Doctor Who: The Savages by Ian Stuart Black Page A

when they are finally caught.’
    Edal moved away angrily with his squad. Jano looked on thoughtfully, and then began to skirt the bushes and rubble ahead. Perhaps he might find the strangers first.
    ‘Be careful, Jano,’ Edal called after him.
    Even as they moved forward a light gun beamed from unexpected cover, and they had to duck back. Steven had made good use of his time.
    He saw the party scramble for safety, but knew they would soon find a way to come on again. The best thing to do was to back off before they got round him. He crouched below the bushes, and made his way to the next piece of cover. It looked like a good spot to Steven, but in his hurry he had not taken in the whole span around him. On one side he was vulnerable. But he was down on the ground with his gun aimed at the sound of the guards before he had a chance to check his own safety.
    ‘We’ve done it, Chal,’ said Dodo triumphantly. Ahead of them stretched the Valley of the Caves.
    Chal looked around with a frown. ‘What are my people doing?’ he asked ‘Why is there no one on guard?’
    They began to scramble down the side of the ravine, carefully guiding the steps of the Doctor.
    In the cave above them Exorse was lying bound, and in pain. He tried not to show it as he had no intention of allowing these inferior creatures to see him suffer.
    But Nanina watched him, understanding the marks of pain. She crossed to him with a vessel containing liquid. ‘Drink this,’ she said. ‘You will feel better.’
    She held up his head as he drank from the bowl.
    He looked at her with gratitude as he finished. ‘Thank you,’ he said.
    ‘Let me see your arm,’ she said. Exorse was in agony as she touched it.
    ‘I’m all right,’ he said.
    Tor looked on contemptuously: ‘It is a pity I did not kill him when I had the chance. He and his kind must be destroyed. Or the rest of us will have no hope of surviving.’
    Nanina looked up from where she bathed the wounded man. ‘We will not save ourselves that way, Tor,’ she said. Tor glared at her. It was a disgrace to be out-faced by this girl. He turned to appeal to the others of the tribe who crowded into the cave.
    ‘You hear her?’ he said. ‘Nanina protects our enemies.’ He pointed at the man on the floor of the cave. ‘This is a dangerous man. What should we do? Let him live, so that he may attack us again? So he may use us in his machines to draw out our life? Or should we get rid of our enemies while we can, so that we make life easier for our children?’
    There was a movement of assent amongst the crowd. Nanina got up and faced them: ‘Have you forgotten what Chal said? He is our leader. He has given us orders. Are you going to listen to Tor who is a coward? Are you going to disobey Chal?’
    The tribe shifted, uncertain. Revenge was possible. Why not take it? Nanina pointed to Exorse. ‘Chal told you. This man must not be hurt.’
    Tor picked up the nearest club. Some of the other men followed him. ‘I don’t trust strangers,’ he said.
    ‘You have a short memory,’ said Nanina. ‘A little time ago you called them gods.’
    ‘Chal is not here,’ called Tor. He cannot give
    orders.’ He backed away as Nanina picked up a spear.
    ‘Very well, Tor. If you are so brave, come forward a step. On your own. One person to face one person. I am here.’
    The rest of the tribe hung back and looked towards Tor. Amazed he blinked at Nanina. ‘Would you fight for this man?’ he asked. ‘Can an enemy mean so much?’
    Nanina stood facing him. Tor delayed. ‘Well?’ Nanina asked. ‘Do you step forward?’
    Before Tor replied they heard Chal’s voice call from below, ‘Hello! Guard... Quickly... We need help.’ Everyone ran to the lip of the cave.
    A few yards below, Chal and Dodo were struggling to bring the Doctor up the rocky slope. The others scrambled down to lend many hands.
    ‘Where is the other stranger?’ asked Nanina.
    ‘He will follow,’ Chal assured her. He looked back