Disclaimer = The Doctor & his companions are the property of the BBC, all other characters in here are works of fiction and any similarity to persons living or dead is purely accidental. 

Treasure

By Sarah

The TARDIS wheezed into existence its particles convalescing into a solid state in the middle of a forest. Cries of the animals that inhabited the humid rainforest echoed round as if announcing the new arrival to their home. There was a faint click then the door of the TARDIS swung open revealing the Doctor standing on the threshold his green velvet coat thrown casually over one shoulder and an old leather-bound book in the other hand. The Timelord glanced behind him momentarily to check that his companions were still there.

“Come on,” he chirped cheerily.

Stepping with a bounce into the clearing he looked up at the canopy, the trees towering above him like the skyscrapers of the forest.

“Isn’t it marvellous?” he enthused, throwing his arms wide open.

“Very nice Doctor, but can you leave the shouting for later,” replied Fitz, putting his hand to his head. He had found a crate of something called Venusian Ale in one of the myriad rooms that inhabit the TARDIS and had decided to sample some of the nectar. He now had a splitting headache.

“Don’t be such a spoil sport,” said Trix following him out the ship and closing the TARDIS door behind her. “I think this place is beautiful.”

***

The sloop Catatonia anchored just off shore of a small island its sails furled. The landmass was covered in trees right up to the mountain in the centre. The white tips of the breakers could be seen as they washed over the reef that surrounded the shore of the deserted isle. The ships two jollyboats waited patiently alongside for their captain and his crew.

William Grange, the young cabin boy turned to Captain Deanson before he made his way down to the waiting boat.

“Are you sure this is the right place, uncle?”

“Yep. We followed the map and inscription on this medallion, which found us your medallion. Then we used the combined information to find the next piece of gold which will show us where to find the next piece and when we finally have all the pieces they will show us where the treasure is,” replied Captain Deanson. “And it’s Captain in front of the men.”

“Sorry, tell me again why did you give me this medallion?”

“For safety of course,” shouted up Lieutenant Simon Mountrop, first mate of the Catatonia, who was waiting in the boat.

“We don’t want unscrupulous fellows getting hold of it, son,” commented Deanson.

“People like pirates?”

“Exactly, but the bad kind of pirates; the type that gives us pirates a bad name. Now haul your stern up and lower away before we leave without you!” replied Mountrop.

They all climbed down into the waiting boats. Only a few of the crew were left aboard the Catatonia, as they were all eager to get their full share of the treasure.

The group were standing on the beach. The boats had been pulled up away from the reach of the surf, up to the edge of the rainforest that covered the island. Captain Deanson held out his hand towards William.

“Now give me the medallion,” he asked.

“I thought you said to keep it safe?” replied William.

“Well I can’t read it, to translate it if I can’t see it now can I,” replied Deanson.

With a sigh William slipped the medallion off his neck. He had put it on a string so he could carry it on him. He passed it to his uncle.

“How come you can translate it and no one else can?”

“I found the old city. In the ruins I found an inscription and the first medallion. It told me where to find the next piece,” explained Captain Deanson.

“How do you know we will find treasure? What if it’s already gone?”

“I had plenty of time to translate the inscription. It said ‘you will find the greatest treasure on earth’ and that is what we’re after.”

Lieutenant Mountrop came over to the group and asked, “Have yer found out where were heading yet?”

“I know where were heading, but it may be trickier than I thought,” replied the Captain, a frown creasing his brow.

“What do you mean the next piece is in the middle of a volcano,” exclaimed William.

“That’s what it says. You can’t argue with ancient jewellery, son,” replied Captain Deanson, holding the medallion out so that the boy could see it.

“But how are we supposed to get inside the volcano, presuming that is, we would survive?”

“It’s obviously a meta-whatsitsname,” commented Mountrop, “A code of some kind.”

“It’s not a metaphor or any other kind of trick. The map plainly shows that the treasure is in the centre of the island, where you can see a volcano stands,” replied the captain, exasperated. “And that’s not the only challenge. We have to get through a dense rainforest and swampland first.”

“I'm starting to think this whole wild goose chase is not worth the effort,” commented William.

