Part 7 (1/2)

Hesitantly they took their seats, Falstaff first bowing to Shalvis.

The Doctor, however, looked at her more quizzically.

'I must say you're very well informed about the complement of our party,' he observed, 'considering that we only picked up our third member less than half an hour ago, and the fourth was a stowaway who only revealed her presence since then. Unless of course you simply read our ident.i.ties from our minds'

'We might have done, Doctor,' Shalvis conceded easily. 'We do have certain mental powers, nurtured and honed over many generations.'

'So we've already discovered,' he remarked dryly. Then his eyes narrowed. 'And do you also delve the time winds?'

'You are perceptive, Doctor. Yes, as do you Time Lords with your mechanical devices, so do we with our minds. It was in this manner that your coming was foreseen, as was that of the other seekers.'

'Seekers?' Peri asked.

'The name we give those who come to Gelsandor on the quest for Rovan's treasure.'

There was a surprised silence at the open manner in which Shalvis delivered the words. Falstaff spoke first.

'Mistress Shalvis, you would not tease a poor man. Do you truly affirm that Rovan's treasure may be found on this fair world of yours?'

'I do. But I will tell you no more until the other seekers have taken their places.'

'Now hold it,' said Jaharnus sharply. 'We're not ”seekers”, nor are we engaged in any kind of quest. These people are in my custody, and it's my duty to return them to Astroville. If you're responsible for holding us here, then I demand you release us immediately!'

'They are each in their own way seekers, and by our law must be allowed the opportunity to complete their quest. Until then you will not be permitted to interfere with their activities.

Afterwards you may pet.i.tion for their extradition if you wish, but you must understand you have no jurisdiction on Gelsandor.

And you are also in error stating that you yourself are not a seeker. Think on it.'

As Jaharnus hesitated, unsure of how to respond, Shalvis held up a hand. 'The next party of seekers is here.'

Peri twisted in her seat as the doors swung silently open and four people walked uncertainly in. Two were older men, the others a tall thin younger man and an attractive woman. All wore practical-looking safari suits, with st.u.r.dy high boots, backpacks, and pistols holstered on their belts.

'I am Shalvis, Speaker of Gelsandor,' Shalvis said to the newcomers. 'Please be seated Professor Alex Thorrin, Marquis te Rosscarrino, Arnella te Rosscarrino, Willis Brockwell.'

Looking understandably bemused by their welcome, the four cautiously took their seats at the opposite end of the row from the TARDIS party. The oldest man recovered himself and looked sternly at Shalvis.

'I don't know what's going on here, but we're on a peaceful scientific research mission. Something... er, forced us down from orbit before we were ready.'

'We apologise for any distress caused to you, Professor Thorrin.

We guided your hands so you might set down on a convenient landing ground at the appropriate time. And we know you are not on a scientific mission. You are here because you wish to find Rovan's treasure, as do these others beside you. I will explain how this may be accomplished shortly, when all the seekers are a.s.sembled.'

The four exchanged uncertain glances and low words between themselves, then looked about them at the chamber. The two older men seemed angry. For a moment Peri caught the eye of the young woman Shalvis had called Arnella and gave a friendly smile. She returned it uncertainly, but before Peri could open a conversation she turned aside to whisper urgently to the aristocratic Marquis. Peri realised the thin young man was looking at her.

'h.e.l.lo. I'm Will Brockwell,' he said.

'Peri Brown.'

'Do you know what's going on here?' he asked frankly.

'No, not really,' Peri admitted with a shrug.

He grinned back. 'I suppose we'll find out soon enough. They seem to have everything pretty well arranged. We detected a couple of other s.h.i.+ps as we came down. That must be who we're waiting for.'

'Will, be quiet,' Thorrin commanded sharply.

'Hey, he was only being friendly,' Peri protested, but Thorrin ignored her.

'The next group of seekers approaches,' Shalvis announced.

Peri turned to look as the doors opened again and three figures cautiously entered, glancing about them with every sign of suspicion and deep distrust, despite the calming mental field that Peri could still sense about her. Two were I 'man, the other a larger bipedal alien slightly resembling an upright rhinoceros.

They wore utility suits and had stubby weapons like oddly shaped sub-machine-guns slung from shoulder straps. She was just trying to work out what it was that seemed vaguely familiar about them, when she realised the taller of the two humans was staring directly at her and he Doctor.

'Qwaid - it's the tourists from Hok's shop!' he blurted out.

Even as he spoke, Jaharnus had sprung to her feet with her pistol drawn. 'Crelly Qwaid, I'm arresting you on suspicion of murder... '

The criminals' guns swung about towards her and the Marquis drew his own pistol. Brockwell threw an arm about Arnella and pulled her to the ground as, with a grunt, Falstaff also hit the floor. Peri followed their lead, wis.h.i.+ng there was more cover in the room.

There was a surprising silence.

Peri looked up cautiously.

The Doctor had not moved from his chair, a knowing smile on his face. The three criminals, the Marquis, and Jaharnus were all wrestling with their weapons in a desperate attempt to fire them.

But for some reason it seemed they could not make their fingers close on the triggers. Finally they let their guns hang limply by their sides as they realised the futility of their efforts, and looked in bewilderment and not a little fear at each other and their companions.

'There will be no violence here,' Shalvis said calmly. 'While you are on Gelsandor you will find the use of weapons is strictly limited. You will learn why shortly. Now please take your seats Crelly Qwaid, George Erasmas Gribbs, Drorgon Ves.'

It was an impressive display of power and in a hushed silence the three obeyed. Arnella shook off Brockwell's protective arm and scrambled to her feet, leaving him looking hurt and angry.

The Marquis holstered his gun stoically, Jaharnus with an angry las.h.i.+ng of her tail. Falstaff hauled himself upright clasping the handle of his sword as though having to restrain himself.

”T'was fortunate for those gorebellied knaves that Mistress Shalvis intervened,' he hissed, 'or else I would have set about them and laid them open from orifice to orifice.'

'From the floor?' Peri inquired, as the Doctor gave her a hand up.

'A mere stratagem to lure them into a false sense of security, allowing me to get within their guard.'

'Oh yeah?'