Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who and I never will unfortunately :(
Author's Note: This is the last of the old chapters so the next one has new content so look out for that!
Chapter Six
Tooth and Claw
Part 1
Clara…Clara…
The said brunette tossed and turned in her bed, eyebrows furrowed together as she stayed sound asleep.
Remember…
"Remember…remember what?" Clara whispered in her sleep, clutching the sheets close to her.
Run…run you clever boy…and remember me…
Clara jerked in her slumber and she woke up, groggily. She sat up in bed as she rubbed her eyes with one another, running the other through her hair. What a strange dream? Clara didn't even know how to describe it, but that was because she could barely remember what the dream was even about.
She climbed out of her bed and slipped on her slippers. Clara wasn't going to be able to go to bed after that dream. This would be a good chance to explore the TARDIS. She wondered what all could be in the time machine.
Light glowed in the hallway, so Clara could see where she was going. She trailed the hallway slowly, glancing around. All she could see was doors. Clara frowned, wondering which one she should go through. There was too many to choose from. Clara passed a room that had a large rose in the front of it, figuring that it was Rose's room and honestly, she didn't feel like waking up the blonde. The girl seemed like the type to hate being woken up. So, she picked the door with the words, 'the Library' on the front of it.
Clara stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She turned and gaped at the sheer size of the library. There must have been a thousand books in here…maybe even more. She wanted to explore, but she didn't know where to start. Oh well, she would just start. Clara moved through the bookshelves, looking at the book titles. Some of them, she could understand what the titles were. Most them though…she couldn't. There was in different languages, which was to be expected. The Doctor was a time traveler so of course he gathered books from all over.
Clara came to a stop when she spotted a large book. Her eyebrows furrowed in curiosity as she went up to the book. Clara reached up and her fingers trailed along the words of the book. It was in the front and it said: The History of the Time War.
"Time War." Clara voiced out loud, not noticing someone behind her.
"Clara."
She whirled around and found herself face to face with the Doctor. He didn't look all that happy.
"What are you doing in here?" he asked coolly.
Clara's face warmed. "I…I'm sorry." She sputtered. "I couldn't go back to sleep and decided to explore…and came in the library. I didn't know I couldn't be in here…"
He said nothing for a moment as his face softened. "Oh…sorry Clara. Of course, you can be in here."
Clara relaxed. "Okay…I'm sorry again…I probably shouldn't have touched anything…"
"No, it's alright…you can read anything you like." The Doctor nodded towards the book she had touched. "Except for that one. You probably wouldn't be interested in it anyway."
From the title, Clara would definitely be interested, but if the Doctor didn't want her to read it, then she would keep her hands off of it. She slowly nodded.
"Alright…"
The Doctor smiled at her. "But stay here as long as you like."
"Maybe next time…I probably should get back to bed." Clara mumbled.
He nodded. "Okay…I'll take you back to your room."
Clara nodded again as she followed the Doctor out of the library. The walk was silent until the brunette broke it.
"Doctor…what exactly is the Time War?"
The question made him stiffen, but he tried to brush it off. "Oh, nothing important…nothing to worry about. It happened years ago." He glanced at her and Clara noticed the sadness in his eyes. There was definitely more to the story, but she didn't force him to tell her anything. The rest of the walk was silent. They made it to her room and Clara turned to the Doctor.
"Thank you, Doctor." She told him.
"You're welcome. Goodnight."
"Night." Clara watched him walk away until she couldn't see him anymore. She stared at the spot where he once was, wondering what he was doing up so late. Maybe he didn't need sleep.
Shrugging her shoulders, she went inside her room and went over to her bed, sliding under the covers. Clara closed her eyes, managing to fall asleep without any dreams.
The next time she woke up, it was to the sound of loud music booming through the TARDIS. It made Clara quickly get dressed and head to the control room. What was going on in there?
