Doctor Who_ Empire of Death - BBC Worldwide [92]
A shout drifted up from the water's edge. 'There's someone coming back!'
`The general, no doubt,’ Clark said with a smile. 'Now you shall know the truth of the matter, Your Majesty.'
`What is this place?' Nyssa asked. She and James were being led by Tremas down a circular flight of stairs within the tower. It was dark inside but a pale glow emanating from the walls offered enough light to see where they were going.
To everything there is an opposite, for every animal there exists a predator,' Tremas explained. 'Even in a paradise like this, evil can invade and insinuate itself.'
`But I thought all the Melkurs were dealt with by the grove,'
Nyssa said.
`Some horrors are beyond the power of even that sacred place to heal. This tower was built to house the unwanted, the unwelcome. It gave us no satisfaction but it was thought to be for the best. Others had more radical solutions'
He stopped at the foot of the stairs and gestured to a doorway.
'We keep our demons in here. Do you want to see them more closely, see these basest of creatures for yourself?'
James shook his head but Nyssa was willing to look inside. Tremas began to unlock the door but discovered it was already undone. 'Curious... that should not be.
Sometimes I fear we become too trusting, even in such a benign world as this' He opened the door and followed Nyssa inside. Ahead was the cell she had seen from outside, the men cowering against the far wall, keeping as far from Tremas as possible.
Nyssa felt a curious fluttering inside her mind. Something wasn't right here, of that much she was certain. If only she still had her journal, she could be taking notes about all of this. Frustration clenched her thoughts, knowing a realisation was just beyond her reach. She examined the faces of the men. They all seemed so familiar, especially the one who had spoken to her earlier. Where had she seen him before?
`These are our guilty secret: Tremas explained. 'We keep them in this place until they are no longer needed. Then...' He sighed. 'Then we shall see.'
`Who are they? Where did they come from?' Nyssa asked.
`They invaded our paradise, intent on bringing their evil into our world. But that shall not be' Tremas rested a gentle hand on Nyssa's shoulder and began to lead her out of the cell. `Do you understand now why I did not wish you or James to come here? There is nothing of good to be -' He stopped and looked back at the captives. 'Where is he?'
A red-haired prisoner responded first. Who?'
Tremas launched himself at the captive, hands clasping the man's throat. 'Where is he? Tell me!'
The prisoner choked, trying to pull the fingers away from his neck. He – ackkk –‘
Nyssa tried to tear them apart. `Please, father, stop! You're hurting him!'
Instead Tremas tightened his grip, the sound of bone grinding against bone followed by cracking from the prisoner's throat. The dead man's eyes rolled back in his head and Tremas cast the corpse aside, reaching for another prisoner.
Nyssa staggered backwards, horrified at what Tremas was doing. 'Father, please!'
He glared at her over his shoulder, his features contorted with hatred. 'Silence, my child, or you will be next!' Tremas turned back to the prisoner. 'Where is the general?'
* * *
Doulton could not recall how long he had been on this side of the gateway. When he first opened his eyes, the general found himself surrounded by old friends lost on the battlefield. They seemed pleased to see him, stripping away his diving suit and weapons. He would have no need of them here, they explained
- this was paradise, the world beyond death.
But Doulton had refused to give up his pistol, given to him by the Queen in gratitude for his gallant service in the Crimea. He had explained why he wanted to keep the weapon but the others wouldn't listen. They tore it from his grasp, their faces darkening