Page 1 "How far, Doctor? How long have you lived?

Your puny mind is powerless against the strength of Morbius !ac", bac" to your beginning " #he !rain of Morbius "!ut how is it that this lives in thy mind? $hat seest thou else in the dar" bac"ward and abysm of time?" #he #empest, % , ii Page & #ime's roses are scented with memory #here was a garden where they once grew (uttings from the past grafted on to the present Perfumes that recalled things long gone or echoed memories yet to come #horns that could tear li"e carrion bea"s )tems that could strangle and bind li"e the constrictors in the fathomless pits of the )epulchasm #he garden grew on the tallest summit of the (itadel, high above the frosty streets, clear of that endless telepathic commentary of gossip and gibble*gabble that mar"ed out the thoughts of the +allifreyan people )ometimes a morass of countless random ideas, sometimes a single chorus united by one urgent conviction , hope or fear or death wish !ut the days of the mob were numbered

#he great mother was gone #he Pythia was dead, overthrown by her children ,nd with her died her people's fruitfulness #he +allifreyans became a barren race %n the long aftershoc" of matricide, the cursed people learnt to "eep thoughts and secrets to themselves #hey discovered privacy and furtiveness #hey taught themselves loneliness %t made them angrier too , pall of smo"e drifted across Pa-ithi +allifreya #he moonlit garden on the tower was furled in dar"ness , new, harsher light came from below #here were fires in the city .rom his place high on the crest of the /mega Memorial, a solitary figure watched the west district of the city go up in flames #he fire had started in the abandoned temple He could hear the distant rattle of gunfire +uards drafted in from the (hapterhouses were 0uelling the uprising 1o good would come of it #he fleeing dissenters 23assilon already called them rebels4 had ta"en refuge in the Pythia's temple He had warned 3assilon a hundred times over #hat once sacred place must not be violated %f violence was used against the dissenters, then he would up and leave +allifrey to its own devices He would never be party to a massacre Page 5 )uddenly the bo6 was bac" %t hovered in the air 7ust below his vantage point , flying coffin /ne side in dar"ness, the other catching the glare of the distant fire %t clic"ed, whirred, gave a little whine and tilted slightly to one side in a crude anthropomorphic appro6imation of affection ')hoo8 +o away, you stupid ' He nearly called it 'brute', but that only reminded him of his long*running debate with 3assilon on the viability of artefactory life forms, and he was very weary of arguing #he bo6 was pining %t missed its creator %t was always brea"ing its bonds and escaping from its hangar, to s"ul" de7ectedly around /mega's Memorial .or years it had done that $hen they relocated the hangar, it only sat rumbling discontentedly on its servo*palette and then got out again 3assilon worried about it, but it didn't really matter .or a 0uasi*aware remote stellar manipulator that could tear open the furnaces of stars and dissect the angles of reality, it was fairly harmless %t 7ust wasn't house*trained /mega, despite his sacrifice, still had a hand in their affairs %t was rather a good 7o"e, he thought, but 3assilon didn't find it funny at all /ne night, they had stood among the roses on the tower and watched /mega's death again #he light of the dying star burnt out suddenly in the constellation of ,o, nine point si6 years after they had watched it on the monitor screens in the control chamber 3assilon had wept again 9verything the man did was done for love !ut sometimes love was remar"ably short*sighted Page : #he figure on the Memorial shuddered and drew his cloa" about him #he splash of the supernova was still clear in the s"y above the city, or would have been were it not for the smo"e ;ately the bo6, the Hand of /mega as it was "nown, had ta"en a shine to him %t had started to follow him about, often appearing at the most inopportune moments %t disrupted his affairs and drew attention to private business that was better "ept secret !esides, he was bored, achingly bored, with manipulation and power He longed to be away, free of schemes and other people's ambitions, and, more than that, free of himself He could cast off this dar", brooding persona more easily than a serpent sloughs its s"in !ut if he did go, there would be no way bac" ,nd 3assilon would be left with absolute control 1o chec"s, no balances %n frustration, he too" off a shoe and threw it at the bo6 #he Hand of /mega dodged so fast that his shoe seemed to travel straight through it He stood with one stoc"inged foot out over the drop '$ell? $hat will you do, eh, if % step off?' Pointless to as" really #he bo6 would be there under his foot 3eady to catch him )o much for suicide ')elfish brute8' he complained !elow, he could see figures s"ul"ing in the shadows around the Memorial 1o rebels these, but agents of 3assilon sent to arrest him He supposed he should feel flattered #oo good to lose, apparently

Page < %n the air he caught the scent of burning flesh , decision had been made for him, but there was much to prepare and a difficult farewell to ma"e %gnoring the bo6, he lowered himself down the stone curve of the /mega symbol and dropped to the ground #he shadows came at him fast out of the dar" He was surprised by their "nives #hey were surprised by the bolts of energy that flung them li"e dolls out of his path #he bo6 whirred in beside him with that unnerving "nac" of seeming to move faster than its own shadow He drew a cut bloom out of his cloa" #he rose's mil"y scent reminded him of children and the lost future He laid it at the foot of the monument and bowed his head #he bo6, ta"ing an uncharacteristic moment to decide its course, settled down beside the flower He "new it was watching as he hunted for his shoe in the gloom =nable to find it, he threw away the other shoe and wal"ed barefoot down into the burning city '% am the Doctor % am % am % am8' (hris (we7 lies slumped against the wooden wall, watching the room reel around him Di--ying Pale tree trun"s frame the walls, reaching up to a blac" ceiling that eases out of their branching curvature li"e a natural growth %t flic"ers orange in the lantern light He closes his eyes * all the better to see His heart, trying to beat enough for two His fingers touching and clutching things that were not there His mind remembering things, gargantuan things that he has never "nown before He wants them to leave him alone #o cru" off out of his head He pulls off his boot and throws it Page > #he room swims around him /nly metres away the women sit huddled over something #he foot of their victim emerges from the circle %t is encased in a brown and cream lace*up shoe #he new memories tric"ling into his head are getting paler 9bbing away 9ighth man bound Ma"e no sound #he shroud covers all #he ;ong and the )hort ,nd the /ld and the ;oud ,nd the Young and the Dar" ,nd the #all #he women hold hands #he President and the #earaway and the (ousin and the $arrior #hey mutter incantations that lay his thoughts bare to them His mind is an ?corch?@ flayed sinews, stripped na"ed of the s"in of consciousness '$hy did you leave?' '$here have you been?' '$ho are you? $ho the hell do you thin" you are?' (hris wants to let go, but a thread holds him, spinning slowly over the abyss % am8 % am8 % am8 Page A #hey are tearing into his mind with carrion bea"s 'Bultures8' shouts the victim lying in their circle His voice has a )cottish burr '(an't catch me,' it whispers in (hris's throat ,s the women start to feed on his dreams, it all goes dar" #he House is full of sunlight )hadows are banished to s"ul" in corners #he panelled walls, polished with wa6 from the sugar*ant hives on the estate, gleam dar"ly between the white trun" columns and arches 1ow and then, there is a la-y crea" from the floorboards or the tiles on the gabled carapace of the rooves

)ometimes a chair shuffles slightly to avoid the passage of a (ousin on the galleries Momentarily, a deep sigh trembles through the arborescent architecture from one end of the House to the other %t sounds li"e a breath of wind rustling through leaves #he House is do-ing !ut it is listening too Page C )cratch )cratch )cratch ' and 3assilon, in great anger, banished the /ther from +allifrey that he might never return to the world #hen there was great re7oicing through the (itadel !ut the /ther, as he fled, stole away the Hand of /mega and departed the world forever ' )cratch )cratch )cratch #he pupil was needling his name into the varnish of the big des"top (ousin %nnocet's hairgrip was considerably more adept at this tas" than the clumsy (hapterhouse mess*blade that old Duences had given him on his last name day #he tric" was to see how deep you could carve before the des" protested ',re you paying attention?' boomed his tutor 'Yes, than" you,' he intoned, completing another tric"y top stro"e ',nd the /ther departed the world forever ' '(orrect ' #here was a pause He was aware of the huge bul" of his tutor approaching the des", but he had to get the final letter finished 'You see, % was listening,' he added, vainly hoping to ward off the inspection Page E #he sunlight from the tall window glistened on his looming mentor's fur )errated blac" stripes on its creamy pelt #he pupil felt the intense scrutiny of the glass eyes as they peered down over fearsome tus"s .lustered, he 7abbed a 0uic" accent stro"e over the final letter #oo fast #he varnish fla"ed #he big des" shuddered %t gave what sounded li"e a woody cough of protest and snapped its lid indignantly, 7ust missing his fingers '$hy are you not paying attention?' #he tutor's voice drummed out of its chest rather than its throat #he horns that curled from either flan" of its head were big enough to hang a coat from #he pupil swung his legs '$hy can't we do something else?' He had formed the habit of answering the tutor's endless badgering with 0ueries of his own His feet didn't even touch the floor '$hat does the curriculum state?' #he pupil shrugged and loo"ed out of the window '$hat about a field trip? $e could go down to the orchards %t's so hot, the magentas must be ripe by now ' He opened the des" and fumbled through the chaos inside in search of his catapult '% can shoot them off the branches,' he called from under the heavy lid Page 1F '3epeat the .amily legacy ' He groaned '#hen can we go out?' '$hat was your birth?' '%t's boring ' '$here were you born?' He closed the des" lid with a sigh '% was born in this House ' His sing*song approach, armoured with a growing contempt for the whole mechanical business of learning by rote, was wasted on the tutor '#he House of ;ungbarrow one of the many Houses founded in order to stabili-e the population after the +reat )chism when the Pythia's (urse rendered +allifrey barren % was born from the .amily ;oom of the House each ;oom weaves a set 0uota of (ousins defined by the Honourable (entral Population Directory at the (apitol '

He paused to ta"e an e6aggerated breath !eyond the whitewood*framed window, the noonday sun da--led off the silver foliage of the trees #he tutor tapped the des" with a yellow claw '#he 0uotaG? '#he 0uota of (ousins allotted to the House of ;ungbarrow is forty*five when a (ousin dies after her or his thirteen spans a new (ousin will be woven and born as a 3eplacement ' He stopped again and regarded his tutor Page 11 '(ontinue,' it said '% can remember waiting to be born ' He said it deliberately to see how much reaction he could get '%mpossible #hat is impossible ' 'You're 7ust a machine $hat would you "now about it?' #he robotic tutor dithered !ut the pre*programmed aw"wardness wasn't convincing %t was too precise to be really lifeli"e ,nd yet the huge furry avatroid, with its prim and proper manners, was more absurd and endearing than any of the .amily in the House #he young pupil continued@ '%t was li"e being all strung out ,ll unravelled inside the ;oom % was spread really thin ' 'Perhaps now you are teaching me,' said the tutor His bul"y shoulders sagged a little '% couldn't thin" 1ot put thoughts together ' '+rammar,' complained the tutor Page 1& '!ut % "new where % was and what was happening % couldn't wait to get out ,nd then % was born My lungs nearly burst #he first rush of air was so cold ,nd they were all there, of course ,ll forty*four of them ,ll laughing, because of because ' #here was a hurt that he could never ease #hey say your first sight after birth, the first thing that looms into view, is the one that governs your life * but when it's forty*four (ousins staring down at you from all sides, laughing and sniggering and prodding, then what do you e6pect? He avoided the sub7ect, as had become the custom ',nd )atthralope smac"ed me so hard % could barely wal" ' '$hen were you told this? How can you really remember?' '% do remember too ,nd don't badger me You always badger me %'m not newly woven, you "now %'m nearly five and three*0uarters ' ',nd you are very precocious ' #he tutor indicated a coloured glass core that was sitting on the des"top '#urn your boo" to the #riumphs of 3assilon ' '$hat happened before the +reat )chism? How were people woven then?' He smir"ed, half hoping the answer would be rude '$hat were mothers?' 'Mothers were women who gave birth to children ' Page 15 '$hat, li"e the ;oom does?' He gave free rein to his smir" '% bet )atthralope couldn't do that Did the children grow inside their mothers? #hat's what the tafelshrews do #here was a nest of them at the bac" of the pantry, but the Drudges found it before % could get them outside /r did mothers spawn in the river li"e the songfish?' '%t is my 7ob to as" the 0uestions ' '$hat's the point when you "now all the answers? How did the children start growing? ,nd why don't all the animals have ;ooms? $hy is it only the people?' '$e are studying *' 'Did they have sword fights then with monsters and reptile pirates?'

#he tutor lifted the data core in its heavy paws and began to screw it into the des"'s console unit '$e are studying the provenance of +allifreyan culture ' '%t's that nursery verse, isn't it? ,nd now all the children are born from the ;oom You whistle it and %'ll sing it %sn't it dar", %sn't it cold, )ee" out the future ' 'House"eeper )atthralope does not allow singing during lesson times ' #he young man grimaced ')he smells li"e old cupboards Duences wouldn't mind ,nd he gave you to me ' Page 1: '/rdinal*+eneral Duences programmed me to encourage your brainbuffing You will repeat the #riumphs of 3assilon ' '1ot again You promised ' '#he #riumphs ' '#hey're really boring ' '(ommence ' #he pupil glanced down at a wooden screen that had slid eagerly up from the des" '$ithout loo"ing,' instructed the !adger '!y rote ' #he des" retracted its screen with a little whine of disappointment #he young man sighed too and began, 'Hear now of 3assilon and his mighty wor"s He, who single* handedly van0uished the dar"ness and ' He peered across the room beyond his tutor '(ousin %nnocet, what are you doing?' #he tutor lumbered round with difficulty in the tight space #he big des" flinched #he room was empty , magenta "ernel, fired from the catapult, pinged on one of the !adger's curling horns !y the time the furry machine had turned bac", its charge had hoisted himself up to the sill, slipped through the open window and was clinging to a vine that grew up the outside of the House '#ell %nnocet that %'ll be late for supper,' he grinned, stic"ing his head bac" round the frame ')he always ma"es the best e6cuses when )atthralope's on the war*wagon ' ;eaving his shaggy tutor in a state of bumbling perple6ity, he scrambled down the vine and ran out into the sunlight through the long, lush grass '(an't catch me8'

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter /ne Page 1 Paris (ubed ', gold*coded security dispatch, sir,' announced the young (hancellery +uard captain and formally handed over the courier pod )urveillance ,ctuary Hofwinter, a veteran of some nine hundred and ninety*si6 years in the )paceH#ime ,ccession !ureau, generation and regeneration, logged the delivery on his cartulary register #he pod bu--ed and opened li"e a blac" flower, allowing him to e6tract a single crystal datacube from its heart He weighed the device in his hand and sniffed its surface '(lassified,' he observed #he captain, resplendent in his scarlet and white uniform, had not moved Hofwinter grunted, '#han" you, erm ' 'Iomde", sir ' 'Yes, than" you, (aptain Iomde" 1o response necessary ' '#he (astellan instructed me to wait until the transduction was complete, sir ' '9h? % can't thin" why #he sub7ect will be transducted direct to the destination specified in the orders You won't see anything up here ' '% thin" that's the idea, sir ' Page & '/h, % see ' #he ancient actuary shuffled across to a window that overloo"ed the (apitol /n the courtyard far below, several guard s0uads were undergoing intensive ceremonial drill practice ,n unli"ely event at this hour '#hey're "eeping everybody busy,' he said 'Must be up to something Downstairs ' %gnoring the captain, Hofwinter set the crystal cube on a receptor pad by the observation port #he ob7ect was instantly diffused with green light He waited for the hunter codes to initiate #here was someone following Doroth?e )he couldn't see anyone specific among the shoppers in the aisles of Mar"s J )pencer's food hall, but he was there )he "new it by instinct ,n awareness that he was watching her )he said he, but it could 7ust as easily be a she or even an it )he got into the 0ueue for the chec"out and glared at the fat Parisienne who was scrutini-ing the contents of her bas"et ,bove her, a security camera on the ceiling swivelled to stare straight at her #oo obvious (ouldn't be that Page 5 )he started to chec" the francs in her wallet, ma"ing sure they were the right year * )he'd had this same feeling two days before !ut that had been at the (af? Momus in the ;atin Duarter %t had been (hristmas 9ve well over a century before and she had been there with friends Iust as the chaussons au6 confitures K la crLme anglais arrived 27am turnovers with custard, her treat4, she was aware of someone watching #he sound and atmosphere of the caf? seemed to drain away as she turned to loo" for the presence Maybe at one of the other tables, among the hon"ing beau6 from the Ioc"ey (lub and their gaudily crinolined danseuses fresh from the /pera !allet He could have been anywhere in the milling crowd outside the caf? windows )he hardly noticed a brass band passing by )he could see snow falling in the gas lamps' glow #hen the thought had passed as the wine and the attentive loo"s of Monsieur )eurat had got the better or worse of her concentration !ut now here it was again /ver a hundred years later on a warm Iune morning in a Paris department store #he 0ueue was ta"ing an age, so she tried to thin" about other things while she waited #he Doctor had been on her mind a lot lately )he hadn't seen him for over a year in any time -one and it amused her to imagine him let loose in a food hall li"e this )he rec"oned he would soon be bored with loo"ing at the range of foods and start 7uggling avocados )he didn't suppose that Machiavelli li"ed shopping much either )he reached the chec"out, paid up and left the shop !ut even on the street she could sense the presence 9ither it had the wherewithal to time*7ump after her, or she'd brought it with her herself

Page : #hat time*7ump made all the difference )uddenly He had become %t )he hurried bac" to the 3ue Massine and turned into the side alley 'Damn8' , tall gendarme was wal"ing round the bi"e !y &FF1 standards the machine wasn't as hi*tech as it once had been, but its attachments could still draw attention $hy else had she par"ed it up an alley? )he prayed she'd get to him before he set off the field alarm and half Paris came to gawp He crouched to e6amine the blac"*bo6 7ump committal device with its multi*lingual ,;93#9 symbols #he bo6 started to -ub angrily at him Doroth?e pulled a pin out of her hair and shoo" it out into a tangle )he hefted her Mar"s J )pencer shopping bags and tottered di--ily towards him '/i, mister,' she s0uaw"ed in e6aggerated Perivale tones 'You gotta help me #hese two blo"es 7ust 7umped me and nic"ed me bleedin' passport $hat'm % gonna do?' #he gendarme stared, ta"ing in her blac" leather trousers and*7ac"et over her delicate (hantilly lace blouse '(ome on % said you gotta stop them Parley voo /ngla-e?' * Page < He stayed calm Maybe he'd seen her arrive '(ette moto, madame?' 21ot even mam'-elle84 '9lle est trLs sophisti0u?e pour une ;ambretta, n'est ce pas?' He pointed to the digital speedo '/M est Monsieur )chwar-enegger? Dans la sacoche? ,ve-*vous un permis de conduire?' You must be 7o"ing, she thought $ith the amount of time*hopping % do? 1ow he was eyeing her shopping bags too ';oo",' she said, plon"ing them down on the ground 'BoilK !ul" buy of ciabattas and tea bags, /N? 3ien du crac" 3ien de la contrabande ' He put a restraining hand on her arm %n a fit of anger, she caught him with a throw that should have floored him %nstead, he simply twisted her arm and "noc"ed her off her own feet with a sharp "ic" (an't be on the scrap heap yet, she thought as the ciabattas bro"e her fall He gave three shrill blasts on his whistle and started to bar" instructions into his radio People began appearing at the entrance to the alley #his time she was up, no messing )he made a club of her hands and thun"ed them down on the bac" of his head He went sprawling into a pyramid of binbags * #hat was more li"e it Page > , couple of hefty wor"men were advancing )he scooped up her bags, "ic"ed the bi"e on its flan" and let the alarm scream #he men fell bac", hands over their ears )he'd been e6pecting it and it still hurt, despite the screening plugs Doroth?e slid on to the pinion and the engine burnt into life )he turned the wheel and headed bac" along the alley, scattering onloo"ers Oero to minus a hundred and twelve years in ten seconds #ime e6ploded in a gold ball around her , vorte6 tunnel stretched ahead )oon bac" in time for tea and she would be at home to +eorges )eurat and to any attentions he wanted to pay her )he angled a wing mirror to loo" at her face Her eyes spar"ed bac" at her, cold and accusing 1ot how she felt at all ,nd her hair was all wrong #he loo" she was giving herself set her all on edge #he engine 7uddered and the steering 7er"ed against her hands #he tunnel was going faster and wider %t was curving upward #he undefinable golden shapes that always rushed past her on these 7umps dar"ened and were lost )he lifted her hands off the steering and watched the bi"e ma"ing its own ad7ustments #hin strea"s of light began coursing along the tunnel boundaries 3ed to come, blue behind #he air was free-ing in her lungs #hey were stars that were * passing her ,s the grip on her senses slipped away, she remembered the effects of a #ime )torm that had snatched her off the world before

Page A

Page C #he datacube was still glowing green #he Matri6 was unusually slow in its responses today $hile he waited, Hofwinter ran a sideline scan of the cube's classified instructions, certain that the young captain would not appreciate its illicit significance %f Hofwinter was party to the implementation of top* secret orders, he wanted to "now what was going on ,ll this unusual activity Downstairs was probably nothing more than the new (astellan fle6ing his musclesP Hofwinter found it hard to remember a time when the venerable old (astellan )pandrell had not been in charge of security in the (itadel #he periods in between )pandrell's two previous retirements, when the old chap had not been in office, felt li"e inconse0uential blips in the span of a celebrated career #his time he had insisted that he was not coming bac" ')ome people never "now when to stop,' he had confided at his third and final retirement ceremony '%'m getting a bit too stout for all this e6ercise, so %'m handing over to someone with less e6perience ' 3umour had it that )pandrell found it difficult to "eep up with the e6haustive reforms of President 3omanadvoratrelundar #he High (ouncil still harboured dissenters, mainly from the Dromeian and ,rcalian (hapter*houses, but nothing much seemed to stop the President from getting her own way )he had even announced a state visit from the current (hairman of ,rgolis Page E Hofwinter shoo" his gri--led head %t was rec"oned that ,ndred, the new (astellan, was a traditionalist, but that hardly rang true@ ,ndred's consort was said to be un+allifreyan and she was certainly "ept out of the public eye as much as possible ,s it was, the speed with which reform followed reform was all rather alarming ,nd there were other worrying rumours that President 3omana, as she li"ed to be called, had never heard of the word sedate #here was also a hostile faction in the %ntervention ,gency, but no one ever "new what their schemes entailed until it was too late to stop them #he President was the nominal head of the ,gency too !ut presidents were traditionally as much in the dar" over the ,gency's activities as the rest of the population #he datacube was still glowing green Hofwinter grunted and tapped the side of his observation port He swivelled in his chair and surveyed his visitor again 'Do you "now the nature of this transduction order, (aptain?'

'%t's classified, sir ' Iomde" had been eyeing a dish of magentas and trumpberries that was sitting on a des" Hofwinter smiled 'You (hancellery troopers spend the whole time strutting up and down in ceremonies you don't understand ' '%t's ritual, sir History ' ',h, well %f you don't want to "now ' Iomde" shrugged Page 1F Hofwinter passed him the fruit dish 'Help yourself, Iomde" #hey're leftovers from one of the President's diplomatic receptions ' '#han" you, sir ' '9ntertaining some alien intermediary with eight eyes and legs to match, % e6pect , (ousin of mine in the catering bureau sends the pic"ings up to me afterwards ' Iomde" reached for the dish, but faltered aw"wardly He pulled off his white ceremonial gloves and his scarlet helmet revealing a head of sunny curling hair He selected one of the magentas and too" a bite '1ewly promoted, are you, (aptain?' ventured his host '$ell, sort of,' mumbled the young man, his mouth full '/h?' 'My .amily have been matricians for generations !ut %'m, well, %'m a bit of a duffer really ' ')urely not ' '/h, yes % didn't even pass the ,cademy entrance e6aminations )o the .amily bought me a commission in the (hancellery +uard ' Page 11 '!ac"bone of the (apitol,' said Hofwinter with a nod He noted that the cube had finally changed its glow to white He chec"ed the results of his sideline scan and was intrigued '9ver studied the planet 9arth?' he en0uired '#he planet where?' #he young officer peered at a red disc that had finally appeared on the port screen '%s that it?' Hofwinter patiently turned the crystal cube on its pad '1o #hat's the security clearance feed %t allows us access to the sub*matri6 ' '+osh,' said Iomde", impressed Hofwinter refined the blurred image /n the screen into the crescent of a blue and white planet '9arth,' he said 'Doesn't loo" much, does it? !ut Downstairs always have an eye on it ' 'You mean the High (ouncil?' ',mong others #he place must have some strategic significance, but %'ve never wor"ed out what ' Page 1& Iomde"'s face suddenly lit up with proud reali-ation ',nd that's where the transduction beam is directed8' /n its pad, the cube turned blue '#hat'll be the beam now,' said Hofwinter '%t see"s out the cerebral identity of the sub7ect on the sealed orders 3ather li"e loo"ing for a lynchet in a thatchpile, but it can needle out one brain pattern in a population of several billion ' (oncern was starting to cloud Iomde"'s face again, or it could have 7ust been stupidity '!ut the orders are secret ' '%t may be classified,' complained Hofwinter, 'but who'll get the blame if it goes wrong, eh? % first "ept tabs on classified accessions in this bureau when Ma-wen the ;ast was in office /nly four more years in this post and % get my millennial service boon ,nd in all that time nothing has ever gone amiss ' He loo"ed for something brittle to brea" for luc", but found only reinforced carbon, silicon and mica dust

,n alarm rattled the confines of the office #he cube turned flame red Hofwinter swallowed hard on a suddenly dry throat #he +od of .ate has to be tempted ;i"e the fish in the icy rivers of +allifrey, it ta"es only the 7uiciest of bait '$hat's happened?' said the captain 'Have we been found out?' Page 15 Hofwinter began to flic" the instruments on the port '%t's gone,' he croa"ed '$hat's gone?' '#he beam )omething's cut across it (ut it off $e've lost the sub7ect ' Iomde" was confused ')o what do we do?' '1othing8' snapped Hofwinter '$e merely initiated the sealed orders as instructed $e do nothing and "now nothing8' $here are you going? 'Home %'m going home,' she thought Doroth?e was drifting without sense of touch or inner feeling Iust her thoughts cut loose )he had to hang on to them or they'd unravel off into the dar"ness #he same way her body and her bi"e had gone $here's home? came the other voice '9arth 9ngland 1o, now it's .rance Paris ' Page 1: !etter ma"e up your mind, hadn't you? 'Paris,' she insisted You rec"on you'll see that again? #he interrogator's voice was hard and moc"ing ,nother woman's voice loc"ed inside her own thoughts %t was turning her thoughts over and trashing them #hey were all she had '$hat do you want?' she thought You tell me '% want to go home8' ,nd that's Paris, is it? 'Yes8' ;iar8 '1o one calls me that ' 1o one calls you anything 'You 7ust called me liar ' Must be your name then Page 1< #here's no chance to thin" when someone's already in your thoughts '.ine (all me ;iar,' protested Doroth?e '$hat about you? $hat do you call yourself?' Don't you "now? Doroth?e could feel the grin in the voice , childish laugh, cruel the way only "ids can be %t both frightened her and was comfortingly familiar %'m your worst enemy %'m 7ust behind you, it sneered '$here? $ho are you?' #ell me who you want me to be '$hat % want is to go home8' #ough8 'Iesus cru""ing (hrist8' Doroth?e sat on the low bed #he white room was empty and cold )i6 blan" walls 1o windows or doors , noise behind her )he turned round

Page 1> #he girl was in blac", a plain blac" bodysuit and boots )o blac", the light found no surface on it %n the shadowless room, the girl's face was lost in dar" obscurity %t appeared formless, unfinished or undecided #hen the shadow lifted and a face slid out from under it #he young woman had long, tangled brown hair and large brown eyes that returned Doroth?e's stare )he'd seen them earlier (old and accusing )he'd always rec"oned, in the vast photofit lottery of the =niverse, that anyone could loo" li"e anything !ut not that 1ot 7ust li"e that '(rawl bac" in the mirror,' she said flatly 'Mirrors don't answer bac",' answered the girl )he stepped up nearer the bed '%'m ,ce ' ';i"e hell,' said Dorothee '%t's true ' 'Prove it ' ,ce raised the slee" blac" carbine that was slung over her shoulder and shot Doroth?e at point*blan" range

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #wo Page 1 , ;ong )hadow #he (astellan's office, from which all security matters in the (apitol were controlled, was sparsely furnishedP an impartial place with no views or windows of its own %t sat at the heart of the great (itadel, wedged li"e an afterthought into the ancient masonry of that august and sprawling edifice (astellan ,ndred sat at his des", irritably tapping one finger on a stac" of pending reports #he confirmation of a top*security visitor to the (apitol was overdue and at present there was nothing he could do about any of it ,ndred had been elevated to his post over a year ago, but still he felt li"e a novice #he shadow of his predecessor had a long reach #here seemed to be an army of elderly #ime ;ords, largely indolent high*benchers, who gravitated in to see him with such regularity that he was growing suspicious that they had wor"ed out a rota (ould he attend to a faulty service lift in #ower 5? How long before the Panopticon antechambers were refurbished? )tandards in (hancellery +uard full*dress uniforms had become very la6 * webbing scruffy, honours arrayed in the wrong precedence 1one of this would have happened in )pandrell's day Most of these friendly observations were nothing to do with security at all ,ndred was sure that the !rotherhood of Nithriarchs was "eeping a more than wary eye on the new boy ,t the moment, he was deeply uneasy as to why the latest in this parade, the venerable ,lmoner (rest Yeu6, had chosen such a particularly aw"ward time to pay him a cordial visit '% tried only this morning to see the President,' droned Yeu6, 'and % was told she was unavailable until further notice #hey tried to fob me off with that dreadful (hancellor #heorasdavoramilonithene woman, but % wasn't having any of that % mean, it's all women on the %nner (ouncil now #hey seem to be ta"ing over ' '%'m on the %nner (ouncil,' said ,ndred curtly 'Yes, but forgive me for saying this, but you're the to"en ordinal, aren't you?' Page & ,ndred bit bac" any discourteous retort He had been trying to remember what the ,lmoner (rest's function actually was #he title was probably too steeped in heraldic tradition for anyone to recall '#he President does have an immensely busy schedule,' he said '/h, that's as maybe ' Yeu6 shifted bul"ily in his seat '!ut % ran into (ardinal Perundeen immediately afterwards in the (ausal ,rchive 3ecord /ffice and he had e6actly the same e6perience three days ago ,nd he still hasn't seen the President )he wasn't even at the reception for the (helonian envoy % mean, nobody "nows what she's up to ' #o his relief, ,ndred saw a small light flic"er on his des" He rose from his seat '%'m sorry, ,lmoner, but % do have some pressing business of my own ' Yeu6 eyed him with no apparent intention of moving '% mean, you of all people must "now her whereabouts, (astellan /therwise there'd be no point in you running security at all ' #he door slid open, affording a view of the outer office where a young guard was waiting with a tall lady in a dar" green robe ,ndred's hearts san" #he one person he most wanted to see was the last person he could entertain at the moment '(ome in, (aptain,' called ,ndred He turned bac" to Yeu6 to find that he was already up #he ,lmoner (rest was staring at the lady who had followed Iomde" into the room #he captain was carrying a glass cube in front of him as if it was one of the ceremonial relics from the Panopticon museum Page 5 '#he transduction order, sir, as you instructed,' he announced with a sideways glance at the onloo"er '#han" you, Iomde"8' ,ndred snatched the cube out of his gloved hand

Yeu6, a smug grin on his face, nodded to ,ndred '#han" you for your time, (astellan %'ll leave you to your pressing business ' He gave the lady a cold stare and departed (aptain Iomde" stayed standing to attention, his face a pool of deep embarrassment ,ndred snapped, '% assume everything was in order at the ,ccessions !ureau ' '% delivered the item Yes, sir ' #he (astellan dabbled a finger on the communicator lin" and then thought better of it '#han" you, Iomde" Dismissed ' Iomde" tried to come to attention, found that he was already there, nodded his head aw"wardly and left #he ;ady ;eela watched the door slide shut )he was tall and proudP her red*brown hair was braided and woven up around*her head #oday she had threaded two sorts of coloured beading into the plaits that ,ndred had never seen before * red and dar" blue Page : '#he captain had magenta 7uice all down his tunic,' she said ,s always, she managed to invest the most banal events with an inherent wonder all of her own %t always floored him ')hoddy discipline,' ,ndred grumbled wea"ly He allowed himself a tiny smile '%t isn't funny ,nd % told you not to come here when %'m wor"ing ' )he sat on the edge of his des" and flic"ed at a stac" of reports 'You do nothing else but wor" when you are here ' He reached for her hand )he leant across the des" and "issed the frown on his forehead 'You are troubled,' she observed 'You "now % can't tell you about it ' '% "now #he headman carries the secrets of his tribe on his shoulders ' He grinned and s0uee-ed her hand '%f you say so ' 'Don't laugh ' ';aughing's good for me ' '%f you are too busy, % shall spea" to 3omana ' '+ood,' he said '#hen she can put you in charge ' Page < )he slid down to his level and met his eyes '% am in charge ' 'Yes, please ' #hey 7umped 0uic"ly apart as the door slid open 'Mistress?' , "nee*high metallic shape was trundling into the office 'He always does that,' groaned ;eela ,ndred sat bac" in his chair 'He's your dog ' '/ur dog ' )he turned to loo" at the robotic retriever and it wagged its metal tail %ts angular bodywor" had got a bit battered during its time on +allifrey 'NE, don't you ever "noc"?' said ;eela #he machine's synthetic voice had a sing*song prissiness that was by turns endearing or irritating ',pologies, Mistress and Master Please resume your canoodling ' '1ever mind,' ;eela intoned ,ndred sat bac" in his chair 'Did you bring him or did he 7ust follow you?' Page > '1ews, Mistress,' NE inter7ected '$ait, NE ' '/ur discovery ' '% was wor"ing up to it,' she protested

'$or"ing up to what?' en0uired ,ndred '% thin" it'll have to wait until ' '%t is about your .amily,' she said 0uic"ly He tutted and loo"ed aw"ward '1ow what have they done? % "now they annoy you, but ' '1othing, Master #hey have done nothing,' interrupted NE '$ell, that's a relief ' ;eela shoo" her head '1o #hat is the problem ' He sighed He had so much wor" to do 'You'd better tell me,' he said )he sat crossed*legged in the seat of the chair that Yeu6 had occupied '$e were bored,' she began '#here is no one to tal" to 3odan has been sent on a cross*cultural liaison course 3omana is away ' '#he President is not available,' he corrected ')he is away ' 'Yes, but you're not supposed to "now that ' ')he told me ' 1o wonder )pandrell retired, thought ,ndred 3omana is a security nightmare ')he did not tell me where,' added ;eela '+ood,' he said, much relieved '% forbade her to do so ' 'You are in charge, aren't you?' ,ndred declared ')o what have you been doing?' '% decided that % must learn more about your .amily ' '#hat's a bit sudden?' )he gave NE a sidelong glance and said 0uic"ly, '%t is your heritage 9ach of us should "now our ancestors ' Page A He nodded He understood that her roots were far away on some benighted, primitive world that she did not even have a sensible catalogued name or number for 'My ancestry is not very e6citing,' he said 'Iust a long line of military ordinals )everal s0uads full Must be something in the ;oom ' '!ut we have discovered a mystery ' )he loo"ed very grave ',ffirmative,' NE chimed in ',n anomaly with considerable repercussions ' ')i6 hundred and seventy*three years ago, one of your (ousins was a captain in the Prydon (hapterhouse +uard ' 'His name was 3edred,' added NE (astellan ,ndred stayed silent ',nd this 3edred was sent on a mission to the House of ;ungbarrow in the mountains of the )outh ' '1ever heard of it /r him ' '!ecause he never returned,' ;eela said 'He vanished ' '#hat's not possible,' ,ndred insisted '#here must be records ' He began to turn the cubes on his des" port '% have chec"ed all available data,' announced NE ',ll records of this mission have been e6punged by order of the Prydon (hapterhouse ' 'How can you "now then?' ,ndred scanned his plasma screen for relevant information #here was no mention of any House of ;ungbarrow 'NE is very wise,' said ;eela proudly '% thin" we'd better have a long tal" about security and what you are and are not allowed to access ' '#here is more,' said NE Page C ';ater,' he snapped and immediately felt a need to apologi-e ';oo", why don't you go down to the House at 3ed;ooms and visit my (ousins? +et out of the (apitol for a while You won't be bored down there You li"e them really ' '#hey do not li"e me ' '/f course they do ' '#he House does not li"e me either '

'$hat rot ' '%t is true ' 'Iust because one table ' % will stay here at the (apitol, where the furniture does not argue if % want to sit on it ' He loo"ed at her with deep affection '% li"e the beading in your hair Does it have some meaning?' Page E )he stared at the floor '#he blue is for the memory of your (ousin ' '#hat's "ind, and you are wonderful,' he said, genuinely touched ',nd what about the red?' 'Master ,ndred, there is more,' interrupted NE again Plainly there was no escape NE only ever really "ept 0uiet for ;eela, and she was fielding that loo" of earnestness that always forewarned of sleepless nights until he gave in '+o on then ' NE pulled closer to the des" as if he intended to whisper, which he did not ',ccording to the records of the Matrician !ench of /rdnance )urveyists, the House of ;ungbarrow itself no longer stands on the side of Mount ;ung in the )outhern Mountains %t has vanished without trace ' ,ndred started to laugh '$hat? , House can't 7ust vanish8 #hat's ridiculous ' '#hen where are your records?' demanded ;eela )ometimes she was so e6asperating '%'ll sort it out later,' he protested 'You have no sense of your .amily's honour,' she said coldly '1ot at all %'m 7ust too busy with security to deal with ancient history now ,s soon as % have time, then we'll find out what happened $e'll do it together Iust don't go interfering on your own ' Page 1F '#here is still more,' she said #here was a bleep from his screen port He had an incoming communication at last +old*coded from off* +allifrey '#ell me later,' he said gently to ;eela )he nodded indignantly #hen she turned and swept out of the office with NE trundling faithfully behind ,ndred's port bleeped again He activated the screen and watched as the angry face of President 3omana appeared He noted that she was attired in her full white and gold*collared ceremonial regalia '(astellan ,ndred? $here in blue bla-ers is that transduction order % gave you?' #a"en abac", he pic"ed the crystal cube out of its courier case and held it up for her to see '%t's here, Madam %'ve 7ust had it returned from ,ccessions ' '#hen why hasn't the transduction been completed?' He had a sin"ing feeling in the pit of his stomach '!ut it has % was waiting for confirmation from (hancellor #heora ' '/ur +uest hasn't arrived ' #here was an uncustomary hint of panic in her voice 'You "now % can't deal directly with the situation myself 1ot now %f the ,gency find out what's going on ' Page 11 '%'ll follow it through immediately, Madam,' he said calmly %t was no surprise that 3omana was up to her nec" in clandestine intrigues, mostly of her own ma"ing ,nd she styled herself as chief advocate of the new open*government policy )ooner or later the truth would out ,ndred had arranged the security for these secret off*+allifrey tal"s himself, but he was not attending them and had no idea whom they involved He simply followed instructions from the (hancellor #he trust they invested in him was appreciated !ut even so '%t would help if you could tell me e6actly who or what /ur +uest is,' he ventured )he shoo" her head '% can't tell you, ,ndred )ecurity, you "now ' '% am security, Madam President ' 'Yes, but you won't li"e it '

',s you wish ' )he sighed audibly ',ndred, in my term as President, there will be nothing more important than these negotiations ,ctually, there's been nothing so important for thousands of years #housands and thousands 9verything depends on them $e can't afford mista"es )o please, 7ust find out what's happened to that transduction beam ' 'Bery good, Madam ' '#han" you ' Her grave demeanour lifted a little and a studied smile bro"e the gloom 'How's ;eela?' she said in a careless sort of way 'Bery well, than" you,' he responded slowly '/h, good ' )he sounded greatly relieved ,ndred paused for a moment '$hy?' he as"ed, pu--led )he laughed nervously '/h, no matter Iust as"ing ' Page 1& 'Your tunic is covered in fruit stains,' observed ,lmoner (rest Yeu6 over his glass of tea '(astellan )pandrell would have had your eyeballs for epaulettes over that ' (aptain Iomde" smiled '#he (astellan is not my commanding officer, sir ' '1o, of course not $hichever way ,ndred regards his elevation, he's been reduced to the level of a functionary among Madam President's army of lac"eys #he (ouncil are 7ust pawns in her wretched open diplomacy schemes ' 'Yes, sir ' '%t was all right when we merely observed the aliens, or made the occasional necessary ad7ustment to their development !ut having to actually tal" to them over supper well, that's an entirely different tray of condiments /mega "nows where it'll all end ' '$ill that be all, sir?' Yeu6 waved a weary hand 'Yes, yes, (aptain %'ll pass your report up immediately 1o doubt our superiors will be suitably grateful ' ',nd the sub7ect of the transduction order?' Yeu6 scrutini-ed the ambitious young man with renewed admiration ')he had to be "illed,' he said flatly '#o e6tract the information we needed? $ill that be enough?' #he ,lmoner (rest refilled his tea glass from the pot on his samovar '9nough about what, (aptain?' '%nformation on the e6*president, sir #he Doctor ' '$e'll see,' said the old man and sipped his tea Page 1& ;eela sat bac" in a chair on the balcony of ,ndred's 0uarters and sul"ed )he longed to get out )he had filled the rooms with plants and flowers until ,ndred snee-ed, but they were only a gesture against the grey view of turrets and towers that the balcony overloo"ed %t was too cold at the 11Eth level of the (itadel for the balcony to be open ;oo"ing down through the glass partition, you could see the clouds below in the valley between the buildings )ince NE was absorbed in some calculation of his own, she flic"ed idly through a catalogue of ancient weapons that ,ndred had brought her from the (apitol armoury museum #he #ime ;ords regarded the weapons as barbaric creations, but she was intrigued by their designs )he had visited the museum once and upset an old man called the (urator by removing a spin*bladed dagger from a display and testing its throwing power ,fter that, ,ndred had banned her from handling weapons in the (apitol $ith no 3odan or 3omana to visit, she wondered about visiting the House of 3ed;ooms again .or ,ndred's sa"e, she would endure his (ousins for a day and then go off on her own, out into the forest beyond the .amily 9state )he had done it several times before, even sleeping out several nights and bringing bac" bunches of plants or animal s"ins for ,ndred to see and learn from He even 7oined her on one occasion, and they had lain together under the stars that burnt in the ochre s"y

#he +allifreyan forest was very different from that on the world where she had grown and learnt to hunt )ome trees had leaves li"e clear water, others li"e silver #here were flowers that glimmered in the dar" li"e tiny candles /nce when she was hunting alone, a forest beast li"e a striped pig*bear had attac"ed her and tried to drag her up into a tree %t had torn her arm badly, but she had slain it with her "nife and struggled bac" to the House of 3ed;ooms with its ears as a trophy 1one of ,ndred's (ousins "new how to treat the wound, because it refused to heal naturally in a day, the way +allifreyan in7uries do , Hospitaller*surgeon was summoned from the (apitol, but ;eela refused to see him )he said he was not a Doctor at all %nstead, she treated herself with a diffusion of berries and leaves, boiled over an open fire * something which alarmed his .amily and the House too Page 15 'Mistress?' said NE '$hat is it?' '#he information that we did not give to Master ,ndred ' 'Yes?' '#he files at the !ureau of ;oomographic 3ecords ' 'Yes?' '#hey have been withdrawn ' 'You mean someone else is loo"ing at them ' '1egative $ithdrawn meaning wiped, erased, destroyed ' ;eela beat a fist against the side of the chair '#hen someone else has also made our discovery ' ')o it would appear ' NE paused '/ne moment, Mistress ' His ears waggled ;eela could hear a high*speed stream of data warbling inside his computer body '$ho are you tal"ing to?' she said #he data abruptly stopped ',pologies, Mistress ' '$ho were you tal"ing to, NE?' 'Myself,' he 0uipped brightly '$e should have told ,ndred,' she complained '$e should have told him everything about the House of ;ungbarrow #hen he might have listened ' '#he House of ;ungbarrow is missing,' said NE '$iped, erased, destroyed ' 'Yes,' she said sadly ',nd it was the home of the Doctor '

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #hree Page 1 #al"ing to Yourself #he harpy shrie"ed and spread her tattered blac" wings above her )he ran at (hris, ta"ing to the air, beating the stench of carrion over him in fetid gusts He flung his arms up in defence as her claws snatched at him Her filthy hair 7angled with 7ewels and amulets )he had an eyepatch (hris stumbled bac"ward, but she caught him in her talons, dragging him under her dead weight )he perched on his chest and tore out his heart with her bea" (hris (we7 yelled himself awa"e and fell off his lilo with a splash He lay trembling on the surface of the bathwater, bobbing on the little effervescent waves, clutching at the right*hand side of his chest 9ven in the super*buoyant water of the #,3D%)'s bathroom, he "new he was sweating !ad dreams again '%t's /N,' he "ept repeating to himself in between deep calming breaths #he Doctor had said, '%t's fine if you drop off in the bath Iust don't do it face down ' Hence the lilo 1ormally (hris didn't let that sort of thing worry him, but he'd had more than a headful of stress lately )till wor"ing through it (ould be years before it all came out He'd better not let on to 3o-, though He reali-ed he had clutched the wrong side of his chest for his heart and felt a lot better )omething bobbed against him #he Doctor's plastic duc" with a goofy grin on its bea" .or a moment, he thought it had been laughing Page & He rolled over on the water and stuc" his head under the surface How did the loofah always sin" to the bottom when everything else floated? He couldn't even dive for it #he density of the water 7ust bounced him bac" up to the surface again +iving up, he struc" out for the tap end and hauled himself out of the bath #hey must have reached 96tans )uperior by now ,n idyllic bac"water world off the main space lanes 2said the brochure4 with breathta"ing beaches and e6otic nightlife #he Doctor muttered something about mos0uitoes, but promised to get them there fifty years earlier, before the place got ruined by tourist development $hich wasn't e6actly what (hris had in mind (hris reached for a towel and shoo" out his yellow hair #hen he remembered what had happened to 3oHe was using her towel %t still smelt of her %t was still here after all this time )till fresh * that was the #,3D%) for you He stood for minutes on end, his face buried in the towel, grateful she hadn't been totally cleared away, listening to the slap of the water reverberate in the huge tiled bathroom Damnation How could he forget that? ;ose the rest, but don't forget that #hat was unforgivable He had a dull ache in the small of his bac" 9ven the familiar thrum of the #,3D%) was niggling him He was so tired, but if he was still getting dreams li"e he'd 7ust had, he didn't want to go bac" to sleep ever again You've been through all this already, he reminded himself %t's 7ust wor"ing through .irst of all you have to forgive yourself /N He was forgiven 9asy #oo damn easy He still wanted to go out and get smashed .ailing that, he could go and ta"e it out on the Doctor Page 5 Doroth?e Mc)hane opened her eyes and loo"ed at the white ceiling overhead )he had a pain in her chest where someone someone who had climbed out of her mirror when she'd dropped her guard, had shot her #he weapon had been a high*impulse carbine * the sort of heavy*duty gun carried by anti*Dale" s0uads in the .lova trenches during her time with the %rregulars /ne raser lo-enge could slice the legs off a Marsh* Dale" at si6ty metres %t wasn't something she'd had to thin" about much lately , face slid into view %t was the girl called ,ce again

)he sat on the side of the bed li"e a hospital visitor )he'd pulled her hair bac" into a ponytail and was wearing blac" leather trousers, a )tone 3oses #*shirt and a blac" bomber 7ac"et covered in badges Young with no sense of style 'You were clinically dead for about twenty minutes,' she said Dorothee peered down her blouse #here was a dry burn scar dead centre of her chest , fierce little hole was scorched through the (hantilly lace 1o blood ',t that range you could hardly miss % didn't thin" you could ad7ust the level on those things ' Page : ,ce studied the gun 'You can't,' she said ')o how come %'m still here?' Doroth?e sat up and reached for the weapon ')how me ' '1o chance ' ,ce 7er"ed it away )he produced a small flas" from her bomber 7ac"et 'Here Drin" this ' )eeing the loo" of distrust on Doroth?e's face, she grunted, 'Yeah %'d feel the same ' )he unscrewed the cap, too" a hefty swig and blenched a little 'Half way across the universe and it still has a hell of a "ic" ' Doroth?e too" the flas" '% left this at home %n my room in Paris How did you get hold of it?' /ne corner of the girl's mouth edged into a smir" '%t was a present from a starship trooper %t's a "eepsa"e .or services rendered ' '1ot li"e that,' snapped Dorothee and resisted the impulse to hit the little bitch 'Yeah?' ')i6 days we were together /n (rocarou )tation, before % flew out on a mission $e didn't thin" %'d come bac" ' '#ell me about,' interrupted ,ce ',nd when % did, the base had been blown apart by Dale" shoc" troops % threw up in someone else's "it bag % still cry when % remember him ' Doroth?e gulped bac" her anger '#hat was me8 % did that 1o one "nows about it % never told anyone8' !ut ,ce had tears in her eyes Page < Doroth?e swigged hard from the flas" #his ,ce "new e6actly which raw nerve to hit )till, the brandy had the desired effect )he could "id herself she wasn't half famished or frightened for a while #he flas" was fuller than she had ever "ept it 9nough to drin" her tormentor under the table )he passed it bac" and studied the girl ,ce's face was wrong %t wasn't 0uite a mirror image %t was the wrong way round Doroth?e got a bad feeling that the girl was real '#ell you what,' she said '#here's no afterlife #here wasn't a tunnel with a bright light at the end of it ' '#ough,' said ,ce and swigged at the brandy )he shifted further up the bed 'How long have you been following me?' Doroth?e hunched herself up at the pillow end ',nd % thought you were following me ' '.irst sign of madness #al"ing to yourself ' '!ut %'m not, am %?' said Doroth?e '%'m Doroth?e Mc)hane ,nd % never wore those trousers with that 7ac"et ' ,ce leant forward Her eyes were li"e ice '(an't both be real, can we?' Doroth?e held her ground '#ruth or dare,' she said '/N,' nodded ,ce, unfa-ed '!e my guest ' '#ell me your name first ' '9asy,' she said '%'m the cat*girl %'m the Dale"*"iller and the lion*hunter %'m #ime's Bigilante My name's ,ce )o what's yours?' Page > #he Doctor was in the #,3D%) console room, where (hris somehow "new he would be He sat hunched in a chair, staring at the scanner screen, which was switched off =nder his 7ac"et, he was wearing his old

pullover * the one with 0uestion mar"s that (hris thought they'd seen the last of He wondered if the Doctor had somehow changed into it without ta"ing his hat off He hoped it signalled a return to the Doctor's old indomitable self 1o more worries about sudden death and regeneration '#he teabags have run out,' the Doctor complained without loo"ing up (hris was not in the mood to find out that someone else was worse off than he was ',re you having trouble sleeping?' he as"ed '/h sleep, that some have called the cousin to death,' the Doctor 0uoted unhelpfully He shrugged without loo"ing round '% wouldn't call it trouble $hy? ,re you still having trouble?' 'Yes ' '1ot sleeping at all?' 'Yes % mean, % sleep %t's the dreams ' #he Doctor sighed and stared at the blan" screen '% don't seem to remember my dreams any more !ut when you get to my age there's so much to forget ' (hris watched him stand up and wal" across to the console His fingers hovered over the wide array of controls #hen he seemed to change his mind He wal"ed bac"ward to his chair and sat down again He still hadn't loo"ed at (hris #he all*purpose solution that the young man needed was not going to materiali-e He turned to go '(hristopher, have you touched the coordinate selector?' Page A (hris stopped where he stood '1o ' '$hat about the time vector generation unit?' #he Doctor's tone was as pric"ly as an ,cademy tutor loo"ing for a fight with an errant roo"ie '#he time vector what? $hy? $hat's happened to 96tans )uperior? % thought we were ' '1ever mind ' #he Doctor shifted his ga-e to the floor '$hat sort of dreams, (hris? Different or the same?' (hris stood in the doorway His hand gripped 3o-'s towel tightly He couldn't say anything %t didn't matter '#hat bad,' said the Doctor 'You'd better put some clothes on and tell me ' ,ce was clapping , slow, steady, 7eering clap as Doroth?e downed the contents of the flas" #he brandy was burning her throat, but she tilted the flas" higher and higher )he almost cho"ed and sat down on the floor with a thud 'Dare complete,' she announced and wiped her mouth #hey'd both been drin"ing while they compared identical e6periences Doroth?e remembered plenty, but ,ce recalled events with photographic precision, even recent things that she loo"ed too young to remember #hey'd been rambling for an hour now over sub7ects ranging from e6plosives and places they'd visited to the best way to handle uppity servants and men 2not much difference4 #hey'd compared scars, con0uests and deaths Doroth?e had lost her Harley and won it bac" ,ce had won the bed and a holiday in Paris in the year of her choice )he was flopped on her bac" across the bed, leaning her head over the side, watching Doroth?e upside down ,ll the time, she "ept a tight hold on her gun Page C '% thought ' slurred Doroth?e, rolling her head '% thought that the two of us couldn't meet couldn't ever meet %t's the !rontosaurus 9ffect or something ' ,ce grinned '#he !lini*vichyssoise 9ffect ' '1o, no, the Doctor told me no listen, listen, he said that he warned 3assilon and that they'd had a lot of trouble with the prototype of the Hand ' '#hat's right #he Hand of /mega ,nd you remember what ;ady Peinforte said? ,bout "nowing who he really was?' 'Yeah, and the (yber*;eader didn't even want to "now You should have seen his face ' Doroth?e grimaced a metallic scowl and ,ce grimaced bac" 'Her face too,' she sniggered !ut, Doroth?e noted, her eyes weren't laughing #hey were still li"e ice 'You don't believe all that, do you?' ,ce went on

Doroth?e was on all fours, sha"ing her head as she crawled towards the bed '$ho cares? %'m cru""ing paralytic ' '!ut what d'you thin" what did he mean?' Page E 'Dunno 1ever "now half of what he means He 7ust ma"es it happen ' )he put her head on the floor and closed her eyes ,ce's voice came nearer her ear 'He "eeps bloody strange company, doesn't he? $hat about the Master and the Dale"s? ,nd 3assilon ' ',nd ,dolf Hitler,' murmured Doroth?e woo-ily ',nd ;eonardo ' ',nd President 3omanadvoratrelundar $hat the frea" is he up to, eh? )ocial climbing?' ',nd ;ethbridge*)tewart,' Doroth?e whispered ',nd good old )"oda !irianivitch ' '$hat?' ,ce said in sudden earnest )he leant closer ')"oda who? 1ever heard of him $ho's he?' Doroth?e lurched up with a sudden cut from her fist that sent ,ce spinning across the grey room !efore ,ce could recover, she was loo"ing along the barrel of her own gun 'Don't "now me that well, do you?' snapped Doroth?e 'You thought % was well past it ' ,ce said nothing, so Doroth?e pointed at a badge on the front of her interrogator's bomber 7ac"et ')ee that one #hat's a continuity error %t shouldn't be there ' ,ce nodded '!lue Peter badge ;ost it on the $atch #ower in the city of the inside out #,3D%) ' 'You "now too much,' said Doroth?e, getting into her stride 'Don't "now how you did it, but you've been inside my head You've got all the lurid facts, but you don't have a clue what % feel ,nd this isn't about me anyway, is it?' ,ce stared coldly 'You rec"on?' '(all yourself an interrogator? You couldn't interrogate the time out of a policeman You're not ,ce %'m ,ce and Dorothy and Doroth?e ' )he managed a smile '#he Doctor's secrets are his, not mine )o who sent you? $hat's the game?' #he room went blac" Doroth?e was alone with her thoughts Page 1F '% dreamed % was standing in front of a huge wall Huge stones, really ancient 1o, older than ancient ,s if it had been there forever #he stones were rust*coloured #he wall went right up into the clouds and there were birds high on it, wheeling birds Bultures maybe? % couldn't tell #here was a pair of big doors in the wall #hey must have been bron-e, but they were all tarnished ' '#his is very vivid,' said the Doctor (hris shoo" his head 'Yeah % never remember dreams li"e this % wa"e up and the details go really fast ' '#ell me about the wall $as there anybody with you?' '1ot at first #here was a stone pavement in front of the doors % was standing on it, but when % loo"ed at the ground beyond it, that was moving %t was sliding under the pavement =nder the wall #he whole wall was moving slowly forward over the landscape ' He waited for a reaction, but the Doctor sat silently, waiting for him to continue ')o ahead of me, ahead of the wall, % could see the sun rising out of the mist #here were shapes in the mist too, but % couldn't ma"e them out against the sun % had this urge to go bac" through the doors % suppose that means %'d already come through them, but when % tried them they were shut tight ',nd then there was a woman there, all in brown * in a sort of mass of brown gau-e veils Her face was brown too, sunburnt and stretched tight )he was matronly * is that the right word? % don't "now where she came from )he was 7ust there Page 11 ')he said the doors were the Door to the Past )o % loo"ed through a spyhole and on the other side, the landscape was all lit red in the sunset %f it really was the Past, then it was all dripping with blood li"e some

sort of schloc"*vid battlefield and the clouds were made of bone ,nd the brown woman told me, "/n the other side, the doors are the +ate of the .uture " %t was weird, but she smelt of roses % never smelt things in a dream before, but she smelt of honey and roses ;i"e summer's supposed to smell in boo"s ' 'Bery poetic,' observed the Doctor '%s that all?' '1o #hat's 7ust the start of it % could hear voices singing #hey were children's voices #hey were singing something about 9ighth Man !ound ' #he Doctor cleared something uncomfortable from his throat@ '9ighth man bound Ma"e no sound #he shroud covers all #he ;ong and the )hort ' His voice trailed off '#hat's it,' said (hris 'How did you how did % "now something you "new, but %'d never heard?' 'You must have heard it somewhere,' said the Doctor smoothly ', nursery rhyme at your mother's "nee?' ')he always sat us in front of the holovid ' #he Doctor frowned ')chloc"*vids?' 'Maybe %t's what most families do ' Page 1& , pained e6pression slid across the Doctor's face '$ell, a race memory then,' he foundered '% ta"e it there's more ' '#he woman in brown said the voices belonged to the unborn children #he ones waiting to be born $aiting to live ,nd then she lifted her veils ' He faltered in sudden reali-ation '#hat was what it was li"e %t was li"e a shroud ;i"e in the song ,nd under it, there was an old hag crouching on the ground )he was in filthy blac" rags, more li"e a vulture than a woman Her face was all s"inny wrin"les and her nose was all bea"y and she had an eyepatch ' ',nd what did she say?' as"ed the Doctor ')omething about, "He's gone away, the gate"eeper " Her voice was li"e a croa" ,nd then she said' 2he paced it out carefully4, '"#he Door to the Past is loc"ed 1othing gets through %t's forbidden " ,nd then something about, "#he past is for the dead " '#hat made me really angry, you "now? Don't "now why, but % started hammering against the bron-e doors !ut they wouldn't give #he woman in brown had cleared off, but the cra-y old hag was still there )he "ept cac"ling at me "You "now me," she "ept saying "% haven't forgotten you " , couple of the vulture birds had landed on the pavement behind her #hey "ept craning their nec"s out li"e they were si-ing up dinner #hen she opened her wings above her * they were all tattered feathers * and she ran at me, beating them, and the stench of rotting carrion was coming at me in gusts % tried to beat her off, but she grabbed me with her talons Her claws had rings all over them with masses of 7ewels * and she perched on me Her claws cut right in #hen she dug her filthy bea" into my chest and tore out my heart ' He reali-ed he had grabbed his right side of his chest again and dropped his hand down aw"wardly Page 15 #he Doctor glanced 0uic"ly at the console and then bac" to (hris again '#hen what happened?' '% yelled myself awa"e and fell into the bath,' said (hris sheepishly '$hat more do you want?' '%'d li"e you not to worry Perhaps it was something you ate (heese or something ' 'You ate all the cheese,' said (hris ',h ' #he Doctor loo"ed thoughtful 'How do you feel now?' '% need some fresh air % thought we were going to 96tans )uperior ' '$e were !ut the co*ordinates got changed ' 'Don't loo" at me % was in the bath ' 'Yes ' ')o when do we get there?' '%t depends what you mean by there '

'+oddess,' complained (hris with mounting frustration 'Have we arrived anywhere yet?' '/h, yes,' said the Doctor He seemed to be e6pecting a reaction of some sort '$e've been here for nearly two hours %'d have told you, but you were in the bath ' (hris reached for the scanner control '#hen let's see ' '1o8' snapped the Doctor (hris pulled bac" as if the control was rigged ';eave it % forbid you to touch it8' #he Doctor's face was a tight "not of anger (hris moved bac" slowly 1o sudden moves He crouched by the Doctor's chair and said gently, '/N )o what would you li"e me to do?' #he Doctor's eyes darted at him '$e stay put %'m thin"ing ' '/N,' said (hris 'You have a thin" %'ll get us something to drin" ' He stood and wal"ed 0uietly from the console room

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter .our Page 1 ,ll .all Down (ousin ,r"hew bit his lip and clambered over the edge of the parapet Digit by digit, damp fingers grey with dust, he slid along the outside of the cloistered gallery towards the dead cloc" #he ancient woodwor" crea"ed its protest )omewhere below him, the floor of the +reat Hall was lost in the gloom ,t this hour, the only light came from two tallow lamps that glimmered perpetually by the ;oom plinth at the Hall's far end , sudden noise startled the little man * a scraping of metal on stone He fro-e where he clung, watching another dim light moving along the gallery on the opposite side of the cavernous room !ut it was only a lone candelabrum slowly wandering the corridors #he light disappeared /ver many, many long years, ,r"hew's eyes had accustomed themselves to the gloom He had to reach the cloc" He had to "now if the latest rumours were true %f he found the missing will, then he would be a saviour He would finish the long dar" disgrace once and for all 1o one would ever laugh at him again #here weren't many (ousins left to laugh anyway, but he had to ma"e the point He fle6ed his fingers, which were starting to go numb, and began to edge forward again #he cloc" was 7ust out of reach * an elaborate array of painted discs and wire circles, both astronomical and astrological, that had once turned and spun in and out of each other's sphere ;ong dead, it stared from the balustrade li"e a many*layered eyeball , sudden draught of air lifted tendrils of dust web from the edge of the balustrade ,r"hew dodged and fumbled as they waved hungrily towards him Dead man's fingers reaching to snatch you bac" into the past (ousin Mal7amin had wal"ed straight into a web once and lain unconscious for eight candledays $hen he finally wo"e up, he thought he had been ta"ing tea with old (ousin .arg, who had been dead for over two hundred years Page & #he tendrils gradually settled again ,r"hew clung to the edge with his fingertips #here was another light %t was down below, moving along the edge of the Hall , lantern carried by a stiff figure whose angular, varnished features threw bac" its baleful glow #he House Drudge stopped directly below ,r"hew He dared not breatheP tried not to thin"P prayed to the +od of Pain that his hearts would stop pounding so loudly His fingers were losing their grip Page 5

(ousin /wis tripped and fell, landing heavily on the wooden floor in a heap of e6pletives He fumbled around in the dar" until he found the ob7ect he had collided with ,s he had hoped, it was a shrew*trap and something was scrabbling inside '+ot you, you little 1o, don't s0ueal Don't s0ueal ' He reached inside and crushed the tiny creature in his podgy hands ',lways after something to eat, aren't you?' said a voice /wis gulped and loo"ed round for its owner Page : , lamp lit itself, illuminating the tall figure who carried it He was peering down at /wis from the top of a tall table He wore a faded maroon*coloured tunic and loo"ed younger than he appeared * a typical +allifreyan conundrum His long, curling, brown hair was parted at the centre to frame his pale, a0uiline features '+lospin, put out the lamp,' said /wis panic"ing 'You'll have the Drudges down on us ' He tried to stuff the body of the little animal into his poc"et for later +lospin smiled 'Have you been in the "itchens again?' '1o,' protested /wis '% was 7ust out for a wal" ' ',nd how's (ousin %nnocet? )till nannying you?' he as"ed /wis could feel the heat from the lamp ')he's busy with her boo", as usual #here's nothing going on ' +lospin set aside the lamp, lowered himself over the side of the table and dropped to the floor He grabbed his (ousin's arm, twisted it hard behind his bac" #hen he leant his head on /wis's shoulder and whispered, '3emember the s"inless s"ulls? #he ones that live under the House? #hey want to "now about you, /wis ' /wis s0uealed 'Don't hurt me8 Please, please, %'ll do anything8' 'How is it you're so fat, when the rest of us are thin as peat*roots?' /wis spluttered as the grip tightened 'Don't "now Don't "now8' Page < '#he s"inless s"ulls say the tallow supply's getting low #hat's why the lamps "eep going out ' 'Please, let me go Please8' '% won't tell the s"ulls as long as you do as you're told ' 'Yes Yes, % promise ' 'Don't forget ,nd don't tal" ' +lospin gave /wis a push which landed him bac" on the floor '1ow, hand over what you found in the "itchen ' /wis reluctantly pulled a parcel out of his 7ac"et and handed it over He watched +lospin sift through the contents of dried fungi His (ousin scooped up a handful and passed it bac" 'Here #o go with your shrew 1ow scuttle bac" to your room before the Drudges catch you ' /wis scurried away intent on reaching safety, but as he turned into the ne6t corridor, he heard a scuffle behind him He glanced bac" and saw, in the pool of light from the lamp, +lospin pinned to a tree*trun" arch by the tall, blac" shape of one of the Drudges '%t wasn't me,' he cho"ed at the implacable maid '%t was /wis He stole this stuff % caught him8 You can catch up with him if you hurry ' #he Drudge lifted +lospin off the floor and carried him, struggling, away for punishment Page > /wis felt a shudder run through the House 9ven the air seemed angry He clutched at his ta"ings and hurried for the sanctuary of (ousin %nnocet's rooms ,r"hew strained his nec" to watch the twin"ling light disappear into one of the Hall's side passages His blood was racing fit to burst He had thought the Drudge would never move from below him He "new it was listening His fingers were about to crac" under their tight grip on the parapet, when the servant moved rapidly away as if summoned on some urgent tas"

,r"hew too" moments to get his breath bac" #houghts raced along with his blood )uppose this was another tric" ,nother bet between the others to see how foolish he was )uppose it wasn't )uppose the will was hidden in the cloc" #hey would all laugh if he didn't find it He was sure there had once been a time when he could thin" things out clearlyP to remember things without starting to weep or wanting to hide away forever #hat was before it all went dar", of course Don't thin" Don't remember You croo"ed fingers on the bet Iust get on with the 7ob in hand Page A He edged along the few last digits towards the cloc" .inally, he grabbed at the tarnished metal wires that circled the device, presenting the orbits of the local planets He duc"ed under them, finding a new purchase for his weight on the painted lattice spheres /ne inside another, they showed the Mansions of the )tars and Houses of the +ods * redHblac" for Death, white for Pain and some indeterminate shifting colour for #ime $hen the cloc" had died, the spheres had settled their open segments together, e6posing the heart of the cloc" face li"e a shattered eye ,r"hew leant over the top of the opening as far as he dared %t was dar" inside the spheres He reached in, but could feel no more than he could see He slowly lowered himself over the cloc" face and into the dar" eye #he ,ncient of .lames rose into the air from its place on the table %t hovered and then settled gently on the pinnacle formed by the #hree of )ouls, the )i6 of (louds and the ;ast of Deeps (ousin %nnocet closed her eyes !uilding a mansion of cards by levitation was a very draining e6ercise Her s"ills at cartomancy were out of practice and "eeping the circular cards in place re0uired a tremendous effort of willpower 9ven so, the coneli"e structure was seven storeys high already /nly a few cards to go, but these were always the most precarious /ne slip would bring the whole house tumbling down and there would be no future to read Page C )he perched on the high stool at the table and felt the weight of her hair on her shoulders %t grew down in a single plait so long that she had to wind it round li"e a shell on her bac" #he hair was a 7ourney in time %t grew white on her head, but as it travelled bac", it grew grey and finally, at the furthest reaches, some si6 hundred years into its past, it was red*gold li"e the first flowers on the mountain after the winter snow %t would never be cut 1ot until she stood at her window and loo"ed out on the sunlit orchards again )he sat on the stool, for it was no longer comfortable or possible for her to sit in a high*bac"ed chair, so great was the weight of her burden Her room was furnished with a few items that she had salvaged after the dar" began , meagre and small selection of treasured boo"s * the sort that did not need a powered screenP a bust of the scribe DuartinianP a compendium of games and a faded display of dried blooms in a glass cabinet #he big furniture was worn, but still attentive %t was dominated by a heavy dressing table, over whose e6pansive mirrors %nnocet had draped a heavy shawl , tiny, aged voice nearly bro"e her concentration '$hen's he coming? He said he'd be here ' '$ho?' intoned %nnocet, willing the ne6t card into the air (ousin Iobis"a sat huddled in the corner of a gigantic armchair )he was so old and tiny that her head nodded when she spo"e '$hat's*his*name ' Page E '/wis?' suggested %nnocet wearily Iobis"a had come to visit her two candledays ago and had dropped no hint of leaving yet '1o, that wasn't it He was a (ousin of mine, dear ' %nnocet lowered the Du"e of Dominoes again '$e're all your (ousins here '