Clara watched amused at the sight of the Doctor and Rose dancing around. It took her a moment to recognize the song. Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick by Ian Dury and the Blockhead. This was one of her father's favorite song by the band. It brought back fond memories. One of her and her dad dancing to it with her standing on his feet because she was too small to dance on her own. Clara could practically picture the moment as if it was happening right in front of her. Not only that, she could hear her mother's sweet and contagious laughter in the background. Before the emotions could get to her, Clara shook herself out of it, opening her mouth to make her presence known but she was stopped when she heard the same voice in her head. The TARDIS.
'Clara. I would go to the wardrobe room.'
Clara was confused and she made her confusion known in her head. 'Why?'
'Because if I know my Thief, he's going to be taking to you a different time period than he says he is…and you're going to need the proper attire."
'Erm okay…' Clara let the TARDIS lead her to the wardrobe room where she was greeted with the sight of period dresses. So, the Doctor was taking them to the past…awesome! Clara picked her favorite dress out of the bunch and tried it on, along with a few other things. After she finished, she headed back towards the console room, picking up her skirts to make sure she didn't fall face first. The dress was a little hard to move in, which was probably because of the corset she had on underneath the dress.
By the time she got the console room, the Doctor slipped on his coat and then he spotted Clara, taken aback by her attire.
"Why are you wearing that then?" he asked.
Clara opened her mouth to response, but the TARDIS cut her off.
'Don't let him know you can speak to me.' She said seriously. 'He doesn't need to know…not yet.'
Clara nodded in her mind, then she spoke out loud. "Oh…um…just felt like dressing up." She responded, rubbing her head sheepishly.
"Oh…" The Doctor mumbled as Rose eyed her strangely.
"So!" Clara changed the subject. "Where are we?"
"1879!" The Doctor grinned as he put his jacket on. "Hell of a year!" He bounded towards the doors with Rose behind him and Clara followed them. "China invades Vietnam…the Muppet Movie! Love that film. Margret Thatcher…urgh…" He rolled his eyes. "Skylab falls to Earth…with a little help from me…nearly took off my thumb…" They stepped out of the doors, Clara and Rose behind him. "I like my thumb. I need my thumb. I'm very attached to…" he faltered, noticing they were surrounded by soldiers pointing their guns at them, on all sides.
Clara gulped. What did they do? The Doctor put his hands up. Clara decided to follow in suit. Last thing she needed was to get shot up. Rose followed along.
"My thumb…" The Doctor finished what he was saying. Clara stared at him for a moment before shaking her head as the guns clicked ominously. "1879. Same difference."
"In what world?" Clara mumbled.
"You will explain your presence." The man in front, or known as Captain Reynolds, demanded. He was Scottish. "And the nakedness of this girl." He nodded towards Rose and looked down at herself.
This made Clara glad she listened to the TARDIS and put this dress on. She didn't want any attention brought on her. It didn't last long.
"And why this young woman doesn't have any shoes." Captain Reynolds' cold stare shifted to Clara and she stiffened up.
She pulled her skirts up enough to see she was in fact wearing no shoes. Clara blushed.
"Are we in Scotland?" the Doctor questioned, putting on a convincing Scottish accent.
The captain turned his gaze to the Doctor. "How can you be ignorant of that?"
"Oh, I'm – I'm dazed and confused." He responded. "I've been chasing this…this wee naked child over hill and over dale. Isn't that right, ya…timorous beastie?"
"Ooch, aye! I've been oot and aboot." Rose said in a hilarious and terrible attempt at a Scottish accent, and Clara forced herself not to giggle.
The Doctor shook his head at her. "No, don't do that."
"Hoots mon!"
"No, really don't. Really." He cleared his throat. "But as for my friend's missing shoes, she's been helping me chase this wee naked child and must have lost her shoes running, right Miss Oswald?"
Clara quickly nodded. "Yes! That's right."
The captain grunted, not believing that. "Will you identify yourself, sir?"
"I'm Doctor James McGrimmon. From the…Township of Balamory. Eh…I have my credentials, if I may…" The Doctor gestured towards his pocket and the captain nodded. He put his hands down to rummage through his pocket, finally producing the psychic paper, and he showed it to them. "As you can see, a Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh. I trained under Doctor Bell himself.'
