Chapter Thirteen
As he cleared the bushes Cerf stared at the pageant in front of them. "Of course," he murmered. "I forgot, it's Dragon Day."
The Doctor and the others looked down at the display in surprise and some delight. A parade wound down the path. Giant dragon-shaped balloons bobbed and bounced in the light breeze. Vanussians danced and whirled, juggled torches and played wild music. Jamie brightened considerably at the sight of a fancy instrument that looked like a bagpipe, and then he noticed what wasn't in the valley.
"Hey," he said, "where's the TARDIS?"
"Yes," said the Doctor, turning to Auburning. "Where's that blue box that was here yesterday?"
Auburning shrugged. "There was a lot of to-do over the thing last night," he said. "Rumor's that it's been taken to the dungeons, out of the way of the parade, and there's someone inside it."
Ah," said the Doctor. "That'll be Victoria. I'm glad she made it." He thought for a moment, and suggested, "Why not bring my assistant down to examine the thing? I'm perfectly capable of taking the others to the General myself."
An older, more experienced soldier -- or even one who had read more spy novels -- would have seen right through the trick, but Auburning nodded defeatedly. "Yes sir. He's in his office, up in the second tower."
"I, ah, am not armed..." said the Doctor apologetically. Auburning handed him Cerf's needler.
"Thank you, Lieutenant; that was good thinking." The Doctor flourished his recorder and its tassels. "I'll certainly commend you to the General."
Auburning saluted unhappily and marched off with Jamie trailing behind.
The Doctor waited until Auburning was a good distance away and turned to Elfik, Kapik and Cerf, holding up the needler. "Right then, quick march." His next words were very quiet, for their ears alone. "We do have to keep up appearances, you know."
o0o
Victoria ran up the steps and found herself in a wide hall. She ducked behind a weird suit of armor as two soldiers marched past. For better or for worse, her path back to the TARDIS was closed.
There was another set of stairs on the other side of the hall, and she moved closer to it, ducking into corners and behind pillars every few moments to listen for footsteps. The book was heavy in her hand.
There was a voice on the stairs. She hid behind a handy tapestry, her heart hammering.
o0o
When they were safely inside the palace and out of reach of prying eyes, the Doctor turned to Cerf. "Here, you can take this back now," he said. "I abhor weapons myself."
Cerf accepted the needler and decided to trust the Doctor. "Look," he asked, "if you're not with them, how did you know how to bluff that guard?"
"Well, you might say I had priviliged information," said the Doctor with a mysterious smile. "But that is neither here nor there." Then he turned to Elfik and Kapik. "Where do you keep the data from your satellites and probes?"
"Hron had them all moved the day we were jailed," said Kapik
"West turret. I know exactly where," said Elfik.
"Can we go get them?" said Kapik.
"Yes. Quick as you can. Meet us in the other turret." The two astronomers hurried off down the great hall and the Doctor and Cerf went in the other direction.
"This turret was my father's study," said Cerf. He led the Doctor up a spiral staircase and to a polished wooden door. "But what's Sode doing in the palace?"
"I have a bit of an idea about that," said the Doctor. "Now, is that door soundproofed?"
"No, there was never a need. There always used to be guards at the bottom of the stairs."
"Good. You can stay out here and listen in."
"Now wait a minute--"
"Your Highness, someone has to guard the door. It seems to be a universal fact that evil commanders think a good deal of their own skins, and even if there's no one watching the staircase now, there will probably be soon. Besides, our general will probably talk more freely if he thinks I came alone."
Cerf held his needler tightly. "All right."
o0o
"I still don't trust you, you know," said the voice coming down the stairs. "Just because the Doctor's an officer..." Victoria peeked out and saw a figure with a blaster herding another figure ahead of him.
Jamie. And the other was the junior guard who had held her and the Doctor in the catacombs.
Auburning nudged Jamie with the blaster. "Down the stairs." Jamie took the first step, glaring back at his captor. Then the soldier heard someone calling faintly. "Ja-miee!" He turned, pointing the blaster, and Jamie grabbed his boot and pulled up. Auburning flew over backwards, and Victoria ran up behind him and hit him with the book.
"Victoria!" shouted Jamie. His voice echoed crazily, startling them both, and he continued in a half-whisper. "I'm not half glad to see you. Where were you?"
"In the TARDIS, mostly. I'm all right. Have you seen the Doctor?"
"Aye, he's upstairs. He sent me down to get you."
"Well, let's go then! Which way?"
"Up that way, I think." They raced for the stairs. Then there was a noise behind them. They backed up against a tapestry.
Auburning had stood up and was shambling towards the other stairs. He moved stiffly, and didn't seem to notice the two fugitives at all. He stumbled up the stairs and was gone.
"What was that all about?" said Victoria.
"I've no idea," said Jamie. "Let's go before he sets off the alarm."
They went.