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They stopped at the top of a hill that looked out across the waters and got out and examined the view.

Goibhnie’s island was lit up by numerous lights that shone inwards from its boundaries. A low building rose from the rock in the centre of the island and at each end stood two towers surmounted by sky-scraping pylons.

'So what do we do, Doctor, stand here and shout to him?’

'There must be some way we can get out there. Bathsheba, do you remember any stories about how people used to contact Goibhnie?'

'He always used to come to us. I'm not sure if it was ever the other way around. Of course, there are the old legends of heroes who sailed out to his island to meet him.'

'Well we can hardly build a boat.'

'Maybe I could persuade Daffyr to get the Firbolg to make a raft for us?' suggested Stuart.

'Maybe. Hmmm, those two towers. I wonder ... ' the Doctor mused. He gazed down at the waves lapping gently against the shore. 'Oh dear,' he said. 'Look!'

The water had begun to bubble and froth with activity down below and suddenly, with a great whooshing and a fountain of steam, a form rose from the sea. Even at this distance, they could feel its eyes upon them. It clambered on to the beach on all fours and then stood up on two legs and howled. Its head was small in comparison with the rest of its body, but its teeth were large in comparison with its head.

'A demon!' Bathsheba cried, cowering back.

'I think we should get into the car,' the Doctor said.

Stuart agreed and slipped back behind the wheel. 'Discretion would definitely be the better part of valour.' He started the engine and put the car into a tight turn away from the monster. As he did so, the headlights flashed on another creature coming towards them from inland.

'They must have scented us,' the Doctor said.

'Me,' said Bathsheba, 'they scented me.'

Another form dashed out of the dark and flung itself on to the bonnet of the car. Stuart gave the wheel a sharp twist and flung the creature off.

'I hope there aren't too many of them.' He slammed his foot down on the accelerator pedal. 'And that they can't outrun us.’

There was a screeching as nails dragged down the rear windscreen, but the demon was left behind.

'Back to the camp?'

'Yes, I suppose so. Did you notice those masts on the island? ‘

'On top of the towers, yes. What about them?'

'I wondered if they were perhaps transmission masts, or receivers. Maybe we could contact Goibhnie through them. Treaty with him that way.'

‘But we haven't got a transmitter,' Stuart pointed out.

‘What about your car radio? Do you mind?' The Doctor reached forward and pulled the radio out from its fitting.

‘Do I have any choice? No, go ahead. I don't see what good it'll do you.'

'Oh, you know, a quick rejig and I'll have it broadcasting to the world,' the Doctor smiled.

'I wish I could understand what you're doing , Bathsheba said.

'I'll explain when I get the chance to tell you about electricity,’ the Doctor told her.

'Stuart, my friend,' Daffyr greeted him, 'I thought you'd run off without saying farewell.'

'Just an exploratory mission,' the Doctor said. He deposited his jacket on the bench and pulled his sweater over his head. Bathsheba sat down at the kitchen table and warmed her hands till the fire.

'And I thought to myself, Stuart wouldn't do that, now would he?’ Daffyr told the room.

‘All right, Daffyr, I get the point. You seemed to be enjoying yourself so much that I didn't want to disturb you.'

'Daffyr, you don't mind if I take a look at your dragon's head?' the Doctor asked. He squatted down at the end of the table.

'He's already ruined my car radio,' Stuart complained, 'he can't do anything worse to your head.'

Before Daffyr could veto his request, the Doctor reached in and took hold of the dragon's positronic brain. Daffyr looked surprised, 'What in Dagda's beard is that?' he said.

'The dragon's brain.'

'Not a delicacy?' Daffyr asked suspiciously .

'No more so than the flesh.'

Daffyr nodded his head. 'Not a