Part Five
Jo drove the Doctor back to the palace, where his wound was properly treated and Queen El-Medr thanked him profusely.
"If you ever wish to return to Ar-Amed, you will of course be welcome. And you too, El-Djo."
Jo smiled at her. "Thanks very much."
"Maybe I will name my second daughter after you …" She paused, then continued, "Ar-Doktr, are we safe from Ar-Setm now?"
"I can't promise you he won't try anything," said the Doctor, "but his main motivation for being here is lost, it seems. The treasures will be well guarded, I trust?"
"Of course."
"Then you probably have little to fear from him … It will be another planet's turn to suffer now … but trust me, I will be there to stop him."
"Ar-Doktr, I have one last apology to make," said the queen. "On Ar-Setm's orders, I had specifically requested that any strange stories be reported to me – and thence to him – immediately. I believe he must have been aware that you might make a visit. That was the reason the rumour of your presence came to us so quickly."
The Doctor seemed to be considering something for a few moments. "Yes … the Master needed someone who knew of the whereabouts of the lost treasures, but he did not want to risk his own life … I wonder if it was not wholly accidental that we landed here after all … perhaps he had a part in it."
"I cannot comment," said the queen. "I know nothing of time travel and other planets. All I can do is say, once more, that if you ever wish – deliberately, this time – to return to our planet, I will allow no man to try and stop you."
She bowed her head, and departed, leaving the Doctor and Jo alone.
"Well, Ar-Doktr," Jo said jokingly. "Are we going now?"
The Doctor nodded gravely. "Yes, El-Djo. Although I would rather like a chance to study those dragons more closely …"
"Well, all I can say is that you're not getting it so long as I'm with you. Let's go."
THE END