Doctor Who: Target - Novelisations [011] - The Creature from the Pit by David Fisher

Author:David Fisher
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426201236
Publisher: Target Books
Published: 1981-02-14T23:00:00+00:00

8

The Shield

Edu put one hand over the guard’s mouth to prevent him from crying out. With his other hand he held onto the man’s sword arm, so that he could not draw his weapon. At the same time Ainu, using both hands, drove his knife up under the guard’s ribs from the front. The knife point grated on bone. The man gave a peculiar sigh and sagged in Edu’s grasp. Ainu withdrew his knife and the dead guard slid to the floor, his metal skullcap rolling across the flagstones.

Torvin stepped over the corpse and retrieved the skull cap. He tapped it against the edge of a table. ‘Pure metal,’ he announced knowledgably. ‘Lucky fellow to be able to afford head protection like this. I expect it was a family heirloom.’ He put the skullcap into his sack and looked around for more booty.

So far their raid on the Lady Adrasta’s Palace had been singularly unproductive. A sword, a couple of knives and a buckler was the extent of their booty. All metal, it is true, but hardly worth the risk and not what Torvin had promised them. They had still not found Adrasta’s vaults. But when they entered the audience chamber their eyes lit up. Metal!

The two large candlesticks which flanked Adrasta’s throne looked like bronze. They scratched at them experimentally with their knives. Yes, no doubt about it: bronze. Ainu laid claim to a heavy metal tray which stood on a table. There was also a brass urn and a pewter flagon. Even the door handles and hinges were bronze. The bandits set to to remove them. Only Edu was staring preoccupied at the wall. ‘What’s that?’ he asked, pointing to the shield-like object which the Doctor had noticed the first time he had entered the audience chamber.

Torvin was trying to fit one of the large candlesticks into his sack. ‘Bring it over here,’ he said, ‘and let’s see.’

Edu stood on a stool and reached for the shield. The moment he touched it it began to glow, as if lit from within.

‘It’s hot!’ he exclaimed, releasing the shield instantly.

‘I don’t care if it’s on fire,’ snapped Torvin. ‘Bring it here. And quick!’ Already he could hear shouts from the corridor and the sound of running feet. Obviously the corpse of one of the guards they had killed had been found. At any moment Adrasta’s men would burst in on them. It was not a prospect Torvin cared to contemplate. He had no illusions about the fighting qualities of his men. Faced with well-trained, well-armed troopers seeking to avenge the deaths of their comrades, he knew that his small band of ex-miners stood little chance. He looked around the audience chamber and realised there was only one exit. They were trapped.

‘They’re coming!’ shouted Ainu from the doorway.

‘Barricade the door!’

While his men dragged furniture against the door to prevent the guards from breaking it down, Torvin considered the situation. Tales of the Lady Adrasta’s cruelty and cunning were legendary. He found

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