbed Tegan's hair and pulled her forward, gripping her firmly as he did. "Where is she?" he snarled.
"She went away, like the Doctor told you. And I'll tell you why." Tegan's voice grew stronger as she spoke. "I told her to. I told her that she didn't have to take your abuse any more. I told her that there were better places where people understood what kindness is--"
"Kindness?" Gorrob spat the word back at her and twisted her hair in his fingers. "Kindness is weakness."
Tegan cried out involuntarily as he jerked her head to the side.
"That's enough!" the Doctor cried. "Let her go."
Gorrob grunted at him. "She's not your woman. She's Vandak's now; he's claimed her."
"I don't think so," the Doctor said. "He can't claim what belongs to someone else. In fact, she is mine."
With some surprise, Gorrob relinquished his hold on Tegan. She stumbled back; the Doctor drew her toward him and carefully placed his arm around her waist.
He said, "I came to Aseyla with Tegan. She and I became separated shortly after we arrived. But she's mine; she has been for well over a year."
"No!" Vandak protested angrily. "You didn't tell us that."
"But you saw that I took her," the Doctor responded calmly. "I didn't choose anyone else. She's mine."
Gorrob's eyes narrowed at Tegan. "Is this true?" he asked her.
She hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Yes. I-- belong to him."
The Doctor squeezed her arm gently in appreciation of her acquiescence.
Vandak stepped forward; his expression was menacing. Gorrob, however, held out an arm to stop the man's progress.
"No," he said firmly to Vandak. "Wait. You can have her when he's dead."
Vandak glowered at the Doctor and at Gorrob, but he did not move forward.
The Doctor shifted so that Tegan stood next to him, partially shielded by his body. "Gorrob," he said, "you and your entire village will be dead if you don't listen to me."
"You're trying to trick us," Gorrob responded with suspicion.
"No," the Doctor said, "I assure you--"
Gorrob gestured toward Vandak. "He's talked enough. Take him outside and kill him."
Vandak reached for the Doctor's lapel. The Doctor stepped back and withdrew the flashlight from his pocket. He flicked the switch and directed the beam into Vandak's face. The Aseylian held a hand up and blinked at the light. Gorrob watched with building curiosity.
"Please," the Doctor entreated, "just give me five minutes in which to explain the danger you're facing."
Gorrob pointed at the flashlight. "Where's the fire?" he asked.
"It doesn't need fire," the Doctor responded.
Gorrob nodded. "The strangers who take the ore from us have something like that."
"I'm sure they do," said the Time Lord. "You know that they're from a place far away. I am, too. I know about the strangers -- much more, in fact, than you do."
"Let me see it," Gorrob demanded, reaching for the flashlight.
The Doctor lowered his arm; the beam swept across the floor then he switched it off. "Gladly. Indeed, you may keep it. It will bring you light anywhere and at any time, no fire needed. "
Gorrob extended his hand, but the Doctor said, "I'll give this to you in trade."
"Trade?" Gorrob asked.
The Doctor nodded his head. "Yes. If you will listen to me with an open mind for five minutes, I'll give this to you."
Vandak advanced again. "Why trade when you can take it after he's dead?"
"Because," said the Doctor, "you need me to show you how it works. It is a rather complicated machine; you won't be able to work it without my instructions." As he spoke, his fingers moved surreptitiously over the flashlight.
Gorrob considered this, but Vandak grabbed the torch from the Doctor's hand. "I see how it works! You don't need him." He held the object in his hand and fumbled with the switch. His large finger pressed it and moved it back and forth, but the light did not come on.
"You see," said the Doctor, "it's quite complicated." He tapped his fingers against the small battery that he had dropped into his pocket.
"Give it back to him," Gorrob instructed. Vandak complied with a surly expression.
"Talk," commanded Gorrob.
"I can see why you're the leader of the village," the Doctor said. "Your decisions are certainly the wisest." He glanced at Vandak, who fumed at the comment's implications.
