Chapter Eleven
"Doctor, wait up. Lathan's derkine has pulled up lame." Lib rode back to see how badly the animal was injured.
"Peral, that's a likely looking spot. We'll camp there."
"Doctor, we're less than three kilometers from Mirune's camp. Why didn't we just stay there?"
"I wish you wouldn't ask questions like that."
"Why?"
"Because I feel silly telling you to ask my horse." Peral laughed and the Doctor smiled and they began setting up camp.
Lib rode up on Heort and Lathan led his limping derkine into the site they'd chosen. "I don't think the derkine is badly injured, but Lathan's not going to be able to ride it. Heort can carry double until we can get him a replacement. We'll just have to split his gear amongst the other horses."
"Lib, have you considered the possibility we're not supposed to take Lathan with us?"
No, Doctor. And I'm not going to." She'd said it before she thought. She hadn't meant it to sound the way it did. "I'm sorry, but Lathan is my squire. I'm not leaving him on the trail with a lame animal." The Doctor smiled at her. Her reaction had told him more than she knew. She wouldn't leave Lathan behind, but it wasn't because he was her squire.
Lathan and Peral arrived with wood for the fire and soon dinner was done. They were nearly finished when the saddled horse walked into camp. The Doctor looked at the big appaloosa mare and started to laugh. Lathan had been given 'official' status. They led the derkine to an inn and gave it to the innkeeper. They didn't stop. It was early in the day and the horses showed signs of impatience.
"Peral, help. Lathan wants to give his horse a name and I'm having trouble translating to Old English."
"What does he want to call her, Lib?"
"A gift." She and Lathan grinned at him, as he nearly collapsed with laughter.
The Doctor called back over his shoulder, "Geifan." Lathan's horse nickered and trotted up to the Doctor's side. Lib and Lathan joined in Peral's laughter and the Doctor smiled. The horse had told them her name.
They rode east for a day and a half, then Leoht wanted to go south. They rode south. Within a few kilometers, they were approaching a castle. The horses were in a hurry. They thundered through the gate and a portcullis crashed down behind them.
An old man and a young woman stood in the courtyard. Both held swords. A small girl, of about six, ran to them and hid behind the woman's skirt. She had evidently dropped the portcullis.
"What do you want here?" The old man had been a great warrior in his day, but he knew he couldn't protect his lady from the giants who rode the strange beasts.
The Doctor dismounted and walked toward them. He smiled and said, "Would you believe me if I told you my horse thought we should pay you a visit? I'm the Doctor. My friends are Peral, Lib and Lathan. We mean you no harm."
"I am Sarden and my lady is the Princess Tira. If you truly mean her no harm, you are welcome."
"My name is Thinda. I am a princess too." The little girl had decided the big man was nice and come out from behind her mother.
"Hello, Princess Thinda. You got the portcullis down very quickly."
"It is my task. I have practiced."
"You certainly have. It was well done." The Doctor turned back to the man and woman. "I really don't know why we've come, but there is a reason. Are you the only ones here?"
"We are now. My lord rode out with his men at arms more than a fortnight ago. A village not far from here had been attacked. None have returned. Yesterday the servants and remaining guards fled."
"It sounds like they expected trouble and didn't want to be here when it arrived." Lib didn't have a much respect for anyone who would leave an old man, a woman and a child to defend a castle.
"Thinda, if you'll show Lathan where the stables are, I'll find the kitchen. It's suppertime for us. Lathan will give you some things to bring to me and you and I will make cakes."
Peral said, "I suppose that means I'm drafted to get the oven fired up. Lead on, sis. I'm hungry."
The old man and the woman stared after the two who had casually decided to take over their kitchen. They turned back to the Doctor and the Lady said, "I believe I shall have some hospitality to offer you after all, Sir. Please come into my home."
The Doctor was delighted to see her smile.
Dinner came from their saddlepacks. The servants had stripped the larder when they ran off. Peral followed Tira when she took Thinda to bed and stayed to tell her a bedtime story. The Doctor and Sarden sat by the fire and talked about the rumors from the east. The next morning they learned why they were there.
"It is my husband's banner. They have taken him or he has been killed." The Doctor steadied Tira. One of the, thirty or so, mounted men had thrown the banner down in front of the castle gates and demanded they be opened.
"Open the gate for me, Peral. I'm going to find out what happened to her husband."
"Doctor, you're not going out there alone. We're coming with you. Those men have got guns. There's no point in arguing. We're not going to back down. Sarden, close the gates behind us."
The Doctor smiled at Lib and shook his head. He led her, Peral and Lathan out of the castle. They had found staffs in the nearly stripped armory and stood a few paces behind him in front of the closed gates.
"Where is the man from whom you took that banner?"
The leader of the hostile group spat on the ground and smiled. He would answer the question of the fool who stood unarmed before the gate. "Know, fool, that I am Tas, new lord of this castle. The old one is going to have other duties." He grinned and his men guffawed.
"Explain."
Tas laughed. The fool was amusing. "He was too pretty to waste. He will bring a good price on the slave block. So will you. Take them!"
