'No,' she insisted stubbornly, nearly passing out where she stood. 'I shall pay one of the herdsmen to take me. Ask them to name a price.'

'You're being unreasonable -'

'Just do it!' she snapped.

'Okay.' Doc held both hands up in truce, struggling to keep the smile from his face as he turned to consult the herdsmen. He was enjoying toying with her and watching her suffer; it was karma, or as he saw it, self-defence.

It was one of the older herdsmen who stepped forward to accept the offer. He bargained a damn good price for the service too, demanding payment up front.

Fees settled and horses loaded, the party headed off across the barren grassy plains towards the Hentiy Mountains.

The old herdsman had seated Rhiannon in front of him on the horse so that she could lean back against him as they rode. She was thankful for the support, and the time to rest. Her medication made her so drowsy that she couldn't feel the thumping pain in her head, nor the biting cold wind. Her eyes were lulled closed with the gentle rocking motion of the horse, and it was only then that she noticed the sunlight on her face. This is almost paradise, she decided on the quiet, as their horse had fallen behind the rest of the party.

My dear girl, what has become of you?

It was Ray's voice Rhiannon heard in her head, and it brought tears to her eyes it was so clear. The drugs were obviously playing havoc with her imagination, and she refused to succumb.

What happened? he persisted. What did he do to you?

It's not what Doc did to me , Rhiannon answered in her mind, as her thoughts drifted back to the day Ray had been shot. I just stood there and watched Doc murder you. At the time it meant nothing. It wasn't until the effects of the NERGUZ wore off that I realised you'd surely perished that day. I couldn't stop the contempt from growing inside me after that, or the guilt.

No, you must let these feelings go. They are the root of your disease. The nightmare will be over soon, Ray told her. Your kin are coming for you.

Ray's words were comforting, however imaginary.

So Rhiannon allowed his memory, and those of her family and friends, to take her far away from her bleak reality.

As a sigh of delight escaped his passenger's lips, the old herdsman looked down upon his charge and smiled too.

The spinning, surging motion of their craft being shot through a multi-coloured vortex in space at several times the speed of light, was a heart-stopping experience. Tory felt sure she didn't drawn breath for the entire duration of their ride through the wormhole, which could have been minutes, hours, or days - the event seemed endless at the time.

As they emerged out of the far side of the porthole, their craft righted itself and slowed down.

'That is such a rush!' Maelgwn let loose a howl of exhilaration. 'Are you still with me?'

'I ... I, yes.'

Tory hazarded a laugh. Here she was in an entirely new solar system, one that revolved around twin suns.

Tory could see these stars ahead, burning brightly in the distant space, one vastly outshining the other.

'You see that star over there.' Maelgwn drew her attention to the direction they'd just come from. 'That's Apsu, your sun. I can spot it easily, as I have looked for it often.'

'I have been wondering about this place where you have dwelt.' Tory turned back to look ahead. 'How long till we reach Tarazean?'

'As luck would have it, the planet's current position in orbit places her between us and her suns.' As Tory stared at him blankly, Maelgwn clarified. 'Shouldn't take more than a couple of Earth hours.'

'Is there a plan? I don't suppose you know this Ningal at all?'

'Not really.' Maelgwn shuddered to think what such a woman would be like. 'But considering she cut off her husband's private parts, I might let you do the talking this time.'

Their craft flew itself with little guidance needed.

Tory and Maelgwn spent the next few hours discussing what their friends might be up to back on Earth. They told stories about their individual adventures during their separation. Both carefully avoided the subject of Maelgwn's capture, though they knew it was an underlying bone of contention.

By the time they were entering Tarazean's distinctly purple atmosphere, good conversation had swept away any care they might have had.

His face sore from laughter, Maelgwn took a few deep breaths. 'I've missed this,' he confessed, only realising how much as the words left his mouth. 'I see you now for the person you truly are, Tory Alexander.

And just for the record ... if I were again given the chance to be intimate with you, I would not hesitate. I just had to be sure.'

Naturally, for Tory it was a major relief to hear him say so. 'How long have we got before we land?' she queried innocently.

Her question was answered as the pilot's headset extended from the roof. Maelgwn shrugged apologetically.

The misty, purple cloud cover cleared and the dusky sunset was alight with the most beautiful mauve hue.

Night lighting lit up a spectacular city that was nestled in the side of a mountain with steep, rocky inclines towering around it on three sides.

