Doctor Who_ Bunker Soldiers Part 6

The Doctor began to walk away. 'It means that things are more complicated than I thought,' he said quietly.

Nahum sat at the table and extended his fingers towards Lesia.

She gripped his hands, and smiled. 'I have longed to see you again,' she said.

'And I you.'

Lesia couldn't help but laugh. 'But why an alehouse?'

Nahum looked around him. 'A place of ill repute,' he said, grinning broadly. 'Your father is unlikely to come here!'

'My father,' whispered Lesia, as if the very thought made her flesh crawl.

'How is he towards you?'

Lesia sighed. 'He is polite enough, unless he has drink inside him. Then he sees me as no less evil than the Devil's hors.e.m.e.n who come towards us!'

'Your mother's death changed him.'

Lesia nodded. 'It changed me, but for the better I trust.'

'I know only that you are the most perfect creature I have ever seen. Your eyes are doves, your lips are like a thread of scarlet.'

'Poetry? For me?'

'It is a quotation.'

'I thought the words might not be yours.'

'They are no less true. Hush, there is more. "You have ravished my heart, my sister, my love; you have ravished my heart with but one glance of your eyes! How sweet is your love, my sister, my love; your love is more fine than wine, more fragrant than any spice."'

'The Old Testament?'

'The wisdom books,' agreed Nahum with a smile. 'My father's own translation '

He stopped, wondering if anyone was listening, but no one was even looking in their direction. And if they were, what would they have seen? Two young lovers, staring wildly into each other's eyes, murmuring the words of gallant love that convention dictated lovers so lost in each other that every touch was electric.

The Doctor and the others returned to the debating chamber and Steven was brought in from the cells. Dmitri stood at the head of the table waiting for everyone to acknowledge him in silence, then sat down.

He turned to the group of soldiers stationed at the door with Mykola at their head. 'The body may be released to the family for Christian burial,' he said simply. 'Inform them that the poor fellow was killed, and that we have his murderer.'

The Doctor jumped to his feet. 'But you can't still believe that Steven did it!'

Dmitri forestalled his arguments with a gracious wave of his hand. 'I do not wish the people of Kiev to even begin to imagine that there is some other force at work within the city walls. It will do them well to imagine that the matter is in hand, and does not involve animals... Or worse.'

He turned to Steven who stood stoically, surrounded by armour-clad soldiers.

'I am sorry, Steven, but I must ask that you remain in prison.

I have wider concerns to consider.'

'But you cannot make Steven a scapegoat!' exclaimed the Doctor, indignant.

Yevhen grinned triumphantly, but said nothing.

Dmitri ignored the Doctor's interjection, his focus remaining on Steven. 'The Doctor's arguments are convincing, but it is also difficult for me to conclude with absolute certainty that you are innocent. The manner of your transport, the machinery you speak of... how am I to know that you do not have access to creatures or witchcraft beyond the normal wit of man?'

'You're making a grave mistake,' said Steven. 'Somebody clearly wants me out of the way.'

'Why?'

Steven was frustrated. 'I don't know,' he admitted. 'But surely it's no coincidence that I found the body.'

And there is something far more dangerous than Steven at liberty within your city,' added the Doctor. He paused, choosing his words carefully. 'A creature from a faraway land.'

Dmitri nodded. 'There may indeed be truth in what you say.

I cannot afford to believe you are in error. I shall be ordering a doubling of the city guard. If there is some animal loose within the city it will be found and destroyed. In addition, my advisers and their families will remain within this building. I do not know when I may need their expertise and, in addition, I wish to keep them safe.'

'But, my lord,' said Yevhen, 'I will be needed to oversee the fortification, and '

'You will delegate,' interrupted Dmitri. 'You and your family, and Isaac and his, will remain here at all times. These are uncertain days. I will need to rely on you yet more as the Tartars approach.'

He turned to the Doctor. 'I have also instructed that you and your woman will remain here at all times. Steven will be quite safe in the prison.'

The Doctor shook his head. 'I'm sorry. I can't agree to that.'

Dmitri smiled. 'You have no choice.'

'Then I have an alternative proposal to put to you,' said the Doctor. 'I am still not prepared to allow you access to my s.h.i.+p.

However, I am now persuaded that something needs to be done about the coming threat of the Mongols.'

Steven looked up sharply.

'Therefore, I wish to travel to the Mongol army and plead for the lives of the people of Kiev.'

Dmitri got to his feet, and walked towards the window. He brought his hands together in front of his face. 'I would rather have you here, old man,' he said.

Steven turned to the Doctor. 'You can't go! You'll be killed!'

Dmitri looked back at the Doctor. 'The Tartars have been known to torture and execute emissaries and diplomats.'

'It is a risk I must take,' said the Doctor calmly.

'Very well,' said Dmitri with a curt nod of his head. 'You are not, after all, a citizen of Kiev. I cannot... should not... order you to stay.' He paused, running a finger along the window frame. 'I shall arrange for an escort, and official papers. You may go at sunrise.'

'Thank you, Governor,' said the Doctor.

Dmitri sighed. 'And may G.o.d bring you greater success than those that have gone before you have enjoyed.'

'So we're to be cooped up in here like animals!' exploded Dodo.

'Oh, that's just fantastic!' she added with caustic bitterness.

Lesia couldn't help but smile at her friend's reaction to the news of their enforced curfew. She paused in her sewing. 'We will be well treated,' she said.

'I'm sick of being well treated!' Dodo slumped petulantly on to the bed, pulling decorated pins from her hair. 'I just want to go home.'

Lesia returned to her embroidery, wondering if she should say something, or if silence was the most appropriate response.