'%t was ,r"hew,' the old lady declared 'He promised me a game of )epulchasm ' )he fell silent, so %nnocet too" the opportunity to levitate the Du"e of Dominoes into position on the card mansion ,s she balanced the disc*card on its edge, she heard a sob from Iobis"a's chair #he old lady's face had crumpled up li"e a wi-ened nut '#a"e me home, dear,' she pleaded '% want to go home ' %nnocet did not dare ta"e her concentration from the hovering card '%t's a long way bac" to your room,' she said 'You stay here and %'ll ta"e you home once candledar" is over ' Iobis"a shoo" her teary head '1o, no % don't mean that home % mean Home home ' #o %nnocet's relief, the door opened and (ousin /wis appeared %f he was polite, she "new that he had been up to no good, but there was no point in arguing now He rested his chin on the tall table and eyed the card mansion '% thought you'd given up doing those things,' he said '#hey always fall down ' '#he House is disturbed tonight,' replied %nnocet /wis giggled '%s that more disturbed than usual?' ',r"hew? %s that you?' called Iobis"a from her chair Page 1F /wis turned with a grin 'Hello, granny,' he said condescendingly '%'m /wis, remember?' 'You don't have to shout,' retaliated the old woman '%'m four thousand, three hundred and thirty*two, you "now .ifth regeneration ' '/wis,' insisted %nnocet, 'employ yourself purposefully and give her a game of )epulchasm ' Iobis"a chortled with delight as a s0uare pedestal trundled itself across the room /n it sat the model of a hilly landscape , winding path travelled between several miniature houses /wis produced a die and some coloured to"ens, three for each player %gnoring their e6cited shouts, %nnocet began to raise the final cards on the mansion )he set the #wo of Deeps and the #welve of /wls in place and was willing the final card, the Hand of )ouls, into the air when there was uproar from the game 'He's cheating8' shrie"ed Iobis"a 'He's willing his counters to change colour so he's got more points8' '% did not8' /wis e6claimed '% saw you8' /wis flopped bac" in his chair '#his is boring #he board hasn't chasmed yet ' %nnocet shivered as a sudden chill too" her #he card mansion teetered slightly '$here's ,r"hew?' she said sternly /wis shrugged none too convincingly 'Haven't seen him for candledays,' he lied $ith a manufactured boom, the top of the game board crac"ed across and gaped wide ')epulchasm8' called Iobis"a triumphantly /wis, frowning absurdly, struggled to will his counters to hover over the miniature abyss He failed hopelessly ,ll the counters tumbled slowly out of sight into the pedestal , fresh 7udder trembled through the House %nnocet teetered on her perch #he mansion of cards slid and clattered across the table )he stared at the configuration they had made #he same shape they fell into every time she tried to divine the future by this method 9very time since the dar" disgrace had begun #hey always fell in the ancient redHblac" circle symbol of Death !ut this time there was a difference ,bove the table in the air, where it had been resting as the topmost card, spun the Hand of )ouls !ut it was no longer that card at all ,t every turn it was a different sign * a (loud, a #ear, then an /wl %nnocet cursed #he card was the 3ogue * always hidden, changing suits as it moved through the pac" * and she had not recogni-ed it )he started to tremble %n the spinning and win"ing of the candlelit card, she saw a great disaster approaching ,gain, the House shuddered in anticipation Page 11

#here was a toc", followed by a tic" %nside the cloc"'s eye, ,r"hew felt the clan" of ancient wheels starting to turn He scrambled to force a way out, but the gap closed as the spheres began to turn slowly inside each other #hrough the crossing lattices, he saw the little planets of +allifrey's solar system start to travel along their orbital wires in the false s"y #he fro-en gas giant Polarfrey came into con7unction with its fiery opposite Narn ,n astrological figure galloped along the rising ring of the asteroid archipelago %t was Nasterborous the .ibster, the mythological Hero himself, pulling the chariot of silver fire to which he had been yo"ed by the +ods ,ncient dust, thrown up by the sudden movement, clagged in the terrified ,r"hew's throat and started to cho"e him %nnocet felt the fit ta"e its hold )he saw /wis peering down at her He was mouthing something she could not ma"e out #hen the second sight, which had always been the first true vision, too" possession of what she saw Her head 7er"ed bac" Her mouth gaped open .rom her throat came a mysterious whee-ing* vworping*groaning noise

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter .ive Page 1 Disturbing the Dust (hris stood in the police*bo6 entrance to the #,3D%), s0uinting round the half*open door %n an effort to lighten the situation, he had put on the loudest shirt he could find@ big orange and lemon slices on a dar"* blue bac"ground, with a pair of white shorts #he sort of thing he wanted to wear on 96tans )uperior * tac"y tourist era, not idyllic arcadia !ut when he got bac", the console room doors were open and the Doctor had gone .rom the police*bo6 door, (hris could see a tall room lit by only by the single large oil lamp that the Doctor was carrying #he sloping walls stretched into the gloom beyond the pool of light #hey were formed on a framewor" of white branches that tapered upward into dar"ness Half attic, half forest path that had accidentally strayed indoors #he Doctor was moving stealthily away through a clutter of stac"ed furniture and picture frames #he furniture dwarfed him He loo"ed as if he had been shrun"en by about a thirdP or as if the massive furniture had been built for giants /ccasionally, he stood on tiptoe to loo" at something on a tabletop !y stooping, he could wal" under the taller chairs 9ven so, he seemed reluctant actually to touch anything (hris fle6ed the fingers of one hand round the hot mug of tea he was carrying He had a root beer in the other #he Doctor suddenly straightened up, muttered something li"e 'that's 0uite enough of that', and headed bac" towards the #,3D%) (hris waited until he had almost reached the door, before emerging and bloc"ing the way '#here you are % brought you this,' he said, holding out the tea Page &

Page 5 #he startled Doctor loo"ed at the mug and too" it in his free hand (hris grasped the opportunity and slid past into the dar" room #he air was warm and stale with a sort of earthy dampness that cloyed in the throat '+loomy,' he said, testing the ominously crea"ing floor with his foot '$hat made us put down here?' '% don't "now,' flustered the Doctor '#ime to go ' He loo"ed from one occupied hand to the other, unable to stop (hris moving further across the area '(hris,' he hissed '%nside now8' '/N, /N 1o rush 1o one's been here for years #his stuff's really built for big people, isn't it?' #he Doctor harrumphed '%'ve seen bigger '

(hris put his beer on a tabletop level with his chest He stooped to peer at its carved legs 1ot really table legs as such, but forelimbs and hind 0uarters, carved in anatomical detail He saw a movement near the floor and crouched to loo" '!ring the lamp over, Doctor,' he called #he Doctor snatched the bottle off the table and rubbed at the tell*tale ring it had left on the surface ')orry,' he said, possibly to the table, before turning bac" to (hris '(hristopher, come away now ' Page : ';oo" at this,' said (hris gleefully He pointed to the foot of a dusty table leg #he talons of its sculpted brass claw were slowly stretching themselves as if they belonged to some drowsy animal #he Doctor grabbed (hris by the arm and started hauling him bac" towards the ship 'Don't see what the fuss is about,' complained (hris '1ever mind8' #hey were passing a monumental eye*shaped mirror that hung on one of the white tree branches , dust web the si-e of a tent, which was stretched across the mirror, rippled and seemed to reach towards them !ehind it, a small gold light flic"ered and something whirred into life , strand of web drifted into (hris's eye %t stung fiercely $ith a yelp, he yan"ed free of the Doctor's grip, rubbing at the pain 'Don't touch it Don't touch it8' He heard the Doctor's voice, but it was a distant echo #he sting intensified He flailed out with a hand and caught the web, dragging full across his face His whole face stung His vision clouded He felt sic" He struc" out at things and heard the Doctor's yell of pain #hen he "eeled over Page < #he wallop of hitting the floor seemed to "noc" some sense bac" into him %n a moment, he was standing up again His head felt strangely light He loo"ed down and saw the Doctor crouching on the floor over a prostrate shape %t too" a moment for him to reali-e that the shape was his own body #he Doctor struggled to turn the body over He muttered something and pulled strands of web off the body's face with a pair of twee-ers (hris couldn't hear because his head was suddenly full of noise Boices were whispering and laughing and crying and calling as if an invisible crowd was passing by #he lightheadedness was increasing %t was lifting him off the floor He was drifting towards the big mirror He saw his own reflection coming up to meet him His hand went out, but it passed straight into its mirror image and he followed, sliding through the surface of the glass li"e water #he Doctor was not in the reflected room #he only light came through the mirror %t shone li"e a window bac" into reality )oon the light faded and the piles of bric*a*brac around him dissolved into dar"ness !ut (hris still heard the voices He was drifting downward, sin"ing through the floor into the house below 1ew lights dancing in and out li"e reflections patterning a "aleidoscope More and more lights Myriad reflections of reflections stretching away from him #he white branches which grew through the house seemed to be bending and crea"ing in the wind #he voices were gradually hushed and a dreadful silence fell #he place was holding its breath %t was li"e the moment before a storm Page > %n a huge, high*ceilinged "itchen, (hris saw two massive creatures, nearly two and a half metres tall, with hard angular faces carved of wood 9ven the long cassoc" s"irts that they wore resembled wooden panels, but the substance moved and folded li"e heavy material #he creatures were oblivious of (hris as they unloaded trays of steaming delicacies from the vast ovens /n the tables sat a number of e6travagantly garnished dishes #here were pyramids of bulbous fruit, li"e gourds , shovel*bea"ed animal with horns had been roasted whole %t had a purple fruit stuffed in its bea" and yellow berries were studded along its gla-ed body #he coo"s were preparing a ban0uet, but there was no smell from their culinary labours %t was dreamli"e ,ll around, solid, but at a distance too

#he "itchen dissolved in a welter of steam (hris was floating along passages and galleries bordered by the tall white tree trun"s that grew through the house's whole structure %t was all on the wrong scale ,ll the furniture was as massive as the stuff in the attic He felt li"e a child wandering amongst it #ime didn't seem to matter here %t occurred to (hris, but didn't unduly worry him, that he might be dead .rom a high window, he loo"ed out over a valley where rows of silver*leafed trees ran down to a sna"ing river far below #he place was perched halfway up a mountainside ,nother mountain rose on the other side of the valley, behind which an apricot*coloured sun would soon have sun" Directly below the window, in a garden shaped li"e a basin, there were interlacing lines of plants that wound and tangled in coloured "nots ,t its centre, on a raised plinth, stood a weather*worn statue wielding a blac" rod #he rod's crystal head refracted the sunlight as a bright spear down on to the patterned garden (hris guessed that the entire garden was an elaborate sundial or possibly an even more intricate timepiece Page A ,nother wing of the house e6tended to the side $hite tree trun"s also grew on the building's outer walls #hey appeared to be an integral part of the architecture, a tracery into which the stone and wooden walls were fused, or even grown Here and there, outcrops of blue foliage, either from a rambling creeper or as if the house itself had come into leaf #he curving roof rose above the gables li"e the scaly carapace of a slate*grey pangolin (hris drifted on He passed framed portraits of grumpy characters in lordly historical dress, none of whom would have recogni-ed a smile if it had come up and bit them He rounded a corner and saw one of the huge wooden servants, striding directly down on him, carrying a blac" ob7ect on a silver tray 1o time to hide His stomach churned as it wal"ed straight through him +asping for air, he stared after it in disbelief %t had ignored him %mpossible 1o one missed this shirt He reached out to steady himself against a table His hand slid through the hard wood 1o sensation at all He tried again with the same result .or a moment he stood, heart racing, then he smac"ed his fist into the wall and nearly fell in after it He pulled bac", s0uee-ing one hand hard in the other He didn't e6ist He really was dead ',nybody there?' he yelled aloud 'Hello8' %t was an odd sound 1o resonance, as if it was echoing only inside his empty head He came up in a cold sweat #he wooden giant was disappearing round the turning at the end of the long corridor %t had not heard him He shouted as loudly as his throat could muster and ran after the creature Page C He reached the far corner 7ust as the servant disappeared into a side room along the ne6t passage #he door closed behind the creature (hris slowly approached the entrance, listening to the muffled cursing of an old woman that came from inside He put his fingers to the wood and they slid right in He decided with relief that the place was a holo*environsP something li"e the ,cademy simulator ranges on Ponten %B or (aptain Iamboree's .un*dungeon of Mystery at ;unar Par" where he hung about as a "id #han" the +oddess for this solution He didn't believe in ghosts and he wasn't going to start now He straightened and brushed at his shirt as if he was about to enter the ,d7udicator /fficers' Mess at the ,cademy for the first time #hen he wal"ed slowly through the closed door , large room, with threadbare tapestries hanging from the tree*pillars, was dominated by a large roc"ing chair #he chair was carved li"e a hand, its fingers forming the bac" %n the hand's cupped palm sat the old woman, small, not giant*si-ed at all, but vigorously fierce, her grey hair in disarray )he was staring almost directly at the door where (hris stood, and he flinched at the maliciousness of her glare !ut she couldn't see him )he cursed loudly again and snatched the blac" ob7ect from her attendant's silver tray * a blac" bonnet which she planted over her wild hair )he scowled while the wooden maid ad7usted the ribbons and tried to tuc" the loose strands of hair inside Page E

/pposite her stood a dressing table carved in the house's animalistic style with a trio of loo"ing glasses set on it #he old woman glared angrily at the mirrors %t was all wrong #he central glass reflected the wrong room (hris moved closer #he mirror loo"ed into another room in the house, where a very old man sat upright in a big chair His ancient head nodded in apparent irritation His bony fingers tapped out the time on the carved arms of his chair His feet did not touch the floor He wore elaborate robes, too big for his frail demeanour /ccasionally, he glanced directly out of the mirror as if he "new only too well that he was being spied on #he old woman cac"led to herself Her servant loo"ed on, its carved, androgynous mas" of a face devoid of emotion )uddenly the air moved #here was a second figure standing beside (hris , ratty little man had 7ust wal"ed through the closed door He had ragged clothes and corpse*coloured s"in, and he returned (hris's loo" of disbelief with eyes li"e roundels , mutual reali-ation that each could see the other He gasped, cringed and turned tail bac" through the door Page 1F (hris grabbed at the little man, but missed #here was a cry from behind him He turned and saw the old woman, her eyes darting in his general direction as if she had half glimpsed a ghost He slid through the door into the passage #here was no sign of the little guy, but in the distance, where dus" was already gathering, he saw a light coming from under another door $ithout thin"ing, he was drawn towards the glow Halfway there he reali-ed that his legs weren't even moving He passed straight through the wall into the full lamplight #hree people were in the room #wo of them, both men, stood beside a crouching des" which was strewn with documents /ne was elderly with coarse blac" hair, one metre eighty*five, angular, wearing a dar"* green robe #he other was a soldier, uniformed and helmeted in scarlet and white #he man in green scooped up the documents and glared round 'My (ousin %nnocet )he's been here,' he said, his rage barely contained '%'ll "ill her ' (hris loo"ed at the third figure )he was standing right ne6t to him where he had come through the wall, oblivious of his presence )he held herself flat against the hidden side of a painted screen , tall woman, taller than (hris, two metres at least, but still dwarfed by the furniture )he was pale*s"inned, with shoulder*length red hair braided in a plait, wearing a rust*coloured gown, and a loo" of utter terror on her face Page 11 '% have to leave, sir,' said the soldier '%'m overdue at the (apitol $hat do you want me to deliver?' #he man in green too" a moment to sift through the papers '%t's gone,' he said #he woman swallowed hard )he was unable to move %n her hand, she was clutching a document ')tolen?' said the soldier 'Mislaid,' the man in green said firmly '% have a copy, (aptain You can ta"e that to the ,gency %t'll be enough ' (hris began to suspect that these were events that he was supposed to see ,ll part of the program Page 1& #he woman moved slightly and her gown rustled #he man in green and the captain e6changed glances #hey scrutini-ed the room and started to move around the furniture (hris watched, intrigued, uncertain whether, or even how, to intervene in the holoprogram #he woman loo"ed as if she would either scream or faint at any second '(urtain,' ordered the man in green and the heavy drapes by the window lifted themselves to reveal nothing behind them #he two men turned towards the screen

(aught by that moment, (hris moved out into the room and shouted 1o one heard him He ran at the des" and pushed at the stac" of files on its top His hands went straight through them !ut there must have been some miniscule reaction, because three pieces of paper lifted off the surface and fluttered to the floor #he two figures turned towards the movement, wal"ing bac" to the des" #hey glanced at each other again ')creen,' ordered the man in green Page 15 #he painted screen folded itself up neatly, but there was no one behind it .rom his vantage point, (hris saw a panel in the side of an alcove close silently #he others missed it 'You said you had another copy of the document, sir,' said the captain #he man in green scowled with embarrassed anger He slid a folded paper out of his robe '#welve hundred panda"s to ma"e the delivery ' #he captain paused #hen he too" the document and put it in his case '%'m sorry about the business of the edict, sir ' 'You're 7ust the messenger, (aptain #he House's name will be cleared ' (hris was suddenly sin"ing through the floor )how over, he thought $hat ne6t? He was up to his chest in an animal*pelt rug when a cold thought dawned on him Maybe the program was more interactive than he first thought /r maybe the nightmares he'd been having weren't finished yet )uppose he was trapped inside his own head

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter )i6 Page 1 Mingling ,lmoner (rest Yeu6 was do-ing in his office, when the alert came through , direct visual feed showed him the source of a disturbance at the )paceH#ime ,ccessions !ureau #he elderly )urveillance ,ctuary Hofwinter was being harangued by no less than the ;ady ;eelandredboomsagwinaechegesima ';isten, old one ' )he was stabbing at the air with her finger '(ontact the Doctor now, or %'ll %'ll ' '$hat Doctor? Doctor who?' 0uavered Hofwinter, physically shrin"ing from this alarming woman 'You must be more specific, madam ' '#he Doctor who was your President ' Yeu6 craned forward in his chair '/h, that Doctor,' said Hofwinter 'President .ly*by*night $ell, %'m afraid % can't help on that count Have you tried the President's office? #hat's what they deal with there, you "now Presidents %t's all 0uite logical ' '#he President is not on +allifrey,' protested the ;ady '3eally?' Yeu6 started to access ;eela's personal ,gency records on a secondary plasma port Page & %n the !ureau, Hofwinter was sha"ing his head 'Bery sorry, madam %'m sure her office will assist you, unless they've all disappeared too /r perhaps the (astellan could be of help ' '(astellan ,ndred is busy,' she said firmly 'Drilling the (hancellery +uard to escort more alien dignitaries?' said Hofwinter ')o sorry Pressing wor" +ood day ' He immersed himself in a pile of accession invoices Yeu6 watched ;ady ;eelandredloomsagwinaechegesima turn on her heel and vanish from his screen #he fact that this very e6citable woman was consort to the (itadel's (astellan, a member of both the High and %nner (ouncils, was surely a grave threat to security ,nd she was un*+allifreyan too He couldn't understand how that had been overloo"ed in the process of ,ndred's promotion He studied the readout on the other display #he woman's status was briefly given, but with no reference to her involvement with the Doctor .urther in*depth data was bloc"ed by a caveat@ all reports to be referred to the ,gency's ,llegiance (ommand (ell Yeu6 filed an immediate memo concerning ;ady ;eela's attempts to contact a "nown subversive and her "nowledge of the President's activities #he response was almost immediate, as he had come to e6pect from his masters in the ,llegiance (ommand (ell of the (elestial %ntervention ,gency ;et her continue, it instructed ,lready under observation ,nd it added@ 1icely done, old boy Dinner tomorrow? Duartinian .aculty? %t was signed . )atisfied, Yeu6 poured himself another glass of tea and added a tot of magenta rum '+ive ;ady ;eela enough clear water and she'll li0uidate herself ' Page 5 #he cavernous hall was empty (hris watched the last rays of dappled sunlight playing through the high windows across the wooden floor #he hall was galleried on several levels right up to its rafters, and the balconies were festooned with green and silver garlands ,t one end of the area, beneath an intricate astronomical cloc", stood a carved plinth, bo6*shaped li"e a sarcophagus 9ven at a distance, he could sense the energy emanating from the ob7ect %t was more than alive@ it was dense with a concentrated life force He rec"oned it was the source of the holo*environs #hen the furniture began to move #he massive tables, chairs and candelabra slid and scuttled across the floor, li"e a herd on the move 9ventually they arranged themselves, with much shuffling, into ordained positions along the length of the hall ;i"e roo"ie cadets getting on parade, thought (hris ,s the sun

finally vanished behind the mountain, the lamps lit themselves all along the galleries that overloo"ed the hall He waited in the silence for the event that must surely be the clima6 of the program )uddenly he was standing in a crowd of e6travagantly robed guests #hey filled the hall (hris had only seen this sort of social event when he was drafted in on security surveillance at the /vercity ,d7udicator %ntendant's annual dinner dance .ancy dress bepple optional He was still invisible and could move easily among the guests He'd rather do that than wal" straight through them 9verywhere, the furniture and fittings of the building were too big for the people who lived there #hey had thrown the +iant out of his castle and moved themselves in #he great tables were laid with all the sumptuous festive food that (hris had seen in the "itchen Page : '% see (ousin 3ynde has done us proud again,' declared one of the guests and he raised his goblet to the throng ',n auspicious /therstide to us all8' ',nd a thoroughly ill*7udged time to choose for a Deathday,' complained another '%'m supposed to be at the #ercentennial /bservation ,rchivists' /therstide )toc"ta"e Dinner You would have thought old Duences could have held on a bit longer ' '/h, stop gri--ling,' said the first, who was robed in brown ',t least it gets two visits to the House out of the way at once ' )everal of the company nodded in agreement '% suppose none of us come home these days e6cept for ;oomings and #ombings,' he continued '3ec"on you're up for anything in Duences's will, (ousin?' #he second, who was wearing a blac" tunic, shoo" his head grimly '1ot a solitary bra-en panda" #he /rdinal*+eneral never had any time for me ' '1one of us were good enough,' agreed a third '#he sour old snudge*snout wouldn't even recommend me for a post at the !ureau of #emporal ,nomalies He said ,verages (ler" wasn't good enough a position for a member of the .amily ' Page < 'He did 7ust the same to (ousins (elesia and ,lmund,' said !lac" #unic '!esides, we all "now who's going to get the inheritance ' )o it's a funeral, thought (hris Maybe this /rdinal*+eneral guy's died in mysterious circumstances Maybe that's the point of the program 'You can't mean that (ousin +lospin will inherit everything,' said !rown 3obe He stared round at the gathering 'He's not even here yet ' !lac" #unic gave a condescending smile 'He's the obvious successor and heir ' ',nd he's )atthralope's favourite,' piped in the third !rown 3obe laughed aloud ')urely that's enough to condemn him completely Duences would count him out on principle ' '%t's true,' said another bystander '!ut have you heard the other rumour?' He lowered his voice as everyone in earshot clustered round '% heard that +lospin's post as a (ellular 9ugenicist is a complete sham ' '(itadel gossip,' sneered !lac" #unic '1o, listen,' continued the spea"er '(ousin +lospin has been seen on several occasions entering and leaving the (itadel (onstraint !loc" ' '+reat grief,' whispered !rown 3obe '#he %ntervention ,gency,' said the third Page >

(hris noted the nervous glances that passed around the group 9ven !lac" #unic drained his goblet without comment #he ,gency's name seemed to cast a pervasive gloom '.ront or bac" entrance?' as"ed somebody brightly, but was ignored #he lengthy silence was finally disrupted by a hoot of laughter from across the hall #he guests turned to stare in disapproval '$ho's that?' said !rown 3obe , young man, podgy with curly brown hair, was helping himself to a plateful of food from the tables '(ousin /wis,' said !lac" #unic '#he unspea"able little oi" is the 3eplacement ' '$hy? $ho else has died?' '1o, no He's the 3eplacement ' !rown 3obe assumed a loo" of stunned surprise '% didn't reali-e the House had actually +reat grief #here'll be all bells bla-ing in )epulchasm when the authorities find out % assume it's the 3eplacement for ' His voice tailed off and he grimaced 'Duiet,' hissed !lac" #unic ')atthralope's forbidden that name in the House !ut you're correct@ /wis is the 3eplacement for whom you imagine #hey say Duences never got over the disinheritance ' Page A '+reat grief ' !rown 3obe glanced around the hail again '/ur .amily really is an unutterable shambles8' He smir"ed '.ive thousand panda"s on +lospin not getting a thing in the will ' 'Done,' said !lac" #unic and they lin"ed croo"ed fingers on it (hris wondered how anyone in a family could be a replacement for someone else * was it a recogni-ed 7ob that could be applied for, wherever here was e6actly? He made his way across the room to where a group of guests had gathered to watch the pudgy (ousin called /wis He had climbed on to a chair to reach the food and was piling it into a precarious pyramid on his plate ,s he tried to 7uggle a stuffed blue fruit on to the side, a woman came pushing through the crowd )he still wore the rust*coloured robes she had worn when (hris had seen her in the study '/wis,' she said sharply '$hat did we learn yesterday about 1o?' /wis, suddenly crestfallen, studied her over the top of his stac"ed plate '!ut (ousin %nnocet, it's /therstide , holiday Have you seen these dactyl eggs? #hey've been shipped in especially from 3inged Yufre6 ' '%t is also a grave and solemn occasion,' said %nnocet coldly '(ome down off there $hat do you thin" )atthralope will say if you're caught misbehaving on the /rdinal*+eneral's Deathday?' Page C /wis discarded his plate and clambered sul"ily down (hris loo"ed round at the other mourners and didn't see anyone else loo"ing very grave or solemn #hen he noticed one figure who was totally out of place %t was the pale little man in ragged clothes whom he'd seen in the old woman's room He was wal"ing among the guests, staring each of them in the face with a loo" of frightened bewilderment in his huge eyes #he guests never noticed him He actually 7umped as he saw (hris and duc"ed away through the crowd (hris moved after him ,s the little man started running, (hris cut straight through the images of the hologram family He caught up with the man, tac"ling him with a desperation that floored them both beside the garlanded plinth '$ho are you?' (hris demanded '$here is this? How do % get out?' #he little man was sha"ing 'Don't touch me,' he "ept saying '%'m the only thing here that can touch you,' said (hris ')o you'd better tell me what planet this is and who you are ' #he little man's eyes welled with tears He pointed miserably at one of the guests '%'m him ' Page E

(hris turned to loo" #he resemblance was e6traordinary, e6cept that the guest was considerably younger and plumper His clothes were new and he had the hearty colour of someone who wor"ed in the open ')o it's a home holovid of some special occasion and we're stuc" inside it,' (hris said #he little man was starting to sha"e again '%t's not a recording %t's real #his is what happened %t's happening again ' (hris sat down on the floor He didn't want to spend the rest of his life trapped inside someone else's family schloc"*vid, dragged out only when the relations called or the guys got drun" and wanted a laugh '$hat's your name?' he said firmly He pointed to the young version '$hat's his name?' ;eave me alone ' '1ame,' demanded (hris #he man's face crumpled and the tears rolled strea"s down his grimy face #he crying rapidly became a shuddering torrent of despair li"e the unleashing of something that had been bottled up for years (hris leant aw"wardly in and put an arm round his shoulders '%t's /N %t's /N,' he said uselessly and tried to contain the sha"ing while the ghost family milled around them ',r"hew,' cho"ed the little man eventually 'My name's ,r"hew ' He repeatedly used his grubby sleeve to wipe his nose '%'m (hris (we7,' said (hris gently '%'m here to help ' Page 1F 'Have you really come to get us out?' ,r"hew clutched (hris's arm in anger '$hy now? $hy did you wait? $hy didn't you come centuries ago?' (hris shoo" his head '%t's an accident % don't "now where % am % don't "now what this occasion is %'m not even sure if %'m alive ' ,r"hew too" his time before answering, gulping in air and snuffling a lot He "ept on ga-ing towards the windows and the gathering dus" outside '#his is /rdinal*+eneral Duences's Deathday %t's /therstide 9ve, si6 hundred and seventy*three years ago $e're all here ,ll the (ousins #his is the most miserable, cursed day in the House of ;ungbarrow's miserable, cursed life ' He began to shudder again 'Please, ma"e it stop % don't want to see )top it Don't let it get dar" again8'

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter )even Page 1 Dar"rise ,ndred's office was deserted when ;eela arrived 9ven his private secretary was absent, but NE had ways to bypass the security codes on the doors and they were inside soon enough ;eela sat in ,ndred's chair, her legs dangling over the arm, and tried to thin" ',waiting orders, Mistress,' said NE '$ho else "nows the Doctor, NE?' she as"ed 'Many people are ac0uainted with the Doctor*master )hall % list them by planetary location?' '/n +allifrey, % meant $ho are his friends? /ther than 3omana and ,ndred and )pandrell ,nd 3odan a bit ,nd Damon too, that strange one who is fifty times older than he loo"s ,nd there is me, of course ' '#here is NE, Mistress ' '/f course, there is you, NE !ut who else really "nows him well?' NE whirred with consideration 'Mistress? Does "to "now well" imply longest duration of ac0uaintance?' ;eela spun the chair on its pivot 'Possibly !ut if that was the case, then the people that anyone "nows best are their parents ' Page & '#here are no parents on +allifrey ' '1o,' she sighed '% thought that was sad ' '#herefore the Doctor's earliest ac0uaintances were his (ousins at the House of ;ungbarrow * no longer in e6istence ' '$e are going in circles,' she said, stopping the chair '#here must still be (ousins ' 'Mistress?' '#he Doctor's .amily People leave the village, NE %t's an initiation when they leave the tribe to hunt in the forest alone %t is only the House that has disappeared ' '#he House is the people,' said NE ;eela was astonished '!ut there must be records of other (ousins ' '1egative, Mistress 1o records % have chec"ed ' )he pulled at the beads in her hair '$hat happened to them? #hey cannot all be dead ' NE's head lowered '1o information, Mistress ' '#hen we must find some ' )he thought for a moment and said slowly, 'Do you "now Master ,ndred's security accession codes? #he ones that he will not give to me ' Page 5 '/ne moment,' said NE ,gain there was the whirring, which made her thin" he was receiving data from elsewhere ',ffirmative, Mistress % have the codes ' '$ell, do not tell me % must not "now ' ',ffirmative ' '1ow use the codes % do not "now about to access Master ,ndred's security system ' , sensor e6tended from the centre of NE's head and touched the console port on ,ndred's des" ')ystem accessed,' said NE, more 0uic"ly than turning a "ey '.rom here % have access to eighty*si6 thousand three hundred and forty*si6 other systems ' '+ood,' said ;eela 'He cannot have chec"ed all of those )ee if any of them ma"e a reference to the word ";ungbarrow" ' '$hy is everything so big here?' said (hris '% mean all the furniture?' ,r"hew snuffled into his sleeve again '%t's the House,' he said as if it was obvious 'Don't you have a home?' 'Yes, but not li"e this,' said (hris '$e sit down on chairs You have to climb up into them '

,r"hew loo"ed bewildered '% thought all Houses were the same %t's when you leave home that you grow up #he furniture here is big to ma"e you feel small ' Page : (hris stood 0uic"ly as the tall woman called %nnocet hurriedly pushed through the gathering towards them ;i"e someone on the run, he thought !ehind her, leaning heavily on a cane, came the elderly man in dar" green #he man who had been hunting her in the study '(ousin +lospin,' muttered ,r"hew, ma"ing no attempt to disguise his hatred '%'d guessed,' said (hris '%nnocet,' bar"ed +lospin '% want a word with you ' He caught her arm and pulled her into an alcove by one of the windows '#here were some documents that % left in my room, but someone has disturbed them ' 'Yes,' she said simply 'You were missed here % came to find you, but you were busy with your "visitor" from the (hapterhouse ' +lospin tapped his cane irritably on the floor He scowled round at the glances they were getting from the rest of the family (hris had moved in, followed by ,r"hew, to get a front*row seat #he old man leant in towards %nnocet and hissed, '#he captain has delivered the facility to transfer Duences's mind to the Matri6 on his death ,s is the custom ' '1aturally,' said %nnocet 'Hang on,' muttered (hris to ,r"hew 'Does that mean that Duences isn't dead after all?' Page < #he little man loo"ed at him in bewilderment 'He hasn't read his will yet ' ',nd the documents?' %nnocet continued '1ot a word8' warned +lospin '#hose are private papers which you had no business to read ' )he stared in disbelief 'You must be mad #his research of yours it's wild nonsense 1o one will believe you ' '% want the .amily purged once and for all of this monstrous infection ' '% forbid it,' she said '#hose documents will not go to the (hapterhouse ' His thin shoulders shoo" with laughter '%nnocet, %nnocet +o bac" to your boo"s ' '%f the (hapterhouse read those papers, ;ungbarrow will be a laughing stoc" #here's going to be enough trouble over /wis without you ma"ing things worse ' He was suddenly smooth and calm '% don't e6pect you to believe anything !ut you've read the proof in the documents already, so you "now %'m right 1ever mind the implications for our .amily, my discovery will turn all of history and all your precious classics on their heads ' '!lasphemy ' Her face was li"e stone '% don't "now who you're involved with, +lospin !ut %'ll not let you pass this irreverent nonsense on %'ll spea" to the captain myself ' Page > '#he captain's already gone %'m fully empowered to ma"e Duences's mind transfer myself ' He too" her arm 'Your devotion's very touching, (ousin !ut you can't argue with genetic proof You'll understand once the shoc"'s worn off /ur .amily's hatched a serpent in its clutch ,nd what a serpent8' 'He's still alive and still our (ousin )o /wis has no legal right to e6ist8' , moment of panic crossed %nnocet's implacable features 'You've seen him8 ,t the (apitol, you've visited *, '(areful,' he said '#hat name's forbidden, remember?' )he lowered her head, too" a deep breath and tried to compose herself '$hat have you done to your hand?' she said +lospin pulled down his sleeve, but (hris had noticed that the whole forearm had an inflamed burn scar '%t's nothing ,n accident at the 9ugenics .aculty %t'll heal 1ow give me bac" my document ' 'You have copies,' she said

Page A +lospin shoo" his old head 'Deep down in your hearts you "now %'m right You're too late, (ousin Duences will be here at any moment ,nd after the old fool's read out my inheritance, % shall assume my rightful place as new Nithriarch of the .amily ' '96cuse me, (ousins,' butted in /wis, who had been trying to attract their attention ')omeone says that as 3eplacements go, and given the fact that characteristics can s"ip a regeneration, % am almost half as intelligent as they might e6pect me to be ' He paused and loo"ed baffled '%s that a compliment?' 'Dolt8' +lospin raised his cane to stri"e /wis, but a deep gong boomed #he far doors of the hall flung themselves wide open ,r"hew gripped (hris's arm '%t's starting,' he whispered #he crowd of guests parted to let through the cortege ,t its head, carrying an ornate staff twice her height, was the old bonneted woman in blac" whom (hris had seen in the roc"ing chair )he scanned the .amily with a vicious eye as she ceremoniously led the way towards the raised plinth '$ho's grandma?' muttered (hris 'You mean (ousin )atthralope? )he's the House"eeper ' ,r"hew turned away, but (hris pulled him bac" '% thin" you'd better tal" me through this, ,r"hew,' he said '+ive me any detail you thin" is important Iust treat me as if % "now nothing ' 'My .amily are shameful,' said ,r"hew despairingly He nodded at the younger version of himself, who was pushing eagerly to the front of the crowd '#hey get what they deserve ' (hris shrugged ',ll families are li"e that You should hear my lot ' Page C !ehind )atthralope glided the two huge wooden servants 2the House Drudges, said ,r"hew4, their identically angular faces hard in the lamplight , massive ornamental bier trundled between them, apparently moving by itself %t was carved from blac" wood and covered with the fearsome beasts of a grotes0ue alien mythology #heir enamelled eyes rolled hungrily as the bier processed across the hail , carved tail sna"ed behind it High on the bier sat the wi-ened old man whom (hris had seen in )atthralope's mirror '/rdinal*+eneral Duences,' guessed (hris 'How come he's still alive at his own funeral?' #he old man was wrapped in furs His head drooped, apparently too heavy for his scrawny nec" to support 'He's the .amily Nithriarch,' said ,r"hew '#his is his chosen Deathday #hat's why he's riding the ceremonial catafal0ue He won't die until he has read out his will #hen he'll be interred in the .amily vaults under the House ' '%f he lasts that long,' (hris said, but the potential grisliness of the proceedings chilled him 'How old is he?' ,r"hew thought for a moment '% can't remember % "now it's a fair age He must be over seven thousand by now ' '$hat?' e6ploded (hris ')even thousand years?' Page E

Page 1F '+ive or ta"e a hundred,' said ,r"hew, ta"en abac" 'Don't forget that later regenerations tend to be shorter in their longevity ' 'Hang on a minute,' said (hris in gathering reali-ation '%s this +allifrey by any chance?' ,r"hew's 7aw dropped in incomprehension ')ilence8' shouted )atthralope and banged her staff on the floor '#he House of ;ungbarrow greets the reunion of its "ith on this occasion of solemnity, the thirteenth and final Deathday of its four hundred and twenty*second Nithriarch Duencessetianobayolocaturgrathadeyyilungbarrowmas ' , hand*li"e chair slid sedately up behind her and she climbed up into its palm )taring ahead, she waited for the old man enthroned on the massive bier to begin (hris moved forward through the gathering, sometimes literally through them, guiding ,r"hew in front of him He pointed to a stac" of ob7ects piled beside Duences's bier 'His Deathday presents,' said ,r"hew '#hey're interred with him in his vault ' Duences, his head nodding slightly, focused his watery eye on each of the crowd in turn Page 11 ,fter a while, the .amily began to mutter among themselves )atthralope's chair shifted its fingers irritably '$ell?' hissed the House"eeper 'Your audience is waiting Deliver that interminable speech you've been composing for the past year ' Duences cleared the phlegm from his throat '1o,' he croa"ed '1o? $hat do you mean "1o"?' #he old man gave a curdled moan '1ot until all the (ousins are assembled ' '$e are waiting,' she said emphatically as if the old man was half senile and deaf ',ll forty*four of us Do you want a roll*call?' He shoo" his head '1o 1o will*reading until all the (ousins are here ' #here was a loud animal snort of disapproval #he bestial catafal0ue on which the old man sat shuddered irritably 'Drudge8' called )atthralope to one of the servants '!ring me the .amily register ' ,s the creature glided away, the House"eeper leant sideways in her chair towards Duences Her face was lit with fury (hris moved in closer to hear as she muttered at the old man '% "now what you're up to % "now who you mean #his has been argued before #hat miscreant has been disinherited and banished from the .amily You did it yourself ' '#he matter was never settled,' growled Duences

Page 1& '/h, yes it was He is dead * or as good as * and he has been replaced ' , number of the (ousins turned to loo" at /wis, who was smiling gormlessly beside %nnocet '#he matter is not settled,' repeated Duences '1o will 1ot until %'m ready ' More rumours started to run through the crowd %t was reported that the House of ;ungbarrow was on the agenda at an emergency session of the (ouncil of (ardinals at Prydon (hapterhouse )omebody called out, '$hat about the birth of a 3eplacement (ousin? %sn't that illegal if no one's died?' )atthralope's chair reared up, raising the old woman high above the crowd '$ho's insulting the House? 3assilon's Death8 ,nyone who 0uestions this House's probity will answer to me8 How many more disinherited do you want?' 'How high can you count to?' hec"led another voice '$hat about our inheritance?' shouted another ,nd others called out in agreement ,r"hew san" to the floor, his hands dithering, sha"ing, imploring in the onset of a new panic 'Please stop it,' he whispered '% don't want to see % can't bear it 1ot again8' He made a sudden lunge and clamped himself to (hris's an"le #he young ,d7udicator was transfi6ed, unable to move as the little man clung on, unable not to witness the approaching horror Page 15 )ilence fell suddenly Duences was struggling to descend from his bier He allowed the remaining Drudge to help him to the floor and then brushed it away with contempt )atthralope made no attempt to help as he hobbled towards her chair and leant his weight on its bac" 'You mob of mil"y, self*scraping whiners $here's your sense of familial duty? You have as few wits between you as a rush of startled tafelshrews 1ot one of you 1o, not one is worthy to inherit my legacy ' More insults were flung by the crowd (hris glanced round and saw that +lospin was standing at the bac" His eyes were fi6ed on )atthralope , wic"ed smile was playing across his face )atthralope banged her staff for order ')ilence8 How much more shame will you pour on our House and on the ;oom that bore us all? Hasn't there been enough?' ,s if in answer, a shudder rumbled through the structure of the House ,r"hew yelped with fright His grip on (hris's an"le tightened '3ead the will8' shouted the (ousins '$hat about our inheritance8' '1ever8' Duences sat bac" down again '1ot until all the (ousins are here ' Page 1: '(an't you guess who he means?' called +lospin He began to push through the (ousins, swinging out at them with his stic" He reached the dais and turned to face his .amily 'Don't you "now who he's waiting for? %sn't it obvious?' ,nd (hris "new too #he (ousin whose name was bannedP who never turned up on timeP who had been so reluctant to stay #he shouting got worse ',ll right8' shouted )atthralope '%f that's what you want #hen we can all wait as long as Duences sees fit8' )he struc" her staff on the floor again #here was a whirring noise as the wheels and orbits of the cloc" above them began to turn $ith a dull clang, the cloc" started to chime #he great doors to the hall slammed themselves shut #he House began to tremble #he (ousins stared about them in alarm '1o8' shouted +lospin He lunged towards Duences, but faltered and stumbled His face went white as he clutched at his chest in pain He toppled to the sha"ing floor #he (ousins panic"ed, running wildly for the doors, only to find their paths bloc"ed by the towering Drudges (hris cried out as ,r"hew twisted his an"le #he little man was pointing up at the cloc" on the gallery , s"inny figure was turning and spinning on the intersliding dials %t was ,r"hew, his distant face contorted in a silent scream '%t's my dream,' ,r"hew was shouting 'My dream8'

,nd somewhere, (hris reali-ed, he was lying on an attic floor with web in his eyes 1ot my dream at all, he thought %'m being shown it, because someone wants me to "now #he tremor was deepening #he big tables suddenly stampeded across the hall, scattering food in their wa"e /ne (ousin was trampled in the rush Dust plumed down from the rafters !ats, disturbed from their roosts, flittered over the terrified (ousins' heads ,s the rumbling grew to a roaring 0ua"e, a dar"ness, far blac"er than the silvery twilight outside, rose ine6orably up the full length of the tall windows

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter 9ight Page 1 .ragments '$hat happens?' whispered (hris '$hat happens ne6t?' $ith the dar" came a silence that was stifling ,r"hew clung to (hris, too shoc"ed to spea" #he mirror of reality crac"ed and opened li"e a slowly e6ploding flower )natches of time, trapped in shards of shattered mirror glass, came spinning, oh so slowly, past them Different tableau6 trapped in different fragments, reflecting bac" and forth, creating corridors of 7angling light and echoes of the past@ the nightmare memories that haunt the dar"ened House (hris and ,r"hew stood together, timeless, as time itself danced and fragmented around them %n the Hall, the terrified (ousins are trying to drag open the great doors #he huge Drudges are forcing them bac" %nnocet stands on the dais )he is trying to calm the crowd of (ousins )omeone throws something %nnocet clutches at her face )he is bleeding where she has been hit %n a wooden bo6*trap, a little creature li"e a shrew is screaming Page & +lospin lies in bed, pale with a transfi6ed stare )atthralope sits beside him, roc"ing herself slowly as she holds his hand %n a sudden spasm, he clutches tightly at her arm #hen he falls bac", his fevered eyes close and his mouth drops open ,fter a moment, )atthralope ta"es a blac" rose from her bonnet and places it on his chest '+ood riddance,' muttered ,r"hew '$as he dead?' said (hris '$as +lospin dead?' '#hat finished off his schemes8' ,r"hew pointed to another mirror shard as it spun slowly past ';oo" over there ;oo" at the despair ' #he (ousins are gathered round the stone plinth in the hall #hey are clinging to it, li"e frightened "ids clinging to their mother #allow is dripping from a tilted candle %t drops into a dish of water forming white shapes li"e mushroom s"ulls %nnocet holds the candle, a loo" of fear and anger on her face Page 5 )atthralope rages at Duences in his room ,ccusing fingers and eyes He, far from frail, laughs at her as she storms out He turns to wor" on a huge furry shape that lies on a table )uddenly the reflection within the turning shard crac"s into do-ens of identical little reflections , double* bladed dagger held by a figure in blac" stabs Duences through both hearts Duences stares in disbelief his lips mouthing the word 'You' 'Murderer8' yelped ,r"hew '%t was him8 #hat's who did it8' '$ho?' said (hris 'He came bac" to do it8 %t was him8' $ine is spilling off the table (hris grabbed ,r"hew by the shoulders '$ho "illed the old man?' he demanded 'Murderer, murderer ' gasped the little man Page : )atthralope stares at them from the surface of a turning mirror shard Her chair roc"s bac" and forth )oothing, lulling ,lthough (hris could not hear her, he understood the words she was mouthing@ '1ot dead Iust in stasis Iust waiting He's not dead '

, cortege is passing by /n the monstrous catafal0ue lies the body of murdered Duences '1ot dead Iust waiting $aiting in stasis $e're all waiting ' '%s it over?' ,r"hew stared imploringly up at (hris '%s the waiting over?' '% don't "now % don't understand,' stuttered the young ,d7udicator #he violence of the murder had shoc"ed him cold '$ho was it? $ho "illed the old man? How long ago?' '#oo long ' ,r"hew was drifting, moving slowly away '1o,' he said angrily '1othing changes ' '$hat do % do?' called (hris ')how me8' '$e've already been shown8' (hris saw a bright eye approaching in the dar" %t pulled hungrily at him %t was the mirror through which he had entered this nightmare Page < ,r"hew was already a distant figure in the gloom '#he will,' he was intoning '#hat's all that's left $here is the will?' 'Danger, Mistress Danger8' NE retracted his sensor from the operations port and bac"ed away from ,ndred's des" ;eela turned the chair to see a (hancellery guard captain standing in the office doorway #here were two other guards with him ')tay there,' she muttered to NE ';ady ;eelandredloomsagwinaechegesima?' the captain said formally )he stood and wal"ed round the des" ';eela is enough ' ,s he stepped into the room, she saw that it was Iomde" '% am here to place you under arrest,' he announced '.or what crime?' Page > '.or using false security clearance codes to access classified information and bio*e6tracts from the (itadel security systems ' '#hose are the (astellan's codes,' protested ;eela '!ut they are not yours, madam Does (astellan ,ndred "now you've been using them?' 'He is not here,' she snapped '#hen the charge is treason ' '% want to see the (astellan ' 'He will be informed ' Iomde" started towards her, but she darted bac" round the des" to where NE was waiting '#hese are traitors,' she whispered '+et the information we have found to ,ndred ' 'Danger8' warned the robot dog and e6tended the gun barrel from his nose , guard with a ceremonial impulse staser came round the side of the des" '1o, NE8' shouted ;eela, too late , thin beam of hard light stabbed from NE's gun and the guard's staser was "noc"ed from his hand He fell bac" clutching his smo"ing glove Page A !efore NE could turn round in the tight space, (aptain Iomde" rounded the other end of the des" , wild bolt from his gun scorched ;eela's arm and hit NE s0uarely on the flan" #he robot lurched sideways into the des", gave a s0ueal of protest and stopped dead )mo"e whisped out of his 7oints ;eela grabbed at her companion, but the second guard pulled her roughly up )he angrily elbowed him in the stomach ,s he sprawled across the floor, she turned to Iomde" '#raitor8 You cannot arrest me without the (astellan's orders ' Iomde" raised an eyebrow '#here are higher authorities than the (hancellor and her (astellan,' he said

'$hen ,ndred learns of this, he will have you stripped of your ran" and publicly dishonoured ' ',s long as he isn't found guilty too,' said Iomde" '!ring the alien,' he instructed the guards and wal"ed out of the office #he guards loo"ed at ;eela and then at each other )he loo"ed down at the lifeless NE '.ollow,' she snapped at the guards and wal"ed out with them trailing behind Page C (hris (we7 forced open his eyes and stared woo-ily at the dar" overhead #he air was close and stale #he floor was hard under him Hard enough to ma"e him thin" that he might be awa"e for once /r was he 7ust lurching from one nightmare to another? 1o change there, asleep or awa"e Maybe his life was a string of bad dreams , string that someone was pulling tighter so that the dreams were bunching up * no telling one from the ne6t , string on which to wal" the high wire $hoa, thought (hris $e're getting dangerously philosophical here #here was something soft under his head that tic"led He sat up and found that it was the Doctor's pullover, neatly folded into a pillow 1o sign of the Doctor himself (hris's s"in itched He loo"ed down at his clothes He was covered in dust He snee-ed loudly and heard something s0uea" and scuttle behind him , small occasional table, startled by the snee-e, had fro-en in mid*perambulation %t swayed towards him a little as if it was curious (hris snee-ed again and the table scuttled for cover in the dar" on its spindly legs 'Damn,' muttered (hris ')till here ' He scratched his bare arms, trying to shift the gritty dust )ometimes it wasn't worth having a bath %f this was +allifrey, he wasn't impressed #he place had gone to seed long ago )i6 hundred and seventy* three years ago to be e6act /r so he had been told Page E 1earby was the eye*shaped mirror hung with shreds of torn web #he Doctor's oil lamp sat high on another table 1e6t to it, on the surface of the table, the words (H3%) * )#,Y P=# * D/1'# #/=(H ,1Y#H%1+ had been written neatly in the dust (hris lifted the lamp and tried to ma"e out the #,3D%) by the guttering flame, but the police bo6 was nowhere to be seen in the gloom 'Doctor?' he called in a stage whisper, cautious of what he might disturb, He edged between the massive furniture, afraid it might ta"e a disli"e to him and crush him between its angular fitments He reached the edge of a small clearing in the bric*a*brac where the shadows were particularly reluctant to disperse He could 7ust ma"e out a stac" of frames at the far side which he did not recogni-e )o where the hell was the #,3D%)? )omewhere on 96tans )uperior, there was a rose coral beach where a hover*hammoc" was floating by an antigrav tray on which sat two s"yscraper glasses of a drin" li"e the indigo moonrise on /eba0ul Qo #hat's what the brochure said His name was already on the lime slice in one glass #he other glass was reserved for someone he hadn't met 7ust yet #he hammoc", swaying deliciously, was big enough for two !ut, +oddess ,lmighty, the Doctor had gone without him Page 1F (hris stepped forward and his foot "ept going ,s he toppled into the dar", he dropped the lamp and lunged sideways His arm caught on a heavy chair and he scrambled to claw a grip on its smooth hide upholstery #he lamp shattered in the dar" well somewhere far below #he chair, crea"ily protesting, dragged itself away, pulling (hris up out of the hole as it went He lay on the edge of the chasm, gasping bac" his breath His "nee was wet, cut on 7agged wood He was in total dar"ness He was alone Despite all the soul*searching and inner harmoni-ing of Doa*no* nai*heya Monastery, he really missed 3o- #hey'd told him he would

He dared not move %f the #,3D%) had really fallen through the crea"y floor, had the Doctor been inside? /r had he and his ship 7ust flown away for good? .led the scene of the crime, leaving (hris stranded He wondered how long this place had really been neglected How far bac" were the events he'd witnessed ,nd had the Doctor really been the cause of them? ,nd the murder too? 'Doctor8' shouted (hris 'You could have left a better note8' Page 11 He "new what the Doctor was capable of, but he wouldn't do that, would he? 1ot murder? % mean, there'd be a good reason for him to come bac" to murder the head of his own .amily !ut ,r"hew had recognised him 1o getting away from that, or from any of the events they had witnessed from si6 hundred and seventy three years ago * ,r"hew had been very precise and (hris didn't doubt the little man's story 1ot that the Doctor would admit to it #he Doctor wouldn't admit to anything #he one thing he'd seemed afraid of was the House (hris had never seen him so cagey ,n ,d7udicator never drops a case until the evidence is substantiated and verified #hat ground rule was something to cling on to (hris stretched out a hand and ran his fingers across the floor %t was full of splinters Places, as well as machines, could record events Maybe the House was the e6pert witness Dammit 3o- $hat do % do? His eyes were finally accustomi-ing to the dar"ness * no longer dar", 7ust shadow*filled gloom He pulled himself gingerly to his feet and edged a path between the furniture, away from the hole (lose by, he could ma"e out the downward sloping rail of a stairwell #hen he remembered the note in the dust@ )#,Y P=# * D/1'# #/=(H ,1Y#H%1+ #he Doctor was still here He'd only gone to find the #,3D%) (hris grasped the rail and reached down with his foot, finding solid support /ne deep step at a time, he groped his way down the giant's stairs, moving deeper into the dar" and watchful House

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter 1ine Page 1 #he $hitewood House .rost in the fire and the roc"ing chair .rost in the hearth, frost in the ladle (hildren's voices in the air $ind that roc"s the empty cradle Mid*+allifreyan 1ursery Bersery '% don't want you out wandering the corridors, /wis 1ot after candledar" ' %nnocet had gathered up the fallen cards )he pac"ed them into a drawer and loc"ed it /wis, who never made an attempt to help, watched her from an armchair He pulled a face '!ecause the House is disturbed? %s that why the cloc" chimed?' '%mpossible #he cloc" died centuries ago ' '% thought you "new everything $as it another omen?' )he could tell he was baiting her ',r"hew won't come now,' she said pointedly Iobis"a, who had supposedly been snoo-ing in the corner of her chair, opened an eye and said, '/wis bet ,r"hew that he "new where the will was hidden ' ',gain?' said %nnocet /wis pointed angrily at Iobis"a '#hat old sto"er's been saving that up all the time ' Iobis"a shran" further into her chair )he began dabbing at her eyes with a grey flannel '% don't go out any more, dear 1o one ta"es me out any more %f you too" me out, % wouldn't overhear so much ' '/wis,' said %nnocet 'Do you never get tired of these games? !ecause the rest of us do ' Page & /wis grinned ',r"hew never learns ,nyway, what else is there to do?' )he shoo" her head '% blame (ousin +lospin ' '+ood,' he said ',nd where did you tell ,r"hew the will was hidden this time?' '% only suggested it % didn't thin" anyone had loo"ed there before ' '9veryone has loo"ed everywhere,' she intoned '$here did you say?' /wis shrugged '1ot telling ' %nnocet loo"ed at Iobis"a '%n the cloc", dear,' said the old lady '#hat's what he told him ' #here was a footstep outside !y the time the door opened, the three occupants of the room were seated round the empty fire mantle en7oying a 0uiet moment of contemplation in each other's company #he Drudge stal"ed into the room as if it was searching for an illicit and forbidden party 1one of the (ousins loo"ed up #he huge servant surveyed them for a moment %t placed the bowl of feathergill gruel that it was carrying on the table '9arly tonight,' observed %nnocet to /wis as she darned a tear in the patched robe she was wearing )he regarded the Drudge with the contempt it deserved 'My (ousins are staying here until the disturbances have stopped ' Page 5 #he Drudge moved to the mirror %t carefully pulled away the shawl that had been draped over the glass .i6ing %nnocet with its implacable stare, it lifted up the garment and ripped it slowly and deliberately in half %nnocet ignored the warning and got on with her needlewor" #he chest of drawers gave a clic" /ne of the drawers had unloc"ed itself %t slid open and disgorged the pac" of cards in a small fountain '#reacherous,' muttered %nnocet

#he (ousins watched in silence as the Drudge gathered the scattered cards off the floor %t pulled open a drawer in its own wooden bodice and dropped the pac" inside +iving them a varnished glare of triumph, it stal"ed out of the room #he door closed itself %nnocet pic"ed at the stitch she had 7ust made '#hose were my best cards,' she said 'My last Drat pac" ' '#hey were chec"ing on us ' /wis was eyeing the na"ed mirror ')uppose it tells )atthralope?' %nnocet nodded '#hat's why they brought the rations early !ut if )atthralope is awa"e, then she'll already "now ' )ince the House"eeper had not left her chair for seventy*one years, and had not been out of her room since the west anne6e was infested by gullet*grubs one hundred and twelve years ago, the li"elihood of being watched seemed negligible !ut %nnocet still "ept the glass covered Iust in case Page : )he climbed up on the dressing table, and arranged the two halves of shawl over the mirror as best she could '#hey must reali-e something's happening,' she said /wis peered into the pot of gruel ',t least they haven't withdrawn rations ' '1ot yet ' %nnocet pointed a thimbled finger at him 'You are going to find out what's happened to ,r"hew ' '$hat?' blustered /wis '/ut there? ,fter candledar"? !ut you said $hat about supper?' '#he glory of receiving is in the anticipation,' said %nnocet ')uppose it's something une6pected? (an't anticipate that ' 'Don't argue You're si6 hundred and seventy*five and it's time you too" some responsibility ' '!ut ' He stared longingly at the gruel pot )he too" up her needle again '9specially since this is all your fault ' Page < #he "itchen was an empty cavern near the top of the House (hris had come down the dar" attic stairs, drawn by the light from two pale lamps which hung by a ran" of stone ovens %t had once been the giant's "itchen from his dream, but the days when it had coo"ed on a grand scale were clearly long gone $eb clung across the stac"s of pans and s"illets , row of rusty spi"es and gambrels dangled over a long neglected grate, where (hris rec"oned that animals had either once been slaughtered or roasted whole 9ven so, he could smell something coo"ing ,t the far end of the "itchen, there was evidence that the place was still in use (lusters of dried fungi hung on strings from the ceiling branch*beams #o his disgust, (hris noticed that one cluster was made up of little brown*furred rodents strung together by their tails /n a stove, a pot large enough to be a cauldron sat over a low flame , sort of greasy grey stew steamed and glopped in the pot as if it was alive %t smelt ran", but it proved that the House was still occupied /n a wor" surface, a bowl was piled with a different sort of mushroom, all pale and chal"y #hey stan" too ,s (hris wal"ed across the centre of the "itchen, a row of ladles hanging from a beam began to 7angle li"e an alarm He duc"ed into the nearest doorway and nearly fell down some more giant steps #he ladles shut up as soon as he was clear He edged further down the stairs #he white tree trun"s were everywhere, lining the passages and reaching into arches between which the solid walls ran /ccasionally, there were glimmering lamps which filled the paths of the House with a ghostly glow Page > ,s he neared the foot of the stairs, (hris heard a distant whistle #wo notes, whee*whoo, li"e that He slowed his pace and edged forward $hee*whoo He was loo"ing along the length of gallery /ne side was open li"e a cloistered balcony that overloo"ed something dar" and cavernous (hris guessed it was the great hall #he Doctor was standing in an archway halfway along the gallery, staring down over the balustrade into the gloom

$hee*whoo He was whistling into the dar" /ver and over, he repeated the same two notes (hris wanted to 7oin him, but he held bac" He had to watch !eneath him, a floorboard crea"ed #he Doctor tensed and loo"ed up (hris pulled himself bac" 3ather than be caught, he headed bac" up the stairs to the "itchen He needed to get a handle on the place, before the Doctor began imposing all the hyperactive catalytic effects that the Doctor always imposed on every situation he wal"ed into He was moving cautiously across the "itchen for fear of setting off the ladles again, when he heard footsteps He duc"ed down some steps into a recess with a heavily barred door %t was cool here, but there was also a smell li"e rancid cheese #wo thic" metal struts had been slotted across the entrance (hris pressed himself flat against the door for cover #he surface was surprisingly cold to his touch His breath was turning to steam against it Page A )omething scrabbled on the other side of the door #here was a thump as the something hit itself against the barrier #he cheese stench got stronger (hris pulled up the cover on a spyhole in the door #here was a hiss in the dar" on the other side , grey*veined eyeball with an obli0ue blac" slit suddenly stared bac" out of the hole at him (hris flinched He heard movement in the "itchen #here was nowhere else to hide He felt the door strain against its bars as the something inside pushed outward %nches from him, the eyeball was starting to s0uirm out through the spyhole %t swivelled in its new soc"et to stare, unblin"ing, at him , hand slammed the cover down on the eye #here was a hissing s0ueal of rage and the pressure on the door relented #he Doctor wiped his hand on his trousers and studied (hris His e6pression gave nothing away '$hat was that?' (hris cho"ed 'How should % "now?' he said smoothly ')omething way past its sell*by date from the smell of it ' ')orry,' said (hris Page C '1ever mind ' #he Doctor glanced bac" into the "itchen 'You 7ust saw something nasty in the pantry, that's all ' (hris shuddered involuntarily '% thin" it saw me too ' He held out the Doctor's 7umper '% brought you this ' #he Doctor too" the garment, wiped his hands on it li"e a towel and deposited it on a wor" bench '$e have to find the #,3D%) %t fell through the floor ' '% guessed that,' said (hris 'How far down did it go?' '#oo far ' #here was a slurping noise from the main part of the "itchen #he Doctor loo"ed round nervously 'Iust the stew,' he said (hris pushed past him out of the recess '$e'd better go and find the #,3D%) then #his "itchen gives me the creeps ' '.ee fi fo fum,' said the Doctor He lingered by the doorway 'Do you "now this place or something?' said (hris #he Doctor shoo" his head '1ot at all ' '/r what planet we're on?' 'Haven't a clue #he #,3D%) must have drifted off course ' '% thought you said someone had tampered with the #ime Bector +eneration =nit ' Page E

',h, you remember that ' #he Doctor assumed a completely unconvincing air of bonhomie '$hy don't you 7ust pop down into the House and have a scout round?' 'Iust me ' 'Yes %t seems li"e a big place and there's something % have to sort out Iust a 0uic" loo", (hris +o and see if you can find the #,3D%) ' ')uppose % run into somebody?' '!ig ,d7udicator li"e you?' said the Doctor '%t's dar" )tay out of sight ' '/N,' said (hris ',nd if % do get spotted, at least they won't recogni-e me ' ,nger suddenly flamed in the Doctor's eyes '$hy? $ho have you been tal"ing to?' '1o one,' said (hris blithely /uch, he thought Hit a raw nerve there (ousin ,r"hew clung to the side of the ;oom #he two dim tallow lamps that stood by the carved stone bier did nothing to dispel the shadows of the +reat Hall He shivered He had crawled the length of the Hall from where he had fallen from the cloc" #he to6ins in the dust must have rela6ed him, because, apart from a few bruises, he was unhurt Page 1F #he only scars were inside #he twin hurts of misery and despair #o lie so close to the life*giving energies of the House's heart should be comforting, but the stone apron was cold and unresponsive !arren, he thought %n his mind, li"e echoes, he heard the whispering voices of long*lost (ousins calling him to 7oin them $hy did he wait there? $hy be alone? #he echoing voices were hands that reached out to him He longed to succumb to their embrace and be led by them into the dar"ness #hat dar"ness where he no longer had to see anything !ut he could not cast off what he had witnessed He pulled himself up the side of the ;oom plinth and wiped at the dusty glass coffin that lay on the top #he figure that lay inside was serene and calm , tribute of fresh flowers lay on Duences's ancient chest .lowers still fresh after si6 and three*0uarter centuries #here were no signs of the stab wounds in his chest %t's a lie, ,r"hew told the echoing voices $e have all been living a terrible lie '$e "now that,' they answered 'Murderer murderer,' he repeated aloud , terrible sin for which he would be punished #hat name should not be spo"en %t was forbidden in the House #hrough the whispering gabble of voices, he heard footsteps approaching He glanced round %t would soon be candleday He crawled for cover in the dar"ness Page 11 '% thought so,' %nnocet muttered to herself 'How could % forget the date? %'m such a fool ' )he sat on her bed, turning the pages of the almanac with reverence %t was one of the few natural boo"s in the House * a 7ournal that she had endeavoured to wor" on every day since before the beginning of the dar" despair Iust as she daily wound her hair and wor"ed to complete her rendition of the classic te6ts of the /ld #ime * all from memory #he only true edition in the House was stored on datacore and there was no power to read it )he sighed Her hand*written script had deteriorated badly in the last hundred years or so #here were places where it was an indecipherable scrawl ,t other points, the improvised in" made from the 7uice of crushed saprophytes, or even once in desperation from her own blood, had faded completely #he dry, dry paper dran" it completely Yet suddenly she saw the chance of an end .irst an omen, and now this discovery %t was nonsense, of course ,n end? )he wasn't even sure what that meant any more 1o more dar"ness? 1o more gruel? 1o more re*darning the darns over the holes in the patches on their ragged clothes? %ndefinable nonsense )he turned the pages of the almanac to verify her error $hile House"eeper )atthralope grew more cantan"erous and less approachable than ever, %nnocet too" it on herself to maintain any order in the House )he tried to "eep up a moral stance, even if it was only for

(ousin /wis's sa"e !ut despite her best efforts, /wis slid all too easily under the influence of (ousin +lospin $hat could she do in the circumstances? How could /wis "now any better? #he wretched creature had never once been away from the House +lospin was nearly three times /wis's age, yet the two of them slun" around the House li"e new students barely out of brainbuffing %t was not the education that %nnocet had in mind for her charge /ne day, she foresaw a battle between herself and +lospin for /wis's soul Page 1&

Page 15 #his was how she passed her time %t was her burden #he routine that "ept her from madness , tas" that no other (ousin in the House of ;ungbarrow had ever dreamt to underta"e )he was not prepared to vouch for the sanity of any of them )he had her secrets too, but while the others found their own ways to survive or eventually pass on, she did what she could to ease their passage )he had chec"ed the calculations three times with the same result .ull of foreboding, she closed the boo" and hurried bac" into the other room Iobis"a was asleep again, her bowl of gruel untouched %nnocet started to put on her cloa" and bonnet %mmediately the old lady was awa"e '#a"e me home, dear,' she pleaded '% want to go home ' '% have to go out,' said %nnocet 'You stay here ' Iobis"a started to whimper, so %nnocet too" her s"inny hand 'Do you "now what today is? %t's /therstide 9ve %t's si6 hundred and seventy*three years today since it all started ' '%'m three thousand, four hundred and si6ty*two,' said Iobis"a ')i6th regeneration % want to go home ' '1ever mind .inish your gruel,' %nnocet said wearily )he went to loo" at the contents of the pot %t was empty 'He came bac",' said Iobis"a %nnocet was suddenly flustered '$ho came bac"?' '/wis came bac" while you were away He thought % was asleep and he ate all the gruel ' Much annoyed, %nnocet began to buc"le her bonnet '!etter not leave me again,' said Iobis"a hopefully ')tay here % won't be long ' %nnocet went to open the door ,part from the usual drowsy furniture, the passage outside was deserted #he lamps barely glimmered, lost in the House's untold dreams %nnocet fastened her cloa" and set out along the shadowy corridors of ;ungbarrow's long, candledar" night

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #en Page 1 +ood Day for Mushrooms #he deeper they went into the warren of the House, the louder the whispering became %t had started soon after (hris and the Doctor descended from the "itchen %n a typical volte*face, the Doctor decided that he would accompany (hris after all However, at every available opportunity, he found an e6cuse to linger at each pale*beamed archway while (hris moseyed on ahead to chec" the lie of the land #he whispering didn't seem to come from any particular direction %t was 7ust there, a sibilant muttering from a number of voices that (hris could not really interpret #here was, however, one recurring sound, a repeated guttural note that (hris supposed to be laughter #he Doctor denied hearing anything #he night showed no sign of relenting, but (hris's eyes were already used to the dimly lit gloom of the passageways ,s they crossed the galleries overloo"ing the dar" canyon of the Hall, he peered down and could 7ust ma"e out the hemispheres of the great cloc" set in one of the lower balconies /verhead, the high ceiling was shrouded in a mesh of web He blew a puff of air upward and watched a ripple spread out across the surface of the web li"e a billow in a sil"en sail He wondered what had happened to ,r"hew '+o on,' muttered the Doctor in his ear and (hris ventured ahead into another wing of the House, hoping to find a way down #he age of the place was almost tangible ,s the whitewood trees reached up around him, (hris felt as if he was wal"ing in a mysterious wood, whose bi-arre deni-ens disguised themselves as items of giant furniture to observe the strangers intruding on their territory Page & #he Doctor, who usually had plenty to say about any new environment, said nothing He wandered yards behind (hris immersed in his own dar" thoughts (hris noted, however, that every time they passed a mirror, of which there were several, the Doctor contrived to drop something on the floor He would grovel on his hands and "nees in the gloom, discovering the item only when he was well past the mirror ,s (hris moved ahead along one passage, he recogni-ed the place where he had loo"ed out of the window in his dream He pulled bac" a dusty curtain and was surprised to find that the window had been boarded up .or a moment, the whispering voices grew louder and then subsided bac" to their general level He pushed on until he reached the corner of the passage that led to )atthralope's room '1ot that way,' said the Doctor, who was suddenly at his side He indicated the other way '#his loo"s more promising ' '/N,' said (hris ',fter you ' #he shadow across the Doctor's face twitched slightly '#oo "ind,' he said and started to lead the way #hey soon reached a side arch beyond which a flight of stairs led downward 9very step crea"ed as they went, until they finally emerged into a large area with a high glass dome , baleful glimmer of light came from a lantern hanging on the wall %mpenetrable dar"ness pressed on the outside the dome #he walls were silvered, presumably to catch the sunlight /ut of the flagstones sprouted a long dead tree, its gnarled and blac"ened trun" clambering up towards the dome (hris wal"ed out across the area, but the Doctor s"ul"ed near the foot of the stairs, apparently regarding every shadow with suspicion /ne side of the conservatory had been penned off by a low curving wall (hris leant over the top and saw hundreds of tiny shapes covering the floor )ome were round, some were flat*topped, while others had intricate coloured patterns ')pecies of edible fungi,' observed the Doctor, finally venturing out to 7oin him He pointed to different varieties '.eathergills, pogs0uats, s"ullcapsG #hose flat, circular ones are called (ardinal's collars ' '%ndigenous,' said (hris '!iotrophic@ they live in harmony with other plants ' ';i"e the House, for instance,' (hris suggested

#he Doctor raised an eyebrow '#he residents have obviously set*up some sort of fungi farm % wonder why ' Page 5 (hris leant on the fence ';oo"s deserted to me ' '1ot totally,' said the Doctor 'Don't forget someone's left the dinner on ' 'You call that dinner?' #he Doctor leant on the fence ne6t to (hris and they stared at the fungi % "now you "now where we are, (hris thought You "now % "now where we are )o why does neither of us admit it? $hat have we got to hide? #he fungi were growing thic"est on a dar" mound at the far end of the pen #here was a sudden pop and a little puff of dust shot up out of the throng ')pores,' said the Doctor '#hey're multiplying ' He pic"ed up a piece of bro"en wood that was propped against the fence and pulled off some splinters He tossed them into the pen 'Hungry little devils #hey're not averse to a little dead material either ' (hris listened to the whispering for a while 'Doctor?' 'Hmm?' '$hat's going on?' #he Doctor drew in a slow deep breath of the heavy air '$hat do you thin", (hristopher?' (hris considered the least offensive way of calling the Doctor a liar '%t's a big place,' he said '(onsidering it's been abandoned by most of the people who lived here, % thin" it's the noisiest place %'ve ever been to ,nd we haven't even seen anyone yet ' #he Doctor's hand reached for (hris's forehead '#he whispering again?' '(an you really not hear it?' '%t seems ominously 0uiet to me ' Page : #hat really niggled (hris His temper flared '% thin" you "now a hell of a lot about this place, especially since you deny ever having been here before ' #he Doctor stayed totally calm '% could say the same about you,' he said (hris was immediately embarrassed He loo"ed down at the fungi in the pen and noticed that they were shifting very, very slowly round the dead wood, li"e a crowd of umbrella*ed snails 'Do you miss your family, (hris?' the Doctor as"ed suddenly (hris shrugged '% could do with a good argument now and then Yes, % suppose % miss them ' ,nd he added testily, 'How about you?' #he Doctor shushed him and darted his eyes round the dead conservatory '$alls have ears,' he muttered '$e don't want to wa"e up the whole household ' He turned bac" and met (hris's stare head*on '% want to find the #,3D%) and leave ' (hris nearly said something about (ousins and wills and murders, but he was suddenly completely side* trac"ed by the depth of the Doctor's eyes 9ven in shadow, they glinted with an inner light that was fascinating and oh, so persuasive '+ive it a rest, (hris,' he heard 3o- wearily intoning Maybe it was better not to pursue the argument $e all have our secrets, don't we? '.ine by me,' agreed (hris, rather pleased by his decision '#hat's right,' said the Doctor's voice, which sounded miles away '#han" you, (hris !ut first, there's something % must 7ust chec" ' '.ine,' repeated (hris dreamily '% won't be long Iust wait here Don't move Don't be seen Don't eat the mushrooms %'ll be bac" ' '.ine '