'Gibal said Ningal would be expecting us,' Maelgwn informed Tory, heading them into the docking bay entrance beneath the city.

The Goddess was expecting them alright. There was a small army of officials waiting to greet them as they landed.

Tory was surprised to consider that her surroundings were not so unusual - for her first glimpse of an alien nation. These people seemed to have all the same creature comforts as humans did, and probably then some. In fact, Ningal's officials looked human.

'They are,' Maelgwn informed on the quiet. 'This is what became of the Mayan population.'

They were of similar build and features to the Indian peoples of Central America, though their skin was paler, perhaps due to the different climate of their adopted planet. Tory was not given the chance to have a proper look around, because they were immediately escorted to a large, metal plate in the docking station.

Tory followed Maelgwn onto a designated section of the floor, whereupon it lit up and they were instantaneously transported to Ningal's quarters.

'So this is where Taliesin acquired his technology,'

Tory commented upon arrival.

'What can I say. The Merlin has foresight.' Maelgwn spotted their hostess awaiting their attention at the far end of the chamber, and so headed that way.

High, smoked glass walls sloped and met in the centre of the ceiling, forty or so feet above them, forming a long triangular room with spectacular views.

Outside, the cliff wall towered to the left of them and on the right, the twin suns set over the canyon. The floor was laid with large tiles, smooth as marble, but reflective and purple in colour. The chamber was sparsely furnished with a lounge here and there, a table, a work of art, or an unusual plant. Much like their hostess, the decor was breathtakingly simplistic.

Ningal was seven foot tall and as slender as a waif.

Her short, black hair accentuated her milky-white skin, her pixie-like features, and her luscious, blue-painted lips. Her large almond shaped eyes of deep violet had whites that were so brilliant light appeared to beam from them. Her long, white dress hugged her slender shape and trailed off behind her.

I am told you have just come from visiting my husband?

She directed the query at Tory.

But the shock of Ningal's surpassing beauty caused Maelgwn to speak out of turn, for he now believed he knew what she needed to hear. 'We have, Nin, and he misses -'

I asked Lamamu. She used Tory's Atlantean name, though Ningal had not learnt this via a formal introduction. How is dear Narnar, in your opinion?

'Well, Nin ...' Tory considered her true impression, 'he's coming apart.' The Goddess began to chuckle at this, so Tory added, 'No pun intended.'

You may stay, she held her hands to her heart, delighted. I have had quarters prepared for you, Dragon.

You may retire to them for now.

'As you wish, Nin.' Maelgwn was a little offended by her dismissal. 'But we are running on a rather tight schedule -'

I am fully aware of how much time you have. Ningal's eyes turned stormy, and then immediately calmed. But as we are expecting a sandstorm, I am afraid you shall be my guest until at least tomorrow morning.

'In that case,' Maelgwn bowed slightly in leaving, 'I hope to make your acquaintance again, sometime before then.'

Mmmm. Rather charming, really, Ningal commented, once Maelgwn had returned to the transporter plate and left. It's a pity my venomous daughter got to him. She has a knack for ruining the very best in men. Ningal shook her head and looked back to Tory. And why have you not healed his pain, Lamamu?

It took Tory a moment to find her voice. 'Sorry?'

He craves your love terribly. He needs you to soothe away the dreadful images that Inanna implanted in his mind.

Tory decided to go on the offensive herself. 'And what of your husband's pain, Ningal?' The Goddess looked set to fly into a rage, but Tory persisted to plea Narnar's case regardless. 'I feel sure that Narnar is not the same man you condemned ... but rather a faint, mad shadow of that warrior. If it was your desire to cut him down to size when you seized his manhood, then I would say you have well succeeded.'

He is mad, you say? Insane? Ningal inquired, sounding almost concerned.

'Your husband has been playing cards with stone deva gargoyles for thousands of years, without so much as being able to scratch his balls.' Tory held up both hands in supplication. 'How long do you think that kind of lifestyle can be healthy for him?'

A fair point, Ningal conceded.

'If you are not going to fetch him off that rock, then at least allow me to return his missing parts.'

Half a solution still leaves half the problem to fester.

The dulcet tones of Keridwen's voice resounded round the massive chamber.

Tory and Ningal were stunned into silence by the unexpected interruption. They bowed their heads in reverence to the Goddess as she manifested before them in a blaze of misty light.

Keridwen had the same pixie-like features as her niece, but her long hair shimmered with silver and her presence exuded the life-force of an enlightened soul.