'Home is is important,' she said in a quiet voice a few moments later. 'But I have come to realise that the life you lead, the security you feel it comes from within, from your spirit. It is not about comfort, or walls, or food and clothing and physical safety.' She glanced up to see that Dodo now had her head in her hands. important,' she said in a quiet voice a few moments later. 'But I have come to realise that the life you lead, the security you feel it comes from within, from your spirit. It is not about comfort, or walls, or food and clothing and physical safety.' She glanced up to see that Dodo now had her head in her hands.

'I know,' said Dodo. This time her words were almost whispered, and Lesia had to strain her ears to hear them. 'But I'm so scared...'

'Scared?'

'Scared I'll die here, along with you.' Dodo raised her head, and Lesia could see the tears that were welling at the edges of her eyes. 'And being forced to stay here... makes it feel even more of a prison.'

She rolled on to her back, staring at the ceiling.

'I want a proper bath, I want a toilet that flushes, I want food that doesn't taste of smoke and salt... But even if we were to go I'd always think that I'd left you behind. Abandoned you all.'

'It is not wrong to want to feel safe,' observed Lesia. 'But fear has been walking at our side for some months now. I am used to it it has almost become a companion.' She paused, her brow furrowed in concentration. 'Your tales led me to believe you were used to danger!'

'I'm not used to waiting around for it,' said Dodo.

'Then perhaps you would like to come with me later, to pray,' said Lesia. 'There is a chapel where we will not be disturbed.'

Dodo glared at the thick wooden door and the soldiers who doubtless stood the other side. 'And I'm sick of them following us around,' she said.

'Please try to look on our enforced stay in a more positive light,' said Lesia. She put her needlework down, grinning broadly and was pleased to see a hint of a smile crossing Dodo's features. 'This is a well-guarded building, so we might be allowed a little more freedom... and a little more privacy.'

Dodo sat up, looking closely at her friend. 'What are you planning?'

Lesia felt herself flus.h.i.+ng a little. 'There is someone I wish to meet,' she said, avoiding Dodo's gaze. 'Being here may help with our... a.s.signations.'

'You never told me you had a boyfriend!'

'I am in love with a young man, if that is what you mean. But it is best that his name is not common knowledge.' She glanced up at Dodo, not used to the blunt way in which her companion expressed herself. 'You will not tell?'

'Of course not! Who is he?'

Lesia moistened a cloth in a small pitcher of water that stood on a bench by her bed and gently patted it over her face. 'His name is Nahum.'

'Nahum? Unusual name.' Dodo paused in thought. 'Isn't that Isaac's son?' she asked in surprise.

Lesia nodded. 'Our fathers quarrel. You can understand why our relations.h.i.+p must be kept secret for fear of wagging tongues.'

'Of course,' smiled Dodo. 'It all makes sense now. I noticed you staring at him the other day. I thought he had his flies undone or something.'

'Flies?'

Before Dodo could speak there was a tap at the door.

'Who's there?' called Lesia.

'It's the Doctor,' came a m.u.f.fled voice in reply. 'Sorry to trouble you, my dear, but I would like a word with Dodo, if I may.'

Dodo pulled the door open. 'You didn't have anything to do with us being stuck here, did you, Doctor?'

'Gracious, no,' said the Doctor. He nodded politely in Lesia's direction before returning his gaze to Dodo. 'The governor is clearly concerned for our safety, and that of his advisers. My dear, he really does have the best interests of all his people at heart.'

'Where's Steven?'

'Safe, but in prison.You hadn't heard?'

'I'd heard rumours. I didn't think they were true! What are we going to do to get him out?'

'Nothing,' replied the Doctor. 'As I say, he's safe enough, and '

'But we've got to do something!' interrupted Dodo.

The Doctor chuckled. 'Oh, my child, you and Steven are so alike you cannot stand being idle!' He turned towards Lesia, drawing her into the conversation. 'I've tried telling her that some things are beyond even me, and that worrying about them will achieve nothing, but will she listen?'

'We have similar conversations, sir,' observed Lesia.

'Yes, young lady, I'm sure you do.' The Doctor's voice dropped to a precise whisper. 'Now, listen to me, both of you. I have asked for leave to travel to the Mongol army, and plead for Kiev. Now, while I'm gone '

'But you'll be killed!'

'Oh, really, my dear, this is becoming most tiresome! Yes, Steven said the same thing, but I am confident I shall return in one piece. Now, while I'm gone, the important thing is to be alert to all that happens around you. Staying here, in the governor's residence, is really very advantageous. It is the hub of all that happens in Kiev.' He paused, his voice becoming grave.

'Something awful has been released.' He sighed. 'Desperate men will always make desperate choices... but if only they realised the true consequences of their actions!'

'We'll be careful,' said Dodo. 'But I still don't understand.

Why are you going to the Mongols?'

The Doctor paced the room. 'I've told you what might happen if the people of Kiev, still less the rulers of the Mongol Empire, were to gain access to the secrets of the TARDIS. Now I have come to believe that there is something in Kiev that speaks of another world, another time. I cannot let the Mongols have that. Even a hint of its technology might prove devastating!'

He paused, mopping his brow as if in antic.i.p.ation of the rigorous journey that awaited him.

'I must convince the Mongols not to attack Kiev, or at the very least to pa.s.s swiftly through it.' He turned to Lesia. 'Of course, I hope to plead for the safety of all the citizens. Please be a.s.sured, my dear, that my reluctance to allow access to my s.h.i.+p does not mean I am unconcerned by your fate.'

Lesia nodded demurely, but said nothing.

'I will be leaving shortly,' said the Doctor. 'But I will return as swiftly as I can.'