Doctor Who_ Wolfsbane - Jac Rayner [52]
„Hurts...‟ she choked.
„What does?‟ Harry said, medical training to the fore. He took a step towards her, but she cowered away. The Doctor put a hand on his arm. „Fascinating, absolutely fascinating!‟
he breathed. „Obviously Miss Neuberger finds something about us causes her pain. Which is why she couldn‟t approach the house while we were outside the front door. I wonder what it is.‟
„Silver,‟ said Harry, „is anyone wearing silver?‟ He cast an eye over himself. I don‟t think I am. Buttons, cuffs, watch -
no, no silver.‟
Emmeline‟s breathing was getting heavier. „Not... silver...‟
she said. „Worse - much worse...‟ She sank to her knees.
All three men started towards her to offer help. She screamed.
„Get back!‟ cried the Doctor. They edged out of the bedroom door. The further away they got, the more Emmeline could breath. Finally, when they were at the other end of the corridor, she called out that she was once more all right.
The Doctor turned to the other two. „One of us is causing her this pain. I don‟t think it‟s me, and I don‟t think it‟s Harry, because Emmeline‟s encountered us before. So unless you‟re carrying anything new...?‟ He was looking at Harry, who shook his head. „Then logically, it‟s Godric. Well, let‟s test that. Emmeline! We‟re going to carry out a few experiments.‟
Harry cleared his throat. „Doctor, I rather think you should let her put some clothes on first.‟
The Doctor looked slightly puzzled. Then he seemed to realise what Harry was talking about. „Good thought.
Emmeline?‟
‘ Ja? ’ she called back.
„We‟ll meet you in the dining room in five minutes. Don‟t worry. We‟re going to find out what‟s going on.‟
Chapter Ten
Discovering Pain
In the dining room, the Doctor sent Godric to check all the curtains were fully drawn, so not even the slimmest moonbeam could get through should the moon choose to peek out from behind the clouds again.
The dining room was large, but the Doctor and Harry pushed the central table to one side to create more space in the middle of the room. Harry pulled out a chair and sat at the far end of the table to wait. Godric joined him, still looking rather dazed.
„I say, how are you feeling?‟ Harry asked him. „Head a bit woolly?‟
Godric nodded.
„Sorry - sort of neglected you a bit there,‟ said Harry, with sudden concern. „Everything happening at once, you know.
Here, let me have another look at you. Lean back, will you?‟
Godric leaned back awkwardly. Harry helped him unbuckle his backpack so he was more comfortable, and proceeded to give as thorough an examination as was possible under the circumstances.
Godric smiled a rather dopey smile as Harry examined his pupils. „Please, you need not worry yourself over me; I am just angry with myself that I was caught by the sorcerer‟s magicks.‟
„Oh, it, er, was magic, then?‟ Harry said.
Godric nodded again. „It was, I am sure. Although I remember little about it.‟ He frowned. „Such seems to be my curse, a burden I would wish not to bear. A man should be able to trust his memory, of all things, otherwise how can he even know he himself is real?‟
There was a sudden scraping of a chair and Harry turned, but it was just the Doctor jumping to his feet.
„You don‟t know who cast this spell on you, then?‟ Harry asked.
Alas, I do not.‟ Godric sighed. „My lack of memory is not only a burden to myself, I know it is also a trial for you, who labour to solve this mystery.‟
Harry was going to modestly play down his involvement, but realised that Godric probably meant the Doctor anyway.
„Well, I think you‟re all right,‟ said Harry, having finished his examination. „We‟ll keep an eye open in case of concussion, though.‟ Godric nodded politely and blankly.
The dining room door opened and Emmeline came in.
Harry was exceedingly glad to see she‟d dressed herself properly in skirt and blouse.