Other bags were falling amongst the attackers. They exploded one by one, sending out clouds of dense orange smoke, which hung about the base of the walls like a bank of fog, smothering Irongron's men. From this orange fog came bangs, flashes, showers of dazzling sparks and weird howling sounds. The attacking soldiers milled about in confusion.

This was an age in which explosives in any form were still unknown. Bangs and flashes and clouds of stinking smoke could have only one explanation. 'Devil's work,'

screamed one of the soldiers. 'They have raised the fires of h.e.l.l against us!' The panic spread like a plague, and the terrified attackers turned and fled. As they ran, arrows whizzed down from the battlements to speed them on their way.

At the edge of the woods, Irongron paused and tried to rally his men, but it was hopeless. Coughing and choking, eyes wide with terror, they stampeded past him. Irongron shook his fist at the castle-and an arrow thudded into the tree trunk, inches from his head. He turned and ran for his horse, shouting, 'Away, lads! This is devil's work right enough!' Irongron could have saved his breath. Most of his men were already well ahead of him.

A moment later, only Linx was left on the field of battle.

He looked longingly at the castle for a moment. Then, mounting his terrified horse, he rode off after the others.

High on the battlements Sarah was doing a celebratory war dance. She hugged the Doctor and slapped him on the back. The Doctor smiled. 'I share your jubilation, Sarah- but I think we'd better get back inside before the smoke rises. It'll hang about the walls for some time, I'm afraid.'

'What is it, Doctor? Some kind of poison gas?'

The Doctor was shocked. 'Good heavens no. What do you take me for? Just an a.s.sortment of bad smells with a few bangs and flashes thrown in for good measure. A sort of combination stink-bomb and firework!'

A whiff of orange smoke drifted over the battlements.

Sarah gasped and held her nose. 'You're sure it's not poison gas?' The Doctor grinned. 'Totally harmless, I a.s.sure you. Come on, let's get back inside.'

Irongron staggered into his great hall, tearing off his armour and hurling it to one side. 'Wine!' he roared.

'Bring me wine, I say. Wine to clear the dust from my throat and the stench from my nostrils!'

Meg the serving wench hurried up with a br.i.m.m.i.n.g flagon. Irongron drained it at a gulp. 'More, wench, more!

Am I a sparrow to quench my thirst with a few scant drops?' Meg brought forward the wine jug and refilled his flagon. Irongron swigged deeply, and looked disgustedly around him. His men-at-arms were straggling sheepishly into the hall. Never a particularly smart body of men, they were grimy, ragged and exhausted by their panic-stricken retreat through the forest. As Irongron's scornful gaze swept over them they looked away, ashamed to meet his eye. There was a moment's awful silence. Then, 'Mice!'

bellowed Irongron. 'A few loud noises, a few bad smells and you scatter like sheep!'

Only Bloodaxe dared to answer. 'It was devil's work, Captain, black sorcery. You said as much yourself. This wizard they call the Doctor has joined Sir Edward. He threw all the fires and stenches of h.e.l.l at us.'

Contemptuously Irongron surveyed his crestfallen band.

'With poltroons like these, it were ill work to lay siege to a hen-coop.'

Bloodaxe did his best to defend his mates. 'They do but need food and rest, Captain, time to recover their bold spirits.'

The bedraggled robbers cheered up a little. But not for long. Irongron rose and glared at them, biting out his words with savage emphasis. 'At dawn tomorrow we attack again. This time we take Sir Edward's castle, or I will see that every last man of you perishes in the attempt.' He paused impressively. 'Chicken-hearted knaves,' he roared.

'Begone from my sight!'

Thankfully Irongron's men fled from the hall. As they left, a squat figure shouldered its way through them.

'Did I not see you leading their retreat- Captain Captain?'

There was a wealth of scorn in the last word.

Irongron leaped to his feet and towered menacingly over the Sontaran. 'Taunt me not, you insolent little toad.' He lugged out his sword. 'Or by heaven I'll see if the colour of your blood is red like mortal man's.'

Unimpressed, Linx looked up at the furious robber chief. 'You earth creatures give up too easily. I doubt if you have the potential to make a truly successful military species.'

'And you, Linx? You claim to like war yet I have not seen you do many deeds of valour this day!'

'I came only to observe. I should have known better than to look for interest in the struggles of primitives.'

Choking with rage, Irongron brandished his sword over Linx's head. 'I warn you, toad-face...'

Linx turned away. 'Threaten me once more,' he said casually, 'and I shall destroy you.'

Goaded beyond endurance, Irongron raised his sword and Linx's arm swept out and swatted him almost carelessly away. The result was extraordinary. Irongron's ma.s.sive figure flew backwards across the hall, went head over heels across the banqueting table, smashed into the wall beyond and slid slowly to the ground.

Ignoring the horrified Bloodaxe, Linx strode across and looked down at his victim. After a moment Irongron opened his eyes and stared unbelievingly at him.

'Primitives,' said Linx coldly. 'Childish, stupid, squabbling primitives. It is fortunate that my time amongst you is almost over.' He turned away and marched out.

Bloodaxe rushed to help his Captain rise. Irongron got slowly to his feet. As the meaning of the Sontaran's last remark sunk into his half-stunned brain his expression changed all at once from rage to cunning.

The atmosphere was very different at Sir Edward's castle; they were having a victory feast. Lady Eleanor looked fondly at her husband, thinking it was years since she had seen him in such good spirits.

'More wine for the Doctor,' ordered Sir Edward, and a maid-servant hurried forward with a jug.

'No, no, I couldn't possibly,' protested the Doctor. 'Oh well, if you insist. Perhaps just a small one.' He caught Sarah's eye and grinned.