“Its not geese were chasing, its treasure, the golden goose you could say although I would be willing to settle for selling the gold medallion. Get a pretty price for it I would,” said Lieutenant Mountrop, giving a toothy grin and reaching out to take the gold medallion.

Captain Hallow pulled his hand away holding the gold tightly in his fist.

“No! You’re not selling my only chance at unbridled wealth and luxury. I’ve suffered enough and I expect my reward,” he replied obstinately. “Now are you with me or against me?”

“Of course we’re with ye,” replied Mountrop, his eye sparkling with greed, “Aren’t we boy?”

“Yes, completely on your side,” agreed William, nodding his head emphatically.

“Good,” grunted the captain, “We’d better get going then if were going to get through most of the distance before nightfall.”

***

“Doctor are you sure this is the right direction?” asked Fitz, breathlessly. They had been trudging through the thick forest for ages without sight of the elusive ‘Gablidar’ creature that the Doctor insisted he find.

“I'm sure we passed that group of trees earlier,” commented Trix. “We are going round in circles. Why don’t you give up this wild goose chase and got back to the TARDIS?”

“It’s not a wild goose it’s a lupine species,” the Doctor chirped, waving the reference book in front of them. “So it’s more like a wild wolf chase.”

“Are you sure this is the right place? You said the planet would be crawling with them those-,” began Trix.

“Gablidar,” replied the Doctor.

“We are on the right planet?” added Fitz. “Tell me you haven’t got us lost in a jungle on a hostile planet.”

“Well, lets assume the best,” replied the Doctor. He glanced up at the sky. Suddenly his voice had a serious edge to it. “I think we had better head back to the TARDIS anyway.”

“Why?”

“It’s starting to get dark. We don’t want to be wandering about in the dark.”

“Why not,” asked Fitz.

“Oh, no reason.”

***

It was a moonless night with only the stars and the flickering light that spilled from the couple of lanterns the group had brought along to illuminate the almost impenetrable forest. It had taken them the best part of the day to hack their way through the dense foliage, trudging along in the oppressive heat. When the sun went down, the cool of the night air gave a welcome relief. William had suggested they make camp, but the pirates eager for treasure insisted on continuing their journey ignoring the boy’s request. The unearthly sounds of the nocturnal animals accompanying the group as they scrambled through the undergrowth, in the shadow of the towering trees.

“Are we to walk all night? Surely it would be wise to set up camp,” William whispered to Mountrop, as they filed along.

“When we see a suitable site to stop we will, but not at the moment,” replied the lieutenant, nervously glancing over his shoulder every time he heard a shriek from some animal in the blackness of the forest.

“What’s the matter Lieutenant? Why so jumpy?” asked Deanson, joining them.

“There’s something not right about this place,” replied Mountrop.

“What’s not right? You’re not scared of the dark are you?”

“No,” declared the lieutenant, looking slightly offended, in a nonchalant kind of way, “It’s just too easy that’s all….”

William was just about to comment when there was a shout from one of the pirates further down the line. One of them came running up towards Deanson.

“Cap’n its Tomi,” explained the sailor, looking pale. “He’s found somin’ you ‘ad better came an’ see.”

Captain Deanson stood there with a quizzical look on his face, peering intently at Tomi’s find. He looked back up at the pirate and asked, “Are ye sure this isn’t some kind of trick?”

“No,” replied Tomi in his broken English, “I was following when heard sound from bush. The light from lantern showed the edge. Found it. Tell Cutthroat Pete. He find you.”

“Well I never saw anything of the like before,” replied Mountrop, arching his eyebrows, “and I’ve seen a lot.”

William held the lantern out to try to throw more light on one of the set of giant footprints, exclaiming, “It’s huge. What kind of animal could possibly-,”

“A very large and possibly dangerous one,” replied Deanson, a grave look on his face. “And the prints are fairly fresh, which means it’s nearby. So I suggest we keep moving. I for one don’t want to be around when it finds out we’ve been in its territory.”

“Let’s hope it’s not hungry,” said William, at the same moment his own stomach chose to rumble loudly.

Captain Deanson raised an eyebrow at the sound, and then adjusting his hat he shouted to the men, “We keep going!”

