Doctor Who: Target - Novelisations [059] - The Stones of Blood by Terrance Dicks

Author:Terrance Dicks
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science-Fiction - Doctor Who
ISBN: 9780426200994
Publisher: Target Books
Published: 1980-02-29T23:00:00+00:00

7

The Vanished

‘You know,’ said Professor Rumford thoughtfully, ‘Vivien Fay never told me she was related to the Montcalm family.’

‘She isn’t related to the Montcalm family, my dear Professor – she is the Montcalm family. And the Trefusis and Camara family as well. And I don’t doubt that she’s in charge of the company that owns the circle today. These are all portraits of the same person.’

‘But look at the dates under the paintings. Look at the costumes. These pictures cover a span of over a hundred and fifty years.’

‘What’s a hundred and fifty years when you’ve been around for more than four thousand? Your friend Miss Fay is the Cailleach!’

There was a grinding roar, and they both whirled round. A great, grey glowing shape had appeared at the far end of the passage. It began advancing towards them at an incredible rate. Professor Rumford stood transfixed. The Doctor grabbed her arm. ‘Run!’ he yelled. They both turned and fled through the other passage.

The thing rumbled after them like a living avalanche, smashing through the arches in its progress.

They sprinted desperately down a corridor, and to their enormous relief, found a flight of steps and a door at the far end. It gave on to the garden, and soon they were running across the garden and down the path to the front gate.

They paused by the gate so that Professor Rumford could catch her breath. ‘I never thought we’d get out of that house alive.’

‘Well, we’re not clear yet! We’d better get on as soon as we can.’ The Doctor closed the heavy iron gates behind them.

Professor Rumford couldn’t believe what she had seen. ‘Doctor, do I understand you correctly – that thing is made of stone?’

‘That’s right. Fascinating, I know. But may I remind you it’s catching up on us fast.’

‘But that’s impossible.’

‘Oh no it isn’t. The thing’s still moving, and we happen to be standing still!’

‘No, no, Doctor, what I meant is that a silicon-based life form is unheard of. Its absolutely unknown – quite impossible!’

There was a roar from close behind them. ‘Maybe it doesn’t know that?’ suggested the Doctor. ‘Came on, Professor, run!’

They ran. Minutes later the great stone shape smashed down the iron gates like tissue paper and rambled after them.

They stumbled across the moor, the glowing shape never far behind them. ‘Doctor,’ gasped Professor Rumford.

‘Yes, what is it?’

‘I think it is our duty to try and capture that creature in the cause of science, you know!’

‘How? I mean, have you got any special plans?’

‘We should track it to its lair,’ declared Professor Rumford sturdily.

The Doctor sighed, ‘In case you hadn’t noticed, it is tracking us!’ Even as he spoke, the thing surged up out of the darkness. ‘Come on,’ yelled the Doctor. ‘This way.’

He ran on, almost dragging Professor Rumford behind him.

Although the Doctor was running, he wasn’t just fleeing for the sake of it.

He had a plan.

Some time later, the Doctor dragged Professor Rumford to the cliff edge, very close to the point where Romana had gone over.

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