From the carriage, another voice sounded, a regal one from the sound of it. "Let them approach."
"I don't think that's wise, ma'am."
"Let them approach."
The Doctor gestured towards the carriage and Captain Reynolds had no choice but to let them approach. The captain sighed heavily before straightening up, staring hard at the three of them.
"You will approach the carriage." He said sternly. "And show all due difference."
The Doctor did an 'aye, aye, Captain' sort of signal. Clara bit back a giggle, especially at the annoyed expression on Captain Reynolds face as they approached the carriage. One of the footman opened the door to reveal the one and only, Queen Victoria.
Clara couldn't help but stare in awe. Queen Victoria was right in front of her. Though the Queen was older, you could still see the fighting and fierce spirit in her eyes. Speaking of those eyes…they turned to look at Clara and the brunette bowed her head at the intense gaze.
"Rose…Clara…might I introduce her Majesty Queen Victoria." The Doctor said with a wide grin. "Empress of India and Defender of Earth."
Rose curtseyed easily. "Rose Tyler, Ma'am. And my apologizes…for being so naked." She laughed nervously.
"I've had five daughters." Queen Victoria said calmly. "It's nothing to me." Clara still had her head bowed and the queen noticed. "Eyes up here, child. One should always keep eye contact when talking to someone."
Looking up, Clara nodded quickly. "Sorry, ma'am."
A gentle smile graced Queen Victoria's face. "No worries, my dear. Now, what your name, child?"
"Clara Oswald, ma'am."
The queen nodded before she turned to the Doctor, the smile disappearing. "Now you, Doctor…show me these credentials."
The Doctor obligingly handed the psychic paper over, and the Queen studied it for a moment.
"Why didn't you say so immediately?" she asked as she looked up at the Doctor. "It states clearly here that you have been appointed by the Lord Provost as my Protector."
"Does it?" The Doctor questioned slowly, taking the psychic paper back. After reading it over, he brightened, giving a grin. "Yes, it does! Good! Good!" The grin faded and was replaced with a frown, suddenly realizing something. "Um…then let me ask – why is Your Majesty travelling by road when there's a train all the way to Aberdeen?"
"A tree on the line."
"An accident?"
"I am the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland." Queen Victoria explained. "Everything around me tends to be planned."
The Doctor frowned. "An assassination attempt?"
"What, seriously?" Rose asked, surprised. "There's people out there to kill ya?"
"I'm quite used to staring down the barrel of a gun." Queen Victoria said, seemingly not bothered by the fact there was people out there to kill her. Clara stared at her, admiring the queen's guts. No wonder she was the longest living monarch.
Captain Reynolds spoke up. "Sir Robert MacLeish lives but ten miles hence." He informed the Queen. "We'll send word ahead, he'll shelter us tonight, and then we can reach Balmoral tomorrow."
"The Doctor, Miss Oswald, and his…timorous beastie will come with us."
"Yes, ma'am." Captain Reynolds agreed. "We'd better get moving – it's almost night fall."
Queen Victoria nodded. "Indeed." She said. "And there are stories of wolves in these parts. Fanciful tales intended to scare the children. But good for the blood, I think." Before telling them to drive on, she looked to Clara. "Miss Oswald, would you like to join me in the carriage?"
Clara looked surprised as did the Doctor and Rose. She couldn't believe that, but she couldn't deny the Queen.
"I'd like that, Queen Victoria." Clara said politely as she climbed into the carriage with her, catching the Doctor's eye for a moment.
"Ride on!" Queen Victoria announced. With that, they drove on towards Sir Robert MacLeish's estate.
With Clara inside of the carriage, the Doctor and Rose trailed along behind everyone. Rose was still amazed they met the actual Queen Victoria. Though she had traveled with the Doctor for a while, it still amazed her when they met people from history.
"It's funny though." Rose said, starting a conversation with the Doctor. "'Cos when you say 'assassination' and you just think of Kennedy and stuff. Not her."
