Doctor Who_ Lungbarrow - Marc Platt [60]
Innocet suddenly turned to look at the entrance. 'Come out of there quickly,' she urged. 'Quickly.'
As Chris scrambled over the fence, Innocet moved towards the funguretum doorway. The huge figure of a Drudge emerged from the shadows, towering even over her.
Its whole body swivelled to glare at Chris and the Doctor, but Innocet blocked its path, holding the lamp up to its implacable face. 'No,' she said firmly.
The Drudge tried to move past her. It pointed a hand at the intruders and gave a dry growl of anger like splintering timber.
'No,' repeated Innocet. 'These are my visitors. I invited them across the threshold. And by the laws of Housepitality, they are under my protection. You are to serve them as honoured guests.'
The Doctor dodged up behind Innocet pulling Chris with him. He raised his hat with a melodramatic flourish.
'Thank you very much for inviting us, Cousin Innocet. We hope our stay wil be a pleasant one.' He dug an elbow in Chris's ribs.
'Um, yeah. Thanks,' said Chris.
Innocet bowed her head, making sure that the Drudge was watching the ritual.
Two tiny polished spheres were set into the finely carved face, reflecting the room and its occupants in detail. Chris caught sight of his own image and felt trapped.
Sunlight dazzled on the leaves and on the river. He heard the clacking antlers of jousting neversuch beetles.
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He poked one beetle, almost a hand long, with a cut reed. It droned its flightless wings and snapped at the reed with its mandibles. He poked it again and watched it scuttle for cover.
There was a cry of despair behind him.
He turned and saw a young woman struggling dawn the sandy bank to the shore. It was Cousin Innocet. She looked about twenty years old. Her robe, absurdly heavy for such an expedition, had caught on a thorny root. It was riding up, showing off her underskirts.
She scolded him as he laughed. She tried to pul herself free, but the basket she carried tipped up and spilt berries all down the bank.
Her footing slipped and she slithered down after them, landing with a squelchy thump.
'We'll be late for supper,' she said, as she tried to flatten down her wayward skirts.
He saw that she was laughing as well.
Chris felt their arms support him. His mouth tasted of dust.
'My room,' he heard Innocet saying.
The Drudge swivel ed on its base to watch them carry him away.
'I'm all right,' he muttered woozily.
'Lucky old you,' he thought he heard the Doctor say.
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Chapter Sixteen
At Home with Cousin Innocet
Chris reached a decision before they even reached the room. The best way to understand this place was to play neutral. Don't talk, just watch. Play the invalid for al it was worth.
Easier said than done. The voices in his head had started their whispering again. One word came through strongly, called over and over. It sounded like Muljermeen.
As for the visions and dreams, some were psychic echoes recorded in the stones and wood of the House, he was sure of that. But the other dreams had started before he got to Lungbarrow. They were brightly coloured and smelt and tasted. Not like his own dreams at all. They had the Doctor's prints all over them. They were the Doctor's dreams, but Chris was unsure whether they were projected deliberately or were just leaking out of a hole in the Time Lord's head.
He felt dizzy and slightly nauseous. He groaned and put all his considerable weight on the Doctor and Innocet.
Good job I'm not in armour too, he thought.
'I'm sure that Drudge is following us,' muttered the Doctor. 'Don't look back.'
Innocet stumbled and nearly dropped Chris.
'I'll take him.' Chris was astonished to find himself being hefted up into the Doctor's arms.
'There's nothing behind us,' said Innocet.
'Speak for yourself,' complained the Doctor as they set off again. 'What a place. It's a wonder we haven't al evolved with rearview eyes.'
'Who is this?' said Innocet.
'Chris? He's my friend. He trusts me. Now tell