Doctor Who_ The Room With No Doors - Kate Orman [69]
When Gufuu covets a river to the south, I also covet that river. Whatever advantage he seeks, I seek the same advantage. In this way, I have maintained balance between our two situations.’
‘Through constant war,’ said the Doctor.
‘Of course,’ said Umemi. ‘And now, Gufuu-sama wants this object, this kami that descended from the heavens. He has gone to great lengths to obtain it, sending troops, and even destroying Toshi.’ The Doctor opened his mouth to correct the daimyo, but the man went on speaking. ‘If he wants this kami, then I want it. My agents have sighted your ally, making all speed, but not towards Gufuu-sama’s castle. To another place of safety? To Doa-no-naiheya Monastery, perhaps, where you first learnt of the kami?’
The Doctor was careful not to let his surprise show. He had that sudden sinking feeling he sometimes got during chess, when he realized his opponent 138
had been patiently watching his combinations and seeing through the lot.
‘Look,’ he said, ‘whatever this thing is, it’s not worth risking outright war over it. Let it reach the monastery. I promise you Gufuu-sama won’t get his hands on it.’
‘Alas,’ said Umemi, ‘Gufuu’s troops are already on their way to the monastery. His agents have also been following your friend’s movements, it seems. Besides,’ he added, ‘I know what it is.’
This time the Doctor felt his mouth open slightly. Umemi was glancing off to his left somewhere.
The Doctor followed the man’s gaze. One of his war advisers was removing his – her – helmet.
Te Yene Rana showed her pointed teeth, red eyes flashing in the late afternoon sun.
‘Bad news travels fast,’ she said.
‘We didn’t bring you here,’ Talker said again.
‘Then how did I get here?’ insisted Penelope. ‘If the Doctor was right about my time conveyance, it couldn’t have reached this era under its own power.
Someone drew it back here.’
‘Might have been the Caxtarids, I suppose,’ said Talker. ‘I don’t know much about their technology.’ She pecked at the ground, thoughtfully. ‘Their ship was pretty badly damaged. Could your time machine be used to travel just through space?’
‘We’ve done just that,’ nodded Penelope. ‘I was hoping that you might be able to make the machine work again.’ She glanced at the page, who wasn’t following any of this. ‘Er, because Gufuu-sama wants a demonstration.’
She and Talker looked at each other, and Penelope felt the understanding travel between them. If they had a working time machine, they could escape.
Of course, thought Penelope, she could always go back to the Doctor and ask for a lift. She felt the angry colour rise in her cheeks. No. She would do her best to puzzle this out without his assistance.
Te Yene Rana was showing her teeth. ‘I decided to strike a deal with the obvious winning side,’ she said, giving Umemi-sama a little bow.
The daimyo said, ‘I myself will lead a large expedition to the monastery.
We will recover the pod, destroying any troops Gufuu-sama sends against us.
When we possess the pod, we will further use its magical powers against our rival. I shall become warlord of Han, Daini and Sanban districts.’
The Doctor was looking at him in a mixture of exasperation and anger. ‘That will end the warfare you object to, Isha-san,’ he laughed. ‘When I am overlord of the country, there will be no more war, I promise you.’
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He barked an order to his troops. They shouted, a single roar, and were suddenly, furiously, in motion.
The Doctor stood up, forgetting etiquette. ‘You can’t let this happen!’ he shouted at the Caxtarid. The advisers were on their feet, generals and captains joining their troops as they readied for battle. ‘You can’t get all of these people involved.’ She was just grinning her predatory grin at him. ‘For goodness’
sake,’ he shouted, ‘what is that thing? Why is it worth all of this death and destruction?’
‘Wouldn’t you like to know?’ She stalked over to Umemi, utterly