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'It is not a question of emotionalism,' Goibhnie rebuked him, 'but of experimental logistics. It would be far simpler in terms of my present resources if I were to take such action as I have planned.'

'But,' said the Doctor, 'you aren't taking into account the development of the human species on Earth since you last obtained specimens. When was that? A hundred and fifty years ago, perhaps? Three thousand Troifran standard time units?’

'I do not understand the relevance of this.'

'The human race has become much more organized. They are going to notice if you abscond with a few thousand people and I’m afraid that that would be against the Galactic Constitutional Regulations regarding interference with species - paragraph #4654, subsection (wegla) - which the Troifran committee ratified some time ago. Earth is widely regarded as one of the causal nexus points in this galaxy and your interference would not be acceptable - you'll have to come up with something better than that.'

Goibhnie did not reply, staying motionless as he considered the Doctor's words. His hands flickered impatiently while he thought. Bathsheba rose and went to sit by the Doctor. Eventually Goibhnie asked tentatively, 'What do you suggest?’

The Doctor smiled broadly. 'I suggest that we go out in the field and review the situation as it stands.'

He rose beckoned for Goibhnie to lead the way.

***

Ace didn't have time to flinch back any further before one of Nuada's thick-fingered hands clamped around her leg.

'Get off me!' she cried, kicking out at his chest. His other hand reached across and took hold of her ankle. She lashed out again, but in her trainers it was like kicking a tree. Nuada' chain mail clinked as he pulled himself up, using Ace's leg for leverage.

'So I've found a spy!' he snarled. Ace swung her fist into the side of his head in another desperate attempt to dislodge him. He flung his weight forwards and knocked her to the floor. ‘Little demon, aren't you?' He held her down with one knee in her stomach and her arms pressed to the floor by his strong hands.

‘Get off!' Ace was scared now. She struggled to get into a position where she could use her legs to attack him. He dug his knee in further.

'You've seen my secret.' Was it just a breeze that sent his hair writhing and made it look as though there was something shifting under the skin of his face? 'What should I do with you?' He blinked, and for a moment his eyes gleamed like fire. 'I can't let you go. The Tuatha wouldn't tolerate one of their number being ... ' He laughed, a harsh doglike sound, and again there was that horrible impression of something inside his face. ‘… I suppose they'd call me a witch. If only they could know.'

‘Chulainn told me,' Ace gasped, 'that some witches could change their form. What do you look like under that mask?'

'Oh this is the real me. Or a part of the real me. I had a lot of contributions to what I am now. Perhaps you would like to contribute?'

'Do I get a badge for my jacket?' She brought a knee up into the small of his back. It sent him sprawling over her, but he no longer gripped her and she was able to squirm free from him. She pushed herself to her feet and sprinted off down the corridor. His imprecations were loud in her ears as she dodged down a side passage. She went down the first set of stairs that she found and hoped that she could lose him in the maze. At first the noise of his feet striking the ground sounded close behind her but after a number of quick direction changes the sound of his pursuit faded.

Feeling safe, Ace paused in her flight and pulled off her trainer. She tenderly tested the joints of her big toe – those kicks against Nuada's armour had hurt like hell - and thankfully they seemed to be intact, though the throbbing refused to go away. She slipped her foot back into the shoe and pulled the laces tight.

She had to find Dryfid and warn him of the demon in wolf’s clothing, but she had no idea how to get out. Once again she found herself wandering through the corridors of Dinorben. Why was this place always so