Menagerie - Martin Day [38]
He felt an arm behind his back. The knight above him had descended along the edge of the ladder and was holding the Doctor in position. 'Are you all right?' came the muffled voice through a helmet of frosted glass. The Doctor had decided against telling the knights how to operate the inter-suit communication devices. He wondered for a moment if he had made a wise decision.
The Doctor listened for the regular drip of water, and compared its tempo to that of his blood surging through his body. Very slowly, he turned his head. 'Thank you,' he said, smiling through the darkness at the knight. 'The air here seems a bit thin. The suits don't register any problems, but .
. .'
'It's made me feel a bit dizzy, too,' said the knight.
Just at that moment Himesor's voice ascended the deep shaft. 'I'm at the bottom.'
'Come on, then,' said the knight. 'Let's keep on going.'
Breathing heavily, and staring only at his hands as they alternately gripped and released the rough metal rungs, the Doctor resumed his descent.
'I've never seen clothes like that before,' said the old guard, munching on a greasy chicken bone and looking the boy up and down.
'He's a foreigner,' said the lad who claimed to be a knight.
He continued to hold the small dagger to the skirt-wearer's throat.
The guard tutted. 'You wait till I tell my good woman when I get back. I scarce can believe my eyes.' He saluted lazily, and then waved the two of them through the gatehouse and across the cobbled courtyard.
Once they were out of earshot, the man turned to one of the other guards, whispering tersely. 'Quickly. Send word to Commander Zaitabor. An outsider, and the mage's ward.'
He watched as the young guard disappeared into a doorway in one of the walls, and then hurled the stripped bone towards the slavering dogs that played around his feet.
'They must think me mighty simple,' he said. Across the yard he saw the main doorway into Castle Kuabris close behind the two young men with an air of grim finality. How many people had the castle swallowed up in this manner, never to be seen again? Perhaps some were still trapped deep below the surface in its icy cells. Or perhaps another fate awaited them.
It was best not to think about such matters. Best just to follow orders.
Diseaeda ran his hands over the casket. They came away covered with condensation. 'You say this thing should always be cold?'
'Yes,' said Zoe. 'It's essential for the proper operation of the device.'
'How does it work?'
'There's no time to explain,' said Zoe impatiently. 'I must reconnect the cryogenic relays and —'
'I'm sorry,' said Diseaeda. 'I can't allow you to indulge in such fancies. Not until after the show, in any case. The gates open in a couple of hours. I'll need you to help sell tickets at the desk. Remember: you've got to be charming and polite.
Flirt with the men a little, but don't get —'
'No!' said Zoe firmly. 'That creature could be dangerous.
It could still be alive.'
'Well then,' said Diseaeda. 'It'll just have to become a main attraction, that's all. I'll warn the strongmen and the beast tamers to check in here on a regular basis. Now, you must prepare for the fun and games of this evening. We'll leave this magic casket for some other time. Take a wash in the twins' cabin.'
Zoe opened her mouth to argue but was quelled by Diseaeda's implacable gaze. 'I clearly have no choice in the matter,' she said.
Diseaeda nodded. 'Trust me,' he said. 'I've been in this trade since you were a mere bump under your mother's breasts. Everything will be all right.'
Jamie whistled appreciatively as he looked at the polished walls and ornately carved ceiling of the hall. With the main doorway to his back, the corridor extended almost out of sight to his right and left, doors and the bottom of stairs visible in regularly spaced archways. The ceiling lamps flickered erratically, brightening the dull grey wash of light from the huge