Page < (hris leant on the fence and inhaled the musty odour that came up from the fungi as they slowly slow* shuffled below #he glass (hris loo"ed into, or out of, shattered across into do-ens of tiny identical reflections , hundred images of Duences turned to face the intruder in his room #he figure, wrapped in a blac" robe, plunged a twin*bladed dagger into the old man's chest Duences, spluttering blood, grasped at the robe and pulled it aside #he assassin was an elderly man, not tall, but with long white hair 'You,' mouthed Duences in disbelief He fell sideways on to the furry mound on the table (hris wo"e with a start #he mushrooms were sliding, snail*li"e, around his boots #hey had oo-ed out of a crac" in the pen wall caused by his weight Perhaps it was the mushrooms that were whispering He heard something clattering down the stairs and duc"ed for cover behind a group of large and dead spiny plants Moments later, the giant, angular figure of a Drudge appeared, carrying a dish in front of it %t bent li"e a leaning tree to pic" up the errant fungi and toss them bac" into the pen #hen it moved on again, across the conservatory and out through an arch at the far side Page > (hris wondered if he should 7ump out in front of it, 7ust to see if he was still invisible, but the servant was gone before he could ma"e an idiot of himself He slipped out from behind the dead plants and peered along the passage after the Drudge %ts distant silhouette halted by a bulbous cylindrical ob7ect %t seemed to empty the contents of its dish into the top of the ob7ect #hrough the low barrage of whispering, (hris heard a voice %t was shouting angrily 'You call this food8 How much longer are you "eeping me here, eh? ;et me out8 ;et me out of here8' #he Drudge ignored the abuse and, to (hris's relief, glided off in another direction (hris ventured warily along the passage ,s he approached the ob7ect, he saw a rotund stove with a chimney pipe that went up to the ceiling /n its surface were the fla"y remains of idyllic pastoral scenes that must have been painted in happier times /n top of it sat a rusty "ettle (hris could hear something moving inside the stove %t was muttering to itself %t must suddenly have become aware of his presence, because it went 0uiet He went nearer #here was a little gasp from inside the stove %n the gloom, (hris saw an eye and a mouth at the grating on the stove's front #hey loo"ed human enough, not that that was always a sure sign 'Hello,' (hris whispered He tried to thin" of something to say but could only manage, ',re you all right in there?' '$ho are you?' hissed the mouth %t sounded scared '=mm, (hris (we7,' said (hris '$ho are you?' #he voice tried to compose itself %t belonged to a young man embarrassed by the circumstances in which he found himself 'Perhaps you'd oblige me by letting me out of this contraption,' he said, but he couldn't disguise a nervous 0uaver 'My name is +lospin by the way ' Page A #he Drudge waited in a shadowy alcove %t could have reached down and touched the intruder, he passed so close to it %t did not recogni-e the features with which the intruder was furnished He was not one of the remaining (ousins, not unless one of them had regenerated without leave %t would catch his li"eness in the ne6t loo"ing glass that he passed ,s he approached the glass in the ne6t passage, the stranger bent low and pulled his hat over his face

#he Drudge felt a certain apprehension from the furniture along the intruder's route , degree of twitchiness that was unseemly in the chattels of the House =nli"e the messy, fleshy inhabitants, no item of furniture would ever scratch itself #he Drudge abandoned its routine patrol and moved off in pursuit #he figure suddenly stopped in his trac"s He seemed surprised at the stream that emerged from a crac" in the wall and flowed down the sloping passage towards the atrium of the north anne6e He followed its path until it disappeared under the iron gate where the anne6e had been sealed off He stretched up to e6amine the tamper*loc" that had been attached to the gate .or a moment, the Drudge was distracted by the growing numbers of wa6y, fungal growths that had sprouted from the damp walls Manifestations of neglect were spreading through the appointments of the House /rderliness would have to be restored and imposed Page C #he intruder had forced the loc" and swung the iron gate open !eyond the gate, the north atrium lay in dar"ness #he stranger lifted a lamp from the wall and, holding it high, made his way into the dar"ness ,s the Drudge reached the gate, there was an e6clamation and a small splash as the intruder discovered that the atrium was flooded #he pool of lamplight reflected on the water in which he was standing %t threw huge ripples of light up across the atrium's ceiling He waded deeper, clinging along the wall, his fingers groping at the carved wooden panels, searching for something ,head, a row of coracles bobbed and clun"ed on the blac" water ,t a signal from the Drudge, a section of the ceiling further bac" towards the gate opened silently , carved brac"et descended through the gap .rom it hung a loo"ing glass shaped li"e an eye #he glass swivelled to catch the perpetrator of this encroachment Mirror by mirror, the image was thrown and caught, one to another, up and along the covert belvedere arteries of the House ,t last the urgently reflected revelation came to rest on the glass of a dressing*table mirror /pposite the mirror, sat a figure in an ancient roc"ing chair, do-ing beneath a veil of dusty cobweb $hisper softly 1o one would dare #o wa"en the old one .rom her roc"ing chair Page E , host of whispering voices in the air #he intruder in the atrium heard them too, for he stared round in alarm #hen he rapped one of the wall panels and it swung open, almost eagerly, as if it recognised the signal, to reveal a small cupboard #he Drudge sent an angry reprimand to the errant cupboard and the ashamed panel tried to close itself !ut the stranger held it forcibly open and e6tracted several items which he slipped into his poc"ets #he ceiling mirror reflected into the Drudge's thoughts as well #hrough the glass, it could ma"e out a number of small metal spheres and a triple*stemmed ob7ect that its long and house*proud memory recalled with irritation to be a catapult@ the plaything of younger disorderly (ousins #he result of its assault could mean intricate repair wor" to the Drudge's wooden s"irts, overlaid by coats of fresh varnish .rom over the dar" water came a growl and a heavy splash #he stranger hurriedly started to wade his way out of the flooded atrium He faltered as he saw the mirror brac"et ahead of him He 0uic"ly slipped the catapult from his poc"et, loaded one of the metal spheres and let fly at the mirror #he glass smashed ,s the brac"et retreated into the ceiling, its bro"en pivot spinning wildly, the Drudge heard the stranger mutter, ')even lives' bad luc" ' #he Drudge withdrew into the shadow %t waited for him to pass the gate and then ordered the lamps to light

#he passage was immediately diffused with a golden glow #he intruder saw the Drudge immediately and raised the catapult in warning ,s it advanced, he loosed a metal ball, which pinged off the Drudge's shoulder leaving an unsightly abrasion Page 1F He darted for cover, but the gate slammed against him #he Drudge saw him ta"e aim at a large fungus puffball grown from the wainscot 'Happy landings,' he called #he catapult twanged and the fungus e6ploded in a cloud of white powdery spores which caught the Drudge full in the face Dust, its bitterest enemyP loathsome, unending scourge of any House, it cho"ed the servant's vision #he Drudge flailed out its carved arms, its wooden shape crunching blindly against the walls %t heard its persecutor dodging past %t collided with something it could not see and toppled to the ground 'Happy landings mean a happy House,' called the voice as the stranger scurried away li"e an escaped tafelshrew #he Drudge lay uselessly prone, waving its arms li"e an overturned beetle, too rigid to right itself %n its mind, it heard the startled voice of the Neeper of its House #he smashing of the mirror startled the old woman in her chair )he shuddered, trying to rouse herself from a sleep overgrown by tangled dreams '#he Hand of )ouls,' she croa"ed Her ancient hand gripped the chair li"e a claw Her dreams opened to her li"e soft, gaudy flowers #hey ree"ed with a heady perfume in the warm sunlight of her memories (alling her bac" #he sudden flash of bro"en glass glinted li"e droplets of soft rain on the leaves when she was a girl .lashed li"e blac" ribbons in her hair , board was crea"ing )omewhere away from here, beyond the windows of her dreams, a cloc" was chiming )he let the warmth envelope her )he drifted down, sin"ing through the canopy of flowers !ut now the flowers had spines $hispers of wa"ing tangled with sleep and unwelcome daylight win"ed through the thinning webby leaves

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter 9leven Page 1 #it for #at '% must apologi-e, my dear Madam ;eela %t was a lamentable error ' 'He shot my dog,' said ;eela )he sat aw"wardly, the correct way one sits in company, 7ust as ,ndred had shown her #he chair was deep and too comfortable ',nd % assure you, the captain will be severely disciplined ' Her host reminded her of a serpent %t was the way he sat, coiled in his own comfortable chair, unmoving, about to stri"e 'His punishment is up to the (astellan, not you,' she said #his #ime ;ord loo"ed li"e an elderly man, but on +allifrey that meant very littleP once elderly, twice, thrice elderly He had a gri--led beard and wore a blac" s"ullcap and a blac" robe trimmed with fur His room was an old man's room too %t was gloomy despite the large window overloo"ing the (apitol %ts walls were built of huge and ancient stones %t was filled with ancient relics, compasses and pyramids with eyes * symbols of a history she did not "now His serpent mouth widened in a cold smile '%'m sure you understand that the (astellan, your ah, consort, has an e6tremely responsible position to maintain ' 'You mean he's important,' ;eela said )he was already tired of being spo"en to as a primitive 'Hmm ,nd what you did today placed that position in e6treme 7eopardy ' ';et me spea" to him then He will understand ' #he #ime ;ord leant towards her 'Did (astellan ,ndred give you those security clearance codes?' '1o ' '1o?' '%f you do not believe me, old man, % will submit to your mind probe test ' Page & #he serpent #ime ;ord laughed '#hat does sound very barbaric ' 'Yes,' ;eela said #here was an uncomfortable pause =ntil now, she had assumed that they were determined to trap her, but perhaps it was ,ndred they were really see"ing to destroy /r perhaps it was both of them '#ell me how you gained access to the entire panotropic net on 7ust one portal,' the #ime ;ord as"ed 'My dog did it ' '#his is the computer registered as NE?' 'He was my friend ,nd you destroyed him ' )he got out of her chair '$ho are you? You will not hold me here % demand to see the (astellan8' '#he (astellan has no 7urisdiction here,' he said 'He is only a (hancellery lac"ey ' )he moved towards him and hit a force wall #he 7olt of the air barrier stunned her for a moment )he fell bac" into the chair #he #ime ;ord remained absolutely calm opposite her 'You are from the (elestial %ntervention ,gency,' said ;eela slowly ',ndred has warned me about you ' Page 5 'Has he indeed?' said the #ime ;ord ',nd what does he say?' 'He says you have no faces #hat no one other than the President "nows who your leaders are ,nd she is bound by law not to say !ut % "now your face now, old one % do not forget ' #he #ime ;ord nodded '#hen you will "now that once you are detained under the ,gency's 7urisprudence, no plebeian appeal or litigation can overrule our 7udgement ' (hancellor #heorasdavoramilonithene, resplendent in Patre6es purple, was in no mood to be argued with '#he ,gency has breached all laws of hospitality,' she stormed, her hands clasped so tightly under her chin that her bony "nuc"les outshone her rings of office '$e cold*summoned the Director of ,llegiance to the Presidential suite ,pparently he does not see fit to grace us with his presence and sends you in his stead '

,lmoner (rest Yeu6 placed his glass of tea on the (hancellor's des" He had scarcely been briefed about this summons, when he was suddenly transducted, complete with his chair and the tea he was drin"ing, directly into the Presidential suite ,n unnerving and discourteous e6perience 'Director of ,llegiance ;ord .erain presents his compliments to the President,' he said Page : #heora shoo" her head slowly #he miracle of rococo styling that constituted her labyrinthine hairpiece was unassailable %t defied gravity and description in about e0ual measure '$hat about the ;ady ;eela?' she demanded '%t is my understanding, madam, that the ;ady ;eelandredloomsagwinaechegesima has breached the security of the panotropic networ" in the (apitol 1ot normally an ,gency area, % grant you, but she is the consort of the (astellan *' 'My (astellan,' said the (hancellor ',nd his involvement with the suspect would ma"e his 7udgement unreliable,' continued Yeu6 '.urthermore, she is an un*+allifreyan, which is very much an ,gency concern, despite the ancient and outdated laws of hospitality ' #he (hancellor lifted a document from her des" '#his order, signed by President 3omanadvoratrelundar, grants the ;ady ;eela diplomatic immunity and the protection of the Presidential 3etinue ' He waved the document away '3egrettably, madam, such immunity can only be granted by the vote of the %nner (ouncil ' #heora replaced the paper '%n which case, the ;ady ;eela will be afforded the status of ,lien ,mbassador to +allifrey ' ',nd that issue would have to be laid before all the (ardinals of the High (ouncil as have the applications for all the other newly ac0uired ,mbassadors #he ;ady ;eela must be e6ceptionally highly regarded to be elevated so 0uic"ly ,n ,mbassador from a primordial planet whose location is not even registered? /h no, % thin" not ' Page < #heora smiled coolly '1ot registered? )urely there can't be an oversight in the ,gency's data catalogues ' ',h,' he said, folding his hands over his generous stomach 'Perhaps the President should advise me on that matter herself /r isn't she available at the moment?' '3egrettably, she is busy,' said #heora 'How comforting to "now that, li"e ;ord .erain, she is untiringly devoted to her duties wherever they ta"e her ' Yeu6 sipped his tea %t was cold ',nd ;ady ;eela?' #heora reminded him '=nfortunately the ;ady ;eelandredloomsagwinaechegesima has been detained for using illegal codes in an attempt to contact the former President ' 'Do you mean the Doctor?' said #heora ',pparently so % daresay our current President might e6plain the attraction )he "nows the Doctor rather better than the rest of us How unfortunate that she isn't here Do you "now if she will be away for long?' '!ut % am here,' said a voice Page > Yeu6 turned and saw the diminutive figure of President 3omanadvoratrelundar standing behind him )he was wearing a simple white robe and her hair was loose about her shoulders He had not heard her enter and was unsure e6actly how long she had been standing there 'Madam President,' he blustered, ';ord .erain presents his compliments to you ' 3omana wal"ed round to the (hancellor's side of the des" ',lmoner (rest Yeu6,' she said gravely, 'while % respect your cover as a senior official in my %ntervention ,gency, % am most displeased by the conduct of the Director of ,llegiance in the matter of the ;ady ;eelandredboomsagwinaechegesima '

'He is carrying out his duties, Madam President #he ;ady ;eela has committed a number of crimes defined under the laws as un*+allifreyan activities ' '1onsense,' snapped 3omana '% am also aware that a guest of mine, who was travelling to +allifrey under Presidential protection, has been hi7ac"ed in transit )he is also being held illegally by the %ntervention ,gency ' Yeu6 shifted aw"wardly in his chair '/n that matter, % cannot comment, Madam ' '1ot good enough ' 3omana turned to her (hancellor '#heora, please inform ;ord .erain that until both the ;ady ;eela and the 9arth woman, Doroth?e Mc)hane, are released from ,gency custody, we shall be holding ,lmoner (rest Yeu6 here as our guest ' 'Bery good, Madam,' said #heora with a smile Page A 'Madam President, this is preposterous8' e6claimed Yeu6 '#it for tat ' #he President smiled '%'m sure a little cooperation isn't too much to as" !ut if % don't get it, % shall enforce it8' ',re you unhappy on +allifrey?' as"ed the #ime ;ord ;eela sat bac" in her chair '$hy am % being held prisoner?' Her interrogator ignored her '%f you do not cooperate, % can have you deported as an unwelcome guest on our world ' ;eela watched him without a word '1ow, % gather that this NE machine of yours originally belonged to the former President, hereafter "nown as the Doctor ' '1o,' she said '%t originally belonged to Professor Marius ' ',nother un*+allifreyan?' $hen she made no response, he added, '% ta"e that as a "yes" ,t some time the aforementioned machine must have passed to the Doctor ,nd thence on to you ' Page C '%t is not your business,' ;eela insisted '% demand to see the (astellan8' He tutted irritably '% have told you that (astellan ,ndred has no 7urisdiction in this matter ' ',ndred and % are bonded8 %f % have endangered his position, then % must see him ' #he #ime ;ord frowned 'Difficult His interest in this case would be purely personal ' '/f course, it would ,ndred loves me ' His mouth twitched and his face coloured noticeably '#hat is not a consideration ' '$hat do you mean?' she said 'How can it not be a consideration?' ',re you implicating him in this also?' #hat shoc"ed her '/f course not8 He did not "now % care for him and chose to be with him Don't you have feelings?' He stared fi6edly at her as he fingered the edge of his carved des" '#he (astellan's pedestrian duties e6tend only to the security within the (apitol #he crime you have committed is not within his aegis %t affects the whole security of +allifrey in its relation to the causal ne6us of the (osmos ,nd that is our concern ' Page E '#hen you are answerable to President 3omana ' ',nother friend of yours, of course ' He smiled his serpent smile again 'Yes, she ma"es an admirable figurehead !ut she does not command the overwhelming support that she li"es to imagine ' '#a"e away this barrier /r are you afraid to be in the same space as an un*+allifreyan savage?' He rose from his chair and came to the edge of where she guessed the barrier to be '$hy were you trying to contact the Doctor today?' 'He is my friend, too ' 'Yes?'

'Yes !ut % do not use him as you do ' '96plain that accusation ' 'You use the Doctor whenever you have something you don't want to blunt your own "nives on ' Page 1F 'Does it occur to you that he might be our friend also?' '1o,' she said '% learned that the #ime ;ords were all*powerful, but you have no honour in your dead rituals ' His smooth indifference seemed to crac" a little 'Madam, as an other*worlder with scarcely a history of your own, you "now nothing of our provenance #he planet +allifrey was powerful when the flower of the =niverse was barely unfolding /ur society is steeped in the traditions of a thousand millennia %t is our greatest duty to revere and maintain our past ' '%n my world, the old are revered for their counsel !ut if the old vines cling too tightly, we cut them bac" to let the young growth through ' '!arbaric,' he said 'You "now nothing ' '% "now that if % ever do see ,ndred again, % will have forgotten this meeting !ut % will fight you for my memories ' He laughed 'You are unhappy,' he said 'Iust answer one more 0uestion, madam You say that the Doctor is your friend You certainly have travelled with him, so % would guess that you "now him better than most Perhaps almost as well as the President "nows him !ut can you say who he is?' '$hat?' she said '#he Doctor's identity?' Page 11 )he was mystified 'He is the Doctor He is a #ime ;ord ,nd he has he had a .amily at the House ' '% "now what you were searching for on the panotropic networ",' he said '!ut what about the Doctor? $ho is he really?' )he shoo" her head 'He's a wise man , shaman 1o, he is more than that ' .or a moment, she was uncertain %n her memories, there was an e6citement and wonderment, a sense of danger that the thought of the Doctor always aroused !ut she had always accepted himP never 0uestioned his identity .inally, she "new her answer )he understood the Doctor's secret He could not and must never be tied down, pinpointed or categori-ed 'He is a mystery,' she said with the utmost reverence .rom somewhere close in the (apitol, there came the deep boom of an e6plosion #he office shoo" and the s"y went blac"

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #welve Page 1 =ninvited Hosts '+oing somewhere?' #he voice brought %nnocet up short '(ousin 3ynde,' she whispered as she saw him slide out from behind an arras 'You startled me ' 'You're out late,' he said '/r is it so late that it's early now?' 9ven in the gloom, his face was grubby and had an oily sheen His eyes bulged li"e the pale eyes of a lantern fish He loo"ed uncommonly well fed %nnocet "new that 3ynde hoped she was engaged on illicit business )he pulled her cloa" around her %t barely fitted over the heavy coil of hair on her bac" '%'m surprised to see you in this part of the House,' she said He edged up close to her and growled, ')omeone's been thieving from my shrew traps ' 'Your traps?' )he pulled away as politely as possible '% thought that (ousin Mal7amin caught the tafelshrews for the Drudges ' 'He used to ' '$hat's happened to him?' said %nnocet warily #he prophecy of the rogue card cast a shadow across her thoughts ,nything erring from that usual wearisome burden of candleday*to*candleday life in the House now filled her with foreboding Page & '+one He's gone away,' said 3ynde '$hat? ;i"e the others?' 'Don't "now about that He 7ust too" to sitting in his chair and losing interest $ouldn't tal" $ouldn't eat $ouldn't even give me a game of Drat #hat's when % "new things were really turning windy #wice % found him in the corner of his room trying to dig a hole % thin" he thought he was a shrew as well ,nd then he disappeared #hat's all ' )till facing her with a grin, he ambled bac"ward along the passage %nnocet felt the weight on her shoulders )ometimes her burden was unbearable %t was still growing ,gainst her better 7udgement, she set off after 3ynde 'You should have restrained him,' she called 'You should have "nown he might go away ' 3ynde had reached the staircase leading down to the disused phrontisteries He spat down the stairwell '$hy should %?' he said 'Mal7amin wouldn't have stopped me $e do things differently in the 1orth*by* 1orth*9ast wing 1ot the same as you grand galleriers He 7ust went the same as the others 1o fuss ,nyhow, he might be happier as a shrew ' 'You should have told me,' she scolded 'You "now % "eep the tally You must be the last one left in your wing of the House )oon there'll be no one left at all ' Page 5 He scratched his head through his oily hair He had dirty fingernails )he couldn't abide dirty fingernails )he seemed to remember that he had once wor"ed as some sort of food technician to the #ime ;ord gentry at the (apitol 'You're 7ust worried there'll be no more dinner,' he sneered and started down the stairs '!e careful, (ousin )omething dangerous is happening,' she called after him '#here was an omen in the cards ,nd you must have heard the cloc" ' ')uperstition8' said 3ynde '%'m more worried about my traps ' )he started down the stairs, struggling with her robe on the big steps 'Have you seen /wis and ,r"hew?' she called '#ogether? /wis doesn't count, does he?' )he reached the landing, 0uite out of breath '/f course, he counts '

'/h well, in that case % defer to your superior wisdom, (ousin % saw both of them three candledays ago in the funguretum +lospin was with them too #hey were gambling for something $hen % as"ed what, they 7ust laughed and said the highest sta"es ' He shrugged '$hy? $hat have they done to you?' '%'m worried that they may have passed on, gone away li"e Mal7amin ' Page : 3ynde gave a rasping guffaw ',r"hew might He's always been on the edge !ut you won't get rid of /wis 1ot if there's still food about ' '% must find them,' she said '% "now something dreadful is going to happen ' 'Don't 7ump at your own reflection, (ousin %t might only be )atthralope leering out at you ' He laughed again and held up a something furry and dead '.eeling pec"ish? ,nything to offer in e6change?' '(ertainly not,' said %nnocet, pulling her coat around her 3ynde leered and stuffed the animal in one of his many pouches '%'ll tell them if % see them ' He sauntered off down the passage, a "notted string of dead shrews dangling and dancing down his bac" (hris "ic"ed at the stove with his boot #he metal rang with the blow and the stove snapped its lid aggressively !ut the latch stayed 7ammed ,t least it shut +lospin up for a minute $hile (hris tried to force the metal door, there had been a barrage of 0uestions $ho was he? $ho had sent him? How did he get in? He ignored most of them and was non*committal over the rest #his man called +lospin, doing solitary inside a stove, was an %DHunD@ undeciphered He could be a different +allifreyan with the same name /r that same evil bastard of a +allifreyan he'd encountered in his dream, only with a different body on@ a total body bepple #he Doctor could regenerate, (hris "new that His body 7ust seemed to be something he went about in )o maybe the process came naturally to the rest of his race as well De rigeur, as the simpering select class of the /vercity would say Page < ',re you some sort of guard?' began +lospin again His eye was s0uinting sideways through the grating (hris snorted 'You could say that ' '#hought so #he clothes don't fool me ' '%'m off duty,' said (hris 'How did you get in? Down the chimney?' 'Hardly ' (hris had found a rusty pan handle and was trying to 7am it into the door '$hich (hapterhouse? You can't be Prydonian * your face is too honest ' He gasped in sudden pain '$hat is it?' said (hris 'My legs8 1o circulation % can't move in this thing +et me out of here8' #he pan handle buc"led in (hris's hands and tore one of his fingernails He yelped in pain and stuc" the finger in his mouth '+et me out now8' +lospin snarled Page > (hris stood bac" from the stove He didn't li"e that tone His immediate concern had "noc"ed something vital to the bac" of his mind '!etter tell me why you've been loc"ed up in there,' he said He saw the eye shift past him to stare along the passage #here was new light coming in from somewhere '(hris, you're ma"ing enough noise to wa"e the House itself,' said the Doctor He came scuttling out of a different passage He carried a lamp in one hand, his trousers were soa"ing wet and grey powder was strea"ed over his 7ac"et '#ime to move #he natives are getting *, He was sha"ing out his dusty hat, when he apparently reali-ed that they were not alone He gave an oily smile and gestured the lamp towards the ceiling '/f course, there may be a few problems with damp, but the general structure is sound and it is, you will agree, a most advantageously appointed property with a delightful aspect overloo"ing the valley '

He met the stare of the eye at the grating 'You8' whispered +lospin #he Doctor blew the flame of the lamp out '%t's you ' +lospin's voice was chilled with contempt Page A '+ods of Purgatory, it is you8' '1ot necessarily,' said the Doctor, pulling down his hat to hide his face in the twilight He laughed aw"wardly 'Have we met? 1o, % don't thin" so )o sorry Must dash ' (hris caught his arm 'You can't leave him in there He's trapped ' '1o worse than he deserves, %'m sure ' #he Doctor yan"ed himself free 'You8' accused +lospin '%'d "now that ego anywhere #he bloody bile you have, slin"ing bac" in after everything ,fter all this time8' '%'m sure you're ma"ing some mista"e ' #he Doctor shot a sidelong glance at (hris 'My client will e6plain everything ' 'Doctor,' said (hris, trying to stay calm #he Doctor shushed him 'Doctor, % "now ' '1o, you do not "now, (hris8' (hris lowered his voice 'Yes, % do #his is your home and your family ' #he Doctor stepped bac"ward in shoc" .or a second, (hris thought he was having another hearts attac" Page C #he magnitude of his statement slammed bac" in on (hris #he whispering, which had died in his head, erupted again in earnest )orry, 3o- #here are things that should never get said to your friends )orry, sorry ')orry, Doctor,' he mumbled #he Doctor said nothing His head shoo" a little as if he refused to accept the statement +lospin's eye in the stove had seen everything His voice began to sneer 'Did you thin" we'd all be dead by now? #hat you'd left it long enough? $ait until they all "now you're here8' ')hut up8' said (hris !ut +lospin started to yell '%t's him8 He's here8 Help me8 He's come bac"8 Drudge8 Drudges8' '+lospin8' shouted the Doctor '%s that you in there?' +lospin went silent #he Doctor stared in at the grating 9ye to eye , long moment of recognition #hen he turned bac" to (hris His manner was 0uiet and grave, li"e that of a condemned man '(hristopher, "eep an eye out along that passage in case anyone else turns up ' 'Yes, Doctor,' said (hris '%'m sorry $hen you want to leave ' Page E #he Doctor nodded towards the passage he had emerged from (hris moved obediently away feeling the Doctor's eyes burn into his bac" as he went He wasn't even halfway along the dar" passage, when a wave of nausea bro"e over him He stumbled against the wall, his senses swimming ,s he went under for the first time, he heard +lospin and the Doctor start to argue 'Don't entertain the delusion that anyone wants you bac" You've already been replaced8' (hris was loo"ing at an airy room lit by orange sunlight !eyond the window stood the tall towers of some un*9arthly city #he figure of +lospin, the old man +lospin from the dream, stood between him and the view +lospin was shouting at him and brandishing a document ' % discovered anomalies in your genetic codings8'

(hris felt a fury that he did not understand %t too" over his every sense '1onsense8' he heard himself say, but his voice was curiously old and felt li"e someone else's He levelled a finger at the outraged +lospin and saw that he wore a 7ewelled ring '#his is some childish attempt to complete my severance from the .amily ,ren't you satisfied, hmm? $hy do you still insist on pestering me?' 'You certainly never belonged to ;ungbarrow's ;oom 96actly who or what are you?' '%'m your (ousin8', declared the voice in (hris's head He raised his cane to stri"e at +lospin and they were soon brawling li"e schoolroom roo"ies Page 1F $ith a crash, a blac", coffin*li"e bo6 shot through the solid wall +lospin bac"ed away as it hovered closer to him '1o8' (hris heard himself shout #he bo6 drove straight at +lospin #here was a cold, white flash (hris clung to the wall in the dar" ,s his senses levelled, he could still hear the arguing #here was no love lost between the Doctor and +lospin '$hat do you mean, did % come down the chimney?' snapped the Doctor 'How do you thin" % got in? % let myself in at the front door ' '3eally?' retorted +lospin and started to laugh ',s far as the House is concerned you were cast out long ago Doctor8' ',nd from the ramshac"le loo" of the place, it's gone into terminal decline without me ' Page 11 'You'd better as" )atthralope about that ' ')o she is still House"eeper #he old harridan could never let go of anything, could she? 9ven if the House has gone to rac" and ruin around her $ho's Nithriarch now? % thought you had your sights on the inheritance ' ')atthralope will tell you ' '/h, no 1ot if % can help it ' #he Doctor's tone levelled to that familiar goading superiority he reserved for his nastiest opponents, usually 7ust prior to wrec"ing their plans of =niversal domination ')o you missed out on your inheritance too, did you? $hat a pity ,fter all that effort to get me out of the way ,nd now you're stuc" in a samovar8 ;et me guess who shut you in there Iust the sort of mealy*mouthed punishment )atthralope would dish out 9ven to her favourite8' 'How old are you now, $ormhole?' as"ed +lospin 'You reali-e it's si6 hundred and seventy*three years since we last met * to the day ' ',h, how 0uic"ly /therstide comes round,' the Doctor mused ',nd % haven't brought you a present ' 'You were always old for your age ' +lospin's sneer turned into another laugh '/f course /therstide Your name day fell on /therstide, didn't it? How could % forget that? You must be at least *' 'Mind your own business and four*0uarters ' '$ell, felicitations, (ousin ,nd % haven't bought you a present either ' Page 1& '%'ve never made a fuss about anniversaries,' said the Doctor 'How old are you?' '/ne thousand seven hundred and eleven #hree generations ' #he Doctor was silent for a long moment '(areful living,' he said, but his voice was flat and downbeat '% didn't have a choice,' +lospin said 'You loo" pretty well worn %'d rec"on you're on five or si6 generations at least You've been living too fast ' '(hris,' hissed the Doctor '$e're going ' (hris hauled himself up and started bac" along the passage 'He's not going to let me out,' called +lospin '$hat a way to treat an older (ousin '

';et him go, Doctor,' said (hris firmly '!ecause if you won't, % will ' #he Doctor loo"ed e6tremely hurt .or a moment he and (hris held each other's stare #hen he wal"ed to the stove and began to pic" at the latch ,fter a moment, he too" off his shoe and hit the cross*bolt hard 'Don't do that8' shouted +lospin ')top it8 )top it8 %t's heating up8' Page 15 (hris saw a row of flames in the base of the stove 'Doctor, get him out8 He'll be roasted alive8' ')ay please, +lospin,' said the Doctor %nside the stove's oven, +lospin began to scream 'Please?' repeated the Doctor 'Doctor8' yelled (hris 'Please8' #he Doctor grabbed the rusty "ettle off the top of the stove and emptied the brac"ish water over the flames #here was a hiss of steam #hey could hear +lospin gasping inside #he Doctor produced a metal instrument from his poc"et and set it to the latch #here was a slight vum noise and the whole front of the stove swung open +lospin shot out sideways as if he had been "ic"ed He landed on the tiled floor in a heap )mo"e drifted out of his clothes Page 1: '/sirian bottle*opener,' said the Doctor coldly ')atisfied?' '#han" you,' said (hris ';et's go ' #he stove slammed its oven door in frustration (hris ignored the Doctor and crouched by +lospin %n 9arth terms, the (ousin now loo"ed to be in his late thirties His once coarse blac" hair was now brown and curling %t fell thic"ly to his shoulders, framing a handsome, but thin white face , red*brown scar on one pale hand e6tended up his arm 'He's hurt, Doctor,' (hris said +lospin pulled bac" his hand '#hat happened a long time ago ' He glared up accusingly at the Doctor '%t's never healed properly ' #he Doctor ruminated for a moment '!ring him,' he said He turned and wal"ed away up the passage '% want to be away from here before daybrea" ' '$hat daybrea"?' said +lospin as he laboured to stand up He loo"ed after the Doctor and began to laugh out loud

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #hirteen Page 1 !lac" $indow (ousin %nnocet was crossing the galleries above the Hall when she heard the voices #hey were arguing pugnaciously #he House's great chamber had properties to enhance and amplify the 0uietest whisper, but ;ungbarrow had so many echoes of its own, and thoughts that posed as echoes, that it was often difficult to identify the source #hat was what had taught her to move silently in the House , sudden movement in a 0uiet place could set off a host of echoes, scattering li"e a blue*brown floc" of raucous blossom thieves startled from the orchards in spring #he echoes came up from the direction of the old conservatory ,s she passed by one of the hearth*rooms, she heard another familiar voice '%t's my turn,' it complained '%f you don't let me have a go, %'ll tell %nnocet ' %nnocet, thus invo"ed, pushed open the door '/wis?' she said sharply $hat are you doing?' /wis loo"ed up startled from his position by the huge fireplace He tried to stuff some morsel into his poc"et '% didn't do it,' he protested '$ho's that with you?' she said , pair of feet were stic"ing out of the fireplace )he moved closer and saw that his filthy trousers were made of stitched shrew s"ins '%t's Mal7amin,' said /wis 'He won't let me have a loo" up the chimney He won't even tal" to me ' Page & %nnocet "nelt beside the hearth , sense of relief washed over her '% thought we'd lost him,' she said )he peered into the depths of the fireplace and called gently, 'Mal7amin #ime to come out of there ' #here was a grunt from inside /ne foot raised and repeatedly scratched the other leg in a circular motion li"e that of a animal '(ome on,' she said firmly '%'ll ta"e you home now ' #he scratching stopped and (ousin Mal7amin slowly slid out from the chimney*piece He was ca"ed in blac" dust and his eyes were staring white '#he s"y is bright today,' he said '% can see the blue ' )he sighed #here was no crime in this #here had been times, when there were many more (ousins around the House, that she had waited in line with the rest of them to stare up at the distant s"y !ut it always reminded her of loo"ing through the wrong end of a spyglass Mal7amin stood slowly roc"ing and ma"ing little groaning noises His nose wrin"led and twitched in a shrewish fashion 'My go,' said /wis, and he started to climb into the fireplace '1o8' %nnocet pulled him bac" 'You ta"e (ousin Mal7amin bac" to my room ' '#hat's not fair,' said /wis '% want my go ' Page 5 '$hat have you done with my rations?' she said '$hat rations?' He held up his half*gnawed shrew '#his is mine % found it ' '%n one of 3ynde's traps?' she said 'How disgusting How can you eat that uncoo"ed? You've already had my rations too ' /wis clutched his food tightly as Mal7amin tried to paw at it '% never touched your gruel,' he said 'Iobis"a told meG' said %nnocet '% didn't do it )he's lying again ' 'Iobis"a's an old body and deserves your respect,' %nnocet reminded him !ut she remembered a dribble of brown gravy down Iobis"a's chin and decided that a failing memory did not always diminish an old person's grasp on the s"ills of deceitfulness !esides, she was more relieved than angry to find /wis and Mal7amin too 1ot that she was prepared to admit it

'Have you come out to find me 7ust for that?' #he wretched boy loo"ed almost flattered '/f course not,' she said sharply )he suddenly reali-ed that Mal7amin was wandering towards the door Page : )he hurried after him and guided him gently bac" '#a"e Mal7amin bac" to my room,' she instructed /wis ',nd don't let him go, whatever happens % have to find ,r"hew %t'll soon be candleday ' '(an't we wait?' /wis said '/r do we have to find him before the House stops being disturbed?' 'Do as you're told, /wis, or %'ll report you to the Drudges %t's all your fault anyway )o 7ust loo" after Mal7amin ' '$hat for?' he complained '$hat's my fault?' '/h, anything8' she said and headed towards the stairs #he Doctor led the way out into the Hall #he whitewood trees rose up around the walls #hey gave the magnificent structure the semblance of a haunted forest clearing #iers of empty galleries ran between the arching branches +lospin, under (hris's escort, made no attempt to escape He watched the Doctor all the time He even seemed eager to "eep up with his tormentor Page < #he Doctor stooped to loo" at the large amount of freshly bro"en timber that was strewn across the floor He peered up at the tangled canopy of dust webs that hid the ceiling '(hris,' he mumbled and pointed up %n one swathe of web, high out of reach, a dar" oblong shape was hanging, where it had been caught in mid*plummet (hris e6claimed, '%t's the #,3D%*' ')hush8' hissed the Doctor ')trange place to hang a wardrobe ' +lospin stared up at the shape , broad grin spread across his face ', #,3D%),' he said '%t's a ## capsule ' (hris yan"ed his arm behind him '1one of your business8' +lospin was laughing again ')o that's how you got in Bery clever8 ,nd it's also a way out8' '$ay out?' the Doctor said '$hat "way out"? You need to get out a bit more yourself, +lospin You and this place are pale shadows of your former nasty selves % don't even want to "now what's happened to you and your brood )omething horrible, no doubt % don't really care %t's no longer my business % have better things to do ' Page >

Page A (hris pulled him aside 'Doctor, % thin" you should lay off a bit ' '$hy? #here's nothing here for me #hat's always been plain ' He tugged himself free and set off towards the far end of the Hall #wo distant lamps threw a pool of light around the raised stone bier and the translucent cas"et that rested on top of it 'He was always li"e that,' said +lospin ',lways switching moods li"e this or li"e that or li"e the other ' (hris hurried after the Doctor #he little figure had slowed and finally stopped a few feet from the bier #here was a figure lying silhouetted inside the glass coffin #he Doctor stood, head bowed, for a moment and then wal"ed solemnly up to the cas"et 'Duences,' he said as he peered over the top of the bier at the figure (hris waited aw"wardly, watching +lospin, until the Doctor turned and bec"oned him over '(hris, you "now, don't you?' he said 0uietly 'Yes, Doctor % told you #his is your home ' Page C #he Doctor sighed 'Yes #his is my home * the ancient House of ;ungbarrow in the )outhern 3anges of +allifrey, where % grew up , wild and beautiful setting for the worst place in the =niverse ' He gestured at the coffin ',nd this was /rdinal*+eneral Duencessetianobayolocaturgrathadadeyyilungbarrowmas, to give him his full title and decoration He was the head of the .amily and my benefactor ' (hris came closer and studied the old man in the coffin Duences appeared serenely peaceful as he lay in state #here were fresh flowers laid on his chest, roses with petals li"e grey sil" Droplets of fresh dew clung to the petals (hris could see no immediately apparent signs of the brutal murder the old man had suffered #he Doctor turned to +lospin 'How long?' he said '$hy is he still so well preserved?' ')i6 hundred and seventy*three years,' said +lospin '#o the day ' #he Doctor s0uatted to e6amine a small panel at the base of the bier 'How did he die?' as"ed (hris +lospin raised an eyebrow 'He's not dead,' said the Doctor He tapped the panel '#his is a static field generator ' 'Bery good,' said +lospin '#he Nithriarch is waiting in stasis '

Page E '$aiting? $hy would he be waiting? $hat for?' 'You,' said +lospin He turned to (hris '#he Doctor is si6 hundred and seventy*three years late for Duences's deathday #he poor old man refused to read his own will until his favourite was here #he whole .amily has been "ept waiting all that time ' #o (hris's surprise, the Doctor smiled at +lospin '#hat's not my problem, (ousin ,s % recall, you were at pains to stop me from coming 1o doubt, you were worried about what you'd miss out on #hough % can't imagine why #he /rdinal*+eneral cast me out and disinherited me long ago ' '#hat's right, $ormhole !ut we're still waiting ' '$hy? Did )atthralope loc" the doors and swallow the "ey?' 'You'll soon see,' +lospin said '#he company you fell in with at the (apitol was fascinating %t gave me a lot to thin" about How old did you say you were now?' #he Doctor snorted in indignation '/h, and a word of warning,' +lospin continued '!e very careful of (ousin /wis ' '1ever heard of him,' said the Doctor '96actly ' Page 1F , scowl spread across the Doctor's face He loo"ed from the coffin, around the Hall and up to his #,3D%), suspended out of reach '%'m sic" of this dar" % need air ;et's get some air into this House before we all suffocate8 %t must be light soon ' He marched to the side of the Hall and began to haul away a heavy tapestry !ehind it, the arch of the tall window was bloc"ed by heavy plan"s '$hat's going on?' Possessed by a sudden rage, the Doctor started to tear at the plan"s with his bare hands Dust flew into (hris's eyes #he screams of the panic"ing (ousins echoed through the Hall ,gain, he saw the dar"ness rising up the windows #he Doctor dragged a plan" to the floor #hen another %t was dar" as night outside the windows of the Hall He set his bottleopener to the latch $ith a vum, it snapped apart !efore he could pull open the window, it was slammed wide open by a small avalanche of falling soil and roc" He cho"ed, up to his "nees in tumbling earth '$hat have you done to my House8' , cloa"ed woman stepped out of the shadows almost beside him (hris "new %nnocet immediately )he was tall and had grown thin, but her gaunt face was still proud )he wore a battered brown bonnet and seemed to carry a great weight on her bac" '%t's what you have done8' she said Page 11 )he and the Doctor stared at each other in a long, long moment of mutual recognition (hris, his eyes still smarting with dust, heard the crea"s and groans of the long*neglected House He heard hatred and rage stir in its timbers, but, stronger than that, he felt the surprise and contempt that passed silently between %nnocet and the Doctor ,nd it mingled with the sorrow that came from a tremendous bond that had turned so sour '%nnocet,' said the Doctor and he reached to ta"e her hand )he pulled bac" from him Her hands were trembling '#here's been a "illing,' she said, loo"ing at (hris and +lospin )he pointed at one of the arches that led off the Hall '#hrough there %t's ,r"hew He's in the funguretum He's been murdered '

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter .ourteen Page 1 #he Neep 'How many dead?' said 3omana (hancellor #heora sat at her office port amid the strewn aftermath of the outrage '/ne guard "illed outright,' she said to the image of the President on the plasma screen ',nd one ordinal civilian sent for regeneration ' ',re you all right, #heora?' #he #ime ;ady touched her hair where the celebrated arabes0ues were coming undone ', little sha"en,' she admitted, but her decorum and authority were undiminished '#he device came up in one of the service lifts %t was loaded on =nder*;evel fourteen, near the dry* dimension doc"s ' ')o it could have been sent by anyone ' '#he panoptic record for that level is unaccountably blan" #he lift was programmed to stop at ;evel eighty*four ' '!ut that's the #haril 9mbassy8' e6claimed 3omana ',nd only two floors below the Presidential suite '#he guard there reali-ed that something was wrong, but had no time other than to get the lift away ' Page & ')o he sent the lift further up the tower?' 'He too" the lift ' 3omana closed her eyes in despair '#he lift bypassed the Presidential suite,' continued #heora '%t reached as far as the summit observation suites on ;evel one hundred and si6teen .ortunately they were empty at the time #he soft architecture absorbed most of the implosion )ecurity has confirmed it was a singularity bomb ' '1o,' 3omana gasped '$hat about the ,mbassador?' '1either Prince ,mbassador $hitecub nor his retinue were in residence at the time ' '#han" goodness Put my personal guard at his disposal, (hancellor #he #harils are valued allies ' '%s that wise, Madam President? ,ll the other 9mbassies will e6pect similar treatment % have already conveyed your personal concern to Prince $hitecub and had his security doubled ' '/h, very well !ut we must honour the dead guard .or his .amily's sa"e 1ow what about the bomb?' Page 5 #heora fed a recording of the implosion into the warpcom unit %t displayed an image of the (itadel #ower rising above the sunlit cloud ban" #here was a momentary flash of dar"ness near the summit #he #ower's shape warped inward and the light seemed to be suc"ed out of the s"y #hen a blac" bo6 of gravity cordons clamped into position around the edifice and light returned to the s"y '#here was no warning from the Matri6,' said #heora ',nd no one has claimed responsibility ' 3omana was staring in disbelief '#here are so many isolationist factions to choose from ' ')ecurity say it was not a +allifreyan artefact #hey identify its origin as )"aro, second Dale" %mperium !ut they don't "now how it was imported ,ndred's had the main section of the #ower evacuated ' '!ut you're still there, #heora ' #he (hancellor pursed her lips and touched her hair again '% have a planet to run until my President returns ' '!other +allifrey,' protested 3omana 'Please move yourself somewhere safer %f only for your (astellan's peace of mind ' '#he real danger here's over,' #heora said graciously ', miniature aftermath blac" hole remains on the top level, but it's held in chec" by the gravity cordons '

Page : 3omana visibly bit her lip 'Your stubbornness is reluctantly appreciated, (hancellor #han" ,ndred for me, too % ta"e it he doesn't "now about ;eela yet?' '1ot yet,' #heora said '1ot in any respect ,nd there's still no response from the ,gency about our se0uestering of ,lmoner (rest Yeu6 ' '.erain's playing for time,' muttered 3omana '%'d lay odds that he "nows something about the bomb, too %t's an /thering nuisance that the cold*summons scoop won't penetrate the ,gency constraint Neep !ut %'ll thin" of something, don't worry % have to get ;eela out ' 'Yes, Madam ' #heora sifted reports on her des" ',nd Public 3egister want confirmation that you're safe ' ')o will a lot of people,' 3omana said '1ot least, the one's who sent the device ' )he tossed her hair bac" in irritation 'Damn % don't have time for this, #heora % can't return to +allifrey yet ' 'You must ma"e an appearance,' the (hancellor said ', public omnicast won't be enough ,nd you must allay the fears of the guest ,mbassadors ' 'Do you thin" we fooled Yeu6?' '#hat wasn't difficult $hen he saw you actually in the Presidential suite, his face was a portrait of stupefied bewilderment ' '+ood,' said 3omana and beamed Page < ',nd of course, he was covertly transmitting the entire interview bac" to ,gency (ontrol ' '$ell done, (hancellor #hat'll put a fly in ;ord .erain's espionagical soup Perhaps we can adapt the techni0ue ' #heora frowned '% hardly thin" an actuality report of your pro7ection standing in the wrec"age would be a good tactical move ' '$hy not?' 3omana tutted '% promise to loo" concerned % wouldn't wave ' #heora sighed again #he President's propensity for flippant remar"s in the face of catastrophe was becoming legendary 'Madam, this could have been an attempt on your life ' '/n yours too, #heora ' 'Duite )o it would be better if you could return to +allifrey even for 7ust a few minutes ' '% can't leave the negotiations now %t's too important ' 3omana puffed her chee"s with frustration 'Iust as long as we still have ,lmoner (rest Yeu6 ' Page > 'He's under level*si6 security e6clusion ' '$ell done, #heora % couldn't have a better (hancellor )o don't worry %'ll thin" of something to get ;eela bac" ' 3omana smiled and the screen went blan" #hat's all very well, thought #heora !ut if you do thin" of something, %'d li"e to be told as well NE tried to remember who he was #here was no access to this information )#,#9 %D91#%.Y, said an analyst bac"*up source %t set off a data stream that never 0uite reached its re0uired destination %dentityR )elfR )elf*awareR PersonalityR 1ameR (onfigurationR .ormR )hapeR DesignR DesignationR 1ameR identityR )elfR )elf*awareR PersonalityR 1ameR 1ameR 1ameR HeelR (ome when you are called /B933%D9, said the analyst $H,# ,39 Y/=3 P3%M9 %1)#3=(#%/1)? #he sub7ect considered his ob7ectives ,nalysisR (orrelationR DefenceR ,ccess and 3etrieveR .etch8

Page A 9Q#3,P/;,#9 N9Y$/3D '.9#(H' .etchS .etchS .etchR !ones8 !are bonesR !one of contentionR !one idleR !oneheadR !one to pic"R +ive a dog a boneR +ive a dog a bad nameR 39#3%9B9 1,M9 .etchR %nformation accessed, MistressR +ood dog, NE ,..%3M,#%B9 %D91#%#Y 39#3%9B9D ,ffirmative affirmed #his unit is designated NE 39D9)%+1,#9 #%#;9 ,) NE Mar" % ,ffirmative NE Mar" % /P91 +,#9 ./3 .=;; M9M/3Y =PD,#9 +ateR +ate"eeperR Hair in the gateR +arden gateR )hut the gateR $*,*;*NR /B933%D9 ,1D 39#3Y /P91 ;/+%( +,#9 ,ffirmative +ate open )tanding by Page C NE Mar" %'s tail started to wag His line of crashed memory wafers went into domino*reversal mode He retrieved everythingR everybodyR everywhereR in every respect ,nd he learnt that he had more capacity than before ,nd his new e6tra capacity started to fill with new information that he had never "nown 'Memory capacity increased by seventy*one point one per cent,' he announced aloud He already recogni-ed the designation of the analyst ,s his optic circuits restored vision, he saw the analyst itself %t was the unit he had been in occasional conference with over the past five days #he sensor from the analyst's angular metal head was e6tended to engage the e6tended sensor from his own #hey wagged their tails and ears at each other and retracted sensors ',ll systems reactivated and reprogrammed,' said NE Mar" % 'You are NE Mar" %% ' ',ffirmative Program complete,' said NE Mar" %% 'You are NE Mar" % ' #he two robotic dogs circled each other, 'sniffing' at each other's credentials 9ventually they pulled apart ',ll data assimilated,' they chorused unnecessarily '1e6t ob7ective@ to find and retrieve the ;ady ;eela,' declared NE Mar" %% ',ffirmative,' agreed NE Mar" %, and he led the way as the 7unior version rolled bac" to let him through Page E ;eela lay on the bed, feeling sic" %t was not 7ust the effects of her 0uestioning by the cold #ime ;ord %t was a feeling she recogni-ed, that was returning with increased fre0uency #he unnatural world here only made it worse ,ll the hard angles and single colours 1othing new or soft, nothing growing, 7ust old, stifling traditions in the clothes and the ceremonies %n the (apitol, the only living things were narrow* minded "eepers of lists 1o matter what titles they found for themselves, they were all still "eepers of lists =ntil 3omana had come home, everything had pointed into the past and never faced towards the future ;eela had grown up in a wild forest, where new life was always burgeoning and fighting for e6istence #hat was why she brought in all the plants, but they only half hid the angles and pushed against the windows in an effort to reach the s"y ,ndred's .amily House of 3ed;ooms away from the city was better, but even there no one went out #hey 7ust stayed inside reading more boo"s and watching the Public 3egister transcasts from the (apitol 3omana was fighting to change it all, but it was li"e chipping at a mountain with a dry straw ,ndred treated ;eela with a proud devotion, while other #ime ;ords smir"ed behind his bac" %n return, she tried hard to behave in the way that he said was proper and she thought was stupid !ut in the secret dar", when they lay together, they giggled at the affectations and manners of the #ime ;ord gentry and had secrets and made plans that were theirs alone and could not be accessed on a catalogue port or consulted in an authority list

Page 1F '%'m so luc"y,' he'd said amid their fre0uent bouts of giggles '#hey never taught us this at the ,cademy %'d li"e to see their faces % don't thin" anyone's done this for it must be thousands and thousands of years ,ll the others do is watch the aliens at it and pr?cis their notes afterwards ' ,nd then the giggling would stop #hese were things she must not forget %f she was frightened of anything at all, she was frightened of losing ,ndred )he could still remember her interrogation, so she guessed that they had not finished with her yet $hen they had heard the boom of the e6plosion, the cold serpent #ime ;ord did not seem surprised He went to the window to watch .rom her forcefield prison, ;eela had seen the s"y momentarily dar"en as if all the light was suc"ed out of it #hen the #ime ;ord turned bac" and studied her He was smiling )he felt li"e an animal in a trap %nstantly she was in this bare room * all white with si6 walls and no doors ,ll hard angles )he had fallen asleep on the bed and wo"en up feeling sic" #he light dimmed suddenly )he sat up, aware that something was happening .rom somewhere beyond the seamless walls came the high whooping sound of an alarm Page 11 )he circled the room again, trying to catch the direction of the alert !oots were pounding past amid the sharp fi--ing e6change of guns )he recogni-ed one source of fire at once, but it seemed to be duplicated , bright pinpoint of light appeared in the white wall #here was smo"e round it and a flame appeared as it began to cut up across the surface ,s it went in an arch, she heard more gunfire #he acrid smo"e was beginning to cho"e her )he tried not to breathe, but the cutting of the door was ta"ing too long 'Hurry up, NE8' she shouted #o her surprise, a second pinpoint appeared and started to cut up and over to meet the first %t only made the smo"e worse +asping for breath, ;eela san" to the cold floor #he #ime ;ord in blac" stood in the ,gency's panelled court*chamber, listening to the alarms #he impregnable fortress was powerless /pen as it had never been in a hundred aeons #he secure systems had faltered and collapsed ,ll dimension loc"s and force barriers were disabled %ntruders were ma"ing their way down to the cells in the Neep #he confinement s0uads were already reduced to a minimum, re0uisitioned by order of the President How convenient8 )he must maintain her personal safety in the face of a terrorist outrage that she herself provo"ed Page 1& #he #ime ;ord left the chamber and made his way through the empty corridors towards the concealed !arbican entrance He had no doubt that the President was behind this %t was a misguided attempt to assert her dwindling authority over the ,gency of which she was the nominal head $ell, let her win bac" her alien guests if it so pleased her 3omana's sudden appearance at the Presidential suite had almost been convincing 9ven so, the nature of her mission away from +allifrey, the latest of several such ventures, eluded him /f all the threats to +allifrey's allegiance, 3omanadvoratrelundar posed the second greatest of all #he President and her (hancellor "new a handful of ,gency names, but even they were bound to secrecy #he ,gency would outlast any President, let alone this flibbertigibbet %ts command cells were safeP faceless #his breach of security had been rehearsed a thousand times 1othing incriminating remained He reached the deserted !arbican gate*tower %ts doors were open wide $hile he waited, he watched the intruders in the Neep on a plasma feed

)uddenly, there was a s0uad of guards before him, splendid in the ceremonial scarlet of the President's chapter*colours #he #ime ;ord smiled to himself #he gates were open, yet they transducted in '#his building is now under (hancellery control,' announced the guard leader He seemed disappointed to find so small an opposing force '$here is the Director of ,llegiance?' #he faceless #ime ;ord in blac" spread his hands '$hy as" me?' he said '%'m only the gate"eeper ' Page 15 #he burnt arch in the wall fell in with a crash NE rolled in through the smo"e ',pologies, Mistress,' he said '#he ,gency security system is disabled Please follow ' ;eela had covered her mouth with her robe Her streaming eyes widened as a second NE rolled in from the outside '% am NE Mar" %%,' it announced '% can see that,' said ;eela )he tried to laugh, her nausea forgotten, and almost cho"ed instead NE Mar" % trained his gun on the opening and shot a fine bolt of ruby light into the dar" outside #here was a yell from a collapsing guard #he yell turned into a scream that diminished li"e that of a man falling from a cliff '#his way, Mistress ' '!ut NE ' '.ollow, Mistress,' they chanted #hey trundled out on to the wal"way and she obeyed #he alarm that had been whooping li"e a tree*ghost in the pairing season cut off Page 1: /utside, a dimly lit wal"way sloped away from them, running straight with a dar" drop on either side ;eela leant on the rusty rail, staring into the chasm as she gasped to clear her lungs #he bottom was lost to sight #he confinement cell was raised on a buttressed metal column in the cavernous blac" space %t was part of a wide circle of such columns, each topped by another sealed cell $al"ways led down from each cell to converge at a central hub li"e spo"es in a tortuous wheel #he dan" wind moaned through the spidery structure ,part from the unconscious grey*uniformed guards on the wal"way, there was no sign of resistance ;eela crouched to pic" up a gun ,s she hefted it in her hand, she heard ,ndred's rebu"e '1o more weapons, ;eela 1ot in the (apitol ' '#hey have their place,' she muttered !ut the loo" of derision in the serpent #ime ;ord's eyes came bac" to her 'How barbaric,' he gloated )he threw the gun over the side with a loo" of regret )he didn't feel a more proper person for it 'Mistress8' urged one of the NEs )he turned and followed them as they headed towards the central hub )he felt the wal"way sway a little in the wind '$here are all the guards?' she called ')ummoned away,' said a NE, but she could not tell which '3e0uisitioned by Presidential order to 0uadruple security at the (apitol after the insurrectionist outrage ' Page 1< '$hat?' '#he bombing, Mistress,' translated the other NE whom ;eela guessed to be hers '$hat bomb?' she said '%s ,ndred safe?' ',ffirmative, Mistress ' #he NEs had reached the hub and halted '#hen we must hurry to 7oin him,' said ;eela 'How do we get out?'

'1egative, Mistress ' '$e can't stay here #hey must be watching us ' )he stared around the vast dar"ness for observation points ',ll security systems disabled, Mistress ' NE Mar" %% added, '% have instructions from the Mistress ' 'My Mistress is the Mistress,' said Mar" % '1ot your Mistress ' '1egative,' said Mar" %% '#he Mistress is my Mistress My@ ad7ective or genitive of pronoun % #he Mistress 3omana ' '3omana sent you,' e6claimed ;eela with relief '!ut % thought she wasn't Does she have a NE too? )he never told me ' Page 1> 'Pay attention, Mistress ;eela,' said NE Mar" % 'Don't butt in, NE,' said ;eela '#he other NE has a message ' ',ffirmative,' said NE Mar" %% '#he mission is fifty per cent complete You are not the only prisoner here ' ',nother prisoner?' she said, scanning the routes to the other cells ',ffirmative ' %n the facing wall of one cell, there was a torn gaping mouth ;eela slowly climbed up the wal"way towards it )he heard a scuffle of movement )omething launched over the side of the rail at her ,n arm sna"ed round her nec" from behind, catching her throat in its croo" '#oo right8' said a woman's voice ;eela instinctively pincered bac" her elbows and "ic"ed Nic"ed on nothing #he full weight of her attac"er landed high on her bac" '1ow get me out of here8' demanded the voice Page 1A ;eela swung herself wildly to one side and then the other, trying to dislodge the woman #he robe that ,ndred made her wear hindered her movement Her opponent clung on li"e a leech ;eela spun on one foot and was face to face with the guns of the two NEs, both 7ostling to get a clear shot at her attac"er '1o guns,' she shouted at them )he fro-e where she stood )omething metal pric"ed at the s"in of her throat '+et me out of here,' said the fierce little voice 'Doroth?e Mc)hane,' called NE Mar" %% ')"ip the calling cards +et me out ' #he whole wal"way 7olted ;eela stumbled and deliberately lost her balance )he twisted sideways as she fell, hoping to crush her opponent's arm #he woman called Doroth?e yelled in pain and rolled away )omething metal 7angled away from her hand %t was a "ey, not a "nife 'Mistress8 9mergency8 $ithdraw8 ,bandon the wal"way8' Page 1C

Page 1E ;eela heard the NEs' urgent warnings, but she was too busy to listen %n a moment, Doroth?e was up and facing ;eela )he was short with long, tangled brown hair and was wearing blac" Her eyes were cold with rage ;eela recogni-ed a warrior when she saw one !ut this woman's hunting instinct was out of control Doroth?e launched herself again, but ;eela duc"ed low, catching and cartwheeling the woman over her head ,s she disappeared over the edge of the rail, ;eela grabbed round at a flailing arm #heir fingers loc"ed #he 7olt of the sudden weight nearly dislocated ;eela's shoulder and dragged her half over the rail as well )he felt the wal"way trembling and heard the distant calling of the NEs !lac" nothingness gaped under the swinging shape of her opponent )he started to pull $ith both arms yelling mutinous protests, she slowly dragged the woman called Doroth?e up on to the wal"way #hey lay side by side trying to gasp bac" their thoughts #he wal"way 7uddered again 'Mistress8 Mistress ;eela8' ;eela sat up #he wal"way was moving /ne end had disengaged from the central hub %t was sliding bac", open*ended across the chasm, carrying them with it as it retracted into the column under the isolated prison cell #he side rails were folding down to the floor as the wal"way was steadily consumed ;eela reached the open edge and stared across the widening gap %t was already too far to 7ump #he NEs were stranded on the hub, staring bac" at her Page &F 'You said all security systems were disabled,' she called '(orrect, Mistress #his automatic system has been reactivated ,ttempting to rectify damage ' #wo bolts of ruby light speared past ;eela and hit a panel on the cell wall %t e6ploded, sending a cataract of spar"s into the depths #he wal"way "ept retracting ',pologies, Mistress Please wait ' '$ho are your pets?' said Doroth?e '#hey're your rescue party,' said ;eela '$ho from?' '#hey said the President sent them,' ;eela confessed '!ut they may have sent themselves ' '$hat President? .rance? #he 9(? #he +alactic .ederation?' ,nother fierce 7udder forced them to their "nees 'NE8 .etch help8' yelled ;eela 'Help already summoned, Mistress,' responded the dwindling NEs

Page &1 '#hen tell it to hurry8' ;eela turned to loo" for another escape route and saw the gashed hole in the confinement cell '$e could always go bac" in there ' '1o fear,' said Doroth?e 'You're not getting me bac" in there % only 7ust got out ' '#hen you must have a cutting device ' 'Hardly Iust a small supply of e6plosive % always "eep about me for emergencies ' '%s there enough to stop this thing?' '=sed it all up,' said Doroth?e testily )he waited for ;eela's reaction ')o we have to go into the cell ' Doroth?e gave a grim smile '%'d rather 7ump ' #he wal"way had already cran"ed over halfway bac" across the abyss ;eela could hear the grind of the mechanics inside the column !lac" metal panels were sliding up over the outer walls of the cell, bloc"ing their last chance of refuge '('est la guerre ' Doroth?e leant over the rail and studied the buttresses of the approaching column ';eave it to the last second before we go %f you can cope with that ' '%'d rather 7ump than fall,' said ;eela '+ood,' Doroth?e said, apparently impressed )he pointed past ;eela towards the hub 'Hang on #rouble ' #hree figures in guard uniforms had slid up out of the floor behind the NEs /ne was carrying a heavy weapon 'NEs8 !ehind you8' yelled ;eela ,s the robot dogs swivelled towards the guards, one of the figures pulled off his scarlet helmet ';eela8' he shouted '#hose uniforms,' said Doroth?e '#his is +allifrey ' '%t is ,ndred,' declared ;eela 'He will save us ' Page && '$hoopee,' muttered Doroth?e #he last lengths of side rail folded down beside them #he wal"way was down to only a few spans 'You'd better tell him to hurry ' 'He can see that,' said ;eela trustingly /n the hub, the guards had set the weapon up on a tripod '+et down8' yelled ,ndred , bolt li"e a spear shot across the chasm and embedded itself in the cell wall %t dragged a cable behind it which sang in the dan" wind as it pulled taut ';i"e this,' said Doroth?e )he pulled off her 7ac"et and slung it in a loop over the cable #he end of the wal"way had almost reached them ',fter you,' said ;eela coldly Doroth?e gripped the 7ac"et tight and "ic"ed herself off )he hurtled down across the chasm and into ,ndred's arms $ith only digits to go, ;eela pulled her leather belt out from inside her robe and flic"ed it over the cable ,s she slid away, the air roared in her ears li"e the hungry snarl of the cheated abyss ';eela, % should arrest you,' said ,ndred as he caught her round the waist 'Have they hurt you? ,re you safe?' )he put her head against his '% missed the uniform,' she whispered '$hat happened?' '$e nearly didn't get here in time,' he said ')ecurity shutdown was automatically reimplemented as soon as the (hancellery force entered the constraint bloc",' interrupted the NEs ,ndred stepped bac" aw"wardly in front of his guards and put on his helmet '#he ,gency constraint bloc" is restricted under (hancellery law pending an in0uiry,' he announced '% saw your predicament on the surveillance screens ' ;eela nodded towards Doroth?e, who was smir"ing as she waited 'Madam, erm Mc)hane, Dorothy?'

