I apologize for the delay in posting another chapter. So much happened in the last few weeks. I'm starting a new job and I hope the late hours won't keep me from continuing to write on a regular basis. One way or the other, this story will continue but it may be posted at a slower rate.

Chapter 8

The community had lit fires through their walkways as night fell. Rega escorted the duo to a pagt'horiol on the other side of the community, which was laid out in a grid pattern. Inside the dwelling was the same kind of simple accoutrements as Nona had in her pagt'horiol, minus the cryptic Gallifreyan writings on the wall.

"This is yours for as long as you are with us. Please, make sure that we haven't lost any of your possessions and then join us for evening meal," Rega entreated Alex and Rose as they regarded their new abode.

"A whole pagt'horiol just for us two," Alex commented with surprise. "I thought with your limited resources that you'd have community shelter."

"We have shelter for those who lack marital status or choose to live with others of their own gender but…" He gave a smile that showed a strong hint of innuendo as he continued, "…I wouldn't want any activities between you two to be interrupted by an inquisitive roommate."

"We don't have that kind of relationship," Rose put in abruptly.

"Oh, I'm sure you'll get around to it," the Gallifreyan stated with confidence, causing Rose to flush slightly and Alex to straighten himself in an attempt to hide his own embarrassment with the innuendo. "Evening meal is about to start so I suggest that you satisfy yourselves that all is in order and then come with me. Bring your own ware."

Alex did as suggested, verifying that their backpack was undisturbed and that what little they picked up the last few weeks was still in their possession. Then procuring their ware, he and Rose allowed the Time Lord to take the lead. They walked through the narrow walkways of the settlement before arriving in a large patch of land untouched by pagt'horiolii. The open space was already full of people of various species, though most appeared to be humanoid. At the far end of the open space were three lit fire pits over which hung large metal pots. Steam wafted from the pots, sending the intoxicated scent of rich food into the air. There was already a line of people waiting to be served from the pots.

Rega guided the duo into a line and the three of them waited patiently for their turn. As they waited, the Doctor looked around, identifying as many species he could see and feel. He couldn't really distinguish between most of the humanoid species – after all, they all looked human – but he could feel at least thirty Gallifreyans amongst them. He could also see a Dragon (a sentient being from Lastiarus, the basis of Earth's mythological creature) and an Avian both of whose wings had been severely clipped, a couple of Drahvins, a Silurian, a Terileptil, a Sontaran (who appeared to be severed wounded), and a plethora of other species he couldn't immediately identify. There were three blond-haired humanoids that remained close to each other all the time.

"How many people are in your community?" he questioned Rega as he continued his perusal.

"It varies. People come and leave on a regular basis for multiple reasons. But I'd estimate it's around two hundred fifty to three hundred, not including the children."

"Quite a brood you have, then. All rescued from the Death Zone?"

"Most of them. But we have a few who have given up the lives they had to join our cause, most of them Civilians."

"Those blond-haired humanoids over there, are they Thals?" Alex pointed them out with a nod of his head.

Rega smiled at the sight of the small group. "They are indeed. The Xinkal brothers are some of the best recruiters I've ever seen. One of them told me about your presence in the Zone, followed you until I could come see you for myself." He paused, a sad expression coming to his features. "Only a thousand Thals survived the attack on Skaro."

"Skaro!" Rose exclaimed, instantly recognizing the name of the Dalek homeworld. She looked on the Doctor with surprise, watching his reactions. It was clear that he wasn't surprised by the name.

"What about the Daleks?" Alex questioned. "What happened to them?"

The Time Lord frowned at his words. "What's a Dalek?"

"You don't know what a Dalek is. There's a good sign," Rose murmured as Alex continued his questioning.

"What about the Kaleds, the Dals, the Therons?"

"You know much about Skaro, for a Nere'i."

"Yeah," came the long-drawn reply. "Wish I didn't."

Once again, Rega found himself looking on the latest recruit with curiosity. "The Dals and the Therons have been extinct for centuries thank to the Kaled's waging a war of racial cleansing on Skaro. When the Time Lords saw that their war, which had turned against the Thals, would eventually result in a threat greater than the universe could imagine, they invaded and conquered Skaro. The Thals refused to submit to the Time Lords and were thus brought to near extinction whereas the Kaleds eventually recognized the Time Lords as being a superior race to emulate. They now rule Skaro on behest of the Emperor."

"Doesn't surprise me the Kaleds chose the winning side in a genocidal war," the Doctor grumbled slightly. He paused. "I gather you've never heard of a Kaled scientist named Davros, then."

"Most of the scientists were killed during the invasion as they were apparently going to be responsible for the threat the Time Lords feared."

Satisfied that the chances of the Daleks being created were nil, Alex gave a faint nod as the line advanced to the point where it was their turn to collect their meal.

Seeing and smelling what was in the large pot, Alex grinned broadly. "Ah, brilliant! Cherote stew! Rose, you're in for a real treat." He didn't notice the frown Rega gave him as he allowed the Shobogan to dish himself a bowlful of stew before helping Rose and himself. The two then followed Rega to the middle of the community space before sitting down with their meals.

