Part 22 (2/2)

Atissa strode in purposefully, the guard's words being of total insignificance to her.

'May I have permission to address the king?' she quoted.

Tarrol nodded and Atissa walked over, glancing down at Geban's cloak.

'Another traitor dealt with?' she asked.

Tarrol ignored the question. 'What do you require, High Priestess?'

Atissa shrugged. 'Your Majesty, tomorrow morning is the biennial restatement vows day. Before such a momentous occasion can be held, I demand that all offworlders - including that ridiculous Alpha Centauri - are escorted away from Peladon, never to return.'

'An interesting set of demands to make of one's monarch, High Priestess.'

'You have no choice, Tarrol. Your power is weak and purely academic. The true power on Peladon is the sacred spirit of Aggedor. He has consistently proved that the Federation presence is not one that he desires. I, as his vehicle, can only convey his thoughts.'

'Or your interpretation of his thoughts.'

Atissa stared at the king. And smiled. She turned to the guard by the door.

'You may a.s.sume duties elsewhere.'

The guard looked fl.u.s.tered but a sharp 'Get out' again from Atissa sent him scurrying.

'You see, even your personal guard is loyal to Aggedor rather than their insipid king, Tarrol.'

Tarrol didn't flinch. 'All my life, Atissa, I have attempted to reconcile my love of Aggedor with my belief that this planet must go forward. Recent events have, I know, placed a great deal of strain on you and for that reason I am allowing your manners to be somewhat less than primitive at the moment.

However, I am still king and....'

Atissa reached out and grabbed Tarrol by the collar, yanking him out of his throne. 'You? King? Don't flatter yourself, Tarrol. You are nothing. Aggedor has decreed that he shall return to take power. Through me. You shall remain a figurehead for the people but you and your forefathers relinquished the honour of ruling when the first non-Pel foot was set on this planet. When your great-grandmother crashed here, it was the beginning of the darkest chapter in our history. But from tomorrow, that will change. A new dawn will break over Peladon and we shall once again be free of the yoke of Federation technology, deceit and interference.'

'For what, Atissa? The yoke of superst.i.tion? The yoke of slavery to a religion that has no real meaning to the people today? Will Aggedor feed them? Will Aggedor provide jobs, security and a future?'

Atissa flung him back into his throne. 'You . . . you animal!' she spat.

'Before the Federation, Aggedor supplied it all. The Federation gutted us, left us filleted and empty. Now he will regain our love and belief. If you cannot go forward with Aggedor, rest a.s.sured he will take no hesitation in destroying you and ending the royal line immediately.'

Tarrol looked up, his face ashen. 'You would really go that far?'

'If I had to, Tarrol. Aggedor will sweep you aside like a blugrat. And I, as his servant, would aid him in every way. My loyalty to him is absolute.'

' ”I”, ”Aggedor”? You can't tell the difference any more, Atissa. You are totally insane.'

'No, Tarrol. I am not insane. Accusations such as that are the last refuge of desperate losers. I am not mad - I am right!'

Tarrol suddenly realized that he had gone too far. 'Atissa, listen to me. We have executed the Doctor. The Federation will soon depart. There is no need for this . . . this power struggle.'

Atissa laughed. 'Savaar actually did it? After attacking me and stealing the relics he went ahead and removed the Doctor. Oh, joy!'

'Savaar attacked you?'

'Yes. In the relic room. He stole the Lance of Aggedor and the Sword of Truth to go on his trophy wall along with the Crown of Sherak. Now I will deal with him. He has a.s.saulted Aggedor's servant. Aggedor wants revenge.'

Tarrol pushed past her and scooped up a large jewel-encrusted box. He yanked open the lid and pushed it towards her.

In it lay the severed head of the Doctor.

Atissa reached out, her eyes glinting in pleasure and something Tarrol could only think of as pure l.u.s.t. l.u.s.t for death and destruction. He s.n.a.t.c.hed the box away and slammed the lid down.

'Do you want this for your trophy wall? Do you want Savaar's head as well?'

Atissa was quaking, exultation screaming through her body, her hands trembling as she gripped the side of Tarrol's throne and dropped into it.

She lay her head back, staring at the ceiling where a ma.s.sive image of Aggedor's face was carved into the stone.

'Yes,' she breathed. 'Yes, I want them all.'

Tarrol turned away from her and walked into the curtained pa.s.sage to his quarters, leaving on his throne a woman he once liked and admired but could now only think of as totally and utterly demented.

Behind him Atissa's shadow was quaking in time with its owner's quiet laughter.

'Well?'

'She's totally mad. I can't stop her, Doctor. She is, however, satisfied that you are dead.'

The Doctor reached out and held Tarrol's shaking arm. I'm so sorry, Your Majesty. I know how much you want to help her, but I feel it has gone too far.'

Savaar walked out of the shadows. I however must thank you for your help in our deception. It was brave of you. I understand that the cost of apparently betraying your a.s.sociates is high.'

'Friends, High Lord. Geban, Centauri, Reece. They are my friends.'

Indeed, Your Majesty.'

The Doctor looked over at Savaar. 'Who else was in on it?' Savaar considered. 'The Pakhar journalist. It was her holographic equipment that we utilized. The Cantryan boy. Sskeet. No one else.'

'You didn't tell Benny?'

'No. Shsurr Summerfield's reaction had to be realistic.'

'She won't thank you for that.'

'She dislikes me, I accept. I am sure when this ruse is exposed, she will understand.'

The Doctor beamed. Oh, she'll understand, High Lord. But she still won't like it.'

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