The thirty men made the mistake of dismounting and rushing them. The Doctor lifted Tas out of the melee. He didn't want him damaged. He'd need him to find Prince Peris. When Lib, Peral and Lathan had finished with the rest, he turned to the very frightened man and said, "Now, my friends are going to bring me my horse, then you and I are going to find Prince Peris." Tas nodded.
Tas tried to escape, but his derkine wouldn't cooperate. The Doctor smiled. Leoht had another derkine admirer. Tas was convinced the Doctor was a powerful magician and became very eager to take him to Prince Peris.
"Cut him down. Now!" Tas hurried to do as the Doctor ordered.
"Bring the derkine." The Doctor lifted Prince Peris onto the derkine and climbed on Leoht. Peris was barely conscious, but he didn't want to tie him on. His wrists already bled from being tied.
Tas couldn't understand why he was still alive. He watched the giant magician ride away. He decided not to return to the east. The woman who had supplied him with the derkines and the magic weapons would not be happy. He began walking south.
"The horses aren't ready to leave, Doctor"
"I had a feeling they might not be. Peral, we're going to need supplies. Hitch the derkine to the cart in the stable. I fixed the wheel. Go back to the inn where we left the derkine and see if the innkeeper will sell you some staples. Lib, you and Lathan see if you can find fishing and hunting gear. I've a feeling we're going to be here for some time."
Peral watched him walk away. "Lib, he knows something he's not telling again."
"Yeah, well, whatever it is, it's going to be after dinner. Let's get going. Lathan, I saw a couple of fishing rods in the stable. They need some repair. I'll see if I can find a bow."
Tira watched in amazement as they stocked the larder. Old Miram, the cook, had returned and supervised. Her son and daughter-in-law had carted her off when they left and she'd walked three days to get back. She bustled about making sure everything was put in the proper place, then shooed them out of her kitchen so she could get to work.
Peral followed his ears and found the Doctor working in the smithy. "Hello,
what are you making?"
"Horseshoes. They won't last three years like the ones they're wearing, but I've found enough of the right ores to do a bit better than pig iron."
Peral grinned. He and Lib had been speculating about the Doctor's trips out the gate, with a pick over his shoulder, for days. "So that's what all those little field trips you made were."
"Yes, now make yourself useful on that bellows. I have a great deal to do and not much time to do it."
He shoed the horses first, then began work on the true task. He'd known what he had to do as soon as he found the first stone.
Lib looked down at the busy courtyard. Peris and Peral were teaching a group of young men the proper way to use a sword. Word had spread through the countryside the Prince of Pasedel had pledged to stand against the darkness that threatened his eastern border.
Most of the young men, as well as the peasants she had been teaching, had come from the east. They told grim tales of villages burned and castles taken. They were refugees, but they would return to fight for their homes.
"They enjoy themselves."
"Yes, Tira, they do. They've developed quite a friendship over the last few weeks. It's interesting. Peral didn't really have any close friends at home. Most of the kids were younger than we were."
"Peris also grew without another to share his youth. All his family, but he, died of plague. Sarden held his lands for him and brought him to manhood."
"You're a lucky lady. Peris is the kind of man every woman dreams of."
Tira laughed. "My marriage was arranged. I fought against it. My father sought to raise our family by giving me to the suitor with highest title. He had decided to wed me to an old man when Sarden came with Peris' suit. I was very angry at being used to gain my father status. I planned to run away. My plans died at first sight of Peris. He smiled at me and I thought my heart would stop. You are right. I am most fortunate, but you too are fortunate."
"This may sound dumb, but I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, Lib, do you not know you love Lathan? Or that he loves you?"
"I... guess I never thought about it. We're just together and he's my squire."
"He is far more than that to you. If you do not know it, you are the only one. The Doctor sees it, as does your brother."
"Well, I always have been a bit slow about some things. I'm not sure what to do about it though."
"Come, let us walk as we speak. Perhaps, I can assist."
The Doctor just stood smiling at her. Lib was delighted. Tira had told her she'd been in green long enough. The russet gown had needed a piece added to the bottom, but they'd found more of the material the trim had been made from and only the toes of her slippers peeked from beneath.
"Well, aren't you going to say something?" Lib laughed when he merely shook his head and offered her his arm. The effect on Lathan was even more pronounced.
He just stood in the doorway until Peral moved him out of the way. Then he just stood inside the doorway. She kept waiting for him to say something. He didn't. He turned and left.
She ran to her room and cried. What had gone wrong?
"Bring him here tonight. I want him in this room, awake, on his knees for twelve hours."
"Twelve hours! Doctor, that's a bit much."
"No, Peral, it's not. It must be difficult or he won't accept it. I'll have everything ready. Peris, find him and prepare him. Dress him in burgundy if possible, if not, white. Now, I have a lot to do. I'll see you at dawn."
He cut the garnets and fitted them. He hadn't worked with either gems or precious metal in centuries, but skills learned well come back quickly. He barely finished the sword in time to lay it on the alter before Peral arrived with him. The Doctor smiled. He'd looked a bit bewildered and he'd been dressed in burgundy. The Doctor went back to work. He had three more pieces to finish before dawn.
"I accept you. Give me your oath."
