Part 21 (2/2)

Savaar slammed his ma.s.sive fist against the bars and the Doctor took an involuntary step back. 'Don't play the fool, Doctor. We both know and respect you far too much for that.'

The Doctor peered at the rather severe dent in the bar. 'You? Respect me?'

'Yes. Odd, isn't it? You, who hate Martians with an unbridled venom for something we did thousands of years before I was hatched. You who cannot see beyond this current scheme of things. Cannot understand the wider picture.'

I am an expert at regarding wider pictures, Lord Savaar. 1 don't need you to outline things to me.'

Savaar sighed raspingly. 'You saw me talk to the Lady Lianna. A few hours later she was dead. You a.s.sumed that I did it?'

'You were arguing with her.'

I am arguing with you. I haven't picked up a sacred Pel relic and speared you with it. Yet!'

'Ah, the famous Martian sense of humour. Use it on Bernice, she understands the context. I don't find it funny.'

'I didn't kill Lady Lianna. Nor did Sskeet.'

The Doctor sat on his bed, pus.h.i.+ng the chess set aside. He scooped up his umbrella which Atissa had generously allowed him to keep. He rested his chin on it and his eyes twinkled as he said disarmingly, I know. I told you - she told me who killed her.'

'But you still won't say?'

'No. Not yet. If I tip my hand, I could end up attached to the wall equally as gorily. Besides, I want to be executed.'

'Why?'

'Because I have the strangest feeling that something will happen when I am.'

Sskeet lumbered over. 'Yes. You will die.'

Oh, I doubt that,' said the Doctor. 'No, I think my nice Ice Lord has a trick or two up his sleeve, don't you Savaar?'

'All I can say is that while I live, no harm will come to you.'

'Why doesn't that rea.s.sure me?'

'Because you don't trust me?' asked Savaar.

'Because I don't trust your motives.'

Sskeet turned suddenly as three Pel guards approached. 'It is time,' one said.

Savaar gave the Doctor a last look. I can only ask you to trust me, Doctor.

For the sake of the Federation.'

'Trust is earned, Savaar. Not given.'

'Then I will endeavour to earn it. Farewell.' Savaar whirled away, his cloak casually brus.h.i.+ng against one of the Pel guards.

As he and Sskeet wandered out of apparent earshot, the guard wiped at his leg. Alien sc.u.m.'

The Doctor beamed at him. 'Can I bring my chess set?'

Bernice glared daggers at Geban.

'No? What d'you mean, ”no”?'

Geban shuffled uncomfortably. 'The king will not rescind his royal command. The execution will go ahead as planned. In fact, he is most insistent that it happens immediately.'

Alpha Centauri bobbed towards Geban. 'Today is the darkest day this planet has ever known, Chancellor. A friend of Peladon and the Federation is being put to death - a most barbaric and uncharacteristic solution to a problem.'

'Seems pretty standard to me,' muttered Bernice.

'No,' corrected Centauri. 'Seventy years ago, it would have been. But I believed Peladon had matured. It seems that once again I am wrong.

Chancellor Geban, you have been a good friend to me, as your father was.

I am deeply troubled by these events.'

Geban looked Centauri straight in the eye. Amba.s.sador, my personal feelings are irrelevant. My ultimate loyalty is still to my king. I am . . . sorry..'

With that he turned on his heel and left them alone.

After a moment Centauri lashed out, two of his arms sweeping across the table, slamming mugs and plates to the floor. His eye watered and his flesh grew a dark purple. 'No! The Doctor is my friend. I will not allow this primitive ritual to go ahead.'

Bernice looked over, a new faith in Centauri evident in her face. All right, Amba.s.sador. Let's go stop an execution.'

Shadows flicked around the small chamber. The granite statue of Aggedor loomed large, curiously underlit by the flambeaus.

King Tarrol stood in Atissa's position, two guards behind him, ceremonial swords drawn.

'Where is my high priestess?' The guards looked at each other nervously.

Eventually one of them coughed and stepped forward.

'She has not answered any summons, Your Majesty.'

'No matter,' Tarrol barked. 'The execution will proceed. Bring in the prisoner.'

A solemn party entered the tiny sacred chamber. Sskeet was first, brus.h.i.+ng aside the burgundy curtain, Aggedor's face st.i.tched into it in gold filaments.

He was followed by Kort and Keri, both of whom looked around in awe at the holy temple.

'Never thought I'd ever get in here,' muttered the Pakhar, clutching tightly at her data-pad.

The Doctor and two guards came in next and Keri stared at him. No reaction crossed the Time Lord's face - just a tight grin as his unwavering eyes scanned her. She nodded slightly at Kort who in turn looked behind the Doctor: Bernice, eyes burning in rage, and Centauri, a very dark shade of purple. Kort indicated for them to join him and Keri.

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