Doctor Who_ Companion Piece - Mike Tucker [25]
`A Time Lord, back on Haven, del Toro continued, 'the Cardinal Archbishop murdered in his own cathedral and the murderer's blasphemous spirit appearing to mock the grieving at prayer. Do you know what they want to do to you, Doctor? If I hadn't brought the girl in here, they would have torn her apart.'
`So you intend to execute me without hearing what I have to say.'
`Not just you, Time Lord. The community of the faithful have condemned you both — I am merely their instrument, and God's.'
`W ho was the other man at prayer with the Cardinal?'
`No less a figure than the Sublime and Venerable Patriarch Julian.'
`Perhaps we should hear what he has to say.'
`He is still . . . in a state of shock.'
`Then can I ask that you refrain from breaking out the instruments until we have heard him? Surely even you can appreciate such a basic tenet of civil and canon law.'
`The law has little to say out here, Time Lord. There is only the Church.'
`I'm under the protection of the Church; Cat asserted. 'Father Julian gave me sanctuary.'
`Here, you enjoy my protection,' said del Toro coldly.
A priest entered and approached the Grand Inquisitor. He bowed quickly, and said, 'The Patriarch is demanding to see you.'
Del Toro scowled.
`Excellent; said the Doctor. 'W e can all go:
They found the old man praying in one of the ship's many small chapels. He turned when he saw them, and struggled to his feet. Cat thought he looked suddenly frail and frightened.
`Venerable Father, it's very good to see you on your feet again, but are you sure it is wise?' del Toro smarmed.
`Don't humour me, del Toro,' the old man said wearily. 'You hate me and want me dead, and — may God forgive me — I desire the same of you. But for the moment we must unite against the common foe. The Antichrist walks among us! I saw him! A monk without a face!'
`I saw a monk!' Cat exclaimed. 'I . . . didn't see his face — his hood was up.'
`Any man — or woman — can hide beneath the monk's cowl: said the Inquisitor. 'W hat better disguise?'
`And you, usually so keen to detect the presence of the Evil One the Patriarch snapped. Then he fell to coughing violently, doubling up with the strain.
`Venerable Father, you must not trouble yourself with all this until
you are well enough.
`No, indeed, the Doctor cut in. 'If you decide to come with us, you will have the journey to convalesce!
`Journey?' del Toro snapped.
`As I understand it, we stand accused of the murder of a Cardinal at the altar of his cathedral.'
`You wish to confess?'
A faint smile flickered across the Doctor's face. 'I wish to have the case heard by the proper authority. This isn't a matter of doctrine — the charge could hardly be more grave. This must be tried by the Pope in Rome.'
Patriarch Julian let out a guffaw, then began to cough again.
`You claim a privilege of the faithful!' snapped del Toro.
`The girl's a Catholic; said the Patriarch.
`And I am an honorary dean of W estminster Abbey: said the Doctor. `The Venerable Bede himself put me up.'
`Time Lord trickery: del Toro snarled.
`But correct on a point of law,' chuckled the old Patriarch.
`But the Pope might even now be dead! Unless you're suggesting we go to the heretic back in Old Rome. Or that abomination in the Magellanic Clouds.
`No, we shall go to Rome and hope that the conclave allows itself to be guided for once by the Holy Spirit:
`W e can't get to Rome!' del Toro snapped. 'This half of the galaxy is on the brink of war. The Magellanic hoards are poised only a few solar systems from here.'
`Nonsense, nonsense,' retorted the Patriarch. 'Poor Runciman was going himself, before he was struck down. And who would stop a ship of the Holy Inquisition?'
The Inquisitor was silent, staring at the floor, looking thunderous.
The Patriarch rubbed his hands together. 'So many years since I was in Rome: he said with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation. 'I doubt I shall recognise the place.
restricted areas or any specific prohibitions from me