Lathan stammered through the first few words. He'd never seen the Doctor like this before. He'd known he was a Time Lord, but it hadn't really meant anything to him. Now, he could see what the ready smile had always disguised.
The Doctor radiated power. The room crackled with it. He searched his heart and found the words of the oath already written there. His voice strengthened as he pledged himself.
"These are the symbols. The sword, the ring and the coronet."
Peral was a bit awed by the Doctor too. He gathered the items the Doctor indicated and carried them to Lathan. He laid the sword across his arms and slid the garnet on his finger. He turned back to the Doctor with the other ring in his hand. He nearly dropped it in surprise when the Doctor extended his hand. He slid the garnet on the little finger of the his left hand. How had he moved the sapphire and the emerald to make room for it?
The Doctor stepped back and Peris stepped forward and placed the silver coronet on Lathan's head. "I declare you Turime. It is by right of blood royal I do this."
The Doctor nodded to Lathan and said, "Serve me well, Turime. You are one of three who stand with me against all evil." He turned and left the room.
Peral clapped Lathan on the back. "Well, fellow fool, shall we shock the cook by making a raid on the mead barrel at dawn?"
Lathan grinned. "That sounds a very good idea."
"I have a better one." They both looked at Peris. "There is a cask of good ale I have secreted below the stairs. I will get it. You bring cups. I shall meet you before the fire in the hall."
Tira and Sarden put them to bed.
Tira found the Doctor in the library. He smiled and asked, "Did it work?"
"Yes, Doctor, I believe it did."
"I'd better get rid of the static generator. If he walked in and the room still made him tingle, he'd be on to us."
"How is your hand?"
"A bit sore. I can't believe I slipped that badly. This body is extremely right handed. Thank you for the grease. The rings on my left hand were still difficult to remove."
"Yet they slipped easily onto larger fingers." Tira wondered at his statement about his body, but merely handed him the ointment for the gash beneath the ruby.
"I'd explain why, but it would take a great deal of time."
"I do not need an explanation. I would rather call it magic. I know it was science, you do not need to tell me again, but I would rather call it magic."
"Tira, you're a romantic through and through."
"As are you, Doctor."
"I don't want to wear it."
"Lib, I ask it as a boon. Wear the gown tonight. The harvest ball is the only one we host. It will give us warm memories through the long winter. This more than others. Some of these may not return from the east for another."
"All right, I'll do it. For you. But I'm not really in the mood for a dance."
Tira went to see to the preparations. She'd known it would be difficult to get Lib to wear the dress again. She was somewhat surprised she'd succeeded. She met the Doctor in the hall, carrying the black box that had made the room tingle. "You must attend tonight, Doctor."
"Tira, I still have a great deal to do."
"Not this night. You will be needed at the ball. Your part is not done."
"What do you mean? We've made him Turime. He's now her equal."
"Yes, Doctor, that is why you must be there." She smiled and left him standing in the hall with the little black box and a puzzled expression.
Lib pasted on a smile and headed for the ball. She'd put in an appearance and be polite to Tira's guests, then excuse herself. She dreaded the ordeal. She stopped in surprise at the door to the great hall. The room was packed. She almost turned and fled, but Tira had seen her and was on her way over.
"Lib, there are people here I want you to meet." Lib let herself be led about and introduced. She didn't remember one face in five or one name in ten. She counted down the time til she could make her escape.
/> "Hi, Lib, I like the dress. I'm glad you decided to wear it."
"It wasn't my idea, Peral. Tira, basically, insisted."
"Did you know there's another Turime here?"
"You're kidding! Where?! I thought we were the only ones."
"This one's brand new. The Doctor just accepted him. Put on quite a show."
"Why wasn't I invited?"
"You'll have to ask the Doctor."
"Well, where's this new Turime?"
Lathan turned and saw her. She stared at him a moment, then turned and started away. Peral said, "That's the same thing you did to her. Go after her, you idiot."
He ran after her and caught her on the stairs. He didn't know what to say, so he kissed her.
They found the Doctor and when they asked him, he laughed. Lib and Lathan were a bit surprised at his reaction, but relieved when the laughter became a gentle smile and he said, "Of course you have my permission. And my blessing. I'm sure Wren would approve." As they walked away hand in hand, Tira caught the Doctor's eye and winked.
"Wait a minute, Peris. I can't perform a wedding ceremony."
"You have to. I can sign the documents, but only the head of their order can marry them. That's you, Doctor."
"All right, but it must be soon. I'm nearly finished and we've got a long ride ahead of us."
"Will tonight be soon enough?"
The wedding was very private. Peral gave away the bride. Peris stood with the groom and Tira with the bride. Thinda got a bit carried away with the flower petals. The Doctor spent twenty minutes getting them out of his hair. Mirim got a bit carried away with the 'wedding supper' The Doctor hadn't expected to enjoy himself, but he did. Immensely.
"The horses are ready to leave"
Lathan took one look at the Doctor's face and ran to find the others. They said hasty farewells and hurried. By the time they got everything gathered and got to the stables, the Doctor was sitting on Leoht in the courtyard waiting for them. He led them through the gates and rode east.