"1879 – she had…oo…six attempts on her life? And I'll tell you something else: we just met Queen Victoria!" The Doctor grinned in the blonde's direction.
"I know!" Rose squealed excitedly, nudging him in the side.
His grin widened. "What a laugh!"
"She was just sitting there!"
"Like stamp."
"I want her to say." Rose put on an affected upper-class accent. "'We are not amused'. I bet you five quid I can make her say it."
The Doctor shook his head. "Well, if I gambled on that, it'd be an abuse of my privileges of a traveler in time."
Rose paused for a moment. "Ten quid?" she offered again.
This time, he didn't hesitate. "Done."
The blonde giggled, then she glanced at the carriage. "I wonder what they're talking about in there."
The Doctor figured who she was talking about. "No clue." He really didn't. They could be talking about anything…but it was rather strange Queen Victoria asked Clara to share her carriage. The Queen wouldn't do that with just anyone. So why Clara? Just another question to add to the box that the Doctor had about the mystery that was Clara Oswald.
Clara sat there in awkward silence with Queen Victoria sitting right beside her. She didn't know what to say. I mean, what did one say to the current Queen of the United Kingdom?
The queen cleared her throat, breaking Clara's thoughts. "You know, I've always enjoyed riding in carriages, gives you time to think, don't you agree?"
Clara nodded with a small smile. "Yeah, it does. I've had a lot on my mind lately…" The smile fell and she looked away from Queen Victoria as her mind went to her father, wondering how he was doing." She felt the queen's eyes on her and she forced herself to look at her, bringing the smile back on her face. "Don't you ever get bored of traveling?" She tried to change the subject.
"Sometimes, but it's nice to get away, at least for a little while."
She nodded again. There was silence again. It didn't last long as Queen Victoria spoke.
"Miss Oswald, do you have any family?"
Clara was taken aback by the question because it was as if the queen had read her mind. She shook her head to shake out of it.
"Yes, just my father…"
"Oh? And what of your mother?"
Her eyes down casted at the question. "Oh…she passed away a couple months ago…"
"Oh…I'm so sorry about that…" The queen's voice was sympathetic. "That must be difficult…your how old?
Clara still felt fifteen, but knew from what year she came from that she was technically sixteen. "Sixteen." She answered softly.
"Oh…" Queen Victoria said sadly. "So young…" Clara said nothing as the queen continued, "To lose your mother so young, I can't imagine."
"Yeah…" Clara mumbled, her eyes starting to tear up. Something the queen noticed.
"Don't cry, child." Queen Victoria said softly, tilting Clara's head up to meet her gaze. "It's going to be alright…I know that's hard to believe…but everything turns out alright in the end." She wiped away her tears and Clara gave her a watery smile.
"Thank you, your majesty." The brunette whispered.
Queen Victoria gave her a smile. "Of course, my dear." She removed her hand and gave Clara's a squeeze before letting go. "So, how long have you've known Doctor McGrimmon?"
"Not for very long…" Clara didn't expect that question but she answered it and went on with it, coming up with a lie. "But he's a good man, even though I haven't known him for that long."
Queen Victoria just nodded, not asking anything more. It was hard to tell what the queen was thinking now but Clara didn't bother asking. She didn't have time to ask anyway because the carriage came to a stop.
The carriage door opened and one of the footman soldiers helped Queen Victoria down. Surprisingly, he helped Clara down and Clara rejoined the Doctor and Rose. The Time Lord glanced over at her.
"How was the ride?" he asked.
"Interesting…" Was all Clara said…what else could she say about it? Luckily, he didn't ask anything else, which Clara was happy about. She didn't want to talk about it.
A well-dressed man emerged from a doorway and approached Queen Victoria, a bald man behind him. Clara stared at him. Seconds later, he caught her gaze and she shivered, stepping back a little. His stare rubbed her the wrong way. Thankfully his gaze moved away from her and Clara's body relaxed.
