Doctor Who_ Curse of Peladon - Brian Hayles [31]
‘Doctor, Federation delegates’, Peladon said, his face clearly showing his unhappiness at the situation, ‘the charge is extreme sacrilege. You are accused—by Hepesh the High Priest and his witness Grun, the King’s Champion—of desecrating our holy of holies, the Inner Sanctum of the Temple of Aggedor. Even as supreme ruler, I have no alternative. To this charge, the laws of Peladon allow of no defence, and of one punishment alone—
death!’
Jo, watching the Doctor face the court with a quiet dignity, bit back a cry at Peladon’s doom-laden words. It had been explained to her that any interference, verbal or otherwise, would only make matters worse. Hepesh had ensured that none of the delegates had been given the chance to discuss the case with the Doctor. But now, at last, came his chance to speak.
‘Your Majesty,’ declared the Doctor with complete sincerity,
‘there was no sacrilege intended. I assure you of that!’
‘Only the death of the intruder can purify the sacred temple of Aggedor!’ cried the High Priest.
The Doctor was prepared to explain—if he got the chance.
‘You see, I had no idea that the tunnel would lead there.’
Peladon threw a sharp glance at his High Priest, and leaned forward. ‘I know of no tunnels, Hepesh.’
‘Both Hepesh and Grun know that below this citadel there exists a whole network of secret passages,’ insisted, the Doctor.
‘But I doubt if he’ll admit the fact. ‘
‘Why should I admit to what doesn’t exist?’ sneered Hepesh.
‘The alien is lying. There are no tunnels!’
The Doctor turned to the young king. ‘King Peladon, I swear to you that I’m telling the truth. I’m innocent!’
‘He was there,’ growled Hepesh. ‘Not only did he gaze upon the holy image, but he laid his foul alien hands upon him! Is this innocence? No! There is but one consequence, Majesty. Name it!’
Jo could keep silent no longer. ‘He is innocent! You must believe him!’
Izlyr stood forward proudly. Jo held her breath. What would he say? With one word, he could eliminate the Doctor as an enemy of his race, and yet remain outside the event as a guiltless bystander. But his words surprised her.
‘Peladon, this Earthling is a stranger to your planet. His ignorance of the law deserves consideration.’
‘The crime is too great!’ snapped Hepesh quickly.
‘Then a royal pardon would count all the more highly with the Federation,’ whispered Izlyr.
Hepesh was quick to interject again, his tongue as sharp as his wits. ‘The Federation cannot over-ride our holy laws!’ he declared boldly. ‘Such action is forbidden by its Charter of Freedoms!’
Arcturus, silent until now, glided forward slightly.
‘That is correct,’ the metallic voice confirmed. ‘The Galactic Articles of Peace, paragraph 59, subsection 2...’
‘The law is against us,’ wailed Alpha Centauri. ‘We are powerless to interfere!’
‘The law isn’t always right,’ cried Jo. ‘You can’t just let an innocent man be executed!’
‘No one can prevent it, Earthling,’ murmured Hepesh smugly, then turned to his king. ‘Let it be done.’
But Jo was not yet beaten. Pushing her way past Hepesh, she threw herself at the foot of the throne, her desperate face uptilted to the young king sitting there. Their eyes met, as Jo put all her pleading into words.
‘A king can do anything,’ she said firmly, then dropped her voice so that her plea was directed to Peladon as a person, not as a royal judge. ‘You asked me once if I believed in you. I want to.
Well, if you honestly believe in peace, if you really despise violence and cruelty, this is your chance to prove it. Izlyr gave you the opportunity just now to offer a royal pardon. Think what an effect that would have on the Galactic Commission! But more than that— I’m asking you... as a friend, a person.’ She paused, slightly breathless. She was sure there was a new kindness in his eyes; she was certain he would respond. ‘You want to show yourself a civilised king,’ she said, ‘then do it... ‘
The brief strand of friendship and warmth was severed by the sharp tones of Hepesh’s grim voice. ‘The king can do nothing, he insisted. ‘He is bound by ancient law.