'Those knaves ran like rabbits,' said Sir Edward exultantly. 'The finest sight that ever I saw, Doctor, and all thanks to you and your wizardry.'

'Oh, we all did our part, Sir Edward,' said the Doctor modestly.

'And now, with your magic to protect us, our troubles are over.'

'Not quite, I'm afraid. Irongron's pride has been hurt.

He's lost face before his men.'

Sarah swallowed a mouthful of chicken. 'The Doctor thinks Irongron will attack again.'

'Then you shall affright the knaves with more of your sorceries, Doctor!' said Sir Edward jubilantly.

The Doctor's face was grave. 'That won't work indefinitely, I'm afraid. We had the advantage of total surprise this time. It won't be so easy to scare them off again.'

The happiness faded from Sir Edward's face. 'Then we have gained no more than a brief respite?'

'Not necessarily. I do have another idea.'

Sir Edward brightened. 'Then let us hear it, Doctor. So far, your counsel has served us well.'

The Doctor paused, gathering the attention of his audience. 'There is only one sure way to prevent Irongron from capturing your castle, Sir Edward.'

'And that is?'

'You must capture his!'

13.

Counter Attack The Doctor's simple announcement caused utter consternation.

'You advise the impossible, Doctor,' said Sir Edward in dismay.

'Not necessarily.' The Doctor produced a sheet of parchment and handed it to Lady Eleanor. 'My lady, are you familiar with these herbs?'

'Ragwort, henbane, night-shade, love-in-a-mist...'

Rapidly she ran her eye over the rest of the list. 'Most we have in the castle kitchens, the rest grow in the woods nearby.'

'Excellent. I want to brew up a little draught, you see.'

Lady Eleanor's eyes gleamed. 'You will mix a potion and poison the dog?'

'No, no,' said the Doctor hurriedly. 'Just something to calm him down a little. A kind of tranquilliser...'

Irongron drained his wine, and glared round the hall in half-drunken fury. 'I should have slain the filthy toad, there and then. I should have carved him into collops on the spot!'

Bloodaxe stared blearily at his Captain. 'Aye, Master. It puzzles me to know why you did not!'

Irongron shot him a suspicious glare, looking for any hint of sarcasm. But there was only honest puzzlement on Bloodaxe's long face. Satisfied, Irongron leaned forward and whispered, 'Aye, well, 'twas a question of high policy, do you see? Above your understanding, good Bloodaxe.'

Bloodaxe looked inquiringly at him, and Irongron went on, 'As yet we still need Linx's aid. Weapons he has promised me, and by the stars, weapons I shall have.

Wonderful, magical weapons to crumble the castles of those who oppose me into dust. When those weapons are mine, then, and only then, shall Linx die by my hand.'

'A cunning plan, Captain,' said Bloodaxe with drunken solemnity.

Irongron gave a self-satisfied nod. 'Aye, 'tis well for you dolts you have me to guide you. There's more to war than hard strokes, my good Bloodaxe.'

Bloodaxe nodded, his faith in his Captain restored. 'Aye, Captain. Yours is indeed a towering intelligence!'

While Irongron brooded over his revenge, the sentries at the main gate were watching in some astonishment as two strange figures came trudging towards them. They wore the brown robes and hoods of wandering friars. One was tall and thin, with robes that were much too short, the other smaller and slighter, in robes that seemed far too long.

As the strange-looking friars attempted to enter the castle, two pikes came down to bar their way. 'Hold, friar,'

growled the older of the two pikemen. 'What business have you here?'

The tall friar spoke in a solemn voice. 'We come to beg alms of the good Captain Irongron. The fame of his charity has spread far and wide!'

The sentry's jaw dropped in astonishment. He was about to chase them away, when he had a sudden inspiration. Winking at his companion he stepped back, and bowed elaborately. 'Pa.s.s, Holy Father! You will find Captain Irongron in the great hall. He is indeed a most kindly and charitable man, renowned for the sweetness of his temper.'

'Heaven will reward you, my son,' said the tall friar solemnly. He and his companion crossed the courtyard and entered the castle.

As soon as they were out of sight the sentries collapsed with laughter, hugging themselves in their mirth. The older one jabbed his companion in the ribs. 'Let us hope the good friars are fleet of foot-or there will soon be two new martyrs in heaven!'

Once inside, the two friars turned away from the great hall, and went down a narrow corridor that led towards the rear of the castle. The Doctor looked down at Sarah and grinned. 'I knew they'd never be able to resist it!'

They stripped off their friar's robes and stuffed them behind a wall-tapestry. The Doctor wore his usual clothes, but Sarah was now dressed as a serving maid.

'Come on Sarah,' said the Doctor. 'Let's take a look at Irongron's workshop.'

Huddled in their borrowed cloaks, two wandering friars trudged back towards their monastery in some confusion.

They were grateful for Sir Edward's handsome donation...

but what was the Abbot going to say about their missing robes...

The Doctor led the way down the steps, into Linx's workshop. Sarah looked in astonishment at the computer, the grey-faced men toiling at the benches and the gleaming metal sphere that took up the far corner. 'What is that thing, Doctor?'

'A Sontaran scout ship. Small, but tremendously powerful-just like its owner!'

Sarah looked at the silent, grey-faced workers. 'Why don't they take any notice of us?'

'Deep hypnosis,' said the Doctor briefly. One of the scientists detached himself from the rest and came shuffling towards them.

'Ah, there you are, Doctor. Back again eh?'

Sarah looked at him in amazement. 'Professor Rubeish!'

The old man produced what looked like a pair of spectacles on a stick. He peered at Sarah through this home-made lorgnette. 'Oh, it's you, young lady. I told you she was involved, Doctor. We should have reported her as I suggested.'

The Doctor smiled at Sarah. 'I'm very glad we didn't.'