"Sir Robert." Queen Victoria greeted the well-dressed man regally, now known as Sir Robert, the owner of the house. "My apologizes for the emergency. And how is Lady Isobel?"
"She's…" Sir Robert hesitated a bit. "Indisposed, I'm – afraid she's gone to Edinburgh for the season. And she's taken the cook with her – the kitchens are barely stocked…I wouldn't blame Your Majesty if you wanted to ride on."
"Oh, not at all!" Queen Victoria said cheerfully. "I've had quite enough carriage exercise. And this is…charming. If rustic. It's my first visit to this house. My late husband spoke of it often. The Torchwood Estate. Now, shall we go inside?" Sir Robert looked reluctant, but the Queen didn't notice. "And please excuse the naked girl."
Rose smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."
"She's a feral child." The Doctor explained, still in his Scottish accent. "I bought her for sixpence in Old London Town, it was her or the Elephant Man, so…"
"Thinks he's funny, but I'm so not amused." Rose looked pointedly at Queen Victoria as Clara stared at her confused, wondering why the blonde was looking at the Queen like that. "What do you think, ma'am?"
Queen Victoria stared at her blankly. "It hardly matters. Shall we proceed?" The question was directed towards Sir Robert, who nodded, and they began to make their way inside. "Come along, Ms. Oswald."
Clara looked after her in surprise, but moved along to follow. She couldn't say no to the Queen after all.
Once inside, she followed beside Queen Victoria as she looked around the house, amazed. The inside was even bigger than the outside. Clara heard the queen laugh softly and she looked over at her. Since they were the same height, their gazes instantly met.
The queen saw her confused look. "I'm terribly sorry, I was just thinking about how much you remind me of myself at your age."
Clara took that as a compliment and smiled warmly. "Thank you, ma'am."
Queen Victoria gave her a warm smile in response as she reached over and squeezed her hand for a moment before releasing it. Sir Robert led them to the observatory, followed by Rose, the Doctor, the bald man who was with Sir Robert, and two of the household staff. The first thing to catch Clara's eyes was the enormous telescope in the middle of the room.
"This, I take it, is the famous Endeavour." Queen Victoria said, gesturing to the telescope.
Sir Robert nodded. "All my father's work. Built by hand in his final years. Became something of an obsession – he spent his money on this rather than caring for the house himself."
The Doctor smiled widely. "I wish I'd met him, I like him." He said. "That thing's beautiful – can I?" He gestured towards the telescope.
"Help yourself." Sir Robert informed him, nodding.
With that, he and Rose moved to examine the telescope and the wheel next to it. Clara decided to look too, curious about the Endeavour.
"What did he model it on?" The Doctor asked.
"I know nothing about it." Sir Robert answered. "To be honest, most of us thought him a little…shall we say, eccentric?" The Doctor let out a dopey laugh at this as Clara glanced at him, biting back a smile. "I wish now I'd spent more time with him. And listened to his stories." He glanced at the Queen.
"It's a bit rubbish." The Doctor frowned, peering through it. Rose turned as she grinned. "How many prisms has it got? The magnification's gone right over the top, that's stupid—"
Clara interrupted him by stomping on his foot and he winced. "Oy, don't be rude." She scolded slightly.
"Am I being rude, again?" The Doctor asked Rose quietly, wanting confirmation.
"Yep."
"But it's pretty!" he backed up quickly. "It's very…pretty."
Rose patted him fondly on the arm as Clara shook her head.
"And the imagination of it should be applauded." Queen Victoria said with a smile.
"Mm! Thought you might disapprove, Your Majesty." Rose told her. "Isn't that a bit fanciful?" the queen just stared at her and Clara couldn't help but stare too. What was Rose trying to do? "You could easily…not be amused or something…? No…?"
"This device surveys the infinite work of God."
The Doctor shook his head at Rose with a vague smile on his face. Clara was letting it go, but decided to ask now.
"What is that about?" she asked lowly to him.
"She thinks she can get the queen to say, 'we are not amused.'" The Doctor explained. "We have a bet."