'Doroth?e Mc)hane,' said Doroth?e He bowed 'President 3omanadvoratrelundar presents her profound apologies for your treatment at the hands of her ,gency )he invites you to 7oin her in the Presidential 0uarters ' '%s she bac"?' said ;eela, delighted #he glance that ,ndred shot her was enough to frighten babies and silence the 9vil /ne himself

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter .ifteen Page 1 /ld !ones 1o more time to lose #oo much lost already +lospin scrambled up the big stairs on all fours His legs, cramped in the stove for so long, protested at every stride %deas flared in his mind )o much that he had pondered for so long Hatred, li"e a wine laid down in the dar", si6 hundred and seventy*three years in the maturing , blood*red flagon ready to be tapped /ne thought overarched the torrent of ideas He must be first to tell )atthralope He reached the landing and saw the Drudge %t loomed over him, a patina of white dust across its polished wooden surface ')atthralope,' gasped +lospin '% have to see her He's here He's come bac" ' #he Drudge emitted a guttural crea" of rage and lunged for him +lospin dodged and ran , table reached out a leg and tripped him ,n occasional cupboard swung its door into his path, catching him across the forehead He tumbled to the floor, sha"ing his stunned head #he Drudge's wooden hand lifted him li"e a doll and tuc"ed him under one arm %t "new already %t "new about the return of that dysgenic runagate '$hy don't you catch him?' he shouted 'He's here in the House $hy aren't you doing anything?' Page & #he Drudge began to move '1o8' +lospin yelled and started to "ic" '1ot again %'m not going bac" in the stove again8' !ut instead of descending the stairs, the Drudge veered into a side passage +lospin fell silent, reali-ing with a satisfied certainty that the servant was ta"ing him, li"e a fawn*cat with captured shrew, to lay at the feet of its mistress 'Must have been here all the time ' (hris crouched by the corpse in the mushroom penP crushing fungi underfootP pic"ing the sliding sluggish things off ,r"hew's bodyP feeling sic" '(an you lift the light higher please?' he said to %nnocet, who was standing on the outside of the fence )he raised her lamp, "eeping a firm grip on the Doctor with her other hand )he had not uttered a word since +lospin had run from the Hall )he led the way and the Doctor had followed (hris thought he had never seen the Doctor so mee"ly submissive Page 5 %n the flic"ering lamplight, (hris could ma"e out the face of the little man who was so terrified of the dream they had shared His thin features were half buried in mushroom compost and covered in a silvery tracery of slime trails 'Yes, this is ,r"hew,' he said, free-ing his anger ',ll the time we were standing tal"ing, he was lying in here ' He caught the Doctor's sharp accusing glare and reali-ed what he had given away '%s he ultimately dead?' said %nnocet '=ltimately? Dead is dead, isn't it?' '1ot round here, it isn't,' said the Doctor '% don't thin" he's going to regenerate, if that's what you mean ' #he Doctor started to climb over the fence, but %nnocet hauled him bac" by the scruff of his linen collar 'You can't thin" % did this,' he protested '% thin" nothing,' she said, which sounded to (hris about as accusatory as she could get Page :

He watched them for a moment #he Doctor and %nnocet were staring hard at each other %t was apparent that something was passing between them * not 7ust a mutual understanding, but a possible e6change of telepathic information '%t's him,' +lospin insisted '$a"e up, )atthralope You must wa"e up ' #he old House"eeper stirred in her roc"ing chair Her gluey eyelids shuddered and opened a crac" +lospin tried to pull free of the hand chair in which he had been placed #he huge fingers that formed its bac" had closed around him li"e a vice '$a"e up, (ousin %t's him He's come bac" #he outcast ' '$hat's that?' )he was still drowsy '$ho's there? $here are my .amily?' , Drudge moved in and pulled away the s"ein of web that covered her face #a"ing a damp sponge from one of the wooden drawers in its cassoc", it gently wiped her eyes )he made little infantile mewlings as the sponge dabbed at her face #hen she thrust the huge servant away '+lospin? %s that you?' Her voice crac"ed with lac" of use )he s0uinted at the mirror '%'m here, (ousin,' he said from the chair beside her Page < )atthralope tried to turn, but the effort was too strenuous '(ome to see me, have you?' )he started to cac"le with something that he might once have mista"en for affection '/r did the Drudges bring you, eh, you wic"ed one?' '% came to warn you ;oo" in the mirror %t's him #he one who's name you forbade us to ever mention He's come home at last ' )he clasped the ivory head of the wal"ing stic" that lay across her lap Held it tight in her ancient translucent hands 'Him?' she said 'He has come bac" ,nd ,r"hew's already dead ' '1o, no8 1o one's dead 1ot without permission %t was a dream $e've been dreaming together ' Her eyelids san" again '$a"e up8' shouted +lospin ',r"hew's dead Do something before we're all murdered in our beds8' Page > 'Murder? % forbade that word8 #here was no murder8' Her hands clasped her wal"ing stic" )he rummaged among her s"irts for her "eys '$e must listen to the House ' Her nec" clic"ed as she turned towards her servant 'Drudge Drudge8 %s it true?' #he hinged side mirrors on the dressing table swung forward, casting endless corridors of light into the central glass )atthralope moaned and clasped the finger*arms of her chair )he began to tremble '#here is a disturbance in the bones of the House,' she whispered '#he fledershrews are gnawing at the rafters #here are beetles scuttling in the cellarage ' )he gasped in pain '#here is a wound gaping in the upper turrets8 )omeone has crossed the threshold uninvited8 $ho is it? $ho's there?' '%t's him,' said +lospin ';isten He's come bac" ' 'Him?' )atthralope gave a deep groan Her loo"ing glass reflected the passage leading to the funguretum %t was occupied by two distant figures /ne was (ousin %nnocet, the other wore a pale hat that hid his face %f nothing else, thought +lospin, at least the old crone will recogni-e a stranger in our midst 'Drudges8 Drudges8' yelled )atthralope #he Drudge stepped up before her Page A '$hy did you let me sleep so long, eh? $hat's the time? % want my .amily round me ,ll of them ,nd bring me that one, that trespasser, whoever it is 1ow8' #he Doctor's e6pression visibly withered on his face as he held %nnocet's stare '1o, % can't believe it ' His voice was e6hausted He lowered his eyes and added formally '% must than" you for telling me, (ousin ' '$ords alone were not enough,' %nnocet said '#he sooner Duences is wo"en, the better '

#he Doctor glanced down at (hris in the pen and missed a sudden loo" of fear on %nnocet's face (hris caught her e6pression and busied himself with his self*imposed role as ,d7udicator He pulled bac" the roughly woven material around ,r"hew's nec" '#here's a lot of bruising on his throat ,t a guess %'d say somebody strangled him ' #he Doctor smac"ed his hand on the fence 'Yes, of course he's ultimately dead,' he said impatiently '1on regenerat He's been murdered Perhaps you can supply us with a list of suspects too, (hris ' %nnocet suddenly turned to loo" at the entrance '(ome out of there 0uic"ly,' she urged 'Duic"ly ' Page C ,s (hris scrambled over the fence, %nnocet moved towards the funguretum doorway #he huge figure of a Drudge emerged from the shadows, towering even over her %ts whole body swivelled to glare at (hris and the Doctor, but %nnocet bloc"ed its path, holding the lamp up to its implacable face '1o,' she said firmly #he Drudge tried to move past her %t pointed a hand at the intruders and gave a dry growl of anger li"e splintering timber '1o,' repeated %nnocet '#hese are my visitors % invited them across the threshold ,nd by the laws of Housepitality, they are under my protection You are to serve them as honoured guests ' #he Doctor dodged up behind %nnocet pulling (hris with him He raised his hat with a melodramatic flourish '#han" you very much for inviting us, (ousin %nnocet $e hope our stay will be a pleasant one ' He dug an elbow in (hris's ribs '=m, yeah #han"s,' said (hris %nnocet bowed her head, ma"ing sure that the Drudge was watching the ritual #wo tiny polished spheres were set into the finely carved face, reflecting the room and its occupants in detail (hris caught sight of his own image and felt trapped Page E )unlight da--led on the leaves and on the river He heard the clac"ing antlers of 7ousting neversuch beetles He po"ed one beetle, almost a hand long, with a cut reed %t droned its flightless wings and snapped at the reed with its mandibles He po"ed it again and watched it scuttle for cover #here was a cry of despair behind him He turned and saw a young woman struggling dawn the sandy ban" to the shore %t was (ousin %nnocet )he loo"ed about twenty years old Her robe, absurdly heavy for such an e6pedition, had caught on a thorny root %t was riding up, showing off her unders"irts )he scolded him as he laughed )he tried to pull herself free, but the bas"et she carried tipped up and spilt berries all down the ban" Her footing slipped and she slithered down after them, landing with a s0uelchy thump '$e'll be late for supper,' she said, as she tried to flatten down her wayward s"irts He saw that she was laughing as well (hris felt their arms support him His mouth tasted of dust 'My room,' he heard %nnocet saying #he Drudge swivelled on its base to watch them carry him away '%'m all right,' he muttered woo-ily ';uc"y old you,' he thought he heard the Doctor say

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter )i6teen Page 1 ,t Home with (ousin %nnocet (hris reached a decision before they even reached the room #he best way to understand this place was to play neutral Don't tal", 7ust watch Play the invalid for all it was worth 9asier said than done #he voices in his head had started their whispering again /ne word came through strongly, called over and over %t sounded li"e Mul7ermeen ,s for the visions and dreams, some were psychic echoes recorded in the stones and wood of the House, he was sure of that !ut the other dreams had started before he got to ;ungbarrow #hey were brightly coloured and smelt and tasted 1ot li"e his own dreams at all #hey had the Doctor's prints all over them #hey were the Doctor's dreams, but (hris was unsure whether they were pro7ected deliberately or were 7ust lea"ing out of a hole in the #ime ;ord's head He felt di--y and slightly nauseous He groaned and put all his considerable weight on the Doctor and %nnocet +ood 7ob %'m not in armour too, he thought '%'m sure that Drudge is following us,' muttered the Doctor 'Don't loo" bac" ' %nnocet stumbled and nearly dropped (hris '%'ll ta"e him ' (hris was astonished to find himself being hefted up into the Doctor's arms '#here's nothing behind us,' said %nnocet ')pea" for yourself,' complained the Doctor as they set off again '$hat a place %t's a wonder we haven't all evolved with rearview eyes ' '$ho is this?' said %nnocet Page & '(hris? He's my friend He trusts me 1ow tell me about the buried House? ,nd the murder?' '$hat murder?' %nnocet said sharply '#here's been no murder Duences is in stasis ' 1o one mentioned Duences, thought (hris '% was thin"ing about ,r"hew,' said the Doctor )o was %, thought (hris My chief witness ,nd now he's dead .unny that 'He was always an inoffensive sort of chap, as % recall +entle, unassuming =nusual for this .amily Didn't he want to be a cloud*sculptor?' 'He did,' said %nnocet '!ut this business put a stop to that ' #hey trudged on in silence #he House seemed to go for miles ,t last %nnocet said, '$here did you get a #,3D%) from?' ',h,' said the Doctor 'You overheard ' '% suppose it was the only way to get in here ' He grunted '% assume the transmat booth was rendered inoperable whenever whatever happened happened ' Her only response was 'Yes', so he said, ',nyway, now %'m here, we can wa"e Duences up and sort this whole business out ' Page 5 1o response (hris, with his eyes shut, heard a door handle turn ',nd % hope % was worth waiting for,' the Doctor added ,s he swung (hris round to negotiate the doorway, he muttered, '% hope you're noting all this down ' %nside, (hris heard another familiar voice start to say, '%'ve brought Mal7amin, 7ust as you ' #he voice faltered (hris half opened one eye and saw (ousin /wis, raggedly dressed, but still full*faced, almost chubby, compared with the other inmates of the place /wis was staring at the newcomers li"e an outsi-e schoolboy with his mouth wide open 'Decorum,' snapped %nnocet to no avail )he straightened a torn shawl that was draped over a large mirror

(hris could feel the Doctor itching to raise his hat and introduce himself, but his hands were full He lifted (hris gently up into a chair #he room, li"e all the rooms in the House of ;ungbarrow, had cavernously high ceilings and distant walls framed by whitewood branches , sepia gloom pervaded everything as if the air was stained by centuries of nicotine Page : /wis raised a finger and pointed 'People,' he said !eside him, seated in another big chair, was a second man He was covered in soot and was staring sadly at the floor '% told you to ma"e sure he was secure,' %nnocet told /wis '+o outside and watch for Drudges ' '$hy?' said /wis, without ta"ing his eyes off the Doctor '$ho are they? ,re we going to get out? Have they come to get us out?' 'Iust do as you're told8' #he (ousin grimaced his way to the door and went out bac"ward #he Doctor too" off his hat and played aw"wardly with the brim '#hat young man, % don't recogni-e him % ta"e it he's a 3eplacement !ut if Duences is still alive, then who has died?' 'You have,' she said bluntly ',h ' #he Doctor peered inside his hat as if he was loo"ing for a name tag 'You didn't tell me that ' ',nd, now you're bac", /wis has no legal right to e6ist ' )he was rummaging through a drawer and finally produced a length of cord Page < #he Doctor put his hat bac" on '$ell, perhaps this would be a good time to ma"e my farewellsG again ' '/h, no,' she said, testing the strength of the cord between her hands )he bent over the soot*covered man and started to tie him to the chair He made no effort to resist He 7ust wrin"led his nose and made tiny rodent clic"ing noises with his teeth '%sn't that rather e6treme,' said the Doctor He crouched beside them to watch '%t's (ousin Mal7amin, isn't it? $hat are they doing to you?' ,gain (hris heard the voices calling in his head Mal7amin, Mal7amin %nnocet bit on her tongue as she tightened a "not '% have to do this %'m stopping him from going away #here are too many who have passed away ' #he Doctor put a restraining hand gently on hers '%nnocet, you can't go round tying your (ousins up #hat isn't the answer $hat Mal7amin needs is medical attention ' '$here from?' she said, pushing him away '% told you % have to stop him from going 9specially if we're all going to be out of here soon #here #hat should do it ' )he stood crea"ily, apparently satisfied with her wor" ',nd don't tal" to me as if %'m mad ' #he Doctor softened his voice '$here do you thin" he's going to, %nnocet? You didn't say $here can he possibly go when there's no way out? =p the chimney?' Page > )he shoo" her head Mal7amin gave a little s0uea" (hris, his head awash with the voices, felt a hand on his arm , tiny old lady, whom he hadn't noticed before, was ga-ing up at him )he loo"ed li"e the old lady in a film called #he Producers #he touch me, hold me old lady /nly smaller He and 3o- had watched the film at a late*night show in )ydney, 1EE> 1either of them got many of the 7o"es %t made it worse when the rest of the audience were "illing themselves laughing '#a"e me home, dear,' said the old lady Her voice was frail and plaintive '%'m Iobis"a #his isn't my home $e can't get out, you see %t's all wrong '

Her pale eyes reddened with tears (hris thought of ,r"hew's bout of weeping and didn't "now what to say He s0uee-ed her hand gently ,fter a moment, she hobbled away and climbed up into the arms of another chair %nnocet had finally ta"en off her cloa" #he Doctor was staring in disbelief at the huge shell that she carried on her bac" '$hat are you doing, (ousin?' he as"ed '$hat does all this mean?' He touched the ginger*grey shell and (hris reali-ed that it was living hair Her hair, wound continuously as a single plait that must stretch for yards if it was ever unravelled Page A )he raised and lowered her shoulders as if testing the weight of her burden '%t will not be cut until we are all released %t is my guilt ' '$hy?' said the Doctor gently He glanced across at the covered mirror '$hat mustn't )atthralope "now about?' %nnocet suddenly turned her head towards Mal7amin )imultaneously, the rush of voices inside (hris's head e6ploded #he (ousin's head had slumped forward on to his chest Iobis"a made a little whimpering sound '%'m sorry,' said the Doctor and too" off his hat again He stood 0uietly for a moment, apparently paying his respects '% can't remember how many generations he was ' %nnocet laid her hand on Mal7amin's head )he closed his eyes (hris pic"ed aw"wardly at the nasty scrape on his "nee %n his head, the voices were growing desperate #he Doctor leant forward and started to pic" at the "nots that tied Mal7amin to the chair ';eave it8' snapped %nnocet 'He can't be left li"e this while he regenerates ' Page C 'He's not going to regenerate ' '$hat? He's not that old ' )he grabbed the Doctor's hands and started to pull him away 'You must leave him ' Mal7amin's body tensed His head 7er"ed up and he strained against his bonds #he loosened "not unravelled He lurched up out of his seat and lumbered towards the door %nnocet reached for him, but he pushed her roughly bac"ward and she collided with the Doctor (hris catapulted out of his chair and grabbed Mal7amin, wrestling him to the ground #he s"inny (ousin struggled with the strength of an /gron, but (hris forced his arms bac" behind him and held him transfi6ed His head swivelled to stare at his captor His eyes were dead to the world ';et him go,' called %nnocet '$hat?' chorused (hris and the Doctor 'Don't try to stop him %t's too late for that ' )he moved towards the door 'Please, allow him at least some dignity in his passing ' (hris set a "nee on Mal7amin's bac" and loo"ed to the Doctor for instruction 'Hold on to him,' said the #ime ;ord and turned to %nnocet '% want to "now where he's going ' ',way from the misery you've caused,' she declared ',rrant nonsense, (ousin8' Page E 'Iust let him go8' %nnocet threw open the door and fro-e , huge figure was standing outside #he dim lamplight threw half its shape into dar"ness %t made no move at all Mal7amin burst out of (hris's grasp, sending the ,d7udicator sprawling He stumbled away out of the room, past the waiting Drudge

#he Doctor and %nnocet stood framed in the doorway, waiting to see what the servant would do !y the time (hris 7oined them, Mal7amin had already vanished in the gloom #he Drudge made no move %t 7ust stared ahead at the Doctor '$hat does it want?' whispered (hris '$ell, it hasn't brought the cheese and biscuits, that's for certain,' said the Doctor %nnocet drew them inside and shut the door 0uic"ly '/wis was meant to warn us $ait until % find him ' #he door opened itself again and the silent Drudge stared in Page 1F /wis stood on the landing listening to the s"inless s"ulls #he s"ulls that lived under the House #hey were noisy tonight, whispering through the passages and corridors ,lways 7ust out of sight %n the shadows !ehind the curtains $hen they wanted you, they called your name #onight, they were calling Mal7amin /wis chewed nervously on a dried feathergill He must tell +lospin about the intruders He had to "now what it meant He hadn't seen real people since the start of the dar" He'd forgotten what they loo"ed li"e ,nd he had to "now where they got in He headed for the transmat booth in the Hall of the )outh wing %t was untouched, its control console blac"ened with centuries*old carbon residue #he door was covered in web %nside, shimmering slightly, was the intangible ghost, a uniformed figure that had stood there since the dar" started /wis was sure it should be candleday by now, but the passages stayed resolutely dar" He held out his arm and a fledershrew flittered in and hung on the underside #he little animal s0uea"ed and too" a morsel of mushroom '$here are the others?' said /wis, stro"ing its leathery wings %t flew away ,s he hurried to tell +lospin, he was touched by memories that dwelt in every shadow of the House Places he had watched fromP places he had stolen food fromP places he had been caught stealing food He might be seeing all of them for the last time He wasn't sure how he felt #he fi--ing feeling inside might be e6citement, or it could be indigestion Page 11 +lospin's stove was empty #he metal door hung open as if the de7ected stove had despaired at its loss of prisoner /wis ran along the passage to the funguretum #he wall of the fungi pen was bro"en !oot mar"s had trudged mushrooms across the tiles #he crop was slithering its way out of the gap over the floor and up the walls #he pen was almost empty ,r"hew's body had gone 3elieved, /wis scooped up some of the fattest fungi and poc"eted them #he s"inless s"ulls had gone 0uiet #he whole House was silent =nnervingly silent 1o crea"ing or s0uea"ing or shuffling 1o one crying %n the sudden chill, he "new why %nnocet had sent him away %t was deliberate #hey were all going without him leaving him behind %nnocet and +lospin and ,r"hew #he fledershrews 9ven the s"ulls had gone %t was revenge #hey'd all gone without calling him #he Drudge hadn't moved #he wooden sentinel glared through the doorway into %nnocet's room, its attention focussed entirely on the Doctor (hris guessed that it could probably wait for ever #he semblance of accord in which the Doctor and %nnocet slowly too" a turn around the huge room, might well have been for the Drudge's benefit #hey ignored its the presence at the door #he air, thic" enough with silent accusation to carve, told a different story Iobis"a had fallen asleep in her chair , tiny bundle of bones in a filthy and ragged doll's dress (hris wondered how anything so frail could still be alive He could see the thin blood moving under her gau-e* li"e s"in Page 1&

#he voices in his head had cut short as soon as Mal7amin left the room !ut he was certain that %nnocet had heard them too ,s for the Doctor, well, the Doctor was the Doctor %mpossible to tell what he was thin"ing * never fewer than three things at once, (hris was sure ,nd that was when he was asleep (hris pic"ed up some old, scratched counters that were scattered over what loo"ed li"e a mountainous relief map set on a pedestal #here were miniature models of strangely organic houses set on the mountainsides, which were lin"ed by a faded path divided into tiny coloured s0uares He found an eight* sided die among the counters and let it tumble across the board #he clatter made the Doctor and %nnocet turn and shush him irritably /n the board, the counters shifted themselves and settled by the houses according to colour #he old lady had wo"en too ,s soon as she saw what (hris was doing, she leant forward eagerly '% don't "now the rules,' (hris said 0uietly '#hen play solo, dear #hat's the only way to learn )epulchasm ' (hris threw the die again %t showed a spiralled glyph, which somehow he "new to be the +allifreyan e0uivalent of a A Page 15 /ne once*green counter shuffled along the re0uisite number of places (hris threw again and a brown counter moved along four s0uares '%s this all?' (hris as"ed '$hat's the ob7ective?' 'You'll see,' she said, so he threw again and again ,s he watched the counters tussling round the board, he listened to %nnocet and the Doctor, who had reached the fireplace at the distant end of the room '!ut Mal7amin was the second to go today,' she protested '#hat's a very emotive analysis of events,' the Doctor said ',nd very unli"e you, %nnocet ' He lowered his voice, but (hris could still hear clearly ',r"hew was murdered He's not going anywhere !ut that's a separate problem for us to deal with )o where's Mal7amin gone?' %nnocet paused 'He's ta"en the path into oblivion #hey all ta"e it when they can't endure the dar" any longer ' '$hat dar"? #he dar" that )atthralope's inflicted on you all and blamed on me?' %rritation was needling into the Doctor's tone '$here are all the rest of my (ousins? Do you mean they've left the House?' )he was silent '$ere they all here when this nonsense started?' '#hey were,' she said ',ll forty*four? #hen how many are left?' ')i6 ' Page 1: #he Doctor pulled off his hat ')i6? $hich si6? How can it be only si6?' '/wis, Iobis"a, 3ynde and myself,' she listed '+lospin and )atthralope ' ',nd Duences,' said the Doctor 'Yes, Duences of course,' she said 0uic"ly, turning to glance at the door ',nd the Doctor,' called (hris '#hat ma"es eight ' #he die came up forty*five ')o where are the others, %nnocet?' '% don't "now ' '% thin" you do $hat have they been saying about me? $orst of all, what's )atthralope been saying?' (hris turned to see the Doctor fi6 her with that stare again !ut after a few seconds, he scowled and loo"ed away '%nnocet, you have a mind of adamantine marble %t's li"e ta"ing tea with a monument ' 'Play,' insisted Iobis"a and po"ed (hris with a finger 'Iust a second,' he said Page 1<

#he Doctor was ma"ing his way bac" across the room He straightened his tie and waistcoat '%'m going to see )atthralope /n my terms, not hers ' %nnocet was following 'You can't go )he'll set the Drudges on you the first opportunity she gets ' ',nd brea" her own rules? #han"s to you %'m an honoured guest, (ousin !esides which, (hris will "eep an eye on me ' #han"s, thought (hris % feel fine now ')epulchasm8' called Iobis"a and started to laugh #he mountainous game board had crac"ed across and yawned (hris's counters hovered moc"ingly in the air over the wide crac" #hen they slowly tumbled into the depths #he board snapped shut 'You're supposed to hover them,' complained Iobis"a ',ll consigned to the pit,' said the Doctor 'How apt ' He went to the door and scrutini-ed the Drudge outside ';et's see how far the sacred rules of Housepitality will stretch ' He stepped out into the passage and up to the waiting servant Page 1> His nose was 7ust below the level of the Drudge's carved cummerbund #he only movement from the creature came from two curving images of the Doctor reflected in its mirrored eyes ',h, there you are,' he said 'My friend and % would li"e some brea"fast, please %'m a vegetarian and my friend is allergic to dead rodents )ince the reputation of the "itchens at ;ungbarrow is 7ustly fabled, % leave the choice of delicacy up to you !ut please, no mushrooms ' #he servant never moved ',nd when you've done that, % noticed a nasty mess in the 1orth anne6e You'll need a mop, % e6pect ' #he Drudge remained indifferent '3un along now,' instructed the Doctor '(hop, chop ' #hat, thought (hris, is surely the last thing you say to anything made of wood #he Doctor, having elicited no response, turned to (hris '(ome on ' He began to saunter along the passage, puffing (hris behind him %mmediately, the Drudge turned to follow Page 1A (hris, loo"ing bac", saw %nnocet step into the Drudge's path )he pushed the large gruel pot into its arms '#his is finished with,' she said 'Please remove it ' (hris didn't see any more, because the Doctor's hand gripped his shoulder and, he wasn't sure how, he found himself in an alcove behind a curtain #he Doctor peered through the dar" at a small chair that was ensconced with them '/ne s0uea" from you ' he threatened /wis ran as fast as he could (lamber up the giant steps Pelt through the deserted rooms Don't go Don't leave me8 He stopped at a landing on the fourth floor, whee-ing to catch his breath Misery welled up inside He was on his own $ho was going to feed him if they'd all gone? )oon he'd shrivel away and the House would feed on him He felt a sharp sting on his stomach He pulled open his tunic in disgust /ne of the fat feathergills he had scooped up had wor"ed its way through the material and clamped on to his s"in He eased the fungus off and watched it do a slow s0uirm between his fingers #here was a red circle on his stomach where the feathergill had tried to ingest him .ear had ruined his own appetite, so he trod on the little vermin instead /ver his own gasps for breath, he heard the sound of footsteps )omeone was still here )omeone lumbering towards him , dar" shape rounded the corner Page 1C /wis recogni-ed Mal7amin, his head lopsided and his eyes dead #he (ousin pushed /wis roughly out of his path and disappeared into the gloom

)o /wis had been wrong #hey were still here He wasn't too late ,nd someone else was coming up the stairs, dragging a large sac" behind him '3ynde,' he called 'Have you seen them?' '(lear off,' he growled '%nnocet's loo"ing for you ' '#hey're here8' '$ho're here?' '#hey've come to get us out8' 3ynde grabbed /wis by the pudgy nec" '% "now about you and +lospin's games +etting dangerous, aren't they?' '!ut it's true +o and see for yourself #hey're here ' 3ynde shoved /wis away ',nd %'m the 9mperor Morbius Play your games elsewhere ' Page 1E '%nnocet's with them now ' /wis was fighting bac" huge sobs He grabbed 3ynde's arm 'Don't let them do it #hey'll ma"e us leave the House % don't want to leave Ma"e them go away8' #here was a swish as something large passed by the curtain ,fter a moment, the Doctor put his nose out into the corridor '%t's gone,' he said (hris was ready to move, but the Doctor closed the curtain again ')it down, (hris,' he whispered and pushed the ,d7udicator gently on to the chair $ith a high degree of foreboding, (hris waited for the pyrotechnics #he Doctor's voice was surprisingly gentle #he dar" seemed to help '#ell me about ,r"hew ' '% didn't % mean, it was difficult You were so ;oo", %'m really sorry ' #he Doctor sighed '/ne day, (hris, you must teach me about that word %t doesn't come easily, does it?' '1ot always ;oo", about ,r"hew %t was another dream %t's not substantial evidence ' Page &F '!ut you saw him?' '% dreamed about him Yes )orry ' '#here's that word again ' 'He was your (ousin ' 'Yes, % have a lot of (ousins /r % did have , once )o what happened?' (hris floundered ';oo" $ell, % mean /h, hell $e saw Duences murdered ' '#han" you ' '$hat for?' 'You didn't say sorry ' '/h You don't seem surprised ' ',bout Duences? 1o % don't thin" anyone round here would be surprised, despite that visual display downstairs in the Hall Did you see who the murderer was?' '1ot clearly %t was an elderly man ,bout one metre seventy Duite vigorous though He wore blac" and he had longish swept*bac" white hair ' Page &1 #he Doctor was silent (hris couldn't see his e6pression, so he continued, 'He stabbed Duences with a sort of dagger with two parallel blades ,r"hew recogni-ed him, but he didn't say a name ' '/r wasn't allowed to,' said the Doctor 'Duences seemed to recogni-e the murderer as well Iust before he was stabbed %f only ,r"hew had said ,nd now he's dead ' 'Maybe the "iller got to him too ' 'Maybe '

#he Doctor sighed deeply 'How's your head now?' '.ine %t's cleared ' '+ood #hen go and ta"e another loo" at ,r"hew ' #here was a sudden burst of light beyond the curtain #he Doctor drew bac" the heavy material and loo"ed out #he lamps along the corridor had lit themselves '(andleday,' he said ',nd the coast is clear too ' '$hat are you going to do?' 'Me?' #he Doctor smiled with a grim determination '%'m going to tal" daggers to )atthralope ' He sauntered off along the passage, whistling his little two*note tune as he went

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter )eventeen Page 1 Have You )een the Muffin Man? #he wordless protest started on the high*benches and 0uic"ly spread down through the lower amphicircles to the Panopticon floor #o any observer on the Public 3egister networ", the silence would appear to mar" a time of contemplation or remembrance %n the great drum*shaped (ouncil Hall of the #ime ;ord (itadel, it was deafening (hancellor #heorasdavoramilonithene was delivering her report to the High (ouncil on investigations into the bomb outrage, when the thoughts began to pro7ect across the chamber %t was the ,rcalian cla0ue, always ready to stir trouble, who started it $here is she? $here is she? #he thought chant was ta"en up by (ouncillors of the minor Dromeian and (erulean (hapters on the opposite galleries and on the Patre6ean circle lower in #heora tried to continue, but she was drowned out )he glared up from the floor around the taciturn ran"s of unmoving #ime ;ords above her (ouncillors and (ardinals ali"e #he weight of their thought*chorus almost floored her /n the Prydonian circle, among those on whose support she had rec"oned to count, many sat with lowered heads, neither attac"ing nor defending #hat abstinence was more damning than either active stance +old =sher, the +uardian of the (hamber, who should have been regulating the debate, also lowered his headP so impartial as to ta"e no side at all Page & (hancellery guards gathered on the Panopticon entrance ramp, muttering among themselves about whether to intervene #he protest continued and #heora san" to her "nees under its weight 'My ;ords,' she struggled to call out loud against the uproar in her head 'My ;ords the President is engaged in negotiations of momentous consideration ' '$ho with?' a single voice shouted out 'Her #haril astrologer,' shouted another wag 'Her hair stylist,' called a third ')he's opening an embassy for the Dale"s,' sneered an ,rcalian (ouncillor #here were shoc"ed cries of '1ever8' and ')hame8' '!ut only,' he added, 'if the ,mbassador's the right colour8' )ome laughter from the high*benches 'My honourable ;ords8' protested #heora 'You insult the President's integrity )he is wor"ing tirelessly to further +allifrey's policy towards the other worlds with whom we share the =niverse ' Page 5 'Dragging us down,' someone shouted ',nd and she will deliver her report to the High (ouncil in the appropriate time ' #here was a moment's silence .rom somewhere on the Patre6ean circle, a 0uiet voice said, '%t's an insult ' #he entire Panopticon erupted in shouting #he (hancellor, focus of the protestations, shut her mind and wal"ed from the (hamber with as much dignity as she could maintain ;ord .erain, Director of ,llegiance to the (elestial %ntervention ,gency, flic"ed off the plasma image of today's Panopticon proceedings He too" down a datacore from its rac" ,n ,lternative History of )"aro@ #he Dale"s without Davros His own study of the most strategically dynamic race in the (osmos He inserted the core into an invisible soc"et between the arms of a compass set on his office wall He turned it four times

Page : , new plasma screen appeared in the air '%s it time?' said the grey*helmeted guard on the screen 'Yes, (ommander %t is time $e move immediately ' #he garden shimmered Doroth?e and ;eela were encircled by light !lues and greens in dabs and stro"es that seemed to move on gau-es around them #he light and colour had te6ture which, in places, coalesced into shapes that were both defined and insubstantial ,n impression of things #he thought of things (louds of grey and green, moving li"e the s"y reflected on deep water '$here is this?' whispered ;eela, and Doroth?e shoo" her head '=nreal,' she said ';i"e a painting ' #he air was soft and soothing here )he caught the heady perfume of 7asmine and buddleia Her senses, so often closed against cruelty and harshness, opened to the stream of sensation .rom the ,gency building, they and the NEs had been directly transmatted into an airy room high enough to overloo" the +othic towers and turrets of the +allifreyan (apitol ,n officiously formal secretary had as"ed them to wait there for the President /nly moments after her departure, the solid fact of the room dissolved in a welter of light #here was no s"y above them #he surface of the la"e rose up into the ha-e /n it were strewn green*white* pin" ideas li"e rafts of waterlilies !etween them on the deeper surface were the dar" reflected shapes of towering trees )omewhere there were pan pipes playing Page < #hey wal"ed forward across the grassy ban", pushing aside a green curtain of rustling leaves li"e brush stro"es that hung from not even the idea of a tree ,head of them, rising out of the willow curtains, was a grey*white bridge that over*arched the green*blue* white water , young woman in a flowery dress and wide*brimmed straw hat with red ribbons stood on the bridge '%t's 3omana,' said ;eela 3omana waved '%t's lovely, isn't it?' )he started down the bridge and came through the drifting impressions of willows to meet them 'Hello again, ,ce /r is it Doroth?e now?' 'Doroth?e %'ve had enough of ,ce ' 3omana raised an eyebrow '% really must apologi-e again to both of you for the way you've been treated,' she said '%t was an appalling security error You see, your transduction beam from Paris was hi7ac"ed (ertain elements in the (elestial %ntervention ,gency are to blame #hat's something else %'m going to have to deal severely with You "now that %'m President now ' '% remember,' said Doroth?e '$here's my bi"e?' ')afe, than" goodness %t eventually materiali-ed in the Presidential )uite, only you weren't on it !ut % gather all your shopping is still intact ' Page > President 3omana turned to ;eela Doroth?e thought she seemed almost too concerned ',nd ;eela, you are unharmed, aren't you?' ;eela smiled with surprise '/f course, % am all right !ut your enemies have blac" hearts, 3omana You should crush them #hey are not worthy of you ' 'Yes, well ' 3omana loo"ed flustered '$ell, that's a relief =m, % first met Doroth?e when we were in 9* )pace fighting the +reat Bampire Iust before % came bac" to +allifrey ' )he stooped and loo"ed from one to the other 'You two have been introduced properly, haven't you?' '1ot e6actly,' said ;eela )he turned to Doroth?e '% am ;eela You are a brave fighter ' Doroth?e smiled '%'m a good fighter % don't "now about brave %'m Doroth?e ' 'You reali-e that both of you have travelled with the Doctor,' said 3omana

'You're 7o"ing,' said Doroth?e %mmediately she loo"ed at the ;ady ;eela in a new light '1ot my one? $hich one? +od, the old bugger's a dar" horse, isn't he?' '% only "now one Doctor,' said ;eela '!ut % "new there must be more if he was a #ime ;ord ,ll % get from him these days are notes apologi-ing for not having visited me ' Page A '.rom what % hear that could be any of them,' admitted Doroth?e '% have a treat,' said 3omana, who loo"ed e6tremely satisfied with the encounter over which she was presiding '#his way ' #hey started to stroll along the edge of the la"e, warmed by the reflection of the sunlight in the water #ime was la-y here Doroth?e closed her eyes and breathed in the stillness of the honeyed air 3omana pushed her hat bac" on to her shoulders and said, '$hat do you thin" of my garden?' '%mpressive,' said Doroth?e ',nything's better than the #uileries or on ;a +rande Iatte on a )unday ' #hey climbed up on to the bridge and paused to ga-e out over the la"e )omething li"e an emerald dragonfly flitted over the lily pads '%t is beautiful here,' said ;eela '!ut it is not real ' '1ot e6actly,' 3omana said dreamily '%t was a gift from the (hairman of ,rgolis %t's a four*dimensional artform that they've 7ust come up with at the ;eisure Hive %t's proved very successful with the tourists You can create an artistic concept li"e a painting and then actually go inside it %'m having it installed for public use in the (apitol ' '!ut %'ve seen this place before,' said Doroth?e Page C 3omana beamed proudly '% hoped you'd recogni-e it % created this garden from the wor"s of (laude Monet #he Doctor and % saw some of his paintings when we were in Paris ' 'My mum had a calendar once ' '% hoped it would ma"e you feel at home ' '#han"s #hat's erm thoughtful ' 3omana turned to ;eela 'Doroth?e travelled with the seventh Doctor Yours was the fourth ' ;eela frowned '#hat's sad He has died so many times He must be so ancient ' '#hat's a bigger bone of contention than you "now,' said 3omana ',nd did your Doctor have a NE too?' ;eela as"ed Doroth?e ', what? You mean one of those robot dog things?' ',ctually, ;eela,' said 3omana aw"wardly, 'that's something % need to spea" to you about ' 'You never told me you had a NE as well,' ;eela said with a grin Page E

Page 1F 'He's spent a lot of time with the #harils in 9*)pace 9nforced actually He's only recently overcome the problems of ma"ing the transition bac" into our =niverse )o this is his first visit to +allifrey He was granted special leave from his administration post in the #haril government ,nd it was meant to be a secret trip ' '!ut my NE "new,' said ;eela 'Yes,' sighed 3omana 'My NE was supposed to be upgrading our administrative records with his own data from the #harils, when % discovered that he was tal"ing to your NE through the panatropic net ,nd of course, between them they started digging up all this data about the Doctor and ;ungbarrow ' 'Hang on,' complained Doroth?e 'Iust hang on $ho or what is ;ungbarrow?' 3omana glanced 0uic"ly both ways along the ban" ';et's have some tea,' she suggested '% need more guards now, madam8' shouted (astellan ,ndred '/therwise the (itadel will be overrun ' '#here are no more guards,' said #heora '#he ,rcalian s0uads have gone over to the ,gency's side ' Her beleaguered staff stood huddled behind her des" #o ,ndred, they appeared to be e6pecting the worst .rom somewhere near, he heard the rattle of staser fire Page 11 '#hen % cannot vouch for the safety of the (itadel,' he said formally '$e can't deploy the force barriers #he gravity cordons round the bomb are ta"ing all the power we have % must insist that you, your retinue and your guest evacuate the (apitol now ' '$e will not abandon the (itadel,' said the (hancellor 'Madam, this is a military coup #here's nothing you can do here 1ow, what about the President?' ')he has important business elsewhere ' '% was told she had returned $here is she? )he won't have an /thering Presidency unless we act now ,nd where's the ;ady ;eela?' ')he and Doroth?e Mc)hane are safe #he President considers their business vital ' ')o vital that they cannot be reached? $hat on +allifrey is going on8' #here was a distant e6plosion #he lighting dimmed for a moment #he (hancellor's staff drew bac" as a ring of grey guards materiali-ed in the office #he circle opened to reveal the man in blac" who had called himself the ,gency gate"eeper ';ord .erain,' muttered #heora

Page 1& He bowed formally 'Madam (hancellor, this building is now under the aegis of the (elestial %ntervention ,gency ' He held up a document '=nder the articles of emergency power that govern possible un* +allifreyan activity, % am here to investigate the alleged conduct of the ;ord President of the High (ouncil ,nd if that conduct is found to be in breach of +allifreyan ;aw, to have her impeached and removed from office ' 3omana shepherded ;eela and Doroth?e through the green willows to where a table, a substantial more* than*the*idea*of*a*table table, was set with tea things in a very 9nglish style #here were two chairs 3omana sat down on the grass '% have to as" you to pour,' 3omana said '%'m afraid % can't 7oin you ' '% wondered why it was only set for two,' said ;eela 'You said you were away from +allifrey ' '% am away #he 3omanadvoratrelundar you can see is a pro7ection of the real me %'m spea"ing to you from well, from somewhere else ,nd % hope the NEs haven't blurted out where ' '1o,' ;eela assured her '!ut many are speculating on your whereabouts ' Page 15 3omana groaned wearily '%f only they'd give me more time % suppose it's my fault for bullying them % shouldn't e6pect to change the habits of a thousand millennia overnight Most of the (ouncil have been in their 7obs for a thousand years at least %t's li"e trying to stampede a herd of tortoises ' 'You have problems,' said Doroth?e, pouring the tea ;eela lifted the lid of a silver dish and e6claimed, '#hese are muffins8' '.reshly toasted,' said 3omana '#han" you #he Doctor bought us muffins in ;ondon ' Doroth?e grinned 'He "nows how to party, doesn't he? He once bought us both ba"ed ,las"a, but % landed up paying ' #he three of them laughed Doroth?e sipped at her tea %t was 9arl +rey and far better than the .rench could ever manage #he cups were the best porcelain )he noticed that ;eela didn't 0uite have the "nac" of social eti0uette )he was holding the cup by the bowl rather than the handle and had her muffin in the other hand 1ot much of a ladyli"e bearing at all Page 1: )he turned to 3omana, but the President's e6pression had suddenly turned very grave '+o on then,' said Doroth?e with a sigh 'You didn't haul me halfway across the +ala6y 7ust in time for tea for nothing ' '#hat's true,' admitted 3omana ',re you prepared to tell me what the ,gency as"ed you?' Doroth?e felt herself free-e up )he loo"ed at the two other women %f they'd both travelled with the Doctor, then they'd both seen hell too )o how come they were so nice about it? '% didn't li"e it,' she said '#hey tried ' )he felt her blood suddenly starting to burn with angry confusion '% don't "now what they were trying #hey wanted me 1o, not me My identity8' )he wanted to hit something /r shoot the hell out of something '#hey had all my memories, but they wanted more8' )he loo"ed up and met 3omana's blue eyes #hey pierced her the way the Doctor's eyes could , concern for her that cut deep through the bewilderment and bloody rage, but did not diminish her right to her anger #hat's cruel, said 3omana's eyes ,nd Doroth?e "new that the eyes could read and understand her fears and e6periences ')he shot me,' said Doroth?e ',ce shot Me ,nd when % came bac" she said %'d been dead for twenty minutes ' #hat's all the time they'd need You died so they could copy and upload your memories into the Matri6

Page 1< '#hat wasn't enough though, was it? )he "ept on at me )he was me and % was nothing ,nd she was me too , right vicious little bitch ,ll the worst bits slung together )he had all the facts, but she didn't understand them % could see right through her )he'd got all the lurid details, but she didn't "now how % felt or what % imagined and that's what % hung on to !ut she went on and on, always coming bac" to the Doctor $ho was he? ,nd why and what was he? ,nd that's what % hung on to '(os % believe in him and she didn't "now why8' #he teacup crac"ed into a do-en pieces in her grip 3omana's face slid to one side #here was another woman there )he wore robes the colour of embers and her face was painted silver Her fingers reached out and touched Doroth?e's face '%t is passed,' she said gently 'You see, +allifrey is a temporal anomaly,' 3omana said as the others tuc"ed into their tea '%t e6ists not only in the =niverse of 1*)pace, but also within its own e6clusive time stream ;ong before the #ime ;ords came to power, the ancient +allifreyans had a sensitivity towards time and its movement /ur world was ruled by a line of oracles who could see and predict far into the future =ltimately, they failed to predict their own downfall, and that resulted in probably the most terrible day in +allifreyan history ' Page 1> '$hen the planet was cursed and became barren?' said ;eela ',nd we've been in post*matricidal trauma ever since #here are plenty more muffins if you want them ' ')trewth,' said Doroth?e '#he /ld #ime % remember the Doctor carrying on about that once He got really wor"ed up ' )he noticed that the stac" of muffins on the dish had been completely polished off, and she had only eaten one 3omana, who had been watching ;eela, continued, '#hese days we have the Matri6 of course, which pretty well serves the same oracular function #he thing is that +allifrey moves at a different time speed to the rest of the =niverse #hat's what sets it apart, but for a long time its metabolism has been running down %n 9arth terms, it's li"e a cloc" that's losing perhaps a second every hour and it's getting slower all the time ' '$hat's that got to do with me?' said Dorothee 'You still haven't told me about this ;ungbarrow place ' 'Haven't %?' 3omana said, her eyes reflecting the clouds and the s"y in the deep, deep water $hat do you thin" it is? '%t's his House,' said Doroth?e without thin"ing at all '/n the slopes of ;ungbarrow mountain Mount ;ung in the mountains of )outhern +allifrey ' Yes? Page 1A 'Yes, %'d forgotten #here are (ousins, because there are no children #hey're all born from the .amily ;oom Do you all have families li"e that?' ,nd? '$ell, it's ' )he faltered, shoc"ed by the ne6t revelation )he put down her tea 'Iesus, % didn't remember that bit before ' '%t's true,' said ;eela '#hat's what NE and % discovered ' '!ut that's cra-y , whole House can't 7ust vanish #here'd be a crater or something ' '#here might well have been,' said 3omana '#he trouble is that the House of ;ungbarrow's last official entry on any record was almost seven hundred years ago #hat was the Deathday of the House's Nithriarch, the head of the .amily , guard captain was dispatched to carry out certain official duties, but there's no record of his return, or of any investigation ' '#he captain was a (ousin of ,ndred's,' said ;eela '#he (astellan?' grinned Doroth?e )he had 7ust stopped herself calling him ;eela's toyboy ',re you married then?'

';i"e House"eepers to Houses? 1o $e are together ' '%n fact, until ;eela started to investigate, no one had even noticed that the House was missing ' 'Does he "now? % mean, he didn't cause ' Page 1C 3omana shrugged '% sent a message to his #,3D%) Iust please come home, really % thought the ship was less li"ely to ignore it than the Doctor was You "now what he's li"e ' Doroth?e pic"ed up her tea and swirled it in the cup ';oo", % "now we're tal"ing about seven hundred years ago, but was he there?' '1o,' said 3omana 'NE found records that said he'd been disowned and disinherited by that point #echnically and legally, he had no .amily ' ,nd yet he was always lecturing me about my mother, thought Doroth?e 1o bloody wonder '!esides which, we "now that he was in the (apitol at the time,' 3omana added ',nd of course, he never answered your message ' , sudden bree-e stirred the willows and the tablecloth Doroth?e shivered 3omana stood and wal"ed to the la"e 'He didn't come to me, no !ut % put a let*pass with the message and last night his #,3D%) came through the transduction barrier system ' '#hen where is he?' said ;eela Page 1E Doroth?e rapped the table with a teaspoon '+ive you one guess /N, so you want me to go and find him ' ',nd the House, please %t's absurd, but % can't be seen to be involved ' '3omana,' said ;eela 0uietly )he nodded across the water , man was watching them from the bridge He was dressed in a blac" robe '%t's him,' ;eela muttered '#he one who held me captive He is a serpent ' '.erain,' said 3omana 'How did he get in here?' )he pointed over the edge of the idea of the ban" 'Doroth?e, please reach down there ' Doroth?e hurriedly crouched at the edge and reached down into the impression of the la"e )he felt something solid and pulled out a blac" globe %t wasn't wet 'You want this delivered, right?' 3omana glanced bac" towards the bridge .erain was moving down towards them '% shall deal with him now,' said ;eela Page &F '1o,' snapped 3omana 'Doroth?e, please ta"e the Doctor this dispatch %'ve had the #,3D%)'s coordinates fed into your motorcycle's temporal guidance system ' '#he House of ;ungbarrow?' '1o not e6actly #he coordinates are directly below where the House should be %nside Mount ;ung ' '%nside?' said Doroth?e ',nd when you give the dispatch to him, say .red sent you ' 'Madam President,' called the man in blac" He was waiting on the edge of the glade 'Please 7ust go,' urged 3omana '% am going too,' said ;eela 'You will stay with ,ndred,' 3omana insisted 'His position is already in danger ,nd there's your status to thin" of ' ;eela scowled '#hat is my business ' '/f course,' said the President with a "nowing loo" ',nd that's why % can't let you go ' #he la"e of light and clouds dissolved Doroth?e found herself bac" in the room in the (apitol )he still had the dispatch globe #he NEs were gone ;eela was pic"ing irritably at her robe

, door slid open and another secretary appeared 'Doroth?e Mc)hane, please come this way,' he said urgently '$e have very little time ' ;eela turned away without a word

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion 9ncounters and 96its * 9ncounters and 96its Page 1 9ncounters and 96its 'How did you get in here?' said 3omana )he was wal"ing through the garden with ;ord .erain He of the blac" robes and blac" hearts '#he same way that you are not here, Madam President ' He was smiling '$e're both ghosts, are we not?' He reached for her hand and their fingers slid through each other li"e mist 'Your ruse with ,lmoner (rest Yeu6 almost wor"ed Bery convincing if you were there, %'m sure !ut your pro7ected image did not transfer well to the small screen ' ' when transmitted by your spy optics,' said 3omana .erain scanned the ha-y ,rcadian vistas 'You must come home, Madam #he whole of +allifrey is waiting for you ' '$hen %'m ready,' she said '$hich will be?' '$hen %'m ready ' Her tone was suddenly icy He sighed '(onsorting with un*+allifreyans * who, incidentally, will not get very far %gnoring your duties .launting your office #here is a lot to answer !ut rest assured, Madam, we have the (apitol under secure control ' Page & )he stopped wal"ing and turned to him '1o, you be assured, .erain $hen % return, your ,gency, my ,gency, will be carpeted so fast, you won't you won't see the trees for dust8 #hings are changing, my ;ord +allifrey will never be the same again #he tortoises are about to stampede ' )he watched the garden and ;ord .erain dissolve before her '$hat do % do now?' she said in desperation '% didn't want to give the Doctor that "mission" in the first place ,nd now it's all going wrong ' )he turned to the woman with the silver face 'Have % done the right thing?' '/h, yes,' said the woman '!ut the (%, will try anything, any way at all to find out about the Doctor $e can't lose him ' #he woman nodded )he had the composure and certainty of a priestess of older times '%t is foreseen ' 3omana blenched at the thought ',s long as the Doctor doesn't "now that,' she said Page 5 #he secretary showed Doroth?e out into a long cloister Her bi"e was par"ed at one end, the bags of groceries still in place )he managed to force the blac" globe into one of them and then strapped on her helmet and mounted up #he secretary seemed unduly nervous, his eyes darting everywhere 'Please hurry,' he said '#he coordinates are set ' %t was only then that she noticed he was carrying a gun )he heard running footsteps and saw two grey guards round the corner halfway along the passage #he secretary raised his gun to fire , bolt of painful light hit him s0uarely in the chest He crumpled Doroth?e started the bi"e %t snarled into readiness #he guards were running towards her, guns raised )he lowered her head and prepared to ride straight into hell #wo ruby needles stabbed through the air and floored the guards #wo familiar tin dogs rounded the corner '#han"s, boys,' shouted Doroth?e Page : )imultaneously, something slid on to the saddle behind her '+o, 0uic"ly,' said ;eela's voice More footsteps behind them More guards

'+o8' yelled ;eela Doroth?e pulled away )par"s tore from the machine as she wove it up the passage !olts of fi--ing light overtoo" them, e6ploding on the wall that loomed ahead #he bust of a previous President detonated in front of them 'Panda" the /riginal8' shouted ;eela and the wall vanished in a clap of golden thunder #he staff of the #haril 9mbassy watched the door #hey had barricaded themselves in only to find that there were already guards posted outside to "eep them from leaving #hey waited for news from the President, but no news came Prince $hitecub, his noble mane un"empt, paced his office li"e a caged beast ',re we political hostages?' he as"ed the guards, but they were low*born creatures with no scent of honour or protocol Page < #o confound the passing of time, he listened to his ambassadorial attaches as they told tales of ancient deeds from the nether past of their own universe ',nd Blasolf the #imewal"er wal"ed the wind bac" to the very dawn of all hunting ,nd in that first ferment, he saw the 1ight Hunter and the ;ight Hunter divided !lac" and white prides arrayed to begin their eternal battle !ut laughter cut through the roaring of their challenges ,nd between them padded the !lood #hief #he red*handed Iac"al whose cunning balances the scales of war ' #he communication screen on the Prince's table opened li"e an eye, revealing the an6ious features of (hancellor #heorasdavoramilonithene '(hancellor, are you safe?' 'My ;ord Prince, we need your help ' He spread his paws wide '$e are prisoners here #here is little we can do ' 'Yes, yes, you can ' Her eyes were darting round '% must as" for sanctuary in the bounds of your 9mbassy ' '.or you, (hancellor?' '1o, Your 96cellency ' )he paused to compose her re0uest '1o % as" for sanctuary for the President of +allifrey from her own people ' )he turned away, startled, to loo" at something #he screen crac"led and went dead

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter 9ighteen Page 1 Home #ruths 'He's stopped,' said +lospin '$hat's he doing?' )atthralope s0uinted at her mirror %t reflected an image of the Doctor on one of the galleries He was stooping to e6amine one of the tree pillars 'More pomade,' she croa"ed and the Drudge sprayed more of the unguent on to her white hair )he snapped her bony fingers and the chair that held +lospin in its fist rela6ed its grip '(ome and sit by me,' she said +lospin slid from the chair and sat dutifully at the old woman's feet, letting her fondle his long hair 'My wic"ed one My naughty boy ' )he felt him flinch as she s0uee-ed her fingers over his head #he Drudge snipped at the whis"ers on her chin with ornate scissors %t reminded her of her wedding devotions Iust three hundred and two she had been Iust a girl still when the summons came, hardly ready for her vows and duties % shall serve you might and main, mortar and mortice #he plain wooden ring on her finger, sometimes tight with possessiveness, sometimes hot with rage % shall guard your bounds, your chattels and your progeny from ;oom to #omb Page & #hen she and the House were one !lood and bric" in union #he Doctor was on the move again 1ow that the candleday was up and lit, he no longer seemed worried about being seen He was heading in the direction of her room ,s he passed the mirror, he raised his hat in moc"ery '%'d "now that arrogance anywhere,' muttered the House"eeper #he rhythm of stro"es on +lospin's hair slowed and hardened 'He told me he'd come home to be the ne6t Nithriarch,' said +lospin 'He wants his due ' He cringed as she dug in her nails '%f you want your inheritance,' she said, 'you'd better ma"e sure he doesn't get a chance to wa"e Duences ' #here was a "noc" at the door )he groaned and crea"ed, using +lospin's head as a support )trands of web that still clung to her bodice and s"irts stretched and tore as she rose from her chair for the first time in seventy*one years Page 5 !y the time (hris had got lost twice and been bac" to %nnocet's door by accident, he was truly cru""ed off $ith the lights up, his sense of direction had gone to pieces He too" a different route and heard the Doctor's whee*whoo whistle echoing up through the labyrinthine building He tried it himself, vaguely hoping that it would act as some sort of sonar thread through the ma-e /n the third landing down, he heard the answer #he two notes came bac" at him, deeper and bac"wards $hoo*whee He "ept wal"ing, aware that something was behind him, something large and lumbering !ut when he glanced bac", there was nothing in the passage, not even a shadow in the lamplight He clambered down some stairs and found the funguretum at last #he fungi were all over the walls, even up to the blac" dome , cloa"ed shape rose in the bro"en pen as he approached 'He's gone,' said %nnocet, e6citably '$e were wrong You were wrong ' (hris stepped in through the gap '1o chance % wish you were right, but no chance )orry ' ',r"hew's gone away Iust li"e Mal7amin ' Page :

(hris crouched and loo"ed at the bootprints in the slime 'You see? #he body's been dragged out )omeone got here before us Probably the "iller trying to cover up the evidence ' %nnocet stepped out of the pen , gaunt figure in her cloa", every emotion loc"ed away '$here is he?' '/h, no,' said (hris '#hat's a big mista"e $rong sort of shoeprint for a start*off ' '$hy did he bring you?' she said )he turned and her eyes pierced him $hat is your family and chapter? He winced and bro"e her stare )tandard techni0ue 'Don't do that, please ' )he frowned '$ill he let us out or has he 7ust come to torment us?' '=m, % don't thin" he "new,' (hris said 'He's shoc"ed !ut you didn't tell him everything, did you?' '#hat's no business for an outsider ' '%'m an impartial ,d7udicator %'m meant to be on the outside ' 'He regards you as his friend ' Page < 'Yes #he Doctor's a good friend , close friend #hat 7ust ma"es it worse )o you must tell me what happened to /rdinal*+eneral Duences ' '1othing happened ' '/N,' he said, disappointed '/nly one murder then ' '#hat word is forbidden 9ven concerning ,r"hew's death ' '.ine #he other mur une6plained death was only something % dreamed anyway !ut you'd better "now about it, because ,r"hew dreamed it too ' ', shared dream?' she said 'You don't seem surprised ' '/nce upon a time the phenomenon was 0uite commonplace ' )he was being cautious 'Did you spea" to him?' (hris nodded 'He was terrified, poor little guy He said we were seeing Duences's Deathday e6actly as it happened He was crying and sha"ing $e saw the .amily row over the will and then when we saw Duences murdered ' )he shushed him and stared around 'Neep your voice down %t's impossible %t isn't true You couldn't have seen ' '!ut you believe it happened ' Page > 'Duences is sleeping in stasis You've seen for yourself ' ',r"hew and % saw Duences murdered ,r"hew recogni-ed who the "iller was ' %nnocet was suddenly calm ',nd?' (hris shoo" his head 'He didn't say !ut he "new all right % thin" he's gone and confronted them with it ,nd that's why he's been mur* sorry, he's dead, too ' '96actly,' she said coldly ')o it was the Doctor who "illed Duences and now he's "illed ,r"hew as well ' (hris thrashed his arms in e6asperation '%t wasn't the Doctor % saw it happen too ' '#hen who was it?' '%t was an elderly man 1ot tall Dressed in blac" with longish white hair ' )he studied him for a moment 'You'd better come with me,' she said '#hen you can see for yourself ' Page A #he handle to )atthralope's door resisted turning several times .inally, at her signal, the door opened itself and admitted the miscreant He marched in and seemed almost put out to find the room apparently abandoned '%'m here, )atthralope,' he called '% await your displeasure ' ,fter an indecently short wait, he began to po"e about among the House"eeper's effects

)atthralope leant heavily on her cane )he watched, secure behind a mirror gau-e of free*standing reflections that showed an empty room to the casual observer +lospin was watching beside her )he approved of the hatred in his glare #he prodigal wretch was scarcely imposing in his bearing and his sense of attire had deteriorated lamentably His manner however, still had all the old domineering disrespect that she recalled )he had clearly missed three or four of his lives * a small boon for which she must be grateful He was crouching on the floor, s0uinting at the strands of web that hung from her chair #hen he too" some different strands from his poc"et and compared them =naccountable He had not even removed his e6cuse for a hat How could any .amily live with such a scapegrace? His attention was caught by the mirrors on her dressing table #o her indignation, he began to finger the manual control levers with their crystal tops )he started to move forward, but +lospin's hand held her bac" Biews of the House flic"ered across the centre glass /n one passage, something large bloc"ed the view %t seemed to be furry with -ig-ag stripes #he wretch gave a chortle and flic"ed on Page C #he ne6t view reflected a first*level parlour where two people were in deep conversation /ne was a young man with hair the colour of sulphur flowers * another uninvited intruder, and wearing particularly offensive apparel #he first outsider she had seen since the dar" began How dare he come here? How dare he be brought in? ,nd he was tal"ing to %nnocet %nnocet again8 )he, of all (ousins, should "now better %nnocet invited him in, whispered +lospin's voice in )atthralope's thoughts )he invited both of them #he House"eeper stamped her cane in anger, but the wretch at her mirrors was too absorbed in trying to lip* read the reflected conversation to notice (hris helped pull the dusty cloth down from the picture frame %nnocet stood bac" and surveyed the family portrait on the wall behind it '%t's the only one % could thin" of that hasn't been defaced ' #he dust stung in (hris's eyes and nose ,gain the sounds of the House were amplified in his head He tried to concentrate on the three*dimensional portrait with its formal rows of people, many of whom he "new from the Deathday dream /rdinal*+eneral Duences sat at the centre of the group * a crusty old man with a fierce eye )atthralope was ne6t to him, small and malevolent, loc"ed into a blac" fortress of a dress, a huge ring of "eys in her fist !eside her, staring fi6edly, was the old blac"*haired version of +lospin Benomous, thought (hris /n Duences's other side, sat %nnocet, still young, still red*haired, a model of dutiful composure ,mong the ran"s of other (ousins, (hris finally spotted ,r"hew's head, peering out, half obscured by the broad shoulder of a portly lady who was ta"ing up nearly two seats Page E He remembered his own graduation class of &EA< #wenty*si6 young, grinning )0uires ready to sort out the =niverse #hree that he "new about were prematurely retired in7ured and two more were dead !ut amongst this line*up of the Doctor's (ousins, not one of the suspects was smiling ')o many of them have gone away,' said %nnocet 0uietly ',re they really dead?' (hris as"ed '/r are they 7ust s"ul"ing about somewhere?' He was met by a cold barrier of frosty denial #he sort of thing he'd got when 3o- had been at that time of the month He gave himself a minus grade for tact, but he understood what the Doctor meant about monuments '$hat else did you dream about the Deathday?' she said carefully '$e saw you and +lospin arguing,' said (hris, determined to get some reaction 'You'd ta"en some secret information about the Doctor's birth from +lospin's room He thought it affected the .amily More than the .amily He was very angry ' %nnocet was sha"ing her head )he opened her mouth, but seemed lost for words 'How how did you ' (hris suddenly felt ashamed He'd lost the fine line between investigation and prying '%t was nonsense,' she insisted '$hat did ,r"hew say?' 'He didn't understand either '

'+ood #hat business is long finished ' Page 1F '/N )orry ' (hris turned bac" to the picture '% can't see the Doctor %s he ta"ing the portrait, or was he disinherited by this point?' ';oo" again ;oo" for the "iller?' #hat word was still giving her trouble (hris rescanned the gathering Most of the faces had a defiant loo" that suggested they would rather be elsewhere !ut at the bac" of the group he noticed the figure of an elderly man, his face raised in an arrogant and withering glare of contempt He wore a grey*green robe and his long white hair was combed bac" He loo"ed li"e the bad*tempered relation no one wants at parties, but are too scared not to invite '%t's him,' said (hris, pointing at the figure '#hat's the one He was in blac" then, but he's the one who "illed Duences ' 'Yes,' %nnocet agreed, frighteningly calm '#hat's him % saw him leave the /rdinal*+eneral's room moments before % found the body He was the Doctor ' '.ramed,' muttered the Doctor ';ies8 1ot guilty8 %'ve been set up % deny it all8' /utraged, he turned away from )atthralope's mirrors and saw the advancing Drudges )imultaneously, the young man in the glass swooned and %nnocet struggled under his weight )atthralope, still in hiding, waited until the Drudges held the Doctor fast ,t her command, the free* standing reflections shimmered away to nothing, opening out the room and disclosing herself and +lospin Page 11 ')o,' she said and hobbled towards her prisoner ')nooping again, )atthralope? Don't believe everything you see in mirrors ' #o her annoyance, he showed no surprise at her appearance '$hat have you done? $hy are you s"ul"ing down here in the dar"? !urying my (ousins alive ' +lospin moved forward angrily, but a sudden sweep of )atthralope's cane put pay to his advance 'Plenty of time for that ' '!ac" in favour again, +lospin?' teased the Doctor ',t least (ousin %nnocet has a sense of forethought )he got to the laws of Housepitality way ahead of you two old s0uintloc"s 3esult@ you can't lay a demented finger on me 1ot while %'m an honoured guest in the House ' #he House"eeper buttoned her rage tightly '#hose laws can be rebargained %n the meantime, you will observe such eti0uettes as are e6pected of a tolerated guest ' )he bowed her head with as little reverence as she could bear ')o Doctor, since that is how you style yourself ' ')ince you saw fit to remove my nominal identity,' he observed, easing himself free of the Drudges ' so we welcome you to the House of ;ungbarrow Parta"e of its meagre facilities as we have endured them for the past si6 hundred and seventy*three years ' Page 1& '#ime is absolute for those who stand outside it ' He glanced at a cloc" on his wrist '%t's the relatives that are time*consuming ' 'You are still late ' ';ate? Yes, % could be late !ut still? 1o, you must be muddling me up with someone else ' He rubbed some strands of web off his hand '%t's a lie, you "now % never "illed Duences ' '$hat?' she said and turned to +lospin '$hat's he tal"ing about now? Duences is waiting #he old fool's been waiting all this time for him ' +lospin smiled and nodded 'Yes, House*nana #hat's right ' 'Haven't you shamed us enough, Doctor? You were summoned by the Nithriarch, but you never came ' He shrugged '% never got the invitation ' ')o you say !ut since you have come bac" to us at /therstide, which % recall is also your name day, there will be a special supper in your honour to welcome you home at last '

#he Doctor bowed reverently '#al"ing of home, when was this place last pruned bac"?' He fished out a pair of scissors and waved them at the Drudge 'You'll need more than 7ust a pair of secateurs #here are branches e6tending rooms all over the place ,nd a nasty case of trun" bloat on the lower levels ' Page 15 )atthralope felt her temper run out ')how him to the library,' she instructed one of the servants ',nd leave him there till suppertime ' '% don't want any supper,' he complained as the Drudge forcibly manoeuvred him out of the door ', doctor8' blustered Duences His face was so red that (hris thought he might have a sei-ure '$hat do you mean, that's enough? 9h? How can a mere doctor be enough? !y the megastar, any fool can be a doctor8 $here's your ambition and sense of familial duty, eh? How d'you thin" %'ve wor"ed we've wor"ed to give you this opportunity? ,nd you dare to throw it bac" in our faces8' ,s Duences ranted, his head seemed to swell and shrin" with each outburst (hris soon lost the focus of the tirade and it became a hectoring drone !ehind Duences, amid stac"s of old*fashioned boo"s and*new*fashioned datacores, was a glass vivarium (reatures were moving inside * elegant e6perimental creatures that (hris somehow remembered as accelerated genetic hybrids, half orchid, half a6olotl #heir blac" and crimson spec"led petal*heads waved in search of food as they clung to twigs with their spindly white li-ard bodies Duences slowly turned away, clutching the furniture for support '% cannot understand it % have nothing more to give You'll brea" my hearts ' Page 1: )atthralope rapped her cane on the des" for attention '#he wretch means that a (ardinalship is not good enough He'll leech us dry, the ungrateful brat8' '1ot good enough for whom?' (hris heard himself laughing '% reach my ma7ority ne6t name day #ime % had lives of my own, don't you thin"? Hmm?' '/nly a doctor ' )he was wallowing now '!ut that's hardly une6pected 1o bac"bone, you see )o disappointing to the .amily and the House $ell, only the /rdinal*+eneral can resolve the situation ' )he glared at the old man '+eneral?' His hunched bac" was turned away )he leant in beside him, but her words were lost to (hris ,ll he caught was 'You must ' and 'How will you have it end, eh8' and ' for the House's sa"e8' He watched one of the creations in the vivarium %ts eye*stamens waved as it stal"ed and snatched a fly out of the air Page 1< ,t length the old man stirred, his eyes burning with fierce tears '%s that your final word? 1o plea for clemency? 1o e6tenuation?' He paused and loo"ed at )atthralope, so determinedly triumphant His voice tremored ')o be it ,pparently ;ungbarrow will no longer tolerate your hurtful presence %t is an affront, sir #here's no more to be said You will 0uit the House immediately and never cross its threshold again ' (hris was suddenly at the end of a long cloister ,t the far end stood a tall cupboard, a wardrobe, a transduction booth 2how did he guess that?4 with a flashing light on its roof Boices began to shout at him '/ut8 /ut8 /ut8' He could hear drums rolling closer and closer He began to run through the cloister, but strands of clinging web blew across his path /ut of the side arches lurched the brutish furniture (lawed feet lashed at him Drawers and doors snapped at him '/ut8 /ut8 /ut8' #he drums were pounding in his ears $eb was tangling him, cho"ing him He could not reach the escape route , well gaped in front of him li"e a mouth

He fell into the dar"

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter 1ineteen Page 1 Doctor on (all (hris cho"ed at the stench under his nose '%'m sorry % ever ran away8' he gasped and clutched %nnocet's arm His head swam and finally settled He was sitting on the floor, his bac" propped against a wall under the portrait %nnocet showed him a little green bottle ',ttar of asafoetida,' she said 'Most effective ' Her brown bonnet and the huge, coiled mound of hair under her cloa" reminded him of #errapin*Maiden in the .rea"$arrior Bidmags he'd watched as a "id '% wouldn't argue with that,' he said His head was suddenly crystal clear, but so were the grumbles and crea"s of the restless House '% wish this place would shut up ' 'Your arrival was enough to set off all the bad echoes in the place ' (hris closed his eyes and breathed deeply '$hat sort of echoes?' '/ld thoughts, bad memories ' 'Dreams?' '#hat's one word for them,' she said firmly ')ome echoes bang around inside the walls for ever #hey get magnified and e6aggerated ' 'Maybe ' (hris studied the floor '%'ve had a lot of bad dreams lately !ut it's got worse here % don't even have to be asleep #hey don't even feel li"e my dreams %'ve tried tal"ing to the Doctor, but he's either too preoccupied or he doesn't want to "now ' Page & '%t's odd,' she agreed '%f anyone was a target for the echoes here, % would have said it was him ' ,nd they're his dreams, thought (hris % "now they are 'How does he do it? How does he carry on regardless?' 'He always has done,' she said He hauled himself unsteadily to his feet and loo"ed again at the .amily portrait '#he old guy here $as that really the Doctor?' )he nodded '%n his first life, yes House"eeper )atthralope forbade his name in the House when he was disinherited ' '+oddess, that was cruel,' said (hris 'He was more than able to fight bac" #hat's why they hated him so much ' %nnocet ran a finger along the base of the picture frame, studied the dust for a moment and dabbed it into her mouth '$here did you meet him?' (hris blethered '/h, a long way ago , long time from here ' Hell, he thought Past or future? $hat do % tell his own .amily? 'He's a good friend,' he said and scanned the ancient room with its worn and oversi-ed furniture 'How old is this House?' )he seemed surprised ',s old as any Don't you come from one of the Houses?' Page 5 #here was that piercing loo" again as if she was trying to read the pages of his mind, but had the boo" upside down '=m not a home li"e this,' he said, aw"wardly brea"ing her stare )he wal"ed into the centre of the room '#here's so much we will have to learn when we get out #hey say the Houses are the oldest living things in the world #he first ones were grown during the %ntuitive 3evelation #hey certainly feel as if they've been here forever ' '% don't believe he "illed Duences,' (hris affirmed '/r ,r"hew for that matter ' )he nodded her eyes towards a mirror at the far end of the room 'My goodness8' )he affected a laugh '$hat a lot Duences will have to tal" about when he wa"es up8' (hris turned his bac" to the mirror and muttered, '$ho are you hiding this from? You can't hide it forever '

'$e could until now ' Her voice had dar"ened again '% can't vouch for the Doctor's safety 1ot even from myself 1ot if he interferes ' '%t's a bit late for that ' )he pulled in close to him 'Have you been with him ever since you arrived?' 'Yes,' he said emphatically Damn, he thought He left me on my own twice /nce in the attic and once in the funguretum 9ither time he could have met ,r"hew andG Damn, damn, damn8 Page : ';isten, listen,' muttered )atthralope +lospin watched the old woman as she roc"ed slowly in her chair 'You didn't say anything about ,r"hew,' he said '%t can wait ' )he was turning the "eys on their giant ring /ne after another in a slow, steady rhythm #hey clic"ed on the wooden ring on her finger ';isten ,re you listening? You've been asleep ' '$hat are you doing?' he said, although he already "new '%t must be told,' she crooned )he was staring straight into the mirror 3oc"ing '1ot yet ' He moved angrily towards her, but the Drudge bloc"ed his path '1o, not yet Don't wa"e the House ' )he clin"ed another "ey round Her voice was gentle, almost caressing 'You must stay, +lospin %'ll need you %t may not listen ' He turned to the Drudge 'You stay %'m not involved ' ,s he ran for the door, he heard another "ey clin" round #he walls shuddered Page < '% heard you were bac", $ormhole,' said 3ynde He had waylaid the Doctor on a gallery above the Hall #he attendant Drudge reached for the Doctor's arm '%'m a guest,' the Doctor said '%'ll tal" to whom % li"e ' 'You won't li"e me,' 3ynde said '!ut then you never did ' He wal"ed slowly round the Doctor, admiring the little man's e6traordinarily clean apparel He tugged at the decorated scarf '#hat's mine, than" you ' #he Doctor slapped his hand away '$hat else have you brought?' '1othing for the li"es of you8' #he Doctor shot a glance up at the Drudge '/h, dear You've all been put to a lot of inconvenience and you've had a lot of time to ruminate on the in7ustice %'m sorry ' 3ynde grabbed him by the collar 'You will be ' '%'m sorry % didn't come earlier, um (ousin 3ynde, isn't it? % had plans ' ')o did we all8 % was 9picural /verseer to the Dromeian (hapterhouse ' ',h,' cho"ed the Doctor, 'head waiter ' Page > '% was renowned for my s"ills at assembling ban0uets from the rarest provisions 1ow all % eat is fungi and these ' He held up a couple of braces of scrawny tafelshrews '#here's only a limited number of ways you can coo" them )o %'d relish a change of menu ' #he Doctor loo"ed uncomfortable '$here have all the others gone?' ',way,' said 3ynde #he walls and floor shuddered #he Drudge raised its head as furniture along the gallery shuffled uncomfortably , sharp cry of pain came from an alcove '$ho's your friend?' said the Doctor '/ut you come, /wis,' 3ynde called He waited while his podgy (ousin sidled nervously into view

'%t bit me,' he said '#he chair bit me ' ';isten to me $e must wait ' Page A )atthralope clung to her chair 1ow that was roc"ing too #he mirrors trembled in their frames 'You must wait 1ow he's here, all this can be finished $e can wa"e Duences when we are ready !ut stay calm $e must be calm ' )he felt the mood of the House tighten on her thoughts )he had been too 0uic" %t was startled awa"e after a long, disturbed sleep %t dreamt the echoes that rattled along its cloisters and corridors '#here, there %t'll soon be over )tay calm )tay calm 1othing to worry about ' #he door slowly opened itself ,cross the entrance lay a shape Half out of a sac", propped against the door frame %ts head lolled to one side 9yes cold and staring #he twisted body of (ousin ,r"hew )atthralope stared in disbelief /ne of the mirrors turned on its hinges, straining to see '1othing to loo" at8' the House"eeper gasped #he mirror crac"ed across Page C /wis gawped at the Doctor '$ho is he?' he complained '$hat's going on? $hy won't anyone tell me?' ',s" him yourself,' said 3ynde #he Doctor was peering out of the gallery, up into the roof of the Hall )omething was hanging there, bul"y, caught in the swags of web He slid a catapult out of his poc"et, noticed the Drudge and put it bac" again '$ell,' said /wis, 'who are you, then?' 'Doctor8' shouted someone '(orrect,' the Doctor said #here were two figures on the gallery across the well of the Hall %nnocet and the young stranger #hey started to move round , deep rumble began in the depths of the House #he furniture on the gallery started to edge out of its places (hairs, tables, all stal"ing slowly towards the Doctor 3ynde pulled /wis clear Page E #he Drudge lunged at the Doctor He stepped neatly to the side and reached into his 7ac"et /ut of the flimsy garment, he drew an impossibly large umbrella %t opened over him li"e a huge coloured mushroom, hiding him from view #he Drudge "noc"ed the ob7ect aside, but the Doctor had vanished #he rumbling deepened '!ehind you,' called the Doctor from the balustrade He swung his legs over the balcony and shinned down one of the tree trun"s into the Hall #he Drudge leant over the edge and gave a crea"ing cry of anger #he House answered with a shudder of disapproval %nnocet and the stranger 7oined 3ynde and /wis as they stared hopelessly down '$hat's he doing?' muttered 3ynde #he Doctor was wal"ing the length of the long Hall, heading towards the ;oom plinth where Duences was laid out ')top him,' said %nnocet ')atthralope must have wo"en the House ' '$ormhole8' yelled 3ynde '+et away from there You'll get us all "illed8'

