‘Actually, I
don't want to worry you, Jo…’ (which probably meant that he was about
to), ‘...but, if my history is correct, then the local Count should go
by the title Vlad Tepees of Wallachia!’
‘Oh yes? And who
would he be then?’ Jo was puzzled - she had never heard the name in her
history books at school, although...the Doctor seemed to think it quite
important’
‘Vlad, the
Impaler Jo!’ he replied, turning to look kindly into his bemused
assistant's face, ‘Count Dracula’ He allowed the sinister name to roll
majestically from his tongue. Fear washed through Jo as she recalled the
connotations which that name had held in the twentieth-century, and the
ugly black bulk of a castle loomed ever nearer.
‘But I thought that was only in films?’ she protested.
‘Well, old
'fang-face' wasn't really a vampire, Jo. But there was an element of the
horrific in his treatment of prisoners-his nickname, 'the Impaler',
tells us that. But look, don't worry, Jo, I'll get us out of this. We
always manage. In fact, I'm rather looking forward to meeting him at
last!’
The Doctor's smile was wasted as the sinking sun, pierced by the craggy mountain-peaks, dripped blood-red on the horizon.
Very soon, Volta
was leading them by torch along a long, dark corridor in the castle.
When the reached a tall and heavy wooden door, they stopped. About to
knock, Volta was silenced by a calm and regal voice from within.
‘Bid my friends enter, and be you gone,’ said the voice.
The heavy door
swung silently open, and the time-travellers walked through, before them
sat a domineering figure, clad in strangely rich garments. His eyes
glinted and sparkled as he sipped from a chalice of wine. A cruel grin
formed; his teeth clenched; a greying beard completing the sinister
picture.
‘Oohh,’ sighed Jo, relieved to see a familiar face, ‘I think I preferred Bella Lugosi!’
‘No,’ chuckled the Doctor, ‘Not exactly Peter Cushing, is he Jo?’
‘And neither are you, Doctor...anymore,’ The Master smiled with a sardonic air.
‘You will join me in a toast, my friends?’ He rose from his throne.
‘No really, old
chap. We must be of to Metebelis Three, and you know I don't drink and
drive’ The Doctor nodded to his old enemy, and motioned to Jo to go
ahead of him as he walked towards the door.
the dragons apostle page 2
ithin a short while, they were riding through the town towards the dark castle that dominated the landscape.
