Doctor Who_ Time Warrior Part 14

'I'm in no great hurry, I a.s.sure you,' called the Doctor.

Irongron rocked with laughter. 'By the stars, I grow almost fond of this wizard.' His voice hardened. 'Shoot when you will, lads-a bag of gold to the man who brings him down!'

Sarah looked up as Meg came back into the hall. 'What's happening now? I can hear shooting.'

'More tomfoolery,' grunted Meg. 'They have captured this wizard they call the Doctor. They are slaying him now in the great hall with these new devil's weapons. Though what's wrong with a good old-fas.h.i.+oned axe...'

Sarah pushed past her and disappeared down the corridor.

Coolly the Doctor calculated his chances. Surely his luck must run out before very long. His only advantage was that the men-at-arms were still uneasy with their new weapons.

But they were improving all the time. Some of the more recent shots had missed only by inches. The Doctor watched a rifleman take careful aim, waited till the last possible moment, and then threw himself to the ground.

As the rifle cracked he rolled over, and leaped to his feet, moving constantly to and fro in a random pattern.

'By the stars,' said Irongron delightedly. 'The fellow hops about like a flea on a griddle!'

Linx was impatient for the Doctor's death. 'Give me a weapon and I will destroy him.'

Irongron shook his head. 'What, and spoil good sport, old toad?'

The Doctor threw himself to one side as another man fired. 'Never fear, Linx, my knaves will soon bring him down. See, the fellow tires...'

Sarah paused when she came in sight of the door to the great hall... It was crowded with men-at-arms-no chance to rescue the Doctor here. She turned and ran up a narrow flight of stairs. They led her up into the tiny minstrels'

gallery that overlooked the great hall. From this vantage point, Sarah took in the scene below in one horrified glance. The Doctor dodging to and fro, the line of riflemen at the other end of the hall, Linx and Irongron and the rest of them watching...

A rifle cracked and stone chips flew from the wall, very close to the Doctor's head.

Sarah looked round desperately. There must be a way, she thought. There must. Then she saw the chandelier.

It hung suspended by chains from the centre of the hall, a huge iron ring with holders for hundreds of candles. No doubt in happier days it had been used to light the hall for important feasts. In order that the candles could be re-lit, and replaced when necessary, a rope was attached to the chandelier so that it could be pulled across to the minstrels' gallery and the candles lit from there. That was its position now, the heavy iron ring resting on the edge of the gallery. It was like a kind of trapeze, thought Sarah- and the plan seemed to leap into her mind. It was as simple as it was dangerous -but if the Doctor reacted quickly enough, it would offer him one slender chance.

Sarah ran to the edge of the gallery, untied the rope holding back the chandelier. She yelled, 'Doctor! Up here!'

and gave the thing a mighty shove, sending it swinging pendulum-like above the hall.

The Doctor looked up and saw the chandelier beginning its swing. He dashed forward, leaped on to the table, sprang high in the air and caught the iron ring as it swung overhead. High in the air he flew, over the heads of the astonished riflemen, over Linx and Irongron and the others. Letting go at the end of the swing, he shot straight through the open door. He landed in the corridor, rolled over, sprang to his feet, ran to the door of the hall and slammed it in Irongron's astonished face, dropping the locking-bar into place. He turned and saw Sarah running down the stairs towards him.

The Doctor grinned. 'Just like the daring young man on the flying trapeze, eh? Thank you again, Miss Smith!'

The hall door was shaking under angry blows and they heard Irongron's voice. 'After them! Kill them both!'

'I think it's time we left,' said the Doctor solemnly, and they ran down the hall and out into the yard. As they sprinted towards the drawbridge they heard the door burst open behind them. There were fierce, angry yells and the sound of pursuing feet.

Alerted by the noise, the guards at the gate stepped forward to bar their way. Now they had enemies both in front and behind them, thought Sarah despairingly. They were trapped.

16.

Return to Danger Sarah checked her run as the two pikemen came forward to bar their way. 'Leave them to me, Sarah,' yelled the Doctor. 'Just keep running!'

