Part II of Rassilon's Rebel commencing.
The night air stung his lungs as he ran, ran away from his attackers and ran away from her. Ala, he could see her now being hauled into the hover carrier and they were sending out more men to find him. In his mind her words burned like fire and to ease the pain he ran. Underneath his bare feet the ground was spongy and damp from the recent rainfall as the twin moons gave him plenty of light to see by, but it also helped his attacker see him.
" If you are being chased at night and you see a tree, climb it before they can see you." The words came unbidden to his mind and turning swiftly ran towards the silver woods. Though the trees resembled mercury rods in the frozen air, the canopy was too thick to allow someone to actually see in the gloom. Reaching the trees he leapt like a squirrel into the nearest and shinned through the branches farther into the forest. Suddenly a branch broke underneath him…
The Doctor awoke in a feverish sweat, his sheets sticking to damp body. Shaking his head to clear the dream, he stood and pulled on his pants.
The air was cool when he walked unto the terrace to admire the suns rise. Down below, there were a couple of young boys practicing a few moves that even he had to learn. Out of the gloom came the grandmaster and the Doctor made a slight bow with head. But it was the man that stood behind the grandmaster that surprised the Doctor. There stood the one Gallifreyan who was referred to as the Master with a grin as wide as could possibly on his face. Suddenly the grandmaster waved the Doctor from his eagle perch and the Doctor promptly obeyed.
" Doctor." The old man's voice was a soft tenor that had been deepened slightly by age. " Grandmaster." Bowing completely this time, he heard a snort of arrogance. The Doctor felt a sudden surge of anger flow through him, this man whoever he was thought he was greater that the Doctor.
" Oh, I'll show him." The words came from his heart violently and he saw the grandmaster smile.
" This here is one of our new recruits. Would you mind showing him the ropes?" The question hung in the morning air enticingly and the Doctor snatched with a quick yes. The two younger boys had cleared the training mat for the Doctor and the Master, but they were waiting for the judgment duel to begin.
The duel was designed to test the skills you have already acquired throughout one's lifetime. Many of the pupils here were partially trained in the Art the Doctor though was not. His father forbade him to be taught because he thought it would cut into the study time he had to have every day. When he came here though, after trail and tribulation in the wilds, starved and half frozen, he had ranked highest in the class. Now it was time see what this bastard could do. Taking his stance, the Doctor stared down his opponent with his startlingly blue eyes.
" Begin." The word echoed through the Doctor and he watched his opponent carefully with a well-trained eye. They circled for a time, each waiting for the other to make the attack when the Master suddenly stopped and turned to address the grandmaster. The Doctor lunged, his body untwisting from his stance like a snake and with a swift motion to the back of leg brought the Master to the ground.
" Never take your eyes off of your opponent. Lesson one." He hissed in the Master's ear and he helped the man up. " Again." The Doctor instructed and the Master flew forward quickly trying to catch the Doctor off guard, only to land flat on his face with the Doctor laughing madly behind him. He glared at the younglings who were also laughing at him and picking himself up twisted and ran at the Doctor. A swift blow to the torso and he went sprawling once more in the dirt.
" This one is stubborn." The Doctor laughed as the master tried again, his body powering the blow and the Doctor smiled as he came forward. Only then did the Master realize it was too late. He tried to pull out of the motion but as he pulled out the Doctor grabbed the collar of his shirt and threw him across the courtyard. The Master hurt all over, every muscle in his body ached but he was ready to go another round when he saw the hand signal.
" So what do think, Doctor?"
" He is stubborn, but a quick learner. If he is willing, I would be glad to make him a member of my regiment." The Master smiled wearily as the Doctor came over to him and taking the necklace he wore from his neck gave it the Master.
" Your tags. Wear them with pride." The Doctor stated simply and walked away leaving the Master in a stupefied daze.