Doctor Who_ Bunker Soldiers - Martin Day [63]
‘The Russians fought bravely?’ queried Mongke.
‘I believe it was over in the blink of an eye,’ said Abd N-Nun Ayyub.
‘The Mongol army is truly one of the most awesome military units I have ever witnessed,’ said the Doctor. ‘The legacy of Genghis lives on.’
Mongke’s thin lips twisted into a smile. ‘The punishment of God continues to roll out of the east. There is still much work to do.’ For a moment, his hand rested on the banners of yak hair that surrounded the throne. ‘We shall not rest until the nine tails stand proud over every city of Europe.’
‘Every city quakes before your might,’ said the Doctor.
‘Then perhaps we will have little need for battle,’ said Mongke.
‘That is the hope of millions,’ the Doctor agreed.
‘I notice,’ said Mongke, cutting through any attempt on the Doctor’s part to build on these encouraging words, ‘that you call us Mongols. I had thought that the people of Europe abuse us as
“Tartars”.’
‘My knowledge is sketchy,’ said the Doctor, ‘but I know that there were once two tribes, the Tartars and the Mongols. And that you wiped out the Tartars.’
‘But the name persists,’ said Mongke. ‘Though some call us the Mogogoli, the sons of the great giant Magog.’
‘You are well informed.’
‘I know also that chroniclers state that we have the faces of dogs, and that we tear off the breasts of white women to eat as fine delicacies. I am even told that our grotesque faces adorn the outside of churches like little stone monsters.’ Mongke’s handsome face broke into another bitter smile. ‘If you wish to crush an enemy, it is often useful to find out first what he thinks you are,’ he said, by way of explanation.
‘You are greatly feared,’ stated the Doctor.
‘If you can exceed those fears, then so much the better.’
Mongke’s chest puffed proudly. ‘We are greatly feared, but in the flesh the armies of the Great Khan are still worse! Even when we are outnumbered, we outthink our opponents. Even when a battle seems lost, we outfight our enemies. The so-called great knights of Christendom – it would take a hundred of those lumbering fools to defeat even a handful of my fine warriors!’
‘News of your victories has reached Kiev,’ observed the Doctor.
‘A city to which you have no allegiance, and no ties, I am told,’ said Mongke. ‘Tell me about your land, your people.’
‘My people are beyond even the influence of the Great Khan,’ said the Doctor. ‘My land could not be reached if you rode for a thousand years.’
‘You speak in riddles.’
The Doctor’s eyes glinted. ‘I am old, sir. I know much, but it tends to come by riddle and by rhyme.’
‘But the people of Kiev respect you...’
The Doctor nodded. ‘They have asked me to beg for mercy.’
‘And now you speak nonsense!’ said Mongke. ‘We are deaf to all pleas and begging words.’ He paused. ‘However, sometimes we tire of bloodshed. Perhaps I shall hear your entreaties, when I need entertainment.’
The Doctor nodded. ‘I hope I will entertain, on behalf of those I am pledged to protect.’
‘More nonsense! How can one man protect a city?’
‘An intention, an idea, a spark of genius,’ the Doctor replied slowly, ‘can be worth more than all the armies under the sun.’
Mongke laughed at this. ‘Well said, old man!’ he exclaimed. ‘I will talk with you further.’
‘Very good, my lord,’ said the Doctor, bowing. Abd N-Nun Ayyub appeared at his side to escort him away. ‘And Mykola?’
‘The soldier will stay here. I need to learn of the defence of Kiev: the number of soldiers, the likely strength of opposition, the weak points in any fortifications.’
‘I shall tell you nothing!’ exclaimed Mykola.
‘Within minutes I shall know everything I need,’ countered Mongke, gripping his sword tightly. He turned to the Doctor and Abd N-Nun Ayyub, his eyes dark and unfathomable. ‘You may leave us now.’
‘You are no fool,’ said Abd N-Nun Ayyub later. ‘But there were moments during our audience with Mongke Khan when you played at foolishness.’
The Doctor said nothing, not sure that he could trust the Arab interpreter.
Abd N-Nun Ayyub stared back at the Doctor from the other side of the