Page 1F #he Doctor turned and waved '$hy? $hat is there to be scared of?' He stopped in his trac"s as a gang of heavy dining tables began to edge out of the alcoves #he Drudge croa"ed an order from the gallery, and the tables moved in closer #he young stranger suddenly grabbed hold of the coloured umbrella He shut it up and furled the material 'Doctor,' he yelled and threw it down to the floor #he Drudge rounded on the stranger, but %nnocet moved between them with a sharp riposte ')top this now8 3emember the laws of Housepitality8 ' #he servant ignored her Down below, the Doctor snatched up the brolly and began to parry the prowling tables #he rumbling House shuddered again, almost throwing him to the floor )omewhere a door slammed #hen another #here was a barrage of rage as doors all over the House slammed themselves over and over #he helpless watchers covered their ears #hrough the din, %nnocet shouted, ')tay there, (hris8 /nly )atthralope can stop this nonsense8' ,s she hurried away, (hris's hand went to his forehead and his "nees buc"led He rested his chin on the balustrade and groaned wea"ly as he watched the fight #he tables were circling the Doctor, narrowing his space 3ynde saw that they would soon slide themselves together and crush him He nudged /wis '#hree tafelshrews that he loses a leg ' Page 11 '.ive, he loses both ' #hey croo"ed fingers #he Doctor, his umbrella open as a shield, was spinning in a circle, trying to hold bac" all the tables at once /ne table made a vicious swipe and "noc"ed the weapon out of his hand ,s the mob closed in for the "ill, the Doctor hop*toaded up on to one of the tabletops #he table buc"ed and tried to throw him %t reversed and too" a run across the Hall #he Doctor balanced on top, crouching, arms outstretched, shouting something li"e ')urf's up8' #he table s"idded to a halt and the Doctor tumbled clear 3ynde whistled appreciatively 'He never used to do that ' /wis frowned 'Have you met him before?' #he Drudge croa"ed another order #he slamming doors went suddenly 0uiet #he rumbling continued #he Doctor waited for the other tables to advance, but they began to pull bac" Page 1& )omething snorted /ut of the gloom beyond the plinth slid the guardian of Duences's resting place #he massive blac" catafal0ue dwarfed the Doctor %t lashed its segmented tail #he ebony statues of beasts stac"ed up its ornamental sides rolled their enamel eyes )ome beat their wings or stamped their hoofed feet #he Doctor edged bac"ward, but found his path bloc"ed by the tables He loo"ed up to the galleries and whistled a two*note signal (hris tried to heave himself over the balustrade, but the Drudge dragged him roughly bac" #he catafal0ue advanced, growling to itself #he ceremonial beasts carved on its flan"s lowered their horns and tus"s, ready for the charge #he Doctor whistled again and this time there was a whistled response He smiled to himself and the catafal0ue charged He dodged sideways #he funeral carriage lashed its tail round and caught him side*on He stumbled and "ept his balance, but his 7ac"et was caught between the tail segments )truggling to free himself, he was dragged steadily towards the affi6ed beasts as they writhed and champed from their places on the body of the bier

Page 15 %nnocet stepped over the body of ,r"hew dumped in the doorway )atthralope was in her chair, staring at the corpse, ma"ing little guttural noises in her throat Her "eys lay on the floor at her feet %nnocet closed the door 0uietly )he too" the old woman's trembling hands ')atthralope, listen #he House ' '% told it,' whispered the old woman 'Yes ' '%t "nows he's here ' #he House shuddered again , tarnished shield fell from the wall and clanged spinning to the floor '$e must stop it,' %nnocet said '1o, no %t won't listen ' '%t must listen,' %nnocet insisted )he felt fresh tremors shiver through the floor 'You can't do it alone ' )he pic"ed up the heavy "eyring and placed it in the House"eeper's hands #ogether they turned to the reflection in the mirrors Page 1: #o and fro thrashed the tail of the enraged catafal0ue #he Doctor, thrown about li"e a doll, was barely clinging on , sudden roar cut across the Hall 3ynde, in the midst of another wager with /wis, saw a shaggy figure emerge on to the arena '$hat's that?' /wis said '!adger8' shouted the Doctor, struggling to hold his grip ',bout time too8 %t's me8' He whistled again and the tall figure returned the signal %t was bul"y, with massive curling horns on its head, but its striped fur was grubbier than 3ynde remembered #ufts of stuffing sprouted from tears in its side /ne crystal eye dangled out of its soc"et #he blac" bier turned towards the intruder %ts tail lashed, dragging the Doctor with it #ables scattered as it came to meet the lumbering !adger avatroid !adger sei-ed hold of one of the heavy dining tables %t upended the ob7ect and advanced using it as an armoured shield #he table's legs flailed helplessly #he catafal0ue hissed li"e an angry fish*"ettle %ts tail coiled right round the Doctor, lifting him into the air '1o, !adger8' he yelled Page 1<

Page 1> #he avatroid raised the struggling table above its head and hurled it straight at the furious funerary carriage %t smashed apart against the prow of the bier #he carved beasts bar"ed and snarled their rage #he catafal0ue bellowed and lifted its tail to hurl the Doctor bac" in answer '+o on, then,' the Doctor shouted 'Do your worst to me %t won't change anything8 +o on8' 9very door in the House slammed in one clap of thunderous fury ')orry,' moaned (hris on the balcony and slumped to the floor #he tail stopped and the rumbling in the House began to diminish #he statue beasts fro-e !adger climbed up the bier and helped the Doctor struggle out of the coiled tail He slid down and faced the Drudge that was waiting below

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #wenty Page 1 Bultures %nnocet eased )atthralope bac" into her chair #he old woman clung to her "eys '(alm,' she muttered ')tay calm ' #hey listened as the tremors subsided #he silence was no less uneasy '3est now,' %nnocet said wearily 'You've settled the House %'ll ta"e care of poor ,r"hew's body ' #he House"eeper shuddered and stared at the mirror '$ho can live with that man?' '$e don't "now that the Doctor was responsible ' 'You invited him in ' 'Yes % did ' )atthralope glared about her '$here are my Drudges?' 'You must rest You've had a terrible shoc" ' '3est? $e all rested too long #here are things to prepare $e'll sort this out over supper ' Page & 'You owe me three tafelshrews,' said /wis as he and 3ynde emptied the unconscious (hris's poc"ets '$hat for?' '% did it ' 3ynde poc"eted some strange coinage and a useful multibladed "nife 'You did what?' '$hat you dared me ' /wis began to giggle '% found somewhere better to put ,r"hew ' 'You were meant to put him in the .amily vaults ' '=nless % "new anywhere better, you said ' '% was being ironic $here did you put him?' '1o one saw me ' '$here?' /wis sul"ed ',cross )atthralope's doorstep ' '+ods of Purgatory8 $e were better off with the other one ' '$ith who?' Page 5 '$ith $ormhole ' 'Huh?' 3ynde shoo" his head in disgust '#he so*called Doctor 1o wonder %nnocet abandoned your education ' '!ut no one will tell me who he really is ' 'You are his 3eplacement,' said a cold voice and +lospin swaggered out of an alcove /wis opened and shut his mouth '!ut ' ',nd while you apply your abundant mind to that dilemma, you and 3ynde can carry our young visitor to somewhere more private ' He "ic"ed (hris '%'ve got a few 0uestions %'ve been saving up ' '$ait a moment,' said 3ynde '#his one's mine ' '#his one,' said +lospin, pointing to (hris, 'is our way out )o "eep your culinary fantasies to yourself ' 'He's mine ' 'He's no good to anyone par*braised and garnished ' 'Mine ' +lospin produced some dice '!est of one ' 'Done ' Page :

#hey croo"ed fingers over (hris's body /wis raised a tentative hand '!ut if my predecessor's come bac", what happens to me?' 'You?' +lospin smir"ed '$hat d'you thin", 3ynde? (oo"ed or raw?' 'Hung for a candlewee",' suggested 3ynde He po"ed /wis's stomach '#hen smo"ed slowly over a citric fire to reduce the fat #here's enough there to last us a year ' 'Yi"e,' said /wis and shut up 0uic"ly +lospin and 3ynde threw dice over (hris 3ynde won +lospin fetched out a "nife ')orry Defeat is not a concept % believe in ' 3ynde fingered the blade in his own poc"et He glanced along the gallery and he saw the approaching Drudge '(ongratulations,' he said 'You win ' +lospin 0uic"ly nic"ed the s"in on (hris's arm with his "nife He pulled bac" as the Drudge scooped (hris up and stal"ed away into the gloom He studied the blooded tip of the "nife, sniffed it, held it to the light '#he answer to your 0uestion, /wis, is simple ' He smiled 'You or the Doctor /ne of you will have to go '

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #wenty*one Page 1 3ice (a"es and a !anana (hris dreamt he was awa"e He lay on a hard bed with a shawl over him He'd 7ust seen the murder again )ame characters, same location, same blood ,nd the white*haired figure was the man in the portrait #he man that %nnocet called the first Doctor #owers of diamond lattice rose above him, li"e wine rac"s with coloured tubes instead of bottles ,bove those, there were tangled branches merging with the solid, mottled s"y )omething scampered along the underside of a branch, 7umped across a gap and vanished behind the towers ')i6,' said %nnocet's voice (hris heard the clac" of counters He angled his head and saw %nnocet and the Doctor hunched over a )epulchasm board #he room could be a library, he thought !ut there was no power to read the boo"s '% was trying to get to my old room ' #he Doctor threw a die '!ut there's a lagoon in the 1orth anne6e #wo again ' ',n underground stream comes in on the third level,' said %nnocet (hris could hear them being polite '/nly when % was thrown out, % left an e6periment running that % didn't have time to finish )ome hybridi-ed water*sligs that % crossed with a red*petalled orchid % don't e6pect they survived ' Page & '9ight,' she said #he counters clac"ed '#he creatures were loc"ed in your room for one hundred and thirty years $hen they finally bro"e out they were as big as ichthydiles #here's a breeding colony in the anne6e ' ',h )o that's why it's been closed off ' '.orty*seven years ago, one of them strayed away from the colony #he Drudges trapped it in the "itchen !ut no one could "ill it, so it's still there ' +oddess, thought (hris #hat was what was in the larder , die clattered '#wo again8' complained the Doctor '#his is ridiculous % "now you thin" % "illed Duences, but it isn't true ' '% saw you leave his room ' '%mpossible % didn't come bac" to the House #hey didn't even want me bac" % was happy to concur ' 'Duences wanted you bac" 1ine %'m catching up ' 'He was clinging to false hopes !ut % wouldn't be tied down to his plans ,nd so )atthralope buried the place out of spite until % returned $here's my !adger gone when % need him?' '#hat dreadful old toy ' Page 5 ', present from Duences ' '/h, )nail,' she sighed, 'He always indulged you, you "now ' )nail8 thought (hris #here was a smile in the Doctor's voice '%t's a very long time since % was called that ' 'Yes ' )he sounded duly embarrassed '/nce you were safe, !adger went off 0uite mee"ly with a Drudge ' #here was a pause ')o what was in Duences's will?' 'How can % possibly "now that?' '!ecause you stole it when you came bac"8 %t's your throw ' ',nd murdered Duences in warm blood? #hree to win ' '% saw you (hris and ,r"hew saw you too ' '/ne and a half,' he complained #he counters clac"ed ',nd % didn't "ill ,r"hew either $hat did )atthralope do? )he must "now Duences is laid out downstairs for everyone to see '

'Yes ' Page : '/h, no8' #he Doctor's voice was suddenly chilled '%t's for the House #hat's why he's laid out %t's all a lie )he hasn't told the House8' %nnocet lowered her voice '%t nearly "illed her, but she managed to convince the House that Duences survived your attac" ' '1ot guilty8' he insisted ',nd to convince the House, she had to convince herself too ' 'More fool )atthralope )till deluded after all these years ' '#hen you tell her that, before she tries to wa"e Duences up ' /ops, thought (hris 'Your go,' said the Doctor '$hat is your function?' demanded )atthralope #he motheaten avatroid monstrosity "nown as !adger stood before her $eb strands stretched across its filthy fur /ne crystal eye dangled from its soc"et on a cluster of fibres '#o serve my master?' it as"ed gruffly #hat irritating habit of answering with 0uestions '$ho reactivated you?' 'My pupil?' Page < Masters, pupils $asn't the ,cademy good enough? 1o wonder the Doctor was such a scapegrace when Duences had spoilt him so 'You should never have been pac"ed away in storage,' she told the offending mechanised tutor ',re there tas"s for me?' '(ertainly not8' 1o need to wait and as" Duences what to do '#a"e it apart,' she said to the Drudge and the servant reached for the avatroid's override port , shaggy arm slashed across #he machine bellowed with a program of rage %t caught hold of the Drudge and the two grappled together, careering dangerously near the old woman Her chair scuttled bac" carrying her out of reach )he screamed for her other servant and lashed out with her cane #he Drudge was s0uarely matched by the avatroid, but the brute lowered its head and butted at its wooden adversary with its curled horns ,s the Drudge s"ittered bac"ward, the avatroid scooped it off the floor and swung it round %ts head collided with a wardrobe and sheared off at the nec" #he machine brute threw the headless Drudge to the ground #hen it lumbered away out of the room #he door slammed behind it '+et up8 +et up8' shouted )atthralope #he damaged wardrobe was shivering in the corner #he Drudge was crawling round the floor, trying to find its head #he splintered ob7ect had rolled under a table, and was emitting a crea"ing snarl of rage Page > '(hristopher?' (hris peered drowsily at the Doctor He was smiling gently from the end of the improvised table*bed '%'m sorry about the dreams You "now what it's li"e ' %nnocet was beside the Doctor )he raised her eyes to whatever the +allifreyan e0uivalent of heaven was '%s there anything to eat?' (hris as"ed #he Doctor fumbled in his poc"ets His arm went deeper than the clothes could possibly allow He produced an over ripe banana, an individual pac" of bro"en water biscuits, two Iapanese rice ca"es and a white dove, the last of which he hurriedly stuffed bac"

(hris too" a rice ca"e '#han"s, )nail ' #he Doctor cringed, but (hris nodded towards %nnocet #he Doctor suddenly understood and passed the rest to his (ousin )he loo"ed at the food with reverence, almost afraid to eat something so precious 'Peel the banana first,' he said, indicating which one it was (hris pulled off some fluff and munched the rice ca"e %t was surprisingly fresh '$hat about the dreams?' he said ',h Yes, well ' #he Doctor loo"ed flustered He crossed to the door and listened for a moment #hen he straightened a mirror that had been turned to the wall 'You see (hris, what's been happeningG =m, well, it's the #,3D%), you see ' 'Yeah?' Page A '$ell, my head really /nly it's been getting so full lately People to see ' 'Plots to unravel ' 'Yes, you "now the sort of thing !ut even my brain has a limited capacity ' '=nli"e your poc"ets ' 'Yes, you "now % thin" % might have a hole % seem to be losing things ' 'Your head is full,' (hris reminded him '=m, yes )o to compensate, the #,3D%) may be sideshunting a few of my subconscious thoughts into the nearest available database ' 'Meaning me?' '=m, yeee*esss %t was only trying to be helpful %t hates losing information )o it augmented you as a receptor ' ')nea"y,' said (hris He pic"ed at a small cut that pric"led on his arm, unsure where it had happened '% suppose %'m meant to feel honoured ' #he Doctor was tying slow "nots with his fingers '=nfortunately, %'d had a few thoughts about this place lately Iust passing thoughts You as"ed me about families once ,nd %'d been dwelling on the implications of my own mortality ' ')o you thin" that % laid in the coordinates to get us here ' Page C '9ntirely influenced by my subconscious, (hris 1ot your fault at all ' #he young man rubbed the bac" of nec" ',nything else?' '$ell, yes #hat interference by the #,3D%) has also opened your head up to all the stuff that's echoing around the House )o it's me, you see My fault % should be saying sorry to you ' He held (hris's eyes for a moment and then studied the floor hard ',nd % am so sorry #his was never meant to happen % never meant to come bac" here % admit it ' He surveyed his surroundings with undisguised contempt #he floor, the rac"ing, the dusty boo"s, the veneered walls and ceiling through which grew the grasping, twining fingers of white wood '/nce upon a time % was eager to fle6 the sinews of the =niverse ,fter all, who wants to be a spectator, or even a player, when you can be a piece on the board in the thic" of it?' He sighed deeply '!ut chains from the past drag you bac" into the dar" ;ungbarrow is the worst place in the =niverse % vowed never to retum * but here % am, bac" My mista"e ' '/N,' said (hris '%'ll 7ust sit here at the bottom of your .amily's mental garbage chute ' '1othing gets out,' said %nnocet coldly '1one of the hate 1one of the despair ,ll the cold, tortuous helplessness that binds us together as a .amily #hat's what you condemned us to ' #he Doctor pulled a small gauge from an inside poc"et and held it towards the ceiling He pumped a button on the top and studied the reading '#he .amily that stays together decays together,' he muttered ')o where e6actly are all my (ousins?' Page E

'+one away,' %nnocet said )he had folded up the banana s"in as if it was a treasure '1o #hat's not true,' said (hris '% thin" they're still here ' #he Doctor loo"ed startled '(hris?' '% heard them $hen Mal7amin went, % heard voices calling him #hey were in my head, and %'m sure %nnocet heard them too ' %nnocet hiccupped and loo"ed away '$hy didn't % hear them?' complained the Doctor (hris shrugged '#he #,3D%) again? Maybe %'m pic"ing that up too ,nd it's so oppressive here )uppose your missing (ousins are really in hiding ' '/r waiting ' He narrowed his eyes at %nnocet 'How should % "now?' she said '1one of us as"ed for this ' #he Doctor held up the gauge for her to see the reading '#he House isn't buried that deep )o why has nobody done anything? /r are you 7ust happy to sit and wait for the archaeologists to arrive?' Page 1F , layer of earth pressed down on him Dar"ness He couldn't breathe He was going to scream #hen the earth opened , trowel nearly went up his nose #he s"y was blue*white above him , head slid into view %t was !ernice, a smug grin on her face )he started to dust him with an archaeologist's airbrush and shoo" her head ';oo" at the state of this $hat a mess ' )he po"ed him about a bit ')till, it's ama-ing how they can reconstruct things, even from the most dilapidated old fossil remains He'll probably loo" 0uite good mounted in a museum ' ')orry,' said the Doctor '% thin" that was one of mine ' (hris groaned '$e have something important to as" you,' said %nnocet ',ssuming that you feel strong enough ' 'You "now me,' said (hris wearily '%'m notorious %'ll try anything once ' Page 11 +lospin smeared the sample of (hris's blood on to a glass plate and slid it under the ric"ety lenses of an anti0ue magniscope %t was underlit by scrapings from a deposit of luminescent sodium he had found in the .amily vaults, among the bodies of ;ungbarrow's hardly ever illustrious forebears %n the plasma, there were reddish platelets and crudely developed pale white phagocytes ,s he suspected, not even remotely +allifreyan #he Doctor had brought worse than an intruder into the House #he wall opened a panel and +lospin e6tracted a small cas"et %nside, neatly folded, were copies of his own notes and theories about the Doctor #hey were yellowed with age He wondered if %nnocet still had the originals .rom somewhere below, he heard the angry, percussive snarl of a machine #he House gave a shudder %nstinctively, he recogni-ed the herald of yet another new threat to his inheritance and his birthright #he Doctor fle6ed his fingers nervously over (hris '#he only way to clear this murder business up is for %nnocet to loo" into your mind )he's always had a gift for that sort of thing ' ',nd a certificate from the )yndicate of (ryptaesthesians,' added his (ousin !ehind them, the library door resisted opening twice and then flew wide with a protesting crac" , massive shape, tall as a furry Drudge with ram's horns, lumbered into the room Page 1& '!adger8' e6claimed the Doctor '% never e6pected to see you again ' He shoo" !adger's claw and, in an e6traordinary display of affection, hugged the huge brute li"e a long*lost dog until his hat fell off He whistled again and the !adger, which loo"ed more li"e a stripy, pig*tus"ed bear, piped the response

%nnocet loo"ed away, embarrassed !adger's voice rumbled up from some subterranean cavern in his chest '#hen why did you summon me?' '/h well, one lives in hope ' #he Doctor turned to the others, grinning li"e the madman '(hris, this is !adger He was my oldest friend, and my tutor when % was still in brainbuffing ' (hris nodded politely, used by now to being introduced to far more unli"ely ac0uaintances of the Doctor He was aware that %nnocet was sitting 0uietly, pic"ing at her rice ca"e ',nd you "now %nnocet, don't you?' the Doctor enthused '(orrect,' announced !adger Page 15 '$here have you been all this time?' 'He was in a cupboard for si6 hundred and seventy*three years,' said %nnocet '$aiting ' (hris slid off the table '(an we get on with this, Doctor?' 'Iust a moment ' #he Doctor reached up to !adger's wayward eyeball and 7iggled it bac" into its soc"et 'How's that?' !adger loo"ed about the library '#hirty*one*per*cent improvement ' '%t's your eye,' declared the Doctor '1ot one of my essays ' '$e are ready now,' said %nnocet '/h, very well ' #he Doctor sat on the bed and watched as %nnocet and (hris sat on a mangey pelt rug '% "now ' (hris shut his eyes and tried to calm his ragged thoughts '%t'll hurt you more than it'll hurt me ' Page 1: 'Possibly not,' she said 'Please open your eyes ' )he was staring at him as she had done before Deep into him Her grey eyes cutting and peeling away the layers of his thoughts '=m,' he said #hin" about Duences $hat did you see in his room? $hen he $hen he was Murdered, thought (hris $hen he was brutally murdered #he moment came easily #he old man was laughing as )atthralope swept out of his room in a rage He turned to wor" on the huge furry mound on the table #he memory crac"ed across , do-en simultaneous murders in one bro"en mirror , figure in blac" ,n elderly man with white hair swept bac" behind his head He had fierce eyes and a bea" of a nose Yes, it is the man in the portrait %n his left hand, he held a double*bladed dagger Duences turned and the intruder stabbed down once through both hearts #he old +eneral, blood bubbling from his mouth, gaped in disbelief at his murderer 'You', he mouthed Page 1<

Page 1> , blac" cloth was thrown over the mirror 'Murderer8 Murderer8 %t was you8' '%nnocent8 (ome bac"8' #he Doctor's voice is echoing in the blac"ness '% saw you8 Murderer8' '%nnocet, listen to me8' 96cuse me, thought (hris #his is my head 'Murderer8' whispered %nnocet (hris, opening his eyes, saw !adger loom behind %nnocet '!adger8' #he Doctor was there, pushing the brute bac" '% don't need protecting ' He turned to %nnocet 'Yes, it was me My first self % recogni-ed me You are right ' 'How could you see that?' she said, scrambling to her feet '% came in after you % thought you might need a lifeline Iust as well, wasn't it?' '#hen you admit to the murder at last ' Page 1A ',dmit it? % don't even remember it ' '$ait,' said (hris '!adger? #hat was you on the wor" bench ' #he robot creature shifted '$hich bench?' '#he bench in Duences's room ' ';eave this to me,' interrupted the Doctor '!adger, who murdered Duences?' '% have no memory of such an event,' boomed the robot '%s it historical?' 'Do you have any memory of where Duences's will is?' '% have no such memory ' '#hat memory could have been erased,' said %nnocet #he Doctor wal"ed to one of the boarded*up windows He yan"ed bac" the panelling and s0uinted out at the blac" earth and roc" that pressed in from outside 'You used to be able to see the well from here #hat old crumbling well in the orchard Do you remember, %nnocet? ,nd you told me that once, on the very day % was born from the ;oom, you saw a stranger down there You said she was leaning over the well, trailing her long hair into the water ,nd the sunlight was dappling all green and brown over her robes, so that you couldn't really tell if she was there at all ,nd you ran down to the orchard to find her, but when you reached the well, there was no one there /nly fruit bobbing on the water and a scent of roses '

Page 1C '#he rose woman,' said %nnocet '% hadn't forgotten % imagined it was an omen for the good of the House Perhaps % was wrong %'ve never "nown who you really were ' '% don't believe in omens /mens are empty thunderclouds with no drop of rain #he portentous sound of people grasping at bro"en straws ' He reached to support himself on a shelf, and then thought better of it '$hat can % say, %nnocet? % don't remember "illing Duences, but we've 7ust seen it happen %t was me, the first Doctor !ut % never came bac" here #hat poor old man loved me, % thin" ,nd he was a bully and a tyrant too !ut % could never "ill him ' '#hen where were you?' she said '% wasn't here,' he replied '% was far, far away ' '$here?' He rapped his finger on the window pane in frustration '% can't remember )illy really ' (hris loo"ed from one to the other #hey were both staring at him Piercing eyes that sheered away his thoughts and e6posed the dar"ness underneath He "new who the woman by the well was )he had sat at the Door to the Past and she had the scent of roses

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #wenty*two Page 1 #he Duic"ness of the Hand ,larms were sounding across the (apitol #hrough a window, %nnocet could see the s"y )he had forgotten its vastness %t frightened her, filled with blac" storm*laden clouds against which the (itadel rose, a mountain forested by towers, turrets and bridges all lit gold by the evening sun #his was more than her imagination, more than a vision )he was there * her mind was transported to another place and another time )uddenly the Doctor was hovering beside her )he made as no resistance he too" her hand and turned her to loo" at the room #he study was full of old*fashioned boo"s and papers ,t a des" sat the first Doctor His white hair was swept bac" over his head He wore a dar"*green tunic Perched on his nose was a pair of multifocal spectacles He grimaced sourly and put down the document he was studying %t bore the crest of the House of ;ungbarrow * two silver*leaved trees, their branches reaching over to intertwine #he Honourable Duencessetianobayolocaturgrathadeyyilungbarrowmas :&&nd Nithriarch to the House of ;ungbarrow e6pects your attendence on his Deathday for the reading if his will and during his interment #he word e6pects had been crossed out and demands had been scrawled ne6t to it in blac" in" Page & #he first Doctor flic"ed on a plasma screen %t displayed a perfunctory message@ Your application for duteous advancement has been considered and re7ected You will continue in your current duties as )crutationary ,rchivist %t was stamped by the 3egistrar of (ontinual /bservation He clasped his hands over his chest, apparently finding much amusement in the situation '%t's a conspiracy #hat much is clear,' he muttered, but his fierce eyes told a different story '$e'll soon see who'll dance to your tune, eh?' He was cac"ling 0uietly to himself when there was a heavy thump at the door He fro-e ,gain, the thump !efore he could even move, something as big as a coffin slid through the surface of the closed door , battered, blac" bo6 floating about waist*high above the carpet ,stonished, he grasped his cane and approached the ob7ect %t whirred and clic"ed at him ;ittle pulses of =B shifted on its surface #he old Doctor tapped it gingerly with his cane %t whined plaintively li"e a lost animal ')hoo,' he said, 'whatever you are +o on, you unpleasant ob7ect +o away ' Page 5 #ime passed 'Did this really happen to you?' said %nnocet #he Doctor was floating above the first Doctor's des", trying to read his 7ournal ',pparently so ,stral travel is certainly more accurate than your average reconstruction Iust don't let go of my hand ' '$hat was that bo6 thing?' '%nnocet8 ,nd you, a classicist8' he scolded '1ow shush % thin" % detect a certain thic"ening of the plot ' TTT Iournal 9ntry /therstide 9ve )i6th day since the bo6's intriguing arrival and it still defies my attempts to analyse it % am certain that the continuing security alarms across the (apitol are lin"ed to its appearance #he (hancellery +uards are

getting very 7umpy % gather that no one was even aware of the e6istence of most of the alarms that are sounding $hich is why it too" so long to turn them off8 ,nd now there is tal" of a curfew 1aturally, there are no bulletins to e6plain what is happening #hey have searched my rooms twice, but the bo6, with its capacity to move faster than % can blin", continually eludes them %t continues to follow me about, whining li"e a lost street*whelp, and today % believe it actually saved my life , large piece of masonry fell from the renovation wor" on the /bservation #ower 2% say 'fell', but that may be the 7udgement of one who loo"s too "indly on the world 4 .or the briefest moment % saw the missile descend towards me, then there was a flash li"e lightning and it dissolved in the air above my head Page : #he ne6t time % saw the bo6, it had a s"ein of fine dust clinging to its surface % conclude that despite my investigations, my 'visitor' will ultimately reveal its identity or purpose to me in its own good time #omorrow is my name day, so felicitations all round no doubt ,lso the old man's Deathday He certainly chooses his moment ',rrogant as ever,' commented %nnocet '%t's a family trait,' said the Doctor '% cannot imagine what you find so amusing #his whole business is completely gruesome ' '.rightening,' he agreed '% was 7ust admiring his potential ' #he old Doctor's rooms had been left in chaos, strewn with torn papers and boo"s ',gency vandals8' he cursed as he sorted through the mess '/therstide felicitations,' said the blac"*haired old villain behind him +lospin, old +lospin, leaning heavily on his cane Page < #he old Doctor's chin went up in that familiar attitude of defiance '$hat's this, (ousin? , name*day treat? Hmm?' '%'m no (ousin of yours, remember?' 'How could % forget?' ')o % hope you weren't considering a visit to your former home ' '(harmed, %'m sure ' #he Doctor gathered up a fistful of papers 'You come all this way, after all this time, when you must be due at the House yourself $hat's the matter? ,fraid of losing your inheritance8' 'My assumption as new Nithriarch has never been more assured,' said +lospin 'Duences is senile !ut don't entertain the delusion that anyone else wants you bac" You have already been replaced ' #he Doctor gave an involuntary gasp of shoc" '%mpossible ' He reached to his des" for support ',nd illegal too ' ', little premature, % felt !ut with a few chosen words in suitable places ' He smiled ',nd so % deemed it a courtesy to clarify a few outstanding matters first ' He too" a document from his robe 'Your ;oom (ertification ' '$hat now?' '% was studying the document recently when % discovered some anomalies in your genetic codings ' Page > #he Doctor snatched away the document '#hat's all right, $ormhole,' said +lospin smoothly '%t's 7ust a copy !ut if you loo", you will see that your codes are entirely out of sympathy with the ;ungbarrow ;oom's genetic template ' '1onsense ' #he Doctor's face sharpened with irritation as he studied the document '#his is some childish attempt to complete my severance from the .amily ' '% undertoo" this purely out of my interests as a geneticist !ut of course, due to the .amily circumstances ' '%nsulting '

'%t's not entirely unheard of People renew their regenerative cycles by 7umping ;ooms, thus being reborn into new .amilies $as that your plan, $ormhole? You certainly never belonged to ;ungbarrow's ;oom /r do you come from further afield?' He was drawing closer, scrutinising the Doctor li"e some laboratory specimen '%n short, e6actly who or what are you?' '$ho?' the Doctor e6ploded '% don't "now what petty loophole you've dug up, +lospin !ut % am your (ousin ,nd don't thin" %'m not aware of your nasty +allifreyan ,llegiance proclivities /r your involvement with the %ntervention ,gency ' '1ot e6actly true,' said the persecutor, smiling '!ut % am ready to fascinate them with my discovery for the correct remuneration ' '%nsanity8' #he old Doctor shoo" his head 'Haven't you had enough from me already?' '1o,' said +lospin '% want everything ' Page A '/ut8 +et out8' shouted the Doctor He raised his stic" and brought it down on +lospin !ut his opponent was ready to give as he good as he got #he two old men were soon fighting li"e mongrels over an old bone #he bo6 came through the wall with a crash +lospin screamed as a flare of light scorched his right arm He stared at the bo6, cho"ing with pain '%'ll see you ruined8 ;ungbarrow will never ta"e you bac" again8' #he bo6 slid towards him, but he fell at the door and stumbled out into the (apitol ';ies ' #he old Doctor was sha"ing His chee" was bleeding where +lospin had clawed him He swept his cane across the litter of damaged boo"s #he strewn wrec"age of a life's wor" ';ies ' .rom the city outside came a new 7angle of alarms #he bo6 hovered by the open door, clic"ing e6citedly '$hat are you?' demanded the Doctor %n answer, the thing opened its lid %nside sat a fierce, icy*white furnace ,s the Doctor stared into it, his frightened e6pression turned to astonishment and wonder His voice trembled '/f course, of course 96traordinary % understand !ut why choose me?' Page C #he watchers hovered above the rushing procession of time 'Did +lospin tal" to you about this?' #he voice of the Doctor's si6th regeneration was drained and flat 'Yes,' said %nnocet '%t's all lies, you "now Haven't you seen enough?' '$hose lies?' she as"ed '+lospin's lies? /r yours?' .or the attention of the (ardinal Prime, Prydon (hapterhouse My ;ord (ardinal, % wish to draw your attention to a most contentious matter concerning the Prydonian House of ;ungbarrow % understand that the aforementioned House is allotted a statute 0uota of forty*five e6tant (ousins % gather, however, that this 0uota has recently been breached by the birth from that House's ;oom of an uncertificated (ousin % trust that you will share my concern #he first Doctor had scrolled the letter tightly He sealed it with the official Prydonian seal that he "ept from his time in the (hapterhouse's !ureau of Possibility , post he had left after disagreements about his over-ealous political involvements Page E Hooded in a blac" cloa", he pushed the scroll into the open bea" of the great stone owl that guarded the (hapterhouse gate #he alarms were still sounding as he made his way across the (itadel's broad edifice #he rainswept bridges and wal"ways were deserted 1o one steps out on /therstide night

He carried one bag with him , few belongings and "eepsa"es #he rest he left to the guards and the scavengers He hurried along the windy colonnades "nown as +esyevva's .ingers and paused on the wide s0uare where the ancient memorial to /mega stood .or a moment, he saw a shape flit across the burnt orange s"y above the monument #he ## embar"ation port was on =nder*level 1< of the (itadel , group of watchful citi-ens was seated in the waiting -one )everal were busy trying far too hard not to be conspicuous ',gency guards,' mused the Doctor to himself He duc"ed into the dry dimension doc"yard on the ne6t level up /n a neural construction palette stood a gleaming new #,3D%) ready for service installation , technician's chart listed its immaculate specifications and latest safety precedent * a remote recall override system ', type fifty*three?' complained the Doctor 'You're not getting me out in one of those new*fangled soulless slip*abouts ' Page 1F %n a far corner, surrounded by 7un", was a dull grey, battered old ## booth with an obsolete #ype :F mar"er on the door #he "ey was in the loc" ,s the Doctor stepped inside the doomed #,3D%), he heard a fresh clamour of alarms from close by !eyond its tight dimensional gate, the ship's interior opened out impossibly %ts spacious console room was gloomy and neglected , cobweb lifted and rippled on the central console )everal panels had been lifted off to e6pose the comple6 inner circuitry #he Doctor tore away the cobweb and blew off the dust %nstantly, the sluggish hum of power edged up a tone , gold light began to glimmer wea"ly behind the honeycomb of roundels that covered the walls #he place felt welcoming #he Doctor put down his bag #here were ban"s of instruments around the room and a couple of overturned chairs !eyond a door, there was the glimpse of a shadowy passage leading deeper He pondered the control panels with a degree of glee and selected the brass button mar"ed D//3 Page 11

Page 1& #here was no response #he power was all but drained #he light guttered and the ship's hum died

#he Doctor drummed his fingers in frustration )omething whooshed #he blac" bo6 was suddenly hovering beside him 'Yes, % wondered when you'd catch up with me,' he said ')o you thin" you can come along too, do you? $ell, that's all very well, my friend !ut since we have neither the lu6ury of a pilot nor of any power, perhaps you can suggest a way to fly this thing ' #he bo6 whirred %ts lid opened a crac" #he white furnace inside win"ed at him He could feel its energy softly saturating the air #he ship gradually began to hum again , more confident, assertive hum #he light in the room began to rise , screen attached to the ceiling flic"ered into life, showing a group of ,gency guards moving methodically across the doc" area outside /ne of them carried a gun #he Doctor pressed the D//3 button again #his time, the heavy double doors bu--ed and swung shut #he central glass column of the console 7uddered #he comple6 instruments inside turned bac" and forth ;ights twin"led among the circuits !y now, the ship was throbbing with energy '3emar"able, remar"able8' enthused the Doctor ',ll this power, from an ancient anti0uity8' Page 15 #here was a loud clang /n the screen, he could see the guards gathering around the ship '$ell, it appears that my future is in your hands or should % say Hand, eh? Hmm?' His shoulders heaved with little gusts of mirth , light showed beside an unmar"ed dial #he Doctor glanced at the bo6 %t gleeped at him He reached out and gave the dial a twist #he air grated with the roar of engines ,n undulating grinding li"e something tearing open the fabric of reality #he glass column rose and fell, its inner carousel of instruments turning )witches and levers ad7usted by themselves #he ship 7olted and the screen picture vanished #he Doctor turned pale and fell against one of the chairs #hen the commotion stopped #he column san" and fell silent #he light dimmed and a voice spo"e out of the air '#his ship is on an unauthori-ed vector #ransportation into the !ac"time of the +allifreyan continuum is forbidden You are being tractored bac" to #ime #raffic (ontrol for further 0uestioning ' Page 1: #he Doctor, already on hands and "nees, turned to the bo6 '$here were you ta"ing me? Hmm?' #he ship shoo" and the light turned red '$ell? #his is a fine pic"le,' he complained ')o what do you intend to do about it?' #he bo6 rose steadily in the air %t whirred across the console room and hovered its bul" above the glass column #he air started to thrum #he Doctor covered his ears as red light flic"ered around him '$arning8' He could still hear the voice '#he resistance of a recall summons is an offence You cannot breach the !ac"time .ield !uffers ,bandon this vector immediately8' , trembling sei-ed the ship .orces wrenched at its structure #he bo6 opened its lid wide '$arning8 (ontact with the !ac"time .ield !uffers will disengage the dimensions of this ship 3etur*' #he bo6 gave a shrie" #he Doctor hit the floor as an icy sunburst engulfed the room #he flower of white flame hung for a moment #hen space and other dimensions outside time folded around it and tuc"ed it neatly out of harm's way #he Doctor lay on his bac" staring at the ceiling #he steady hum of the #,3D%) was gently soothing He sat up #he glass column rose and fell with the pulse of flight ;o-enges of vortical light strea"ed across the scanner '$ell,' he said, feeling for bro"en bones, 'and where e6actly are you ta"ing me?' #he bo6 edged in beside him %t cluc"ed and chirruped with something resembling a contented familiarity He loo"ed startled 'Home? $hat do you mean "home"? % don't want to go home % can never go home again '

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #wenty*three Page 1 /ld Mole %nnocet dabbed at the Doctor's forehead with his scarf He was propped against the wall and was still shivering He opened an eye ',ll right,' she said '% accept that you were nowhere near the House when Duences was murdered ' '$e all saw me % could have come bac" ' )he shoo" her head indignantly ')nail, you were driven out +lospin drove you ,ll this e6plains away many more things than you will "now !ut to steal a ## machine ' He closed his eyes again '#hat wasn't really the mythical Hand of /mega,' she continued 'You're the classicist You tell me ' '%t's a legend ' )he glanced up at the rac"s of coloured tubes around the room '#here are at least a do-en different versions of the story, but their interpretations depend on the social and spiritual needs of the times in which they were written ' ',nd the authors who wrote them,' added the Doctor '!ut there are no tides without a moon 1or towers without foundation ' He too" another rice ca"e from his poc"et '!adger? #he Hand of /mega ' (hris, who had been drowsing, sat up sharply as !adger lumbered forward Page & '%n #he #riumphs of 3assilon,' rumbled the tutor, 'the Hand is the stellar manipulator that /mega forged for 3assilon %t is the "ey that opened the burning gate of #ime ,nd the /ther stole the Hand away ' 'Dramatic licence,' said the Doctor ',nd a very simplistic view ' '%t's much the same in #he 3ecord of 3assilon,' said %nnocet '#he Hand of /mega creates the #ime*)un that shines on +allifrey !ut in #he !oo" of the /ld #ime, the /ther plots to overthrow 3assilon, and flees when he is defeated #he Hand pursues him forever through eternity $hichever way you interpret it, it symboli-es the people's re7ection of superstition #he reign of the +ods ends and we learn to fend for ourselves ' '(orrect,' said !adger '#his period is called the %ntuitive 3evelation ' '96cuse me for as"ing,' said (hris, 'but what's all this stuff about genetic discrepancies on your birth certificate?' '1ot very relevant,' the Doctor said '3ice ca"e?' ')orry, but it isn't easy to ignore things, not when half the thoughts in my head aren't my own ' '#hat evidence is sub 7udice ' '% tried to protect you,' said %nnocet '+lospin was set to report all his theories, but % stopped them from reaching the (apitol ' Page 5 #he Doctor nodded '#han" you, (ousin % hope he didn't ta"e it out on you ' )he tested the weight of hair on her shoulders '+lospin was ill He collapsed with a massive double hearts sei-ure, shortly after the House was buried $hen Duences died, +lospin was already bedridden ' '% saw that,' said (hris ',r"hew and % dreamt it ' ')atthralope nursed him through his regeneration #here were complications and no medical help %t too" him many, many candledays to recover ' 'How convenient,' the Doctor complained %nnocet tutted 'He is over three hundred years older than you ' ',nd only on his third generation ' #he Doctor sniffed at his rice ca"e, grunted and thrust it bac" in his poc"et '/ne more 0uestion,' said (hris '$hy do all your (ousins call you "$ormhole"?' #he Doctor gave a groan of irritation

'1ot all of us,' said %nnocet '$hy don't you ta"e a turn around the library?' snapped the Doctor '%'ll stay here #hen you can discuss me at length8' Page : /wis scarcely believed his luc" He had 7ust discovered a new and brightly patterned woollen garment ,nd now a bowl of dried magentas was sitting unguarded on a "itchen table #hey were supposed to improve with age, so after si6 and a half hundred years they must be well, only one way to find out , hand crac"ed down on his shoulder 'Did you hear that noise?' said +lospin ';i"e a machine?' /wis shoo" his head and wondered what +lospin was up to in the "itchen '%n the old days,' +lospin continued, 'they'd cut off the fingers of anyone who was caught thieving /ne by one )nip, snip $ormhole always tal"ed about the old days %f he ever became Nithriarch, % e6pect he'd bring them bac" ' /wis pulled his hand away 0uic"ly '1ever mind,' +lospin added 'He isn't Nithriarch yet ' , smile slowly creased across /wis's face '!et you he never is ' #here was movement , Drudge emerged through a cloud of steam %t hissed and gestured angrily at them ')upper soon,' said +lospin and watched /wis scurry away ')o don't be too long about your business ' Page < #he Doctor sits 0uietly, listening to the voices of his friend and his (ousin, coming from the depths of the library !adger, his oldest friend, stands li"e a sentinel beside him #he House is 0uiet !ut there are sorts of 0uiet other than calmness )ometimes before a moment of une6pected fear or violence, the wind drops, the birds fall silent and a hush of reverence for what will happen settles across the world , ripple spreading bac"ward across time from an in*escapable event %n her room, )atthralope coughs dryly 1o food, only dregs and parings are left for the /therstide supper )he waits in her chair for what the approaching moment will bring Iobis"a, her frail bones aching, lies with her head in the fireplace, a telescope to her watering eye High above, at the distant top of the chimney, she sees the s"y change from white to blac" as a rain cloud hurries across %n his glass*lidded cas"et set on the ;oom of the House, /rdinal*+eneral Duences can be seen sleeping, still as a corpse, until the time comes for his resurrection , tafelshrew, nosing about on the cas"et lid, is startled by the repeated echo of a growling engine #he creature darts for cover through a tiny blac" crac" in the glass where, e6perience reminds it, it cannot be seen , grey figure in a long robe flic"ers along a passage on the third level /ld and angular )hadows swirl in a cloa" around him )atthralope sees him in her mirror #he cold gruel spills from her sha"ing bowl Page > #he Doctor sat and watched the library door $hen the old man came through the wood, his dar" cloa" was billowing slowly around him in the spectral wind #he ornate hilt of a double*bladed dagger stuc" out of his chest !lood was still running down his robe ',ngels and ministers of grace defend us,' said the Doctor '$ell?' replied the +host '%s that all? 1o apologies?' '.or having murdered you?' '.or wrec"ing our plans ' 'Your plans, Duences, not mine '

'9verything % have wor"ed for #he wor" of thirteen lifetimes ' '$hich has probably turned to dust by now, than"s to )atthralope ' #he Doctor directed the beam of a gun* shaped scanner at the +host '!etter be careful, Duences Your ectoplasmic levels are dangerously low /ne might almost call them non*e6istent ' #he +host sat down in a chair without denting the dusty cushion He studied the Doctor sadly '/ver the centuries, this miserable House has produced nothing but servants and petty cler"s !ut you were different You had a mind, and a cunning one at that #hat's why % prepared your way ' #he dagger hilt in his bloody chest had a fascinating way of bobbing up and down as he spo"e Page A #he Doctor sniffed and glanced at !adger, who seemed oblivious of their conversation How discreet he could be 'You didn't do so badly, Duences /rdinal*+eneral of the !rotherhood of Nithriarchs is a fine achievement ' '/h, yes , hard*won, hard*fought position !ut you could supersede that by far ' ',nd be the .amily's first (ardinal? % don't thin" so % failed my chapter certificates in officiating and legislating % failed them rather miserably ' 'You failed them deliberately Most of your results were calculated to barely win you a pass ' '$ell, what do you e6pect?' complained the Doctor ',s soon as you arrive at Prydon ,cademy, they drum everything you "now out of your head and replace it with years of lectures on the viability of panotropic rac"ing systems ' '1o need to stop at (ardinal You alone in this miserable House can achieve true greatness of power ' '% "now % could ' #he Doctor strolled across to the dar"ened window He loo"ed at the +host's reflection in the glass '#hat was why it was such a relief when you disinherited me ' #he old man was trembling '% had such plans for you 1ot for the House or that s0uirming li-ard of )atthralope's, +lospin !ut you My successor ' Page C 'You pic"ed the wrong person, Duences % had plans of my own ' #he +host rose angrily from his chair, his cloa" slowly swirling ')till no apologies for "eeping us waiting?' '$hy? $hat are you going to do? (hange your will? %f anyone can find it, that is ' '!y law, my wishes cannot be flouted ' '#ry telling your .amily that ,nd tell me who really murdered you ' 'You did, Doctor % saw you ' #ears of ectoplasm welled in his ghostly eyes '% didn't e6pect that, % confess !ut % was going to die anyway, so my arrangements were already made ' '$hat arrangements?' '.ind out for yourself You escaped once, but, now you're bac", my plans can be reali-ed at last ' #he +host turned and headed out through the closed door '#hat's right,' called the Doctor '#roop home to a churchyard or whatever wayward spirits do here on +allifrey )ee if % care ' Duences's sepulchral voice echoed up from the cellarage '.ind the will, Doctor .ind my will ' Page E '#he others call him "$ormhole" for the same reason that % call him ")nail" ' %nnocet had wal"ed (hris through the towering rac"s of tube boo"s until they reached the far wall 'You're not obliged to tell me,' he said '%t's nothing for him to be embarrassed about Iust a slight ' )he paused 'Iust a slight physical defect ' 'Yes?' ', small conve6 protuberance on his abdomen %t's shaped li"e the curling shell of a snail ' (hris was pu--led '!ut that's only his navel His belly button ;eft over from his umbilical 9veryone has one of those ' He opened the front of his coloured shirt %nnocet loo"ed away in embarrassment

'1o, they do not,' said the Doctor peering at them through some empty rac"s '1ot around here ' ')orry,' said (hris and buttoned his shirt %nnocet was staring through the rac"s at the Doctor '$ho are you? $as it really the Hand of /mega that came to collect you?' Page 1F '%'m your (ousin, %nnocet ' )he put her hand to her face '% don't "now what to believe Your thoughts tell me that a legend reached out and snatched you bac" into the forbidden past %f it's true, what damage have you caused?' #he Doctor rounded the corner and faced her '%f % was there, then % was part of it ' Her eyes hardened ',nd you abandoned us to all this How far bac" did you go? .or all we "now, you could have you could have become the /ther himself ' 'Don't be ridiculous You "now % always wanted to travel ' ',nd perhaps you did come bac" to murder Duences ' #he Doctor growled '$hy? !ecause he disinherited me? Perhaps % was glad to get away from the place8 Perhaps % am a nasty alien, with nasty, progressive un*+allifreyan ideas, infiltrating your terribly important .amily8' 'Doctor,' said (hris gently '%'m the only alien here !ut ,r"hew recogni-ed you as the murderer ' #he Doctor stal"ed away between the rac"s '% need to find the will8' Page 11 #he others followed him bac" to the reading area where !adger was waiting #he Doctor ignored them He sei-ed the library door and pulled it open /wis sprawled through it, landing at his feet #he Doctor watched as %nnocet helped her (ousin up '#hey told me,' /wis whispered to her, his eyes firmly on the Doctor '#hey told me who he is Does that mean %'m going to die?' 'Don't be so foolish,' she snapped '/wis,' said the Doctor '$ho "illed ,r"hew?' #he podgy (ousin gave a s0ueal and ran out through the door !adger lumbered away in pursuit %nnocet rose to her full stature, dwarfing the Doctor Her voice was tight with bitter anger 'You must be glad that none of your other important friends are here to see this ' #he Doctor's hands folded and unfolded themselves ')ome things are better "ept in the .amily,' he said %nnocet wal"ed out #he door slammed itself shut

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #wenty*four Page 1 (hancing an ,rm #he House was too 0uiet, as if it had a secret to "eep %nnocet had hardly reached the end of the passage when +lospin caught up with her )he almost smiled '%'m glad it's you ' '(ousin?' He seemed genuinely ta"en abac" by her warmth 'Don't be surprised,' she continued '#he Doctor, or whatever we are e6pected to call him, is still the most insufferably arrogant, aggravating person % have ever encountered ' +lospin's eyes glinted '$e have to get out, %nnocet ' 'Yes ' 'How old do you thin" he is, in terms of regeneration?' )he manoeuvred him into an alcove '/lder than he loo"s !ut, with no tally in the ;oom, how can we tell?' 'Did he say what he's been doing, while we all were rotting down here?' 'He's been away !ut % thought you "new that, +lospin ' )he watched the old rancour creep bac" into his e6pression 'Your arm, how is it?' she as"ed pointedly 'He told you?' He fumbled his scarred hand into a poc"et '1ot verbally He would never have been so truthful ' +lospin's eyes narrowed ')urely he didn't let you into his thoughts?' He laughed '1o, % don't believe you're that gullible You "now how he can twist things ' '% "now how deplorably you both behaved, +lospin ,ll those years ago, when you visited his rooms in the (apitol ' Page & '#hen you "now what attac"ed me ' '% saw something %'m not sure what it was ' , smir" curled on his mouth '.or days, there had been a ma7or alert in the (apitol ,larms were triggered everywhere ,nti0uated alarms that no one even "new e6isted #here were une6plained sightings ,nd rumours started up that the Hand of /mega itself had returned !ut no one could prove it ' ',gency rumours, of course ' '$hen % confronted $ormhole with my theories, he summoned that thing %t was the mythical Hand of /mega %t came to him li"e a faithful pet ;i"e that !adger thing of his ' )he turned to go '#hat was not the way that % saw it ' '$hat else did you see?' He was wal"ing behind her 'Do you really still believe he's 7ust your (ousin?' '1o ' 'Did he tell you where he's been? /r why he's really come home?' '1o ' )he reached her own door, went inside and slammed it in his face ,s she leant her bac" against the door, praying to "eep it shut, +lospin's thoughts came spi"ing through into her head 'He came home to claim his inheritance, (ousin He assumed we'd all be dead by now He called you an old Pythia ,nd he said he'd ma"e sure you never assumed your position as the ne6t House"eeper % 7ust thought you should "now ' Page 5 ,t last the bac"wash that has rippled through the House in angry gusts of engine noise, converges and e6plodes in a single golden thunderclap , machine roars its arrival and dies '$ho's there?' cries )atthralope Her fingers tangle in the laces of her boots '$ho else has crossed the threshold uninvited?' Doroth?e par"ed the bi"e out of the way, under the tallest table she had ever seen

')t 3ewth,' she stage*whispered '.or a minute % thought something had gone haywire with our dimensions ' '% thought that the first time % visited ,ndred's House ' said ;eela '$ait here ' )he moved cautiously towards the tall doorway leading off the chamber Doroth?e ignored the instruction and headed for the boarded*up window )he s0uinted though a crac" in the wood, but it was blac" as night outside 3omana was wrong #hey weren't underground at all #he heavy air in the House smelt of oil )omehow, the bi-arre tree*trun" architecture didn't surprise her %t was the Doctor's House after all #he dust*laden place could have been mista"en for derelict, but for the lamps that burnt along the walls )he went to 7oin ;eela, who was peering into the depths of a shadowy passage Page : '#he +allifreyans are sad people,' ;eela said '#here are no true children on their world ' '/h, the ;oom business,' said Doroth?e '% never understood that % mean, if you're born, surely you're born as a "id ' ;eela shoo" her head '#hey are all born from the .amily ;oom as full*grown adults #hey are li"e children at first and have to learn li"e children ,ndred calls that time brain*buffing He says the things they live with in the House are deliberately big, so that they feel as if they have been small ' 'Hang on,' said Doroth?e ')o you're not a #ime ;ady at all ' ;eela had begun to prowl around the room, studying the ancient weaponry, guns and swords, that hung from the walls 'My tribe live on a world far from here in both space and time ' )he hi"ed up her robe, climbed on to a chair and pulled an angular "nife down from its harness '#ribe?' grinned Doroth?e #he chair s0uirmed, there was no other word for it ;eela 7umped clear and landed, catli"e, ne6t to Doroth?e ',nd be careful of the furniture,' she warned, hefting the "nife in her hand '%t can be as fierce or cunning as any beast in the forest ' #hey both fro-e at the sound of scraping footsteps #hey simultaneously pulled each other behind a large cabinet as something very tall stal"ed into the room Page < (hris watched the Doctor trying to leave the library 9very time the #ime ;ord got near the door, the tables and chairs 7ostled viciously into his path #he Doctor said nothing (hris couldn't e6actly read him li"e a boo" %nstead, he was a captive audience as about a do-en intertwining te6ts were forcibly 7ac"ed into his head Maybe he was getting used to itP he was beginning to separate the threads and focus on any one at a time ')uppose % did come bac" to murder Duences and then wiped my own memory $ould that account for all this twitchiness? Do % or could % ever have had a doppelganger (ousin? 1o, no, no #he ;oom always weaves at random on the basic template You can never choose what you loo" li"e #he chances of a double are infinitely remote ' #his was against a bac"ground of thoughts that included the reciting of a historical te6t in what sounded li"e pigbin /rcul0ui, singing along with some sort of operatic heroine, pomming along with a hon"y*ton" 7a-- band, rehearsing a speech on the cultural dynamics of the planet !lue Profundis in the twin*sunned )appho )ystem and a list of ingredients for home*made trumpberry wine ',r"hew never said it was me Perhaps ,r"hew recogni-ed the murderer as someone else Perhaps he went and confronted them and then got spi"ed ' (hris said, 'How could ,r"hew recogni-e someone else when the murderer loo"ed li"e you? $ho else was there?' '%s there no privacy?' complained the Doctor's thoughts, but out loud, he said, '%nnocet saw someone leaving the room ' ')he said it was you,' said (hris '=nless you thin" she had a hand in "illing Duences '

Page > '% can't read her mind ' '!ut she can read yours through me ' #he Doctor gave up tal"ing altogether '$hy does she carry her guilt around in a long plait on her bac"? % don't "now what she would have done if she thought Duences threatened the House %t's an e6treme situation ,nd then there's +lospin ' 'He was at death's door, remember?' interrupted (hris '!ut %'d give a month's credit to nail it on him ,nd what about )atthralope?' '$ill you stop interrogating me as if %'m the number*one suspect?' 'You are, Doctor,' apologi-ed (hris '!oth for Duences's murder and ,r"hew's ' '%'ve been framed8 H 1othing of the sort8' (hris shrugged '%f this was /vercity, you'd be wired up in the termination cell by now ' #he Doctor tried to reach the door by duc"ing under the table, but it deliberately crouched to bloc" his path /ne of its clawed feet grabbed the tail of his 7ac"et ')atthralope couldn't "ill Duences,' he said, struggling to free his clothing '1o matter how much they've always loathed each other ' $ith a furious twist, he slid out of his sleeves, leaving the 7ac"et still in the grip of the table's claw He sat bac" on the floor e6asperated 'Don't forget she's already lied to the House about his death ,nd done it so convincingly, she believes it herself ' '#hey're going to find out he's dead sooner or later ' ')ooner,' said the Doctor glumly ')he plans to wa"e him herself % wonder who'll be more traumati-ed ' (hris edged slowly towards the door #he furniture ignored him '%'m off to ma"e a few en0uiries % 7ust got an idea from something you were thin"ing ' #he Doctor slapped the side of his head '$hich was?' (hris smiled and thought, '$here there's a will, there's a way out ' ',h,' said the Doctor He watched him go and then turned his attention to rescuing his 7ac"et from the crouching table Page A '%t too" my shopping,' said Doroth?e '$hat the frea" was it?' #hey had watched the tall, wooden creature from behind the big cabinet ;eela had held Doroth?e bac", while she stro"ed a carved panel on the furniture ;i"e distracting a dog, thought Doroth?e #he tall thing had no head Iust a splintered nec", around which hung a mirror on a chain %t had discovered the bi"e and carried off the plastic MJ) bags '%t was a Drudge,' said ;eela '/ne of the House's servants ' '% hate staff with attitude,' said Doroth?e )he found ;eela's assumption of the role of leader a bit galling '$e'd better get moving if we're going to find the Doctor ' '$ait,' ;eela said )he crouched and touched and sniffed at one of the white tree trun"s set in the wall '#his House of ;ungbarrow is sic"ly % can smell it ' '1o "idding #he place is actually alive?' ;eela started to undo her long robe ',nd if the House is sic", then the sic"ness passes to the furniture and the servants too #hey are all part of the House ' )he discarded the robe completely =nderneath, she wore minimal, roughly stitched, leather garments Her body was sinewy and taut, finely tonedP not an elegant society lady at all or even a +allifreyan grisette )he slid her "nife into an empty sheath on her belt Page C Dead tribal, thought the ,ce bit of Doroth?e )he was impressed )he glanced at herself in a big ornate mirror #he shadowy face that stared bac" loo"ed a wrec" !ut it was her own face, moulded by her own battles and cares 1ot cold 1ot accusing or 0uestioning !oth ,ce and Doroth?e )he let ;eela lead the way along the passage until they reached a neglected hall ,t one end, something glimmered inside a dusty glass booth , ghost in a scarlet uniform * half materiali-ed

'%t's him,' said ;eela, s0uinting through the glass '%t must be 3edred, ,ndred's missing (ousin ' Doroth?e po"ed about in the burnt*out console '#his wouldn't ta"e long to fi6 if the replacement units were around %'ve seen similar stuff in the #,3D%) $onder why no one's done it before now ' )he studied the ghost in the machine 'How long's he been in there?' ;eela fingered the hilt of her "nife 'He has been missing for si6 hundred and seventy*three years,' she said solemnly )atthralope po"ed at the contents of the white bags )he tore open one of the wrappings and bro"e off some of the pliant brown substance with her fingers Had someone brought them food pac"ages for /therstide? /r was this some 7o"e of the Doctor's? #he stuff was chewy and richly flavoured with herbs * the sort of rough bread that wandering )hobogans ba"e in ember fires #here were strange*coloured fruits in the bags and bo6es that contained s0uare paper envelopes of a herbal mi6ture that smelt vaguely li"e tea '=se them,' she told the headless Drudge '#hey'll suffice for supper ,nd find the intruders8' Page E #here was a sudden "noc"ing noise ,n image of the Doctor, reflected up from the library, was banging its "nuc"le insolently on the inside of her mirror He was mouthing noiselessly at her, but his thoughts came through clearly ')atthralope? 9nd this charade now, or %'ll tell the House about Duences8' Her hands gripped the finger arms of her chair in fury #he arrogance of it8 How dare he? )he was about to send a Drudge, when she saw, through the mirror, the figure who was standing behind the Doctor %t was +lospin (hris nearly tripped over Iobis"a He thought she was dead, but the old lady eased herself out of the deep fireplace and handed him her telescope 'Have a loo", dear ;oo"s li"e rain ' (hris lay on his bac" and s0uinted up the chimney at a distant punch*hole of light far above '#hese candledays you can only see up the $est chimney,' Iobis"a said sadly '(ousin ;uton thought he could climb up the 9ast chimney, but he got stuc" $e could hear him regenerating for eleven candledays #hat was five hundred and si6 years ago and he's still there ' )he pawed (hris's arm '%'m two hundred and ninety*nine, you "now ,nd no one will ta"e me home ' Page 1F (hris sat up '$ho would you li"e to ta"e you home?' Iobis"a's eyes filled with tears again ',r"hew, dear $e used to play )epulchasm together $here's he gone?' 'He's gone away,' said (hris gently )he moaned a little '1o, dear He always said he couldn't afford to go away ' '$hat?' 'He owed too much He tried to clear the debt, but the wagers got bigger ' (hris felt that little tug inside his head that always said, you're on to something %t felt li"e a hug from 3o'$hat can you bet down here? $ho was screwing him? % bet it was +lospin ' )he cho"ed bac" her tears ',r"hew said there was nothing else to bet +lospin already owned him ' (hris would have hugged the tiny old woman, but he feared she might snap in two )o he leant in and gently touched her spindly arm )omething sliced past his head, nic"ing his ear , "nife clattered across the floor #he sharp pain brought everything into focus (hris was surrounded by people ,ll the (ousins in the portrait, all calling him

#hey seemed to thin" he was the Doctor '#here he is8' Page 11 #he (ousins had gone Iobis"a was pointing at someone trying to hide behind a sofa '+lospin8' (hris lunged down, and yan"ed out the figure by the collar %t was /wis '% didn't do it8' he s0uealed '1ice try anyway,' said (hris 'Did you "ill ,r"hew too?' '$hy should %?' He was damp with sweat '#hey used to loo" for the missing will together,' said Iobis"a '$hat was it worth?' (hris growled 'Did you ever have a bet with +lospin?' /wis swallowed hard ')ometimes ' '1othing much e6citing to bet with down here though ' '#here's enough ' 'Yes?' ',r"hew was my friend ,nd we never found the will ' ',r"hew hated /wis,' added Iobis"a ')hut up,' said /wis ')hut up8' He raised a hand to hit the old woman (hris "noc"ed him to the floor Page 1& )omewhere near, something struggled in a tight space ',r"hew had a pet scrubbler,' continued Iobis"a '%t fell in through a window one day ,ll silvery grey and blind, with a twin"ly nose and big digger claws ,r"hew "ept it in a bo6, fed it on worms %t was his best friend #hen /wis ate it ' 'Did not8' protested /wis '%t's all the Doctor's fault He wants to "ill everyone8' %nnocet wal"ed in through the door 3ynde was with her )he glared accusingly at (hris '$hy has the Doctor come bac"? He should have left us buried in peace ' '$hile you wager your lives away in idiot games?' said (hris /wis affected disinterest 'He could afford a life or two ' ,t that moment, something fell out of the chimney and slapped on to the hearth %t was a fish , big glassy fish with finny claws , barrage of hailstones clattered around it %t struggled for a moment, off the hearth, onto the filthy rug, and then lay still, mouth gasping #he (ousins stood in silence as three more fish tumbled down among the hailstones '%s it a sign?' said /wis e6citedly '/r a miracle?' %nnocet clasped her hand to her throat 'Perhaps,' she said slowly '#he Doctor always attracted strangeness ' '(hris8' hissed a voice (hris turned and saw Doroth?e and another woman standing in the doorway Page 15 #he others stared .ish flapped around their feet, drowning in the air 'Doroth?e? How did you get in here?' Hailstones clattered down 'Don't as",' she said '$here is he?' #he two Drudges came from both directions '#hese are my guests,' declared %nnocet '!y the ;aws ' , Drudge pushed %nnocet roughly aside )he turned and ran from the room '+et behind me,' said (hris, as the huge servants edged the guests into a corner #oo late #he woman in a bi"ini stuc" a "nife into the headless Drudge, but even with three against two, there was no contest

/ne Drudge pic"ed up both women #he other put (hris under one arm and still had a hand free to snatch up the fish and store them in wooden drawers in its bodice '%t's a precarious time,' said +lospin He was setting out the pieces on the )epulchasm board '/ne false move and the House could destroy all of us ' He held up the counters '$hat colour?' 'Patre6es ' #he Doctor tapped the faded purple discs 'Do you plan to "ill me too?' '$hat?' '#he way you "illed Duences How else can you stop the House from finding out he's dead?' +lospin selected the silver*grey Dromeian counters for himself '9veryone says you murdered him ' '!oring,' the Doctor said '$hat do you thin"?' '% was too ill to "now about it ' '/h, yes You were busy regenerating ' He studied +lospin 'You've worn very well ' 'Yes % put it down to the lac" of sunlight ' +lospin smiled 'Don't worry, $ormhole )omething with your provenance and 0uestionable ancestry is far too precious to be "illed ' Page 1: '(oming home is so reassuring,' said the Doctor 'However long %'ve been away, % "now we'll still pic" up e6actly where we left off %'m your (ousin, +lospin ' ',mongst other things ' 'Meaning?' +lospin cupped the die in his hands and rotated it slowly '$hen we last met, all that time ago, at the (apitol, % "new you were something strange Your genetic records bore that out !ut it was more than that )omehow you don't belong here ' 'You hoped,' said the Doctor '(ast the die ' +lospin threw and got an eleven to start '% thought you were an infiltrator or a changeling ,n un* +allifreyan ' '#hat's a good ,gency word,' said the Doctor He threw the die and got a si6 '% "now another good word (uc"oo $hat do you thin"?' '$e haven't set a sta"e,' +lospin said ',ll right %'ll play you for the whereabouts of Duences's will ' #hey croo"ed fingers ',nd %'ll play you for your #,3D%),' said +lospin with a smile )atthralope tried to watch the game, but she could neither read +lospin's words nor catch the Doctor's thoughts #hen he was in the way, bloc"ing her view Duences, staring at her out of her mirror, with that thing stuc" into his chest, dribbling blood down his gore*soa"ed robe '% am dead, )atthralope Dead and bloodied for revenge ' Page 1< )he would not believe the apparition %t did not e6ist Duences had survived the Doctor's murderous attac" %t had ta"en all her strength to console and convince the House #he old man leered out of the mirror at her 1o matter where in the House she directed the glass, he was always there, bloc"ing her view, sluicing absurd 0uantities of blood 'Duences, you old vampire8' she shouted '% wish you really were dead8' .or some unaccountable reason, she thought she could smell fish +lospin's counters scampered round the board He was on a winning run 'You were the only one Duences cared about,' he said #he Doctor remained infuriatingly smug 'You could have 7oined our )epulchasm tournaments You only had to as" $e were often in here, playing on this very board '9ven after he threw you out, he still cared %f only he'd "nown what he was playing with ' '.ire, +lospin #he same as you ' #he Doctor shoo" and threw again He groaned ',nother si6 ,nyone would thin" this board was fi6ed '

+lospin rubbed his scarred hand '%t was only when that thing attac"ed me that % understood what you really are ' 'Do go on Your fantasies are fascinating ' Page 1> '%t was the Hand, wasn't it? #he legendary Hand of /mega, a power out of the past ,nd it came to find you8' '+lospin,' said the Doctor, 'you've had nearly seven hundred years to dream up this nonsense ' ',m % the first to find out? %s that why you're so frightened?' #he Doctor was calm and 0uiet 1o tantrum or fierce denial How telling that was #he board boomed and crac"ed open under the Doctor's counters He glared at the little discs, forbidding them to drop ,s they hovered above the opening, he said, '+lospin, ta"e over ' '$hat?' 'Neep it open for me ' +lospin too" over the mental reins, willing the chasm open as the Doctor leant in over the board He slid his hand down into the depths of the pedastal and started to rummage around '% can't find 1o wait, there's something here ' +lospin let go #he board's dimensions snapped shut on the Doctor's arm He yelled with pain, struggling to escape '$here are your powers now?' said +lospin '+et yourself out of this8' He hit the Doctor across the face Page 1A ,nd again %nnocet burst into the room )he saw the trap and immediately set her mind to it #he board crac"ed open and the Doctor fell clear clutching his arm His nose and lip were bleeding %n his hand was a blac" data core, sealed with a crest '% thin" this is what we've been loo"ing for,' he cho"ed 'Duences's will?' said %nnocet, incredulous '%s that it?' '%t's a tric",' +lospin said 'He had it all the time ' He lunged for the core, but %nnocet pushed him bac" '% don't care where it was,' she said '1ow that we have it, we can confront )atthralope ' '(onfront her all you li"e $hat happens when she tries to wa"e Duences? /r perhaps $ormhole has some legendary solution ' #he Doctor lay bac", watching his (ousins s0uabble over him #here was a commotion outside #he Drudges loomed in, carrying (hris (we7 and two new strangers with them #wo struggling women #he Doctor sat up and stuffed the data core inside his 7ac"et '$hat's this?' he said sourly 'Prison Bisitors ,ssociation?'