The Doctor continued, handing the flashlight and battery to Tegan as he spoke. "The strangers for whom you have collected the ore are using it to make a very large, very dangerous weapon."
"We know that," Gorrob said impatiently.
"Yes. But do you know how they plan to use that weapon?"
"To kill their enemies," responded Gorrob.
"I'm afraid you're wrong," said the Doctor. "You see, like you, the strangers do not have everything they need on their planet. Oh, they have enough food and animals; they have no material wants. However, they need something valuable that they can sell-- trade-- with other planets. They have found something very valuable here. Tegan, the light, please."
She handed him the flashlight, and he switched it on and directed it along the floor of the cave. He gave her a quick half-smile of approval; she had guessed what to do with the battery.
"Do you see this material?" the Doctor asked, bending to point at a small vein of ammordoxillite. "It is extremely valuable to them. It's something that they don't have on their planet. Actually, it's very rare, and they were, I'm sure, extremely happy to find it here. It is called ammordoxillite." He paused, knowing that some of the men had heard this term before. He hoped that his use of it would lend him credibility. He saw a few slight nods.
"Now," he continued, "ammordoxillite is found primarily beneath the outer layer of this planet. Planets, you see, are something like onions, with several layers of material around the core. To get to the main stores of this mineral easily, the outer layer of your planet must be destroyed."
Gorrob scowled. "What do you mean 'destroyed'?"
"I mean," said the Doctor, "that everything on the face of this planet will be blasted away. The strangers are using the ore that you have provided to create a weapon that will blow up the surface of this planet -- and everything on it. Do you understand what that means?"
"He lies!" shouted Vandak. "He's going to trade the ore himself."
The Doctor shook his head. "No, I'm not. I came here in a kind of ship that can travel among the planets. I need the ore I've taken to fix a problem with my ship, something like putting grease on the wheels of a cart."
Gorrob asked, "If this is true, and the strangers plan to destroy us--"
"It's not! Shut up!" Vandak interjected, storming forward toward the Doctor. Gorrob, however, grabbed the burly man's arm.
"Stop," he commanded. "I'm the leader. I say how much he gets to talk-- and when he stops."
Vandak was livid; his face grew florid, and his hands clenched tightly into fists.
"Dock Turr," said Gorrob brusquely, "how would we stop them?"
"By keeping them from getting the last load of ore. They'll need it to finish their weapon."
"We need the animal they're going to give us!" Vandak growled. "Gorrob, if we don't give them the ore, we won't get the animal. He's trying to trick us--"
"And if he's not," Gorrob said, "then we all die. There will be no need for animals then."
The Doctor nodded. "You understand the situation. I was certain that a man of your intelligence and leadership would, once I had explained it."
"If the strangers have a weapon that can destroy this planet, don't they have weapons they can use to take the ore from us?" asked Gorrob.
"Nobody's taking it from us!" Vandak shouted. "We're the strongest village here. We'll kill them first."
"Gorrob," said the Doctor evenly, "you're correct. The strangers do have very powerful weapons, and they won't hesitate to kill you for the ore. You would be unable to stop them. The ore must be taken away where they can't find it."
The leader asked, "Where?"
"I can take it with me, on my ship--"
Vandak shoved past Gorrob. "No! You can't have it!" He reached for the Doctor again, clutching his arm, then turned to Gorrob. "It's all lies, like I said. All he wants is to take our ore. Can't you see that?"
"Let him go," Gorrob ordered, raising his spear and pointing it at Vandak.
"You lift your spear to me?" Vandak yelled, pushing the Doctor back and facing Gorrob.
In response, Gorrob held the spear higher. Vandak thrust his own spear out toward the leader. Tegan and the Doctor could clearly see that this was a form of challenge. While the Doctor watched the men's faces, Tegan's eyes rested on Vandak's huge hand, clasped around the spear. This was the hand that had struck her and injured Elara. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his other hand move toward his hip. She glimpsed a knife hanging there.
