Part 16 (1/2)

'And hurry back, Lakis, I have an errand for you.'

'Yes, Lady.' Lakis led Jo from the room.

Hippias said mockingly. 'Are there no errands for me to run? A flower, perhaps, a token of love for some lordling of the Court? But no, it would be dead before it was delivered.'

'You are impertinent, Hippias. Remember, I am Galleia, Queen of Atlantis, daughter of Kings wife to King Dalios. Have a care!'

Hippias bowed his head. 'Your pardon, I took you for another. I knew a Galleia once, you see, a woman not the Queen. A sweet and loving lady, I took you for her.

Please, do forgive me.'

Galleia bit her lip in anger, then turned and sat down, her back to Hippias. 'You may leave me now.'

Hippias bowed. 'I thank you, Lady.'

He strode from the room just as Lakis reappeared.

Galleia summoned her. 'Lakis, come here at once. Come closer.'

'Lady?'

'Go to the Master. Go to him quietly when no-one is near and say to him one word.'

'What word, Lady?'

'Kronos. '

'Kronos!' said Dalios unhappily. 'Kronos ... Kronos ... Kronos ... I am the last alive who knows knows, who remembers with a fear to twist the guts. And these fools would have me bring him back.'

The Doctor said, 'But why didn't you destroy the Crystal?'

'We tried,' said Dalios sadly. 'We merely split the smaller crystal from it. It cannot be destroyed.'

'Of course, just like the TARDIS,' muttered the Doctor. He looked up. 'The Great Crystal has its being outside time. Only its appearance is here.'

'You are a philosopher, friend Doctor.'

'If wisdom is to seek the truth, I am.'

'Then help me, Doctor,' pleaded Dalios. 'Help me to find a way to stop this evil man.

Help me to save Atlantis from destruction.'

The Master marched arrogantly into the Queen's chamber and stared about him.

'Where is she?'

'If you will please wait, Lord,' begged Lakis.

He was already turning away. 'The Master waits for no-one. I shall return when the Queen is ready to speak to me.'

Galleia appeared in the inner doorway. She looked at the Master with the sleepy, wide-eyed stare of the cat in her arms. 'Please stay,' she said calmly. She put down the cat, which strolled lazily from the room, and sat on the couch. 'Lakis, serve wine for this Lord - and then go. See to the needs of our other guest.'

With trembling hands, Lakis poured wine and hurried thankfully away.

The Master sat on the couch, close to the Queen, and gazed in her eyes. In his deep, mellow voice he said, 'You are beautiful, O Queen!'

Galicia purred, like one of her own cats.

Lakis reached the next room just as Jo appeared in her new court dress, a simple Grecian-style gown. With her hair redressed in Atlantean-style ringlets, Jo looked even more attractive, and certainly more sophisticated, than usual.

She surveyed herself in the mirror with approval. 'Wow, what a fantastic dress! Do you reckon it'll get mum's approval?'

Lakis stared at her. 'Mum? Do you mean Queen Galleia?'

'That's right. Let's go and give her a preview.'

Lakis held her back. 'No, I'm sorry. She does not wish to be disturbed, The Lord Master is with her. They speak of the sacred mysteries.'

'Kronos and all that?'

'It is forbidden -' began Lakis.

'But that is is what they're on about?' what they're on about?'

'Yes.'

'Right,' said Jo determinedly, and headed for the connecting door.

Again Lakis stopped her. 'No! You mustn't go in. You mustn't !'

'Listen,' said Jo rea.s.suringly. 'I'll be as quiet as - you have mice here?'

Lakis nodded.

'I'll be as quiet as an Atlantean mouse!'

Gently she opened the door, and stood listening the low voices that came from the couch in the centre of the room.

The Master and Queen Galleia were rapidly coming an understanding.

'You are a man who knows what he wants, Lord Master.'

'And takes it,' said the Master arrogantly.

'You want the Crystal.'

'And I am going to have it.'

'Not without my consent.' There was an edge to Galleia's voice.