Sarah saw the first pikeman lunge. The Doctor dodged and suddenly the pikeman sailed through the air, landing with a crash that knocked him cold. Sarah ran for the gate, and the second pikeman ran out. The Doctor grabbed him, twisted and threw, sending the man flying after his fellow.

By the time Irongron and the others reached the yard, the dazed sentries were picking themselves up, and the Doctor and Sarah had disappeared into the forest.

At Sir Edward's castle, they were greeted like returning heroes, and plied with food, wine and questions. The Doctor explained what had happened as best he could. 'I think it's one of the most active days I've had for some time. Not as if I was a lad any more. Once you're over two hundred, you know...'

Sir Edward and Lady Eleanor took this calmly enough.

They knew that wizards were more or less immortal. Sarah gave the Doctor a quizzical look, unsure as usual whether he was teasing or utterly serious.

'I fear your plans have miscarrried, Doctor,' said Sir Edward. 'What will you do now?'

'Wait till it's getting dark, and then go back,' said the Doctor cheerfully. 'The potion should be working by then.'

'Doctor, you can't go back,' protested Sarah.

'I've got to. Rubeish and all the kidnapped scientists are still there, remember. Linx is almost ready for blast-off- and when he goes Irongron's castle goes too.'

Lady Eleanor was struggling to understand. 'Irongron's castle is to be destroyed by sorcery? Then surely all is well.

Why risk your life yet again?'

'There are innocent prisoners still inside, my lady. And I don't like to think of anyone going up in smoke, not even Irongron's gang.'

Lady Eleanor shook her head, clearly at a loss to understand such a soft-hearted att.i.tude.

'All right, Doctor,' said Sarah resignedly. 'But if you're going back, I'm going with you.'

Hal spoke from his usual place by the doorway. 'I too will come with you, if my lord permits.'

The Doctor smiled. 'Thank you, both of you. I'll need all the help I can get.'

Rubeish sat slumped in the corner, concealed amongst the other kidnapped scientists. Like the rest of them, he was pretending to be in an exhausted coma. But he took every opportunity to study Linx and his activities through his home-made spectacles.

The Sontaran had been very busy since his return to the workshop. The last of the work was finished now, and all the equipment had been re-installed in the s.h.i.+p. Linx had disappeared inside some time ago. Through the open door Rubeish could see him moving busily around a tiny control room. A fierce white light blazed from the s.h.i.+p and there was a sudden roar of power that shook the workshop.

It settled down to a steady throbbing, and Linx came out of the s.h.i.+p. Rubeish let his head slump as the Sontaran walked across and surveyed the slaves he no longer needed.

'Thank you, my friends,' he said ironically. 'Your work is finished. Now you may rest, until the power build-up is complete. After that, your troubles will be over!' He turned and went up the stairs.

Once he was safely away, there was a low babble of speculation amongst the scientists. Rubeish looked across at the throbbing s.h.i.+p. 'I think you'd better get a move on, Doctor,' he said to himself. 'I've a nasty feeling time is running out!'

The Doctor stepped out of the TARDIS and closed the door behind him. Over his arm was something that looked like a furled umbrella, though it was silver rather than black. He touched a control in the handle and the umbrella sprang unfurled. He touched another control and it closed itself up again. Satisfied, the Doctor hung the umbrella over his arm and strolled off through the forest, like a gentleman on his evening walk.

Sarah and Hal crouched in hiding at the edge of the forest, looking across at Irongron's gatehouse. They had seen the little serving wench come out with a pot of oatmeal, and the sentries eating their supper from wooden bowls. Sarah hoped Irongron was tucking into his stew, and wondered what Meg was making of the disappearance of her temporary helper. Suddenly she clutched Hal's arm.

'Look!' One of the sentries leaned against the wall, yawning hard. He slid slowly to a sitting position and his head slumped on his chest. Puzzled, the second sentry went to see what was the matter-and toppled to the ground beside him.

'Good evening,' said a polite voice. The Doctor was just behind them. He appeared to have changed his coat and s.h.i.+rt, and looked cool and elegant. Sarah couldn't help feeling a little envious. She'd changed back into her boy's clothes at Sir Edward's castle, and she didn't feel she was looking her best. She noticed the silver umbrella over the Doctor's arm. Surely he hadn't gone back to the TARDIS because he was worried about rain?

