Doctor Who_ Curse of Peladon - Brian Hayles [16]
For a moment, Hepesh was rendered speechless by Jo’s words. The Doctor stepped in quickly.
‘Yes, of course,’ he muttered hastily, then moved forward past Hepesh to the foot of the throne, Jo’s hand resting on his with regal condescension. ‘King Peladon—as Earth delegate, I greet you. May I also present Her Royal Highness Josephine, Princess of...’ For a brief second he floundered, ‘Princess of Tardis!’
Jo curtseyed deeply, while the Doctor bowed. Peladon indicated that they should rise. His words were addressed to them both, but his eyes were fixed on Jo. He could see now that she was not as he first thought, a living reincarnation of his mother, Ellua the Earth Princess. But he had seen how even Hepesh had been startled by the uncanny resemblance to portraits of his mother as a young woman. To those who believed in omens, this beautiful visitor must point to good fortune!
‘Greetings, Princess, said Peladon, smiling warmly. ‘I’m sorry that your long journey ended so uncomfortably.’
Jo smiled at the young man who sat before her. He might be a king, but he certainly wasn’t stuffy or snobbish, for all the splendid clothes he wore. He must be about my age, Jo decided.
Handsome, too. And as he was being so friendly, she could afford to be one up on the Doctor for a change. After all, she was a Princess— he was a mere Doctor!
‘The whole business was quite deplorable, your majesty.’ She threw a half-glance at the Doctor, then, continued. ‘The pilot was unfortunately rather inefficient.’
The Doctor looked at Jo indignantly, but could say nothing.
In any event, he was still trying to work out just what he—as Chairman delegate from Earth—was doing on the planet Peladon in the company of these other aliens. Still, at least the king seemed friendly enough. Perhaps, the Doctor thought wryly as the king continued to address Jo, a little too friendly for the High Priest’s peace of mind.
‘I’m glad it was nothing more serious,’ said the king. ‘You bring a welcome beauty to a solemn occasion.’
Jo was pleased with the compliment. ‘Thank you, your majesty. You’re very kind.’ At the same time she was uneasily aware of Hepesh’s cruel eyes, boring into the back of her head.
She concentrated on Peladon.
‘As you may know, my mother was an Earthwoman,’
continued the king.
The aliens, not understanding the significance of this apparently trivial conversation, fidgeted, restlessly. No one noticed that one person was missing—Grun.
The King’s Champion had by now reached the top of the short stair that gave access to the balcony over the throne room doors. He paused, lithe-footed and silent as a cat, for all his burly strength. From behind him, the voice of the king mingled with those of the aliens. Soon they would come out into the corridor below. He must be ready for them. Underneath his ornate perch, two guards stood impassive and unhearing. They must know nothing of what he was about to do. The simple instruments that he would need lay waiting behind the great stone statue of the Royal Beast. Grun made the holy sign of obedience and set about his task. Even with the block of stone as fulcrum and the metal bar as a lever, it would not be easy. But Grun’s mighty strength would do the rest, when the time came to act.
Jo had turned from the throne to face Izlyr.
‘Princess, what is your power on the Committee of Assessment?’ he asked.
The Doctor knew that Jo had even less idea of the purpose of the aliens Committee than he did. He answered for her quickly.
‘The Princess is present,’ he said affably, ‘as a royal observer.
We felt the situation called for it.’
Izlyr understood and was satisfied.’ Ah, I see, he commented with a brief nod. ‘As on my planet, you still preserve the aristocratic process... ‘
‘Yes,’ observed the Doctor, ‘in a democratic sort of way.’ He returned Jo’s little smile of gratitude.
Arcturus, however, was not particularly pleased.
‘Chairman delegate,