Deanson, Mountrop and William rejoined their place in the line of pirates. They had been walking for about a quarter of an hour when they heard a rustle of leaves, the crack of a twig, and a dreadful shriek from the darkness and then panicked cry of one of the pirates. Deanson ran to where the cry had come from, cutlass drawn and ready. William and Mountrop were hot on his heels, muskets ready. They came upon the dreadful scene only moments later. There was nothing left of the poor man bar a wooden leg, hat and trail of blood. One of the other pirates was standing next to the captain, pointing his pistol at the bush where the trail led to and looking petrified.

“What happened,” asked William, looking nervously around him.

“Something got Hatchet Harry,” replied Deanson, holding up the lantern to try and throw some more light upon the dark forest.

“It was a monster,” declared the late Harry’s, trembling friend. “Huge claws-…”

“I don’t believe in no damn monsters,” stated Mountrop, “It were probably some native animal, a lion perhaps.”

“A lion on an island,” queried William, a little sceptical.

“Anything’s possible,” said Deanson, “which is why we should keep moving or else we’ll never get out of this endless forest.”

They started off again, but now everyone was a little jumpy. The death of Hatchet Harry had shocked the group of pirates and they were all on edge, a hand always resting on the hilt of a cutlass just in case. They had also taken to keeping in pairs so they could watch each other’s backs, afraid of a surprise attack. The group had progressed quite far when there was two cries and the sound of two pistols being fired. Again Jack raced down the line to lend a hand in defending his crew from their attacker, but got there too late. This time two of the pirates had been taken. Their cutlasses and firearms lay discharged on the ground.

“Two more gone. This thing must be ravenous,” exclaimed William. Looking over at Deanson who was crouched down, examining the ground with intense curiosity.

“What are you looking at,” asked Mountrop, joining his captain, but still keeping an eye out for any movement in the forest that would betray another attack.

“A clue. A very curious clue,” replied Deanson.

They started again moving through the forest. They had only gone a little way when Deanson stopped; convinced he had heard voices echoing through the trees.

***

The Doctor pushed his way though the foliage, his manner hurried as if he were afraid of something.

“I was sure it was this way,” The Doctor muttered under his breath.

“You said that the last ten times we passed that tree,” replied Fitz, lighting up a cigarette.

The Doctor grabbed it from his mouth.

“Do you mind,” exclaimed Fitz.

“Yes. Do you want to start a forest fire,” said the Doctor.

“No.”

“Good. Now if we just go this way-,”

“We’ve been going round in circles.”

“But this time-,”

“This time I lead,” said Trix. “Last time we took a left so let’s turn right.”

“I suppose it’s worth a try,” replied the Doctor, looking a little hurt at having his role as leader taken away from him.

They pushed on through the undergrowth. Suddenly Trix came to a halt.

“What’s the matter?” asked the Doctor.

“T-t-there’s a-,”

“A great big footprint!” exclaimed Fitz, finishing her sentence.

“Ah,” said the Doctor.

“What do you mean ‘ah’?”

“Ah, yes well-,” replied the Doctor, crouching down to examine the indent highlighted by the moonlight. “There are humanoid footprints as well, look.”

He pointed.

“Then we’re on earth then?” asked Fitz.

“Not necessarily,” he replied.

“Do you think the locals are friendly?”

“Knowing how things usually go-,”

There was a rustle of leaves and several fearsome looking pirates made their entrance brandishing both cutlass and muskets. The Doctor leapt to his feet, swinging round to go back the way they came only to find all their escape routes covered.

“Doctor, any ideas-,”

“Stay right there you scurvy landlubbers!” yelled Captain Deanson, aiming two loaded pistols at the group.

“They be after our treasure,” blurted out Mountrop.

“We don’t know about any treasure,” replied the Doctor, with a disarming smile.

“Liar!”

“Mountrop,” reprimanded Deanson. He addressed The Doctor. “Who are you?”

“Explorers, I’m The Doctor and these are my companions Fitz and Trix. We seem to be lost-,”

“You are men of science?”

Trix raised an eyebrow.                                                  

“Yes.”

“Why don’t you ask them where we are?” hissed Fitz out the corner of his mouth.

