Doctor Who_ Bunker Soldiers - Martin Day [53]
I got to my feet. ‘Thank you for believing me,’ I said. ‘And now, with your leave, I would very much like to have a wash, find some clean clothes – and then be reunited with Dodo.’
Dmitri smiled. ‘You will find her with Yevhen’s daughter, I daresay. Since my order that those closest to me remain at my side, I have barely seen either of them.’
‘You have many things to consider,’ I said, thinking of how Dodo and Lesia had rescued me, and wondering if they had indeed managed to return without being apprehended.
‘I do,’ said Dmitri, as the great burden of responsibility settled around him again. ‘There is so much –’
The door flew open, and Yevhen strode into the debating chamber. ‘Forgive me, my lord, I have grave news,’ he said, bowing his head humbly.
It was only when he looked up that he saw me standing there. He blinked in surprise.
‘What is this man doing here?’
‘He is a free man, who can come and go as he pleases,’ said Dmitri.
‘But the murder... The prison...’
‘Steven is no more capable of these despicable acts than you or I,’ said Dmitri. I saw him stare at his adviser keenly, his rhetorical statement concealing a growing suspicion. ‘And, surely, a man cannot be blamed for wanting to escape from prison if he is truly innocent?’
I must admit, I did enjoy watching Yevhen squirming in anger. ‘This is Isaac’s doing!’ he finally exploded.
‘Nonsense,’ said Dmitri. ‘I have not seen my other adviser all day, though I expect him to be here soon. I must inform you both that Bishop Vasil will be arrested and tried for treason.’
‘Treason?’
‘Far from joining us in our struggle against the Tartars, it seems that Vasil is planning to appease them.’
Yevhen shook his head sadly, although I wondered if this was, to him, an entirely bewildering turn of events.
‘You said you had bad news?’ prompted Dmitri.
Yevhen nodded gravely. ‘Our physicians are attending the bodies now...’
‘Bodies?’
‘A great illness is sweeping through the city.’
‘What sort of illness?’
‘We are not yet sure.’
‘How will we recognise it?’
‘Vomiting, an aged appearance to the skin, a fevered but cold brow, an inclination to sleep. Death seems surely to follow.’
Dmitri sighed in anguish. ‘Why must the people of Kiev be bludgeoned in this way?’ he asked desperately. I could see the frustration etched on his face – how much more was he expected to cope with?
‘How many have died?’ I asked Yevhen.
‘A handful,’ he replied, still staring at Dmitri. ‘But disease can spread like fire through a city that is preparing for siege.’ He glanced at me momentarily, his eyes cold and grey. ‘Perhaps, if it takes hold, there will be no one left by the time the Tartars invade.’
XII
Sors immanis et inanis, rota tu volubilis, status malus
Dodo banged heartily on the door. ‘Lesia? Lesia? Come on, you can’t stay in there all day!’
There was no response, and Dodo tugged on the handle of twisted metal. The door was unlocked and she pulled it open, the treated wooden planks grating across the rough stone floor. She turned to the guard behind her.
‘You stay here. We ladies need our privacy.’
The soldier snorted, but made no move to follow her in.
Dodo shut the door on him with a broad grin. ‘Come on, sleepyhead,’ she said as she approached the comatose body in the bed. She shook her friend’s sleeping form vigorously. ‘Time to get up! If I can make the effort, so can you.’
The mass beneath the sheets offered little resistance to Dodo’s prods and pushes; she made her way to the top of the bed, and pulled back the covers.
Lesia was still asleep, a blank, dreaming look on her face.
Her dark hair fanned out across the pillow like a ragged halo.
‘Stop mucking about!’ said Dodo. ‘Your father will not approve!’ she added in a haughty tone, before walking over to the window and opening the rough wooden shutters.
Sunlight, filtered through grey rain-clouds, painted the room with repressed watercolour light. ‘Doesn’t look very good out,’
Dodo observed. ‘Anyway, I expect you and lover boy would prefer to stay in. We’ll have to see what we can arrange,