Clara nodded slowly, but she couldn't help the smile on her face. "And here I thought bets were beneath you." She teased him, looking up at him.
"Weell, they are, but why not? She won't get her to say it." The Doctor responded, amused.
"Right." Their conversation was cut by Queen Victoria speaking again.
"What could be finer? Sir Robert's father was an example to us all. A polymath. Steeped in astronomy and sciences, yet equally versed in folklore and fairytales."
"Stars and magic." The Doctor mused with a smile. "I like him more and more." He wandered around the telescope to examine it some more.
Queen Victoria smiled too. "Oh, my late husband enjoyed his company." She glanced over at Rose and Clara and said to them, "Prince Albert himself was acquainted with many rural superstitions, coming as he did from Saxe Coburg."
"That's Bavaria." The Doctor whispered in Rose's ear.
The queen turned to Sir Robert. "When Albert was told about your local wolf, he was transported."
This caught the Doctor's interest. "So, what's this wolf, then?"
"It's just a story." Sir Robert tried to brush it off.
"Then tell it."
Sir Robert looked visibly uncomfortable. It was hard not to notice. Clara frowned to herself. Sir Robert cleared his throat.
"It's said that…" He was cut off by Father Angelo.
"Excuse me, sir." He said. "Perhaps her Majesty's party could repair to their rooms. It's almost dark."
"Of course. Yes, of course."
Queen Victoria nodded in agreement. "And then supper. And…could we find some clothes for Miss Tyler? I'm tired of nakedness."
"It's not very amusing, is it?" Rose asked pointedly.
The queen decided to just ignore the comment as the Doctor muttered something to Rose and she poked him in the chest. Clara didn't hear what he said but again, she felt like a third wheel. She ignored the feeling, trying to force it away.
"Sir Robert, your wife must've left some clothes." Queen Victoria said. "See to it." He nodded. "We shall dine at seven. And talk some more of this wolf. After all…it is a full moon tonight."
Clara ended up going with Rose, just to find some shoes. She managed to find some that weren't heels surprisingly. After getting her shoes, Clara went into the dining room, joining the Doctor, Captain Reynolds, Queen Victoria, and Sir Robert around the table. She settled in the seat next to the Doctor.
He smiled at her warmly.
"Rose still getting changed?"
Clara gave a nod. "Yeah." At least she thought so. One of the staff members sent her to another room.
Since Queen Victoria was busy conversing with Sir Robert and Captain Reynolds, the Doctor decided to ask her more about what happened in her carriage ride with Queen Victoria.
"What did you guys talk about?" he asked.
Clara knew what he meant and she shrugged. "Nothing really." She didn't know why it mattered. I mean, she guessed it was a little strange that Queen Victoria herself wanted her, someone who the queen didn't even know, to ride in her carriage with Clara. Maybe it had something do with the fact Queen Victoria thought she reminded her of herself, but who knows really.
"Why do you want to know?" Clara asked a question herself.
"Curiosity." He replied simply, and didn't say anything else on the subject.
"Okay…"
Father Angelo came into the room. "Your companion begs and apology, Doctor." He said. "Her clothing has somewhat delayed her."
"Oh, that's alright." The Doctor brushed it off. "Save her a wee bit of ham."
"The feral child could probably eat it raw."
Clara and the Doctor didn't know if that was a joke or not so they didn't laugh, but Captain Reynolds sure did.
"Very wise, ma'am!" He laughed, a little too obnoxiously. "Very witty!"
Queen Victoria stared at him appraisingly. "Slightly witty, perhaps. I know you rarely get the chance to dine with me, Captain, but don't get too excited…I shall contain my wit in case I do you no further injury."
"Yes, ma'am." Captain Reynolds said meekly as Clara stifled a giggle. The Doctor noticed and forced back a smile. "Sorry ma'am."
The Doctor changed the subject. "Besides, we're all waiting on Sir Robert! Come, Sir! You promised us a tale of nightmares."
"Indeed." Queen Victoria smiled. "Since my husband's death, I find myself with more of a taste for supernatural fiction."
