Doctor Who_ The Visitation - Eric Saward [3]
'I thought you might need this, Master Charles.' Gratefully Charles took one of the candles and placed it on the floor near the cupboard.
Finally locating the key, Charles inserted it in the lock, but the lock was stiff and he had great difficulty in operating it.
'I think a little rendered sheep fat would work miracles,' said the old retainer, shuffling across the landing. 'I'll attend to it tomorrow.'
Just then the lock gave and, creaking loudly, the cupboard swung open to reveal a row of muskets.
'I take it you're not having a posset, Master Charles.'
'No, thank you.'
'Then I'll wish you good night.'
'Good night.'
The servant descended the back stairs and entered the passage that led to the kitchen, his feet making a crunching sound on the straw-covered floor.
Gradually he became aware that he was not alone. Ahead he could hear a low, hissing wheeze, which sounded like someone struggling for breath.
He stopped and held out his candle, but the light didn't spread far enough into the darkness for him to see who or what it was. 'Who's there?' he said uncertainly. 'I can hear you. But there was no reply. Instead the hissing grew louder as it moved closer.
Ralph began to back down the passage, his nervous fingers easing the candle from its heavy base. Suddenly there was a loud roar. Ralph screamed and hurled the candlestick into the dark, before turning and fleeing back along the passage.
Heart pounding, leg muscles heavy with fear, the old man ran as fast as he could. As he emerged from the passage, he saw Charles running down the stairs. 'Fetch a pistol, Master Charles. There's some...' But before he could finish the sentence, a loud whining noise was heard as a narrow pencil-beam of green light shot from the tunnel, striking Ralph in the back. The old servant screamed as he collapsed, his candle rolling across the floor.
Horrified, Charles turned and rushed up the stairs to the armoury cupboard. Flinging open the unlocked doors, he snatched up a pistol and started to prime it, his eyes constantly darting between the weapon and the stairs.
With the gun loaded, Charles poured a little powder into the flash pan. As he was doing this, he became aware of a massive figure standing at the foot of the stairs.
'Who's there?' Charles called. 'I'll shoot if you don't reply.'
Like a death rattle, the whining sound was heard again and the thin beam of green light exploded against the baluster in front of him.
Charles fired his pistol. The huge creature roared in pain and collapsed, his leg shattered.
Quickly Charles reloaded his pistol as the main door was flung open and Sir John rushed onto the landing. 'Fire and brimstone!' he screamed. 'And what do you think you are doing, sir?'
Charles thrust a pistol into his father's hand. 'Load this,' he said urgently. 'There's something down there with a gun the likes of which I've never seen before.'
Sir John did as instructed. 'Where's Ralph?'
'I fear he's hit.' And as Charles spoke, another beam of light was fired, this time striking the armoury cupboard. 'Look!' he shouted.
The strange creature was dragging his massive form across the floor to the passage leading to the kitchen.
With weapons loaded, both men fired. The creature roared and screamed, then rolled onto his back. In the darkness, thin yellow fluid spurted from his wounds.
'What was it?' Sir John whispered in a voice hoarse with fear.
Before Charles could comment, they heard a hammering and splintering of wood coming from the direction of the great hall.
'Father! Charles! Quick!' shouted a terrified Elizabeth.
Grabbing muskets and ammunition, Sir John and Charles ran to join Elizabeth. They could hear the heavy front door being torn from its hinges.
'What's happening, Papa?'
'Would it be too obvious to say we were under attack?'
'But from whom?'
There were