The Doctor shook his head barely noticeably.

“Are you going to let them go?” exclaimed Mountrop. “How do you know they aren’t the coves who got Harry?”

The captain gave his second in command a stern look.

“Take them prisoner,” he bellowed. “They are more useful alive as hostages than dead.” The captain turned to the lieutenant, “It would take more than these three to kill Hatchet Harry. If their accomplices return for their friends I want to have some collateral to bargain with.

“Aye, sir,” replied Mountrop.

“And Mountrop-,”

“Yes, sir?”

“See to it that the men know that the woman is under my protection, no one is to harm her.”

“Aye aye, sir.”

Several of the pirates took hold of them and tied their hands together with rope. Two of them flanked the Doctor and his companions as guards.

As they marched along Trix glanced at Fitz with a look that said ‘Do something.’

“Doctor how are we gonna’ get out of this?” whispered Fitz.

“Any bright ideas?” added Trix.

“I’m working on it,” replied The Doctor, cautiously.

The motley group of pirates carried on till dawn, without any more incidents preventing their progress. As the sun came up and banished the shadows of the foreboding forest away they came to a clearing, which signalled the end of on part of their troublesome trek. In front of them was a river and on the opposite side was the start of the swampland. Captain Deanson decided that this was the best time to set up a temporary camp and rest the weary group.

“The river is shallow enough, but how are we going to get across the swamp,” asked William, as he sat on a rock, taking the occasional swigs of cool, refreshing water from the flask.

“Don’t you know nothin’ boy? We make a raft,” replied Mountrop, “Don’t we Captain?”

“I think we will make two rafts that way we can get everyone across safely and it will be easier to carry over the firmer ground,” replied the Captain.

He glanced over at the prisoners. They had been no trouble so far, and that made him uneasy if he were them he would have tried to escape by now.

The Doctor leant forward so that his companions could hear what he was about to say.

“I have-,” he began.

“A cunning plan?” finished Fitz, with a small smile.

“This is not time for jokes,” said the Doctor. “We need to escape now or we’ll be trapped on the opposite side of the swamp to the TARDIS.”

“Naturally,” commented Trix.

The Doctor showed that his hands were actually untied.

“Trix I’m going to need you to do something for me, use those acting skills of yours?”

“Sure. What’s the plan then?”

After a sufficient rest the pirates set to work on the rafts using some of the axes they had brought with them to chop down the right trees, trim them and tie them together with the strong vines which grew all over the forest. Finally after a lot of hard work the two rafts were finished. Captain Deanson was just about to organise the men into their respective crews when suddenly there was a scream.

He turned to see the female prisoner she was screaming at the top of her lungs and pointing into the forest her friends nowhere to be seen. He ran up to her in the ground he could see marks where someone had been dragged into the forest.

“Shut up!” he yelled at the woman, “Cease that infernal noise.”

She quickly fell silent.

“What happened? Where are your friends?” he demanded.

“I-I-it was a monster. It took them,” she replied her voice quivering.

“Mountrop!”

“Yes, sir?”

“Take three of the men go see to this monster,” said Captain Deanson, his tone mocking like he didn’t believe the story. He turned to Trix, his stare harsh, “If this is some kind of trick, I will not hesitate to kill them.”

While he was waiting for Mountrop to return he continued with the task at hand. The group were split into two sections one on the first raft the other on the second raft. Each had several men wilding long branches, which were to be used to punt the rafts across the swamp. William was on the first raft along with Deanson. Mountrop would command the second raft. It was not long when the lieutenant returned.

“No sign of a monster or the prisoners, sir,” he reported.

“Well, we still have her,” replied the captain pointing at Trix. “She comes with us.”

“Aye, sir.”

Trix was cajoled onto the first raft, her hands still bound she was sat in the centre to prevent her from escaping.

The flotilla of rafts had made it half way across the swamp when William tapped Captain Deanson on the shoulder.

“Captain,” he said with a worried voice.

“What,” replied Deanson.

“I just saw somethin’. It was in the swamp, movement then some air bubbles,” William took hold of his musket expectantly, “It was swimming around the rafts, could be dangerous.”

