Doctor Who_ Curse of Peladon - Brian Hayles [20]
‘If we remain,’ he whispered deliberately, ‘we put ourselves at risk!’
‘But we are free to go,’ twittered Alpha Centauri. ‘Is that not so, King Peladon?’
‘Do you seriously believe that I would keep you here by force?’ replied the young ruler.
‘Such things have been known to occur on other primitive planets’, observed the nervous hexapod. ‘We cannot rule out such a possibility!’
‘But why should I detain you?’ asked the king, his face reflecting his obvious surprise.
‘As pawns in some political game...’ clipped Arcturus. ‘But to do so would be most unwise!’
Peladon almost laughed, but his face quickly became serious.
‘There is no plot against you. Please stay. Help me... and help my people!’
The Doctor glanced at the others, then spoke quietly to the king.
‘We will adjourn and consider what you have said, your majesty’, remarked the Doctor, sympathetically. ‘You’ll know our decision as soon as possible.’
The King nodded, and with a motion of his hand, ended the audience. The aliens turned and moved after the Doctor towards the throne room doors, with Jo joining the edge of the departing group. But the king’s voice stopped her. He stepped down from his throne and moved towards her, hand outstretched.
‘Princess Jo, would you remain, please?’ he said.
Jo looked over her shoulder, hoping for guidance from the Doctor, but he was almost outside now, and deep in conversation with Alpha Centauri. She looked back at the king. There was only friendliness in his face—and it would be nice to talk to someone of her own age... and human, for once.
‘Of course, your majesty’, she murmured, and moved to the stool he indicated. As she sat, Peladon turned to the only other persons in the room—Grun, and Hepesh. Grun’s weathered features were expressionless, but Hepesh was obviously displeased at the young King’s informal manner with this Earthling maiden. Peladon gave him no chance to object.
‘Grun, Hepesh, you may leave.’
The look in Peladon’s eye made Hepesh realise it would be better to leave without comment. With Grun, he bowed and departed. As the young man who ruled Peladon moved back to his throne, Jo’s mind raced. What on earth do you talk about, to a king?
For a moment neither of them spoke. It was Peladon who at last broke the silence, His eyes studied Jo intently.
‘Do you believe me?’ he asked bluntly.
‘I’m only an observer,’ Jo answered, flustered by his directness. ‘Its up to the Committee to decide whether to help you or not.’
Peladon smiled. ‘I’m speaking from a personal point of view.
I don’t often get the chance.’
‘I’d’ve thought that being a king was fun!’ replied Jo brightly. ‘Think of all the things you can do!’
A sad smile moved Peladon’s mouth, and he shook his head before replying, ‘Its not just a vocation or a lifetime’s task that I’m trained to do. It’s very lonely.’ He paused, then reminded her that she too was supposedly of royal descent. ‘You must know that.’
Jo knew what he meant, but couldn’t deny the lie. ‘Oh, yes...
I do know,’ she said sympathetically. ‘But what about Hepesh?
He seems very close to you, almost like a father.’
‘Hepesh is like your friend, the Doctor,’ replied Peladon with a dry smile, ‘an old man.’
Jo laughed. ‘I don’t suppose either of them would much like to hear you say that.’
‘My whole life has been guided by wise old men’, reflected the young king. ‘I hardly ever meet anyone of my own age’, his face grew sombre, ‘now that my mother is dead. She was an Earthwoman, too. So you see, there is a bond between us...’
It wasn’t difficult for Jo to feel sympathy for the young king.
In the past, she too had known what it was to be alone and friendless, and she could understand the hope in his face as he moved towards her and took her hand.
‘ Do you believe me?’ he asked.
Jo faced him without flinching, and nodded. ‘Yes, she said,
‘I think I do. But I don’t see how I can help.’
Her offer was sincere and honest; but when Peladon replied, Jo felt a wave