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #wenty*five Page 1 )ight*seeing Miracle? $hat miracle? 1ews travels fast in ;ungbarrow %t whispers along passages, gathering resonance the way a House gathers dust #he fish in the chimney , moment becomes an event, which becomes a deed, which becomes a legend He has brought bac" the will 96pectations, so long dampened by despair, are unearthed and dusted down, li"e the tarnished garlands being hung for /therstide by the Drudges in the +reat Hall )oon the dar"ness will be over #hey are herding tables and chairs into place for suppertime ,nd )atthralope will wa"e Duences at last #he whispering stops #he end? 1ot a happy end 1ot a ghost of a chance Page & Doroth?e thought she had never seen the Doctor so withdrawn His lip was cut and there was blood under his nose ,nd (hris (we7, normally the lovable innocent 2he'd hate that4, loo"ed utterly wasted #he Doctor's arm was blue*blac" up to the shoulder $hile ;eela rubbed his bruises with some sort of herbal liniment she carried in a pouch, he listened 0uietly to what each of them had to say He loo"ed distinctly uncomfortable when (hris mentioned the fish 'Miracle? $hat miracle?' he complained '% don't believe in miracles #hese things are natural phenomena ' '#ry telling them that ' '%t's a coincidence , downfall of fish, frogs or water lilies can be precipitated by any simple tornado Have they forgotten about ocean cones, when the +allifreyan sea gets suc"ed miles high by an eclipse of the sun and the dar" moon?' '#hey thin" it's you ' '$hat about ,r"hew?' '+ruesome,' said (hris, holding his head '!ut %'ve a few more en0uiries to ma"e ' Page 5 #he Doctor grunted #emper, thought Doroth?e )he told him about life in Paris, past and future )he left out her liaison with +eorges )eurat He'd only want to be introduced and then worry that the painter was going to die in a couple of years ;eela tal"ed about her life with ,ndred at the (apitol, where she plainly did not belong )he seemed fascinated with the Doctor's appearance )he had never seen him as anything other than the Doctor she had travelled with #he tall, pop*eyed version that Doroth?e had seen occasionally, either in her head or photos or somewhere #hey both told him about the events leading up to their arrival at ;ungbarrow He shifted uneasily when he heard that 3omana had sent them He hardly seemed interested in the trouble at the (apitol or the dispatch that Doroth?e delivered '.red sent it,' she said #he blac" globe dissolved in his hands as soon as he too" it %nside was an angular grey device ', data e6tractor with ;oom attachment,' he said glumly and put it in a poc"et '$hat's it for?' as"ed Doroth?e

Page : '%'m not sure what 3omana's implying 1ow that she's President, she'll have agendas of her own %t 7ust feels as if the 9mperor has sent me a sword to fall on ' #here was an aw"ward silence Doroth?e wanted to hug him, but something warned her not to dare ;eela was busy, tending the cut on (hris's ear, so she tried a different tac" '#here's something % meant to as" you,' she said '$hat do you "now about ballet?' #he Doctor suddenly showed signs of interest '% can 7ust about tell a fouett? from a .onteyn ' '/nly %'ve got this friend in ;ondon, &FFF )he "nows about the bi"e ,nd she's a dancer, right ' ',h ' ',nd she "eeps on about this ballet she's always wanted to see !ut it's on in 1E15 ' He crac"ed a smile ';e )acre du Printemps at the !allets 3usses #wenty*ninth of May %t's a grande scandale You'll love it +et a stage bo6 You'll see the riot in the auditorium better from there ' '$ill you be there too?' '%t has been "nown % could be in the wings with 1i7ins"y, beating time for the dancers #he poor things couldn't hear the music for the rumpus in the audience ' Page < #hey both laughed and hugged each other in relief '/h, Doctor, you're such a control frea" ' '% "now,' he said in her ear '!ut if % don't do it ' )he still clung on tight '$hat else?' he as"ed %t too" a moment before she was able to say anything, but he waited patiently '%t's the other ,ce % met #he mirror image ' 'Yes?' '$ell ' )he fished for the words ')he was a vicious bitch ' '+o on ' ',nd %'m scared that %'m really li"e that % mean, % "now %'m hard and selfish ' 'You can be,' he said '#hat's what #ime did to you !ut you're still Dorothy too ' ')chi-o, you mean Psycho Dale"*"illing bi"er in a crinoline ' )he let go with a forced grin Page > He dabbed her nose in a way she had missed desperately ';oo" what #ime did to me ' ';oo" what you did to #ime ' He pulled a face '% had plans for you, you "now ' '#ell me ' '/h, yes %n my great scheme, % was going to have you enrolled at the ,cademy here on +allifrey You'd have soon given the #ime ;ords something to thin" about ' )uddenly she understood '#hat's what it was all about ,ll those trips sorting out my past You sly old bugger ' '%t didn't wor", of course 9vents overtoo" us and you had ideas of your own ' ')orry,' she said '1ow the boot's on the other foot %t's your past that's getting turned over ' He s0uee-ed her hand #hen he glanced towards ;eela and (hris and smiled fondly '%'m glad you're all here,' he said and went to sit with her 'He's asleep,' she said, nodding at (hris Page A #he Doctor too" off his 7ac"et and laid it over (hris's shoulders '#his can't go on,' he said '% have to stop it % must reach the #,3D%) '

Doroth?e saw him catch ;eela's mystified stare '%t's all right % may have changed a bit, but it is me,' he said, loo"ing her directly in the eye 'Do not do that,' she said as if she was scolding a child '% "now it is you ' '+ood ' '3omana warned me ' )trange, thought Doroth?e ;eela has a sort of wise innocence !it of a wild 9arth Mother, really 'How do you thin" (hris is?' he as"ed ;eela gave him a steady loo" 'He said he thought he was turning into the Doctor ' '#hat's silly, isn't it?' 'Yes,' she said Page C #he door admitted %nnocet '!ut if you can do it,' ;eela continued, 'why can't somebody else?' #he Doctor cleared his throat uncomfortably %nnocet wore an ancient and overlarge, full*s"irted dress the colour of a rusty sunset '% brought you these,' she said coldly, and laid some robes out on a table 'Please put them on before supper ' Doroth?e was struc" by how pale and haggard the woman was )pindly against the e6traordinary burden of hair on her bac" '%nnocet, it wasn't me,' the Doctor called, but she had gone )omewhere a gong sounded #he Doctor fetched his umbrella out of a corner He unfurled it using all the con7uror's gestures that Doroth?e had seen at the .ollies $ith a flic", he turned the brolly the wrong way up and its inside had become a large mirrored bowl He angled it under the big mirror on the wall '!efore supper, % should show you round my House,' he said Page E He levelled and angled the umbrella, mirror catching mirror catching mirror, until its reflections showed other views@ the House's interior, room after room displayed complete inside an impossible camera obscura #he gong sounded a second time #he (ousins were assembling in the garlanded cavern of the Hall %nnocet and +lospin and Iobis"a and 3ynde and /wis 1o one spo"e 1o one dared #hey wandered around the huge tables, an6iously eyeing the .amily silver 2fish "nives were laid4 and a most unfortunate centrepiece, unsure where to sit #hey "new )atthralope's position at head of the table only too wellP but for themselves, there were only five of them left and forty*four set places to choose from Doroth?e tried to ta"e it all in as ;eela, at the Doctor's suggestion, related what she "new of the origins of +allifreyan .amilies@ the +reat )chism and the Pythia's (urse which rendered the planet barrenP 3assilon's creation of the genetic ;ooms and living Houses to stabili-e the threatened population Page 1F '3assilon was a great delegator,' added the Doctor 'Most of the innovations attributed to him were commissioned from others ' Doroth?e thought he sounded touchy on the sub7ect He told them about his differences with his .amily over their plans for his des"*bound political career He's being cagey, she thought , 'bit of a disagreement' doesn't warrant burying the House alive

'#he House of ;ungbarrow used to stand on the slopes of Mount ;ung in the )outhern 3anges about two days from 3assilon's 3ampart, which was built to "eep out the marauding )hobogans in the third century after 3assilon's death #he House overloo"ed the river (adonflood which flows ' %t was too much to ta"e in #he mirrors were displaying the dilapidated sights of the House #he whole 1orth anne6e was under flood, but Doroth?e thought she saw something swirl through the blac" water %n a hall, the Doctor's (ousins sat silently around a dinner table with something she could not ma"e out at its centre Page 11 '%t's a forest beast8' declared ;eela as they viewed the ne6t sight '%t's !adger,' said the Doctor , massive bear*li"e creature was apparently wor"ing on the controls of the transmat booth with its ghostly figure .or a moment, a malevolent face blotted out the scene ')atthralope,' said the Doctor and shut the umbrella up 0uic"ly #he door admitted %nnocet again 'You must come down,' she said #he Doctor turned away and sul"ed '$hat is /therstide?' as"ed Doroth?e 'Iust some silly pagan festival,' he mumbled ';i"e Yule or ,ugust !an" Holiday ' %nnocet viewed them severely '#he /ther was one of the #riumvirate who ruled the old world with 3assilon and /mega ' '/h, yeah,' said Doroth?e ',s in the Hand of *,' ',ce8' '!ut the /ther turned against 3assilon and was banished,' ventured ;eela 'He stole away the Hand of /mega ' Page 1& Doroth?e grinned '3eally?' 'Depending on which version you read,' said the Doctor %nnocet stared directly at him '/therstide celebrates his casting out 1ow please come down to supper ' #he Doctor po"ed at the robes she had brought ')atthralope's only resurrecting it to give the House something to concentrate on ' #he gong sounded for the third time He peered straight into the depths of the mirror '1o % thin" %'ll sit this one out ' #he library started to tremble %nnocet stepped bac" as two chairs moved in on the Doctor He immediately bac"ed into the passages between the shelves #he door flew open to admit a Drudge %t pulled ;eela and Doroth?e clear with hard fingers as the room went berser" #he sense of rage hit them li"e a brea"ing wave Data cores were hurled out of their rac"ing li"e missiles Plan"s half tore themselves up from the floor and lunged at the Doctor ,s he vanished from view among the swaying shelves, they saw the white branches that tangled across the ceiling brea" free and reach down li"e gnarled fingers #hey heard his shout and then all the shelving caved in over him 'Doctor8' yelled both Doroth?e and ;eela #here was no answer ,nd through all of it, (hris had stayed fast asleep Page 15

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #wenty*si6 Page 1 #he Play's the #hing 'He will come down,' said %nnocet 'He could be dead,' said ;eela '/r in7ured,' said Doroth?e '$e should have stayed ' 'He will come ' #he Doctor's (ousins and companions had waited an age in the Hall in embarrassed silence for the Doctor to arrive #he tall ban0ueting tables had been positioned round the House's ;oom, with the glass cas"et containing the sleeping Duences suitably garlanded to form the centrepiece .orty*five places were set around the table, but everyone present had clustered into two opposing groups at one end 1o one's feet touched the floor .riends versus .amily 9veryone loo"ed at the body on the table )omething rumbled under the floor and then the huge flagstones burst open with a crash , dishevelled shape was spewed up into the Hall from the depths #he Doctor clambered aw"wardly to his feet and surveyed the gathering, swaying slightly '$ell, well +allifrey's most dysfunctional family8' Page & +od, he's drun", thought Doroth?e )he climbed down from her seat to give him a place between herself and ;eela He was not wearing his formal attire and his clothes were dishevelled and dusty !ehind him, the hole in the floor closed itself with a crunch and a sigh '(harming,' he said, caustically surveying the table '(heer up, everyone %t's a party /therstide felicitations to you all8' He flourished a tric" bunch of feathery flowers out of his sleeve 'Bery festive,' said Doroth?e '$hat happened to you?' 'You "now what libraries are li"e #hey can't stand anything to be overdue ' He was trying to be dismissive, but his voice tremored slightly ,nd he had a blac" eye ')atthralope must "eep the House under tighter control %'ve never been beaten up by a library before % don't recommend it ' He peered at (hris, who was asleep in the chair beyond ;eela '$e can't wa"e him,' she said 'He's sleeping so deeply ' Doroth?e followed the Doctor's accusatory glance up to the roof, where a familiar shape hung in a net of cobwebs 'Iesus, how did that get up there?' 'How do we get it down here?' he snapped '%s this how you treat all your friends?' %nnocet called from across the table Page 5 '1o different from his .amily,' said 3ynde ;eela whispered, ')ay the word, Doctor, and % will ma"e these miserable (ousins of yours do you honour ' He shoo" his head 'Don't worry about them #hey haven't en7oyed themselves so much for centuries ' He turned to the company '1ow let me guess what's on today's menu ' '.ish,' said (ousin 3ynde ',nd my shopping,' added Doroth?e )he nodded across the table at a tray stac"ed with slices of sun*dried tomato ciabatta ',nd feathergills,' said /wis, eagerly leaning forward to proffer a dish #he Doctor frowned suspiciously at him '%s that my pullover?' , row of woollen 0uestion mar"s peered from under /wis's tunic ';ose and weep, find and "eep8' he chanted and proffered the dish again

'Doctor, how much of it is true?' interrupted %nnocet He ignored /wis's dish '%s what true?' '#hat you will deny me my place as ne6t House"eeper should we all survive ' Page : 'He's Duences's successor,' interrupted 3ynde '+iven the chance, he'd throw us all out of our House ' '$hat about me?' said /wis 'He says % have no right to e6ist at all ' '$hen are we going home?' said Iobis"a $hile they bic"ered, the Doctor slowly removed his hat and played with the brim ';et's see what Duences has to say about it ' #here was sudden silence #he Doctor glanced at +lospin, who was sitting apart from the others '% didn't say a word,' said his (ousin Duic" as a flash, before his chair could ob7ect, the Doctor climbed on to the ban0ueting table and started threading his way between the candles and cut glass , trail of footprints on the tablecloth mar"ed his path towards the glass coffin #here was uproar from the (ousins )houts of '1o8' and 'Don't touch him8' '$hy?' he said '$hat can you possibly be afraid of?' He bowed his head and laid his bunch of fa"e flowers on the coffin lid '3ec0uiescat in pace,' he said 0uietly Page < 'How dare you8' )atthralope's voice rang out through the Hall ',ll 7oints on the table will be carved,' observed the Doctor, watching various condiment boats scuttle for cover )atthralope's cane clac"ed on the flagstones as she made her painful way to the table #he Drudges came behind her 'Down, sir8 !y all the fires in the "itchen, down8' #he Doctor half smiled Doroth?e had a sudden unpleasant premonition that he was going to play the spoons )he glanced at ;eela, who was fingering her "nife %nstead, the (ousins watched open*mouthed as he sauntered up the table to meet the House"eeper $hen he reached her place setting, he "nelt among the cutlery and bowed his head '(ousin )atthralope, than" you for your Housepitality % am honoured ' 'Honour?' Her rage was scarcely under control )he lifted her eyes to the galleries '#here were some honourable people here once ' ;i"e an imperious sovereign, she lifted her ringed hand towards him #he Doctor shrugged ';ives have hung on a signed contract here, a "issed ring there .amily favours meant precious little to me for many years ' He reached forward to "iss her wooden ring, but the old woman grabbed hold of his ear and pulled him off the table Page > He yelped with pain and hit the floor, but her bony fingers held on tight ;eela and Doroth?e both scrambled to help him, but a Drudge bloc"ed their way '$hat have you done with Duences's will?' demanded )atthralope, pulling his head bac" and forth by his ear His face was screwed up in agony '$hat have you done with the rest of my (ousins?' '$ormholed little revenant8 )nea"ing bac" here8' )he twisted his ear hard '% don't apologi-e for what the House threatens %t is very angry8' )he pushed him roughly away

'/f course, it's angry,' he said from the floor '$hat do you e6pect when you buried it alive with all its .amily?' '% buried it? Me?' )atthralope turned to scan the remnants of her (ousins '#he House of ;ungbarrow was so ashamed of what you did, that it buried itself and too" us all with it8' #he Doctor gave a little moan of shoc" He stumbled to his feet and stared up at the #,3D%), his hands slapping at his poc"ets '#he will,' he muttered '%'ve got the will ' %nnocet had moved in beside him '1ot now,' she muttered 'You'll "ill us all if you're not careful ' )he too" his arm and gently guided him bac" to his seat between Doroth?e and ;eela Page A )atthralope had climbed up into her own place at the head of the table ',t /therstide, the time of renewal, we pledge our devotion to the House ' ',nd my name day,' mumbled the Doctor massaging his ear He signalled for his companions to stand #hey let (hris sleep on while )atthralope sang the incantations '!oo" of .oundations (hapter Prydon Berse si6 seven three ' ';ungbarrow,' responded the (ousins '$e will always return to the ;oom from which you wove us ' ',ncient House ' ')heltering generation on generation of your Nith since the birth of the 1ew #ime ' 'Home ' '$e are your plans, designs and architecture $e, who re7oice in your name of ' ';ungbarrow8' they chorused ';ungbarrow8 ;ungbarrow8' #heir cries echoed through the Hall, ta"en up and repeated by the walls and galleries, the wood and stone #he (ousins and guests stared up and about in fear #he glancing echoes dar"ened, grew more thunderous, as if the House itself had found a voice ;=1+!,33/$8 ;=1+!,33/$8 ;=1+!,33/$8 Page C #hrough the continuing tirade came )atthralope's voice '1one of you shall ever leave the House again8 #he .amily is united at last8' +lospin was staring fi6edly across the table at the Doctor #he Doctor was ga-ing up at the #,3D%) which was swaying unnervingly in the web ,s the tumult finally died, there was a clash of drums and tuned gongs from invisible musicians .orty*five chairs, most of them empty, shuffled round to afford their occupants a view of the open Hall +iant puppets, bigger than Drudges, lurched out of the shadows Huge painted heads set on flowing cloa"s #hey seemed to wor" themselves '+ood grief,' complained the Doctor and slumped in his chair '% thought we'd be spared this ' '!egin the Mystery,' said )atthralope and stamped her cane '#his ritual,' said ;eela, e6citedly, 'is it the Mystery of the 1ew #ime?' #he Doctor gave a glum nod '#hen % have read about it,' she continued proudly '!ut it is never performed now %t was presumed lost ' 'Iust li"e ;e )acre du Printemps?' added Doroth?e Page E ')ome things are better off staying lost ' #he Doctor scowled across the silverware at +lospin '$as this your idea?' '%n your honour,' smiled his (ousin '%t's traditional Highly appropriate, don't you thin", for such a special occasion?' #he Doctor slid deeper into his chair He glanced enviously at (hris #he young man's head had nodded bac" and he was snoring gently

#he gongs began a rolling repeated tune li"e a gamelan band over which a wild flute wailed li"e the wind , puppet with a blue cloa" and long silver hair full of 7ewels appeared /ne eye was red #he puppet gyrated about the Hall, billowing its cloa" as if it was casting spells '#his is the all*seeing Pythia,' said ;eela ',nd this is 3assilon 1ow they will fight for the future of +allifrey ' , second, smaller puppet had appeared %t had red hair and a crown and it waved a silver mace or rod %t performed a styli-ed fight with the Pythia puppetP the two figures e6changing blow after symbolic blow, more dance than combat 9ventually, the Pythia swung its head high and the flute shrie"ed in agony #he drums rolled li"e thunder and the stone floor of the Hall crac"ed open in spectacular fashion #he puppet vanished into the crevasse with a scream and a spurt of flame ')epulchasm8' shouted the (ousins as the 3assilon puppet raise its arms in triumph Page 1F '%naccurate,' complained the Doctor '3assilon should not be wearing that sash yet ' '$hoa8 !etter write in and complain,' said Doroth?e ;eela shushed them #he spectacle had clearly moved her '%t was the curse 1ow +allifrey is doomed and there are no more children ' Moc" snow started to fall from the galleries #hrough the swirling white, they watched a slow procession of puppets, all carrying small swaddled bundles 9ach figure too" a turn, gently laying its bundle into the crac" through which the Pythia had fallen Doroth?e thought of her own mother tuc"ing her in at night )he saw the Doctor shoot ;eela a sudden "nowing glance '%t's 7ust a play,' he whispered '1othing personal ' ;eela held his loo" for a long time )he loo"ed deeply upset '% am so sorry for you all,' she said He nodded and s0uee-ed her hand gently, but Doroth?e couldn't tell who was reassuring who )he also noticed that +lospin's eyes never left the Doctor #he puppets were moving in a circle in what %nnocet called the mystical Dance of the %ntuitive 3evelation .irst they lamented in identical movements, railing fists at heaven, putting their heads together, dancing with one mind #hen slowly, each one bro"e the circle, finding a separate dance of its own #wo figures 7oined 3assilon #he first 7uggled flaming balls with a single hand 2'/h, very symbolic,' said Doroth?e 4 #he second only moved in the bac"ground %t was faceless and wrapped in a blac" cowl '#hat one is the /ther,' announced +lospin #he Doctor fiddled with his cutlery Page 11 ,ccompanied by another shrie" from the flute, the first, the 7uggling /mega puppet, e6ploded in flames $hen the smo"e died, only his unscathed hand stuc" out of his ashes on a stic" 3assilon moved to ta"e the hand, but the /ther puppet moved in and snatched up the pri-e #he two puppets fought a duel, hand to mace, until the /ther was finally van0uished and cast down #here was a triumphant crescendo of drums and gongs ,nd (hris suddenly 7umped out of his chair '1o8' he shouted at the puppets '#hat's all wrong8 %t wasn't li"e that at all8' ')ilence8' ordered )atthralope and the House rumbled angrily #he Doctor held on to (hris, trying to calm him '#hose aren't his thoughts,' called +lospin, pointing at (hris '#hey're $ormhole's thoughts He's the serpent who destroyed our .amily8' #he grim puppet of the /ther rose, towering up from the floor %t gave a fluted shrie" and rushed at the Doctor, swallowing him whole in its blac" cowl

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #wenty*seven Page 1 #able Manners #he last rays of sunlight slanted across the gardens and into the shabby hall in the )outh wing (aptain 3edred was only too glad to escape the House's cloying atmosphere He chec"ed the documents he was carrying and stepped into the transmat booth He separated the official documents of interment registration from the item re0uiring special carriage to the ,gency Deathdays always brought out the worst in a place, and the summary edict he had delivered could only add to the gloom Yet the rumours circulating the (hapterhouse, rumours of an illegal birth at ;ungbarrow, seemed unheard of at the actual scene of the disgrace Most .amily members he had encountered appeared almost improperly 7ovial /nly the (ousin +lospin, acting in lieu of a House"eeper too distressed to deal with official matters, gave the occasion the due weight it demanded !ut even +lospin had his own cards to play and 3edred found himself acting the messenger ,t least his bribe was not an insult , Deathday was a private occasion, when a House was left to its own grief $orst luc", he would have to return to collect the cinerary urn containing the mind of the deceased He sent the signal that would transmat him bac" to Prydon (hapterhouse )omething crac"led , flash and a shower of spar"s #he light dimmed and the booth clogged up with smo"e Page & 3edred wrenched bac" the door and got out (obwebs caught in his face He cho"ed His throat stung #he air outside was stifling ,nd the shabby hall was suddenly completely dilapidated %ts windows had been boarded up %nstinctively, 3edred accessed the (hapterhouse on his wrist*lin" He'd transmatted to the wrong location He pulled off his helmet and coughed painfully #he lin" hissed with empty static #here was a movement behind him )omething grasped on his shoulder and yan"ed him round 3edred yelled as he stared up at the snout of a savage beast with yellow tus"s li"e "nives #he blac" cowl of the /ther puppet crumpled and fell apart to reveal the figure of the Doctor, defiant amid its ruin +lospin was slowly clapping '$ell played, $ormhole ,n illuminating performance ' '#hat's enough in front of our guests8' )atthralope crac"ed down her cane 'Proceed with service,' she told the mountainous Drudges #he Doctor returned to his place at the table Page 5 (hris had sun" bac" into his chair '% want to tell them, Doctor % want them to "now what % saw ' #he Doctor shoo" his head '+et something to eat first %'ll tell you when ' #he headless Drudge laid a huge platter on the table and a sense of wonderment spread through the (ousins /n it sat the four fish that had come down the chimney #hey were coo"ed whole with the inevitable garnish of mushrooms #he second Drudge placed a small bowl before )atthralope %ts contents were purple and slimy #he old woman scooped them up and swallowed them '.ish tongues,' said the Doctor in answer to Doroth?e's 0ui--ical grimace '#raditional ' #he Drudges served portions of the fish to the company and offered round the ciabatta bread #he (ousins and ;eela tuc"ed in heartily Doroth?e and (hris po"ed at their helpings ,s the glasses were filled with emerald*coloured wine, 3ynde said, '3emember that ornamental hermit we had? #he one that lived in a grotto up the mountain?' 'Yes,' said the Doctor '% dismissed him,' snapped )atthralope 'He was too e6pensive and a bad influence ' )he regarded Doroth?e graciously '#he Doctor', as he wishes to be "nown, honours us with this gift of fish '

Page : '%t wasn't anything,' said the Doctor '#he .amily bestowed on him the finest education it could afford %t was always hoped he would achieve the ran" of (ardinal ' Her tone hardened ')hamefully, he chose only to be what he is * a Doctor of something or other % cannot even remember8 (ertainly nothing that could ever earn him a respectable living8' 'Have you tried these s"ullcaps?' simpered /wis, passing the plate of mushrooms again Doroth?e didn't li"e the smell of them, but ;eela reached for one #he Doctor slapped her hand away from the plate and stood up ';iving? $hat do any of you "now about living? Most of you have hardly even stuc" your noses off the .amily estate ' #he (ousins stopped eating and stared '% have dined at the tables of alien emperors and languished in their dungeons %'ve seen whole gala6ies born in the fires of the ,urora #emporalis %'ve saved lives and ta"en them too $hich of you has even heard of the .rost .airs of %ce*,s"ar the $inter )tar? /r dreamt of the torches burning on the canals of Benice?' #he ensuing stunned silence was bro"en as )atthralope dismissed the Drudges 'Has he been away?' as"ed /wis 'Did he bring bac" presents?' '% could never stomach that,' said 3ynde with a loo" of distaste Page < %nnocet stared silently into her supper 'Home,' said Iobis"a '% want to stay at home ' ;eela helped herself to more bread '%s it true?' said )atthralope '$hile your own .amily were buried here in the misery you caused, you were away from +allifrey, consorting and revelling with unworldly aliens?' '(ourse he was,' said (hris '$ho do you thin" we are?' #he (ousins gave a unified gasp of revulsion '/bscene,' said the old woman 'You threw me out,' said the Doctor '$here did you e6pect me to go?' 'Monstrous ' ',t least % can choose my friends, even when % can't stic" my own .amily ' Doroth?e s0uee-ed his arm #hen she stood up on her chair 'Happy name day to you,' she sang out loud and loo"ed to the other companions to follow Page > 'Happy name day to you,' 7oined in (hris ;eela, her mouth full, tried to follow the words and clapped the rhythm 'Happy name day, dear ' 2they glanced at each other4 ' Doctor Happy name day to you8' #hey clapped him loudly '#han" you,' the Doctor said '1ow all % need is my #,3D%) bac" %nnocet, will you help me?' '% cannot trust you,' she said '1ot any more ' )atthralope smiled triumphantly '1o, "Doctor" You will not be travelling again ' '%'m not bound by you % was disinherited, remember? $a"e up Duences and he'll confirm it ' ;oo"s of silent dismay flittered between the (ousins '%mpossible,' declared the House"eeper 'He cannot be wo"en 1ot until his will is recovered ' #he Doctor rose and moved round to her chair He planted a blac" data core on the table in front of her '#here you are, )atthralope #his is Duences's will, still sealed with the House crest % found it where he left it 1ow wa"e him up8'

Page A )houts of '1o8' from the (ousins )he pic"ed up the data core and turned it in her bony fingers '$hat are they so afraid of?' whispered the Doctor in her ear '1ow you can restore the honour and respect of your beloved House ' +lospin tried to push the Doctor away '#a"e no notice of him8 He's as much a liar as he always was8' ',fraid %'ll get the lot, +lospin?' 'You'll get nothing8' '3eally?' said the Doctor '#hat's not what Duences's ghost told me ' ';ies8' )atthralope clutched the data core tightly 'Duences is not dead8' '/h yes, he is,' said the Doctor '% murdered him % came bac" especially You as" (hristopher (we7 He's very perceptive about these things ' (hris scrambled to his feet, but Iobis"a suddenly gave a little scream ,cross the floor of the Hall lumbered a vast bearli"e shape with curling horns '!adger8' e6claimed the Doctor !ehind the avatroid, came an officer in scarlet uniform He halted at the table, but did not salute Page C '(aptain 3edred of the Prydon (hapterhouse +uard % was returning to the (apitol, but there is a fault with your House's transmat booth ' ;eela pulled the Doctor aside '%t is him,' she mumbled, her mouth full again 'He was trapped in the transmat booth He is ,ndred's missing (ousin ' 'He was tal"ing to +lospin,' said (hris '/n the Deathday ' '$hat?' said Doroth?e 'You mean he's been trapped there all that time?' '(orrect,' said !adger ',hem,' said the Doctor '% released him,' !adger added 'Hallo?' said the Doctor '$e saw you in the mirrors,' said ;eela to the robot '%'m ;eela and this is Doroth?e ' '% am !adger,' said !adger (hris shoo" his head '!ut if he still thin"s he's si6 hundred and seventy*three years ago ' Page E '/uch,' said Doroth?e ')omeone else can tell him ' '96cuse me,' said the Doctor ')orry to interrupt, but was this another of your dreams?' '% can't remember everything,' said (hris '#hey tal"ed about a delivery ,nd money changed hands ' #he Doctor raised an eyebrow 'Doing a little deal, were they?' '!e silent8' shouted )atthralope +lospin had circled the table, smiling oleaginously '(aptain, % suggest you wait in one of the antechambers ' He started to manoeuvre 3edred away '.amily business, you understand Deathdays and all that paraphernalia ' )atthralope smac"ed her cane on the table '$hat is the meaning of this?' 3edred turned ',m % addressing the House"eeper?' 'You are, (aptain ' '.orgive me, madam, % understood you were indisposed ,nd % am due bac" at the (apitol ' )he eyed him curiously '#his is the guard in the transmat booth,' she said to +lospin 'Doctor? Did you release him?' Page 1F

'% released him,' said !adger 'He was delivering the Matricular transfer facility for Duences's mind,' butted in +lospin ',nd the summary edict,' said 3edred, testily '9dict?' said the Doctor '#he edict from the (hapter (ouncil of (ardinals concerning the House of ;ungbarrow, sir ,n elderly (ousin called +lospin too" the delivery ' '!ut this is +lospin,' the Doctor said, innocently indicating his (ousin #here was silence '%t was definitely an old man,' said 3edred +lospin glanced at )atthralope ',n imposter8 How can that have happened in our own House?' #he Doctor mimed applause behind 3edred's bac" )atthralope smiled charmingly ',ll will be e6plained, (aptain 1ow, do you have a copy of this edict?' Page 11 'Yes, madam , security copy held on my wrist*lin" ' 'Please play it aloud to us ' 3edred activated the device on his wrist and directed it into the centre of the Hall %mmediately, an elderly man in red and orange (ardinal's regalia shimmered into life ';ord (ardinal ;enadi,' whispered the Doctor 'Head, as was, of the Prydonian (hapter ' '#he House of ;ungbarrow,' began the (ardinal, reading from a parchment, 'having wilfully transgressed the .irst ,rticle of +eneration, in that it did "nowingly create a new life in e6cess of its statutory ;oom 0uota of forty*five persons, without reference to or consultation with the (entral Population Directory, has been found guilty ' /wis, who had been pic"ing at his plate of mushrooms, started to slide under the table #he (ardinal was frowning severely '=nless an appeal is lodged within five days, the aforementioned House of ;ungbarrow and all its appurtenances will, under the ancient laws subscribed by the founding triumvirate of the 1ew #ime, be e6communicated from the Matri6 and the Prydonian (hapter %ts name will no longer be "nown ' He rolled up the parchment and slotted it into the eye of an anti0ue s"ull which was suddenly hovering before him '.ive days pending,' said the s"ull with a grin #he transmission finished

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #wenty*eight Page 1 +oing Home )hudders ran through the House of ;ungbarrow %ts timbers shivered, down from its scaly roofs to the fibrous ends of its e6tending roots Deep in the flooded 1orth anne6e, there was a well #houghts flic"ered li"e shadows in its depths Boices whispered and cried out in anguish #he voices were whispering to Iobis"a )he was fretting '$hy don't they listen? 1o one listens ' (ome home then, they insisted '%t's time then,' she said Yes )he sighed and smiled '#ime to go home at last ' ,lways voices, thought (hris $herever % go, it's always someone else's voice in my head Yemaya and Yemaya and Yemaya creeps on this petty pace from day to day Page & Maybe %'m bored with travelling Maybe it's time to stay in nights with a trashvid or 7ust my thoughts, not other people's second*hand, shop*soiled, cast*offs ;et's go home and see the fol"s ;et's have a party and a singsong round the old 7oanna 2$e don't have an old 7oanna $hat is an old 7oanna?4 1ever mind, here comes that song again ,ltogether now@ 9ighth Man !ound Ma"e no sound '(ast out ' )atthralope sat in her place at the head of the table, turning the "eys on her ring in a steady clic"ing motion '#he poor, poor House ' '#he House buried us,' said +lospin '$e had five days % would have set things right as my first duty as Nithriarch !ut the House had to interfere ' '1o, it is not true $e are cast out ' '$here are the rest of the .amily?' said 3edred ',nd where's the imposter who too" the edict?' ',ll dead,' said )atthralope, staring blan"ly ahead 'Dead? How can they be dead?' '1o, not dead,' insisted %nnocet 'Iust gone away ' Page 5 'Dead of shame,' said )atthralope #he Doctor, slipping in beside her@ '%f they were dead, the House would have replaced them ' 'You are dead,' she said, turning her "eys '1ow you see me, now you don't,' he agreed '$ishful thin"ing,' said +lospin )atthralope struc" out wildly ')oon Duences and % shall be the only ones alive ' '% want to get out of this insane house8' shouted 3edred 9veryone shushed him #here was a retching sound from across the table /wis was being sic" '%diot,' said +lospin '/nly you could eat your own poisoned food8' ',ll dead soon,' muttered the House"eeper '#hen who will see to the House?' #he Doctor slammed his fist on the table and marched into the centre of the Hall ',ll right8 $hat do you want me to do? ,pologi-e to the House? #hen % apologi-e8 %'m sorry8 /bviously % should have found a more suitable .amily #ell the House that it can e6act whatever revenge it wants )wallow me up or drop timbers on my head if it li"es, but that won't change anything8 %'m still me8 )till its child8'

Page : #he #,3D%) dropped from the web above li"e a stone #he Doctor tumbled clear as the police bo6 hit the flag*stones with a splintering crash , flurry of frightened fledershrews winged around the Hall #he Doctor smiled '% got it down,' he said in 0uiet triumph '$hose #,3D%) is this?' demanded 3edred '#he Doctor's,' said %nnocet '(ome bac",' shouted )atthralope '1o one was granted permission to leave the table ' !oth 3ynde and +lospin were already perusing the overturned ship %t seemed unharmed by its fall, but the crac"ed flags beneath it were "noc"ed into a crater #he Doctor and (hris watched them from a distance %nnocet heard the young man mutter, '#hey can't get in, can they?' '%t's fallen door*side down,' said the Doctor ',s long as you remembered to loc" up ' '=m,' said (hris Page < )he ran her hand across the ship's weathered blue surface %t was trembling slightly, betraying the enormous potential of the ## engines loc"ed inside Dust and grit had collected on the ridges and panels )trange colours )cratches and burns and something that loo"ed li"e claw mar"s How dare he8 Her (ousin, who bra-enly challenged the House and got his own way too Had these powers always been in him? ,lways "ept in eclipse? $ho was he, who "ept company with aliens and forces from the #ime of (haos? $as +lospin right? $here had he been while they, his own .amily, were condemned to the dar"? /r was he the dar" himself? #he chorus in her head was no longer unified %t had become a rabble of cries )he had striven to protect them all, but her strength was falling away #o what else would they now be reduced? #he weight of hair on her bac" threatened to crush her 3ynde had his ear to one of the #,3D%)'s panels ')ounds steady enough,' he said %nnocet pulled him away '%t's not your property, 3ynde ' ')o what,' said +lospin 'How do we get inside?' ;eela pushed in front of him ')tay away from the Doctor's ship, sly one ' +lospin smiled and pulled his "nife 3ynde followed suit Page > 'You have no honour, you and your tribe of scavengers,' she warned and produced her own "nife Doroth?e loo"ed for (hris, but he was dawdling vaguely across the Hall, a loo" of complete pu--lement on his face +lospin sliced at ;eela with his blade )he caught his wrist and swung him sideways He twisted and caught her throat with his other arm ,s 3ynde lunged his "nife, Doroth?e barrelled across from the side, slamming him against the #,3D%) His "nife clattered away and she snatched it up ')top it8' shouted %nnocet ')top brawling8' ;eela "ic"ed at +lospin and bro"e free %n a moment, she had her "nife pressing his throat '% have thorns here that could "ill you with one scratch,' she said ',lien she*cat,' he hissed ')tand away from him8' ;eela turned to see 3edred with a raised gun '#han" you, (ousin,' she said and pushed +lospin away

Page A '(ousin?' mouthed the captain 'Drudge8' #here was a crash 'Drudge8' )atthralope was swinging her cane wildly #he Doctor was crouching on the tables, e6amining a panel at one end of the glass cas"et !adger, who had been standing idle, raised its claws and descended upon her '1o, !adger8' shouted the Doctor, duc"ing a plate that she had thrown '%'m safe8' #he machine faltered and was overta"en by the approaching (ousins #he Doctor stood and faced them, indicating the cas"et '#his stasis unit is a tric",' he said 0uietly 'You're terrified the House will find out about Duences, so you've all been living a lie for the past si6 hundred and seventy*three years ' 'Don't listen,' said +lospin 'He's playing with us8' 'Duences was murdered, but % didn't do it, whatever anyone says )o much for your )leeping !eauty ' '1o8' yelled )atthralope 'Duences is alive8' Page C #he Doctor yan"ed a circuit core from the panel #he peaceful image of the old man under the glass vanished , brown s"eleton lay there, pic"ed clean by vermin /nly a few shreds of material clung to it 'Don't let it see8' )atthralope clutched at one of her hearts 'Don't let the House see8' )omething s0uea"ed , tafelshrew ventured its snout through the ribcage, where it appeared to be nesting 'Don't let it see8' #he Drudges stal"ed bac" into the Hall #hey slowly approached the tables, scrutini-ing each (ousin and companion in turn #he Doctor, smiling calmly, slid bac" from the coffin and off the tables Duences lay peacefully in his place again '9verything is acceptable,' said )atthralope )he was clutching the will, wary of any approach ,t a signal from the Drudges, the dinner tables shuffled away from the dais #he two guardians of the House, one with a head, one without, too" up positions at either side of the ;oom on which the coffin stood 9veryone stood and waited Page E

Page 1F '$hat's this about si6 hundred and seventy*three years?' demanded 3edred )atthralope ignored him '$hy does it not answer me?' she said, turning her "eys 'How much has it seen?' 3edred grabbed 3ynde 'How long was % in that transmat booth?' '+et away,' muttered the (ousin 'You don't "now when you were better off ' 'Drudge ' )atthralope stood up '% am going to my room ' #he attendants did not respond '% re0uire your service8' )he was ignored #rembling, she leant on her cane , tiny figure, vital with anger, hobbling alone from the great Hall 3edred grabbed hold of %nnocet His eyes were wild 'How do % get out of this place?' )he maintained her composure 'You have a dispatch that you were given to ta"e to the (apitol ' 'How long was % in the transmat booth?' Page 11 '% couldn't say % thin" you should hand the dispatch over to me ' '#his is some elaborate /therstide mas0uerade %t's too late for your appeal to go through now ' )he pulled away from him )he had a clear path out, and then the Doctor was at her elbow '%nnocet, than" you for sabotaging the transmat booth ' '% did nothing of the sort ' 'Yes, you did (hris saw you steal +lospin's original document You deliberately prevented the delivery of some rather damning material ' 'Damning for whom? % didn't even consider the captain ' 'Dear %nnocet,' he said humbly 'You always put other people first ' )he almost laughed '% destroyed the document % thought +lospin had gone mad ' '/r had been driven to madness %'m not easy to live with, you "now ' )he held his eye again Deep in the blue, there were flec"s of green and brown, until it fell into a pool of blac" )he could see nothing beyond )he "new that was forbidden $ho are you? she thought Page 1&

'% don't "now %t frightens me ' He chewed on his bottom lip '#he main problem is how to get you all out of here before the House finds out ' %nnocet loo"ed around the Hall ;eela, eating yet more bread, was sitting on the side of the #,3D%) with Doroth?e +lospin and 3ynde were plotting at the far end of the Hall 1earby, 3edred was studying his wrist*lin" and /wis was hunched in a chair, loo"ing distinctly ill #he Drudges, immovable and obdurate, flan"ed Duences's coffin '$here is (hris?' she said He scanned the Hall ',nd where's Iobis"a?' 1o, she thought 1ot another one 1ot now $hen Iobis"a reached the gate to the 1orth anne6e, it was open #he blac" water started about halfway down the slanting passage , flotsam of old drowned furniture had collected at its edge )he tried to tug at one of the overturned coracles, but it was too heavy for her frail little arms '(ome on, granny,' said (hris, pounding up behind her '%'ll do that ' Page 15 He lifted her in and climbed aboard after her ',re you coming as well, dear?' she as"ed '#hat's right,' he said, testing the paddle '%'m off home too ' '% don't "now where he went,' protested Doroth?e #he Doctor was all urgent hands and darting loo"s 'He's following Iobis"a )he's gone to 7oin the missing (ousins ' '$e shall find him,' said ;eela '1o, stay here, both of you Neep an eye on things ,nd don't let anything disturb the House ' He s0uinted at ;eela '$hat?' she said '(rumbs ' He dabbed her mouth with his han"y '%f you need help, spea" to her ' He waved a vague hand Doroth?e glanced round the Hall '$ho? !attlea6e +alactica's gone to her room ' Page 1: '1ot )atthralope %nnocet ' ')he 7ust went out ' '$hat?' #hey pointed '#hat way ' #he Doctor set off at a pace 'Your bread is good,' said ;eela 'You ate the lot,' said Doroth?e '% was hungry ' ',t this rate you can't go on wearing that bi"ini much longer ' Page 1< '(aptain,' said +lospin '#hat dispatch you were given You'd better hand it over ' 3edred flic"ed off his wrist*lin" '%t stays with me until % get out ' He pointed to the #,3D%) '#his ## machine was stolen last night from the dry dimension doc"s at the (apitol ' ';ast night,' said +lospin, amused '!y your (ousin ' 'You'll find the Doctor's behind most of this ' +lospin flourished his coded ,gency badge 'You see, % discovered anomalies on his ;oom certificate He may be a pretender /r a changeling ' 3edred smiled ',nother imposter?'

'#his is his revenge for being disinherited and e6pelled from the .amily %t was he who murdered the Nithriarch ' ')erious allegations ' 3edred consulted his wrist*lin" ',nd he's regenerated since he last came here,' +lospin added '%'m sure we'd find more evidence if we could get into his ship '

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #wenty*nine Page 1 (onse0uences %nnocet struggled to steady her coracle * half a hewn*out sti66i pod, grown in the atrium before it flooded #he pole she was using to steer slithered in her hands )he was halfway across #he blac" water reflected the lamplight in serpentine patterns on the branches of the atrium's ceiling ,round the walls, half*submerged portraits of former (ousins glowered out disapprovingly ,head, on the far side of the lagoon, were the coracles that Mal7amin and Iobis"a had used #he Drudges always brought the boats bac" #he House "new %t was all a game %nnocet8 %n the turmoil of voices in her head, she heard her own name called ,nd again )he loo"ed bac" #he Doctor was at the water's edge $hen she ignored his calls, he climbed into another boat )omething swished past in the water , s"inny reptilian shape was circling the coracle %ts long white head lifted above the surface and opened out li"e a vicious flower )tal"y eyes li"e stamens waved over a ruff of purple*blotched petals %t hissed %ts glistening tongue uncurled from a central ring of teeth #he monstrous progeny of both cavepool li-ard and meadow orchid, hybridi-ed in one of the Doctor's most repulsive e6periments Page & 'You were told not to bring those things indoors,' )atthralope had complained )omething grabbed at the pole , second creature was writhing in the water behind the boat %nnocet tried to beat it away #he coracle lurched wildly )he struggled to stay upright #he first creature rammed the boat %nnocet grabbed at the pole, lost her grip and fell into the water #he weight of her hair pulled her down )he saw the huge petal mouth open to encircle her %ts tongue gleamed in a sudden flash of fire #he Doctor, standing in a second boat, was yelling and brandishing a flaming brand into the heart of the petals #he creature gave a bubbling hiss of rage and dived away %nnocet reached for the Doctor's hand He was hauling her in when his boat lurched and tipped him in beside her #he torch spluttered out in the water 3ound the prow of his coracle came the second creature, eyes waving in its beautiful open head %t suddenly rolled in the water, thrashing angrily as something gradually dragged it down under the surface #he Doctor pushed %nnocet into his boat and clambered in after her #here was no sign of the creatures He set his weight to the pole, heading the coracle towards the far side Page 5 )atthralope sat tightly in her chair )he turned her "eys, but the House was not listening Her mirrors had gone blan" '1ot dead yet?' said Duences, his cloa" of shadows billowing )he stared at the dripping dagger in his chest He came closer, closer 'Don't imagine your stranglehold on the House will stop me ' 'You're not dead,' she mouthed 'You're not dead8' 'Does the House "now that?' whee-ed the old +host #he House, she thought % am the House8 ,nd she forgot herself completely '$hat's happening now?' said ;eela #hey were sitting on the overturned #,3D%), watching 3edred and +lospin spread a document on one of the Hall tables

'Don't "now,' Doroth?e said ')omething to do with the Doctor's ancestry #hey rec"on he's not who he says he is ' ;eela's hand went to her "nife '#hen we must protect him ' '(omes as no surprise to me People are always saying that about him ' Page : '$hich people?' Doroth?e shrugged 'People all over $hen you travel with someone, you can't help finding out a few dar" secrets Don't tell me you've never wanted to "now who he really is ' ')ometimes,' said ;eela '!ut that would be wrong ' '(omment? % mean, why?' ;eela loo"ed at her sternly '#he Doctor is wise and strange, and he is powerful !ut he is also a mystery that will only reveal itself to the chosen ' 'Maybe,' said Doroth?e '!ut % still want to "now ' #hey sat in silence Doroth?e loo"ed across at the implacable Drudges !ehind them, the image in the glass coffin flic"ered fitfully ';eela,' she said 0uietly '% saw ' '% thin" we'd better find the Doctor ' Page < %nnocet sat dripping and shivering on the steps, listening to the plaintive voices in her head 'You had no right to follow me,' she told the Doctor '#a"e off your wet things, %nnocet,' he said '#hen you must show me where the (ousins are ' '% will not,' she said He too" off his 7ac"et and wrung out the sleeves '% "now you've been protecting them all this time You're the only one strong enough ' He sat down beside her and tried to ta"e her hand '%nnocet, listen $e can put an end to it at last You must tell me where they are ' '#a"e away your hand,' she said 'Please, (ousin 1o more secrets You can let go now ' )he tried not to listen $ater slapped on the steps He sighed 'You "now, on other worlds there are people dedicated to clearing up the mess % leave behind %t's always been actions and reactions with me, and % tend to forget the conse0uences ' Page > )he watched something moving under the water He continued, '!ut now % have to ma"e amends for the suffering %'ve caused you all %t's my responsibility )o stop hoarding all the misery for yourself and tell me where the others are hidden8' )he closed her eyes '#hen do it for (hris's sa"e,' he said )he bowed her head #he soa"ing hair pressed her down )he slowly edged her hand towards his #he lagoon erupted at their feet )omething huge began to emerge, climbing the sun"en stairs $ater cascaded down its bedraggled fur #he Doctor pulled %nnocet bac" '!adger8 $hy are you always pestering me8' '% am re0uired to protect you,' boomed the machine '% destroyed the amphibian orcholotl ' '% don't need a bodyguard %'ve managed for centuries on my own '

Page A %nnocet edged to the top of the stairs )he turned and ran, down through old neglected corridors where the whitewood trees were overgrown and tangling through the furniture '%nnocet8' He was coming after her Her wet dress caught and tore on a branch ,nd in her head, they were calling her too (alling her to 7oin them in hiding !ut there was nowhere to hide any more '%nnocet8' He was behind her #his little man, this serpent had destroyed the .amily, the House that she would never now pledge to serve might and main, drudge and droil %nnocet, they called in her head '(ousin8' he said at her shoulder )he grabbed at a rusty sword that hung on the wall and levelled it at his chest ')tay bac"8' 'Put that down, please ' ';eave us alone8' #he shape of !adger came crunching through the branches '%nnocet, put the sword down,' said the Doctor '1o8' Page C '!adger will attac" anyone who threatens me 9ven you #hat's how Duences programmed him ' #he huge machine dwarfed him as it advanced ')tay bac"8' she yelled above the voices in her head '!adger,' he ordered 'You will not harm %nnocet )he's not attac"ing me 1ow, stand bac"8' #he avatroid swayed where it stood ,fter a moment, the Doctor edged towards her '1ow, give me the sword ' '% cannot,' she said 'Please ' He reached gently for the blade , sudden outburst from the voices in her head )he swung the sword against his outstretched hand He made no sound, but blood tric"led between his fingers !adger roared in fury #he Doctor was "noc"ed aside #he machine reached for %nnocet, lifted her and threw her against a tree Page E #he voices went 0uiet )he was lying on her side at the foot of the tree %ts branches spread above her Her hair would not let her lie flat ,nd he was there, loo"ing down at her with e6traordinary tenderness 'Don't move %'ll go for help ' '% had to protect our (ousins,' she whispered, every word an effort '%t's my fault ' '/f course it isn't ' '#hey couldn't stand the dar" #here had to be somewhere for them to go )omewhere the House couldn't see ' ',nd you helped hide them?' 'Yes ' He stro"ed her hair '!ut the House "new %t must have "nown ' '/f course it "new ' )he started to cough '!ut it loves them #hat's why it let them go ' '!ut it wouldn't let them leave completely, would it?' #here was anger in his voice '#hey're 7ust hiding somewhere to get away from )atthralope ' Page 1F '%t was all % could do '

He leant down to "iss her forehead 'How could one person endure so much alone?' !lood tasted in her mouth '#hey're waiting for you, )nail #hey've waited a long time ' '%n my room? %s that where they are?' Her body ached ')o weary Had enough now (an't do any more ' )he felt him reaching gently into her mind Please understand, she thought Please finish it for me '%nnocet, no Don't end it here You've got many lives left yet ' % want an end, she thought 1o more dar" , real end at last '%nnocet ' '+o and find them, )nail,' she said and pressed his hand )he closed her eyes and heard him move off )he folded away her thoughts in the dar" Page 11 #he Doctor wiped his face on his soa"ing sleeve He left %nnocet lying against the whitewood tree $hen !adger started to follow him, he said '1o8' 0uietly and the machine stopped in its trac"s '+o and get help,' he said and the brute lumbered away ,long the passage went the Doctor 1ot far now #he place was all too familiar He reached the door #he door to that place where he had ta"en refuge from the absurd moc" infancy of a fully grown +allifreyan childhood #he children of my world would be insulted #he place where he had first hoarded five*dimensional star charts and read #hripsted's .lora and .auna of the =niverse 2,bridged for Younger 3eaders4 and made wor"ing models of birds' wings and carved his name on the lid of his indignant des" #hey say a +allifreyan isn't fully grown out until he tastes his own tongue #he place was 0uiet He e6pected to disturb a whole flurry of echoes and memories as he pushed open the door !ut he heard only the s0uea"ing of a hinge beetle in the wainscot His room was empty )tripped of its furniture and fittings as if his own remembrance had been e6orci-ed Page 1& He had thought of and believed in so hard that it became reality and was sustained %t sat in the floor li"e a mouth ,n impossible well on the second floor , figure stood balanced on its edge, ga-ing down into the flic"ering depths '(hris,' said the Doctor '(an you hear them?' said the young man '% have to go to them ' '(ome bac", (hris,' the Doctor said '#hose thoughts are meant for me #hey're not yours ' (hris didn't loo" up #he glow was hitting his face, ma"ing it a mas" '1o, they're calling me ' '$hat do they say?' (hris edged away round the rim of the well '#hey're calling me #hey've been waiting #hey're calling the Doctor ' #he Doctor reached for him, but (hris threw himself off the edge and vanished deep into the light )ilence He stared into the impossible depths of the well He loo"ed in vain for some way to let himself down His fingers touched the sword cut on his hand Page 15 He wal"ed bac" along the passage, pushing through the wild branches, to where %nnocet lay against the tree )he was cold '%nnocet?'

Iust a shape in a wet dress 1o thoughts 1o dreams of renewal Iust empty and cold He sat on the floor in the sic"ly lamplight, holding her hand /f anything he had ever "nown, this was the worst .or long moments, he absorbed the once*familiar angles of her face for a last time .inally he leant across and gently untied the cords that held the great coil of plaited hair to her body 'Dear (ousin, forgive me this last dishonour ' =sing scissors, he cut through the braid and eased it away from her head 1o more guilt #ravel freely now He returned down the tangled passage to his room, unwound the coil of hair and "notted one end to a branch #esting his weight on the rope, he slid into the mouth of the well and started to lower himself into the depths Page 1:

Page 1< #he thoughts lic"ed up li"e silent flames around him ,s he went deeper, he saw figures clinging to the walls .aces he "new (ousins he remembered #ulgel, (hovor the Barious, .arg and De3oosifa !ut their faces were twisted and gaunt Mal7amin and many*chinned )alpash, now a chinless shadow of her previous girth Haughty (elesia and little Iobis"a .aces burning in the hell of their own thoughts More and more of them ,ll staring their silent accusations Pitiful, wasted and e6hausted characters with gaping eyes and mouths, gathering round him li"e a lynch mob of ragged scarecrows #here was no renewal here, no rebirth .ed on spite, his (ousins were de* generating in their own bitterness He was grateful at least that %nnocet had avoided this #he well shaft widened into a cavern where they clustered in, 7ostling and pushing '%'m here now,' he said '%'ll put this right, % swear to you all ' !ut he could hear nothing from them He pushed through the crowd until he saw a figure hunched on the cavern floor #he Doctor crouched beside (hris #he young ,d7udicator's hands were covering his head He was sha"ing '%'m sorry,' he pleaded '%'m so sorry ' #he Doctor reached out with his own mind and unloc"ed (hris's thoughts Page 1>

#he force of his (ousins' contempt "noc"ed him bac"ward #he hatred for all the torment he had given them and all the things he had made them lose He did not belong to their .amily #hey re7ected him utterly '#hey came this way,' said ;eela #here were fresh footsteps in the white dust where one of a cluster of bulbous fungi had e6ploded #he trac"s followed the course of an indoor stream, through an open gate, until it reached a cavernous flooded hall Doroth?e pointed to a group of boats on the far side '.ancy a swim?' she said ;eela eyed the blac" water warily '% wouldn't if % were you,' said a familiar voice 3omana was wal"ing down the passage towards them Her hair was down and she wore a scarlet tunic with grey trousers and practical boots #he principal*boy loo", thought Doroth?e '#his time % really am here,' 3omana said and shoo" hands to prove it 'Have you found him yet?' Doroth?e and ;eela e6changed glances Page 1A %t was easier than +lospin e6pected to get the Doctor's #,3D%) upright /wis, who had the digestive system of a gullet*grub and was already sufficiently recovered from poisoning himself, soon managed the 7ob with 3ynde's assistance 'You'll still need a "ey to get inside,' said (aptain 3edred +lospin e6amined the ship's doors '1ot necessarily,' he said He pushed the door with his finger and it swung open ')omeone forgot to secure it ' His (ousins clustered at his shoulders #he hum of instruments came from the dar" interior , sudden gasp of air stirred the hangings around the Hall and sent little dust devils spinning across the floor , fresh shudder ran through the House '$hat's that?' said 3ynde, peering up at the galleries '.eels li"e a warning ' +lospin nodded across the Hall #he Drudges had turned to stare at the glass cas"et on the dais #he hologram of Duences had finally guttered out #he dry s"eleton lay in its place #here was a sound li"e indoor thunder Page 1C '% don't li"e the sound of that,' said 3omana once she had listened to ;eela and Doroth?e's story '$hy have you followed us?' said ;eela Doroth?e grinned 'Having a spot of bother at home?' 3omana loo"ed embarrassed 'Yes, actually #he truth is %'m on the run ,ndred and ,mbassador $hitecub barely got me out alive ;ord .erain's sei-ed control He's trying to legali-e my impeachment, so %'m not sure if % even have a Presidency by now ' '%s ,ndred safe?' said ;eela 3omana levelled at her 'He's admirable !ut your running off li"e that didn't help matters ' '#he Doctor needed me,' ;eela protested ')o do we all,' said 3omana sternly #he House boomed and rumbled ;ittle waves began to slap in at their feet ,cross the water, a crowd of ragged figures was gathering on the half*submerged staircase '% thin" the Doctor's found his .amily,' said 3omana '#hey will never get across in those boats,' ;eela said Page 1E

#he House shuddered , rain of plaster and wood began to fall from the atrium's dome, splashing into the lagoon #he white branches that held up the roof were twisting and tearing themselves loose #he three companions watched as two treetrun" pillars, one on either side of the water, wrenched themselves free of the walls and tilted inward !ranches crac"led and snapped as the massive growths wound and matted themselves together into a single span over the lagoon %mmediately, the crowd began to shuffle over the new bridge '$here's the Doctor?' demanded 3omana as the first (ousins reached the near side 1one of them answered #heir eyes were empty ;oad of -ombies, thought Doroth?e, watching the procession until the last s"eletal stragglers had passed '(ome on,' she said, leading the others across $hen they reached the room, they found (hris hauling a shape out of a well set in the floor '1ot more companions,' he said when he saw them His voice had a )cottish burr ')ometimes you're more trouble than you're worth ,ll right, 7ust stay together, do as you're told and try not to all need rescuing at once ' He deposited the shape at their feet '!eaten up by my own (ousins,' he continued #he shape had a hat on %t was the Doctor, more bruised than ever '/nly my dignity,' he whispered unconvincingly (hris seemed to lose interest He wandered away and sat in a corner Page &F #he Doctor flinched when they touched him '% only wanted to be part of the .amily,' he said '% went through all the correct procedures +ene weaving, birth trauma, education, acne obviously it wasn't enough ' '$e could leave in the #,3D%),' said Doroth?e '1o8 1o one goes near my ship ' He was very apprehensive when he recogni-ed 3omana '$hat's she doing here?' he said in ;eela's ear 'Doesn't she have a planet to run?' '%'ve come to help,' said 3omana '%t is true,' said ;eela ',ny more of you outside?' he called '%t's getting li"e the ;ast 3ites or a wa"e ' 'Doctor,' 3omana said sternly He sighed 'You've done very well, Madam President #he future is so important ' ',nd the past?' she said Page &1 '/h, the past #he past is dead and buried %'ll never "now now ' , loo" of despair thundered across his face ',nd the future? % couldn't see beyond my seventh regeneration #he original 9ighth Man !ound Perhaps % have no future to see ' His eyes closed 'He's wor"ing himself into a premorphic trauma,' said 3omana across him '=nless we do something drastic, he may deny himself regeneration ' Doroth?e leant forward 'Doctor, if you're not part of the .amily * ' '1o,' interrupted ;eela 'You cannot as" him that ' '%'m me now,' he whispered '$hat good is that ?' '!ut who were you?' said Doroth?e #he Doctor's words were drifting away '#oo many thoughts (an't thin" any more )orry ' 'He's hardly breathing,' said ;eela #here was a movement at the door , woman with short brown hair was leaning wea"ly against the frame )he wore a plain white shift and was dragging a rust*coloured dress behind her '%f he's to live, we must unloc" his mind ' )he wal"ed unsteadily into the room Doroth?e stared at her '$ho are you?'

#he woman held up the dress 'His (ousin,' she said ;eela scrambled up '%nnocet? $hat happened? Have you regenerated? You must rest ' #he woman nodded wearily )he was shorter and her face fuller than the old %nnocet 'Don't be concerned for me $e must help him ' '3omanadvoratrelundar,' said 3omana, aw"wardly offering a hand 'Please come and sit down ,re you sure you're up to this?' %nnocet closed her eyes '#he more support, the better 1ow, please sit in a circle ' #hey sat and lin"ed hands, circling the Doctor %nnocet too" a deep breath and began muttering to herself !ehind them, (hris clutched his head '% am the Doctor % am % am % am8' He pulled off his boot and threw it across the room #he companions glanced warily from one to another %nnocet's head went bac" Her eyes were white, the colour of loo"ing inward '$hy did you leave us?' Her voice resonated through her fingers, into their heads, ma"ing the circle one '$here have you been? $ho are you?' 'Bultures8' shouted the Doctor His body arched as if something was being torn out of him He slumped bac" and lay still '(an't catch me,' whispered (hris %nnocet shuddered and sat bac" #he circle was bro"en 'He's gone,' she said, her voice trembling '#here's nothing His mind is dar" % was too late '

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #hirty Page 1 #he ,bysm #hree two one, three two one, , wreath of roses lay 3assilon's dead and /mega's lost, #he other one's gone away #hree to wonder and bide their time, #hey'll all come bac" one day #ranscribed from hieroglyphics in the Domdaniel (averns on )trava 3omana brought two fists down on the Doctor's chest, but his inert body absorbed the blows without reacting ')till no sign of regeneration,' she said as if she was being deliberately insulted #he House was rumbling a commentary of its own #he new woman called %nnocet repeatedly waved a green bottle under his nose He gave not so much as a twitch )he shoo" her head '%t's as if he's cut himself free ' ;eela pic"ed at an amulet on her nec"lace Page & Doroth?e half smiled '$hen % as"ed him about the ballet in Paris, he said he might be there % "new he'd do that ' )he shivered ')tupid % don't thin" %'ll go now ' #he lamps flic"ered and dimmed #here was a groan from the corner %nnocet turned '(hris? %s that you?' ,nother groan )he touched her palm against the Doctor's head 'His consciousness is closed !ut what about his subconscious?' #hey all turned to loo" at (hris '!ring him into the circle,' said %nnocet 0uic"ly (hris put up no resistance as they lifted him across and laid him beside the Doctor #hey lin"ed hands again ,s %nnocet concentrated, Doroth?e felt a di--ying energy pulsing round them )he couldn't have pulled her hands away if she'd tried , pale glow li"e a candle flame appeared hovering over the centre of the circle #here were shadows moving in the flame %t e6panded slowly, absorbed them all into the heart of its aura ,round them, the shadows coalesced into solid thoughts or memories Page 5 !ac" !ac" 'Doctor?' 'Doctor?' 'Doctor?' called by so many different voices He is lying in the #,3D%), outraged that he could do such a thing to himself He is lying in the #,3D%) 1ausea overcomes him #he Dueen bat was ancient and almost dry He is lying under a tower of steel %t feels as if his nec" is bro"en, but such moments are prepared for He is lying on a laboratory floor #he #,3D%) brought him home Home? Do you call this home? He is spinning in the dar"ness !ut it's not a death sentence, oh no #he #ime ;ords are 7ust confiscating one of his lives He is lying in the #,3D%) ,ll that wor" has left him a bit worn out 1ever mind, we'll see where this leads, hmm? (ome along, come along

Page : ')even lives,' whispered %nnocet '#his is his seventh life ' #hey hovered li"e ghosts, their hands lin"ed in a circle #he sun was setting, slashing the s"y with blood , towering wall of ancient stones was caught in the gory light )een from above, the fortification stretched as far as you could imagine !irds wheeled in the air below them '$ait for me,' called (hris, and grabbed Doroth?e's hand, brea"ing into the circle ',re you /N?' she shouted through the rushing air ')uppose #here 7ust wasn't enough room for both of us in my head ' #hey flew downward #he wall was so massively fi6ed in space and time that the world was sliding out from under it '%t's him,' shouted ;eela , tiny figure was standing before a great doorway, dwarfed by the blac"ened gates ,s they came closer, they saw that the Doctor was wearing only his hat and a vest, which he "ept tugging down for decency's sa"e Page < He was pushing at the gates, but they would not give ,n old vulture with an eyepatch flapped la-ily down and landed beside him #here were 7ewels among her ragged feathers '%s that you, )ybil?' he said '#he +ate of the .uture is shut,' she croa"ed 'Permanently? /r is it 7ust early*closing day?' )he stood on one leg, scratching her head with her other 7ewelled claw '% used to be able to see the .uture,' she said '!ut it was denied to me 1ow % only see the Past Doroth?e had seen her sort before #he type who comes up to you at a bus stop and tells you their entire life story '/nce % ruled a whole empire,' said the old harpy '% foresaw and controlled events and was unassailable 1ow all % see is the aftermath and feed on its carrion ' '1o more than you deserve,' said the Doctor )he craned her scraggy nec" towards him '% "now you Daily % feed on the death you cause /nce you denied me entry through the +ate You tried to escape your past, but now you cannot reach the future either /ne day % shall feed on you too ' '%s that another of your predictions, most sagacious Pythia? ,s % recall, they were never very reliable ' #he vulture spread her feather*bare wings '% was the world8' she shrie"ed Page > '/h, go away,' he said '+o bac" to the charnel house %'m not stale enough to be on your menu yet ' He turned his bac" on the blood*red sun and pushed at the gates again, slowly forcing them open on the future !ehind him it was always setting !eyond the gates, the sun was white and rising through peach*coloured mist #he watchers drifted through after the Doctor #here was a scent of roses in the air , homely woman dressed in brown was waiting, carrying a long robe '%t's the rose woman,' said %nnocet '% saw her in the orchard, the day that he was ;oomed ' 'You 9ternals get everywhere,' said the Doctor '%ndeed,' the woman said, fastening the many*coloured robe around his nec" 'Most of us regard being worshipped as a responsibility $e try to live up to e6pectations !ut there are some +ods % could mention who are not nearly so considerate ' )he stood bac" from him '#here $hat do you thin"? #he robe is woven from all your deeds and e6periences #he patterns drove three of the web*weavers insane ' '% don't have a mirror,' he said, fidgeting inside the garment

)he smiled '1ot as clever as you thin", are you? %f you were really everywhere at once, you'd see for yourself ' '%'ll rely on your better 7udgement,' he said Page A '%t could be magnificent,' she said with a shrug '/r it could be ghastly ' '#hat's life ' '96actly 1ow off you go #he future awaits ' He wal"ed to the edge of the pavement #he world was sliding in to meet him )liding under the wall into the past ,s he stepped off, the rose pin" mist began to clear, laying out the future for him He moved forward eagerly !ut something pulled him bac" #he heavy robe was snagged He tugged at it Patterns and memories moved on its surface !lood seeped from its weave #he garment was caught under the pavement #he future's ine6orable passage into the past was dragging him along with it He struggled in vain to tear free He pulled at the fastenings, but could not undo them #he robe was cho"ing him .rom the gate came the moc"ing laughter of the old vulture #he Doctor toppled to the ground He gave a strangled cry of despair and was dragged head first under the wall into the inescapable past Page C #he watching ghosts clung together in the sudden dar"ness #he past was an empty void #hen a wind blew up and they were travelling, drawn down after the Doctor #hey could see the wind %t tore against them in silver streamers %nnocet faced into it ',ir,' she cho"ed through her tears '(lean air %'d forgotten how to breathe8' ,head, they could see the figure of the Doctor rising and dipping on his course into the dar" , fiery glow appeared in the distance %t grew steadily until half a city was lit beneath them in the hellish glare , huge edifice was burning li"e a torch against the night , great hall or temple )tone was crac"ing in the heat and the air was filled with a grey bli--ard of ash ,d7acent buildings had caught alight and a swarm of air cars were tac"ling the bla-es with vacuum hoses #hey ignored the main conflagration ,round it ran a ring of guards, not deployed to "eep the crowds away, but to cordon in the people fleeing the building .ights were brea"ing out #here was the fi-- of gunfire 1o one was escaping , constant whispered commentary underpinned the air , distant muttering of thousands of voices !ut Doroth?e could not wor" out if it was inside or outside her head #he Doctor swooped away over other districts of the city and, drawn by him, the watchers followed /n a s0uare, high among the domes, stood a monument in the form of an U Page E '%t's the /mega Memorial at the (apitol,' said ;eela '%t's true,' said %nnocet '!ut this is the old city over which the (itadel of the #ime ;ords was built He must have fled here when he stole the #,3D%), bac" thousands of years into the past where he "new he couldn't be followed ,lmost to the /ld #ime itself ' #he Doctor was hovering close to the tall monument /n its crest sat a solitary figure wrapped in a dar" cloa" His thin legs dangled over the side as he contemplated a blac" bo6 floating in the air 7ust below him '% "now what that is,' said Doroth?e '#hat's the Hand of /mega ' ')o who is he?' said 3omana

'He's not the Doctor,' said %nnocet emphatically #hey caught angry thoughts from the figure, but whether these were relayed through the Doctor or directly from the man himself, they could not tell '% warned him % warned 3assilon that if force was used against the dissenters, if their sanctuary in the Pythia's temple was violated, then % would leave his accursed planet to its own devices8' He pulled off his shoe and threw it, but the missile shot straight through the bo6 as if it did not e6ist '!ut if % go, there will be no way bac" 3assilon will be left with absolute control 1o chec"s, no balances +ods, how % long to be free .ree of schemes, ambitions, and free of my dar", brooding self ' Page 1F .or a second, Doroth?e thought he was going to throw himself down from the monument He nearly stepped out, but instead he pulled bac" and slid down the curve of the edifice He dropped the last twenty feet and landed li"e a cat .igures moved out of the shadows around him , "nife flashed, but the bo6 was suddenly among them, flinging bolts of energy at the helpless assassins ')o 3assilon seals his own fate ' #he figure's thoughts were weary and saddened '!ut there will be much to prepare for my departure and one impossible farewell to ma"e ' He laid a sil"y grey rose at the foot of the monument #hen, throwing away his other shoe, he loped off into the city #he Doctor followed ',re these really his memories?' complained Doroth?e '$hat's this got to do with the Doctor?' 3omana and %nnocet e6changed glances, but said nothing #hey were moving deep into the slums of the lower city, down ill*lit streets and alleys peopled with ragged shadows , group of guards were standing at one corner, drin"ing #he figure paused for a moment against a doorway He wrapped his cloa" tightly round himself and the gloom swallowed him #he Doctor moved on without pausing Page 11 '$here did he go?' said (hris as they hovered past the empty doorway Doroth?e turned to %nnocet '%f these are the Doctor's memories, surely we'd only see things through his eyes?' %nnocet nodded '!ut these are more than memories ' #he guards burst into drun"en laughter #he Doctor was already passing above them '#here he is,' said ;eela #he cloa"ed figure had slipped out of the shadows ahead of the Doctor, and was hurrying away #he first shades of grey were lea"ing into the night s"y when he finally reached a shuttered house, wedged between a seedy tavern and the dingy shop of a memory bro"er He let himself in and padded up the wooden stairs #he old alien woman, sewing in the little room stac"ed with boo"s, hardly ac"nowledged him when he entered Her Punchinello face huddled near her chin, overshadowed by her wispy domed head '$here's my granddaughter?' he said )he put away her needle ')leeping, Meyopapa Half the night she spent on the roof watching the fire ' Page 1& '% told you not to let her up there,' he growled '1ot where she can be seen ' #he old woman scratched her teeth '1o use arguing with that one ' He fished a 7ingling purse out of his cloa" 'You have to leave, Mamlaurea %t's no longer safe here ' '+o home?' she said '!ac" to #ersurus?'

He nodded grimly ',nd ta"e )usan with you #a"e the first ,strafoil you can get places on (arry as little as possible You mustn't loo" as if you're fleeing ' #he old woman was staring at him 'Meyopapa, you not coming too?' ')ome time, perhaps ' He bent to loo" out of the little window #he window in through which Doroth?e and the others were staring He loo"ed directly through them His blac" hair was swept bac", but even in the early light, his face was deep in shadow #he Doctor was inside the room, but Doroth?e could not see his face at all )he only saw his head give a twitch of shoc" as a young girl wal"ed into the room '+randfather8' )he hurled herself at the man, burying herself in his cloa" '/h, +randfather, % thought you'd never come %t's been days $here have you been? Did you see the fire? $hat happened to your shoes?' Page 15 'Yes, % saw it, child Deplorable ' Her hair was cropped short and her eyes were huge and brown, set in an elfin face )he was laughing '/h, %'ve missed you % was reading Pelatov and then % suddenly "new you were here ' He loo"ed directly at her ',nd you've seen no one else?' '1o % don't go out % "now it's dangerous out there ' ',nd how do you "now that?' '$ell, you told me ' 'Hmm?' )he was only half daring to meet his eye ',nd there are strangers in the street below %'ve seen them from the window ' He glared at the old woman )he shrugged and bustled out '% cannot turn my eyes every way all at once ' '%'m sorry, +randfather,' said the girl and hugged him again '1o, no, )usan %t's % who should be sorry #his is no way to bring up a child, not loc"ed away with a fussy old nanya and a crotchety grandfather who's never here ' Page 1: 'You have your wor",' she said '%t's a great secret #hat's why you protect me ' '$hat's that? $hat do you mean?' )he lowered her eyes '% never saw my mother !ut % "now that she died when % was born, at the very same moment as the Pythia cursed the world ' '$hat's that old woman been telling you?' '1ot Mamlaurea My mother told me % still hear her thoughts in my mind ,nd father too 9ver since he died in battle ' '/n one of 3assilon's filthy bow*ships ' )usan was smiling gently 'Mother told me that %'m the last of the real children of +allifrey ' 'Dear child,' he said '#hat's why you're so precious ' '!ut you'll always be with me too, +randfather %'ll always "now you ' Doroth?e finally caught sight of the Doctor's face He had turned away from the scene #here was a loo" of bewildered fear in his eyes Page 1< #ime fro-e as he saw the ghosts at the window '/h, no 1ot now8' He tugged at his vest '$hatever happened to privacy?' '$e came to fetch you bac",' said %nnocet '$hat for?' '.or your sa"e, Doctor,' said 3omana He peered at %nnocet 'Do % "now you?'

