Part 29 (2/2)

Doris had put on her goggles and climbed into the pa.s.senger seat.

'Do you want to drive?' asked Ace.

'Oh no, dear. I'll drive on the way back.'

'Erm, how far are you planning to go, Doris?' asked the Brigadier.

'You get busy with the garden, darling,' she said. 'The gra.s.s needs sorting out.'

'But what about supper?'

She was unperturbed. 'That's a good idea. Have something really nice ready for us.'

Ace started the engine. It exploded into life and then settled into a simmering purr.

'Wicked,' said Doris.

Ace put her foot down and Bessie scorched away along the drive.

Ancelyn gazed after them. 'Ah, Lord Merlin,' he said in awe. 'Are they not magnificent?'

Merlin again, thought the Doctor. He wondered how long he might stave off his inevitable destiny. There were so many possibilities. With luck he might spend several lifetimes avoiding it.

'Are you any good with a lawn mower, Ancelyn?' asked the Brigadier.

'My lord?'

'Round the side of the house. Go and see what you think.'

The Doctor resigned himself to his immediate fate. 'I'll make supper.' he said.

He watched the young knight disappear on his latest quest. The problem of Morgaine and Mordred remained, but that was not his burden. Their punishment was for Earth to negotiate with Ancelyn's home world - a different universe that he intended to avoid for as long as possible.

That place, deprived of its monarchy, would soon be a crucible of political ferment. The formal processes designed to choose a new crowned head would doubtless be relentlessly complicated and bound by codes of honour.

They might run for years and lead to fresh battles.

Nothing so easy as a sword in a stone.

'I'm glad of a free moment, Doctor,' confided the Brigadier. 'You see I've just had a job offer it would be hard to turn down.

<script>