The young people applauded. "Doctor," Zoe giggled,
"I didn't know you could play."
"Learned from a man named Minister or something like that,
long time ago. But it stays with you." The Doctor rose and
walked over to the altar, admiring a well polished candlestick.
"Rather rough workmanship," he said, "but the
material is interesting. Almost pure copper. Must weigh all of
five pounds. I don't suppose I could persuade you to part with
this, could I, young lady? I can't explain, but I really need it.
I brought these stones to trade." The Doctor took several
very beautiful rubies from his pocket. The young woman took them.
"Why these are worth far more than that old
candlestick," she said.
"I'm sure you'll find good use for whatever's left over when
you sell them," the Doctor offered. After removing the
candle, the Doctor tucked the candlestick under his arm.
"Come along, Jamie, Zoe. We must be going."
They bade Jane farewell and made their way back to the TARDIS.
The Doctor was not surprised to find the young marshall waiting
there.
"Do you ever dream dreams," the marshall asked,
"about great ships that fly from star to star, about swords
that spit tongues of flame, and shields that put out invisible
walls?"
The Doctor shook his head. "I'm not from that time and that
place," he said. "I dream of towering spires, and men
who wear golden sashes, and carry golden rods. We are of
different times, and different places, yet we all dream
dreams."
The Doctor unlocked the door and motioned Jamie and Zoe to enter.
They both nodded to the marshall as they passed. "Would you
like to come in for a moment?" the Doctor asked.
The marshall shook his head. "That is not my time and my
place," he said, "but good journey, Doctor. Happy
landings!"
The Doctor put out his hand and touched the young man's shoulder,
then watched him walk off into the darkness.
In a short time, the Doctor had the necessary repairs completed
and sat the controls for departure. Zoe walked over and took his
hand.
"Doctor," she said, "who was the marshall? Is he
someone you know?"
"Not really, Zoe," the Doctor answered, "more like
something I know. Something that, from time to time, takes on a
physical form to keep things in balance, to keep things as they
should be, that is willing to suffer all of life's pains and joys
to keep this world's children going in the right direction. They
do not always succeed, Zoe, but if they do not try, this world
would be chaos, hopeless. Do you understand?"
Zoe nodded. "We understand, Doctor," she said. She
looked at Jamie, who smiled and was thinking the same thought she
was thinking. "Yes," she repeated again, as the panel
began to throb, and outside the ship faded into nothingness.
"Yes," she said, "We understand!"
THE END