The moment that she bit into the rich stew, Rose had to admit that the Doctor was right about his assessment of the meal. It indeed was delicious. It sort of reminded her of beef stew but it tasted a little gamier. The choice of herbs offset the gaminess however, making the stew very satisfying. Glancing over at her companions, she could tell that Alex was enjoying as much as her but Rega seemed to find the stew distasteful, as if he was putting up with the meal because it was the only thing available. The three ate for a long time in silence, allowing Rose's thoughts to roam to everything she had seen and heard since she came to the community, especially their encounter with Nona. Finally, as she came close to finishing her meal, she decided to speak with Alex in private concerning the questions that were foremost on her mind. She waited until Rega had left them to socialize with other members of the community while Alex and she allowed the comfort of full bellies to settle over them.

"Doctor?" she finally broke the silence, gaining a hum of inquiry. "What did Nona call you back there?"

"Ligsankal," he answered.

"What does it mean?"

He gave a slight shrug, indicating that he didn't think it was of much significance as he replied, "It depends on how you choose to translate it. Gallifreyan really doesn't have one definition for a single word. It's more of a conceptual language. Fellugr Moro doesn't just mean Bad Wolf. It can also mean 'violent beast' or 'mischievous creature'. Ligsankal… well, the closest English analogy could be 'The People's Defender', aka Alexander, though there are variant translations which run along the same line like 'Champion of the Masses'. Obviously, she knew my name thanks to her being a visionary."

"And that bit about you having three faces?"

He huffed slightly. "I have no idea. I obviously don't have three faces. Not literally. I'm not Cerberus. Just one head here, not three."

She laughed gently at his words but quickly became somber with another question on her mind. "Are you sad… like Nona said?"

"Everyone's sad, Rose," the hybrid told her gently. "We all have done and said things we regret. We've all been hurt by someone or something in the past. How we handle that reflects who we are."

"I suppose," the blonde woman agreed softly. She remained quiet for a long moment, obviously in deep thought before breaking the silence again. "Something else that's been bothering me since we got here."

"Yes?"

"It's silly really but… is everyone speaking English or am I just hearing it? I mean, we don't have a TARDIS translating for us so…"

"My guess is that there's a telepathic translation matrix surrounding Gallifrey. Like the TARDIS but on a much larger scale."

"Thought as much. So, when Rega's speaking to us, he's speaking…"

"Gallifreyan," Alex confirmed. "High Gallifreyan at that. Which tells me that he's nobility."

Even as he finished his sentence, Rega's voice boomed through the clearing.

"My friends! My friends, give me your attention please!" The crowd's murmur dissipated as everyone turned to gaze on their leader. "We have newcomers to our community. Please accept them and greet them as your brother and sister as you have in turn been accepted and greeted." Rega gestured as he spoke. "Our brother Alex, also known as Ligsankal. And our sister Rose, also known as Fellugr Moro."

A murmur of awe and surprise came from the crowd upon Rega's announcement, gaining Alex's attention instantly. He looked around the crowd, noting that every person there was staring at Rose and him.

"Apparently, we've been expected," he muttered to Rose, who couldn't help but regard the crowd with confusion.

Even as Alex spoke to her, Rega continued his words to his people. "Yes, we are all aware of Nona's words, of these names. But I don't want to hear any speculation about what those names mean. The only thing we know is that Nona said they would come. Having spoken and spent time with Alex and Rose, I already know that they wish to be treated with the same respect as you would show everyone in our company. What is more, regardless of the names Nona has given them, they must still prove themselves to us." He took a breath as he regarded the people in the gathering place, making sure that they had understood his words before proceeding. "That being said, Voirtil will soon be upon us and we must be prepared for the heat that comes with it. We all know our tasks for the harvest and the gathering. Nona predicts that this coming season is going to be hard on us. I know every single one of you will ensure that we are ready for the challenge. May the gods be with us."

The crowd echoed their agreement to the invocation before dispersing, some approaching Alex and Rose to welcome them to the community before leaving the area and going to their pagt'horiols.

"Only a few hours here and we're already celebrities?" Alex questioned Rega as he returned.

"I'm afraid some of my people tend to see signs and portents with every one of Nona's visions, even with the names she chooses for newcomers. Everyone receives a new name when they come to the village. You are the first two to receive names before even arriving. She told us Fellugr Moro and Ligsankal were coming. She seemed to indicate that the names were of great importance but she has yet to explain how. Do you know?"

"My new name? Other than it's the Gallifreyan version of Alexander, no. Rose, on the other hand… Well…"

"It's a long story," Alex and Rega finished at the same time.

"So you have said before," the Gallifreyan continued. "And you're not going to explain it."

"I'm sure you can understand that, just as we have to prove ourselves to you, you have to prove yourselves to us," Rose told him firmly.

"A wise precaution," Rega agreed before guiding them back to their own abode. Upon reaching the pagt'horiol, he gave them each a small bow. "Breakfast ends when the second sun rises."

Thanking him for his time, the two entered the tent-like structure that was to be their home. Setting up their sleeping arrangements like usual, they covered themselves and slowly drifted to sleep, the day's events running through their dreams.

Just a little post-explanation. Whereas Earth has four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter), Gallifrey has twelve to be more specific about what weather to expect. Just as Huranta is the beginning of summer, Voirtil is mid-summer. Here's a list of all the Gallifreyan seasons, if you are interested:

Seasons of Gallifrey

Beginning of winter – Rrubslig

Mid winter - Fuerta

End of winter - Elorhj

Beginning of spring - Briasl

Mid spring - Aiheir

End of spring – Tw'hehofn

Beginning of summer – Huranta

Mid summer – Voirtil

End of summer – Goibein

Beginning of autumn – W'ledgins

Mid autumn – Aetorinos

End of autumn – Jetiohsri