“There’s nothing ‘ere. Don’t be so jumpy,” replied the captain, dismissively.

All was quiet again except for the sound of the raft punting along. All the men were silent straining to hear any sound that might give away the presence of danger. Deanson’s raft was in front and was making good headway leaving the second raft behind a bit so they didn’t notice what was bearing down on the other raft until the cries of fear and report of musket fire alerted them. They all turned round to impotently watch the fate of the second raft, too far away to reach their comrades in time. What they saw were two reptilian creatures. One smashed the raft to pieces, the other bearing down on the unfortunate pirates devouring those that could swim and hadn’t already drowned without mercy. Suddenly one turned on Mountrop who was swimming away as fast as he could, its jaws clamping round the pirate’s leg. He cried for help as the creature tried to drag him back to the carnage.

“You’ve got to do something,” cried William.

Deanson gave him a reassuring look.

“Of course I will. Men! Fire a volley at those scoundrels; try to avoid hitting your shipmates.”

The assembled pirates didn’t need to be told twice. A volley rang out. The creature that had smashed the raft was hit. It thrashed around its throws becoming weaker until it died. The second creature was hit several times, but was not discouraged. On seeing this Captain Deanson suddenly handed his hat and pistol to William.

“Hold that,” he said, diving in, cutlass in hand.

“Wait,” cried out the boy, “It will get you too!”

Deanson took no notice and dived under the surface of the putrid swamp water. The pirates on the first raft watched their captain with awe at the selfless bravery and others with greed as the thought of an increase in their share of the treasure. William hardly dared breathe as he waited for his uncle to break the surface. It seemed like forever then suddenly there was a whoosh of water and a cutlass pierced the beast’s stomach. The creature thrashed around pitiful, its blood polluting the water till it finally gave up on life and released Mountrop’s mangled leg. Sparrow removed his cutlass from the beasts belly and swam over to help his weak and injured colleague back to the raft. After the two pirates were safely on board the crew wasted no time in set off again at full speed, keeping a wary eye out for any danger.

Trix looked back longingly at the shore. This was not the plan. The Doctor and Fitz should have been back for her by now.

***

“I told you the natives were friendly,” said the Doctor, with a large grin as he accepted a bowl of fruit from the chief of the tribe which had found them and hidden them from the pirates.

“Whatever you say Doctor, but what about Trix? We’ve got to go back and get her.”

“I know but these people can help us.”

“So,” began the Doctor turning to the Chief, “I am very grateful for your hospitality.”

“It is our way,” he replied. “We saw you run from the bad men who came. You are not like them.”

“Thank you.”

“You are the Jeldanwolo-, the ancient ones.”

“You what?” exclaimed Fitz.

“The one whose heart beats double,” translated the Doctor.

Fitz noticed something in his friend’s eyes, hope and sadness.

“You’re the ones who made that giant footprint, the monster?”

“It is how we usually keep strangers away from our land,” replied the chief with a smile.

“I need your help chief. A companion of ours-,”

“Is still with the bad men?”

“Yes. You couldn’t by any chance help us out a rescue with could you?” asked the Doctor, politely.

“She is on the other side of the swamp. Only the bravest warriors go there.”

“Why?”

“A rival tribe lives there. They are fearsome fighters.”

“Sounds a little dangerous, Doctor,” said Fitz.

“Trix needs our help,” replied the Doctor, adding under his breath, “Don’t worry I’ll come and get you.”

***

When they reached the other bank, exhausted and anxious they dragged the raft onto dry land ready for the trip back. The nearest thing to a ships surgeon a Mr Kirby – whose only qualification was that he had once worked as a barber surgeon for less then a year - saw to Mountrop. He had to amputate the leg using the crude tools to hand and neatly bandaged it up. A basic stretcher was made to carry the fellow and William donated his jacket to keep the lieutenant warm. While all this was going on one of the pirates, Jim Seeker snuck off into the bushes. Moments later there came a fearful yell, Captain Deanson immediately dived through the undergrowth the rest of the crew hot on his heels. They found themselves in a clearing and in the dirt lay Seeker. Dead. His back peppered with arrows decorated with colourful plumes.

“Natives?” asked William, fearfully.

