Menagerie - Martin Day [33]
'So this town is very different from the city we've come from?'
'As different as night and day. The knights wouldn't tolerate a show like mine.'
'So perhaps the knights aren't so bad after all,' said Zoe, more harshly than she'd intended.
It was clearly an argument that Diseaeda was familiar with. 'You think I exploit these poor creatures?' he asked.
For a moment Zoe couldn't tell if he meant the animals or the semi-human grotesques. 'Maybe I do. But if it's a choice between death in a gutter or life in a show, I know what I'd choose. Anyway, you'll have plenty of time to ask my
"exhibits" at first hand.' He suddenly bellowed to someone behind Zoe. 'Oi! Go and put those tent pegs in properly!'
Zoe turned to see a young lad sheepishly return to a job he thought he'd completed.
'So this is your latest acquisition?' came a female voice at Diseaeda's side.
Zoe turned back, and saw two young women standing at Diseaeda's side. Their almost identical faces bore the smiles of delighted imps, and they fidgeted constantly with the buckles of their overalls.
With an almost audible gasp Zoe noticed that the women were joined at the waist, two bodies atop a single pair of legs.
'I'm Raitak,' said one, before Zoe could say a word. 'I'm Reisaz,' said the other.
'Two of my very best friends,' said Diseaeda. 'They'll show you around. By all means ask them what I'm like to work for.'
Reisaz giggled, then fell silent under Raitak's icy stare.
'I'll see you before the first show commences,' said Diseaeda before striding off into the distance.
'Right,' said Raitak. 'Follow me.'
'Us,' said Reisaz.
As if in a nightmare Zoe followed the twins into a nearby tent, struggling all the time to not let the shock that she felt show on her face.
Himesor reverently removed the first of the holy Kuabris robes from the cases. A young knight came forward, eyes averted from the metal and cloth construction being handed to him. His hands trembled as he took hold of the clothing.
The one-piece under-suit was designed to cover the entire body, with the exception of the head. The material was the colour of gold, and it rustled like silk as the young man pulled it on. Obviously surprised by its strength, the man gently poked at the fabric. His face was a picture of disbelieving privilege and extreme bewilderment.
Once the man had pulled strong metal plates on to his shins and forearms, the Doctor helped him with the bulky white chest-piece. It too had the appearance of armour, but the Doctor recognized its true function. He took the end of the transparent tube that ran into the helmet, and plugged it into the top of the air supply on the breastplate. He motioned for the knight to hold the helm under his arm for a moment.
The Doctor turned, and saw that the five other knights, including Himesor, had followed suit. 'Now you, Doctor,'
smiled the Grand Knight.
'Yes, of course.' The Doctor struggled into the proffered body-suit. His trousers, trapped within the golden leggings, bulged around his knees. He struggled to put things straight.
'Give me a hand,' he said, flustered. 'There's a good fellow.'
Himesor pulled the suit into position.
The Doctor clapped his hands together. 'Now, you've told your men how these robes work?'
'They are conversant with the secondary properties of the Kuabris armour,' said Himesor carefully. 'I have ordered that a complement of knights accompany us to the entrance to the sewers.'
'Oh, really, there's no need,' said the Doctor. 'I can't stand fuss. Let's just pop down into these sewers of yours and —'
'I am agreed that we need to proceed with some degree of urgency,' said Himesor, turning to face his men. 'We will pray for the success of our mission in this holy place,' he announced in a loud voice. 'Then we shall proceed to the armoury to collect the best of the Kuabris weapons. These shall surely slay the evil creatures below the ground.' He smiled. 'All glory to the Higher!'
'Higher be praised!' responded the knights.