He withdrew the weapon swiftly; the action was unnoticed by the others. Tegan grabbed the flashlight from the Doctor. Taking a step forward, she swung the torch upward at Vandak's head, striking a hard blow to his temple. He staggered and fell to his knees. She struck him again on the back of his head, and he slumped to the floor. Tegan's arm seemed to operate independently of her mind now; she lifted her hand in preparation for another blow, but the Doctor grasped her wrist.
"That will do, Tegan," he said, prying the flashlight from her tightly clenched fist and guiding her so that she stood behind him. He did not know how the men would respond to her attack.
"You hit him," Gorrob said with some surprise.
"Yes," Tegan responded, panting slightly, "I did. He was drawing a knife on you."
Gorrob looked at the weapon that lay next to Vandak, then he looked back at Tegan. "Women do not hit men."
"Where I come from, civilized men don't hit women, either," she retorted.
One of the other men said, "Vandak has been dishonored; he broke the rule of challenge."
Gorrob nodded. "The knife isn't allowed during the challenge," he said to the Doctor and Tegan.
The man who had just spoken uttered with some incredulity, "He would've stabbed you if she hadn't hit him."
Gorrob stood silently for several seconds, then he turned to his comrades. "Take him."
Several men dragged Vandak upward and lugged him out of the cave.
"What will they do to him?" the Doctor asked.
"Why do you care?" responded Gorrob.
"I don't like to see anyone killed."
Gorrob looked at the Doctor curiously. "But he hurt your woman--"
"Yes, he did. But killing is never a good solution."
"They'll take him away," said Gorrob, still somewhat confused. "We won't allow him to come back to the village."
"And if he tries?" asked Tegan.
"He knows the rule. If he tries, he'll be stopped." Gorrob took several steps forward, toward Tegan and the Doctor. "Tee-gan is your name? You've done a brave thing. I would have seen his knife," he added with a slight toss of his head, "but you tried to save me. Our women wouldn't do that."
"So you see," said the Doctor, "that Tegan and I are from a very different place. Do you believe me about the ore now?"
Gorrob's eyes seemed to bore into the Doctor for several seconds before he spoke. "I see that you don't want Vandak killed, even though he hurt Tee-gan. I see that Tee-gan wanted to help me, even though I was harsh with her. And I see that you're trying to help my people. I believe you."
Tegan leaned back against the wall in relief, but the Doctor stepped forward, saying, "Now, you must tell me when you plan to meet the strangers and give them the ore."
"Later today," said Gorrob.
"You'll meet at the village?"
Gorrob nodded. "They'll bring the animal."
"Do you know where the strangers are now?"
Gorrob shook his head. "When we traded before, they came to the village gate, but no one saw where they came from."
"Have you noticed any odd lights in the sky, or anything on the landscape that doesn't seem to fit in?" inquired the Doctor.
Gorrob thought for a moment. "There was a bright light before they came to us the last time."
"Did you hear anything unusual?"
"Yes-- a noise like thunder far away, but it was nearby."
The Doctor tapped his chin. "I see."
Tegan asked, "Can you tell what type of ship they're using?"
"Not precisely," the Doctor answered, "but I have an idea." He looked at Gorrob. "Now, Tegan and I will return to my ship, and I'll move it to your village, then I can take the ore away from here."
"The strangers will be angry," said Gorrob. "They may kill us anyway."
"I don't believe that they will," said the Doctor. "You can tell them quite honestly that your ore was taken from you. You'll be able to describe my ship and me. They'll believe you."
"Where is your ship?" asked Gorrob.
"About three kilometers from here," the Doctor replied. "It will take us at least an hour to get there, but we'll come to the village soon after that--"
"No," interrupted Gorrob.
"Pardon?" asked the Doctor.
"Tee-gan will stay with me."
