Doctor Who_ Bunker Soldiers - Martin Day [78]
The Doctor said nothing, knowing only too well the desperate measures that otherwise rational men are sometimes forced to take.
Mongke sent one of the nearby soldiers to establish what was happening – and find out why, seemingly, the people of Kiev were catapulting themselves over the walls rather than risk the Mongol attack.
As they waited patiently for the reply, another sound carried across the Russian landscape, this time from the east. A great pounding noise came from somewhere in the bulk of the army behind them. It was like an army of devils stamping their feet on the earth; in fact, it was drumming to herald the arrival of Batu Khan.
The Doctor turned to watch in awe. First came row upon row of camels, each carrying a huge naqara drum. Then came a unit of riders, sweeping across the landscape with awful precision. Then came Batu and his entourage.
The Khan, resplendent in robes of gold, swept up to Mongke on a horse the colour of snow, and dismounted expertly before the animal had halted. The two men embraced each other warmly and, finally, the drums ceased their pounding.
Batu’s face seemed crueller than Mongke’s and an aura of perpetual bloodshed surrounded him. He was clearly the senior tactician here and, the Doctor swiftly surmised, even less likely to show mercy than his cousin.
And yet Batu’s first words surprised the Doctor. ‘Have we decided the fate of this miserable city?’
Mongke shook his head. ‘There may still be reason to save it,’ he said, shooting the Doctor a glance before indicating Vasil.
‘This man is the senior cleric. He has come with word of a treaty, a pact. The Church wishes to introduce us to a common enemy.’
Batu nodded, taking this in. ‘And the civilian authorities?
Have they made entreaties? Have they grovelled at the feet of the Great Khan?’
‘I have a trusted man there,’ said Mongke, ‘though it is clear that they still prepare for battle, for siege.’
Batu nodded, almost appreciative. ‘It is wise that they do so,’
he said.
Mongke indicated the Doctor. ‘And they have sent this man, a practitioner and scientist called Doctor. He is no Russian...’
‘I can see that,’ interjected Batu with a smile.
‘... but still he pleads for Kiev.’
‘I am merely a traveller,’ said the Doctor. ‘I hope only to save the lives of the citizens.’
‘He also tells a good tale, and his words are full of symbols and hidden meaning,’ continued Mongke. ‘I am convinced he walks among the stars!’
‘Then he shall entertain us when the work is done,’ said Batu. He turned to Vasil. ‘Whatever form that work might take.’
Vasil bowed, and for the first time the Doctor sensed his fear. The bishop had recognised the darkness of his heart mirrored in the form of Batu, and it seemed to disturb him. ‘My lord, the enemy of which I speak –’
Suddenly a soldier pushed through into the circle of talking men, leaving Vasil unable to complete his entreaty. It was the soldier Mongke had sent to investigate the strange activity down below.
‘Dead bodies, my lords,’ said the man, bowing low. ‘They are hurling corpses over the city walls – corpses riddled with some infection.’
‘They hope to spread the sickness of their sin to us?’
exclaimed Batu. ‘How dare they slight the holiness of our endeavour!’
‘It is worse,’ continued the soldier. ‘Among the bodies we saw the emissary sent to the Church, and the Arab interpreter.
They have both been executed.’
The Doctor shook his head slowly, remembering Abd N-Nun Ayyub’s honesty and integrity. He watched as Batu snarled in fury.
‘They shall pay!’ the khan exclaimed. ‘They shall pay for this insult with the blood of their virgins and children and mothers!’
Even Mongke’s face had hardened at this insult. ‘The khans are not used to such poor treatment,’ he added quietly.
‘Please, my lords,’ said the Doctor. ‘The men and women, the children... they are not responsible for the actions of their leaders.’ His face clouded; he could not imagine the sane and sensible governor he had left behind ordering so brutal an action as this. Perhaps Yevhen was now in charge.
Batu made no reply,