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Two
"Wow," marvelled Martha as she stepped out of the TARDIS and into a forest. "You were right, this is paradise!"
The Doctor shot her a smile. "You've just stepped out of the TARDIS and have only glimpsed a fraction of this planet's beauty and you're already saying that this paradise of a forest is enough for you?" he grinned, wondering if Martha was that easily impressed. "This is not the best bit of this planet…not by a long shot!"
"There's something more beautiful on this planet then this forest?"
"This planet is full of beauties –you'll be begging to stay here when I say 'let's go'!" said the Doctor, grinning from ear to ear.
Martha's eyebrows rose in mock defiance. "And what do I get in return if you are wrong and I am not begging to stay?"
The Doctor ran a hand through his hair, considering his options. "Erm…what would the lovely and beautiful Miss Jones want from a Time Lord such as myself?"
"Hmmm," Martha feigned thinking. "How about a kiss?"
His eyes widened in utter astonishment. "Seriously? That's the price you want from me?"
Martha laughed, doubling up. "No – I'm joking!" - Though she really wasn't – "how about taking me to a real haunted house and not those fake ones in Disneyland?"
"Oh, Martha Jones, I love haunted houses!" The Doctor jumped up and down, his excitement at the prospect of visiting a haunted house if he lose the bet was obvious. "You've got yourself a deal!"
They shook hands.
Chief Kaza of the Northern Tribe sat cross-legged at the side of the Shaman's cave which was located in the mountain that boarded the countries of Marid and Myrad. There was a little path that led from the northern side of the mountain to the Shaman's cave, allowing Kaza and any people of his tribe to talk to the Shaman.
Lately, Kaza had been talking more to the Shaman. There were rumours in the south from scouts concerning the children of a prophecy, and Kaza knew that if his enemies learnt of whom this prophecy spoke of they would face a fate worse then death. By spending most of his time with the Shaman Kaza hoped to identify these children, however his constant presence in the Shaman's home hadn't been very productive.
He sat back, smoking with the wooden pipe that was in his mouth, waiting for the Shaman to speak.
"What is this called?"
Martha crouched down, pointing at a tiny flower that was growing in the middle of the pathway that she and the Doctor had discovered from their walk in the forest. The flower's petals were pointed and spiky and it seemed to emit an aura of gold.
"I wouldn't recommend eating it," the Doctor said, crouching down next to her.
Martha raised her eyebrows. "Poisonous?"
"Oh yeah," he confirmed, nodding his head, "only if you eat it though. I believe it is called the Ofhorn - not entirely sure on that one - but it is used in healing practices, supposedly."
Martha stood up, placing her hands on her waist. "Ofhorn is only poisonous if you digest it, but it is used in healing practices? Wouldn't you be digesting it then?"
He nodded. "You can take out the poison you know."
"Then that explains it," added Martha.
"It certainly does," he stood up and strode up the path. It was gradually leading upward and Martha could see through the gaps in the forest trees, a mountain emerging.
"That mountain borders two countries: Marad and Myrad. There are passages through the mountains that allow the two tribes on either side to trade food or water when needed."
"Good working relations then?"
He took hold of her hand, running forwards.
"Hey!" shouted Martha. "You haven't answered my question!"
"I can show you!" he responded. "Let's go meet the natives!"
It was nearing prayer time. Chief Kaza had not received any word from the Shaman about the children of the prophecy. He would have to come back tomorrow and hope for some news.
The gods would shine on him, wouldn't they?
As he descended from the mountain Kaza could see two lonely shapes. They had just emerged from the forest.
Oh Cubhe…Kaza reflected sadly. The forest had once spread far and wide. Now it was reduced to only ten miles either side of the mountain. To his right was just barren wasteland. The forest had burned down during the war that had started so many years before he was born.
His tribe was just over a mile away. Even from this distance he could see the tall spires of smoke coming from the huts chimneys.
You've got two strangers to investigate first before you even consider heading home.
Kaza had to wonder why he never bought body-guards on his trips. He was an able fighter since he had a lot of experience however the sight of strangely clad people scared him. They were unknowns to him and he had to wonder if this was a trick of the southerners. His enemies would certainly befuddle him with strangers just to assassinate him.
His instincts told him they meant no harm…but should he trust them?
Shaking his head he began to approach the two strangers wearily, wondering if he was making the right decision.
"This certainly isn't the paradise I expected," the Doctor muttered. They stood at the base of the mountain having emerged from the forest. "What has happened here….everything is dead."
Martha strode ahead, her brown eyes taking in her surroundings. "Not as you remember it?"
"No…"
Martha turned back to the Doctor to see his face stricken and confused.
"What should be here instead of barren wasteland?" she asked.
"A forest should cover most of this land but it is all gone…why? What has happened since I was last here? Two thousand years can't have changed much…not by my reckoning at least."
"Perhaps you'll get answers in a minute," suggested Martha, nodding behind her to the path that led up into the mountains. "Someone is coming this way."
To be continued…
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magic-doctor-writer