“I presume,” replied Deanson, stooping over the body to examine the arrows. “Fan out see if you can spot the culprit’s.”

***

Fitz watched as the Doctor helped the native warriors drag the boats to the edge of the swamp. He had been told that creatures inhabited the swamp which would eat you as soon as look at you. The Doctor had suggested a solution. They were to throw food a little way from the boats so that the creatures would be too busy to notice their expedition. He wasn’t that keen on the idea but as always he trusted that the Doctor knew what he was doing.

“Come on, get in the boat,” said the Doctor, waving him over.

“You sure this is safe?” asked Fitz.

“Let’s find out shall we?”

The boats started off across the swamp, several of the warriors sat poised with spears in their hands ready to repel attack. It appeared they were worried about the success of the plan as well.

***

Captain Deanson had finally decided that it would be prudent to stop and rest a while. Loosing a large chunk of his crew and his daring rescue after a long march through rough terrain had left him flagging as much as the rest of the pirates. He sat down on a convenient rock to collect his thoughts. He was worried that they had been followed. He had originally thought it was the work of The Doctor and some unseen accomplices that had been terrorising his crew, but now it seemed that the island was inhabited he was starting to realise that maybe the prisoners were actually on the level. He glanced over at the woman hostage, Trix he believed she had been introduced as. The captain got to his feet maybe he could learn some more about her companions. He walked over at where she was tied to one of the large trees to prevent escape. She looked up at him contempt in her eyes.

“Your friends aren’t here anymore, Miss and there not coming back.” He played his first card, “Mountrop saw to that. Your friends are hanging from a tree, dead back there.”

She still kept quiet not speaking.

“Now there gone. Why don’t you tell me what your really here for?”

Trix looked at him. She knew what he was up to, but he didn’t realise who he was dealing with. She saw an opportunity and took it.

“They weren’t my friends,” she said.

“Really?”

“No. They’re my kidnappers, experts in antiquities and former soldiers. And its Lady Beatrice Cunningham to you,” she replied inventing a new persona.

“Well, your ladyship why would they bring you here?”

“They were employed by my father to help him find the treasure on this island.”

“I’m listening. Where’s your father, and how did he know about the treasure?”

“He had a map. They murdered him for it then a storm came and our ship was sunk. Only me, the Doctor and Fitz survived.”

“Hmmm…”

Captain Deanson pondered her story. It was plausible.

“I’m so grateful for you rescuing me.”

“Did you ever see the map?”

“Yes,” she replied hesitantly.

“Then maybe you can be of some use.”

***

The entire group gave a collective sigh of relief. They had reached the other side without incident. Fitz felt a little guilty that he had ever doubted the Doctor.

“Fitz,” said the Doctor.

He snapped out of his reverie.

“What?”

“Look. Those pirates didn’t bother to hide their tracks.”

“How far ahead are they though?”

“The tracks are fairly fresh,” stated Belgak, the native’s warrior champion who had been the first to volunteer to help.

“Only a couple of hours start on us then,” said the Doctor, nodding in agreement.

“They are heading for the Great Pipsshace,” explained Belgak.

“The what?” exclaimed Fitz.

“He means the volcano,” said the Doctor.

“Oh.”

***

Captain Deanson knew there had been a map. He only had the medallion, the key. It was the map that had the instructions on how to enter the treasure chamber without setting off any of the traps set for unwary robbers. Little did Trix know how accurate she had been when she embellished her tale.

Imbued with a refreshed sense of confidence Deanson gathered the remaining pirates together.

“Right, we’re only a half a day away from the treasure,” he announced.

There were cries of ‘hazzar’ from the crew.

“But I’m sure we can make it in half the time. Everyone get ready to move out.”

After the group had dispersed William approached the captain.

“What are we going to do about Mountrop? He can’t travel,” asked William.

“We’ll carry him, put together a stretcher. I don’t leave anyone behind,” he replied.

***

The Doctor and Belgak led the band of warriors through the forest Fitz lagging behind, years of smoking had left him out of shape. He was wheezing as he tried to keep up with the natives moving swiftly through the terrain. They had been following the tracks left by the pirates according to the Doctor, Trix was still with them and they were gaining on them.