Ninharsag, I am deeply honoured by this visit. Ningal lifted her head, even more overwhelmed than Tory was to see the wise woman. Is there something you require of me?

Indeed, Ningal ... it is time for Narnar to resume his rightful place in the Pantheon of Twelve. But his peers will only forgive him and welcome him home if you do.

Therefore, I would ask you to accompany Lamamu to DUG-GA-E, to return what you took from Narnar.

Sensing how unfair Ningal thought the request to be, Keridwen smiled. I know you still love him, Ningal, and, furthermore, he still loves you. Why fear and delay the one and only act that can bring you true peace and happiness.

Ningal looked down at the ground. She could not deny the truth of her aunt's claim. Despite her husband's faults, she missed him terribly. Lately, all her fond memories of Narnar had begun to replace the not-so-pleasant ones. The only reason Ningal had delayed his release was because of a fear that her husband would despise her for waiting so long. You are right, Aunt. It is high time I faced my fear and forgave him. Ningal looked to Keridwen, longing to believe her nightmare would come to a happy end. But dare I believe that his time in isolation has changed Narnar's contempt of women so much that he will now treat me, and all women, with the respect he always should have afforded us?

Tory was a little worried at this point, recalling how Narnar had reacted to her presence.

Ningal, my dear child. During Narnar's banishment he has realised the error of his ways, Keridwen assured her.

You are the only woman who ever truly held his favour, and by going with Lamamu and setting Narnar free, you will redeem his faith in women.

Ningal ventured a smile, and nodded to confirm she would do as suggested.

Tory was pleased by Ningal's decision, but said nothing as Keridwen turned her large green-grey eyes Tory's way.

Lamamu, I wish to apologise for the trouble my kin have caused you, and I assure you that all shall be amended very soon.

Ningal's spirits were high and a generous mood overtook her. I feel sure that I can assist Lamamu in amending some of the damage done her by my daughter.

Tory moved to decline the offer, wary of pushing Maelgwn into an uncomfortable predicament. 'But you have both already been more than enough help to our cause, I -'

Do not fear, child, Keridwen interrupted, knowing Tory's mind. You have been studying the ancient texts of your planet, so consider Ningal's acclaimed talents ... she has experience and expertise in such matters.

Ningal had been revered as the saviour Goddess of the soul, and had had a reputation for wisdom and grace. Tory thought that perhaps she could be of some aid. 'When you put it that way, it would be foolish not to accept.'

It is the very least we can do, Keridwen said.

Ah, Dragon. There you are. Ningal swept into the chamber where Maelgwn was pacing, and he ceased his frustrated movement.

'Yes, Nin.' He gave a slight bow. 'I am right here, where you put me.'

Could you find nothing to entertain you? Ningal completely ignored his sarcasm, and neared Maelgwn to place a hand upon his cheek.

Overwhelmed by her amorous mood, the warrior king was struck dumb.

Well then, we shall have to see if we cannot devise something for your amusement.

The next moment they were in a lush, forest garden, alive with colour and as tranquil as paradise. 'Where have you brought me?' Maelgwn became a mite uncomfortable - Ningal was Inanna's mother, after all.

These are my private gardens, she told him, her emphasis on the 'private'. And they are yours to explore.

That sultry tone in her voice was a worry - Maelgwn backed up a step. 'Where is my wife, Ningal?'

Oh, I am sure you will find her around here ...

somewhere. The Goddess looked around, and then unexpectedly vanished.

'A-huh.' Maelgwn cocked an eye, sensing there was a game afoot.

The rooftop garden was a huge greenhouse that, at night, was internally and externally lit. Outside, the lights were much brighter to highlight the swirling purple sands that came with the raging desert storms that often plagued the city. Inside, the lighting was used to add atmosphere or to light a beautiful sculpture, the exquisite plants or the gushing fountains and waterfalls.

Maelgwn turned in circles, wondering which way to go, when music came wafting along to guide him.

'Albinoni,' he smiled, heading down the garden path in the direction from which the tune beckoned. It had been Tory who had first introduced him to the works of this early seventeenth century composer. This particular concerto for violin, when played allegro, was a joyous piece with a hint of mischief. The music spurred Maelgwn on; it stirred memories of striking clarity, of the life and times he and Tory had had together in Gwynedd. It was as if he had locked away the precious images for safe-keeping, and through music Tory had found the key to unlock that sacred place.