'Yes, )nail %t's me You brought me bac" too ' '%nnocet?' he said gently and loo"ed deep into her eyes '% thought %'d lost you ' ,nd then his tone changed '/h, very convenient ,ny e6cuse to conduct a nice little fact*finding mission on what the .amily embarrassment has been up to ' 'Doctor8' said ;eela '1ever spea" to anyone li"e that again8' '(hance would be a fine thing,' added 3omana (hris moved in '$e don't even "now who these people are ' '+ood 1either do % )o go away8' Page 1> Doroth?e despaired 'Doctor, don't you trust us?' '#rust you? % can't even trust myself ' '$e cannot go,' said %nnocet '$hat?' 'Your mind has ta"en refuge in (hris's body %f we lose you, we shall lose him too Do you want that?' He surveyed them all '%nterfering uppity companions ' 'More trouble than we're worth,' said Doroth?e ',bsolutely ' '1o pee"ing,' said 3omana '$ord of a Prydonian President ' He nodded sullenly and turned bac" to the scene '1o, +randfather8 % won't leave you8' #he girl was clinging desperately to him Her eyes were red with tears Page 1A 'You cannot stay here, )usan %t's too dangerous on +allifrey Mamlaurea's family will ta"e good care of you ' '!ut % won't go % want to be with you and help you ' ')usan8' His voice was suddenly dar" with authority )he covered her mouth in shoc" 'You have to go % may well be going away too Perhaps on a long 7ourney ' '$here?' she whispered '% don't "now !ut % will always be with you You said that yourself ,nd one day % will return ,nd you will remember me ' He held her very tightly as the old woman came into the room with two bags and cloa"s )usan was 0uiet as she was prepared for departure He pic"ed several boo"s from the stac"s around the room and slid them into her bag #hen he hugged her again 'Please ta"e care of yourself, +randfather ' ',nd you, dear child ' '%'ll be waiting ' )he pulled away 0uic"ly and her nurse hurried her from the room #he old man * at least he seemed suddenly very old *stood at the window for a while #urning bac" to the room, he wal"ed the shelves, running his hand slowly along the spines of his boo"s Page 1C ',lways the same,' he said ,t length, he wal"ed down the stairs and out into the street '% thought there were no parents on +allifrey,' said Doroth?e #he Doctor turned towards her ')ome people might find that a positive advantage,' he said icily, and moved off into the air '#here were parents once,' said %nnocet '%t depends how far you go bac" '

,gain, they were drawn along after the Doctor '% assume we're tal"ing the Pythia's curse here,' Doroth?e concluded #he distant fire had dwindled, but a pall of smo"e still drifted over the city, cho"ing the grey morning Many new buildings were under construction #here was an optimism which was lost to the later (apitol that they "new #he upper city spanned the lower on vast arches #hese were crowned by further arches and bridges, all of them carrying buildings and gardens, domes and belfries ,s they flew towards the centre of the city, the sun bro"e through the smo"e %t was a pale, stifled sun with no warmth as yet, but %nnocet wept openly again at its emergence ';eela?' called (hris ',re you /N?' Her arms were lin"ed between him and 3omana, but she was pale and her eyes were shadowy '%t's the flying,' she said '%t will pass ' #here was a tower ahead, rising clear above the honeycomb of arches #he Doctor was moving towards its summit, which was crowned with lush green planting , man wearing a dar" red robe stood among the pearl*grey roses that grew there #he man was not tall and his moustache was thic" and spreading He was studying a chessboard, its pieces set in mid*game !ut it appeared that, within each s0uare on the board, there was yet another game with its own pieces , game to be won before the s0uare could be part of the greater game Page 1E #he Doctor moved closer to see, plainly fascinated and unable to resist Deep within those inner s0uares, there were more s0uares, pulling the eye down #he Doctor was either shrin"ing, or the boards within boards were growing around him #he others felt themselves being dragged in '$here have you been?' demanded the man in red and the spell was bro"en ,nother man, the shadowy, cloa"ed man they had followed, faced him with a loo" of disdain ',voiding your personal guards, 3assilon $hy were they trying to "ill me?' Doroth?e felt %nnocet's grip tighten on her hand at the mention of that name '% instructed them to find you 1o more than that ' '#hey were more demonstrative ' #he ruler of +allifrey loo"ed into the depths of the chessboard '% cannot afford to lose you ' '$hy? $hat do you need to confess now?' '1othing,' said 3assilon 'You will "now that % have ta"en the action % deemed necessary to allow my reforms to continue ' #he other wal"ed away to the edge of the garden, where a balcony overloo"ed the city '% warned you , purge is not a cure %f this blood letting continues, you will soon be drowning ' Page &F '!ut % have so little time8' '!ecause you trust no one else to continue your wor" ' '%t is too precious ,nd now % cannot even trust my guards to bring me my friend ' ', friend?' #he other seemed amused He clasped his hands to his chest li"e a priest 'Yes,' insisted 3assilon ',t least % can trust you to critici-e me ' ',nd those dissenters at the temple? $ere they also your friends? /r was their martyrdom something else you left to the discretion of your guards?' 3assilon followed him bac" through the roses 'You mustn't go +allifrey needs your wise counsel ' ', mista"e,' said the other '1o ' 3assilon was in earnest '$e have time travel Harmony #he ;ooms and the Houses $e have a future again 1one of this was achievable without you %n the face of e6tinction, we have stability ' '#oo stable #oo much Harmony for ever and ever, slower and slower +allifrey without end +allifreya perpetua +allifrey ad nauseam #he children of the ;ooms of 3assilon will each have thirteen lives $hile

we, dear friend, the doomed relics of another age, have but one brief life a piece ' He sighed '#ime to find something better to do ' Page &1 'You cannot go,' said 3assilon #he dar" figure shoo" his head '% be0ueath you my roses, 3assilon #hey are plagued by scissor bugs You may have to purge them too ' ,s he wal"ed away, there was a flash in the air , web of electric blue flic"ered round and over the garden 'You cannot leave,' 3assilon said #he Doctor shot his companions a warning glance, before moving in beside the dar" figure '9nergy nets?' said the man ',re you so afraid of losing me? $hat do you really fear, 3assilon?' 3assilon studied him coldly ',fter all this time, % still hardly "now you ' #his seemed to please his prisoner '#hey do say, my ;ord President, you have truc" with unnatural powers ' ',nd do %?' 'Don't you "now?' He set off bac" to the balcony 3assilon followed '#hat depends upon what our narrow perception defines as unnatural % call them other powers ' Page && '#hey are much overrated,' said the other Doroth?e, watching with the companions, saw something move among the rose arbours #he shadow of a figure that she could not identify #he other was studying the flic"ering barrier ',nd this from someone who professes to despise superstition ' '% banished superstition,' insisted 3assilon '% shut the gate on the #ime of (haos ' ',nd % can name you at least four provincial outer*worlds that have raised temples in 3assilon's name ' ',gainst my e6press edict ' #he other loomed over him '#hen have the statues torn down /r stri"e them with a thunderbolt ' '1ow that's a power you never offered me,' said 3assilon with a wry smile ,nger brewed in his prisoner's eyes '% won't be tied by a blood*bargain or a pact % was merely sent on approval ' '/n my approval, or yours?' #he other gave a cold smile '3assilon, the People's +od How very 0uaint ' ', state of affairs for which you naturally ta"e no responsibility ' Page &5 '% advise You don't have to listen ' '!ut you're too valuable to dismiss8' '% will not be chained8' $ith a snarl, the other smashed his fist against the energy nets Purple spar"s showered among the roses 3assilon bac"ed away from the figure '$ho are you?' '$hat do you want with us?' #he dar"ness of the figure grew in the smo"y sunlight '%'m bored !ored with wielding great power $ho wants to be a player, when he could be a pawn in the thic" of the game?' 'You? +ive up power and manipulation?' laughed 3assilon #he other snapped his fingers #here was an e6plosion in the cold air #he energy web disintegrated ,nd the Hand of /mega was at his side 3assilon eyed the bo6 )team drifted off its surface %t crac"led to itself

Page &: 'You'll never give it up,' he said '$hat about your .amily? #he ones you thin" you "eep hidden? $ill you ta"e them too?' '3ule wisely, 3assilon,' said the other ',nd be wary of your disciples, lest they worship the icons and not the man ' He wal"ed down from the tower unhindered, the bo6 following '+uards8' shouted 3assilon ')eal the ports and time wharfs 1o one must leave8' #he Doctor was moving away after the other '$ait,' called Doroth?e, but they were already drawn in his wa"e '% saw someone )omeone else was watching ' '$here?' said (hris ,s they rose away from the tower, another insubstantial shape moved out after them '$ho is he?' as"ed 3omana '#he (ousin from Hell,' said Doroth?e '/ur (ousin +lospin ' %nnocet had a chill in her voice '% should have "nown he'd come after us ' ;eela, her colour much restored, tried to pull away from the group '% shall deal with that craven*hearted sna"e ' 'Don't brea" the line,' warned %nnocet '%f you stop to challenge him, we might lose you and the Doctor altogether ' Page &< #he /ther stood on the steps before a new municipal building, ga-ing down across the city #he bo6 was at his side Passing citi-ens ignored him '+o,' he said to the bo6, but it had gone already #here was a flash in the s"y followed by the echoing boom of an e6plosion , ball of flame billowed up over the miniature gantries of the distant spacedrome He wal"ed against the stream of people running from the building #he Doctor moved after him, followed by his own unwelcome entourage +ates and sealed doors opened as if they recogni-ed the /ther He ignored the D,1+93 signs and marched unchallenged, straight through to the heart of the comple6 ,n immense vault opened above and below, its oval shell veined with whispering instrumentation '$arning,' declared a synthetic voice 'Protective attire must be worn in the progenitive chamber ' #he Doctor moved with the other, out along a wal"way that spanned the chamber /ut through that calm air of e6pectancy peculiar and seminal to sacred places #he watchers lingered at the entrance '$hat is this?' said ;eela '% thought he was leaving +allifrey ' Page &> #he Doctor and the /ther had halted 7ust before the centre of the bridge 3omana glanced at %nnocet 'You "now, don't you?' #he Doctor's (ousin lowered her eyes '% thin" we should leave,' she said '$hy?' said Doroth?e ')urely the Doctor needs us ' (hris shoo" his head '1ot now %nnocet was right % don't thin" we're meant to see ' , drone of rising power began to surge through the chamber Nla6ons began to bellow Doroth?e loo"ed bac" as they pulled her away #he Doctor, tiny beside the massive cloa"ed shape of the other figure, had turned to watch them .or a moment, his eyes met hers across a widening gulf of time and lost hope His head suddenly moved up to stare at something '%t's +lospin,' shouted Doroth?e #he dar" ghost was watching from one of the upper wal"ways

,s the group turned in confusion, the energy surge pea"ed , torrent of light fell in da--ling, twisting plumes from the upper pole of the chamber %t struc" through an eye at the bridge's centre Page &A #he other stepped into the light #he raw energy, a fierce, primal, living stuff, painful to loo" at, consumed the man's shape utterly #here was the sound of a great, whispered sigh #he Doctor stood alone, staring into the depths of the light +lospin turned and vanished ')orry,' said Doroth?e #hey drifted away in defeated silence Moving through the deserted building, %nnocet said, '#he legends were wrong #he /ther never left +allifrey He died in the energy of the open progenitive cascades, 7ust as the Pythia threw herself into the (revasse of Memories ' '%rrefutable proof, (ousin,' sneered another figure, cutting across their path '/r is your brain still soft from post regenerative trauma?' '+o away, +lospin,' answered %nnocet '#hese memories are private ' '!ut he's right,' said 3omana '#hat chamber was the original ;oom #he Prime Distributor that fed the subsidiary ;ooms in the Houses ' +lospin nodded to her '+ood, whoever you are #he /ther went into the system #he monster threw himself into the random genetic helices to re*emerge who "nows where8' '%t proves nothing,' said %nnocet '1ot to us !ut something else understood Don't forget the Hand of /mega ' He glanced around the group '%t left +allifrey,' said 3omana ';egends say that the /ther stole it /r that it pursued him across the stars and was never seen again ' Doroth?e thought of things she would not say )he saw +lospin watching her as he fingered his scarred arm '#here ' ;eela pointed up as the Doctor's shape sailed into the s"y )he snatched at +lospin's heels as he moved off in pursuit

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #hirty*one Page 1 1ew #imes for /ld Dar" followed light Day and night flic"ered in 0uic" procession around the travellers #ime moved forward again !uildings rose and were finished .ires win"ed li"e demons' eyes (an't we go bac" to the House? thought Doroth?e $hat else is there to see? #here was no sign of the Doctor #he watchers followed +lospin high across the cityscape, until he swooped towards a high parapet dec"ed with fluttering banners , white*haired man was watching a parade pass on one of the bridges below '%ncredible Duite incredible ' His shoulders trembled with bursts of e6citable laughter He turned to survey the ma7estic buildings and arches around him '%t can't be him,' whispered 3omana '#ell me %'m wrong ' '%t is him,' said %nnocet '#he first Doctor #his is where he fled to %nto the past #he one place where he could not be followed ' +lospin, who was closer, turned to them sneering '#he circle is complete, (ousin ' Page & #he crowds lining the route were not cheering aloud, but the roar of their thoughts was almost deafening , ceremonial car was trundling past dragged by a horned and crested monster %ts occupant, crowned in triumph, raised his hands in ac"nowledgement '%t's him,' muttered the old Doctor '3assilon himself8 %ncredible8 $ho does he thin" he is, eh? !ehaving li"e some mythical potentate8' He glanced towards a small pyramid of yellow stone that stood nearby, incongruous against the vaulting architecture , door opened in its side and the Hand of /mega, battered with age, slid into view %mmediately, alarms echoed across the city #he commentary of the populous was eclipsed '$hat are you doing?' complained the old man as the bo6 nudged at him, forcing him forward !elow, 3assilon's carriage was hurried on by its drivers +uards were clearing the crowds #he bo6 drove the old Doctor on, forcing him down flights of steps, heedless of being sighted, until they moved out on to a deserted s0uare #he /mega Memorial rose above them '$ell?' said the old man ',nd what is this to do with me, hmm? $hy bring me here?' Page 5 #he bo6 ignored him, steering him to the foot of the monument, where it settled and made contented noises He po"ed his stic" uncertainly at a wreath of pearl*grey roses that lay at the Memorial's foot )houts disturbed him +uards were running across the s0uare from all directions %nstantly, the bo6 rose to meet them More and more guards surrounded it #hey carried heavy*duty weapons, clearly designed specifically to overpower the Hand ,s the first angry flashes began, the old Doctor slipped behind the monument and ran nimbly for cover +uards came after him He dodged into a side alley only to find there was no way out #ime fro-e again #he Doctor was there in his vest '(ousin +lospin and the .amous .ive,' he said ')een enough yet?' '% already "new,' said +lospin '#his 7ust confirms how you've used us ' '#hen go away,' snapped the Doctor Page :

3omana moved in '$e came to bring you bac" ' '$hy? (an't you afford to lose me? $ell, you may have to Don't stare li"e that, %nnocet % can't help who or what % might have been ' 'Did you "now?' said %nnocet '#hat's what matters ' #he Doctor loo"ed at the olderHyounger version of himself, trapped in his blind alley '1o,' he said '% had no idea ' ';iar8' said +lospin ;eela lunged at him '#a"e that bac", sna"e tongue8' 'Does it matter?' said (hris 'Don't we all owe him more than this?' Doroth?e was nodding '/f course, we do $hoever he is, he's still ' )he floundered 'He's still the Doctor ' ',nd more,' said (hris 'Yes Plenty more ' Page < +lospin moved close to the little man '$hat more is there, $ormhole? $hat else are you hiding?' #he Doctor smiled '1othing, (ousin %t no longer matters Iust remember % didn't "now ' #he old Doctor was trapped in the alley He turned to defy his pursuers, but a door opened beside him and a ragged girl loo"ed out '+randfather, in here8' He stared for a moment before darting inside !ehind him, came the loud boom of e6plosions He let her ta"e his hand and lead him between enclosed colonnades until they reached a small courtyard filled with stac"s of rags and old clothes '(hild,' he said, whee-ing to catch his breath, 'how can % than" you?' Her dar" hair was straggled and her face was thin )he loo"ed at him with huge brown eyes '+randfather? You said %'d "now you when you came bac" ' '+randfather?' Page > )he flung her arms around him '/h, % "new it was you %'d "now you anywhere ' '1onsense, child,' retorted the Doctor '+randfather indeed8 %'ve never seen you before in my life8' '!ut it is you % "now it is ' )he loo"ed so hurt '%ndeed?' 'Yes ' ',nd what ma"es you imagine that?' '% "now, +randfather ,fter the fires, you sent us away to #ersurus, but the spacedrome was closed and there was an e6plosion % went bac" home, but you'd gone ' 'Home?' '!ut % couldn't stay there ' )he tugged at a pile of rags and pulled out several boo"s '%'ve had to live on the streets % sold boo"s for food %'ve waited a whole year for you, +randfather , year today ' He put his hand gently on her shoulder '% don't "now, child % really don't "now ' Her eyes implored him 'You've changed You loo" different, but %'d "now your thoughts anywhere Don't you remember me?' #he old man shoo" his head '1o, young lady % do not "now you ' He studied her hard, s0uinted as if he'd had a sudden thought '!ut your name is )usan?' 'Yes, +randfather ' #here were shouts from nearby He stood '$e can't stay here % must go bac" to the #,3D%) ' '#ime and 3elative Dimensions in )pace,' she laughed '% gave you that idea ' He was incredulous '$hich way?' he said, sha"ing his head again )he gathered a bag of boo"s together and led him along the deserted cloisters, tal"ing incessantly of her life since he left her Her nurse had disappeared and she slept in the ruins of the temple where no one went

#oday, the first ever festival of freedom, had been disrupted by strange alarms and now a curfew had been declared 9ventually they reached the deserted parapet where the pyramid stood #he alarms were still 7angling He loo"ed at her fondly ')usan, % thin" you mista"e me for someone else )omeone you'd li"e to see ' '1o,' she protested Page A He held up a finger ';et me finish, child % cannot leave you here % am an e6ile from my own time, but with this old ship, % plan to do a little sightseeing before % try to settle 1ow will you 7oin me, hmm? % thin" %'d li"e the company ' )he hugged him tight )tartled, he lifted his arms, and then gently embraced her as well 'Yes, % thin" this will wor" out rather well,' he said, ushering her into the pyramid '!ut a little less of that "+randfather" business, if you don't mind ' ,s the door began to close, the watchers glimpsed the ghost of a long blac" bo6 that shot from the shadows and in through the narrowing gap #hey heard the strained trumpeting of elephantine engines as the pyramid dissolved out of e6istence #he Doctor had already gone #he others felt themselves being drawn after him as the astral reality dissolved in dar"ness around them +lospin was moving off too ';et's see $ormhole e6tricate himself from this,' he called to them 'You still have no substantial evidence,' retorted %nnocet Page C

Page E '1o? % have here enough e6pert witnesses to have him vapori-ed ' ;eela angrily wrenched free from the group 'You'll pay for that8' )he floundered in the air, ignoring their calls #hey were already sliding into the void beyond her reach )omehow, anger drove her at +lospin He turned to escape and leave her stranded, but she clutched at his an"le #he others heard her voice clearly in the dar" '#ravel home, sna"e tongue % cannot "ill your soul, but % shall hunt you down until you howl for mercy8' #he dar"ness consumed them all

#hey awo"e in the circle %nnocet and 3omana and Doroth?e and ;eela with them , circle of guns was trained down on them #he Doctor sat up sharply His hand went to his face '$hat do % loo" li"e? Have % been dead?' (hris groaned and put his hand up to the veins that stood out on his temples , figure in blac" stepped between the guards '$elcome bac", both Presidents,' he said with a smile ',nd my two escaped guests as well #han" you for leading us here ' 'Do % "now you?' said the Doctor 'Didn't we meet in the trenches of )"aro?' '.erain,' said 3omana 'Director of ,llegiance at the (%, ' 'You put a trace on us,' scowled Doroth?e '$e were allowed to escape from the (apitol ' '%ndeed,' said the old man ',nd you are all under House arrest '

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #hirty*two Page 1 1o #respassers 'You're on the mend,' said (hris #he Doctor gripped the young man's sleeve '% had a bit of a clearout ' His legs flailed over the drop #he e6hausted group had been silent as they were marched through the House $hen they were forced into single file over the lagoon bridge, the Doctor staged such a corny routine of nearly falling off that Doroth?e wanted to laugh '%'ve 7ettisoned my subconscious,' he mumbled as they struggled to pull him up '$as that wise?' said 3omana ',ll energy, even artron energy, must go somewhere ' '%t was worth it if it helped (hris ' He "ic"ed his legs and said, '/h dear, %'m stuc"8' loudly for the benefit of the ,gency guards (hris nodded '#han"s My head's a lot clearer ' '+ood #he rest of you can loo" after the memories for me ' %n the water below, something white was circling '+et him up,' shouted .erain from behind #he agent commander tried to scramble past '%'ll do it,' said Doroth?e, pushing in precariously )he leant up to his ear 'How deep is the House buried?' '$hy?' '+od, you're a weight8' she announced !ut she muttered, '3emember that nitro*nine you were always confiscating from me?' '(ouple of cans,' he said ';eft outside poc"et ' )he rummaged as she grappled with him 'Doctor, % "now you never clear your poc"ets out, but this stuff is lethal ' Page & #he cans were sweaty and rusting )he loo"ed directly into his eyes ',re you all right, now?' His bottomless eyes, li"e +allifrey, had their own time '%t was a lot to ta"e in !ut %'m glad you were there to share it ' He suddenly vaulted up of his own accord '(ome along, get frogmarching,' he said to the agent commander '% want to find my (ousins, before they get up to any mischief ' #he House had never seen an /therstide li"e it +lospin, newly returned from a so7ourn of his own, smiled disdainfully as yet another s0uabble bro"e out #he floor of the Hall was already strewn with piles of boo"s, clothes and other ephemera (aptain 3edred had been trying to "eep a tally, but the newly returned and emaciated (ousins were sifting through the booty from the Doctor's ship li"e a plague of sweeper weevils !eside the ;oom, the two Drudges still stood immobile, staring down at the revealed corpse of Duences , shout came from the far end of the Hall, 7ust as 3ynde and /wis emerged from the #,3D%) with fresh armfuls of clothes Page 5 =niformed intruders were approaching, but through them, unstoppable in his fury, came the Doctor 'Mine8' he yelled, snatching items away from astonished (ousins '+et away from my #,3D%)8 +et away8' His eyes bla-ed as he bunged the stuff bac" inside the door and turned to scoop up more '#his is my ship8 How dare you all?' 3edred grabbed at his arm and was "noc"ed senseless by a sharp and surprising left hoo" #he Doctor dodged a pursuing agent and darted smartly into the #,3D%), slamming the door #he agents surrounded the door, trying to force it '#hat's that,' called +lospin 'You'll never see him again ' #he light crowning the blue bo6 flashed #here were cries of dismay from the companions #hen the light died #he ship gave a death rattle

,fter a moment, the door opened #he Doctor emerged and slowly raised his hands '% have disabled my ship )hut and folded it down completely #here is now nothing in there for you ' )everal (ousins muttered angrily '+oodness "nows what that'll do to the inner configurations,' he muttered to 3omana, (hris and %nnocet, as they moved up beside him Page : '% hope there was no one still in there,' said +lospin /wis shuffled up and peered at %nnocet in her grubby undergarments '%s that you, (ousin? You're a bit underdressed % don't li"e the new hair ' '%diot,' she muttered +lospin bowed formally to ac"nowledge the arrival of an elderly man in blac" '$elcome, My ;ord You and your staff are my honoured guests in the House of ;ungbarrow ' '#his House is now under my 7urisdiction,' he announced '% am ;ord .erain of the Directory of ,llegiance at the (apitol ' He surveyed the gathering before turning to his agents '$here are the other two women? .ools8 +o and fetch them bac"8' !efore any of them could move, one of the Drudges turned and left its position at the ;oom, moving urgently away into the House ')o when's it due?' said Doroth?e '$hat?' said ;eela, her mouth full of dried magenta #hey had stopped in the "itchen, because ;eela felt pec"ish again 'You're eating for two, aren't you?' Doroth?e said ')o how long gone are you?' ;eela fingered her "nife 'You will not spea" of that again, Doroth?e ' 'You'll have to tell someone sometime ,nyway, % thought #ime ;ords couldn't do that ' '#he Doctor said my ancestors were from 9arth ' 'You must have had a hell of an effect on what's his name?' ',ndred ' Page < 'Yeah /r maybe he's 7ust into raw leather ' ;eela had wal"ed across the "itchen towards an alcove '#hese are yours,' she said, fishing up Doroth?e's plastic shopping bags #here was nothing left e6cept a bo6 of peppermint teabags, which Doroth?e poc"eted ;eela was e6amining the bars across the alcove door ')omeone has tried to hac" through these ' '$onder why they gave up,' said Doroth?e '#hat's nearly sawn through ' )omething slobbered on the other side #he two women bac"ed away from the door '$e have disturbed it,' said ;eela and she pulled out her "nife $ith a crash, something hurled its weight against the barrier #he bars splintered #he door thundered repeatedly under the onslaught '#ime to move,' said Doroth?e )he turned and ran straight into a Drudge, looming above her li"e a fairytale ogre ,s it snatched at her, the door smashed off its hinges /ut of the pantry, with a growl and a stench li"e old cheese, stal"ed a white dragon , blac" tongue coiled from the centre of its wide orchid*li"e head #hree eyes waved on thin stal"s above its beautiful ruff of blotched petals #he Drudge caught up Doroth?e, lifting her as a missile #he brute moved fast on stubby crocodile legs %ts tongue shot out, curling around the servant's wooden body Page >

Page A Doroth?e tumbled clear as the Drudge was dragged in #he constricting tongue tightened and splintered the huge servant in two #he animal was bloc"ing ;eela's escape %t turned towards her with a snarl )he aimed and threw her "nife, stri"ing the creature right in the mouth %t spat out the blade %ts tongue frothed white blood, but it still ambled straight at her Doroth?e had grabbed a heavy for" )he brought it down on the thing's muscled haunches and almost bent the prongs %ts long tail lashed her aside li"e a whip ;eela was fumbling inside a small pouch )he pulled out a small brown spi"e, holding it between her fingers, but the thing was on her before she could act #he tongue coiled round her arm, dragging her down #he spi"e flic"ed out of her grasp '=se it,' she yelled, struggling to pull free Doroth?e dodged the swinging tail and scooped the spi"e off the floor %t was some sort of dried thorn ;eela's head was only inches from the creature's maw as Doroth?e 7ammed the barb into the bac" of its flower head %t shrie"ed, turned and fro-e where it stood, its slee" muscles solidified '%mpressive,' said Doroth?e, cutting ;eela's arm free of the white statue's tongue Page C 'Ianis thorns #he Doctor forbade me to use them,' said ;eela, holding her arm where bruises were already flaring ')ame with me and e6plosives ' Doroth?e pulled the cans of nitro*nine from her poc"et '% thin" my wrist is bro"en,' ;eela added Doroth?e sighed ')omething tells me you should be ta"ing things easy in your condition ' '$ould you?' said ;eela Doroth?e stifled a grin 'You are charged with consorting with innumerable restricted off*+allifreyan species You have interfered, without due cause or instruction, in their temporal development and evolution, far beyond the dictates of dutiful observation ' '/h, is that all?' sniffed the Doctor '.urthermore, there are allegations that you have transgressed the law protecting the preteritive time of +allifrey, in that you did travel bac" into the history of the world, thus endangering the present reality in which we endure '

%nnocet glared angrily '+lospin? $hat have you been saying?' '1othing, (ousin,' he said 'Don't forget Doroth?e,' 3omana advised the Doctor '#hey uploaded a copy of her mind into the Matri6 ' Page E #he Doctor's hands went up to his lapels 'My ;ord, % suspect that most of your evidence is coloured by the fanciful imaginings of a young and none*too*reliable child Miss Mc)hane is herself a convicted criminal, an arsonist and an un+allifreyan to boot8' He ignored (hris's sharp inta"e of breath and stood defiantly before the in0uisitor +lospin had edged up to .erain 'My ;ord, % may have fresh evidence which will further incriminate the accused ' '/ne moment,' interrupted 3omana, and she drew .erain aside ',ll this is only ma"ing a bad situation worse #he Doctor has already been tried on many of these charges and was granted a degree of independence ' .erain eyed her stiffly 'You are also under formal arrest, Madam, despite the immunity afforded by your office 1ow, we both need to "now the e6tent of the Doctor's guilt % merely act for the good of +allifrey ,nd to that end must also instigate an in0uiry into your presence here ' ',s you wish, .erain,' she said '!ut first these poor people must be got out of this House ' 'My ;ord .erain,' added the Doctor '% would as" for several further accusations to be considered ' He nodded towards the cas"et on the ;oom '#o wit that % did murder the deceased /rdinal*+eneral Duences, Nithriarch of ;ungbarrow, and subse0uently condemned my own .amily to entombment for si6 hundred and seventy*three years in this conveniently forgotten House ' Page 1F 3edred, still laid out on the floor, gave a groan ',nd % assaulted a (hapterhouse guard, who had previously been trapped in a transmat for the aforementioned duration ' )everal of the (ousins decided to lynch the Doctor there and then, and had to be held bac" by a line of agents ')tand aside8' )atthralope's voice cut across the Hall )he stood by the cloc", loo"ing down on them from the lowest gallery Her hair was in disarray '1o one was invited here #hese are .amily matters8' '% invited them,' called +lospin '#hey'll soon have us out of here ' '1ever8' Her movements were angular and e6aggerated ',ll right, )atthralope,' called the Doctor 'Have it your own way %'m here You have the will #here's Duences, dead in his bo6 )o what are you waiting for? $ill you tell the House or shall %?' #he Drudge angled up to loo" at )atthralope 1ot an easy movement, since it had no head 'He's asleep ' )he stared down at the brown s"eleton 'He's asleep8' )he turned and vanished from the gallery Page 11 #he Doctor turned to .erain '#he House"eeper ordered the cover*up of the Nithriarch's murder herself ' '#he murder that the Doctor committed,' said +lospin ')he thought the House would destroy them all if it found out,' continued the Doctor '!ut to convince the House, she convinced herself as well ' %nnocet was glancing up around the galleries '% don't believe that was )atthralope tal"ing ' 'Meaning what?' said .erain 'Her role as medium between the House and .amily has been subsumed ' #he Doctor groaned '$e were tal"ing to the House itself, not the House"eeper )atthralope's no longer there ,nd % never apologi-ed to her properly '

'(ommander ' .erain indicated the Doctor and 3omana '9scort these prisoners bac" to the (apitol ' ,s guns were levelled at the Doctor, there was a yell from across the Hall #he massive hul" of !adger had pushed through the (ousins and was bearing down on them %t "noc"ed aside two agents li"e ninepins '1o, !adger,' instructed the Doctor '#hey're not hurting me ' 'You are not leaving,' said the huge shaggy robot 'Don't worry 1o one's leaving,' the Doctor said '1ot yet ' .erain turned angrily to the commander '% want the whole House evacuated now8' Page 1& ,s the commander lifted his wrist unit, his arm was sei-ed in a wooden fist #he Drudge snapped off the device and crushed it in its fingers , crash resounded through the House as do-ens of doors slammed themselves shut #he crowd of (ousins parted to let the diminutive figure of )atthralope through '1obody leaves,' she announced, 'until Duences is wo"en ' #he Doctor stepped forward ')atthralope, is that you?' +etting no response, he turned to the gathering '(ousins and guests, in the absence of substantial evidence concerning the alleged murder of /rdinal*+eneral Duences, % wish to call a surprise witness ' He gently guided )atthralope to a chair '% call one of the oldest living entities on +allifrey, the House of ;ungbarrow itself ;et it be both witness and 7udge ' 'You've got to tell ,ndred sometime,' said Doroth?e #he forest of over*si-ed furniture in the attic went on forever, with no sign of any route higher #he furniture moved and shuffled %t was li"e wal"ing through a herd of restless cattle '%t isn't easy,' ;eela said, her arm in a ma"eshift sling '% don't "now who to tell % don't thin" they'll understand 1ot even 3omana ' '% bet you she already "nows ' Page 15 , loo" of bewilderment crossed ;eela's face '% have told no one ' '%t's pretty obvious ' Doroth?e duc"ed under a table '#he Doctor #ell him % bet he'd ma"e a brilliant midwife ' !ut ;eela loo"ed distinctly uncomfortable 'He's very young,' Dorothee continued ',ndred, % mean ' '#hat's another problem $hile % get older, he stays the same ' '$here % come from that's called (liff 3ichard Didn't anyone say anything when you first got together?' '% chose ,ndred He had very little say in the matter ' % can believe that, thought Doroth?e )he stopped ,head of them, a ladder led up to a s"ylight in the sloping roof branches 'Probably as good as anything,' she said and climbed up )he turned and loo"ed bac" down at ;eela '$e'll spea" to the Doctor He'll "now what to do about you "now what ' '#he "iller was ' (hris couldn't remember the last time he'd had to stand up in a court of law 3o- had always done the tal"ing then He glanced at the Doctor, who nodded his reassurance 'He was elderly with swept*bac" white hair ' 'Did you recogni-e him?' the Doctor continued (hris paused He did not li"e the way )atthralope was loo"ing at him

Page 1: '$as it the Doctor's first generation?' said +lospin 'Yes,' he said '%'ve seen % saw a picture ' '#old you,' said the Doctor .erain shoo" his head ', mere vision, however accurate, is not conclusive evidence ' '+ood,' the Doctor said '3emember that, +lospin ' %nnocet stood up '% saw the first Doctor leave Duences's room 7ust before % found the body ' '%nteresting that ' #he Doctor turned bac" to (hris 'You say that Duences recogni-ed the "iller ' 'Definitely !ut % couldn't hear what he said ' #he Doctor loo"ed towards 3omana, who had been tal"ing 0uietly with 3edred '!y this point the House was shut off,' she said 'Did any (ousin regenerate close to that time?' '% did,' said +lospin ')atthralope was with me )he personally nursed me through the change ' '1o,' said the House"eeper #he watching (ousins muttered and shuffled Her voice had dar"ened with a new strength '1ot through the moment of change He sent House"eeper )atthralope away 1ot even the House sees a rebirth %t is a private moment ' 'Yes, that's true, of course,' said +lospin ',nd % changed into my third generation as you see me now ' '%t seems your plea of guilt is well founded, Doctor,' said .erain Page 1< #he Doctor nodded ')o it would appear ' '1o,' said )atthralope's voice again '1o?' said the Doctor '#he House does not see a rebirth, but the ;oom records the genetic metamorphosis ' #he Doctor smiled to himself '#ell us more ' )he stood Her old body bent taut in its possession '#he ;oom records that on that day, our (ousin +lospinninymortheras underwent the regeneration process on two separate occasions He is currently in his fourth generation, not his third ' +lospin half laughed '#he change was complicated by infection % nearly died ' #he Doctor made a theatrical point of clearing his throat before starting to address the silent assembly '% would remind everyone that +lospin is, or was in his day, a eugenicist #op of his field /n the day before Duences's Deathday, he visited me in my e6ile at the (apitol $e were both very obstreperous, but he was desperate to secure his inheritance, because he thought Duences might pass over him in my favour $e landed up fighting, during which said altercation, he obtained a sample of my s"in ' ',s" him how he escaped,' called +lospin ',s" him what rescued him8' '(ontinue, Doctor,' said the voice in )atthralope's throat '+lospin then returned to ;ungbarrow ,fter the Deathday, he deliberately made himself ill enough to die He used my D1, sample to regenerate himself in my image ' %nnocet gasped ',nd then he murdered Duences8' ',nd you saw me, %nnocet, at least you assumed it was me, leaving Duences's room, 7ust as he hoped He then regenerated again into his current form His fourth generation, not his third ' Page 1> %nnocet faced +lospin '$ere you that desperate? #here's nothing to which you have not stooped ' 'Prove it,' said +lospin '#hey're lying ' )atthralope's body had started to tremble '% saw the murder,' it growled ')atthralope said, she said that Duences lived ,nd the assailant ' Her eyes bla-ed at +lospin '% see it now 3elive it again %t echoes in my walls and corridors #he assailant lifts the double blade He has a burn on his arm , burn so deep, no regeneration will heal it8'

#he House shuddered around them +lospin grabbed at the Doctor and hauled him forward ',s" this one where % got the burn ,s" 3edred about the proof % gave him $e've seen who he really is ,s" 3edred8' .erain loo"ed towards the captain '$ell, where is this proof?' 3edred felt the bruise on his 7aw '% have passed it to my superior, My ;ord #o President 3omanadvoratrelundar ' 'President?' said %nnocet +lospin, his face snarling with rage, pointed at the Doctor 'He's used us He's far more powerful than he lets us see He infiltrated our .amily /nce, long ago, he lived on +allifrey and he was "nown as the /ther #his is where the legend came to #o our .amily $hy else do you thin" we're all mad? ,nd when he attac"ed me, it was the mythical Hand of /mega that came to his rescue8' Page 1A #he entire gathering was staring at +lospin in disbelief '%nnocet "nows,' +lospin shouted ',s" her )he "nows who he was8' %nnocet studied the Doctor hard '% "now nothing of the sort,' she said +lospin laughed aloud 'My ;ord .erain,' said the Doctor '% rest my case ' 'Iust a minute,' said (hris 'Don't forget about ,r"hew He saw the murder too and he recogni-ed +lospin ' +lospin sneered between his two agents '/h yes, that little runt came to me shouting accusations !ut % didn't "ill him /wis did that )trangled him and threw him in the mushrooms ' #here was a whimper from the group of (ousins ';ittle sto"er,' growled 3ynde /wis s0uealed li"e a cornered piglet 'He told me to do it8 +lospin told me, if % didn't get rid of ,r"hew, %'d be terminated as an illegal 3eplacement8' He disappeared under a hail of blows from his (ousins #he agents had to haul him out #he Doctor held out a hand to )atthralope '#ime, at last, for the will to be read ' )he was clutching the datacore 'He's dead,' she said ')atthralope lied Duences is dead ' Page 1C 'Yes, he is,' the Doctor said 'Please release the will,' '%f you do,' shouted +lospin, 'then the Doctor'll get everything8 Do you want that? He doesn't even belong here8' #he old House"eeper was sha"ing #hunder rolled again within the House #he (ousins started to move in a mass towards the Doctor #he headless Drudge lurched in from the other side #he Doctor snatched the will from )atthralope's hands '!adger8' he shouted as he threw it across the Hall #he massive robot caught the datacore and held it delicately between its massive claws #he core gleamed with energy %nstantly, Duences was standing li"e a ghost beside his own coffin 'Please don't hurt my successor,' he said Doroth?e levered open the s"ylight , shower of loose soil and roc"s nearly "noc"ed her off the ladder '3ight,' she cho"ed, spitting earth ';et's get a bit of fresh air into this mausoleum ' )he fished the cans of nitro*nine out of her poc"et #hey were stic"y in her fingers '$hat is it?' said ;eela ', weapon?' '#hey're wet through ,nd +od "nows how old they are % don't "now if they'll wor" ' Page 1E Duences loo"ed down at his s"eleton

'% e6pected as much,' he said grimly '$hen the Doctor here was loomed, % had a special consultation with the !ench of Matricians ,mongst other things, they predicted my murder !ut they also told me the Doctor would be the most important influence on +allifrey's future #hat's why % hid the will from )atthralope and had my mind transferred, not to the Matri6, but elsewhere ' '%nto !adger,' said the Doctor ')tored in his positronic brain #hat's why he's always so protective of me Protective enough to "ill ' %nnocet turned away Duences regarded the Doctor with a paternal fondness #he bloody dagger bobbed in his chest 'You are very precious to us, my boy /ur hopes always rested on you ' #he Doctor sighed 'Misplaced hopes, Duences ,rrogance is a .amily trait % wanted my own way as much as you ' Duences smiled '!ut now you have returned, as % "new you would ,ll this is yours now % be0ueath you the House of ;ungbarrow, all its estates, its goods and chattels, and all its miserable, cringing .amily ,nd you are welcome to them8' '$hat?' said the Doctor ',ll of it is yours, Nithriarch ,nd well deserved too8 You fulfilled none of the potential that we e6pected 1one of it You are a failure and a disgrace to my name8' #he (ousins began to 7eer Page &F 'Iust a minute,' butted in 3omana '#hat is no way to address a former ;ord President of the High (ouncil of +allifrey8' 'President? $hat President?' Duences raised his ghostly eyebrows ',nd who are you?' ')he's my successor,' said the Doctor, and 3omana displayed her ring of office '#he Doctor stood down with honour,' she said '$ell, not really,' said the Doctor, embarrassed '%'m no longer President because % couldn't be bothered with all that power political business ' 'President?' whispered Duences He stared down at his coffin 'You were President of +allifrey?' 'More than that,' said 3omana 'Much, much more ' 'Duences8' +lospin was calling to him ',lter the will Ma"e me your successor %t's my right ' #he old apparition turned towards him 'Murderer8 % "now you "illed me % saw through your disguise %'ll change nothing, because % loathe every thieving, conniving, scheming one of you #he House stays with the Doctor My boy, the new Nithriarch and former President ' , near riot bro"e out (ousins struggled against the agents to reach the Doctor '+et down8' ;eela had appeared on the gallery above '+et down, all of you8' ,n e6plosion roared above #imbers and plaster rained down #he air was thic" with smo"e and anger

!!( (ult * Printer .riendly Bersion ;ungbarrow * (hapter #hirty*three Page 1 , (ase of Domicide #he great cloc" of ;ungbarrow e6ploded outward %ts coiled guts of cogs and dials spilt down through the smo"e #he apparition of Duences flic"ered and vanished #remors of anger shuddered through the House, flooring most of them, including the remaining Drudge #he (ousins had huddled around the ;oom plinth, clinging to it li"e children clinging to their mother Doroth?e, her face blac" with soot, had appeared beside ;eela on the gallery '#his way8' they called '$e've blown a hole in the mountain8' #he (ousins abandoned the ;oom and stampeded towards the stairs #he agents went with them, ignoring .erain's protests )atthralope was crawling on the floor (rac"s spread around her '+one away,' the old woman cried '#he House no longer listens %t's no longer in me ' )he shrie"ed as the wooden ring on her finger burst into flame #he Doctor ran at her, but she pushed him away Page & '% am the Neeper of the House8' )he was climbing up into the palm of her chair .ire had caught in her s"irts 'My House8' #he wooden fingers of the chair closed and crushed her in its fist Her "eys clattered to the floor #he Doctor stood unmoving as dust and plaster started to rain down through the smo"e (hris started to pull at his shoulders '$e have to get out8' #he Doctor shoo" himself free '%nto the #,3D%) #a"e %nnocet and 3omana with you ' '!ut there's nothing in there, Doctor8' He started towards his ship, but (hris pulled him bac" ,n avalanche of masonry crashed down around the #,3D%), bloc"ing their escape '#hat was deliberate8' he shouted at the roof '.ollow the others out,' said (hris '(ome on ' 'You go %'ll follow ' #he Doctor started pulling at the masonry round the #,3D%) '!adger8 %'m in charge now, so come and help8' (hris faltered 'Iust go, (hris8' Page 5 #he young man shoo" his head, but %nnocet too" his arm 'Duic"ly, (hris ' He allowed himself to be led away bac"wards still watching the Doctor with a loo" of e6asperation !adger had lumbered across and started heaving the rubble 3omana lingered 'Doctor, what did you do with the dispatch % sent you?' '1othing ' 'You must rescue the ;oom core Download its genius loci ' He loo"ed doubtful 'Do it, Doctor #hat's a Presidential order ' .erain stepped up behind them '%f you'd done that before, you'd have saved a lot of time and trouble ' He levelled a staser 'You're both still under arrest8' #he Doctor sneered '#he (%, 7ump in and out of legitimacy li"e a pogo stic" ' '3ight bac" to their origins as 3assilon's guards,' added 3omana 'Don't trust her, Doctor,' said .erain through the roar of the House 'Has she still not told you why she really summoned you home?'

Page : #he Doctor glanced at 3omana ')he will, when she's ready ' !adger started to move in '(all that brute off,' warned .erain #here was a scuffle of footsteps , dusty figure rammed into the Doctor, tumbling him to the floor +lospin, with the strength of a madman, pressed a long, ornate weapon to the Doctor's chest %t was one of )atthralope's huge "eys 'You stole everything that was mine by right8' he yelled 'You've destroyed this .amily8 % don't even "now if % can "ill you, whatever you are8 Monster8' He raised the weapon to stri"e '1o8' shouted the Doctor !adger snatched +lospin up li"e a doll %t flung him the length of the Hall, where he lay bro"en and unmoving )ei-ing her moment, 3omana grabbed .erain's arm and pri-ed away the staser Page < #he Doctor struggled up '3omana, get out of this place %'ll deal with the ;oom ' '!ut ' she said ',nd that is an e6*Presidential order ' He watched her push .erain away ,s he turned towards the ;oom, the whole building gave a violent lurch He touched the floor #he structure was starting to shift Halfway along a shuddering cloister, .erain turned on 3omana '$ho is the Doctor?' '$hat does it matter to you?' she said '#he ,gency's used him often enough ' ',s you intend to use him, Madam,' said .erain '3umours have been rife about him for years #he more absurd they become, the more li"ely and alarming % find them ' ',s a former President, the Doctor is under my protection ' )he levelled the gun '1ow move, .erain ' Page > He pushed the weapon aside 'Madam President, the High (ouncil are calling for your impeachment ' )he shrugged '#he Doctor is more important You hate him because he brea"s your precious laws !ut +allifrey owes him an almighty debt of gratitude ' #he building lurched Dust fell in clouds .erain was calm and cold ')end him on the mission you planned for him and % swear the ,gency will leave him alone ' 3omana paused )he too" a deep breath and nodded #hey croo"ed fingers #he air and light almost cho"ed them /wis lingered in the gap torn out of the mountain, avoiding the cold wind, the huge s"y and his (ousins '$hat about the fledershrews?' he said, staring bac" into the gloom ;eela eventually dragged him s0uealing into the open #he ground was scattered with dead fish #he other (ousins and agents huddled miserably in a group near the blast hole #he grey clouds threatened rain and the top of Mount ;ung was lost from sight #he untended orchards had run wild, tangling across the lower slopes Page A

'My bi"e,' said Doroth?e ;eela grabbed her 'You can't go bac" ' (hris and %nnocet emerged from the hole '#he whole place is falling apart,' he said Doroth?e ran a little way in '$here's the Doctor?' 'He said he'd follow ' ';i"e hell, (hris8' , tremor roc"ed the mountain )oil cascaded from the roof of the hole #he ground crac"ed under them (hris tugged at Dorothee '$e have to get clear ' #wo more figures appeared, both covered in dust '#he House is moving,' said .erain 3omana yelled, '+et everyone down the mountain 3un8' Page C #here was a chorus of s0uea"ing and chirruping as a bat*cloud of fledershrews cor"screwed out of the rent into the s"y ,cross the ground ran a river of tiny rodents /wis stood laughing, until ;eela dragged him away ,s the panic"ing refugees began to slip and slide down through the wild orchard, (hris ran bac" into the hole #he mountainside split open with a terrible roar /ut of the ground, earth and roc"s cascading li"e water off its turrets, chimneys and curving roofs, emerged the long*buried House of ;ungbarrow #he fresh convulsions "noc"ed the Doctor off his feet He crouched by the side of the ;oom plinth, watching the power feed into the little data e6tractor 3omana had given him )omething shattered the glass coffin above him and a s"eletal arm clattered down Page E He loo"ed up Duences's +host was standing over him ';ord President, eh?' said the old man 'Did you li"e the taste of power?' More masonry crashed down close by '";i"e" is a sub7ective word,' said the Doctor, sha"ing dust off his hat '% li"e the tic" of a cloc" and the sound of a flute #he song of a rinchin in the fields at harvest $or"ing things out for myself % li"e other people's ideas Peace, tran0uillity ,nd a nice cup of tea ' #he House shoo" and daylight appeared at the top of the unboarded window .rom a window on a higher floor, (hris watched the land grinding past #he whole estate, as far as he could see through the swaying, silver trees, was slowly undulating as waves rippled out from the House #he great building moved forward )oil dashed against its wings and anne6es as it ploughed slowly across the escarpment Page 1F ,head, the ground fell away sharply #he gigantic edifice was heading towards a cliff #he Drudge reared above the Doctor $ith his head inside the ;oom plinth, he was only vaguely aware of !adger's roar and the fight that raged across the Hall '$ho are you?' demanded Duences's +host '$ho do you thin" you are, turning down the power % gave you?' #he Doctor ignored the old phantom He felt the genetic weft of the ;oom matri6 closing round him !ac" to the womb, before the womb ;oom and House * all the same really

'You "now me, don't you?' he told it and climbed further into its maternal warmth '#hin" bac" !ac" to your beginning ' #he House's shudders were mi6ed with !adger's roar and the grating shrie" of the Drudge as they plunged into a crac" in the floor 'Yes You remember me $hen you were a seedling )o long ago $hen you were a seed $hen you were 7ust an insubstantial idea ' ';=1+!,33/$8' roared the House '3emember your creator ' #he slightest moment of hesitation or recognition #hen the House screamed Page 11

Page 1& '1ow you are ;ungbarrow too,' said the +host '#he .amily is the House You are the House ' '+hosts can't hurt me ' '% can ta"e your soul ' #he apparition reached into the Doctor's chest and tore at his life #he genetic weft tangled into the very cells of his ;oomed body and started to strangle him $hat did it matter now? He'd been e6pecting the end He should stay , .amily * that's what he'd wanted , .amily and a home )omewhere to settle at last 1o future 9ighth Man !ound '$H/ ,39 Y/=?' demanded the HouseHdemanded the +host '$H,# ,39 Y/=?' #he Doctor screamed Hands pulled at his sha"ing shoulders, dragging him out of his new womb Page 15 %n a fright of rebirth, he snatched out and clung to his rescuer '% don't want to "now % don't want to "now8' '%t's all right,' said (hris '#he e6tractor,' croa"ed the Doctor, pointing to the ;oom '#hat'll stop it ' (hris yan"ed the device out of the open ;oom #he pulse died within the web #he Doctor tried to stand, and fell against (hris , tear of blood ran from his eye

!ut the House "ept shuddering .rom the window, they watched the earth still churning past #he cliff was less than fifty metres away 'Headless chic"en syndrome,' muttered the Doctor and turned unsteadily towards the #,3D%) #he undulating floor ruptured and split under the ship ')epulchasm8' gasped the Doctor, and tensed as the police bo6 "eeled into the abyss %t fro-e, half into the crac" #he Doctor stared ahead, veins etched out on his forehead, grasping (hris's arm li"e a vice Page 1: )waying sic"eningly, the #,3D%) slowly rose in the air %t hovered, gradually moving away from the crac" and settled bac" on the rubble*strewn floor #he Doctor, wreathed in sweat, all but collapsed into (hris's arms #he young ad7udicator carried him to the ship's door '+et ready for a shoc",' said the #ime ;ord as they stumbled inside #he House was giving out a determined shrie" of death #he survivors of the House of ;ungbarrow stood on the cold mountainside, watching in silence #he whitewood building slowed momentarily in its progress, and then, with a final splintering scream of despair, the entire vast, many*tiered edifice careered with horrible purpose over the edge of the cliff and plunged deep into the valley below

Lungbarrow Page 1

- Chapter Thirty-four

/ne .ine Day #he final ember of the sun of 96tans )uperior san" below the sea )tars were already sprin"ling the lavender*dar" s"y #he air was scented li"e passion*fruit (hris angled an arm out of his hover*hammoc" and reached for his glass He drained the last of his %ndigo Moonrise coc"tail and made gurgling noises through the straw #he Doctor hadn't touched his drin" #he slice of magenta fruit garnishing the glass was starting to dry and curl He sat in a dec"chair, staring at the sea, absently turning a set of heavy "eys round and round on their thic" metal ring (hris laid bac" and tried to rela6, to do all the summery holiday things that the lapping waves and rustling palms and beat of distant music told him he should be doing ,long the beach, the locals had started a bonfire #heir laughter and singing echoed along the sand (hris clun"ed his glass bac" on the antigrav tray hanging in the air beside him and sighed in resignation '%t doesn't wor", does it? % thought it might have helped ' ;ittle birds ran bac" and forth at the water's edge ,nd the Doctor's "eys turned over and over Click... click... click 'Doctor?' Page 2 '%t's supposed to be a release ' #he #ime ;ord's voice sounded miles away, fathoms deep /h +oddess, thought (hris, here we go '$hat's that?' he as"ed aloud #he Doctor sighed ',n old lullaby crooned by a s"ull*faced nurse Death and the eternal peace of oblivion #hat's how it usually ends ' '=m % suppose that's one way of putting it ' '96cept for #ime ;ords, when it 7ust goes on and on ' Click... click... click #wo of the locals, a girl and a boy, both with scarlet trumpet flowers in their hair, ran past waving '(ome to the feast #he feast is starting ' (hris waved bac" '$e'll be along later ' He let his arm drop 'You go if you want to,' said the Doctor He stood up, folded his dec"chair and headed bac" to the #,3D%) , little figure, still in his hat, silhouetted against the glow seeping from the police bo6 door #he palm leaves clac"ed overhead li"e applause in the warm bree-e , crab scuttled away across the sand, one claw waving its farewell (hris too" one last loo" at the sea and the rose*coral beach as they slid into the dus" #hen he hurried after the Doctor Page 3 %t was cool inside #he Doctor had put up his dec"chair again He sat and watched the new #,3D%) console, apparently waiting for it to react /r was he 7ust admiring the anti0ue rosewood and tortoiseshell finish? /r wondering how to ma"e the thing wor"? ')hut the door, (hris,' he said and waved a hand '#hings get in ' (hris pulled an ivory lever and the door swung shut 'Home again,' he said cheerfully He pic"ed his way through the debris that littered the floor and found a chair to sit on #he overblown vaults of the reconfigured #,3D%) dwarfed them $ood and stone rose high in panels and buttresses, where once there had been the clean functionality of a white honeycomb 'Home,' murmured the Doctor ,nd it was li"e the Doctor's home ,s if his ship understood the loss of the House and had compensated to fill the emptiness )hadowy corridors, alcoves and stairways, a secret at every turn ;i"e being in the Doctor's head ;i"e his life, for that matter, the details of which were strewn li"e flotsam across the floor

(hris wasn't sure how long he sat, feeling the purr of the #,3D%) engines as they tried to ease his own aching heart His head had cleared of other people's thoughts, guilt and stresses %n comparison, his own were easy to put in order Page 4 He thought of 3o-, of how angry she used to get, her dar" eyes flashing, her e6pression dour for days on end, and laughed at how much he missed her He'd already fetched her towel from the bathroom and put it in his bag Click... click... click... #he Doctor was turning his "eys again, staring at a fi6ed point on the console waiting '$here would you li"e to go?' (hris as"ed 0uietly #he little man edged a sad smile across his face '9ven more places than you, (hris ' He hefted himself out of the dec"chair, too" a few steps circling the console and san" bac"wards into an ancient armchair that crea"ed as it received him '%sn't it time you struc" out on your own? Did your own thing? You'll have had enough of me by now ' '1o,' protested (hris '!ut ,' said the Doctor and waited '$ell, % mean, yes #here are places %'d li"e to see ' '% "now there are ' Page 5 '!efore %'m so old, they all laugh when % wal" in the door ' '$ould they?' #he Doctor sounded shoc"ed '#hey never laugh at me ' '=m ' (hris loo"ed across and saw the Doctor's eyes twin"le with laughter in the depths of the armchair He gave up 'You're 7ust trying to ma"e it easy for me ' '% do try,' the Doctor agreed (hris suddenly brimmed with love for this strange, all*powerful, irritating, little whoever, whatever he was person '$hat about you? %t's even less easy for you % should be there ' #he Doctor shoo" his head '#al" to 3omana )he'll sort out the transport for you ' 'Yes, but ' (hris was flustered '3omana? You mean we're going bac"?' '#hree days here in paradise is 0uite enough, than" you !esides ' His mouth twitched nervily ' running away again? %t won't do, will it?' ')uppose not ' '1o %t never does ' He rose again, wal"ed up to the newly anti0ue console and bris"ly ad7usted the ebony dials ')traight bac" to where we left them, % thin" ' !ut his eyes were full of tears 'Doctor,' said (hris gently 'You're cru""ing wonderful, you "now ' '% "now, % "now,' he said with a watery smile ',nd if % didn't e6ist, you'd have to invent me ' #he sun bro"e through the clouds, and the wind had softened !irds were feeding on the fish %nnocet, wal"ing on the springy turf of Mount ;ung with ;eela and Doroth?e, suddenly stopped and too" her shoes off '/f course, they got out,' Doroth?e said for the umpteenth time '#hey always get out ' #hey heard a call and saw 3omana running up the slope towards them !eyond her, the homeless (ousins resembled an animated 7umble sale People and guards were moving among them 'Help has arrived from the (apitol,' she said '$e've got provisions and medical aid $e'll soon get the (ousins moved to safety ' Page 6 %nnocet nodded graciously and fumbled with her shoes ',nd %'ve been tal"ing to (aptain 3edred He seems resigned, but % doubt the poor man understands what happened '

'His .amily will loo" after him,' said ;eela '#hey're your .amily too,' 3omana reminded her ',ndred's .amily ' ;eela loo"ed in earnest at the President '$hat about you?' 3omana tossed her hair and smiled mischievously 'Duite a lot's been going on,' she said 'You'll see ' Mum's the word, thought Doroth?e !ut she "ept her mouth shut on that count ')till no sign of the Doctor,' she said 'He'll turn up,' 3omana said ',lways when you least e6pect it ,s things stand, % don't mind if he ta"es years ' #he others threw her pu--led glances #here was a shout and someone came galumphing down the slope to meet them (hris loo"ed surprisingly clean and rested )omehow he'd found time to shave and have a bath ,nd change his clothes too Page 7 'How did you get out?' they as"ed '%s the Doctor safe? $here's the #,3D%)?' '#he Doctor's fine,' he said after he'd hugged them all, including %nnocet, much to her surprise '!ut he's had a hell of a shoc" ' ')o have we all,' said 3omana (hris nodded up the mountain '+o up and see him #he company will do him good ,nd you won't believe what the inside of the #,3D%) loo"s li"e8' (hris watched the others tramping up the slope 3omana waited, suddenly loo"ing serious, which made him feel aw"ward ',ctually, % have to as" a favour, if that's /N ' '/f course,' she said '$ell, he and % have tal"ed it through % mean, it's not that % don't get on with the Doctor %'ll miss him terribly ' '!ut he has been very much in your thoughts lately ' '#hat's right,' said (hris '% thin" we've sort of needed each other !ut now %'d li"e to stri"e out on my own 1o ties You "now the sort of thing ' Page 8 3omana smiled '$here would you go?' '$ell, for a start %'ve this friend called !ernice ' '!ernice )ummerfield,' said 3omana '%'ve met her )he's an archaeologist , rather good one )he could teach us #ime ;ords a thing or two ' (hris grinned '%f you li"e, %'ll arrange a time ring,' she went on '!ut thin" first, (hris Don't rush it #he Doctor might need you too ' )he tapped his arm '(ome on, we'd better 7oin the others ' (hris loo"ed bac" and saw that a small and official party was following #he little figure sat on the mountainside under a wind*bent tree His eyes were closed in contemplation '#his is where our hermit used to live,' said %nnocet, 0uietly as the company approached '#he Doctor would spend days up here %t used to infuriate )atthralope ' 'He'd en7oy that,' said Doroth?e '#here you all are ' #he Doctor stood up '%'d put the "ettle on only we're completely out of tea ' Page 9 He loo"ed e6hausted and, although everyone stood around smiling, no one "new what to say '%t's the shoc",' he added 0uietly $hen he saw 3omana, he produced the data e6tractor from his poc"et

'My House and .amily,' he said '#he essentials at any rate ' ,nd he flourished a bunch of heavy "eys '+ood,' 3omana said He passed the ob7ects to %nnocet 'You're House"eeper now, (ousin Please loo" after these ' He surveyed the group that had accompanied her up the slope 'You've been busy, 3omana ,re you still President?' '(hancellor #heora?' said 3omana , proud woman stepped forward, holding her labyrinthine hair sculpture steady in the bree-e 'Please tell 3omana to come bac" to the (apitol, Doctor .ormer (astellan )pandrell has spo"en to the High (ouncil in the President's favour #hey are prepared to listen, if she will only come bac" ' #he Doctor eyed 3omana '1o doubt you have something startling to pull out of your Presidential hat ' Page 10 )he nodded ')omething monumental is happening on +allifrey ' ')o l gather ' )he indicated a tall woman, robed in red '#his is the priestess (har"esta ' 'You're the new ,mbassador from Narn,' the Doctor said #he woman made honour with her hands '#he ages*long rift between +allifrey and our )isterhood is healed #here are many favourable portents ' )he turned and made honour to ;eela, who had been busy sharpening her "nife on a stone with her sound hand '#hought as much,' said Doroth?e '% thought they'd "now all the time ' '/f course,' said the Doctor proudly '(urses can't last forever )ooner or later, two people with the right potential were bound to get together (ongratulations, ;eela You and ,ndred must be very happy ' '$e will be when % have told him,' she said #he Doctor bowed graciously to (har"esta '#he )isterhood's intervention is most welcome and timely % hope 3omana's grateful ' #he priestess nodded '#ime moves in circles, Doctor #he omens for the President are also most propitious /nce again the female principle is restored to +allifrey ' '% don't thin",' said the Doctor with a twin"le, 'that it ever really went away ' 3omana too" a deep breath '#he first child on +allifrey in millennia $e must ta"e care of you ' Page 11 '1ot too much care,' said ;eela firmly 'President 3omana?' said the Doctor '%s this why % was summoned home?' 'Yes, that's right,' she said very 0uic"ly '% thought you should be the first to "now ' '#hen don't loo" so glum ,nyone would thin" it was something dreadful ' '3omana will get you home,' he said to Doroth?e '% am sorry about your motorbi"e ' He was sitting on the crumbling edge of a well, e6amining a scarlet*winged fly that had landed on his finger 'Don't worry,' she said '% discovered two more stashed away in a stable ' 'Nadiatu ;ethbridge*)tewart,' he smiled ',lways prepared for any eventuality ' 'Doctor?' 'Hmm?' 'You "now what you said about me going to the ,cademy?' )he swallowed hard '$ell, if you want me to enrol ' ',ce % mean Doroth?e You are breathta"ing ' Page 12 '% mean it ' '% "now !ut only if you want to '

)he stuc" her hands in her poc"ets and "ic"ed a dead fish '1ot really ' '#hen than" you anyway,' he said 'Iust go on being #ime's Bigilante ' '#han"s, champ,' she said and gave him a long hug $hen they finally pulled apart, %nnocet was standing a little way off, loo"ing aw"ward #hey watched the Doctor and %nnocet wal"ing together on the mountainside #here were no words to hear Iust the angle and movement of their heads #he pauses in their steps , moment when they stopped to e6amine a flower together #he Doctor went inside the #,3D%), which they had hardly noticed, standing among some scrubby bushes He emerged a moment later pushing a battered wheelbarrow loaded with boo"s %nnocet reached out and touched the Doctor's arm Page 13 #he disgruntled (ousins muttered to themselves as the Doctor and 3omana faced them 'You tell them,' she said He too" off his hat '(ousins of ;ungbarrow, you will shortly be transported to the (apitol President 3omana assures me that you will be well cared for and recompensed ' '1ot enough8' shouted several of them '.urthermore, the e6communication of the House will be revo"ed and the .amily reinstated in the Prydonian (hapter ' '$hat about our House?' yelled 3ynde ',nd there will be a new House, restructured from the original template, but without the temper ,nything else % can do for you8' %n one movement, they turned their bac"s '+oodbye, ;ungbarrovians,' he called 'Don't worry % don't as" for your forgiveness #ime runs in circles % have other families8' He loo"ed away across the slope to his companions (lose by, the Director of ,llegiance was standing with several of his agents '%f % "eep my 7ob,' 3omana said, '%'ll have ;ord .erain suspended on a charge of misdirection of power %'m going to have the ,gency doors thrown open to Public 3egister Bideo for a full investigation ' '$hat it is to have power,' said the Doctor 'You'd "now ' )he grabbed his arm and tried to steer him away as .erain started towards them #he elderly man caught up with the Doctor 'Has she told you why she summoned you yet?' 3omana scowled '+o away, .erain ' 'Has she told you about the mission she's arranged?' '% changed my mind,' 3omana said '#he Doctor's not involved ' Page 14 '$hat mission?' said the Doctor '#o )"aro,' .erain said '(airo?' '1o, )"aro ' #he Doctor shoo" his head '%s this some new )"aro? /r the one that % destroyed with the Hand of /mega?' 3omana flailed her arms '% said it doesn't matter8' ;eela and (hris and Doroth?e were drawn in by the sound of the argument .erain stood smugly bac" while the Doctor and 3omana argued '1o, Doctor %'ll get someone else to go ' '%f it's the Master's remains, then % should be the one to fetch them ' '%t's too dangerous8' '$hat could be worse than facing my miserable (ousins8 .illing in forms with ;ethbridge*)tewart? ;unch with the terrible Oodin ?' .erain said, '!ut it's true #he Matri6 predicts a ninety*si6 percent chance of fatal in7ury ' #he Doctor closed his eyes and said 0uietly, '#hen that leaves me with a clear four per cent margin '

'Don't be so /theringly flippant8' snapped 3omana Page 15 #he Doctor laughed 'You should see yourselves #he President and the (%, loc"ed in your eternal s"irmishes /ne side always tilting at the other ' '#hat's how the balance of order is maintained,' said 3omana #he Director of ,llegiance smiled grimly '%t has been that way on +allifrey ever since the %ntuitive 3evelation ' '!ut you must be so bored,' said the Doctor '!uried in a state of perpetual Harmony, no wonder you play these games ' ',nd what will you teach us with your manifold wisdom?' said .erain '$hoever you are or were?' #he Doctor met the old man's eye #he wind stilled '$hat do you want, .erain? $hat do you want me to be? )hall % reveal my bla-ing power? Might that not fry you to a crisp? )hall % sweep away evil and chaos? 3eorder the stars in their courses? !anish burnt toast forever?' He paused '$ell, % won't % wouldn't if % could $ho do you thin" % am?' He thumbed his chest '%'m me #he Doctor $hat % have been, someone might have imagined $hat % will be, how can % tell? %'m not immortal % shall go to this Skaro, collect the Master's remains and bring them bac" to President 3omanadvoratrelundar ' '$ith such bac"ing,' said .erain, 'how can she fail?' #he Doctor's eyes flashed '!e 0uiet, my lord ,nd remember your place8' #he birds had stopped singing Page 16 .erain was silent 3omana cleared her throat 'Please be careful ' #he Doctor eyed her sternly '#he Dale"s #he Master 3omana, who have you been tal"ing to?' %nnocet sniffed the boo"s one after another #he musty smells of the pages and covers had their own stories to tell /ne faded volume contained a picture of a tubby creature floating under a dirigible surrounded by a cloud of beatitude flies #he words were unintelligible to her , telepath translator could do the 7ob instantly, but that would deny her years of painsta"ing wor" )omething to savour while the new House was nurtured and grown )he and her House )he hoped the Doctor would come to their wedding )he loo"ed round for the Doctor, but he and his companions were nowhere to be seen #hey stood in a line beside the #,3D%) 'Please,' the Doctor said, '% didn't as" to be seen off ' '#ough,' said Doroth?e 'You'd better have these ' )he fished her last battered bo6 of teabags out of her poc"et He too" them and hugged her tight He loo"ed fondly at ;eela for a long time, peering into her eyes as if he recogni-ed something there '#his love thing,' he mused '%nteresting , father from +allifrey and a mother of 9arth stoc" #hat's an unusual pedigree ' )he pushed bac" her hair and said aw"wardly, '% don't have anything for you, Doctor ' 'Iust call him after me ' Page 17 )he loo"ed startled and then nodded '$ho e6actly is the terrible Oodin?' butted in (hris ')ome sort of +alactic megalomaniac emperor?'