***

Trix glanced behind hoping to see the Doctor and Fitz turn up to her rescue, but no such luck. She sighed. They had untied her hands but there had yet to come an opportunity for her to escape and even if there had been she had no idea where she was and how to get back to the others. It seemed her only choice was to continue with the charade. Her feet were aching and she was tired. They had been walking for ages, but from the looks of things they were nearing their goal. The volcano loomed up in front majestic its peak in the clouds and the trees hugged its foothills.

The pirates halted at the foot of the volcano. Captain Deanson stepped forward the medallion in his hand.

“Now, your ladyship,” he began. “If you could think back and tell me where is the entrance?”

“Excuse me?” she exclaimed.

“You said you’d seen the map?”

“Well, it was only briefly. The Doctor was the one with the map…he translated it.”

“Really? How convenient he’s not here then,” said Deanson.

***

“Can you see them?” asked Fitz, his voice hushed.

The Doctor pushed the fronds of a large fern back as he peered at the group of pirates.

“Shush,” he hissed. “Looks like Trix needs our help. Let’s hope this works.”

“Yeah let’s,” agreed Fitz.

The natives prepared their assault. It had been the Doctors idea. The pirates were already unnerved by recent events and many were superstitious. They were to dress as the ‘monster’ and scare the strangers. The hope was that while distracted the Doctor and Fitz could rescue their friend. The Doctor had even figured out a way of making a fearful noise that would create the illusion of a most ferocious beast.

Captain Deanson stood there waiting. Waiting for her to say something. Her elaborate web of lies was starting to tear apart and fluttering her eyelashes wasn’t going to save her. Suddenly there was a horrific noise that echoed round them. The undergrowth began to rustle and the most monstrous visage appeared with a roar. The pirates panicked. Some fled other began to shoot wildly into the forest using up their ammunition. With their attention distracted Trix prepared to run, when Captain Deanson grabbed hold of her wrist.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he growled. Shouting to his crew, “Come back you lily-livered cowards!”

But by now only the captain William and Mountrop remained the latter because in their flight his colleagues had neglected to take him with them. The Doctor and Fitz emerged from the trees. Fitz carried a spear in his hand and the Doctor appeared to have got into the spirit of things and had his face covered in war paint. A big grin across his mug. Deanson pulled her closer bringing the blade of a cutlass to her throat.

“Stay back,” he yelled. “Stay back or she dies.”

“Now calm down,” said the Doctor slowing down his advance but not stopping completely. He held his hands out open palms signifying honesty. “Don’t do anything hasty.”

“Stay where you are! I want the map.”

“I’m sorry?”

“The treasure map. You give it to me and this pretty thing gets to live.”

“I don’t have any map,” protested the Doctor.

“Then your out of luck,” his grip tightened on the cutlass.

There was an awkward pause. Deanson seemed to be hesitating unable to go through with his threat.

“Go on do it you wimp!” shouted Trix, unexpectedly.

Fitz gave shocked look and mouthed, ‘are you mad?’ to her.

“You know it won’t help you. We don’t want your stinking treasure, so just let me go.”

Trix brought her hands up and grabbed the hilt of the cutlass, simultaneously stamping on his foot then twisting his wrist round. He let go of the cutlass with a yelp of pain. She punched him in the face and sprinted towards the Doctor. He took hold of her hand and they all ran into the forest before Deanson could recover.

“We need to get back to the swamp before the rest of the pirates find out they’ve been duped and come after us,” explained the Doctor.

“Great,” exclaimed Fitz.

“The TARDIS will be waiting on the other side. I had it delivered,” replied the Doctor with a grin.

***

They had made it. All three of them stood outside the TARDIS as they said their farewells to the natives who had helped them. 

“So what do you think the treasure was that the pirates wanted so dearly?” asked Trix.

“Something that isn’t gold,” replied the Doctor as they entered the TARDIS. “I had a word with the chief. There’s no treasure, just a cave full of old stone inscriptions. Worthless to someone like Deanson.”

“What if the pirates try to get revenge,” asked Fitz.

“Oh I don’t think they will cause too much trouble for the locals,” said the Doctor with a crafty grin. “No trouble at all.”

The End.