"I don't think--" began the Doctor, but Gorrob raised a threatening hand.
"You can get her when you come to the village in your ship."
"I hardly think that's necessary," protested the Doctor. "I assure you that I will come for the ore. You said that you believed me about the danger it poses to your planet. There's no need for Tegan to stay with you."
"I do believe you," said Gorrob gruffly, "but I don't trust you. If you want your woman, you'll come for her."
"Don't I have any say in this?" asked Tegan tiredly.
Gorrob said, "No. But I won't hurt you. I'll keep you safe from the others, too. You tried to help me. I won't forget that."
"Now see here," stated the Doctor firmly, "Tegan is not a bargaining chip--"
"You get her when you come for the ore." Gorrob's tone was obdurate.
The Doctor had expected more protestation from Tegan; instead, she slumped against the wall limply. Her eyes were dull, and her complexion was wan. He wondered if she could endure the three-kilometer walk back to the TARDIS.
"She's not well," he said, finally, to Gorrob. "She won't be able to walk to the village without help."
"I'll carry her."
Tegan's eyes widened at this. "Oh, no--"
Gorrob said, "You'll be safe, and I'll keep the wind from you." Looking at the Doctor, he added, "I've made my decision. I'll keep her safe; I give you my word."
"But you don't trust me to keep mine?" asked the Doctor.
Gorrob snorted. "No."
"Tegan," said the Doctor, "I can't make this decision for you."
"Do I really have any choice?" she asked.
He placed his hand on her shoulder. "I'm afraid not. If we don't take away the ore, this planet and all of its inhabitants, including the women and children, are condemned."
She nodded in understanding.
He turned back to Gorrob. "Your absolute word that you will protect her?"
Gorrob made a fist and thumped his chest once with it. "My word."
"All right," said Tegan softly. "Just don't take too long getting back to the TARDIS."
The Doctor smiled. "I won't. Gorrob, I'll need a few pieces of ore for my ship--"
Gorrob shook his head. "No. You can have it when you come to the village."
The Doctor objected, "But my ship may not be able to travel without it--"
"If you want your woman and you truly want to help us, you'll find a way." Gorrob's tone clearly allowed no room for negotiation.
The Doctor sighed then clasped Tegan's shoulder. "Brave heart, Tegan."
"Hurry," she whispered, "please."
Gorrob came forward and lifted her into his arms. He held her with a gentleness that she did not expect. He stepped out of the cave into the wind, his bulk shielding Tegan partially from the cold. The other men followed, each carrying a piece or two of the ore.
"Dock Turr!" Gorrob's voice rumbled against Tegan.
She heard her friend call, "I'll be out in a minute. I left something in the cave."
He hurried back to the cavern, calling out softly, "Elara!"
When there was no response, he added, "It's all right. I'm alone."
"Over here," she said, her voice echoing slightly against the rock.
The Doctor squinted in the dimness; Tegan's blows had broken the flashlight. He saw a movement of something light and followed it. Elara was well hidden behind some rocks, just as Tegan had said. She beckoned the Doctor with her hand.
"Are you all right?" he asked her.
"Yes."
"Gorrob and the men have gone, but Vandak may still be out there somewhere. I don't want to risk his seeing you. Can you wait here for a few hours?"
"Yes," she said again.
"I'll come back for you, and then I'll take you to another village. You should remain hidden, if it's not too uncomfortable."
"I'm safe," she said, considerable relief in her voice.
The Doctor hurried back to the entrance, checking to be sure that no one had remained behind. He looked out and saw the men walking back toward the village. A quick count revealed that their numbers were the same as when they had arrived, minus Vandak.
Without a second glance back, the Doctor began walking in the other direction, toward the TARDIS. He hoped that Gorrob would keep his word; he had to trust the man with Tegan's life. His legs moved quickly over the rough, cold ground, driven by a need to retrieve his companion as soon as he possibly could.