She pointed to the dozing sentries. 'It's working, Doctor!'

'Aye,' said Hal softly, 'the villains sleep like babes.'

The Doctor nodded. 'We'll wait just a little longer. It'll be dark soon-then we'll go in.'

Rubeish looked up eagerly as they came down the cellar steps, though he was too crotchety to show how pleased he was to see them. 'Ah, so there you are at last, Doctor.

Something most interesting happening down here.'

The Doctor looked worriedly at the throbbing s.p.a.ces.h.i.+p. 'So I see. Where's Linx?'

'No idea. He got that thing going and cleared off.'

The Doctor looked round. 'And the osmic projector?'

Rubeish shrugged. 'He took everything back in the s.h.i.+p.'

'Then I'll just have to take it out again,' said the Doctor.

'Hal, scout around the castle and see if Irongron and the rest of the men are sleeping yet. If they are, disarm them and come back here.'

Hal nodded and went silently up the steps.

The Doctor headed for the open door of the scout s.h.i.+p.

'I must get that osmic projector.'

Sarah looked at the throbbing scout s.h.i.+p. It seemed alive with malignant power. 'Can you switch it off, Doctor?'

'I can try,' said the Doctor grimly. 'If I don't succeed, we've about ten minutes to evacuate this castle.' He disappeared into the s.h.i.+p.

Hal stepped cautiously over a sleeping man-at-arms, taking the man's sword as he pa.s.sed by. Cautiously he went on his way. He had already unlocked Irongron's dungeon, sending an astonished squire Eric scurrying into the forest.

Now he was on his way to the great hall.

The Doctor popped out of the scout s.h.i.+p clutching the osmic projector. Sarah nodded towards the still-throbbing s.h.i.+p. 'You couldn't shut it down then?'

The Doctor shook his head. 'The drive unit is sealed and locked, set for automatic countdown. Linx must have taken the activator key.' He lugged the osmic projector to a nearby work-table, and made a number of adjustments.

The projector hummed with power and projected a cone of bright light just in front of itself. 'Right, that should do it,'

said the Doctor. 'Has to be one at a time, I'm afraid. Shove the first one into the light, will you, Professor?'

Rubeish bustled a bemused scientist forward until he stood in the centre of the light-cone. 'Better come over here and see how it's done,' said the Doctor. 'I may need you to take over.' Rubeish came to look over the Doctor's shoulder. The Doctor pointed to three switches. 'Now all you do is this, this and this-in that order. Got it?'

The light-field grew brighter and the scientist simply faded away. The Doctor chuckled. 'There! That'll surprise the Brigadier! Next, please.'

Rubeish propelled another scientist into the cone of light.

Irongron pushed away his half-empty platter and took a swig of wine. Meg's stew seemed even worse than usual.

He looked up at Linx, his voice slurred and heavy. 'For the last time, good toad, let there be no more talk of leaving us.'

Squat and powerful, Linx seemed to dominate the room.

'I come to give you fair warning, Irongron, I am leaving.

Our alliance is at an end.'

'It ends when I say it ends, toad-face, and not before.'

Linx turned away. 'You would be well advised to leave this castle, and capture another. Soon you will have need of it.'

Bloodaxe shook his head, trying to clear it of sudden drowsiness. 'He threatens us, Captain,' he said sluggishly.

Irongron clapped him on the shoulder. 'He does not understand our ways, good Bloodaxe.' He peered muzzily at the Sontaran. 'Tomorrow, Linx, we take Sir Edward's castle. Tonight, we feast. We attack at dawn.'

Linx gave one of his rare smiles. 'By your dawn, I shall be seven hundred million miles from here. Can I be concerned with the fate of primitives?' He turned and marched heavily from the hall.

Bloodaxe rubbed a hand across his eyes. 'What did he mean, Captain?'

Irongron shrugged. 'He is a toad at heart, Bloodaxe.

Who knows what a toad thinks?'

'Truly said, Captain. Truly said.' Bloodaxe's head fell forward into his plate of stew.