Part 7 (2/2)

Tegan and Lon clasped their snake-marked hands.

'Or alternatively,' babbled Dugdale, T could simply forget. Whichever and whatever you prefer.'

Tegan glanced at Lon. 'He has served his purpose.'

Lon smiled coldly at Dugdale. 'You are no longer necessary.'

'Look at me,' commanded Tegan.

Dugdale tried to hide his face in his hands.

'No,' he sobbed. 'No. What are you doing?'

'Look at me,' commanded Tegan's voice. 'I'm not going to harm you.

Look at me.'

Unwillingly Dugdale looked up and realised to his horror that Tegan's voice was coming from Lon's mouth.

'That's right,' said the Mara cruelly. 'Look at me! Look at me!'

Dugdale looked fearfully down at the linked snake-marked hands, and then up into Tegan's face. Her eyes glowed fiery red . . .

7

Dojjen's Journal

The Doctor was in a cell. It was a large cage-like affair in a grey metal prison area, and it looked uncomfortably escape-proof. Chela, Ambril's a.s.sistant, came into the cell carrying a small tray. T have brought you food and drink, Doctor.'

'How long am I going to be locked up?'

Chela offered the tray. 'Don't you want it?'

'Thank you,' said the Doctor, rather ungraciously. He reached through the bars and took bread, a variety of fruits, and a jug of water from the tray. 'Come on, how long are they keeping me here, at least you can tell me that.'

'You are to be kept here until after this afternoon's ceremony.'

'That will be too late! Whatever happens will happen at the ceremony.'

The Doctor forced himself to calm down. 'Listen to me, Chela . . .'

Managing to eat and drink at the same time, the Doctor gave Chela an account of what he had so far learned, about the Mara and its plans to return.

Chela said wonderingly. 'It is hard to believe, Doctor.'

'Do you think I'm inventing it all? What would I have to gain?'

'I don't know. Perhaps Ambril is right, and you are deluded.'

'But you're not sure?' challenged the Doctor. 'You're not sure it's all nonsense - are you?'

'Of course I am.'

'Then why did you give me that crystal?'

Reluctantly Chela said, 'Because you are not the first to hold such views. Dojjen, the Director before Ambril ... he too was convinced that the Mara would return.'

'What happened to him?'

Chela hesitated. 'It doesn't matter. The Great Crystal is safe in Ambril's charge.'

He left the prison area.

The Doctor slammed his fists against the bars in frustration.

The showman Dugdale stood in a corner of the secret chamber, rigid, motionless, a living corpse.

'You will leave him like that?' Lon asked.

'He may still be useful,' replied Tegan dismissively. 'He is not important.

Only the Great Crystal is important. I must have it!'

Lon picked a crystal goblet from the pile of treasures and tucked it into his tunic. 'I will do all I can.'

'You must not fail me.' It was the Mara, speaking through Tegan's mouth.

Lon studied the snake pattern on his arm. 'No. I understand.'

He left the secret chamber and the door closed behind him.

The Lady Tanha was breakfasting when Lon came into the guest suite.

He paused, taken aback at the sight of her. Instinctively he concealed his left arm behind him. Tanha pushed aside her dish of toasted grains and fruit. 'Lon! Where have you been?'

'Oh, out there.'

'Come here.'

'Whatever for?'

'I want to look at you,' said Tanha indulgently. 'I nearly raised the alarm when I realised your room was empty last night, but I didn't want to embarra.s.s you.'

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