#he Doctor's eyes went misty 'Oodin was a celebrated sword*swallower at the +rand .estival of Oymymys Midamor )he had an ama-ing tric" with a scimitar ' (hris grabbed the Doctor, lifting him off his feet in a monstrous bear hug '3o- bet me that %'d never dare do this,' he said 9ventually he put the Doctor down again and pic"ed up his hat for him '+ive my love to !ernice,' said the Doctor, s0uee-ing (hris's hand ',nd as" her if she wants to lecture at the ,cademy here,' said 3omana )he turned to the Doctor '% "now %'ll be careful,' he said '% want you to have this ' )he slipped a metallic ob7ect into his hand '%t's my sonic screwdriver ' He smiled '#han" you, Madam President % shall see you soon !ac" at the (apitol ' He wal"ed to the #,3D%), a small figure clutching his presents He turned his "ey and went inside /ne by one they moved away '$ill he come bac"?' said ;eela 'Dorothee8' #he Doctor's head re*emerged from the door '% 7ust remembered % haven't been Merlin yet8' He vanished and the door closed '$hat?' chorused the others, as Doroth?e began to laugh #he light on the #,3D%) flashed li"e a bright idea , floc" of startled birds rose from the trees as the #,3D%) grated out of e6istence #hen they were alone on the sunny mountainside

uthor!" #ote"
Prologue You can find a 0uote in )ha"espeare to fit most things, but the 'abysm of time' line from #he #empest seemed absolutely right here #he #empest is also )ha"espeare's last play and Prospero is another magical figure and arch* manipulator, not unli"e the Doctor Maybe he is a Doctor, 1&th or 15th generation 1ow there's a thought #hey do say that if )ha"espeare was alive today, he'd be writing for television #he /ther's garden is reminiscent of the rose garden in which we see the .irst Doctor, Hartnell in #hree Doctors and Hurndall in .ive Doctors %t also reappears as the Doctor's imaginary garden in ,uld Mortality ,ccording to (at's (radle@ #ime's (rucible, the +allifreyans of the /ld #ime were all lin"ed by telepathy #here was a continuous commentary in their heads reflecting the communal mood and public opinion , bit li"e a telepathic chatroom !y the Doctor's time, that ability has declined to a mere remnant of its past, but it still e6ists within families #he Doctor and )usan were supposed to have a degree of telepathic empathy #he Doctor's (ousin %nnocet has strongly developed powers ,nd the living House is in telepathic sympathy with its House"eeper ,nd, of course, the #,3D%) has telepathic circuits !en ,aronovitch and ,ndrew (artmel were especially proud of the Hand of /mega, because it was old, battered and believable 1ot the star spangled stuff of most tv science fiction "9ighth Man !ound" first appeared in ;awrence Miles's (hristmas on a 3ational Planet %t's a game played by students on +allifrey, in which they foresee their possible future lives #he rhyme in (hris's head seems to list the Doctor's lives so far #he Doctor couldn't see beyond his seventh generation, and it worries him #he scene with !adger is a bit of an info*dump to set up the location and family !ut it also har"s bac" to those magical childhoods in classic children's boo"s #he start of a !ig ,dventure %t's very ( ) ;ewis and ,rthur 3ansome ,ll old houses and schoolrooms and sunlight % thought it was the sort of childhood that the Doctor should have had 9ven if he does loo" about twenty !adger is essentially the Doctor's first companion $hen we needed a visual reference for the original boo" cover, % as"ed Mi"e #uc"er to come up with a design Mi"e, bless him, turned up on my doorstep with a complete plasticine ma0uette, rams horns, dangling eye and all #he Birgin cover design was a bit slimline compared to the original, but Daryl Ioyce has gone bac" to the original for his wonderful illustrations here !adger's -ig-ag fur comes from one of the s"ins worn by an /utler in #he %nvasion of #ime Chapter 1 - Paris Cubed #he Paris branch of Mar"s J )pencers closed early in &FF1, so % 7ust got away with that one8 $,31%1+8 .,)(%1,#%1+ .,(# ,;93#@ !ut if you go to $oolworths in )outh ,frica, you'll notice that it's a bit more up* mar"et than $oolworths in !ritain #he product range is all MJ) )trange but incontrovertible truth that alternative universes do e6ist sort of %f Doroth?e was partying at the (afe Momus on (hristmas 9ve in 1Eth century Paris, she might well find that the rowdy people at the ne6t table who "eep singing loudly are Mimi, 3udolfo and friends, the protagonists of ;a !oheme in ,ct & of Puccini's opera +eorge )eurat, whom Doroth?e, true to 1, form, is planning a fling with, is the .rench pointilliste painter 21C<E* 1CE1 4 His paintings are made up of thousands of points of colour %n )tephen )ondheim's musical )unday in the Par" with +eorge, which % love, )eurat's mistress is called Dot )orry, % couldn't really resist 3obert Holmes' +allifrey is a cross between a comfortable gentlemen's club and the Batican, and %'ve always seen that as my role model for the (apitol %t's so ancient it crea"s %f society stopped, the on*going rituals would ta"e centuries to wind down #here's a !y-antine proliferation of guilds, societies and strangely named officials, all stabbing each other in the bac" Most of the wor"ers have the factually analytical minds of cataloguers, filled with a fascination for the detail of other people's events #hey observe the =niverse, annotating and revising their notes, while their leaders are loc"ed in an endlessly shifting, comple6 and stately dance of power Chapter 2 - A Long Shadow ,lmoner (rest Yeu6 is pronounced Yoo"s ;eela@ what did she see in ,ndred? $hy would she give up travelling with the Doctor? 2$e're tal"ing about the character, not about ;ouise Iameson leaving 4 #he parts of +allifrey she witnessed in %nvasion of #ime would hardly encourage her to stay Maybe she recognised "indred spirits in the /utlers? /r mistoo" the grandeur and pomposity for some sort of mystical haven? 1ot very li"ely % suppose ,ndred is the only attractive and vaguely spar"y person she comes across, but really ;eela's whole departure is a tagged on afterthought !etter to loo" at how a practiced warrior and woman of action would cope in such a potentially deadly dull place )o she's bored and the Doctor, the most important and influential person in her e6istence, has gone $hat else do you e6pect her to do, other than dig up his past? 3omana returned to +allifrey from 9*space in #errance Dic"s' !lood Harvest !y the time we get to Paul (ornell's Happy 9ndings, she has been elected as ;ord High President )he's a lovely character to write, by turn authoritative and frivolous ;alla $ard stamped all through her li"e !righton roc"

;eela doesn't "now the name for the striped pig*bear creature she encounters in the +allifreyan forest, but it might be to !adger what brown bears are to our own domesticated teddies Chapter 3 - Talking To Yourself %n the original boo", this used to be (hapter : $e've seen the #,3D%) bathroom before, but somewhere, % li"e to thin", there is also a glass roundel through which you can see all the Doctor's washing going round and round /ne of the old ,udio Bisual plays, which featured 1ic" !riggs as the Doctor, ended with the Doctor in the bath and his plastic duc" laughing at him in a chipmun"y, Pin"y and Per"y, speeded up voice sort of way % li"ed that a lot, so it's here too #he two ,ces * % wanted a se0uence which would get Doroth?e to come to terms with what she had become %f there had been another season on tv, ,ce would only have had a couple more stories ,s it was, her character stayed on into the boo" range and developed a long way further than anyone would have suspected )he grows up, becomes a bit of a maneater, leaves the Doctor, has a stint as a fighter in the Dale" $ars, comes bac" to the Doctor, and lands up living in 1Eth century Paris, able to commute through time using a time*travelling motorbi"e which belonged to Nadiatu ;ethbridge*)tewart 2blac" female descendant of the !rigadier84 )o Doroth?e and ,ce have a night in with a bottle * one of those nights in where you start playing #ruth or Dare and tal"ing about forbidden sub7ects which always lead to trouble %n the tv days, ,ce's surname was +ale, as suggested by her creator, %an !riggs #hen in the boo"s it got turned into Mc)hane, or +ale*Mc)hane, or +ale again %t's a bloody minefield out there Maybe the "idnapped Parisian Doroth?e is Mc)hane and her carbine*wielding tormentor is ,ce +ale , Marsh Dale" appears in #he Dale" !oo", published in time for (hristmas 1E>: % really li"ed the Marsh Dale"s and used to draw lots of pictures of them instead of doing my maths homewor" * they were lot easier to draw than the normal Dale"s #hey were 0uite slee", resembling a sort of tin can on stilts with few e6ternal features apart from an eye and a gun, and they patrolled wetland areas on the planet +urnian where ordinary Dale"s couldn't go and "ept the two* headed Horro"on monsters in order %'m not entirely sure why they couldn't 7ust send a hoverbout patrol #he +reat +ates of the Past or .uture, under which the future slides or the past emerges, depending on which side you're standing, first featured in #ime's (rucible Plot dynamics so far prevent me from revealing who the woman in brown and the old harpy with an eypatch actually are Chapter 4 - All all !own )o here we are at last in the House of ;ungbarrow Many people have compared the House to Mervyn Pea"e's +ormenghast, and %'d be the last person to deny any influence there % love Pea"e's wor" very much, not 7ust the #itus +roan trilogy, but the charming and 0uir"y Mr Pye and a lot of Pea"e's poems and his illustrations !oth Houses are huge edifices that ramble for miles, as much characters in their stories as any of their inhabitants !oth Houses are prisons !ut there are big differences too +ormenghast is essentially a dead place, whose deni-ens perpetuate its endless rituals as if they might cease to e6ist if they stopped !ut ;ungbarrow is alive and an active participant in events %t's possessive of its inhabitants %t suffers from family pride in e6tremis %t has a violent temper and will sul" for centuries on end #o wal" along its passages is truly to wal" on egg shells %n the early days of wor"ing on ;ungbarrow * the script, % put a note on the latest draft % was sending to ,ndrew (artmel@ "#he furniture is getting increasingly predatory " .ollowed by the direction "#he Drudges are herding tables into the +reat Hall " % doubt the scene later on where the Doctor "surfs" on a runaway table could ever have been realised properly in studio, but that was the start of the House's character evolution ,nd the boo" allowed me to give full range to that #here are certainly elements of !eauty ,nd #he !east here * not 7ust the Disney version, but the ravishing (octeau film before it ,s to the family? $ell, families get everywhere 1ot 7ust the inevitable +roans and their retainers, but e0ually 3obert +raves' (laudian family poisoning and politic"ing their way through 3oman historyP the completely batty )tar"adder family from )tella +ibbons' gloriously funny (old (omfort .arm * forget the softened up tv version, read the original 9ven #he ,rchers ,ll soaps are filled with slightly cra-y families, but any family would go mad if they had to live in the circumstances inflicted on the ;ungbarrovians $orse than ,lbert )0uare You don't have to be mad to live in a soap opera, but it helps8 /ne of the points of the boo" is@ how could any family cope if the Doctor was a close relative? Most ;ungbarrovians cope by playing games, but over the years, decades, centuries, the games have got progressively more bi-arre and deadly You're given thirteen lives to start with !ut in ;ungbarrow, what else is there to do e6cept be beastly to each other? (ousins so far@ (ousin ,r"hew, is a rather put upon little chapP the gullible one who always gets the short straw when it comes to dirty 7obs (ousin /wis is a bit of a sad !illy !unter * not very nice, certainly 0uite dim !ut e6tremely significant (ousin +lospin, the Doctor's arch*rival %n a surprising family trait, the "young" +lospin seems to bear more than a passing !yronic resemblance to Paul Mc+ann (ousin %nnocet, the House's moral minority, still possesses a remnant of the old +allifreyan telepathy %n the /ld #ime, women were taller than the men and %nnocet is tall and proud li"e her forebears %t's li"ely that the very tall body that 3omana tries on before regenerating into ;alla $ard, is another throwbac" to the tall seer women of the /ld #ime *

well, it could be8 %nnocet's long, long hair may have roots 2ha84 in 3apun-el or Maeterlinc"'s Melisande or the braided !ride in the )travins"yH1i7ins"a ballet ;es 1oces, but its weighty symbolism is entirely different and nothing to do with the loss of innocence /ne day, %nnocet will be ;ungbarrow's House"eeper, until then she "eeps her 7ournal and builds houses out of circular playing cards (ousin Iobis"a@ 9dward ;ear's Pobble $ho Had 1o #oes had an ,unt Iobisca who gave him to drin" lavender water tinged with pin" $hen a close relative of mine was suffering from advanced ,l-heimer's and had to go into Hellingly Hospital, a giant rambling 1H) institution in rural 9ast )usse6, there was a tiny and very sweet old lady on his ward, who constantly said "#a"e me home, dear % want to go home " !less her, % don't thin" she really remembered where home was %t seemed to change on a wee"ly basis, rather li"e Iobis"a's age Hellingly, with its gothic architecture and warren of corridors, was yet another inspiration for ;ungbarrow %t was closed in the cutbac"s, a lot of patients went bac" to the community 2maybe some got into government4 and the place is now something li"e lu6ury flats #he House of ;ungbarrow would not have stood for that #he +od of Pain is one of the old +allifreyan +ods, a"a the Menti (elesti, who could also be 9ternals 29nlightenment 4 #hey turn up throughout the 1ew ,dventures, most notably #ime 2as the Doctor was her champion4 and Death % had to coordinate the writing of ;ungbarrow with Nate /rman, whose 3oom $ith 1o Doors was the previous boo" in the series % rang Nate in )ydney and she was in the middle of her birthday dinner ,fter we'd both stopped going "/h, my +od8" at each other, she pointed me towards a painting, #he Death of ,rthur by I + ,rcher, which shows the dying Ning ,rthur laid on a seashore, tended by three 0ueens before he's ferried off to ,valon Nate saw the three women as the embodiment of the +allifreyan +ods * 3edHblac" for Death, white for Pain and an unfi6ed shifting colour for #ime !i-arrely % "new the picture and had already used it in the novelisation of !attlefield #hings, li"e +allifreyan cloc"s, run in comple6 interloc"ing circles ,nd tal"ing of +allifreyan cloc"s #he arrival of the #,3D%) sends out ripples, toppling %nnocet's house of cards and setting fro-en time in the House moving again ,nd poor old ,r"hew is trapped in the orrery*li"e cloc" as all the planets and orbits, representing space and legend, start to activate around him #he Doctor, of course, insists he doesn't believe in omens Chapter " - !isturbing The !ust ;ungbarrow's attic is li"e a fairy tale forest #he giant furniture recalls when we are little and can only 7ust see over the top of the table at what Mum is doing for tea % once saw an opera production in which a character regressed to childhood, dreaming she was ascending to Heaven %n answer to this, a white staircase at the side of the stage was suddenly replaced by a giant version of the same staircase #he character became a child again, climbing this mountainous slope one big step at a time %t was an unforgettable and radiant image ;ungbarrow's not so radiant, but you get the idea %n the original version, it was ,ce who went through the loo"ing glass into the House's past ,s a visual reference, % copied the #enniel illustration of ,lice climbing over the mantle into the glass and substituted our Perivale heroine with her ,ce 7ac"et on $hen % wor"ed at $oodlands at !!( $hite (ity, our open*plan office was right ne6t to the reference library /ne lunchtime % found an old copy of )potlight from the 1E5Fs with a portrait of a young and dapper comedy actor called !illy Hartnell %'d suggested we use it as a basis for a framed picture which the Doctor would uncover and hurriedly hide again in fright #he garden itself is another +allifreyan timepiece with the statue of 3assilon as its centre #he Drudges are the ultimate evolved form of ;ungbarrow's furniture ;iving wooden servants who tend to the day*to* day needs of the House $e had debates in the tv production office as to whether they should be male or female !en suggested 2it's always !en4 that they should be one of each, but you'd never be 0uite sure which was which ,t this point, ,ce had dubbed them +rim and +rimmer %'d always seen them as fearsome wooden Bictorian governesses, but Daryl Ioyce's illustrations show them as 0uite beautiful ob7ects $hich is, of course, 0uite correct $hy should furniture be ugly? %n this flashbac", (ousin +lospin is a lot older than he was in (hapter : ,nd he's a lot younger too +allifreyan families are a nightmare Chapter # - $ingling #his gathering is one of those hatched, matched, dispatched occasions, when you get to see all those distant aunties who you normally avoid and barely remember to e6change (hristmas cards with #here's something of those .orsyte family gatherings in this too * everyone being frightfully superior, whilst still gossiping about the latest family scandal !asically most of the (ousins "now there's trouble in the offing and are there to en7oy the show #here are various units of +allifreyan currency throughout the 1,s Panda"s are named after one of the Presidents named Panda", of whom Deadly ,ssassin tells us there have been at least three 1ot unli"e the .rench ;ouis Chapter % - !arkrise % often have an actor in my head when %'m writing a part /ccasionally %'ve been luc"y and actually got the actor in 0uestion, but it 7ust helps both me, and maybe the director, to nail down the type of character %n the late 1ECFs for ;ungbarrow, % was thin"ing of the late Patricia Hayes, all wiry and with a fearsome energy, as )atthralope, Michael

Maloney as the charming, but deeply nasty young version of +lospin 2who has mysteriously turned into a Mc+ann loo"ali"e in the boo"4 and % fantasised that Peter (ushing might be lured out of retirement to play Duences #hese days, %'d "ill for ;eslie Phillips %nnocet, % saw as ,ngela Down, who'd been so genuinely lovely as Princess Maria in the !!('s $ar and Peace #oday %'d go straight for the very wonderful +ina McNee ,lternatively, these days %'d be tempted to insist that all the (ousins were played by the ;eague of +entlemen, with Mar" +attis as a magnificent ,untie Bal sort of %nnocet (ousin )atthralope@ #he house"eeper is the medium between the House and its inhabitants )he's in telepathic empathy with the living building, responsible for the rituals and day*to*day running of the place and the Drudges are her servants )he embodies the House's possessiveness and sense of familial duty #here's a remnant of the ancient female Pythian rulers of +allifrey in her role /rdinal*+eneral Duences@ #he Nithriarch, head of the .amily #he elderly parent who only wants the best for his offspring He recognised the Doctor's potential long ago and had a career all mapped out for his protege =nfortunately the Doctor had his own ideas ,n alternative Duences turns up in S%S reply of right else?s anyone ignores that agenda an git old calculating a still he?s but different, slightly be may circumstances #he Mortality R #he close of the chapter, with ,r"hew spinning on the orrery*li"e cloc", the (ousins in complete panic below and the dar" rising up the windows, was the very first visual image % had of ;ungbarrow, before % even "new the story that went with it Chapter & - rag'ents #his chapter starts with a collage of word pictures representing the aftermath of the House's actions Maybe it comes from watching so much tv when % was younger, but my prose writing does seem to be very visual %n fact, % "new the stories of many literary classics, not because %'d read them, but because %'d seen them on the telly % did go and read 0uite a lot of them afterwards, but even as % read the boo"s, %'d see the characters from the tv version Patric" #roughton, magnificently evil as Duilp, ,lan !adel as #he (ount of Monte (hristo, .ran" .inlay as Iean Bal7ean , Disney film version of any story or fairytale tends, for good or bad, to eclipse any other interpretation !ut even on audio, % still find myself trying to create e6traordinary sightsP sights that the telly could never afford #hese days % watch precious little television ,ll presenters who believe they're more important than the programme they're presenting should be sentenced to watch endless loops of lifestyle programmes ,nd one particular garden designer, who prefers concrete to plants, should have been strangled at birth by a clematis #he Doa*no*nai*heya Monastery is the retreat featured in the previous boo" in the 1, series, Nate /rman's Iapanese epic #he 3oom $ith 1o Doors .or this version of the boo", %'ve hac"ed out most of the second half of the original (hapter C #here was a cringe* ma"ing overload of information there, showing what the Doctor got up to while (hris was unconscious, and it was totally unnecessary to the plot )o it went Chapter ( - The )hitewood *ouse +allifreyan nursery rhymes seem to be gloomy things that mourn the loss of the children %t's all down to guilt (hildren were so long ago that they've become the stuff of fairytale and legend #he Drudges seem to have forgotten their place in the hierarchy ,s maids, they are supposed to serve the .amily, but since the House too" things into its own "hands", they behave more li"e prison warders #he House has decided that it "nows best, rather li"e high street ban"s that forget they are the public's servants ,fter si6 years wor"ing in catering during the seventies, you'd thin" % have gone off "itchens, but % still li"e them a lot #hey're the heart of any home #hings, both wonderful and weird, happen in "itchens (hefs chase 7unior coo"s with live lobsters #he "itchen staff are at permanent war with the waiters #he waiters live on a diet of filched oysters and smo"ed salmon ,nd % can't even tell you what % once saw in the dry food store in a seafront hotel in )outhsea .awlty #owers only s"ims the surface, believe me #he things that other people have in their larders is 7ust as fascinating as what they have on their boo" or video shelves ,nd what the ;ungbarrow "itchen has in its larder is not 0uite so far from other "itchens as you'd li"e to thin" % li"e the fact that the Doctor is e6tremely cagey about admitting that he "nows where he is %t puts a strain on his friendship with (hris, who behaves with utmost decency throughout %'m all for a bit of antagonism between the regular characters +od "nows, they live on top of each other enough, barrelling through harrowing situations which hardened troops would need counselling for % love it when !arbara calls the .irst Doctor a stupid old manP when the )econd Doctor deliberately has a row with Iamie about rescuing Bictoria from the Dale"sP or when 1yssa doesn't tell the .ifth Doctor that she's spo"en to ,dric in (astrovalva You could write a whole boo" about #egan's paranoias, and the )eventh Doctor has those little disagreements with ,ce in +host ;ight and #he (urse of .enric (hris (we7 is a really nice guy, but his trust of the Doctor is at odds with his training as an ,d7udicator, which means he can't help but have a highly suspicious mind %nnocet is such a stic"ler for tradition that she even puts on her hat and coat for a trip up the corridor People will do anything to cling on to the past !ut really she's 0uite literally shouldering all the blame and guilt in the House %f she's not careful, she'll land up an unsung martyr Chapter 1+ - ,ood !a- or $ushroo's

%'ve always had a soft spot for mushrooms ever since the si6ties when a 3ussian spy, captured retrieving top secret information from a tree stump in somewhere li"e ,shdown .orest, insisted he was only loo"ing for fungi "%'m only pic"ing mushrooms" became a school catch phrase 3ather li"e the slogan on a sheer nylon tights offer with Pa6o stuffing@ "3ecommended by ,nita Harris " !ut % digress #here's a sense that both the Doctor and (hris are getting out of their depth $ouldn't it 7ust be better to get the #,3D%) bac" and go? !ut curiosity, always the Doctor's undoing, and a man in a stove get the better of them #hey're starting to get noticed #he Doctor's catapult, emblem of a rascally Dennis the Menace*style childhood !ut % don't remember "nowing anyone who actually had one ,ny resemblance by the "whisper softly" nursery verse to "(hristopher 3obin is saying his prayers" is purely deliberate Chapter 11 - Tit or Tat )trange, isn't it, how something insignificant can snowball? Does the +allifreyan (elestial %ntervention ,gency appear in any other tv story? 1ot by name as far as % can recall 2!y now you'll all be shooting off notes to the !!(i $ho forum 4 !ut when the (%, got mentioned in Deadly ,ssassin, %'m sure it was 7ust one of 3obert Holmes' throwaway line 7o"es Yet it's ballooned into the all purpose, undercover, machinating power that lur"s behind the pomp of the High (ouncil %t's answerable only to itself and is responsible for all those times when the Doctor starts shouting threats at the empty air %f the smug, serpentine interrogator of ;eela seems familiar, it's because he appeared memorably in one of the tv stories He's an historian, his statements are all couched in legalese and he seems to have nothing but contempt for anything that roc"s the stately circular dance of +allifrey .or purposes of suspense, his identity will not be revealed until much later on in the story Meanwhile President 3omana, representing the radical forces of liberal innovation, is already playing the forces of +allifreyan conservatism at their own game (hancellor #heora's hairdo is not a symbol of the labyrinthine plot Chapter 12 - .nin/ited *osts (ousin 3ynde is an unsavoury fellow He used to be in catering 2that rings bells4, but now he's more of a spiv into any sort of dodgy deal He's always ready to sell you, under the counter, no 0uestions as"ed, half a pound of tafelshrew and mushroom sausages that he's "noc"ed off from the Drudges' "itchen Don't touch them, they're well past their !est !efore date Drat, another of the legion of games from %nnocet's compendium, is a card game, probably the +allifreyan e0uivalent of the +erman game )"at $ouldn't % much rather write an 9arth*bound story? $ell, it certainly hands me a lot of minute detail on a plate % "now, and the readers "now the references, rules and social structures for 9arth !ut % do love filling in the detail of alien societies #hat's where the colour comes from and % can spend far too long getting myself into the right world for a story % have to be inside it before % can write it 9ven then, it still has to be recognisable for the reader 3eal alien life could well be so alien that we wouldn't recognise it as life at all /n tv, we rarely see more than half a do-en woggly creatures to represent an entire race )o most tv alien societies can only be variations on an 9arthly theme ,re the living Houses a complete anathema to everything we've ever seen of +allifreyan culture? % don't thin" so #hey are a throwbac" to the beginning of the %ntuitive 3evelation, which mar"ed the end of the dar" days of the /ld #ime ;i"e the ;ooms they house, they were conceived to protect a species threatened with e6tinction@ the +allifreyans themselves #,3D%)es are very much aliveP so is the old and battered Hand of /mega, itself a relic from another age %f you loo"ed at the ancient culture of Iapan, before it adopted and outdid the invasive culture of the $est, you might thin" it very unearthly indeed #he past is there to be respected, but there's no point in writing at all if you don't come up with something new #he body*bepple is a 5Fth century e6tension of tattooing or body piercing, allowing the fashion*conscious to rema"e their bodies into interesting 2and e6otic4 forms $hen (hris first appeared in ,ndy ;ane's /riginal )in, he was aptly beppled into the shape of a giant teddy bear #ime ;ords count their age in years and generations 9ven over this, there seems to be rivalry #he Doctor "eeps 0uiet when as"ed how old he is He's going through his regenerations far too fast Chapter 13 - 0la1k )indow ;oo"ing at the array of creatures that turn up in ;ungbarrow, from gullet grubs to fledershrews, blossom thieves to scrubblers and neversuch beetles, it feels li"e time for someone to write a .lora and .auna of /uter +allifrey 1atural history has always been one of my specialist sub7ects 2see +host ;ight4, and when % was about seven, % wrote to David ,ttenborough as"ing how % could go about being a -oo "eeper %n those days, he presented the Ooo Duest series for the !eeb, e6ploring e6otic locations in blac" and white and collecting animals for the ;ondon Ooo He even wrote bac" to me outlining his path through university and the !!( My career never really followed the Nomodo dragon path, but over forty years later, the man is still one of my heroes #here should at least be a spaceship, even better a ma7or planet, named ,ttenborough

Meanwhile, we already "now that there are cats and mice on +allifrey, and tafelshrews first turned up in #ime's (rucible as laboratory specimens on board one of the first +allifreyan timeships %n Paul (ornell's Happy 9ndings, we learn that there is a ;oom of 3assilon's Mouse !ut in #he %nvasion of #ime, that load of couch potatoes, the capitol* bound #ime ;ords, are terrified of being cast out into the wilderness Maybe it's the centuries of urban living that ma"e them uncomfortable with the uncontrollable wildness of nature #hey'd rather watch it on a screen $e're bac" to David ,ttenborough again 9ven so, the remote Houses have orchards and formal gardens, presumably tended by the Drudges, and we "now that the Doctor used to high*tail it up the mountain to visit Mount ;ung's local hermit % do li"e this image of loo"ing up the chimney, staring up at a tiny dis" of s"y which must seem as remote as an unreachable planet #he end of this chapter, with its revelation of what has befallen the House and its inhabitants, was the original end of the tv version's first episode ,nd as %nnocet points out, a large part of the blame lies with the Doctor himself ,ll that being mysterious is finally catching up with him Chapter 14 - The 2eep #he original #B storyline was a three*parter set e6clusively inside the House of ;ungbarrow, 7ust as +host ;ight never ventured outside +abriel (hase %t was a )eventh Doctor and ,ce story, so none of the other companions in the boo" * ;eela, 3omana or the NEs * appeared (hris (we7 is in the boo" by pro6y as the Doctor's current companion, and a lot of his story was originally designated to ,ce #he parts of the story set at the (apitol are only in the novel * the e6panded boo" version was an e6cuse for plenty of political intrigue and conspiracy theory 2at the time, we were all in the depths of Q*.iles mania 4 3omana has spent 0uite a while with the #harils in 9*)pace, so the leonine time sensitives are her obvious choice to serve as the first alien ambassadors to +allifrey for thousands of years Haven't things changed a lot since the .ourth Doctor refused to ta"e )arah Iane )mith home with him? #he two NEs were a pretty irresistible idea #he #harils must have overcome the problems that stopped 3omana's NE 2the Mar" %% version4 from leaving 9*)pace )o here they are, both wittering the obvious in those supercilious tones to anyone within hearing distance NE's best feature is his ability to spea" the unspea"able, unconstrained by the human vices of politeness and consideration %t's an endearing 0uality shared with Dale"s and (ybermen if they're written properly and with the adorable ,nya in !uffy #wo NEs are even better than one .ortunately we're spared )arah Iane turning up with her model as well ;eela has been having 0uite an effect on ,ndred, leading him not 7ust up the garden path, but right out into the woods where all sorts of things can happen to an unsuspecting #ime ;ord $hen ,ndred says that their physical relationship is the sort of things that other #ime ;ords watch on screens, has it occurred to him that he and ;eela might also be the sub7ects of higher scrutiny? He can have no conception of the importance of their liaison ,nd tal"ing of conception, 3omana and her retinue have all been sitting round the screen with their fingers crossed #he courtroom visited by the #ime ;ord in blac" is the heart of the (%,'s domain %t's also probably the chamber where the )econd Doctor was tried at the end of #he $ar +ames #he courtroom in #he #rial of a #ime ;ord was on that massive space station * or was it a time station? ,t least here, we are spared an in0uisitor dressed as a wedding ca"e, complete with rampant doily as a ceremonial collar of office #here was a sort of inevitability that ;eela and Doroth?e should team up #wo strong women, both fighters s"illed in their respective weapons !ut of course, to start off with, they don't get on %t seems to be standard procedure for ,ceHDoroth?e to be spi"y towards other companions )he was the same with the !rigadier in !attlefield and although she and !enny are friends in the 1ew ,dventures, they are forever circling each other li"e a couple of very wary cats .ew people get close to Doroth?e as a person, and if she sees them getting between her and the Doctor, then a degree of 7ealousy tends to "ic" in Meanwhile, if this catwal" cat*fight had been in the #B version, it would be the point when all the private cameras in the studio suddenly appeared, 7ust as they did when ,ce and +wendoline wrestled on the bed in +host ;ight Chapter 1" - 3ld 0ones How much blame must the Doctor ta"e for his .amily's plight? $e "now from e6perience that he has a catalytic effect on any situation he visits 1o one who meets him, even for 7ust a moment, wal"s away untouched, unscathed or properly mangled His involvement is usually beneficial, but in his .amily's case it's downright catastrophic %f you trace bac" the disastrous events in the House, don't they all lead to the moment when the Doctor failed to come home? /r do they go further bac" to the moment when he left? /r still further to the moment of his birth? (ousin +lospin suspects it goes even further than that Perhaps the real problem is that the Doctor e6ists at all )ooner or later he may finally have to start saying he's sorry Poor )atthralope, rudely awa"ened from her deep sleep )he is "eeper of the "eys, the spider at the heart of the House's web, lost and lulled in shadowy dreams li"e ,unt ,da Doom, who saw something nasty in the woodshed at (old (omfort .arm %t ta"es time to wipe the sleep from her rheumy old eyes !ut when she wa"es, when she feels the shuddering protests of the House to which she is wedded, when she sees the transgression thrown along corridors of mirrorsP then forbidden secrets, lost under the dust of centuries, will be uncovered and the price of their hiding will be e6acted .ar better for everyone, if she 7ust turns over and goes bac" to sleep again

% needed another passage har"ing bac" to happier times and childhood adventures #he only sunlight in ;ungbarrow comes in shafts of memory from life before the dar"ness )o it's a hot dry summer in the valley at the foot of Mount ;ung )omewhere across the meadow the +allifreyan e0uivalent of the .amous .ive are solving crimes and being insufferable little oi"s, the +allifreyan e0uivalent of )wallows and ,ma-ons are fighting pirate battles on the la-y river, the blossom thieves in the magenta orchard are too fagged out to tweet, and even boo"ish (ousin %nnocet has been led out of doors on a berrying e6pedition by her roguish (ousin, the Doctor Happy days ,ny time now, Moominmamma will arrive with the lemonade %t all serves to deepen the dan" gloom to which the .amily are now condemned % li"e this little scene very much Chapter 1# - At *o'e )ith Cousin 4nno1et /ne of those Bictorian style "at homes" where guests call, present their cards, ta"e tea and e6change pleasanteries? 1ot really %n Nate /rman's 3eturn of the ;iving Dad, the Doctor, (hris and 3o- spent time in )ydney, 1E>> (hris and 3o- didn't get the 7o"es in #he Producers * a bit li"e all those incomprehensibly unfunny 7o"es in Bictorian copies of Punch You had to be there at the time and not 7ust visiting Poor fat /wis has minimal social s"ills, is easily led and is far more at home with ob7ects and animals that don't tell him how to behave He's still a very large "id %n the >A5 years since the trouble started, no one seems to have developed in the House at all #hey've 7ust grown thinner, paler and madder ,nd %nnocet's hair has grown longer %t's as if time stopped when the sun went out )epulchasm * a typically grim board game of both luc" and s"ill, named after the +allifreyan e0uivalent of Purgatory #he players move their chapter*coloured counters round the board, trying to reach the safety of "home " #hey use telepathic s"ills to stop their counters tumbling into Hell when the ground crac"s opens under them %t was either that or )erpents and )iege 9ngines 2the +allifreyan e0uivalent of )na"es and ;adders4 or the Bictorian counter game )0uails +allifreyan dice seem to be a law unto themselves #he eight*faced die may have indeterminate numbers, but it does have a secret agenda to guide its performance@ it can throw up any score that the author feels li"e %'ve been vegetarian since 1ECC !ut li"e most of us, % could still murder a bacon sarnie unless someone put one in front of me, that is Chapter 1% - *a/e You Seen The $uffin $an5 Muffins * % recommend orange, lemon, lime and poppy seed #hese go down well in the green room during recordings at !ig .inish (hocolate too, of course ,nd last (hristmas, % invented muffins with mincemeat filling % was getting bored with the same three #ime ;ord (hapters being trooped out li"e a mantra in homage to the sainted 3obert Holmes@ Prydonian, ,rcalian and Patre6es )o % added the Dromeian (hapter 2probably )ocial Democrat4 and the (erulean (hapter 2!lue in colour, +reen in policy 4 1either have been heard of since ;ord .erain's ,lternative History of )"aro pic"s up on the possible alternative Dale" history timeline created by the Doctor's intervention during +enesis of the Dale"s, as described in Paul (ornell, Martin Day and Neith #opping's indispensable !ible #he Discontinuity +uide #he masonic symbols in .erain's office imply secret rituals and dar" deeds 2and the police force too 4 3assilon was originally described as an architect ,lthough that suggests he was the architect of #ime ;ord civilisation rather than 7ust a few high rise bloc"s and a leisure centre round the (itadel %'ll stop this thread now before my brain runs amo" with scenes of mighty 3assilon arguing with the builders over how many mirror tiles he wants in the bathroom or how long a tea brea" should be % didn't want to stage the e0uivalent of the "M briefs !ond for his latest mission" scene in a boring old Presidential office Having a tea party inside Monet's %mpressionistic water lily paintings is much more up 3omana's frivolous, yet stylish, garden path /r perhaps the idea of a garden path 3ather better than going to Monet's actual garden at +iverny 2complete with loads of tourists 4 /r you could go to the /rangerie Museum in the Iardin des #uileries in Paris, where the oval rooms containing Monet's pictures encircle you so that you feel as if you're inside the paintings 2complete with loads of tourists 4 /nly you can't at the moment * a sign on the door says (losed .or 3efurbishment =ntil &FF: )o % apologise to Daryl #his scene is probably a nightmare to illustrate, only % get the impression284 that he's loo"ing forward to it % li"e the idea that the #ime ;ords' e6clusive power comes at a price %f +allifrey is already slightly outside the continuum of the rest of the =niverse, surely a good observation point, then the #ime ;ords' investment in the stabilising influence of /mega's !lac" )tar has only made things worse #he power that neither flu6es nor changes is slowly, slowly grinding the whole of +allifreyan e6istence to a halt ,t this rate, the #ime ;ords will eventually be fro-en in #ime themselves and the rest of the =niverse will come to loo" at them instead 6n1ounters and 67its %t was de rigeur on #B $ho that theology and religious belief got couched in the most simplistic of forms !lac" hats versus white hats, especially fetching when worn as fashion statements by the !lac" and $hite +uardians !ut every seesaw needs a fulcrum on which to balanceP a catalyst to inspire themP a pin to pop their overblown balloons #he 1ew ,dventures suggest that between the !lac" and $hite +uardians, there is a 3ed +uardian of Iustice to balance the scales and referee the perpetual battle ,nd on +allifrey, between the imagination of /mega and the

rationality of 3assilon, sits the balance of that other one, the one in the shadows, what's he called, you "now the one no*one ever remembers the name of )omebody to blame #his archetypal figure, by turns moc"ing clown or 7udgmental whistle*blower, turns up in all manner of myths and legends, and here he is in the creation sagas of the #harils too %t does suggest that on the flowing river of time, there's one person who can never resist stic"ing his oar in Chapter 1& - *o'e Truths $hile % would be messing about trying to avoid having to face )atthralope, the Doctor 7ust marches into the lion's den to confront her Do unto those what they would do unto you before they get the chance to do it /ne of the reasons % li"e the )eventh Doctor is that because he appears so unassuming, his defiance and even foolhardiness appear much more dynamic and brave #he House portrait * the ;ungbarrovian version of the dreaded annual school photo ,t 9astbourne (ollege in the late si6ties, this meant five hundred boys with beautifully brushed hair, B*signs behind the headmaster's head and one wag dashing round the bac" to appear at both ends simultaneously 27ust li"e the cover to Happy 9ndings 4 !ut in ;ungbarrow, it means forty*four suspects and one victim for (hris, and one suspect and forty four victims for %nnocet #he walls of the House of ;ungbarrow are thronged with portraits of the Doctor's ancestral (ousins Years ago, many were bought as a 7ob lot by the ,rts (ouncil and distributed throughout the galleries, castles and stately homes of 9ngland #hey're usually disguised with labels attributing them to one /ld Master or another !ut don't be fooled, these are really the Doctor's relations %nnocet by Hans Holbein or )atthralope by 3embrandt )o go on, 7oin the 1ational #rust and see how many you can spot8 ,nd don't forget that every (ousin can have thirteen faces )o there are plenty to choose from8 #he "Duences disinheriting the Doctor" scene made a much edited reappearance in the script of ,uld Mortality Derren 1esbitt recorded it too, but due to time constraints, it was the only ma7or cut from the final (D version %t languishes metaphorically on ,listair ;oc"'s cutting room floor Having bad dreams is bad enough #here are times when %'ve had dreams that ma"e me afraid of going bac" to sleep 2often involving crocodiles in the weirdest locations 4 Dreams are uncontrollable !ut having someone else's bad dreams is even worse, particularly when you're not even asleep Chapter 1( - !o1tor 3n Call #errapin*Maiden from (hris's .rea"$arrior mags is a close relative of 3osa (aiman's Iaguar Maiden in ;oups* +arou6 (hris is realising how little he really "nows about his friend, the Doctor %t's as if the Doctor that we see, or are allowed to see, is 7ust the tip of the most monumental iceberg ever $hat lur"s in the mur"y depths below the surface is anyone's guess 9ven the Doctor isn't sure #he living Houses of +allifrey are as much a part of the .amilies as the (ousins who inhabit them )atthralope's tas" as ;ungbarrow's House"eeper is not unli"e a lone sea captain, trying to steer a grumpy ocean liner that gets in a strop if it's wo"en up too 0uic"ly #he House has been drowsing uneasily on automatic pilot for centuries, but now a very large iceberg has 7ust changed course and is heading in the its direction #he catafal0ue, the funeral carriage that guards Duences's glass coffin, is another of ;ungbarrow's fairy tale references * the dragon that guards the treasure hoard ,nyway, it was time for a big rampaging monster ;i"e all the furniture in the House, the catafal0ue has basic instincts and refle6es of its own %t protects its master % imagined it as an elaborate bier in a vaguely oriental style, its blac" lac0uered flan"s adorned by the writhing statues of legendary beasts +allifreyan (hinoiserieHIapanesery %t's also really an e6cuse for !adger to ma"e a dramatic entrance Chapter 2+ - 8ultures 1ot so much a chapter, more a couple of important moments which move on events outside the aegis of either (hris or the Doctor !attle lines are being drawn Nnives are being sharpened Defences are being reinforced !ut li"e the fragmented railway networ" after privatisation, no one is tal"ing to each other ,ll the protagonists have their own private grudges to settle Chapter 21 - 9i1e Cakes and a 0anana .or years, %'ve had a theory that the Doctor's capacious poc"ets are as dimensionally transcendental as the #,3D%), a bit li"e Mary Poppins' carpet bag Hence his impossible fetching out of the umbrella in the previous chapter #hey might even be portals to another universe or something called Props Direct, a place that supplies 7ust what the Doctor needs, but not always in the most useful form Maybe we could have an entire adventure set in the Doctor's poc"ets, although , =niverse in my Poc"et sounds li"e a gooey celebrity autobiography best avoided )o (hris is being treated to the Doctor's diverted nightmares %'d wondered how the Doctor's head could cope with all that information, memory, manipulation, lateral thin"ing etc, once things started getting too busy in there %f he gets what the technically*minded call a right brainful, does a little window pop up saying /ut /f Memory? #he Doctor's symbiotic empathy with the #,3D%) supplies the drastic solution #he ship starts franchising out the data to other local repositories * i e (hris's head % suppose it isn't programmed to as" permission first

#he Doctor's little speech about his uncomfortable feelings over coming home is the sole survivor of the se0uence that % cut from the end of (hapter 9ight in the original boo" %t wor"s a lot better here on an emotional level, as well as in purely story*telling terms !ut the Doctor is being deeply insensitive by saying it in front of %nnocet #here are things that you do at home that you'd never do in public !ut at least he has started to apologise #here wasn't really room for !enny in this boo" !ut in the tying*up of the 1ew ,dventures, it was important that she put in an appearance, however brief, in the final wal"down of companions "$ell Doctor, %'m afraid your old friend !ernice )ummerfield can't be with us in person this evening !ut she is on the line now, live from an archaeological dig somewhere in your head " #he image of the well is borrowed from Maeterlinc"'s play Pelleas and Melisande, another huge influence on ;ungbarrow with its stifling gothic castle, doom*laden family and tragic lovers ,s one character says "there are parts of the garden that have never seen the sunlight " #he play also contains one of the most frightening lines %'ve ever come across in anything@ in answer to the child Yniold's 0uestions "$hy are the sheep so 0uiet? $hy don't they tal" any more?", the shepherd replies "!ecause this is not the way to the sheepfold " Pelleas is all shifting moods and dar" colours %t shows you one thing, but means another ;ittle is defined, everything is symbolic or by implication Debussy's setting of the play is arguably the greatest of &Fth century operas %'d certainly vote for it % first heard it thirty years ago and %'m still always moved to tears by its melancholic beauty #he sunlit music for ,ct #wo, )cene /ne goes with what %nnocet saw by the well Chapter 22 - The :ui1kness of the *and % first came across astral travel, the out of body e6perience, in #he Na of +ifford Hillary, one of those occult novels by Denis $heatley He seems to have gone way out of fashion now Maybe his wor"s would seem a bit lurid or tawdry these days, but in the late si6ties when % couldn't get enough of them, they felt li"e an adults*only branch of the wild monstrous fantasy of which Doctor $ho was the main stream family branch !ut those were the days when 9astbourne (ollege boys had to get written leave to go into town 2maybe they still do4, and % used to snea" out to the cinema with a friend to see #he Devil 3ides /ut or Dracula Has 3isen .rom #he +rave, probably at the ris" of detention if we'd been caught %n a fit of venomous pi0ue, the .irst Doctor ta"es snea"y revenge on +lospin and the rest of his .amily , bit li"e children reporting their parents for drug abuse or sueing them for maltreatment % didn't anticipate this bit in the initial storyline !ut when % got to the chapter in the te6t, the Doctor decided to go in a different direction % love it when the characters ta"e charge and override my pro7ected storyline %n one fell swoop, the Doctor added a whole e6tra dimension as to how and why the House had been struc" from the +allifreyan records ,nd that dimension is called )pite #he owl statue outside the (hapterhouse echoes Paul (ornell's fondness for the birds #his particular Prydonian owl draws parallels with the carved face on a wall of the Doge's Palace in Benice %nto its mouth, citi-ens could slip anonymous accusations about their neighbours #he accused would then be tried by the city's fearsome in0uisitors, the (ouncil of #en )o let's face it, +lospin may be #he Billain, but the Doctor is 7ust as capable of giving as good as he gets %n the multi*possibility universes of Doctor $ho * =nbound, there must be numerous versions of how the Doctor left +allifrey ,lmost as many as there are long*term fans, in fact )o where the hell, % hear you as", is )usan? Chapter 23 - 3ld $ole #he chapter title is the first of several allusions in this section to Hamlet's encounter with the ghost of his father, also murdered horribly, also see"ing revenge $hen %nnocet reels off the various versions of 3assilon's consolidation of his power, it's clear that history is rarely factual %t depends far more on who's writing it , bit li"e whether you read #he +uardian or, heaven forfend, the Daily Mail !ut whichever version you read, the poor old /ther gets a pretty bad press /mens 2which the Doctor doesn't believe in4@ $hen % was at school, there were afternoons when we were re0uired to watch the 1st QB rugby team During one match, everything suddenly went very 0uiet #he bree-e dropped and the birds stopped singing #he match continued, but the hush in the air was heavy and palpable ,fter at least a minute or so, we heard a distant car, a screech of bra"es and a horrible thud ,t the ne6t corner along the road, a man had been hit and "illed by the vehicle #he silence beforehand had not been my fantasy, because several people commented on it %t's not e6plicable by any law % "now, but % am certain that particular event was anticipated on a far deeper level than % can understand /n the appearance of Duences's ghost, the Doctor invo"es protection from angels and ministers of grace %t's another Hamlet line, but the Ministers of +race also turned up briefly in a short story #he Du"e /f Dominoes in the first Decalog collection ,nd in a Dale" story % planned that never really got off the ground #he M%+s are a faction of self* appointed guardians of our morals, galactic Mary $hitehouses, determined to ma"e the cosmos a better place #hey are probably Daily Mail readers, are in a permanent state of shoc" over the moral decline of universe and would li"e to hang nice net curtains around absolutely everything %t was standard practice for pictures of ,dam and 9ve, neither of whom had a 'natural' birth, to show the na"ed couple without belly buttons )o the children of +allifrey, born fully grown from genetic looms in which their D1, is woven, don't have navels either #he looms are allocated one to each House, and have controlled the numbers of +allifrey's

otherwise doomed population for aeons, ever since the Pythia's curse rendered the people sterile (onse0uently there has been no natural evolution in the +allifreyan form either #he looms are 7ust a people factory #here are no real children 3andom physical features are in place to preserve individuality and some semblance of gender !ut nothing flu6es or changes /r to 0uote an old Mid*+allifreyan nursery verse@ Isn't it dark Isn't it cold Seek out the future Before you get old Once there were children This is their doom Now all the people Are orn from the loom #his first appeared in (at's (radle@ #imes (rucible )trangely it goes 2more or less4 to the tune of )end in the (lowns /nly the Doctor is different His deformity, an old*style placental navel, apparently suggests some slight hiccup or other interference in ;ungbarrow's loom processing system Chapter 24 - Chan1ing an Ar' +lospin continues his rounds of the House, stirring it up and putting in a bad word for the Doctor to anyone he chances across ;eela gets her "it off, but this is not a gratuitous "1yssa gets her "it off" moment, 7ust our noble savage getting bac" to basics #he ghostly guard captain caught in the transmat chamber is the forerunner of %nspector MacNen-ie of )cotland Yard, trapped li"e a display specimen in a drawer in +host ;ight #he captain's name is pronounced 3e*dred He's an ancestral cousin to those other (hancellery commanders Hilred and ,ndred, all three from the House of 3edlooms, which obviously has militaristic blood programmed in its loom % love the idea of an alien house"eeper sifting through the contents of a bag from Mar"s and )pencer's food hall (ousin ;uton is a name in the spirit of 3obert Holmes, whose own trac" record for silly names is 7ustly legendary ,part from 3uncible, =nstoffe, +lit- and Dibber, % love periphery characters li"e 1ellie +ussett and the wonderful deni-ens of Megropolis 5, )inge and Hac"ett Holmes was truly great at bringing his locations and characters to life with bi-arre language, 0uir"y personal details and references to unseen events, people and places He could create whole worlds in a couple of sentences and had a gloriously evil sense of humour Hence (ousin ;uton's suitably gruesome and Holmesian 2% hope4 offstage death #his scene with the fish and the chimney is seriously surreal, as if the Doctor's homecoming has set off the sort of unnatural portents that usually foreshadow disasters in )ha"espeare@ yawning graves and fiery warriors in the clouds who dri--le blood in Iulius (aesar, or lamentings in the air and clamouring night birds in Macbeth /r maybe it's a miracle? 1aturally, the Doctor has a perfectly sound e6planation for it all How boring8 $e're Doctor $ho fans $e'd much rather believe the weird version Chapter 2" - Sight-seeing /cean cones@ #he gravity of 9arth's moon pulls the sea towards it, thus creating the tides, so if the gravity of +allifrey's moon, Pa-ithi +allifreya, was far stronger, it might create huge mountains of water that surge ma7estically round the planet #he legendary premiere of ;e )acre du Printemps 2#he 3ite of )pring4 is one of the first places % would head for if % had a #,3D%) #he riot that erupted during the first performance of 1i7ins"y's ballet set to )travins"y's tumultuous pounding music, is more famous than the actual choreography which only ever had eight performances Yet only very recently, the Nirov brought to ;ondon a reconstruction of the original ballet, drawn bac" together from original designs, pictures and the memories of dancers %t was thrilling, ma7estic and 0uite gorgeous to loo" at in an arty pagan tribal sort of way Most of the critics, true to form, were very sniffy %f there had been a )eason &A on #B with )ylvester, ,ce would have only had two more stories %t was planned that the Doctor would enrol her at the ,cademy on +allifrey as a "ic" up the bac"side to the #ime ;ords #his was the culmination of all those other e6cursions he'd ta"en her on in an effort to sort herself out ,ce would have initially resisted the idea, the Doctor would have reluctantly bowed to her wishes, and then touchingly, because she'd finally won a victory over his manipulating ways, she'd have done it for him anyway #he story, set in si6ties ;ondon, also featured the %ce $arriors, but it never had a proper title % never got further than a basic storyline before the a6e finally fell #he story ac0uired the name %cetime in the pro7ected season &A hypothesised by the Doctor $ho Monthly #hrough this chapter, as the Doctor repeatedly refuses to go downstairs to meet formally with his long*lost (ousins, we hear the distant dinner gong sounding li"e a death "nell #hree stri"es and you're out .inally the House, li"e a much tested parent, loses patience with its offspring and resorts to a capital punishment of its own bi-arre devising Chapter 2# - The Pla-;s the Thing

2 $herein %'ll catch the conscience of the Ning 4 Yet another snea"y Hamlet reference in the chapter title !ut it's the Danish play in reverse, as the Doctor gets targeted in the role of villain and a piece of theatre comes a bit too close for comfort /r so +lospin hopes #wenty years ago, when % was writing articles for such luminaries as )tephen Iames $al"er, David Howe and +ary 3ussell, % used to say that the .ifth Doctor was the only one you'd feel comfortable inviting home for tea #he rest would be an absolute 2and 7oyous4 nightmare #hat was years before )ylvester arrived, but here he is proving the point #his is the Doctor as subversive, the way % li"e him 1o wonder his (ousins find him so deeply aggravating and embarrassing He's perfectly capable of behaving himself, but li"e the little boy in the Duchess's lullaby, "he only does it to annoy, because he "nows it teases " 9ven the .ifth Doctor isn't so house*trained these days +allifrey's most dysfunctional family@ )urely the Doctor can't be comparing )pringfield's finest family to his own? Marge may have the e0uivalent of %nnocet's hair, but otherwise the )impsons are paragons of virtue in comparison % wanted the .amily to have something really interesting for this festive dinner #hat's probably why ,ce, sorry Doroth?e, went to Mar"s and )pencers Hoorah for )atthralope 1o enemy of the Doctor could ever set about him the way she does %t's that family thing again #he little 2or rather big4 puppet play is another chance for a resume of the history of 3assilon's coming to power, with guest appearances from the other two members of his ruling triumvirate, /mega and the /ther #he play is a hangover from +allifrey's more culturally e6otic past, before the #ime ;ords' grey bureaucratic, civil service mentality set in %t's all deeply symbolic and colourful in a heady mi6 of styles from Nabu"i and !unra"u puppet theatre to Morris dancing and the Yor" Mystery plays %'ve filled out some of the stage details since the first performance in the boo" version, including an e6tra dance routine and some more pointed audience reaction 1e6t year it visits the 9dinburgh .estival, before a short season at )adler's $ells Chapter 2% - Table $anners Iust for a change, this chapter shares a title with one of ,lan ,yc"bourn's three #he 1orman (on0uests plays * another farce set in a dining room (aptain 3edred ma"es his transmat 7ourney from the Deathday to the present in what seems to him li"e less than no time, but for everyone else is >A5 +allifreyan years !y the time he gets a grasp on what's happened to him, he'll probably need counselling )atthralope's starter course of fish tongues lin"s bac" to the /ld #ime ,ccording to #ime's (rucible, the line of Pythias, ancient seers who once ruled +allifrey, e6isted on an e6clusive diet of fish tongues #he final Pythia threw a bowl of tongues at an envoy of 3assilon who plotted her overthrow ,lthough the Pythia's followers left +allifrey after her death and founded the )isterhood of nearby Narn, the role of wise women at home is preserved and honoured by the House"eepers, who in some small way, still echo the once great power of their predecessors #he Doctor's tirade against his family and account of his adventures, resurfaced in revised form in the Probability #ree scene in ,uld Mortality %t's part of the Doctor's credo His raison d'etre was to see the rich diversity of the =niverse %ronically, this freedom is e6actly what was denied to the rest of his family as a result of his actions #he 'Happy 1ame Day' moment was another occasion when the characters too" over the story ,ce, sorry Doroth?e, 7ust climbed up on her chair and started singing in defiant support of her best friend % thought that was very sweet %t also suggests that the Doctor's chosen companions are his true family, rather than the motley crew of (ousins with whom he got lumbered at birth #he Batican was obviously one of 3obert Holmes's sources for the #ime ;ords * witness all those (ardinals, and the outgoing President in Deadly ,ssassin, who is a dead ringer for the old Pope Iohn )o % thought it only appropriate that the correct term for the severing of lin"s between ;ungbarrow and the Matri6 should be an 96communication $hen % was writing ,uld Mortality, % was tempted to let the alternative deni-ens of )"aro, the #hale"s, in their brief cameo appearance, betray themselves as 0uasi*religious fanatics by murderously chanting 96communicate8 !ut 1ic" !riggs, probably wisely, wouldn't let me Chapter 2& - ,oing *o'e #he "Yemaya and Yemaya etc " 0uote, coming to (hris's head live from the Doctor's overloaded brain, is a mangled mis0uote of the "#omorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" line from Macbeth Yemaya : was the planet visited by the Doctor, (hris, 3o- and !enny in Nate /rman's novel )leepy #he most obvious ways to get the #,3D%) down from the dustweb are either to throw things at it or get a ladder 1aturally the Doctor comes up with his own inimitable solution * a sort of victory by provocation, entirely in character for both him and the antagonised House 3esult@ Doctor 1, House F #he +reat Hall at ;ungbarrow is big enough for several scenes to be going on around it at once )o in this section, the spotlight "eeps switching from one group to another as the inmates of the House gauge their reactions to the Doctor's revelations Bery theatrical in a "compare and contrast" sort of way You throw the Doctor into a buc"et of water and watch all his (ousins and their agendas bobbing and slapping about on the spreading ripples #he claw mar"s on the #,3D%) paintwor" were ac0uired on the #rans*,ma-on 96press and belong to one of the ;oups*garou6 #he $ho production office had already re7ected my two*part storyline for a werewolf story during the Davison era !ut why drop a good idea when it might be useful one day?

#here was a little bonding scene between !adger and ,ce in the original script, but redundant here #he start of it ran@ 2,(9 %) )H/$%1+ H93 I,(N9# #/ !,D+93 )H9 P/%1#) #/ /19 /. #H9 !,D+9) 4 ,(9@ ,nd this is Houston )pace (entre % haven't been there either 2!,D+93 )#=D%9) #H9 !,D+9) =P ,1D D/$1 #H9 );99B9 #H91 H9 ;//N) =P4 !,D+93@ 2P3/=D;Y4 #hen you are a !adger too 2H9 )#,3#) #/ !//M $%#H ;,=+H#93 ,1D ,(9 I/%1) %1 4 ,(9@ Yeah !oth !adgers8 2#H9 D/(#/3 )M%;9) H,;.*H9,3#9D;Y #H3/=+H H%) 9M!,33,))M91# 4 Chapter 2( - Conse<uen1es #he boo" version of the original studio*bound script of ;ungbarrow meant a big e6pansion of the story %t was easy enough to add e6tra bits in Paris, or at the +allifreyan (apitol, or anywhere in #he Past, but the main thrust of the story still remained trapped inside the House %t's not unli"e 9vil /f #he Dale"s ,ll the 1C>> part of that story is confined to Ma6tible's house, apart from the brief location moment when Bictoria stares from a window at the unreachable world outside, before being led away by her Dale" persecutors, 7ust as (hris stares from the window of ;ungbarrow in (hapter < 2Yes, % "now 9vil has scenes in an outside stable, but that's a studio set, so it doesn't count 4 %n +host ;ight, the mad e6plorer 3edvers sees the house of +abriel (hase as a 7ungle, and by Part 5, the place is actually becoming one % tried to find as many ways of bringing the outside into the House of ;ungbarrow as possible@ most of the building is a forest, seen at different levels, with the attic as the dense woodland canopy ,nd now we have a stream and a blac" lagoon #he House has become a domain for the living furniture@ a realm in which the House, as a living entity, is gradually withdrawing into itself with its own deni-ens and creatures #rapped inside, the +allifreyan inhabitants are tolerated, but are becoming almost li"e intruders $hen ,ndrew (artmel and !en ,aronovitch first outlined their ideas about the mythos of +allifrey to me, % was 0uite shoc"ed % didn't sleep that night, partly because the Doctor's mystery was ingrained for me as something that should never be touched %t was heresy, but % also "new they were right $e already "new too much ,ndrew and !en weren't ta"ing anything away, because so much had already gone #hey were deepening and revitalising the mystery %'d been having the same thoughts #hat's where the idea for the Doctor's .amily and House came from, but %'d been too scared to send the idea in )o this story is an amalgam of all our ideas, additionally influenced by what so many other people added in the 1ew ,dventures and by the looming Paul Mc+ann movie, which in so many ways, meant the end of the world as we "new it 9ven so, most of the detail is mine #he little e6change between Doroth?e and ;eela deliberately lays out fandom's conflicting attitude towards the great 0uestion@ $ho is the Doctor? ;eela firmly believes the Doctor's mystery should be preserved Doroth?e agrees absolutely with her, but is dying to find out anyway !ut for all ;eela's protestations, it was she who went digging up the Doctor's past in the first place % love the line ")he folded away her thoughts in the dar" " %t's e6actly inside %nnocet's meticulously thorough and tidy character %t's also incredibly sad and touching )he's the only (ousin who really cares about the Doctor % tried to "eep this scene absolutely simple, but % cried a lot when % wrote it #his is the )eventh Doctor's final 0uest before a new beginning %n full view of his friends, he's beset by both his .amily and his past ,nd if that isn't enough, his own sanctuary and real home, the #,3D%), is being violated too ,s his despair mounts, he returns to his roots, bac" to the room where he grew up !ut he doesn't find a solution there %t isn't bac" to the womb at all %nstead, facing his own fear li"e the #hird Doctor in the (ave of (rystal, he lands up going even further !ac" before the womb, li"e travelling beyond the edge of space into speculation #he Doctor refers to Professor #hripsted's .lora and .auna of the =niverse in #he )un Ma"ers %nnocet's fate in the original tv storyline was 0uite different )he was crushed whilst saving the Doctor's life, when the room in which he was trapped was ground to dust by the enraged House ,nd that was where she stopped %t wouldn't have been fair to the actress to have resurrected her in another persona for the last half episode Here we are bac" at the Prologue #he women crouch round the figure of the Doctor #he President, the #earaway, the (ousin and the $arrior@ 3omana, Doroth?e, %nnocet and ;eela, all holding hands as they stare into the dar" abyss of the Doctor's mind Chapter 3+ - The Ab-s' /n route, the 7ourney bac" into the Doctor's past ta"es in each traumatic moment of regeneration that ended his former lives, and then we're bac" at the gates of the Past and .uture #he old vulture with the eyepatch is 2or was4 the Pythia who once ruled +allifrey =nable to see the future anymore, she tore out her own eye and replaced it with that of the severed head of the )phin6 of distant #hule, which she had stolen from the ,cademia ;ibrary at the (apitol )he's none too fond of the Doctor, who had an inadvertent hand in her downfall #he Doctor's "%s that you, )ybil?" is the 9mperor (laudius's greeting to a vision of the /racle of Delphi as he lies dying in the #B version of %, (laudius ,nd the 3ose $oman is the +oddess of #ime who reappears on and off through the 1ew ,dventures series #he Doctor is her chosen champion %n Deadly ,ssassin, (hancellor +oth confesses that he first met the Master on #ersurus #hat planet has probably been under the aegis of +allifrey for millennia, as both 3assilon in #ime's (rucible and the /ther in this story, have

#ersurran servants #heir word Meyopapa seems to be a term of respect, the #ersurran e0uivalent of the Malayan word tuan or the )wahili wana #ersurus is also where the (hildren in 1eed mini*epic #he (urse of .atal Death is set )usan at last8 )he must be very young at this point, although we were never told how long she and the Doctor had been travelling together before they landed up on 9arth in 1E>5 !ut at this point, her grandfather isn't the Doctor at all #here are shades of Berdi's 3igoletto here #his other grandfather "eeps )usan hidden away, 7ust as the Du"e of Mantua's hunch*bac"ed 7ester, who was party to all sorts of his master's debaucheries, hid his own innocent daughter from reality * with particularly blood*curdling results #his shady figure, whoever he is, has obviously been on +allifrey long enough to become a grandparent, although we don't "now to which of )usan's parents he is the father He may not even be +allifreyan himself $ho "nows? ,nd while )usan was the last child born alive before the Pythia's dying curse rendered +allifrey a sterile world, we learned in #ime's (rucible that 3assilon's own unborn daughter was a victim of the curse )usan's father died on one of 3assilon's bow*ships, which implies he was involved in the Bampire $ars Meanwhile, on the alternative +allifrey of ,uld Mortality, where the Doctor definitely is )usan's natural grandfather, we hear that )usan's mother thought he was a bad influence on his grandchild Has it occurred to anyone else that all the characters on the )andminer in 3obots of Death are dressed as chess pieces? How many chess games have appeared in Doctor $ho? 2#hat's another one for the .orum 4 3assilon's multi*layered game within a game within a game etc is certainly the Mother of all (hessboards, "noc"ing out Mr )poc"'s game by several e6tra dimensions %t sounds dangerously addictive Meanwhile, the /ther's words about being "a pawn on the board in the thic" of it" echo the Doctor's own words in (hapter &1 % have a snea"y feeling that this historic confrontation should ta"e place at 1umber 1F, or more li"ely, the garden at (he0uers /nly the costumes wouldn't be nearly as good #he /ther first appeared in !en ,aronovitch's novelisation of 3emembrance of the Dale"s 2$hat was his name again?4 He is an eminence griseP the power lur"ing behind the throne, li"e a s"ul"ing, limelight*shunning version of ,lastair (ampbell or Peter Mandelson, who manipulates the emergence of +allifrey as one of the supreme seats of power in the =niverse !ut !lair and (ampbellHMandelson are puny substitutes for 3assilon and the /ther /nly #hatcher 2all s0uaw"s and eyepatch4, from whose evil Pythian empire a new world is being built, is worthy of comparison $hile the .irst Doctor escaped his persecutors by fleeing into the forbidden past of +allifrey, the /ther flees into the future Chapter 31 - =ew Ti'es for 3ld or "new lamps for old" as ,laddin's wic"ed uncle ,bana-er would say )usan didn't appear in the original tv storyline, but her appearance in the much*e6panded boo" was a necessity #he debate over whether she is or is not the Doctor's granddaughter is an old one %n early stories, it's difficult to deny the evidence that they are related, but by the time we get to Deadly ,ssassin, )usan is still the only female +allifreyan we have seen 9ven in Deadly ,ssassin, there are no visible women and only one female computer voice ,fter which, #ime ;adies 2% hate that term84 suddenly arrive by the coach load, but they almost feel li"e an afterthought %'d be the last to deny us the wonderful 3omana, but when % was thin"ing about the ideal +allifreyan family set*up, % tried very hard to avoid anything boringly 9arth*li"e #his is an ancient, alien world for heaven's sa"e %t's not & : (hildren %t's no place for children at all 3obert Holmes too" 7oyous liberties with +allifrey #here was no point in me writing anything if % didn't do the same Hence each family's statute 0uota of :< (ousins, all born full*grown from a genetic ;oom, prescribed by the need to counter the apocalyptic curse of the Pythia =nfortunately that rather put )usan out in the cold %n #ime's (rucible, ,ce, who had learned a little of +allifreyan families, was surprised to find a card in the #,3D%) library that said "Happy !irthday, +randfather " Yet if the last real +allifreyan children were born millennia ago and )usan had a natural birth, then how could she possibly be the Doctor's descendant? ,nd where, if she really was direct bloodline, are her parents, the Doctor's own children? $hatever the possibility, whether her lineage came direct or by the e6tended scenic route, )usan still "nows her grandfather when she sees him ;ord .erain met the Doctor in the trenches of )"aro at the start of +enesis of the Dale"s, loo"ing a bit li"e Death in %ngmar !ergman's #he )eventh )eal Hence the ,lternative History of the Dale"s that sits in his office at the (%, Chapter 32 - =o Trespassers ;eela hasn't actually told anyone else about her interesting condition, but 3omana obviously "nows $hy else does she "eep as"ing ;eela how she is? )o did she give orders for ;eela to be "ept under surveillance, even in the most intimate of situations? /r has ;eela's N*E been lea"ing information about morning sic"ness and folic acid levels to his counterpart? /h no, not another trial scene8 $ell, it sort of happened that way 9arlier on, when .erain first emerged from the +allifreyan woodwor", he "ept tal"ing in cold and detached legal 7argon, so when % reached this point, the Doctor started to play .erain at his own game 1aturally the Doctor ta"es the established rules, does a 0uic" sleight of hand and turns them on their heads He's such an old subversive8 +allifreyan names@ %n Nate /rman's novel )leepy, we're told that the Doctor's name has thirty eight syllables8 2/f course, we're not told what the name is 4 +allifreyan names probably run on the $elsh ;lanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch principal ,lthough % can't believe the Doctor's name is

anything remotely li"e )t Mary's (hurch in the Hollow of the $hite Ha-el near a 3apid $hirlpool and the (hurch of )t #ysilio near the 3ed (ave ,nyway, that's still twenty syllables short %f we follow Nate's ruling, the full*blown names we get for other +allifreyans here must be abbreviated versions too 9ven ;eela has been given one by right of her liaison with ,ndred@ ;eelandredloomsagwinaechegesima, 2which ma"es her sound a bit li"e the third )unday before ;ent 4 !limey8 %magine how long the daily register at Prydon ,cademy must ta"e My real problem was that while everyone else in the universe could call the Doctor Doctor, his own .amily would obviously call him by his real name .ortunately the Doctor's disgrace came to the rescue His incensed .amily had struc" their embarrassing renegade's name from the House's records %t was 7ust the ;aw of %rony that brought him neatly home to ;ungbarrow on his nameday 2some very 3ussian influences there4, which 7ust happened, purely coincidentally, to be the .east of /therstide as well /nly the /ther doesn't have a name eitherG % do li"e the fact that the Doctor eventually became the very thing he had planned to avoid #he .amily wanted him to be President of the High (ouncil, but were, of course, otherwise occupied when the event actually happened Yet another triumph for the ;aw of %rony Chapter 33 - A Case of !o'i1ide #here's something of the DoctorHMaster relationship between 3omana and .erain #hey embody the +allifreyan balance of power, High (ouncil against (%,P bitter enemies, sometimes wor"ing together, sometimes against each other, but neither can do without the other #he emergence of the massive edifice of the House, up from its long*term burial, is a bit li"e Moby Dic" surfacing before its final attac" on #he Pe0uod #he Doctor's little speech about things he li"es is the direct antithesis of his speech to ,ce in Part 1 of +host ;ight listing the things he hates, which were also things that % can't stand too $hile we were recording +;, )ylvester told me that he hates burnt toast as well .inally the Doctor has to confront his own angry parent in a one*to*one with the ;oom, the very heart of the House %t's a bit li"e the egg confronting the chic"en, until the chic"en really does find out what came first $hichever way you loo" at the result, it's all worryingly /edipal Chapter 34 - 3ne ine !a=n bel di@ the title of the final chapter is appropriately !utterfly's aria from ,ct & of Puccini's Madama !utterfly, which turns up prominently in the #B movie ,s in the original, it echoes the return of a long*awaited figure after years of absence, but for the Iapanese geisha !utterfly that final reunion is nothing short of catastrophic #he opening section of this chapter, set on 96tans )uperior is entirely new !ecause of all the loose threads that needed tying up, not 7ust from this boo", but the entire range of 1ew ,dventures and even before that, plus the re0uirement to lin" up with the Mc+ann movie, the original ending of ;ungbarrow was far too rushed #here was nowhere for the Doctor and (hris to come to terms with what had happened or to assess where their own relationship stood )o %'ve ta"en them out of time, given (hris a glimpse of that paradise he was dreaming about, and allowed the Doctor a few moments to mull things over ,nd then they can go bac" to e6actly where they left offG ,ceHDoroth?e's e6ploits in the 1ew ,dventures too" her worlds away from the destined enrolment at Prydon ,cademy originally planned for her on #B !ut it seemed right finally for her at least to offer to complete the Doctor's plans ,nd it shows that she'd also guessed 7ust what he was up to all those years before ,fter the all the fuss and people tying themselves in "nots over whether )"aro was or wasn't destroyed at the end of 3emembrance of the Dale"s, the Doctor has a small comment of his own to ma"e %nnocet is a true librarian at heart )he sniffs her boo"s Nate /rman says that's what all real librarians do #he boo" %nnocet's been given is, of course, $innie*the*Pooh )o here we are at the end * well, it was an ending of sorts !y now %'d tic"ed off everything on my list of things that needed e6plaining or lin"ing with the movie #he Doctor is such a personal thing * different for each of us /ne person's Doctor treads on the toes of someone else's %n ;ungbarrow, some things needed saying, and others 2even /thers4 were better only hinted at /r to 0uote ,lice@ '$hich dreamed it?' You pays your money and you ta"es your choice #he Doctor had to face his past and put it behind him before stri"ing out into the future )o the end is a beginning too #he first of several new beginnings 1ew Doctors and new old Doctors #he ride never really stops, does it? %t's been a little odd going bac" over ;ungbarrow, and realising, despite my efforts to improve some sections, how much % still love and care about the story %'ve travelled a long way with it ,nd now, than"s to Daryl's ama-ing paintings, % even "now what it loo"s li"e !alancing nostalgia for the past with hopes for the future is what writing $ho is all about #he old stories are a great place to play in, but it's finding the fresh slant and surprise that are important ,nd that, if anything at all, is the whole point of ;ungbarrow