Doctor Who_ Curse of Peladon - Brian Hayles [58]
He smiled. Jo turned towards him, her eyes wide with concern for the young king. His face was pale, but otherwise showed no sign of fear. ‘What are you going to do with him? she demanded.
‘He’s done nothing to harm you. Let him go!’
‘That is up to the delegates,’ pointed out Hepesh, ‘If they will cooperate...’
‘You will answer to Federation justice,’ hissed Izlyr fiercely.
But he could do nothing.
‘Your Federation has no jurisdiction over me or this planet’, corrected Hepesh. ‘It is you that must answer to your superiors for your interference!’
Alpha Centauri, though far from brave, was prepared to defend his bureaucratic privileges to the letter of the law—within reason. ‘You are holding us here by force... You will answer for that!’
Supremely confident, Hepesh gestured amiably at the soldiers which were scattered about the room. Apart from the two swords at the king’s throat, all weapons were sheathed.
‘I am not holding you,’ replied the High Priest blandly.
‘There are no swords or spears held against you. You came to this throne room at your own free will.’
‘We didn’t have much choice!’ cried Jo, but Hepesh only gave her a cold glance before continuing.
‘You are not wanted here, either as guests or hostages’, he said. ‘I know the retribution this planet would suffer if any of you were harmed—so go in peace. Tell your masters that Peladon wants nothing of their Federation. But go—now!’
Hepesh had won. Or so it seemed to Jo and the aliens as they faced the defeated king in the silence that followed. A split second later, a series of terror-stricken shouts heralded the opening of the throne room doors with a mighty crash—and standing there were the Doctor, Grun... and Aggedor. The first reaction of Hepesh’s men was to seize arms and attack the intruders—but at the sight of the Royal Beast, they dropped their weapons and fell to their knees in awe. Hepesh alone stood his ground. The two fanatics, now in a cold sweat of fear, continued to hold the king at point of death.
‘Who dares to challenge Peladon of Peladon? Kneel and pay homage to his sacred guardian!’ cried out the Doctor.
The tables were turned—but Hepesh was not beaten yet.
The king was still his hostage, and he knew that Aggedor was no unearthly spirit. ‘Do not listen to this alien heretic!’ he cried. ‘I am the High Priest of Aggedor and Regent to the kingdom of Peladon!’
‘But you no longer speak for Aggedor, Hepesh!’ the Doctor exclaimed. ‘Aggedor stands by those who recognise the rightful king. Here is Grun, his Champion, as witness! And I condemn Hepesh as a traitor to his ruler, and to his sacred trust as guardian of the holy temple!’ The Doctor paused, but Hepesh would not bow. He stood erect and haughty, eyes blazing in defiance. ‘Be sensible,’ said the Doctor quietly. ‘You’re beaten, Hepesh. Just surrender before anyone else gets killed.’
Hepesh gathered his cloak about him and strode forward, at the same time addressing his scornful words to the black helmets who so easily outnumbered the aliens. ‘Do not believe his trickery!’ he shouted, and moved amongst his men as though haranguing them into bravery. In fact, he had a purpose in his movements which was not made clear until he came close to the buttressed doorway. ‘You know the aliens. Their machines and their magic do not fool us! The beast is not the Royal guardian—
it is a common animal!’ Suddenly he sprang to the wall and, seizing a flaming torch from its wall bracket, held it high. ‘I will show you. It is a living monster, and not a holy spirit!’ Hepesh took a step towards Aggedor. The torch in his outstretched hand flared menacingly in the creatures face, A low growl of fear came from its shaggy throat. As the beast reared, the Doctor and Grun fell back. Rolling its head away from the threatening firebrand, Aggedor