Independence Day by Peter Darvill_Evans

Author:Peter Darvill_Evans [Darvill_Evans, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Doctor Who (Fictitious Character)
ISBN: 9780563538042
Google: UDIOAAAACAAJ
Amazon: 056353804X
Publisher: BBC Pubns
Published: 2000-10-14T07:00:00+00:00

Madok leant back in the Castlain‟s chair and rested the heels of his boots on the Castlain‟s desk. He gazed at the figurine that had pride of place on the polished surface, and then nudged it with his toe until it fell to the floor. The Castlain‟s taste in ornaments left much to be desired and little to the imagination. He ran his fingers through his hair and yawned.

„Four hours, lieutenant,‟ he said.

„Fast work, sir,‟ said the commander of Group Two. He had his arm in a bloodstained sling and a smoking pipe clenched between his teeth.

„It would have been faster if they hadn‟t defended the kitchens,‟ Madok complained. „Did they think we‟d broken in to get our breakfast loaves?‟

The sound of marching feet echoed along the corridor outside the Castlain‟s quarters.

„That will be the Castlain,‟ the lieutenant said, strolling towards the door.

„Send him in immediately,‟ Madok said. „We have unfinished business here.‟

Escorted by two of the lieutenant‟s men, Castlain Pelod strode into the room and stopped abruptly when he saw the man sitting behind his desk. His grey-bearded jaw dropped open, and for a moment he was unable to speak.

„Madok!‟ he spluttered. „Madok, by all the heavens what are you doing here? Are you responsible for this bloody violence?

You‟ve taken leave of your senses, man. You‟ll hang for this.‟

„Or worse, I shouldn‟t wonder,‟ Madok said. „Calm yourself, Pelod. Take a seat. It‟s been a tiring night for all of us.‟

Pelod broke away from his guards and advanced towards Madok. „You killed six of my men,‟ he said.

„And your men killed three of mine,‟ Madok said. „There will be time to mourn our losses later. The important matter now is this: do you surrender Grake Castle to me?‟

Pelod shrugged. „Yes,‟ he said. „I have no choice.‟

„Thank you,‟ Madok said. He pulled his feet from the desk and turned to the lieutenant. „Announce the surrender.

Disarm any of the garrison we haven‟t yet captured. And then set up the radio and send the message that we‟ve accomplished our mission.‟

Yes, sir,‟ the lieutenant said, and marched from the room.

„Now then, Pelod,‟ Madok said. „Please be seated. We have searched the cells in the prison tower. I trust you‟ll save us the chore of searching every cell in the main block and below ground. Just tell me where she is.‟

Pelod sat opposite Madok. He perched on the edge of the seat, leaning forward, his face still red with indignation.

„Where who is, Madok?‟

Madok banged his fist on the desk. „Don‟t play games, Pelod. You have only one significant prisoner here. I‟m looking for Tevana Roslod.‟

Pelod leant back. A slight smile appeared on his lips. For the first time since he launched the attack on Grake, Madok felt a shiver of doubt.

„So this is the work of Kedin Ashar,‟ Pelod said. „I might have guessed. I always thought Kedin would prove unworthy of his Majesty‟s trust, in the end. You‟ve allowed yourself to be seduced into treason, Madok.‟

Where is Tevana Roslod?‟ Madok persisted. „If she‟s come to any harm you will pay for it.

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