"You must miss him." The Doctor said softly.
She looked over at the Doctor. "Very much." The queen seemed to be lost in thought, very sad.
Clara knew the look all too well as she smiled sadly, finding herself thinking of her mum.
"Oh completely." Queen Victoria mumbled. Her eyes met Clara and the Doctor's. "And that's the charm of a ghost story, isn't it? Not the scares and chills, that's just for the children, but the hope of some contact with the great beyond." The Doctor stared at her intensely as Clara thought about what the queen was saying and about how sadly true it was. "We all want messages from that place…it's the Creator's greatest mystery that we are allowed no such consolation. The dead stay silent. And we must wait…" She shrugged herself out of it.
Clara was still lost in thought about it. She wished she could talk to her mum again…just to tell her that she missed her… Clara didn't get the chance to before she died. She was hanging out with her friend Nina when she had gotten the call that her mum died. It was one of the reasons why she took her mother's death so hard…that she wasn't there to her once more before she passed away. Clara felt tears slip down her cheeks but she quickly wiped them, not wanting to be caught crying. Luckily, no one noticed. Clara rubbed her eyes before glancing over at the Doctor.
He was looking down at the table with a solemn look on his face. He looked so sad. It reminded her of how his eyes looked this morning…when she had mentioned the Time War.
"Come!" Queen Victoria said, snapping the Doctor out of whatever he was thinking about. "Begin your tale, Sir Robert. There's a chill in the air. The wind is howling through the eaves. Tell us of monsters!"
"This story goes back three hundred year." Sir Robert started. "Every full moon, the howling rings through the valley. The next morning livestock is found ripped apart…and devoured."
Clara shivered in disgust at the thought.
Captain Reynolds leaned back in his seat comfortably as he sipped his wine, laughing. "Tales like this just disguise the work of thieves." He said, amused. "Steal a sheep and blame a wolf." The queen glanced at him, mildly irritated.
Sir Robert ignored him. "But sometimes a child goes missing. Once in a generation. A boy will vanish from his homestead."
The Doctor leaned forward, even more intrigued by the story. "Are there descriptions of the creature?"
"Oh yes, Doctor. Drawings and woodcarvings. And it's not merely a wolf. It's more than that. It's a man that becomes a wolf."
Clara knew what that meant and her eyes went wide. "Wait, are you talking about a werewolf? An actual, proper werewolf?" At Sir Robert's nod, she whispered. "Oh my stars."
The Doctor chuckled softly, amused at Clara's awe.
"My Father didn't treat it as a story. He said it was fact. He even claimed to have communed with the beast – to have learned its purpose." No one noticed that Father Angelo wasn't paying attention now, something catching his eye outside the window. "I should have listened." Sir Robert's voice was filled with regret as he glanced at Father Angelo. Then he went on quickly. "His work was hindered – he made enemies. There's Monastery in the Glen of Saint Mary. The Brethren opposed my father's investigations.'
"Perhaps they thought his work ungodly."
"That's what I thought. But I wonder…what if they had a different reason for wanting the story kept quiet. What if they turned from God and worshipped the wolf."
"And what if they were with us right now." The Doctor stated lowly, slowly standing up.
Clara looked at him, startled. "What…what are you talking about?"
The Doctor said nothing. If he was saying what she thought he was saying…this was not good. Clara shot up from her seat as did everyone else as Father Angelo continued to chant over and over. It was in an accent Clara recognized but didn't understand.
Chaos filled the room.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Queen Elizabeth demanded as Captain Reynolds pointed a gun at Sir Robert.
"Explain yourself, Sir Robert!"
"What's happening—"
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, they've got my wife." Sir Robert apologized.
"Rose! Where's Rose?! Where is she?!" The Doctor shouted angrily, losing his Scottish accent in his concern.
Father Angelo ignored him and carried on chanting.
"Clara, come on!" The Doctor grabbed a hold of her hand, snapping herself out of her shock. "You too, Sir Robert!" With that, they all took running.
TBC...
Tooth and Claw
Part 2